What is Huobi Token (HT)?

TLDR Huobi Token (HT) is the utility and governance token of the Huobi Global cryptocurrency exchange, designed to enhance user loyalty and platform engagement through fee discounts, voting rights, and ecosystem rewards.

1. Exchange-native utility – Powers fee discounts, VIP tiers, and governance on Huobi Global
2. Deflationary mechanics – Buyback program burns 20% of exchange profits to stabilize supply
3. Dual-chain role – Native asset on both Ethereum (ERC-20) and Huobi ECO Chain (HPoS public blockchain)

Deep Dive

1. Core Exchange Utility

HT serves as the backbone of Huobi Global’s loyalty program. Users holding HT can:
- Reduce trading fees by up to 50%
- Purchase VIP memberships for enhanced trading limits
- Vote on exchange decisions through the Huobi Autonomous Digital Asset Exchange (HADAX)
- Access exclusive token sales and event participation

This creates a closed-loop ecosystem where activity on Huobi directly impacts HT demand (CoinMarketCap).

2. Tokenomics & Stability Mechanisms

The fixed 500M supply (162M circulating as of August 2025) uses:
- Quarterly buybacks – 20% of Huobi profits used to purchase/burn HT
- Initial Exchange Offering – Distributed through platform engagement rather than traditional ICO
- Dual-chain flexibility – Exists as ERC-20 token while powering HECO chain transactions

This structure ties HT’s value to exchange performance while combating inflation (CoinMarketCap).

3. HECO Chain Integration

HT serves as:
- Gas token – Fuels transactions on Huobi ECO Chain (HECO), an EVM-compatible chain with 3-second blocks
- Staking asset – Secures network via HPoS consensus while earning yields
- Cross-chain bridge – Enables transfers between Ethereum and HECO ecosystems

This expands HT’s utility beyond centralized exchange functions into DeFi infrastructure (OpenOcean).

Conclusion

HT fundamentally operates as Huobi’s multipurpose engagement token, blending CEX loyalty rewards with decentralized chain utility. While its exchange-based mechanics provide immediate use cases, the HECO integration positions it as a bridge between centralized and decentralized finance.

Could HT’s dual role as both exchange token and L1 gas currency create unique synergies in Asia’s evolving regulatory landscape?