British crypto investor Ben Delo, left and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, right.
British crypto investor Ben Delo has pledged £36 million ($48.7) to Reform UK, giving Nigel Farage’s party its biggest political donation as it prepares for a possible run at government. Delo, co-founder of cryptocurrency trading platform BitMEX, said he would provide £1 million a month until the next UK general election, expected by mid-2029. Delo has already donated £8 million to Reform and has been a long-standing supporter of the party.
The British crypto entrepreneur was convicted in the United States of violating the Bank Secrecy Act and was later pardoned by US President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.
He said the funding would help Reform prepare for government and compete with Labour and the Conservatives. In an opinion article published by The Telegraph, Delo said his experience of running a startup under intense scrutiny had influenced his decision to continue backing Reform. “Reform are making serious plans for the government,” Delo wrote, arguing that creating detailed policies and legislation requires both time and money. Farage welcomed the new funding, saying he was “honoured and humbled” by Delo’s confidence in Reform. He said the party was the only political force capable of reversing what he described as Britain’s decline. Delo said he recognised the risks faced by people financially supporting Reform while the party remains under scrutiny.