Unlike the FX/CFD industry, the prop trading space is not yet highly saturated.
The costs of entering the market and acquiring customers are lower, increasing the potential ROI.
You may
either love or hate it, but despite its controversies, prop trading could be
the future of the retail trading industry and the direction in which the FX/CFDs
are evolving. As a broker, you cannot simply stand by during these significant
changes. Especially, the first CFD brokers have already started to offer their
services in this space.
Modern Prop Trading Takes
Center Stage
Modern prop
firms enable retail traders to leverage substantial company capital
without risking their funds. Interestingly, most trading now occurs with
virtual funds, yet the profits are entirely real.
To
participate, traders typically pay a small fee to undergo an evaluation process in which they demonstrate their trading skills through simulations. Those who succeed are granted access to a funded account and retain a substantial share of their profits, often between 60% and 80%.
"Prop
trading is an excellent opportunity for aspiring traders to see if trading
suits them, or for seasoned traders, it offers the chance to trade with higher
funding levels, advanced technologies, and extensive market data,” said Crystal
Lok, the Head of Emerging Markets at OANDA. Prop trading also provides learning
opportunities for traders at any level, as the cost is only the entry fee for
the challenge.”
Brokers Join the Prop
Trading Space
Currently,
four brokers previously known in the FX/CFD sector are now offering dedicated
prop trading services. OANDA launched OANDA Labs Trader, Hantec Markets
introduced Hantec Trader, IC Markets created IC Funded, and Axi, the first in
this space, offered Axi Select.
"I
believe this is evident," commented Maciej Wojciechowski, the Head of
Business Development at OnEquity. "Brokers with a long-term, strategic
approach to their business have identified a niche and promotional opportunity
within the prop trading sector."
Prop Trading Emerges as
the Future of FX/CFD Brokers
According
to a survey by Finance Magnates, 90% of respondents believe that prop
trading services will be the future for CFD brokers. By offering prop trading
alongside traditional trading accounts, brokers can attract more
clients.
"Over
the past 18-24 months, this product has seen a significant increase in
demand," observed Bashaar Gokal, the Operations Manager at Hantec Trader.
"The recent industry disruptions have driven traders to seek out reputable
institutions they can trust."
"Imagine
you're a broker in a saturated market and you're offered a new product that
lowers your client acquisition costs, increases the lifetime value of your
traders, reduces entry barriers, KYC, and other regulatory admin, and boosts
your ROI," highlighted Charlotte Day, the Creative Director at
Contentworks Agency.
You may
either love or hate it, but despite its controversies, prop trading could be
the future of the retail trading industry and the direction in which the FX/CFDs
are evolving. As a broker, you cannot simply stand by during these significant
changes. Especially, the first CFD brokers have already started to offer their
services in this space.
Modern Prop Trading Takes
Center Stage
Modern prop
firms enable retail traders to leverage substantial company capital
without risking their funds. Interestingly, most trading now occurs with
virtual funds, yet the profits are entirely real.
To
participate, traders typically pay a small fee to undergo an evaluation process in which they demonstrate their trading skills through simulations. Those who succeed are granted access to a funded account and retain a substantial share of their profits, often between 60% and 80%.
"Prop
trading is an excellent opportunity for aspiring traders to see if trading
suits them, or for seasoned traders, it offers the chance to trade with higher
funding levels, advanced technologies, and extensive market data,” said Crystal
Lok, the Head of Emerging Markets at OANDA. Prop trading also provides learning
opportunities for traders at any level, as the cost is only the entry fee for
the challenge.”
Brokers Join the Prop
Trading Space
Currently,
four brokers previously known in the FX/CFD sector are now offering dedicated
prop trading services. OANDA launched OANDA Labs Trader, Hantec Markets
introduced Hantec Trader, IC Markets created IC Funded, and Axi, the first in
this space, offered Axi Select.
"I
believe this is evident," commented Maciej Wojciechowski, the Head of
Business Development at OnEquity. "Brokers with a long-term, strategic
approach to their business have identified a niche and promotional opportunity
within the prop trading sector."
Prop Trading Emerges as
the Future of FX/CFD Brokers
According
to a survey by Finance Magnates, 90% of respondents believe that prop
trading services will be the future for CFD brokers. By offering prop trading
alongside traditional trading accounts, brokers can attract more
clients.
"Over
the past 18-24 months, this product has seen a significant increase in
demand," observed Bashaar Gokal, the Operations Manager at Hantec Trader.
"The recent industry disruptions have driven traders to seek out reputable
institutions they can trust."
"Imagine
you're a broker in a saturated market and you're offered a new product that
lowers your client acquisition costs, increases the lifetime value of your
traders, reduces entry barriers, KYC, and other regulatory admin, and boosts
your ROI," highlighted Charlotte Day, the Creative Director at
Contentworks Agency.
Damian Chmiel is a Senior Analyst & Editor at Finance Magnates with more than 15 years of experience in the CFD and online trading industry. Active as both a trader and journalist since 2010, he focuses on broker coverage, fintech innovation, and regulatory developments across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
His work includes interviews with C-level leaders at major brokerages and fintech platforms, as well as co-authoring Finance Magnates’ quarterly industry benchmarking reports. Damian’s reporting is data-driven, market-aware, and grounded in direct industry engagement. His analysis and commentary have also been cited by external media outlets, including Investing.com, Binance, The Asset, Stockhead, and Dispatch.
Education:
MA in Finance and Accounting, Cracow University of Economics
TradeStation Takes the MiFID Route to Bring Europe Closer to Wall Street
Featured Videos
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Trading Tales: Stories from The Floor
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Join seasoned financial markets professionals as they reflect on life spent in front of tickets, phones, and later screens, and the stories they’ve accumulated on sales and trading floors.
You can count on an unorthodox blend of candid perspectives and off-the-record tales that novices won’t get, and compliance won’t approve.
Attend at your own risk.
What to expect:
A deeper grasp of the evolution that Singapore's FX market has gone through
Practical wisdom on regional market peculiarities and FX careers
Unforgettable anecdotes that bring the Lion City's trading culture to life
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
Tokenized assets are all the rage across retail and institutional trading, but adoption might hit unique roadblocks for each.
This session gathers builders and architects practitioners to break down questions of infrastructure, ownership, and settlement that will define the next wave of asset tokenization.
Attendees will walk away with:
Institutional perspective on tokenized assets and what they unlock from bonds to debt
Understanding which paths are available for retail brokers and their compliance and product implications
Insight into where APAC regulators stand on tokenized securities
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
As event contracts are set for ‘super-cycle’ growth in volumes and recognition, retail brokers simply can’t stay behind. But can regulated entities integrate a product that is awfully similar to betting?
Join builders across the ecosystemto gain insight into the industry's current and future stance on prediction markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
Better understanding of how the CME, Plus500, and prediction platforms collaborate
Assessment of 2026’s expected volumes and new ‘event’ areas ripe for contracts
Cross-industry understanding of different strategies by brokers (co-opt, partner, buy)
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
Precious Insights: APAC's Bullion Market amid Record Volatility
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
The precious metals rally has challenged how brokers and LPs think about hedging, pricing, and physical delivery. But with regional banks eyeing physical gold retail and bullion brokers across Southeast Asia harnessing new tech, volatility is not only in 'safe havens'.
This session gathers practitioners from across the bullion ecosystem to unpack what the rally means on the ground in APAC.
Attendees will walk away with:
Insight into the physical market dynamics driving retail demand across Southeast Asia, from central bank buying to store-of-value purchases
Understanding of Singapore's distinct role as APAC's bullion gateway, and competition near and far
Perspective on operational challenges unique to APAC: kilogram pricing, local delivery, and bridging CFD and physical bullion infrastructure
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
License to Fill: Market Liquidity amid Global Turmoil
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
Asian markets bear unique characteristics, from connectivity to asset preference. The Singapore Summit will connect global executives and local experts across the liquidity chain to discuss volatility fluctuations, diversification vs over-reliance on single assets, and the role of trust and liquidity relationships in an increasingly automated sphere.
