Crypto exchange HTX has exited the UK following a settlement in the Financial Conduct Authority’s promotions case. Its UK customers cannot deposit or trade, while eligible users face a conditional process to withdraw remaining assets.
The FCA announced the outcome on Oct. 29, saying the exchange, formerly Huobi, is no longer active in the country. New UK users cannot sign up, and HTX will no longer target or solicit UK consumers.
HTX’s UK service notice says existing accounts identified as UK accounts cannot transact across its products and services. Eligible individuals holding residual assets must contact customer support to request a one-time, 48-hour withdrawal window.
Access depends on the conditions and limits of the applicable Personal Remittances General Licence, alongside HTX’s identity, ownership, sanctions, anti-money laundering, fraud and account-security checks. The individual withdrawal window requires approval.
Approved users must personally withdraw their remaining assets within that period. They may submit transactions for different asset types, with each transaction subject to destination-wallet, blockchain and security controls. HTX says it will not transfer assets for them and will close accounts after full withdrawal.
The notice directs affected users to contact htxsupport@htx-inc.com from their registered email address with personal-use confirmation. Reporting obligations to HM Treasury or another authority may also apply.
Court undertakings run to 2031
An Oct. 27 High Court order records Huobi Global S.A.’s undertakings until Oct. 21, 2031 against knowingly communicating, or causing others to communicate, financial promotions that breach section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
The undertakings cover HTX websites, applications and social media. The 2031 date applies to those commitments and does not establish when trading might resume. The FCA says the settlement’s terms are confidential and that it involves no admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global or anyone else.
The FCA began proceedings on Oct. 21, 2025 and publicly announced the action on Feb. 10, 2026. At the time, it described the case as its first enforcement action against a crypto firm for illegally marketing products to UK consumers.
The regulator also said it had asked social media companies to block HTX accounts for UK users and sought removal of its apps from the UK’s Google Play and Apple stores. CryptoSlate had reported HTX’s inclusion on the FCA warning list in October 2023.
Separate pressure followed in May 2026, when the UK government designated Huobi Global S.A. under its Russia sanctions regime. That designation is distinct from the FCA’s financial-promotions case.
Under the court order, further proceedings are stayed except for enforcement. Either party can ask the court to enforce the settlement without filing a new claim.
