Family remittances to El Salvador via Bitcoin (BTC) and crypto wallets recorded a 146.8% year-on-year increase in the first two months of 2026.
According to the latest data from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), the capital flows under this format are: From January to February, it reached $11.6 million.This is significantly higher than the $4.7 million reported in the comparable period in 2025.
Despite this significant percentage increase, the use of Bitcoin technology and other digital assets in international fund transfers maintains a modest participation within El Salvador’s economy.
According to the official report, this method represents: Only 0.8% of all global remittances People who entered the country within the first two months of this year.
In any case, the increase in the amount of dollars transferred via digital asset wallets suggests a gradual adoption by Salvadorans abroad, who have been looking for alternatives to traditional channels to support their families in the country for almost five years, as reported by CriptoNoticias.
However, banking institutions and traditional money transfer companies still dominate the market and concentrate most of the business. Over $714 million in first two monthsaccording to BCR.
The BCR report details that total income from family remittances in the first two months of 2026 reached $1,524.8 million, representing an overall growth of 8.4% compared to 2025.
BCR emphasizes that the United States remains the main source of these funds and a decisive participant in their flow to various sectors of Central American countries.
In terms of local distribution, San Salvador and San Miguel lead in receiving remittances, but the report reveals that the sectoral data does not include a specific breakdown of amounts received via crypto wallets.
From an operational efficiency perspective, the global average remittance of financial systems, including Bitcoin and crypto wallets, during this period was $369.7.
Although the use of digital currencies for remittances in El Salvador has shown great dynamism, the structural integration of digital currencies into traditional payment systems is still in its infancy, as it has not been able to replace traditional remittance methods, which continue to account for more than 99% of capital flows. However, the growth trend observed at the beginning of 2026 Raise scenarios for expanding participation of digital assets With remittances from my Salvadoran family.
(Tag translation) Bitcoin (BTC)
