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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →“El Salvador wallet” usually means Chivo, the digital wallet launched by the Salvadoran government alongside its Bitcoin project in 2021. It handled Bitcoin and U.S. dollar payments and exchanges. The project’s ownership has since changed: on October 1, 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that majority ownership and operational control of Chivo had transferred to a private operator.
What is the El Salvador wallet?
Chivo is a digital wallet application—not a physical wallet. The IMF describes it as a public e-wallet that offered payments and exchange in Bitcoin and U.S. dollars. It was introduced as part of El Salvador’s Bitcoin project, which began when the Bitcoin Law entered into force in September 2021. The IMF’s November 2021 statement described the application as operating in both currencies; its 2025 country report also describes Chivo’s payments and exchange services.
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Why was Chivo introduced?
The stated aims were to widen access to financial services for people without bank accounts and informal businesses, speed up transactions, and make remittances easier, faster, and cheaper. These were policy goals, not proof that the wallet achieved them. To encourage downloads at launch, the government gave qualifying Salvadorans an initial Bitcoin allowance equivalent to US$30. That was a historical launch incentive, not evidence of a current offer. The IMF’s 2025 report gives this background.
What does the evidence say about Bitcoin use?
The project’s aims should be distinguished from reported adoption. In surveys cited by the IMF in 2025, at the project’s peak, 20 percent of firms accepted Bitcoin and 4.9 percent of sales were paid in Bitcoin. Separately, official data cited in that report showed that 1.2 percent of remittances were transferred using a crypto wallet; that figure is for crypto wallets generally, not Chivo alone. These are historical measures, not current usage estimates. Source: IMF, 2025 country report.
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The same report said around 250 ATMs facilitated entry to and exit from Bitcoin. This is a figure reported in 2025, not confirmation of how many are operating now. At launch, the government also established a US$150 million trust fund for automatic Bitcoin-to-dollar conversion, according to the IMF’s November 2021 statement; that historical amount should not be read as the fund’s present balance.
Who owns and operates Chivo now?
In its October 1, 2026 Executive Board release, the IMF reported that majority ownership and operational control of Chivo had transferred to a private operator. The release also said residual public-sector exposure should be fully unwound. This is the latest cited ownership update.
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An earlier IMF staff-level announcement on September 3, 2026, said the government retained a minority stake and custodial responsibilities for customer assets during the transfer. That announcement predates the Executive Board release; it provides the detail about the retained stake and custody, rather than superseding the later ownership update.
What are the current Bitcoin rules?
The IMF’s current Extended Fund Facility FAQ says private-sector acceptance of Bitcoin is voluntary, taxes are paid only in U.S. dollars, and government participation in Chivo is being unwound. See the IMF program FAQ for its policy description. Do not assume launch-era rules or arrangements remain in force.
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- Simple & Secure Interface: Manage your digital assets easily with a clear OLED screen for secure on-device confirmations
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- Effortless Asset Management: Monitor and transact seamlessly with Trezor Suite, our intuitive desktop and mobile app
- Enhanced Backup Solution: Multi-share Backup eliminates single points of failure for secure cold wallet recovery
Can you open or use a Chivo account today?
The cited sources do not establish whether the app currently accepts new users, what fees apply, or how customer support works. They describe Chivo’s history, services, and ownership transition, but do not verify present-day consumer availability or onboarding. A reader should not rely on older launch instructions or incentives as evidence that an account can be opened now.
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