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August 1, 2026 · 5 min read

What Is a Prop Firm, and How Does Funded Trading Work?

A plain-English guide to proprietary trading firms: how funded accounts work, what an evaluation is, and how traders keep up to 90% of the profits.

A proprietary trading firm — a “prop firm” — backs skilled traders with the firm's own capital. Instead of risking your own savings, you prove your skill on an evaluation, and once you pass, you trade a funded account and keep the majority of the profit.

The evaluation

Most firms ask you to hit a profit target while respecting two risk rules: a maximum daily loss and a maximum overall loss. At IXU Capital the target is reached on realized balance, not a momentary spike — a pass only counts once your account has held above the target for a short confirmation window.

Getting funded

Clear the evaluation and you're moved to a funded account under the same rules you agreed to at purchase. From there you trade and request payouts. IXU Capital pays within 5 hours or adds 50% to your payout.

Why traders choose it

  • Trade meaningful size without risking personal capital.
  • Keep up to 90% of the profit you generate.
  • Clear, fixed rules that are locked the moment you buy — they never change under you.

If you're consistent and disciplined, funded trading turns skill into income without the barrier of a large personal account.

Get funded with IXU Capital

Up to $200K · keep up to 90% · paid in 5 hours.

Start a challenge →