Conor McGregor Promises to Include Bitcoin on Europe's Balance Sheet If Elected President of Ireland

Lines are shifting in Europe, and not always where expected. While European economic policies get bogged down in the dogmas of the Central Bank, a voice as unexpected as it is confident rises: that of Conor McGregor.

Lines are shifting in Europe, and not always where expected. While European economic policies get bogged down in the dogmas of the Central Bank, a voice as unexpected as it is confident rises: that of Conor McGregor.

On May 22, 2025, the UFC icon again touched on his candidacy for the Irish presidency with an unambiguous message: to become the first president to include bitcoin on Europe’s balance sheet. A statement that is sure to spark controversy but also reflects a deep malaise towards European institutions and a surprising interest in crypto.

Towards a European integration of bitcoin?

A few weeks before the launch of his REAL token, which shook the crypto market, Conor McGregor announced his candidacy for the Irish presidency on March 20, 2025. This was motivated by his opposition to the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, making a major political statement that was 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, proposing an economic policy based on bitcoin.

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 proposes to create a national strategic reserve of bitcoin for Ireland. An approach that is 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 contribute to the fiat currency system, which is seen as corrupt and unsustainable. It is a statement of sovereignty in a world where nations are increasingly interdependent.

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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