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Crypto capital backs Reform UK with $97 million in back-to-back donations

Digital-asset wealth made one of its most concentrated entries into British political finance with a pair of donations totaling $97 million. Ben Delo, co-founder of the crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX, donated almost $50…

By Selene Vasquez·September 13, 2026·二〇二六年九月十三日·2 min read

Key takeaways

  • Reform UK received two crypto-sector donations totaling $97 million.
  • BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo donated almost $50 million to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.
  • Fellow crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne matched Delo's figure a day later.
  • The two donations from the same sector were directed at one party within a 24-hour window.
  • Neither donor is quoted and no specific policy agenda is attached to either donation.

Digital-asset wealth made one of its most concentrated entries into British political finance with a pair of donations totaling $97 million. Ben Delo, co-founder of the crypto derivatives exchange BitMEX, donated almost $50 million to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Christopher Harborne, a fellow crypto billionaire, matched that figure a day later.

The sequencing is part of the story. Delo committed almost $50 million first; Harborne's matching donation followed a day later. Two donors from the same sector directed their capital at one party inside a 24-hour window.

Crypto-derived capital entering political party finance has become a visible pattern across multiple jurisdictions as digital-asset fortunes have grown. Reform UK, the British insurgent party led by Farage, now carries a financial commitment from two crypto billionaires totaling $97 million. Neither Delo nor Harborne is quoted, and no specific policy agenda is attached to either donation.

For digital-asset markets, the read-through is about political direction. Donations of this scale, concentrated from one sector into one party, tend to draw scrutiny from electoral finance regulators. The $97 million is confirmed; Harborne's matching contribution, arriving a day after Delo's, brought it there.

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Source · 來源

cointelegraph.com

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Frequently asked

Who donated the $97 million to Reform UK?

BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo and fellow crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, each contributing almost $50 million.

What is Reform UK?

Reform UK is a British insurgent party led by Nigel Farage.

Did the donors state a policy agenda?

No, neither Delo nor Harborne is quoted and no specific policy agenda is attached to either donation.

Why might these donations attract attention?

Donations of this scale, concentrated from one sector into one party, tend to draw scrutiny from electoral finance regulators.

How were the two donations timed?

Delo committed almost $50 million first, and Harborne's matching donation followed a day later, within a 24-hour window.