A £5 million ($6.7 million) reward from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne has landed Reform UK chief Nigel Farage earlier than a parliamentary requirements watchdog over an alleged disclosure failure.
The Dimension Of The Donation
Based on experiences, the cash got here from Harborne, a British cryptocurrency investor based mostly in Thailand who gave £9 million to Reform UK in a single donation final 12 months — the most important reward to a UK political get together by a dwelling individual in British historical past.
His whole contributions to Reform reached £12 million in 2025. The separate £5 million fee went on to Farage in early 2024, months earlier than Farage gained a seat in Parliament.
The UK Parliament. Picture: France24
Farage says the cash was given to cowl his private safety prices and describes it as a non-public, unconditional reward with no political strings connected.
His workplace confirmed it’s in touch with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Requirements and stated they anticipate the inquiry to clear him. “No guidelines had been damaged,” a Reform spokesman stated.
It’s proper that Nigel Farage needs to be investigated for receiving a £5m reward from a crypto billionaire.
Thus far Farage and Reform haven’t given any passable solutions concerning this questionable donation.https://t.co/au9VBUNOuh
— Andy McDonald MP for Middlesbrough & Thornaby East (@AndyMcDonaldMP) Might 13, 2026
What The Guidelines Truly Say
Commons guidelines require newly elected MPs to register monetary pursuits and any advantages acquired within the 12 months earlier than their election. Farage was elected in July 2024. The reward was made in early 2024, which locations it squarely inside that window.
The foundations do permit exemptions for purely private presents, however additionally they state that each the giver’s attainable motive and the supposed use of the cash should be weighed. The place doubt exists, registration is anticipated.
BTCUSD buying and selling at $79,075 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
This isn’t the primary time Farage has run into disclosure points. Earlier this 12 months, he was discovered to have registered £384,000 in pursuits late. Requirements commissioner Daniel Greenberg dominated that breach was unintentional and allowed Farage to replace his information with out dealing with formal punishment.
Opposition Events Push Again
Labour and the Conservatives have each known as for solutions. Labour Social gathering chair Anna Turley stated Farage has been dodging questions for the reason that reward first got here to gentle and known as the investigation acceptable.
The Conservatives, who filed the criticism that triggered the inquiry, additionally raised the matter individually with the Electoral Fee, which stated it’s reviewing the data.
A Conservative spokesman put it bluntly: £5 million is greater than most individuals earn in a lifetime, and Farage owes the general public a proof for the way and why he acquired it.
If the Commissioner finds Farage violated the code of conduct, attainable penalties vary from a proper apology to suspension from Parliament. Expulsion stays an choice in probably the most critical circumstances.
Featured picture from Mark Thomas/Alamy, chart from TradingView
Editorial Course of for bitcoinist is centered on delivering totally researched, correct, and unbiased content material. We uphold strict sourcing requirements, and every web page undergoes diligent assessment by our crew of high know-how specialists and seasoned editors. This course of ensures the integrity, relevance, and worth of our content material for our readers.
