Review
The Funded Trader

“The Funded Trader Review: Unveiling Insights and Evaluations”

“Empowering Traders: Unlock Capital Opportunities for Skilled and Committed Retail Traders to Thrive in Diverse Market Conditions with The Funded Trader”

The Funded Trader program is founded on the core principle of providing all retail traders with the opportunity to access capital based on their performance and unwavering commitment to establishing their trading enterprises. We are actively seeking driven and proficient traders capable of effectively navigating various market conditions to achieve success with the backing of our financial resources.

The Funded Trader program shares a common lineage with The Forex League and VVS Academy, as they have the same founders. This proprietary trading firm has been established with a dedicated focus on addressing the specific needs of its community, offering tailored solutions that are aligned with its overarching objectives.

The Funded Trader program actively seeks proficient and dedicated traders who possess the ability to thrive in dynamic and often volatile market environments. By leveraging their expertise and taking advantage of the program’s financial backing, traders have the opportunity to realize substantial profits. Successful participants can manage account sizes of up to $1,500,000 and retain a significant portion of their earnings, with profit sharing agreements that can reach as high as 90%. This can be achieved through the trading of a diverse range of financial instruments, encompassing forex pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. 

Who are The 5%ers

The Funded Trader is an exclusive proprietary trading firm, established on May 12, 2021, with a notable presence in the United States. This firm offers traders the unique opportunity to access significant capital allocations of up to $1,500,000, accompanied by profit-sharing arrangements of up to 90%. It is worth mentioning that The Funded Trader has forged strategic alliances with reputable brokerage firms, including Eightcap and Purple Trading Seychelles.

The company’s headquarters are situated at 14001 W HWY 29, Suite 102, Liberty Hill, TX 78642.

Could you kindly provide information about the CEO of The Funded Trader?

Angelo Ciaramello, a 24-year-old entrepreneur hailing from New Jersey, founded The Funded Trader in 2020. His entrepreneurial endeavor initially emerged as a startup focused on gamified retail trading within the capital markets. The primary objective of this venture was to provide individual traders with a competitive platform, enabling them to seek funding and strive for top positions on the rankings leaderboard.

Under Angelo’s adept leadership, The Funded Trader successfully devised various funding challenges that offer individuals the opportunity to trade the firm’s capital and receive profit-sharing distributions based on predetermined percentages. It is worth noting that Angelo Ciaramello earned recognition as one of the top 25 Financial Technology Leaders in New Jersey for the year 2022.

For those interested in staying updated with Angelo Ciaramello, they can do so by following his Instagram and LinkedIn profiles, where they can access his regular posts and gain insights into his daily activities.

Funding Options

Funding program options

The Funded Trader offers its traders four different programs to choose from:

  • Standard challenge accounts
  1. Standard regular challenge accounts
  2. Standard swing challenge accounts
  • Rapid challenge accounts
  1. Rapid regular challenge accounts
  2. Rapid swing challenge accounts
  • Royal challenge accounts
  • Knight challenge accounts

Standard challenge accounts

The primary aim of the Funded Trader Standard Challenge Account is to discern committed and proficient traders who exhibit consistent performance over a two-phase assessment period. The regular evaluation program offers traders an opportunity to participate in trading activities with a leverage ratio of 1:200. In contrast, the swing evaluation program allows traders to trade with a leverage ratio of 1:60. The pivotal distinction lies in the ability of swing accounts to retain trades over weekends, while regular accounts mandate the closure of trades.

During the initial evaluation phase, traders are required to attain a profit target of 10% while adhering to a maximum daily loss limit of 6% and a maximum loss threshold of 12%. It is imperative to achieve the profit target within 35 calendar days from the inception of a position in the evaluation account. Additionally, a minimum of three trading days must be completed to progress to phase two.

In the second evaluation phase, traders must reach a profit target of 5% while maintaining compliance with the 6% maximum daily loss and 12% maximum loss regulations. The profit target for this phase must be attained within 60 calendar days from the date of the initial position in the evaluation account. Similarly, a minimum of three trading days is a prerequisite to advance to a funded account.

Upon the successful completion of both evaluation phases, traders are granted access to a funded account with no imposed profit targets. The principal requirements for the funded account entail adherence to the 6% maximum daily loss, 12% maximum loss, and lot size limit regulations. The initial payout is disbursed 30 calendar days from the initiation of the first position in the funded account, with subsequent payouts occurring bi-weekly. The profit-sharing arrangement varies from 80% to 90%, contingent on the individual trader’s profit generated in the funded account.

The Standard Challenge Accounts also feature a scaling plan, whereby traders are expected to achieve a profit target of 6% or higher within three months, with at least two out of the three months demonstrating profitability. Upon satisfying these criteria, traders receive an account increase equivalent to 25% of the original account balance.

Trading instruments available for the Standard Challenge Accounts encompass forex pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Rules for Standard Challenge Accounts:

  1. Profit Target: This denotes a specific profit percentage that traders must reach before they can proceed to complete an evaluation phase, withdraw profits, or expand their accounts. In Phase 1, the profit target is set at 10%, while Phase 2 necessitates a 5% profit target. It is noteworthy that funded accounts do not entail profit targets.

  2. Maximum Daily Loss: This signifies the upper limit on the amount of daily loss a trader can incur before their account is considered to be in violation. Irrespective of account size, all traders are subject to a uniform maximum daily loss of 6%.

  3. Maximum Loss: This represents the highest permissible overall loss that traders can experience before their account is deemed in violation. A uniform maximum loss threshold of 12% applies to all account sizes.

  4. Minimum Trading Days: This indicates the minimum duration that traders are obliged to actively engage in trading before they can complete an evaluation phase or request a withdrawal. Both evaluation phases necessitate a minimum of 3 trading days. Funded accounts do not have a minimum trading day requirement before they become eligible for payouts.

  5. Maximum Trading Days: This specifies the maximum duration within which traders must achieve a particular profit target or withdrawal objective. Phase 1 allows a maximum trading period of 35 days, while Phase 2 permits a maximum of 60 trading days.

  6. Lot Size Limit: This mandates that traders adhere to specified lot sizes for specific trading instruments, typically based on the initial account balance of the prop firm account. This requirement exclusively applies to funded accounts.

  7. Prohibition of Martingale Strategies: Traders are not permitted to employ any form of martingale strategy during their trading activities.

  8. Third-party Copy Trading Risk: Traders should be aware that employing third-party copy trading services may result in other traders implementing the same trading strategy. This carries the risk of being denied a funded account or withdrawal if the maximum capital allocation rule is exceeded.

  9. Restriction on EA Usage: Traders are not allowed to utilize any form of EA services, although expert advisors for copying trades are permissible.

Rapid challenge account

The Funded Trader Rapid Challenge Account fulfills the role of identifying proficient and diligent traders, justly rewarding them for their consistent performance during a two-phase evaluation period. The Standard Evaluation Program Account offers traders the opportunity to engage in trading activities with a leverage ratio of 1:100, while the Swing Evaluation Program allows trading with a leverage ratio of 1:30. The key distinction between the two is that Swing Accounts allow trades to be held over weekends, whereas Standard Accounts require trade closure.

During Phase One evaluation, traders must achieve an 8% profit target while adhering to prescribed maximum daily loss and maximum loss thresholds of 5% and 8%, respectively. This profit target must be attained within 35 calendar days, starting from the establishment of the first position in the evaluation account. It’s crucial to note that there are no minimum trading day requirements for advancing to Phase Two.

In Phase Two, traders are required to reach a 5% profit target while staying within designated maximum daily loss and maximum loss limits of 5% and 8%, respectively. The profit target must be reached within 60 calendar days from the initiation of the first position in the evaluation account. Similar to Phase One, there are no minimum trading day requirements for progression to a funded account.

Upon successful completion of both evaluation phases, traders gain access to a funded account without profit targets. The only obligations are to adhere to the maximum daily loss limit of 5%, the maximum loss limit of 8%, and the specified lot size restrictions. The first payout is scheduled for 14 calendar days from the establishment of the initial position in the funded account, with subsequent payouts occurring bi-weekly. Detailed withdrawal schedules and profit split percentages can be found in the accompanying spreadsheet.

Starting from the fourth payout onward, the profit split stands at 80%. Rapid Challenge Accounts also include a scaling plan, where traders need to achieve a profit target of 10% or more within a single profit split period to receive a 10% account increase for every withdrawal exceeding 10% of the initial account balance.

For Standard Challenge Accounts, the trading instruments encompass forex pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Rapid Challenge Account Rules:

  • The profit target is a predefined percentage of profit that traders must achieve to successfully complete an evaluation phase, initiate profit withdrawals, or expand their trading account. Phase 1 requires an 8% profit target, while Phase 2 involves a 5% profit target. Funded accounts are exempt from profit targets.
  • The maximum daily loss signifies the upper limit of allowable losses within a single day before the account is considered in violation. Regardless of account size, all traders are subject to a maximum daily loss restriction of 5%.
  • The maximum loss represents the highest permissible cumulative loss that traders can incur before the account is deemed in violation. All account sizes consistently adhere to a maximum loss threshold of 8%.
  • The maximum trading days define the maximum duration for achieving specific profit or withdrawal targets. Phase 1 allows a maximum trading period of 35 days, while Phase 2 permits a maximum trading period of 60 days.
  • The lot size limit mandates traders to adhere to specified lot sizes for individual trading instruments, determined based on the initial account balance. This requirement applies exclusively to funded accounts.
  • The prohibition of martingale strategies restricts traders from employing any form of martingale strategy during their trading activities.
  • The restriction on weekend holding prevents traders from maintaining open positions during weekends.
  • The risk associated with third-party copy trading underscores the potential consequences of utilizing copy trading services from third-party providers, including the risk of being denied a funded account or withdrawal if the maximum capital allocation rule is exceeded.
  • The disallowance of EAs (Expert Advisors) specifies that traders are not allowed to use any form of EA services, except for expert advisors designed for copying purposes.

Royal challenge account

The primary goal of the Funded Trader Royal Challenge account is to identify proficient and committed traders who consistently exhibit their trading abilities throughout a two-phase evaluation period, with rewards that are commensurate with their performance. The evaluation program account enables traders to leverage their trades at a 1:200 ratio.

During the first evaluation phase, traders are required to attain an 8% profit target while adhering to a maximum daily loss limit of 5% and a maximum loss constraint of 10%. Achieving the profit target must be accomplished within 35 calendar days from the commencement of trading on the evaluation account, and a minimum of five trading days must be completed to progress to the second phase.

In the second evaluation phase, traders must achieve a profit target of 5%, while also staying within the 5% maximum daily loss and 10% maximum loss parameters. The profit target should be met within 60 calendar days from the initiation of trading on the evaluation account, with a minimum of five trading days required to advance to a funded account.

Upon successful completion of both evaluation phases, traders are granted a funded account, where profit targets are eliminated. However, traders must continue to adhere to the 5% maximum daily loss, 10% maximum loss, and lot size limit rules. The initial payout is scheduled 30 calendar days after the first position is placed on the funded account. It’s worth noting that subsequent payouts will occur bi-weekly, and the profit split ranges from 80% to 90% based on profitability achieved on the funded account.

The Royal Challenge accounts also incorporate a scaling plan. Traders are expected to achieve a profit target of 6% or higher within three months, with at least two out of the three months being profitable. Meeting this requirement results in a 25% increase in the initial account balance.

For example: After 3 months: If you have a $200,000 account, your account balance will increase to $250,000. After the next 3 months: The balance of $250,000 increases to $300,000. After the subsequent 3 months: The balance of $300,000 increases to $350,000. And so forth…

Trading instruments available for the Royal Challenge accounts encompass forex pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

Royal Challenge Account Rules:

  • Profit Target: A specific percentage of profit that a trader must achieve before completing an evaluation phase, withdrawing profits, or scaling their account. Phase 1 has an 8% profit target, while Phase 2 requires a 5% profit target. Funded accounts have no profit targets.

  • Maximum Daily Loss: The maximum daily loss a trader can incur before violating the account’s terms. All account sizes have a maximum daily loss limit of 5%.

  • Maximum Loss: The maximum cumulative loss a trader can sustain before violating the account’s terms. All account sizes have a maximum loss limit of 10%.

  • Minimum Trading Days: The minimum number of trading days required before completing an evaluation phase or requesting a withdrawal. Both evaluation phases have a minimum trading day requirement of 5. Funded accounts have no minimum trading day requirements before becoming eligible for payouts.

  • Maximum Trading Days: The maximum period within which a trader must achieve a specific profit or withdrawal target. Phase 1 has a maximum of 35 trading days, while Phase 2 allows a maximum of 60 trading days.

  • No Martingale Allowed: Traders are prohibited from employing any martingale strategy during their trading activities.

  • Third-Party Copy Trading Risk: If traders intend to use copy trading services, they should be aware that using a third-party copy trading service may expose them to other traders with similar trading strategies. By utilizing a third-party copy trading service, traders risk being denied a funded account or withdrawal if they exceed the maximum capital allocation rule.

Knight challenge account

The Funded Trader Knight Challenge account is meticulously crafted to discern dedicated and proficient traders who consistently exhibit superior performance during the single-phase evaluation period. This program extends the opportunity to engage in trading with a leverage ratio of 1:30.

Throughout the evaluation phase, traders are compelled to attain a profit target of 10%, all the while adhering to stringent constraints to prevent exceeding the designated maximum daily loss of 3% or maximum trailing loss of 6%. Notably, there exist no specific prerequisites concerning the minimum or maximum number of trading days for the evaluation account. The singular requirement for eligibility to secure funding is the achievement of the stipulated profit target.

Upon successful completion of the evaluation phase, traders are awarded a funded account where profit targets no longer hold relevance. Nevertheless, traders are expected to maintain compliance with the prescribed maximum daily loss limit of 3% and maximum trailing loss limit of 6%. The initial disbursement is slated for seven calendar days following the initiation of the initial position in the funded account, and it is imperative to underscore that subsequent disbursements will also adhere to a weekly schedule. The division of profits ranges from 80% to 90%, contingent upon the degree of profitability achieved in the funded account.

The Knight Challenge accounts also encompass a scaling plan, necessitating traders to attain a profit target of 6% or greater within a three-month timeframe, wherein a minimum of two out of three months must yield positive results. Upon satisfying these criteria, traders receive an account increment of 25% of the original account balance. Furthermore, upon their inaugural scaling of the account, the profit split ratio ascends from 80% to 90%, and the maximum daily drawdown limit expands from 3% to 4%.

As a supplementary note, the trading instruments available for the Knight Challenge accounts encompass forex pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

What makes The Funded trader different

The Funded Trader sets itself apart from many prominent proprietary trading firms by offering trading styles with minimal restrictions. Traders enjoy the liberty to engage in trading activities during news events, maintain positions overnight, and continue trading throughout weekends.

In contrast to other proprietary trading firms, The Funded Trader’s standard challenge program features a two-phase evaluation structure, mandating the completion of both phases for qualification for payouts. The initial phase establishes a profit target of 10%, while the subsequent phase requires a 5% profit target. Additionally, the program enforces maximum daily and maximum loss thresholds of 6% and 12%, respectively, along with specific rules regarding lot size limits. To attain funded status, traders must engage in trading for a minimum of 3 days in each phase. Furthermore, the standard challenge program incorporates a scaling plan. When compared to other leading proprietary trading firms, The Funded Trader’s profit targets are moderately average, and the minimum trading day requirements are relatively low.

Differing from alternative proprietary trading firms, The Funded Trader’s rapid challenge program stands out as a comprehensive two-phase evaluation initiative that necessitates the successful completion of both phases to qualify for payouts. Phase one involves reaching an 8% profit target, while phase two requires achieving a 5% profit target, all while adhering to strict rules regarding maximum daily loss (5%) and maximum overall loss (8%), as well as constraints on lot sizes.

Additionally, participants in this program must actively engage in trading for a minimum of 5 days during each phase to become eligible for funding. Notably, The Funded Trader’s rapid challenge program distinguishes itself by incorporating a scaling plan, which facilitates the expansion of trading opportunities based on individual performance. When compared to prominent proprietary trading firms in the industry, this program offers comparatively modest profit targets and minimum trading day requirements, providing traders with a unique opportunity for growth and development.

The Funded Trader’s royal challenge program distinguishes itself from other proprietary trading firms by offering a comprehensive two-phase evaluation program. Traders must successfully complete both phases to qualify for payouts. Phase one requires achieving an 8% profit target, while phase two mandates attaining a 5% profit target. Throughout both phases, traders must adhere to a maximum daily loss limit of 5% and a maximum overall loss limit of 10%. Furthermore, a minimum trading duration of 5 days is mandatory for each phase to qualify for funding. Notably, the program also includes a scaling plan in its rapid challenge programs. When compared to other leading firms in the industry, The Funded Trader Royal challenge program sets itself apart by implementing comparatively modest profit targets and minimum trading day requirements.

The final funding program offered by The Funded Trader features a one-step evaluation process, where traders must successfully complete a single phase to become eligible for payouts. During this evaluation phase, traders are required to achieve a profit target of 10%, while adhering to maximum daily loss and maximum trailing loss rules of 3% and 6%, respectively. It is worth noting that there are no specific minimum or maximum trading day requirements during the evaluation stage. Furthermore, The Funded Trader’s Knight challenge accounts include a scaling plan. Notably, this prop firm stands apart from other industry-leading firms by offering drawdown rules that are below average and by not imposing any time limitations.

In summary, The Funded Trader distinguishes itself from other industry-leading proprietary firms by providing four distinct funding programs and affording traders more flexible trading rules, allowing for trading during news events, holding trades overnight, and even trading over the weekends.

Is getting capital realistic

When assessing proprietary firms that align with your forex trading style, it is of paramount importance to evaluate the viability of their trading prerequisites. While an attractive proposition may entail a company offering a substantial profit split percentage on a well-capitalized account, it is essential to scrutinize the imposition of rigorous monthly profit targets and stringent maximum drawdown constraints, as this combination significantly diminishes the likelihood of achieving success.

Securing capital through the standard challenge program accounts is generally considered achievable, primarily due to their reasonable profit targets (10% in phase one and 5% in phase two), accompanied by relatively lenient maximum loss regulations (6% maximum daily and 12% maximum loss).

Likewise, obtaining capital through the rapid challenge program accounts is deemed feasible, mainly owing to their comparatively lower profit targets (8% in phase one and 5% in phase two), along with moderate maximum loss guidelines (5% maximum daily and 8% maximum loss).

Furthermore, acquiring capital through the royal challenge program accounts is considered realistic primarily due to their relatively modest profit targets (8% in phase one and 5% in phase two), complemented by average maximum loss restrictions (5% maximum daily and 10% maximum loss).

Similarly, accessing capital through the knight challenge program accounts is perceived as viable, primarily due to their moderate profit target of 10% and reasonable maximum loss regulations (3% maximum daily and 6% maximum trailing loss).

After careful consideration of these factors, The Funded Trader emerges as an outstanding choice for securing funding. This is attributed to the availability of four distinct funding programs, each presenting attainable trading objectives and requisite conditions for eligibility for payouts.

Payment Confirmation: The Funded Trader was established on May 12, 2021. Upon receiving funding, traders are eligible for bi-weekly payouts with no minimum profit target. Additionally, payment evidence can be found on their Discord channel, accessible under the “payout proof” channel.

Which brokers does it use

The Funded Trader program makes use of the brokerage services offered by Eightcap and Purple Trading Seychelles. Eightcap, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, is subject to regulation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and has been in operation since 2009. Throughout its history, Eightcap has remained committed to delivering exceptional financial services to its diverse clientele. Boasting a global presence with five offices, Eightcap adheres to regulatory frameworks in multiple jurisdictions, facilitating the participation of clients from various regions in trading across a wide spectrum of markets, including foreign exchange (FX), indices, commodities, and shares.

Should you opt for Eightcap as your brokerage, you will gain access to trading platforms such as Meta Trader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Conversely, selecting Purple Trading Seychelles limits your trading platform options to MetaTrader 4.

Regarding trading instruments, the Funded Trader program provides opportunities for forex trading with leverage ratios of 100:1 (increased to 200:1 during the evaluation phase). Furthermore, you can engage in commodities trading with a leverage ratio of 40:1, indices with a leverage ratio of 20:1, and cryptocurrencies with a leverage ratio of 2:1.

Education and Support

The official website of The Funded Trader lacks educational materials or resources. While The Funded Trader does not maintain a dedicated thread on ForexFactory, it has garnered several mentions and references within the ‘PROP FIRM HUB’ thread initiated by a user named Mastermind.

The company provides an intricately structured dashboard accessible to all clients, enhancing effective risk management by furnishing a comprehensive overview of vital statistical information, encompassing open positions and other relevant objectives.

The Funded Trader offers an extensive FAQ page, serving as a valuable resource for locating any missing information. For direct assistance, their support team is reachable through various channels, such as their official social media platforms or email at support@thefundedtraderprogram.com. Moreover, their website includes an active live chat support feature, assuring timely responses sent to your designated email address.

For a more interactive engagement, consider exploring their Discord channel, which offers distinct channels for support and community assistance, whether you require general support or encounter technical issues.

Clients review

The Funded Trader garners high praise in its reviews.

Trustpilot presents a wide array of community contributions and favorable feedback, resulting in an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5 from a total of 5,940 reviews. Furthermore, the organization maintains a reliable support team that consistently provides customers with in-depth information tailored to their specific requirements.

As per community testimonials, The Funded Trader receives acclaim for its compassionate and expeditious assistance, illustrating a strong dedication to ensuring client satisfaction.

A noteworthy observation regarding The Funded Trader is their skillful integration of positive attributes from various proprietary firms, culminating in a comprehensive and well-rounded offering.

Social media stats

The Funded Trader can also be found on social media.

They have a:

  • Instagram account with 25,5k followers,
  • Telegram account with 8,527 subscribers, and
  • Youtube channel with 13,6k subscribers and 248 uploaded videos.

Furthermore, they host a dynamic Discord channel with a notable membership of 42,641 individuals. This platform offers a means to remain informed about recent announcements, access support through the dedicated channel, and participate in discussions with fellow community members concerning trading strategies.

Conclusion

In summary, The Funded Trader stands as a reputable proprietary trading firm that offers a selection of four distinct funding programs, namely Standard, Rapid, Royal, and Knight. The Standard Challenge program consists of a two-phase evaluation process, adhering to industry norms, which must be successfully completed by traders to secure funding and qualify for profit-sharing opportunities. To qualify for funding, traders must attain profit targets of 10% in the first phase and 5% in the second phase, with these objectives being realistic and achievable, particularly when taking into account the accompanying risk management rules, which impose a maximum daily loss of 6% and a maximum loss limit of 12%. Active participation in the Standard Challenge program empowers traders to earn profit shares of up to 90% while also providing the opportunity to expand their account holdings.

Likewise, the Rapid Challenge program follows the same two-phase evaluation structure in line with industry standards. Traders are required to reach profit targets of 8% in the initial phase and 5% in the subsequent phase to attain funding. With risk management guidelines that include a maximum daily loss of 5% and a maximum loss limit of 8%, these trading objectives remain reasonable and practical. Successful completion of the Rapid Challenge program enables traders to earn profit shares of up to 90% and offers the possibility to increase their account sizes.

The Royal Challenge program also adheres to industry standards by implementing a two-phase evaluation process. Aspiring traders seeking funding must meet profit targets of 8% in the first phase and 5% in the second phase. The risk management rules, which include a maximum daily loss of 5% and a maximum loss limit of 10%, ensure that these trading objectives are not only realistic but also attainable. By successfully completing the Royal Challenge program, traders can secure profit shares of up to 90% while retaining the option to expand their account holdings.

Lastly, the Knight Challenge program presents a one-step evaluation process, necessitating traders to successfully complete a single phase before becoming funded and gaining eligibility for profit shares. Traders are required to achieve a profit target of 10%, and given the risk management guidelines of a maximum daily loss of 3% and a maximum trailing loss of 6%, these trading objectives can be deemed practical and attainable. Participants in the Knight Challenge program have the opportunity to earn profit shares ranging from 80% to 90% while also having the ability to scale their account sizes.

Based on my assessment of The Funded Trader’s offerings, I wholeheartedly recommend their services to individuals seeking a proprietary trading firm with clear and transparent trading rules. The Funded Trader is a well-established firm that provides favorable conditions for a diverse range of traders with varying styles. Considering its comprehensive features and its reputation as an industry-leading proprietary trading firm, The Funded Trader emerges as an excellent choice.