# HTX Is No Longer Active in UK as Court Stays FCA Promotions Case

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/43495
Published: 2026-10-29T12:15:08.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-29T12:15:08.000Z
Section: Regulation

> Huobi Global S.A. undertook to the court not to knowingly communicate promotions that breach U.K. law through Oct. 21, 2031.

HTX is no longer active in the United Kingdom, where a High Court order under a confidential settlement with the country's financial regulator stays further proceedings over the exchange's promotions, subject to enforcement.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced Oct. 29 that HTX is no longer active in the U.K. Users cannot deposit funds, and new users in the country cannot sign up. The exchange will not target, solicit or actively seek U.K. consumers. The regulator directed users with remaining assets to HTX's website for information about service availability and withdrawals.

The High Court order, dated Oct. 27, stays further proceedings under a settlement agreement dated Oct. 16, except for steps to enforce its terms. The order identifies Huobi Global S.A. as the first defendant and records the company's undertaking to the court. Huobi Global undertook not knowingly to communicate financial promotions that breach Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The undertaking covers HTX's website, apps and social media and runs through Oct. 21, 2031.

The settlement terms are confidential, and no payment amount or other terms are public. The order does not decide whether HTX violated the law. The FCA said the settlement is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing. The parties can return to court to enforce the settlement, but further proceedings remain stayed.

The FCA began the case on Oct. 21, 2025, alleging HTX illegally promoted cryptoasset services to U.K. consumers. The regulator publicly announced the case on Feb. 10, 2026, and described it as its first enforcement action against a crypto firm over illegal marketing to consumers in the country.

The U.K.'s crypto financial promotions regime took effect in October 2023. It applies to crypto firms marketing to U.K. consumers, including companies based overseas. That means a firm's location outside the country does not exempt its marketing to U.K. consumers from the rules.

“Crypto firms should be under no illusion: being based overseas does not put them beyond the reach of UK law,” Steve Smart, the FCA's executive director of enforcement and market oversight, said.