FundingTicks, the futures-focused prop firm backed by FundingPips, shut down permanently in January 2026. The closure came just five months after launch, following a backlash over retroactive rule changes that wiped profits from active trader accounts.
If you traded with FundingTicks, here is what went wrong and where futures traders should look next.
Timeline of Events
- March 2025 — FundingPips announces FundingTicks as a new futures brand
- July 2025 — FundingTicks launches with CME, NYMEX, COMEX, and CBOT futures
- October 2025 — Trustpilot rating sits at 4.1 with 1,000+ reviews
- 17 December 2025 — Retroactive rule changes applied to all accounts
- Late December 2025 — Trustpilot crashes from 4.1 to 3.2; PropFirmMatch delists the firm
- 18 January 2026 — Full wind-down announced
- 31 January 2026 — Support team availability ends
Five months from launch to closure. That is fast, even by prop firm standards.
What Went Wrong
The trigger was a set of rule changes announced on 17 December 2025 and applied retroactively to every existing account.
The changes:
- New 1-minute minimum trade hold time (previously none) — profits from sub-1-minute trades deducted, including trades placed before the rule existed
- Daily profit minimum raised from $150 to $200
- Required profitable days increased from 5 to 6
- Profit split cut from 90% to 80%
- Withdrawals reduced and capped
The retroactive application was the breaking point. Traders reported profitable days deleted overnight, accounts breached after already qualifying, and accounts closed after hitting payout targets.
One trader described logging in to find a $3,200 profit reduced to $751.62. Another pointed out that the NASDAQ can move 10-12 points in under a minute — real profit that was now being treated as a violation.
Trustpilot scores collapsed. PropFirmMatch, a major comparison platform, delisted FundingTicks entirely. Affiliates and educators publicly distanced themselves. The word "rug pull" appeared across social media.
A month later, FundingTicks announced a full shutdown.
How They Handled the Closure
To their credit, the wind-down process was structured. Benzinga described it as a model for "how to wind down a prop firm's operations the right way." FundingTicks paid $30 million in rewards to traders during the closure.
The refund structure by account type:
- Evaluation accounts — Full refund regardless of profit or drawdown status
- Master accounts (targets met) — Full refund plus 80% reward split
- Master accounts (targets not met) — Full refund plus 20% reward split
- Live accounts in profit — Refund plus 90% of realised profit plus 20% of initial balance
- Live accounts at break-even — Refund plus 20% of initial balance
- Live accounts in loss — Refund only
That said, the retroactive rule changes had already breached and invalidated many accounts before the structured wind-down began. Traders who lost profits in December never got them back.
FundingPips, the CFD sister firm, continues operating separately.
Warning Signs to Learn From
FundingTicks followed a pattern that has repeated across dozens of failed prop firms:
- Aggressive pricing to acquire traders fast
- Rapid scaling without matching operational infrastructure — five months from launch to collapse
- Retroactive rule changes — the single clearest red flag in the industry
- Profit cuts and withdrawal caps — classic pre-closure behaviour
- Heavy influencer marketing without the operational maturity to back it up
If a prop firm changes its rules and applies them backwards to existing accounts, treat that as an exit signal.
5 Futures Prop Firm Alternatives
FundingTicks served futures traders specifically. These alternatives all support CME Group markets.
1. Topstep
The original futures prop firm, operating since 2012 with over $1.1 billion paid out.
- Profit split: 90/10
- Cost: $49-$149/month subscription plus $149 activation fee
- Evaluation: Single-step Trading Combine
- Payout: Daily requests, 1-3 day processing
- Platforms: Rithmic, Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Sierra Chart
Topstep's subscription model means no large upfront fee — a lower-risk entry point than most competitors.
2. Apex Trader Funding
Known for aggressive discount sales (70-90% off regularly) and a simplified rule set.
- Profit split: 100% on first $25,000, then 90/10
- Cost: One-time payment (no recurring fees as of March 2026)
- Payout: Weekly, 6-step ladder system
- Profit target: 6% of starting balance
- Accounts: Up to 20 simultaneous accounts allowed
Apex removed its MAE rule, 5:1 risk/reward restriction, and video review requirements in March 2026 — significantly streamlining the funded phase.
3. Bulenox
Straightforward futures evaluations with weekly payouts every Wednesday.
- Profit split: 90/10 from first payout
- Cost: $115-$535/month depending on account size ($10K-$250K)
- Activation fee: ~$148 for a $50K account
- Instruments: 42 futures instruments across CME, NYMEX, COMEX, CBOT
- Consistency rule: 40%
4. My Funded Futures
No activation fees on any plan — a notable advantage over competitors.
- Profit split: 80% (Core), 90% (Scale/Pro); first $10K at 100% on Scale/Pro
- Cost: From $77/month (Core $50K)
- Payout: Every 5 winning days (Core) or every 14 days (Pro)
- Minimum payout: $250 (Core), $1,000 (Pro)
5. Take Profit Trader
Fastest payout processing in the futures prop firm space with daily withdrawals from day one.
- Profit split: 80/20 (PRO), 90/10 (PRO+)
- Cost: From $170/month ($50K account)
- Payout: Daily, no waiting periods, no minimum profitable days
- Trustpilot: 4.4/5 from 8,751 reviews
- PRO+ upgrade: Available after $5K in profits
For more on the prop firm market in 2026, see our coverage of the MyFundedFX shutdown, the FTMO 1-Step Challenge launch, and the latest FCA warning list updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did FundingTicks shut down?
FundingTicks introduced retroactive rule changes in December 2025 that caused mass backlash, Trustpilot score collapse, and delisting from PropFirmMatch. The firm announced a full wind-down in January 2026.
Did FundingTicks issue refunds?
Yes. The firm paid $30 million during the closure process with a structured refund plan based on account type. However, profits lost to retroactive rule changes before the wind-down were not restored.
Is FundingPips still operating?
Yes. FundingPips (the CFD prop firm) continues operating separately. Only FundingTicks (the futures arm) shut down.
What is the best alternative to FundingTicks?
Topstep is the safest choice with $1.1 billion paid out since 2012. Apex Trader Funding offers the most aggressive pricing with frequent 70-90% discount sales. Take Profit Trader has the fastest payouts.
Are futures prop firms safe in 2026?
The futures prop firm market is smaller and more stable than CFD prop firms, but risk remains. Prioritise firms with multi-year track records and NFA registration where applicable.
What should I look for after a prop firm closes?
Check payout history (years, not months), Trustpilot rating trends, rule stability (no retroactive changes), and whether the firm has regulatory ties. Avoid firms offering unsustainably low challenge prices.