On March 3, according to Cointelegraph, a co-founder of a major centralized exchange (CEX), Ben Delo, pledged to donate approximately $27 million to the London Institute of Mathematical Sciences (LIMS), making it one of the largest private donation recipients outside of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK. This funding includes a $13.3 million advance payment and an equal amount raised through additional fundraising to establish a long-term endowment fund totaling $80 million, supporting research in theoretical physics, pure mathematics, and artificial intelligence.
Ben Delo stated that he hopes the institute’s scholars will win Fields Medals and Nobel Prizes. He emphasized that choosing LIMS over large universities allows researchers to focus on scientific research without the burden of teaching and administrative duties. He also criticized the UK’s research funding system for lacking vitality and coherence. Delo has previously funded the Ben Delo Scholarship and supports charitable causes such as neurodiversity, academic freedom, and mathematics education.
Reports indicate that Delo paid a $10 million fine before receiving a pardon from Donald Trump, after admitting responsibility along with co-founders for violating U.S. banking laws. In March 2025, President Trump granted him a pardon, allowing him to continue participating in scientific research and philanthropy.
LIMS was founded in 2011 by physicist Thomas Fink and is located within the Royal Institution of the UK. Its offices were once the residence of chemist Michael Faraday. The institute offers three-year scholarships for scientists and funds exiled researchers, attracting scientists worldwide.
Meanwhile, UK lawmakers are calling for a temporary ban on political donations via cryptocurrencies, warning that such payments could lead to foreign interference. Previously, Reform UK received a record-breaking $12 million in political donations from early cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne. Industry experts believe that as crypto assets continue to enter academic and political spheres, regulation and compliance issues will become key concerns.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
A certain CEX responds to U.S. Senator's anti-money laundering inquiry, claiming media reports are inaccurate.
A certain CEX recently responded to a U.S. senator's inquiry about anti-money laundering, stating that the allegations are false. The platform emphasized that it has established strict compliance and sanctions controls, prohibiting Iranian users. It also launched an internal investigation, delisted related entities, and helped law enforcement recover over $752 million in the past three years. Moving forward, it will continue to strengthen its compliance system.
GateNews29m ago
XRP Could Face Securities Classification Under New U.S. Crypto Framework, Says Cardano’s Hoskinson
Charles Hoskinson argues that under the revised CLARITY Act, tokens like XRP would qualify as securities, igniting his feud with the XRP community.
He called Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse out again, cautioning that having no laws is better than having a bad law.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskin
CryptoNewsFlash38m ago
Iran and North Korea are both using it! Stablecoins have become the preferred virtual asset for illegal transactions, with involved fraud totaling $51 billion.
According to the latest FATF report, stablecoins have become a primary funding tool for illegal transactions, especially in countries like North Korea and Iran. The report indicates that by 2025, stablecoins will account for 84% of illegal virtual asset trading volume, and calls for increased regulation of stablecoin issuers to prevent money laundering and other criminal activities. The global stablecoin market value has exceeded $300 billion, and regulators need to act quickly to close regulatory gaps.
区块客59m ago
Bank failures, war conflicts: Iran's $7.8 billion cryptocurrency "shadow economy" becomes the focus again
As the US-Israel coalition's military actions against Iran escalate, Iran's "shadow economy" becomes a focal point. Iran has legalized Bitcoin mining and is utilizing cheap electricity for mining to bypass US dollar sanctions, with the mining scale potentially reaching $7.8 billion and being heavily relied upon by the military. The rial has depreciated by over 96%, and the stablecoin USDT has become a new tool for trade, while the public is turning to Bitcoin to protect their assets.
区块客1h ago
Strike has obtained the BitLicense issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services
Odaily Planet Daily reports that Bitcoin payment app Strike has officially received the BitLicense license issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services, allowing it to operate cryptocurrency services locally. Strike also announced the launch of a Bitcoin collateral credit line service, enabling users to borrow fiat currency in real-time for lightning payments or bill payments. Currently, this service supports low-threshold lending and will initially be launched in Georgia and Massachusetts, with plans to expand to more states across the United States.
GateNews2h ago
Vancouver "Bitcoin Reserve" Dream Shattered! City Hall Staff "This Reason" Suggests Withdraw Proposal
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim proposed establishing a "Bitcoin Strategic Reserve," but city officials assessed that Bitcoin does not meet legal investment standards and recommended that the city council withdraw the proposal. According to the report, Bitcoin is not classified as a legal asset and requires reallocation of human resources to align with municipal priority plans. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs of British Columbia has already stated that local governments are not permitted to include cryptocurrencies in their financial reserves to avoid risks.
区块客3h ago
