El Salvador overhauls Bitcoin learning programme for public education system

El Salvador is deepening its Bitcoin experiment with a fresh public education campaign.

Launched on Sunday by the country’s National Bitcoin Office, Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 is “a completely revamped version of its educational programme,” the local newspaper Diario El Salvador reported.

The first copies have already been printed for use in the Salvadoran education system, with the curriculum set to be implemented across public schools in 2026, Diario El Salvador said.

Stacy Herbert, director of the National Bitcoin Office, described the new campaign as building on the “What Is Money” education programme used to introduce young Salvadorans to Bitcoin and other finance concepts.

Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 places greater emphasis on visual tools and real-world examples, using animations and case studies to explain sophisticated concepts, Diario El Salvador said.

The initiative comes as the National Bitcoin Office expands its physical presence by opening new learning facilities throughout El Salvador, most recently in the town of Panchimalco, with Apopa next on the roadmap.

“This is what true independence and real sovereignty looks like on the ground: Excellence, beauty and high standards,” the presidential press service said on Saturday.

Icarus effect

El Salvador became the first sovereign state to grant Bitcoin legal tender status in 2021 after its legislative body approved the measure, a move championed by President Nayib Bukele.

The policy was pitched as a financial inclusion strategy aimed at expanding access to banking services and attracting foreign investment. By 2022, more Salvadorans reportedly held Bitcoin Lightning wallets than traditional bank accounts, highlighting the scale of the government’s rollout.

The Central American country, with stablecoin issuer Tether’s support, even launched a visa programme granting citizenship through a $1 million investment in Bitcoin or Tether.

But the crypto adoption push drew criticism at home and abroad, with detractors pointing to Bitcoin’s volatility, environmental concerns and limited transparency around the state’s exposure to crypto.

In 2024, El Salvador agreed to scale back elements of its Bitcoin involvement as part of an $1.4 billion agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

“In terms of El Salvador, let me say that I can confirm that they continue to comply with their commitment of non-accumulation of bitcoin by the overall fiscal sector, which is the performance criteria that we have,” Rodrigo Valdes, the IMF’s director of Western Hemisphere, said in April 2025.

By 2025, the government formally rescinded Bitcoin’s legal tender status after research showed public usage remained limited.

Lance Datskoluo is DL News’ Europe-based markets correspondent. Got a tip? Email him at [email protected].