In a move that’s likely to shake up British politics and appeal to the country’s growing base of crypto enthusiasts, Nigel Farage announced that his political party, Reform UK, is now officially accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency donations from eligible contributors. The announcement came during his appearance at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas on May 29, marking a significant first for a UK political organization.
Speaking to a crowd of blockchain believers and digital asset advocates, Farage leaned into a pro-crypto stance that he says could redefine the party’s position in the tech and financial world. “As of now, we are the first political party in Britain who can accept donations in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies,” said Farage. “We’re way behind you in America, but people with Bitcoin can now support us, provided they’re eligible.”
This development makes Reform UK the first major political force in Britain to actively embrace digital currency donations, outpacing both the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Conservatives, who have yet to dip their toes into crypto fundraising.
Digital Finance Bill on the Horizon
Farage didn’t stop at just crypto donations. In his speech, he unveiled Reform UK’s legislative vision for crypto in the event the party gains significant political traction. Among the proposals is a “Cryptoassets and Digital Finance Bill” that would aim to legitimize and clarify the use of blockchain technologies, digital tokens, and decentralized financial services in the UK economy.
According to Farage, the goal is to position the UK as a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation, at a time when regulatory uncertainty continues to cloud the sector in many regions. Reform’s proposal would likely push for clearer frameworks for exchanges, wallet providers, and decentralized applications — aligning digital finance more closely with traditional financial oversight.
Despite controlling only five seats in the House of Commons following the July 2024 elections, Farage’s Reform UK party is hoping to leverage issues like financial freedom and technological innovation to win over a younger and more digitally engaged voter base. For context, Labour currently holds 403 seats, with the Conservatives trailing behind at 120.
No to CBDCs, Yes to Bitcoin Reserve
Farage also made headlines at the conference by declaring his opposition to a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the UK, which has been a controversial topic among both privacy advocates and traditional economists. Instead, he proposed something quite different — the idea of establishing a Bitcoin reserve within the Bank of England.
While the details of how such a reserve would function remain vague, Farage framed it as a move to support national sovereignty and monetary independence in the face of what he sees as growing surveillance over private financial activity.
A Personal Connection to the Crypto Movement
Farage’s support for digital currencies isn’t entirely theoretical. He drew on his personal experience of being debanked in the UK in 2023, arguing that crypto represents a lifeline for individuals whose access to traditional finance may be arbitrarily cut off. This sentiment appeared to resonate with the audience, many of whom view digital assets as a form of financial self-determination.
He also noted that the crypto market is no longer fringe, citing the fact that around 7 million Britons own some form of digital asset, and that one in four people under the age of 30 are involved in the space. “That’s a huge part of the electorate whose voices aren’t being heard,” he said.
Riding the Wave of Global Crypto Politics
Farage’s crypto push aligns him closely with political figures in other parts of the world who are embracing blockchain and digital currency. During the conference, he appeared alongside two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sons, signaling a possible ideological alignment on issues related to crypto freedom and anti-CBDC sentiment. Farage even went so far as to support many of Trump’s crypto policies, reinforcing his position within the broader pro-crypto political narrative.
What Comes Next?
Reform UK’s crypto-forward stance is a bold gambit in a political environment still largely skeptical of digital currencies. But with voter demographics shifting and younger generations becoming increasingly interested in crypto as both an investment and a political issue, Farage’s move could prove to be strategically savvy.
Whether this approach leads to greater parliamentary influence remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — Reform UK has just raised the stakes in the UK’s digital finance debate.
