Nigel Farage Makes Strategic Investment in Kwasi Kwarteng's Bitcoin Venture
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has invested £215,000 in Stack BTC, a bitcoin reserves company chaired by former Conservative chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. This move signals a significant alignment with the cryptocurrency industry, as Farage continues to advocate for digital currencies in the UK's financial landscape.
Reform UK's Growing Crypto Connections
This investment comes amid Reform UK's strengthening ties with the crypto sector. The party has received £12m in political donations from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, highlighting a major financial backing from the digital asset world. Last year, Reform UK became the first main political party in the UK to accept donations through bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, setting a precedent in political fundraising.
Farage has publicly expressed his support for bitcoin, stating, "I have long been one of the UK’s few political advocates for bitcoin, recognising the role digital currencies will play in the future of business and finance." He added, "I believe that we can and should be a major global hub for the crypto industry." His political agenda includes proposals to allow people to pay taxes with crypto and establish a sovereign wealth fund of digital currency assets if he gains power.
Stack BTC's Business Strategy and Market Position
Stack BTC, listed on London's small-cap stock exchange Aquis, focuses on accumulating bitcoin while acquiring businesses whose profits are reinvested in the cryptocurrency. The company currently owns 21 bitcoins, valued at just over £1m, and has a market valuation of £6.45m. Following Farage's investment, its shares surged 67% on Monday morning, though they remain about 18% below levels from November, when the company shifted its focus to bitcoin.
Kwasi Kwarteng, who joined Stack BTC as executive chair in October last year, owns 5.4% of the company with his wife. Farage's stake now stands at 6.3%, making him a notable investor. Kwarteng commented, "Nigel’s unwavering support for British business and belief that bitcoin is set to rapidly expand its role in finance is perfectly aligned with the company’s ethos and business plans."
Broader Implications and Market Context
Farage's investment was made through his media company, Thorn In The Side Ltd, which had £3.1m on its books as of 31 May 2025, according to latest accounts. This financial move underscores his personal and political commitment to the crypto sector. The biggest investor in Stack BTC is Paul Withers, co-founder of precious metals trader Direct Bullion, who has previously paid Farage for advertising investments in gold coins.
Despite advocacy for bitcoin as a "digital gold," the cryptocurrency has faced challenges this year, with its value falling by 23% to $67,652 (£50,739) due to uncertainty around US trade tariffs imposed by Donald Trump and geopolitical tensions. Trump has promoted crypto-friendly regulations in the US, and Farage recently visited Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, though he did not meet the US president, as reported by the Financial Times.
This development highlights the evolving intersection of politics and cryptocurrency in the UK, with Reform UK positioning itself at the forefront of this trend through strategic investments and donor support.
