The Reform UK party has received a £72 million (approx. $97 million) donation from two prominent crypto industry figures. Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo each contributed £36 million, setting a record for the largest individual political donations in British history.
Harborne is widely known as an investor behind Tether and Bitfinex, while Delo is a co-founder of the BitMEX exchange. There are no confirmed reports regarding the payment method, and publications did not state whether the transfer was paid entirely in crypto assets.
Delo’s funds were paid in full upfront, representing £1 million per month leading up to the 2029 general election. The decision to pay in advance was made to prevent the donation from potentially being blocked midway. For Harborne, this new injection adds to his track record after donating £9 million to the same party in August 2025.
Spotlight Shifts to Residency Status
The record-breaking donation faces legal scrutiny as public attention turns to both donors’ residential histories. Harborne holds dual British and Thai citizenship and spent years living in Thailand. Delo spent most of his time residing in Hong Kong before returning to his native country.
The exact dates of their residency and their registration status on the UK electoral roll are now in question. Current rules generally permit political donations only from individuals registered on the UK electoral register.
Reform UK responded to the emerging legal questions by claiming that their donations are fully compliant with Electoral Commission rules and applicable UK law.
The Shadow of Crypto Influence in Parliament
The crypto industry connections behind the record donation have raised questions from numerous lawmakers about the extent of digital asset influence in British politics.
Nigel Farage was previously investigated over receiving millions of dollars from two figures tied to the crypto industry. That investigation failed to dampen voter support, as demonstrated by his by-election victory with 63% of the vote.
The emergence of residency legal details introduces a new dimension not present in past donations. The Farage-led party now faces an additional test in proving the validity of the donors’ domicile before the Electoral Commission.
Reported by crypto.news.
Previously: Two Crypto Billionaires Pour £72 Million into Reform UK - Why Did They Pay Upfront in Full?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
