HTX review: availability, registrations, custody, and fees
HTX, the exchange formerly known as Huobi, operates across many markets and lists registrations in several jurisdictions. It does not serve United States residents, and in 2026 it faced significant regulatory action in the United Kingdom. Availability and the product set vary by country.
Information, not advice. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a recommendation to use any platform. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
HTX is a large, custodial, global cryptocurrency exchange that traded as Huobi until a rebrand in 2023. As of January 2026 it is available in many countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, and it lists registrations in several jurisdictions. It does not serve United States residents. In 2026 HTX faced significant regulatory action in the United Kingdom, including a Financial Conduct Authority court case and a United Kingdom government sanction over alleged sanctioned fund flows, which is important context anyone should weigh. Check the position for your own country before signing up.
What HTX is
HTX is a centralised cryptocurrency exchange that began as Huobi in 2013 and rebranded to HTX in 2023. It offers spot trading, derivatives, staking, and a range of other products through its app and website, with deep liquidity on major pairs.
The platform is custodial, which means HTX holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than handing you the private keys. Users who want to control their own keys move funds to a separate self custody wallet.
Where HTX is available
As of January 2026 HTX is available to users in many countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Supported assets and features differ by country and by the local entity that serves you.
HTX does not accept customers in the United States, which it lists among prohibited jurisdictions in its user agreement. The United Kingdom position is contested. In 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority pursued HTX through the courts over alleged breaches of crypto promotion rules, and reporting indicated that United Kingdom app store removals and account blocking measures were sought. Anyone in the United Kingdom should treat access as restricted and contested and confirm the current position before acting.
Registrations and licences
- Rebrand. HTX is the former Huobi, which rebranded in 2023. References to Huobi and HTX describe the same exchange lineage (as of January 2026).
- Disclosed registrations. HTX lists a limited number of regulatory entries on its licensed businesses page, including a no objection certificate from the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and payment and remittance permissions in parts of South America (as of January 2026).
- European Union. HTX has indicated authorisation routed through Malta under the MiCA framework. The European Securities and Markets Authority publicly questioned certain Maltese licensing practices in 2025, so treat European Union access as worth verifying directly (as of January 2026).
- United Kingdom. In 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority pursued HTX in court over crypto promotion rules, and a United Kingdom government sanction was reported over alleged sanctioned fund flows. Treat United Kingdom access as restricted and contested (as of January 2026).
- United States. HTX does not serve United States residents and lists the United States among prohibited jurisdictions (as of January 2026).
Each registration is stated as of 21 June 2026. Licences and registrations change. Confirm the current position on the regulator register and the licences page of the platform before acting.
Custody, fees, strengths, and limitations
HTX is custodial. It holds your assets in its own wallets, and users who prefer to control their own keys transfer funds to a separate self custody wallet. HTX has a history that includes the Huobi era and a later association with industry figures, and in 2026 it has been the subject of serious regulatory disputes in the United Kingdom, which is relevant context for assessing where it can operate.
On fees, HTX is generally positioned as a low cost venue, with a tiered maker and taker model on spot trading and discounts for holding its own token or trading at higher volume. Exact pricing changes over time, so confirm the current schedule on the platform before trading.
In plain terms, the strengths are deep liquidity, a wide asset selection, and low headline fees. The limitations are the absence of the platform in the United States, the contested and restricted United Kingdom position in 2026, the limited set of disclosed tier one registrations, and the custodial model. None of this is a recommendation to use or avoid the platform, only the factual picture you would weigh against your own country and needs.
HTX is one of several platforms, and whether it is available depends on where you live. Rather than assume, compare the exchanges that are genuinely available in your country before you choose.
Regulator and sources
The relevant regulators differ by market and include the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the relevant Maltese authority and the European Securities and Markets Authority for the European Union question, and the Financial Conduct Authority and United Kingdom government for the United Kingdom matters.
- HTX, official user agreement and licensed businesses page listing its disclosed registrations.
- Financial Conduct Authority, 2026 enforcement and court actions concerning HTX promotions in the United Kingdom.
- United Kingdom government and reputable reporting on the 2026 HTX sanction and related allegations, current as of January 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is HTX legal to use?
It depends on your country. HTX operates in many markets and lists registrations in several jurisdictions, but it does not serve United States residents, and its United Kingdom position is restricted and contested following 2026 regulatory action. Check the position for your own country before signing up (as of January 2026).
Is HTX the same as Huobi?
Yes. HTX is the former Huobi, which rebranded in 2023. The two names refer to the same exchange lineage.
Can United States residents use HTX?
No. HTX does not serve United States residents and lists the United States among prohibited jurisdictions in its user agreement (as of January 2026).
What happened with HTX in the United Kingdom?
In 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority pursued HTX through the courts over alleged breaches of crypto promotion rules, and a United Kingdom government sanction was reported over alleged sanctioned fund flows. Treat United Kingdom access as restricted and contested, and verify the current position before acting.
Does HTX hold my crypto for me?
Yes. HTX is a custodial platform, so it holds the assets in your account on your behalf rather than giving you the private keys. If you prefer to control your own keys you would use a separate self custody wallet. This is information, not advice.
Rules change frequently. Exchange availability and the rules that govern HTX are especially fluid in 2026, with active United Kingdom enforcement and a reported sanction that anyone should verify before acting. The position on this page is dated 21 June 2026. Confirm the current status with the named regulator and the platform before you act.
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