HTX Agrees to Halt Illegal UK Crypto Promotions

Crypto exchange HTX has agreed to stop illegally promoting its services to consumers in the United Kingdom following action by the Financial Conduct Authority. The exchange, formerly known as Huobi, does not accept deposits from UK customers or allow new users in the country to register, according to the FCA.

Huobi Global S.A., the company behind HTX, gave the High Court an undertaking not to knowingly make illegal promotions through the exchange’s website, mobile applications or social media accounts. The undertaking will remain in effect until Oct. 21, 2031.

The FCA launched High Court action against HTX in October 2025 and publicly announced the case in February. The regulator described it as its first enforcement action against a crypto company over illegal marketing.

The settlement agreement was dated Oct. 16 and recorded in a court order on Tuesday. Its terms are confidential. Huobi Global did not admit liability or wrongdoing.

The settlement follows separate sanctions against HTX in the UK and the European Union. On May 26, the UK imposed an asset freeze on Huobi Global over suspected support for the Russian government. HTX described Huobi Global as a separate company, while UK authorities determined that the sanctions covered the exchange because Huobi Global owned it.

The European Union imposed a transaction ban on HTX on July 23. The restrictions took effect on Aug. 23.