UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey has criticized Reform Party leader Nigel Farage's relationship with cryptocurrency during a Monday speech on economic policy.
Healey stated that Farage, a pro-crypto member of parliament, was "Liz Truss with a Bitcoin account." The comparison references Liz Truss, the UK's shortest-serving Prime Minister, who faced heavy criticism for her debt-fueled 2022 mini budget.
"Nigel Farage — he wants you to think he's a man of the people," Healey said. "But when it comes to the economy, he's Liz Truss with a Bitcoin account."
Healey outlined the Labour Party's alternative economic approach, saying it would help the UK advance "through fiscal discipline, through good work, through strong industries."
Farage's Crypto History
Farage has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency for years. Since 2020, he has framed Bitcoin primarily as a question of personal freedom and opposition to state control of money. He has attributed increased interest in digital assets to his debanking by private British bank Coutts.
At the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Las Vegas last year, Farage said he would slash crypto capital gains taxes and push the Bank of England to establish a Bitcoin reserve if elected Prime Minister.
Recent Donation Scrutiny
Farage and the Reform Party have faced scrutiny this year over cryptocurrency donations received from tech entrepreneur Christopher Harborne, a Tether investor, and Ben Delo, one of the founders of the now-closed BitMEX crypto exchange.
The Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into reports that Reform broke rules against overseas donations. The party has denied wrongdoing and stated it will cooperate with authorities.
