Overview
HTX is the exchange formerly known as Huobi, one of the oldest names in crypto. Huobi was founded in 2013 in China by Leon Li and for years was among the three largest exchanges in the world, alongside Binance and OKX. After China banned crypto trading in 2021, it moved its operations abroad and lost much of its market share.
In 2022, Huobi was sold to About Capital, and Justin Sun, the founder of the Tron blockchain, became a member of its global advisory board and its most visible public figure. In September 2023 the exchange was renamed HTX. Today it is registered offshore (the UK case below names Huobi Global S.A. as the operator) and is closely tied to the Tron ecosystem.
HTX still offers a large range of coins and products, but in 2026 it is the highest-risk exchange in this list from a regulatory point of view. This review explains why.
What you can do on HTX
- Spot trading: several hundred coins, with a strong focus on the Tron ecosystem (TRX, USDT on Tron) and on new, speculative tokens.
- Futures: USDT-margined and coin-margined perpetual contracts with leverage.
- Earn: savings, staking and “Prime Earn” products, sometimes with high promotional rates.
- Copy trading and trading bots.
- Launchpad and Primelist: access to new token sales and early listings.
- HTX token: the exchange’s own token, used for fee discounts and governance (HTX DAO).
Deposits and withdrawals in crypto are fast. Fiat options are limited and mostly go through third-party providers.
Fees
| Product | Regular user (maker / taker) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spot | 0.20% / 0.20% | Lower with VIP level or HTX token |
| Futures | Tiered maker/taker | Check the contract fee page |
| Withdrawals | Varies by coin and network | USDT on Tron is usually cheap |
HTX’s base spot fee is higher than Binance, Bybit, OKX or MEXC, although discounts for VIP levels and token holders narrow the gap. Rates at the time of writing (October 2026); check the official fee page before trading.
Security
- Proof of Reserves: HTX publishes monthly reserve reports with Merkle tree verification.
- Account protection: 2FA, anti-phishing codes and withdrawal whitelists.
HTX’s security record includes several hacks:
- September 2023: about $8 million stolen from a hot wallet.
- November 2023: about $30 million stolen from HTX hot wallets and about $86 million from the HECO Chain bridge, a blockchain linked to the exchange.
Justin Sun said the losses were covered and user funds were safe, and withdrawals resumed. But two hacks in two months, followed by heavy withdrawals, damaged confidence. A smaller hack has also been reported since.
Regulation: the main problem
United Kingdom
- In October 2025, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) sued HTX in the High Court for promoting crypto services to UK consumers without authorisation. It was the first case of its kind.
- On 26 May 2026, the UK government placed Huobi Global S.A., the company behind HTX, under financial sanctions as part of measures against networks helping Russia evade sanctions. The UK alleged that HTX moved about $1.5 billion for Kremlin-linked entities. UK officials say entities owned or controlled by Huobi are also covered.
HTX says the sanctioned company is separate from the HTX exchange, that it received no prior notice or evidence, and that user funds are safe. Regardless of that dispute, UK businesses must not deal with designated parties, and several platforms now block transfers to and from HTX.
European Union
HTX has no MiCA licence and, as of mid-2026, did not appear in the EU register of authorised providers. Since 1 July 2026, unlicensed exchanges may not legally serve EU users. EU residents should not open new accounts on HTX and should prefer a licensed exchange.
Elsewhere
HTX is not available in the US, mainland China and a number of other countries, and offers no derivatives in several more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One of the longest histories in crypto (since 2013, as Huobi)
- Large coin selection, strong in the Tron ecosystem
- Monthly Proof of Reserves reports
- Cheap USDT transfers on Tron
- Full range of products: futures, earn, copy trading
Cons
- Under UK financial sanctions since May 2026
- Sued by the UK FCA; no MiCA licence in the EU
- Two hacks in 2023, including the HECO bridge
- Higher base spot fees than major rivals
- Some platforms block transfers to and from HTX
HTX vs. alternatives
| HTX | Binance | OKX | Kraken | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 (as Huobi) | 2017 | 2017 | 2011 |
| Spot fees (base) | 0.20% / 0.20% | 0.10% / 0.10% | 0.08% / 0.10% | 0.40% / 0.80% |
| MiCA licence (EU) | No | No | Yes (Malta) | Yes (Ireland) |
| Sanctions or major legal case | UK sanctions (2026) | US settlement (2023) | US settlement (2025) | None open |
Our verdict
HTX has a long history and a broad product range, but its present matters more than its past. With UK sanctions, an FCA lawsuit, no MiCA licence and a record of hacks, it is the riskiest exchange we cover.
We do not recommend HTX to beginners or to anyone living in the UK or the EU. Experienced traders in other countries who still use it should keep only small balances there, check that their bank and other exchanges accept transfers from HTX, and withdraw to their own wallet regularly. We list HTX for completeness, not as a recommendation.
This review is for information only and is not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and you can lose money.