BitMEX co-founder signs the Giving Pledge

Nineteen new philanthropists have signed the Giving Pledge, including Ben Delo, the co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange and derivative trading platform BitMEX.

The Giving Pledge was created by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett in 2010 and encourages the super-rich to donate more than half of their wealth for philanthropic or charitable causes, during their lifetimes or in their wills.

Thirty-five-year-old Delo has pledged to use his wealth “to safeguard future generations and protect the long-term prospects of humanity,” he wrote. He is focusing on technological challenges, nuclear war threat, as well as climate change.  

“[W]hile today may be the most prosperous period in our history, it may also be the most dangerous. Our distant ancestors did not possess technology that could cause human extinction. We do. Nuclear security cannot be taken for granted. The prospect of extreme climate change is real. Looking forward, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and synthetic biology will pose new and complex challenges,” he explains. 

The Giving Pledge is now supported by 204 individuals from 23 countries. Among its signatories is Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, who pledged to use his wealth to improve education, create "a more level playing field," and increase economic freedom.