FundingPips Review – Prop Firm Powerhouse or Risky Gamble?
Forget the dusty stacks of resumes and the soul-crushing interview circuit. Imagine a world where your forex skills are your golden ticket, granting access to a treasure trove of capital and the potential to become a high-flying currency trader. That’s the tantalizing promise of FundingPips, a prop firm aiming to transform aspiring traders into market mavericks. But is FundingPips the real deal, or just a cleverly crafted mirage? Buckle up, forex friends, because this deep dive into FundingPips will unveil its secrets, helping you decide if it’s the launchpad to your trading dreams or a one-way ticket to disappointment.
Legit or Scam?
Forget shady backroom deals and smoke-and-mirrors websites. FundingPips throws open the vault, laying bare its evaluation process, profit targets, and risk management rules like a well-lit treasure map. Their website is a crystal ball, letting you see exactly what it takes to succeed before you even take a step. Plus, FundingPips isn’t some nameless internet ghost. They’ve got a real, physical office in Dubai, adding a layer of legitimacy that some online operations struggle to find. In the world of forex trading, trust is hard-earned, and FundingPips seems willing to put in the legwork to win yours.
While FundingPips may not boast the decades-long history of established prop firms like FTMO or FundedNext, they’ve made significant strides in securing a positive reputation within the forex trading community in a relatively short timeframe. This rapid rise in recognition can be partially attributed to their commitment to transparency, with a physical presence in Dubai readily accessible to visiting traders. This bricks-and-mortar location adds a layer of legitimacy and fosters trust among those considering their programs.
Pros & Cons: Is it Right for You?
Pros:
- Affordable Entry: FundingPips offers evaluation programs starting at a mere $32, making it accessible to traders with limited capital.
- Scalable Accounts: Successful traders can manage accounts exceeding $100,000, with opportunities to scale even further.
- Flexible Trading: News trading and overnight positions are allowed during the evaluation, catering to diverse trading styles.
- Profit Sharing: FundingPips boasts an attractive profit split, with traders keeping 80% to 90% of earnings.
Cons:
- Two-Stage Evaluation: Passing two separate profit target stages with strict loss limits can be challenging.
- No Minimum Trading Days: While offering flexibility, the lack of a minimum trading requirement might not suit highly disciplined traders.
- Limited to CFDs trading: Currently, FundingPips offers CFDs funding program, potentially restricting choice for futures, stocks and options experienced traders.
The Verdict on Pros & Cons: FundingPips is a compelling option for new and developing traders seeking a chance to manage larger accounts. However, seasoned traders accustomed to specific account structures might find the current offering restrictive.
Evalution Challenges: Strict Rules
FundingPips’ evaluation process demands discipline and adherence to clear-cut rules. Understanding the evaluation process is vital. Here’s a breakdown:
- Choose an Account Size: Select the evaluation account size that suits your capital and risk tolerance.
- Complete the Evaluation: Meet the profit targets and adhere to risk management rules within the designated timeframe.
- Pass and Get Funded: Upon successful completion, you gain access to a funded account and can start trading with real capital.
Let’s dissect the key challenges:
- Profit Target Requirements: The evaluation process is divided into two stages, each with a specific profit target. In the first stage, you need to achieve an 8% profit on your account. Once achieved, you progress to the second stage, where the target drops to 5%. While these targets seem achievable, they must be met without exceeding the maximum daily drawdown (loss) of 5% and a total drawdown of 10%.
- Maximum Drawdown Rules: Drawdown refers to the peak-to-trough decline in your account value. FundingPips enforces a strict maximum drawdown rule, ensuring responsible risk management. Breaching these limits results in disqualification, highlighting the importance of calculated trading decisions.
Weighing FundingPips’ Difficulty
The difficulty of FundingPips’ program hinges on several factors:
- Trading Skills: Solid understanding of technical analysis, risk management, and emotional control are crucial for success.
- Psychological Discipline: Adhering to profit targets and drawdown limits requires resisting the urge to overtrade or chase losses.
- Market Conditions: Volatile markets can make it challenging to achieve profit targets consistently.
While the profit targets appear attainable, the strict risk management rules and two-stage evaluation process add a layer of difficulty.
FundingPips Scaling Up Process
Successful completion of the evaluation unlocks access to a funded account. FundingPips employs a unique scaling plan. As your profitability increases, you gain access to progressively larger accounts. This incentivizes consistent performance and rewards skilled traders with substantial capital to manage.
Imagine yourself scaling a mountain, reaching new heights with each successful trade. FundingPips funded account program works in a similar way, offering exciting rewards as you demonstrate your skills.
Here’s how it unfolds:
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Conquer Initial Peaks: As you rack up successful payouts and secure consistent profits, your initial account size receives a boost. This scaling plan expands your trading potential as you prove your chops.
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Tiered Challenges: Four successful payouts and a 10% profit unlock the first tier, increasing your account size by 20% along with tighter risk management parameters. This signifies your growing confidence and ability to handle larger positions.
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Ascending the Ladder: With eight payouts and a 20% total profit, you unlock the next tier. This tier provides a 30% account size increase, offering even more capital to explore trading opportunities while adjusting risk management limits for continued growth.
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Reaching the Summit: Racking up 12 successful payouts and achieving a 30% total profit grants access to the highest tier. This pinnacle rewards you with a hefty 40% account size bump, allowing you to truly leverage your trading prowess. Alongside that, risk management parameters are adjusted for a more flexible trading experience.
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The Hot Seat Awaits: Sixteen successful payouts and a 40% total profit unlock the coveted “Hot Seat.” This exclusive level showers you with benefits like personalized support, advanced trading tools, on-demand payouts, and a phenomenal 90% profit split. Here, the possibility of scaling your account all the way up to a staggering $2 million becomes a reality. Customized trading conditions tailored to your style, increased daily and maximum drawdowns, and even monthly bonuses ranging from $100 to $500 add the finishing touches to this reward-rich experience.
This journey is designed to motivate and empower you as you progress. Each new tier signifies your growing talent and unlocks possibilities to amplify your trading success. So, take aim at the peak, conquer each challenge, and claim your rewards
Trading Conditions: A Breakdown
Account Tiers
- The Two-Step Evaluation: This is the classic climb for aspiring traders. It involves conquering two stages, each with specific profit targets and risk management rules. Think of it as a two-mountain training trek, testing your skills and resilience.
- The One-Step Evaluation: For the seasoned adventurer, FundingPips offers a streamlined one-step evaluation. This program condenses the challenge into a single stage, potentially appealing to experienced traders who crave a quicker path to funded glory.
- The Three-Step Evaluation: This option is less common
Minimum Account Size: What You Need to Start?
FundingPips offers a single funding program with a minimum account size of $5,000 for the evaluation phase. This relatively low barrier to entry allows aspiring traders to test their skills without a significant upfront investment.
Maximum Account Size: How Big Can You Go?
The beauty of FundingPips lies in its scalability. Upon successful completion of the evaluation and demonstrating consistent profitability, traders can manage accounts exceeding $100,000. This opens doors to potentially significant earnings for highly skilled individuals.
Trading Platforms
FundingPips equips you with a diverse arsenal of trading platforms, giving you the freedom to choose your weapon of choice. While the classic MetaTrader 4 isn’t currently on the menu, fear not, for FundingPips offers a delectable spread of alternative platforms to suit your trading style.
- Ctrader is a sleek and powerful platform, boasting advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities (Expert Advisors or EAs), and a user-friendly interface. It’s perfect for traders who appreciate a modern and visually appealing experience.
- Tradelocker caters to those who crave a customizable experience. This platform allows you to tailor your workspace, create custom indicators, and streamline your trading workflow. Think of it as your personal trading war room, optimized for peak performance.
- Match Trader rounds out the trio, offering a robust and reliable platform with a focus on stability and execution speed. It’s ideal for traders who prioritize smooth order execution and a no-frills trading environment.
Instrument Zoo and Leverage
FundingPips offers a veritable instrument zoo, letting you trade forex, crypto, indices, metals, and even energies. Think of it as your own personal financial circus, with exotic opportunities around every corner.
Spreads are RAW, meaning you get the purest price action, and for most instruments, you’ll only pay a $2 round-trip commission per standard lot. But wait, there’s more! FundingPips goes commission-free on crypto and indices, letting you trade these hot assets without any additional fees.
Now, about leverage. It’s your trusty market-taming steed. FundingPips offers different leverage ratios depending on the instrument, allowing you to control the size of your positions. Forex lets you gallop with 1:100 leverage, while metals offer a more cautious 1:30 ride. For a smoother journey, indices and energies come with 1:20 and 1:10 leverage, respectively. Finally, crypto traders get a conservative 1:2 leverage, perfect for navigating the often-volatile cryptocurrency markets.
FundingPips has the instruments, leverage options, and competitive fees to help you take charge. So, are you ready to step up and become a market maestro?
Fees and Commissions
FundingPips keeps things simple. The primary cost is the evaluation fee, which ranges from $32 for the smallest account to a few hundred dollars for larger accounts. Once funded, there are no additional commissions or platform fees. Profits are shared between the trader and FundingPips, typically at an 80/20 split in favor of the trader.
Withdrawal Process and Timeline
FundingPips claims a 4-day payout window for profits generated on funded accounts. This timeframe is generally considered industry standard among prop firms. To initiate a withdrawal, traders submit a request through the platform, and the funds are transferred via the chosen payment method (typically bank wire or electronic wallets).
Starting June 4th, 2024, you can request payouts every Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Dubai Time.
Here’s the rundown:
- Gear Up: Before requesting a payout, make sure ALL your trades are closed, including pending orders.
- Wait a Tick: To ensure everything is settled, wait at least 15 minutes after closing your latest trade before requesting a payout.
- Minimum Magic: The minimum payout amount is now 1% of your initial balance.
- Picking Your Payout Path:
- Over $500? Your payout will be processed through Rise, which offers both bank transfer and crypto options!
- Under $500? No worries, your payout will be processed swiftly via cryptocurrency.
- Rise Restrictions? If Rise doesn’t support your country, your payout will be processed via crypto without Rise.
Support: Are They Responsive?
FundingPips offers 24/5 reliable and responsive support via email and live chat. While their website doesn’t explicitly mention phone support, some user reviews suggest it might be available.
FundingPips vs. Competitors
The prop firm landscape is competitive. Here’s a quick comparison of FundingPips against two established players:
Feature
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FundingPips
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FundedNext
|
|
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Minimum Evaluation Fee
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$32
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$100
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$299
|
Minimum Account Size (Evaluation)
|
$5,000
|
$6,000
|
$5,000
|
Evaluation Type
|
Two-Step, three-Step, One-Step
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Two-Step, One-Step
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Two-Step, One-Step
|
Profit Target (Stage 1)
|
8%
|
10%
|
10%
|
Profit Target (Stage 2)
|
5% (if applicable)
|
5% (if applicable)
|
5% (if applicable)
|
Maximum Daily Drawdown
|
5%
|
5%
|
5%
|
Account Tiers
|
Single Scaling Plan
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Multiple Tiers
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Multiple Tiers
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Maximum Account Size (Funded)
|
Exceeds $100,000
|
Up to $300.000
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Up to $2 Million
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Trading Platforms
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cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader
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MT4, MT5, cTrader
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cTrader, TradeLocker, MatchTrader
|
Commissions
|
Varies by instrument
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$3.50 per round turn
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Varies by instrument
|
Profit Split
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80/20 (Trader/Firm)
|
Varies by program
|
Varies by program
|
Withdrawal Timeframe
|
5 business days
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Up to 48 hours
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Up to 48 hours
|
Company Background
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Established 2022 (Dubai)
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Established 2021 (Dubai)
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Established 2019 (USA)
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Choosing the Right Fit:
When comparing prop firms, consider your risk tolerance, capital availability, and desired account size. FundingPips might be suitable for those comfortable with a two-stage evaluation and a focus on scaling accounts.
User Reviews: Any Scams?
While a handful of negative user reviews express frustration with the difficulty of the evaluation process, there haven’t been widespread reports of FundingPips being a scam.
FundingPips Verdict: Sign Up?
FundingPips offers a compelling opportunity for aspiring traders seeking access to substantial capital. However, the two-stage evaluation process with strict risk management rules presents a significant challenge.
Here’s a quick decision guide:
- Suitable For: New and developing traders comfortable with a challenge and seeking to scale their accounts.
- Not Ideal For: Risk-averse traders or those who prefer a more relaxed evaluation process with
Not Ideal For:
- Risk-averse traders or those who prefer a more relaxed evaluation process with fewer restrictions.
- Experienced Traders: Seasoned traders accustomed to a wider range of account structures and platform functionalities might find FundingPips’ current offerings limiting.
FAQs
Is FundingPips Prop Firm a Good Fit for Scalpers?
FundingPips’ flexible trading conditions, allowing news trading and overnight positions, can potentially suit scalpers. However, the strict drawdown rules might limit aggressive scalping strategies.
Can Day Traders Find Success with FundingPips Prop Firm?
The program can be suitable for day traders with strong risk management skills and the ability to adapt to the profit target requirements.
Does FundingPips Prop Firm Cater to Algorithmic Traders?
FundingPips allows automated trading (EAs) but with specific restrictions. It’s crucial to ensure your EA adheres to their guidelines before deploying it in the evaluation.
Any Tips for Avoiding Account Violations with FundingPips?
- Thoroughly understand the evaluation rules: Familiarize yourself with profit targets, drawdown limits, and prohibited trading practices.
- Practice disciplined risk management: Employ stop-loss orders and maintain a healthy risk-reward ratio.
- Don’t chase losses: Stick to your trading plan and avoid emotional decisions in volatile markets.
Is Fundingpips Ideal for Day Traders or Swing Traders?
Both day traders and swing traders can potentially find success with FundingPips, depending on their risk management approach and adherence to the program’s rules.
Can You Pass the FundingPips Prop Firm Challenge? Here’s How
- Develop a solid trading strategy: Backtest your strategy on historical data and ensure it aligns with FundingPips’ evaluation requirements.
- Practice with a demo account: Test your strategy in a risk-free environment before attempting the evaluation.
- Maintain emotional control: Discipline and patience are crucial for navigating the challenges of the evaluation process.
Is FundingPips available for US Traders?
FundingPips doesn’t explicitly target US residents due to regulatory restrictions. US traders should explore futures prop firms like MyFundedFutures that comply with National Futures Association (NFA) regulations.
Account Inactivity Fees: What Should You Know?
FundingPips charges a monthly inactivity fee for funded accounts that haven’t generated a trading activity for 30 consecutive days. The specific fee amount is not readily available on their website, so it’s advisable to contact their support team for clarification.
FundingPips Prop Firm or Self-Funded Trading?
FundingPips offers access to larger capital compared to self-funded trading. However, the evaluation process and profit-sharing structure come with additional challenges.
Who Should Consider This Prop Firm?
FundingPips is ideal for aspiring traders seeking a structured program with the potential to manage substantial capital. However, experienced traders with a preference for greater flexibility and control might find other prop firms more suitable.