Farage emerges... to headline a crypto-backed conference

Nigel Farage’s attempt to draw a line under questions about his crypto finances lasted all of a few days.

Having resigned as an MP to trigger a by-election in Clacton while under investigation over an undeclared £5 million from Thai-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, one of the Reform leader’s first major outings will be to headline a conference backed by a Bitcoin lobbying group.

Farage is to deliver the keynote speech at next week’s inaugural CPAC GB conference at London’s InterContinental O2 hotel. The event, organised by Liz Truss – whose own contribution to dodgy economic accounting needs little introduction – has struck a “strategic partnership” with the Bitcoin Collective, described as Britain’s leading voice for adoption of the decentralised cryptocurrency.

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CPAC GB says the partnership will allow the Bitcoin Collective to push pro-crypto policies at the conference, champion lighter regulation and promote crypto entrepreneurs to politicians. Quite the coincidence!

Farage has become Westminster’s most enthusiastic crypto evangelist. He has promised a “crypto revolution” if he enters Downing Street, owns shares in Bitcoin treasury firm Stack BTC and has happily accepted millions in support from figures in the crypto world.

Harborne alone has donated £25.2 million to Reform since 2019, BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo handed the party £4 million this year and Farage’s long-time associate “Posh” George Cottrell – whose gifts to Farage were also recently revealed – has interests in the digital currency sector. Tim Picton of Spotlight on Corruption says the conference illustrates “very well-resourced efforts from crypto lobbying groups to try and bolster their presence in UK politics”.

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CPAC’s guest list offers the usual assortment of MAGA imports and British culture warriors. Alongside Farage and Truss will be Jacob Rees-Mogg, Toby Young, Suella Braverman, US conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec and Lucy Connolly, jailed for inciting racial hatred during the 2024 riots.

Farage had reportedly planned to steer clear of the event after Truss became involved. Evidently that hesitation didn’t survive the prospect of addressing a room full of Bitcoin enthusiasts.

If the Clacton by-election is supposed to convince voters that Farage has nothing to hide over his crypto connections, choosing a crypto-sponsored conference as one of his first major appearances is certainly one way of making the case!