Conor McGregor bets on Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty amid global economic shakeup

Mixed martial arts icon and Irish presidential hopeful Conor McGregor is making waves with a radical proposal: Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty. Inspired by El Salvador’s much-publicised adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender, McGregor wants Ireland to establish a national Bitcoin reserve—a move he claims will combat corruption and secure financial independence.

McGregor’s vision: Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty

In a fiery post on X (formerly Twitter), McGregor declared,

“An Irish Bitcoin strategic reserve will give power to the people’s money.”

His plan mirrors El Salvador’s strategy under President Nayib Bukele, who slashed crime rates and boosted economic growth through Bitcoin adoption.

McGregor, who announced his presidential bid in March 2025, believes Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty could:

• Eliminate financial corruption by introducing transparent blockchain transactions.

• Reduce reliance on traditional banks and unstable fiat currencies.

• Position Ireland as a leader in decentralized finance.

The UFC star even invited Bukele to discuss how Ireland could replicate El Salvador’s success.

Why Bitcoin? Ireland’s fight for financial freedom

With global economic uncertainty rising, McGregor’s push for Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty comes at a critical time. The FDIC recently warned of risks in US commercial real estate loans, pushing investors toward Bitcoin as a hedge. Meanwhile, institutional adoption is surging, with BlackRock’s ETF and MicroStrategy accumulating billions in BTC.

McGregor isn’t alone in his crusade. Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi recently called for a Latin American alliance with El Salvador to promote Bitcoin for financial sovereignty. Could Ireland join this movement next?

Critics question McGregor’s crypto focus

Not everyone is convinced. Some supporters criticized McGregor for using the term “crypto” instead of “Bitcoin,” arguing it dilutes his message. Others worry about volatility, but McGregor insists that Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty is about long-term stability, not short-term gains.

The global precedent: How El Salvador paved the way

McGregor’s push for Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty draws direct inspiration from El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele’s 2021 Bitcoin legalization experiment defied skeptics. Despite initial volatility, the Central American nation has since:

• Attracted billions in crypto investment, including Bitcoin mining powered by volcanic energy.

• Reduced reliance on the US dollar, with 70% of businesses now accepting BTC.

• Cut violent crime by over 60%, partly by funding infrastructure with Bitcoin profits.

“El Salvador proved Bitcoin isn’t just an asset—it’s a tool for national independence,” McGregor argued.

If Ireland adopted a similar model, experts suggest it could:

• Boost foreign direct investment from crypto firms.

• Protect against inflation as the euro faces instability.

• Position Dublin as a European crypto hub, rivaling Zug or Malta.

Yet critics warn Ireland lacks El Salvador’s leverage: “Bukele had authoritarian control to force adoption,” said Trinity College economist Dr. Liam Byrne. “McGregor’s Bitcoin for Irish sovereignty plan needs democratic buy-in—or it’ll crash faster than a meme coin.”