The Academy
Structured education, not a blog pile: two tracks, four levels each - the prop firm business on one side, the craft of trading futures on the other.
37 guides2 tracks100% free
Every guide shows its last-updated date. Guides older than 12 months enter the L3-37 review queue.
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The foundation - 6 min
What is a prop firm - and should you use one?
How proprietary trading firms actually make money, what an evaluation really costs once resets and activation fees are counted, and the honest math of who comes out ahead.
Prop Firm Track
24 guides - L1 to L4L1
The basics
6 guidesGuideWhat Is a Prop Firm? Complete Beginner's GuideProp firms explained: how proprietary trading firms work, who they're for, what they cost and how to pick one. Full 2026 guide, no fluff.6 minUPD FEB 2026GuideProp Firm vs Personal Broker: Why Trade Someone Else's Money?The real advantages (and drawbacks) of using a prop firm instead of risking your own capital.7 minUPD FEB 2026GuideHow Does a Prop Firm Evaluation Work?Step-by-step breakdown of the challenge process โ what's expected, how long it takes, and what happens when you pass.8 minUPD FEB 2026GuideEvaluation vs Funded Account: What Changes?The rules shift once you're funded. Understand the differences in drawdown, payouts, and responsibilities.6 minUPD FEB 2026GuideUnderstanding the Real Costs of Prop TradingEvaluation fees, resets, data subscriptions, hidden charges โ know exactly what you're paying before you start.7 minUPD FEB 2026GuideProp Firm Glossary โ All Terms DefinedComplete glossary of prop firm and futures trading terms. Drawdown, DCA, MAE, activation fee, scaling and payout policy โ all explained simply.10 minUPD FEB 2026
L2
The rules
8 guidesGuideProp Firm Drawdown Explained โ Trailing, Static & EODThe definitive guide to prop firm drawdowns. Learn how trailing, static and EOD drawdowns work, with real examples, visuals and math.9 minUPD FEB 2026GuideProfit Targets: How Much Do You Need to Make?Realistic expectations for passing evaluations โ targets, timeframes, and strategies.7 minUPD FEB 2026GuideConsistency Rules: What They Are and How to Follow ThemSome firms require consistent daily P&L. Learn which ones, why, and how to adapt your strategy.7 minUPD FEB 2026GuideMinimum Trading Days: Why They ExistDon't rush your evaluation. Understand the minimum days requirement and how to meet it without forcing trades.5 minUPD FEB 2026GuideProp Firm Inactivity Rules: The Hidden Account Closure RiskThe quiet rule that can close a funded account even when you are profitable. Learn 7-day vs 30-day inactivity policies, firm examples, and how to avoid accidental breaches.11 minUPD JUL 2026Guide10 Mistakes That Fail 80% of EvaluationsThe most common pitfalls that blow accounts โ and exactly how to avoid each one.9 minUPD FEB 2026GuideChoosing Between Crypto and Futures Prop FirmsCompare evaluation structures, costs, payouts, leverage, and market hours to decide which prop firm category fits your trading style.7 minUPD APR 2026GuideCrypto Prop Firm Red Flags: What to Watch ForWarning signs to spot before choosing a crypto prop firm โ delayed payouts, unrealistic promises, hidden rules, and how to verify legitimacy.8 minUPD APR 2026
L3
Choosing your firm
6 guidesGuideHow to Choose a Prop Firm โ Decision FrameworkStep-by-step framework to pick the right futures prop firm. Based on your capital, style, goals and risk. No fluff, no affiliate bias.8 minUPD FEB 2026GuideWill Prop Firms Pay Profitable Traders?A practical Winner Risk checklist for choosing prop firms that are safer for consistent, profitable traders.8 minUPD MAY 2026GuideTradovate vs Rithmic: Which Platform Should You Pick?The two major futures platforms compared โ features, compatible software, latency, and which firms support what.8 minUPD FEB 2026GuideThe Multi-Account Strategy: 1, 5, or 20 Accounts?Why top traders run multiple funded accounts, how copy trading works, and the limits you need to know.7 minUPD FEB 2026GuideProp Firm Promos: How to Get the Best DealWhen to buy evaluations, recurring sales patterns, promo code stacking, and seasonal deals.6 minUPD FEB 2026GuideOn-Chain vs CEX Crypto Prop Firms ExplainedThe key differences between decentralized (DeFi) and centralized exchange crypto prop firms โ transparency, execution, payouts, and risk.8 minUPD APR 2026
L4
After the evaluation
4 guidesGuideI Passed My Evaluation โ Now What?Your first steps as a funded trader: activation, first trades, and requesting your first payout.7 minUPD FEB 2026GuideThe Complete Payout GuideHow to get paid โ methods, timelines, profit splits, and a quick overview of tax implications.8 minUPD FEB 2026GuideScaling With Prop Firms: From 1 to 20 AccountsThe roadmap to growing your funded capital from a single account to a full portfolio.8 minUPD FEB 2026GuideProp Firm Taxes 101Beginner-friendly guide to prop firm taxes, payouts, deductions, LLC strategies, and record keeping for funded traders.10 minUPD APR 2026
Futures Track
13 guides - L1 to L4L1
Fundamentals
4 guidesGuideFutures Trading 101: The Complete Beginner's GuideEverything you need to know to start trading futures contracts.14 minUPD MAR 2026GuideUnderstanding CME Futures Contracts: NQ, ES, YM, RTY ExplainedContract specs, tick values, margin requirements, and rollover dates explained.13 minUPD MAR 2026GuideMini vs Micro Futures: Which Contract Size Is Right for You?E-mini vs Micro E-mini compared โ sizes, capital needs, and when to trade which.12 minUPD MAR 2026GuideFutures Trading Sessions: When to Trade NQ and ESGlobex hours, regular sessions, and the best times for futures volatility.11 minUPD MAR 2026
L2
Execution and risk
3 guidesGuideEvery Order Type Explained: Market, Limit, Stop, OCO, BracketComplete guide to every futures order type and when to use each one.13 minUPD MAR 2026GuidePosition Sizing for Futures: How to Calculate the Right SizeRisk per trade, dollar per point, and max contracts by account size.12 minUPD MAR 2026GuideRisk Management for Futures Traders: The Complete GuideThe 1-2% rule, daily loss limits, max drawdown, and the math of ruin.14 minUPD MAR 2026
L3
Strategy
3 guidesGuideTrading Journal & Statistics: The Metrics That MatterWin rate, profit factor, expectancy โ how to track and improve performance.13 minUPD MAR 2026GuideScalping NQ Futures: A Practical GuideNQ scalping strategies, setups, risk parameters, and practical examples.14 minUPD MAR 2026GuideSwing Trading ES Futures: Capturing Multi-Day MovesES swing setups, overnight risk management, and multi-day position sizing.13 minUPD MAR 2026
L4
Performance
3 guidesGuideOrder Flow Trading Basics: Reading the Tape for FuturesDOM, volume profile, delta, footprint charts, and how institutions move price.15 minUPD MAR 2026GuideTrading Psychology: Managing Emotions in Futures TradingFOMO, revenge trading, discipline, and tilt management for futures traders.13 minUPD MAR 2026GuideBacktesting Your Futures Strategy: From Hypothesis to DataTools, sample size, overfitting, and walk-forward testing for futures strategies.14 minUPD MAR 2026
Glossary - the terms that confuse beginners
Full glossaryLatest from the blog - analysis and market context
All articles2026-07-23Lucid Trading Tightens Fraud and KYC Checks for New High-Risk RegistrationsLucid Trading is moving KYC earlier for high-risk new users after a rise in payment fraud, false identities, and group hedging. Here is what changes, who is affected, and our take.2026-07-23FunderPro Futures Review 2026: Clean EOD Rules, But A Young Futures TrackFunderPro Futures brings the Malta-based FunderPro brand into futures with Beginner and Mid-Level one-step evaluations, EOD trailing drawdown, soft Daily Pause rules, and daily reward positioning after eligibility.2026-07-23FTUK Futures Review 2026: Instant SIM Funding, Fast Rewards, Strict Holding RulesFTUK Futures brings the FTUK brand into futures SIM trading with Instant SIM Funding, One Step SIM, FTUK XT, on-demand rewards, no minimum trading days and strict no-overnight futures rules.
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