EU Slaps Sanctions on Crypto Exchange HTX Amid Russia Crackdown

The European Union has added cryptocurrency exchange HTX to its sanctions list as part of a new package targeting Russia. The EU believes HTX provided services to Russian users, helping them circumvent existing sanctions.

This is not the first time HTX has faced sanctions. In May 2026, the United Kingdom imposed restrictions on the exchange as part of measures aimed at combating 'shadow financial systems' supporting Russia's wartime economy.

HTX was founded in China in 2013 and acquired by Hong Kong billionaire Justin Sun in 2022. The platform has changed its technical infrastructure to remain operational, rotating cryptocurrency wallets to keep traditional lists of sanctioned addresses outdated.