BitMEX Closes Exchange Operations After Eleven Years

BitMEX has officially shut down its exchange operations after eleven years of activity. The platform, which was one of the leading crypto derivatives venues since its launch in 2014, ceased all exchange operations at 04:00 UTC on September 23, 2026. This decision comes two months after publicly announcing its closure plan. BitMEX's owner and operator, HDR Global Trading Limited, attributed the closure to a strategic business review.

The company emphasized that the closure is not linked to any legal or regulatory issues. As part of the wind-down process, withdrawals via API will be deactivated on September 28, requiring users to manage their operations exclusively through the web platform. The company assured that funds are safe and urged its clients to withdraw remaining balances without further delay.

The closure comes days after the bankruptcy estate of Celsius filed a lawsuit against five companies linked to BitMEX, alleging fraud, market manipulation, and irregular liquidations related to 6,360 Bitcoin during the market collapse of March 2020. However, HDR Global Trading Limited did not acknowledge any connection between that legal proceeding and its decision to cease operations.