Industry-leading reputation
Generous profit split
2-step evaluation process
Advanced trading tools
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Who Are FTMO?
FTMO is a renowned Czech-based proprietary trading firm founded in 2015. The company operates under the leadership of CEO Otakar Suffner, offering traders the opportunity to manage significant capital through their innovative two-step evaluation process. This evaluation consists of the FTMO Challenge and the Verification phase, designed to assess a trader’s consistency and risk management skills. FTMO provides access to a variety of trading platforms and brokers, ensuring flexibility and a wide range of assets for both forex and futures traders.
Profit Targets
FTMO Challenge: Traders must achieve a profit target of 10% of the account size to pass this first phase.
Verification Stage: In the second phase, the profit target is reduced to 5% of the account size.
To meet these targets, you must trade for at least 4 days during the current duration cycle. At least one position must be opened on each of these days. A trading day is defined as a day when at least one trade is executed.
If a trade is held over multiple days, only the day when the trade was executed is considered to be the trading day.
Profit Split
FTMO offers a competitive profit split for its funded traders. Initially, traders receive 80% of the profits they generate, while FTMO retains 20%. As traders demonstrate consistent performance, they can increase their profit share to 90% through the Scaling Plan. This generous profit-sharing model makes FTMO one of the most attractive prop trading firms for traders seeking to maximize their earnings.
Trading Platforms
Metatrader 4/5, cTrader, DXtrade
Account Types & Fees
Key Features
Industry-leading Reputation
FTMO has established itself as a leading prop firm in the trading industry, primarily due to its comprehensive evaluation process, generous profit-sharing model, and robust support system.
Scaling Program
Traders who meet the Scaling Plan criteria are rewarded with a 25% boost in their FTMO Account balance and an enhanced profit share of 90%. The FTMO Account can be scaled up to a maximum starting balance of $2,000,000.
Performance Coaching
The performance coaching sessions are available to FTMO Traders who have completed the Evaluation Process and have an active FTMO Account.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flexible Trading Rules:
FTMO allows traders to use Expert Advisors (EAs), news trading, and holding trades over the weekend, giving traders flexibility in their strategies.
- Large Account Sizes:
FTMO provides the opportunity to manage large accounts, with options to trade up to $200,000 on a single account and scaling plans to grow the account further.
- Wide Range of Instruments and Platforms:
Traders have access to a variety of instruments, including Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and stocks. FTMO supports popular platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader.
- No Daily Trading Limits:
Unlike some other prop firms, FTMO does not impose strict daily trading limits, allowing traders to operate more freely within their risk management guidelines.
Cons
- No Instant Funding:
FTMO does not offer instant funding. Traders must pass the two-step evaluation (FTMO Challenge and Verification) to receive funding, which can be time-consuming and pressure-inducing for some.
- Strict Risk Management Rules:
FTMO enforces maximum drawdown limits (10%) and daily loss limits (5%). If a trader exceeds these limits, their account will be terminated, which can be challenging, especially for high-risk traders.
- Evaluation Fees:
There is a one-time fee to participate in the FTMO Challenge. Although refundable upon successful completion of the challenge, this upfront cost can be a deterrent for some traders.
- Limited to Demo Trading Accounts:
Even after passing the challenge, traders are provided with a demo account that mirrors live market conditions. Some traders may prefer the experience of trading on a live account from the start.
Evaluation Process Breakdown
Step 1: The FTMO Challenge
Sign Up: Choose your preferred account size and trading parameters, then sign up for the FTMO Challenge.
Meet the Profit Target: Achieve a 10% profit target with no maximum time limit.
Follow Risk Limits: Maintain a Maximum Daily Loss of 5% and an overall Maximum Loss of 10%.
Complete Minimum Trading Days: Trade for a minimum of 4 days with no maximum time limit.
Successful Completion: If you meet all objectives, you move to the next phase – the Verification Stage.
Step 2: Verification Stage
Receive Verification Account: You receive a new account to complete the Verification phase.
Achieve a Lower Profit Target: Reach a 5% profit target.
Maintain Risk Management: Adhere to the same Maximum Daily Loss of 5% and overall Maximum Loss of 10%.
Complete Minimum Trading Days: Trade for at least 4 days.
Pass Verification: Successfully meeting these objectives qualifies you for an FTMO-funded account.
Quick Comparison
Compared to FundedNext:
FTMO’s disciplined approach contrasts with FundedNext’s high-leverage options and faster funding models, appealing to traders looking for structure versus those seeking flexibility.
Compared to The 5%ers:
FTMO’s evaluation process is more rigorous, but it offers higher profit splits and larger scaling opportunities. The 5%ers cater to risk-averse traders with a single-phase evaluation and a focus on low-risk growth.
Compared to Funded Trading Plus:
FTMO offers a more structured and transparent evaluation process, whereas Trading Funded Plus provides greater flexibility with fewer restrictions on trading styles.
Quickly compare specific features across multiple prop firms at a glance, or explore a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of all key features using our prop firm comparison tool.
Prop Firm Comparison Tool
Our comparison tool makes it easy to compare features across all prop firms reviewed on this site
Prohibited Trading Practices
There are a few trading activities that are prohibited on the FTMO platform. See full details on their website:
Gambling is not the right way to make money | FTMO
- Overleveraging: A common mistake where traders take on larger positions, hoping for quick profits, but it often leads to increased stress and more errors. For FTMO traders, this approach risks exceeding the Maximum Daily Loss limit, restricting their ability to adjust Stop Losses or capitalize on profitable opportunities.
- One-sided bets: Gambling in trading can take the form of opening a single large position on one instrument or adding to existing positions, whether they’re in profit or, worse, in loss. If the initial position already surpasses reasonable risk management limits, adding more positions may be seen as outright gambling.
- Account rolling: Account rolling is a form of gambling where traders buy multiple evaluation courses, complete them, but face limitations on trading all accounts simultaneously due to prop firm restrictions. As a result, they take overly risky trades on the first account, knowing they can quickly switch to another if they breach it.
- HFT (High-Frequency Trading) Algorithms: Using algorithms that exploit ultra-short-term price movements is not allowed.
- Arbitrage Trading: Taking advantage of price discrepancies between brokers or platforms is prohibited.
- Copy Trading/Mirror Trading: Replicating trades from other accounts or traders is not permitted.
- News Trading: Trading purely around high-impact news events with the intention of exploiting rapid price changes is restricted.
- Hedging Between Accounts: Simultaneously holding opposing positions across different accounts to avoid losses is forbidden.
Payout Information
The Profit Split on an FTMO Account occurs monthly by default, with an option for an on-demand payout after 14 days from the first trade. Traders can adjust their Profit Split Day up to 3 times within 14 to 60 days of starting trading. If not changed, it defaults to the last day of the one-month cycle. Payouts are processed within 1-2 business days via bank transfer, Skrill, or cryptocurrencies.
Due to imposed fees for payout transfers, there is a minimum closed profit requirement of at least $20 for bank wire and $50 for crypto payouts, to cover the cost of a transaction.
Payment Methods
You can pay for the FTMO Challenge using a bank wire transfer, debit/credit card, cryptocurrencies, or Skrill.
Due to regulatory restrictions, bank transfers are not available for payments or payouts in the following countries: Venezuela, Cuba, Sudan, and Ukraine.
Scaling
As traders progress, their initial account balance and risk limits increase:
- 0 months: $400,000 initial balance, $20,000 Maximum Daily Loss, $40,000 Maximum Loss
- 4 months: $500,000 initial balance, $25,000 Maximum Daily Loss, $50,000 Maximum Loss
- 8 months: $600,000 initial balance, $30,000 Maximum Daily Loss, $60,000 Maximum Loss
- 12 months: $700,000 initial balance, $35,000 Maximum Daily Loss, $70,000 Maximum Loss
- 16 months: $800,000 initial balance, $40,000 Maximum Daily Loss, $80,000 Maximum Loss
About the CEO
Otakar Suffner was born and raised in Prague. He has a master’s degree in Economics, which he obtained from Prague University. At that time, he also studied in South Korea at Seoul National University.
Coming from a sports family, Otakar played tennis in school but never pursued professional athletics. He now enjoys fitness activities several times a week, including calisthenics and kickboxing, to maintain high energy levels for work.
Otakar began trading Contracts for Difference about ten years ago after starting with Futures, then moved to Forex for greater flexibility. Initially a small account operator, he is now a data-driven trader who bases his decisions on global data while remaining calm. He utilizes a unique probability method for his trading strategies.
Is FTMO Right For You?
FTMO stands out as a top-tier prop firm for forex traders who are serious about developing a disciplined trading approach. With its structured evaluation process, competitive profit splits, and emphasis on risk management, FTMO is an excellent choice for traders who are committed to long-term success. However, if you’re seeking more flexibility in your trading style or want faster access to funding, you may want to consider alternatives like Trading Funded Plus or FundedNext.
Ready to put your trading skills to the test? Start the FTMO Challenge today and take the first step towards securing professional funding and scaling your forex trading career.
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