One of the oldest names in crypto is now HTX, which once was Huobi, but is it safe to bet on in 2026? Following its giant rebrand and a series of high-profile security scandals in recent years, many traders are wondering whether their money is actually safe.
This review takes an in-depth look at the new HTX to determine whether it has forgotten its rocky past. We are going to break down its latest security protocols, fee structures as well as how the mobile app will compare to the desktop experience.
If you are looking to find a platform where you can access transparency and high-speed trading, here’s what you need to know.
What Is HTX Exchange?
In case the name HTX is unfamiliar, you must be aware that it used to be called Huobi originally. It was founded in 2013, and it is one of the old guards of the crypto world. At the end of 2023, the platform was rebranded to HTX on a large scale. It is not a random set of letters; H means Huobi, T means Tron network, and X means the exchange itself.
HTX is an international powerhouse in 2026. It has more than 58 million registered users in 170 countries. Although it began in China, it is currently based in the Seychelles and shifted towards a community-led model via the HTX DAO.
Marketers jump into this platform because it is very big. Trade more than 700 other cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and the hottest viral memecoins. Nor is it only to do simple buying and selling. HTX is available with high-leverage futures, automated trade bots, and HTX Earn to earn passive income. Despite its historical background, the exchange continues to develop.
It has recently reached a record of 40 months of publishing regular Proofs of Reserves, demonstrating they have 100% of user assets. It is a combination of oldish wisdom and younger characteristics.
HTX (Huobi) History & Background
You must go back to see where HTX has begun to go. Introduced at the end of 2013 under the name Huobi, it became an empire within the Chinese market very quickly. It was among the major three exchanges (which is referred to as the Big Three) with Binance and OKX. Nonetheless, this might have changed in 2021, with China regulating crypto, which forced Huobi to leave its domestic market and seek an alternative global identity.
The largest breakthrough was in October 2022, when the exchange was sold to About Capital Management where TRON founder Justin Sun became a key advisor. By September 2023, on its 10th anniversary, the platform was officially renamed HTX. This was not a simple change of name but an indication as to a transition to the TRON ecosystem and the more decentralized future.
It has not been all smooth sailing. In late 2023, the exchange endured several high-profile security exploits that amounted to more than $100 million. Although HTX gained some credit because it made the users whole again (they refund the lost money), these incidents are precisely why people are left questioning its validity in the present.
Looking into 2026, HTX has increased its focus on transparency, demonstrating its strength with more than 40 months of public Proof of Reserves in a row and a huge number of users of 58 million traders.
Is HTX Still Reliable in 2026?
In search of a straight answer, there it is: HTX has had the past two years proving that it can survive the worst. The exchange did not simply vanish after a cascade of stressful hacks in late 2023. Instead, it launched a security offensive. Over two years, HTX has had a zero-incident record, a colossal victory of the platform that previously had a bullseye on its back.
What makes it reliable now? Transparency is the big one. HTX has reached a milestone of 40 months of published Proof of Reserves. This will allow you to confirm whether they really have the Bitcoin and Ethereum you are reading in your account or not. They go even further as to use Merkle Tree audits and update it monthly so anybody can verify the math.
The trade has also equalized its technology. They have transferred 90% of user capital into multi-signature cold wallets, and they have allied with institutional airline companies such as BitGo. To common users, they have also introduced hardware security features, meaning that you may now use a YubiKey to secure your account. This leaves a remote hacker almost incapable of accessing your funds.
But, being reliable does not mean risk-free. In some countries, HTX continues to exist in a grey area as far as regulation is concerned. At the beginning of 2026, even the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) brought a case against them in response to regulations on marketing. Therefore, the technology and pockets of the platform are as solid as rock, but its legal positioning differs depending on your location.
HTX Security & Safety Measures
In terms of financial security of your crypto, HTX has dramatically increased the stakes in 2026. The exchange currently holds the huge amounts of user money approximately 90% in multi-signature cold wallets. Since such wallets remain offline, they are highly inaccessible to hackers. In the case of the small percentage that remains online to conduct daily trading, HTX relies on real-time tracking to identify perilous activities and block them immediately.
The 2026 version is one of the most exciting updates to add support to YubiKeys and passkeys. It is possible to lock your account with the physical security key, making it practically impossible to be signed in remotely. Another is their Security Reserve Fund (previously known as the User Protection Fund). This is a kind of insurance policy; in case something goes wrong because of a platform glitch, there is a specific amount of money available to assist in making users whole.
Another immense concern is transparency. As of now, HTX has released its Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves in more than 40 consecutive months. As a matter of fact, you can visit their site and confirm that they actually do have 100% of the assets that they claim. The reserve ratios of core coins such as BTC and ETH tend to be above 100%; it is obvious that they are not gambling with your deposits.
HTX Fees Explained
Looking to keep more of your profit? See the HTX fee structure in order to prepare to be a frequent trader. The model employed by HTX is similar to classic Maker-Taker; it pays you to make the market liquid. The usual spot trading fee is a flat rate of 0.2% to most casual traders when they first start in 2026. Although this is a little higher than some of its competitors, there are very simple methods of reducing that figure.
The secret sauce to cheaper trading is the possession of the HTX Token (HTX). With just a tiny sum of this local currency in your wallet, when you pay your fees you can receive a huge discount which can reduce your expenses to 0.1% and below. When you are a high-volume trader or a “whale,” then you can become part of their VIP program. The system is based on tiers; you can pay near zero with an increase in your monthly quantity of trading with the system.
The crypto deposit fees are usually free, but withdrawal fees should be noted. These change based on the blockchain you utilize. For example, transfer of USDT through the Tron (TRC-20) network is typically significantly cheaper and quicker than transfer through the Ethereum network.
| Tier Level | 30-Day Trading Volume (USD) | HTX Token (HTX) Holding | Maker Fee | Taker Fee |
| Standard | < $50,000 | 0 HTX | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Lvl 1 | ≥ $50,000 | 100M HTX | 0.15% | 0.16% |
| Lvl 2 | ≥ $100,000 | 500M HTX | 0.12% | 0.14% |
| Lvl 3 | ≥ $500,000 | 1B HTX | 0.09% | 0.12% |
| VIP 1 | ≥ $1,000,000 | 2B HTX | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| VIP 2 | ≥ $5,000,000 | 5B HTX | 0.05% | 0.06% |
Supported Countries & Global Access
HTX is a highly global platform, but the location of your residence is crucial. As of March 2026, the exchange serves users in 170 countries. It has already gained a solid presence in such markets as the UAE where it is completely dependent on the VARA rules and even the local AED banking.
In the United States, Canada, or Mainland China, however, you are out of luck HTX is tightly limited in those places by local legislation.
In the UK, matters are also becoming tricky. In February 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) instigated a suit against HTX on grounds of making illegal promotions. The app is not available in local stores, and no new registration is possible, although the existing UK users can continue using it.
These other restricted areas are Singapore, Japan and Germany. Never deposit without going through the “Restricted Jurisdictions” list because they are subject to change overnight based on new crypto frameworks in 2026 such as the MiCA in Europe.
HTX Features & Services
HTX is not just a sell and buy platform anymore. It is a massive crypto ecosystem in 2026 and has more than 700 supported assets. No matter whether you are pursuing the newest viral memecoin or your bank currency of choice, the platform provides a great deal of liquidity and incredibly quick execution times of about 113ms on average.
HTX Earn is a great option with those who wish to see their money work. It helps to stake more than 300 digital assets in flexible and fixed terms. Recent users are likely to have the Welcome offers with up to 100% APR on short usage, with stablecoins such as the USDT generally paying around 10%. By simply by locking up your money in Launchpool events, you can jump into any of the events and receive new project tokens even if you hold the HTX Token.
The large 2026 theme is automation. Trading Bots are part of the HTX and have increased by a massive 97% in recent use. You can create either “Grid Trading” to trade off the small price movements or alternatively create “DCA bots” to buy consistently over time without having to look at charts. The Copy Trading 4.0 system is ideal when you are a beginner.
It allows you to view the profiles of “Master Traders,” observe their win rates and automatically copy their moves with a one-click button. Between high-leverage futures (up to 200x) and mere P2P fiat trades, HTX is a professional-quality toolkit in a very friendly interface.
Pros and Cons of HTX
The choice to make whether to join HTX or not is determined by the type of trader you are. The platform boasts of colossal variety in 2026, although it is not completely free of its historical baggage. There is a brief overview of the pros and cons of using the exchange today.
Pros
- Massive Coin Selection: With more than 700 cryptocurrencies, HTX provides the opportunity to discover the early-stage altcoins and viral memecoins before they are featured on other large platforms.
- Proven Transparency: With more than 40 months of public Proof of Reserves (PoR), users are confident that their money is 1:1 secured.
- High-End Features: You can either have 200x leverage on a futures contract or automated trading bots: the toolkit is professional.
Cons
- Regulatory Red Flags: HTX is under investigation in other countries such as the UK, and cannot be used by US and Canadian citizens.
- Fee Structure: The base spot fee of 0.2% is more costly compared to competitors such as Binance without the ownership of the HTX token.
- Support Speed: Even today, some users complain of slow reaction to sophisticated account problems or a blocked account.
Risks of Using HTX Exchange
Not even its 2026 security upgrades have left HTX without its challenges. The regulatory status is the major concern of many. The HTX does not have licenses with key regulatory organisations such as the US FinCEN or the FCA in the UK, unlike other Tier 1 exchanges. The FCA also sued the platform in February 2026 regarding its marketing, stating that people in those areas do not have a safety net in the event of things going bad.
Its reputation is also burdened by the previous security breaches. Although HTX has remained clean across the years 2024 and 2025, the $100 million in exploits in the late 2023 is a cause of concern to the traders. The exchange compensated users on all their losses but these incidents confirm that hot wallets can never be guaranteed of full safety in the face of advanced attacks.
Last but not least is the factor of the Justine Sun. His presence on the platform and his close ties to the TRON ecosystem as a high-profile advisor is a two-sided sword. The centralization of power is a point of concern to some traders who see it as a threat to the long-term stability of the exchange. As always, the best way to deal with these risks is by using the exchange for trading, but storing your long-term savings in a private hardware wallet.
HTX vs Other Crypto Exchanges
HTX can compete with such giants as Binance and OKX, in the 2026 crypto space, yet it has a niche to fill. Although Binance is the everything app with inclusive liquidity and the lowest standard fees (0.1%), HTX is frequently the choice of altcoin hunters. It often features new tokens, including AI and memecoins, a week or more before they reach major platforms, providing its 55 million users a first-mover edge.
The selection of advanced functionality in HTX is far broader than Kraken or Coinbase, with 200x leverage, and a highly popular system of Copy Trading 4.0. But Kraken remains a winner in terms of regulatory peace of mind and high-end security rankings against HTX.
Although HTX has experienced zero-incident over the past 2025 and 2026, it is still denied the heavy-duty Western licenses that its US-based competitors possess. In case you want the most features and the latest coins, HTX is a strong competitor; in case you want to have the strictest laws, you can remain with the old ones.
Customer Support & Reputation
Nowadays, HTX is working hard to repair its reputation of slow service in the past. To regain user trust, the exchange has recently introduced a 24/7 live support, and a “real-time feedback” program. In case of difficulties, the quickest option of assistance is their online chat or the official Telegram community. They have also been able to introduce a 24 hour response guarantee on complex email inquiries which is a massive leap as compared to past years.
But the decision of the internet is not entirely in favor. The professional reviews note that HTX has 10 years history and a fast engine, but the user reviews on other platforms such as Trustpilot are low (approximately 1.3/5). The majority of the complaints are related to slow KYC verification or frozen accounts during security checks. Although the support team is now much quicker, remember that they give high volume VIP traders priority.
To optimize the experience, make sure to ensure that your documents are completely checked before depositing a lot of money.
Conclusion
So, is HTX still reliable? The response is a yes but it should be with the correct tools. Even though its future perspective in 2026 indicates a significant drive towards transparency through monthly Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves, its history repeats itself. This platform is a force in terms of liquidity and quick trade particularly to seasoned traders of altcoins.
Nevertheless, newcomers must walk slowly and use options such as YubiKey compatibility to provide additional security. Ultimately, HTX is a solid, full-fledged exchange, yet it is always best to leave your long-term holdings in a personal wallet.
FAQs
Is HTX (Huobi) still a safe exchange to use in 2026?
Yes, but standard safety habits are best. Although the exchange has had a few stressful hacks late in 2023, it has a clean record over 2024 and 2025. It supports hardware keys such as YubiKey and uses high-end cold storage on 90% of user funds today. In addition, they have shown their transparency by publishing Proof of Reserves over 40 consecutive months.
Can I use HTX if I live in the USA or the UK?
At present, the US and Canadian citizens are not allowed to use HTX according to local regulations. The case is also problematic in the UK. As of early 2026, the FCA has done legal action against HTX regarding marketing rules. Most current users in the UK may continue to log in, however, any new users are blocked, the application is no longer available in the Google and Apple app stores in the UK.
How do I get a discount on my trading fees?
The simplest method to save the money is to keep and utilize the HTX Token (HTX) to settle the fees. This comes at a discount of 25% at the first instant. Traders who trade frequently can also rise to their VIP levels to gain access to further reduced rates of Maker and Taker.
What is the “HTX DAO,” and do I need to join it?
The HTX DAO is a decentralized community organization that provides the tokenholders with a stake in the development of the platform. You do not have to be a member to trade, but have the DAO token to have voting power and participate in special Earn rewards and Launchpools events which offer you free tokens.
How fast are withdrawals on HTX?
The process of withdrawals is normally extremely rapid and in many cases, it takes less than 10-30 minutes. Nonetheless, it relies on the speed of the blockchain. In 2026, moving your funds in the most economical manner is usually to use the Tron (TRC-20) network to store your stablecoins.
Read also: Bitstamp Exchange Review
