Best crypto prop firms for beginners 2025: Your complete guide
Crypto Fund Trader leads the market with up to $300,000 in trading capital, up to 90% profit splits, and industry-leading 8-24 hour payout processing. For beginners entering the crypto prop trading space in 2025, selecting the right firm can make the difference between funded success and costly mistakes.
What makes a crypto prop firm beginner-friendly?
The best crypto prop firms for beginners combine accessible evaluation requirements with robust trading infrastructure and responsive support. Key features include flexible profit targets (typically 8-10% for Phase 1), reasonable drawdown limits (5-10% maximum), and multiple platform options that accommodate different trading styles. Beginners should prioritize firms offering clear rules, educational resources, and manageable risk parameters that allow skill development without excessive pressure.
Top crypto prop firms for beginners in 2025
Crypto Fund Trader has revolutionized beginner access to crypto prop trading since November 2022. The firm offers evaluations ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, with funded traders managing up to $300,000 in capital through their max allocation policy. This means traders can simultaneously hold multiple funded accounts—such as a $200,000 and $100,000 account—provided the total doesn’t exceed $300,000 in the funded stage.
Key Features:
- Trading Platforms: MT5, MatchTrader, and exclusive Bybit partnership providing institutional-grade liquidity across 715+ trading pairs
- Profit Split: Industry-leading 80% base rate scaling up to 90% with add-ons, ensuring traders keep the majority of their earnings
- Payout Speed: Lightning-fast 8-24 hour processing time, among the fastest in the industry
- Account Sizes: Evaluations from $5,000 to $200,000 with maximum funded allocation of $300,000
- Instant Challenge: Available in $2,500, $5,000, and $10,000 account sizes with exceptional scalability up to $1,280,000 (max allocation limits don’t apply)
- Trading Pairs: 715+ cryptocurrency pairs through Bybit integration
- Bybit Strategic Partnership: Direct integration with Bybit’s exchange technology delivers institutional-level infrastructure, zero lag execution, and professional trading conditions that redefine crypto prop trading
Crypto Fund Trader’s partnership with Bybit represents a game-changing advancement for beginner traders, providing access to the same institutional-grade tools and liquidity previously reserved for professional trading desks. The platform’s tight spreads and rapid execution have earned consistent 9-10/10 ratings from funded traders. For beginners prioritizing capital access, profit retention, and professional trading conditions, Crypto Fund Trader delivers unmatched value in the 2025 landscape.
FTMO: Established multi-asset leader
FTMO remains one of the most established names in proprietary trading, offering beginners access to crypto alongside forex, indices, and commodities since 2015. The firm expanded its crypto offering in July 2025 with 22 new crypto pairs and refined spread pricing models for enhanced transparency.
Key Features:
- Trading Platforms: MT4, MT5, DXtrade, and cTrader with full multi-asset support
- Profit Split: 80-90% profit sharing with bi-weekly payout cycles
- Evaluation Structure: Two-phase challenge requiring 10% profit in Phase 1 (30 days) and 5% in Phase 2 (60 days)
- Account Sizes: $10,000 to $200,000 evaluations, scaling up to $2 million
- Drawdown Rules: 5% daily loss limit and 10% maximum overall drawdown
- Trading Strategies: EAs and automated trading allowed; news trading permitted with 2-minute buffer
- Crypto Trading: 22+ crypto CFD pairs with improved spreads and contract sizes
FTMO provides exceptional educational resources and analytics tools, making it ideal for beginners seeking comprehensive support during their evaluation journey. The firm’s strict but fair rules emphasize disciplined risk management while prohibiting exploitative strategies like arbitrage and tick scalping.
FundedNext: Flexible challenge options
FundedNext offers one of the most diverse evaluation structures in the industry, with one-step, two-step, and three-step challenges catering to different skill levels. The firm stands out by offering 15% profit share even during challenge phases, rewarding traders before reaching funded status.
Key Features:
- Trading Platforms: MT4 and MT5 with swap-free account options
- Profit Split: 80-95% in funded accounts, plus 15% profit share from challenge phase earnings (upon reaching 5-10% growth)
- Evaluation Types: Stellar 1-Step, Stellar 2-Step, and Express challenges with varying difficulty levels
- Account Sizes: Access to 715+ instruments with scaling up to $4,000,000 total allocation
- Challenge Bonuses: Traders earn 15% of profits made during evaluation phases when they achieve 10% growth in funded accounts
- Account Merging: Ability to merge multiple funded accounts while maintaining profit split tiers
- Scaling Plan: Continuous growth opportunities with account balance increases after achieving performance milestones
FundedNext appeals to beginners seeking flexibility in their evaluation path, with multiple challenge formats allowing traders to select difficulty levels matching their experience. The unique profit-sharing from challenge phases provides financial rewards even before obtaining full funded status.
The5ers: Gradual scaling approach
The5ers distinguishes itself with Bootcamp, High Stakes, and Hyper Growth program options designed to accommodate various experience levels and risk appetites. Operating since 2015, the firm offers some of the most accessible entry points for beginners.
Key Features:
- Profit Split: 50-100% depending on account level and scaling progression
- Evaluation Options: Bootcamp (3-phase), High Stakes (2-phase), and Hyper Growth (zero-phase) programs
- Account Sizes: $5,000 to $100,000 evaluations with scaling up to $4 million
- Entry Fees: Starting from $39 for $5,000 account to $495 for $100,000 account
- Drawdown Limits: 6% maximum loss with 3% daily pause in most programs
- Bootcamp Scaling: Accounts double in size at each level with profit splits increasing from 50% to 100%
- Bonus Structure: Traders receive bonuses upon completing evaluation phases
The5ers’ Bootcamp program offers unlimited time frames for evaluation phases, removing pressure for beginners developing consistent strategies. The gradual scaling approach rewards long-term performance with profit splits reaching 100% at advanced levels.
Essential factors when choosing crypto prop firms
Evaluation structure and requirements
The best crypto prop firms for beginners 2025 offer transparent evaluation phases with achievable targets. Most firms implement two-phase challenges requiring 8-10% profit in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2, with daily loss limits typically set at 3-5% and maximum drawdowns capped at 6-10%. Beginners should verify minimum trading day requirements (usually 5-10 days) and time constraints, as some firms offer unlimited timeframes while others impose 30-90 day deadlines.
Profit splits and payout processing
Competitive profit sharing structures range from 50% to 90% across the industry, with top-tier firms like Crypto Fund Trader offering up to 90% with add-ons. Payout processing speed varies dramatically—standard firms process withdrawals in 3-7 business days, while industry leaders complete payments in 8-24 hours. Beginners should verify minimum withdrawal amounts ($50-$250 typical range) and available payment methods including crypto, bank transfers, and e-wallets.
Risk management for beginner crypto prop traders
| Risk Parameter | Typical Industry Standard | Best Practice for Beginners |
|---|---|---|
|
Daily Loss Limit
|
3-5% of account balance
|
Never exceed 2-3% on single trading day
|
|
Maximum Drawdown
|
6-10% of starting capital
|
Maintain 5% buffer from maximum limit
|
|
Position Sizing
|
Varies by firm
|
Risk no more than 1-2% per trade
|
|
Leverage Usage
|
1:1 to 1:5 for crypto
|
Start with lower leverage (1:2 maximum)
|
|
Minimum Trading Days
|
5-10 days required
|
Spread trades across minimum period
|
Consider challenge fees, trading commissions, monthly subscriptions, and platform costs. The cheapest prop firm challenges balance low entry fees with reasonable ongoing expenses.
Common mistakes to avoid
Overtrading During Evaluation: Beginners often attempt to reach profit targets too quickly, resulting in rule violations. The best crypto prop firms for beginners 2025 offer unlimited time challenges that reward patience and disciplined execution over rushed decision-making.
Ignoring Platform Capabilities: Selecting firms without verifying platform compatibility with your trading strategy costs valuable time and evaluation fees. Ensure the firm supports your preferred tools, whether algorithmic trading through MT5 or manual execution via MatchTrader or Bybit integration.
Neglecting Verification Requirements: Some traders complete profitable evaluations only to face payout delays due to incomplete KYC documentation. Submit verification documents immediately upon account purchase to avoid processing bottlenecks when requesting withdrawals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What account size should beginners start with?
Most successful beginner traders start with $5,000-$10,000 evaluations to manage psychological pressure while developing consistency. Crypto Fund Trader’s instant challenge accounts at $2,500 provide an accessible entry point with substantial scaling potential up to $1,280,000.
How long does it take to get funded?
With flexible unlimited time challenges, disciplined beginners typically complete two-phase evaluations in 2-4 weeks. Single-phase challenges can be completed faster but require meeting all risk parameters while achieving profit targets, with most traders passing within 10-30 days.
Can I use trading bots on crypto prop firm accounts?
Firm policies vary significantly—FTMO allows Expert Advisors with order limits, while most firms permit automated trading provided strategies don’t exploit technical glitches or latency. Always verify your chosen firm’s automation policy before purchasing evaluation packages to ensure compatibility with your trading approach.
What happens if I violate drawdown limits during evaluation?
Violating daily loss limits (typically 3-5%) or maximum drawdown rules (6-10%) results in immediate challenge failure. Most firms require purchasing a new evaluation to restart, though some offer discounted retry packages. Understanding that drawdown is measured from the highest equity peak—not starting balance—is critical for beginners.
Are crypto prop firm payouts reliable?
Reputable firms like Crypto Fund Trader process payouts in 8-24 hours with verified track records from funded traders. FTMO and FundedNext offer bi-weekly cycles, while The5ers provides monthly options depending on account type. Always research payout reviews and verify minimum withdrawal thresholds before committing to evaluation fees.
Can I trade during high-impact news events?
Policies differ by firm—FTMO now allows news trading with a 2-minute buffer on swing accounts, while standard accounts previously restricted this. Many firms prohibit trading immediately before and after major economic announcements to prevent exploitative strategies. Review each firm’s specific news trading policies to avoid rule violations.
What is the max allocation policy for crypto prop firms?
Max allocation limits the total capital you can trade simultaneously across all funded accounts. Crypto Fund Trader’s $300,000 max allocation means you could hold a $200,000 and $100,000 account simultaneously, while their instant challenge offers separate scaling up to $1,280,000. FundedNext allows scaling to $4,000,000, and The5ers permits up to $4 million total allocation.
Do I get to keep profits from challenge phases?
FundedNext uniquely offers 15% profit share from challenge phase earnings once you reach funded status and achieve 5-10% growth in your funded account. Most other firms only share profits after you pass evaluation and receive funded capital, though The5ers provides bonuses upon phase completion. This makes FundedNext particularly attractive for beginners who perform well during evaluations.
Conclusion
The best crypto prop firms for beginners in 2025 combine accessible evaluation requirements, professional trading infrastructure, and genuine profit-sharing commitments. Crypto Fund Trader sets the industry benchmark with up to $300,000 in trading capital, 80-90% profit splits, revolutionary Bybit partnership delivering 715+ trading pairs, and industry-leading 8-24 hour payout processing that ensures rapid access to earned profits. For beginners serious about building funded crypto trading careers, prioritize firms offering transparent rules, robust platform technology, responsive support, and proven payout reliability. Success in crypto prop trading depends less on market prediction and more on consistent risk management, disciplined execution, and selecting firms that genuinely support trader development through accessible evaluation structures and professional trading conditions.
When selecting among the cheapest prop firm challenges 2025, evaluate total cost structures including commissions, compare payout speeds and withdrawal methods, assess platform reliability and instrument availability, and verify firm credibility through trader reviews. Successful prop trading requires not just passing affordable challenges but partnering with firms offering sustainable business models, responsive support, and genuine commitment to trader success beyond initial subscriptions.
