Soon after China called out a ban on fiat to cryptocurrency trading in the nation, many established digital currency exchanges had to cease their operations in China and seek refuge in other parts of the world. In this transition, few crypto exchanges failed to resume their functions, but few survived successfully, and HTX is one of those successful cryptocurrency exchanges that survived the Chinese expulsion.
In this HTX review, all the essential factors regarding the platform are discussed to help the traders understand how it works and its benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Formerly known as “Huobi”.
- The Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange was initially founded in Beijing.
- Offers an extensive list of supported cryptocurrencies.
- Offers an insurance policy cover to users to safeguard their assets held in the exchange.
- Multiple channels to reach the customer support team.
HTX Review Overview
Official Website | https://www.huobi.com/ |
Headquarters | Seychelles |
Found in | 2013 |
Native Token | Yes |
Listed Cryptocurrency | 375 |
Trading Pairs | 300+ |
Supported Fiat Currencies | No |
Supported Countries | Worldwide |
Minimum Deposit | 100 USD |
Deposit Fees | Depends on Currency |
Transaction Fees | Depends on Currency |
Withdrawal Fees | Depends on Currency |
Application | Yes |
Customer Support | Email, Telephone, Online chat, Ticket system & Social media |
Our Take On HTX Crypto Exchange
HTX, formerly Huobi, faces regulatory challenges and concerns about transparency. While it offers diverse trading options, users should monitor ongoing developments for long-term reliability.
What Is HTX?
HTX is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange Singapore platform based initially in Beijing but currently headquartered in Singapore. The exchange supports both ICO tokens and cryptocurrencies and emphasizes the future development of the Blockchain economy. It also has crypto trading bot feature, known as “HTX Trading Bot”, which allows users to have flexibility of crypto bot trading.
After its relocation in Singapore in 2020 following a ban imposed by the Chinese government on ICOs and fiat to crypto trading, HTX established its offices in other parts of the world like Hong Kong, the USA, and South Korea, and started to explore the crypto markets in Japan. However, the crypto ban in China and HTX’s expulsion from the nation could not prevent the crypto exchange from its operations, and it presently has over 3 million active account holders.
History of HTX
HTX’s history starts with Leon Li, a former Oracle engineer who, in 2013, purchased the HTX domain before taking up BTC live trading later in that year. Prompt to capitalize on the momentum gained around the emerging Bitcoin market in China, HTX harnessed investments from leading investors, including the Sequoia Capital group.
Soon after its launch, HTX proved that capturing the crypto market share is no rocket science, and the exchange made over $4 billion in turnover in just three months following its live launch. By 2014, the exchange had quadrupled its turnover and proved that it would finally fulfill Asia’s digital asset exchange needs.
As per HTX review, the exchange reported a turnover of $247 billion in 2016, which is almost half of the world’s cryptocurrency exchange market share. However, everyone knows that the cryptocurrency market is always unpredictable.
To everyone’s surprise, it was improved when the Chinese authorities dropped the banhammer on the cryptocurrency exchanges operating in China last year. To combat this blow, HTX, in just one move, decided to pull out all of its crypto operations from China and devised an alternative plan.
It was then that HTX relocated to Singapore, and until this moment, it laid all its focus on the Chinese market. However, now that the exchange was out of China, it had to reinvent itself elsewhere to survive in the crypto industry. Thus, the crypto exchange began to globalize its operations; it began exploring markets in Japan, Russia, Korea, etc.
HTX Review: Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Impressive user interface. | Does not support fiat deposits and withdrawals. |
The Main exchange supports over 300 cryptocurrencies and tokens. | The verification process is a bit lengthy. |
Employs high-level cyber security mechanisms. | |
Responsive customer support team. | |
HTX users enjoy the right to vote on the alternative HADAX exchange that supports multiple altcoins. |
HTX Key Features and Services
The HTX exchange hosts the following features for its registered clients:-
Easy User Interface
Like many exchanges, the HTX website is easy to navigate and balances functionalities, visual pleasure, and elegance. There are proper price feeds, charting tools, market depth data organized structurally within the trading interface. The alternative HADAX crypto market that supports smaller tokens and altcoins also benefits from HTX’s professional interface and functionalities.
Multiple Order Types
The exchange offers the following order types:-
- Limit order
- Market order
- Stop Limit order
The platform also supports margin trading in bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) with 5x leverage and a fee of 0.1% for 24 hours.
Flash Trade
This is one of the most exciting features on HTX that incorporates an order book, a chart index, and a market chart. The Flash Trade enables users to try real-time trading volume, especially at times of high volatility.
Compatible Across Multiple Platforms
The HTX platform is compatible with multiple platforms like Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.
Security
The security measures at HTX are robust. The platform is incorporated in Singapore, where the crypto regulations are advanced and support various blockchain startups. It provides multiple security mechanisms to safeguard users’ accounts like the 2-factor authentication is available for both SMS and Authenticator apps.
Swift Customer Service
HTX promptly responds to customer issues. Contacting its customer service team is also very easy. The customer support team immediately answers any trading issues within the hour.
Services Offered by HTX Exchange
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HTX provides the following core services to its users:-
An Extensive List of Trading Pairs
Like many exchanges, HTX offers an extensive list of digital currencies available to trade. HTX’s wide selection of available crypto pairs focuses more on bringing in projects from Asia. For the same reason, it is also considered the best crypto trading destination for more upcoming projects from Korea, China, and Singapore.
User Protection Fund
Much like the leading regulated exchange like Binance’s that offers an insurance policy called SAFU, HTX channels its profits into its ‘User Protection Fund,’ which is more like an insurance policy to cover against thefts, hacks, or other unforeseen events that may affect the users’ wallets. This is a massive plus for its customers because getting an insurance cover like this means an assurance of getting their funds back if anything goes out of control while trading on the exchange.
Derivatives and Margin Trading
The founders of the HTX realized that it is not enough to provide a trading platform for cryptocurrency only; clients seek something more from the exchange to survive in the cryptocurrency market. Thus, it launched its own derivatives products for both Swap trading and Futures markets.
Soon after launching its derivative products, HTX focussed on margin trading, and now it is one of the market leaders offering support for C2C and Margin lending.
Institutional Trading Accounts
As one of the largest crypto exchanges, HTX has attracted institutional investors and traders from all over the world. To cater to the needs of these institutional traders, it has launched a separate trading desk that involves both OTC (Over-the-counter) and dark pool trading.
Smart-Chain Analysis
The Smart-Chain analysis is a very useful value-added functionality offered on the HTX platform. It provides insights to the users on various blockchain assets and more than 50 different trade indicators.
HTX API
HTX global allows its users to code their crypto trading bots via the HTX API key or the REST API.to begin trading with the HTX API, users first need to generate their API key that they should not share with anyone.
Security and Regulation
As per many online reviews and our research, we can say that the security measures employed by the HTX exchange platform are well structured, as it is expected from a huge and best crypto exchange like HTX . The exchange is built on an advanced distributed system architecture with almost 98% of its clients’ assets being held in multi-signature offline cold storage wallets, adding extra security. Since its launch, there have not been any incidents of cybersecurity hacks reported against the crypto exchange.
HTX is a trustworthy and best crypto exchange catering to the needs of the highest traditional standards. Financial as well as cryptocurrency markets worldwide.
Trading Platform and Tools: Experience
HTX offers a robust mobile application compatible with both iOS and Android devices and allows traders to trade on the go. It is easy to navigate and provides the same functionalities as the desktop version. Moreover, the app enables the users to complete all the required verification and registration compliances directly from the mobile phone itself.
HTX Exchange Registration Process
Opening an account on the HTX exchange platform is very simple. The only complicated part is choosing the exchange version; all the arrangements like hbus.com, Huobi.com, Huobipro, or hbg.com are equally helpful, but separate versions are available for users in different locations. Like for the Americans, HTX US or HBUS will be the right site. To start trading on the platform, users should follow these steps:-
Sign Up
As soon as users find their perfect version of the exchange according to their citizenship, they need to click on the “Sign Up” tab on the upper right-hand corner of the home page. This will take them to the registration page, where they will have to fill out a registration form with basic details like email, phone number, country of residence, and a strong password.
After successful registration, the HTX team will send an auto-generated activation mail into the user’s registered email address that they need to click on to activate their account. At this stage, users are prompted to add 2FA (two-factor-authentication) security in their account along with the password to add an extra layer of security to their funds and data.
Verification
After successful account creation and verification of email address, HTX requires the users to verify their name and nationality. The user’s name as registered on HTX should be precisely the same as it appears in any user’s bank accounts that he intends to link with the HTX account.
Users need to upload government-issued IDs for nationality verification like passports, driver’s licenses, Social Insurance numbers, Military certificates, etc. Once the documents are uploaded, users are required to upload a selfie with any government-issued document and submit the snapshot of the latest three deposit transactions.
Begin Trading
After successful verification, users will be directed to a page where they can find a neat summary of supported crypto coins attached, like for nationality verification users the total supply of that coin, its purpose, etc. It becomes much easier for crypto traders to choose their preferred crypto pair on the platform with all this information.
However, users should always do their research before proceeding, this nifty feature on the HTX platform should always be considered a reference.
Cryptocurrencies Available on HTX
The HTX exchange platform accepts 2 FIAT currencies – US Dollar (USD) and the Chinese Yuan (CNY). They also accept two leading digital currencies – Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC).
HTX Token (HT)
In its operation, HTX launched its token HT, which runs on the Ethereum blockchain. Unlike most native tokens established by crypto exchanges, HT price (HTX token price) was not released through an ICO but was given out as a loyalty scheme to account holders. HT token holders can pay for service-fee packages or vote for new tokens added to the alternative HADAX platform. $300 million worth of HT tokens were in the first 14 days of its launch.
HT gives users the right to slash the crypto trading fees on the exchange in half, allows users to engage in governance decisions regarding the exchange, and participate in several IEOs. Moreover, fee reduction on HTX using HT is effortless. Users just need to hold the HT tokens in their best crypto wallet and then select the option to use HT from the token configuration panel for trading fees. Now, they can enjoy huge discounts against the standard trading fees.
Additionally, there are VIP memberships available to users that they can book to reduce the same fees to a maximum of 65%.
Exchange Commission and Fees
HTX trading fees are super competitive and thus owe to the platform’s transition to a native token-based economy like KuCoin, BIbox, and Binance. Because deposits and withdrawals in and out of the HTX trading accounts are made in cryptocurrencies, the platform used to support both USD and Fiat Yuan withdrawals and deposits before the Chinese government imposition of the crypto ban, and thus there are no fees attached.
Trading fees are also very reasonable, and the exchange does not discriminate between the maker and the taker and charges a flat rate of 0.2% from them (taker and maker). However, the trading fees can also be reduced to 0.1% on a sliding scale depending on trading volumes.
HTX Withdrawal Fee and Limits
HTX charges a withdrawal fee which is the mining fee that is paid for the network services. The withdrawal fee charged for the top 7 coins are as follows:-
- Bitcoin – 0.001 to 0.001
- Bitcoin Cash – 0.0001
- EOS – 0.5
- Ethereum – 0.01
- XRP – 0.1
- Litecoin – 0.001
- Tether – 20
As per our HTX review and research, it allows users to create an account on the platform without any KYC compliances for nationality verification Users. This implies that there will be restrictions on the amount that users can withdraw within a given period. Unverified account holders can withdraw up to a maximum of 0.1 BTC once a day which is currently worth $600 a day. For Ethereum (ETH), the maximum withdrawal limit is up to 2.5 per day; for Bitcoin Cash (BCH), it is 0.6; for Ripple (XRP), it is 2500; and for Litecoin (LTC), it is 5 per day.
Customer Support
To reach its huge customer base settled worldwide, HTX provides customer services in dual languages- in English and Mandarin. According to a HTX review, traders can report to the customer service agents via telephone, email, or online chat. They can also raise tickets against their issues, and they will be resolved within a few hours.
HTX provides a great customer support experience for users, it also has several social media networks and has a dedicated messaging app community wherein traders can help with constructive solutions.
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HTX Review: Our Conclusion
Thus, the HTX exchange review confirms that the platform is indeed a reliable one. Apart from the other unique features that the platform hosts, the User Protection Fund surely deserves a special mention. It is pretty impressive for a platform like HTX to set aside reserve funds for users that will act as an insurance cover if any unforeseen breaches or hacks occur, which is truly commendable.
FAQs on HTX Crypto Exchange
Can US Citizens Trade on HTX?
Yes, citizens of the US can trade on HTX from late 2020. However, the platform recommends its US-based customers transfer their assets to HBUS, the U.S. affiliated firm operating with the global brand HTX.
Is HTX Safe?
Yes, HTX is a safe platform to trade, and thus, the platform has been gaining vast popularity since its launch.
How Do I Exchange Coins in HTX?
Users can exchange their preferred crypto coins in HTX by following these steps:-
- Visit the homepage of HTX exchange and click on the “Trade” button.
- Click on the “Exchange” tab and choose the digital currency and the preferred amount that they want to exchange.
- Confirm the amount and the USDT worth of crypto coins that they wish to exchange with bitcoin or any other crypto coins.
- Click on the “Confirm” tab to complete the transaction.
Are HTX Fees High?
As per various HTX reviews available online, the HTX fees appear to be a little higher than the global industry average.