HTX Review: Is It Safe, Legit, and Worth Using in 2025?

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HTX, formerly known as Huobi, is one of the longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges in the industry. Founded in 2013 by Leon Li in China, it quickly rose to become one of the world’s top three exchanges during the early days of crypto. Today, despite rebranding and ownership changes—including acquisition by About Capital and advisory involvement from Justin Sun—HTX remains a notable player with over 600 supported cryptocurrencies and strong trading liquidity.

But how does HTX perform in 2025 when it comes to security, fees, usability, and trustworthiness? This comprehensive review dives into real user experience across key aspects: platform safety, transaction costs, trading performance, deposit/withdrawal options (especially for Taiwan users), customer support, and community sentiment.

Key Features at a Glance

HTX supports more than 600 cryptocurrencies, offering both spot and derivatives trading including futures and options. Leverage goes up to 200x, making it attractive for advanced traders. The exchange operates globally but has limited regulatory oversight, which raises concerns for risk-conscious investors.

One standout feature is its no-KYC policy for basic trading—users can trade without identity verification unless accessing fiat services or financial products like staking.

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Security Assessment: Is HTX Safe?

While HTX has avoided major hacks for most of its history, recent events and structural weaknesses raise red flags about long-term safety.

1. Lack of Real Investor Protection

In 2018, HTX launched an investor protection fund promising compensation for losses due to platform failures. However, just two years later, the fund was effectively dismantled—first capped annually, then replaced with a vague "risk reserve" system that lacks transparency.

Unlike exchanges that publish audited reserve wallets, HTX does not disclose where this risk reserve is held or how it's funded. Without verifiable proof, this mechanism appears more symbolic than functional.

2. Minimal Government Regulation

HTX holds only a handful of licenses:

Notably absent are approvals from major financial regulators like the U.S. SEC, UK FCA, or EU MiCA framework. In fact, HTX appears on the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s unauthorized firms list, warning consumers against use.

Regulatory scarcity undermines confidence, especially compared to proactive peers like Binance or OKX, which have invested heavily in compliance.

3. Unhealthy Reserve Composition

HTX publishes proof-of-reserves using Merkle trees, but these audits are not conducted by third-party firms—a growing standard among top-tier platforms. More concerning is the asset composition:

A healthy reserve should minimize exposure to volatile assets—including platform-specific tokens—and include sufficient stablecoins for liquidity stability. HTX falls short here.

Additionally, users cannot verify their individual balances in real time, only during periodic audits—a common limitation but still a transparency gap.

4. Security Incidents: $8M Loss in 2023

In September 2023, blockchain analysts detected abnormal outflows from HTX’s hot wallet—approximately 5,000 ETH ($8 million)—confirming a successful breach. Justin Sun acknowledged the loss, downplaying it as “a small amount.”

Regardless of scale, any compromise of hot wallet security is alarming. For an exchange once considered among the elite, such incidents suggest room for improvement in cybersecurity infrastructure.

Trading Experience: Functionality & Interface

HTX offers a full suite of trading tools but lags behind competitors in interface design and mobile functionality.

Spot Trading

With over 600 coins listed, HTX covers most major and emerging projects. Liquidity is solid—market orders execute within seconds, and limit orders typically fill without slippage under normal market conditions.

However, the interface feels outdated:

Compared to sleeker platforms like OKX or Bybit, HTX’s UI feels clunky and inefficient.

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Futures & Derivatives

HTX supports both USDT-margined and coin-margined perpetual contracts, plus delivery futures for BTC, ETH, and TRX. There are 96 U-margined pairs—competitive but not leading.

Key pros:

Cons:

Despite decent execution speed, the overall experience feels less polished than industry leaders.

Fees & Cost Efficiency

HTX’s fee structure varies significantly between spot and derivatives markets.

Spot Trading Fees

This is nearly double Binance’s standard 0.1% rate. However, discounts apply:

While not the cheapest option, strategic use of promotions can reduce costs.

Futures Fees

These rates align with market averages. Funding rates fluctuate based on market sentiment but remain competitive.

Deposit & Withdrawal Options (Taiwan-Friendly)

HTX does not support direct TWD deposits or withdrawals. Users must rely on indirect methods:

Depositing TWD

  1. Credit Card via Third Parties (e.g., MoonPay)

    • Fast (5–30 mins)
    • High fees: 3%–6%
    • Minimum: ~319 TWD

  2. P2P Trading

    • No platform fees
    • Exchange rates vary widely (1 USDT = 24.5–35.4 TWD)
    • Risk of unreliable sellers

Withdrawing to TWD

Same limitations apply:

This extra step adds friction and potential slippage.

Customer Support Quality

HTX offers 24/7 live chat, but effectiveness is questionable:

The process feels inefficient—users expect instant answers, not internal escalation loops.

Community Sentiment: What Do Users Say?

On platforms like PTT, Taiwanese users express mixed views:

There's no consensus on safety—some trust the brand’s longevity; others remain skeptical due to regulatory gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is HTX legal in Taiwan?

HTX is not officially licensed in Taiwan but can be accessed without restrictions. Users should exercise caution due to lack of local regulatory protection.

Is HTX a scam?

No. HTX has operated since 2013 and continues active trading. While security practices need improvement, there's no evidence of fraudulent intent.

Does HTX require KYC?

Not for basic trading. KYC is required only for fiat deposits, C2P transactions, or certain financial products like staking.

How safe is my account on HTX?

Account-level protections are solid: 2FA, withdrawal whitelists, anti-phishing codes. However, systemic risks remain due to weak reserves and low regulation.

Can I trade derivatives on HTX?

Yes. HTX offers U-margined and coin-margined perpetuals with up to 200x leverage, plus delivery futures for select assets.

What are the best alternatives to HTX?

Exchanges like OKX, Bybit, and Binance offer better-regulated environments, superior interfaces, and stronger investor protections.

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Final Verdict: Should You Use HTX?

HTX remains functional with solid liquidity and a broad asset selection. It suits experienced traders comfortable navigating older interfaces and accepting moderate risk.

However, its lack of robust regulation, questionable reserve health, and dated user experience make it less ideal compared to modern alternatives.

For users prioritizing security, transparency, and innovation—especially in Asia—the smart move may be migrating to more future-ready platforms.

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