Reform UK Receives Major Donations from Crypto Industry Figures in Q1 2026

In a remarkable funding dynamic, Reform UK has revealed that 75% of its declared private donations in the first quarter of 2026 originated from two influential figures within the cryptocurrency sector. Ben Delo, co-founder of the derivatives exchange BitMEX, contributed £4 million through two payments, while Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based investor associated with Tether and Bitfinex, added another £3 million.

The total donations from these two individuals amounted to £7 million, representing a substantial portion of the £9.3 million that Reform UK reported receiving from private donors during this period. This figure also accounted for approximately 28% of all political donations to UK parties in that quarter.

Delo's contributions were made in two equal installments of £2 million in January and March, while Harborne's £3 million donation was recorded on January 23. Notably, all contributions were made in fiat currency, as confirmed by Electoral Commission records.

Harborne has been a significant financial backer of Reform UK, with cumulative contributions between late 2025 and early 2026 estimated to be between £12 million and £15 million. Delo, who has faced regulatory scrutiny in the past related to BitMEX's compliance issues, publicly expressed his support for Reform UK in an April 2026 op-ed.

Reform UK, under the leadership of Nigel Farage, has positioned itself as a pro-crypto political party, advocating for policies that favor digital asset holders, including proposals to reduce capital gains tax on crypto investments. The party's fundraising efforts come amid a changing regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies in the UK, where the Financial Conduct Authority has been tightening oversight.