Strategy aims to reduce financial corruption and boost sovereignty.
Panama–El Salvador alliance pushes for regional Bitcoin leadership.
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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.
