FundingPips for US Traders: 2026 Update

The short answer: yes, US traders can use FundingPips in 2026. The longer answer involves a messy history, an ongoing MT5 restriction, and some practical considerations that US-based traders need to understand before buying a challenge.

FundingPips' relationship with American traders has been turbulent. A full shutdown in February 2024. Months of uncertainty. A gradual return with platform restrictions. And now, relative stability—but with one significant limitation that affects how US traders interact with the firm.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Fundingpips and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Fundingpips website or their help center.

The History: Why US Access Was Disrupted

In February 2024, MetaQuotes—the company behind MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5—cracked down on prop firms serving US clients. MetaQuotes forced Blackbull Markets, which was providing MT5 platform access to FundingPips via a grey-label license, to terminate the relationship immediately.

The catalyst was US accounts on MT5. MetaQuotes took the position that prop firms serving US clients through MT5 demo servers violated their licensing terms. FundingPips CEO Khaled Ayesh confirmed publicly that MetaQuotes' decision came "due to active US accounts."

The result: FundingPips shut down all services temporarily. Every trader—not just Americans—was affected. Funded accounts frozen. Evaluations paused. The Discord erupted. Trustpilot reviews tanked.

FundingPips recovered. They obtained their own MetaQuotes license, established new liquidity partnerships, and resumed operations within weeks. But a lasting consequence remained: MT5 would no longer be available for US and Canadian traders.

This wasn't unique to FundingPips. The MetaQuotes crackdown hit the entire prop firm industry. Multiple firms—FTMO, The5ers, FundedNext, Blue Guardian, MyFundedFX—all had to adjust their US access. Some shut down US operations entirely. Others, like FundingPips, found workarounds through alternative platforms.

Current Status: What US Traders Can Access

As of 2026, US traders can:

• Purchase all FundingPips challenge types (2-Step Standard, 2-Step Pro, 1-Step, Zero)
• Trade all account sizes ($5K through $100K)
• Complete evaluations and receive funded Master accounts
• Receive payouts through standard payment methods
• Access the scaling program and Hot Seat tier

What US traders cannot access:

• MetaTrader 5. This is the one hard restriction. US and Canadian traders must use cTrader or Match-Trader instead.

This means all FundingPips features and account types are available to US traders—the only difference is platform selection.

Your Platform Options as a US Trader

cTrader (+$20 surcharge)

This is my recommendation for US traders who want a professional desktop platform. cTrader offers superior charting, better order management, and cleaner execution than Match-Trader. The $20 surcharge per account is a minor cost on a $50K+ challenge.

Strengths for US traders:

• Advanced charting with more timeframes and drawing tools than MT5
• Excellent order management (partial closes, trailing stops, DOM trading)
• cTrader Automate for algorithmic strategies (C# language)
• Strong mobile app for on-the-go management
• Level II pricing (depth of market)

Considerations:

• If you have MT5/MQL5 Expert Advisors, you'll need to rewrite them in C#
• Smaller online community and fewer free indicators compared to MT5
• $20 surcharge per account adds up if you run multiple accounts

Match-Trader (Free)

The budget-friendly option. Match-Trader runs entirely in your web browser—no downloads, no installation. For US traders who want to avoid the cTrader surcharge and don't need advanced charting, Match-Trader gets the job done.

Strengths for US traders:

• Free (no surcharge)
• Browser-based—works on any device
• Quick setup—no software installation
• Simple, clean interface

Considerations:

• Limited charting compared to cTrader
• No algorithmic trading support
• Performance depends on browser/internet quality
• Fewer customization options

Which to Choose?

If you're a manual trader on a $25K+ account: cTrader. The $20 is worth it for the charting and order management.

If you're testing FundingPips with a $5K or $10K account: Match-Trader. Save the $20 and see if FundingPips works for you before investing in the premium platform.

If you rely on automated trading: cTrader with cTrader Automate. It's your only option for algorithmic strategies since MT5 isn't available.

How US Payouts Work

US traders receive payouts through the same methods as international traders:

• Bank transfer to a US bank account
• Visa/Mastercard direct to your card
• Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, USDT, etc.)
• Riseworks payment platform

Processing follows the standard Tuesday cycle with 1-3 business day delivery. The $10 withdrawal fee applies.

Tax implications: US traders must report prop firm income on their federal and state tax returns. FundingPips does not issue 1099 forms—you're responsible for tracking and reporting your payouts as income. Consult a US tax professional for specific guidance on classification (self-employment income vs. other categories) and deductible expenses.

Practical Tips for US-Based FundingPips Traders

Time zone advantage. US Eastern time aligns perfectly with the London/New York overlap—the highest-volume trading window for forex. If you're on the East Coast, the prime trading window is 8 AM-12 PM. West Coast traders benefit from the early London session (midnight-4 AM PT) and the overlap starting at 5 AM PT.

Payment method recommendation. Credit/debit cards process fastest for US traders. Crypto payments are also reliable. US bank wire transfers to FundingPips (a Dubai-based company) may take longer and incur international wire fees from your bank.

VPS consideration. If FundingPips' servers are located outside the US (likely Dubai or European data centers), US traders may experience slightly higher latency. For day trading and scalping, this can affect execution quality. A VPS located closer to FundingPips' server region can reduce latency. For swing trading, it doesn't matter.

Don't use a VPN to access MT5. Some US traders consider using a VPN to mask their location and access MT5. Don't. FundingPips monitors IP addresses, and KYC verification requires US identification documents. The platform restriction is enforced at the account level, not just the IP level. Attempting to circumvent it risks account termination and forfeiture of any earnings.

If FundingPips Doesn't Work: US Alternatives

If the MT5 restriction is a dealbreaker—maybe your entire strategy depends on specific MQL5 EAs—here are alternatives for US traders:

Futures prop firms: US-based firms like Apex Trader Funding, Take Profit Trader, and Topstep offer funded accounts for futures trading. No MetaQuotes involvement since they use platforms like NinjaTrader, Tradovate, and Rithmic. These firms operate under US regulatory frameworks and don't face the same platform restrictions.

FTMO: Returned to the US market in 2025 and is currently the only prop firm offering MT5 to US clients. If MT5 access is your primary requirement, FTMO may be worth considering.

Other forex prop firms: Several firms have resumed US access through cTrader or proprietary platforms. Research current options, as the landscape changes frequently.

The Bigger Picture: Why US Prop Trading Is Complicated

The reason US access is restricted for so many prop firms comes down to regulatory and licensing friction. The US has strict regulations around financial services (CFTC, NFA, SEC oversight), and most prop firms operate outside these regulatory frameworks. They're not breaking US law by offering simulated trading accounts, but the platform providers (MetaQuotes) and payment processors face their own compliance obligations.

MetaQuotes specifically targets prop firms serving US clients because of the regulatory gray area. Their platform licenses include terms about the jurisdictions where the platform can be used, and US residents create compliance risk that MetaQuotes doesn't want to absorb.

This means platform restrictions for US traders are likely permanent—at least for MT5. The prop firms that serve US traders have adapted by using alternative platforms that don't have MetaQuotes' licensing constraints.

For US traders, the practical takeaway is: focus on the account rules, the payouts, and the trading conditions rather than the platform brand. cTrader on FundingPips offers equal or better execution than MT5 for most trading strategies. The platform is a tool—not the strategy.

The Verdict for US Traders

FundingPips is fully accessible for US traders in 2026. The MT5 restriction is real but manageable—cTrader is arguably a better platform anyway, and the $20 surcharge is trivial on a $50K+ account. All challenge types, account sizes, payout options, and scaling opportunities are available.

If you're a US trader considering FundingPips, the firm's track record ($200M+ in payouts, 4.5 Trustpilot rating, 2M+ traders) speaks for itself. The platform restriction is an inconvenience, not a barrier. Pick cTrader, set up your charts, and trade.