Blog & analysis · updated 22 September 2026

Futures trading and prop firms

Sourced reviews, practical guides and comparisons to check the rules before choosing a prop firm.

47 articles published
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Understanding economic releases in futures trading (CPI, NFP, FOMC)

CPI, NFP, FOMC: what each release measures, when it lands, why it is the gap to consensus that moves ES and NQ, and the ratchet effect of trailing drawdown on a prop firm account.

22 September 202614 min read

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Prop firm reviews

Company, rules, costs, platforms and verifiable limits.

See the Phidias 2.0 analysis

Rules and drawdown

Understand trailing drawdown, EOD drawdown and stop criteria.

Understand drawdown

ES/NQ trading

Market Profile, order flow, ICT and session-prep examples.

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Taxation

French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian pointers, to validate for your own situation.

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47 articles published

Understanding economic releases in futures trading (CPI, NFP, FOMC)

CPI, NFP, FOMC: what each release measures, when it lands, why it is the gap to consensus that moves ES and NQ, and the ratchet effect of trailing drawdown on a prop firm account.

22 September 202614 min read

ES/NQ futures rollover: when and how to switch contract

A practical guide to spotting the active expiry on ES, MES, NQ and MNQ, decoding H/M/U/Z, comparing volume against open interest, then updating NinjaTrader, TradingView, Tradovate, Rithmic or Sierra Chart without sending an order on the old contract.

22 July 202625 min read

Lucid Trading: 2026 review and rule comparison

An analysis of the published rules, drawdown, platforms and costs, with a factual comparison against the Phidias 2.0 programmes.

14 July 202615 min read

News trading in a prop firm: NFP, CPI and FOMC rules

A comparison of the published policies for trading through NFP, CPI and FOMC releases. Restrictions differ by firm and by programme.

7 July 202612 min read

MenthorQ review 2026: Gamma levels, QUIN and the MQ20 code

An analysis of MenthorQ: Gamma levels, dealer positioning, volatility, QUIN and integrations. The MQ20 code and its effect must be checked at checkout.

3 July 202614 min read

Take Profit Trader: 2026 review (+ Phidias comparison)

An analysis of Take Profit Trader's published rules, costs, drawdown and payout conditions, compared point by point with Phidias Premium. Check the official terms before buying.

30 June 202614 min read

Futures prop firms and overnight positions: 2026 rules

A sourced comparison of the rules on holding positions overnight and over the weekend, programme by programme. Every condition needs checking before purchase.

24 June 202614 min read

The LP Desk: 5 TradingView indicators built for prop firms

Risk Regime Dashboard, session levels, ICT killzones + news countdown, drawdown position sizer, GSR Pro. The full desk used on a funded account.

11 June 20265 min read

Prop firm comparator 2026: Phidias vs Topstep, Apex, MFFU, FTMO

An interactive comparator: filter Phidias against each competitor on drawdown, profit split, payout speed and price. Facts, verifiable on the official sites.

2 June 20266 min read

The 3 ES/NQ setups I use every morning (Market Profile + ICT)

Three concrete setups for trading ES and NQ every morning: Initial Balance Break, Single Print Retest, Liquidity Sweep + FVG. Entry rules, stops, targets and worked examples.

23 April 202616 min read

A 30-day Phidias preparation plan

A 30-day preparation programme to work on the rules, on risk and on discipline before a Phidias evaluation, with no guarantee of passing.

23 April 202614 min read

Trailing drawdown in a prop firm: calculations and risks

Understanding how trailing drawdown is calculated, how it moves, and the risk-management mistakes it can trigger.

26 March 202610 min read

Preparing for the Phidias 2.0 challenge: rules and method

Reading the rules, managing risk, setting stop criteria and avoiding common mistakes when preparing a Phidias 2.0 evaluation, with no guarantee of result.

26 March 202620 min read

Phidias 2.0 and FTMO: Futures against Forex/CFD

A comparison of two offers covering different markets: Futures programmes at Phidias and the Forex/CFD route at FTMO.

26 March 202614 min read

Phidias Propfirm 2.0 review: programmes, rules and limits 2026

A sourced analysis of Express to Live, Fundamental and Premium: costs, drawdown, platforms, payout and limits. Affiliate code LUCAS disclosed.

20 March 202620 min read

Funded prop firm account: the complete 2026 guide

How do you get a funded prop firm account? How it works, account types, pricing with the LUCAS code and practical advice.

20 March 202618 min read

Prop firm evaluation: how it works, rules and checkpoints

Target, drawdown, consistency, fees and payout conditions: understanding the rules before choosing a programme.

20 March 202622 min read

Japanese candlesticks: the complete guide to trading patterns (2026)

Master 20+ candlestick patterns with reliability rates, psychology and mistakes to avoid. Hammer, Morning Star, Engulfing, Dojis and many more.

20 March 202618 min read

How to read Japanese candlesticks in trading: a practical guide

Master the essential candlestick patterns (doji, hammer, engulfing) to read markets and make better trading decisions.

20 March 202612 min read

Order flow futures trading: the complete 2026 guide

Master order flow for futures trading in a prop firm. DOM, footprint charts, delta, CVD and concrete strategies to read the market like an institutional desk.

10 March 202615 min read

Prop firm Futures vs Forex: which market to choose in 2026?

Futures or Forex for prop firm trading? A full comparison: regulation, transparency, costs, platforms and which market suits your trader profile.

10 March 202613 min read

Phidias Propfirm 2.0: reliable or risky? 2026 analysis

An analysis of the company, the published rules, the Phidias 2.0 programmes and the points to check before buying. Affiliate relationship disclosed.

3 March 202615 min read

Preparing for a prop firm evaluation: a step-by-step method

A preparation plan, risk management, a journal and stop criteria to approach an evaluation without promising a result.

3 March 202615 min read

Prop firm for beginners: the complete guide to starting in 2026

Everything to understand about prop firms when you are starting out. How they work, costs, account types, where to begin and which firm to choose.

3 March 202612 min read

Phidias 2.0 vs Topstep: 2026 rule comparison

A factual comparison of the Futures programmes: recorded prices, drawdown, platforms, activation and payout conditions.

3 March 202614 min read

Prop firm vs your own capital: what to choose in 2026?

Comparing trading with a prop firm against trading your own capital. Upsides, downsides, real costs and which choice fits your situation.

28 February 202611 min read

Prop firm taxation in Belgium: the complete guide

How do you declare prop firm income in Belgium? Tax regime, legal status, filing obligations and optimisation for Belgian traders.

28 February 202613 min read

Prop firm taxation in Switzerland: the complete guide

Declaring prop firm income in Switzerland. Cantonal taxes, self-employed status, tax treaties and practical advice for Swiss traders.

28 February 202613 min read

Prop firm taxation in Canada: the complete guide

Everything on the taxation of prop firm income in Canada. Federal and provincial tax, legal status, filings and optimisation for Canadian traders.

28 February 202612 min read

Free trading tools worth using in 2026

A selection of free tools for Futures traders: platforms, journals, screeners and economic calendars, with their limits.

28 February 202615 min read

Declaring prop firm income: a step-by-step guide

How do you declare prop firm income to the French tax authorities? Form 2042, BNC, auto-entrepreneur. A complete step-by-step guide.

24 February 202612 min read

Setting up Rithmic + NinjaTrader for a prop firm

A step-by-step guide to installing and configuring Rithmic and NinjaTrader for prop firm trading. Optimal settings for Phidias.

24 February 202610 min read

Market Profile: an intraday setup for ES & NQ

My Market Profile analysis method applied to E-mini S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures. Key zones, points of control, day types and concrete setups.

23 February 202614 min read

ICT trading: concepts & strategies for futures

A complete guide to the ICT method applied to futures. Fair Value Gaps, Order Blocks, Liquidity Sweeps, Kill Zones and concrete setups for ES & NQ.

23 February 202616 min read

Phidias 2.0 pricing and the LUCAS affiliate code

Recorded prices for Express to Live, Fundamental and Premium. The LUCAS affiliate code and the final total must be checked in the official cart.

23 February 20268 min read

Futures scalping strategy: the complete guide

Master scalping on ES and NQ. Entry setups, risk management, essential tools and how to adapt to prop firm rules.

22 February 202615 min read

Trading with Volume Profile: setups and examples

Learn to use Volume Profile to identify key zones. POC, Value Area, HVN/LVN and concrete setups on ES and NQ.

22 February 202616 min read

ICT Kill Zones: the best hours to trade futures

Discover the Kill Zones of the ICT method. Asian, London, New York: when to trade to improve your odds in a prop firm.

22 February 202614 min read

Common mistakes made by prop firm traders

Over-risking, no plan, revenge trading and misreading the drawdown: the common mistakes and how to limit them.

22 February 202612 min read

How to handle a losing streak in a prop firm

Concrete strategies for getting through a losing streak. Drawdown protocol, mental recovery and a step-by-step action plan.

22 February 202614 min read

A prop firm trader's routine: before, during and after the session

The full routine of a funded trader. Pre-market preparation, disciplined execution and post-session review to keep improving.

22 February 202613 min read

The trading journal: why and how to keep one

A complete guide to building and keeping an effective trading journal. Templates, key metrics and tools to analyse your performance.

22 February 202612 min read

Prop firms and taxation in France: how to declare your income

A complete guide to the taxation of prop firm income in France. Legal status, tax filings, BNC, micro-entreprise and practical advice.

22 February 202615 min read

Prop firm and auto-entrepreneur status: the right fit?

Everything on the French auto-entrepreneur status for declaring prop firm income. Thresholds, contributions, CFE and a comparison with other statuses.

22 February 202614 min read

Prop firms abroad: taxation and obligations

Working with a foreign prop firm from France. Filing obligations, tax treaties and pitfalls to avoid.

22 February 202613 min read

Futures trading platforms compared, 2026

NinjaTrader vs Tradovate vs ATAS vs Quantower vs Sierra Chart. A full comparison of pricing, features and prop firm compatibility.

22 February 202615 min read

Preparing for a prop firm challenge: method and mistakes to avoid

A preparation framework, risk management and a daily review to limit mistakes during an evaluation.

21 February 202612 min read

Method and editorial policy

Lucas

Written and reviewed by Lucas, an active Futures trader on Sierra Chart and a Phidias affiliate. This relationship is disclosed to make the conflict of interest visible.

Every review separates the published facts from the limits and from what still needs checking. Prices and rules can change: the official cart and documentation take precedence.

Lucas is a Phidias affiliate. This relationship is stated on the content concerned. The affiliate code is LUCAS.

This content is educational and is not financial advice. Trading carries a risk of loss. No gain, payout, LIVE funding or pass is guaranteed.

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