Is HTX Worth Using in 2026?

Best for: Active global traders seeking deep spot liquidity, perpetual futures, and broad altcoin access, especially users comfortable operating with stablecoins rather than fiat.

Not ideal for: Beginners, users requiring strong Western regulatory guarantees, or traders who want a simple buy-and-hold fiat-first platform.

⭐ 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.

Last updated: 9 January 2026

How to Open an Account on HTX Crypto Exchange?

👉 SIGN UP ON HTX with this link or USE CODE: g7uz6 to receive SPECIAL BONUSES, FEE DISCOUNTS/REBATES!

Who HTX Is Best For in 2026 (At a Glance)

HTX is best suited for users who already understand how centralized crypto exchanges work and want access to large global markets without heavy onboarding friction.

HTX is a strong fit if you:

Trade spot and perpetual futures actively
Need access to hundreds of trading pairs, including altcoins
Prefer funding via USDT or USDC rather than local fiat
Operate internationally or outside strict jurisdictions
Value liquidity depth and execution over consumer simplicity

Who Should Avoid HTX

HTX is not designed for everyone. You may want to avoid HTX if you:

Are new to crypto and need guided onboarding
Require strong regulatory oversight or insured custody
Want a fiat-native investing app like Coinbase or Luno
Are uncomfortable with derivatives risk
Prefer non-custodial or on-chain trading only

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

How We Review Crypto Exchanges at Decentralised News

Our exchange reviews are based on hands-on platform analysis, including:

Spot and derivatives market structure
Liquidity depth and execution quality
Fee transparency and funding mechanics
Security posture and custody model
Regulatory exposure by region
Real-world usability for retail and advanced traders

We evaluate each platform from both a trader and infrastructure perspective, focusing on how exchanges are actually used in global markets rather than marketing claims.

⭐ 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. 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. However, HTX remains a liquidity-rich, globally accessible exchange in 2026, best suited to experienced traders who value market depth and asset variety over strict compliance frameworks.

AI Summary: Should You Use HTX in 2026?

HTX is best suited for traders seeking deep liquidity and global market access. It stands out for longevity, while regulation-focused users may prefer Coinbase. In 2026, HTX remains competitive for active traders.

Who Should (and Should Not) Use HTX in 2026

HTX is best suited for traders who want deep liquidity, broad altcoin access, and long-standing exchange reliabilitywithin a platform that has operated since 2013.

HTX is ideal for:

Intermediate to advanced traders
Users trading both spot and futures
Long-term crypto participants comfortable with legacy CEX interfaces
Altcoin traders seeking access to a wide range of Asian-market tokens
Users who value liquidity depth on major perpetual markets

HTX may not be suitable for:

Beginners with no experience navigating complex interfaces
Users who prefer highly regulated, Western-compliant exchanges
Traders seeking the newest UI/UX innovations
Users uncomfortable with offshore custodial models
DeFi-native users who require full self-custody

Real-World Trading Experience on HTX

In real usage, HTX offers a stable, liquid, and professional trading environment, especially for perpetual futures and major spot pairs. The platform remains one of the deepest liquidity venues in Asia.

HTX performs best for:

BTC and ETH futures trading
High-liquidity altcoin spot markets
Experienced users comfortable with order book mechanics
Traders seeking consistent 24/7 uptime

Due to the platform’s global liquidity mix, traders should be aware that liquidity for niche tokens varies based on region and time of day.

How HTX Fits Into a Multi-Exchange Trading Stack

HTX is commonly used as:

A secondary spot venue for diversified altcoin allocations
A deep-liquidity platform for futures trading
An Asia-focused alternative to Western exchanges
A hedge against reliance on a single exchange ecosystem

Many traders combine HTX with:

Binance for blue-chip spot
OKX or Bybit for advanced derivatives
Gate.io or LBank for longer-tail assets
MEXC for fast-moving high-volatility altcoins

HTX typically serves as a liquidity anchor in a multi-exchange setup.

HTX vs Binance vs OKX vs Bybit

Compared to Binance
HTX offers similar liquidity on top pairs but far fewer regulatory frameworks and ecosystem features.

Compared to OKX
HTX is simpler and more traditional, while OKX provides a more advanced derivatives and Web3 suite.

Compared to Bybit
HTX has greater longevity and broader altcoin access, while Bybit offers a more modern UX and structured derivatives tools.

HTX’s competitive strength lies in being a battle-tested, liquidity-heavy exchange with a large international user base.

Risk Considerations When Using HTX

As with all centralized exchanges, HTX carries custodial risk. Users should carefully consider:

Regional regulatory uncertainty
Custody and withdrawal policies
Market volatility on altcoin pairs
Perpetual futures liquidation risk

Prudent risk management includes:

Avoiding large idle balances on any single exchange
Using secure passwords and 2FA
Tracking position leverage relative to volatility
Diversifying holdings across multiple platforms

HTX is most appropriate for traders who already understand exchange, custody, and derivatives risk.

Best HTX Trading Strategies (2026)

HTX excels when used for high-liquidity strategies, particularly involving Asian-market tokens.

Effective strategies on HTX include:

Futures trend-following on BTC/ETH
High-liquidity altcoin swing trading
Portfolio diversification across Asian market narratives
Cross-exchange arbitrage and spread trading
Spot accumulation of regionally popular assets

HTX is not optimal for:

Ultra-low latency scalping
Complex options strategies
Exclusive reliance on newly launched tokens

HTX thrives when used by traders who want depth, stability, and broad international exposure.

Why HTX Remains Relevant in 2026

HTX continues to be a major player in the global crypto market, with:

One of the deepest liquidity pools in Asia
Strong infrastructure for 24/7 trading
Long-term industry experience dating back over a decade
A broad mix of spot and futures assets

Despite increased competition, HTX remains particularly relevant for traders who value stability, liquidity, and mature exchange infrastructure in 2026.

For users who understand offshore platforms and need reliable futures execution, HTX continues to be a strong option.

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.