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BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo has donated £36 million to Reform UK, the largest single donation ever received by a British political party. Delo originally planned to give £1 million per month until the next general election, which must be held by 2029, but accelerated the transfer amid concerns the Labour government could introduce caps on large political donations.
The UK currently places no limit on how much domestic donors may give to political parties, a regulatory gap Reform's critics have flagged repeatedly as the party's funding base has swelled. Delo's prior £4 million contribution to Reform is dwarfed by the new sum.
Delo received an unconditional pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump last year following his conviction under the Bank Secrecy Act related to earlier compliance failures at BitMEX.
Source: [Ben Delo: Reform receives record £36m donation from cryptocurrency billionaire — BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3v4zvyde15o)
Frequently asked questions
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Why did Ben Delo donate £36 million in one payment?
He originally planned to give £1 million per month until the next UK general election, but accelerated the transfer because he feared the Labour government could introduce caps on large political donations.
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Is there a cap on political donations in the UK?
No. The UK currently places no limit on how much domestic donors may give to political parties, a regulatory gap Reform's critics have flagged as the party's funding base has swelled.
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How much had Ben Delo previously given to Reform UK?
He had donated £4 million to the party before the new £36 million gift, which is nine times that earlier sum.
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What was Ben Delo's legal history in the US?
Delo was convicted under the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act related to compliance failures at BitMEX and received an unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump last year.
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When does the next UK general election have to be held?
The next general election must take place by 2029 under the current parliamentary term limits.
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