Proprietary trading gaining traction among investors

Khaleej Times

10-03-2025

The financial industry is the backbone of the global economy, as all industries connect back to it. It also serves as a measure of the financial health of other industries. Hence, its importance and potential is massive. A crucial part of this vast industry is trading which is the sale and purchase of financial instruments.
Many businesses are involved in the trade of financial instruments, each using different models to operate. A popular and up-and-coming model is proprietary trading. This model has existed before the 1970s and has recently gained immense traction.
'Traders must demonstrate consistency, discipline, and proper risk management to get funded. Passing the evaluation challenge is more than just hitting a profit target, it's also about proving that you're a responsible trader while staying within the risk parameters,' said Sean Bainton, 21-year-old British founder and CEO of two proprietary firms - Blue Guardian and Aqua Funded.
Bainton's journey started early off during his teen years when Funded Trader Management Organisation (FTMO) was the only player in the retail-focused proprietary trading industry.
Excerpts from an interview:
What inspired you to start your proprietary trading firm?
Growing up in a humble household, where my mother worked tirelessly as a teacher, gave me a front-row seat to the value of hard work and sacrifice. Watching her dedicate herself to shaping the future of others made me determined to do whatever it took to give back.
When I was 15, I came across a trading guru while scrolling on social media, he was living an amazing life with exotic cars and luxury watches, and I was curious about how he managed to achieve this. He was offering an online trading course in the forex market, I was eager to learn so I saved up £250 after my birthday and enrolled in his course. After learning the basics of trading I started to pursue more in-depth courses and learn about trading algorithms.
I had created several automated trading algorithms by the time I was 17, and had sold them online while also using them to pass FTMO proprietary firm challenges. At the time FTMO was the most popular proprietary firm but I noticed points where it could improve.
I identified its restrictive and expensive model and decided to create Blue Guardian. With the money I had earned selling algorithms and the gift money I received when I turned 18, I started a proprietary trading firm that was more accessible with cheaper pricing.
How has your journey in the industry shaped your approach to running a proprietary firm?
It's all about staying focused and making decisions based on logic, not emotion. I rely on data, experience, and a strong team to ensure every move aligns with our long-term growth.
I don't get caught up in short-term setbacks or outside noise. The focus is execution and adaptability, adjusting when needed but never reacting impulsively. Having a clear vision of the business's direction keeps everything in perspective. And if there's pressure, I take it as a sign that I am doing something big. You either use it to level up or let it break you, I choose the first.
What key factors do you consider when evaluating traders for funding? How do you differentiate between a truly skilled trader and one who simply got lucky during a challenge?
We measure the key factors by assessing controlled drawdowns, steady performance, and the ability to handle different market conditions. Traders who take reckless risks or rely on luck won't last, but those who show patience and smart trading habits have the opportunity to scale and grow with the firm.
And these are the key differences between a skilled trader and a fluke winner. Someone who just got lucky usually takes excessive risks relies on a few big trades, and has no clear strategy.
What's the biggest mistake you see traders make in challenges, and what advice would you give them?
Most traders and business owners fail because they focus on making money instead of protecting capital. In trading, that means controlling drawdowns and avoiding reckless decisions.
Success isn't about how much you make, it's about how long you can stay in the game. Those who focus on consistency, discipline, and long-term growth will always outlast those looking for shortcuts. Master risk management first, everything else comes second.
Transparency in withdrawals and payouts is a common concern among traders. How does your firm ensure fair profit distribution, and have you introduced any innovations in the standard industry profit split model?
Since the profit split model is the defining aspect of proprietary trading, it has to be fair and sustainable for both the trader and the firm. Many firms offer high-profit splits but make it difficult for traders to actually reach payouts due to unrealistic targets or hidden restrictions that push traders to keep buying challenges.
We take a different approach by ensuring clear, transparent conditions and smooth withdrawals so traders can actually benefit from their profits. We also offer one of the most competitive profit splits in the industry.
Instead of limiting traders with unnecessary rules, we create a system that rewards skill and consistency. At the core, we keep things simple: help traders succeed, pay them on time, and build a sustainable firm that lasts.
The forex and futures markets are becoming increasingly competitive. What are some unique challenges proprietary firms face today, and how do you stay ahead in this evolving landscape?
The biggest challenge is staying ahead in a market that's growing fast and becoming more competitive. More proprietary firms are entering the space, but not all of them are built to last. Many rely on restrictive rules or unclear payout structures, which damages trust in the industry. Standing out requires offering real value to traders, not just another challenge model.
Another challenge would be adapting to changing regulations while keeping the business scalable. Many firms operate in a grey area, but as the industry grows, more scrutiny is being placed, and firms that aren't structured properly will struggle to adapt.
Having expanded to the UAE, we also have to consider the local financial regulations. We stay ahead by working with legal experts, keeping clear policies, and ensuring our model aligns with evolving regulations. A proprietary firm that doesn't prepare for future regulations won't last. We focus on building a business structured for long-term success, no matter how the industry evolves.
With firms like MFF and FTMO dominating the space, what's your strategy for standing out and competing at a global level?
We're competing by offering more flexibility, faster payouts, lower costs, and a trader-focused model that makes funding more accessible. We've introduced cheaper pricing and instant funding, allowing traders to get capital without hitting a profit target, by proving consistency which is something I have been emphasising for the start of this interview.
Beyond that, we've built a massive community with over 150,000 traders, something most firms overlook. Engaging directly with traders, providing education, and creating a strong support system gives us an edge.
While MFF and FTMO are established, the industry is evolving, we're working on setting new standards. Traders want a firm that's built for them, and that's exactly what we deliver.
Where do you see the proprietary trading industry heading in the next five years? Are there any emerging trends or technologies you believe will reshape the space?
The industry is evolving fast, and in the next five years, proprietary trading will become more accessible, competitive, and regulated. Funding models will continue to shift towards faster and more flexible options, like instant funding, making it easier for traders to get capital without long evaluation processes.
Technology will also change how firms operate, AI for example, is already reshaping the industry, we're actively exploring ways to integrate it across the entire trading space in a way that could be revolutionary.
Then we have algorithm trading which continues to shape the markets. Looking ahead we see AI playing an even bigger role, not just in how proprietary firms operate but in how traders interact with the markets.
What are your long-term goals, and how do you plan to scale or evolve in the coming years?
We will launch our brokerage firm soon, the Aqua Markets and Guardian Markets, they are designed to give traders a full ecosystem. Traders can start with zero capital through the proprietary firm, grow their funds, and then invest their profits into a trusted broker with no restrictions.
The goal is to provide the same great conditions and execution traders experience with our proprietary firms but with the freedom to trade with their own money.
What's next for you personally in the trading industry?
I see the businesses expanding into new markets and becoming even more dominant in the proprietary trading space. The goal is to keep growing fast while staying sustainable, making sure traders always have the best opportunities and conditions.
I want to keep pushing boundaries, scaling the businesses, and making sure we stay ahead of the industry. The plan is simple: keep building, keep innovating, and keep winning.