A growing number of online proprietary trading firms
are distancing themselves from the traditional prop trading label as they
pursue a fully digital, direct-to-consumer model aimed at a younger global
audience.
Jakub Roz, CEO of For Traders, commented during the iFX
Expo International 2025 that the shift marks a break from legacy firms that
operate trading floors and recruit full-time staff to manage company capital.
“We need to offer a super smooth user
experience, because our customers are usually young people, from all over the
world. They’re used to trading and investing through mobile apps,” Roz said.
Online-Only Firms Embrace Global Retail Audience
Unlike traditional prop trading firms, which often
require a physical presence and in-house training, For Traders reportedly offers individuals funded trading accounts through online evaluations.
The firms typically run performance-based assessments
that determine whether traders qualify for access to company capital. All
interactions, from onboarding to account management, take place online.
“(Young traders) are used to the modern digital world.
So, I think we all need to be prepared for that, and we have to do things
differently from the traditional prop firm model. It’s a different setup, a
different model… but yes, I completely agree.”
User Experience Becomes a Core Focus
The pivot toward a retail audience has forced online
firms to prioritize smooth and intuitive user experiences. Many of their
clients are digital natives who expect interfaces similar to consumer fintech
platforms. The strategy contrasts sharply with traditional firms,
which tend to focus on internal processes rather than retail-facing platforms.
The distinction reflects a broader evolution in the
proprietary trading space, as firms adapt to a new generation of self-directed
traders and a market that increasingly favors remote-first solutions.
More from iFX Expo International 2025: “Automation Will Benefit From AI in Client Onboarding,” Experts Say at iFX EXPO International 2025
Roz remarks are corroborated by a recent by the Business Times,
which noted that a new generation of wealthy investors is pushing Wall Street
to rethink how it delivers returns.
Raised amid economic instability and empowered by digital
platforms, affluent Millennials and Gen Z are bypassing traditional
stock-and-bond portfolios in favor of alternative assets—from pre-IPO startups
and real estate to crypto and collectibles.
Demand for Alternatives Gains Ground
This shift has reportedly prompted private banks, fintechs,
and asset managers to overhaul their offerings. At Bank of America, the number
of retail clients holding alternative assets has more than doubled since 2020.
The firm now adds about 50 new funds to its platform each year to meet rising
demand.
The report cited BofA’s most recent biennial study, which highlighted
that 73% of wealthy investors under the age of 43 believe a traditional 60/40
portfolio won’t produce above-average returns in the future. About 93% of this group plans to raise their allocation to
alternatives in the coming years.
A growing number of online proprietary trading firms
are distancing themselves from the traditional prop trading label as they
pursue a fully digital, direct-to-consumer model aimed at a younger global
audience.
Jakub Roz, CEO of For Traders, commented during the iFX
Expo International 2025 that the shift marks a break from legacy firms that
operate trading floors and recruit full-time staff to manage company capital.
“We need to offer a super smooth user
experience, because our customers are usually young people, from all over the
world. They’re used to trading and investing through mobile apps,” Roz said.
Online-Only Firms Embrace Global Retail Audience
Unlike traditional prop trading firms, which often
require a physical presence and in-house training, For Traders reportedly offers individuals funded trading accounts through online evaluations.
The firms typically run performance-based assessments
that determine whether traders qualify for access to company capital. All
interactions, from onboarding to account management, take place online.
“(Young traders) are used to the modern digital world.
So, I think we all need to be prepared for that, and we have to do things
differently from the traditional prop firm model. It’s a different setup, a
different model… but yes, I completely agree.”
User Experience Becomes a Core Focus
The pivot toward a retail audience has forced online
firms to prioritize smooth and intuitive user experiences. Many of their
clients are digital natives who expect interfaces similar to consumer fintech
platforms. The strategy contrasts sharply with traditional firms,
which tend to focus on internal processes rather than retail-facing platforms.
The distinction reflects a broader evolution in the
proprietary trading space, as firms adapt to a new generation of self-directed
traders and a market that increasingly favors remote-first solutions.
More from iFX Expo International 2025: “Automation Will Benefit From AI in Client Onboarding,” Experts Say at iFX EXPO International 2025
Roz remarks are corroborated by a recent by the Business Times,
which noted that a new generation of wealthy investors is pushing Wall Street
to rethink how it delivers returns.
Raised amid economic instability and empowered by digital
platforms, affluent Millennials and Gen Z are bypassing traditional
stock-and-bond portfolios in favor of alternative assets—from pre-IPO startups
and real estate to crypto and collectibles.
Demand for Alternatives Gains Ground
This shift has reportedly prompted private banks, fintechs,
and asset managers to overhaul their offerings. At Bank of America, the number
of retail clients holding alternative assets has more than doubled since 2020.
The firm now adds about 50 new funds to its platform each year to meet rising
demand.
The report cited BofA’s most recent biennial study, which highlighted
that 73% of wealthy investors under the age of 43 believe a traditional 60/40
portfolio won’t produce above-average returns in the future. About 93% of this group plans to raise their allocation to
alternatives in the coming years.
This post is originally published on FINANCEMAGNATES.
