HTX (Formerly Huobi) Crypto Exchange Review: Features, Fees, and Real User Experience in 2026

If you're looking for a crypto exchange that’s growing fast, offers deep liquidity, and supports hundreds of tokens without charging fees on futures trading, HTX (formerly Huobi) is one you should consider. But it’s not perfect. While it’s become a powerhouse in Asia and emerging markets, it still blocks users in the U.S., Canada, and several other major regions. This isn’t just another exchange review-it’s a real look at what HTX delivers today, based on current data from 2025 and early 2026.

What Is HTX, and Why Did It Change Its Name?

HTX launched in 2013 as Huobi, founded by Leon Li, a former Oracle engineer. It started in Beijing but moved its headquarters to the Seychelles in 2018 to avoid China’s tightening crypto regulations. In September 2023, the company rebranded from Huobi to HTX to mark its 10th anniversary and signal a new phase focused on ecosystem growth, not just trading.

The name change wasn’t just cosmetic. It came with a push into DeFi, staking, and its own blockchain, the Huobi Ecosystem Chain (HECO). Today, HTX isn’t just an exchange-it’s a full crypto ecosystem with a native token (HT), a launchpad for new projects, and a DAO for community governance.

Trading Features: More Than Just Spot Markets

HTX supports over 900 trading pairs and more than 700 cryptocurrencies. That’s more than most exchanges, including some bigger names. You can trade spot, futures, options, and even use margin up to 5x leverage. What sets HTX apart is its zero-fee futures trading. Most exchanges charge taker fees, but HTX doesn’t. That’s a big win for active traders.

The interface is clean and responsive. It uses TradingView charts, real-time order books, and depth charts that load instantly-even during high volatility. New users get a one-click swap feature (added in Q2 2025) that lets you trade between tokens without opening a separate order. Veterans appreciate the advanced tools: stop-limit orders, trigger orders, and copy-trading for institutional strategies.

In September 2025, HTX listed several emerging DEX tokens that surged after launch. AVNT on Base chain jumped 1,429%, ASTER on Perp DEX rose 400%, and SUN on TRON gained 48%. This shows HTX isn’t just listing random coins-it’s tracking on-chain trends and acting fast.

HT Token and the Investor Protection Fund

The HT token is the backbone of the exchange. Holding HT gives you fee discounts, voting rights in the DAO, and access to exclusive token sales. But the real standout is the Investor Protection Fund. Every quarter, HTX puts 20% of its profits into buying back HT tokens. These tokens are locked and used to cover losses in case of a security breach.

This isn’t marketing fluff. In 2024, after a minor exploit, HTX used the fund to fully reimburse affected users within 72 hours. A CoinSutra poll in May 2025 found that 85% of HT holders keep their tokens specifically because of this buyback program. It’s rare to see an exchange put real money behind user trust like this.

Security: Strong, But Not Flawless

HTX uses multi-sig wallets, cold storage for 95% of assets, and real-time monitoring systems. It also publishes Merkle tree proofs of reserves monthly-something only a handful of exchanges do. That means you can verify that HTX holds enough crypto to cover all user balances.

But history matters. In 2018, Huobi suffered a breach that led to the loss of around $14 million. The exchange responded by compensating users and improving security. Since then, there have been no major incidents. Still, some users remain wary. Cointelegraph’s 2025 review notes that while HTX’s current security is solid, its past breaches still affect its reputation.

Geographic Restrictions: The Biggest Limitation

HTX is unavailable in the U.S., mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and a few other countries. Even if you use a VPN, HTX blocks access from U.S. IP addresses. This isn’t a technical glitch-it’s a legal decision. The exchange chose to exit these markets rather than deal with complex compliance.

That’s a problem if you’re in one of those regions. But for users in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, HTX is one of the best options. In Q1 2025, user growth in Africa and Latin America jumped 82%. The exchange is adding fiat on-ramps in 15 new countries by the end of 2025, which will help even more.

User Experience and Support

Onboarding is quick. KYC verification takes 15-30 minutes if you have your ID ready. The mobile app is functional but clunky-HTX is rebuilding it, with a full redesign launching in November 2025.

Customer support response times are fast. VIP users get replies in under 2 hours. Standard users wait about 12 hours. That’s better than most. Trustpilot ratings sit at 4.1/5 based on over 1,200 reviews. The top praise? Asset variety and responsive help. The top complaints? No U.S. access and slow fiat withdrawals during market spikes.

One Reddit user in June 2025 reported a 72-hour delay on a fiat withdrawal during a market surge. HTX later admitted it had temporary bottlenecks with its banking partners and improved the process.

How HTX Compares to Binance and Others

| Feature | HTX | Binance | Kraken | Bybit | |--------|-----|---------|--------|-------| | Trading Pairs | 900+ | 1,000+ | 250+ | 500+ | | Futures Fees | $0 | 0.02% taker | 0.05% taker | 0.02% taker | | HT/BNB Buyback | 20% of profits | 10% of profits | None | None | | Proof of Reserves | Yes (Merkle trees) | Yes | Yes | No | | U.S. Access | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Staking APY (avg) | 4.5% | 5.2% | 3.8% | 6.1% | | Mobile App Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 | 3.9/5 | 4.2/5 | HTX doesn’t beat Binance on everything, but it wins on transparency and fee structure. If you’re not in the U.S., and you care about long-term safety and token buybacks, HTX is a smarter pick than many alternatives.

Who Should Use HTX?

You should use HTX if:

• You’re outside the U.S. and major regulated markets
• You trade futures and want zero fees
• You want exposure to emerging DeFi tokens early
• You value transparency and proof of reserves
• You’re interested in holding HT for buybacks and governance

You should avoid HTX if:

• You’re in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, or Singapore
• You need instant fiat deposits/withdrawals 24/7
• You only trade Bitcoin and Ethereum-there are simpler platforms
• You’re uncomfortable with an exchange that has a past breach

What’s Next for HTX?

HTX announced a $50 million fund in September 2025 to support Base and BSC-based DEXs. It’s also building institutional-grade custody solutions and expanding fiat partnerships. The November 2025 mobile app update could be a game-changer.

Analysts at Delphi Digital predict HTX could hit 6% of global exchange volume by end of 2025, up from 4.7% in Q2. That’s huge growth. But it all depends on whether it can keep expanding in Asia and Africa without getting blocked elsewhere.

Final Verdict

HTX is not the biggest exchange. It’s not the most user-friendly everywhere. But it’s one of the most aggressive, transparent, and user-focused platforms in the crypto space right now. It’s growing fast, rewarding loyal users, and listening to market signals-like listing trending DEX tokens within hours of their surge.

If you’re eligible to use it, HTX offers more value than most exchanges. The zero-fee futures, HT token buybacks, and proof of reserves make it a standout. Just don’t sign up if you’re in a restricted region-you’ll only get frustrated.