Industry Analysis &
Case Studies
In-depth investigative journalism, case studies, and educational analysis about the proprietary trading industry. Educational content for informed traders.
Featured Investigation
Where Does Your Money Go When You Fail a Prop Firm Challenge?
INVESTIGATION: We followed the money from your $300 challenge fee to the prop firm's bank account. FTMO's $329M revenue, 93-97% house edge, and data from 300,000+ accounts analyzed.
All Articles
24 Articles
Funding Pips Alert: The Funding Ticks Connection Every Trader Must Know
INVESTIGATION: Same CEO, same address, same patterns. We document the corporate links between Funding Pips and Funding Ticks, CEO Khaled Ayesh's business history, and current warning signs.
Funding Ticks Shuts Down: Complete Investigation Into 2025's Biggest Prop Firm Collapse
Official shutdown January 18, 2026. Our investigation exposes misleading refund terms ($51,700 profit = $59 refund), the Twitter purge cover-up, and critical warnings about Funding Pips connection.
![FTMO 138,000 Funded Traders: $75M Paid in 2023 [Exposed Stats]](/images/ftmo-payouts-by-country.webp)
FTMO 138,000 Funded Traders: $75M Paid in 2023 [Exposed Stats]
FTMO claims 138,000+ funded accounts and $75M paid in 2023. We verify every stat: highest payout $964,980, daily average $300K+. Real data, real proof, real numbers.
CFD vs Futures Trading: Complete Guide for Prop Traders (2026)
CFD or Futures for prop trading? Compare regulation, costs, platforms, and find the best prop firms for each. USA traders: Futures only. Complete 4,200+ words guide.
The 90% Profit Split Trap: Why Drawdown Tolerance is the Only Metric That Matters in 2026
Stop chasing high splits. Discover why your choice of drawdown type (Trailing vs Static) determines your real profitability. Comparative analysis: Apex, Lucid, TPT with math and case studies.
Breaking: Funding Ticks Launches '1:1 Target/Drawdown' Model (Pro+ Analysis)
Industry First: Funding Ticks introduces 'Same Target, Same Loss' model. Full analysis of Pro+ 1-Step rules, EOD Drawdown, and the controversial IP & 1-Minute restrictions.
5 Best Funding Pips Alternatives (2026) - The Ultimate Safety Guide
After the retroactive rule scandal, discover the 5 safest prop firms for 2026. The5ers, Apex, Take Profit Trader, Lucid & Tradeify compared with full analysis.
TraderScale Warning: Denied Payouts & Account Closures Reported
Multiple traders report denied payouts and sudden account closures from TraderScale. Investigation into Reddit complaints, CEO responses, and what you need to know before signing up.
The Hidden Pressure Destroying Your Trading (It's Not The Market)
Social pressure, fake influencers, borrowed money — the silent killers nobody talks about. Featuring real trader testimonials and raw truth about why traders really fail.
Funding Ticks Controversy: Retroactive Rule Changes Spark Trader Outrage
CEO Khaled admits mistakes as traders report denied payouts. Investigation into the December 2026 rule changes affecting existing accounts retroactively.
Free Prop Firm Competitions 2026: Get Funded Without Paying a Dime
Complete guide to free prop firm opportunities: competitions, free trials, bootcamps & giveaways. Get a funded trading account with $0 investment. The5ers, FTMO, Apex, TopStep and more.
![Prop Firm Payout Analysis 2026: Who Actually Pays Traders? [Data Report]](/article/Payout-Analysis-2026-Investigation.png)
Prop Firm Payout Analysis 2026: Who Actually Pays Traders? [Data Report]
Complete data analysis: FTMO paid $450M+, Apex $378M+, FundedNext $158M+. Compare payout speeds (8h to 14 days), profit splits (80-100%), and which firms actually pay traders with verified data.
Max Loss Manipulation: How Firms Design Violations to Fail You (2026 Investigation)
$1 breach = permanent disqualification. Investigation exposes trailing drawdown traps, commission manipulation, hidden violations, intraday triggers, and why 96% fail from max loss rules designed for failure.
Copy Trading Fraud: The 'Funded Trader' Deception (2026 Exposé)
Prop firms claim to copy your trades. They don't. 80%+ use demo-only accounts. Investigation exposes technical impossibility, liquidity constraints, verification fraud, and why paying from challenge fees is more profitable than actually trading.
Regulation Loopholes: How Prop Firms Avoid SEC/CFTC Oversight (2026 Exposé)
100% unregulated industry. Prop firms avoid SEC, CFTC, and NFA oversight using educational loopholes, offshore jurisdictions, and 'own capital' exemptions. $310M CFTC enforcement failed.
The Evaluation Scam: Challenge Phases Designed to Fail (2026 Investigation)
Only 4% pass evaluations, 1% survive long-term. Investigation exposes Phase 2 contradictions, consistency rule traps, 30-day psychological pressure, and reset fee revenue model.
The Affiliate Scam: How YouTubers Profit From Your Losses (2026 Exposé)
YouTubers earn 5-35% commission every time you fail. Investigation exposes undisclosed partnerships, $60k/month earnings, FTC violations, and how influencers are financially incentivized to promote firms with low pass rates.
Trading Rules Exposed: The Impossible Restrictions (2026 Investigation)
Only 4% pass because rules are designed for failure. Investigation reveals the consistency rule punishes good trades, news trading bans contradict evaluations, and hidden violations that guarantee failure.
Simulated vs Live Accounts: Your 'Funded' Account is Fake (2026 Exposé)
95% of funded accounts are simulators, not real capital. FTMO admits: 'demo account with fictitious funds.' Complete investigation reveals which firms lie, technical proof, and how to identify fake accounts.
Prop Firm Payout Denials: Why 99.5% Never Get Paid (2026 Data)
Only 0.3-0.5% of traders actually receive payouts. Investigation exposes denial tactics, KYC traps, and the $10M problem. 1,272 still waiting from The Funded Trader since March 2024.
A-Book vs B-Book Prop Firms: How Firms Profit When You Lose
Explosive investigation reveals how B-Book firms take the opposite side of your trades. 80-95% trader loss rate makes B-Book extremely profitable while creating massive conflicts of interest.
The Real Pass Rates: What Prop Firms Don't Tell You (2024 Data)
Only 5-10% of traders pass prop firm challenges. Investigation exposes the hidden statistics, psychological tricks, and $4,000 average loss per trader that firms don't want you to know.
The 2024 Prop Firm Collapse: How 80+ Firms Shut Down and What Traders Must Know
The largest industry collapse in prop trading history. Complete investigation of 80-100 firm shutdowns including The Funded Trader, SurgeTrader, True Forex Funds, the MetaQuotes effect, and critical lessons to protect your funds.
The MyForexFunds Shutdown: Inside the $300M CFTC Case & Legal Victory
How a federal regulator's misconduct led to the dismissal of fraud charges against one of the industry's largest prop firms. Complete investigative case study.
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