Key Takeaways
- Conor McGregor proposed a national Bitcoin reserve for Ireland.
- His campaign has drawn attention from prominent Bitcoin advocates.
- McGregor's prior token project REAL failed to meet fundraising goals.
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor, now running for the Irish presidency, has proposed the creation of a national Bitcoin reserve as a core part of his political platform.
McGregor’s vision for a Bitcoin Reserve
McGregor posted to X on May 9:
Crypto in its origin was founded to give power back to the people. An Irish Bitcoin strategic reserve will give power to the people’s money.
Crypto in it's origin was founded to give power back to the people.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 9, 2025
An Irish Bitcoin strategic reserve will give power to the people’s money.
I will be cohosting a Twitter space to talk about what I want to see changed.
Victory to Ireland! 🇮🇪
He plans to elaborate on his proposal in a forthcoming X Spaces session and invited prominent figures in the Bitcoin space to contribute ideas.
Engagement with Bitcoin advocates
Anthony Pompliano, host of The Pomp Podcast, and David Bailey, an advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, both responded to McGregor’s outreach.
McGregor replied to Bailey:
David message me, let’s discuss your ideas!
Political campaign & challenges
McGregor launched his independent presidential bid in March 2025, focusing on anti-immigration policies and public safety.
Ireland’s next presidential election is scheduled no later than November 11, 2025.
Potential hurdles & historical context
Though few nations have established Bitcoin reserves—El Salvador, Bhutan, and the U.S. among them—McGregor’s proposal stands out in Ireland’s traditionally cautious financial landscape.
The move could face significant institutional and political hurdles.
McGregor’s political profile & legal issues
McGregor’s political profile was recently elevated by a White House visit and support from Trump.
However, his campaign is shadowed by legal issues, including a civil conviction for sexual assault—now under appeal—and past investigations for hate speech.
Previous Bitcoin endeavors
His last foray into the Bitcoin space, a token project named REAL, failed to meet its $1 million fundraising goal, raising only $392,315 in early April.
