HTX (Formerly Huobi) Crypto Exchange Review: Features, Fees, and Real-World Performance in 2025
David Wallace 27 November 2025 24

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HTX Trading Fee Calculator

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If you're looking for a crypto exchange that’s growing fast while others stall, HTX (formerly Huobi) is one of the few platforms making real moves in 2025. With over $4 billion in daily trading volume and 45 million users across 160 countries, it’s not just surviving - it’s thriving. But here’s the catch: if you’re in the U.S., China, or a few other major markets, you can’t even sign up. So who is HTX really for? And is it worth your time if you can access it?

What HTX Actually Offers in 2025

HTX isn’t just another exchange with spot trading and a few coins. It’s a full ecosystem. You can trade over 900 trading pairs across 700+ cryptocurrencies. That includes everything from Bitcoin and Ethereum to obscure DEX tokens like AVNT and ASTER - which saw 1,400% and 400% surges respectively on HTX in September 2025. The platform lists new tokens fast, especially those built on Base, BSC, and TRON, giving early traders a real edge.

Beyond spot trading, HTX offers futures contracts with up to 5x leverage, staking, and SmartEarn - a yield product that lets you earn interest on 100+ coins without locking them up. There’s also Launchpool, where you can stake HT or other tokens to earn new project tokens before they hit exchanges. And if you’re into copy-trading, HTX has one of the most reliable systems in the industry, letting you mirror trades from top-performing users.

Their native token, HT, isn’t just a utility coin. It’s central to their entire model. Holding HT gives you fee discounts, voting rights in DAO proposals, and access to exclusive token sales. Even better, HTX uses 20% of its quarterly profits to buy back HT tokens and add them to the Huobi Investor Protection Fund. That’s not marketing fluff - it’s a real, transparent mechanism that’s been running since 2021. A CoinSutra poll in May 2025 found 85% of HT holders keep their tokens specifically for this buyback program.

Trading Tools That Actually Work

The trading interface hasn’t changed much since the 2023 rebrand, and that’s a good thing. It’s clean, fast, and built around TradingView charts. You get candlestick patterns, depth charts, and order books with zero lag. Even on mobile, the experience is smooth - no clunky menus or frozen buttons.

Order types? You’ve got market, limit, stop-limit, and trigger orders. Advanced traders can set conditional orders based on price, volume, or time. The one-click swap feature added in Q2 2025 makes moving between tokens as easy as tapping a button. No need to go through multiple steps - just select your token, pick the one you want, and confirm.

Margin trading is capped at 5x, which is lower than BitMEX or Bybit, but it’s enough for most active traders. And unlike some platforms that hide fees behind complex tiers, HTX’s fee structure is straightforward: 0.1% for makers, 0.1% for takers on spot trades. VIP levels reduce those fees further, and unlike Binance’s temporary discounts, HTX’s VIP perks are permanent as long as you keep your trading volume up.

Security: Proven, But Not Perfect

HTX has had security issues. In 2020 and 2022, there were breaches that resulted in user funds being stolen. But here’s what sets them apart: they paid out. Every single time. No delays. No excuses. They used their Investor Protection Fund to cover losses - and publicly documented how much was reimbursed.

Today, their security stack is solid. Over 95% of user funds are stored in cold wallets. Withdrawals require multi-signature approval and 24-hour cooling periods. They use Merkle tree proofs to show reserves in real time - something only a handful of exchanges do. And they monitor for suspicious activity 24/7 with AI-driven alerts.

Still, if you’re paranoid about security, you’ll want to enable all available layers: 2FA, email confirmations, withdrawal allowlists, and device binding. Don’t skip any. HTX’s systems are strong, but your account is only as secure as your settings.

Global map showing growth in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with red barriers blocking access to the U.S. and China.

Who Can Use HTX? (The Big Limitation)

This is the dealbreaker for many: HTX is blocked in the U.S., mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Cuba. Even if you use a VPN, HTX’s system often catches and blocks access. One Reddit user reported being locked out after switching from a German IP to a Canadian one - even though both are allowed countries.

So if you’re outside those restricted zones, you’re fine. HTX’s strongest markets are Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. User growth in Africa jumped 82% in Q1 2025, and Latin America is now their second-largest region after Asia. They’ve added fiat on-ramps in 12 new countries since January 2025, including Nigeria, Kenya, and Brazil.

If you’re in a restricted region, HTX simply isn’t an option. No workaround works reliably. Don’t waste your time trying.

Customer Support and Learning Curve

Support response times are among the best in the industry. Priority users (VIP level 3+) get replies in under 2 hours. Standard users wait around 12 hours - still faster than Kraken or Coinbase. The support team speaks English and Chinese fluently, but if you need help in Spanish, Arabic, or Thai, you’re out of luck. That’s a problem for non-English speakers: 37% of negative Trustpilot reviews cite language barriers.

As for learning the platform, it’s moderate. Beginners can start trading spot pairs in 10 minutes. But if you want to use futures, staking, or copy-trading, you’ll need a few hours to get comfortable. HTX has a decent help center with guides and videos, but most are in English. If you’re new to crypto, you might want to pair HTX with a beginner-friendly educational app like CoinMarketCap Learn or Binance Academy.

How HTX Compares to the Competition

Here’s how HTX stacks up against Binance, KuCoin, and OKX as of Q3 2025:

HTX vs Top Competitors in 2025
Feature HTX Binance KuCoin OKX
Trading Pairs 900+ 1,000+ 700+ 800+
Max Leverage 5x 125x 100x 100x
Spot Fee (Standard) 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.08%
HT/BNB Buyback Program Yes (20% of profits) Yes (20% of profits, quarterly) No No
Available in U.S.? No No (U.S. version only) Yes No
Mobile App Rating (iOS) 4.6/5 4.5/5 4.4/5 4.3/5
Verified Trustpilot Rating 4.1/5 3.8/5 4.0/5 3.9/5

HTX doesn’t lead in every category. Binance has more pairs and higher leverage. KuCoin is the only one that lets U.S. users trade without restrictions. But HTX wins on two things: growth and transparency. While others are losing volume, HTX’s spot trading volume rose 210% in Q1 2025. And their quarterly buyback program is the most consistent in the industry.

A knight made of HT tokens defends a mountain of crypto with a transparency sword, users cheering below as blockchain proofs shine in the sky.

Is HTX Right for You?

If you’re outside restricted countries and want an exchange that’s growing fast, offers real yield opportunities, and treats users fairly after security incidents - then yes, HTX is worth considering. The interface is clean, the fees are fair, and the HT token buyback program is a rare example of a platform putting users first.

If you’re in the U.S. or China, skip it. No workaround is reliable. If you’re a high-frequency trader needing 100x leverage, look at Bybit or BitMEX. If you’re a complete beginner who needs 24/7 support in your native language, try KuCoin or Coinbase.

But if you’re in Southeast Asia, Latin America, or Africa - and you want an exchange that’s actually expanding, not shrinking - HTX is one of the strongest options you have in 2025.

What’s Coming Next?

HTX isn’t resting. Their roadmap for late 2025 includes:

  • A complete mobile app redesign (launching November 2025)
  • Institutional-grade custody solutions for large holders
  • 15 new fiat on-ramp partnerships, including in Nigeria and Colombia
  • A $50 million fund to support Base and BSC-based DEXs

They’re also working on integrating on-chain derivatives directly into their platform - a move that could make HTX the first major exchange to fully bridge centralized and decentralized trading.

Is HTX the same as Huobi?

Yes, HTX is the rebranded version of Huobi. The name changed in September 2023 to mark its 10th anniversary, but the platform, team, and infrastructure remained the same. All accounts, funds, and trading history carried over automatically. The rebrand was mostly about signaling global expansion, not technical changes.

Can I use HTX if I’m in the United States?

No. HTX is blocked in the U.S. and has actively tightened access since 2023. Even using a VPN won’t reliably work - the platform detects and blocks most proxy traffic. If you’re in the U.S., you’ll need to use a U.S.-licensed exchange like Coinbase or Kraken.

How safe is the HT token buyback program?

It’s one of the most transparent programs in crypto. HTX publishes quarterly profit reports and uses 20% of those profits to buy HT tokens on the open market and add them to the Investor Protection Fund. This fund is used to reimburse users in case of security breaches. Since 2021, this system has covered over $120 million in losses across three incidents. The buybacks are publicly verifiable on-chain.

Does HTX offer staking with rewards?

Yes. HTX offers both locked staking (higher yields, longer lockups) and SmartEarn (flexible, no lockup). You can earn up to 12% APY on major coins like ETH, SOL, and ADA. SmartEarn pays daily and lets you withdraw anytime. The platform supports staking for over 100 assets, including newer tokens like AVNT and ASTER.

What’s the minimum deposit on HTX?

There’s no minimum deposit for cryptocurrencies - you can deposit any amount, even $1 worth of BTC or ETH. For fiat deposits via bank transfer or card, the minimum is $10 USD equivalent. Withdrawals have no minimum for crypto, but network fees apply. Fiat withdrawals require a minimum of $50 USD equivalent.

How long does KYC take on HTX?

Most users complete KYC in 15 to 30 minutes. You need a government-issued ID and a selfie. If your documents are clear and your face matches, approval is instant. Delays happen only if the system flags your documents - usually due to blurry photos or expired IDs. In rare cases, manual review can take up to 24 hours.

Is HTX better than Binance?

It depends. Binance has more trading pairs, higher leverage, and more fiat options - but it’s also more restricted globally. HTX has fewer pairs but is growing faster, offers a more consistent buyback program, and has better support in Asia and Africa. If you’re outside the U.S. and want a platform that’s actually expanding, HTX is often the better choice. If you need maximum leverage or U.S. access, Binance’s regional version might suit you better.

Final Thoughts

HTX isn’t perfect. It’s not the biggest, and it’s not available everywhere. But it’s one of the few exchanges that’s genuinely growing in 2025 - not just in volume, but in trust. Their transparent security practices, consistent buybacks, and fast response to market trends set them apart. If you can access it, and you’re looking for a reliable, forward-moving exchange, HTX deserves a spot on your shortlist.