HTX Review: Longest-running brand
HTX (formerly Huobi, founded 2013) is one of the longest-running cryptocurrency exchanges still in active operation. Standard spot trading fee is 0.20% maker/taker; USDT-margined perpetual futures fee is 0.02% maker, 0.06% taker.
- Spot, entry tier: 0.20%
- USDT-M futures: 0.02% maker / 0.06% taker
- Code fxu7b223 → 35% rebate on HTX fees
- Welcome bonus: Up to $5,000
Why HTX ranks #6 in our index
Rank #6 of 11 rests chiefly on longest-running brand, with HTX scoring strongest for Asia liquidity, earn yields, heritage brand. Its entry-tier spot fee is 0.20%; its referral terms give a 35% rebate on trading fees. Axis weights: the methodology.
Strengths
- 12+ years of continuous operation since 2013
- 592 listed assets, mid-pack for catalog depth in this index
- Mature Earn / staking yields
- VIP institutional desk for whale orders
Limitations
- Higher base spot fee (0.20%) than top-tier exchanges
- Brand transition (Huobi → HTX) still confuses some users
HTX fee schedule, entry tier
| Fee | Rate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Spot (maker = taker) | 0.20% | Entry tier, before referral discount |
| Futures maker | 0.02% | USDT-margined perpetuals, entry tier |
| Futures taker | 0.06% | USDT-margined perpetuals, entry tier |
Table 2 · HTX rates transcribed from the HTX fee schedule, read 7 Sep 2026. Change history: corrections log; the linked page is authoritative.
Where HTX sits in the index
HTX is #6, placed after Gate.io review — Deep altcoin catalog (#5) and ahead of MEXC review — Lowest published fees (#7). Best-fit profile in our scoring: Asia liquidity, earn yields, heritage brand. 5 product lines at HTX (Spot, Futures, Earn, Loans, VIP Desk) against 6 at Binance, Gate.io, MEXC, the broadest of the 11. Founded 2013 and based in Seychelles, HTX lists 592 assets, level with the index median of 592 — counted from its own instruments endpoint on 2026-09-17. Security record, checked 2026-09-17: HTX was hit twice in late 2023. The September incident drained 4,999 ETH from a hot wallet on the 24th — $7.9 million on-chain, $8 million in Justin Sun's telling — and the attacker returned the funds on 7 October for a 250 ETH bounty. Attackers hit HTX hot wallets and the affiliated HECO bridge in November 2023, with CNBC reporting a running total near $115 million. HTX suspended deposits and withdrawals on both and committed to fully compensate losses from the hot-wallet attack; we have found nothing extending that commitment to the bridge. Source ↗ Second source ↗
HTX against the index median
8 of the other 10 index members undercut HTX on spot: 0.20% against a median of 0.10%. As a futures taker HTX charges 0.06%, above the 0.055% median — tied 8th of 11 (with 2 others). The 35% HTX rebate is below the 40% index median: 7th of 11. On a $1,000 futures taker fill, HTX charges $0.60 before the rebate and $0.39 after it (35%).
| Metric | HTX | Median (n=11) | Best (n=11) | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot fee | 0.20% | 0.10% | 0% MEXC | tied 9th of 11 (with 2 others) |
| Futures taker fee | 0.06% | 0.055% | 0.02% MEXC | tied 8th of 11 (with 2 others) |
| Futures maker fee | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0% MEXC | tied 2nd of 11 (with 9 others) |
| Referral rebate | 35% | 40% | up to 60% Weex | 7th of 11 |
Table 3 · HTX versus the index (n=11); Table 2 figures, read 7 Sep 2026.
How to claim the HTX fee discount
Referral terms at HTX attach at sign-up only: an account opened without fxu7b223 cannot add a 35% rebate on trading fees afterwards.
- Register via this page; code
fxu7b223is embedded in the URL. - Verify identity: HTX lists KYC as Required, so expect withdrawals to stay locked until a government ID is on file.
- Deposit $1 or more, the recorded minimum at HTX. The welcome-bonus tiers (published ceiling up to $5,000), set on the promotion page behind the sign-up button, typically start higher.
- Place one qualifying trade at HTX: 0.20% spot, 0.06% futures taker, entry tier.
- A 35% rebate on trading fees then flows back on every fill while HTX keeps the programme open.
References
- HTX fee schedule, read 7 Sep 2026: HTX official fee page (htx.com)
- Founding year (2013) and headquarters (Seychelles): CoinGecko exchange API entry for HTX, cross-checked on Wikipedia, cycle 7 Sep 2026.
- HTX referral programme page, quoted as published: Up to $5,000 bonus ceiling and a 35% rebate on trading fees as the referral terms.