Best Crypto Prop Trading Firms
The rapid rise of cryptocurrencies and their growing integration into the financial systems has ushered in some massive shifts in the proprietary trading landscape as well. These days, many established and new companies are allowing trading in cryptocurrency, which is why we decided to compare the market's leading crypto prop trading firms.
Best Crypto Prop Trading Firms in December 2024
FundedNext is a well-known name in the proprietary trading world, and the firm has just recently launched its Crypto Trading feature. Crypto trading on FundedNext is open 5 days a week, and currently allows you to trade in a number of cryptocurrencies, including BTC and ETH. With a secure and easy-to-use trading platform, a Dedicated Account Manager feature, wealth of educational tools and a flexible evaluation model, it is a great choice whether you’re just starting or you’re already experienced as a trader.
- •Dedicated account manager
- •Great variety of cryptocurrencies available
- •Secure trading platform
Founded in 2021, Funded Trading Plus (FT+) is one of the fastest-rising proprietary trading firms today. It welcomes traders from over 165 countries worldwide, and has a highly customizable, trader-centric offer. There is only a one-time fee required, which gets refunded on your first withdrawal, and you can get up to 100% in profit splits by proving your skills and meeting the profit requirements. The firm also allows you to get instant access to a funded account and skip the evaluation process, while also allowing you to make payouts every three days and trade with a 90% profit split from the start.
- •Upgradeable evaluation plans
- •Allows for instant access to a funded account
- •Fantastic scaling plan
The brainchild of Wall Street maven Stan G., Funding Traders emerged in 2023 with a clear mandate: to democratize trading access by equipping novices with necessary capital and foundational knowledge. Their trading umbrella encapsulates forex, indices, stocks, metals, and cryptocurrencies, with the crypto trading avenue being particularly facilitated through a partnership with Coinbase Commerce, albeit under certain conditions.
- •Allows account merging
- •Crypto payouts available
- •Rich knowledge hub
The Trading Pit, grounded in Real Futures and CFD trading, is progressively broadening its scope. Currently, their crypto engagement is limited to Forex (CFD's) Challenges, featuring pairs such as BTCUSD and ETHUSD. The firm plans to launch its Real Crypto trading Challenges by early 2024. Their trading parameters dictate a standard account margin of 50% and a more lenient 35% for professional accounts, with trading amounts ranging from 0.01 to a maximum of 10.
- •Trading platform variety
- •No time limits
- •Wealth of educational and mentorship resources
Established in Prague in 2014, FTMO has firmly entrenched itself as a formidable entity in a highly competitive market. FTMO provides its traders with the option to trade with the current top 10 cryptocurrencies, which include coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The firm's commitment to fostering trader growth is accentuated by its wealth of online resources and instructive webinars.
- •No trading period limits
- •Free trial account
- •24/7 customer support
Top 5 Crypto Prop Firms - Our Picks for 2024:
FundedNext - Best for ease of use
Funded Trading Plus - Best for instant funding
The Trading Pit - Best educational and mentorship support
FTMO - Best customer support
Funding Traders - Best for crypto payouts
What Are Crypto Prop Trading Firms?
Think of crypto prop trading firms as the bridge between Wall Street’s trading floors and Silicon Valley's crypto innovation labs.
Traders leverage the firm’s sizable capital to engage in trades, circumventing the need for personal investment. The trade-off is a slice of the profit pie that goes back to the firm.
Crypto prop trading firms provide a significant advantage to traders in the form of capital. A trader's potential is often bottlenecked by the limits of their own financial means. However, with the backing of a prop trading firm, their horizons are expanded exponentially.
A small-time trader can wield capital that multiplies their trading capacity, thereby increasing the potential for larger profits.
These firms also bring forth a treasure trove of resources, be it in the form of sophisticated trading tools, research, or mentorship. Such infrastructure can prove pivotal in navigating the volatile crypto markets.
How to Choose a Crypto Prop Trading Firm?
Here are the main things to conside before opting for a firm:
- Reputation & Track Record: Examine the firm’s past – their successes, setbacks, and awards. Investigate their handling of past market downturns or internal crises and regulatory issues to gauge their crisis management capabilities.
- Profit-Sharing Structure: Transparency is vital. Ensure the profit-sharing agreement terms are clear and transparent, with no ambiguous or hidden clauses. Determine the structure for bonuses based on high performance and potential penalties for losses or sub-par performance.
- Capital Allocation & Leverage: Ample capital offers trading leverage. Determine if the firm of your choice offers progressive capital increments based on your success milestones.
- Risk Management Tools: Confirm that the firm provides adequate risk management tools, considering the volatile nature of the crypto market. Features to consider include automated stop-loss, real-time analytics, and hedging capabilities.
- Training, Mentorship & Resources: Check if the firm provides tools for education and training, be it through seminars, interactive courses, or direct mentorship.
- Technology & Infrastructure: Assess the reliability, speed, and efficiency of the firm's trading platform. Confirm the platform's ability to integrate with third-party tools or software. Ensure your firm of choice has robust data security measures, including advanced encryption standards and a proven record of security.
Is Crypto Proprietary Trading Legal?
Regulatory waters around crypto activities can be murky, with changes being the only constant. Crypto proprietary trading is generally considered legal, but it’s paramount to also choose a firm that sails these waters with a clear legal compass, ensuring compliance at every turn.
Pros and Cons of Crypto Prop Trading Firms
Some of the main advantages of crypto prop firms include:
- Higher Capital: This not only amplifies gains but facilitates hedging strategies and exposure to a broader asset spectrum.
- Advanced Tools: Cutting-edge software, predictive AI algorithms, and deep learning integrations provide traders unparalleled insights.
- Learning Opportunities: Regular industry expert interactions, access to exclusive market research, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange forums.
The disadvantages that can come with crypto prop trading are:
- Profit Sharing: The downside to zero personal capital investment is the relinquishment of a profit portion.
- Pressure: High stakes, with the weight of enormous capital, can sometimes be a mental challenge, particularly in bear markets.
- Regulatory Risks: Aligning with a non-regulated firm can have repercussions beyond financial loss, including legal complications.
How to Join a Crypto Prop Trading Firm?
Joining a crypto prop trading firm requires a combination of diligent research, skill development, and adept communication.
- Research and Identify Suitable Firms: Comprehensive research is needed to pinpoint trading firms that resonate with your trading aspirations. Evaluate firms based on their reputation, track record, educational offerings, and community engagement. Examining customer reviews, forums, or connecting with current or former traders can also provide crucial insights.
- Familiarize with the Evaluation Process: Each crypto prop trading firm may have its distinct evaluation challenge. Understand and examine the structure of these challenges in detail, as failing to meet certain requirements can lead to account closure and other penalties.
- Hone and Demonstrate Your Trading Skills: Crypto prop trading is an extremely competitive space, and relying on basic skills and strategies might not suffice. Commit to enhancing your trading acumen. Regularly backtest your strategies, keep abreast of market dynamics, and ensure you have a consistent and profitable trading record.
- Application Submission & Interviews: With confidence in your skills and clarity about the firm's requirements, proceed to complete the application. Ensure that you furnish all essential details, potentially including your comprehensive trading history, relevant performance metrics, and any documentation explicitly requested by the firm. In interview settings, it's essential to competently discuss your past trading endeavors, strategic approaches, and overarching objectives. Portraying a synthesis of technical proficiency and genuine enthusiasm will strengthen your standing as a candidate.
FAQ
Is there a risk involved with crypto prop trading firms?
Proprietary trading is by nature a high-risk venture, whether it involves trading in crypto or not. However, with the volatile crypto market come some specific risks that aren’t usually associated with forex trading.
Are crypto prop trading earnings taxable?
In most jurisdictions, yes. A local taxation expert can guide on specifics and potential tax-saving avenues, or you can use modern solutions like crypto tax software.