{"id":236162,"date":"2025-07-18T19:01:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T19:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/?p=236162"},"modified":"2026-06-02T12:40:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T10:40:13","slug":"crypto-exchange-htx-regulation-current-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/kryptoboerse-htx-regulierung-aktuell-de\/","title":{"rendered":"Crypto exchange HTX (formerly Huobi): Regulation, security and risks in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.htx.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HTX<\/a>&nbsp;(formerly known as Huobi) is one of the world's largest and most influential trading platforms for digital assets. Since its inception, it has established itself as a one-stop shop for trading a wide range of cryptocurrencies. The platform offers the opportunity to buy, sell, exchange and manage cryptocurrencies securely. Its reach, innovative strength and wide range of services make HTX an important player in the global crypto market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HTX (formerly Huobi): Origins, 2023 rebranding and Justin Sun&#039;s role<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.htx.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HTX<\/a>&nbsp;was originally founded in China in 2013 under the name Huobi. The aim was to offer a secure and user-friendly platform for trading Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Within a few years, Huobi developed into one of Asia's leading crypto exchanges and steadily expanded into international markets. Following regulatory changes in China, the company moved its headquarters abroad and established locations and branches in Singapore, Turkey, Japan, South Korea and the USA, among others. In 2023, the company officially rebranded to HTX, with the X standing for \"Exchange\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A central role in HTX is played <strong>Justin Sun<\/strong>, founder of the TRON network. He officially serves as the exchange&#039;s &#039;Global Advisor&#039;, but according to industry reports, he is the de facto majority shareholder. His persona strongly shapes the platform&#039;s public image\u2014and is simultaneously the subject of several regulatory proceedings, including a lawsuit by the SEC in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trading options at HTX: Spot, Margin, Futures and Derivatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.htx.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HTX<\/a>&nbsp;supports trading in hundreds of cryptocurrencies and digital assets. The most well-known include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), Litecoin (LTC) as well as numerous altcoins and new projects from the field of decentralised finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Thanks to the large selection, both newcomers and experienced traders will find suitable trading pairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Spot and margin trading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On HTX, users can be active both on the classic spot market and in margin trading. While real coins are bought and sold in spot trading, margin and futures products offer the opportunity to trade with leverage and bet on rising or falling prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Derivatives and futures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A particular focus is on offering derivatives, including futures, perpetual contracts and options. These investment instruments allow traders to profit from price fluctuations without owning the underlying coin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Security at HTX: Past incidents and current measures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The security of the assets under management is HTX's top priority. The platform relies on advanced security mechanisms, including cold and hot wallet solutions, two-factor authentication (2FA), anti-phishing features and strict risk management. Following several attacks on crypto exchanges in recent years, HTX is continuously investing in improving its defence mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HTX collaborates with regulatory authorities worldwide and is seeking licenses in various jurisdictions. Compliance with strict regulations for user protection and the fight against money laundering (AML), terrorist financing (CFT), and customer identification (KYC) is a key focus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regulatory challenges for crypto exchanges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cryptocurrencies and the associated trading platforms often operate in a legal grey area. The challenges for an international exchange such as HTX lie in complying with a wide range of regulations that vary from country to country. The most important challenges include<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legal uncertainty: Many countries have not yet passed clear laws or regulations for cryptocurrencies and their platforms. This makes legal planning more difficult and increases the risk for investors and operators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Money laundering prevention (<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.frankfurt-school.de\/de\/aml-richtlinie-kryptowahrungen-als-neue-herausforderung\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AML<\/a>) and Know Your Customer (KYC): In order to prevent abuse through money laundering or terrorist financing, many exchanges are obliged to fulfil strict KYC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consumer protection: Due to the volatility and complexity of crypto investments, the protection of inexperienced investors is a key concern for many regulators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tax aspects: The correct taxation of profits from crypto trading is another key issue. National tax authorities are increasingly requiring exchanges to record and pass on their users' tax data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">HTX regulation in a country comparison: China, Singapore, EU, UK, USA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The regulation of HTX is highly dependent on the respective national laws. Some important markets are analysed below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">China<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>China, once a centre for crypto trading, has adopted a very restrictive stance in recent years. Cryptocurrency trading and exchanges are basically banned there. HTX has therefore moved its headquarters and many of its activities abroad. Nevertheless, the platform is still active for users outside China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Singapore<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Singapore has established itself as a crypto-friendly country, but also places clear requirements on the operators of exchanges. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) requires a licence and compliance with strict AML and KYC regulations. HTX endeavours to meet these requirements and strives for regulatory recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">European Union<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The MiCA Regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) has applied fully to CASPs since December 30, 2024. HTX obtained a MiCA license in Malta, which formally grants it access to the entire EEA. However, ESMA explicitly criticized Maltese licensing practices in July 2025. Several national supervisory authorities in the EU continue to critically examine HTX&#039;s market access. Harmonization within the EU facilitates cross-border trading but also increases regulatory complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">United States<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The US takes a federal approach: While some states are crypto-friendly, others have very strict regulations. The SEC and the CFTC monitor various aspects of cryptocurrency trading. HTX currently does not offer any services to retail customers in the US and has withdrawn from the US market. The SEC and CFTC are pursuing several cases related to HTX and Justin Sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Great Britain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The UK&#039;s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has listed HTX on its warning list since 2023. In October 2025, the FCA filed a High Court case against HTX and unnamed backers for repeated breaches of UK advertising regulations for crypto services. In February 2026, the FCA obtained international service of process and simultaneously ordered Apple and Google to remove the HTX apps from their UK app stores and to block HTX accounts on social media platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Measures for compliance with regulations at HTX<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>HTX has implemented a number of measures to fulfil the various regulatory requirements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>KYC and AML processes: Customers must identify themselves before they can trade larger amounts or make withdrawals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transparent communication: HTX provides regular information about regulatory changes and security measures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperation with supervisory authorities: The exchange works together with regulators and takes part in consultations to support legislative processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Technical security standards: Use of modern encryption technologies and multi-signature wallets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal control systems: Ongoing monitoring of transactions, audits and risk management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The regulation of the crypto exchange HTX illustrates the complex dynamics and global challenges of the crypto market. Customers are advised to always stay informed about the currently applicable laws and regulations in their own country and to only work with reputable trading platforms. HTX remains an example of the areas of tension in which globally operating crypto exchanges will find themselves in 2026: a MiCA license in Malta on the one hand, and FCA proceedings and SEC lawsuits on the other. For users in Germany, this means above all: before opening an account, check the current licensing and regulatory status and do not keep assets permanently on a platform whose regulatory situation is in flux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Help with HTX problems: Account suspension, source of funds and forensics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Users of cryptocurrency exchanges are regularly confronted with account blocking for various reasons. The most common reasons include, for example, lack of clarity regarding the origin of assets, missing evidence of the origin of funds or conspicuous links between wallets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/de\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crypto Investigation<\/a>&nbsp;maintains established contacts with the security departments of many cryptocurrency exchanges. Thanks to these relationships, we are able to process your concerns efficiently and in a targeted manner and bring about solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">What is HTX and why was the stock exchange formerly called Huobi?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>HTX is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in China in 2013, which rebranded from Huobi to HTX in September 2023. The &quot;X&quot; stands for &quot;Exchange.&quot; The platform is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in Asia and is closely associated with TRON founder Justin Sun.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">Is HTX regulated in Germany and the EU?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>HTX has obtained a MiCA license in Malta, which formally grants access to the entire EEA. However, ESMA explicitly criticized Maltese licensing practices in July 2025. A current check of the license status is recommended before opening an account.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">Has HTX experienced any security incidents?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>Yes. In September 2023, HTX Global lost approximately $8 million due to an exploit. In November 2023, HTX and its sister company Poloniex were the target of a hack that caused over $200 million in damages. A DDoS attack followed in January 2024. Justin Sun stated each time that customer funds were fully protected.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\"><strong>Why did the British FCA sue HTX?<\/strong><\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>The FCA has had HTX on its warning list since 2023. In October 2025, a lawsuit was filed in the High Court for breaches of UK advertising regulations for crypto services. The FCA is also seeking to block HTX&#039;s app stores on Apple and Google and to block its accounts on social media platforms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-schema-only=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-aioseo-faq\"><h3 class=\"aioseo-faq-block-question\">What should I do if my HTX account is locked?<\/h3><div class=\"aioseo-faq-block-answer\">\n<p>Common reasons for account suspensions include unclear fund origins, missing documentation, or suspicious wallet links. In such cases, a forensic investigation into the fund origin can help resolve the suspension. Crypto Investigation assists in gathering the necessary documentation and communicating with the compliance department\u2014see our <a href=\"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wallet-check-2\/\">Wallet check<\/a> as an initial assessment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HTX (formerly Huobi) is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in Asia, is closely associated with TRON founder Justin Sun, and operates in a regulatory tension between a MiCA license in Malta and several supervisory proceedings \u2014 including in Great Britain.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":236163,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[21,22,25,28,30],"class_list":["post-236162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-krypto-neuigkeiten","tag-htx-ehemals-huobi","tag-htx-regulierung","tag-krypto-boerse-htx","tag-krypto-forensik","tag-krypto-investigation"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=236162"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":238307,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/236162\/revisions\/238307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/236163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=236162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=236162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krypto-investigation.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=236162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}