US forex and CFD prop traders have lost another platform. On July 1, 2026, Finance Magnates reported that Spotware, the developer of cTrader, had restricted prop firms from onboarding new US-based traders on the platform. Spotware confirmed the move and cited an "internal regulatory assessment."
What happened
Spotware's statement to Finance Magnates, in full:
"We previously permitted proprietary trading firms to onboard traders residing in the United States on the cTrader Platform, provided that certain criteria were met. Following an internal regulatory assessment during the first quarter of 2026, we made the strategic decision to restrict the onboarding of US-based traders on the platform. This approach reflects our ongoing commitment to ensure that our operations remain aligned with our internal compliance and risk management framework."
The firms had already been changing their terms:
- FundedNext: "Effective from 31.03.2026, US-based traders will no longer be able to purchase new accounts on the cTrader platform." Its help center directs US traders to Match-Trader for new accounts. Existing cTrader accounts can be used until breached but cannot be reset.
- The5ers: updated its guidelines in June so that cTrader is for non-US clients only. Its platform FAQ lists TradingView as the option for US clients.
- Goat Funded Trader: amended its terms in April to exclude US clients from cTrader. It now lists Match-Trader, TradeLocker and Volumetrica for the US.
- FundingPips: as of September 2026, says US residents and citizens cannot use cTrader, and lists Match-Trader as available in the US and Canada, per Finance Magnates.
Why it matters for US prop traders
Platform access is a hidden risk in prop trading. Your firm can be solvent and honest, and your account can still be affected by a decision made at a software vendor in Cyprus. In practice:
- US traders at forex/CFD prop firms now have fewer platform choices, concentrated on Match-Trader, TradeLocker, TradingView-based setups and similar.
- Grandfathered accounts at some firms can't be reset once breached, so a single blown account can force a platform switch.
- Strategies, indicators or cBots built for cTrader may not carry over.
The controversy: compliance or quiet crackdown?
Spotware did not say what regulatory issue it found, and Finance Magnates doesn't claim a regulator ordered the change. The outlet notes the MetaQuotes exit was reportedly driven partly by "grey-labelling" of licences to prop firms. It adds that the CFTC's aggressive stance, seen in the 2023 raid and asset freeze at My Forex Funds, "might have altered the risk appetite" of platform providers. Those are possible explanations, not confirmed ones.
There is also a commercial side. Finance Magnates notes Spotware said in 2025 that live USD trading volume on cTrader grew by 105%, and US prop migration was "surely part of that growth." Giving up that flow suggests the company's risk assessment outweighed the revenue.
Our take
Our take: Two major platform vendors have now independently decided that serving US retail prop traders isn't worth the risk. You can call that a coincidence. Or you can read it as vendors pricing in regulatory exposure the prop firms themselves won't talk about. For US traders, the practical lesson is that the offshore forex/CFD prop model sits on borrowed infrastructure. The uncomfortable question: if the companies whose software runs these accounts are walking away from US clients, what do they know that the marketing doesn't say?
What traders can do
- Before buying, confirm which platforms your firm allows for your country, and whether resets are allowed on legacy platforms.
- Don't build your whole workflow around one platform's proprietary tools.
- Take payouts regularly. Platform migrations have caused delays and freezes before.
Key takeaways
- Spotware restricted onboarding of new US-based traders on cTrader for prop firms after a Q1 2026 internal regulatory assessment (reported July 1, 2026).
- FundedNext stopped new US cTrader purchases from March 31, 2026. The5ers, Goat Funded Trader and FundingPips also restrict US cTrader access.
- Match-Trader, TradeLocker and TradingView-based setups are the main US alternatives listed.
- This mirrors the 2024 MetaQuotes move that preceded a wave of prop firm closures.
- Platform access is a real counterparty risk for prop traders.
Put the research to work on your Desk
Explore the tools behind the research, compare the available access, or open your Desk if you already have an account.
FAQ
Can US traders use cTrader at prop firms?
For new accounts, generally no. Spotware restricted onboarding of US-based prop traders after a Q1 2026 internal assessment. Firms like FundedNext and The5ers now limit cTrader to non-US clients or grandfathered accounts.
What platforms can US forex prop traders use now?
It depends on the firm. FundedNext points US traders to Match-Trader, The5ers lists TradingView, and Goat Funded Trader lists Match-Trader, TradeLocker and Volumetrica.
Why did cTrader restrict US prop traders?
Spotware cited an 'internal regulatory assessment' and alignment with its compliance and risk framework. It did not give specific reasons.
Loomi.Ai provides educational market research, not financial advice. Trading futures and options involves substantial risk of loss, and backtested results are historical and do not guarantee future returns.
Sources
- cTrader Restricts US Prop Firm Access Following "Internal Regulatory Assessment", Finance Magnates
- Trading with cTrader at FundedNext, FundedNext Help Center
- Which Trading Platform Do You Use For CFDs?, The5ers
- Prop Firm FundingPips Expands Built-In Trade Copier Across Three Trading Platforms, Finance Magnates via TradingView News