HTX exits UK after settling FCA High Court case over crypto promotions
The UK Financial Conduct Authority said crypto exchange HTX, formerly Huobi, has given High Court undertakings not to knowingly promote crypto services unlawfully to UK consumers. UK users can no longer deposit or sign up.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said on Thursday 29 October that it had secured High Court undertakings from HTX, a global crypto exchange formerly known as Huobi, that it will not knowingly promote crypto services unlawfully to UK consumers.
The FCA began legal action against HTX in October 2025 for breaking UK financial promotion rules and said the exchange “had failed repeatedly to engage” with the regulator. After proceedings started, HTX took steps to leave the UK, the FCA said. The regulator and Huobi Global S.A. have now reached a settlement, whose terms are confidential. The FCA said the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing.
According to the FCA, HTX is no longer active in the UK: consumers can no longer make deposits, new UK users cannot sign up, and HTX will not target UK consumers. The undertakings cover HTX’s website, apps and social media.
HTX said in a notice on its website that existing UK users with remaining assets can request a one-time 48-hour withdrawal window through its support team, subject to identity, sanctions, anti-money-laundering and security checks.
“Crypto firms should be under no illusion: being based overseas does not put them beyond the reach of UK law,” said Steve Smart, the FCA’s executive director of enforcement and market oversight.
Sources
- FCA stops HTX's crypto promotions · Financial Conduct Authority
- Important Notice Regarding Availability of HTX Services in the United Kingdom · HTX
- Crypto exchange HTX exits UK after FCA settlement over illegal promotions · CoinDesk
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