El Salvador’s Bitcoin strategy is facing renewed pressure after a recent market slide wiped roughly $300 million from the country’s BTC reserves.

Key Takeaways:

• El Salvador holds 7,560 BTC worth about $508.47 million at current prices.

• Roughly $300 million in market value has been erased from recent highs due to Bitcoin’s decline.

• The country continues to accumulate BTC despite volatility.

• IMF negotiations and debt obligations increase scrutiny of the strategy.

With 7,560 BTC currently held and valued at approximately $508.47 million, the decline reflects a sharp drop from recent valuation highs when Bitcoin was trading significantly above current levels.

The drawdown adds fresh strain to President Nayib Bukele’s high-conviction crypto strategy at a time when fiscal discipline and external financing remain in focus.

??BITCOIN DROP PILES PRESSURE ON EL SALVADOR

Bitcoin’s recent slide has wiped roughly $300M from El Salvador’s BTC reserves. That adds fresh strain to President Nayib Bukele’s crypto strategy.

Despite the losses, Bukele keeps buying, unsettling bond markets and adding friction… pic.twitter.com/hXYFtnMAjc

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) February 13, 2026

Market Volatility Hits Sovereign Reserves

At Bitcoin’s recent peak levels, El Salvador’s holdings were valued near the $800 million range. The subsequent correction has reduced that figure by approximately $300 million, highlighting the risks of holding a highly volatile asset at sovereign scale.

While these losses remain unrealized unless the government sells, they materially affect the mark-to-market value of national reserves. For a country navigating debt repayments and external financing pressures, that volatility is not insignificant.

The decline comes as El Salvador continues to manage obligations tied to its $1.4 billion IMF agreement. The IMF has consistently warned about the financial stability risks of large-scale crypto exposure, particularly when reserves fluctuate dramatically in value.

Bukele’s Long-Term Bitcoin Bet

Despite the paper losses, President Bukele has shown no sign of retreating. The administration has continued periodic Bitcoin purchases, signaling confidence in a long-term thesis rather than reacting to short-term price movements.

Supporters argue that Bitcoin’s historical cycle pattern includes deep corrections followed by new highs, and that judging the strategy mid-cycle may be premature. Critics counter that sovereign balance sheets operate differently from private portfolios – volatility can directly influence borrowing costs, investor confidence, and fiscal planning.

With 7,560 BTC on its balance sheet, El Salvador remains one of the world’s largest sovereign Bitcoin holders. Whether the strategy ultimately delivers outsized gains or creates sustained fiscal pressure will depend largely on Bitcoin’s future price trajectory – and on the country’s ability to balance conviction with financial stability.

For now, the $300 million drawdown stands as a reminder that national Bitcoin adoption carries not just upside potential, but significant macro risk.