Ben Delo, a co-founder of the cryptocurrency trading platform BitMEX, has donated £36 million to Reform UK, significantly bolstering the party’s financial resources ahead of the next general election. The contribution, announced in September 2026, aims to support the party’s efforts to compete on a level playing field and prepare for government, according to Delo.
Delo, 42, amassed an estimated fortune of approximately £1 billion through his work in cryptocurrency. He previously faced legal challenges in the United States, where in 2022 he was convicted for failing to maintain adequate anti-money laundering controls at BitMEX. His sentence of 30 months probation was later commuted by former President Donald Trump in a pardon issued last year.
A former student of Worcester College, Oxford, Delo has a background in mathematics and computer science, earning a first-class degree. Known for his unconventional approach, he once drew attention at university by attending formal college hall wearing a wetsuit beneath his gown — exploiting loopholes in dress codes. Delo describes himself as a “retired veteran” of the financial technology sector and is noted for his philanthropic commitments that extend beyond politics to include support for free speech advocacy groups such as the Free Speech Union and the Committee for Academic Freedom.
Delo relocated from Hong Kong to the UK last year, partly to ensure he could continue funding Reform UK after new restrictions were introduced capping political donations by Britons living overseas at £100,000 annually. He criticized the policy as an effort to disadvantage opposition parties.
Before this latest donation, Delo was already Reform UK’s second-largest donor, behind Christopher Harborne, another technology investor whose wealth stems largely from cryptocurrency. Harborne pledged to match Delo’s gift, citing a “competitive spirit.” Both donors have faced criticism over the role of wealthy individuals in financing political parties, a point Delo acknowledged, contrasting the scrutiny he and Harborne receive with more lenient treatment of donors to other parties.
Delo’s political support aligns with his concerns about the current state of British politics. While he admires certain figures in the Conservative Party, such as Kemi Badenoch, whom he respects for her free speech stance, he believes mainstream parties have fallen short on delivering economic growth and addressing welfare dependency. He views Reform UK as best positioned to reverse what he describes as the country’s decline.
The Oxford graduate is also connected with prominent cultural figures advocating free speech, including Canadian academic Jordan Peterson. Delo hosts political and social gatherings at his London office, located in a historic building near Westminster Abbey.
Despite his wealth, friends characterize Delo as unmaterialistic and down-to-earth. He reportedly opts for modest clothing brands and prefers practical purchases over luxury items. He has expressed skepticism about sudden wealth changes, warning against the pitfalls faced by lottery winners and emphasizing his desire to support scalable ideas and truth.
Born in Sheffield and raised in Oxfordshire, Delo was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age 11. He struggled in early education but excelled in mathematics, a subject he credits with providing structure and comfort. His early entrepreneurial ventures included selling pizzas to classmates during secondary school.
With his substantial donation, Delo seeks to ensure Reform UK has the resources necessary to challenge established parties effectively and advance its political agenda.