Quick answer
- HTX (formerly Huobi, founded 2013) accepts email or phone registration; basic KYC is typically approved in 5–30 minutes.
- The standard spot fee is 0.2% maker/taker at the base tier — verify current VIP and campaign rates on the HTX fee page before trading.
- New users registering via Cex101’s referral link can claim up to $170 in task-based welcome rewards (tied to registration, KYC, first deposit, and first trade completion).
- HTX restricts access for users in the United States, Canada, and sanctioned regions — confirm eligibility via HTX’s support center before creating an account.
Why HTX in 2026?
HTX — rebranded from Huobi in 2023 — has operated continuously since 2013, surviving multiple bear markets, exchange collapses, and regulatory shifts that took out younger competitors. With over 45 million registered users and 500+ tradable tokens, it remains one of the most liquid venues for Asian-market pairs and an established name in derivatives trading.
For traders outside the United States, HTX offers three things newer exchanges struggle to match: historical depth in altcoin pairs, a functioning P2P on-ramp for CNY and regional fiat currencies (covered in our HTX P2P and CNY On-Ramp guide), and a derivatives suite with up to 200x leverage reviewed in our HTX Perpetual Futures guide. The 0.2% base spot fee is higher than Binance’s 0.1%, but fee reduction through HT token holdings or volume tiers can close that gap — see the HTX fee page for the current tier structure.
This guide covers only registration, KYC, and first deposit — the steps required before any trading can begin.
Evidence snapshot
| Fact checked | Current reading | Source / limit |
|---|---|---|
| Spot fee (base tier) | 0.2% maker and taker; VIP tiers and promotional rates are lower and subject to change | HTX fee page |
| Platform history | Founded 2013 as Huobi; rebranded HTX in 2023 | HTX official site |
| KYC requirement | Required for full withdrawal limits and futures access; process requires government ID and selfie | HTX support center |
| Welcome bonus | Up to $170 in task-based vouchers via Cex101 referral — campaign terms, amounts, and timelines set by HTX and can change | Verify at time of registration |
| Desk review note | Fee comparisons and deposit method details reviewed 2026-06-19 against linked official pages; not a quote or guarantee from HTX | Internal desk review |
Cex101 Exclusive Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee Discount | Reduced trading fees when registering through Cex101’s referral link |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to $170 in rewards for completing registration tasks |
| Primelist Access | Early access to HTX’s new token launch platform |
| Guides & Support | Cex101 beginner tutorials and security checklists |
These benefits apply only when registering through Cex101’s referral link. Signing up directly on HTX does not include them.
Fit / not-fit
Best for:
- Traders in Asia-Pacific, MENA, or CIS regions wanting deep local-market token liquidity and P2P on-ramps
- Mid-frequency spot traders comfortable with a 0.2% base fee who value platform longevity over the lowest headline rate
- Derivatives traders seeking up to 200x leverage with an exchange that has a 13-year operational record
- Users interested in early-stage token access via HTX Primelist
Avoid if:
- You are based in the United States, Canada, Japan (main entity), or a sanctioned jurisdiction — HTX is restricted in these regions
- You want the lowest possible spot fee without holding platform tokens (Binance’s published base is 0.1%; see the Binance fee schedule)
- You need a fully licensed, domestically regulated exchange for compliance reasons in your home country
- You are new to crypto and prefer a simplified, limited-selection interface to start
Step-by-Step HTX Registration
Step 1 — Create Your Account
- Click the Register button on this page to open HTX’s sign-up form through Cex101’s referral link.
- Enter your email address or mobile phone number.
- Set a strong password — at least 8 characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols.
- Enter the verification code sent to your email or phone.
Use an email address you check regularly. HTX sends security alerts and bonus task updates to your registered address.
Step 2 — Complete KYC Verification
- Log in and go to Account → Identity Verification.
- Select your country of residence and enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your ID.
- Upload a clear photo of a government-issued ID (passport, national ID card, or driver’s license).
- Complete the facial recognition selfie following the on-screen prompts.
- Wait for approval — typically 5 to 30 minutes; peak periods can extend to 24 hours.
KYC unlocks full withdrawal limits and access to futures trading and Primelist. Without it, your account is limited to basic spot purchases with restricted withdrawal caps.
Step 3 — Deposit Funds
| Method | Processing Time | Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer (SWIFT/SEPA) | 1–3 business days | Low or free | Large deposits from traditional banks |
| Credit/Debit Card | Instant | 1.5%–3.5% | Quick small first purchase |
| P2P Trading | 5–30 minutes | Zero platform fee | Local payment methods, CNY, LatAm currencies |
| Crypto Transfer | 5–60 minutes | Network fee only | Moving funds from another exchange |
| Third-Party Payment | Instant to 1 hour | Varies | Regional payment processors |
P2P trading is typically the most cost-effective entry point — zero platform fee, paying only the merchant’s listed spread. For speed, a card purchase delivers crypto in seconds at a higher processing cost. See the HTX P2P and CNY On-Ramp guide for a full breakdown of merchant selection and regional payment options.
Step 4 — Place Your First Trade
- Go to Trade → Spot Trading.
- Search for your pair — beginners typically start with BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT.
- Choose Market Order for instant execution or Limit Order to set your own price.
- Enter the amount and click Buy.
- Your purchased crypto appears in your Spot Account immediately.
Consider starting with a modest amount to learn the interface before scaling up, and use dollar-cost averaging to reduce timing risk.
Step 5 — Secure Your Account
- Enable Google Authenticator (2FA) immediately after your first login — this is the single most effective account protection step.
- Set an Anti-Phishing Code — HTX embeds it in every genuine email so you can distinguish fakes.
- Enable Login IP Whitelisting to restrict access to known IP addresses.
- Set a separate Trading Password required before any trade or withdrawal executes.
- Review Login History regularly for unrecognized sessions.
HTX support does not request passwords, 2FA codes, or seed phrases through any channel. Do not share them.
Common Registration Mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong deposit network | Funds permanently lost | Confirm the chain (ERC-20, TRC-20, HECO) matches on both the sending and receiving ends |
| Skipping KYC | Limited withdrawals, no futures access | Complete KYC within your first session |
| No 2FA enabled | Account takeover risk | Set up Google Authenticator before depositing |
| Ignoring Primelist | Missing discounted early launches | Check HTX Primelist regularly after setup |
| Trading on public WiFi | Man-in-the-middle exposure | Use private, secured connections only |
Risk boundary
This article is not financial advice. Registration steps, fee figures, bonus amounts, and deposit methods described here were reviewed on 2026-06-19 against publicly available official sources. Fees, campaigns, supported regions, KYC requirements, and product availability are set by HTX and subject to change at any time without notice.
Always verify current terms directly on HTX’s official site and the HTX fee page before depositing or trading. Welcome bonus terms should be confirmed at the point of registration — task structures and amounts change across campaign periods. Geographic restrictions can also change as HTX adjusts its compliance posture; if you are uncertain about eligibility in your jurisdiction, consult HTX’s support center and seek independent legal or financial advice.
Crypto trading carries a significant risk of loss. For a broader platform assessment, see our HTX Exchange Honest Review 2026.
HTX has been supporting traders through every market cycle since 2013. Register through Cex101’s link above, complete your KYC, and claim your welcome rewards today.
This article contains affiliate links. When you register through Cex101’s referral links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This does not influence our content or recommendations. See our Terms of Service for details.