Top Prop Trading Firms Dominating 2025’s Crypto Markets
Prop trading giants pivot hard into digital assets as traditional finance bleeds talent.
The Quant Exodus Accelerates
Wall Street's brightest minds keep jumping ship—prop firms now offer crypto-native compensation packages that make Goldman Sachs bonuses look like pocket change. These shops leverage decentralized infrastructure to bypass regulatory choke points while running 24/7 algorithmic strategies.
Performance Metrics That Actually Matter
Forget Sharpe ratios—2025's top firms track blockchain settlement speed and MEV capture rates. Their traders exploit cross-chain arbitrage opportunities that traditional market makers can't even see coming.
The New Risk Management Playbook
Smart contract audits replace compliance paperwork. Real-time on-chain monitoring trumps quarterly SEC filings. One managing director quipped: 'Our lawyers now read Solidity instead of legislation.'
Meanwhile, legacy institutions still debate whether to allocate 1% to Bitcoin ETFs—classic finance moving at bureaucratic speed while crypto prop firms eat their lunch.
What is a Prop Firm?
Prop firms are financial institutions that provide significant funding to traders, sometimes up to millions of dollars, essentially acting as your financial backer. You simply provide the trading skill. Why is this great for traders?
- More Capital: You can trade with much more money than you have in your personal account.
- Avoid Rules: Some US rules (like the Pattern Day Trader rule) don’t apply to these funded accounts.
- Keep Most Profits: You get to keep a large chunk of the money you make, often 80% or more.
How does it work? The Challenge
Most prop firms use a “Challenge” or “Evaluation” to test you. This is a test to see if you can trade well and manage risk. Once you pass, you get a funded account.
There are two main challenge formats you will see:
- The 2-Step Challenge: This is the most common. You must hit a profit target in Phase 1, and then again in Phase 2, while following all the risk rules.
- The 1-Step Challenge: A simpler, faster path. You only need to pass one phase to get funded.
How We Picked These Best Prop Firms
With so many options available, we knew we needed a clear and fair method to find the best prop firms for traders, closely examining each firm against a strict checklist.
Our goal was to identify which companies offer the most value, fairness, and support to their traders. We focused on the factors that truly matter to you when you’re risking your time and money on an evaluation. We judged each firm on these five key pillars:
- The Challenge Rules: We looked for fair and achievable profit targets. More importantly, we scrutinized the drawdown rules, whether it’s a static (fixed) or a trailing drawdown, as this is one of the most critical factors for a trader’s success.
- Profitability for You: This goes beyond the profit split percentage. We considered the starting split, how it can grow, the speed and reliability of payouts, and whether the firm refunds your evaluation fee.
- Costs & Value: It’s not just about the price tag. We asked: Is the challenge fee reasonable for the opportunity? Are there hidden costs? Does the firm offer good value for what you pay?
- The Trading Experience: A firm can have great rules, but if it doesn’t support your style, it’s a bad fit. We evaluated the trading platforms offered, the assets you can trade, and the flexibility for different strategies like news trading or using EAs.
- Support & Growth: We valued firms that invest in their traders’ success. This includes strong customer support, educational resources, clear scaling plans to grow your account, and a proven track record of paying traders.
Here is a table showing how we applied this framework:
Thanks to this consistent framework, we could MOVE beyond marketing claims and compare these five firms on a level playing field.
OneFunded: The Best Overall Choice
OneFunded earns the top spot because of how well it combines trader-friendly rules with a transparent and efficient payout system, making it the most reliable all-around partner for a trader. Although it may not have the decade-long history of some competitors, its modern approach is perfectly tailored to what today’s traders need.
OneFunded understands that traders have different preferences, which is why it offers two clear paths to funding.
The Funded Account
Once you’re funded, the advantages keep coming. You start with up to 90% profit split right away. But the real game-changer is the payout system.
- Get Paid on Your Schedule: OneFunded offers bi-weekly payouts. You don’t have to wait till the end of the month. When you have some profit, you can request a withdrawal.
- Your Fee Back: OneFunded refunds your challenge fee with your very first payout, effectively making your journey to funding cost-free upon success.
Trading Environment and Rules
OneFunded provides a robust trading environment through platforms like TradeLocker and cTrader. You have access to a wide range of markets, including Forex, cryptocurrencies, indices, and commodities. A key point of flexibility is that news trading and the use of Expert Advisors which is restricted at many other firms.
One Funded at a GlanceWho is OneFunded For?
OneFunded is the ideal choice for the vast majority of traders, beginners and experts alike. The firm states on its official website that traders from all countries, save a few, are allowed to use its services.
FTMO
When it comes to reputation and prestige, FTMO is the name every prop trader knows. Established in 2015, they have built a legacy of reliability and have paid out millions to traders worldwide. Choosing FTMO signals that you have the skill and discipline to meet a high standard.
Navigating the FTMO Evaluation
FTMO’s two-phase evaluation is known for its rigor. It’s designed to weed out undisciplined traders and find those who can consistently manage risk. A significant recent improvement is that the challenge now has no time limit, giving you all the time you need to hit your targets.
A critical rule to understand is the 5% Daily Loss Limit. This resets every day at midnight Prague Time and is a strict cap on your daily risk, enforcing professional trading habits.
Life as an FTMO Trader
Passing the challenge makes you eligible for an FTMO-funded account. You begin with an 80% profit split, and through their structured scaling plan, you can grow your account and increase your split to 90%.
While the rewards are high, the payout process is more structured than some: your first payout arrives after 14 days, and subsequent payments are made every two weeks. Your initial challenge fee is refunded with that first payout.
FTMO’s Trading Offerings
FTMO provides an exceptional trading environment with a wide platform support (MT4, MT5, cTrader, and DXtrade) and a vast selection of assets, including Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. They are also accommodating of various trading styles, including algorithmic trading with Expert Advisors.
FTMO: A Quick SummaryWho is FTMO For?
FTMO is best suited for the experienced and disciplined trader who isn’t afraid of a rigorous test, including those from the US. FTMO recently partnered with OANDA to launch its services in the US market.
This partnership was announced on August 26, 2025. So if you want access to a huge range of markets, value working with a globally reputable brand, and are confident in your risk management, FTMO is the Gold standard.
FundedNext: High Rewards and Flexibility
FundedNext has rapidly become a fan favorite by pushing the boundaries of what a prop firm can offer. It appeals to traders who want more options, higher potential earnings, and unique benefits that are rare to find elsewhere.
Choosing Your Path with FundedNext’s Models
Flexibility is FundedNext’s Core strength. They don’t have a one-size-fits-all model. They allow you to choose from:
- Stellar 2-Step: A traditional two-phase evaluation.
- Stellar 1-Step: A faster route to a funded account.
- Stellar Instant: An even quicker path for those who qualify.
The Standout Benefit: Get Paid During Your Challenge
This is FundedNext’s killer feature. On most of their challenge models, you are eligible for a 15% profit share on the profits you make during the evaluation phase. This money is paid out once you pass and receive your first funded account payout. It’s a fantastic way to be rewarded for your performance, even before you are officially funded.
High Splits and Massive Scaling
Once funded, the rewards continue. FundedNext offers some of the highest profit splits in the industry, starting as high as 90% on the 1-step account and being scalable up to 95% with certain add-ons.
For futures traders, they even offer profit splits up to a maximum of 100%. Their scaling plan is equally ambitious, allowing accounts to grow to a massive $4 million in capital.
Who is FundedNext For?
FundedNext is ideal for traders who want maximum flexibility and the highest possible rewards. As a trader, if you like the idea of earning during your challenge and value a firm that innovates, FundedNext is an excellent choice.
Topstep: The Futures Trading Expert
While other firms offer a variety of assets, Topstep has chosen to focus and become the absolute best in one area: Futures. This specialization makes them the go-to prop firm for traders who operate in the futures market.
Understanding the Topstep “Trading Combine”
Topstep’s evaluation, called the Trading Combine, is a one-step process designed specifically to test a futures trader’s consistency and risk management. It operates on a subscription model, with monthly fees ranging from $49 to $149. Key rules for a $100K account include:
- Profit Target: $6,000 (6%)
- Trailing Maximum Loss Limit: $3,000 (3%)
- Daily Loss Limit: $1,500 (1.5%)
The most distinctive rule is the 50% Consistency Rule. This means no single day’s profits can make up more than 50% of your total profit target. This forces traders to be consistently profitable based on proper trading strategies, rather than relying on one or two “lucky” trades.
The Topstep Funded Account
The biggest incentive for passing the Combine is the profit split structure. In a Topstep-funded account, you keep 100% of the first $10,000 in profit. After hitting that milestone, the split moves to a very favorable 90/10 (you keep 90%). To qualify for your first payout, you must meet consistency rules, including having 5 profitable days with a minimum of $150 profit each day.
Topstep: A Quick SummaryWho is Topstep For?
Topstep is a US-based futures prop trading firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and allows traders from the United States to participate in its various challenges.
Take Profit Trader: Simple Futures Funding
Take Profit Trader (TPT) competes directly in the futures space by offering a simple, straightforward path to funding. There is only one phase to pass. There are no time limits, so you can trade at your own pace.
The rules are clear; however, it’s important to understand that TPT uses a trailing drawdown model for both its daily and maximum loss limits. This means your loss threshold moves as your account equity changes, requiring careful risk management.
The Funded Account
Once funded, you immediately get an 80% profit split on the Pro account and a 90% split on the Pro+ account. There is no tiered system to start; you begin at the top rate. The firm has also built an excellent reputation for fast and reliable payouts, often processing requests within a day or two.
Take Profit Trader: A Quick SummaryWho is Take Profit Trader For?
Take Profit Trader is a US-based Prop firm that accepts traders worldwide, including the US. The firm is best suited to traders who want a quick single-step evaluation, who WOULD rather avoid a tiered system to earn a high profit split. If you are a futures trader and your priority is a simple process and fast access to your profits, TPT is a top contender.
Quick Comparison Table: Top 5 Prop Firms
This table lets you see all the key facts side-by-side to help you make your final decision.
How to Pick the Right Firm for You: A Simple Checklist
Don’t get overwhelmed by the choices. Finding the right prop firm is about matching their strengths to your needs. Ask yourself these five simple questions to narrow down your options.
What is Your Primary Market?
The first and most important question is: what do you trade? Your answer will quickly point you to the right firms.
Assuming that your main focus is on Futures, like trading the E-mini S&P, crude oil, or Treasury notes, then your world is a bit smaller but very specialized. For you, the best choices are firms like Topstep. They provide the right platforms and rules designed just for futures traders.
For markets like Forex (currency pairs), stocks, or cryptocurrencies, you should focus on OneFunded, FTMO, and FundedNext. These firms give you access to all those different markets, allowing you to build a diverse trading plan.
What Kind of Challenge Suits Your Style?
Think about how you like to be tested. Do you want a quick and simple test, or a longer, more traditional one? Suppose you prefer a simple, one-phase process, you should look at the 1-Step models from FundedNext and OneFunded.
With these, you only need to pass one set of goals to get funded. It’s a faster, more direct path. Assuming that you don’t mind a longer process that tests your consistency over two separate phases, then a traditional two-step test might be for you.
How do you Handle Risk?
This is all about how the firm measures your losses, known as the “drawdown.” It is one of the most important rules to understand.
A Fixed Drawdown is used by OneFunded, FTMO, and FundedNext. This is the simpler and more stable option. Imagine your loss limit is a line drawn in the sand. That line never moves. You always know exactly how much you can lose before you fail. This makes risk management much easier.
A Trailing Drawdown is used by Topstep and Take Profit Trader. This one is more dynamic and can be trickier. In this case, the loss-limit line in the SAND moves up as your account makes a profit. This can make it feel like the goalposts are shifting, and it requires more careful trading to stay safe.
How Important is Payout Speed?
Think about how quickly you need to access the money you earn. Suppose that you are okay with a set schedule that is less frequent but very reliable, then OneFunded and FTMO are a good fit. They have a bi-weekly schedule, meaning you get paid every two weeks. It’s predictable, but you do have to wait for the payment date.
What is Your Experience Level?
As a new trader, it is wise to start with a firm that has simpler and more forgiving rules. OneFunded is a great place to begin. Its fixed drawdown and clear rules create a safer environment to learn and prove yourself without the pressure from a time limit. If you are an experienced and disciplined trader, then all of the firms discussed in this guide are open to you.
Final Thoughts: Your Path to Funding
The world of prop trading offers an incredible opportunity for traders to break free from their own minuscule capital. You now have a clear, detailed picture of the five best firms ready to back you.
The perfect firm for you depends entirely on your personal trading style, goals, and personality. Use this guide as your roadmap, take your time to consider what matters most to you, and take that first confident step toward trading with the capital you deserve.
