FCA secures High Court undertakings that stop HTX promoting crypto to UK consumers
The FCA settled its case with Huobi Global S.A. over HTX's crypto promotions, with High Court undertakings that HTX will not knowingly promote crypto services unlawfully in the UK.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority said on 29 October 2026 that it has secured undertakings in the High Court ensuring that HTX, the global crypto exchange formerly known as Huobi, will not knowingly promote cryptoasset services unlawfully to UK consumers. The FCA and Huobi Global S.A. have settled the case.
The case
The FCA began proceedings in the Business and Property Division of the High Court on 21 October 2025, for breaches of the UK’s financial promotion rules, and announced the action publicly on 10 February 2026. According to the regulator, HTX had repeatedly failed to engage with it, and after the proceedings started the exchange took steps to leave the UK. Huobi Global S.A. is the first defendant.
Under the undertakings, Huobi Global will not knowingly, directly or indirectly, communicate a financial promotion that breaches section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The FCA says this covers the HTX website, its apps and its social media accounts.
The terms of the settlement are confidential, and the FCA notes that it is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global or anyone else.
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.”
What it means for traders
HTX is no longer active in the UK, according to the FCA: UK consumers can no longer make deposits, new UK users cannot sign up, and the exchange will not target or solicit UK customers. Existing UK users are directed to information on HTX’s own website about the availability of its services and how to withdraw any remaining assets.
The FCA reminds consumers that crypto is a high-risk investment and remains largely unregulated in the UK, apart from anti-money laundering and financial promotion rules, until October 2027. Before using any exchange or broker, check its permissions on the FCA’s Firm Checker; our guide explains how to check a broker’s licence.
Markets: Crypto
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