Crypto billionaire donates record £36m to Reform UK

Cryptocurrency billionaire Ben Delo has donated a record £36 million to Reform UK, the largest single political donation in British history. The donation, announced on September 11, 2026, comes as the party faces a Metropolitan Police criminal investigation into allegations it breached rules on political donations. Delo, the co-founder of the cryptocurrency trading platform BitMEX, stated he made the donation to ensure Reform UK has a "fair fight" at the next general election. He wrote in an article that the party should spend less time raising funds and more time preparing for government. The donation is structured as £1 million per month until the latest possible 2029 general election, but Delo has paid the full amount upfront to avoid potential legislative blocks. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he was "honoured and humbled" by Delo's confidence in the party. The donation nearly matches the total £38 million the party has received since its launch in 2021. Delo was previously Reform UK's second-largest donor, having given £8 million prior to this gift. The donation arrives amid significant scrutiny of Reform UK's finances.