HECO Exchange: What It Is, How It Works, and Where It Stands Today

When people talk about HECO Exchange, a blockchain built by Huobi to support fast and cheap decentralized trading. Also known as Huobi ECO Chain, it was designed to be an Ethereum alternative with lower fees and faster confirmations. Unlike Ethereum, which uses proof-of-work, HECO runs on a proof-of-staked-authority system—meaning fewer validators, quicker blocks, and less energy use. That made it popular for DeFi apps and token launches between 2020 and 2022, especially when Ethereum gas fees hit $50 per transaction.

But HECO isn’t just another blockchain. It’s tied to Huobi, one of the world’s biggest crypto exchanges. That connection gave it early traction—users could trade tokens directly from their Huobi accounts, skip KYC on some DEXs, and move funds instantly. Many projects chose HECO because it was easy to deploy smart contracts and attract users without spending thousands on gas. You’ll see this reflected in the posts below: tokens like VVS Finance and KyberSwap Classic had versions on HECO because it was cheaper than BSC or Ethereum. But that same link to a centralized exchange also became its weakness. When Huobi faced regulatory pressure in 2023, HECO lost momentum. Developers moved to more decentralized chains. Liquidity dried up. Today, most major DeFi apps have left.

Still, HECO isn’t dead. Some small DeFi platforms, meme coins, and local trading communities still operate there. The chain still processes hundreds of transactions per minute, mostly low-value swaps and token airdrops. If you’re looking at a token listed on HECO, check its volume, team, and audit status—many are low-risk, low-reward experiments. The real value now isn’t in trading big DeFi protocols, but in finding niche opportunities others overlook. Below, you’ll find reviews of DEXs that ran on HECO, token breakdowns tied to its ecosystem, and warnings about abandoned projects. This isn’t a guide to the hottest chain in 2025. It’s a look at what’s left—and what you should watch out for if you’re still exploring it.