Many Nigerians are searching for sustainable income streams outside the corporate world. Prop trading, short for proprietary trading, offers an appealing path – firms provide capital, platforms and support while traders profit from global markets in stocks, crypto, forex and more!
This review covers six leading international prop trading companies that actively welcome Nigerian traders to apply for funding and profit splits:
- FTMO
- Maven Trading
- The Funded Trader
- SurgeTrader
- Traders With Edge
- TopStep
We will provide an overview of each firm’s founding, highlights of their trading services, key terms for fees and payouts, as well as pros and cons for Nigerians to consider. The goal is to educate on viable prop trading options and help more Nigerians evaluate which firm aligns with their trading style, skills, and goals.
FTMO
FTMO (Financial Trader Magazine OÜ) was founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs with years of trading experience. Based in Tallinn, Estonia, FTMO has quickly become one of the fastest growing and most reputable prop firms globally. Their story embodies the promise of technology and passion converging across borders and languages to create opportunity.
Services and Platforms
FTMO provides funded accounts from $1,000 up to $100,000 to trade forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies through their proprietary cloud-based WebTrader and MAM platforms. Traders unlock an extensive suite of tools for market scanning, analysis and automated trading. FTMO also provides copy trading abilities to mirror expert traders.
Fees and Account Minimums
The $1,000 minimum account is accessible to Nigerians to start. Traders must pass an evaluation by hitting daily and monthly profit targets over 30 days. Account fee tiers range from 10% to 30% profit splits which are competitive globally.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Globally trusted brand with excellent reputation | 📉 Evaluation phase may be challenging for very new traders |
| 🔍 High transparency in trader performance reporting | 🌐 Light regulation oversights as an Estonian entity |
| 💰 Lucrative profit splits incentivize traders | |
| 🔄 Robust copy trading and active community options |
Maven Trading
Overview and Founding Founded in 2020 by prop trading veterans, Maven Trading is one of the newest but fastest growing prop firms based in Austin, Texas. They represent the innovative and entrepreneurial pulse of American trading culture.
Services and Platforms
Maven offers funded accounts from $25,000 up to $1 million to trade stocks, options, futures and crypto. Traders access a robust proprietary platform with tools for analysis, research and automated trading strategies. Maven also facilitates a community forum and chat for idea exchange.
Fees and Account Minimums
The $25,000 minimum account is higher than competitors but offers funded accounts up to $1 million for elite traders. Traders pay no fees upfront but agree to profit splits ranging from 10% to 40% based on account level achieved.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 📈 Specialized focus on stocks, options, and crypto trading | 💰 High minimum account size |
| 🛠️ Strong tech infrastructure and development team | 📉 As a new firm, long-term stability is unproven |
| 💸 Lucrative and transparent profit-sharing terms | 🌐 Lightly regulated being a US entity |
| 🌍 Emphasis on community networking |
The Funded Trader
The Funded Trader, founded in 2022, is a new specialized prop firm focused on funding stock traders. Based in New York and led by former hedge fund traders, they represent the active trading culture of Wall Street now expanding globally.
Services and Platforms
The Funded Trader provides accounts from $1,000 to $100,000 to approved stock traders. Their custom web and mobile platforms enable traders to analyze markets, execute complex options strategies, and copy established traders.
Fees and Account Minimums
A $1,000 minimum account makes The Funded Trader accessible to Nigerians. Traders pay no fees but agree to a profit split that ranges from 80/20 up to 70/30 once passing a funded account evaluation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 📈 Specialized prop trading services for stock markets | 📉 A very new prop firm, long term viability is uncertain |
| 💸 Low minimum account size to start | 📉 Focus only on stock and options trading |
| 💰 Favorable and transparent profit sharing terms | 🌐 Light regulation being a US-based entity |
| 🛠️ Platform built for sophisticated options trading |
SurgeTrader
SurgeTrader was founded in 2019 by a team with decades of combined trading experience and technology expertise. Based in the technology hub of Seattle and led by second-generation traders, SurgeTrader brings Silicon Valley innovation to prop trading.
Services and Platforms
SurgeTrader specializes in funding stock and options traders from $7,500 up to $600,000 account levels. Their cloud-based Custom Pro Trading Platform and mobile app provides real-time quotes, custom screening, risk modeling and options analysis.
Fees and Account Minimums
The $7,500 minimum account makes SurgeTrader very accessible for experienced Nigerian traders. No fees are paid upfront. Profit splits range from 75/25 to 80/20 for traders once passing account verification.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 📈 Specialized US stock and options prop trading | 📉 Platform geared for experienced traders |
| 🛠️ Strong proprietary trading platform | 📉 As a newer firm, long-term viability is uncertain |
| 💸 Very favorable and transparent profit splits | 🌐 US-based so light regulatory oversight |
| 💰 Funding potential up to $300,000 |
Traders With Edge
Traders With Edge is a prop trading firm launched in 2020 specializing in providing crypto trading capital and tools. Founded by fintech entrepreneurs in Dubai, Traders With Edge brings deep blockchain expertise paired with the dynamic vision of the Middle East.
Services and Platforms
Traders With Edge offers funded accounts from $1,000 up to $50,000 to approved crypto traders. Their proprietary web-based platform includes integrated signals, sentiment tools, risk metrics, copy trading and bot trading options optimized for crypto.
Fees and Account Minimums
A crypto prop trading account starts at just $1,000 making Traders With Edge very reasonable for Nigerians. There are no upfront fees and profit splits range from 80/20 to 70/30 for funded traders after passing crypto strategy evaluations.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 📈 Specialized prop trading firm focused on crypto | 📉 Caters to experienced crypto traders |
| 🛠️ Advanced proprietary crypto trading platform | 📉 As a new company, long-term stability uncertain |
| 💸 Very low account minimum to get started | 🌐 Based in Dubai so light regulation |
| 💰 Lucrative and transparent profit sharing |
TopStep
Founded in 2011, TopStep is an industry pioneer for retail prop trading on futures markets headquartered in Chicago, the center of global derivatives trading. Their proven decade-plus track record makes TopStep a trusted destination for traders globally.
Services and Platforms
TopStep specializes in funding futures traders across commodities, indexes, cryptocurrencies and more from $2,500 up to $2 million per contract. Their robust platforms feature integrated charting, auto-execution, risk modeling, and the Mirror Trader Copy system.
Fees and Account Minimums
TopStep requires a $2,500 futures account minimum which is very reasonable for Nigerians seeking access. Traders pay fees upfront then earn back through profit splits ranging from 80/20 to 60/40 as higher funding tiers are reached.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 📈 Established, reputable leader for futures prop trading | 📉 Specialization in futures trading has steep learning curve for new traders |
| 🛠️ Advanced proprietary platforms and mirror trading tools | 💰 Platform fees charged upfront in evaluation |
| 💸 Lucrative profit splits incentivize trader performance | 🌐 Primarily regulated by NFA and CFTC |
| 💰 Funding up to $2 million available |
Conclusion – Best Prop Trading Firms in Nigeria
This comprehensive review covered six global leaders providing funded prop trading opportunities to traders in Nigeria. While their offerings differ, all firms profiled deliver compelling advantages by lending technology, capital and support so traders can concentrate on strategy and profits.
FTMO sets itself apart with robust copy trading abilities, diverse markets and account sizes up to $100K. Maven Trading focuses on high volume stock, options and crypto traders – funding elite traders up to $1 million. The Funded Trader provides a niche purview financing sophisticated stock prop traders from $1,000.
SurgeTrader delivers custom tools optimized for complex options products while TopStep cements authority in futures trading by funding up to $2 million contracts. Finally, Traders With Edge opens crypto-specialized trading to everyday Nigerians with accounts starting at $1,000.
Across services rendered, fee terms set and regulation status – no one firm profiled ranks as an outright leader. The optimal prop trading fit depends on individual trader preferences, skills, experience levels and goals for market exposure. As highlighted throughout this review, Nigeria updates global dynamics by minting a new generation of bankless traders empowered by borderless prop firms.
With these reputable platforms actively courting Nigerian participants through specialized capital pools, cutting edge technology access and favorable profit splits – traders are prime to ride the prop wave already redefining markets in 2024 and beyond!
FAQs
- What markets can I trade with prop firms in Nigeria?
Most leading prop firms provide funding to trade global markets like stocks, crypto, forex, commodities, and futures. TopStep specializes in futures.
- How much does it cost to open a prop firm account?
Minimum account sizes range from $500 to $25,000. Some firms have low minimums like $1,000. Upfront fee structures also vary.
- How are profits split with prop trading companies?
Profit splits range from 80/20 up to 50/50 or 60/40 depending on account tier attained. Higher splits incentivize trader performance.
- Can Nigerian traders copy expert prop traders for returns?
Yes, copy trading abilities are offered within platforms to mirror established traders automatically in many firms.
- Which firm has the largest funding potential per trader?
Based on the review, Maven Trading offers elite funding up to $1 million and TopStep up to $2 million futures contract value.
- Do I need experience to trade through a prop firm?
Some background trading knowledge helps but beginners can start demo trading. Firms offer education resources to develop traders over time.
