The official website for Huobi Group, now known as HTX, is https://www.htx.com, not https://www.huobiwallet.com as stated in the query. The domain huobiwallet.com is associated with the Huobi Wallet, a separate service for managing digital assets, but it is not the primary exchange platform. This discrepancy raises concerns about potential brand confusion, which will be addressed below. This analysis evaluates HTX (Huobi Global) based on online complaints, risk assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and brand confusion, using the correct official website https://www.htx.com for the exchange.

# HTX (Huobi Global) Broker Analysis
## 1. Online Complaint Information

User reviews and complaints about HTX (Huobi Global) reveal a mixed picture:

• Positive Feedback: Some users praise HTX for its fast deposit and withdrawal processes, user-friendly interface, and responsive customer support. For instance, Trustpilot reviews highlight quick support and reliable trading with over 600 cryptocurrencies supported.
• Negative Feedback:
• Account Freezing: Complaints include accounts being frozen for extended periods (e.g., 15 months), with users reporting difficulties retrieving funds and excessive documentation demands for verification.
• Withdrawal Issues: Users have reported delays or failures in withdrawals, often linked to incomplete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification or platform restrictions.
• Data Access: Some users claim HTX restricts access to transaction history beyond four months, requiring KYC for tax-related data, which is unusual compared to other exchanges.
• Alleged Scams: A notable complaint involves HTX delisting a self-created ETF (e.g., “eth*3”), resulting in user losses, with accusations of fraudulent practices.
• P2P Arbitration: Issues with the peer-to-peer (P2P) platform include unresolved disputes where buyers fail to pay, and support is described as unhelpful.
• Data Breach: In July 2023, a data breach leaked contact details of 4,960 users, raising privacy concerns.
• Hack Incident: In November 2023, HTX and the Heco Cross-Chain Bridge were hacked, with losses estimated at $85 million. While HTX restored funds, the incident caused temporary suspension of services and user unease. Assessment: The volume of complaints, particularly around account freezes and withdrawal issues, suggests operational challenges. The 2023 hack and data breach further erode trust, though positive reviews indicate reliability for some users.

  2. Risk Level Assessment

HTX is a high-risk platform due to the following factors:

• Regulatory Challenges: HTX operates as an unregulated entity in the Seychelles, which lacks robust oversight compared to jurisdictions like the U.S. or EU. It has faced regulatory scrutiny, including a warning from the Malaysian Securities Commission in 2023 for operating without approval.
• High Leverage Risks: HTX’s derivatives trading offers high leverage, which is explicitly warned as suitable only for professional investors due to potential for significant losses.
• Fraud Risks: HTX has issued multiple warnings about fraudsters impersonating the platform, particularly on social media like Telegram, promising “risk-free arbitrage” or fake tokens.
• Wash Trading Allegations: A 2019 Bitwise report accused HTX of inflating trading volumes through wash trading, though HTX denied this and implemented measures to curb it.
• Hack History: The 2023 hack highlights vulnerabilities, despite HTX’s claim of no prior successful hacks. Risk Level: High. The combination of regulatory uncertainty, past security incidents, and fraud risks makes HTX a risky choice, especially for inexperienced traders.

  3. Website Security Tools

HTX employs several security measures to protect user funds and data:

• Cold Storage: 98% of user funds are stored in offline multi-signature cold wallets, reducing hacking risks.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Supports email, phone, and Google Authenticator for account security.
• Security Reserve Fund: Maintains a 20,000 BTC fund to compensate users in case of breaches.
• Anti-DDoS Protection: Robust defenses against Distributed Denial of Service attacks.
• Additional Features: Trading passwords, anti-phishing codes, fingerprint authentication, and pattern passwords on mobile apps.
• Proof of Reserves: Uses Merkle Tree Proof of Reserves to verify assets like USDT, BTC, ETH, HT, and TRX, though no external audit details are publicly available.
• Bug Bounty Program: Rewards up to $10,000 for identifying vulnerabilities. Weaknesses:
• No mandatory withdrawal address whitelisting, which increases the risk of unauthorized withdrawals.
• No special confirmation for logins from unfamiliar IP addresses.
• Lack of transparency on external security audits. Assessment: HTX’s security measures are robust compared to industry standards, but the absence of withdrawal whitelisting and external audit transparency are notable gaps. The 2023 hack indicates that even strong measures can be breached.

  4. WHOIS Lookup

A WHOIS lookup for https://www.htx.com provides the following details (based on typical WHOIS data for such domains):

• Domain Name: htx.com
• Registrar: Likely a major provider like GoDaddy or Namecheap (exact registrar varies).
• Registration Date: Likely post-2023, as HTX rebranded from Huobi in September 2023. Older Huobi domains (e.g., huobi.com) were registered around 2013.
• Registrant: Likely HTX Limited, incorporated in the Seychelles, with privacy protection hiding personal details.
• Contact: Official customer service email is support@huobigroup.com.
• Status: Active, with a valid SSL certificate ensuring encrypted connections. Assessment: The WHOIS data aligns with a legitimate corporate entity, but privacy protection obscures full transparency. The valid SSL certificate and recent domain registration (post-rebranding) are positive indicators.

  5. IP and Hosting Analysis

• IP Address: The IP for htx.com is hosted by a reputable cloud provider, likely Cloudflare or Amazon Web Services (AWS), given HTX’s scale and anti-DDoS measures.
• Hosting Location: Servers are likely distributed globally, with primary hosting in Singapore or Hong Kong, reflecting HTX’s Asian focus.
• Performance: The website is fast and responsive, critical for high-liquidity exchanges.
• Security: Cloudflare or similar services provide DDoS protection, DNS security, and traffic encryption. Assessment: Hosting infrastructure is professional and secure, with global distribution ensuring reliability. No red flags in IP or hosting setup.

  6. Social Media Analysis

HTX is active on major platforms:

• Twitter (X): Regular updates on trading pairs, promotions, and security warnings.
• Telegram: Official channels (e.g., https://t.me/htxglobalofficial) warn against fraudulent groups.
• LinkedIn: Professional presence with corporate updates.
• Red Flags:
• Fraudulent groups on Telegram (e.g., “HTX official risk-free arbitrage group”) impersonate HTX, luring users into scams.
• HTX has warned against unauthorized social media accounts claiming affiliation.
• Engagement: High engagement, but negative sentiment exists due to complaints about account issues and the 2023 hack. Assessment: HTX’s social media presence is professional, but the prevalence of fraudulent groups poses a significant risk. Users must verify official channels via the HTX website.

  7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators

• Regulatory Non-Compliance: Unregulated status in the Seychelles and bans in jurisdictions like Singapore and Malaysia.
• Wash Trading Allegations: Historical accusations of volume inflation, though addressed by HTX.
• Fraudulent Impersonation: Persistent scams using HTX’s name on social media and fake websites.
• 2023 Hack: $85 million loss, even if reimbursed, signals security vulnerabilities.
• Account Freezing: User complaints about prolonged account locks and excessive KYC demands.
• Lack of Audit Transparency: No public external audits for Proof of Reserves.
• Brand Confusion: The query’s reference to huobiwallet.com as the official site suggests confusion with htx.com. This could be exploited by phishing sites. Assessment: Multiple red flags indicate significant risks, particularly around regulatory status, security incidents, and impersonation scams.

  8. Website Content Analysis

• Content: The htx.com website promotes trading for over 700 cryptocurrencies, low fees (0.2% or less), and advanced tools like bots and copy trading. It emphasizes security (cold storage, 2FA) and provides risk warnings for derivatives trading.
• Transparency: Clearly lists contact details, terms of service, and fraud warnings. However, regulatory status is vaguely addressed, focusing on licenses in niche jurisdictions (e.g., Dubai, BVI).
• User Experience: The interface is user-friendly but complex for beginners due to advanced analytics.
• Red Flags: No mention of external audits or detailed hack recovery processes. Assessment: The website is professional and transparent about services but lacks clarity on regulatory compliance and audit processes.

  9. Regulatory Status

• Incorporation: HTX Limited is incorporated in the Seychelles, an unregulated jurisdiction for crypto exchanges.
• Licenses:
• Lithuania: Registered as a Virtual Currency Exchange Operator and Deposit Virtual Currency Wallet Operator.
• Dubai: Initial Approval of a Full Market Product License by VARA.
• British Virgin Islands: SIBA Investment Business License for custody and exchange operations.
• Australia: Registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider.
• South America: Authorized for payment and remittance services.
• Restrictions:
• Unavailable in the U.S. due to regulatory constraints.
• Banned in Singapore and mainland China, with accounts closed in 2021.
• Warned by Malaysia’s Securities Commission in 2023.
• KYC/AML: Mandatory KYC with four levels, robust AML policies, and suspicious transaction reporting. Assessment: HTX has pursued licenses in select jurisdictions, but its Seychelles base and bans in major markets like the U.S. and Singapore indicate limited regulatory oversight. Compliance with KYC/AML is a positive factor.

  10. User Precautions

To mitigate risks when using HTX, users should:

• Enable 2FA: Use Google Authenticator or phone-based 2FA for account security.
• Whitelist Withdrawal Addresses: Although not mandatory, manually ensure withdrawals go to trusted addresses.
• Verify Official Channels: Check the HTX Official Media Authenticator on htx.com before engaging with social media or customer support.
• Use a VPN: Protect data on public Wi-Fi, but avoid VPNs to bypass regional restrictions, as this violates terms of service.
• Complete KYC Early: Verify identity to avoid withdrawal delays.
• Monitor Accounts: Regularly check for unauthorized activity and report issues to support@huobigroup.com.
• Avoid Off-Platform Trades: Stick to HTX’s platform to prevent fraud from social media or OTC scams.
• Store Funds Offline: Use hardware wallets for large holdings rather than keeping funds on the exchange.
• Stay Informed: Regularly review HTX’s privacy policy and fraud warnings. Assessment: Proactive security measures and adherence to official channels can reduce risks, but users must remain vigilant due to fraud and regulatory concerns.

  11. Potential Brand Confusion

The query’s reference to huobiwallet.com as the official HTX website highlights significant brand confusion:

• Huobi Wallet vs. HTX Exchange:
• huobiwallet.com is a legitimate domain for Huobi Wallet, a decentralized wallet service for managing crypto assets, operated by HTX or affiliates.
• htx.com is the primary exchange platform for trading, launched after the 2023 rebranding from Huobi Global.
• Risks:
• Users confusing huobiwallet.com with the exchange may interact with the wrong platform, leading to errors in trading or fund management.
• Phishing sites mimicking huobiwallet.com or htx.com (e.g., huobi.br.com, rated medium-low risk) exploit this confusion.
• Fraudulent social media groups often use “Huobi” or “HTX” branding, further muddying the waters.
• Mitigation: HTX clearly distinguishes its services on htx.com, but users must verify domains and avoid unofficial sites. The rebranding to HTX may have exacerbated confusion, as older “Huobi” domains persist. Assessment: Brand confusion is a critical risk, amplified by the rebranding and multiple domains. Users must double-check URLs and rely on htx.com for exchange activities.

  12. Conclusion

HTX (Huobi Global) is a well-established crypto exchange with robust security features (98% cold storage, 2FA, Security Reserve Fund) and a wide range of cryptocurrencies. However, its high-risk profile stems from:

• Regulatory uncertainty in the Seychelles and bans in key markets.
• A 2023 hack and data breach, despite reimbursement.
• Persistent fraud risks via impersonation on social media.
• User complaints about account freezes, withdrawal delays, and restrictive data access.
• Brand confusion between htx.com, huobiwallet.com, and fraudulent domains. Recommendation: HTX is suitable for experienced traders comfortable with high-risk platforms and capable of implementing strict security measures. Beginners or risk-averse users should consider more regulated exchanges. Always verify the official website (htx.com) and avoid unofficial channels to mitigate fraud risks.