Financial and Business News

Breaking: Prop Trading Firm The Funded Trader Is Back Online, but Is It Fully Operational?

Thursday, 18/04/2024 | 14:32 GMT by Arnab Shome
  • The platform abruptly suspended services on 28 March with promises of relaunch.
  • Many traders are expressing concerns about the “manual breach” of their accounts.
A screenshot of The Funded Trader website with the "theme activated successfully" label
A screenshot of The Funded Trader website with the "theme activated successfully" label

The website of The Funded Trader, a prop trading platform operated by Easton Consulting Technologies, is back online after a 21-day blackout. Although the website's features appear unchanged, some aspects seem to be non-operational.

A Theme or an Operational Website?

A peculiar label reading “theme activated successfully” appears at the top of the prop trading platform’s website.

Most platform features, including challenge details, appear to be functional at first glance. However, the payments page for purchasing challenges looks unusual, and crypto payment functionality is unavailable.

The website also provides a phone number, but the recorded message says that the platform is not offering support on phone and refers to its website.

The Funded Trader suspended its operations on March 28, citing temporary reasons. It pledged to relaunch services after 21 days, even featuring a countdown on the website. While the countdown was not precisely accurate, as the website did not go live the moment the countdown reached zero, the website became active within a few hours.

Interestingly, all social channels of The Funded Trader are notably quiet, with no announcements about the relaunch. Angelo Ciaramello, the Chief Executive Officer of The Funded Trader, even unfollowed everyone on X (previously Twitter) and refrained from posting for weeks, despite being active on social media previously.

A tweet by @TraderNOK
A tweet by @TraderNOK

Manual Breach of Accounts

Numerous self-proclaimed customers of The Funded Trader claim their accounts were “manually breached” due to rule violations.

The Funded Trader boasts over 80,000 accounts. However, the platform has faced numerous controversies, with dozens of traders accusing it of denying payouts. While Ciaramello dismissed these allegations as “propaganda,” the platform later acknowledged suspending payouts for a “self-imposed internal audit,” only to suspend services shortly after.

During a live YouTube broadcast, Ciaramello presented a graphic indicating that in the first two months of 2024, The Funded Trader disbursed over $17 million to clients while withholding withdrawals of just over $2 million during the same period.

In addition to The Funded Trader, Easton controls several other prop trading platforms. Skilled Funded Trader, another Easton-controlled prop trading platform, also suspended its operations around the same time as The Funded Trader.

The website of The Funded Trader, a prop trading platform operated by Easton Consulting Technologies, is back online after a 21-day blackout. Although the website's features appear unchanged, some aspects seem to be non-operational.

A Theme or an Operational Website?

A peculiar label reading “theme activated successfully” appears at the top of the prop trading platform’s website.

Most platform features, including challenge details, appear to be functional at first glance. However, the payments page for purchasing challenges looks unusual, and crypto payment functionality is unavailable.

The website also provides a phone number, but the recorded message says that the platform is not offering support on phone and refers to its website.

The Funded Trader suspended its operations on March 28, citing temporary reasons. It pledged to relaunch services after 21 days, even featuring a countdown on the website. While the countdown was not precisely accurate, as the website did not go live the moment the countdown reached zero, the website became active within a few hours.

Interestingly, all social channels of The Funded Trader are notably quiet, with no announcements about the relaunch. Angelo Ciaramello, the Chief Executive Officer of The Funded Trader, even unfollowed everyone on X (previously Twitter) and refrained from posting for weeks, despite being active on social media previously.

A tweet by @TraderNOK
A tweet by @TraderNOK

Manual Breach of Accounts

Numerous self-proclaimed customers of The Funded Trader claim their accounts were “manually breached” due to rule violations.

The Funded Trader boasts over 80,000 accounts. However, the platform has faced numerous controversies, with dozens of traders accusing it of denying payouts. While Ciaramello dismissed these allegations as “propaganda,” the platform later acknowledged suspending payouts for a “self-imposed internal audit,” only to suspend services shortly after.

During a live YouTube broadcast, Ciaramello presented a graphic indicating that in the first two months of 2024, The Funded Trader disbursed over $17 million to clients while withholding withdrawals of just over $2 million during the same period.

In addition to The Funded Trader, Easton controls several other prop trading platforms. Skilled Funded Trader, another Easton-controlled prop trading platform, also suspended its operations around the same time as The Funded Trader.

Topics
prop trading
The Funded Trader
About the Author: Arnab Shome
Arnab Shome
  • 7246 Articles
  • 132 Followers
Arnab is an electronics engineer-turned-financial editor. He entered the industry covering the cryptocurrency market for Finance Magnates and later expanded his reach to forex as well. He is passionate about the changing regulatory landscape on financial markets and keenly follows the disruptions in the industry with new-age technologies.

More from the Author

Retail FX

Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25

Executive Interview | Dor Eligula | Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, BridgeWise | FMLS:25

In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide. We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand. We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error. We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.

In this session, Jonathan Fine form Ultimate Group speaks with Dor Eligula from Bridgewise, a fast-growing AI-powered research and analytics firm supporting brokers and exchanges worldwide. We start with Dor’s reaction to the Summit and then move to broker growth and the quick wins brokers often overlook. Dor shares where he sees “blue ocean” growth across Asian markets and how local client behaviour shapes demand. We also discuss the rollout of AI across investment research. Dor gives real examples of how automation and human judgment meet at Bridgewise — including moments when analysts corrected AI output, and times when AI prevented an error. We close with a practical question: how retail investors can actually use AI without falling into common traps.
More Videos

  • Executive Interview | Brendan Callan | CEO, TRADU | FMLS:25

    Executive Interview | Brendan Callan | CEO, TRADU | FMLS:25

    Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner. In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences. We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading. This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.

    Brendan Callan joined us fresh off the Summit’s most anticipated debate: “Is Prop Trading Good for the Industry?” Brendan argued against the motion — and the audience voted him the winner. In this interview, Brendan explains the reasoning behind his position. He walks through the message he believes many firms avoid: that the current prop trading model is too dependent on fees, too loose on risk, and too confusing for retail audiences. We discuss why he thinks the model grew fast, why it may run into walls, and what he believes is needed for a cleaner, more responsible version of prop trading. This is Brendan at his frankest — sharp, grounded, and very clear about what changes are overdue.

  • Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse

    Elina Pedersen on Growth, Stability & Ultra-Low Latency | Executive Interview | Your Bourse

    Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025. 🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on: 🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation 🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth 🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations 🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords 🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally 🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy 🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market. 🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025 👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events. #FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview

    Recorded live at FMLS:25 London, this executive interview features Elina Pedersen, in conversation with Finance Magnates, following her company’s win for Best Connectivity 2025. 🔹In this wide-ranging discussion, Elina shares insights on: 🔹What winning a Finance Magnates award means for credibility and reputation 🔹How broker demand for stability and reliability is driving rapid growth 🔹The launch of a new trade server enabling flexible front-end integrations 🔹Why ultra-low latency must be proven with data, not buzzwords 🔹Common mistakes brokers make when scaling globally 🔹Educating the industry through a newly launched Dealers Academy 🔹Where AI fits into trading infrastructure and where it doesn’t Elina explains why resilient back-end infrastructure, deep client partnerships, and disciplined focus are critical for brokers looking to scale sustainably in today’s competitive market. 🏆 Award Highlight: Best Connectivity 2025 👉 Subscribe to Finance Magnates for more executive interviews, industry insights, and exclusive coverage from the world’s leading financial events. #FMLS25 #FinanceMagnates #BestConnectivity #TradingTechnology #UltraLowLatency #FinTech #Brokerage #ExecutiveInterview

  • Blueberry Broker Review 2026: Regulation, Platforms, Fees & Trading Conditions | Finance Magnates

    Blueberry Broker Review 2026: Regulation, Platforms, Fees & Trading Conditions | Finance Magnates

    In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles. We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading. You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts. We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services. Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance. 📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage. Connect with us: 🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates 👍 Facebook: /financemagnates 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates 🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates ▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official #Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights

    In this video, we take an in-depth look at @BlueberryMarketsForex , a forex and CFD broker operating since 2016, offering access to multiple trading platforms, over 1,000 instruments, and flexible account types for different trading styles. We break down Blueberry’s regulatory structure, including its Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), as well as its authorisation and registrations in other jurisdictions. The review also covers supported platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, Blueberry.X, and web-based trading. You’ll learn about available instruments across forex, commodities, indices, share CFDs, and crypto CFDs, along with leverage options, minimum and maximum trade sizes, and how Blueberry structures its Standard and Raw accounts. We also explain spreads, commissions, swap rates, swap-free account availability, funding and withdrawal methods, processing times, and what traders can expect from customer support and additional services. Watch the full review to see whether Blueberry’s trading setup aligns with your experience level, strategy, and risk tolerance. 📣 Stay up to date with the latest in finance and trading. Follow Finance Magnates for industry news, insights, and global event coverage. Connect with us: 🔗 LinkedIn: /financemagnates 👍 Facebook: /financemagnates 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/financemagnates 🐦 X: https://x.com/financemagnates 🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/financemagnates ▶️ YouTube: /@financemagnates_official #Blueberry #BlueberryMarkets #BrokerReview #ForexBroker #CFDTrading #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #TradingPlatforms #MarketInsights

  • Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda on Cape Town office launch, Africa growth, and marketing strategy

    Exness CMO Alfonso Cardalda on Cape Town office launch, Africa growth, and marketing strategy

    Exness is expanding its presence in Africa, and in this exclusive interview, CMO Alfonso Cardalda shares how. Filmed during the grand opening of Exness’s new Cape Town office, Alfonso sits down with Andrea Badiola Mateos from Finance Magnates to discuss: - Exness’s marketing approach in South Africa - What makes their trading product stand out - Customer retention vs. acquisition strategies - The role of local influencers - Managing growth across emerging markets 👉 Watch the full interview for fundamental insights into the future of trading in Africa. #Exness #Forex #Trading #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Finance #FinanceMagnates

    Exness is expanding its presence in Africa, and in this exclusive interview, CMO Alfonso Cardalda shares how. Filmed during the grand opening of Exness’s new Cape Town office, Alfonso sits down with Andrea Badiola Mateos from Finance Magnates to discuss: - Exness’s marketing approach in South Africa - What makes their trading product stand out - Customer retention vs. acquisition strategies - The role of local influencers - Managing growth across emerging markets 👉 Watch the full interview for fundamental insights into the future of trading in Africa. #Exness #Forex #Trading #SouthAfrica #CapeTown #Finance #FinanceMagnates