{
  "id": 4109237,
  "title": "Reform UK plays down crypto ties as it courts business, diplomats",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/reform-uk-plays-down-crypto-ties-as-it-courts-business-diplomats",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T04:45:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/reform-uk-plays-down-crypto-ties-as-it-courts-business-diplomats-4881938"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Reform UK is downplaying its association with cryptocurrency firms as it attempts to appeal to businesses and foreign governments, according to Bloomberg. The party, led by Nigel Farage, is presenting a more conventional image at its upcoming three-day conference in Birmingham, which is scheduled to take place next week. Last year, the crypto payment company Zebec was a major sponsor, but that appears to have changed this year, with no crypto companies listed among the sponsors for the current conference. Benefits previously offered to the crypto industry, such as free tickets and access to senior officials, have also been reduced. This shift coincides with Farage's recent parliamentary probe into whether he should have disclosed a £5 million donation from a Thai crypto investor, Christopher Harborne. The party is instead emphasizing its growing engagement with international governments and major businesses as it seeks to position itself as a potential party of government. Nearly a dozen countries are expected to send representatives to the conference, including India, Italy, Hungary, Poland, the UAE, and the United States. French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella is also slated to speak. Reform UK will have a dedicated business day on Thursday, with notable attendees including construction firm Keltbray, equipment manufacturer JCB, TikTok, Heathrow Airport, and several major technology companies. More than 600 tickets have already been sold for the business event, priced at £495 for full-price tickets and £395 for an evening dinner. Currently, Reform UK holds eight seats in the House of Commons, but the party aims to position itself as a contender for power in the next general election, which is expected to take place by 2029. Reform UK's rise has recently been challenged by an increase in support for the governing Labour Party, which has recently become even with Reform UK according to Bloomberg's average of opinion polls.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Reform UK downplays crypto ties for business appeal",
    "No crypto sponsors at upcoming Birmingham conference",
    "Party emphasizes engagement with international governments"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Reform UK's shift away from crypto industry ties and toward engagement with businesses and international governments signals its bid to appear as a credible and conventional party of government.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}