The Financial Conduct Authority announced on 29 October 2026 that it has settled its High Court case against HTX, the exchange formerly called Huobi. The FCA has announced no fine, and the settlement terms are confidential. What is public is that the exchange has given undertakings to the court about how it reaches UK consumers, and it has left the UK market.
What the FCA alleged
The FCA started proceedings on 21 October 2025 and made them public on 10 February 2026. It alleged that HTX promoted cryptoasset services to UK consumers in breach of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the rule that a financial promotion must be made or approved by an authorised firm. Since October 2023, crypto promotions to UK consumers have been covered by that rule. The FCA says HTX repeatedly failed to engage with it, and that HTX moved to exit the UK only after the case began.
The claim names Huobi Global S.A., a company incorporated in Panama, as first defendant. Four groups of persons unknown are also named: whoever owns or controls htx.com and its apps, the operators named in HTX’s user agreement, and whoever runs its accounts on X, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, YouTube, Discord, Medium and LinkedIn.
What HTX agreed
The terms sit in a Tomlin order made by Deputy Master Holden on 27 October 2026, claim number FS-2025-000015. It records a confidential settlement agreement dated 16 October 2026 and stays the case, which can be revived only to enforce those terms. There is no order as to costs.
In the schedule, Huobi Global undertakes to the court, until 21 October 2031, that it will not knowingly communicate a financial promotion in breach of section 21, directly or through others. The order names three channels in particular: the htx.com website or any similar site, any app from the HTX operator, and social media. Breaking an undertaking given to the court can be treated as contempt of court.
The FCA’s release adds that HTX will not target, solicit or actively seek to engage UK consumers, that UK customers cannot make deposits and that new UK users cannot sign up. The FCA notes that the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing.
Timeline
- 21 October 2025: The FCA issues its claim in the High Court.
- 10 February 2026: The FCA announces the case. The court had allowed service outside the UK and by alternative means on 4 February.
- 26 May 2026: The UK designates Huobi Global S.A. under its Russia sanctions.
- 10 August 2026: HTX blocks UK sign-ups by IP address and restricts UK accounts (our entry).
- 16 October 2026: HTX and the FCA sign the settlement agreement, and HTX updates its UK notice.
- 27 October 2026: The court makes the Tomlin order.
- 29 October 2026: The FCA announces the settlement.
What UK users can still do
Not much on HTX itself. HTX’s UK notice, which the FCA points users to, says it does not serve UK residents and that restricted UK accounts cannot deposit, trade or use any HTX product. An eligible user who still holds assets can ask HTX customer support for a single 48-hour withdrawal window, subject to the conditions of the UK sanctions licence for personal remittances and HTX’s own checks. The user must withdraw everything personally in that window, and the account is then closed. HTX warns that a withdrawal may need to be reported to HM Treasury.
The FCA asks consumers to check a firm with its Firm Checker before using it.
What changes in our data
Nothing changes in status: HTX was already restricted in the United Kingdom. The row now cites the court order and the FCA’s release next to HTX’s notices and the sanctions listing, and its reason records the undertakings that run to 2031.
HTX
United Kingdom