Which prop firms allow traders to work fully remotely and what are the pros and cons of this arrangement?

Summary: Can You Really Trade Remotely with Top Prop Firms? If you’ve ever wondered whether you can join a leading proprietary trading firm and work from your own living room, you’re not alone. Remote trading has exploded in popularity, especially since the pandemic, but does it really work with elite prop firms? In this article, I’ll break down the reality of remote trading opportunities at top-tier prop shops, share a few real-life stories, and give you a no-nonsense comparison of the rules and experiences across different countries. I’ll also throw in a case study of how cross-border regulations can trip up even experienced traders, plus a table comparing various “verified trade” standards worldwide. By the end, you’ll have a clearer view of whether remote prop trading is a dream, a reality, or something in between—and how to actually get started if you decide to try. What Problem Does Remote Prop Trading Actually Solve? Let’s face it: not all of us want to commute to a downtown office, especially if we don’t live in a major financial center. When I started looking into proprietary trading firms, I was working from a small apartment in eastern Europe. The big question was—could I join a top U.S. or UK-based prop firm and still trade from my home setup? Remote prop trading promises to break down geographical barriers and democratize access to institutional-grade trading resources. But is the reality as good as the pitch? How Remote Trading with Top Proprietary Firms Works—Step by Step (With Real Screenshots) Here’s how the process usually goes, based on my own journey and conversations with traders from several firms: Application & Evaluation: Most prop firms—like FTMO, Topstep, and MyForexFunds—require you to pass an evaluation or “challenge.” I signed up with FTMO and got a login for their remote trading platform, which looks like this: You set up your own MetaTrader or cTrader at home, and the firm tracks your trades in real time. KYC & Compliance: Here’s where things get tricky. Firms have to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. I had to upload my passport and proof of address, which took a day or two to verify. Some traders report waiting weeks if their country is flagged as “high risk.” Getting Funded & Trading Remotely: Once you pass the challenge, you’re given access to a funded account. With FTMO, I was trading remotely from my laptop, but all trades were routed through their servers in Prague. This matters: your IP, latency, and even broker execution can be influenced by your location. Profit Sharing & Payouts: Profits are split (often 70/30 or 80/20 in your favor), but you’re still an independent contractor. Payouts are made through wire transfer or digital wallet, but I learned the hard way that if your country has strict currency controls, you might face delays or extra verification. Quick story: I once tried to trade with a small U.S.-based prop firm but was blocked during KYC because they didn’t accept applications from my country. Lesson: always check the fine print. Which Prop Firms Actually Allow Fully Remote Trading? Not all proprietary trading firms are created equal. “Full remote” means you never have to set foot in an office or even live in the same country. Here are some of the most accessible names: FTMO – Perhaps the best-known for remote forex and CFD trading. They support traders in over 180 countries, provided you pass their evaluation and KYC. Topstep – Focuses on futures trading; you can trade entirely from home, but certain regions may be restricted due to U.S. regulations. The Funded Trader – Similar model to FTMO, also fully remote, but with a slightly different payout structure and challenge rules. MyForexFunds – Used to be very popular, but faced regulatory issues in late 2023. Always check for up-to-date status with the NFA or CFTC. Jane Street, Optiver, IMC, DRW – These “traditional” elite quant firms may offer remote work, but mainly for developers or support roles. Their trading desks usually require in-office presence, especially in New York, Chicago, London, or Amsterdam. Pros and Cons of Remote Proprietary Trading From personal experience and dozens of interviews with prop traders, here’s what stands out: Pros: Work from anywhere (home, cafe, or even travel—if your internet is stable!) Access to institutional-level capital without relocating No commute, and flexible hours (for most models) Exposure to global trading styles—some firms even run webinars and Discord communities for remote traders Cons: Isolation: no trading floor buzz, slower learning curve Latency or execution issues, especially for high-frequency strategies Regulatory headaches (KYC, payout restrictions, tax reporting) Less mentorship; you’re expected to be self-driven Some firms have tight drawdown limits and strict rules—break one, and you’re out Expert View: As one ex-Jane Street quant put it on Wall Street Oasis: “Remote trading works for retail-style strategies, but if you want to learn the real institutional game, being on the desk matters. Still, for most people, remote is the only way in.” International “Verified Trade” Standards: A Comparison Table Here’s a quick comparison of how different countries’ regulations impact remote prop trading—especially regarding “verified trades” and compliance. Data is sourced from OECD and USTR reports. Country Verified Trade Standard Name Legal Basis Enforcement Body Note for Remote Traders USA NFA Trade Audit Trail Commodity Exchange Act CFTC, NFA Tight KYC; some regions blocked EU MiFID II Reporting MiFID II Directive ESMA, Local regulators Easier for EEA residents; strict data rules UK FCA Transaction Reporting Financial Services and Markets Act FCA Remote OK if FCA-registered Singapore MAS Trade Verification Securities and Futures Act MAS Popular for Asia-based traders Australia ASIC Reporting Corporations Act ASIC Remote access, but strict AML Case Study: Cross-Border Regulatory Friction in Remote Prop Trading A friend (let’s call him “Alex”) living in South Africa tried to join Topstep. He aced the initial challenge, but when it came time for payout, the U.S. bank involved froze the wire transfer for “further verification.” It turned out that his country was flagged for enhanced due diligence under U.S. Treasury rules (source). He had to submit extra tax documents and a letter from his local bank—delaying his payout by over a month. This highlights a key point: remote prop trading is as much about navigating compliance as it is about trading skill. Different firms have different risk appetites, and some simply block high-risk countries altogether. Industry Expert Insights I reached out to a compliance officer at a mid-sized London prop firm, who told me: “About 70% of our new trader applications are now remote. But we spend more time on KYC than ever before. If someone is in a sanctioned country, we just have to say no—even if they’re a great trader.” On the flip side, a veteran at FTMO commented in a Forex Factory forum thread: “Remote trading lets us tap global talent, but we’re constantly updating our compliance rules. The biggest challenge is keeping up with the patchwork of regulations.” Conclusion & Next Steps So, can you trade remotely with a top proprietary trading firm? Absolutely—provided you clear their evaluation, pass KYC, and aren’t tripped up by cross-border regulations. The best fully remote options are FTMO, Topstep, and similar “funded account” platforms. But the process isn’t always smooth: be ready for compliance checks, payout delays, and minimal hand-holding. My advice? Start with a demo or evaluation account, double-check your country’s eligibility, and ask questions in public trader forums before committing. If you value flexibility and are self-motivated, remote prop trading can be a game-changer. If you want deep mentorship and access to quant-style trading, an in-office role might still be the gold standard. For more on international financial regulations and prop trading compliance, see the official guides from OECD and USTR.

Kingly's answer to: Are remote trading options available with top proprietary trading firms?

Summary: Can You Really Trade Remotely with Top Prop Firms?

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can join a leading proprietary trading firm and work from your own living room, you’re not alone. Remote trading has exploded in popularity, especially since the pandemic, but does it really work with elite prop firms? In this article, I’ll break down the reality of remote trading opportunities at top-tier prop shops, share a few real-life stories, and give you a no-nonsense comparison of the rules and experiences across different countries. I’ll also throw in a case study of how cross-border regulations can trip up even experienced traders, plus a table comparing various “verified trade” standards worldwide. By the end, you’ll have a clearer view of whether remote prop trading is a dream, a reality, or something in between—and how to actually get started if you decide to try.

What Problem Does Remote Prop Trading Actually Solve?

Let’s face it: not all of us want to commute to a downtown office, especially if we don’t live in a major financial center. When I started looking into proprietary trading firms, I was working from a small apartment in eastern Europe. The big question was—could I join a top U.S. or UK-based prop firm and still trade from my home setup? Remote prop trading promises to break down geographical barriers and democratize access to institutional-grade trading resources. But is the reality as good as the pitch?

How Remote Trading with Top Proprietary Firms Works—Step by Step (With Real Screenshots)

Here’s how the process usually goes, based on my own journey and conversations with traders from several firms:

Application & Evaluation: Most prop firms—like FTMO, Topstep, and MyForexFunds—require you to pass an evaluation or “challenge.” I signed up with FTMO and got a login for their remote trading platform, which looks like this: You set up your own MetaTrader or cTrader at home, and the firm tracks your trades in real time.
KYC & Compliance: Here’s where things get tricky. Firms have to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. I had to upload my passport and proof of address, which took a day or two to verify. Some traders report waiting weeks if their country is flagged as “high risk.”
Getting Funded & Trading Remotely: Once you pass the challenge, you’re given access to a funded account. With FTMO, I was trading remotely from my laptop, but all trades were routed through their servers in Prague. This matters: your IP, latency, and even broker execution can be influenced by your location.
Profit Sharing & Payouts: Profits are split (often 70/30 or 80/20 in your favor), but you’re still an independent contractor. Payouts are made through wire transfer or digital wallet, but I learned the hard way that if your country has strict currency controls, you might face delays or extra verification.

Quick story: I once tried to trade with a small U.S.-based prop firm but was blocked during KYC because they didn’t accept applications from my country. Lesson: always check the fine print.

Which Prop Firms Actually Allow Fully Remote Trading?

Not all proprietary trading firms are created equal. “Full remote” means you never have to set foot in an office or even live in the same country. Here are some of the most accessible names:

FTMO – Perhaps the best-known for remote forex and CFD trading. They support traders in over 180 countries, provided you pass their evaluation and KYC.
Topstep – Focuses on futures trading; you can trade entirely from home, but certain regions may be restricted due to U.S. regulations.
The Funded Trader – Similar model to FTMO, also fully remote, but with a slightly different payout structure and challenge rules.
MyForexFunds – Used to be very popular, but faced regulatory issues in late 2023. Always check for up-to-date status with the NFA or CFTC.
Jane Street, Optiver, IMC, DRW – These “traditional” elite quant firms may offer remote work, but mainly for developers or support roles. Their trading desks usually require in-office presence, especially in New York, Chicago, London, or Amsterdam.

Pros and Cons of Remote Proprietary Trading

From personal experience and dozens of interviews with prop traders, here’s what stands out:

Pros:

Work from anywhere (home, cafe, or even travel—if your internet is stable!)
Access to institutional-level capital without relocating
No commute, and flexible hours (for most models)
Exposure to global trading styles—some firms even run webinars and Discord communities for remote traders

Cons:

Isolation: no trading floor buzz, slower learning curve
Latency or execution issues, especially for high-frequency strategies
Regulatory headaches (KYC, payout restrictions, tax reporting)
Less mentorship; you’re expected to be self-driven
Some firms have tight drawdown limits and strict rules—break one, and you’re out

Expert View: As one ex-Jane Street quant put it on Wall Street Oasis: “Remote trading works for retail-style strategies, but if you want to learn the real institutional game, being on the desk matters. Still, for most people, remote is the only way in.”

International “Verified Trade” Standards: A Comparison Table

Here’s a quick comparison of how different countries’ regulations impact remote prop trading—especially regarding “verified trades” and compliance. Data is sourced from OECD and USTR reports.

Country	Verified Trade Standard Name	Legal Basis	Enforcement Body	Note for Remote Traders
USA	NFA Trade Audit Trail	Commodity Exchange Act	CFTC, NFA	Tight KYC; some regions blocked
EU	MiFID II Reporting	MiFID II Directive	ESMA, Local regulators	Easier for EEA residents; strict data rules
UK	FCA Transaction Reporting	Financial Services and Markets Act	FCA	Remote OK if FCA-registered
Singapore	MAS Trade Verification	Securities and Futures Act	MAS	Popular for Asia-based traders
Australia	ASIC Reporting	Corporations Act	ASIC	Remote access, but strict AML

Case Study: Cross-Border Regulatory Friction in Remote Prop Trading

A friend (let’s call him “Alex”) living in South Africa tried to join Topstep. He aced the initial challenge, but when it came time for payout, the U.S. bank involved froze the wire transfer for “further verification.” It turned out that his country was flagged for enhanced due diligence under U.S. Treasury rules (source). He had to submit extra tax documents and a letter from his local bank—delaying his payout by over a month.

This highlights a key point: remote prop trading is as much about navigating compliance as it is about trading skill. Different firms have different risk appetites, and some simply block high-risk countries altogether.

Industry Expert Insights

I reached out to a compliance officer at a mid-sized London prop firm, who told me: “About 70% of our new trader applications are now remote. But we spend more time on KYC than ever before. If someone is in a sanctioned country, we just have to say no—even if they’re a great trader.”

On the flip side, a veteran at FTMO commented in a Forex Factory forum thread: “Remote trading lets us tap global talent, but we’re constantly updating our compliance rules. The biggest challenge is keeping up with the patchwork of regulations.”

Conclusion & Next Steps

So, can you trade remotely with a top proprietary trading firm? Absolutely—provided you clear their evaluation, pass KYC, and aren’t tripped up by cross-border regulations. The best fully remote options are FTMO, Topstep, and similar “funded account” platforms. But the process isn’t always smooth: be ready for compliance checks, payout delays, and minimal hand-holding.

My advice? Start with a demo or evaluation account, double-check your country’s eligibility, and ask questions in public trader forums before committing. If you value flexibility and are self-motivated, remote prop trading can be a game-changer. If you want deep mentorship and access to quant-style trading, an in-office role might still be the gold standard.

For more on international financial regulations and prop trading compliance, see the official guides from OECD and USTR.