The UK government has formally sanctioned HTX, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, and led by Tron founder Justin Sun, citing the platform’s alleged role in helping Russia evade Western economic restrictions. The sanctions, announced as part of a broader May 2026 enforcement action targeting 18 individuals and entities linked to illicit finance networks, make HTX the first crypto exchange to be designated under the UK’s Russia sanctions framework.
HTX is owned by billionaire entrepreneur Justin Sun, known in Chinese-speaking crypto circles, and was founded in China under its original name Huobi. The UK Foreign Office designated the exchange’s operating entity, Huobi Global S.A., citing its alleged provision of financial services to two Kremlin-linked entities.
UK sanctions HTX and EXMO over alleged Kremlin money-moving network
The UK Foreign Office (@FCDOGovUK) designated Huobi Global S.A. (@HuobiGlobal), the Panama-registered entity behind crypto exchange HTX, under its Russia sanctions regime on Tuesday. EXMO Exchange was hit in the… pic.twitter.com/8yYtZsiDm3
— BSCN (@BSCNews) May 26, 2026
Those entities are A7, a Kremlin-backed cryptocurrency network, and Garantex, a Moscow-based exchange. Both had already been sanctioned by the US government. According to the UK government’s notice, HTX allegedly helped process and route over $1.5Bn back into Russia through these networks.
For ordinary users with funds on HTX right now, this raises an immediate practical question. Here is the central tension this article unpacks: the exchange is still operating, but the regulatory ground beneath it has shifted in ways that directly affect access to withdrawals, banking relationships, and platform stability.
What UK Sanctions on HTX Actually Mean for Users
When a government sanctions a financial entity, it doesn’t immediately shut down the platform. Instead, it gradually limits the entity’s ability to operate as a banking partners and payment processors are required to cut ties.
In the UK, any individual or institution that provides financial support to Huobi Global S.A. risks criminal liability, and UK banks must block transactions with the designated entity. Users may find their ability to deposit or withdraw funds halted due to actions by their bank, not the exchange itself.
This marks the first time the UK has included a crypto exchange in its Russia sanctions, indicating a significant shift in how centralized exchanges are regulated, similar to traditional financial institutions.
Additionally, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority had already taken legal action against HTX in February 2025 for unlawful promotions to retail users, making the sanctions an escalation rather than an isolated incident.
Is Your Money Safe? What HTX Users Need to Know Right Now
The honest answer depends on your situation and location regarding HTX.
1. If you have funds on HTX, your risk has significantly increased. While no withdrawal halts have been announced, sanctions could unexpectedly freeze fiat withdrawal channels. Crypto-to-crypto withdrawals may function longer, but the risk of operational or legal issues on the platform is now higher. Remember: “not your keys, not your coins,” meaning your funds are held by the exchange, not you.
2. If you’re waiting on a fiat withdrawal or deposit, contact HTX support immediately and document everything. Sanctions can stall transactions, making recovery through a sanctioned entity much harder.
3. If you’ve withdrawn your funds, you’re less exposed to risk, but stay aware of any tax or compliance obligations related to your recent transactions on HTX, as regulators may scrutinize activity on designated platforms. Additionally, keep an eye on HTX’s proof-of-reserves verification, which has become crucial to assessing the platform’s solvency.
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HTX and Justin Sun: Why Regulators Moved Now
As an advisor to the HTX exchange, I was first made aware today of the recent developments and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
We believe in full compliance with all applicable laws and cooperation with law‑enforcement agencies worldwide.
I'm confident that… https://t.co/isgzB1UjjO
— H.E. Justin Sun
(@justinsuntron) May 26, 2026
The action against HTX doesn’t arrive in isolation. Justin Sun and his associated entities have accumulated a significant regulatory file. In 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission filed suit against personally, alleging unregistered securities offerings and market manipulation related to the TRX and BTT tokens – charges that remain active. Those allegations are separate from the Russia sanctions evasion case, but they reinforce a consistent pattern of regulatory concern across multiple jurisdictions.
The dimension here is specific: UK authorities allege HTX provided financial infrastructure to both A7 and Garantex, entities the US Treasury had already flagged as conduits for moving money on behalf of the Russian state. That’s not a KYC paperwork failure. It’s an allegation that the platform actively served as a node in what the UK government calls Russia’s “shadow financial network.”
Sun’s profile has also shifted recently in ways that drew attention. He was a prominent backer of the Trump family’s cryptocurrency ventures before a public falling-out, a relationship that had briefly elevated his visibility in US political and financial circles. The sanctions land in that context.
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The post UK Sanctions the Justin Sun HTX Exchange: What Next? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
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