Crypto donation to Reform UK
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Crypto billionaire Ben Delo donated a record £36m to Reform UK, front-loading £1m per month until.
It's the largest UK political donation ever, arriving as police probe Reform's funding.
Background
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has been building a large fundraising lead, with crypto-linked donors like Christopher Harborne giving millions earlier in the year. The £36m from BitMex co-founder Ben Delo is the biggest single donation to a UK political party, eclipsing the previous £10m record. It comes as the Metropolitan Police investigates allegations Reform broke foreign funding laws, following a Channel 4 News broadcast.
How it unfolded
- Sep 9, 2026The Metropolitan Police launches a criminal investigation into allegations Reform UK broke the law on foreign funding, after a Channel 4 News broadcast.
- Sep 11, 2026Ben Delo announces a £36m donation to Reform UK, saying he wants a 'fair fight' and to help the party prepare for government.
- Sep 11, 2026Farage welcomes the donation, saying he is 'honoured and humbled' by Delo's confidence in Reform.
Who’s saying what
- Donor
- Ben Delo said he wants a 'fair fight and a level playing field' and is front-loading the money to prevent Labour from cutting Reform's financial lifeline.
- Party
- Nigel Farage said he was 'honoured and humbled' and that Delo knows Reform is the only party that can 'turn the country around'.
- Labour
- A Labour spokesperson said Farage is 'still up to his neck in scandal' and the questions he faces are 'piling up'.
Still unverified
The police investigation into whether Reform UK broke foreign funding laws is ongoing; the party denies any wrongdoing and says it will co-operate. Delo's prior US conviction for a banking secrecy violation and his pardon by President Donald Trump are reported but not central to the donation's legality.