Software Engineer Sues BitMEX Operator for £20 Million
Lewis Barber filed a £20 million lawsuit against HDR Global Trading Limited for allegedly mis-selling cryptocurrency derivatives to UK investors without authorization.
Software engineer Lewis Barber filed a £20 million lawsuit in the High Court against HDR Global Trading Limited, the operator of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX. Barber alleges the company mis-sold crypto derivative products to UK investors between 2018 and 2022 without required authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority. The claim asserts that these contracts are void under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which would entitle consumers to restitution of lost assets.
BitMEX voluntarily closed on September 23, 2026, following a strategic review. The company and its founders, including Ben Delo, have faced previous legal challenges. These include a 2024 guilty plea for Bank Secrecy Act violations in the United States and a $100 million payment to the U.S. Department of Justice in January 2025 for failing to maintain anti-money-laundering programs.
A spokesperson for HDR Global Trading Limited stated that the claim has not yet been served on the company.
