Andrew Bailey reportedly said Bank of England policy remained independent after a meeting with Nigel Farage that included discussions on cryptocurrency. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has reportedly denied that lobbying efforts by Nigel Farage influenced the central bank’s approach to a potential central bank digital currency (CBDC), saying policy decisions were made independently. According to a Wednesday report by The Guardian, which obtained a letter written by Bailey, the governor said the BoE is “able to spot” attempts to influence its policymaking. The letter followed a meeting with Farage, during which the two discussed several issues, including cryptocurrencies. “Following our meeting, Mr. Farage spoke with the press outlining that we had discussed a range of topics, including cryptocurrencies,” Bailey reportedly wrote in the letter. “I am happy to confirm that no policy changes have taken place as a result of interventions by Mr. Farage.” Read more
UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage is reportedly facing a probe over an undeclared donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne that he received before becoming an MP in 2024. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is reportedly facing a parliamentary standards inquiry over whether he failed to declare a 5 million pound ($6.7 million) gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The UK Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has opened an inquiry into whether Farage breached House of Commons rules by not registering the payment, the BBC reported Wednesday. Farage said he was under "no obligation" to declare the gift from the Reform party backer, which he received before he was elected to the Commons in 2024. Critics argue he should have registered the payment after becoming a member of parliament. Read more
UK Liberal Democrats called on the FCA to examine Nigel Farage’s promotion of Stack BTC as scrutiny grows over crypto conflicts and political donations. UK Liberal Democrats have urged the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to investigate Nigel Farage’s involvement with Bitcoin treasury firm Stack BTC following a promotional video and disclosed shareholding. In a letter to the FCA, Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper asked the regulator to investigate whether Farage breached market rules by appearing in a promotional video for Stack BTC while holding a financial stake in the company. “The FCA must investigate whether Farage’s plans to cash in on Crypto could potentially amount to market abuse and a conflict of interest,” she wrote, adding that “we cannot allow political leaders to treat the financial markets like a personal piggy bank to potentially line their own pockets.” Read more