Oct 29, 2026, 12:11 p.m. EDT
2 min read
Summary
- HTX, the cryptocurrency exchange formerly known as Huobi, has withdrawn from Britain after settling with the Financial Conduct Authority over alleged violations of financial advertising rules, without admitting wrongdoing.
- British customers can no longer make deposits, new users cannot register, and existing customers should consult HTX’s website for instructions on withdrawing their assets.
- The settlement bars HTX from targeting British consumers through its website, apps and social media as Britain prepares to expand cryptocurrency regulation in October 2027.
Cryptocurrency exchange HTX, previously known as Huobi, has exited the United Kingdom following a settlement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regarding suspected infractions of the nation’s financial marketing guidelines.
The FCA obtained High Court orders to prevent HTX from unlawfully marketing crypto services to UK buyers on purpose, as stated in a Thursday publication.
“HTX is no longer active in the U.K.,” the FCA stated. “Consumers can no longer make deposits, and new U.K. users cannot sign up to the platform. HTX will not target, solicit or actively seek to engage U.K. consumers.” The regulatory body instructed users to read information published on HTX’s website, including how to withdraw their assets.
HTX kept advertising its digital asset services to individuals in the UK in spite of an FCA warning issued in October 2023. The FCA filed a lawsuit against the trading platform in October 2025 for persisting in the unauthorized promotion of its brand within the UK. The watchdog noted that the Singapore-headquartered platform, which was acquired by Justin Sun in May 2023, additionally neglected to respond to its inquiries.
“Crypto firms should be under no illusion: being based overseas does not put them beyond the reach of UK law,” remarked Steve Smart, the FCA’s executive director of enforcement and market oversight. “Our action means HTX is leaving the UK and can no longer target UK consumers.”
The pact encompasses advertisements delivered via HTX’s web platform, smartphone applications, and social channels. The FCA has instructed current British clientele to visit the trading platform’s web page for guidance on retrieving any remaining funds.
The terms of the resolution remain confidential and do not represent any acknowledgment of liability by HTX or Huobi Global S.A., according to the FCA.
This development unfolds as the UK gets ready to bring additional digital asset operations under financial oversight by October 2027. Currently, the FCA’s supervision of the industry concentrates largely on anti-money laundering measures and financial advertisements.
Originally published at https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2026/10/29/crypto-exchange-htx-exits-the-uk-after-settling-with-the-fca.
