- Nigel Farage announced his intention to integrate cryptocurrency into mainstream finance.
- This statement reflects his ongoing dedication to the crypto sector.
- However, not everyone is keen on aligning with him.
Nigel Farage proclaimed that he aims to transform London into a cryptocurrency hub “when I take office at Number 10.”
The leader of the Reform Party made this declaration during a speech at the Zebu Live conference in London on Wednesday.
“I intend to welcome digital assets and cryptocurrency back into the light in London, establishing a regulatory framework that enables everyone to participate,” Farage told the audience.
Farage’s discussion is just the latest in a series of public endorsements for cryptocurrency. As the Member of Parliament for Clacton, Farage has spoken at various global Bitcoin events and has expressed support for digital currencies over the years, with his advocacy becoming more pronounced in 2025.
This includes accepting Bitcoin donations, criticizing the Bank of England for its potential restrictions on stablecoins, promoting a pro-crypto legislation, advocating for a Bitcoin reserve by the central bank, and committing to position the UK as a leader in the crypto space.
Farage reiterated numerous points during his talk at the conference.
Much like former US President Donald Trump, Farage appears to be counting on the backing of the cryptocurrency community—especially younger investors—to elevate his political ambitions.
‘A Terrible Thing’
However, not all attendees welcomed Farage’s participation in the conference.
“It’s quite unfortunate,” one participant, wishing to remain anonymous, shared. “He’s a right-wing extremist.”
The attendee expressed concern that the industry’s connection to Farage could politicize cryptocurrency in a manner similar to its association with the Trump administration in the US.
“My spouse even questioned whether it was wise to attend and risk being linked with him,” the attendee remarked.
Like Trump, Farage has garnered both fervent followers and strong opponents due to his strict immigration policies and various culture war topics. He was also a prominent advocate for Brexit, the UK’s separation from the EU, which remains a contentious matter even nine years post-referendum.
Farage drew parallels between the UK’s exit from the EU and the cryptocurrency sector’s quest to eliminate regulatory hurdles that obstruct its growth.
“The EU structure not only lacked democracy but was increasingly dominated by bureaucratic controls, which we have discussed,” Farage remarked. “I believed that leaving the EU was our opportunity to break free from these constraints and evolve into a more innovative, competitive, and liberated nation.
‘Positive Perspectives’
Conversely, others offered a more balanced view of Farage’s appearance at the conference.
“We appreciate the optimistic stance towards cryptocurrency,” commented Daniel Slutzkin, UK head at the crypto exchange Gemini, speaking to DL News after the event.
Others shared similar sentiments.
“It’s intriguing whenever any significant politician, or any politician for that matter, shows an interest in digital assets,” said Jamie Elkaleh, Chief Marketing Officer at Bitget Wallet, in conversation with DL News.
One reason many in the crypto sector appreciate Reform’s backing—if not all its policies—is the existing ambiguity surrounding crypto regulations in the UK.
Currently, oversight is managed through the Financial Conduct Authority, which applies existing regulations to the sector. The FCA is working on guidelines for future regulations expected to be released in 2026.
The lack of clear regulations has hindered financial institutions from collaborating with cryptocurrency companies, according to industry insiders.
“Many more entities would likely come forward once the FCA officially recognizes this asset category,” Slutzkin remarked.
This observation is valid. In the US, financial institutions have increased their involvement with digital assets in anticipation of the Genius Act, a significant stablecoin legislation signed into law by Trump in July. A comprehensive legislation aimed at clarifying industry regulations remains in development.
The expectation is that if the UK government enacts similar legislative measures, it will spark a comparable surge in adoption.
It should be noted that the Reform Party is not the only political body the crypto industry is engaging with. Industry representatives interviewed by DL News assert that their groups maintain a neutral stance and have liaised with other UK political parties as well.
Indeed, Farage was not the sole political figure at Zebu Live; Conservative Party member Kulveer Ranger also addressed the audience.
Nevertheless, the crypto sector hopes that the Reform Party’s supportive stance will encourage others to adopt similar approaches.
“We hope this prompts other political parties to notice and engage,” Bivu Das, Kraken’s UK general manager, mentioned to DL News.
“Whether the Reform Party will fulfill these promises if they gain power remains uncertain, but it’s significant that they are now part of the dialogue,” Das added.
Eric Johansson serves as the managing editor of DL News. If you have a tip, reach out via email at eric@dlnews.com.