Conor McGregor Bets Big on Bitcoin in Audacious Bid for Irish Presidency

MMA star turned political hopeful Conor McGregor is doubling down on crypto—this time with a presidential pitch. The notorious fighter’s platform? Turning Ireland into a Bitcoin powerhouse.

McGregor’s plan—light on details but heavy on bravado—promises to ’future-proof’ the Irish economy by embracing decentralized finance. Critics call it a publicity stunt; crypto enthusiasts see a bullish signal from an unlikely influencer.

One thing’s certain: Wall Street won’t know whether to short this idea or FOMO into it. After all, nothing boosts adoption like a celebrity endorsement—just ask the folks who bought Dogecoin during Elon’s late-night tweet storms.

In Brief

• Conor McGregor aims to become the first president to include bitcoin on Europe’s balance sheet.
• He proposes a national strategic reserve of bitcoin for Ireland, inspired by the Salvadoran model.
• This initiative challenges traditional monetary institutions, despite the failure of his REAL token.

Towards a European integration of bitcoin?

On March 20, 2025, a few weeks before the launch of his REAL token which shook the crypto market, Conor McGregor announced for the first time his candidacy for the Irish presidency, motivated by his opposition to the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. A major political statement, quickly supported by part of the nationalist and sovereigntist electorate. But that was only Act I.

On May 22, the former UFC champion returned to the forefront with a more structured and bolder message: to bring bitcoin onto the balance sheet of the European Union.

This ambition goes beyond the Irish context to propose a fundamental reorientation of the continent’s economic policy. In McGregor’s eyes, the ECB has betrayed its promises of stability. Bitcoin, on the other hand, could embody a new FORM of monetary discipline, based on scarcity and transparency.

National Sovereignty and Salvadoran Inspiration

Before thinking about Brussels, Conor McGregor looks to Dublin. He proposes to establish a national strategic reserve of bitcoin for Ireland. An approach reminiscent of another outsider who became head of state: Nayib Bukele. The Salvadoran president has made his country a global BTC laboratory. McGregor intends to follow this path, in his own way. In fact, he plans a bilateral meeting with Bukele to analyze the conditions for such an economic and geopolitical leap.

This initiative is no anecdote. By calling for a state accumulation of bitcoin, Conor McGregor is part of a long-term strategy aligned with the programmed scarcity of the asset. This is no longer speculation… No. It is monetary deterrence, like a nation WOULD build a reserve of gold or oil to assert its resilience.

This stance is also an act of defiance towards traditional institutions, both national and supranational. Why? Because creating a BTC reserve means:

• Refusing to let the euro be the sole compass;
• Telling the ECB: your model is no longer the only contender.

In a world where political decisions are often made behind closed doors, Conor McGregor’s statement on bitcoin acts as an electric shock. It forces us to ask uncomfortable questions: who should decide the currency? Moreover, can we really believe in an MMA fighter turned monetary advocate, especially after the resounding failure of his REAL token?

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