Ben Delo, a British cryptocurrency entrepreneur and philanthropist, has emerged as a significant figure in both the digital finance world and charitable sectors. Known for co-founding BitMEX, one of the earliest and most prominent platforms for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, Delo’s trajectory reflects a blend of technical acumen and philanthropic commitment.
Delo’s early life was marked by academic challenges; he was reportedly asked to leave three primary schools. However, he later developed a strong interest in mathematics, gaining a reputation as a "maths nerd." After completing an internship at IBM, he worked at JP Morgan in Hong Kong, where he began investing in bitcoin during its formative years. He met Arthur Hayes, with whom he co-founded BitMEX, capitalizing on the burgeoning interest in cryptocurrency. The platform, likened to selling shovels during a gold rush rather than mining itself, handled over $1 trillion in annual trading volume at its height. By 2018, Delo had become Britain’s first bitcoin billionaire measured in US dollars.
Alongside his business success, Delo has made substantial contributions to educational and charitable causes. In 2018, he donated £5 million to Worcester College at the University of Oxford, funding fellowships in mathematics and computer science. The computer science fellowship was named after Bernard Sufrin, a former tutor who influenced him during his studies. In 2019, Delo signed the Giving Pledge, a commitment initiated by Bill Gates for high-net-worth individuals to donate at least half of their wealth during their lifetimes. Following this pledge, Delo stepped back from day-to-day operations at BitMEX.
His philanthropy extends beyond academia. He has contributed more than £100 million to various causes, including a £25 million donation to the Sheila Coates Foundation, a charity he founded to support children with autism. The foundation memorializes Sheila Coates, who established autism services in Oxfordshire and significantly assisted Delo. Additionally, he has pledged £20 million to the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, underscoring his ongoing support for scientific research.
In recent years, Delo has balanced his philanthropic and business activities with personal pursuits, including extensive travel. Notably, he visited Antarctica last year, where he participated in a “polar plunge” in Union Jack swimming briefs. While his adventures have taken him to remote locations, Delo continues to make impactful contributions in the United Kingdom, where his charitable work remains a central focus.