The deal adds another prop trading firm to cTrader's growing roster, which now spans more than 300 broker and prop firm clients.
The FundingRock team
Spotware
Systems has signed a technology agreement with FundingRock, a prop trading firm
running simulated evaluation programs, making cTrader the platform underpinning
FundingRock's trader challenges, the companies said today (Thursday).
Prop Firms Scramble to
Lock Down Credible Platform Partners
The
agreement lands at a time when prop trading firms are under growing pressure to
demonstrate legitimacy. The sector saw an estimated 80 to 100 firms shut down
in 2024, and the shakeout continued into 2025 and
2026, with
retroactive rule changes, payout delays and trust breakdowns driving traders
away from less established operators.
FundingTicks,
for instance, began winding down earlier this year after backlash over altered trading
rules that traders said were applied retroactively to existing accounts.
That
backdrop has made platform choice a competitive differentiator. Prop firms that
previously relied on MetaTrader shifted en masse after MetaQuotes tightened
compliance enforcement, particularly targeting firms serving the U.S. market.
cTrader,
DXtrade from Devexperts and Match-Trader have all picked up market share in the
aftermath, though cTrader has been especially active in signing new prop firm
clients.
FundingRock,
which describes itself as a skill-based evaluation platform operating in a
simulated trading environment, says it offers account sizes ranging from $5,000
to $200,000 with two-phase evaluation programs. The firm says it provides daily
payouts and publishes its trading rules and risk parameters upfront.
Meir Hefetz, FundingRock's CEO
"We
are fixing prop trading by aligning our interest with yours, creating a
relationship based on transparency and mutual trust," Meir Hefetz,
FundingRock's CEO, commented. "We fund you with substantial capital and
issue daily rewards while striving to provide the best trading
conditions."
FundingRock
did not disclose how many active traders use its platform or the total payouts
it has distributed to date.
Yiota Hadjilouka, Chief Operating Officer, at Spotware, Source: LinkedIn
Spotware,
for its part, pointed to what it calls the Traders First approach, which the
company says includes trade receipt functionality that gives users visibility
into how each order is processed. Yiota Hadjilouka, Spotware's chief operating
officer, said FundingRock's focus on credibility "fits closely with our
Traders First™ approach."
"We
welcome FundingRock to the cTrader environment and look forward to a
partnership centred on trader confidence," Hadjilouka added.
cTrader Store and Leads
Program Double as Acquisition Channels
Part of the
commercial logic behind the deal involves Spotware's cTrader Store, which
functions as both a marketplace for trading tools and, increasingly, a
distribution channel for prop firms. The Store features dedicated sections
where prop firms can list their challenges, allowing traders to compare
evaluation criteria, drawdown limits, profit splits and pricing side by side.
The
FundingRock deal also comes just one day after Spotware launched cTrader Leads, a separate program that routes
traders from Spotware's product ecosystem to participating brokers at no cost.
MetaQuotes,
Devexperts and Match-Trade Technologies have all been building their own
lead-generation and engagement tools as the competition between trading
technology vendors extends well beyond execution and charting.
Spotware
Systems has signed a technology agreement with FundingRock, a prop trading firm
running simulated evaluation programs, making cTrader the platform underpinning
FundingRock's trader challenges, the companies said today (Thursday).
Prop Firms Scramble to
Lock Down Credible Platform Partners
The
agreement lands at a time when prop trading firms are under growing pressure to
demonstrate legitimacy. The sector saw an estimated 80 to 100 firms shut down
in 2024, and the shakeout continued into 2025 and
2026, with
retroactive rule changes, payout delays and trust breakdowns driving traders
away from less established operators.
FundingTicks,
for instance, began winding down earlier this year after backlash over altered trading
rules that traders said were applied retroactively to existing accounts.
That
backdrop has made platform choice a competitive differentiator. Prop firms that
previously relied on MetaTrader shifted en masse after MetaQuotes tightened
compliance enforcement, particularly targeting firms serving the U.S. market.
cTrader,
DXtrade from Devexperts and Match-Trader have all picked up market share in the
aftermath, though cTrader has been especially active in signing new prop firm
clients.
FundingRock,
which describes itself as a skill-based evaluation platform operating in a
simulated trading environment, says it offers account sizes ranging from $5,000
to $200,000 with two-phase evaluation programs. The firm says it provides daily
payouts and publishes its trading rules and risk parameters upfront.
Meir Hefetz, FundingRock's CEO
"We
are fixing prop trading by aligning our interest with yours, creating a
relationship based on transparency and mutual trust," Meir Hefetz,
FundingRock's CEO, commented. "We fund you with substantial capital and
issue daily rewards while striving to provide the best trading
conditions."
FundingRock
did not disclose how many active traders use its platform or the total payouts
it has distributed to date.
Yiota Hadjilouka, Chief Operating Officer, at Spotware, Source: LinkedIn
Spotware,
for its part, pointed to what it calls the Traders First approach, which the
company says includes trade receipt functionality that gives users visibility
into how each order is processed. Yiota Hadjilouka, Spotware's chief operating
officer, said FundingRock's focus on credibility "fits closely with our
Traders First™ approach."
"We
welcome FundingRock to the cTrader environment and look forward to a
partnership centred on trader confidence," Hadjilouka added.
cTrader Store and Leads
Program Double as Acquisition Channels
Part of the
commercial logic behind the deal involves Spotware's cTrader Store, which
functions as both a marketplace for trading tools and, increasingly, a
distribution channel for prop firms. The Store features dedicated sections
where prop firms can list their challenges, allowing traders to compare
evaluation criteria, drawdown limits, profit splits and pricing side by side.
The
FundingRock deal also comes just one day after Spotware launched cTrader Leads, a separate program that routes
traders from Spotware's product ecosystem to participating brokers at no cost.
MetaQuotes,
Devexperts and Match-Trade Technologies have all been building their own
lead-generation and engagement tools as the competition between trading
technology vendors extends well beyond execution and charting.
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
Rakuten Securities Extends US Stock Trading to 16 Hours With After-Market Session
Featured Videos
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
FM Daily Brief – 9 June 2026
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
Today’s Tuesday, the 9th of June 2026, and these are our main stories: eToro’s customer assets climbed back above $20 billion, Prop trading model in prediction markets, and Leverate launched a new AI assistant for brokers and traders.
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
War Stories: Lessons from 20 Years in Markets (the pain, the pitfalls and the profits)
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The trades that taught me the most aren't the ones that worked. They're the ones that didn't — or the ones I almost caught and didn't have the nerve to ride. In this session, I'll tell you about the Brexit miss, the SNB shocker that nearly handed me a 5400% return, the BoJ surprise that punched me in the gut, and a few wins along the way. Each story carries a lesson, but the lessons aren't the point. Everyone who trades long enough collects a portfolio of moments like these; what separates the people who stay in the game is what they do with them.
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
The Engine and the Fuel: How AI & Data Drives African Future
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
If AI is the engine, data is the fuel. Without quality, accessible data, AI cannot work well; and without the right mindset, data remains just numbers instead of insight. In this session, leading experts will explore how AI and data are democratizing opportunities for businesses and personal growth. Discover practical ways to make AI accessible today, anticipate its transformative impact on African markets, and learn actionable steps to prepare for what's next. Let's talk about:
-How AI and data drive business efficiency and innovation in trading and fintech
-AI tools to elevate trading or business strategies
-How to access and maximise the power of data and AI
-Emerging AI and data trends in Africa and their economic ripple effects
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Inside My Best Trade with Jimmy Moyaha
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Most market post-mortems describe what happened to prices. Few describe what happened in the trading room while the position was open: the entry conviction, the moments that tested it, and the exit decision that closed the book.
This session brings one seasoned trader to the stage for an unfiltered account of the position that still defines how they think about markets.
Attendees will walk away with:
-A first-hand account of how a conviction trade is built, from thesis and entry through position management and exit
-Understanding of what turns a market observation into a live position, and what holds it when conditions shift
-Insight into how timing, execution quality, and market structure shaped the final result
-Perspective on what the trade revealed about edge, risk tolerance, and when to hold through a position moving against you
-Clarity on what separates a well-built trade from a well-timed one
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
Agentic Inequality: Democratizing Financial Access Through AI & Blockchain
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy
As crypto and CFD trading continue to expand across Africa, access to advanced tools and market insights remains uneven. This session explores how AI and blockchain can bridge that gap by empowering informal traders and underserved communities to participate more effectively in digital financial markets. The discussion will focus on practical applications of technology to improve accessibility, education, and investment outcomes in both formal and informal sectors.
In this discussion, we will explore:
-The role of AI in democratizing access to trading tools, insights, and strategy development
-How crypto and blockchain can enable broader participation beyond traditional financial systems
-Addressing access barriers: infrastructure, education, and affordability in underserved communities
-Opportunities for brokers and platforms to tap into the informal trading economy