In the first quarter of 2026, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, secured a remarkable £7 million (approximately $9.4 million) from two prominent figures in the cryptocurrency sector. This financial boost surpasses donations received by traditional political parties, such as Labour and Conservative, each of which garnered around $5.4 million.
Donations came from Christopher Harborne, a billionaire associated with the stablecoin issuer Tether, who contributed $4 million, and Ben Delo, co-founder of the crypto exchange BitMEX, who donated $5.4 million. Harborne's contributions to Reform UK over the past year have reached $20 million, including a controversial $6.7 million personal gift that is currently under investigation.
Reform UK positions itself as a pro-crypto party, having been the first in the UK to accept Bitcoin donations. The party's fundraising efforts have increased significantly, rising sixfold compared to the same period last year when it raised only $2 million. As the crypto industry increasingly invests in political influence, Reform UK aims to advocate for favorable policies, including reduced capital gains taxes on cryptocurrencies.