El Salvador 2026: Record Approval vs. Tepid Bitcoin Adoption$BTC
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele continues to dominate domestic politics, hitting a record 91.9% approval rating as of February 2026.
However, a fascinating gap has emerged: while the leader is more popular than ever, his signature Bitcoin experiment is seeing minimal daily use by the general public.
📊 Key Insights for Investors
Security Over Satoshis: The primary driver for Bukele’s massive popularity remains the dramatic reduction in crime. In contrast, only 2.2% of the population views the Bitcoin policy as a primary success.
IMF Compromise: To secure a $1.4 billion loan, the government reformed the Bitcoin Law in 2025. Bitcoin acceptance is now voluntary for the private sector, and public sector usage has been restricted to satisfy international fiscal standards.
Treasury Resilience: Despite the "tepid" public adoption, the government persists with its 1 BTC per day purchase strategy. As of early 2026, national reserves hold approximately 7,517 BTC (valued at over $660M).
💡 Market Psychology
Investor sentiment is currently Cautious-Indifferent. While crypto enthusiasts cheer the government's long-term accumulation, the broader market is focused on the IMF’s scrutiny and the slow evolution of the Chivo wallet, which still faces technical and trust hurdles.$BTC
📉 Investment Strategy: HOLD
Rationale: Strong political stability provides a "floor" for the nation’s crypto initiatives, but limited retail adoption prevents a major bullish breakout for local BTC utility.
Action: Monitor the government's daily accumulation patterns and the progress of IMF negotiations. The 4% projected GDP growth suggests a stable macroeconomic backdrop for El Salvador’s reserves.
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