Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has secured a combined $97 million in donations from two cryptocurrency billionaires over two consecutive days, establishing a new benchmark for political funding in the United Kingdom. BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo and investor Christopher Harborne each provided the equivalent of $48.7 million, with the second gift announced shortly after the first.

Delo Sets the Record

Ben Delo, a British co-founder of the cryptocurrency derivatives exchange BitMEX, disclosed his contribution of $48.7 million first. He described the gift as support for a fair contest in the next general election, expected by 2029. Delo structured the amount as the equivalent of $1.35 million per month through the latest possible election date but transferred the full sum immediately to prevent any potential administrative blockage.

Delo stated that the funding would allow Reform UK to focus more on preparing for government rather than continuous fundraising. He has previously given the party several million dollars this year. Farage responded by calling the support an expression of confidence in the party’s ability to reverse national decline and compete on equal terms.

Harborne Matches the Gift

Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based investor with holdings in stablecoin issuer Tether and exchange Bitfinex, announced an identical $48.7 million donation the following day. Harborne said Delo’s action prompted him through competitive spirit. He emphasized that he expected no peerage, policy change or personal benefit in return, only a party prepared to govern.

Harborne has been Reform UK’s most significant prior backer. He previously contributed the equivalent of roughly $12 million in late 2025 and has given additional millions since the last election. His latest gift, combined with Delo’s, exceeds the total donations received by all UK political parties in the previous year.

Party Response and Planned Use of Funds

Reform UK confirmed the combined $97 million would support hiring specialists for policy development and up to 400 campaign managers across target constituencies. A party spokesman said the organization is now operating on an election footing. Farage described both donors as having shown confidence that Reform is the only party capable of turning the country around.

The contributions arrive as the party seeks to professionalize its operations ahead of the next national vote. Neither donation was made in cryptocurrency. UK rules introduced earlier in 2026 prohibit political gifts in digital assets, and Electoral Commission data have shown no parties reporting cryptoasset donations under existing requirements.

Broader Context of Scrutiny

The scale of the gifts has intensified existing examination of Reform UK’s finances. Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations related to overseas donations following undercover reporting. Farage separately faces a parliamentary standards inquiry over a $6.7 million personal gift from Harborne received before his 2024 election as a Member of Parliament. The party and Farage have denied wrongdoing.

Delo previously pleaded guilty in the United States to charges involving Bank Secrecy Act violations linked to BitMEX operations. He paid a $10 million fine in 2022 and did not serve prison time. In March 2025 he and two co-founders received a presidential pardon.

UK authorities have advanced proposals to ban cryptocurrency political donations and place an annual $135,000 limit on contributions from overseas electors or recently returned citizens. Those measures remain under legislative review and have not yet taken full effect.

Harborne has long supported right-leaning causes, including earlier gifts to other parties and association with Brexit-related efforts. Delo has indicated plans to return to the United Kingdom from Hong Kong. Both men are registered to vote in Britain, according to available reporting.

The donations represent the largest individual political contributions recorded in the UK since formal declaration rules began. They place Reform UK in a strengthened financial position relative to established parties while keeping questions of donor influence and campaign finance regulation at the center of public discussion.