El Salvador is doubling down on its strategy of building long-term financial reserves — and it’s doing it with both gold and Bitcoin.

The country’s Central Reserve Bank (BCR) announced a new purchase of 9,298 troy ounces of gold, valued at roughly $50 million, as global gold prices continue to climb. This marks the second major gold acquisition in recent months, following a September 2025 purchase of nearly 14,000 ounces.

With the latest move, El Salvador’s total gold holdings now stand at 67,403 ounces, valued at approximately $360 million at current prices. The central bank described gold as a “strategic reserve asset,” saying the purchase strengthens long-term financial stability and helps shield the economy from global market volatility.

Officials added that the move supports investor confidence and maintains a balanced composition within the country’s international reserves, though no official target for future gold accumulation was disclosed.

Still Stacking Bitcoin

At the same time, El Salvador continues to expand its Bitcoin holdings, a policy that has defined President Nayib Bukele’s economic approach in recent years.

Blockchain data shows the country has maintained a steady pace of purchases, often acquiring one bitcoin per day, with recent transactions ranging between roughly $84,000 and $95,000 per coin. According to on-chain tracking, El Salvador’s bitcoin treasury now totals 7,547 BTC, worth more than $600 million at recent prices.

Bukele reacted to the reserve update with a social media post saying, “We just bought the other dip,” leaving some to wonder whether he was referencing gold, bitcoin — or both.

A Dual Strategy

By increasing both bullion and crypto holdings, El Salvador appears to be pursuing a dual-reserve strategy: pairing the traditional stability of gold with the long-term growth potential of digital assets.

Supporters argue this diversified approach could help protect the country from inflation, currency pressures, and shifts in global financial systems. Critics, meanwhile, continue to question the volatility associated with cryptocurrency exposure.

Either way, El Salvador is positioning itself as one of the few nations actively reshaping what a modern national reserve portfolio can look like.