For the past few quarters, prop‑firm payouts have been climbing, and in Q2 2025, three firms alone handed out over $34 million.
MyFunded Futures led the pack with $14.8 million on an 80/20 split, FundedNext followed at $10.9 million (75/25, plus a 1 % trailing‑drawdown “safety net”), and The 5 %ers chipped in $8.9 million (splits from 50/50 up to 80/20 depending on plan).
But big numbers don’t guarantee big wins, your strategy has to fit the rules.
What are we looking at?
Prop‑firm challenges usually boil down to four rules:
Hit a profit target.
Respect overall and daily drawdowns.
Trade within a set timeframe.
Pay an entry fee.
Pass the challenge and you get firm capital, plus a share of all future profits.
I must say, it’s a game‑changer for traders who don’t have deep pockets but do have solid strategies.
What should you look for?
First, profit target vs. timeframe: a 10 % goal in 30 days demands roughly 0.5 % daily returns and you have to be honest about what your strategy can deliver.
Next, drawdown limits: if you swing‑trade or hold overnight, choose firms with higher daily drawdown caps or no intra‑day rule. Check your payout split (50/50 up to 80/20) and how often you’ll see cash hit your account, weekly, bi‑weekly, or monthly.
Don’t forget scaling paths: some firms double your buying power at 4 % profit, others drip‑feed increases after each milestone.
Finally, compare fees and refund policies and any refundable option takes the sting out of a failed challenge.
I’ve been through a few of these myself, and what separates the pros from the rest is discipline. Treat your demo phase like real money. Stick to your plan. Log every trade. If you do that, a $249 entry fee can indeed become an $80,000 payday, one disciplined tick at a time.
Good luck on your journey!