HTX Wallet Freeze: Compliance Poisoning Attack Sparks Investigation
The controversy surrounding the HTX wallet freeze broke out on August 18, 2026. Multiple crypto users reported receiving small USDT deposits from wallets labeled as belonging to HTX, even though they had not requested or interacted with these addresses.
The transfers were in some cases as little as 7.5 USDT and came from addresses tagged by blockchain services as HTX-linked wallets, including one identified as 'HTX48'. Several users said their accounts on other platforms faced compliance holds shortly after the deposits appeared.
Industry commentators noted that this pattern was consistent with a 'compliance poisoning' attack rather than a classic dusting scam. The exchange, formerly known as Huobi, disputed the UK sanctions designation and stated its global operations remained unaffected.