Crypto Billionaires Contribute £7 Million to Reform UK in Early 2026
Crypto billionaires donate £7 million to Reform UK in the first quarter of 2026
Image: The Irish Times
In the first quarter of 2026, Reform UK received £7 million from crypto billionaires, including £3 million from Christopher Harborne and £4 million from Ben Delo. These donations highlight the party's reliance on a few wealthy backers, significantly surpassing the fundraising of Labour and the Conservatives.
- 01Reform UK raised a total of £9.2 million in the first quarter of 2026, with significant contributions from crypto billionaires.
- 02Christopher Harborne, based in Thailand, donated £3 million and plans to challenge a new £100,000 cap on overseas political donations.
- 03Ben Delo, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, contributed £4 million and intends to return to the UK to support the party financially.
- 04Reform UK leads opinion polls with approximately 25% public support, outpacing the Conservatives and Labour.
- 05The Conservative Party raised £4 million, while Labour garnered £3.9 million from a wider donor base.
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In the first quarter of 2026, Reform UK secured £7 million (€8.1 million) from prominent crypto billionaires, significantly enhancing its financial position compared to traditional parties. Major donations included £3 million from Christopher Harborne, a key supporter of Nigel Farage, and £4 million from Ben Delo, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur planning to return to the UK. These contributions come amid new regulations limiting political donations from expatriates, which Harborne intends to challenge. Overall, Reform UK raised £9.2 million, surpassing the Conservative Party's £4 million and Labour's £3.9 million. The party's financial reliance on a few wealthy donors raises questions about its sustainability, even as it leads public opinion polls with 25% support, compared to 18% for the Conservatives and 17% for Labour and the Greens. Other notable donations included £1.1 million from David John Grainger and £150,000 from Bassim Haidar, indicating a strong backing from the wealthy elite.
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The significant funding from billionaires could influence Reform UK's political strategies and public policies.
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