The move places HTX among 18 crypto and payment providers in the bloc’s 21st sanctions package over alleged links to Russia sanctions evasion networks.
The European Union has added HTX to its sanctions list, prohibiting all transactions between EU citizens or entities and the crypto exchange starting August 23. HTX is one of 18 crypto and payment service providers included in the EU’s 21st sanctions package, adopted on July 24, over allegations that the entities helped Russia circumvent financial restrictions tied to the conflict in Ukraine. The measure is not a full asset freeze, but it bars dealings by anyone under EU jurisdiction after a roughly 30-day wind-down period. The United Kingdom had already designated Huobi Global S.A., the entity operating HTX, on May 26, citing suspected links to Russian networks including A7 and Garantex. Founded in 2013 in China by Leon Li as Huobi, the exchange rebranded to HTX in September 2023 after Justin Sun acquired a significant stake in 2022. HTX reported $3.3 trillion in trading volume throughout 2025. The package also targets Belarusian nationals active in crypto, underscoring the EU’s view that digital assets have become a meaningful channel for sanctions circumvention.