Proprietary trading, or prop trading, has gained significant momentum in recent years, attracting both aspiring traders and seasoned professionals. As the industry evolves, understanding the various funding models used by trading prop firms becomes crucial for those aiming to navigate this competitive space.
Whether you're eyeing a spot in a top-tier firm or looking to explore flexible models, knowing how these companies fund their traders and measure success can give you a strategic edge. This blog will cover the basic information you need to know about understanding funding models in prop trading.
Prop trading firms are companies that use their own capital to trade in financial markets, rather than handling client funds. Trading prop firms do some of the following things:
The core incentive lies in the firm's ability to profit directly from successful trades made by their traders. Unlike traditional investment firms, prop traders operate with fewer regulatory constraints since they don't manage external investments.
This independence allows for faster decision-making, more aggressive strategies, and higher risk-taking. It also means the funding structure plays a pivotal role in a firm’s operational model.
Understanding the diverse ways prop firms fund their traders helps in evaluating which model aligns best with your trading style and goals. Let’s explore the most common funding models used in the industry.
In this classic approach, the firm fully funds the trader with its own capital. Traders are given an account size based on their experience, trading strategy, and past performance. Other things to keep in mind include:
For example, Jane Street and DRW operate with this model, emphasizing in-house risk management tools and proprietary algorithms.
Many modern prop firms have adopted an evaluation-based model, where traders must pass an assessment to qualify for funding. These evaluations often have specific profit targets and risk limits, and include some of the following features:
Firms like FTMO and Topstep utilize this approach, allowing traders to prove their consistency before accessing company capital.
Scaled funding offers traders the ability to start with a small account and gradually grow their capital allocation based on performance. This dynamic structure rewards consistent profits and effective risk management. Some other features of this type of trading model include:
Axi Select uses a scaled funding model, giving traders a clear path to increase their capital as they demonstrate steady results.
Some trading prop firms have adopted subscription models, where traders pay a monthly fee to access trading platforms, data feeds, and educational resources. This approach allows traders to trade firm capital without the pressure of passing evaluations:
Firms like Maverick Trading offer subscription plans, combining access to capital with ongoing mentorship.
Navigating the world of prop trading requires more than just strong technical skills. It demands a solid understanding of how funding models operate. By familiarizing yourself with traditional, evaluation-based, scaled, and subscription funding models, you can better align your trading ambitions with the right firm.
Axi Select and other innovative trading prop firms have introduced new layers of flexibility and growth, empowering traders to scale their careers without sacrificing capital security. Whether you're a beginner looking for structured growth or a veteran seeking dynamic partnerships, choosing the right funding model is key to unlocking your full trading potential.
The main difference is that with a prop trading firm, you are using the firm's capital to trade, not your own. This eliminates your personal financial risk while providing you with access to a significantly larger trading account.
In exchange for this capital, you share a percentage of the profits you generate with the firm, as opposed to keeping 100% of the profits (and losses) when trading with your own money.
Typically, an evaluation process requires you to trade in a simulated or demo environment for a set period. You must meet specific profit targets while adhering to strict risk management rules, such as not exceeding a maximum daily loss or total drawdown limit.
Passing this challenge demonstrates your ability to consistently generate profits and manage risk before the firm entrusts you with real capital.
The biggest challenge for a trader is adhering to the firm's strict risk management rules, particularly the maximum drawdown and daily loss limits.
While these rules protect the firm's capital, a single violation, often caused by emotional trading or an unexpected market event, can lead to the immediate loss of your funded account, requiring significant discipline to manage.
Choosing the right model depends on your experience and goals. Traditional models are often for seasoned traders with a proven track record. Evaluation-based models are great for skilled traders who want to prove their consistency.
Scaled funding is ideal for those who want to grow their capital over time based on performance, while subscription models may suit traders who prefer to skip evaluations and access resources for a predictable monthly fee.