The National Bitcoin Office of El Salvador confirmed on February 16 that the country's strategic reserve had grown to 7,565.37 BTC, worth roughly $635 million at current prices. President Nayib Bukele's aggressive "buy the dip" strategy, in place since Bitcoin became legal tender in 2021, continues through a daily dollar-cost averaging (DCA) plan that adds roughly one coin per day.
Holdings Surpass UAE, Spurring Regional Copycats
El Salvador now holds more Bitcoin than several sovereign states, including the UAE and Bhutan. In Latin America, Brazil is studying a proposal to build its own reserve of 1 million BTC over five years. The Salvadoran model is increasingly seen as a hedge against inflation and local currency weakness, moving beyond speculative price bets toward real fiscal utility.
The government has also diversified: it recently purchased $50 million in gold to balance its $625 million crypto stash, reducing single-asset volatility risks.
$100M SME Fund and AI Education Rollout
Unrealized gains from the digital reserve are funding domestic projects. A $100 million program supports small and medium enterprises with Bitcoin-related financing and training. Separately, AI-powered tutoring systems have been deployed in 5,000 public schools, partly financed by the reserve's appreciation.
Bukele has repeatedly stated that DCA is not gambling but a sovereign tool: "Buy every day, let time absorb the volatility." In 2026, global central banks and sovereign wealth funds are increasingly eyeing on-chain assets. If the U.S. Senate passes pending crypto legislation, a race among nations to accumulate Bitcoin could accelerate.
On-chain data shows the official wallet has received over 2,000 small deposits since September 2021, consistent with a daily DCA pattern. The office continues executing purchases without interruption, even during market downturns.
Investing in digital assets carries high risk; prices can fluctuate rapidly. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.