On Thursday, October 29, 2026, CoinDesk reported that cryptocurrency exchange HTX, formerly known as Huobi, has withdrawn from the United Kingdom after reaching a settlement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) over alleged breaches of the country’s financial advertising rules.
The FCA announced that it secured High Court rulings barring HTX from knowingly promoting crypto services unlawfully to UK consumers. The regulator said the exchange is no longer operating in Britain. UK users can no longer make deposits, new UK customers cannot register, and HTX has agreed not to target, solicit or actively pursue consumers in the country.
According to the FCA, the agreement covers promotions made through HTX’s website, mobile applications and social media. Existing UK customers have been directed to the exchange’s website, where instructions on withdrawing remaining assets are published.
The regulator said HTX kept advertising its services
The regulator said HTX kept advertising its services to UK consumers after the FCA issued a warning in October 2023. The FCA filed suit against the exchange in October 2025 over the continued promotions. It also said the Singapore-based platform, which Justin Sun acquired in May 2023, failed to respond to its inquiries.
Steve Smart, the FCA’s executive director of enforcement and market oversight, said overseas-based crypto firms should not assume they are beyond the reach of UK law. He said the action means HTX is leaving the country and can no longer target British consumers.
The FCA said the settlement terms are confidential and do not amount to an admission of wrongdoing by HTX or Huobi Global S.A.
The case comes as Britain prepares to bring additional crypto activities under financial regulation in October 2027. Until then, the FCA’s oversight of the sector centers largely on anti-money laundering rules and financial promotions.
