Two cryptocurrency industry figures donated a combined £72 million to Reform UK during a consecutive 24-hour period, establishing a record for individual political contributions in Britain.
Ben Delo, co-founder of the BitMEX cryptocurrency trading platform, transferred £36 million on Friday. Christopher Harborne, whose investments include stakes in Bitfinex and stablecoin provider Tether, donated an equal amount the following day.
Harborne stated that Delo's contribution motivated his matching gift, emphasizing that the donations carried no expectation of political favors. Delo described his contribution as an investment in democratic competition, explaining it represented £1 million in monthly support through the 2029 general election, though he transferred the entire sum immediately.
Nigel Farage, Reform UK's leader, expressed appreciation for the financial support, noting it would enable the party to compete equally in the upcoming electoral cycle.
Previous Contributions and Cryptocurrency Outreach
These were not the donors' first contributions to Reform. Harborne previously provided £9 million in August 2025, with additional transfers in early 2026. Delo similarly contributed during the first quarter of 2026.
Electoral Commission data shows that Harborne and Delo collectively represented approximately 76 percent of Reform's documented first-quarter 2026 donations, excluding governmental funding.
Farage has cultivated relationships within the cryptocurrency sector. During a Bitcoin gathering in Las Vegas in May 2025, he announced intentions to establish a Bitcoin reserve at the Bank of England, implement a 10 percent capital gains tax on digital assets, and prevent financial institutions from terminating accounts based on cryptocurrency involvement.
Regulatory Scrutiny
The contributions have prompted intensifying official attention. The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into allegations surrounding Reform's fundraising practices, and a parliamentary standards committee is examining a £5 million personal transfer from Harborne to Farage before his 2024 parliamentary election. Both Farage and Reform have rejected any impropriety.
In July, Farage stepped down from his parliamentary seat citing what he termed a cryptocurrency-related controversy, though he reclaimed the position in a subsequent by-election with 63 percent voter support.
Government officials unveiled proposals in March targeting cryptocurrency political donations, including a prohibition on digital currency contributions and a £100,000 annual ceiling on overseas donations. Labour representatives have subsequently explored making these restrictions permanent.
Delo has a regulatory history in the United States. As a BitMEX co-founder, he entered a guilty plea for Bank Secrecy Act violations and accepted a $10 million penalty in 2022. President Donald Trump issued him a pardon in March 2025.
The Electoral Commission has verified that no British political organization has formally disclosed receiving donations in the form of cryptocurrency assets.
