Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump Reform UK has been given a record £36m donation by Ben Delo, a British cryptocurrency billionaire convicted in the US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls. The businessman, who has moved back to the UK from Hong Kong, is now the biggest UK political donor…
British cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo has given Reform UK a record £36 million donation, making him the biggest UK political donor. Delo, who was convicted in the US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls in his cryptocurrency business BitMEX, was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2022. His donation dwarfs the previous biggest contribution of £15 million from Thailand-based Christopher Harborne.
The massive donation is a boost for party leader Nigel Farage, who is facing a police investigation into overseas funding for Reform UK and an inquiry into a £5 million undeclared personal gift from Harborne. Delo's donation was revealed to the media by Reform UK after the party was approached by the Sunday Times. Farage expressed his gratitude, stating that Delo believes Reform UK is the only party capable of reversing Britain's decline.
The donation comes at a time when Labour and other parties are considering ways to limit the influence of mega-donors in politics.
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Also reported by 4 other outlets
- Crypto billionaire Delo gives Farage’s Reform UK record £36m donation malaymail.com
- Farage’s Reform UK raises record £72 million in 24 hours — from two crypto billionaires japantimes.co.jp
- Crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donate £36 million to Farage’s Reform UK theblock.co
- Nigel Farage’s Reform UK lands $97 million donations from two crypto billionaires in 24 hours coindesk.com
