MMA Icon Conor McGregor Launches Meme Coin That Will Change the World

On 5 April, Irish MMA icon Conor McGregor entered the crypto arena with the launch of a new meme coin, “REAL,” developed in partnership with the Real World Gaming DAO (RWG).

Marketed as more than just a speculative asset, REAL promises staking rewards, governance rights, and a vision to reshape the intersection of blockchain, sports, and entertainment.

To ensure a fair launch and avoid bot interference, the token was introduced via a sealed-bid auction held from 5 to 6 April.

McGregor leveraged his massive social media reach—10 million followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) and nearly 47 million on Instagram—to promote the project, positioning it as the next chapter in a string of industries he claims to have already transformed, including fighting, whiskey, and stout.

Framing REAL as a "fair meme coin," McGregor emphasized its commitment to transparency and ethical standards, describing it as a blueprint for responsible token launches:

"This is not some celebrity-endorsed bullshit token, 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 are showing the world how it is done with integrity.”

According to the project’s tokenomics, 31.5% of the supply will be allocated to the DAO treasury, with nearly 17% reserved for the community.

The developer team and advisors will receive 10% and 1%, respectively.

High-stakes participants and active stakers may gain elevated status and greater revenue potential under the platform’s incentives.

The project's ambitions go beyond crypto.

The team plans to use the raised capital to launch ventures that blur the line between digital assets and real-world entertainment, particularly in gambling, sports, and gaming.

McGregor’s Meme Coin Launch Fails, Raised Less Than 50% of Minimum Target

Despite the hype, the REAL token failed to meet its minimum funding threshold, raising only $392,315 during its 28-hour presale—well short of the $1,008,000 required to proceed with the launch.

McGregor and RWG, formerly Balthazar DAO, had set an ambitious $3.6 million goal for the sealed-bid auction, which allowed participants to submit bids in USDC.

The project had added:

“The auction will be open for 28 hours, after which a single clearing price will be determined. Tokens will be locked for 12 hours after auction close to facilitate a snipe-free deployment of on-chain liquidity. Proceeds from the auction will seed this pool and fund the DAO treasury.”

Only those meeting or exceeding the final clearing price would receive tokens, with unsuccessful bidders refunded in full.

RWG wrote on X following the end of the sale:

"We need to be real. We didn't hit our minimum raise. All bids will be refunded in full. This is not the end."

The underwhelming response highlights what may be a broader market shift away from celebrity-backed crypto ventures, as investor enthusiasm continues to wane.

Notably, RWG had touted support from major industry players, including Animoca Brands, KuCoin Labs, Tezos Foundation, Algorand, and more than a dozen others.

Yet even with high-profile endorsements and McGregor’s global platform, the launch fell flat—raising important questions about the evolving appetite for influencer-driven tokens in today’s market.

A press release stated:

"Revenue from RWG businesses integrating the token, as well as McGregor’s brands will support a huge global movement."

McGregor’s Token Launch Hit with Backlash

The launch of the REAL token was met with immediate scepticism from key voices in the crypto community.

Notably, on-chain analyst ZachXBT’s sarcastic reply on X garnered nearly triple the engagement of the official announcement—highlighting growing doubt among informed observers.

Several red flags appear to have fuelled investor reluctance.

Critics pointed to the token’s unusually brief unlock window, warning it could encourage rapid sell-offs.

Others flagged the use of third-party logos on the project’s website, suggesting potential misrepresentation.

Community sentiment has also leaned heavily negative, with many calling the tokenomics poorly designed and accusing the team of prioritising hype over long-term utility.

The backlash raises broader questions about credibility, transparency, and sustainability in celebrity-led crypto initiatives.

Meme Coin Boom Over? Smart Traders Still Playing for Gains

The meme coin craze surged after former President Donald Trump launched his own token, but enthusiasm has since waned.

Tokens linked to both Donald and Melania Trump have experienced steep declines, leaving many investors with significant losses.

Despite this, opportunistic traders continue to scan the meme coin landscape, keeping the market marginally afloat even as overall trading volume shrinks and broader crypto sentiment softens.

According to Nansen research analyst Nicolai Sondergaard, “smart money” players are still active in the space—though their strategies are more cautious and short-term.

He described recent meme coin activity as a “fun play” by savvy traders biding their time amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty.

The underwhelming performance of newer celebrity-backed tokens, such as Conor McGregor’s REAL, may reflect growing scepticism.

Has the market simply moved on—and did McGregor enter the hype cycle just a bit too late?