🌋 El Salvador and russia Eye Crypto Ties Amid Geopolitical Tensions

posted  14 hr ago
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is reportedly planning a 2025 visit to russia, where cryptocurrency and cross-border crypto payments will headline discussions. Still, the geopolitical landscape raises questions about the visit’s feasibility.

Preliminary discussions about the visit have stretched over a month, but its outcome hinges on the U.S.’s position toward russia, which could drastically shift following Donald Trump’s inauguration. With its economy heavily dependent on American assistance, El Salvador must navigate the sensitive terrain of U.S.-russia relations, further complicating the trip’s prospects.

Despite abstaining from Western sanctions, El Salvador’s diplomatic alignment with russia is constrained by the larger geopolitical struggle between moscow and Washington. While President Nayib Bukele eyes russian exports to boost his nation’s resources, the prospect of losing American aid looms as an existential threat to El Salvador’s economy. This duality makes any tangible cooperation between San Salvador and moscow highly precarious.

Donald Trump at Nayib Bukele’s Inauguration (2024). Source: latimes.com

Donald Trump at Nayib Bukele’s Inauguration (2024). Source: latimes.com


El Salvador sees Bitcoin as a potential bridge to cooperation with russia. In 2021, the country made history by declaring BTC legal tender, aiming to bring financial services to underserved populations.

President Nayib Bukele’s strategy has since expanded to include consistent Bitcoin accumulation, creating a strategic reserve to strengthen the nation’s economic future.

russia’s 2024 pivot to cryptocurrency signals a strategic effort to navigate around sanctions and traditional banking constraints. Crypto transactions have been greenlit for companies importing arms and dual-use goods, aligning with El Salvador’s interest in decentralized financial systems. This overlap could foster collaboration beyond IMF regulation.


Beyond crypto payments, potential talks during the visit might touch on nuclear energy cooperation. Yet, the turbulent geopolitical context casts doubt on the viability of such plans.