Former UFC champion and Irish presidential candidate Conor McGregor stated his intention to establish a national Bitcoin reserve, stating it would “power back to the people.”
He shared the statement on X on May 9. According to McGregor, creating a Bitcoin reserve would be a step toward financial independence for citizens and would strengthen the country’s economy.
“Crypto was created to give power back to the people. An Irish strategic reserve in Bitcoin will bring strength back to the people’s money,” he wrote.
He also added that he would soon host a discussion on X Spaces, inviting prominent industry figures to join the conversation.
“We need the brightest minds for this reserve. Message me — let’s talk in my space,” he wrote on X.
Industry Reaction and Connection to Trump
Well-known Bitcoin enthusiasts responded to his post. The host of The Pomp Podcast, Anthony Pompliano, expressed interest in the initiative, and McGregor replied personally. Later, David Bailey, a cryptocurrency advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, also joined the discussion.
Recently, McGregor visited the White House and secured Trump’s support, increasing his media relevance in global discourse.
The Potential of a Bitcoin Reserve and Precedents from Other Countries
According to experts, creating a sovereign Bitcoin reserve is an ambitious and difficult goal, especially for an independent candidate. So far, only a few countries — including the United States, El Salvador, and Bhutan — have officially established such reserves. If implemented, McGregor’s initiative could position Ireland at the forefront of crypto policy.
Bitcoin’s increasingly stable role as a store of value and international settlement asset is encouraging more governments to explore this option. Market participants believe that holding BTC reserves could support sovereign financial policy amid global instability.
Reputational Risks for McGregor
McGregor’s political initiative coincides with the escalation of his legal troubles in Ireland: he has filed an appeal against a conviction in a sexual assault case and was previously involved in a hate speech investigation.
Moreover, the crypto community remembers McGregor for his recent failed token (REAL) launch, which he promoted in partnership with Real World Gaming DAO. Despite heavy advertising, the project failed to raise even a minimal amount during its presale.
The team promised to refund investors. The token had been marketed as a “corruption-fighting” asset, backed by names like Animoca Brands, KuCoin Labs, Tezos Foundation, and Algorand.
The project sparked skepticism amid suspicions that up to 70% of the supply was controlled by insiders. Despite claims of broad international backing, the market didn’t believe in the project, and the launch failed.
