Cryptocurrency trading has evolved into a global phenomenon, and choosing the right exchange is more critical than ever. With hundreds of platforms available, finding one that combines deep liquidity, advanced trading tools, and strong security can feel overwhelming. This HTX review 2025 dives deep into one of the top 10 largest crypto exchanges by trading volume, formerly known as Huobi Global.
HTX has built a solid reputation—especially in Asian markets—for offering professional-grade trading features, leveraged products, and a robust mobile experience. But is it the right fit for your trading goals? We’ll explore its key offerings, fees, security, usability, and more to help you decide.
What Is HTX? A Brief Background
HTX, rebranded from Huobi Global in September 2023, marks a new chapter for the exchange celebrating its 10-year milestone. The name "HTX" symbolizes its evolution: H for Huobi, T for TRON (highlighting its strategic blockchain partnership), and X representing the exchange itself.
Founded in 2013 by Leon Li and Du Jun, HTX began in China before relocating to Seychelles due to tightening regulations. Today, it operates globally—except in restricted regions like the U.S. and UK—with physical offices in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Despite not being regulated in major Western jurisdictions, HTX holds several international licenses:
- Digital Asset Trading License (Thailand)
- Compliance License (Japan Virtual Currency Exchange)
- Digital Trading License (Gibraltar Financial Services Commission)
- Hong Kong Asset Management 4/9 License (SFC)
This regulatory mosaic allows HTX to serve users across over 100 countries while maintaining compliance where possible.
👉 Discover how top-tier exchanges maintain liquidity and security standards.
Core Features That Set HTX Apart
HTX isn’t just another spot exchange—it’s a full-service trading ecosystem designed for active and experienced traders. Here’s what makes it stand out:
Margin Trading with Up to 5x Leverage
HTX supports margin trading on over 80 tokens, allowing traders to amplify their positions with up to 5x leverage on spot markets. Leveraged assets are easily identifiable via a blue “x” badge next to the ticker.
Switching between spot and margin modes is seamless through a toggle on the trading interface. This flexibility lets traders manage both conservative and aggressive strategies within the same platform.
Leveraged Exchange Traded Products (ETPs)
For those seeking exposure to leverage without managing margin calls, HTX offers Leveraged ETPs—instruments with built-in 3x leverage for Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Chainlink (LINK). These include:
- BTC*3 / BTC*(-3)
- ETH*3 / ETH*(-3)
- LINK*3 / LINK*(-3)
Unlike traditional futures, ETPs trade on the spot market and carry no liquidation risk, making them ideal for short-term directional bets.
Futures & Derivatives: Up to 200x Leverage
HTX provides a comprehensive derivatives suite:
- Perpetual swaps
- Coin-margined and USDT-margined futures
- Options contracts
Traders can access up to 200x leverage, particularly on coin-margined contracts. A tiered margin system adjusts requirements based on position size, promoting responsible risk management.
The derivatives interface integrates TradingView, giving users access to advanced charting tools, hundreds of technical indicators, and drawing functions—all without leaving the platform.
Other chart options include:
- Standard Chart: Basic moving averages and volume indicators
- Depth Chart: Real-time buy/sell order book visualization
While customization is limited (no draggable widgets), the platform remains intuitive for most traders.
Advanced Order Types for Precision Trading
HTX supports sophisticated order types essential for professional traders:
- Limit Orders with Post-Only, FOK, or IOC execution
- Trigger Orders (stop-loss/take-profit)
- BBO (Best Bid/Offer) for instant execution at market best price
- Optimal Top N BBO: Fast fills using top 5/10/20 prices
- Flash Close: Instantly close positions using top 30 BBO prices; unfilled portions become limit orders
Additionally, cross-margin mode allows shared collateral across multiple positions of the same asset—ideal for hedging strategies.
⚠️ Important Note: High leverage magnifies both gains and losses. Only experienced traders should engage in leveraged trading after thorough risk assessment.
Passive Income & Financial Tools
Beyond trading, HTX offers multiple ways to earn yield on idle assets.
HTX Staking
Stake 13+ assets including SOL, AVAX, ADA, TRX, and NEAR for APYs ranging from 3.3% to 20%. While convenient, remember that holding funds on centralized platforms carries counterparty risk—self-custody remains the safest long-term option.
HTX Earn
With 39 supported assets, HTX Earn offers flexible and fixed-term deposits (14 to 365 days), with yields reaching up to 200% APY on select tokens. However, Binance still leads in breadth and competitiveness of passive income products.
Primepool & Airdrop Participation
Primepool lets users lock assets (e.g., BTC, HT) to qualify for exclusive airdrops. Though promising, activity has been sparse since 2021. In contrast, the mobile app features active “candy drops” and new listing rewards, suggesting a stronger focus on mobile-first engagement.
Polkadot Slot Auctions
HTX simplifies participation in Polkadot parachain auctions, enabling users to vote with DOT tokens and earn rewards. Winning bids lock DOT for the lease duration; unsuccessful votes unlock tokens post-auction.
KYC is required, and participation excludes users from sanctioned regions including the U.S., China, Iran, and North Korea.
Mobile Experience: Where HTX Shines
HTX’s mobile app stands out as one of the best in the industry:
- Rated 4.8/5 on Google Play (77k+ reviews) and 5/5 on App Store
- Over 5 million downloads
- Full access to trading, staking, bots, NFTs, news feeds, and earn campaigns
The app delivers an intuitive UI/UX optimized for on-the-go trading and engagement with platform events.
However, this mobile-first strategy comes at a cost: the web platform feels underdeveloped by comparison. Professional traders relying on multi-screen setups may find the desktop experience lacking in customization and depth.
👉 See how leading exchanges balance mobile innovation with desktop functionality.
Fees & Funding Options
Trading Fees
HTX uses a tiered fee model based on 30-day trading volume and HT token holdings:
- Lowest taker fee: 0.0218%
- Highest taker fee: 0.2%
- Maker fees can go as low as 0%
Holding HT reduces fees progressively—those with less than 10 HT pay the base rate of 0.2%.
Derivatives fees are competitive, ensuring cost-efficient high-frequency or large-volume trading.
Deposits & Withdrawals
- Crypto deposits: Free
- Fiat deposits: Low fees via bank transfer; card purchases average ~2–4%
- Fiat withdrawals: Only USD (via Stcoins API) and TRY (via AdvCash); minimum $1,000 for USD
- P2P Marketplace: Zero fees for peer-to-peer crypto-fiat trades (KYC required)
Supported fiat currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, RUB, UAH, KZT, BRL, INR (via UPI), and more.
Security & Account Protection
HTX maintains strong security practices:
- Funds stored in multi-signature cold wallets
- 20,000 BTC Security Reserve Fund for breach compensation
- Never suffered a successful hack
- User protections: 2FA, withdrawal whitelisting, anti-phishing codes, account freeze
KYC levels determine deposit/withdrawal limits:
- Unverified: $1,000 deposit cap; 0.006 BTC daily withdrawal
- Tier 4 (fully verified): Higher limits with proof of address and income
Final Verdict: Who Should Use HTX?
✅ Pros
- Deep liquidity across 700+ spot pairs
- Advanced derivatives with up to 200x leverage
- Strong mobile app with rich features
- Multiple earning opportunities (staking, ETPs, P2P)
- No KYC needed for limited use
❌ Cons
- Limited fiat withdrawal options
- Web platform lags behind mobile
- Inactive Primepool events
- Weak customer support response quality
- Not available in U.S., UK
While HTX delivers excellent tools for experienced traders—especially in Asia—it falls short compared to top-tier platforms like Binance or OKX in terms of regulatory clarity, product breadth, and user support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is HTX safe to use?
Yes. HTX uses cold storage, multi-signature wallets, and maintains a 20,000 BTC reserve fund. It has never been hacked. However, always enable 2FA and avoid storing large amounts long-term on any centralized exchange.
Can I trade without KYC?
Yes. You can deposit up to $1,000 and withdraw small amounts without verification. Higher limits require KYC.
Does HTX support U.S. users?
No. HTX does not serve users in the United States or United Kingdom due to regulatory restrictions.
What are ETPs on HTX?
Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) are leveraged tokens (e.g., BTC*3) offering 3x exposure without margin or liquidation risk. They rebalance automatically and trade like regular spot assets.
How do I withdraw fiat from HTX?
Only USD and Turkish Lira (TRY) can be withdrawn as fiat. USD requires integration with Stcoins API; TRY via AdvCash. Most users convert crypto to stablecoins first.
Why is the mobile app better than the web platform?
HTX prioritizes mobile development—offering richer features like active airdrops ("candy drops") and smoother navigation—while the web version lacks updates and advanced customization.
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