As Ireland faces growing calls for deeper financial reform, one of the country’s most prominent public figures has proposed a bold new idea.
UFC legend and 2025 presidential candidate Conor McGregor has called for the creation of a national Bitcoin strategic reserve to empower the Irish people and help curb financial corruption.
His plan draws inspiration from El Salvador’s approach, where President Nayib Bukele made Bitcoin legal tender and significantly altered the nation’s economic trajectory.
McGregor now wants Ireland to explore a similar path — using decentralized finance to bolster national autonomy and reduce reliance on the central banking system.
McGregor’s plan follows El Salvador’s Bitcoin model
McGregor announced his presidential ambitions in March 2025 and soon after proposed establishing a Bitcoin-based reserve system for Ireland.
He publicly praised President Bukele’s efforts in El Salvador and pointed to Bitcoin adoption’s role in reducing corruption and crime.
McGregor’s proposal goes beyond digital asset investment: it envisions positioning Bitcoin as a core pillar of national monetary strategy, with reserves serving as a hedge against inflation and vulnerabilities in traditional finance.
The comparison to Bukele is intentional. El Salvador was the first country to declare Bitcoin legal tender, backed by nationwide wallet promotion and state-managed reserves.
Despite criticism, that initiative captured global attention.
McGregor believes the model could support a more transparent financial system in Ireland, arguing it would return “the people’s money” to public control.
Reaction online and beyond
The idea has sparked lively debate across social media. While some praised McGregor’s forward-looking stance, others criticized his wording, noting he sometimes referenced “cryptocurrency” rather than specifically naming Bitcoin.
Bitcoin purists have highlighted that the proposal’s credibility depends on focusing on Bitcoin’s unique decentralized properties rather than on broader digital assets.
Despite terminology disputes, interest in McGregor’s plan has grown, and his call to invite Bukele to Ireland has gained traction.
McGregor’s campaign has not released a detailed policy paper, but insiders say discussions are underway to assess feasibility and integrate any plan with Ireland’s existing financial framework.
Analysts emphasize that incorporating Bitcoin into a sovereign reserve strategy would require legislative backing, clear regulation, and public trust.
Global momentum grows as LATAM advances Bitcoin adoption
Ireland is not alone in considering a larger role for Bitcoin.
Earlier this month at a Bitcoin conference, Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi proposed forming a regional Bitcoin alliance between Panama and El Salvador.
The proposal highlights a broader shift in parts of Latin America toward Bitcoin-driven economic reforms, particularly in countries long affected by currency instability or corruption.
Mizrachi described the proposed alliance as “advancing global financial freedom,” reinforcing Bitcoin’s emerging geopolitical narrative.
That trend could increase pressure on developed countries like Ireland to rethink their positions on integrating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies into public finance.