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President Bukele fires back at critics on ‘Bitcoin experiment’

The adoption of Bitcoin is changing El Salvador’s economic landscape, according to the Salvadoran president.

On Thursday, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele reaffirmed his belief for Bitcoin (BTC) supremacy on Twitter once again, this time stating that after widespread adoption occurs, “it’s game over for fiat.”

The Salvadoran president has been a mainstay in news headlines due to his government’s regular BTC purchases and absolute pro-Bitcoin stance. He has made frequent statements and comments to support the original cryptocurrency while refusing to budge in the face of criticism that Bitcoin is a bad idea for the nation.

Related: El Salvador buys a smokin’ hot 420 more Bitcoin

President Bukele’s recent tweet comes as the international community launches a barrage against El Salvador for its “Bitcoin experiment.”

The International Monetary Fund criticized El Salvador’s move to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in June, but the country nevertheless passed it and began accepting BTC as legal money in September. Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England, is a known critic of Bitcoin. More recently, while speaking at the University of Cambridge Students’ Union, Bailey expressed his concerns over El Salvador’s decision to use Bitcoin as a currency due to its extreme volatility.

However, Bukele fired back at his critics, pointing out that while the rest of the world regarded El Salvador as a “Bitcoin experiment,” it was transforming its economy with Bitcoin mass adoption. Bukele also claimed that when fiat is no longer a factor compared to BTC’s dominance, El Salvador will be regarded as the spark that starts the real revolution.

Since adopting Bitcoin as legal currency, El Salvador has used Bitcoin profits or the “surplus” from its Bitcoin Trust account to finance the construction of 20 schools. In mid-October, Bukele announced that the government would spend $4 million from the Bitcoin Trust to build a new veterinary hospital in San Salvador.

Bukele’s latest riff comes as El Salvador recently bought 21 BTC on Tuesday to celebrate the “last 21st day of the year 21 of the 21st century” and commemorate the scarcity of Bitcoin as its supply is limited to 21 million BTC.

Goldman Sachs to set up new blockchain venture, targeting faster trading and settlements

El Salvador acts on Bitcoin price dip and buys 150 BTC

El Salvador didn’t miss the chance to buy the dip as the Bitcoin price fell back to $45,000 after a bullish week.

Despite warnings from global agencies regarding its adoption of Bitcoin (BTC), El Salvador's government continues to seize market opportunities. 

As the Bitcoin price fell below $46,000 on Monday morning, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced on Twitter that the country has “bought the dip.” With 150 new coins, the Central American government now holds 700 BTC, worth close to $32 million at the time of writing.

In an obvious nod to the “not financial advice” disclaimers shown around the crypto ecosystem, Bukele shared his “presidential advice” by reminding that “They can never beat you if you buy the dips.”

As reported by Cointelegraph, El Salvador bought another dip on the day BTC became legal tender in the country, when Bitcoin experienced a flash crash to below $43,000.

El Salvador’s move toward adoption got the crypto universe excited, especially with the possible tax exemption for Bitcoin investors. However, the government’s decision to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender is not totally free of problems.

Aside from protests and marches against the government’s Bitcoin move, credit rating agency Standard and Poor's Global said that the adoption “has immediate negative implications” for the country’s credit rating. S&P also claimed the move would hurt El Salvador’s chances of securing a $1 billion loan agreement from the International Monetary Fund.

Related: El Salvador’s Bitcoin day: The first of many or a one-off?

El Salvador made history by becoming the first country to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender on Sept. 7. The government held 400 BTC then. By taking advantage of two price dips in two weeks, purchasing 150 coins each time, El Salvador raised its Bitcoin holdings to 700 BTC.

Goldman Sachs to set up new blockchain venture, targeting faster trading and settlements