FCA sues HTX over UK crypto promotions and advertising rules

The FCA is suing HTX for promoting crypto services in the UK without following advertising rules, seeking to block its apps and social media, and warning users of no legal protections.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched legal proceedings against cryptocurrency exchange HTX, formerly known as Huobi, for allegedly promoting cryptoasset services to UK consumers without complying with the country's financial advertising regulations. Filed in the High Court's Chancery Division on October 21, 2025, the lawsuit targets Huobi Global S.A., a Panama-based entity linked to HTX, and several unidentified individuals believed to control the exchange's operations and marketing. Despite previous FCA warnings, HTX continued to advertise its services through its website and major social media platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The FCA alleges these promotions did not meet UK standards for fairness, clarity, and non-misleading content, as required by rules introduced in October 2023. The regulator seeks to block HTX's social media accounts, remove its apps from UK app stores, and warns investors that using the platform means they lack legal protections or compensation schemes. The High Court has allowed the FCA to serve documents outside the UK and via alternative methods due to HTX's offshore base and opaque ownership.