Huobi Token Soars 88% After Acquisition: Exchange Landscape Shifts in 2025

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The recent leadership change at Huobi has triggered the most significant merger and acquisition event in the crypto exchange sector since the start of the bear market, reigniting competition in an industry that had begun to stabilize. In just one week, Huobi’s native token, HT, surged by 88%, climbing from $4.10 on October 10 to a peak near $8.00, briefly reclaiming nearly all losses accumulated since the 2022 market downturn.

This dramatic price movement reflects more than just speculative momentum—it signals renewed investor confidence in one of the longest-standing players in the digital asset space.

The Role of Native Exchange Tokens

Cryptocurrency exchanges often issue their own native tokens, such as Binance’s BNB, OKX’s OKB, and Huobi’s HT. Unlike general-purpose cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, these tokens are deeply integrated into their respective platforms’ ecosystems. They offer users tangible benefits including reduced trading fees, staking rewards, governance rights, and access to exclusive token sales.

BNB, for example, ranks as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency globally with a market capitalization of approximately $45 billion. In contrast, HT currently holds a market cap of around $1 billion, placing it among the top 55 digital assets. While smaller in scale, the recent rally suggests growing optimism about HT’s future utility and adoption.

👉 Discover how exchange tokens are reshaping crypto investment strategies in 2025.

A New Chapter: Acquisition by Foris Capital

On October 8, Huobi Global announced that its controlling shareholder had transferred all shares to a fund managed by Foris Capital, a Hong Kong-based asset management firm formerly known as BC Partners. This transition marks the official exit of Leon Li (Li Lin), Huobi’s founder and long-time majority owner, who helped build the exchange into one of the world’s largest over nearly a decade.

Although initial reports from Bloomberg in August suggested a potential valuation of up to $3 billion, Huobi officials have not confirmed the final acquisition price. However, multiple industry sources indicate the deal was valued at over **$1 billion**, signaling strong institutional interest despite ongoing market challenges.

Foris Capital, led by CEO Ted Chen (Chen Yihua)—a former co-founder of Hillhouse Capital—is primarily known for its traditional financial investments across Asia. With this acquisition, the firm enters the crypto arena with a clear strategic vision: to revitalize Huobi’s global presence and integrate it into its broader portfolio of emerging technology ventures.

Chen stated publicly that Huobi provides "best-in-class digital asset investment services to millions worldwide" and emphasized his belief in the long-term potential of blockchain infrastructure and decentralized finance.

Strategic Reinvention Through Global Advisory Leadership

To bridge the gap between traditional finance and Web3 innovation, Foris established the Huobi Global Strategic Advisory Board. Announced on October 10, the board includes high-profile figures such as:

The inclusion of Sun Yuchen immediately drew attention due to his influential role in the blockchain community and history of bold market moves. As a strategic advisor, Sun has publicly committed to enhancing HT’s ecosystem value and expanding Huobi’s international footprint.

While Sun denied direct financial involvement in the acquisition during interviews with CoinDesk and Bloomberg Television—stating he “did not invest in this round” and “has not acquired shares”—his social media activity tells a different story. He has updated his profiles to feature Huobi’s official website and shared what he calls “onboarding diaries,” detailing plans to boost HT utility.

Notably, Sun revealed he has personally acquired tens of millions of HT tokens, reinforcing market sentiment that major players believe in Huobi’s comeback potential.

Market Reaction: HT Rally Gains Momentum

Following the announcement and advisory board reveal, HT began a sharp upward trajectory:

By October 18, HT stabilized around $7.71 according to CoinGecko data, maintaining most of its gains despite broader market volatility.

This rally wasn't driven solely by speculation; it reflected concrete developments—new institutional backing, strategic leadership, and a clear roadmap focused on token utility enhancement and global expansion.

👉 Learn how institutional adoption is fueling the next wave of crypto growth.

Rebuilding Trust and Expanding Globally

Post-acquisition, Huobi has taken steps to strengthen operational resilience. According to internal documents obtained by media outlets, Foris plans to inject substantial liquidity reserves and risk mitigation funds into the platform. Additionally, Huobi aims to reposition itself as a fully compliant global exchange, distancing from past regulatory entanglements.

As part of this realignment, Huobi reiterated its warning to users in mainland China to withdraw their assets, acknowledging continued regulatory restrictions. The exchange estimates losing around 30% of revenue after exiting the Chinese market in 2021 but views this as necessary for long-term sustainability.

Today, Huobi reports over $60 billion in trading volume, placing it among the top-tier exchanges globally. While still behind leaders like Binance and KuCoin in spot volume, its derivatives market is seeing renewed activity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why did HT price increase so rapidly?
A: The surge followed news of Foris Capital’s acquisition and the formation of a high-profile advisory board, especially Sun Yuchen’s involvement. Investor confidence returned due to perceived improvements in governance, liquidity, and strategic direction.

Q: Is Sun Yuchen now the owner of Huobi?
A: No official ownership has been confirmed. Sun denies financial participation in the acquisition but serves as a global strategic advisor and has purchased large amounts of HT tokens.

Q: Can users from China still trade on Huobi?
A: Huobi no longer supports services for users in mainland China and advises existing users to withdraw their funds due to regulatory compliance requirements.

Q: How does HT compare to other exchange tokens like BNB or OKB?
A: HT is smaller in market cap than BNB or OKB but offers similar utilities—fee discounts, staking rewards, and ecosystem incentives. Its recent price action suggests growing belief in its future potential.

Q: What are Foris Capital’s plans for Huobi?
A: To enhance security, expand globally, improve token utility for HT, and integrate Huobi into a larger fintech investment ecosystem backed by institutional capital.

Q: Is this rally sustainable?
A: Long-term sustainability depends on execution—delivery of promised upgrades, increased trading volume, transparent operations, and real-world adoption of HT across decentralized applications.

👉 See how leading exchange tokens are evolving beyond trading discounts into full ecosystems.

Core Keywords

With fresh capital, experienced leadership, and renewed market enthusiasm, Huobi is positioning itself for a major comeback in 2025—one that could reshape the competitive dynamics of the global exchange landscape.