Funding Pips is still active, but our investigation uncovered infrastructure connections with Funding Ticks (shutdown Jan 2026). Here are 5 safer alternatives with verified payout histories — for traders who prefer not to take that risk.
Funding Pips remains operational but shares infrastructure with Funding Ticks, which shut down in January 2026. The safest alternative is FTMO ($89, $200M+ paid) for forex or Apex Trader Funding ($17.70, DEALPROPFIRM) for futures. Based on our investigation into the Funding Pips–Funding Ticks connection, we recommend caution and have identified 5 alternatives with stronger track records.
Funding Pips remains operational in March 2026 and continues to accept new traders. On the surface, it looks like business as usual. But beneath the surface, our investigation has uncovered connections that warrant serious attention from anyone risking their capital on this platform.
In January 2026, Funding Ticks — a prop firm that shared infrastructure and operational patterns with Funding Pips — shut down abruptly. Traders with pending payouts were never paid. Social media accounts were deleted. The website went dark. It was the classic prop firm exit, and it left thousands of traders out of pocket. Our full investigation into the Funding Pips – Funding Ticks connection details the shared backend systems, similar operational patterns, and overlapping infrastructure we identified between the two firms.
To be clear: we are not saying Funding Pips is a scam or that it will close tomorrow. We are saying that the documented connections to a firm that did shut down without paying traders represent a risk factor that informed traders should weigh before committing capital. The prop trading industry has taught us one lesson above all: when warning signs appear, diversifying is not paranoia — it is prudence.
For traders who want to reduce their exposure to this risk, the five alternatives below have been selected based on three criteria: verified payout history, transparent ownership, and operational longevity. Each firm has demonstrably paid traders over an extended period, and none have connections to firms that have closed.
For context on the Funding Ticks closure itself, see our Funding Ticks Alternatives page.
In the interest of fairness, Funding Pips still has legitimate advantages. Their entry price is low ($36 for a 10K evaluation), there is no time limit on the challenge, and traders who have been paid report satisfactory experiences. If you decide to continue using Funding Pips, here is our advice:
Funding Pips included for reference. Swipe on mobile →
Why this alternative: $200M+ paid to traders since 2015. The gold standard of prop trading with the longest verifiable payout history in the industry.
FTMO has been funding traders since 2015, making them the oldest and most trusted forex prop firm still operating. They have paid over $200 million to traders globally — a figure no competitor comes close to matching. Their two-phase evaluation (Challenge + Verification) is demanding but fair: 10% profit target in Phase 1, 5% in Phase 2, with a maximum 10% total drawdown. Once funded, you start at 80/20 profit split and can scale to 90/10 with consistent performance. FTMO offers the widest instrument range in the industry: 40+ forex pairs, crypto (BTC, ETH, SOL), indices, commodities, and individual stocks. You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, or DXtrade. Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, FTMO has weathered every industry crisis without missing a payout.
FTMO has 10+ years of verified payouts vs. Funding Pips' unclear track record. FTMO's ownership and corporate structure are fully transparent, with a known legal entity in the Czech Republic. There is no connection to any closed firm.
Funding Pips offers cheaper entry ($36 vs $89) and no time limit on evaluation. FTMO has strict time limits on both challenge phases. However, the price difference buys you the most trusted name in the industry.
Why this alternative: Operating since 2016 with a transparent track record. At $12, it costs less than a single Funding Pips challenge fee and has proven longevity.
The5ers is an Israeli-based forex prop firm that has been funding traders since 2016, making them one of the most established names in the industry. At just $12 (after 50% discount), they are the cheapest entry point for any reputable forex prop firm. Their Bootcamp program lets you prove yourself over time with gradual scaling, while their Hyper Growth program offers instant funding with a path to scale up to $4 million in funded capital. The5ers uses MetaTrader 5 exclusively and offers 30+ currency pairs and gold/silver. All trading styles are welcome — scalping, swing trading, and news trading are all permitted. Their business model relies on backing successful traders with real capital, which is fundamentally different from firms that profit primarily from failed evaluations.
The5ers has been operational since 2016 — nearly a decade. They survived the 2024-2025 prop firm collapse wave without issues. Their Israeli registration and transparent business model provide more accountability than Funding Pips' structure.
Funding Pips offers more account sizes and a higher potential profit split (up to 90/10 vs 80/20). The5ers' Bootcamp program requires patience with gradual scaling rather than immediate large account access.
Why this alternative: Backed by ASIC-regulated Blueberry Markets. Real broker infrastructure means institutional-grade execution and regulatory oversight on the brokerage side.
Blueberry Funded is the prop trading arm of Blueberry Markets, an ASIC-regulated Australian forex broker established in 2016. This distinction matters enormously: while most prop firms are tech companies with no regulatory obligations, Blueberry Funded inherits institutional-grade infrastructure from its parent broker — real liquidity providers, regulated fund handling, and professional execution standards. With our exclusive code DEALPROPFIRM, a 10K evaluation starts at just $25. Their 1-step challenge has an 8% profit target with a 10% maximum drawdown, making it one of the more straightforward evaluations available. Once funded, you start at 80% profit split with a path to 90%. The platform supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with raw spreads from 0.0 pips.
Blueberry Funded is backed by an ASIC-regulated broker — a level of regulatory infrastructure that Funding Pips simply does not have. The parent broker, Blueberry Markets, is publicly registered and audited in Australia. Your trades execute through regulated broker infrastructure rather than an unregulated platform.
Funding Pips offers cheaper entry ($36 vs $25 with code) and more account size options. Blueberry Funded is a newer prop arm with a shorter payout history, though the regulated broker backing compensates for this.
Why this alternative: The only prop firm offering a 100% profit split at the highest tier. UK-based with a growing track record and multiple evaluation paths.
Funded Trading Plus (FTP) is a London-based prop firm that has quickly earned its place among the top forex prop firms. What makes FTP unique is their scaling plan: you start at 80/20 profit split, scale to 90/10, and can eventually reach 100/0 — meaning you keep every dollar of profit. No other firm offers this. FTP provides multiple evaluation paths: a 1-step challenge, a classic 2-step challenge, and even an instant funding option for traders who want to skip the evaluation entirely. With code BDNQ10, the cheapest 1-step challenge starts at $84. Their funded accounts can scale from $12,500 up to $2.5 million in funded capital. FTP offers access to 50+ forex pairs, precious metals, and major indices through MetaTrader 5 and cTrader. Spreads are raw with a small commission structure, and news trading is permitted on most account types.
FTP is based in London with a transparent corporate structure. While newer than FTMO or The5ers, they have built a solid payout track record since launch and their UK registration provides a level of accountability. The 100% profit split model also aligns incentives — they only succeed when traders succeed.
Funding Pips is cheaper ($36 vs $84). FTP's evaluation targets can be challenging, and the 100/0 split requires reaching their highest scaling tier, which takes time and consistent performance.
Why this alternative: Different market entirely — futures trade on regulated exchanges (CME). $600M+ paid to traders. At $17.70, it is cheaper than Funding Pips' evaluation.
Apex Trader Funding operates in a completely different market than Funding Pips — futures rather than forex CFDs. This is actually an advantage: futures trade on regulated exchanges (CME, CBOT, NYMEX), providing centralized price discovery and regulated clearing. There is no counterparty risk like with CFD brokers. Apex has paid over $600 million to traders, making them the largest prop firm by total payouts. With code DEALPROPFIRM, a 25K Full Reset evaluation costs just $17.70 (90% OFF the regular $297 price). You get a 90% profit split from day one, no daily loss limit, and simple rules: hit the profit target, respect the trailing drawdown. Apex supports NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and Tradovate (which allows TradingView integration). You can trade E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq, crude oil, gold futures, and even micro contracts for smaller position sizing.
Apex trades on regulated exchanges — the CME is one of the most heavily regulated financial markets in the world. The $600M+ paid to traders dwarfs Funding Pips' payout history. Apex's parent company is US-based with a transparent corporate structure and long operating history.
Apex is futures-only — you cannot trade forex pairs, crypto, or indices via CFDs. The market structure is different (limited trading hours, different margin requirements). If you specifically need forex pairs, Apex is not the right choice. However, you can trade currency futures (6E, 6B, 6J) as alternatives to spot forex.
The Funding Ticks collapse proved that any prop firm can shut down without warning. Before committing capital to any firm — including the alternatives listed above — take these five verification steps to protect yourself.
Look for real payout screenshots and withdrawal confirmations from multiple traders over several months. A firm with only a few recent proofs is a red flag. Search r/FundedTrading and r/PropTrading on Reddit for unfiltered trader experiences.
Legitimate firms have transparent corporate structures with identifiable founders and registered business entities. Check company registries in the firm's stated jurisdiction. Anonymous ownership is a significant risk factor.
Cross-reference the firm's technology stack, payment processors, and team members with known closed firms. Shared infrastructure between active and closed firms is a warning sign that has preceded multiple industry collapses.
New prop firms launch every month with aggressive promotions. Most fail within 6–12 months. Before committing capital, verify the firm has been operating and paying traders consistently for at least one year. Two years or more is preferable.
Our PropFiles investigation database tracks scam reports, payout issues, and red flags across 20+ prop firms. Check a firm's status before signing up and report any issues you experience.
After investigating the Funding Pips situation and comparing alternatives, FTMO ($89) is the safest forex choice with $200M+ paid, and Apex ($17.70 with DEALPROPFIRM) is the best futures alternative.
Funding Pips is not confirmed to be unsafe, but the connections to Funding Ticks create a risk profile that cautious traders should take seriously. Here is our bottom-line guidance for March 2026:
FTMO
$200M+ paid since 2015. The gold standard with the longest verifiable track record. Costs $89 but you pay for peace of mind and reliability.
Blueberry Funded
ASIC-regulated broker infrastructure. $25 with code DEALPROPFIRM. Institutional-grade execution from a firm with real regulatory accountability.
Apex Trader Funding
$600M+ paid on regulated exchanges. $17.70 with code DEALPROPFIRM. Different market entirely — no CFD counterparty risk.
Our strongest recommendation: diversify. Do not put all your trading capital into any single prop firm, regardless of its reputation. Spread across 2–3 firms, withdraw profits immediately, and never leave large balances pending. The traders who survived the Funding Ticks collapse unscathed were those who followed this exact strategy.
Our full comparison tool covers 25+ prop firms with side-by-side pricing, rules, payout histories, and safety ratings. Make an informed decision before committing your capital.