HADAX - Exchange Review

HADAX crypto exchange platform

What it was

HADAX was a Huobi-operated exchange focused on community-voted token listings using HT staking. It leveraged trading fees and governance to let HT holders influence which tokens were listed. It launched with fanfare among talent-backed projects and early adopters.

Token governance model

Users cast votes for token listings using Huobi Token (HT). Voting power and listing influence were tightly controlled by selected nodes (standing nodes), including larger venture funds - this sparked controversy when some felt sidelined by the new rules.

Trading volume and status

HADAX carried zero trading volume by late 2023 and is now marked as untracked. All pairs have vanished and no active markets remain, indicating the exchange is effectively retired.

Fees and features when active

At its peak, HADAX offered a flat 0.2 percent trading fee and allowed HT integration for reduced fees. It supported both spot and perpetual trading, though user numbers remained niche compared to Huobi Global.

Community feedback

The switch to standing-node voting alienated several crypto funds, who accused HADAX governance of being authoritarian. Prominent groups withdrew their support, sparking public friction.

Strengths and weaknesses

Here's a summary of what made HADAX notable:

Strengths: Weaknesses:

Who it was for

Who it’s irrelevant for

Final thoughts

HADAX was an early attempt to blend decentralized governance with centralized exchange infrastructure via HT token voting. Governance tensions over voting control and a lack of real trading volume led to its decline. Today it exists as a historical experiment - not a functioning exchange. If you’re studying token governance models or Huobi’s early innovations, HADAX holds lessons. If you need an active platform with liquidity and fiat access, look to Huobi Global or other current exchanges.

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