HTX, formerly known as Huobi Global, is one of the longest-running major cryptocurrency exchanges. It offers hundreds of crypto assets, spot and derivatives markets and particularly strong integration with the TRON ecosystem. CoinMarketCap ranked HTX 10th among spot exchanges when checked in August 2026.
Its long operating history is a positive, but HTX also carries unusually significant risk factors: multiple security incidents in 2023 and major UK and EU sanctions developments in 2026.
Our assessment: HTX may still be useful to experienced traders in permitted jurisdictions, particularly for TRON-related liquidity and altcoins. It is a weaker choice for users prioritizing clear domestic regulation or long-term exchange custody.
HTX at a glance
| Category | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Previous brand | Huobi Global |
| Main strength | Altcoins, TRON liquidity and broad trading products |
| Standard spot fee | 0.20% maker / 0.20% taker |
| Proof of reserves | Yes, monthly disclosures |
| Major security events | September and November 2023 |
| Major 2026 risk | UK and EU sanctions involving Huobi Global S.A./HTX |
| Main risks | Regulatory exposure, sanctions, custody and derivatives |
From Huobi to HTX
Huobi was founded in China in 2013 and later moved much of its international business offshore following restrictions on cryptocurrency trading in mainland China. The global platform rebranded as HTX in September 2023.
Justin Sun, founder of TRON, has been one of the platform's most prominent representatives. HTX has publicly described him as an adviser, while Reuters has reported that Sun acquired a controlling stake in Huobi in 2022.
HTX currently offers spot trading, margin, perpetual futures, trading bots, copy trading, staking and other crypto products where available.
Because availability varies significantly by jurisdiction, users should check the legal entity named in their account terms rather than assuming the HTX brand represents one globally licensed company.
2026 UK and EU sanctions
This is now one of the most important facts in any HTX review.
On May 26, 2026, the UK designated Huobi Global S.A., also identifying names including HTX, HTX Exchange and Huobi Global Limited, under its Russia sanctions regime. The designation includes an asset freeze and restrictions on dealing with the designated entity.
HTX responded by saying that Huobi Global S.A. and the online HTX exchange are separate entities and that the designation should not affect the online exchange's global operations.
The European Union subsequently added “HTX (HUOBI GLOBAL SA)” to its Russia sanctions framework. The relevant restriction took effect on August 23, 2026.
Reuters reported that the EU action was part of measures targeting crypto services accused of helping Russian users circumvent sanctions.
Separately, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority has pursued HTX over alleged illegal crypto promotions to UK consumers. In February 2026, the FCA said it had begun legal proceedings against the exchange.
For users, the practical conclusion is straightforward: HTX's legal and regulatory status now deserves substantially more scrutiny than its trading-volume ranking suggests.
Markets and TRON exposure
HTX lists hundreds of cryptocurrencies and has especially strong integration with the TRON ecosystem, including TRX and TRC-20 USDT.
That can provide useful liquidity and lower-cost withdrawal options for users who regularly use TRON.
However, it also creates ecosystem concentration. The 2023 HECO Bridge incident and other security events involving platforms associated with Justin Sun demonstrated that problems across related infrastructure can affect confidence even when individual platforms remain operational.
For smaller tokens, users should check order-book depth and withdrawal availability rather than relying on headline trading volume.
HTX fees
HTX's standard Prime0 spot fee is 0.20% maker and 0.20% taker. Using HTX tokens for fee deduction can reduce that rate to approximately 0.15%. Higher Prime levels receive lower rates.
At the standard rate:
10,000 USDT × 0.20% = 20 USDT
That makes HTX's base spot fee higher than the standard rates offered by several large competitors.
Users should also consider the risk of holding HTX tokens purely to obtain a fee discount. A decline in the token's value can outweigh relatively small commission savings.
Futures use a separate fee schedule and also introduce funding and liquidation risk.
September 2023 HTX hack
Shortly after the HTX rebrand, the exchange suffered a hot-wallet security breach.
On September 25, 2023, HTX disclosed that approximately $8 million of ETH had been stolen. Justin Sun said the exchange had fully covered the loss.
The attacker later returned most of the funds following negotiations and a bounty arrangement.
The financial impact on customers was therefore limited, but the incident remains evidence of a wallet-security failure.
November 2023 HTX and HECO attack
A much larger incident followed two months later.
On November 22, 2023, HTX hot wallets and the HECO Bridge were compromised. Blockchain-security firm CertiK estimated approximately $113.3 million in suspicious movements and losses across the combined incident.
Importantly, the entire $113 million should not be described as an HTX exchange loss.
CertiK estimated roughly $87 million associated with the HECO Bridge and identified additional suspicious transfers from HTX wallets on Ethereum and TRON. HTX temporarily suspended deposits and withdrawals while investigating.
HTX said it would compensate losses connected to its hot wallets.
The September and November incidents do not prove that HTX's current custody systems remain vulnerable. But two major security events within a short period materially increase the importance of custody risk when evaluating the exchange.
Proof of reserves
HTX publishes monthly Merkle-tree proof-of-reserves information.
Its latest disclosure, using balances as of August 1, 2026, reported:
- BTC: 103%
- ETH: 100%
- TRX: 106%
- USDs: 103%
- HTX: 102%
- XRP: 102%
- DOGE: 100%
- SOL: 102%
HTX said this represented its 46th consecutive month of reserve disclosures.
The exchange's PoR page explains that a ratio of 100% or above means the assets included in the snapshot are sufficient to cover corresponding reported user balances. It also notes that some custodial wallet assets are maintained by third-party custodians.
PoR is useful transparency, but it is not equivalent to a full corporate audit. It does not necessarily disclose every liability, debt, legal obligation or future liquidity requirement.
A 100% reserve ratio therefore shows reported coverage—it should not be interpreted as government-backed insurance or a guarantee of solvency.
Is HTX safe？
HTX presents a mixed risk profile.
On the positive side, it has operated since 2013, remains a large trading venue, publishes monthly reserve data and compensated users following its 2023 security incidents.
Against that are several substantial concerns:
- two significant security incidents in 2023;
- UK sanctions involving Huobi Global S.A. in 2026;
- EU restrictions involving HTX/Huobi Global SA;
- FCA action over UK financial promotions;
- relatively complex legal-entity arrangements;
- centralized exchange custody risk.
The regulatory developments in 2026 are particularly important because they are more recent than the security incidents and directly affect how some users and institutions can interact with HTX.
Who should use HTX？
HTX may still appeal to experienced international traders who want:
- TRON and TRC-20 liquidity;
- a broad altcoin catalogue;
- active spot or derivatives markets;
- products unavailable on simpler local exchanges.
It is less suitable for users seeking a clearly regulated domestic exchange, beginners attracted to leverage or investors looking for long-term custodial storage.
Users should confirm whether HTX is legally accessible from their jurisdiction before depositing funds.
Verdict
HTX remains a major cryptocurrency exchange in 2026, with broad markets, significant TRON liquidity and consistent proof-of-reserves disclosures.
But its risk profile has become harder to ignore.
The September and November 2023 security incidents demonstrated material custody and key-management risk. More importantly for a 2026 review, UK and EU sanctions involving Huobi Global S.A./HTX have added a significant new regulatory and counterparty-risk dimension.
The August 2026 PoR data showing reported coverage of at least 100% across major assets is a positive transparency signal, but it does not cancel those risks.
For eligible experienced traders, HTX can still provide useful markets. The prudent approach is to verify jurisdictional access, use strong account security and avoid leaving more assets on the exchange than are required for active trading.
CoinMarketCap rank ten confirms that HTX remains an active exchange. It does not measure regulatory protection or custody safety.
FAQ
What are HTX's trading fees？
HTX's standard Prime0 spot trading fee is 0.20% maker and 0.20% taker. Eligible HTX-token fee deductions can reduce the rate.
Was HTX hacked in 2023？
Yes. HTX lost approximately $8 million in a September 2023 hot-wallet breach. In November, HTX wallets and the HECO Bridge were involved in a separate incident in which CertiK estimated approximately $113.3 million of combined suspicious transfers and losses.
Does HTX have proof of reserves？
Yes. HTX publishes monthly Merkle-tree proof-of-reserves data. Its August 1, 2026 disclosure reported ratios between 100% and 106% for its listed major assets.
Is HTX sanctioned？
In 2026, the UK designated Huobi Global S.A., listing HTX-related names, under its Russia sanctions regime. The EU separately listed HTX (HUOBI GLOBAL SA) in its Russia sanctions framework. HTX says Huobi Global S.A. is separate from its online exchange operations.
