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Prop Trading, in Plain Language

Guides on how the backstop works, how to read a firm's rules, and what to do if something goes wrong — written for traders at the 12 prop firms we support.

FEATURED · TRADER SAFETY

4 MIN READ

Our Mission: A Safety Net for Traders

A payout can be denied or an account blocked even when everyone acted in good faith. That's exactly where we step in — this is why Proteqta exists.

GUIDE

3 MIN READ

The Verified Firm Badge: What It Means

How a firm earns the badge, what we check, and what it does and doesn't say.

GUIDE

4 MIN READ

How a Backstop Request Works, Step by Step

From a denied payout or a blocked account to reimbursement.

GUIDE

3 MIN READ

When No One Is at Fault: Four Situations We Cover

Platform errors, unclear rules, rule changes and KYC issues — outcomes nobody planned.

TRADER SAFETY

3 MIN READ

KYC Checks: How to Avoid Delays on Payout Day

A few simple habits that keep verification smooth.

TRADER SAFETY

4 MIN READ

Reading a Firm's Rules Before You Fund a Challenge

Where unclear rules hide, and how to check before you start.

TRADER SAFETY

4 MIN READ

Payout Denied or Account Blocked? What to Do Next

A clear checklist: what to keep, who to contact and when to come to us.

TRADER SAFETY

3 MIN READ

5 Questions to Ask Before You Fund a Challenge

A short checklist to run through before you start.

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TRADER SAFETY

Our Mission: A Safety Net for Traders

4 MIN READ

Funded trading rewards skill and discipline. Yet even for a good trader at a well-run firm, things outside anyone's control can end in a denied payout or a blocked account: a platform error, a rule that reads two ways, a change to the terms mid-challenge, or a verification problem.

In those moments, months of work can end with nothing to show for it. Nobody planned it, and nobody is to blame — but the trader is still left without a payout.

That's the gap we exist to fill. When a payout is denied or an account is blocked, the Payout Backstop reimburses you, up to the amount you chose.

How we work alongside firms

We don't run challenges, evaluate traders or take trading profits. Traders go through their firm's own review and appeal process first. We step in once the firm's decision is final, or after 7 days with no answer.

What the backstop is

The Payout Backstop is a discretionary assistance service, not insurance. Every request is reviewed on its evidence and is subject to our Terms.

GUIDE

The Verified Firm Badge: What It Means

3 MIN READ

The Verified Firm badge recognises prop firms that publish clear payout rules and give their traders a way to ask questions and appeal. It is voluntary, free to apply for, and cannot be bought.

What we check

A firm must be actively operating for at least one year, be a registered and identifiable business, publish clear payout rules with changes announced in advance, and offer a clear route to ask questions and request a review of a decision.

What it doesn't mean

The badge is not an endorsement or a guarantee. Each payout is still decided by the firm under its own rules, and verified status is separate from the Payout Backstop — you can add a backstop at any supported firm, verified or not.

A firm without the badge isn't a warning sign. It may simply not have applied yet. Always read a firm's rules before you start a challenge.

GUIDE

How a Backstop Request Works, Step by Step

4 MIN READ

1. Raise it with your firm

Use your firm's own review or appeal process first. Ask for the reason in writing and keep the thread.

2. Come to us once it's final

When the firm confirms its decision — or if it hasn't answered after 7 days — submit your firm's denial or block notice (a screenshot or email) and your account ID.

3. We review

You'll get initial feedback within 24 hours. The full review can take up to 3 days, depending on how much evidence needs to be checked.

4. We reimburse

If your request is covered, a denied payout is reimbursed up to 100% of your backstop amount, and an account blocked before a payout request at 60% of it.

Good to know: each reimbursement is capped at $3,000 per person, you can submit your first request 30 days after purchase, and there is a 30-day cooling-off period between requests.

GUIDE

When No One Is at Fault: Four Situations We Cover

3 MIN READ

A payout can be denied or an account blocked without anyone having done anything wrong. These are the four situations we hear about most.

A platform or technical error

A price glitch, data-feed fault or system outage affects a payout or an account.

An unclear rule

A rule can be read in more than one reasonable way, and trader and firm see it differently.

A rule change during a challenge

Terms change while a trader is part-way through a challenge, and the outcome is affected.

A KYC issue

A verification mismatch or delay arises even though the documents are genuine and accurate.

Every request is reviewed on its evidence, and payment is not automatic. Cases involving false, forged or someone else's documents are never covered.

TRADER SAFETY

KYC Checks: How to Avoid Delays on Payout Day

3 MIN READ

Identity checks are a normal part of getting paid. A little preparation keeps them from slowing you down.

Before your first payout

Complete verification early rather than on payout day. Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your ID, and make sure the document is valid, complete and easy to read.

Keep your details consistent

Use the same email with your firm and with Proteqta, and keep your personal details the same everywhere. Mismatches are the most common cause of delays.

Keep a record

Save copies of what you submitted and any confirmations. If something gets stuck, ask your firm's support in writing.

If a genuine verification problem still leads to a denial or block, the backstop can respond. Never submit documents that aren't yours.

TRADER SAFETY

Reading a Firm's Rules Before You Fund a Challenge

4 MIN READ

Most trading rules are clear. A few areas, though, are easy to read in different ways.

Where to look closely

Drawdown calculation, restrictions around news events, consistency rules, and the conditions and timing for payout eligibility.

How to protect yourself

Save a dated copy or screenshot of the rules when you start. Ask support, in writing, about anything that could be read two ways. Keep every reply, and note any announcement of a rule change.

If an unclear rule leads to a denial or a block, the backstop can respond. Your saved screenshots and written replies are useful evidence.

TRADER SAFETY

Payout Denied or Account Blocked? What to Do Next

4 MIN READ

Keep your evidence

Save your trade logs, timestamps and support chat transcripts. Take screenshots of your dashboard before and after any block.

Use your firm's process

Ask for the reason in writing and request a review or appeal. Stay polite and keep everything in writing.

Then contact us

Once the firm confirms its decision, or after 7 days with no answer, send us the denial or block notice and your account ID. You'll get initial feedback within 24 hours.

Requests are subject to our Terms and reviewed on their evidence.

TRADER SAFETY

5 Questions to Ask Before You Fund a Challenge

3 MIN READ

A few minutes of checking before you fund a challenge can save a lot of trouble later. Here is what is worth asking.

Where are the payout rules published, and how are changes announced?

What is the appeals process if a payout is denied — and who reviews it?

Which rules could be read in more than one way? Ask support in writing.

Which identity (KYC) checks are required, and when?

Is there an independent signal, such as a Verified Firm badge?

Proteqta's Verified Firm programme recognises firms that publish clear rules — look for the badge. A Payout Backstop adds a safety net either way.

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