Global Trends: How two British crypto billionaires bought a potential prime minister
In many countries, right-wing populists are seeking proximity to the financially strong crypto industry - also in Germany. The parties are making themselves dependent on a shady trade.
London – The question of whether it is possible to purchase a British electoral victory for £72 million, roughly €83 million, has preoccupied British politics since crypto-billionaires Benjamin Delo and Christopher Harborne lavishly donated to the right-wing Reform UK party. Their ultimate goal: to propel Reform party leader Nigel Farage to the position of Prime Minister. For comparison, the largest political donation to date in the United Kingdom amounted to £10 million, contributed by businessman John Sainsbury.
This symbiotic relationship between right-wing populists and crypto investors is not exclusive to the United Kingdom. US President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have received significant support from the murky crypto sector, with Trump even loosening regulations for crypto transactions and earning over $630 million through the sale of his own cryptocurrency coin "$Trump" last year.
In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party pushes for fewer regulations on digital currency Bitcoin. In France, right-wing populists previously skeptical of Bitcoin have now become supporters. Finally, in Italy, the Lega party under Matteo Salvini has blocked a substantial tax increase for crypto profits.
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