Crypto Pioneer's Path from Pardon to Philanthropy Raises Questions
Ben Delo, the founder of BitMEX, has made headlines in recent years for his involvement in the crypto space. In 2022, he was convicted in the US for failing to implement anti-money laundering controls at BitMEX and sentenced to 30 months' probation with a $10m fine.
Delo and his co-founder Arthur Hayes were accused of not conducting sufficient checks on new customers. Court documents revealed that internal reports identified customers from Iran, who were subject to US sanctions, trading on the platform, and that Delo personally communicated with these customers.
The pair was later pardoned by Donald Trump in March 2025, a move that has raised concerns about the presidential pardon process under Trump's administration. It appears that access to his inner circle is now a key factor in securing clemency.