CitizenX Joins Forces With El Salvador to Expand Bitcoin-Backed Passport Initiative

Bitcoin Citizenship El Salvador

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Hassan Shittu

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Hassan Shittu

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Hassan, a Cryptonews.com journalist with 6+ years of experience in Web3 journalism, brings deep knowledge across Crypto, Web3 Gaming, NFTs, and Play-to-Earn sectors. His work has appeared in...

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May 23, 2025

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On May 23, 2025, Swiss technology company CitizenX announced its official partnership with the Government of El Salvador, becoming a licensed processor for the Adopting El Salvador Program, now recognized as the world’s fastest Bitcoin-powered citizenship initiative.

This partnership allows high-net-worth individuals and families to secure Salvadoran citizenship and a passport in under six weeks after making a $1 million donation in Bitcoin (BTC) or Tether (USDT).

The program, known as the Freedom Passport, is designed to attract committed entrepreneurs and investors who wish to participate in El Salvador’s economic transformation and long-term growth.

El Salvador and CitizenX Launch the World’s Fastest Bitcoin Citizenship Program

The Freedom Passport program is managed through CitizenX’s secure, private platform, which is integrated with El Salvador’s government systems and uses Tether’s technology and infrastructure for efficient payments and due diligence, making it the fastest citizenship-by-investment process globally.

With this process, successful applicants receive their passports in less than six weeks, with family coverage extending to spouses and children under 18.

Also, the $1 million donation is structured so that only a $1,000 deposit is required upfront, with the remaining $999,000 payable after approval.

According to the announcement, applicants must provide standard identification documents, proof of address, birth certificates, police clearance certificates, and proof of funds.

El Salvador Freedom Passport is positioned as a new approach to sovereign financing, connecting the nation directly with like-minded individuals who believe in its future.

The government has capped the program at 1,000 participants per year, targeting a total capital raise of $1 billion if all spots are filled.

Notably, the Salvadoran passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 135–150 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Passport holders can live in El Salvador, open international bank accounts, and benefit from the country’s dual citizenship policy without restrictions.

El Salvador’s Bitcoin Policy and Global Context of Crypto Citizenship

In September 2021, El Salvador became the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, a move championed by President Nayib Bukele.

To support this vision, the government established the National Digital Assets Commission (CNAD) to oversee digital asset providers and issuances. In 2023, it passed the Digital Assets Issuance Law to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets beyond Bitcoin.

Despite initial ambitions, using Bitcoin as a legal tender faced implementation challenges and macroeconomic concerns.

In January 2025, following conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $1.4 billion financial assistance program, the government and Legislative Assembly abolished Bitcoin’s status as legal tender for tax payments and confined its use to voluntary private-sector transactions.

However, El Salvador has continued to build its Bitcoin reserves, with the government’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Fund holding over 6,102 coins valued at nearly $550 million as of March 2025.

The government has pledged to the IMF not to increase its Bitcoin holdings further within the overall public sector. Still, recent purchases by the National Bitcoin Office have maintained the country’s commitment to cryptocurrency as a strategic asset.

Globally, other countries have explored crypto-based citizenship and residency programs. Vanuatu became the first nation to accept Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. It offers citizenship in as little as 30 days for investments starting from $115,000.

Vanuatu’s program is recognized for its speed and efficiency, and it provides visa-free access to over 94 countries, zero personal and corporate taxes, and a pathway to Australian permanent residency.

Antigua and Barbuda also accept cryptocurrency as proof of funds for its CBI program, although the final investment must be made in fiat currency. These programs demonstrate a growing trend of countries leveraging digital assets to attract investment and talent.