El Salvador and CitizenX Launch Fast-Track Bitcoin Passport Program
Qualified investors can now obtain Salvadoran citizenship in under six weeks through a $1 million crypto donation.
On May 23, 2025, El Salvador deepened its Bitcoin-driven national strategy by partnering with Swiss tech firm CitizenX to launch the world’s fastest Bitcoin-backed citizenship initiative. The program, known as the Freedom Passport, offers a streamlined path to Salvadoran citizenship for global investors, marking a bold move in the competitive citizenship-by-investment (CBI) landscape.
A New Model for Crypto Citizenship
El Salvador, already recognized as a crypto pioneer, is once again pushing boundaries. Through this new partnership, CitizenX becomes an officially licensed processor for the government’s Adopting El Salvador Program, a high-speed, blockchain-integrated route to second citizenship for high-net-worth individuals.
Applicants who donate $1 million in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT)—structured as a $1,000 deposit followed by the balance upon approval—can secure a Salvadoran passport in under six weeks. The platform, developed by CitizenX, is integrated with government systems and leverages Tether’s payment infrastructure to ensure rapid, secure processing.
Key Benefits and Process
The Freedom Passport program offers several compelling advantages to participants:
- Fast-track processing: Citizenship granted in under six weeks.
- Family inclusion: Coverage extends to spouses and children under 18.
- Visa-free travel: Access to 135–150 countries, including the EU Schengen Area, UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
- Dual citizenship: No requirement to renounce existing nationality.
- Financial freedom: Eligible for opening international bank accounts and global investment access.
To apply, candidates must submit standard documentation, including:
- Proof of identity and address
- Birth certificates
- Police clearance certificates
- Verified proof of funds
The Salvadoran government has capped the program at 1,000 participants annually, aiming to raise $1 billion if fully subscribed. The initiative is part of a broader vision to attract crypto-savvy entrepreneurs and inject capital into the country’s economy.
Strategic Vision Behind the Passport
El Salvador’s government frames the Freedom Passport not just as a CBI tool but as a new form of sovereign financing, directly connecting the nation to a global network of aligned investors and innovators.
By prioritizing crypto donors, the program aligns with President Nayib Bukele’s longstanding mission to position El Salvador as a digital asset hub. The initiative reflects a broader global shift toward cryptocurrency-enabled migration pathways, where digital wealth translates into mobility and influence.
Bukele’s Bitcoin Bet: Evolution Amid Pressure
El Salvador’s journey into Bitcoin began in September 2021, when it became the first country in the world to adopt BTC as legal tender. The move was globally celebrated by the crypto community but raised concerns among international financial institutions.
In response to conditions tied to a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country revoked Bitcoin’s legal tender status for taxes in January 2025, limiting its use to voluntary private-sector transactions. However, the shift has not weakened the country’s broader crypto commitment.
Despite IMF restrictions on further public sector purchases, the National Bitcoin Office has continued to quietly accumulate BTC, demonstrating ongoing institutional belief in the asset. As of March 2025, El Salvador’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Fund held over 6,102 BTC, valued at nearly $550 million.
How El Salvador Compares Globally
While El Salvador leads in speed and blockchain integration, it is not alone in using crypto to attract global citizens.
- Vanuatu was the first country to accept multiple cryptocurrencies—including BTC, USDT, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash—for its CBI program. Citizenship is granted in as little as 30 days for investments starting at $115,000, offering visa-free access to over 94 countries and a tax-free environment.
- Antigua and Barbuda allow cryptocurrency as proof of funds, though final payments must be converted to fiat. Like El Salvador, it is tapping into the rising class of digital asset investors seeking flexibility and security.
These programs indicate a growing international trend: cryptocurrency is becoming a legitimate vehicle for securing citizenship, residency, and mobility in an increasingly globalized economy.
A Bold Experiment in Digital Sovereignty
El Salvador’s new Bitcoin passport program stands at the intersection of digital innovation and national identity. By offering a secure, fast, and crypto-native route to citizenship, the country is appealing to a new demographic of global investors—those who value speed, privacy, and decentralization.
The Freedom Passport is more than a CBI product—it’s a geopolitical statement. El Salvador is betting that its crypto-forward stance will bring in long-term allies, visionary entrepreneurs, and capital that could redefine its economic future.
As other nations cautiously explore similar initiatives, El Salvador is boldly executing. Whether this approach will bring sustainable economic benefits or spark a broader global trend remains to be seen, but the success of this experiment could reshape how nations fund their development and engage with the global crypto elite.
