Conor McGregor calls for Bitcoin strategy in Ireland

  • 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.

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Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) presale enters final 48 hours with CEX listing buzz

Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP) remained in the spotlight this week as its presale accelerated toward the finish line.

And with only two days left, investors are fighting to join at discounted prices before the May 31 official launch.

The project has raised over $12.1 million from future-oriented investors, reflecting the massive appetite for unlocking Bitcoin’s $2 trillion dormant capital.

Bitcoin Pepe Presale Chart

Notably, Bitcoin Pepe is a one-of-a-kind meme ICO that aims to unleash BTC’s full potential through speculative undertakings such as staking, NFTs, DeFi, and meme trading.

The prevailing Bitcoin bullish momentum, CEX listing rumors, and massive community support position BPEP for impressive performance after its debut.

Thus, could this be the last chance to capitalize on BTC’s momentum through Solana-like functionalities?

Let us discover more.

BPEP’s last call at $0.0377

Bitcoin Pepe ICO has entered its last two days, with the native coin currently trading at $0.0377.

This remains the perfect time to grab the assets before the price discovery phase starts on live exchanges.

The ICO remains a few hundred to reach the $12.7 million presale cap, meaning BPEP can sell out before the countdown hits zero.

Meme enthusiasts who missed out on established projects such as Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and PEPE view Bitcoin Pepe as a rare second chance.

Moreover, analysts believe BPEP’s unique approach will outshine top assets in the themed crypto sector.

Some expect it to hit the $1 milestone quicker than rivals, with potential listing on leading CEXs, key partnerships, and reliance on Bitcoin’s robustness as top catalysts.

Rumors suggest that OKX and Bybit will be among the first trading platforms to list Bitcoin Pepe once its presale ends this Saturday.

OKX and Bybit have gained popularity (in recent years) due to their security and user-centric approaches.

Thus, accepting Bitcoin Pepe could see top platforms like Binance and Coinbase following suit.

While most meme projects underperform after hype-driven debuts, Bitcoin Pepe’s team has prioritized real-world use cases.

They have signed key deals with AI, gaming, DeFi, and web3 companies, including Crypto Hunter Game, Plena Finance, and BASE’s fair launch network Catamoto.

Such moves reflect a project prioritizing long-term growth, underscoring BPEP’s objective of transforming the meme cryptocurrency industry with top-notch utility.

Why is Bitcoin Pepe heating up: should you join the craze?

One of the main catalysts behind BPEP catching fire is the potential for exchange listing.

Initial support from leading CEXs remains paramount for the success of any early-stage crypto project.

Also, the token sees robust appetite as presale closure triggered a sense of urgency and scarcity.

Furthermore, BPEP’s launch comes as Bitcoin explores record highs above the $110,000 vicinity.

Bitcoin Pepe could be a lucrative investment for anyone looking for a smaller-cap token to capitalize on BTC’s potential in the coming months and years.

You can learn more about BPEP on their official website.

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Pakistan to create strategic Bitcoin reserve, earmarks 2000MW for crypto mining

Pakistan is set to embark on a significant foray into the cryptocurrency landscape, with the government announcing plans to establish a strategic Bitcoin (BTC) reserve and allocate substantial energy resources to support Bitcoin mining operations.

The announcement, delivered by Minister of State for Blockchain and Crypto Bilal Bin Saqib at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, signals a bold new direction for the nation’s digital asset policy.

Minister Bin Saqib revealed that Pakistan’s initiative to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve draws inspiration from similar nascent plans within US President Donald Trump’s administration.

The US strategy reportedly involves populating its reserve, at least initially, with Bitcoin holdings seized from criminal and civil forfeitures, estimated to be around 200,000 BTC.

He also noted that the Pakistani government is closely monitoring the US’s legislative efforts concerning stablecoins, specifically the ‘Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act,’ stating they are following it “very carefully.”

Emphasizing a long-term commitment, Bin Saqib assured that, much like the bitcoins earmarked for the U.S. strategic reserve, Pakistan does not intend to liquidate its holdings.

“This wallet, the national bitcoin wallet, is not for speculation or hype,” Bin Saqib declared.

“We will be holding these bitcoins and we will never, ever sell them.”

This HODL (Hold On for Dear Life) approach underscores a belief in Bitcoin’s enduring value and its potential as a national asset.

Powering the future: energy allocation for mining and AI

Beyond the strategic reserve, Pakistan is taking concrete steps to foster a domestic Bitcoin mining industry.

Minister Bin Saqib announced that the government has earmarked a substantial 2,000 megawatts of electricity specifically for Bitcoin mining operations and AI data centers.

This significant energy allocation is a clear invitation to global players in the crypto mining and infrastructure sectors.

“We want to welcome all miners to come to Pakistan, all the infrastructure players to come to Pakistan and build with us,” Bin Saqib proclaimed, signaling an open-door policy aimed at attracting international investment and expertise to develop the country’s digital infrastructure.

‘Just the beginning’: a broader vision for crypto adoption

According to Minister Bin Saqib, the establishment of a Bitcoin strategic reserve and the support for mining are merely the initial steps in Pakistan’s broader embrace of the cryptocurrency industry.

He highlighted the transformative potential of digital assets for the nation’s large unbanked population.

“We have over 100 million unbanked people. They lack tools for saving, for investment, and we want to change that. We want them to break their economic classes,” Bin Saqib explained.

“And I really believe that crypto and blockchain can help us take that quantum leap.”

He further articulated a vision that includes tokenizing illiquid national assets and implementing digital identification systems.

“So Pakistan is looking for allies. Pakistan is looking for access, because Pakistan wants to build,” he concluded, emphasizing a collaborative approach to achieving these ambitious goals.

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Over 30% of new crypto users start with meme coins, says Gemini’s 2025 report

  • 94% of meme coin holders also invest in Bitcoin and Ethereum later.
  • US leads in meme coin adoption, with 31% starting their crypto journey with them.
  • Meme coins now have a combined market cap of $74.4 billion.

Meme coins are no longer just a punchline in the crypto world.

A new study by Gemini suggests these internet-born tokens are now the entry point for over 30% of new cryptocurrency users across key markets like the US, UK, and Australia.

According to the State of Crypto 2025 report, meme coins such as Dogecoin and PEPE are not only attracting first-time investors but also acting as stepping stones into more established digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).

This finding highlights a broader shift in investor behaviour and growing convergence between retail trends and institutional access.

Gemini report shows meme coins as crypto onboarding tools

The report draws on data from 7,205 respondents across six countries and reveals that meme coins serve as early training tools for new investors.

In the US, 31% of those who own both meme coins and traditional cryptocurrencies said they bought meme tokens first.

The trend is mirrored across other markets, with 30% in Australia, 28% in the UK, 23% in Singapore, 22% in Italy, and 19% in France following a similar pattern.

This shift in entry behaviour reflects meme coins’ growing role in demystifying wallets, decentralised exchanges, and tokenomics.

Gemini’s data shows that 94% of meme coin holders eventually invest in major cryptocurrencies.

This progression underlines the fact that meme tokens act as gateways rather than endpoints in crypto journeys.

Institutional crypto access rises as meme coins gain ground

The increasing legitimacy of meme coins coincides with a significant institutional push into digital assets.

The Gemini report finds that 39% of US investors now hold crypto through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

These regulated instruments are bringing new credibility to the space and creating overlap with retail-driven segments like meme coins.

Combined market capitalisation for meme coins currently stands at $74.4 billion, according to CoinGecko.

What started as parody has developed into a meaningful vertical within the broader crypto market.

The synergy between viral meme content and professionalised investment vehicles suggests that crypto adoption is maturing in complexity and scale.

Adding further momentum is the political backdrop in the US. President Donald Trump has voiced support for crypto, even proposing the creation of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

His stance aligns with a wider regulatory shift that includes approvals for spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Together, these factors contribute to a climate that supports both the entertainment value of meme coins and the financial rigour of traditional crypto investments.

Community engagement now drives meme coin valuation

The latest sentiment from industry insiders supports the growing seriousness around meme coin investment.

Justin Sun, founder of Tron and an advisor to Huobi Global, also commented on this trend.

He highlighted that success in meme coins requires more than virality—it demands genuine community engagement.

For Sun, this means looking beyond follower counts to actual participation and interest.

He described meme coin projects as requiring the same level of commitment as major crypto platforms to gain traction and achieve long-term viability.

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Institutional adoption of Bitcoin: what’s next for big money?

  • BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF hits $71B, becoming the best-performing ETF in history.
  • MicroStrategy’s BTC stash grows to 580,250 coins, doubling down on corporate crypto.
  • JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley now offer Bitcoin ETFs to their clients.

Bitcoin has truly come a long way from being a fringe experiment in its early days to now commanding center stage within the global finance arena.

To this point, over the last couple of years itself, it seems as though every Wall Street titan has quietly become a Bitcoin holder with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), for instance, swelling to about $71 billion in assets (as of May 2025), making it the best performing ETF in history.

Similarly, Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy, the poster child of corporate Bitcoin, now holds roughly 580,250 BTC on its balance sheet while even skeptics have changed their tune completely, with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon recently announcing that the bank will allow clients to buy Bitcoin (via ETFs) through their brokerage accounts (with rival Morgan Stanley offering the same spot-Bitcoin ETF access to its clients).

Leaving the big names aside, one can see that the ongoing institutional wave has been unmistakable, with a recent CoinShares analysis reporting that by Q4 2024 professional investors at large were able to accrue $27.4 billion worth of Bitcoin ETFs in the US alone – a 114% jump from the prior quarter. 

Moreover, asset managers and hedge funds now account for about 26.3% of all US Bitcoin ETF assets under management (up from 21.1% in Q3) as even Bitcoin’s legacy players like Grayscale have witnessed renewed interest.

In short, capital that once sat on the sidelines has been massively reallocated into Bitcoin.

And, forecasts suggest this is only the beginning, with a reports projecting over $120 billion of fresh institutional capital into Bitcoin by end-2025, and a staggering $300 billion by 2026, highlighting the rise of “Bitcoin-native yield strategies” allowing holders to earn yields on their BTC.

Programmability as the foundation for a new financial frontier

So far, most of the institutional frenzy has treated Bitcoin as a safer store of value than a programmable asset.

However, over the last couple of years, innovations like Ordinals and the BRC-20 token standard have let people write code onto satoshis or even issue tokens directly atop the Bitcoin network (while various Layer-2s and sidechain projects have brought smart-contracts and even Liquid staking to Bitcoin).

These aren’t just some random experiments but a taste of what’s to come, with Sygnum Bank reporting that the “DeFi on Bitcoin” revolution is one of the fast-growing, boasting over 30 projects from lending and borrowing platforms to shared-security networks. 

Amidst all this, SatLayer has positioned itself as the universal economic layer for Bitcoin, using the flagship cryptocurrency as its backbone instead of some wrapped token.

What that means is that any app built on top of SatLayer can be validated by Bitcoin’s own vast mining power and transparency. 

Concretely, the team has described the result as a “Bitcoin Validated Service” (BVS), that developers can use to launch things like stablecoins, lending pools, insurance oracles, or other DeFi primitives.

Moreover, to prove the veracity of its novel concept, Satlayer has recently integrated with a host of other popular chains. 

For example, late last year, the project tapped into the Sui ecosystem (a high-speed L1), bringing Bitcoin’s security model there.

The mechanism involved using Bitcoin Liquid Staking Tokens (LSTs) from partners like Lombard Finance and Lorenzo Protocol.

In short, a DEX on Sui could use Bitcoin as collateral for trades, or an oracle on Sui could have its payouts guaranteed by BTC (making the currency’s trillions more accessible to new chains and financial primitives).

The broader implications of these developments

One may be tempted to ask the question, what does all of this mean for institutional money and real-world assets?

For one, it positions Bitcoin as a programmable gold standard.

Imagine tokenizing a bond or an equity on a SatLayer-secured chain such that the token’s value is ultimately backed by Bitcoin.

Or consider a stablecoin issued via SatLayer that borrows Bitcoin’s transparency and security to reassure regulators and users. 

These kinds of real-world asset (RWA) scenarios have always been talked about on Ethereum, but they could equally exist on the Bitcoin ecosystem as well now.

More importantly, SatLayer also builds in the enforcement needed to prevent any malpractice as its contracts (deployed on the Babylon framework) include “slashing” logic — wherein if an operator violates rules (say by manipulating an oracle), their locked-up Bitcoin collateral can be confiscated or burned

In effect, the platform aligns the interests of Bitcoin holders (who want security rewards) and service operators (who need Bitcoin collateral) within a single marketplace, turning BTC from a passive asset into a core component of today’s digital financial infrastructure.

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