On September 23, the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX ceased all trading activities and forcibly closed any remaining positions. Users can still access their accounts and withdraw their assets. Starting September 28, the exchange will disable withdrawals via API. The owner and operator, HDR Global Trading Limited, attributed the shutdown to a strategic reassessment of the business and the cryptocurrency industry, emphasizing that the decision was not linked to any legal or regulatory issues. Founded in 2014, BitMEX operated for over 11 years and played a significant role in popularizing perpetual swaps with leverage up to 100x.