Crypto Cash Floods Reform UK Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

Reform UK, a major British political party, has received significant funding from crypto industry figures in the first quarter of 2026. According to recent disclosures, Ben Delo, co-founder of BitMEX, contributed £4 million across two payments, while Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based investor linked to Tether and Bitfinex, added another £3 million.

This combined total of £7 million represents 75% of the party's declared private donations during this period, making it a substantial portion of the £9.3 million received from private donors. The numbers are even more striking when considering that this amount accounts for roughly 28% of all reported political donations to UK parties in the first quarter.

Delo and Harborne's donations have significant implications for the party's direction, with Reform UK positioning itself as the most crypto-friendly major party in the UK. The regulatory environment for crypto in Britain remains uncertain, with calls for a comprehensive framework from the current government.