Core Insights - The global active prop trading market has seen a 25% increase in the last three years, with an estimated worth of around $12 billion [1] - Interest in prop trading surged in 2023, with Google search interest for "prop firms" increasing by 85% and "prop trading" by 139% [2] - The average age of a prop trader is 29, and approximately 75% do not achieve sustained profitability over a six-month period [10] Industry Overview - Prop trading firms provide retail traders with access to capital for trading, typically requiring an upfront fee ranging from $50 to several hundred [5][9] - Successful traders must pass evaluations and challenges to receive funding, with only 12.4% of traders at Topstep achieving this in 2024 [10][11] - Apex Trader Funding reported a sixfold increase in payouts to traders over the past year, indicating significant growth in the prop trading sector [12] Trader Experiences - Many traders, including those like Ricky Saldana and Daniel Inskeep, have invested substantial amounts in prop trading fees, often exceeding $10,000, while facing challenges in maintaining profitability [15][18] - The emotional and financial stress of prop trading is notable, with traders describing it as an "emotional rollercoaster" and acknowledging the risk of losing their accounts [19][20] - Despite the challenges, traders are drawn to the potential for financial independence and the appeal of trading with larger sums of capital [16][21][24]

How Prop Firm Models Are Adapting to ETFs Most prop trading firms still focus on asset classes like forex, cryptocurrency, and futures trading because they offer leverage, round the clock access, and enough liquidity for fast execution. Yet, a smaller group of prop firms has started adding exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for prop traders who want pricing coming from an exchange itself rather than from an internal feed, along with a structure where fills can be checked against public data. The shift in opera ...

Core Insights - Hola Prime has launched a significant brand campaign titled "We Are Traders," aimed at honoring traders and reshaping perceptions about the trading profession [1][2][5] - The campaign emphasizes trading as an identity and discipline, highlighting the skills required in the profession, such as technical analysis, risk management, and behavioral science [2][3] Company Overview - Hola Prime is a global proprietary trading firm founded by Somesh Kapuria, known for its innovative approach to trading and commitment to addressing traders' needs [4][6] - The firm operates in over 175 countries, providing traders with access to various trading instruments and emphasizing transparency and real-time risk management [6][7] Campaign Details - The "We Are Traders" campaign will be launched across multiple regions, including LATAM, MENAT, Asia, the U.S., and Europe, starting in November 2025 [5] - The campaign will utilize cinematic digital films and real trader narratives to inspire pride and unity within the trading community [5]

Core Insights - Vetted Prop Firms has launched an innovative online platform aimed at assisting traders in navigating the proprietary trading firm industry, providing standards-based evaluations and metrics-driven rankings [1][2] - The platform has quickly become an essential resource for traders, as the choice of prop firm significantly impacts their success [2] - The service distinguishes itself through its independence and measurable assessments, evaluating firms on critical parameters such as platform stability and trader satisfaction [3][5] Evaluation Framework - The platform employs a structured evaluation framework that assesses trading conditions, capital allocation, profit splits, and risk management protocols across various firms [2] - Each firm is rigorously evaluated on parameters including withdrawal reliability and customer support responsiveness, enhancing the value for traders [3][5] Mission and Goals - The mission of Vetted Prop Firms is to create a trusted resource for traders to make informed decisions regarding prop firm partnerships, offering detailed reviews and exclusive discounts [4] - The platform utilizes a data-validated ranking system that incorporates community feedback, historical performance, and regulatory compliance to ensure fairness in evaluations [4] User Experience - The website features an intuitive interface that allows traders to filter firms based on measurable criteria such as minimum capital requirements and profit-sharing structures, facilitating the search for suitable prop firms [6] - The comprehensive approach includes examining dispute resolution procedures and refund policies, helping users avoid pitfalls and identify opportunities aligned with their trading objectives [5]

Core Insights - XFunded, founded in 2024 by Raphaël Pena, is expanding its operations in Dubai and collaborating with trading influencers across Europe and social media platforms [1] - The firm provides traders access to capital between $10,000 and $300,000, with a total of over $1.2 million distributed in payouts during its first year [2] - XFunded has been recognized for its customer support and has been voted among the most trusted proprietary trading firms by influencers [3] Business Model and Operations - The company offers traders accounts on MT5 or cTrader with no spreads or trading commissions, and 24/7 support [4] - Approximately 35% of XFunded's revenue is allocated to client payouts, aligning with industry standards for balancing trader profitability and firm sustainability [5] Collaborations and Success Stories - XFunded's growth is bolstered by partnerships with notable traders and influencers, such as Matthieu Pothier, who reported over $38,000 in withdrawals within three months [6] - Angelo, a Spanish trader, manages multiple funded accounts and generates consistent monthly results after joining XFunded [6] - Andrea Giudice has helped over 150 clients secure funded accounts, leading to over $450,000 in payouts for his students [6]

Core Insights - Hyperion DeFi, Inc. has announced its first HYPE Asset Use Service (HAUS) agreement with Credo Cayman, marking a significant step in its strategy to generate revenue through decentralized finance [1][2][3] Company Overview - Hyperion DeFi is the first U.S. publicly listed company focused on building a long-term strategic treasury of Hyperliquid's native token, HYPE [1][6] - The company aims to provide shareholders with simplified access to the Hyperliquid ecosystem, which is recognized as one of the fastest-growing and highest revenue-generating blockchains [6] HYPE Token and Hyperliquid Platform - HYPE is the native token of Hyperliquid, which offers reduced trading fees and increased referral bonuses for staked HYPE [5] - As of September 2025, over 30 million HYPE has been sequestered by the blockchain, making it the 16th-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization [5] - Hyperliquid is a layer one blockchain optimized for high-frequency trading, featuring on-chain perpetual futures and spot order books with 70 millisecond block times [4] HAUS Agreement with Credo - The HAUS agreement involves the use of 100,000 staked HYPE by Credo, allowing the firm to significantly lower transaction fees on Hyperliquid [2] - The net fee savings from this agreement will be shared between Hyperion DeFi and Credo, creating a new revenue stream for both parties [2][3] - Credo's team consists of experienced traders and technologists who have transitioned from centralized venues to Hyperliquid for its lower fees and comparable trade settlement speeds [3] Future Developments - Hyperion DeFi is also developing the Optejet User Filled Device (UFD) for ophthalmic liquids, which aims to improve treatment compliance and outcomes for patients [7]

Core Insights - The Acuiti management report provides an analysis of the proprietary trading sector, focusing on operational performance, strategic exchange relationships, and the growth of new markets in 2025 [1] 24/7 Trading Debate - There is a divided sentiment among proprietary traders regarding the shift to 24/7 trading, with 37% expressing optimism and 38% holding a negative view [2][5] - Support for 24/7 trading is stronger in the US compared to Europe, with nearly 60% citing the ability to respond to news at any time as a key benefit [3] Concerns and Challenges - Over 80% of respondents highlight staffing and operational demands as significant concerns, along with infrastructure costs and complex risk management [4] - The first half of 2025 faced challenges such as tariff-related volatility, hiring difficulties for staff with trading and AI expertise, and rising exchange fees [9] Performance Overview - More than 80% of firms reported better results in H1 2025 compared to H1 2024, with nearly 90% performing better than in a typical year [10] - Key profit sources included equities, crypto, and listed interest rates, with Asia, South America, and North America identified as regions with the most opportunities [10] Market Trends - There is growing interest in listed FX options, with support for a shift from OTC to listed venues due to standardization and reduced counterparty risk [11] - The report notes liquidity issues in CME agricultural contracts, but only 5% of respondents described them as significant [13] Exchange Growth - The Avelacom Exchange Growth Index ranked several exchanges as the fastest-growing venues, with new contracts attracting significant activity [15] Strategic Insights from Kraken - Kraken's Head of Exchange outlined plans to expand into equities, tokenized assets, and derivatives, emphasizing tokenization for collateral efficiency and the MiCA framework as a regulatory model [16]