Reform UK has removed all cryptocurrency companies from its annual conference sponsor list ahead of next week's event in Birmingham. According to reports from Bloomberg, the populist party has eliminated crypto firms that previously sponsored the conference, including digital payments firm Zebec which headlined as a key backer last year. The party has also cut perks such as free tickets and access to senior figures, marking a significant shift in its sponsorship strategy.
Despite the crypto sponsor removal, Reform UK has secured significant diplomatic and business backing for its Birmingham conference. As reported by Bloomberg, honorary treasurer Nick Candy is promoting foreign guests including envoys from India, Italy, Poland, the UAE and the US, alongside French National Rally leader Jordan Bardella. The party sold more than 600 tickets on its first business day, attracting major companies like JCB, TikTok and Heathrow. However, renewable energy executives remain reluctant to appear, fearing legitimizing the party.
The sponsor changes come amid ongoing political scrutiny of Reform UK's crypto connections. According to reports, a parliamentary probe is examining whether party leader Nigel Farage should have declared £5 million from Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based crypto investor. Farage's crypto lobbying has drawn separate scrutiny this year, adding pressure to the party's image management strategy.
Separately, UK police have successfully recovered ₹8.6 crore worth of Bitcoin in a significant darknet operation. As reported by Bloomberg, Avon and Somerset Police recovered 20.21 Bitcoin along with other crypto assets and money in a bank account, worth £1,032,487.86. Investigators traced these funds to darknet marketplaces that operated from 2016 to 2019, selling drugs and facilitating human trafficking. This represents the force's largest crypto recovery since Britain introduced wallet freezing orders in April 2024.
