Trump-pardoned crypto billionaire becomes major political donor
Ben Delo, co-founder of the now-defunct BitMEX cryptocurrency derivatives exchange and a Trump pardon recipient in March 2025, has become one of the largest private donors to Reform UK, a British political party led by Nigel Farage. During April–June 2024, he donated £4 million ($5.3 million), accounting for about 75% of all private contributions received by the party in that period. Delo was previously convicted and fined $10 million in February 2022 over anti-money laundering violations at BitMEX but later pardoned by former President Trump. His political donations have raised questions amid new UK regulations limiting overseas donor influence, with a £100,000 annual cap for some foreign contributors. Reform UK has become increasingly reliant on crypto-related funding, including another major donation of £3 million from investor Christopher Harborne in January 2024. The party outpaced both Labour and the Conservatives in private fundraising during Q2.
Topics: Ben Delo BitMEX Cryptocurrency Nigel Farage Pardons Reform UK