Malaysian retail broker TradingPRO has formally launched its prop trading entity, TradingPLUS.
The broker announced it was launching the prop arm earlier this year but has, according to company CEO Fazril Azmi, it has been operating in something like a beta testing mode since then.
“Following several months of controlled rollout, performance testing, and platform refinement, we’ve observed a clear shift in trader behavior,” said Azmi.
“More traders are turning to prop firm structures, not only for access to capital but to demonstrate higher standards of trading discipline and risk management. TradingPLUS was designed to support and amplify this evolution.”
TradingPLUS appears to have two different types of trading challenges.
Traders can either access a two-step challenge, where they must pass two assessment phases before being given a funded account.
Alternatively, they can trade with an instant funding account. This gives traders access to a funded account immediately, with accounts being pricier than the two step challenge equivalents.
Prop trading has now emerged as a huge rival industry to the traditional broker model. Unsurprisingly, several brokers have now added the product to their offering.
Aside from TradingPRO, that includes the likes of Blueberry, ThinkMarkets, IC Markets, and Taurex.
The appeal of the industry seems due to a mix of factors. Traders like the potential for bigger account sizes withe limited risk, as well as the access to higher leverage. At the same time, firms are not regulated, meaning they can market much more aggressively than brokers can.