BitMEX said it will formally shut down its trading platform at 04:00 UTC on Sept. 23, 2026, and has already stopped all new user registrations effective immediately.
The exchange said the move came after a strategic review of its business and the wider crypto industry. BitMEX said the board of its parent company, HDR Global Trading Limited, decided to close the exchange after what it described as careful consideration, adding that the company deeply regrets the decision.
Trading stays live for now, with position limits starting Aug. 26
BitMEX said the platform will continue normal operations before the final shutdown date. Starting at 04:00 UTC on Aug. 26, 2026, however, it will impose risk limits that prevent users from opening new positions. From that point, users will only be able to reduce existing positions.
After that, BitMEX said it will gradually force-close open positions as part of an orderly market exit. Any position that remains open at the official shutdown time will be liquidated immediately.
The exchange also said it will not be responsible for trading losses resulting from a user’s failure to close positions in time. Contracts with insufficient liquidity will be settled early, and affected users will be notified in advance under the platform’s usual practice.
Custody and withdrawals will remain after trading ends
Once trading is shut down, BitMEX said it will no longer provide any trading services and will retain only asset custody functions. Users will still be able to log in to view wallet balances and historical trading records, and they will continue to be able to withdraw assets.
The platform added that all BMEX staking positions have been unstaked and the related tokens have already been returned to user accounts.
Management fee planned for users who do not withdraw in time
For users who have completed KYC but fail to withdraw before the shutdown time, BitMEX said it will begin charging an account management fee. The fee will be calculated monthly based on account balance and set at either $50 or 1% annualized, whichever is higher.
BitMEX also said it may raise that fee in the future for accounts that remain unwithdrawn for an extended period, with advance notice to users.