BitMEX Co-founder Contributed 75% of Reform UK’s Donations in Q2 2026
According to records from the UK Electoral Commission, BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo donated approximately three-quarters of the total funds received by Reform UK during the second quarter of 2026. In April, he made two contributions totaling about £4.3 million (around $5.3 million), accounting for 74% of the party's reported $7.3 million donations for the quarter. These developments come amid investigations into Reform UK leader Nigel Farage over his connections with figures linked to the crypto industry.
Ben Delo’s Donation Activity in 2026
According to the UK Electoral Commission, Ben Delo made two separate donations to Reform UK in April 2026 amounting to £1 million and £3 million (approximately $1.3 million and $4 million respectively).
Reform UK reported total donations of about $7.3 million in the second quarter of 2026, with Delo’s contributions representing roughly 74% of that amount.
Additionally, in the first quarter of 2026, Delo gave $5.3 million to the party, marking a significant financial backing across the first half of the year.
Connections to Investigations and Parliamentary Concerns
Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s leader, is currently under investigation concerning millions of dollars in donations and gifts received from crypto-related figures Christopher Harborne and George Cottrell.
Farage resigned from Parliament in July 2026 amid the scandal, triggering a contentious by-election in which he secured 63% of the vote, defeating satirical candidate Count Binface.
This controversy has spurred discussion among UK lawmakers about the influence of digital asset donors in politics, with Labour MPs contemplating making a crypto donation moratorium, introduced in March 2026, permanent.
Background of Ben Delo’s Legal Issues and Resolution
Ben Delo was among three BitMEX co-founders who pleaded guilty in the US to charges related to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.
In 2022, he agreed to pay a $10 million fine but did not serve prison time.
In March 2025, he and fellow co-founders Arthur Hayes and Samuel Reed received pardons from then-US President Donald Trump.
Why it matters
The news of Ben Delo’s substantial donations to Reform UK is significant not only due to the amount but also because it highlights the increasing involvement of the crypto community in UK politics. Amid ongoing investigations into Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s acceptance of funding from other crypto-affiliated individuals, parliamentary concerns have grown about the influence of digital asset donations, sparking discussions on permanent regulatory measures. Delo’s involvement, particularly given his legal history as a former cryptocurrency exchange executive, raises broader questions about the role and impact of such figures within British political and social spheres.
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