⭐ Quick Verdict

Rating: 7.6 / 10

HTX (formerly Huobi) remains one of the largest global crypto exchanges by trading volume, with 700+ coins, 350+ perpetual futures markets, and leverage up to 200×. The platform offers deep liquidity, competitive fees, and a strong global footprint — especially in Asia, MENA, and emerging markets.

However, security controversies, regulatory red flags, and recent legal action in the UK make HTX a powerful but high-risk choice for traders who prioritise flexibility over transparency.

What Is HTX?

HTX — rebranded from Huobi in 2023 — is a Seychelles-based global crypto exchange founded in 2013. Once one of China’s “Big Three” exchanges, it now operates internationally with a footprint in:

Asia
Latin America
Middle East
Africa
Parts of Europe

HTX focuses on:

Spot trading (700+ assets)
Derivatives (200× perpetual futures)
Staking & Earn products
Margin trading
Copy trading
OTC & P2P trading

It is built for intermediate to advanced traders who want scale and altcoin diversity.

Supported Regions & Restrictions

Available Regions

HTX is accessible in most global regions including:

South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria
UAE, Saudi Arabia
Brazil, Argentina, Colombia
India, Pakistan, Indonesia
Turkey
Eastern Europe

This makes it one of the most accessible exchanges outside Western regulatory zones.

Restricted / Banned Markets

United States
United Kingdom (derivatives prohibited)
Canada (most provinces)
Singapore
China
Japan
Sanctioned jurisdictions

2025 FCA Lawsuit: Major Concern for UK & EU Users

HTX was sued by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in October 2025 for unlawful promotions and regulatory breaches.

Key issues include:

Operating in the UK without proper authorization
Promoting crypto derivatives illegally
Failure to meet required consumer-protection standards

This lawsuit significantly impacts HTX’s reputation in Europe.

If you are in the UK/EU, HTX is currently high-risk and not recommended.

KYC Requirements

HTX is known for flexible verification:

No-KYC / Minimal-KYC Access

✔ Spot trading
✔ Low-volume withdrawals (up to ~5 BTC/day according to reviews)
✔ Basic futures access

Full KYC Required

✔ Large deposits/withdrawals
✔ Fiat on-/off-ramp use
✔ HTX Earn
✔ OTC trading
✔ VIP levels

This hybrid model appeals to privacy-focused users — but feels outdated compared to the global trend toward mandatory KYC.

HTX Trading Features

1. Spot Trading

HTX remains a leader in spot listings:

700+ cryptocurrencies
800+ trading pairs
Massive altcoin catalogue
Deep liquidity on majors
Fast execution
Low fees

For altcoin explorers, HTX is one of the richest ecosystems outside Gate.com and MEXC.

2. Futures Trading (Perpetuals)

HTX’s derivatives desk offers:350+ perpetual contracts

Up to 200× leverage
Cross-margin and isolated margin
Strong matching engine
Solid liquidity on BTC, ETH, SOL, DOGE, XRP, etc.

While not as refined as Bybit, KuCoin, or Hyperliquid, it’s strong enough for active futures traders.

3. Earn, Staking & DeFi Products

HTX includes:

Flexible savings
Locked staking
Dual investment
Strategy vaults
Loans

Yields are competitive, but caution is advised due to past security concerns.

4. Margin Trading

Up to 5× leverage for spot margin
Available on major pairs
Lower risk than futures for new traders

5. Copy Trading

HTX supports simple copy-trading systems:

Performance metrics
Trader leaderboards
Auto-replication of strategies

Good for beginners entering futures trading slowly.

HTX Fees

Spot Fees

Tier	Maker	Taker
Regular	0.20%	0.20%
VIP	Up to 0.02%	Up to 0.06%

HTX can be expensive at the entry level, but VIP discounts make it much cheaper.

Futures Fees

Contract Type	Maker	Taker
USDT Perps	~0.02%	~0.06%

Competitive with Bybit, Binance, MEXC.

Fiat Fees

Very region-dependent
Higher fees due to third-party processors
Poor fiat off-ramp options in some areas

Supported Assets

HTX lists more than:

700 cryptocurrencies
800+ trading pairs
350 futures markets

Categories include:

AI tokens
GameFi
DeFi tokens
Meme coins
Layer-1 & Layer-2 tokens
Staking assets
Liquid staking tokens
ETF-style tokens

Overall: One of the largest token libraries in the world.

Security & Transparency

Security Features

Cold wallet storage
2FA (Google Authenticator)
Anti-phishing tools
Session/IP monitoring
Multi-layer risk engine

BUT — Security Incidents Matter

HTX and its affiliated networks have suffered:

Hacks on the HECO chain
A $100M+ exploit in 2023
Ongoing scrutiny about proof-of-reserves accuracy
Controversy around ownership structure

2025 FCA Lawsuit Intensifies Transparency Risks

For many traders, HTX is still usable — but not recommended for storing large balances long-term.

User Experience: Desktop & Mobile

Desktop

Pros:
✓ Deep markets
✓ Fast order execution
✓ Effective for experienced traders
Cons:
✗ Cluttered interface for beginners
✗ Too many product categories and tabs

Mobile App

iOS & Android versions
Supports spot, futures, staking
Mixed reviews from users
Occasional withdrawal delays have been reported

Customer Support

24/7 live chat
Email support
Telegram/Community channels

Some users report:

Delayed withdrawal processing
Slow ticket responses during market volatility
Difficulty resolving compliance disputes

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Huge token offering (700+ coins)	Regulatory uncertainty in major markets
High leverage futures (200×)	Past hacks & security controversies
Flexible KYC	High entry-level spot fees
Deep liquidity on majors	Mixed customer support quality
Earn + copy trading	FCA lawsuit in 2025 is a major red flag

HTX vs Competitors

HTX vs Bybit

Category	HTX	Bybit
KYC	Optional	Mandatory
Coins	700+	600+
Futures Liquidity	Good	Excellent
Security	Weaker	Stronger
Regulation	Problematic	Stronger

HTX vs MEXC

Category	HTX	MEXC
Coins	700+	2,000+
Fees	Higher	Lower
KYC	Optional	Optional
Reputation	Mixed	Stronger

HTX vs KCEX

Category	HTX	KCEX
KYC	Optional	No-KYC
Fees	Higher	Lower
Spot Liquidity	Strong	Good
Security Track Record	Controversial	Clean

⭐ Final Rating: 7.6 / 10

Best For:

✔ Altcoin traders
✔ Futures traders
✔ Users wanting optional KYC
✔ Global traders outside Western restrictions
✔ Experienced crypto users

Not Ideal For:

✗ UK/EU users
✗ Traders wanting top-tier security
✗ Institutional investors
✗ Beginners needing clear regulation
✗ Fiat-heavy users who need strong banking access

HTX remains a high-volume, high-access exchange, but regulatory and security complexity mean users must apply caution.

FAQ

Is HTX safe?
HTX uses strong security measures but has been involved in several security incidents. Use caution.

Does HTX require KYC?
KYC is optional for basic withdrawals but required for higher limits.

Is HTX available in the UK?
No — and it is currently being sued by the FCA.

What are HTX trading fees?
Spot starts at 0.20% but VIP tiers reduce costs significantly. Futures fees: 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker.

How many coins does HTX list?
More than 700 cryptocurrencies and 350+ futures pairs.

Is HTX good for beginners?
Not really — interface complexity and regulatory issues make it better suited to experienced traders.

Get started now on HTX.