BitMEX Co-Founder Ben Delo Funded 75% of Reform UK Donations in Q2 2026

BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo contributed roughly 75% of Reform UK's total donations in the second quarter of 2026, according to records from the UK Electoral Commission. The political party received approximately $7.3 million between April and June, with Delo's two contributions — 1 million pounds (~$1.3 million) and 3 million pounds (~$4 million) — accounting for 74% of all funds reported during the period. Delo had previously donated $5.3 million to Reform UK in Q1 2026, cementing his position as the party's most significant financial backer.

The donations come amid heightened scrutiny of crypto industry money in UK politics. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned from parliament in July following revelations that he received millions in donations and gifts from crypto-linked figures Christopher Harborne and George Cottrell. He subsequently won a controversial by-election with 63% of the vote, beating satirical candidate Count Binface. Labour MPs are now reportedly pushing to make a March-imposed moratorium on crypto political donations permanent.

Delo's crypto background carries regulatory baggage. He was one of three BitMEX co-founders — alongside Arthur Hayes and Samuel Reed — who pleaded guilty to US federal charges of violating the Bank Secrecy Act. Though Delo agreed to a $10 million fine in 2022 and served no prison time, all three received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump in March 2025. The continued flow of crypto-linked funds into UK politics is likely to intensify calls for stricter disclosure rules and donation limits as digital assets grow in influence over policy-making.