Christopher Harborne, the richest British-born billionaire and a significant donor to Reform UK, has contributed another £36 million to the party, matching a recent record donation from fellow crypto billionaire Ben Delo. Harborne, who lives in Thailand and guards his privacy closely, stated his competitive spirit prompted him to match Delo's gift.
Harborne, estimated to be worth £18.2 billion, according to The Sunday Times Rich List, explained that while he had been donating around £1 million per month to Reform, Delo's announcement of a £36 million donation inspired him to match it. He also issued a call for other crypto billionaires to contribute to the party.
This latest donation adds to Harborne's substantial financial support for Reform UK and its predecessor, the Brexit Party, which totals an estimated £25 million, according to Donation Watch. Additionally, there is a disputed £5 million personal donation made to Reform leader Nigel Farage before the 2024 election, which Farage has stated was for his personal security.
Harborne, 63, became a Thai citizen in 2011, adopting the name Chakrit Sakunkrit. Educated at Westminster School and Downing College, Cambridge, he previously worked for McKinsey and in corporations like PepsiCo before establishing himself in the Far East. His fortune was primarily amassed through investments in private planes, jet fuel, and particularly cryptocurrency, including a significant stake in the stablecoin giant Tether. He is the largest individual shareholder in the El Salvador-based firm, which issues USDT, the world's largest stablecoin.
Farage has previously stated that Harborne is an "ardent supporter" deeply concerned for his safety and that Harborne seeks "absolutely nothing" in return for his contributions, beyond a belief that Reform UK offers the best path to regenerate Britain and address issues like healthcare and education funding.
Harborne has also made previous donations to the Conservative Party, including a £1 million sum to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's company after Johnson left office. An aviation enthusiast, Harborne previously had a near-fatal experience when his light aircraft crashed into a home in Hampshire in 2008.