Nigel Farage will deliver the keynote at Zebu Live 2025 on 21–22 October at Tobacco Dock, London. His booking revives arguments about political motives, state rules and the mass use of crypto assets. The Web3 conference, promoted as the United Kingdom’s largest, sets a stage where policy and technology collide.
Organisers placed a divisive politician in front of coders, investors and regulators, aiming a programme that covers tax rules, a possible bitcoin reserve and the disclosure of campaign funds. Confirmed participants include staff from Coinbase as well as Solana, and organisers expect more than 4,000 attendees.
Farage’s proposals and experts reactions
Farage acts under the Reform UK banner and aims to weave crypto assets into British public life. He asks the Bank of England to store bitcoin on the nation’s balance sheet, cut the capital gains tax on crypto from 24% to 10%, and let political parties take donations in bitcoin.
Economists and industry figures voiced sharp cautions. Frances Coppola said, “A national bitcoin reserve introduces significant volatility and exchange-rate risk exposing taxpayers to speculative losses.” Michael Mainelli replied, “Tax incentives alone do not solve the need for regulatory clarity but also investor protection.” Marta Belcher warned, “Accepting donations in bitcoin opens the door to potential money laundering and lack of transparency,” a reminder that strong due diligence rules remain essential.
Some Web3 builders doubt the invitation, suspecting an election stunt rather than a technical contribution. Cory Doctorow noted that Farage’s record clashes with the open, borderless tone the Web3 movement advertises.
The mix of populist politics and tech stages pulls cameras and capital but raises regulatory and reputational doubt. If Parliament takes up the ideas, hearings on financial stability and tighter supervision will follow; if the ideas stall, niche audiences may split and institutional trust may drop. Investors and coders now face louder headlines and a short deadline to spell out how they comply, vet clients and govern projects. Zebu Live 2025 will run its sessions on 21 and 22 October at Tobacco Dock, London, with companies such as Coinbase and Solana listed as participants.
