Conor McGregor unveils REAL memecoin with sealed bid auction

Mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor has officially entered the cryptocurrency market with the launch of his memecoin, "REAL," on April 5, 2025.

The token, developed in collaboration with the Real World Gaming decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO), aims to provide staking rewards and governance rights for its holders.

The launch was conducted through a sealed-bid auction, running from April 5 to April 6, to ensure fairness and transparency.

This method was chosen to prevent bots and snipers from manipulating the process, a common issue in traditional memecoin launches.

“This is about transparency — we are showing the world how it is done with integrity,” stated McGregor, emphasising the importance of this approach.

The REAL token stands out in the crowded memecoin market by incorporating decentralised governance and utility features.

Token holders will have voting rights, allowing them to influence the future direction of the project.

Additionally, staking incentives are designed to encourage long-term participation.

McGregor framed the launch as a principled move rather than a typical celebrity-endorsed token.

“I changed the fight game. I changed the whiskey game. I changed the stout game. Now it’s time to change the crypto game,” he declared on social media platform X.

The Real World Gaming DAO has hinted at integrating REAL into a larger gaming ecosystem, though specific details remain limited.

Analysts have noted that while McGregor’s global fame could attract significant attention to the project, the volatile and unpredictable nature of the memecoin market poses challenges.

The use of a sealed-bid auction also marks an attempt to address criticisms often leveled at memecoin launches, such as insider trading and excessive volatility.

By hiding bids until the auction ends, this method aims to create a level playing field for all investors.