BitMEX has officially ceased all exchange operations after 11 years in the market. The platform halted trading and deposits at 4:00 am UTC on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Users retain the ability to log in to the website to withdraw their remaining funds.
The company, operated by HDR Global Trading Limited, stated that the decision to close followed a strategic business review. Management emphasized that the shutdown is not related to any regulatory or legal challenges. The exchange was originally launched in 2014.
Withdrawals via the web interface remain active, but the platform will disable API-based withdrawals on September 28. Customers are urged to remove their assets promptly. The exchange previously gained prominence for popularizing perpetual swaps with up to 100x leverage.
The closure occurs shortly after the Celsius bankruptcy estate filed a lawsuit against five entities linked to BitMEX. The estate alleges market manipulation and fraud involving 6,360 Bitcoin during the 2020 market crash, seeking damages valued at nearly $490 million.
