Which Countries Does HTX Restrict?

HTX restricts 21 jurisdictions in total: 10 are barred from all services and 11 from derivatives trading, according to the “Restricted Jurisdictions” section of the HTX Platform User Agreement.

HTX Restricted Countries List in 2026

Below is the 2026 HTX restricted countries list, grouped by region and reflecting both full-service bans and derivatives-only restrictions.

Why Does HTX Restrict These Countries?

HTX restricts countries to manage sanctions exposure, AML/CFT risk, licensing obligations, and derivatives rules, while its User Agreement separates jurisdictions banned from all services from those restricted only from derivatives.

1. Sanctions and AML/CFT Compliance

HTX’s full-service country bans broadly align with sanctions, terrorist-financing, and money-laundering controls affecting high-risk jurisdictions and cross-border virtual asset providers.

Key compliance drivers behind full-service restrictions:

• Sanctions: Users from the United States can trigger exposure to OFAC sanctions rules, which apply broad or targeted restrictions to countries, entities, and individuals.
• Embargoes: Jurisdictions such as Cuba, Iran, and North Korea often create heightened screening obligations because sanctions may restrict transactions, assets, or counterparties.
• AML Risk: FATF standards expect virtual asset service providers to understand money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks, then license, register, and supervise accordingly.
• Proliferation: High-risk jurisdictions may involve proliferation-financing concerns, requiring crypto platforms to strengthen monitoring, customer due diligence, and jurisdiction-based access controls.
• Enforcement: HTX’s terms allow restrictions, freezes, or termination when users violate laws, platform rules, or special rules governing products and services.
• Screening: Full-service bans simplify compliance where sanctions, identity checks, source-of-funds reviews, or transaction monitoring cannot reliably reduce regulatory risk.

2. Local Licensing and Product Rules

Some HTX limits are product-specific because local regulators restrict crypto derivatives, retail access, leverage, marketing, or platform licensing rather than banning all crypto activity.

Main product-rule reasons behind derivatives restrictions:

• Derivatives: The United Kingdom FCA bans crypto-derivatives sales to retail consumers, matching HTX’s retail-only UK derivatives restriction.
• Leverage: Singapore MAS prohibits digital payment token service providers from offering credit or leverage to retail customers.
• Licensing: Hong Kong SFC maintains licensing rules and public lists for virtual asset trading platforms operating locally.
• EU Rules: The European Commission says MiCA regulates crypto-asset services across the EU, increasing authorization and compliance expectations for exchanges.
• Spain: Spain CNMV has imposed CFD and retail investor protection measures, supporting stricter treatment of derivative-style crypto products.
• China: Mainland China restrictions reflect the People’s Bank of China policy environment, where crypto trading activity has faced strict regulatory limits.
• Product Scope: HTX distinguishes all-service bans from derivatives-only bans, showing restrictions depend on jurisdiction risk and the specific product offered.

HTX Supported Countries

HTX is available in 170+ countries, giving eligible users access depending on local law, account verification, and HTX’s restricted-jurisdiction rules. Its global footprint covers major crypto markets across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and other active trading regions.

By the end of March 2026, HTX’s total registered users officially surpassed 59 million, with quarterly brand reach hitting 53.55 million. Eligible users can access spot trading, futures, Earn products, OTC services, copy trading, fiat services, trading bots, and selected Web3 features.

Similarweb’s traffic data shows HTX’s largest desktop audience sources were Russia at 31.64%, Brazil 6.61%, Ukraine 6.07%, India 4.17%, and Hong Kong 2.59%, while other countries together accounted for 48.92% of visits.

Can I Use HTX in the USA?

No. HTX’s User Agreement lists the United States of America among jurisdictions prohibited from using all services, meaning US residents should not open, trade, deposit, or use HTX products. Its fiat service agreement also says legal tender top-ups and withdrawals are unavailable to US users.

Historically, Huobi’s US access was phased out after regulatory concerns. Huobi Global disabled remaining US accounts in 2019, while its US partner exchange HBUS later halted trading and gave customers until January 31, 2020, to withdraw assets.

What Fiat Currencies Does HTX Support?

HTX supports fiat onboarding through balance purchases, card payments, OTC desk, P2P, and fiat-to-stablecoin rails, with coverage varying by country, provider, KYC status, and payment method.

Key fiat currencies and onboarding routes include:

• US Dollar (USD): Supported through fiat balance purchases, USD deposits and withdrawals via partners, OTC block trades, and newer fiat-to-stablecoin channels for eligible users.
• Euro (EUR): Available for fiat balance crypto purchases, card-linked transactions, OTC desk block trades, and expanded compliant on/off-ramp access across supported European markets.
• British Pound (GBP): Supported for fiat balance purchases and selected card-linked onboarding, with availability tied to local eligibility and payment-provider coverage.
• Russian Ruble (RUB): Listed by HTX among fiat balance currencies for buying crypto, and also supported for selling cryptocurrencies into fiat balance.
• Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH): Supported for fiat balance crypto purchases, giving eligible users a local-currency route into HTX’s Quick Buy/Sell flow.
• Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT): Included in HTX’s fiat balance purchase currencies, helping eligible users buy crypto without first converting into another major fiat currency.
• Japanese Yen (JPY): Supported through HTX OTC desk block trades and included in the 2026 expansion of fiat-to-stablecoin channels across major regions.
• Hong Kong Dollar (HKD): Available through OTC desk block trades and included in HTX’s 2026 fiat on/off-ramp expansion for compliant fiat-to-stablecoin access.

HTX Licenses and Regulation

HTX’s current Global Licensed Businesses page lists two disclosed regulatory entries: Pakistan and South America. For Pakistan, HTX lists a Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulation Authority No Objection Certificate from PVARA; for South America, it lists payment and remittance services.

The Pakistan entry should be read as a No Objection Certificate, not a full universal exchange license. PVARA’s framework is designed for virtual-asset oversight, while HTX’s South America disclosure is broader and only describes payment and remittance services without naming a specific country-level regulator.

Historically, Huobi also operated through regulated or licensed entities outside today’s HTX disclosure. Huobi Gibraltar received a DLT license from the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission in 2018, later using that entity for institutional brokerage, OTC, and a planned migration of spot trading activity.

Huobi Japan entered the market by acquiring licensed exchange BitTrade and relaunched as an FSA-licensed platform in 2019, but that business later became BitTrade and was no longer HTX-branded. Huobi Thailand’s license was revoked, and Malaysia ordered Huobi Global to cease local operations for operating without DAX registration.

Does HTX Require KYC?

Yes. HTX requires identity verification to unlock key account functions such as deposits, withdrawals, higher purchase limits, and P2P access, while unverified accounts face tighter limits and product restrictions.

1. HTX KYC Limits

HTX uses tiered identity verification: Basic Verification unlocks deposit and withdrawal permissions, while higher levels increase withdrawal, deposit, and crypto purchase limits.

Main HTX KYC limits to know:

• Unverified: HTX reduced the maximum daily BTC withdrawal limit for users who have not completed ID verification to 0.06 BTC.
• Level 1: HTX’s withdrawal-limit notice lists Level 1 individual accounts at 5 BTC per 24 hours after the platform’s adjustment.
• Level 2: Level 2 verification raises the listed individual withdrawal limit to 200 BTC per 24 hours, according to HTX’s adjustment notice.
• Level 3: HTX’s official notice also lists Level 3 individual accounts at 200 BTC per 24 hours after the updated limit adjustment.
• Fiat Access: KYC is commonly required for fiat services, including USD deposits and withdrawals, card buying, and other fiat onboarding routes.
• P2P Access: HTX’s P2P guide tells users to ensure their account has completed KYC verification before using P2P buying features.

2. How to Complete HTX KYC

HTX identity verification is completed from the account verification area on the website or app, with higher levels requiring more information and documents.

Steps to complete HTX KYC:

1. Log In: Sign in to the HTX website or app, then open the account, profile, or identity verification section.
2. Choose Level: Select the verification level needed for your intended activity, such as basic deposits, higher withdrawals, fiat purchases, or P2P trading.
3. Enter Details: Provide personal information such as nationality, name, date of birth, and other requested identity details.
4. Upload ID: Submit a supported government-issued identity document, making sure the image is clear, complete, and matches your account information.
5. Complete Face Check: Follow any facial recognition, video, or liveness-check prompts required for higher verification levels.
6. Wait Review: Submit the application and wait for HTX to approve, reject, or request additional documents before limits are upgraded.

About HTX

HTX was founded in 2013 as Huobi by Leon Li, later growing into a global crypto exchange. The brand’s public leadership history also includes Justin Sun, founder of TRON, who became a global advisor and helped present the HTX rebrand.

Huobi rebranded to HTX in September 2023 during its 10th anniversary, positioning the name around Huobi, TRON, and “X” for exchange. Recent milestones include 59 million registered users, stronger HTX DAO integration, and expanding exchange, research, venture, and ecosystem initiatives.

HTX publishes Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves and says user assets are backed at a minimum 1:1 ratio. Its April 2026 report showed major reserve ratios above 100%, while current plans focus on HTX DAO governance, RWA support, developer tools, and ecosystem expansion.

Final Thoughts

HTX supported and restricted countries matter because access depends on jurisdiction, regulation, KYC status, and product type. Before registering, users should confirm their country is eligible and review HTX’s latest restricted-jurisdiction terms.

After registering from a supported region, complete KYC, secure the account with two-factor authentication, review fiat and withdrawal limits, and check whether spot, futures, Earn, P2P, or fiat services are available locally.