Are Trading Careers About to Be Transformed?
Most traders will tell you that career success depends on connections, credentials, a job at a bank or deep personal wealth. But there’s another route, which is challenging the industry’s long-held norms.
Capital allocation programs offered by innovative trading firms fund independent traders based on their performance, and it’s changing who gets a shot at a professional trading career, allowing those from non-traditional backgrounds a credible route to participate in live financial markets.
These individuals might be students, teachers or medics, rather than business or finance graduates from elite institutions. They find support and advice from peers, thanks predominantly to the prevalence of social media, and access to a wealth of market insights and information online.
These trading firms also offer training, support and funding. Brokerage firm Axi prides itself on its structured approach, which offers substantial financial support—matching traders’ funds as they rise through the ranks—and it’s available to traders at all levels, even those with no prior experience.
“You get training and support from the start, regardless of your level of experience,” says Greg Rubin, Head of Axi Select, a funding program offered by Axi. “You could be any age, any demographic, and we’ll support you to develop a career.”
Rubin began his career as a traditional prop trader in 2007, when it was difficult to break in. “It was quite prestigious,” he recalls. “You had to have the right degree, you had to have connections.”
Challenging industry perceptions
Axi Select is the only firm of its kind that operates with live trading accounts, as opposed to using the demo accounts that are the industry standard, and there are no fees to join.
The opportunity is popular with a growing number of independent traders worldwide. Since its relaunch in 2023, Axi Select has grown from 85 to over 30,000 traders, paying out more than $5.6 million to users of the platform to date.
But progression through the funding stages is intentionally tough. Of those 30,000 traders, 19,000 have reached the Seed stage, 5,700 have moved to Incubation, 1,600 to Acceleration, 99 to Pro, and 24 to Pro 500. Only three have reached the highest level—Pro M.
“Even if you are perfect, it'll still take a minimum of nine months to reach the $1 million stage. However, there are generous funding levels or benefits at all stages of the program. Trading is difficult and not everybody will be successful at it, but our job is to give traders a fair opportunity and provide them with the necessary tools—not to guarantee anything,” says Rubin.
From lab work to live markets
Kayan Freitas, 22, a chemistry graduate from São Paulo, is one of the traders to reach Axi Select’s top tier. He joined the program with $550 in personal capital, and in just over a year he was trading with $1 million of allocated funds.
Using an algorithmic approach, he builds his own bots to trade gold, NASDAQ stocks and Bitcoin.
“I really like the scientific method and, as much as I enjoy chemistry, trading feels like a video game to me—that's the best way I can describe it,” says Freitas.
Despite the gaming reference, there is real risk and real volatility—and there are real consequences—and current market conditions have tested even his most sophisticated strategies.
“The current chaos is unprecedented,” says Freitas. “The gold bots are not performing as well. However, my Bitcoin bots are actually doing good.”
Preparation, rather than prediction, has become a core principle for managing risk. Now, every strategy Freitas develops includes a stop-loss alongside strict limits on leverage.
“Risk is always going to be there, and you have to manage it. Trading can be very, very rewarding. However, it is still speculation, there's no certainty in your actions,” he says.
New risks, new rules
While Freitas’ scientific mindset gives him an edge, he’s aware of the barriers that still exist to trading careers. “There are incredibly bright people who don’t see the possibilities of trading,” he says.
“If more light were shone on being able to trade this way as a career, it would be helpful to graduates and job seekers to see that there are other ways to live your life.”
Axi Select’s approach runs counter to some online trading platforms, which promise fast access to large sums. In an industry grappling with credibility issues, structure and transparency are critical.
“We’re not trying to be a prop trading firm,” says Rubin, “and we’re more than just a funding program. Yes, we give generous funding, but we also pride ourselves on the education and trading tools—on giving traders what they need to ultimately forge long-term careers and not just make a quick buck.”
Axi’s funding program is, he says, “also a complete game changer for the broker space,” because traders can essentially trade their own account as normal and simultaneously have Axi's funds trading alongside them, which gives the boost of extra funding without any additional charges.
For some, the goal is financial independence, for others it’s mastering a new skill. For Freitas, trading offers something more than significant personal wealth: “I’ll say freedom. If it’s just for the money, then what is the point of life?”
It’s a compelling proposition—a credible route into trading that opens up once-exclusive financial careers—and it’s already resonating with a diverse demographic of aspiring traders.
The Axi Select program is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. In our dealings with you, we will act as a principal counterparty to all of your positions. This content is not available to AU, NZ, EU and UK residents. For more information, refer to Axi's Terms of Service.
