Crypto Billionaire Ben Delo Makes Largest Ever Donation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK
British crypto billionaire Ben Delo has donated £36 million (around $49 million) to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, marking the largest donation ever made to a British political party. Delo, co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, said he provided the funds to ensure a “fair fight” in upcoming elections. The substantial contribution has drawn scrutiny amid investigations and debates about the influence of digital assets in UK politics.
Largest Ever Donation to Reform UK
Ben Delo, a British crypto billionaire and co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, donated £36 million ($49 million) to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. According to reports from the DPA and other media outlets, this marks the largest donation ever made to a British political party. Delo stated that he made the contribution to ensure a “fair fight” at the polls.
Farage’s Response and Donation History
Nigel Farage expressed that he felt honored and humbled by Delo’s confidence in Reform UK. He emphasized that Delo recognizes their party as the only one capable of reversing Britain's decline. Prior to this, Delo was the party’s second-largest donor behind billionaire Christopher Harborne, who contributed £9 million last August.
Investigations and Political Context
Last month, reports surfaced that Farage was under investigation after receiving multi-million dollar donations and gifts from two crypto industry figures: Harborne and George Cottrell. In July, Farage resigned from his position as a member of Parliament amid the crypto scandal before winning a controversial by-election with 63% of the vote, ahead of satirical candidate Count Binface. These crypto-linked contributions have sparked concerns among many UK lawmakers regarding the influence of digital assets on political processes.
Discussion Around Crypto Donation Regulations
In response, Labour MPs considered making permanent a moratorium on crypto donations, initially announced in March pending legislation. This step was taken following what Farage described as “gifts” from Harborne and Cottrell, amid wider scrutiny. The Telegraph reported that Delo’s £36 million donation equates to about £1 million per month until the general election in 2029, but Delo paid the full amount up front to avoid any potential blocking.
Ben Delo’s Legal Background
Previously, Cointelegraph reported that Delo was one of three BitMEX co-founders who pleaded guilty to federal charges in the United States related to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. In 2022, Delo agreed to pay a $10 million fine, avoiding prison time. In March 2025, he and his colleagues Arthur Hayes and Samuel Reed were pardoned by then-U.S. President Donald Trump.
Why it matters
This news is significant as it marks the largest-ever donation from the crypto industry to a British political party, highlighting growing concerns about the role of digital assets in national politics. The contribution comes amid ongoing investigations and debates over the influence of crypto on political financing and regulatory responses. The donors’ prior controversies and legal backgrounds raise questions about transparency and oversight in party funding. The outcome may shape future UK legislation on donations and cryptocurrency regulation.
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