HTX in 2026: How one of crypto’s longest-running exchanges is evolving

Founded in 2013, HTX has shown resilience through multiple crypto market cycles. While it has faced challenges, the exchange has continued to strengthen its transparency and security practices. Over the years, the exchange has transitioned from spot-only trading to a multi-product ecosystem. In 2025, the exchange was ranked among the “World’s Most Trustworthy Crypto Exchanges” by Forbes. 

In 2026, HTX is committed to advancing its strategic positioning across all business lines. This includes elevating its professional competitiveness, expanding yield scenarios, and strengthening its security systems. 

Platform scale and global reach

HTX, previously Huobi, relaunched as a global brand in 2023, with the slogan, ‘Trade Crypto Only on HTX.’ Three years later, the exchange had achieved over 55 million registered users exploring its extensive crypto market offerings.

The exchange holds global licenses, enabling it to operate in multiple countries across South America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Last year, HTX was also approved for the No Objection Certificate in Pakistan for 4 activities, namely Broker-Dealer Services, Custody Services, Exchange Services, and Virtual Asset Derivatives Services, further strengthening its overall compliance framework and service capabilities.

HTX is on a mission to bank over 8 billion people worldwide. To achieve this, it plans to enter new markets, host premium crypto assets, and promote decentralization.  

Security architecture and risk management

Authentication and transaction security

For every login attempt or transaction, HTX sends you an email notification accompanied by location and device metadata, or transaction details for trades or withdrawals. Notifications keep you updated on account actions. 

For security authentication, HTX uses multi-layered account protection strategies to prevent hostile account takeover. Imagine if someone got hold of your HTX login details. It would still be difficult for them to withdraw funds due to the exchange’s authorization controls.

All account actions require dual authentication, adding a critical layer of security to user account access.

Dual authentication, or two-factor authentication, combines environmental context and biometric validation to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts. Recently, HTX added support for YubiKeys, a hardware security key, enabling stronger, hardware-based authentication for security-conscious users.

Other supported verification methods include Google authentication, SMS verification, and passkeys. You can also link your Google, Apple, or Telegram accounts for login once they are successfully connected. 

Asset storage and custody

All HTX’s crypto assets are stored in separate hot and cold wallets. Hot wallets provide fast, direct access to crypto assets for activities such as withdrawal requests.

A significant percentage of user funds is stored in cold wallets. Cold wallets protect crypto assets by keeping them secure from online threats like hacking, as they remain disconnected from the internet, unlike “hot” wallets. In 2025, HTX partnered with BitGo to expand its off-chain custody options.

Another collaboration with Fireblocks’ Off-Exchange enables HTX to maintain trader assets in secure, on-chain custody while trading on HTX, reducing counterparty risk and enhancing compliance. In practice, assets remain in Fireblocks’ multi-party computation (MPC) shared wallet, and only settlement instructions are executed with HTX, meaning funds don’t need to be deposited directly on the exchange.

• Ongoing penetration testing and white-hat collaboration

For its 14 years in existence, cryptomarkets have been unpredictable due to black swan events. In 2025, the cryptocurrency industry suffered over $3.4 billion in theft, including a single crypto exchange losing $1.5 billion. 

To stay safe and prepared against ever-evolving attacks, HTX conducts regular attack drills and has collaborated with ethical hackers to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in its systems. The exchange also has an in-house real-time security monitoring strategy to monitor high-risk or malicious behavior.

As part of its commitment to proactive security, HTX maintains an official bug bounty program in collaboration with HackenProof. Through this platform, HTX invites the global white-hat community to identify potential vulnerabilities, offering rewards based on the severity and impact of the findings to ensure the continuous hardening of the exchange’s infrastructure.

Transparency: Proof of Reserves explained

Proof of Reserves is a system that exchanges use to demonstrate they have sufficient assets in custody to cover all customer deposits. The system uses Merkle Tree proofs to ensure transparency, allowing anyone to verify the authenticity of stored assets.

HTX reserve ratios exceed 100%, and Merkle Proofs are published monthly. In 2026, the exchange is expanding into third-party custody solutions and exploring advanced security technologies, such as Multi-Party Computation (MPC).

Proof of Reserves also helps the exchange align with global regulatory requirements, ensuring that operations remain compliant and transparent.

Trading products overview

After completing account registration and identity verification (KYC) on HTX, you can access the trading page to choose spot or futures trading, view real-time market data, and execute trades.

Spot and margin trading

HTX offers spot trading of over 700 crypto assets, including the major ones like BTC, DOGE, ETH, LTC, XMR, $HTX, and USDT, as well as the most trendy tokens, such as BinanceLife, RIVER, and more. $HTX is the governance token of HTX DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization supported by HTX Exchange and the TRON blockchain ecosystem, which can be used for fee discounts, governance, and access to rewards on HTX. 

The exchange ensures broad asset coverage through regular early token listings of cryptocurrencies. It provides real-time market data, secure wallet custody, and fiat on- and off-ramp services, making it easy for users to purchase cryptocurrencies.

Traders can also opt for margin trading, which involves amplifying trade sizes using leverage. While profitable, higher leverage also amplifies liquidation risk. 

Futures trading

HTX also offers futures trading. Crypto futures are financial contracts that let you buy or sell a specific amount of crypto at a set price at a future date. The contracts give you exposure to crypto without directly owning it. Trading futures with leverage carries significant risk, including the potential for large gains or losses. 

HTX’s trading interface allows for advanced order types and margin controls. This also includes risk management controls like ‘Take Profit’ or ‘Stop Loss’ levels. Advanced order types like ‘Trigger Order ‘ allow you to execute trades when a set condition is met. 

Futures trading availability may vary by jurisdiction. 

Copy and bot trading strategies are incorporated into the trading products, offering a higher level of versatility.

Earn, Launchpool, and capital efficiency features.

Other than trading, HTX offers multiple ways to earn extra with your idle crypto assets, through staking, flexible earn products, or Launchpool, which earns you new crypto assets launching in the market. 

Simple Earn features let you lock your crypto assets to earn daily interest. There are two subscription models, Flexible and Fixed. For Flexible, you can unlock your crypto assets at any time, albeit at a lower interest rate. With Fixed, you lock your assets for a fixed term, say 30 days, for a higher return. 

HTX is offering a 100% APR to new users for a fixed 7-day term. Typical rates range from 3% to 20%. At press time, APR on USDT can earn up to 10% yield..

Launchpool, on the other hand, lets you lock your $HTX tokens for new cryptocurrency listings on the exchange. The return depends on the total number of $HTX tokens committed and the number of new tokens allocated for the event. 

Other features include campaigns for testing derivatives with platform funds, and structured earn products tailored to your risk appetite. 

Fees, deposits, and withdrawals

Trading fees

HTX fees are highly competitive when compared to rivals, particularly for high-volume traders. They have a tiered trading fee structure depending on your VIP level, in this case, your Prime level.

Your 30-day trading volume, total assets held the previous day, or your total $HTX holdings determine your Prime level, ranging from Prime0 to Prime11. The higher the level, the lower the fees incurred. Here is a quick overview of spot trading fees:

HTX spot trading fees

Futures fees:

HTX futures fees

Deposit and withdrawal fees

There are no deposit fees. The exchange requires new users to complete identity verification to withdraw funds. Withdrawal fees vary across different networks. For instance, Arbitrum withdrawal fees are lower than Bitcoin’s due to differences in the blockchains’ transaction verification fees. 

Supported withdrawal networks include Bitcoin, Binance Smart Chain, Avalanche, Solana, TRON, Ethereum, Arbitrum, CELO, and Near Protocol. Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon, Monero, TON, and Plasma. 

User experience and platform access

HTX Earn webpage

Web platform

• Full feature access: You can access all platform offerings from the homepage. From a single tab, you can access spot and derivatives markets, the earn section, Launchpool, Assets, Profile, and Order Book, all laid out with drop-down menus for fast access.
• Advanced charting and order types: HTX caters to advanced traders with detailed TradingView charts across multiple timeframes and advanced order types, such as Post Only and TP/SL, enabling precise strategy execution.
• Real-time data: Users can access the order book in real time and watch cryptocurrencies exchange hands between traders. HTX offers deep liquidity at prevailing prices.  

Mobile apps (iOS and Android)

• Spot and derivatives trading: The mobile app offers a beginner-friendly interface suitable for trading on the go. The mobile app provides similar functionalities to the web, albeit with a different interface. 
• Asset monitoring: The app is ideal for receiving price and trade alerts on your phone’s notification interface. You can also set up watchlists on the homepage to keep track of your favorite trading pairs.
• Deposits and withdrawals: Deposit and withdrawal functionality matches that of the web interface, allowing you to transact seamlessly on the go.

Performance, APIs, and reliability

High performance is critical in trading: a 99% uptime ensures users can trust the system to be consistently available without disruptive downtime. At the same time, its low-latency average response time of 113.44ms means trades and actions are executed almost instantly, reducing risks like slippage and missed opportunities.

The exchange also offers API access for algorithmic and high-frequency strategies. Access is available in REST and WebSocket APIs, supporting a wide range of services, including spot trading, futures trading, copy trading, referral, brokerage, and P2P. They also provide an extensive API documentation and support group on Telegram to help you get started. 

Together, these metrics and API integration signal technical maturity and provide a competitive edge by assuring both stability and speed in high-stakes environments.

Customer support and education

HTX is on a mission to provide seamless access to digital assets while maintaining world-class security and transparency. Part of this mission is to provide learning resources to onboard new Web3 users.

The exchange has a dedicated ‘HTX Learn’ center suited for both beginners and advanced-level traders. Lessons include video tutorials and blog-like articles. Some tutorials include token rewards upon completion. 

Customer support is available 24/7 in 14 languages, including English, Chinese, French, Spanish, and Turkish. There is a ticketing service in the chat interface that makes it easy to follow up on reported issues and concerns. 

In 2026, HTX is looking to further strengthen its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, particularly in customer support. AI will not only help resolve common issues quickly but also improve the overall customer experience. 

Who Is HTX Best Suited For?

Good fit for:

• Active spot traders
• Trend-chasers seeking the industry’s fastest access to viral, high-momentum assets and “must-trade” community tokens 
• Users seeking early access to new and promising tokens
• Institutions or high-volume traders prioritizing custody controls

Less ideal for

• Non-fungible token (NFT) trading.
• Those seeking simplified “beginner-only” interfaces

Conclusion

HTX is a mature crypto trading ecosystem that has successfully navigated the volatility of crypto for over 12 years and continues to grow. The exchange has had its share of crypto hacks, yet it has shown resilience. Over the years, HTX has evolved from a pioneer into a formidable industry cornerstone, leveraging its robust technological backbone to drive sustainable global growth. By prioritizing an institutional-grade risk management framework, HTX has achieved a track record of operational excellence, ensuring a secure and liquid environment that consistently empowers users to capture market opportunities across multiple bull and bear cycles.

Looking ahead, HTX continues to innovate in the crypto space while providing a competitive trading environment. In 2026, we anticipate more advanced security features and product offerings, demonstrating not only HTX’s drive for growth but also its pragmatic commitment to serving users.