How to Use HTX: A Complete Beginner Guide

New to HTX? This walkthrough covers everything a first-time user needs, from creating an account to buying your first coin and securing your funds.

HTX (formerly Huobi) is one of the longer-running centralized crypto exchanges, offering spot trading, deposits, withdrawals, and a range of other products. If you have never used it before, the interface can feel busy. This guide breaks the essentials into clear steps so you can get started safely and understand what each screen is actually doing.

Step 1: Create an Account and Pass KYC

Sign up at the official HTX website or app using an email address or phone number. Always double-check the URL before entering credentials, since fake lookalike sites are common across the industry.

After registering, you will be asked to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) identity verification. This is standard on regulated exchanges and usually involves:

• Entering your legal name and country of residence
• Uploading a government-issued ID (passport, national ID, or driver's license)
• Completing a quick facial scan or liveness check

Verification limits vary by region, and HTX is not available everywhere. Confirm that your country is supported before depositing any funds. Understanding what is kyc helps explain why this step protects both you and the platform.

Step 2: Enable 2FA Security First

Before you move any money, lock down your account. The single most important habit on any exchange is enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).

• Use an authenticator app (such as Google Authenticator or Authy) rather than SMS where possible, since SIM-swap attacks can compromise text-based codes.
• Set a withdrawal password and consider enabling an anti-phishing code that appears in official emails.
• Write down your backup keys and store them offline.

If you are weighing whether to keep coins on the platform long term, read up on the difference between a hot wallet vs cold wallet setup.

Step 3: Deposit Funds

HTX supports two main funding routes. Crypto deposits are the cheaper option if you already own coins elsewhere:

• Go to Assets > Deposit, select the coin, and choose the correct network (for example, ERC-20 or TRC-20).
• Copy the deposit address exactly, and send a small test amount first if you are unsure.

Sending the wrong network can permanently lose your funds, so this step deserves attention. Alternatively, you can buy crypto directly with a card or bank transfer through the fiat or P2P sections, which is simpler but often carries higher fees.

Step 4: Buy Spot Crypto

Once funds arrive, head to the Spot trading page. The layout typically shows the price chart in the center, the order book on one side, and the order entry panel below.

Market vs Limit Orders

• A market order fills instantly at the best available price. It is fast but you do not control the exact price.
• A limit order lets you set the price you want; it only fills when the market reaches it.

Enter the amount, review the estimated total, and confirm. Beginners often start with a small market order to learn the flow before placing larger limit orders. If the terminology feels foreign, a primer on what is spot trading is worth a few minutes.

Step 5: Understand Fees

HTX charges maker and taker fees on spot trades, calculated as a small percentage of each trade. Makers add liquidity (limit orders that rest on the book) and usually pay slightly less; takers remove liquidity (market orders) and pay slightly more.

Separately, withdrawal fees apply when you move crypto off the platform, and these vary by coin and network. Always check the current fee schedule, as rates change over time.

Step 6: Withdraw Funds

To withdraw, go to Assets > Withdraw, select your coin, paste the destination address, and pick the matching network. Confirm with your 2FA code and withdrawal password. Most platforms add address whitelisting, which restricts withdrawals to pre-approved addresses for extra safety.

Practical Takeaway

Start small: verify your account, turn on 2FA, deposit a modest amount, and practice with a tiny spot trade before committing more. Learning the mechanics on a small scale is far cheaper than learning them on a large one.

Risk caveat: Crypto trading carries real risk of loss, and no exchange or strategy guarantees profit. Only use funds you can afford to lose, and do your own research before trading.