Cryptocurrency payment acceptance has crossed a new threshold in the prop trading industry: FundCoupon tracking data shows that 80% of top-tier prop firms now accept crypto for challenge purchases, and 75% offer crypto as a payout option for funded traders. USDT (Tether) and USDC (USD Coin) have emerged as the clear leaders among accepted cryptocurrencies, with Bitcoin and Ethereum offered as secondary options.
Why Crypto Payments Work So Well for Prop Firms
Prop firms have strong incentives to embrace crypto payments. Compared to credit cards and bank transfers, crypto offers lower processing fees (typically 0–1% versus 2–4% for cards), no chargebacks (which can be costly for firms facing fraudulent refund requests), instant settlement, and frictionless international transactions. For firms serving traders in regions with banking restrictions — Southeast Asia, parts of Africa, Latin America — crypto is often the only practical payment channel.
- USDT (Tether): Most widely accepted, available on TRC20 (low fee) and ERC20 networks
- USDC (USD Coin): Growing acceptance, preferred by traders concerned about Tether's reserves
- Bitcoin: Accepted but volatile pricing requires immediate conversion at point of sale
- Ethereum: Available at most crypto-accepting firms but higher network fees than USDT/USDC
- No chargebacks: Eliminates a major cost centre for prop firms vs credit card payments
USDT on TRC20 (Tron network) is the cheapest way to pay for a prop firm challenge with crypto — fees under $1 versus $10–30 on ERC20.
Payout in Crypto: What Funded Traders Should Know
Receiving prop firm payouts in USDT or USDC has several practical advantages for funded traders. Transfers are global and instant, there are no intermediary banking fees, and traders in countries with banking restrictions can receive their earnings without dealing with correspondent bank complexity. FTMO (ftmo.com) offers USDT payouts, as do Funding Pips, Fxify, and Blue Guardian.
Firms That Do Not Accept Crypto
A small number of prominent forex firms still decline crypto payments, citing compliance concerns or payment processor limitations. Topstep and Earn2Trade — both US-oriented futures platforms — do not accept crypto purchases as of Q1 2026. Traders at these firms must use bank transfer, debit card, or credit card for challenge purchases and receive payouts via bank transfer or ACH only.
- Topstep: No crypto payments or payouts (US regulatory stance)
- Earn2Trade: No crypto accepted, bank transfer and card only
- Most European and UAE-based forex prop firms: Crypto accepted for both purchase and payout
- Emerging markets (MENA, SEA): Crypto acceptance essentially universal among active firms
Visit FundCoupon to check payment method availability for every prop firm in our directory. We list accepted payment types — including specific crypto networks — alongside current challenge pricing and discount codes.
FundCoupon Verification Note
Promotions, rules, and checkout terms can change. Verify the current offer and evaluation rules on the official firm website before paying for any challenge.