Today in Crypto: IMF Pressures El Salvador on Chivo Wallet, Ether ETFs Rebound, XRP Hits Multi-Week Highs
In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, where global finance meets innovative technology, a single policy shift in a small nation can ripple across markets, while ETF flows signal investor sentiment in real time. On December 23, 2025, key developments highlighted the tension between regulatory oversight and market resilience, from El Salvador’s ongoing Bitcoin experiment to bullish signals in altcoin products.
IMF Advances Negotiations for El Salvador's Chivo Wallet Sale
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that El Salvador is progressing in talks to sell its state-run Chivo Bitcoin wallet, a move tied to broader discussions on the country’s Bitcoin strategy. In a statement released on Monday, IMF mission chief for El Salvador noted that negotiations for the wallet’s sale are “well advanced,” potentially involving the divestment of some or all crypto holdings managed through the platform. This follows a May 2025 agreement where the IMF extended a $1.4 billion loan, disbursing $120 million, with conditions including halting further Bitcoin purchases. Despite this, El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office announced acquisitions like 1,090 BTC worth $100 million in November 2025, raising questions about compliance. The IMF emphasized confining public sector Bitcoin engagement, making private acceptance voluntary, and winding down Chivo involvement. El Salvador, which adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 under President Nayib Bukele, holds 7,509 BTC valued at approximately $659 million as of December 23, 2025. The government’s strategy has drawn international scrutiny, with the IMF pushing for reduced exposure to mitigate risks.
"Negotiations for the sale of the government e-wallet Chivo are well advanced."
— IMF Statement on El Salvador Discussions
Ether ETFs Break Outflow Streak as XRP Products Surge
Spot Ether (ETH) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States recorded $84.6 million in net inflows on December 23, 2025, ending a seven-day outflow trend that saw over $700 million exit last week. According to SoSoValue data, this rebound brought cumulative inflows to $12.5 billion, indicating a pause in selling pressure amid broader market stabilization. Meanwhile, XRP ETFs continued their streak without a single net outflow since launch, attracting $43.9 million on Monday—their strongest daily inflow since early December. Cumulative inflows for XRP products now exceed $1.1 billion, with consistent buying suggesting long-term positioning rather than short-term trades. Volumes remain modest compared to Ether but highlight growing interest in Ripple’s token. | Asset | Daily Inflows (Dec 23, 2025) | Cumulative Inflows | Notes | |——-|——————————|———————|——-| | Ether ETFs | $84.6 million | $12.5 billion | Ended 7-day outflow streak | | XRP ETFs | $43.9 million | $1.1 billion+ | No outflows since launch; best day since early Dec | These flows underscore divergent trends: Ether recovering from recent dips, while XRP benefits from steady institutional accumulation.
Bitcoin Miner Capitulation Signals Potential Bottom
VanEck analysts reported a 4% drop in Bitcoin’s hashrate over the past month to December 15, 2025, attributing it to Chinese miners shutting down operations. In a Monday analysis, they described this “miner capitulation” as a historically bullish contrarian signal, with prolonged hash rate compression often preceding positive price returns. Since 2014, Bitcoin’s 90-day forward returns have been positive 65% of the time following a 30-day hashrate decline, compared to 54% during rises. Lead analyst Matt Sigel and Patrick Bush noted that rising BTC prices could restore profitability, potentially reactivating offline miners and widening margins.
"When hash rate compression persists over longer periods, positive forward returns tend to occur more often and with greater magnitude."
— Matt Sigel and Patrick Bush, VanEck Analysts This comes as Bitcoin trades around key levels, with institutional buys recently outpacing new supply issuance for the first time in six weeks. As crypto navigates regulatory hurdles and market volatility, these events remind us of the sector’s interconnectedness. How might El Salvador’s potential wallet sale or ETF momentum shape your investment strategy in the coming months?
