What Are the Prop Firms?
Suppose you have little money to trade with, despite being an excellent trader. That is where the prop firms like FTMO, The5%ers, etc. come into play. Instead of requiring traders to make a large deposit into their trading accounts, prop firms simply invite you to undertake and pass a prop trading evaluation that proves you know how to trade responsibly and profitably. Pass the challenge, and they will let you trade with virtual capital and become eligible for withdrawals. Unlike regular proprietary trading firms that hire you as an employee, these firms are more like training camps, offering you a chance to trade at a professional level without most of the barriers that normally stop people from making such a move.
Types of Challenges: 1-Step, 2-Step, 3-Step, and Instant Funding
Most of the prop trading firms will have various types of challenges, and each one will test your skills and risk management differently. Briefly, here's an overview of each:
The 1-Step Challenge: This is the sped-up process for traders who want to get funded as quickly as possible. You need to pass only one step by reaching a set profit target, usually around 8-10%, without breaching the limits, usually around 6%. It's great if you know your strategy and are looking for a streamlined route towards funding. The 1-Step Challenge typically has lower drawdown limits compared to the 2-Stage Challenges, which is what we will be discussing next.
2-Step Challenge: As the most common challenge, this requires an initial phase to be completed with a target profit and a second verification phase where the profit target is often considerably lower. This helps firms analyze the trader’s profitability and consistency. This is rather a balanced path, which does not take too long while still ensuring the trader is prepared. The profit target is usually 8% for the 1st phase and 5% for the second phase.
3-Step Challenge: This is less common, and the trading evaluation process extends by one phase that will confirm consistency and skill. This will take more time but is also well-suited for traders who want to make slower steps or beginner traders who want to build confidence in their trading system. The target for each step in this challenge usually is 6%.
Instant Funding (No Challenge): There are prop firms that allow for immediate funding, whereby one pays a more significant fee instead of undergoing evaluation. This provides direct access to the funded stage; making it very suitable for experienced traders who wish to immediately enter the market without waiting. This account type typically has stricter rules and lower profit splits.
How It Works Once You’re Funded
After clearing the evaluation, you go to a funded account where you trade virtual capital provided by the company. The profits are usually shared, but the share rate varies according to the type of challenge and company policy. 1-step, 2-step, and 3-step challenges tend to have a better profit split compared to instant funding accounts. Companies always monitor your account to make sure you are within the risk limits (Daily Drawdown and Max Drawdown). Most companies offer biweekly, monthly, or even weekly payouts.
Costs and Fees
In most cases, to obtain a prop account, one has to pay a one-time fee that usually gets refunded upon reaching the funded stage and requesting your first withdrawal. Instant funding will be more costly because you bypass the Challenge phase, but it’s a quicker way of getting access to capital should you feel confident in your skills.
Why These Options Appeal to Traders
- With several types of challenges, traders will be able to choose their path depending on their goals and trading style.
- Flexible Paths: Choose between one-step, two-step, three-step, or instant funding, depending on how fast you want your funding and how much rigor you are comfortable with.
- Access to Big Capital: These firms offer the chance to trade large amounts without using your own money.
- Less pressure: many firms in these times have unlimited time challenges, hence at your own pace.
For many, prop firms make high-stakes trading accessible without requiring large initial investments. If you’re ready to prove your skills, these firms can offer a clear path to trading with bigger capital.
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