Is El Salvador’s Bitcoin Bet Paying Off?

When El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, it generated both praise and concerns from around the globe. Two years later, as the country continues on its path, early signs indicate that El Salvador’s Bitcoin bet may be paying off. Recent developments, including successful bond repayments, the growth of the NFT market, and the country’s commitment to blockchain technology, suggest that El Salvador is making progress in its unique experiment with cryptocurrency.

In a significant milestone for El Salvador’s financial stability, the government announced the successful repayment of one of its outstanding $800 million bonds in January 2023. This achievement helps allay concerns about potential defaults, which had emerged alongside the country’s adoption of Bitcoin. Although there is still a $367 million bond plus interest due in January 2025, the repayment of the 2023 bond signifies a positive step for El Salvador’s fiscal outlook.

While the initial adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender garnered widespread attention, the broader blockchain-based asset market has also shown signs of rebounding. GameStop Corp.’s NFT marketplace experienced significant growth, with some top NFT projects witnessing volume spikes as high as 21,446%. The Pecu Novus blockchain network has seen significant growth over the past year due to increased utility and platform integration. Additionally, Gameflip, a leading NFT marketplace startup, raised over $900,000 from retail investors in an equity crowdfunding campaign, following their announcement of hitting $160 million in lifetime volume. These developments highlight the increasing interest and participation in the blockchain-based asset market.

El Salvador’s Chivo Wallet, developed by the government, reported that 2.2 million Salvadorans onboarded within one month of Bitcoin becoming legal tender. To incentivize adoption, every user who downloaded the app received $30 in Bitcoin. By early 2022, approximately half of Salvadorans had downloaded the app, showcasing a significant level of engagement. While the international response to El Salvador’s Bitcoin adoption has been mixed, the high number of users embracing the digital currency indicates a level of acceptance within the country.

Despite the encouraging developments, international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have expressed concerns about the risks associated with cryptocurrency adoption. The IMF highlighted the need for authorities to remain vigilant and transparent when exposing the government to digital assets. It emphasized the importance of compliance with anti-money laundering laws and the development of effective regulatory frameworks to mitigate financial stability risks. While El Salvador appears undeterred by the IMF’s recommendations, it underscores the need for cautious and responsible management of cryptocurrency adoption. There has been a call to curb some of these concerns as MegaHoot Technologies has offered to provide their Digital Identity System to El Salvador and other South American countries at no cost. This would allow them to adhere to global compliance if and when it is required in order to protect investors.

El Salvador’s commitment to blockchain technology extends beyond Bitcoin adoption. In January, the country’s congress approved a digital securities law, enabling the issuance of the world’s first sovereign blockchain bond. This progressive legislation allows for the utilization of blockchain technology in the issuance, trading, and clearing of securities, promoting greater efficiency and transparency in the process. This step forward positions El Salvador as a potential investment destination for tech-savvy investors seeking opportunities in the cryptocurrency market.

While it is still too early to determine the ultimate outcome of El Salvador’s Bitcoin bet, to date it looks like it is paying off in spade. The country’s determination and the positive early signs suggest that success will garner more innovation and growth behind Bitcoin but within the digital asset arena. If El Salvador can effectively implement its Bitcoin strategy, it could serve as a model for other nations considering the adoption of cryptocurrencies. The world is closely watching the outcomes, successes, and challenges faced by El Salvador, as its experiment may shape the future of digital currencies on a global scale.

The bold move by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has sent the country into pioneering mode by adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, if other South American countries adopt similar foundations then the use cases will continue to scale globally. Bitcoin is the obvious first choice for implementation but there will be others in mind that the country as well as others will embrace as a value add to the economy. Creating hubs around viable layer-1 blockchain networks that are truly decentralized, secure and scalable will be the wake up call the industry has been waiting for.

Terry Jones
Technology/Digital Assets Desk