The Financial Conduct Authority said HTX has left the UK market, where UK users cannot deposit and new UK users cannot register, after its operator accepted a court-backed restriction on financial promotions.
A High Court order dated Oct. 27 identifies Huobi Global S.A. as a company incorporated in Panama. The undertaking bars Huobi from knowingly communicating financial promotions, directly or indirectly, that violate section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It covers HTX’s websites, apps, social media accounts and similar channels. The FCA also said HTX would not proactively seek UK consumers as customers.
The order records a confidential settlement agreement dated Oct. 16 and stays further proceedings except for steps needed to enforce it. The FCA began proceedings on Oct. 21, 2025, against Huobi and groups of unidentified people associated with HTX and its promotions. The order sets no date for another hearing.
The court made no finding on the allegations. The FCA said the settlement contains no admission of liability or wrongdoing. The regulator alleged HTX continued publishing promotions that breached UK rules after earlier warnings, and said the exchange had repeatedly failed to engage before proceedings began.
Rules introduced in October 2023 apply to cryptoasset firms marketing to UK consumers, including businesses based overseas, the FCA said. The regulator says crypto activity in Britain remains largely unregulated until October 2027, apart from anti-money-laundering and financial-promotion requirements. It directed existing users to HTX’s information about service availability and withdrawing residual assets.
Steve Smart, the FCA’s executive director of enforcement and market oversight, said “being based overseas does not put them beyond the reach of UK law.” Reuters reported that HTX said it had taken measures to align with UK financial-promotion rules and remained committed to compliance globally. Huobi’s undertaking runs through Oct. 21, 2031.
