El Salvador Plans to Expand Its Bitcoin Reserve Between 2026 and 2027

The Bitcoin Funds Administration Agency (AAB) of El Salvador presented its report for the period from June 2025 to May 2026. The report focused on the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and the promotion of the digital asset market at both national and international levels. The AAB aims to ensure the sustained growth of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve as a national liquidity reserve fund, through new investments and favorable market conditions.

Projections for 2026-2027

Among its main action points are the strengthening of the national reserve, maintaining the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery certification, improving institutional cybersecurity, administrative modernization, promoting the digital asset and Bitcoin market, and developing regulations for the issuance of these instruments. Regarding the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, the agency indicated that it seeks to consolidate its strategic management, optimize liquidity, and respond to market volatility. In terms of certification, it stated that it will maintain the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery certification and implement an annual training and compliance program. It also plans to reinforce the institutional cybersecurity infrastructure by improving internal controls and protocols. Administratively, it reported that it will update processes to attract suppliers and promote training and development programs for specialized personnel. The AAB also indicated that it will implement a strategy to promote the digital asset ecosystem, with campaigns and participation in international events, to strengthen El Salvador's presence in global financial markets. In regulation, it noted that the country will continue to execute policies and regulations for the issuance of digital assets, in collaboration with state institutions to develop a regulatory framework.

Difficulties and Institutional Management

During the analyzed period, the AAB identified two main difficulties: attracting suppliers to the procurement processes and simplifying compliance requirements. Regarding the first point, it indicated that low participation in offers was associated with small amounts. In response, the agency grouped processes, published more attractive amounts, and encouraged the participation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (mipymes). Administratively, the AAB reported that it seeks to simplify the requirements demanded in each procurement modality, without deviating from the regulatory framework. Institutional management relied on pillars such as operational efficiency, technological innovation, institutional strengthening, and organizational ethics. According to the report, the agency strengthened internal culture through process automation, supervision, control, staff training, and preventive audits.

Highlighted Programs

Among the highlighted programs, the AAB mentioned the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery certification, which it described as a successfully executed project with coverage over 100% of the external user population. It also reported that it concluded the institutional regulatory update program, incorporating guidelines on money laundering prevention, anti-bribery, and risk management.

Procurement, Acquisitions, and Budget Execution

From June to December 2025, the AAB conducted 23 procurement processes, of which 17 were awarded for a total amount of $182,110. Between January and May 2026, the agency recorded 11 processes, with eight effective contracts and a total amount of $77,110. Price comparison and direct contracting were the most used methods. In the financial area, by the end of 2025, the agency executed the entirety of the $23,395,060 allocated. By May 2026, the executed budget amounted to $82,089,635, with only 0.4% of the total approved for that exercise pending.