Ben Delo, co-founder of the crypto exchange BitMEX, has donated £36 million to the UK political party Reform UK. This contribution marks the largest single donation to a political party in British history. The funds are intended to support the party's preparations for the 2029 parliamentary elections.
The donation is structured as a lump sum equivalent to £1 million per month over three years. Delo opted for an upfront payment due to concerns that the current government might implement legislative restrictions on political funding. Including a previous contribution of £8 million made in 2026, Delo's total support for the party has reached £44 million.
The donation has drawn criticism from political opponents, including Labour MP Stella Creasy, who argued that such a large sum from a single individual undermines fair competition. Meanwhile, Reform UK faces additional scrutiny, including a police investigation into alleged prohibited foreign donations and reports regarding undisclosed financial support from other figures.
Delo's history includes a 2022 guilty plea for violating the US Bank Secrecy Act regarding anti-money laundering programs at BitMEX. In March 2025, US President Donald Trump granted a pardon to Delo and other executives of the exchange.
