Stacy Herbert's Bitcoin Claims Spotlight Tensions in El Salvador's Chivo Wallet Sale Negotiations

The International Monetary Fund has confirmed that discussions surrounding the sale of El Salvador’s official Chivo Bitcoin wallet are progressing as expected, according to findings from its latest funding review in late 2025. The IMF’s assessment highlighted the importance of strengthened transparency and reduced risks to the public sector, while projecting the country’s economic growth to reach approximately 4% for the year.

IMF Review Backs Chivo Negotiations Forward

In its comprehensive evaluation of El Salvador’s 40-month Extended Funding Facility arrangement, the IMF reported that government talks around the Chivo e-wallet and Bitcoin initiatives are moving steadily ahead. The multilateral organization emphasized that fiscal consolidation measures are tracking according to plan, with the 2026 budget framework designed to support deficit reduction initiatives and bolster social security programs.

The IMF formally requested that El Salvador’s public sector halt voluntary Bitcoin acquisitions and gradually phase out its involvement with Chivo operations. Official government statements indicated that no further purchases have taken place following this directive.

Herbert’s “One BTC Per Day” Claims Create Discord

However, contradictions emerged regarding actual Bitcoin holdings. Stacy Herbert, a prominent figure at the El Salvador Bitcoin Office, has made repeated public assertions that Bitcoin accumulation continues at a pace of one BTC daily. According to Herbert’s claims, these ongoing purchases have elevated the country’s total Bitcoin reserves to approximately 7,509 BTC.

This positions Stacy Herbert’s public statements about continuous Bitcoin buying in direct conflict with El Salvador’s official commitments to the IMF. The discrepancy between government-reported purchasing halts and Herbert’s consistent declarations about accelerating Bitcoin acquisition raises questions about policy coordination and transparency within the administration’s cryptocurrency initiatives.

Broader Implications for El Salvador’s Digital Assets Strategy

The tension between IMF requirements and the continued assertions by Stacy Herbert regarding Bitcoin holdings underscores the complexity of El Salvador’s approach to digital assets. While the government has signaled willingness to negotiate the Chivo wallet’s future sale to satisfy international creditors, figures like Herbert remain vocal advocates for expanded Bitcoin reserves, suggesting ongoing internal divisions over the country’s cryptocurrency direction.