UK Financial Conduct Authority Launches Court Action Against HTX Cryptocurrency Exchange for Allegedly Promoting Crypto Services Illegally to British Consumers

Britain’s financial watchdog has decided it’s had enough.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has gone to court over what it says were illegal crypto promotions by HTX, the cryptocurrency exchange formerly known as Huobi Global.

The regulator claims British consumers were targeted with marketing that broke strict UK financial advertising rules — and it’s now asking the courts to step in.

How the Case Against HTX Took Shape

According to the FCA, the legal proceedings began quietly in October 2025, when it filed a case against HTX and several connected individuals in the Chancery Division of the High Court.

This week, the regulator revealed it had secured approval on February 4 to serve the case outside the UK, using alternative methods.

That detail matters because HTX is incorporated in Panama, a structure that regulators say is increasingly common among global crypto firms operating across borders.

The Rules HTX Is Accused of Breaking

The dispute centres on the FCA’s Financial Promotions Regime, introduced in October 2023.

The rules were designed to clamp down on flashy, high-risk crypto advertising and ensure that UK consumers receive clear warnings about volatility and potential losses.

Under the regime, crypto firms must either be authorised in the UK or have their adverts approved by an FCA-authorised entity.

Promoting crypto services without meeting those conditions is not just a regulatory breach — it’s a criminal offence.

Warnings Came First, Enforcement Came Later

The FCA says this court action didn’t come out of nowhere.

It had previously warned HTX about illegally promoting its services to UK users.

Despite that, the regulator alleges the exchange continued to advertise across its website and major social platforms, including TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

From the FCA’s perspective, this persistence crossed a red line.

Why This Case Is a Big Deal for Crypto in Britain

“This is the first time we’ve taken enforcement action against a crypto firm for illegally marketing their products to UK consumers,” said Steve Smart, the FCA’s joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight.

He stressed that most crypto firms operating in Britain are trying to play by the rules, making HTX’s alleged behaviour stand out.

The FCA says its goal isn’t to crush crypto innovation, but to make sure consumers understand what they’re being sold — and the risks involved.

Social Media and App Stores Pulled Into the Fight

The FCA hasn’t limited its response to the courts.

It has also asked social media companies to block HTX’s accounts for UK users and requested that Google Play and Apple remove HTX’s apps from their UK stores.

On top of that, HTX has been added to the FCA’s Warning List, which alerts consumers that they are not protected by UK compensation schemes if something goes wrong.

A Wider Global Crackdown on Crypto Marketing

The move against HTX fits into a broader international trend.

Regulators worldwide are tightening oversight as crypto adoption grows.

In recent months, authorities in South Korea have probed exchanges over irregular transactions, while the US and EU have increased enforcement around disclosures, licensing, and advertising standards.

For the FCA, overseas incorporation is no longer a shield if British consumers are being targeted.

HTX Keeps Quiet as Case Moves Forward

As of publication, HTX had not responded publicly to requests for comment on the FCA’s action.

That silence leaves open questions about how the exchange plans to defend itself or whether it will change its approach to the UK market.

What’s Next

The case will now progress through the High Court, where judges will determine whether HTX breached UK financial promotion laws and what penalties or restrictions could follow.

Meanwhile, the FCA says it will continue monitoring crypto advertising online and will act quickly against firms that ignore the rules.

Summary

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has launched court proceedings against crypto exchange HTX, accusing it of illegally promoting crypto services to British consumers.

The action, brought under the FCA’s Financial Promotions Regime, marks the regulator’s first enforcement case of its kind against a crypto firm.

With HTX added to the Warning List and facing potential app and social media restrictions, the case sends a clear message that overseas exchanges must comply with UK advertising laws if they want access to British users.