• Strategy aims to reduce financial corruption and boost sovereignty.
• Panama–El Salvador alliance pushes for regional Bitcoin leadership.
• US bank report highlights CRE stress, renewing Bitcoin’s safe haven appeal.

As Ireland grapples with calls for deeper financial reform, a bold new proposal is emerging from one of the country’s most recognisable public figures.

UFC legend and 2025 presidential hopeful Conor McGregor has suggested creating a national Bitcoin strategic reserve to empower Irish people and help eliminate financial corruption.

His plan draws inspiration from El Salvador’s approach, where President Nayib Bukele made Bitcoin legal tender and significantly altered the country’s economic trajectory.

Now, McGregor wants Ireland to forge a similar path—using decentralised finance to strengthen national autonomy and reduce reliance on centralised banking systems.

McGregor’s strategy draws from El Salvador’s Bitcoin model

McGregor announced his presidential ambitions in March 2025, shortly before floating the idea of a Bitcoin-based reserve system for Ireland.

Posting on X, he praised President Bukele’s success in El Salvador, noting that Bitcoin adoption played a major role in reducing corruption and crime.

McGregor’s proposal goes beyond digital asset investment—it suggests positioning Bitcoin as a foundational pillar for national monetary policy, with the reserve acting as a hedge against inflation and traditional financial sector vulnerabilities.

The comparison to Bukele is intentional. Bukele’s government was the first in the world to declare Bitcoin legal tender, backed by a nationwide wallet rollout and state-managed reserves.

Though not without its critics, the initiative has attracted global attention.

McGregor believes this model could support a more transparent financial system in Ireland, one he says would put “the people’s money” back into public hands.

Reaction on social media and beyond

The idea sparked widespread debate online. While some praised McGregor’s forward-thinking stance, others criticised his phrasing, particularly his reference to “crypto” instead of Bitcoin specifically.

The distinction was not lost on Bitcoin maximalists, who argued that the proposal’s credibility rests on a focus on Bitcoin’s unique decentralised qualities, not broader digital assets.

Despite the terminology debate, interest in McGregor’s plan is growing, with his call to invite Bukele to Ireland gaining traction.

McGregor’s campaign team has not yet released a detailed policy document, but insiders say talks are underway to explore feasibility and integration with Ireland’s existing financial framework.

Analysts point out that any move towards incorporating Bitcoin into sovereign wealth strategies would require legislative backing, regulatory clarity, and public trust.

Global momentum builds as LATAM plans to step up Bitcoin adoption

Ireland isn’t the only nation contemplating a more significant role for Bitcoin.

At the Bitcoin Conference, held earlier this month, Panama City mayor Mayer Mizrachi advocated for a regional Bitcoin alliance between Panama and El Salvador.

The proposal underscores a broader shift in parts of Latin America towards Bitcoin-led economic reform, especially in countries historically impacted by currency instability or corruption.

Mizrachi called the proposed alliance a “push for global financial freedom,” further boosting Bitcoin’s geopolitical narrative.

This trend may increase pressure on developed nations like Ireland to reconsider their current stance on cryptocurrencies and blockchain integration in public finance.

The magical crossover bout between UFC star Conor McGregor and boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather, produced groundbreaking numbers. Both made a fortune at the box office and the windfall helped McGregor enter the $100 million club. The mixed martial artist went on to become the wealthiest fighter in the history of MMA, and his net worth swelled as well.

This helped enhance his strut walk when he returned to the UFC at UFC 229; many believed it was inspired by WWE’s CEO Vince McMahon.

However, the creator of Elon Musk’s favorite ‘Dogecoin’ made a bold yet hilarious claim in regards to McGregor’s walk. He stated that the UFC star didn’t actually take the inspiration from Mr. McMahon, but from a feline creature. The video shared below suggests that the Irish mixed martial artist not only has cat-like reflexes, but he just might be a cat.

Nakamoto also provided a gif for reference to draw out the similarities between the two. It appears that the former UFC champion is not just strutting like a billionaire, but also imitating cats. Would you agree?

Whichever way you look at it, this one move has brought more eyes to the sport than ever before. It transcended the borders of MMA and even found a place in pop culture.

Watch this story: Conor McGregor’s Superhuman Transformation After the Horrific Injury at UFC 264

When did Conor McGregor first reveal his infamous strut?

The UFC star first emerged onto the scene as the biggest contender in the featherweight division. With a string of amazing victories and a charming personality, he soon found himself picking two titles. But the bout with Floyd Mayweather truly changed the course of his career forever.

In his return to the Octagon in 2018 against Khabib Nurmagomedov, he first introduced the strut. ‘The Notorious’ also lived up to it in some ways as he became the first man to deny ‘The Eagle’ a round in MMA.

This was the indication that confirmed that UFC has established him as the biggest superstar in the sport. The grudge match may have ended on a sour note, but McGregor’s star power remained intact. He still holds the record of selling the highest PPV buys and remains at the top as the highest-paid fighter in the UFC.

Do you think McGregor will return in 2022? Share your thoughts below.