Worth It or Waste? Pros and Cons of Forex Funded Accounts

edward-feldman
Published by Edward Feldman
Last updated: April 30, 2023

Funded accounts can be an invaluable tool for traders, especially those who lack the capital to get started with their own forex trading.

They provide access to large amounts of capital and the opportunity to trade without risking your own money.

The idea of having a funded account is really enticing.

But, does it really make sense for you to pursue this path?

Let’s explore the pros and cons to make an informed decision.

What Is A Forex Funded Account?

A forex funded account is a trading account given to you by a proprietary trading firm that allows you to trade with their capital rather than your own.

This means that instead of risking your hard-earned money, you can start trading with someone else’s money while they take on the risk.

Pros of a Forex Funded Account

The primary benefit of having a funded account is that you don’t have to risk your own capital right away.

For example, FTMO offers a $10,000 account where you can lose up to $1,000 and it only costs $155 with their current rate.

This means that if you are unable to pass their requirements, then it makes more sense to go back to demo trading rather than putting your own funds at risk.

Another benefit is that firms like MyForexFunds offer refunds on losses.

If your first challenge payout is lower than what was paid for the challenge fee, then they will refund 112% of the fee paid making it worth pursuing this route even more.

Finally, having a funded account provides access to larger positions than you would be able to take on your own and can potentially lead to higher profits over time.

Cons of a Forex Funded Account

No matter how good you are at trading, it’s hard to pass the challenge. There’s no guarantee that you’ll pass the challenge set by the prop firm.

It’s even harder to keep then funded account.

The drawdown requirements are often very tight compared to the required profit targets, making it difficult for even experienced traders to meet them.

Furthermore, once you do pass the challenge and get a funded account, it’s important not to let your ego get in the way as this can lead you down a path of reckless trading and quickly lose your account.

A downside of trading with a funded account is that some purists do not consider it “real trading” as some funded accounts are conducted in a demo account (even after passing the challenge).

The prop firm may take your trade on their account, they may not.

You’re showing them what to do with 1,000 lots, or whatever, and they give you what you “earn” on your 20 (if you’re showing profits).

Another disadvantage is that firms may impose certain rules regarding overnight holding or news trades which may limit how much profit can be made from these accounts.

Finally, since this type of trading requires one to use leverage in order to maximize profits, there is still potential for large losses if proper precautions are not taken such as setting stop-losses and never risking more than 1% per trade.

In addition, just because these accounts are larger does not mean they should be traded differently; position sizes should be kept small in order to reduce losses and protect capital as much as possible.

Should You Pursue A Forex Funded Account?

Ultimately, whether or not pursuing a forex funded account makes sense for you depends on what goals you have set for yourself and your level of comfort when it comes to taking risks with large amounts of money.

However, if you’re confident in your ability and understand the risks involved then this could be an excellent way for you to start building up your funds without risking any of your own capital upfront while still potentially earning large returns on investments down the line.

Is it hard to become a profitable forex prop trader?

Yes, the life of a forex prop trader is not as glamorous as it may seem. In fact, it can be downright challenging.

First of all, prop firms have been known to set their traders up for failure.

They’re given tough targets, limited time, no support, and huge leverage – a perfect storm! The fact that 95% of traders fail their challenges is not surprising.

But even if you’re one of the few who manage to pass the challenge, you’re not out of the woods yet.

To be a successful prop trader, you need to have strong research and analytical skills.

You need to be able to monitor broad economic factors and day-to-day chart patterns that impact financial markets.

And you need to have the discipline to stick to your trading plan.

So if you’re thinking about becoming a prop trader, make sure you’re up for the challenge.

It’s not going to be easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding.

How Much Do Funded Forex Traders Make?

Forex trading is a lucrative way to make money, but it can be difficult to know how much you can expect to make.

When it comes to funded forex traders, it’s important to remember that the percentage return is more important than the dollar amount.

For smaller accounts, such as a $50,000 FTMO account, profits may be significantly lower—around 2-5% a week.

However, this can still add up over time and can be used to leverage larger accounts with more ease. Some traders may be able to earn 11k in one month with FTMO.

Risk Management Strategies

When starting out in forex trading it’s important not to rush into things and take risks that are too high; instead focus on being consistent and mastering your strategy.

With for example $30K at your disposal it’s easy to lose all your money quickly if you don’t have enough experience or knowledge.

A good rule of thumb is to target 0.50-1% per trade when beginning your journey in forex trading; this will help you become familiar with the market without putting too much of your capital at risk.

It’s also essential to test your strategy on a demo account before going live with real money.

This will help you get comfortable with live trading and prove whether or not you are profitable before investing large sums of money into an account.

Aiming for 3% growth per month is very achievable once you have mastered your strategy and have confidence in yourself and the markets.

Ultimately, it’s important to remember that everyone learns differently and progresses at their own pace.

There’s no need to rush into anything or try and make quick money right away.

Take your time and focus on becoming consistently profitable rather than chasing big returns from day one.

How to Make $1 Million a Year from Prop Trading

Making a million dollars a year from prop trading is an impressive feat.

But it’s important to understand that the capital you start with plays a major role in how much money you can make.

For example, if you have $250 million, 4% of that is $1 million a year.

That’s why it’s important to focus on percentages rather than dollar amounts when looking at potential profits.

It’s also important to note that everyone has different goals when it comes to prop trading.

Some people may want to make thousands of dollars per day, while others may just want to make enough money for a comfortable lifestyle.

My friend was recently funded with $200k and made 5.5% last month, which is very impressive.

The key is focusing on growth over profits and knowing what your goals are before beginning your trading journey.

Risk Management: A Key Factor in Successful Prop Trading

Risk management plays an essential role in successful prop trading, but it is far more complex than it seems on the surface.

It involves psychology, strategy optimization, and understanding market conditions among other things.

If you don’t have experience with risk management, it’s best not to start with a large amount of capital right away.

Even though you may be tempted by the prospect of quick profits, you could end up losing all your money very quickly if you don’t know what you’re doing.

It’s best to start small and gradually increase your capital as you become more experienced with trading and risk management strategies.

Targeting 3% per month is achievable for most traders but keep in mind that markets can be unpredictable and there will be times when you won’t meet this goal or even lose money in some months.

If you’re new to prop trading then two weeks isn’t enough time to prove that you’re profitable.

Aim for consistency over several months before funding your first live account with no more than 10%, or $3,000 if your starting capital is $30k.

Making one million dollars a year from prop trading may seem like an impossible task for beginners but experienced traders who come from equities backgrounds have been known to do it successfully.

Although they usually follow strict risk management protocols such as risking no more than 0.5-1% per trade and aiming for 3R (risk reward ratio) trades which yield at least 180$ per 0.2% risked or 450$ per 0.5%.

The bottom line?

Making big profits in prop trading requires discipline and patience. Don’t expect Lamborghini status overnight!

With hard work and dedication however, making one million dollars a year through prop trading is definitely achievable!

About The Author

edward-feldman
Edward Feldman
Contributor
[email protected]

Edward is a seasoned forex trader with 13 years of experience, transitioning from retail to prop trading with success at FTMO. He is a top performer and accomplished educator, teaching courses on forex prop trading. In his free time, Edward enjoys playing guitar and hiking. He is a contributor to PipsGeek and passionate about helping others succeed in forex trading.