Sway Markets Review 2026: Is This Broker Safe or a Risk?
Thinking about trading with Sway Markets? Stop. Read this first.
This review gives you the full picture — the good, the bad, and the ugly. We looked at real trader feedback, regulation status, account types, fees, and the big news that most reviews miss.
Let’s get into it.
What Is Sway Markets?
Sway Markets is an online forex and CFD broker. It was founded in 2022 and was based in Australia. It also had a registered entity in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The broker offered trading in:
- Forex pairs
- Cryptos
- Metals (gold, silver)
- Indices
- Stocks
- Commodities
It used MetaTrader 5 (MT5) as its main platform. It also had its own platform called Sway Charts.
Sounds decent, right? But there’s a lot more to the story.
The Big News: Sway Markets Has Ceased Operations
This is the most important thing in this review.
Sway Markets has shut down. It was acquired by Liquid Brokers. After the acquisition, all of its social media accounts were wiped. Its X (formerly Twitter) account now shows a “sold” tag.
Clients of Sway Markets were expected to move to Liquid Brokers. But here’s the problem — Liquid Brokers stated clearly that it is not a product issuer of OTC derivatives. It only serves wholesale clients.
That means retail traders who had accounts with Sway Markets may be left without proper support.
If you are a current Sway Markets client, seek professional advice right away.
Is Sway Markets Regulated?
This is where things get serious.
Sway Markets claimed to be registered in Australia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. But registration is not the same as regulation.
Here’s what independent experts found:
| Regulatory Body | Status |
|---|---|
| ASIC (Australia) | Not licensed/authorized |
| SVGFSA (St. Vincent) | Does not regulate forex brokers |
| FCA (UK) | No license |
| CySEC (Cyprus) | No license |
The SVGFSA is often used by offshore brokers as a loophole. It registers companies but does not regulate or oversee forex trading activity.
So in plain terms: Sway Markets had no real regulatory protection for traders.
This is a major red flag. Without proper regulation, there is no safety net. No fund protection. No complaint process. No oversight.
Sway Markets Account Types
Despite its issues, let’s look at what Sway Markets offered.
There were four account types:
| Account Type | Min Spread | Commission | Swap-Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECN | 0.8 pips | $7.50/lot | No |
| No Commission | 1.2 pips | None | No |
| VIP | 0.0 pips | $3.50/lot | No |
| Islamic | Wider spreads | None | Yes |
All accounts used STP (Straight-Through Processing) execution. This means your order goes directly to the market — no dealing desk.
The minimum deposit was just $10. That’s very low. It attracted new and small traders.
Maximum leverage was up to 1:500. But that varied by asset:
- Forex: 1:500
- Indices: 1:200
- Commodities: 1:200
- Crypto: 1:100
- Stocks: 1:10
High leverage can boost profits. But it can also wipe out your account fast. Always use it with care.
Trading Platforms

Sway Markets offered two platforms:
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
MT5 is one of the most trusted platforms in the world. It has:
- Fast execution
- 21 timeframes
- Built-in economic calendar
- 80+ technical indicators
- Expert Advisors (automated trading bots)
This was a positive point for Sway Markets.
Sway Charts (Proprietary Platform)
Sway Markets also built its own platform. It was designed to be clean and easy to use. But it lacked the depth that MT5 offered.
The max positions on MT4/MT5 live accounts was 200 at a time. On cTrader, it was 2000.
Trading Instruments
Sway Markets offered 100+ instruments. Here’s a breakdown:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Forex | EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY |
| Metals | Gold (XAU/USD), Silver (XAG/USD) |
| Cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin, Ethereum |
| Indices | S&P 500, NASDAQ, FTSE 100 |
| Stocks | Apple, Tesla, Amazon |
| Commodities | Oil, Natural Gas |
This is a good range. Most traders could find what they needed here.
Fees and Spreads: The Real Cost
Fees are where brokers make their money. Let’s break it down clearly.
Spreads:
- VIP account: starts at 0.0 pips
- ECN account: starts at 0.8 pips
- No Commission account: starts at 1.2 pips
On paper, the VIP account looked very competitive. Spreads of 0.0 pips are similar to what top brokers like IC Markets and Pepperstone offer.
But real trader reviews told a different story. Many said actual spreads during live trading were wider than advertised. Some said commissions were higher than expected too.
Minimum trade size: 0.01 lot (one micro-lot) Maximum trade size: 50 lots per ticket
Deposits and Withdrawals
This is where many traders ran into problems.
Sway Markets accepted:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- USDT (Tether)
- Bank wires (listed as “coming soon”)
The crypto-only focus is unusual. Most reputable brokers accept credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers.
Multiple users reported withdrawal problems. Some said they waited weeks. Some said support did not respond when they tried to pull out their money.
One trader wrote: “I tried closing a trade with $100 profit. By the time it went through, I had only $20. This happened every time.”
That kind of execution delay is a serious issue. It can destroy your results even on a winning trade.
Real Trader Reviews: What People Said?
We looked at dozens of reviews from real users. Here’s a fair summary:
Positive feedback:
- Low minimum deposit ($10) made it easy to start
- MT5 platform was solid
- Wide range of assets to trade
- Low minimum trade size (0.01 lot) suited small accounts
Negative feedback:
- Withdrawal delays and failures reported by multiple users
- Slow trade execution — profits reduced by the time orders filled
- Platform crashes reported
- Customer support often unresponsive
- Regulation concerns raised by independent reviewers
The pattern is clear. The features looked good on the surface. But the real trading experience fell short for many users.
Who Is Sway Funded? (Still Operating)?
Here’s something worth noting.
Sway Funded is a separate company. It is a prop trading firm. Even after Sway Markets ceased operations, Sway Funded continued to operate.
Prop trading firms like Sway Funded give traders access to funded accounts. You trade with their money. You keep a share of the profits.
But make sure you treat these as two completely separate entities. Do not confuse Sway Markets (the broker — now closed) with Sway Funded (the prop firm — still active).
Sway Markets vs. Better Alternatives
Since Sway Markets has ceased operations, you need a new broker. Here’s how it compared to regulated options:
| Feature | Sway Markets | IC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | Unregulated | ASIC, CySEC, FSA | ASIC, FCA, CySEC |
| Min Deposit | $10 | $200 | $200 |
| Min Spread | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Commission | From $3.50/lot | $3.50/lot (Raw) | $3.50/lot (Razor) |
| Platforms | MT5, Sway Charts | MT4, MT5, cTrader | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| Fund Safety | None | Segregated funds | Segregated funds |
| Status | Closed | Active | Active |
The regulated brokers offer similar spreads and fees. But they also protect your funds. That’s a huge difference.
5 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore in a Broker
Whether you’re looking at Sway Markets or any new broker, watch for these red flags:
- No real regulation — Offshore registration is not the same as a license from FCA, ASIC, or CySEC.
- Crypto-only deposits — Reputable brokers accept credit cards and bank transfers.
- Withdrawal complaints — Search “[broker name] withdrawal issues” before you deposit.
- No verifiable address — If you can’t find a real office or contact, be careful.
- Too-good spreads — 0.0 pip spreads with no catch rarely hold in live conditions.
How to Safely Choose a Forex Broker?
Here’s a simple checklist before you open any account:
- Is the broker licensed by FCA, ASIC, or CySEC?
- Are client funds kept in separate (segregated) bank accounts?
- Is there a negative balance protection policy?
- Can you withdraw using your bank or card?
- Are there real user reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot?
If any answer is “no” or “unclear,” keep looking.
FAQs About Sway Markets
Is Sway Markets still operating?
No. Sway Markets has ceased operations. It was acquired by Liquid Brokers. Clients were advised to seek professional advice about their funds.
Was Sway Markets regulated?
No. It was not regulated by any recognized financial authority. It was registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, but that registration does not count as forex regulation.
What platforms did Sway Markets use?
It offered MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and its own platform called Sway Charts.
What was the minimum deposit for Sway Markets?
The minimum deposit was $10.
What was the maximum leverage?
Up to 1:500 for forex pairs. Lower leverage applied to other assets.
What account types did Sway Markets offer?
Four types: ECN, No Commission, VIP, and Islamic accounts.
Can I still recover my money from Sway Markets?
It depends on your situation. If you had funds with the broker, contact a legal or financial advisor. Also check whether Liquid Brokers has any transfer process in place.
What is Sway Funded?
Sway Funded is a separate prop trading firm. It was not part of the acquisition and still operates. Do not confuse it with Sway Markets.
Did Sway Markets have an Islamic account?
Yes. The Islamic account had no swap or rollover fees but came with wider spreads.
Were there complaints about Sway Markets withdrawals?
Yes. Multiple traders reported delays and problems with withdrawals. This was one of the most common complaints about the broker.
Final Verdict
Sway Markets started as an attractive forex broker with low deposits, high leverage, and MT5 access, but its lack of proper regulation, repeated withdrawal complaints, and poor execution quality raised serious concerns among traders. The situation became even more critical after the broker ceased operations following its acquisition, leaving clients uncertain about fund recovery and support. While it may have looked appealing on the surface, the risks clearly outweighed the benefits, especially for retail traders seeking safety and transparency. For anyone planning to trade forex, it is far safer to choose a well-regulated broker under authorities like ASIC, FCA, or CySEC, where client protection and financial oversight are in place.
