For crypto traders in 2025, FTMO uses a traditional two-phase evaluation with static 5% daily and 10% total drawdown limits and profit splits typically up to ~90%, while Funded Trading Plus offers flexible one-step, two-step, and instant funded models, variable drawdown rules, and scalable profit splits up to ~100% with generally faster and more frequent payouts.
The reader outcome is behavioural: turn this guidance into a repeatable decision without relying on urgency, hindsight or one-off results.
The Behaviour to Practise
Use a written due-diligence checklist before you pay for, recommend or rule out a firm.
Why This Behaviour Matters
Comparison pages are useful only when they improve a decision. A fixed checklist reduces brand bias, prevents one attractive headline from dominating the choice, and makes changing fees or rules easier to verify.
- FTMO uses a two-phase challenge (Challenge + Verification) before traders receive funded accounts.
- Funded Trading Plus offers one-step, two-step, and instant funding options.
- FTMO enforces consistent drawdown limits: 5% daily and 10% overall.
- Funded Trading Plus drawdown rules vary by program and may include static or trailing drawdown types.
- FTMO profit splits typically reach up to ~90% after scaling.
- Funded Trading Plus profit splits can scale up to ~100% with milestones.
- Funded Trading Plus payouts often occur weekly, while FTMO typically pays monthly or bi-weekly.
This article compares FTMO and Funded Trading Plus for crypto-focused funded trading in 2025, focusing on fees, drawdown rules, and payout structures. FTMO uses a traditional two-phase evaluation process with fixed risk limits (typically 5% daily drawdown and 10% maximum drawdown) and profit splits up to around 90%. Funded Trading Plus offers multiple challenge types including one-step, two-step, and instant funding programs where drawdown limits vary depending on the program. Profit splits can scale as high as 100%, and payouts often occur weekly. These differences allow crypto traders to choose based on evaluation structure, risk tolerance, and payout preferences.
Prop Firm A company that provides funded trading accounts to traders under predefined performance and risk rules.
Challenge / Evaluation The testing phase traders must pass before receiving a funded account.
Profit Split The percentage of trading profits paid to the trader.
Drawdown Limit Maximum allowed loss relative to the account balance before breaching the rules.
Daily Drawdown Maximum loss allowed in a single trading day.
Trailing Drawdown A loss limit that moves upward as the account balance increases.
Instant Funding A funded account granted without completing an evaluation phase.
Scaling Plan A program where funded capital increases as a trader demonstrates consistent performance.
Quick Answer
FTMO uses a two-stage evaluation (Challenge followed by Verification) where traders must reach profit targets while respecting strict risk rules before receiving funded accounts.
Why it matters
The two-stage model ensures traders demonstrate consistent profitability and risk control before receiving access to funded capital.
How to do it
- Choose an account size (e.g., $25K–$200K).
- Pay the challenge fee.
- Reach the required profit target while respecting drawdown limits.
- Complete the Verification phase.
- Receive a funded FTMO account.
- Request payouts once eligible.
Common mistakes
- Not completing minimum trading day requirements.
- Ignoring drawdown rules during volatile crypto movements.
- Underestimating time limits for evaluation phases.
Example
A trader pays €250 for a $50K FTMO Challenge, reaches the 10% profit target, then completes the 5% Verification stage, receiving a funded account eligible for payouts.
Quick Answer
Funded Trading Plus offers flexible evaluation models including one-step, two-step, and instant funding programs.
Why it matters
Multiple funding paths allow traders to choose between structured challenges or faster access to funding.
How to do it
- Choose a program type (one-step, two-step, or instant funding).
- Pay the required fee.
- Trade within drawdown limits.
- Achieve the required profit target.
- Receive a funded account.
- Request payouts according to the program rules.
Common mistakes
- Choosing instant funding without understanding stricter drawdown rules.
- Using excessive leverage on volatile crypto assets.
- Ignoring specific program restrictions.
Example
A trader selects a Funded Trading Plus one-step challenge, reaches a 10% profit target, and begins receiving weekly payouts with increasing profit splits.
Quick Answer
FTMO charges separate fees for the Challenge and Verification stages, while Funded Trading Plus typically charges one-time program fees depending on the chosen challenge type.
Why it matters
Fee structure impacts budget planning, especially if traders expect multiple attempts.
How to compare
- Compare FTMO Challenge + Verification fees for similar account sizes.
- Compare Funded Trading Plus fees across one-step, two-step, and instant programs.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting FTMO’s two-stage cost structure.
- Assuming all challenge fees are refundable.
Example
A $25K account may cost around €250 at FTMO, while a $25K one-step challenge at Funded Trading Plus may cost about $279 depending on program type.
Quick Answer
FTMO enforces 5% daily drawdown and 10% total drawdown limits, while Funded Trading Plus drawdown rules vary by program and may range from 3–5% daily and 6–10% overall.
Why it matters
Drawdown rules directly affect risk management and strategy design, especially in volatile crypto markets.
How to manage risk
- Understand whether drawdown is static or trailing.
- Use conservative position sizing.
- Adjust risk based on crypto volatility.
Common mistakes
- Confusing trailing drawdown with static limits.
- Overtrading after initial profits.
Example
If a trader breaches the 5% daily drawdown limit at FTMO, the challenge fails immediately.
Quick Answer
FTMO typically processes payouts monthly or bi-weekly, while Funded Trading Plus frequently allows weekly payouts depending on program rules.
Why it matters
Payout frequency impacts cash flow for active traders.
How to manage payouts
- Check payout minimum thresholds.
- Confirm payment methods (crypto, bank transfer, etc.).
- Align trading cycles with payout schedules.
Common mistakes
- Assuming payouts are immediate.
- Ignoring eligibility rules.
Example
Funded Trading Plus may allow weekly withdrawals with a $50 minimum, while FTMO payouts typically follow scheduled payout cycles.
Quick Answer
Choose FTMO for structured evaluation and industry reputation, or Funded Trading Plus for flexible challenge types and frequent payouts.
Why it matters
Different funding models suit different trading personalities and strategies.
How to decide
- Consider evaluation style preferences.
- Compare payout frequency needs.
- Evaluate drawdown comfort levels.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a firm based only on profit split percentages.
- Ignoring evaluation rules.
Example
A trader who wants fast withdrawals and flexible challenges might prefer Funded Trading Plus.
- Read official rulebooks carefully.
- Compare fees for similar account sizes.
- Understand static vs trailing drawdown rules.
- Check payout timing and withdrawal methods.
- Practice strategies in demo accounts.
- Budget for potential challenge retakes.
- Understand crypto leverage restrictions.
- Confirm minimum trading day requirements.
- Study profit split tiers and scaling plans.
Can I trade crypto with FTMO?
Yes. FTMO supports cryptocurrency trading along with forex and indices, under the same drawdown rules.
Do profit splits differ between FTMO and Funded Trading Plus?
Yes. FTMO typically scales up to about 90%, while Funded Trading Plus may reach 100% with performance milestones.
Which firm has stricter drawdown rules?
FTMO’s fixed drawdown rules can feel stricter, while Funded Trading Plus offers different drawdown structures depending on the program.
Are payouts faster at Funded Trading Plus?
Often yes. Funded Trading Plus commonly allows weekly withdrawals, while FTMO payouts are typically scheduled monthly or bi-weekly.
Does FTMO require minimum trading days?
Yes. FTMO requires minimum trading days during evaluation phases, while some Funded Trading Plus programs do not.
Is crypto leverage high on prop firms?
Generally no. Crypto leverage at prop firms is often limited (e.g., 1:1 to 1:3) due to volatility.
Are evaluation fees refundable?
Refund policies vary. FTMO often refunds fees after the first payout, and Funded Trading Plus may also refund fees on some programs after qualification.
Does FTMO require two evaluation stages?
Yes. FTMO requires both Challenge and Verification before funding.
This article is for educational purposes only and not financial advice. Cryptocurrency prop trading involves risk, including potential loss of evaluation fees and trading capital. Rules, fees, and availability vary by region and provider, so always review official terms and disclosures before participating.
Recognise the Trigger
- Trigger: You feel ready to choose a firm after seeing one attractive fee, payout split or promotional claim.
- Automatic response: Buy immediately or compare firms from memory.
- Coached response: Pause, verify the current official terms, score the same decision criteria for every firm, and record the date checked.
- Stop condition: Do not proceed when a decisive rule, restriction, fee or payout condition is unclear.
How to Practise the Behaviour
- Write the non-negotiable rules that fit your strategy and market.
- Verify each material claim on the firm’s current official website or terms.
- Compare total cost, drawdown method, trading restrictions, payout conditions and support.
- Score each option using the same criteria; do not change the weighting midway.
- Wait until the next day, review the evidence again, and then decide.
Worked Example
A trader reviewing ftmo vs funded trading plus (crypto): fees, drawdown rules, and payouts compared (2025) notices the trigger before acting. Instead of making an immediate decision, the trader follows the written steps, records the evidence and accepts a no-trade or no-purchase outcome when a required condition is missing. The coaching win is following the process; one profitable or unprofitable result does not prove the rule works.
Common Mistakes and Reset
- Changing the rule after seeing the outcome. Reset by returning to the version written before the decision.
- Treating confidence as evidence. Reset by naming the observable condition that is present or absent.
- Increasing risk to recover time or money. Reset by applying the pre-agreed limit or ending the session.
After a mistake, do not try to repair the outcome with another impulsive action. Record the trigger, step away, and resume only when the checklist and risk conditions are valid again.
Self-Coaching Questions
- What exactly triggered the decision?
- Which observable evidence supported the action?
- Did I respect the risk limit and stop condition?
- What is the one behaviour I will repeat or reset next time?
Sources & Further Reading
- FTMO’s official Trading Objectives — Defines the current objectives and loss limits that must be checked before evaluating an FTMO programme.
- Topstep’s official Trading Combine parameters — Explains the current objectives, loss limit, consistency target and account parameters for Topstep evaluations.
- NFA BASIC registration and disciplinary checks — Shows how to verify US derivatives firms and review regulatory or disciplinary history.
- CFTC’s checks before trading leveraged forex — Provides independent guidance on leverage, counterparties, withdrawals and registration.
- FCA guidance on contracts for difference providers — Sets out risk warnings and retail protections relevant when assessing leveraged trading offers.
Now Practise This Behaviour
Immediate exercise: use the next 10 minutes to complete this practice loop.
- Write the trigger for this behaviour in one sentence.
- Write the coached response and the condition that means stop.
- Apply the rule to one recent chart, decision or firm comparison.
- Record whether you followed the process, without scoring the financial outcome.
Open the 60-Day Challenge Ready
Now practise this behaviour.
