Reform UK Gets £4m Boost from BitMEX Co-Founder Ahead of Exchange Shutdown
BitMEX Co-Founder Ben Delo donated £4 million to Reform UK in April, making up 72% of the party's declared funds for Q2. This is according to the Electoral Commission's register, which shows that Delo sent two cash payments totaling £7 million.
The largest donation from any other individual was £550,000 from Labour donor Lord David Sainsbury. Reform UK's income fell significantly after Christopher Harborne, another crypto-linked mega-donor, stopped giving in Q2.
Delo has admitted to a Bank Secrecy Act violation and paid a $10 million fine for BitMEX's lack of customer checks. He was later pardoned by Donald Trump in March 2025. The exchange behind Delo's fortune is now closing on September 23 after a strategic review.
Reform UK's next register will show whether the party can raise real money without Delo's support. The cash payments from Delo slipped past Britain's new crypto donation ban, which was announced in March and includes a £100,000 cap on overseas donors for a full calendar year.