BitMEX co-founder pledges $27M to London maths institute after Trump pardon

CoinTelegraph

by Amin Haqshanas

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Ben Delo, co-founder of BitMEX, a major cryptocurrency exchange, has made a significant contribution to mathematics research by pledging £20 million ($27 million) to the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS). This donation is one of the largest private contributions ever made to a UK research institution outside Oxford and Cambridge. Delo, who faced legal challenges in 2022 after pleading guilty to US banking violations and was later pardoned by President Donald Trump in March 2025, announced the gift as part of an initiative to secure LIMS' future through an $80 million endowment campaign. The donation structure includes an initial £13.3 million ($17.9 million) and a conditional £13.7 million ($18.4 million), which will be released once LIMS raises matching funds. Delo expressed his vision for LIMS to achieve top-tier accolades like Fields Medals and Nobel Prizes, reflecting the institute's potential to make groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and science. His support aims to bolster LIMS' already world-class research efforts. For readers interested in crypto, this donation highlights the growing influence of cryptocurrency figures in funding scientific advancements. Delo's background in blockchain underscores the mathematical foundations of cryptocurrency and his commitment to supporting innovation in related fields. By investing in LIMS, he is fostering a pipeline of talent and ideas that could shape future technological breakthroughs. This contribution also signals a shift in how former crypto-industry leaders are giving back to society, particularly through philanthropic efforts in education and research. It sets an example for others in

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Originally published on CoinTelegraph on 3/3/2026