Despite both leaders being known for their pro-Bitcoin policies, U.S. President Donald Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele did not address Bitcoin or digital assets during their April 14 meeting at the White House. The discussion instead prioritized topics related to trade and immigration, signaling a shift in focus away from crypto-related agendas.
Key Points from the Meeting
- No mention of Bitcoin or digital assets despite both leaders promoting crypto in the past.
- The primary focus was on regional security and migration strategies.
- Trump proposed expanding joint detention efforts, including transferring U.S. citizens convicted of crimes to El Salvadoran prisons.
Background on Leaders’ Bitcoin Involvement
President Bukele made headlines in 2021 when El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender. His administration has since accumulated over 6,100 BTC, according to the country’s National Bitcoin Office. On the U.S. side, Trump signed an executive order in March to establish a Bitcoin reserve fund using seized cryptocurrency assets—now totaling nearly 198,000 BTC, valued at over $17 billion.
International Pressures and Shifting Priorities
El Salvador’s crypto initiatives have drawn scrutiny from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which recently approved a $1.4 billion loan in exchange for scaled-back involvement in Bitcoin-related activities. Despite this agreement, the Central American country continues to add to its Bitcoin holdings.
With traditional concerns like regional stability and immigration now dominating talks, the significance of Bitcoin in bilateral relations may be on pause. Although crypto played a high-profile role in the 2024 U.S. election, its role in U.S.-El Salvador relations currently appears limited.
For further details, visit the original article on Cointelegraph.
