Ben Delo, a British cryptocurrency billionaire, has announced he is moving from Hong Kong back to the UK, according to multiple reports. He donated £4 million to Reform UK before the government capped overseas donations at £100,000, sources said. Delo plans to resume donating to Reform UK without limit after returning to the UK, The Guardian reports.
Another significant donor, Christopher Harborne, has contributed heavily to Reform UK from Thailand. Harborne has donated £12 million to Reform UK from Thailand, multiple reports indicate. He donated another £3 million to Reform UK in the fourth quarter of 2025, on top of £9 million in August 2025, according to sources.
Reform UK reported donations worth £5,473,000 between October and December 2025, The Guardian notes. Delo was convicted in the US in 2022 for failing to implement adequate anti-money-laundering controls at BitMEX, sources said. Delo was pardoned by Donald Trump, according to multiple reports.
Delo has Asperger's syndrome or an autism spectrum condition, multiple reports indicate. His foundation has directed £100 million towards charitable causes over the past eight years, The Guardian reports. The UK government has proposed reforms to the political finance regime in the Representation of the People Bill, according to Jackie Killeen, Director of Regulation at the Electoral Commission.
Almost £65 million in donations was accepted by political parties during 2025, Killeen confirmed. Delo believes the donation cap was drawn up with him and Christopher Harborne in mind, The Guardian reports. The proposed reforms aim to address concerns about foreign influence in UK politics, with the £100,000 cap on overseas donations being a key measure.
Delo's return to the UK allows him to bypass this restriction, as residents are not subject to the same limits. Harborne's continued donations from Thailand highlight the ongoing impact of wealthy individuals on political funding, despite regulatory efforts. Delo's criminal conviction and subsequent pardon have drawn attention to his background, while his charitable work through his foundation shows a different aspect of his activities.
The substantial donations to Reform UK, totaling millions from Delo and Harborne, underscore the party's reliance on high-net-worth supporters. The political finance landscape in the UK remains dynamic, with ongoing debates about transparency and fairness in election funding.