FCA stops crypto promotions by HTX exchange with High Court order - Investment Week

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has obtained a High Court order against HTX, the crypto exchange formerly known as Huobi, to stop it from promoting cryptoasset services to UK consumers. The action reflects the regulator's position that crypto promotions in the UK must comply with its financial promotion regime, which requires firms to be authorised or to have their marketing approved by an authorised party.

For markets, the case is a reminder that UK crypto distribution is now governed by enforceable marketing rules rather than informal guidance. Exchanges targeting UK users face a choice between complying with the regime and withdrawing promotional activity. The use of a court order, rather than only administrative warnings, signals the FCA's willingness to escalate against firms it regards as operating outside the perimeter.

What to watch: whether other offshore platforms receive similar treatment, how UK users' access to affected venues changes, and whether the FCA publishes further detail on the order's scope. The development is relevant to anyone tracking regulatory risk in crypto, but it does not by itself indicate a change in the underlying rules — only in their enforcement.