Ex-UFC champ Conor McGregor touts Irish Bitcoin reserve in presidential bid

UFC fighter turned Irish political candidate Conor McGregor has endorsed the idea of building a Bitcoin reserve in his country to give more “power back to the people.”

“Crypto in it’s origin was founded to give power back to the people. An Irish Bitcoin strategic reserve will give power to the people’s money,” McGregorwroteto X on May 9.

The former UFC champion said he would discuss his plans in more detail in an upcoming X spaces, prompting responses from some of the Bitcoin industry’s most prominent leaders.

“We need the greatest minds for this BTC Reserve. Message me and lets chat on my space,” McGregorsaidin response to Bitcoiner and host of The Pomp Podcast, Anthony Pompliano.

One of US President Donald Trump’s crypto advisors,David Bailey,also reached out, to which McGregorresponded:“David message me, let’s discuss your ideas!”

McGregor announced his independent candidacy for the Irish presidency in late March 2025, centering his campaign on anti-immigration policies and combating crime.

Ireland’s next presidential election must take place by Nov. 11, 2025, as the term of the current President, Michael D. Higgins, is set to end the day after.

Establishing a Bitcoin reserve — let alone one coming from a minor, independent party — would be no easy feat.

Despiterecent regulatory progress,the US, El Salvador andBhutanare among the few countries that have established a Bitcoin reserve to date.

Related:US has ‘countless’ ways to bolster Bitcoin reserve: Bo Hines

McGregor’s political visibility was recently boosted by a trip to theWhite House,where he met Trump and received his support.

However, McGregor is facing intense scrutiny in Ireland, having recently been found guilty ofsexual assaultin a civil case — a conviction which he has since appealed — while also previously being investigated for hate speech crimes.

McGregor’s last crypto endeavor failed

McGregor’s push for a Bitcoin reserve comes a little over a month after the McGregor-backedREAL projectfailed to attract sufficient funding in its token launch pre-sale,promptinga full refund to all token bidders.

The team behind the project, Real World Gaming,only raised $392,315over a 28-hour presale on April 5 and 6, less than half of the $1 million minimum requirement that it initially set.

Magazine:Adam Back says Bitcoin price cycle ’10x bigger’ but will still decisively break above $100K

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