HTX (Huobi) Review

Overview

HTX is the current name of Huobi, one of the original Chinese-founded exchanges. Leon Li founded it in 2013. In 2022 it was acquired by About Capital, a fund associated with TRON founder Justin Sun, and it rebranded to HTX in 2023. Sun is described as an adviser. The exchange is now linked to Seychelles. CoinGecko cites HTX's own figures of more than 47 million registered users and about $33 trillion in cumulative trading volume. CoinPerps reports around 710 spot assets and more than 120 perpetual markets.

HTX still has high trading volume, ranking among the larger exchanges on Cointelegraph's exchange rankings. Since the ownership change, however, its regulatory position has weakened and it suffered several hacks in 2023. This review covers both its strengths and its risks.

Regulation & safety

HTX has fewer licences than the other large exchanges. CoinPerps lists registrations including VARA in Dubai, a SIBA registration in the British Virgin Islands and a South American payments registration. It also notes that HTX's legacy Lithuanian registration has lapsed. HTX holds no MiCA CASP licence and, according to CoinPerps, left the EU when the MiCA transition deadline passed on 1 July 2026. It has no US entity, FCA permission or FinCEN registration. Separately, the US SEC brought a market-manipulation case against Justin Sun and his TRON entities, and CoinPerps reports that the case was settled. That case was not brought against HTX itself, but it matters because of how closely HTX is linked to Sun.

HTX had a difficult 2023. CoinPerps reports a hot-wallet breach of about $8 million in September, then a theft of about $30 million from the exchange in November, together with an $86.6 million exploit of the affiliated Heco Bridge. HTX said it would cover affected users, and it absorbed significant net outflows after reopening. CoinPerps also notes that no verified insurance-fund figure is published.

This review could not verify HTX's proof-of-reserves programme from a primary source. Users who rely on reserve transparency should check HTX's own reserve page directly before depositing.

Fees & costs

HTX's base spot fee is higher than many rivals'. CoinGecko lists a flat 0.2% for regular users, twice the 0.1% common at Bitget, KuCoin and Gate. Futures are in line with the market at 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker on USDT-margined perpetuals, and higher tiers pay less.

Products

HTX offers spot, USDT- and coin-margined perpetual futures and a wide range of extras:

• Earn products for yield on idle balances
• Launchpool, where users lock HTX tokens to receive new-token airdrops
• Crypto loans secured against deposited assets
• Copy trading for following other traders' futures strategies
• Trading bots for automated strategies

Its listings often lean toward TRON-ecosystem and new tokens, which can attract speculative traders but adds risk. Many of these tokens have short trading histories and can be thinly traded, so a single large order can move the price.

Platforms & tools

HTX runs on the web, mobile apps and an API. TradingView added HTX derivatives data, including funding rates, liquidations, long/short ratios and open interest, to its indicators alongside Bitget and Kraken, which helps users analyse HTX futures in their usual charting tool. The exchange's interface is similar to other Asian-origin platforms, with many features and a busy layout.

Security practices for users

Because of HTX's 2023 incidents and its limited published insurance information, how you protect your own account matters more than usual. Turn on app-based two-factor authentication, set a withdrawal address whitelist and use an anti-phishing code if the platform offers one. Do not reuse a password from another service. Keep only your active trading balance on the exchange, and move longer-term holdings to a hardware or self-custody wallet. If you use copy trading or bots, start with small amounts. A lead trader's past results do not predict future returns, and futures leverage can liquidate a position within minutes in volatile markets. Check announcements before depositing new tokens, because deposits and withdrawals for individual assets can be paused during network upgrades or security reviews.

Deposits, withdrawals & availability

Crypto deposits and withdrawals run on each asset's network. This review could not confirm the details of fiat on-ramps and KYC tiers from a primary source, so check them in your account before funding. HTX is not available to US users, has left the EU, and does not operate under UK FCA permission. That leaves Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Africa as its main markets. Do not use a VPN to get around these restrictions, because accounts can be frozen.

Who it suits

HTX may suit experienced traders outside the US, UK and EU who want access to TRON-ecosystem tokens, Launchpool rewards or copy trading, and who are comfortable with offshore risk. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs a strong licence, regular audited reserves or recourse to a well-known regulator.

Verdict

HTX keeps Huobi's long history and still has sizeable liquidity, but its 2023 hacks, close ties to Justin Sun, withdrawal from the EU and limited licences make it one of the riskier large exchanges. With spot fees at 0.2%, it also costs more for casual spot traders. If you use it, keep balances small and move long-term holdings to self-custody. Current terms are on the official HTX website.