Prague-based proprietary trading firm FTMO recently announced the launch of a beta version of its futures product, named FTMO Futures, officially expanding its business footprint into the futures market. Founded in 2015 and having continuously expanded through acquisitions such as online broker OANDA, the firm now requires traders to first trade with virtual funds in a simulated environment. Only after achieving predefined trading targets and strictly adhering to risk management limits can they advance to a funded live account. Currently, the futures business offers two types of accounts: Growth and Professional. Traders can access up to $450,000 in simulated trading funds, with each account type focusing on different payout rules and specific trading terms.

This business expansion is closely tied to shifts in the broader industry environment. Following the introduction of new regulations by MetaQuotes targeting the US market, which restrict proprietary trading firms from using its trading platforms, several prop firms primarily dealing in Contracts for Difference (CFDs) have been directly impacted. In search of new growth drivers, firms such as The5ers and FundedNext have successively entered the futures sector, with FTMO quickly following suit.

Alongside the launch of its new product, FTMO has also announced the resumption of its proprietary trading services for US-based traders. In early 2024, impacted by industry policies, both FTMO and The5ers temporarily suspended their services to US clients. Today, thanks to the evolution of the industry landscape and the widespread adoption of alternative trading technologies, the two firms have reopened their US operations. Currently, FTMO's services for US clients are primarily based on the MetaTrader 5 platform, while The5ers utilizes the cTrader system. Meanwhile, other proprietary trading firms such as FundedNext, Funding Pips, and Blue Guardian have also sequentially returned to the US market after suspending their services. In response to the changing regulatory environment, major prop firms are tackling challenges by switching to alternative trading systems or adjusting their operational models.