Crypto billionaire Ben Delo gives Reform UK a record £36 million donation

British crypto entrepreneur Ben Delo, co‑founder of the BitMEX exchange, has donated £36 million (approximately $49 million) to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The contribution is reported as the biggest single donation ever made to a UK political party.

Donor background and motivation

Delo said the payment was intended to ensure a “fair fight” in upcoming elections. He is a known figure in the cryptocurrency sector and previously faced U.S. federal charges related to the Bank Secrecy Act, for which he paid a $10 million fine and later received a presidential pardon.

Political context

The donation follows earlier contributions to Reform UK, including £9 million from billionaire Christopher Harborne. Farage has faced scrutiny over crypto‑related donations, with investigations into gifts from Harborne and George Cottrell. Labour MPs have discussed making a temporary moratorium on crypto donations permanent.

Implications for UK politics

The £36 million gift, equivalent to about £1 million per month until the next general election in 2029, was paid in a single lump sum to avoid potential blocking under existing rules. The influx of crypto‑linked funds has intensified debate over the influence of digital assets on political financing in the United Kingdom.