Is Headway a Scam or Legit?
Headway holds a valid FSA licence. The number is public and verifiable.
Headway is regulated under FSA licence SD028, issued to Headway Ltd. This licence appears in the FSA public register. Headway has been operating since 2015 — 11 years. Scam operations do not maintain long-term regulated status.
The FSA registration
| Regulator | FSA |
| Licence number | SD028 ✓ |
| Registered entity | Headway Ltd |
| Status | Authorised |
| Register | fsaseychelles.sc |
| Years regulated | 11+ |
What FSA regulation means for you
The Seychelles FSA is an offshore regulator. It requires broker registration and basic conduct rules, but does not offer the same client protections as the FCA, CySEC, or ASIC. There is no compensation scheme and leverage limits are not imposed.
All regulatory licences
Headway holds 1 regulatory licence across different jurisdictions. The entity that applies to your account depends on your country of residence.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity | Max leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSA | SD028 | Headway Ltd | 1:2000 max |
How to verify Headway yourself
Go to fsaseychelles.sc. Enter the licence number SD028 or search by entity name Headway Ltd. The result should show the entity name, authorisation status, and the specific regulated activities it is permitted to conduct.
This takes under a minute. If a broker cannot be found on the relevant regulator's register, that is a serious warning sign. All legitimate regulated brokers appear there.
Common complaints and what they mean
Most complaints about Headway fall into standard categories: withdrawal processing times, spread widening during news events, and account verification requests. These are normal business practices, not indicators of fraud.
None of these patterns indicate fraud. They are the normal complaints of a commercial brokerage enforcing its terms. Real forex scams operate without any regulatory licence, refuse all withdrawals, and disappear with client funds. That is not the profile of Headway.
Red flags that would indicate a real scam
When researching any broker, watch for these genuine warning signs:
- No licence number listed, or a licence that cannot be found on the official register
- Pressure to deposit more money to unlock withdrawals
- Promises of guaranteed returns or "risk-free" trading
- Platform that only shows profits, never losses
- No physical address or contact information
- Licence from a regulator you have never heard of that has no official website
None of these apply to Headway. Its FSA licence SD028 is publicly verifiable, it has disclosed offices in Victoria, Seychelles, and it has operated continuously since 2015.
Frequently asked questions
Is Headway safe to deposit money with?
Headway is FSA-regulated and client funds are held in segregated accounts. Client funds are held separately from company funds as required by the regulator. This does not eliminate trading risk, but it protects funds from broker insolvency.
Why do people ask if Headway is a scam?
Most forex scam searches come from traders who lost money trading. CFD trading is high-risk — 73% of Headway retail clients lose money. Losing money on a legitimate platform does not make it a scam. Scams refuse all withdrawals and disappear. Headway has processed billions in withdrawals over 11 years of operation.
Is Headway regulated in my country?
Headway holds licences covering 38 countries across 1 regulatory jurisdictions. The entity serving your account depends on your country. Check the full licence table above to find which entity applies to your region.
What happens to my money if Headway goes bankrupt?
FSA-regulated brokers must hold client funds in segregated bank accounts entirely separate from company operating funds. This means your deposits cannot be used to pay the broker's business creditors if it becomes insolvent.