7 Accepted

The Government should introduce a binding moratorium on crypto donations as an amendment to the...

Recommendation
The Government should introduce a binding moratorium on crypto donations as an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill. This moratorium should remain in place until the Electoral Commission has issued statutory guidance on crypto donations which applies to its regulated entities. The Bill should be further amended to provide for that guidance to be subject to the affirmative procedure to provide Parliament with an appropriate scrutiny opportunity and an opportunity to object. We suggest the Electoral Commission must develop satisfactory safeguards in time for the next General Election. (Recommendation, Paragraph 70) Corporate donations
Government Response Summary
The government wholeheartedly accepts the recommendation to introduce a binding moratorium on crypto donations, confirming that it will apply to all such donations from 25 March 2026, with a 30-day period for returning or forfeiting previous donations.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
We agree wholeheartedly with the conclusion of the Committee on this issue. The Rycroft Review similarly recommended that the Government introduce an immediate moratorium on cryptoasset donations to political parties, until such time that the Government is satisfied that there are sufficient safeguards in place to mitigate against risk. On the day the Rycroft Review was published, the Government accepted this recommendation. The anonymity inherent in cryptocurrency transactions creates a clear route for foreign or illicit actors to channel money into our politics, and that is why we agree that a moratorium is necessary until the regulatory environment around cryptoassets is robust enough to protect the integrity of our political finance system from foreign interference. The moratorium will apply to all political donations of any value made through cryptoassets on or after 25 March 2026, with a 30-day period following commencement of the provisions for any previously accepted cryptoasset donations to be returned or forfeited.
Addressee Bodies
Cabinet Office
Timeline
Recommendation age 0.4 yrs
Report published 18 Mar 2026