Trader’s Narrative

I’ve been looking into proprietary trading firms (known across the pond as ‘trading arcades’) but it is frustrating since there isn’t a comprehensive list of prop trading firms anywhere. So I did the grunt work and combined the different online lists and directories to create the most comprehensive list of proprietary trading firms out there. I still may have missed one or two, so let me know if you can’t find a prop shop that should be on the list below.

There are so many firms out there, and they offer so many different combinations of fees, environments, training, remote/onsite, market specialization, training, etc that you really have to do your homework. Start by asking around for reputable firms but don’t be afraid to check out a new firm (as long as you do your due diligence). Nothing beats going to their location and pressing flesh and taking a look around. The great thing for traders is that there are a lot of firms out there, so be picky.

Here are some additional thoughts:

• Find out all fees you may be charged (not just commissions)
• Canadians have the bonus of not needing Series 7
• Read the contract!! (or have a lawyer read it for you)
• Do they offer training? mentoring? by who and how? for how long?
• Who are the owners?
• Talk to those who have gone through the program
• One trick pony (rebate)? or multiple strategies and markets?
• What is the vibe in the office? what kind of people work there?
• What software & trading platforms do they use?
• How up to date is their hardware and software?
• Access to proprietary technology software or is it all off the shelf?
• How long have they been around?
• Do you need a license? Will they sponsor you?
• Check and confirm their regulatory affiliations and exchange membership(s)
• Look up any regulatory infractions, disciplinary actions or judgments against them
• Ask for a copy of the firm’s most recent financial statements
• Get feedback on the firm & the plan offered you from other traders (EliteTrader and other messageboards)
• Confirm their clearing firm and make sure it is a financially stable, reputable one

Trading floor at Marex Trading (previously Refco) at 155 Bishopsgate, City of London

Comprehensive List of Proprietary Trading Firms

Barkley Trading
Bear Capital
Belvedere Trading
Benchmarq Trading
Blue Capital Group
Boss Trading
Boston Cabot (Chicago - 312-498-7041)
Breakwater Trading
Bright Trading
Buttonwood Group Trading

Gator Trading Partners
Getco, LLC (Chicago)
Gelber Group
Gemini Capital
Genesis Securities
Geneva Trading
Golden Beneficial
Goldenberg, Hehmeyer & Co. (GHCO)
Golden Market
Group One Trading
Guardian Trading

Lion Pride Trading
Liquid Trading (New York)
Lynx Capital

Madison Proprietary Trading Group
Mako Global
MBH Trading
MJL Partners
M&N Trading
MAREX Trading
Marquette Partners
Mazel Trading (Los Angeles)
Motive Capital

Refco Trading Services (Man Financial)
Remata Trading
Remote Day Trader
Rho Trading Securities
RML Trading
Riverbank Capital
Ronin Capital
Rosenthal Collins Group

T3 Capital (result of Sperling & Nexis merger)
Tibra Capital
Titan Securities
Title Trading
Tower Hill Trading
Trade Vision Group
Traders Capital
Trading RM
Transact Futures
Transmarket Group
Triton Trading
Trillium Trading
Trinity Capital
Tuco Trading - SEC Action

Van der Moolen (US & Europe)
Vankar Trading
VTrader Group
Velez Capital

Zinc Trading
Z-Marc II

Here’s a list of European (mainly London based) or overseas Prop Firms:

Argo Traders
Candlestick Trading Company
CFT Financials
Custom House Capital (Ireland)

Dubai Professional Trading Group
Elite Derivatives
Enigma Trading Services (Italy)
Futex Group

OSTC (UK & Poland)
Propex Derivatives (Australia)
Pyne Trading

TCA Markets
TradeLink
Trader Hill
Traders Clearing Alliance
Trading Places(France)
Triniti Financial
Turtle Futures
TXL Trading