Conor McGregor, the UFC superstar and prospective Irish presidential candidate, has publicly turned to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and Bitcoin advocate Max Keiser for guidance on establishing a Bitcoin strategic reserve in Ireland.
The move highlights El Salvador’s growing influence as a global pioneer in state-backed cryptocurrency adoption.
McGregor’s Bitcoin Proposal for Ireland
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), McGregor framed Bitcoin as a tool to decentralize financial power and “will give power to the people’s money.” His call for an Irish Bitcoin reserve quickly gained traction, with prominent figures like investor Anthony Pompliano endorsing the idea.
Key statements from McGregor:
- “Crypto in it’s origin was founded to give power back to the people. An Irish Bitcoin strategic reserve will give power to the people’s money.”
- “Max and Nayib, send me a message and let’s organize a meeting.”
El Salvador’s Role as a Bitcoin Blueprint
El Salvador, the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, has become a reference point for McGregor’s vision. Under Bukele’s leadership, the nation has amassed 6,177 BTC (worth ~$643 million at Bitcoin’s current price of $103,000) through its controversial but steadfast “1 Bitcoin per day” purchasing strategy.
The Salvadoran government’s Bitcoin reserve has delivered a 96.5% return since its inception, despite volatility and international criticism. This success has positioned Bukele and his advisor Max Keiser as sought-after voices in the crypto policy arena.
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Key Interactions
- Max Keiser, a vocal Bitcoin maximalist and Bukele confidant, responded to McGregor’s outreach by tweeting:
“The President [Bukele] says come to El Salvador and we’ll show you how it’s done!” - Anthony Pompliano amplified McGregor’s initial post, writing:
“I didn’t expect Conor McGregor to call for a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve in Ireland, but I ain’t mad about it.”
While McGregor has not confirmed whether other experts are being consulted, his focus on Bukele and Keiser underscores El Salvador’s unique credibility in national Bitcoin strategies.
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Broader Implications
- Policy Momentum: With Bitcoin surpassing $100,000, McGregor’s proposal taps into debates about national reserves as hedges against inflation and centralized banking systems.
- Diplomatic Precedent: A potential collaboration between Ireland and El Salvador could pave the way for cross-border crypto alliances, with Bukele’s model serving as a template.
Why El Salvador Matters
El Salvador’s unflinching commitment to Bitcoin—despite IMF pushback—has solidified its reputation as a crypto innovation lab. McGregor’s outreach reinforces this legacy, positioning the small Central American nation as a mentor to larger economies exploring similar policies.
McGregor has emerged as a potential presidential candidate, adopting the slogan ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ in response to the chaos Brussels and Europe have caused through immigration from the Middle East and North Africa.
Crime rates have skyrocketed, and religious fanaticism by followers of Islam has become a growing issue in the country.
Despite enjoying support from a significant portion of Ireland’s population, it remains uncertain whether McGregor will even qualify for the ballot, as the election must be finalized by Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Ireland faces pressing challenges, making a potential Bitcoin reserve far from a priority. However, the proposal has emerged as one of the policies McGregor would push forward if elected president.
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