Quick answer: Under the HTX FCA settlement announced on Oct. 29, 2026, HTX (formerly Huobi) has left the UK. UK users can no longer deposit or sign up, and Huobi Global’s undertaking not to make unlawful UK promotions runs to Oct. 21, 2031, per the FCA and the court order.
The HTX FCA settlement is done, and the exchange is out of the UK. Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Oct. 29, 2026 that it secured High Court undertakings from Huobi Global S.A., the company behind HTX, which was formerly known as Huobi.
Under the deal, HTX will not target, solicit or actively seek UK consumers. For any offshore crypto exchange that markets to British users without permission, this case is now the reference point.
What did the FCA announce about HTX?
According to the FCA, HTX is no longer active in the UK. Consumers can no longer make deposits, and new UK users cannot sign up to the platform. The regulator said HTX had “failed repeatedly” to engage with it, and that the exchange took steps to exit the UK only after the FCA started proceedings.
Steve Smart, the FCA’s executive director of enforcement and market oversight, put it bluntly: “Crypto firms should be under no illusion: being based overseas does not put them beyond the reach of UK law.” He added that the message to other firms is “follow the rules or face the consequences.”
Reuters, via CNA, noted that HTX is one of the world’s largest crypto platforms and that Tron founder Justin Sun bought a controlling stake in it in 2022.
How did the FCA case against HTX unfold?
The timeline, based on FCA notes and the court documents, looks like this:
- Oct. 21, 2025: the FCA files its claim in the Business and Property Division of the High Court, alleging HTX broke UK financial promotion rules.
- Feb. 10, 2026: the FCA announces the action publicly, its first enforcement case against a crypto firm over illegal marketing to UK consumers.
- March to October 2026: a consent order stays the case several times so the two sides can try to settle.
- Oct. 29, 2026: the FCA announces the settlement and the undertakings.
TokenPost, which reviewed the final order, reports that the settlement agreement is dated Oct. 16 and the High Court order Oct. 27. It says the undertaking runs through Oct. 21, 2031.
What did Huobi Global agree to?
Huobi Global undertook to the court that it will not knowingly, directly or indirectly, communicate a financial promotion that breaches section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. That covers the HTX website, its apps and its social media accounts.
Two points matter for readers. First, the terms of the settlement are confidential, so no payment amount has been made public. Second, the FCA says the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global or anyone else. Further court proceedings are stayed, except to enforce the deal.
What should UK HTX users do now?
The FCA tells UK users to read the information on HTX’s own website about service availability and how to withdraw any remaining assets. Since deposits are already blocked, the practical step is to plan a withdrawal to a wallet you control or to an FCA-registered platform.
If you move coins to self-custody, set up the wallet and back up its recovery phrase first. Our self-custody wallet setup guide and seed phrase explainer walk through both. Before you sign up with any new exchange, check it on the FCA Firm Checker.
What does the HTX exit mean for the crypto market?
The direct market impact of the HTX FCA settlement looks small, since HTX had already pulled back from the UK. The bigger signal is legal. The UK’s crypto promotions regime has applied since October 2023, including to firms based overseas, and this case shows the FCA will go to court to enforce it.
Other regulators are taking a similar line on unlicensed offshore platforms. Kazakhstan’s AIFC court barred six unlicensed exchanges earlier this month, and South Korea moved to block KuCoin and MEXC. In the UK, the FCA notes that crypto remains largely unregulated, except for anti-money laundering and financial promotions, until October 2027, when a full regime is due. For more coverage, see our regulation news.
HTX FCA Settlement FAQ
Is HTX banned in the UK?
HTX is no longer active in the UK, according to the FCA’s Oct. 29, 2026 announcement. UK consumers cannot deposit, new UK users cannot sign up, and HTX will not target or solicit UK consumers under undertakings given to the High Court.
Can UK users still withdraw from HTX?
Yes. The FCA says UK users should follow the instructions published on HTX’s website for withdrawing any residual assets. Deposits are no longer accepted from UK consumers.
How long does the HTX undertaking last?
TokenPost, which reviewed the High Court order dated Oct. 27, 2026, reports that Huobi Global’s undertaking runs through Oct. 21, 2031.
Did HTX pay a fine to the FCA?
No amount has been disclosed. The FCA says the settlement terms are confidential, and the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing.
Why did the FCA take HTX to court?
The FCA sued in October 2025, saying HTX broke UK financial promotion rules by marketing crypto services to UK consumers without approval. The regulator said HTX had repeatedly failed to engage with it.
Not financial advice. Crypto assets are high-risk; DYOR before using any exchange.
