The price of Bitcoin is known to be volatile. Bitcoin price reached $60,000 in early 2021 before crashing and losing about 40% of its value in a matter of weeks. In late 2021, prices rose to all-time highs of $68,000. But have dropped to around $20,000 in early 2023. Nevertheless, investors predict that more mainstream use will increase the bitcoin price by about 1,500% over the next decade. Focus on Bitcoin ETFs Even so, the government is cash-strapped. And the losses from Mr Bukele’s bitcoin binge have cost the country in other ways. Analysts and creditors fret that El Salvador will be unable to service its debt, including around $667m due in January. In order to reassure markets that it would avoid a default, the government bought back $565m of its sovereign bonds in September. But that month Fitch, a ratings agency, downgraded the country. El Salvador may turn to China to buy its foreign debt, if a potential free-trade deal is struck.