HTX agrees to exit UK and halt crypto promotions until 2031 in FCA settlement
Crypto exchange HTX has agreed to exit the UK and halt crypto promotions until October 2031, concluding the Financial Conduct Authority's first High Court case against a crypto firm over marketing rules.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority announced a High Court settlement with Huobi Global S.A., the operator of crypto exchange HTX, barring the platform from knowingly making unlawful crypto promotions to UK consumers through October 2031. The agreement ends the regulator's first court enforcement action against a cryptocurrency firm regarding financial promotions rules.[2][3][4][5]
Under the undertakings, HTX is no longer active in the UK market. The exchange has halted new user registrations and blocked deposits, while existing UK customers have 48 hours to withdraw their assets. According to the FCA, HTX repeatedly failed to engage with the watchdog and only moved to exit after enforcement proceedings were filed. The regulator stated that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global or any other entity.[4][5]
The case stemmed from legal proceedings initiated in October 2025 accusing the Justin Sun-linked exchange of breaching promotional rules originally introduced in October 2023. HTX told the Financial Times that it had proactively implemented measures to comply with UK marketing rules. The regulatory action also follows sanctions against the operating entities; the UK sanctioned Huobi Global S.A. in May 2026, and the European Union sanctioned both HTX and Huobi Global S.A. in July 2026 over Russia-related financial services.[1][4]
Key facts
- HTX pledged to stop crypto marketing targeting UK consumers until October 2031 under a High Court settlement with the Financial Conduct Authority.
- The settlement was reached with Huobi Global S.A., concluding the FCA's first enforcement case against a crypto firm over financial promotions.
- HTX has blocked deposits and new account registrations in the UK, giving existing users 48 hours to withdraw their assets.
- The FCA noted that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global S.A. or any related party.
- The legal action originated from an October 2025 FCA lawsuit alleging breaches of promotional regulations implemented in October 2023.
- Huobi Global S.A. was sanctioned by the UK in May 2026, and both HTX and Huobi Global S.A. were sanctioned by the EU in July 2026 regarding financial activities linked to Russia.
Sources · 5 sources
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Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·
The UK FCA, which sued Justin Sun-linked crypto exchange HTX in 2025 for "unlawfully promoting crypto asset services", says HTX will exit the UK in a settlement (Financial Times) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)
Open source - CT
Coin TelegraphArticle ·
HTX agrees to halt unlawful UK crypto promotions after FCA case HTX has pledged to stop crypto marketing in the UK until October 2031, with deposits and new account registrations already blocked there.
Open source - DE
DecryptArticle ·
Justin Sun's HTX Agrees to Leave UK in Settlement With Financial Watchdog The FCA says the Justin Sun-linked exchange will no longer target UK consumers, ending its first case against a crypto firm over marketing.
Open source - PR
ProtosArticle ·
Justin Sun’s HTX exits UK following FCA court order Justin Sun-linked crypto exchange HTX will exit the UK after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) secured undertakings from the company through a High Court settlement, preventing it from knowingly making unlawful crypto promotions to UK consumers. The FCA reached the settlement with Huobi Global S.A., the company behind HTX , following legal proceedings over alleged breaches of UK financial promotion rules. The FCA announced the settlement today. The regulator said HTX had “failed repeatedly to engage with the FCA” and that, after legal proceedings began, “HTX took steps to exit the UK.” It added: “HTX is no longer active in the UK. Consumers can no longer make deposits, and new UK users cannot sign up to the platform. HTX will not target, solicit or actively seek to engage UK consumers.” According to the FCA, “The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global or any other person or entity.” HTX told the Financial Times it had “proactively implemented measures to align with the UK’s financial promotion regulations.” FCA action follows sanctions Today’s action stems from the FCA’s October 2025 legal proceedings , which accused HTX of illegally promoting cryptoasset services to UK consumers in breach of the country’s financial promotions rules, introduced in October 2023. HTX and Huobi Global S.A. were also sanctioned by the European Union in July 2026 over their alleged role in frustrating existing EU sanctions against Russia. The UK had previously sanctioned Huobi Global S.A. in May 2026 over its suspected role in providing financial services to Russia. The UK government considers HTX subject to the sanctions because of its ownership by Huobi Global S.A. European Union sanctions Justin Sun’s HTX Read more: HTX’s proof of reserves doesn’t match its blockchain balances At the time, HTX sought to distance itself from the designation, claiming that “the listed entity Huobi Global S.A. is distinct from the online HTX exchange.” However, Protos found that Huobi Global S.A. owned the HTX trademark in the United States and had described itself in court filings as the firm that “owns and operates HTX.” Furthermore, the EU sanctions explicitly list HTX alongside Huobi Global S.A. Got a tip? Send us an email securely via Protos Leaks . For more informed news and investigations, follow us on X , Bluesky , and Google News , or subscribe to our YouTube channel. The post Justin Sun’s HTX exits UK following FCA court order appeared first on Protos .
Open source - CN
crypto.news@cryptodotnewsPost on X ·
JUST IN: UK regulator secures court-backed deal forcing HTX to exit the market until 2031 FCA’s first High Court enforcement case against a crypto exchange over financial promotions has ended with HTX barred from targeting UK consumers; new sign-ups and deposits are blocked, while existing users have 48 hours to withdraw their assets.
Open source