--- title: "UK Regulator Tells Social Media Giants To Block HTX In Crypto Marketing Crackdown" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/275545212.md" description: "The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has ordered social media platforms to block cryptocurrency exchange HTX from British users due to illegal promotions. The FCA has initiated High Court proceedings against HTX, alleging it violated advertising rules despite prior warnings. This enforcement action is part of the FCA's stricter Financial Promotions Regime, effective since October 2023. The FCA has also requested the removal of HTX's apps from Google Play and Apple’s App Store, and placed HTX on its Warning List, indicating that users are not protected by UK compensation schemes." datetime: "2026-02-11T03:15:28.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/275545212.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275545212.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/275545212.md) --- > Supported Languages: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/275545212.md) | [繁體中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/275545212.md) # UK Regulator Tells Social Media Giants To Block HTX In Crypto Marketing Crackdown The UK’s financial watchdog has called on all major social media companies to block cryptocurrency exchange HTX from British users, marking a rare and aggressive escalation that underscores growing regulatory impatience with crypto firms accused of flouting advertising rules. > 📍Crypto News — Feb 10, 2026 > UK regulator moves to block crypto exchange HTX for illegal promotions — Britain’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has asked social media platforms and app stores to block access to crypto exchange HTX in the United Kingdom, alleging repeated… pic.twitter.com/t94dQOKj5C > > — EerieWay Uncovered (@EerieWayUncover) February 10, 2026 The move comes as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed it has launched High Court proceedings against HTX, formerly known as Huobi Global, alleging the exchange illegally promoted crypto asset services to UK consumers despite repeated warnings. According to the FCA, the case was filed in the Chancery Division of the High Court in October 2025. Because HTX is incorporated in Panama, the regulator said it has since received permission to formally serve the claim outside the UK and through alternative means, allowing the lawsuit to proceed despite the firm’s offshore status. The enforcement action is being brought under the UK’s Financial Promotions (FinProm) Regime, which came into force in October 2023 and significantly tightened how crypto companies can market their services to British consumers. > UK's FCA is taking a firm stance against HTX over illegal crypto promotions, reshaping market dynamics and steering traders towards transparent platforms like Maxi Doge. #CryptoRegulation#FCA#Blockchainhttps://t.co/aOWtR8a3twpic.twitter.com/mHg25qKB7Z > > — BlockBriefly (@blockbriefly) February 10, 2026 British regulators added that advertising crypto assets on social media or websites without complying with these rules is a criminal offense. > "The FCA had previously warned about HTX's promotion of crypto services to UK consumers. However, it has continues to publish financial promotions in breach of these rules on its website and on social media platforms including Tiktok, X, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. " Steve Smart, the FCA’s joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight, said the regulator’s advertising rules are designed to foster a “sustainable and competitive” crypto market while protecting consumers from misleading claims. He said HTX’s conduct stood “in stark contrast” to the majority of crypto firms who were willing to comply with the regime. It adds that this is the first time the FCA has taken enforcement action against a crypto firm for illegally marketing its products to UK consumers. > “We will continue to act against firms who ignore our rules.” Beyond the lawsuit itself, the FCA said it has formally requested that social media companies restrict HTX’s accounts for UK-based users, a move that signals regulators are now willing to pressure platforms directly rather than focusing solely on exchanges. > UK's FCA is taking a firm stance against HTX over illegal crypto promotions, reshaping market dynamics and steering traders towards transparent platforms like Maxi Doge. #CryptoRegulation#FCA#Blockchainhttps://t.co/aOWtR8a3twpic.twitter.com/mHg25qKB7Z > > — BlockBriefly (@blockbriefly) February 10, 2026 The watchdog has also asked Google Play and Apple’s App Store to remove HTX’s applications from availability in the UK, further limiting the firm’s ability to reach British customers while the case proceeds. HTX has additionally been placed on the FCA’s Warning List, alerting consumers that they are not protected by UK compensation schemes or complaint mechanisms if they engage with the exchange. ### Related Stocks - [Coinbase Global, Inc. (COIN.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/COIN.US.md) - [BTCS Inc. (BTCS.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTCS.US.md) - [Bakkt, Inc. (BKKT.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BKKT.US.md) - [Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust ETF (BTC.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BTC.US.md) - [Galaxy Digital Inc. (GLXY.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/GLXY.US.md) - [American Bitcoin Corp. (ABTC.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ABTC.US.md) - [MARA Holdings, Inc. (MARA.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MARA.US.md) - [Grayscale Litecoin Trust (LTC) (LTCN.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/LTCN.US.md) - [Hut 8 Corp. 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