The UK government is considering a major change to campaign finance rules: a possible ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties. This proposal, part of an upcoming Elections Bill aimed at rebuilding public trust in politics, could significantly affect Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage—one of the strongest political advocates for digital assets.
Reform UK made headlines earlier this year as the first political party in Britain to accept donations in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Farage announced the initiative at the Bitcoin 2025 conference, promoting what he called a “crypto revolution” in UK politics. The party even launched a dedicated portal to make sending crypto donations easier for supporters.
Support for Reform UK has grown sharply, with current polling showing the party at around 29%, ahead of Labour at 18% and the Conservatives at 17%. But this momentum could face new obstacles if crypto contributions are outlawed.
Why a Ban Is Being Considered
Advocates for the ban—including former government officials—argue that cryptocurrency makes it harder to trace the true source of donations. They warn that this lack of transparency increases the risk of foreign interference and the flow of illicit funds into UK elections.
The proposed Elections Bill may also tighten regulations on shell companies and require political parties to conduct risk assessments on all incoming donations. Although the idea of banning crypto contributions was not included in an earlier policy document, it now appears to be under serious consideration as the government moves forward with new electoral integrity measures.
Overall, the potential ban highlights growing concerns about digital finance in politics—just as some parties hope to embrace it.
