On 11 February 2026, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a formal legal challenge against the cryptocurrency exchange HTX, a platform linked to blockchain entrepreneur Justin Sun. The FCA alleges that HTX has been promoting its crypto services to UK residents in violation of the regulator’s recent rules on financial promotions.

Regulatory Grounds

The FCA’s complaint focuses on “illegal financial promotions,” a category defined under the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act. Under the new regulatory framework, any advertisement, marketing message, or public communication that encourages the purchase or sale of financial instruments must meet strict standards of accuracy, transparency, and risk disclosure. HTX’s promotional materials, according to the FCA, failed to satisfy these requirements, potentially misleading consumers about the risks associated with trading in the platform’s token and other digital assets.

The FCA has filed a lawsuit in the London High Court, seeking an injunction to halt HTX’s promotional activities within the United Kingdom and to impose financial penalties. The court case is expected to set a precedent for how foreign crypto exchanges interact with UK regulatory standards, especially those operating from jurisdictions with less stringent oversight, such as Panama where HTX is headquartered.

Impact on the Market

HTX’s market value, measured in USD, closed at $0.00000170374 on 11 February 2026. While the price remains in the sub‑micro‑dollar range, the exchange’s valuation is heavily influenced by regulatory sentiment. The exchange’s 52‑week high, $0.00000265483, was recorded on 17 September 2025, and its low, $0.00000149252, was reached on 6 April 2025. The FCA’s intervention could trigger a further decline in user confidence, potentially dragging the token’s price below its recent low.

Wider Context

The FCA’s action against HTX is part of a broader pattern of increased scrutiny across the crypto sector. Earlier in February, several other exchanges and service providers faced regulatory pressure for non‑compliant marketing. The regulatory environment has grown more complex as authorities seek to balance innovation with consumer protection. In parallel, other jurisdictions—such as Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission, which expanded its derivatives act to include crypto, and the U.S. banking sector’s calls for slower crypto charter approvals—have signaled a tightening global regulatory stance.

Conclusion

HTX’s confrontation with the FCA underscores the critical importance of compliance for digital asset platforms operating in the United Kingdom. As the legal process unfolds, market participants will be watching closely for how the court interprets the new promotion rules and the extent to which HTX can continue to market its services to UK users. The outcome may influence not only HTX’s future operations but also the broader strategy of overseas exchanges seeking access to the UK’s sizeable crypto‑trading community.