A New Trading Frontier
As the worlds of proprietary trading and social investing collide, a new hybrid model is emerging—one that blends the rigor of prop trading evaluations with the accessibility and community spirit of copy trading. These innovative firms are rewriting the rules by offering traders a dual opportunity: earn a funded account and monetize their trading style through followers.
Why This Model Works
Traditional prop firms focus on skill assessment, providing capital to traders who prove themselves through challenges. Copy trading, on the other hand, empowers beginners to follow and replicate the trades of seasoned pros. By combining the two, hybrid firms give skilled traders visibility and rewards, while offering novices a low-barrier entry into active trading.
This fusion creates a self-sustaining ecosystem:
- Traders benefit from both profit splits and follower commissions.
- Investors gain access to vetted, proven traders.
- Firms scale faster by leveraging social proof and performance.
Real-World Examples: Who’s Leading the Charge
MyFundedFX & TradeLocker
MyFundedFX, a prop firm using TradeLocker as one of its platforms, is expected to introduce trade copying features soon. The feature is currently in development based on user demand and will allow top-performing funded traders to become signal providers, blending prop rewards with influencer-style reach.
FundedNext with CopyTrade Integration
FundedNext allows limited copy trading between the same trader’s accounts, particularly within their Challenge setups. While copy trading between Challenge and Trade Master Cup accounts is restricted to ensure fairness, the platform is showing interest in broader copy trade features in the future.
GOAT Funded Trader – Already Copy-Enabled
GOAT Funded Trader has launched the MTJ Copier, a powerful tool that supports copy trading across multiple platforms including cTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradeLocker. Traders can now mirror their trades across multiple accounts (owned by themselves) with features like custom SL/TP, trailing stop, partial close, and even reverse trading. This tool offers a flexible infrastructure for prop traders looking to scale or automate their strategies. It’s a strong example of a firm actively embracing hybrid functionality.
TopStep’s Investor Program
While not pure copy trading, TopStep’s “Investor Program” allows qualified traders to connect with external investors once they’ve proven their consistency. This bridges the gap between internal prop funding and external capital management.
The Benefits and Challenges
This model brings clear advantages:
- Increased monetization for traders beyond just profit splits.
- Community-building through trader visibility and transparency.
- Stronger firm branding, as high-performing traders become ambassadors.
But there are also challenges:
- Risk management becomes more complex with real-money followers.
- Transparency and trust must be maintained to avoid misleading copy traders.
- Regulatory oversight might increase, especially if profit-sharing with followers blurs into asset management territory.
Looking Ahead: Is This the Future of Trading?
Hybrid prop-copy firms are still in their early stages, but the momentum is undeniable. With the rise of fintech platforms and social finance culture, traders are not just looking to trade—they want to be seen. These models reward visibility, performance, and consistency, offering multiple revenue streams for those who stand out.
As more firms embrace this evolution, the line between trader and influencer is set to blur—giving rise to a new kind of market professional: the social prop trader.
