UK Reform Party Gets £72M Crypto Boost Amid Funding Scrutiny

Reform UK received a significant funding boost from two cryptocurrency billionaires in September. The party accepted £72 million in combined donations from BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo and Tether investor Christopher Harborne, who both donated equal amounts over two days.

The donations were made before the proposed legislation to ban cryptocurrency donations and introduce a £100,000 annual limit on contributions takes effect. Reform has been accepting cryptocurrency donations since May 2025, while police opened a criminal investigation into the party's funding last week.

Delo had already given Reform £8 million this year, while Harborne contributed millions more, including a £9 million donation before the latest payments. The new contributions are under scrutiny as lawmakers consider tighter safeguards for political funding.