HTX (Huobi) — Comprehensive Exchange Review 2025: Fees, Security, Feedback

HTX is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, formerly known as Huobi. Founded in 2013, Huobi quickly became a leading crypto market player in China before expanding globally. In 2023, on its 10th anniversary, the company underwent a rebranding: Huobi was renamed to HTX. The new name symbolizes the combination of “H” (Huobi), “T” (the TRON blockchain ecosystem closely associated with the exchange), and “X” (exchange). The letters “HTX” can also be interpreted as Huobi Token + X (the Roman numeral for 10), in honor of the company’s decade in operation. The rebranding generated mixed reactions from the community due to its resemblance to the bankrupt exchange FTX, yet the management assured users that the brand refresh reflects a new development strategy and a commitment to the TRON ecosystem.

This review provides a detailed look at the capabilities and services of the HTX crypto exchange, including its background and regulation, fees, security standards, and comparisons with competitors (such as Binance, ByBit, and OKX). We will also explore user feedback. HTX is registered offshore (Seychelles) and has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and the US. However, the exchange does not serve certain countries (such as the US) due to regulatory restrictions. Despite its offshore status, HTX supports over 50 million users across 160+ countries, with a daily trading volume exceeding $4 billion. The platform offers about 700 different cryptocurrencies and more than 800 trading pairs—one of the broadest selections on the market. It provides a full range of services: spot and margin trading, derivatives (with up to 200x leverage), built-in trading bots, a P2P marketplace, staking, crypto loans, and more. Below, we will discuss all these features in detail.

Introduction to the History and Legal Status of HTX

History. The Huobi exchange (now HTX) was founded in China by entrepreneur Leon Li in 2013. Thanks to its early start and the rapid surge of interest in Bitcoin, Huobi reached a trading volume of 30 billion yuan by December 2013 and became the largest crypto exchange in China. In 2014, the company raised $10 million from the venture capital firm Sequoia Capital. Until 2017, Huobi dominated the domestic market, at times accounting for up to 60% of the global Bitcoin trading volume, according to some estimates.

However, in September 2017, Chinese authorities banned cryptocurrency exchanges and ICOs, forcing Huobi to suspend services for Chinese users. The company shifted strategy, targeting global expansion. By 2018, Huobi had opened offices and trading platforms in Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and planned to enter the US market. The headquarters moved to the Seychelles, where the platform remains registered. Interestingly, through subsidiary structures, Huobi became a public company—acquiring a controlling stake in a business listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018.

In the following years, the exchange expanded its range of services and products. In 2021, Huobi completely ceased servicing mainland China after another regulatory crackdown. In fall 2022, ownership of Huobi passed to a group of investors, among whom TRON founder Justin Sun is widely known to play a significant role. Sun became the unofficial face and advisor of the exchange, integrating TRON products into Huobi’s ecosystem. In September 2023, at the TOKEN2049 conference, the company announced the rebranding to HTX. According to Justin Sun, the new brand “HTX” stands for “Huobi TRON Exchange,” highlighting close collaboration with the Tron ecosystem. To mark the rebranding, the exchange also launched a new slogan: “HTX, Just Trade It.”

Registration and Licenses

HTX is officially registered in the Seychelles and primarily operates as an offshore platform. This means it is not under the strict oversight of major regulators such as those in the US or EU. Nevertheless, HTX states it holds various registrations and licenses in different regions, allowing it to legally provide services in many countries. Specifically, the company has local subsidiaries: Huobi Japan, Huobi Korea, Huobi Thailand (closed in 2022), Huobi Labuan (Malaysia), etc., which have obtained licenses in their respective nations. However, the global platform HTX (Huobi Global) does not have licenses recognized in the US or Europe, hence American residents are barred from using HTX under the user agreement. The platform also restricts access to certain jurisdictions: among them Canada, Singapore, Japan, Germany, and countries under sanctions (North Korea, Iran, Syria, etc.). Users in Russia and most CIS countries can work on HTX without limitations, as the exchange continues serving these regions despite sanction pressures. Keep in mind that when using an offshore exchange, users do not benefit from local financial regulations—for instance, there are no guarantees of reimbursement by a regulator in case the exchange encounters problems.

Current Role in the Market

Today, HTX ranks among the top ten global cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume. According to Forbes, by 2024 HTX was 6th in the world by spot market share. Its daily trading volume is estimated at $4–5 billion, substantially less than the industry leader Binance ($16 billion daily) but comparable to other major players (Bybit, OKX, etc.). The exchange maintains large crypto reserves of its own (~$3.74 billion as of 2023) to ensure liquidity. In the following section, we will examine HTX’s functional capabilities—from trading tools to financial products.

Overview of HTX Features

Trading Operations: Spot, Margin Trading, and Futures

The foundation of the exchange is spot trading—buying and selling cryptocurrencies at current market prices. HTX supports over 700 cryptocurrencies and tokens, including all major coins (BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, etc.), key stablecoins (USDT, USDC, DAI, HUSD), and a huge number of altcoins. In total, more than 800 trading pairs are available, in various base currencies (USDT, BTC, ETH, HT, etc.). Such a broad range makes HTX attractive to those interested in rare altcoins— the platform even lists niche meme tokens and new projects (for example, Memefi, Book of Meme, PEPE, etc.). At the same time, the exchange monitors listing quality: it claims to actively track liquidity and delist pairs with low trading volume to keep the market active.

For spot trading, HTX offers two main interfaces: “HTX Pro” (formerly Huobi Pro) with advanced functionality and TradingView charts for experienced traders, and a simplified mode for beginners. The advanced interface provides market, limit, and stop orders, market depth, an order book, and in-depth chart analysis. Newcomers can use the quick exchange feature (Quick Buy/Sell) to buy or sell crypto for fiat or stablecoins in a few clicks. HTX allows instant cryptocurrency purchases with a bank card or payment services (including bank transfers) — 27 fiat currencies are supported for direct purchase of over 700 cryptocurrencies. Fees in this case depend on the payment provider (usually about 1%), although some popular pairs may have promotions at zero fees (for example, there was previously zero-fee BTC/ETH buying with Chinese yuan).

In addition to the spot market, HTX offers margin trading. On a margin account, users can borrow funds to increase their position. The maximum leverage for most pairs is 5x (up to five times one’s capital). Margin trading on HTX is isolated by trading pairs: the trader allocates a certain collateral (e.g., USDT) and can open leveraged trades for a selected pair, borrowing the required amount from the exchange. Interest on the margin loan is charged daily. Margin availability and leverage sizes depend on the specific coin—higher leverage for liquid top coins, possibly lower or unavailable for small altcoins.

For advanced derivatives traders, HTX provides futures and swap trading. The platform features perpetual futures (perpetual swaps) with leverage up to 200x—one of the highest leverages in the market. For example, you can open a BTC/USDT position worth up to 200 times your collateral. Quarterly futures are also offered, settled in USDT or in the base currency (so-called coin-margined futures). According to a 99Bitcoins review, HTX has both USDT-margined and coin-margined derivatives—in the former, collateral and PnL calculations are in the stablecoin USDT; in the latter, in the cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC). Various expirations are available: perpetual swaps, quarterly, and two-week futures. Derivatives trading takes place in a separate section (Huobi Futures) and requires transferring funds to a futures account.

HTX’s futures trading fees are among the most competitive: the standard rate is 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers. Such low fees stimulate large derivative trading volumes. According to TokenInsight, in total derivatives volume, HTX still trails top players (Binance, OKX, Bybit, Bitget) but aims to grow its market share. Besides futures, Huobi (HTX) introduced options in 2022—though limited (BTC and ETH options). Overall, HTX’s derivatives offering is on par with competitors: a single platform featuring spot, margin, and highly speculative trades using futures and options.

P2P Exchange and Buying Cryptocurrency for Fiat

For users who want to deposit or withdraw funds in fiat, HTX offers a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform. This is a marketplace where users buy and sell crypto directly from each other with the exchange acting as escrow. P2P trading on HTX charges no fees to participants, which can lead to more favorable rates. The HTX P2P platform features listings for popular currencies (USD, EUR, RUB, UAH, INR, etc.) via various payment methods—bank transfers, e-wallets, payment systems. A user can select a buyer’s/seller’s advertisement, and the amount of crypto is locked by the exchange during the transaction. The seller receives fiat directly from the buyer (for example, by bank card), and after confirming the payment, the exchange releases the crypto to the buyer. This method is often used to withdraw funds to one’s national currency. Thanks to zero fees, HTX’s P2P often has highly competitive exchange rates. However, KYC verification is required for P2P usage—this “Know Your Customer” step is mandatory for security.

An alternative route to buying crypto with fiat is a direct purchase via bank cards or payment services. HTX partners with third-party processing providers (like Simplex, Banxa, etc.) to enable fiat-to-crypto transactions. In the “Buy Crypto” section, users can choose their desired coin, payment amount, and method (Visa/MasterCard, Apple Pay, bank transfer, etc.). After the payment is processed, the purchased crypto is credited to the user’s account. More than 100 fiat currencies are supported for deposits and purchases, including USD, EUR, RUB, UAH, KZT, TRY, GBP, INR, and more. Fees and rates here depend on the specific provider—on average about 1-3%, though there are promotions offering 0% from time to time. For large sums, P2P is often preferable (no fees), but many choose direct card purchases for speed and convenience.

Note that depositing and withdrawing cryptocurrency to/from HTX via external wallets is done via blockchain transactions. Depositing crypto has no exchange fee (the user only pays the network fee). Withdrawing crypto involves a fixed fee depending on the coin (e.g., ~0.0004 BTC for Bitcoin, ~0.005 ETH for Ethereum, etc.), roughly on par with market averages. For many stablecoins (USDT, USDC), various withdrawal networks are available—Ethereum, TRON, HECO, Arbitrum, etc.—with different fees. Thus, HTX offers a variety of deposit/withdrawal and fiat ↔ crypto exchange options to meet global user needs.

Trading Bots and Automation

One notable feature of HTX is the availability of built-in automated trading tools. This primarily refers to trading bots. The platform has a Grid Trading Bot accessible directly from the exchange interface. A grid strategy involves placing buy and sell orders at set price intervals to profit from market fluctuations. The HTX bot automatically places orders based on user-defined parameters and price corridors. The advantage of the built-in solution is that users do not need to keep their computer on or configure an API—simply set bot parameters via the web or mobile app. HTX states that its bot can automatically adjust the grid levels over time to keep the strategy effective even in trending markets. These bots are especially popular in sideways markets, providing passive 24/7 trading.

Apart from grid bots, HTX also features copy trading and social trading. In 2023, it launched a Copy Trading function, letting experienced traders share their trades so others can automatically replicate them. This allows beginners to follow professional strategies. There is also HTX Chat—a built-in social service—and Telegram channels where users discuss trading signals.

For institutional and large-scale clients, HTX operates an OTC (Over-the-Counter) desk. The OTC service allows high-volume transactions to be conducted outside the main order book, directly with a counterparty through the exchange’s liquidity department. If you need to buy, say, 100 BTC at once without slippage, the HTX OTC desk will find a seller and arrange a trade at a negotiated fixed price. Such transactions do not impact the market rate and are typically settled by bank transfer. The HTX OTC desk offers access to global liquidity pools with competitive quotes for large volumes.

For instant asset conversion, HTX provides the HTX Convert tool—a converter allowing you to immediately swap one cryptocurrency for another at the current rate without manual trading. The converter is fee-free (the spread is already factored into the rate) and is especially convenient when quickly changing BTC to USDT or ETH to BTC without placing orders.

Finally, for developers and algorithmic traders, HTX offers API interfaces for trading. Through the API, users can connect their own bots or external applications to trade, withdraw funds, and retrieve market data. Altogether, the HTX ecosystem is rich in automation possibilities—from simple built-in bots for retail users to API access and OTC deals for advanced traders.

Investment Products: Staking, Primepool, Earn, and Loans

Beyond trading, HTX presents itself as a platform for earning passive income on cryptocurrency. The exchange offers several financial products that allow users to earn returns on their holdings.

Staking (On-Chain Staking)

HTX supports staking of Proof-of-Stake cryptocurrencies directly from the user’s wallet. This means you can delegate your coins for block validation and earn rewards without transferring them to an external wallet. For example, HTX provides Ethereum 2.0 staking—users can stake ETH for the Ethereum network and receive BETH tokens representing their share and accrued rewards. Since the launch of the Beacon Chain, many exchanges have offered such a service, and HTX is no exception. Other PoS assets like Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT), Tron (TRX), etc., are also available for staking. The advantage is that it requires no technical expertise or node setup; the exchange handles everything, distributing staking rewards to the user. However, funds remain on the HTX account (with the exchange acting as validator). Rewards are typically paid daily, and some programs include a lock-up period for staked coins.

Huobi Earn (HTX Earn)

Earn is the umbrella term for various savings products on HTX. Essentially, these are crypto deposits that generate interest. Both flexible deposits (where you can withdraw any time) and fixed deposits (14, 30, 90, 180, or 365 days) are offered. Interest rates vary depending on the coin and term: for popular assets (BTC, ETH, USDT), the rates are relatively low (1-10% APR), while new or promotional products can reach up to 200% APY. There are around 39 assets available in the Earn section. Interest is usually paid in the same currency as the deposit and is capitalized daily. For instance, if you deposit USDT into a flexible account, you receive a small amount of USDT in interest each day, which begins accruing interest immediately. You can withdraw flexible deposits at any time without penalties. Fixed deposits offer higher rates but require keeping the assets locked for the entire term.

Primepool

Primepool is a special HTX platform for participating in new project launches and token farming. It runs in rounds alongside the listing of new tokens or special promotions. The idea: users lock up certain coins (usually HT—Huobi Token—or stablecoins USDT/USDD) for the duration of a campaign and receive allocations of new project tokens for free. It’s similar to Binance’s Launchpool. For example, each Primepool round may allow you to stake HT for 7 days in exchange for a distribution of a newly listed token, proportionate to the amount contributed. Rewards have a fixed supply (e.g., 300,000 tokens), which is shared among all participants in proportion to their stake. Hence, Primepool lets you obtain promising new tokens without direct purchase, simply by holding your HT/USDT during the event. Huobi has been running Primepool since 2021; by 2024, over 20 rounds had taken place. KYC is also required to participate. Primepool is an appealing opportunity for long-term HT holders looking to earn additional tokens. Notably, before Primepool, Huobi ran the Huobi Prime (IEO platform), but the focus has shifted to Primepool as a simpler way to distribute new tokens to users.

Crypto Loans

Another HTX service is crypto-backed lending. Users can borrow one cryptocurrency by providing overcollateralized collateral in another. For instance, you could pledge 1 BTC and receive the equivalent of $10,000 in USDT. The collateral must exceed the loan amount with a safety margin (usually 150% or more). A broad range of assets is accepted as collateral: BTC, ETH, major altcoins, and stablecoins (HUSD, USDT, etc.). The loan can be taken out in popular coins or stablecoins as well. Interest accrues daily on the borrowed amount. If the collateral’s value drops too far (below the liquidation level), the exchange will liquidate part of it to repay the loan. Crypto loans allow, for example, obtaining stablecoins for immediate needs without selling your Bitcoin, or conversely, acquiring crypto by pledging stablecoins. This service offers flexibility for experienced traders and investors but requires careful risk management.

In summary, HTX’s financial products make it more than just an exchange. It’s a comprehensive ecosystem that caters to various strategies—from active trading to passive earning and participation in new token distributions. Many users appreciate this diversity of services, effectively consolidating everything under one roof, competing not only with exchanges but also DeFi protocols (for staking and lending).

Security and Regulation: Protecting Funds and Meeting Requirements

HTX implements a range of measures to secure user funds. A key approach is that most client assets are stored in cold wallets (offline storage not connected to the Internet). The exchange claims that up to 98% of all funds are held in multi-signature cold wallets. This means that even if the hot servers were hacked, attackers would not gain access to the majority of assets. Only about 2% of total funds are kept in hot (online) wallets to facilitate withdrawals—this is the industry standard among major exchanges.

Additionally, in 2018 Huobi established a dedicated security insurance fund. Now called the HTX Security Reserve, it holds 20,000 BTC to cover potential user losses from hacks or theft. It is analogous to the SAFU fund on Binance. Having such a significant reserve (20k BTC, worth hundreds of millions of dollars) reassures users that even in the event of a serious incident, the exchange could compensate clients. For example, CoinBureau notes that HTX retains a 20k BTC reserve to reimburse users in emergencies, boosting confidence.

HTX also employs standard measures to protect individual accounts. Every user must activate two-factor authentication (2FA) with Google Authenticator or SMS for logins and key operations. Anti-phishing codes can be set (a unique word in emails from the exchange), and email confirmation is required for withdrawals. Large withdrawals require 2FA plus email confirmation, preventing unauthorized withdrawals even if an account is compromised. The HTX website and apps use SSL encryption to secure data transfers. In 2020, the exchange introduced a “withdrawal address whitelist” feature, letting users restrict withdrawals to pre-approved addresses, adding another security layer.

Incident History

Over its long history, Huobi/HTX has proven relatively reliable— it has avoided catastrophic hacks such as those suffered by Mt.Gox or FTX. Still, some incidents occurred. In 2014, Huobi disclosed that a glitch led to some users receiving extra BTC and LTC, which were later returned. A more recent case was in September 2023, when about $5 million (reportedly 250 ETH) was stolen from an HTX hot wallet due to a leaked private key. Justin Sun publicly confirmed the incident and stated that the exchange covered the loss from its own reserves, also offering a bug bounty to the hacker for returning the funds.

An even more significant attack took place in November 2023: the HECO cross-chain network (related to HTX) was compromised, with approximately $85 million drained. The exchange temporarily halted deposits/withdrawals. However, user funds on the exchange itself were not affected—HTX reserves covered the losses, and operations resumed. These episodes indicate that while the exchange can withstand breaches and fulfill obligations, the existence of attacks underscores inherent risks.

External security assessments are also available. According to CER.live, HTX has a high security rating of “AA” (86 out of 100), factoring in cybersecurity, risk management, and proof of reserves. Overall, HTX is deemed a secure and reputable platform with substantial reserve funds and modern account protection. Nonetheless, users should follow cybersecurity best practices: enable 2FA, avoid suspicious links, use unique passwords, etc.

Regulatory Restrictions and Compliance

KYC Policy. In recent years, HTX has significantly tightened its verification requirements. Previously (before 2022), the exchange allowed trading from unverified accounts (with withdrawal limits); now KYC verification is mandatory for most operations. New users must provide ID documents (passport/ID) and a selfie during registration. Without verification, HTX only offers minimal functionality. As of August 2022, unverified users face very low limits: up to $1000 equivalent deposit and 0.06 BTC daily withdrawal. Essentially, anonymous usage of HTX is not possible—the exchange follows AML/CTF rules (Anti-Money Laundering). According to HTX, it meets AML procedures and sanction screening, illustrated by certain account blocks in sanctioned jurisdictions (for instance, cases involving Russian banks) in 2023.

Availability in Different Countries

As mentioned, HTX does not serve US residents—neither via the main platform nor a separate US app. KYC attempts with a US passport are rejected. US-based traders may seek alternative licensed exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.) or use a VPN to remain unverified, although that entails low limits and violates HTX’s terms. Similarly, HTX exited Canada in 2023 due to stricter regulations (following Binance and Bybit). In Europe, HTX does not hold a unified license, yet the platform is accessible in most European countries. The exchange states it has some registrations in Europe (possibly Lithuania or Estonia) but broadly operates at its own discretion. This means European users can still use HTX after KYC but lack local regulatory protection. Notably, in Germany and the Netherlands, Huobi had suspended services in 2022 due to local requirements, though accounts were later unfrozen after KYC.

In CIS countries, HTX has historically held a strong position— Huobi was one of the first major exchanges to enter the Russian market and localize the service. After 2022, several Western exchanges restricted Russian users, but HTX continued “business as usual.” Various media accused Huobi and KuCoin of serving clients from sanctioned Russian banks. In October 2022, Huobi management announced it would not impose restrictions on Russian traders. Thus, for users in Russia and other CIS states, HTX remains one of the few global exchanges that does not block accounts based on nationality. Of course, all users must adhere to their local laws (e.g., declaring any profits).

Reputation and Regulatory Compliance

Operating offshore grants HTX flexibility but also entails the risk of regulatory pressure. In 2019, Huobi (along with OKX) was criticized for potential wash trading and lack of transparency. The exchange responded by pledging greater openness: publishing cold wallet addresses and undergoing a Proof-of-Reserves audit. As of November 2022, it verified it held 108% of client balances (1:1 plus surplus). Huobi also joined the self-regulatory code of the World Digital Asset Exchange (WDEX), committing to shared reliability standards.

Regulators keep a close eye on platforms like HTX. In 2023, rumors circulated questioning Huobi’s solvency, which the exchange denied by demonstrating stable reserves. However, offshore exchanges remain subject to potential bans, as seen with Binance’s legal challenges in the US and forced withdrawals from various countries. HTX’s lower Western presence has so far spared it from high-profile conflicts. In Asia, HTX is actually seeking stronger regulatory ties: obtaining a brokerage license in Hong Kong in 2024 and participating in pilot projects in the UAE, etc.

Practically speaking, users should avoid violating HTX’s rules to prevent account suspensions. Common triggers include attempting large withdrawals without KYC, depositing funds from dubious sources (e.g., mixers), logging in from multiple IPs (suggesting a hacked account). For regular trading with proper documentation, there should be no issues. HTX strives to balance accessibility with compliance, staying a global platform.

Fees and Trading Conditions

The financial aspect is crucial when choosing an exchange. Let’s examine HTX’s fees and the terms it offers traders.

Trading Fees (Spot and Futures)

HTX uses a standard maker-taker fee model for spot trading. The base rate for regular users is 0.2% for both makers (placing new limit orders) and takers (filling existing orders). In other words, each time you buy or sell crypto, you pay 0.2% of the trade amount in fees. For instance, buying BTC worth $1000 results in a $2 fee.

A 0.2% rate is somewhat above the industry average— for comparison, Binance’s base rate is 0.1%, Bybit is 0.1%, and Coinbase is about 0.4%. Some reviewers cite “high trading fees” as a drawback of HTX. However, the exchange provides ways to reduce fees. There is a tiered VIP program with 10 levels, assigned based on 30-day trading volume or the amount of HT held. Higher levels receive lower fees. At VIP tiers 5–10, fees can drop to around 0.08% (maker) / 0.1% (taker), and in some cases even lower. Another way to get a discount is to pay fees in the HT (Huobi Token). Similar to BNB on Binance, holding HT grants a 25% fee discount if you enable the “Use HT to deduct fees” option, effectively reducing the rate to 0.15% from 0.2%. Furthermore, in 2023, HTX introduced TRX (Tron) in its loyalty program—large TRX holders may also qualify for fee discounts, reflecting Justin Sun’s Tron integration push.

Futures and swaps on HTX have lower fees: the baseline is 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers—quite competitive. Binance Futures, for comparison, charges 0.02%/0.04%, Bybit 0.01%/0.06%. HTX sets a uniform 0.06% for takers on USDT-margined swaps and ~0.05% on coin-margined ones, with marginal differences. High-volume or VIP users enjoy reduced futures fees: on top tiers, maker fees can approach 0%, and taker fees drop to ~0.03%. As such, HTX boosts futures liquidity via low fees. Additionally, paying derivatives fees in HT can yield a 25% discount. The exchange also periodically runs zero-fee promotions for selected trading pairs, such as temporary free trading on pairs like HT/USDT, BTC/ETH, etc., in 2023.

Below is a table comparing key HTX parameters with other popular exchanges:

Market share of leading crypto exchanges by spot trading volume (2024). Binance still dominates (~48% of the spot market), while HTX occupies a niche position (included in “others”). Source: TokenInsight.

From the table, we see that HTX lags behind Binance—particularly in trading volume and fees— but is roughly comparable to Bybit and OKX. HTX stands out for its extremely broad selection of tokens (700+ vs ~300–500 on competitors), appealing to enthusiasts of lesser-known coins. HTX’s spot fees are higher, although active trading and discount programs can narrow the gap. In terms of security, all top exchanges (including HTX) follow similar protocols (cold storage, insurance funds, reserve audits).

Deposits, Withdrawals, and Limits

Depositing funds. You can deposit to HTX in crypto or purchase crypto with fiat. For cryptocurrency deposits, the exchange charges no deposit fee (only blockchain network fees). Funds appear after the required confirmations (1 for BTC, 12 for ETH, etc.). HTX does not support direct fiat deposits by bank transfer (no banking license). However, there are alternatives: buy crypto with a card (as mentioned) or use P2P to effectively make a fiat deposit. In practice, to top up fiat, a user can buy USDT from a P2P seller (paying, for example, rubles via bank transfer) or pay by card via a third-party provider. The USDT is then credited to the user’s spot balance and can be exchanged for other crypto.

Note the limits for new/unverified accounts: without KYC, HTX caps total deposits at ~$1000. To increase these limits, at least the basic verification level is required. After completing full KYC, deposit limits are practically unrestricted (though HTX may request source-of-funds proof if you exceed ~$1 million).

Withdrawing funds. Crypto withdrawals from HTX follow the standard process: specify the address, confirm via 2FA and email; processing typically takes minutes to an hour (depending on network congestion). The withdrawal fee is set per currency: the exchange updates it regularly to reflect network conditions. For instance, withdrawing BTC might cost ~0.0004 BTC, ETH ~0.005 ETH, USDT (TRC20) ~1 USDT, USDT (ERC20) ~10 USDT, LTC 0.001 LTC, etc. These rates are around the market average, sometimes lower (thanks to cheaper networks like TRON for stablecoins). HTX imposes no additional minimum withdrawal limit beyond technical constraints (e.g., at least 0.001 BTC to cover network fees).

Withdrawal limits. Verified users have a high daily withdrawal limit—usually up to 100 BTC per day for intermediate-level KYC and up to 300 BTC for extended KYC with video verification, sufficient for 99.9% of traders. Unverified users can only withdraw 0.06 BTC (~$1500) daily, encouraging them to pass KYC for normal usage. Monthly P2P transaction limits also apply to basic KYC tiers (e.g., no more than $50,000/month through P2P without full KYC). These measures reflect regulatory compliance.

Fiat deposit/withdrawal fees. As noted, there’s no direct bank account withdrawal on HTX. Still, by selling crypto via P2P, you effectively withdraw fiat from another user, incurring 0% fees. Using external payment channels incurs varying fees: typically 1-2% for card deposits (built into the rate). For example, to withdraw $1000, one might sell crypto on P2P for rubles, then move that to a bank card. Strictly speaking, HTX is less convenient for direct fiat channels than fully licensed exchanges like Kraken or Coinbase, but for many users (especially in the CIS), P2P is often more practical anyway.

In conclusion, HTX’s fee structure is roughly in line with most major exchanges. Its spot fees are slightly higher but offset by the broad altcoin selection and possible discounts. Futures fees are quite competitive. Deposit/withdrawal processes are transparent, with no hidden charges. KYC limits are the main factor to watch— those prioritizing anonymity will find HTX less suitable. However, for the majority of legitimate traders, these measures are simply part of the security framework.

Comparing HTX with Competitors

How does HTX stack up against other top exchanges? Let’s look at key points relative to direct competitors—Binance, Bybit, and OKX (formerly OKEx).

HTX vs Binance

Binance is the undisputed industry leader in liquidity and user numbers. HTX significantly trails Binance in trading volume: Binance handles about 33–40% of the global spot market, while HTX’s share is a few percent. This means Binance typically has minimal spreads and zero slippage, especially on major pairs. HTX also offers deep liquidity for top coins (BTC, ETH, XRP), so retail traders may not sense much difference—market orders generally fill instantly. However, on Binance even many smaller altcoins can have higher volumes than on HTX. Conversely, HTX boasts a larger overall token selection (~700 vs ~350 on Binance), listing new projects earlier and more aggressively. Binance is somewhat more cautious with listings. Thus, for trading very exotic tokens, HTX might be more suitable.

Regarding fees, Binance is cheaper (0.1% vs 0.2% spot), plus it offers multiple discount methods (pay with BNB, VIP levels, cashback). HTX might appeal to users who don’t mind higher fees if they gain other benefits. In terms of financial products, Binance has a broad Earn lineup and Launchpad/Launchpool, but HTX is also expanding (with Primepool and various unique offerings). For security, both are robust; Binance has the SAFU fund (dedicating 10% of trading fees) and a track record of covering hacks (e.g., the $40 million hack in 2019), whereas HTX has not suffered any hacks of that scale but holds a large reserve. Regulatory pressures on Binance are much more prominent (SEC lawsuits in the US, exiting multiple EU countries), while HTX has stayed mostly out of major disputes. Binance has formed regulated subsidiaries (Binance US, Binance Japan), while HTX remains offshore. For users in CIS or many parts of Asia, both are accessible. For Europeans, Binance offers recognized entities (e.g., Binance France/Italy) rather than HTX’s offshore approach.

HTX vs Bybit

Bybit is known for its strong derivatives offerings. Bybit and HTX share a global outlook with limited direct licensing (Bybit is also offshore, based in the British Virgin Islands). By 2024, Bybit even surpassed HTX in spot market share (~9%), aggressively increasing its listing (~500+ coins). Meanwhile, HTX retains a lead in overall listed tokens. Bybit’s fees are marginally lower (0.1% spot vs 0.2% on HTX, and 0.01%/0.06% vs 0.02%/0.06% on futures), appealing to active traders. HTX, on the other hand, offers more diversified services (staking, loans, P2P). Bybit has introduced Earn and a debit card, but more recently.

Both exchanges require KYC for full functionality. Until 2023, Bybit allowed unverified accounts, but now it too mandates verification, just like HTX. In terms of reputation, Bybit is “younger” (launched in 2018) compared to HTX’s decade-long history—though many users trust Bybit given the absence of major controversies. HTX has the Justin Sun factor, which some view skeptically. Still, there are no major red flags about HTX either. Bybit has historically been #2 in derivatives after Binance, pioneering features like copy trading, while HTX only recently matched such functions (adding options, social trading, etc.). For seasoned derivatives traders, Bybit may be slightly more appealing for volume and fees, while HTX’s wide ecosystem suits those seeking both trading and holding yields.

HTX vs OKX

OKX (formerly OKEx) has been a direct competitor since the Chinese crypto boom. Both platforms share a similar path—originating in China, relocating to the Seychelles, and rebranding. Today, OKX is among the top 3 by combined volumes (after Binance and Bybit). It lists around 300+ coins on spot, fewer than HTX’s 700, but still a robust lineup. OKX’s fees are somewhat lower (0.08%/0.1% base). Meanwhile, the OKB token doesn’t give direct trading fee discounts like HT’s 25% discount does. On the product side, OKX is similarly comprehensive: Earn, an NFT marketplace, and its own blockchain (OKX Chain). HTX counters with HECO Chain (earlier) and ongoing development toward HTX DAO, among others. In terms of security, both have strong track records, though OKX faced a major freeze in 2020 when withdrawals were halted for nearly two months following the arrest of a co-founder controlling private keys. During that period, users could not withdraw from OKX for six weeks, undermining trust temporarily (later resolved). HTX has not had such an operational shutdown—even changes in owners or top managers haven’t disrupted exchange operations.

OKX is moving more aggressively toward regulation, securing licenses in Dubai and aiming to launch in Hong Kong. HTX is also beginning to do so but is trailing slightly. In the future, OKX might gain more trust with institutional investors. For everyday users, HTX and OKX are quite close in functionality. Personal preference may hinge on interface, certain token listings, or brand trust. Overall, HTX confidently occupies a niche among universal exchanges, emphasizing a vast array of altcoins and financial services. It slightly lags behind leaders in volume and fees but offers a robust ecosystem. HTX especially appeals to users in regions where Binance and others face restrictions, or for those interested in niche tokens or participating in airdrops/listings. Next, let’s examine user opinions on HTX.

Igor Lementov - Financial Expert and Analyst at Trading-Today.net