UK FCA Takes Legal Action Against HTX Over Illegal Crypto Promotions

TLDR

• The UK Financial Conduct Authority has filed a lawsuit against HTX for violating crypto advertising rules.
• HTX continued promoting its crypto services to UK consumers on social media despite multiple warnings from the FCA.
• The FCA’s legal action is the first against a crypto firm for breaching the Financial Promotions Regime introduced in 2023.
• The FCA has requested social media platforms block HTX’s accounts and remove its apps from UK app stores.
• HTX’s failure to comply with the FCA’s rules has raised concerns about consumer protection in the UK’s crypto market.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has filed a lawsuit against the cryptocurrency exchange HTX. The watchdog alleges the company illegally promoted crypto services to UK consumers in violation of new financial advertising rules. This legal action, filed in the High Court in October 2025, marks the first time the FCA has pursued enforcement against a crypto firm for such breaches.

FCA Seeks Action After Multiple Warnings to HTX

The FCA has been monitoring HTX’s activities for several months. Despite prior warnings, HTX continued to promote its crypto services to UK consumers through social media channels. The company is accused of breaching the Financial Promotions (FinProm) Regime, a set of rules introduced in October 2023 to regulate crypto advertising in the UK.

The watchdog’s actions follow multiple alerts about HTX’s non-compliance with the rules. The company allegedly used platforms like TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to advertise its services. In response to these violations, the FCA has sought permission from the court to serve the case outside the UK, as HTX is incorporated in Panama.

FCA Orders Social Media Platforms to Block HTX

The FCA has also instructed social media companies to block HTX’s accounts in the UK. The regulator has asked for the removal of HTX’s apps from Google Play and the Apple Store within the UK. The FCA emphasized that firms promoting crypto services to UK consumers must adhere to rules that protect them from misleading or harmful marketing.

Steve Smart, the FCA’s joint executive director of enforcement, expressed concern over HTX’s behavior. “HTX’s conduct stands in stark contrast to the majority of firms working to comply with the FCA’s regime,” he said. The regulator is firm in its stance, ensuring that any firm ignoring these regulations faces consequences.

HTX’s promotion of crypto services without proper safeguards could jeopardize consumer protection, according to the FCA. The authority aims to uphold a fair and transparent crypto market for UK consumers, who should be able to make informed decisions about their investments.

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