Justin Sun has announced the launch of U.S. stock-linked spot trading on HTX, with the cryptocurrency exchange introducing 20 tokenized stocks and exchange-traded funds against USDT starting November 9.
- Justin Sun announced stock-linked spot trading on HTX with 20 tokenized U.S. stocks and ETFs.
- HTX scheduled token deposits for November 9 while withdrawals remained without a confirmed opening date.
- HTX’s bStocks provide economic exposure to securities but do not grant direct shareholder ownership rights.
- The exchange introduced zero maker fees through February 9, while standard taker fees continue applying.
- The SEC dismissed claims against Sun in March, while Rainberry received a $10 million penalty.
In an X post, Sun wrote, “US stock spot trading has officially launched on Huobi HTX.” The announcement followed HTX’s publication of its listing schedule and comments indicating that similar trading services were being introduced on Poloniex.
The new products provide exposure to U.S. securities through blockchain-based tokens, including assets linked to Nvidia, Tesla, Circle and Strategy. Unlike conventional brokerage purchases, customers buying these tokens do not directly own shares in the companies they track.
HTX launches 20 tokenized stocks with USDT trading pairs
According to its November 9 listing announcement, HTX is adding 20 assets, including SNDK, SOXL, SPCX, CRCL, MSTR, MU, TSLA, NVDA, INTC, AMD, QQQ, TQQQ and GOOGL.
The selection covers individual U.S. companies alongside exchange-traded funds, including leveraged products that can behave differently from ordinary stocks.
Deposits were scheduled to open at 08:00 UTC on November 9. In a separate announcement, HTX listed SPCX/USDT trading for 09:00 UTC and CRCL/USDT for 10:00 UTC, with additional pairs expected to open as liquidity becomes available.
The exchange has not announced when withdrawals will begin. Its initial rollout supports tokens issued under the bStocks series on BNB Smart Chain, with contract addresses published for all 20 assets.
To encourage trading activity, HTX introduced a zero-maker-fee promotion running from November 9, 2026, through February 9, 2027. Regular taker fees remain applicable throughout the promotional period.
Tokenized stocks offer price exposure without direct ownership
HTX describes the new assets as blockchain-based instruments that provide economic exposure to publicly listed stocks and ETFs.
According to the exchange, bStocks are backed by underlying securities or other eligible assets, with specific arrangements determined by the issuer’s product documentation.
However, the tokens do not provide direct ownership of the corresponding shares. Holders generally cannot exercise shareholder voting rights, while dividends, stock splits and other corporate actions depend on the applicable issuer’s terms.
The exchange describes the instruments as tokenized derivatives and warns that their market prices can differ from the securities they track.
HTX has adopted a unified trading model under which supported tokens representing the same security can share a trading symbol, account balance and order book, even when issued on different blockchains.
Initially, the platform supports only BNB Smart Chain tokens from the bStocks series. Additional issuers and networks may follow, although no timetable has been published.
HTX’s announcement does not identify a specific custodian for the underlying securities. It directs users to the relevant issuer documentation for custody, backing and redemption arrangements.
HTX joins Binance and Kraken in expanding stock trading
The launch follows an expansion of stock-related products across cryptocurrency exchanges, with several platforms offering traditional securities or blockchain representations.
In June, crypto.news covered Binance’s bStocks launch, which introduced tokenized securities linked to Nvidia, Tesla and other companies.
Binance’s tokens are issued by affiliate BTech Holdings Limited and backed by underlying securities through third-party custody arrangements.
An October update on Binance conversions explained how eligible customers could exchange supported stock positions for corresponding blockchain tokens at a 1:1 ratio.
Meanwhile, Kraken has introduced U.S. stock trading for eligible European customers alongside its tokenized xStocks products.
HTX’s offering remains subject to geographic restrictions and customer eligibility requirements. Its announcement does not provide a complete list of permitted countries or establish whether U.S. residents can access the new trading pairs.
Although Sun’s announcement referenced Poloniex, HTX’s published listing terms do not confirm the second exchange’s supported assets or launch schedule.
Justin Sun’s SEC case ended with a $10 million settlement
The new offering follows the resolution of Sun’s earlier legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In March 2023, the SEC sued Sun and several related companies over allegations involving unregistered cryptocurrency offerings and wash trading.
The regulator announced a settlement in March 2026, dismissing its claims against Sun, Tron Foundation and BitTorrent Foundation with prejudice.
A federal court entered a final judgment on March 9 requiring Rainberry, another defendant, to pay a $10 million civil penalty. The defendants agreed to the resolution without admitting or denying the relevant allegations.
Separately, HTX reached an October settlement in Britain involving financial promotion restrictions. The agreement included undertakings lasting until October 2031 and withdrawal arrangements for eligible British customers.
HTX has been contacted by crypto.news for clarification on the underlying asset backing, custody arrangements, geographic eligibility and Poloniex rollout, but no response had been received by press time.
