Introduction: We Warned You
In December 2025, we published our investigation titled "Funding Ticks Controversy: Retroactive Rule Changes and Denied Payouts" that exposed alarming practices at Funding Ticks. At the time, traders were already reporting denied payouts, retroactive rule enforcement, and questionable business practices.
We predicted this would not end well. We were right.
On January 18, 2026, Funding Ticks officially announced they are "winding down operations" — corporate speak for what the trading community is calling exactly what it is: a rug pull that leaves hundreds of traders holding the bag.
This follow-up investigation documents the official shutdown, analyzes the deliberately confusing refund structure, compiles community reactions, and warns traders about connected entities that may pose similar risks.
URGENT: Do you have an account with Funding Pips?
The CEO is the same person (Khaled Ayesh).
We've documented the corporate links, warning signs, and what you should do to protect your capital.
Read our Funding Pips investigation →Part 1: The Official Announcement — A Masterclass in Corporate Deflection
What They Said
On January 18, 2026, traders visiting fundingticks.com were greeted not with the usual dashboard, but with a stark message beginning with "Dear Traders."
The announcement opens with an almost philosophical musing about knowing when to close a trade and book a loss — ironic coming from a company that allegedly refused to let traders book their legitimate profits.
Full official shutdown announcement from FundingTicks
The statement claims they are making a "strategic decision" to "wind down FundingTicks' operations" in order to "concentrate resources and attention on areas where we deliver the greatest long-term value."
Let's decode this corporate language:
- •"Strategic decision" = We're shutting down before more legal problems arise
- •"Concentrate resources" = Redirect remaining capital elsewhere (possibly Funding Pips?)
- •"Greatest long-term value" = Not to traders, clearly
The Timing Is No Coincidence
This shutdown comes exactly one month after our December 2025 investigation exposed their retroactive rule changes. The timing suggests that either:
- Our investigation (and others like it) created enough public awareness to affect their business
- The volume of payout disputes became unsustainable
- Regulatory pressure was mounting behind the scenes
- All of the above
The trading community had been raising red flags for months. When a prop firm starts denying payouts en masse and changing rules retroactively, the endgame is usually predictable. We've seen this pattern before with other failed prop firms, and Funding Ticks followed the playbook almost exactly.
Part 2: The "Refund" Structure — Designed to Minimize Payouts
Breaking Down Their Terms
The announcement lists seven different account categories with different refund terms. On the surface, it might seem reasonable. Upon closer examination, it's a masterclass in minimizing what they actually have to pay out.
1. Active Evals and Master accounts:
"All active Evals and Master accounts will be refunded in full, irrespective of profit or drawdown status."
This sounds generous until you realize these are the cheapest accounts to refund — evaluation fees are typically under $500. This is the easy win they can tout.
2. Master accounts that reached profit target and met objectives:
"80% reward split for all Master accounts that reached the profit target and met the trading objectives."
Here's where it gets problematic. "Met the trading objectives" is subjective language. Given their history of retroactive rule enforcement, how many traders will actually qualify under their interpretation?
3. Master accounts in profit but didn't meet objectives:
"20% reward split for all Master accounts that reached profit but did not yet meet the trading objectives."
This is where they save the most money. If you made $10,000 in profit but they decide you didn't meet some objective (perhaps one they invented after the fact), you get $2,000 instead of $8,000.
4. Live accounts in profit:
"Refund, 90% reward split on realized profit, and 20% of the initial live balance."
Again, "realized profit" leaves room for interpretation. What about unrealized profits? What about profits from trades they retroactively flagged as rule violations?
5-7. Other categories:
- • Live accounts at initial balance: Refund and 20% of the initial live balance
- • Live accounts in loss: Refund only (the cheapest category for them)
- • Pending live transition: Refund and 20% of the initial live balance
The Real-World Impact: A Case Study
Trader showing $51,700 in profits resulting in only $59 refund
One trader reported on Twitter that despite having $51,700 in profits, their calculated refund under these terms came to approximately $59.
How is this possible? Let's reverse-engineer:
If the trader had a live account that was "in profit" but the profit wasn't "realized" according to FundingTicks' definitions, they might only qualify for the refund of their initial fee plus 20% of initial balance.
On a typical $100,000 funded account with a $500 evaluation fee:
- • Refund: $500
- • 20% of initial balance: This doesn't mean 20% of $100,000 — it likely means 20% of the initial margin or fee
- • Result: Could easily be under $100 total
This is why traders are calling it a rug pull. The refund structure is technically a "refund" while functionally being a near-total loss for successful traders.
Support Deadline: January 31, 2026
The announcement states: "For any questions related to the wind-down process, our support team will remain available to you until January 31."
That's just 13 days from the announcement for traders to understand the complex refund terms, calculate what they're owed, dispute any discrepancies, and actually receive their funds. This compressed timeline benefits the company, not the traders.
Part 3: Evidence of Cover-Up — The Great Twitter Purge
🗑 All Tweets Deleted
Perhaps the most damning evidence of guilt is what happened to FundingTicks' Twitter account. The account, which previously contained years of promotional content, customer interactions, and promises of reliable payouts, has been completely purged. Every single tweet has been deleted.
FundingTicks Twitter account - all tweets deleted
Companies shutting down legitimately typically:
- • Leave their social media as an archive
- • Post explanations and FAQs
- • Engage with affected customers
Companies that purge their history typically:
- • Are trying to destroy evidence
- • Want to prevent screenshots of broken promises
- • Are preparing for potential legal action
Comments Disabled on Final Announcement
On their website, comments have been disabled. On any remaining social media presence, engagement has been locked down. This prevents traders from sharing their experiences publicly, community organization, collective action, and documentation of the full scope of affected traders.
The message is clear: they want to control the narrative and prevent the trading community from comparing notes.
Part 4: Community Reaction — "Rug Pull," "Shambles," "Scam"
Community reactions on Twitter - traders calling it a "rug pull"
Common themes in trader responses:
"Complete Rug Pull"
Multiple traders have characterized this as a classic rug pull — a term borrowed from the crypto world describing when project founders suddenly abandon a project and run off with investor funds.
"They Knew This Was Coming"
Many traders point out that the signs were visible for months: increasing payout delays, more aggressive rule enforcement, vague communications, defensive responses to criticism.
"The Refund Math Doesn't Add Up"
Traders who attempted to calculate their expected refunds under the announced terms found the numbers shockingly low compared to their account values.
"Funding Pips Is Next"
Perhaps most concerning for the broader prop firm industry is the widespread suspicion that Funding Pips, which shares the same CEO, may follow a similar trajectory.
Industry Commentary
- •Multiple YouTube channels have published emergency videos about the shutdown
- •Trading Discord servers are warning members to withdraw from any FundingTicks-affiliated programs
- •Competitors are offering "refugee" promotions to affected traders
The consensus is clear: this shutdown validates the concerns that critics had been raising for months.
Part 5: The Funding Pips Connection — Same CEO, Same Risk?
⚠ CRITICAL WARNING FOR FUNDING PIPS TRADERS
Funding Pips and Funding Ticks share the same CEO.
Evidence linking Funding Ticks and Funding Pips - same CEO
💣 The Smoking Gun: "Both Have No Money Left"
Tweet from January 16, 2026 - "Both Funding Ticks and Pips have no money left"
Two days before the official shutdown announcement, one trader posted what may be the most damning evidence yet:
"Horrible, both Funding Ticks and Pips have no money left. They transferred every single person that requested a payout the past four days to live. There is just no money left. The retroactive rule changes have plummeted Evaluation account purchases."
— Tweet dated January 16, 2026
What this reveals:
1. Both Firms Are Financially Compromised
This isn't just about FundingTicks. According to this insider perspective, Funding Pips is experiencing the same cash flow crisis. Traders with accounts at Funding Pips should treat this as an emergency warning.
2. The "Transfer to Live" Delay Tactic
When traders requested payouts, they were transferred to "live" accounts. This creates additional steps and delays before money can be withdrawn — a classic stalling tactic when a company doesn't have funds to pay.
3. Retroactive Rules Killed the Business Model
The aggressive rule enforcement destroyed the company's reputation and crashed new evaluation sales. Without new money coming in, they couldn't pay existing obligations. A textbook unsustainable business model collapse.
4. The Timeline Proves Foreknowledge
This tweet was posted on January 16. The official announcement came January 18. Management knew for at least days (likely weeks or months) that both companies were insolvent before making any public statement.
What Funding Pips Traders Should Do Now
- Document Everything: Screenshot your account balance, trade history, and all communications
- Request Payouts: If you have profits, consider requesting payouts immediately
- Review Rules: Check for any recent rule changes or additions that could affect your account
- Diversify: Don't keep all your prop firm capital in one company, especially one with this management connection
- Monitor Closely: Watch for any signs of the patterns we documented with FundingTicks
We are not saying Funding Pips will definitely shut down. We are saying that the connection to FundingTicks management means elevated risk that traders should factor into their decisions.
Part 2: The CEO's Business History — The Facts
Before analyzing the Funding Ticks shutdown, it's important to understand the background of its leadership. Here is what public records and community documentation reveal about CEO Khaled Ayesh's business history.
Known Business Ventures
1. The SafeTrip Finance Connection (2021)
In July 2021, crypto news site The Crypto Town published an article about SafeTrip Finance, clearly stating it was "running by Khaled Ayesh."
The Crypto Town — July 30, 2021
"It is running by Khaled Ayesh"
SafeTrip Official Telegram
Signed: "Khaled Ayesh, CEO & Founder"
The Blame Game
"Daniel (the thief)" — blamed for the collapse
"Daniel (the thief) — We handed his case to a lawyer and we are going to sue him, for the money and damages he has done to us. We will hopefully put him in jail."
— SafeTrip Finance Official Telegram (2021)
Documented outcome: SafeTrip Finance ceased operations. No public record of legal action against "Daniel" has ever been found.
2. Discord Messages: 5 Days Before Shutdown
On January 13, 2026 — five days before the official shutdown — Khaled made statements that would age poorly:
"Have you folks seen a one single payout getting rejected!??????? NO"
January 13, 2026 — 5 days before shutdown
"Better I refund all, pay all payouts and close it."
Shutdown decision made 5 days in advance
⚠️ The Contradiction
On the same day, Khaled claimed "NO" payouts were being rejected, while simultaneously discussing shutting down the company. Five days later, traders discovered their $50,000+ profits would be "refunded" as $59.
3. The Trustpilot Specialist Job Posting
Approximately 6 days before the Funding Ticks shutdown, a job posting appeared on LinkedIn for Funding Pips:
"Trustpilot Specialist" — FundingPips
Dubai, UAE (Remote) — Posted ~6 days before shutdown
The Documented Pattern
| Venture | Status | Exit Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| SafeTrip Finance | Abandoned | Blamed "Daniel (the thief)" |
| Funding Ticks | Shutdown | Blamed "Ticks Team mess" |
| Funding Pips | Active | Same CEO — Monitor closely |
The Bottom Line
We present these facts without drawing legal conclusions. The documented pattern speaks for itself. Diversify your capital across multiple firms.
All information comes from publicly available sources: archived websites, official Telegram channels, Discord messages, and verified social media accounts. Screenshots preserved for documentation.
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Part 6: Timeline of the Collapse — How We Got Here
Early 2025: The Growth Phase
FundingTicks operated aggressively in the competitive prop firm market. Heavy affiliate marketing, attractive pricing, and promises of fast payouts attracted a growing trader base. At this stage, complaints were minimal.
Mid 2025: First Complaints Emerge
Scattered reports began appearing on trading forums and Twitter. Traders reported delayed payouts, vague explanations, and what they perceived as arbitrary rule enforcement.
October-November 2025: The Pattern Becomes Clear
The volume of complaints increased significantly. Multiple traders reported similar experiences: profits earned, payout requested, then sudden account review followed by denial citing previously unmentioned rule violations.
December 2025: Our Investigation Published
We published our comprehensive investigation documenting the pattern of retroactive rule changes and denied payouts. The article gained significant traction, and FundingTicks' response was notably defensive.
Early January 2026: The Silence
Communications from FundingTicks became sporadic. Support response times increased. Some traders reported difficulty accessing their dashboards. Social media activity decreased dramatically.
January 18, 2026: Official Shutdown
The "Dear Traders" announcement appeared, confirming what many had suspected. The simultaneous Twitter purge and comment lockdown suggested this was a planned exit rather than a sudden business failure.
What This Timeline Reveals
The pattern suggests that FundingTicks' management knew for months that the end was coming. Rather than addressing problems, they chose to continue accepting new customer money, deny payouts to preserve capital, prepare an exit strategy that minimized their obligations, and execute that exit while limiting traders' ability to respond.
This is not the behavior of a legitimate business facing difficulties. This is the behavior of operators extracting maximum value before exiting.
Part 7: Lessons for the Prop Firm Industry
Red Flags We Identified Early
🚩 Retroactive Rule Enforcement
When a prop firm starts enforcing rules that weren't clearly stated when you signed up, this is a major red flag.
🚩 Vague or Changing Terms
Legitimate businesses have clear, stable terms. Frequent changes suggest problems.
🚩 Payout Delays
Systematic delays affecting many traders suggest cash flow problems.
🚩 Defensive Communication
Blocking critics, deleting comments, and refusing to address concerns publicly are warning signs.
🚩 Aggressive Marketing Despite Issues
Continuing heavy affiliate marketing even as complaints mounted suggests prioritizing new customer acquisition over existing customer satisfaction — a classic sign of a business model that depends on continuous new money.
How to Protect Yourself
Due Diligence Before Signing Up:
- • Search "[prop firm name] + scam" or "+ complaints" before depositing
- • Check Trustpilot, but verify reviews are genuine
- • Look for patterns in negative reviews, not just the star rating
- • Research the ownership and leadership
While Trading:
- • Document everything: screenshots of rules, balances, trades
- • Request regular payouts — don't let large sums accumulate
- • Monitor community sentiment through Discord, Twitter, and forums
- • Have backup prop firms ready
Warning Signs to Exit:
- • Sudden rule changes
- • Unexplained payout delays
- • Mass complaints from other traders
- • Management becoming defensive or uncommunicative
- • Deleting social media history
Part 8: What Affected Traders Can Do Now
Immediate Steps
1. Document Your Account (If You Haven't Been Locked Out)
- • Screenshot your dashboard
- • Export trade history
- • Save all email communications
- • Record your calculated refund vs. what you believe you're owed
2. Submit Support Tickets Before January 31
- • Create a paper trail
- • Be specific about amounts owed
- • Reference specific terms from their announcement
3. Join Community Efforts
- • Connect with other affected traders on Twitter and Discord
- • Collective action is more effective than individual complaints
- • Pool resources for potential legal consultation
4. Consider Legal Options
- • Depending on your jurisdiction and amount lost, small claims court may be an option
- • Class action may be possible if enough traders organize
- • Document everything for potential future proceedings
5. Report to Authorities
- • File complaints with relevant financial regulators
- • Report to consumer protection agencies
- • Document reports filed for potential legal action
Realistic Expectations
Unfortunately, the reality is that many traders will not recover significant amounts. The company has structured their "refund" process to minimize payouts, and the compressed timeline limits traders' ability to organize effective resistance.
This is why we emphasize prevention over recovery. The goal is to help future traders avoid similar situations.
Part 9: Our Verdict — Vindicated but Not Satisfied
What We Said Then vs. What Happened Now
| Our Warning (December 2025) | What Happened (January 2026) |
|---|---|
| Retroactive rule enforcement | Used vague terms in refund structure |
| Payout reliability concerns | Structured refunds to minimize payouts |
| Need for transparent communication | Deleted all tweets, disabled comments |
| Connection to other entities | Funding Pips exposure now a concern |
We take no pleasure in being right. Real traders lost real money. Some invested thousands in evaluation fees, spent months developing profitable strategies, and now face either significant losses or a long fight to recover a fraction of what they earned.
DealPropFirm Rating: AVOID
| Trustworthiness | ✖ 0/10 |
| Payout Reliability | ✖ 0/10 |
| Customer Support | ✖ 0/10 |
| Rule Transparency | ✖ 0/10 |
| Overall | ✖ SCAM ALERT |
Final Thoughts
The FundingTicks collapse should serve as a wake-up call for the entire prop firm industry. Traders are not just customers — they're partners who bring skill, capital, and risk to these relationships. When prop firms treat traders as marks to be exploited rather than partners to be valued, the entire industry suffers.
We will continue monitoring the situation, including whether refunds are actually paid, Funding Pips' trajectory, any regulatory action, and community efforts for recovery.
🛡 For Traders Seeking Reliable Prop Firms
If you've been affected by the FundingTicks shutdown or are simply looking for more trustworthy alternatives:
| Prop Firm | Rating | Profit Split | Payout Speed | Track Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid TradingHOT | 4.8/5 | Up to 90% | 24-48h | Since 2023 |
| Apex Trader Funding | 4.7/5 | 100% first $25K | Same day | Since 2021 |
| Take Profit Trader | 4.6/5 | 80-90% | 1-3 days | Since 2021 |
| Topstep | 4.5/5 | 100% first $10K | 1-3 days | Since 2012 |
| Funding Ticks | 0/5 | N/A | SHUTDOWN | SCAM |
Lucid Trading — A Safe Haven
While many traders are scrambling after the FundingTicks collapse, Lucid Trading has been gaining attention for all the right reasons: consistent payouts, transparent rules, and responsive support. They offer 3 programs: LucidPro, LucidFlex, and LucidDirect with competitive pricing.
Current Offer: 30% OFF with code DEALPROPFIRM
Other Established Alternatives
- • Apex Trader Funding: Long track record, futures-focused, regular promotions
- • Take Profit Trader: Transparent terms, strong community reputation
- • Topstep: One of the original prop firms, established trust
🚨 Don't Wait to Be the Next Victim
The FundingTicks story is a cautionary tale, but it doesn't have to be your story.
Protect yourself:
- • Research thoroughly before depositing
- • Diversify across multiple reliable firms
- • Request regular payouts
- • Trust your instincts when something feels wrong
Related Articles
This investigation was conducted by the DealPropFirm team. We maintain editorial independence and do not accept payment for coverage. Our affiliate relationships are disclosed and never influence our ratings or recommendations.
Have information about FundingTicks or other prop firms? Contact us confidentially.
Last Updated: January 23, 2026