The UFC fighter jet became an Irish political candidate, and Conor McGregor supported the idea of building a Bitcoin reserve in his country and “returning power to people.”
“Crypto in It's Origin was established to empower people. Ireland's Bitcoin Strategic Reserve empower people's money,” McGregor wrote on X on May 9th.
The former UFC champion said he will discuss his plans in more detail in the upcoming Xspace and encourage responses from some of the most prominent leaders in the Bitcoin industry.
“This BTC reserve requires the greatest mind. Send me a message and chat in my space,” McGregor said in response to Bitconnor and podcast host Anthony Priano.
David Bailey, one of President Donald Trump's crypto advisors, also reached out. McGregor replied:
McGregor announced his independent candidacy for the Irish presidency in late March 2025, focusing on his campaign against anti-immigration policies and fighting crime.
Ireland's next presidential election must take place by November 11th, 2025. The term of office of current president Michael D. Higgins is expected to end the following day.
Establishing a Bitcoin Reserve – not to mention what comes from a minor, independent party, it's not an easy feat.
Despite recent regulatory advances, the US, El Salvador and Bhutan are among the few countries to date to establish Bitcoin Reserve.
Related: The US has “numberless” ways to strengthen its Bitcoin reserve: Bo Hines
McGregor's political recognition was recently boosted by a trip to the White House, where he met Trump and received his support.
However, McGregor is facing intense scrutiny in Ireland, and recently found guilty in a civil lawsuit of sexual assault — a conviction he appealed — was previously investigated for a hate speech crime.
McGregor's final cipher effort failed
McGregor's push to Bitcoin Reserve is just over a month after a real project backed by McGregor, unable to attract sufficient funds on pre-release sales of tokens, prompting all token bidders to get a full refund.
The team behind the project, Real World Gaming, had raised only $392,315 for a 28-hour pre-sale on April 5th and 6th.
Magazine: Adam Buck says Bitcoin's price cycle “10x bigger” but still decisively destroys over $10,000
