Reform’s huge crypto donations spark fears for influence on policy

PoliticsBusiness & Finance
23 Aug 2026 • 3:47 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Reform’s huge crypto donations spark fears for influence on policy

  • Reform UK has received £20m in donations from cryptocurrency investors since the 2024 general election, representing nearly 60 per cent of its total funding.
  • Crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne provided £15m of the party funding, while a separate £5m gift directly to Nigel Farage is currently under parliamentary investigation.
  • Other significant contributors from the digital currency sector include BitMex founder Ben Peter Delo and London-based bitcoin investor Simon William Smith.
  • Political opponents and political finance experts have raised concerns that the substantial donations could allow a small group of investors to influence policy.
  • Reform UK has campaigned to liberalise the crypto market and cut taxes on profits, while other major UK political parties have received virtually no funding from the sector.

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