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● LIVE Updated 48m ago · 17 sources tracked

Ben Delo: Who is the Reform UK donor and crypto billionaire?

Crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne donated £72 million to Reform UK over 48 hours, with each contributing £36 million. The funding has triggered a debate on political donation caps and prompted Labour to consider retroactive limits. Ben Delo previously pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, a United States anti-money laundering law. While ministers evaluate laws requiring donors to show an ongoing presence in the UK, No 10 denies these enhanced checks target Reform UK specifically.

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What changed

New reports reveal Ben Delo pleaded guilty to violating the US Bank Secrecy Act.

Live updates

  1. Ben Delo convicted of US law violations amid Reform UK funding row

    Crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne donated £72 million to Reform UK over 48 hours, with each contributing £36 million. The funding has triggered a debate on political donation caps and prompted Labour to consider retroactive limits. Ben Delo previously pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act, a United States anti-money laundering law. While ministers evaluate laws requiring donors to show an ongoing presence in the UK, No 10 denies these enhanced checks target Reform UK specifically.

    Why it matters

    The total contribution exceeds the general election spending of both the Labour and Conservative parties. This financial surge occurs as Nigel Farage leads the party's push against immigration and workers' rights. The legal history of the donors now adds scrutiny to the party's financial compliance.

    What is confirmed

    • Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donated £36 million to Reform UK.
    • The total donations from Delo and Harborne occurred over a 48-hour period.
    • Ben Delo pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act in the US.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Reform UK secured a total of £85 million in 48 hours.
    • Nigel Farage accepted a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire.

    What to watch next

    • Government decision on retroactive donation caps
    • Outcome of proposed laws regarding donors' ongoing presence in the UK
    Sources used for this update (5)
    1. thecurrencyanalytics.com — Crypto Billionaires Propel Reform UK with £85 Million Amid Investigations
    2. www.mirror.co.uk — Should there be a cap on political donations in the UK? Take our poll and have your say
    3. www.amlintelligence.com — ANALYSIS: Why Ben Delo, Reform UK’s £36m donor, was convicted over weak AML controls
    4. www.irishnews.com — No 10 denies ‘enhanced’ donor checks would be to target Reform’s £72 million
    5. www.mirror.co.uk — Louise Haigh vows to fight those who think 'democracy is up for sale' over Reform £72million row
    confidence 90%

  2. Labour Hints at Retroactive Caps on Reform UK's £72M Crypto Donations

    Labour is considering retroactive donation caps that could force Nigel Farage's Reform UK party to return a record £72 million in funding. The anti-immigration party received the money over a 48-hour period from crypto moguls Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, who each contributed £36 million. The massive financial boost exceeds the total spending of either Labour or the Conservatives during the last UK general election. Meanwhile, Richard Tice defended the party during scrutiny over whether the transactions comply with existing rules.

    Why it matters

    The enormous influx of capital transforms the electoral battlefield ahead of the 2029 contest, giving Reform UK unprecedented financial muscle to challenge traditional parties. Critics and government figures have raised sharp concerns regarding the influence of big money in politics following the disclosures. The situation has triggered intense debate over political financing regulations and whether stricter caps should apply to foreign or mega-donations.

    What is confirmed

    • Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donated £36 million to Reform UK over a 48-hour period.
    • The total donations received by Reform UK from the two crypto billionaires equal £72 million.
    • Angela Rayner hinted that donation caps could be applied retrospectively to target the funds.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The £72 million in donations originated from foreign crypto-billionaires.

    What to watch next

    • Whether the UK government formally introduces retroactive donation caps
    • Any legal challenges or electoral commission rulings regarding the £72 million donations
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. www.smh.com.au — Bitcoin billionaires give Nigel Farage’s Reform UK £72m in 48 hours
    2. www.mirror.co.uk — Richard Tice moans he's not 'assistant' to Reform's crypto billionaire backers during donations grilling
    3. www.mirror.co.uk — Pressure mounts for mega-donations crackdown after Reform's £72m haul from crypto billionaires
    4. news.bitcoin.com — Crypto Moguls Pledge £72M to Fund Reform UK Election Campaign
    5. cryptobriefing.com — UK government criticizes crypto billionaires’ record £72M donations to Reform UK
    6. www.lbc.co.uk — Reform fury as Labour hint at move to force Farage to hand back £72m crypto-billionaire donations
    confidence 95%

  3. Crypto Billionaires Hand Reform UK £72m in Record Donations

    Reform UK has secured £72 million in donations from two crypto billionaires, dramatically reshaping political financing in the country. BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each provided £36 million to Nigel Farage's party, with donations matching records over a two-day span. The influx of funds elevates Reform's total support and provides the party with the financial clout to challenge the Conservative and Labour parties ahead of the 2029 election. The massive contributions have simultaneously fueled national concerns regarding the influence of big money in politics.

    Why it matters

    The extraordinary financial backing arrives as Nigel Farage seeks to expand his party's political reach and operational capacity. Between them, the two mega-donors have contributed sums that exceed what every individual UK political party raised during the entirety of last year. While these funds brighten the electoral prospects for Reform UK, they also introduce significant risk and scrutiny surrounding massive political donations.

    What is confirmed

    • Crypto investor and BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo gave a record £36 million donation to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
    • Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo are identified as Reform UK's two mega-donors.
    • Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each gave £36 million, raising total pledged funds to £72 million or $97 million.
    • A crypto investor was pardoned by Trump.

    What to watch next

    • Further official disclosures regarding the total scope of political donations received by Reform UK.
    • Reactions and policy responses from rival UK political parties regarding the record-breaking donations.
    Sources used for this update (11)
    1. reuters.com — Crypto investor pardoned by Trump donates £36 million to Farage's Reform UK
    2. The Telegraph — My donation to Reform is a philanthropic gift to our country
    3. BBC — Reform receives second £36m donation in two days as crypto investor matches record
    4. BBC — Ben Delo: Who is the Reform UK donor and crypto billionaire?
    5. Sky News — Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne: Who are Reform UK's two mega-donors?
    6. AP News — Crypto billionaires give $97 million to Reform UK, fueling concerns about money in politics
    7. The Telegraph — Farage now has the financial clout to take on the Tories and Labour
    8. The Guardian — Donations of £72m make Reform’s prospects both rosier and riskier
    9. www.aljazeera.com — Second crypto billionaire donates record $49m to far-right Reform UK
    10. blockonomi.com — BitMEX Co-Founder Ben Delo Gives Reform UK Record £36M Donation
    11. www.yahoo.com — Crypto Billionaires Hand Reform UK $97M in Record Donations
    confidence 95%