{
  "id": 11896527,
  "title": "El Salvador receives $138 million from IMF after Bitcoin waivers granted",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/el-salvador-receives-138-million-from-imf-after-bitcoin-waivers",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-04T09:39:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cointelegraph",
    "slug": "cointelegraph",
    "url": "https://cointelegraph.com/news/el-salvador-receives-138-million-from-imf-after-bitcoin-waivers-granted"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the release of $138 million to El Salvador, despite the country missing certain performance criteria under its $1.4 billion financing program. This decision was made during the IMF's second and third reviews of El Salvador's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, which concluded on Thursday.\n\nThe IMF waived the criteria related to Bitcoin accumulation, citing \"strong corrective measures and renewed commitments\" from El Salvador. The agency acknowledged progress in financial sector reforms, fiscal transparency, Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) measures, and the transfer of majority ownership and control of the government's Chivo Bitcoin wallet to a private operator. The IMF emphasized that no further Bitcoin accumulation is expected beyond the documented donations.\n\nEl Salvador has committed to reducing its involvement in Bitcoin-related activities and strengthening crypto-asset regulation and governance. According to the IMF, the country's increase in Bitcoin holdings did not result from additional government purchases but rather from private donations. The majority ownership and operational control of the Chivo wallet have been transferred to a private entity, while the government retains a minority stake and custodial responsibilities. The IMF's decision was based on documentation provided by Salvadoran authorities, verifying that the Bitcoin accumulation came from private sources.",
  "summary": "Efforts will continue to reduce the state’s involvement in Bitcoin-related activities and to strengthen crypto‑asset regulation and governance, the IMF said.",
  "key_points": [
    "IMF releases $138 million to El Salvador",
    "Bitcoin accumulation criteria waived",
    "Private donations attributed to Bitcoin holdings"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}