Crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donate £36 million to Farage’s Reform UK
Meanwhile, the House of Lords is considering a bill which would halt crypto donations and cap overseas giving at £100,000 a year.
London, September 12 — A cryptocurrency billionaire named Ben Delo has recently announced a staggering £36 million donation to Nigel Farage's Reform UK, setting a new record for the largest single donation to a political party in British history. This generous offer comes despite Reform UK being embroiled in several funding scandals, raising questions about the source of the billionaire's support.
Delo explained that he made the donation because Reform UK lacked the financial stability of more established parties like Labour and the Conservatives. He pledged to provide the party with £1 million monthly until the next general election, expected to take place in mid-2029. Delo, a co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, has already contributed £4 million to Reform UK in two separate transactions in January and March.
The 42-year-old, who pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act in the United States in 2022 but received a presidential pardon in 2025, aims to use the funds to help Reform UK "get ready for government." This unprecedented donation surpasses the previous record, set by crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne, who donated £9 million to Reform UK last year.
Reform UK, established in 2021 from the remnants of Farage's pro-Brexit campaign, has been enjoying national support polls but has recently faced a decline in their lead due to multiple funding controversies. Prime Minister Andy Burnham's rise to power, replacing Keir Starmer in July, has further bolstered Labour's prospects. The news of Delo's donation arrives shortly after police revealed they were expanding a criminal investigation into allegations that Reform UK accepted illegal donations, adding pressure to Farage, who has denied any wrongdoing.
Another £5 million gift to Farage from Harborne has also come under scrutiny, with Farage stating that the donation was for his personal security. The Reform leader expressed his gratitude to Delo for demonstrating confidence in the party.
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