Is HTX available in Europe? MiCA status and alternatives

HTX, the exchange formerly known as Huobi, rebranded in 2023,  has been one of the largest global crypto venues for over a decade. But the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA) reached full enforcement on July 1, 2026, and HTX is not among the authorised providers. Here is what that means for European users.

The short answer

As of July 2026, HTX does not appear in the ESMA interim MiCA register and has made no public announcement about a MiCA application, an EU entity, or a formal exit plan. Under MiCA, providing crypto services to EU clients without CASP authorisation after July 1, 2026 is a breach of EU law - France's regulator has gone as far as describing unlicensed operation as a criminal offence.

For EU-based HTX users, the practical expectation is geoblocking or progressive service restrictions, with no guaranteed timeline.

A decade of history, no EU licence

Huobi was founded in China in 2013 and survived multiple regulatory upheavals - the Chinese exchange ban, the move offshore, the 2023 rebrand to HTX under Justin Sun's involvement. What it did not do was build the EU-regulated infrastructure MiCA demands: a European legal entity, local governance, capital requirements and supervision by a national regulator.

The exchanges that committed to Europe (Coinbase, Kraken, OKX, Bybit) did so through dedicated EU entities and multi-year licensing efforts. HTX's silence through the entire 18-month transition period speaks for itself.

What EU users should do now

1. Stop depositing to HTX from an EU residence
2. Move assets to a MiCA-licensed venue or self-custody without waiting for a formal notice - forced wind-downs have historically come with short windows
3. Deal with USDT balances during the move: Tether is not MiCA-authorised, so licensed EU exchanges cannot trade it - convert to USDC, EURC or fiat (full explanation in Is USDT banned in Europe?)
4. Export your transaction history for tax records before access tightens

Best HTX alternatives in Europe

Only around 244 firms made it into the ESMA register, and roughly 14 hold the specific authorisation to operate a trading platform. These are the strongest licensed options (full breakdown in our list of MiCA-licensed crypto exchanges):

eToro - with a migration bonus

eToro is the first option to consider. eToro (Europe) Ltd obtained its MiCA licence from CySEC in February 2025 - one of the first platforms authorised - covering crypto trading and custody across the EU, alongside its long-standing MiFID investment firm licence.

It offers over 130 cryptocurrencies at a flat 1% fee per buy and sell, and combines crypto with stocks and ETFs in one regulated account (see our eToro review).

Its current transfer offer is the standout among licensed venues: move your crypto to eToro between July 1 and August 31, 2026 and earn 5% cashback paid in stocks, up to $2,000 per month, on eligible net deposits. If MiCA is forcing you to relocate anyway, this is the offer that pays for the move. T&Cs apply.

^{eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.}

OKX

The closest spot-trading experience to HTX. OKX operates in Europe through OKX Europe Limited, MiCA-licensed by Malta's MFSA on January 27, 2025, with a MiFID II entity and a Payment Institution licence added since.

Several hundred cryptocurrencies, professional-grade tools, spot fees from 0.08% maker / 0.10% taker, and monthly proof-of-reserves reports. USDT is delisted for EEA users under MiCA.

Bybit.eu

Bybit EU GmbH, authorised by Austria's FMA in May 2025, serves 29 EEA countries through bybit.eu with a flat 0.10% spot fee across hundreds of pairs, spot margin and Earn products. Derivatives are pending its MiFID II application, and USDT markets are replaced by MiCA-compliant stablecoins (USDQ/EURQ).

Kraken

Licensed through the Central Bank of Ireland since June 2025, Kraken pairs its CASP authorisation with MiFID and e-money licences - one of the deepest regulatory standings in European crypto, and currently the clearest option for EU retail traders who want regulated derivatives access, a relevant point for former HTX futures users.

Founded in 2011 with no major hack in its history, it offers over 400 cryptocurrencies with Kraken Pro fees from 0.25% maker / 0.40% taker, falling with volume.

Robinhood Europe

Robinhood Europe, licensed by the Bank of Lithuania, offers 65+ cryptocurrencies at a flat 0.50% fee (EURC fee-free) and runs a 5% crypto deposit match during July 2026 (2-year lock-up applies) - covered in our Robinhood Europe review.

Bottom line

HTX weathered the Chinese exchange ban, but MiCA is a different kind of barrier: it does not ban crypto, it bans unregulated intermediaries. With no application on record, European users should treat HTX access as ending and migrate on their own terms.

Our guide to the best crypto exchanges in Europe compares the licensed options in detail - and if you are also affected by the Binance situation, see Is Binance still available in Europe?

_{This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Crypto assets are highly volatile; you may lose the money you invest.}