HTX Crypto Exchange Halts Illegal Marketing in UK Following FCA Settlement

Previously operating under the name Huobi, the exchange no longer accepts deposits from UK customers nor permits new registrations from users in the country, according to the FCA.

Huobi Global S.A., the company behind HTX, promised the High Court it will not knowingly engage in unlawful advertising, including via the exchange’s website, mobile applications, or social media channels. This commitment remains in place until October 21, 2031.

The FCA initiated legal action in October 2025 and announced the case publicly in February, marking its first enforcement against a cryptocurrency firm for illegal marketing practices.

The settlement agreement was dated October 16 and formalized in a court order issued on Tuesday. The terms are confidential, and Huobi Global has not admitted to any wrongdoing or liability.

This settlement comes after separate sanctions imposed on HTX by authorities in the UK and the European Union.

On May 26, the UK government sanctioned Huobi Global, freezing its assets due to suspicions of supporting the Russian government. Although HTX claimed to be independent of the exchange, UK regulators maintained that the platform fell under sanctions because it is owned by Huobi Global.

The European Union followed suit on July 23, enforcing a transaction ban on HTX that became effective on August 23.

This case highlights regulatory efforts to curb unlawful marketing in crypto, emphasizing the importance of compliance for exchanges operating in sensitive jurisdictions.