Huobi Argentina Crypto Exchange Review: Is HTX Accessible and Safe for Argentine Users?

Can you use Huobi in Argentina? That’s the question most Argentinians ask when they’re looking for a reliable crypto exchange. The answer isn’t simple - because Huobi doesn’t exist anymore under that name. Since September 2023, the global platform rebranded to HTX. And while HTX serves over 50 million users worldwide, its availability in Argentina remains unclear.

HTX Is the New Huobi - Here’s What Changed

Huobi was founded in 2013 in Beijing by Leon Li, a former Oracle engineer. It grew fast, becoming one of the top 10 crypto exchanges globally. But after years of regulatory pressure in China, the company moved its headquarters to the Seychelles. In 2023, on its 10th anniversary, it dropped the Huobi name entirely and became HTX. The logo changed. The app updated. The domain switched from huobi.com to htx.com. But the core platform stayed the same: spot trading, staking, OTC, margin, and even copy-trading.

Today, HTX supports over 700 cryptocurrencies and 1,000 trading pairs. Daily volume exceeds $4 billion. Total assets on the platform hit $6.4 billion in early 2025. For comparison, Binance still leads, but HTX is growing faster - up 92% in new users month-over-month in H1 2025.

Can Argentinians Actually Use HTX?

This is the big question. HTX lists blocked countries: United States, China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Sudan, Cuba, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Argentina isn’t on that list. That doesn’t mean it’s allowed - it just means it’s not explicitly banned.

There’s no official statement from HTX about Argentina. No Spanish-language support page. No local payment methods listed for Argentine pesos (ARS). No contact number for Buenos Aires. No mention of compliance with Argentina’s AFIP or CNV financial regulations.

That’s a red flag. Most global exchanges that serve Latin America - like Binance, Kraken, or Bitso - clearly state their local availability. They list peso deposits, local customer service, and tax reporting tools. HTX doesn’t. If you try to sign up from Argentina, you might get through. But you could also get locked out later without warning.

Payment Methods: Do They Work in Argentina?

HTX says it supports 57 local currencies and 60 payment methods, including bank transfers and Visa/Mastercard. Sounds good - until you dig deeper.

Argentinians rely heavily on Pago Móvil, Mercado Pago, and local bank wires. HTX doesn’t list any of these. It promotes bank transfers, but only for countries like Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea. No mention of Argentina’s major payment systems. That means if you want to deposit ARS, you’d need to use a third-party OTC desk or convert via USDT first.

That adds cost and risk. OTC trades aren’t protected by exchange insurance. And converting ARS to USDT on peer-to-peer platforms like LocalBitcoins or Paxful exposes you to scams - a real problem in Argentina’s volatile economy.

Trading Fees and Costs

If you can get funds on HTX, the fees are competitive. Spot trading starts at 0.2% for takers and 0.0126% for makers - if you hold HT (the native token) and hit the highest trading volume tier. That’s cheaper than Kraken (0.16%-0.26%) and close to Binance’s rates.

But here’s the catch: HTX’s fee discounts require you to hold HT tokens. If you’re new, you start at the highest rate. And if you’re trading small amounts - say, $50 a week - you won’t qualify for the lowest tier. That 0.2% fee adds up fast when you’re buying crypto daily to hedge against inflation.

Staking rewards on HTX range from 2% to 15% APY, depending on the asset. That’s decent, but again - only if your funds are actually on the platform. And remember: staking isn’t FDIC-insured. If HTX gets hacked, you lose everything.

Security: Strong, But Not Perfect

HTX uses cold storage for 95% of user funds. It publishes Merkle tree proofs monthly to show it holds what it claims. That’s above average. Most exchanges don’t even do that.

But HTX has had major breaches. In 2020, it lost $6 million due to a compromised API key. In 2022, another exploit cost users $20 million. In both cases, HTX compensated users fully - which is rare. Most exchanges freeze withdrawals or delay payouts after hacks.

Still, if you’re storing more than $5,000 on HTX, you’re taking a risk. Argentina has one of the highest crypto adoption rates in Latin America - and one of the highest scam rates too. Don’t leave large sums on any exchange. Use HTX to trade. Withdraw to a hardware wallet like Ledger or Trezor for long-term holding.

User Experience: Clean, But Not Localized

The HTX app is smooth. The desktop site loads fast. The “Buy Crypto” button is front and center. You can buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and over 300 other coins with a credit card - if your card works internationally.

But the app is in English only. No Spanish toggle. No help articles in Spanish. No live chat support for Spanish speakers. If you run into a problem - say, a failed deposit or a frozen account - you’re stuck emailing support in English. Response times? 3 to 7 days, according to Reddit users in Brazil and Mexico.

That’s a dealbreaker for many Argentinians. You don’t need a fancy interface. You need someone who speaks your language, understands your bank, and can fix your issue before your pesos lose another 10% in value.

Alternatives That Actually Work in Argentina

If HTX feels too uncertain, here are three exchanges that clearly support Argentina:

• Bitso - Founded in Mexico, now accepts ARS deposits via bank transfer. Full Spanish support. Regulated by CNV. Best for beginners.
• Binance - Officially available in Argentina. Supports ARS via Pago Móvil. 24/7 Spanish chat. Lower fees than HTX for small traders.
• Bybit - Offers ARS deposits through local partners. Strong derivatives trading. No KYC for small trades. Popular among crypto-savvy Argentinians.

These platforms have local offices, local support, and local compliance. HTX has none of that.

Final Verdict: Proceed With Extreme Caution

HTX is a powerful global exchange with strong technology and solid security. But it’s not built for Argentina. No local payments. No Spanish support. No regulatory clarity. If you use it, you’re on your own.

If you’re just testing the waters with $50, go ahead. Buy a little BTC. Learn the interface. But don’t put your life savings on HTX. Don’t rely on it to hedge inflation. Don’t expect help when things go wrong.

For Argentinians, the best crypto exchange isn’t the one with the most coins or the lowest fees. It’s the one that speaks your language, accepts your money, and stands by you when the market crashes - or your bank freezes your account.

Choose local. Choose supported. Choose safe.