Conor McGregor, the celebrated mixed martial arts champion known for his bold personality and sharp business instincts, has taken a swing at the crypto world with the launch of a new memecoin called REAL. Designed with staking rewards, voting rights, and status incentives, the coin aims to offer more than just hype.
In typical McGregor fashion, the launch was anything but subtle. Rather than opting for a public sale vulnerable to bots and manipulation, the REAL token was introduced via a sealed-bid auction. This approach, according to McGregor, was meant to ensure fairness and avoid the kind of rug pulls and bot sniping that have plagued similar launches. “This is not some celebrity-endorsed bullshit token,” he wrote, “it is a REAL game changer that will change the crypto ecosystem as well as make REAL change in the world. The sealed-bid auction is the new way of launching a token to prevent rug pulls and snipers. This is about transparency – we show the world how it is done with integrity.”
The project, developed in collaboration with Real World Gaming DAO, also includes a whitepaper that details staking mechanisms designed to reward users who contribute significantly—either through participation or by locking up substantial amounts of tokens. These users may earn status points and revenue bonuses, creating a gamified loyalty system aimed at long-term engagement.
McGregor has never been shy about claiming his influence across industries. “I changed the FIGHT game,” he wrote on X. “I changed the WHISKEY game. I changed the STOUT game. Now it’s time to change the CRYPTO game. This is just the beginning.” With this new venture, he seems intent on applying the same disruptive energy that made him a global icon in sports and spirits.
Memecoins have recently gained mainstream attention, bolstered by figures like Elon Musk and the cultural momentum behind coins such as Dogecoin and TRUMP. As regulatory perspectives soften—memecoins are now likened to collectible trading cards rather than securities—the environment has grown more accommodating for new entrants like REAL. Industry analysts point out that the key to any memecoin’s success is its ability to build a loyal community. With McGregor’s massive global following, particularly in the MMA scene, REAL stands a decent chance.
That said, the memecoin space is as unpredictable as it is fast-moving. A new star in the UFC could easily capture the spotlight and the memecoin market with a competing project. For now, REAL has yet to disclose key data like liquidity levels or total value locked, and collectors may prefer to wait for clarity on the regulatory front before jumping in.
McGregor’s history of transcending sport through spectacle and entrepreneurship is well documented. From becoming the first UFC fighter to hold two belts simultaneously to selling bottles of Proper Twelve whiskey by the millions, he’s proven capable of turning personality into business. With REAL, McGregor is now betting that his charisma can fuel a crypto revolution. Whether this latest endeavor succeeds or fades into the memecoin crowd remains to be seen—but as always with McGregor, the show is guaranteed.
By Alejandro Silva Ramírez, Crypto Analyst & Columnist