Best Prop Firms for US Traders in 2026 — The Short List
If you're a trader based in the United States, you've probably already hit the wall. You find a prop firm that looks great, you read the reviews, you start filling in the signup form — and then you see it. "We do not currently accept residents of the United States."
It's frustrating, and it's a structural issue with how most prop firms are regulated. The good news is that several strong firms do accept US traders — and some of them are genuinely excellent.
Why do so many firms block US traders?
It comes down to regulatory complexity. Offering financial products to US residents triggers a raft of compliance requirements under the CFTC and NFA. Most European and Middle Eastern prop firms make a straightforward business decision to exclude the US market rather than navigate that compliance overhead.
That said, prop firms operate in a grey area — they're not technically offering financial products in the traditional sense, they're offering a performance evaluation. Some firms have taken the view that this puts them outside the regulatory perimeter. The legal picture is still evolving.
The firms that accept US traders
FundingPips — Dubai-based, weekly payouts, news trading allowed. Probably the strongest all-round option for US traders right now. 90% split, MT5 only. Their rapid growth and clean payout record make them easy to recommend.
The5ers — Israel-based, operating since 2016. The only firm on this list offering 100% profit split and no daily loss limit on their Hyper plan. On-demand payouts. If you're a scalper or a news trader who wants maximum flexibility, The5ers is worth serious consideration.
E8 Funding — Actually US-based, founded in Austin in 2021. One of the few firms run from within the US for US traders. Both MT4 and MT5 available. Their drawdown rules are tighter (8% max) but the rule enforcement is consistent and the firm's domestic base gives some traders peace of mind.
Topstep — Chicago-based, the original futures prop firm since 2012. If you trade futures rather than forex — ES, NQ, CL, GC — Topstep is the default recommendation and has been for years. Weekly payouts, multiple platforms including NinjaTrader and TradingView.
What to watch out for
A firm saying they accept US traders doesn't mean they've done the legal groundwork to do so properly. Before you fund, check that the firm has clear terms of service that reference US residents specifically, has a verified payout history with US-based traders, and has been operating for at least 12 months.
The newer a firm is, the more caution you should apply — not because they're necessarily bad, but because there's less data. A firm that's paid out reliably for three years is a different proposition to one that launched six months ago and claims to accept everyone.
The bottom line
US traders have fewer options than their European counterparts, but the options that exist are genuinely solid. FundingPips for forex, Topstep for futures, The5ers if you want 100% split and maximum rule flexibility, E8 if you want a US-domiciled firm with MT4 support.
Use our US-Friendly filter on the All Firms page to see the full filtered list with live data.