Reform UK Cuts Digital-Asset Ties Ahead of Annual Conference

Reform UK is putting distance between itself and the digital-asset industry ahead of its annual party conference next week.

Bloomberg reported on August 29 that the party left digital-asset companies off the sponsor list for its annual conference in Birmingham next week. Zebec was a major sponsor last year but does not appear on this year’s list.

The party has also scaled back benefits previously offered to the industry. People familiar with the matter said Reform UK ended perks for digital-asset industry figures, including free passes and meetings with senior party officials.

The move comes as party leader Nigel Farage faces scrutiny over his links to the digital-asset industry. He is under parliamentary investigation into whether he should have declared a £5 million ($6.7 million) donation from Christopher Harborne, who is known as a major shareholder in Tether.

Reform UK currently holds eight of the 650 seats in the UK House of Commons. Bloomberg said the party is putting diplomatic influence and ties to the business community ahead of support from the digital-asset industry as it tries to bolster its governing credentials before the next general election.