CFD Broker HTFX Ceases Operations After Losing Key Regulatory Licenses

Retail FX and CFD broker HTFX has reportedly shut down its global operations, marking the end of a group that once operated across multiple regulated and offshore jurisdictions.

The companys main domain, htfx.com, is currently inactive and displays only a parking page hosted by domain registrar GoDaddy, suggesting that core business activities have been discontinued.

From Multi-Jurisdiction Broker to Global Shutdown

Founded in 2018 and controlled by entrepreneur Lijun Li, HTFX built a structure that spanned several regulatory regions and client segments during its expansion phase.

At its peak, the group operated:

• A UK entity authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), focused on professional and institutional clients
• A Cyprus-based entity regulated by CySEC serving European retail traders
• An offshore operation registered in Vanuatu, targeting broader international retail markets

The multi-entity setup allowed the brand to serve different regions under separate regulatory frameworks, a common structure among mid-sized CFD providers operating across Europe and Asia.

Regulatory Withdrawals Triggered Major Contraction

The decline of HTFX accelerated after regulatory changes in Europe and the UK.

Earlier this year, the Cyprus investment firm license (CIF) held by its EU entity was voluntarily renounced. Shortly after, the UK Financial Conduct Authority authorization was also withdrawn, effective April 10, 2026.

The UK business had been managed over recent years by senior executives including Levy Benarroch and Stephen Williams, both with prior experience in institutional liquidity and brokerage operations.

With both European regulatory bases removed, the groups remaining offshore entity became its only operational structure for a period.

Offshore Entity Also Appears to Have Ended Operations

Following the loss of its EU and UK licenses, attention shifted to the groups offshore Vanuatu operation, which had served retail clients in Asia and other emerging markets.

However, the shutdown of the primary domain indicates that this final operational arm has also been discontinued, effectively ending the brokers presence across all regions.

No official transition plan or successor branding has been publicly confirmed at this stage.

Broader Context in the CFD Industry

The case reflects a broader pattern seen in the CFD and retail FX industry, where brokers operating multi-jurisdictional structures face increasing pressure from regulatory tightening in Europe and the UK.

Over the past few years, several firms have scaled back or exited regulated markets after changes in leverage rules, marketing restrictions, and compliance requirements, often consolidating or shutting down offshore operations afterward.

In this environment, regulatory licensing changes have become a key factor shaping broker survival, rather than just market expansion.

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