A significant £25 million endowment has been gifted to the Sheila Coates Foundation (SCF) by Ben Delo, the co-founder of cryptocurrency platform BitMEX. The donation, announced on February 20, 2026, is intended to secure the charity’s future and expand its support for autistic young people across England. This substantial contribution underscores a growing trend of philanthropic efforts within the tech industry focused on neurodiversity and accessibility.
Delo, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at age 11, established the SCF in 2020, naming it after Sheila Coates, an advocate for children with autism who provided him with crucial support during his education. The foundation currently supports over 25,000 young people in 600 schools and colleges, offering resources and programs designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, and educational outcomes. The endowment will strengthen the SCF’s grantmaking capacity, allowing it to reach even more individuals.
The £25 million donation represents a major boost for the SCF, which has historically operated with annual incomes and expenditures ranging from £250,000 to £750,000, according to the foundation. SCF Chief Executive Stephen McShane hailed the gift as transformative, stating, “We are honoured to have received this endowment from Ben Delo. It secures our future… Thanks to this endowment we can create lasting change for autistic young people.”
BitMEX Founder’s Past and Present
Delo co-founded BitMEX in 2014, a platform for cryptocurrency derivatives trading. He was identified by The Times as the UK’s “youngest self-made billionaire” in 2018, though this reference was later removed from the publication’s rich list. His journey hasn’t been without legal challenges. In 2022, Delo pleaded guilty to violating the United States’ Bank Secrecy Act, related to failures in implementing a compliance program. He subsequently received a 30-month probation sentence, but was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2025.
The violation, as reported by Wikipedia, concerned issues solely related to US compliance regulations. Delo’s personal experience with autism, and the positive impact of Coates’ support, clearly informs his philanthropic focus. He credits Coates with a “genuinely transformative” effect on his education and future outlook, as stated in the SCF announcement.
The Legacy of Sheila Coates
Sheila Coates, the namesake of the foundation, was a pioneering advocate for children with autism and their families in Oxfordshire. She co-founded the charity Children in Touch in 1977 and is recognized for developing innovative models for integrating autistic children into mainstream education. Her work laid the groundwork for more inclusive educational practices, and her legacy continues to inspire the SCF’s mission.
Delo’s commitment extends beyond financial support. he serves as one of seven trustees of the foundation, actively participating in its governance and strategic direction. His background, encompassing mathematics, computer science – he holds a degree from the University of Oxford – and a successful career in fintech, brings a unique perspective to the organization.
The SCF’s work is particularly important given the increasing recognition of the need for specialized support for autistic individuals. The endowment will allow the foundation to expand its reach and deepen its impact, providing vital resources to schools and colleges across England. The foundation plans to apply the funds to strengthen its grantmaking capacity and create lasting change for autistic young people.
Looking ahead, the SCF will focus on leveraging the endowment to develop new programs and initiatives that address the evolving needs of autistic students. The foundation’s success will likely serve as a model for other organizations seeking to support neurodiversity and promote inclusive education.
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