At IFTC, our objective is simple: to promote greater transparency, accountability and better practices within the funded trading industry.
Being listed by IFTC is not intended to represent a permanent endorsement. Participating firms are expected to continue meeting the independent standards and principles upon which their listing is based.
For this reason, traders who experience a serious issue with an IFTC-listed firm may submit a case to us for independent review.
What happens when a case is submitted?
A complaint does not automatically mean that a prop firm has acted improperly.
IFTC may review the information provided by the trader, request supporting evidence and, where appropriate, give the firm concerned an opportunity to provide its explanation or additional information.
Our objective is to assess the circumstances fairly and independently based on the information reasonably available to us.
A disagreement, trading loss, failed challenge or rejected payout does not, by itself, establish misconduct or a breach of IFTC standards.
What happens when we identify a serious issue?
Where the information available to IFTC indicates that an IFTC-listed firm may have materially failed to meet our standards, we may take appropriate action.
Depending on the nature, severity and frequency of the issues identified, this may include:
- requesting clarification from the firm;
- requesting appropriate corrective action;
- reviewing the firm's IFTC listing status;
- temporarily suspending its listing;
- removing the firm from the IFTC registry.
Repeated substantiated complaints, patterns of concerning conduct or particularly serious individual cases may result in stronger action.
In exceptional circumstances, IFTC may also publish an alert concerning a firm where we believe doing so is appropriate in the interests of transparency.
These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. No firm is automatically suspended, removed or publicly identified simply because a predetermined number of complaints has been received.
Exceptional reimbursement of challenge fees
In certain exceptional circumstances, IFTC may, at its sole discretion, consider reimbursing a trader for the original purchase price of the specific funded trading challenge directly concerned by the reviewed case.
This is an exceptional and voluntary measure.
It does not constitute an automatic entitlement, insurance policy, compensation scheme, guarantee or contractual obligation on the part of IFTC.
Any reimbursement is entirely discretionary and will depend on the circumstances of the individual case, the evidence available and IFTC's independent assessment.
Where such reimbursement is granted, it is strictly limited to the original challenge fee actually paid by the trader for the challenge concerned.
IFTC does not compensate for:
- trading losses;
- funded or notional account capital;
- expected, rejected or potential payouts;
- lost profits or earnings;
- consequential or indirect losses;
- opportunity costs;
- any other alleged financial loss arising from the trader's relationship with the firm.
Traders should therefore never purchase a challenge on the assumption that IFTC will reimburse its cost if a disagreement or dispute subsequently occurs.
Protecting traders without unfairly penalising firms
Our role is not to automatically take the side of either the trader or the prop firm.
Funded trading disputes can be complex.
Firms must remain able to enforce legitimate trading rules and contractual terms. At the same time, traders should reasonably expect those rules to be transparent, clearly communicated and applied consistently.
Our approach therefore focuses on evidence, proportionality, context and potential patterns of conduct.
The purpose of the IFTC complaint review process is not to create unnecessary pressure on participating firms. It is to provide an additional layer of transparency and accountability within an industry that continues to evolve.
An IFTC listing can change
An IFTC listing reflects our independent assessment based on the information reasonably available to us at a particular point in time.
It should never be interpreted as a permanent guarantee or endorsement.
Where credible new information raises material concerns about a listed firm, IFTC reserves the right, in accordance with its internal standards and procedures, to reassess, suspend or remove that firm's listing.
In more serious circumstances, a firm may also be added to the IFTC Alerts & Watchlist, together with appropriate information explaining the basis for the alert.
Where appropriate, IFTC may seek information or clarification from the firm concerned before taking significant action.
An independent initiative — not a regulator
IFTC is an independent private organisation.
IFTC is not a financial regulator, government authority, court, statutory ombudsman or statutory dispute resolution body.
Our reviews, listings, suspensions, removals and alerts represent IFTC's independent assessments based on our own standards and the information reasonably available to us.
They do not constitute regulatory findings, regulatory sanctions or legal judgments.
Similarly, an IFTC listing does not constitute regulatory approval, financial authorisation or a guarantee of a firm's financial standing, reliability, solvency or future conduct.
Our ambition is simple: to contribute to a funded trading industry where responsible firms can be recognised, traders can be better informed and serious concerns can be addressed transparently and responsibly.