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HTX Adds Russia to Its Prohibited Jurisdictions: What It Means for Users

The HTX User Agreement lists Russia among jurisdictions whose users are prohibited from using any of the exchange’s services. HTX published no separate announcement: the media spotted the change on October 23, 2026. Here is what the document says, how the exchange responded and what users should expect.

AuthorAntonio MerklePublishedOctober 23, 2026UpdatedOctober 30, 20264 min read

The HTX User Agreement lists Russia among jurisdictions whose users are prohibited from using all of the exchange’s services. The change was spotted on October 23, 2026 by Kod.ru, followed by RBC. HTX made no separate announcement, and the document itself is dated by month only — September 2026.

What the HTX User Agreement says

• Clause 1.2 “Restricted Jurisdictions”: users from the listed jurisdictions are prohibited from using all services. The list includes mainland China, the US, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Hong Kong, the UK, Singapore, Myanmar, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sevastopol, the Russian Federation and all EU member states.
• A separate list covers jurisdictions where only derivatives trading is prohibited.
• According to RBC (as summarized by PANews), the restrictions apply to people residing or located in Russia and to businesses registered or primarily operating there; the agreement lets HTX restrict access to services, suspend withdrawals and close accounts, and change the list of jurisdictions without prior notice.
• According to the agreement itself, amendments take effect immediately upon publication on the platform, and continued use of the services counts as acceptance.

How the exchange responded and what users report

HTX’s press service told Kod.ru (in an update on October 24) that deposits and withdrawals work normally and user funds are fully backed by reserves. The exchange has not announced deadlines for closing accounts or withdrawing funds for users in Russia.

At the same time, according to user reports cited by Kod.ru, shortly before the agreement change some customers received emails about forced account closures citing a risk level beyond what the platform allows. HTX itself has not announced a mass closure of Russian accounts.

Context: EU sanctions and the UK exit

In summer 2026 HTX was included in the EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia: according to The Block, since August 23 EU operators are barred from transacting with the exchange (without an asset freeze). And on October 29, 2026, according to CoinDesk, HTX announced its exit from the UK after settling with the FCA.

HTX and other exchanges in October 2026

Read also: Bitget closes certain accounts · MEXC exits Russia and Belarus · KuCoin exits Russia and Belarus

What HTX users in Russia should do

1. 1

   Check your email and account messages

   If you got an account closure email, check the deadlines and make sure it really comes from HTX.
2. 2

   Withdraw your assets early

   While deposits and withdrawals work, withdraw what you do not need to keep on the exchange. Double-check the network, address and minimum, and start with a test transfer.
3. 3

   Do not hide your country of residence

   The agreement prohibits using the services from Russia; trying to bypass it risks an account block at the worst possible moment.
4. 4

   Use official channels only

   Account questions should go to customer support via the official HTX website or app.

About the author

Antonio Merkle

Crypto expert, arbitrage trader and investor

Crypto expert and hands-on crypto arbitrage trader, investor and software developer with over 20 years of experience. On the P2P.Army blog he covers exchange news, P2P and cross-exchange arbitrage.

• Crypto arbitrage
• P2P arbitrage
• Cross-exchange arbitrage
• Crypto exchanges
• Investing
• Software development

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