Prop trading firms are moving into exchange-traded futures. Some are building from scratch, while others are expanding with broker infrastructure they already control.

The line between prop firm, broker, and platform is getting harder to define, and that’s not by accident. As access to capital becomes more commoditised and traders grow more demanding about pricing, execution, and transparency, we’re now seeing a major shift: prop firms, including those with brokerage infrastructure, are launching dedicated futures brands or expanding into futures using systems they already control.

This isn’t just a pivot to a new asset class. It’s a strategic move that reflects how the industry is developing.

From Synthetic to Exchange-Traded

For years, the growth of retail trading was fueled by CFD brokers. They offered low capital entry, leverage, and global access, but always through synthetic pricing models, with order flow handled internally. This model worked for traders who valued simplicity over structure. But over time, more traders began looking for deeper access, tighter execution, and live market fills, especially those moving into high-frequency, volume-based, or scalping strategies.

At the same time, futures trading became more accessible. Exchanges like CME Group reduced barriers with micros, minis, and lower margin requirements. Platforms improved. Clearing brokers became more competitive on fees and onboarding. The result was a new wave of retail futures traders who understood structure and wanted exposure to exchange-traded markets.

And the top prop firms, especially those that started with CFD evaluation models, took notice.

Broker-Backed Futures Firms: A Clear Pattern

We’re now seeing firms either launch futures branches or build from the ground up around a broker-first structure.

  • FundedNext Futures (FN Futures) launched as a separate futures offering alongside the firm’s original CFD prop model. The group also built Next-Gen Broker, giving them control over pricing, routing, and capital access across both sides of the business.
  • Fxify Futures took a similar route. Fxify was broker-backed from the start, and its futures expansion allows the firm to deliver exchange access without relying on third-party evaluation technology.
  • Seacrest Trading, which runs MyFundedFutures, is operated by an NFA-registered broker. Their model connects traders directly to CME Group markets through a funded evaluation system that resembles institutional prop structures more than retail challenges.
  • GFF Brokers and GFT Futures are established U.S. clearing firms now offering funded futures programs. These are not synthetic environments. They are built on real market execution, regulated clearing, and standardised contract terms.

Each of these models is slightly different, but the direction is consistent. More and more prop trading firms are combining funding with direct execution by owning or operating the infrastructure themselves.

Why This Is the Logical Progression

For firms, there is a clear business case. Owning the brokerage layer removes dependence on third-party tech, cuts platform licensing costs, and allows better control over margins and risk.

For traders, the value is in structure and clarity. Execution happens on exchange. Margin rules are fixed. Performance is tied to real fills, not back-end simulations. That transparency is now a key differentiator.

“The most serious traders want access to real markets, not simulations,” says Noam Korbl, co-founder of the leading prop firm comparison site, Best Prop Firms. “The firms moving into futures aren’t doing it for show. They’re aligning with where the most profitable traders want to be.”

What This Tells Us About the Future of Prop Trading

This trend suggests that prop trading is shifting from retail workaround to established service model. It is no longer just a gateway for undercapitalised traders. It is becoming an operational model that blends capital, brokerage, and execution under one roof.

The prop firms in the USA that own their stack with brokerage, clearing, infrastructure, and capital are now in the strongest position to grow. The futures space is showing what the next generation of prop trading might look like. And it’s already taking shape.

This industry announcement article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.