My First Bitcoin Shuts Down El Salvador Operations to Go Global

My First Bitcoin, a prominent non-profit that offered free Bitcoin education and a "Bitcoin Diploma" to over 27,000 students, has closed its local operations in El Salvador and ended its partnership with the Ministry of Education as of April 2025.

The organization, founded in 2021 during El Salvador's early Bitcoin adoption, is now pivoting to an international focus. Founder John Dennehy stated their long-term ambition is to expand their impact from 6 million people to 8 billion by supporting teachers and programs worldwide.

Policy Changes Follow IMF Bailout

The dissolution of the partnership comes amid a series of policy reversals by the Salvadoran government concerning Bitcoin. These changes followed El Salvador securing a $1.4 billion IMF bailout in December 2024, which included a pledge to wind down Bitcoin projects and halt regulatory purchases of BTC.

Key policy shifts include:

• January 2025: Legislators revised the Bitcoin law, allowing businesses to opt in or out of accepting the cryptocurrency.
• Mid-2025: The IMF reported that El Salvador has not purchased any new Bitcoin since the financing deal, despite the Bitcoin Office website still advertising ongoing purchases.
• The government's reported Bitcoin treasury currently stands at approximately 6,374 BTC (valued at $654.8 million).

International Expansion

Despite leaving El Salvador, My First Bitcoin's mission to educate remains. The group will now advise and support teachers internationally who wish to introduce Bitcoin education. Its curriculum has already been piloted in countries like Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, Africa, and Europe.

The organization aims to create a global online learning network, focusing on training teachers and students to carry the knowledge forward in their own communities.

November 2025, Cryptoniteuae