HTX Owner Gives Court Undertakings On Unlawful UK Promotions To 2031

The Financial Conduct Authority secured High Court undertakings restricting unlawful crypto promotions by HTX, the regulator said on 29th October 2026. It also said the exchange no longer accepted UK deposits or new registrations. Huobi Global S.A., the exchange’s owner, gave commitments that run until October 2031.

The settlement closes the immediate dispute over how HTX reaches British customers while retaining a route back to court. The order dated 27th October pauses further proceedings except for enforcement. Both the FCA and Huobi Global can apply to enforce the confidential settlement without starting a new claim.

Huobi Global, the first defendant, undertakes not knowingly to communicate or cause financial promotions that breach section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Its commitment covers direct and indirect communications through the HTX website, software applications and social media. The undertakings last until 21st October 2031.

The FCA says HTX will no longer target, solicit or actively seek UK consumers. It also states that the settlement contains no admission of liability or wrongdoing by Huobi Global or anyone else. The court commitments resolve a promotions case; they are not a criminal conviction.

The case began on 21st October 2025, although the FCA publicly announced its action on 10th February 2026. At that stage, the regulator said new UK registrations had been restricted but existing users could still see promotions. The FCA said HTX had given no assurance that those changes would be permanent.

Restricting sign-ups alone had not satisfied the regulator’s concerns about communications to existing customers. The settlement adds an enforceable commitment covering the channels through which an overseas exchange can continue reaching them. The court’s schedule expressly includes apps and social platforms alongside the website.

HTX told Reuters that it had proactively taken measures to align with UK financial promotion rules and remained committed to complying with regulatory frameworks globally. The company said it continued to serve eligible users elsewhere.

A separate sanctions regime remains relevant. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation’s current guidance says Huobi Global was designated under the UK’s Russia sanctions rules on 26th May 2026. OFSI considers HTX subject to financial sanctions because of Huobi’s ownership.

For existing customers, the FCA links to HTX’s information on residual assets and available services. That referral does not clear a withdrawal under the separate sanctions regime. The promotions settlement and OFSI’s ownership assessment address different restrictions, so the settlement does not itself establish permission to move a remaining balance.