McGregor Proposes National Bitcoin Reserve for Ireland
Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion, has thrown his hat into the ring for the Irish presidency, announcing his independent candidacy in late March 2025. Central to his campaign are anti-immigration policies and efforts to combat crime. However, one of the most striking aspects of his platform is his proposal to establish a national Bitcoin reserve, a move he believes will empower the people by giving them more control over their money.
McGregor took to X on May 9 to articulate his vision, stating, “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.” This announcement garnered attention from prominent figures in the Bitcoin industry, including Anthony Pompliano, host of The Pomp Podcast, and David Bailey, a crypto advisor to former US President Donald Trump. McGregor extended invitations to these individuals to discuss their ideas further, demonstrating his commitment to the proposal.
Ask Aime: "Will Conor McGregor's national Bitcoin reserve proposal impact the Irish stock market?"
The establishment of a Bitcoin reserve is a significant undertaking, particularly for a minor, independent party. To date, only a few countries, including the US, el Salvador, and Bhutan, have successfully implemented such reserves. McGregor's political visibility has recently been enhanced by a trip to the White House, where he met with Trump and received his endorsement. However, McGregor faces intense scrutiny in Ireland, having been found guilty of sexual assault in a civil case, a conviction he has since appealed, and previously being investigated for hate speech crimes.
McGregor's push for a Bitcoin reserve comes on the heels of the failure of his previous crypto endeavor, the McGregor-backed REAL project. The project, led by Real World Gaming, failed to attract sufficient funding during its token launch pre-sale, raising only $392,315 over a 28-hour period, far short of the $1 million minimum requirement. This setback underscores the challenges McGregor may encounter in implementing his Bitcoin reserve proposal.
Despite these hurdles, McGregor's proposal to create a national Bitcoin reserve is a bold initiative that could potentially transform Ireland's financial landscape. By leveraging the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency, McGregor aims to align with the original vision of crypto, giving more power back to the people. The success of this proposal will hinge on McGregor's ability to navigate the complex regulatory environment and garner the support of the Irish people.