Education
Evaluation Models, Explained
From two-step challenges to instant funding: how modern funded trader programs structure access to capital.
Funded trader programs use evaluations to filter applicants before allocating capital. The structure of these evaluations varies widely and directly affects expected value for the trader.\n\nTwo-step challenges (the original FTMO model) require a profit target across two phases, with drawdown and time limits. They have high failure rates by design — fees from failed challenges are a primary revenue source.\n\nOne-step models compress the challenge into a single phase. Instant funding skips the evaluation entirely in exchange for higher fees, lower starting capital, or stricter rules.\n\nThe trader's job is to read the fine print: scaling plans, profit splits, payout cadence, and consistency rules can swing realized P&L by 50% or more.
Firms mentioned
Quick reference for the firms referenced above — pulled from our live directory.
Instant Funding
UK
- Model
- Instant Funding
- Split
- 90%
- Payouts
- Bi-weekly
- Max
- $2.5K–$200K
Compare these side-by-side in the firm comparison tool or browse the full directory.
Frequently asked
Background reading that complements this story.
- What is a proprietary trading firm?
- A proprietary (or 'prop') trading firm uses its own capital to trade financial markets, and many modern firms let outside traders access that capital after passing an evaluation. Profits are split between the trader and the firm based on a published payout schedule.
- Are prop firms regulated?
- Regulation depends on the firm's structure and jurisdiction. Traditional bank or institutional prop desks fall under broker-dealer or securities rules. Most retail-facing evaluation programs are not registered broker-dealers — they sell access to a simulated or firm-funded account rather than handling retail brokerage activity, which is why the rules can differ widely by country.
- How do payouts work at a prop firm?
- After hitting profit targets and respecting risk rules, traders request a payout. The firm pays the trader's share (commonly 70–90%) on a published schedule — bi-weekly, monthly, or on-demand — through methods like ACH, wire, or crypto. Cadence and minimum thresholds vary by program.
More background: the glossary, our education library, and our transparency policy.
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