The UK government moved on Wednesday to block political donations made in crypto and to limit how much Britons living overseas can give to political parties, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced.
The measures follow an independent review into foreign financial influence in British politics and aim to close avenues the government says could be used to channel illicit or foreign funds into domestic campaigns.
Crypto Donations Paused
Reuters reported the government will cap donations from UK citizens living abroad at £100,000 (about $133,880) per year and immediately introduce a moratorium on crypto contributions until a regulatory framework is put in place.
Ministers said those steps implement the principal recommendations of the independent review, chaired by former senior official Philip Rycroft, which concluded that the threat of foreign financial interference is “real, persistent and sustained.”
Housing Minister Steve Reed said the measures aim to “stop hostile foreign states and others who want to weaken and exploit the UK by stoking division and hatred,” describing a ban on crypto donations as “vital” to shut off what he called a “clear route” for illicit funds.
The policy shift is likely to hit Reform UK, the populist party led by Nigel Farage, which last year became the first British political party to accept Bitcoin (BTC) donations.
At least two-thirds of Reform’s funds were reported to have come from overseas donors, making the new limits and the crypto moratorium particularly significant for the party.
Government Shifts Rules
Rycroft’s report warned that attempts by foreign states—including Russia, China, and Iran—to interfere in UK politics are persistent, and it noted potential future risks from private actors, including individuals in allied countries such as the United States.
The review recommended stronger investigative and criminal tools to combat interference: proposals include creating a dedicated police center to probe allegations, lowering the burden of proof for relevant criminal offences, and considering tougher sentences for those found guilty.
Until now, British law placed no limits on donations to political parties provided they came from individuals on the UK electoral register or from UK-registered organizations such as trade unions.
The government’s new approach marks a departure from that framework by curbing foreign financial influence and pausing crypto donations until authorities can design effective oversight.
Officials framed the measures as pre-emptive steps to protect democratic integrity rather than targeted interventions against any single party.
Nonetheless, Reuters reported that the timing and effect of the restrictions will have immediate political consequences, particularly for parties that have relied heavily on overseas funds.
The cap on expatriate donations and the crypto moratorium came into effect on Wednesday, the government said, signaling an urgent push to tighten rules around political financing as lawmakers consider the review’s broader recommendations.
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