• The FCA says HTX is no longer active in the UK: consumers can no longer make deposits and new UK users cannot sign up.
• The FCA secured High Court undertakings that HTX will not knowingly promote cryptoasset services unlawfully to UK consumers, covering its website, software applications and social media platforms.
• The FCA says HTX took steps to exit the UK after proceedings began, having failed repeatedly to engage with the regulator.
• The settlement terms are confidential and are not an admission of liability or wrongdoing, according to the FCA.
• The FCA's enforcement director said being based overseas does not put crypto firms beyond the reach of UK law.

HTX is leaving the UK. The Financial Conduct Authority said in a 29 October 2026 press release that it has secured High Court undertakings and that the exchange is no longer active in the country. Finextra's headline reported the same exit. The regulator describes a case that began in October 2025 and ended in a confidential settlement, with the exchange closing deposits and new sign-ups for UK users.

What the FCA says HTX has done

The FCA states that HTX is no longer active in the UK, that consumers can no longer make deposits and that new UK users cannot sign up. It also says HTX will not target, solicit or actively seek to engage UK consumers. The regulator says HTX took steps to exit after proceedings began, having failed repeatedly to engage with the FCA. UK users are directed to HTX's website for the arrangements for withdrawing residual assets.

What the undertakings cover

According to the FCA, Huobi Global S.A. undertook not to knowingly, directly or indirectly communicate or cause to be communicated a financial promotion in contravention of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The FCA says this covers the HTX website, software applications and social media platforms. The undertakings sit in a Tomlin order dated 27 October 2026, which the FCA links from its press release.

How the case reached settlement

The FCA says proceedings were commenced in the High Court on 21 October 2025 and publicly announced on 10 February 2026. Its statement page names Huobi Global S.A., a company incorporated in Panama, as first defendant, alongside categories of persons unknown who control the HTX exchange and its social media promotions. It records that on 4 February 2026 the court gave permission to serve the claim outside the jurisdiction and by alternative means.

What the settlement signals

The FCA's enforcement director, Steve Smart, said crypto firms should be under no illusion that being based overseas places them beyond the reach of UK law, and that other firms should follow the rules or face the consequences. This is an analytical reading rather than a stated FCA finding: the outcome shows the promotions regime can end in a market exit, even though the settlement terms are confidential and carry no admission of liability.