Former UFC fighter Conor McGregor, who has now turned his focus to politics, has voiced his support for the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve in Ireland. This comes as part of his presidential campaign, where he proposes returning power to the Irish people through cryptocurrency.
“The original intent of cryptocurrency was to return power to the people. Establishing an Irish Bitcoin reserve would empower the people’s money,” McGregor stated on May 9.
McGregor, who previously dominated the UFC, plans to expand on his Bitcoin reserve proposal during an upcoming online discussion. His comments have already attracted attention from key figures in the Bitcoin industry.
In response to Anthony Pompliano, host of The Pomp Podcast, McGregor tweeted, “We need the best minds for this Bitcoin Reserve initiative. Reach out to me and let’s talk in my space.”
David Bailey, one of the crypto advisors to former US President Donald Trump, also expressed interest, with McGregor inviting him to share his ideas.
McGregor declared his independent candidacy for the Irish presidency in late March 2025, with his campaign focusing on anti-immigration policies and crime reduction. The next presidential election in Ireland is due by November 11, 2025, when the term of the current President, Michael D. Higgins, will end.
However, establishing a Bitcoin reserve, especially from a minor, independent party, is not an easy task. Only a few countries, including the US, El Salvador, and Bhutan, have managed to create a Bitcoin reserve, despite recent regulatory advancements.
McGregor’s political prominence has been buoyed by a recent visit to the White House where he received an endorsement from Trump. However, McGregor is facing intense scrutiny in Ireland following a sexual assault conviction in a civil case, which he is currently appealing. He has also previously been investigated for hate speech crimes.
McGregor’s latest crypto project failed to generate the necessary funding in its token launch pre-sale, leading to a full refund to all token bidders. The project, Real World Gaming, raised only $392,315 over a 28-hour pre-sale on April 5 and 6, falling short of the $1 million minimum requirement.
