Elite Trader Funding is SCAM
Elite Trader Funding is nothing more than a scam disguised as a prop firm.
Before I tell you my experience let me share what other forums and independent reviewers have said.
Reddit discussions: Traders have reported “ghost orders” or unexplained trades that allegedly sabotage accounts right before withdrawal eligibility. This has fueled suspicions that ETF manipulates accounts to avoid paying large profits.
Best Prop Firms scored ETF only 47/100, citing unclear rules around moving traders to real capital and discretionary payout decisions.
Traders Union emphasizes that “your capital is at risk” and warns about unclear policies with Elite Trader Funding.
Instead of honoring my payout, they pulled a bait‑and‑switch: when I had over $50,000 in payable profits, they refused to pay and shoved me into a so‑called “live account.” Overnight, my hard‑earned profits vanished — replaced with a measly $6,000 balance.
This is not funding, it’s fraud. They lure traders in with promises of big payouts, then change the rules when you succeed. My experience proves their business model is built on deception, manipulation, and exploitation of traders’ trust.
Elite Trader Funding should be a cautionary tale for anyone considering prop firms: they profit off fees, not traders’ success.
If you are interested in prop trading there are at least 20 companies rated higher that will not steal your time or money,
Update 12/8/25
Most of the information they are stating below is not factual
Thank you for responding. I appreciate that Elite Trader Funding wants to clarify its policies. However, my experience — and the experiences of many many other traders — tells a very different story.
1. ETF says they don’t control platforms or data feeds. Yet traders on Reddit have consistently reported “ghost orders” and unexplained trades. Even if third‑party vendors are involved, ETF is responsible for choosing reliable partners and protecting traders from unexplained account sabotage.
2.ETF claims they never promised $50,000 in cash. But their marketing emphasizes payouts and trader success. To most traders, “profits” means money you can withdraw — not a balance that disappears into a “live account” with new rules. OH and why when I asked about my profits did you say, "The Sim-Funded phase is purely to evaluate you, and we are transitioning you to Live. So, your earnings will not be moved over." This feels like a bait‑and‑switch.
3. ETF says updates were communicated via email and FAQ. In practice, many traders report sudden changes without clear notice, especially around payout eligibility. “Grandfathering” is meaningless if the rules shift right when you qualify for a payout.
4. They highlight the $12,500 I was paid. But the larger issue is the additional $50,000 that was withheld and NOT converted into a “live account” balance. That account was structured in a way that made it nearly impossible to replicate your prior performance, effectively erasing your profits.
5. ETF insists they want traders to succeed. Yet their revenue primarily comes from fees, not trader profits. This creates a conflict of interest: they profit when traders fail or churn through accounts, not when traders win.
Don't take my word for it. My students would confirm it is not about being cheated out of a couple thousand dollars. I have received much larger payouts It is the principle and a company that takes advantage of its customers should be exposed!!!
--ETF’s response confirms the core problem: their model is built on shifting definitions of ‘profit’ and discretionary rules that prevent traders from ever cashing out large wins. Whether intentional or not, the effect is the same — traders are misled, exploited, and left with nothing to show for their success. Be excited when you are approved for a $1000. When you ask for that large payout. expect the BAIT & SWITCH!!!! BEWARE!!!!
I stand by my original statement: Elite Trader Funding should be a cautionary tale. If you’re serious about prop trading, look for firms with transparent payout policies and consistent rules. There are many rated higher that won’t change the game once you start winning.
Before I tell you my experience let me share what other forums and independent reviewers have said.
Reddit discussions: Traders have reported “ghost orders” or unexplained trades that allegedly sabotage accounts right before withdrawal eligibility. This has fueled suspicions that ETF manipulates accounts to avoid paying large profits.
Best Prop Firms scored ETF only 47/100, citing unclear rules around moving traders to real capital and discretionary payout decisions.
Traders Union emphasizes that “your capital is at risk” and warns about unclear policies with Elite Trader Funding.
Instead of honoring my payout, they pulled a bait‑and‑switch: when I had over $50,000 in payable profits, they refused to pay and shoved me into a so‑called “live account.” Overnight, my hard‑earned profits vanished — replaced with a measly $6,000 balance.
This is not funding, it’s fraud. They lure traders in with promises of big payouts, then change the rules when you succeed. My experience proves their business model is built on deception, manipulation, and exploitation of traders’ trust.
Elite Trader Funding should be a cautionary tale for anyone considering prop firms: they profit off fees, not traders’ success.
If you are interested in prop trading there are at least 20 companies rated higher that will not steal your time or money,
Update 12/8/25
Most of the information they are stating below is not factual
Thank you for responding. I appreciate that Elite Trader Funding wants to clarify its policies. However, my experience — and the experiences of many many other traders — tells a very different story.
1. ETF says they don’t control platforms or data feeds. Yet traders on Reddit have consistently reported “ghost orders” and unexplained trades. Even if third‑party vendors are involved, ETF is responsible for choosing reliable partners and protecting traders from unexplained account sabotage.
2.ETF claims they never promised $50,000 in cash. But their marketing emphasizes payouts and trader success. To most traders, “profits” means money you can withdraw — not a balance that disappears into a “live account” with new rules. OH and why when I asked about my profits did you say, "The Sim-Funded phase is purely to evaluate you, and we are transitioning you to Live. So, your earnings will not be moved over." This feels like a bait‑and‑switch.
3. ETF says updates were communicated via email and FAQ. In practice, many traders report sudden changes without clear notice, especially around payout eligibility. “Grandfathering” is meaningless if the rules shift right when you qualify for a payout.
4. They highlight the $12,500 I was paid. But the larger issue is the additional $50,000 that was withheld and NOT converted into a “live account” balance. That account was structured in a way that made it nearly impossible to replicate your prior performance, effectively erasing your profits.
5. ETF insists they want traders to succeed. Yet their revenue primarily comes from fees, not trader profits. This creates a conflict of interest: they profit when traders fail or churn through accounts, not when traders win.
Don't take my word for it. My students would confirm it is not about being cheated out of a couple thousand dollars. I have received much larger payouts It is the principle and a company that takes advantage of its customers should be exposed!!!
--ETF’s response confirms the core problem: their model is built on shifting definitions of ‘profit’ and discretionary rules that prevent traders from ever cashing out large wins. Whether intentional or not, the effect is the same — traders are misled, exploited, and left with nothing to show for their success. Be excited when you are approved for a $1000. When you ask for that large payout. expect the BAIT & SWITCH!!!! BEWARE!!!!
I stand by my original statement: Elite Trader Funding should be a cautionary tale. If you’re serious about prop trading, look for firms with transparent payout policies and consistent rules. There are many rated higher that won’t change the game once you start winning.
Response from Elite Trader Funding
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I’d like to clarify a few points to ensure that anyone reading this has an accurate understanding of how our program works.
We don’t control the trading platforms or the market data feed. These come from third-party vendors, and we have no ability to manipulate prices, orders, or executions. If there are ever technical issues with the platform or data, our vendors are the ones who identify and notify us, just as they do with all of their other clients.
We also don’t promise or guarantee that anyone will make a substantial amount of money through our service. Trading is difficult and carries real risk. What we offer is an opportunity and a more affordable entry point to learn the markets and refine strategies at a fraction of what you would put up in the Live markets. Our Sim-funded accounts are not cash accounts. They are tools to demonstrate that a trader can manage risk and perform consistently. When we identify that a trader can truly perform and manage risk well, we are more than happy to continue investing in them.
Any policy updates or changes were communicated through email, our FAQ, and our notification center. In many cases, we have grandfathered existing users, allowing them to maintain the accounts that they agreed to.
In your situation specifically, you were paid out $12,500 during your time with ETF. At no point did we state that the full $50,000 would be paid out in cash. The $50,000 was designated to be invested into your Live account, with access to that capital coming through the guidelines laid out in our SMART Growth Plan, our structured, aggressive approach to scaling you in the live markets while protecting risk. You were provided with a Live account for roughly eight months, during which the performance and inactivity did not meet our expectations. We were simply asking for you to genuinely perform as you did during the Elite Sim-funded phase. During that time, we continued to bear our internal costs while you were only responsible for exchange-related fees. As a business that invests in traders, we genuinely want our traders to succeed. Our model works best when traders perform so that we can keep supporting them over the long term.
We are confident that we upheld our end of the agreement and followed the guidelines communicated to you. For this reason, we respectfully request that any public comments about our company accurately reflect the facts of what was agreed upon and what actually occurred.
We don’t control the trading platforms or the market data feed. These come from third-party vendors, and we have no ability to manipulate prices, orders, or executions. If there are ever technical issues with the platform or data, our vendors are the ones who identify and notify us, just as they do with all of their other clients.
We also don’t promise or guarantee that anyone will make a substantial amount of money through our service. Trading is difficult and carries real risk. What we offer is an opportunity and a more affordable entry point to learn the markets and refine strategies at a fraction of what you would put up in the Live markets. Our Sim-funded accounts are not cash accounts. They are tools to demonstrate that a trader can manage risk and perform consistently. When we identify that a trader can truly perform and manage risk well, we are more than happy to continue investing in them.
Any policy updates or changes were communicated through email, our FAQ, and our notification center. In many cases, we have grandfathered existing users, allowing them to maintain the accounts that they agreed to.
In your situation specifically, you were paid out $12,500 during your time with ETF. At no point did we state that the full $50,000 would be paid out in cash. The $50,000 was designated to be invested into your Live account, with access to that capital coming through the guidelines laid out in our SMART Growth Plan, our structured, aggressive approach to scaling you in the live markets while protecting risk. You were provided with a Live account for roughly eight months, during which the performance and inactivity did not meet our expectations. We were simply asking for you to genuinely perform as you did during the Elite Sim-funded phase. During that time, we continued to bear our internal costs while you were only responsible for exchange-related fees. As a business that invests in traders, we genuinely want our traders to succeed. Our model works best when traders perform so that we can keep supporting them over the long term.
We are confident that we upheld our end of the agreement and followed the guidelines communicated to you. For this reason, we respectfully request that any public comments about our company accurately reflect the facts of what was agreed upon and what actually occurred.