Direct Funded Trader Review: 2026 Deep Dive

This direct funded trader review explores how Direct Funded Trader operates as a proprietary trading firm, the structure of its two funding tracks, the trading rules you must follow to earn a funded account, and what to expect for payouts, scaling, and overall trader support in 2026.

Direct Funded Trader, legally GFT Group LLC, is a prop trading firm launched on February 28, 2023, and led by CEO Arthur Kaziu. The trading firm provides two account paths: a classic two-step Evaluation Program and a streamlined one-step Fast Funding option, working with Blueberry Market as its broker partner.

Trading access is provided through the firm’s broker setup, with platform availability typically centered on MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). The firm highlights trading across markets such as forex pairs, indices, and commodities (including products like metals and energies), with the exact symbol list dependent on the broker feed and account configuration.

The company is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at Business Center 1, The Meydan Hotel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Direct Funded Trader offers two distinct ways to secure trading capital:

In terms of cost, both tracks are purchased via an upfront program fee that is tied to the account size you select (for example, a $100,000 package is priced as a larger tier than smaller accounts). These fees are generally charged as a one-time purchase per attempt rather than a recurring subscription, meaning you typically pay again if you need to restart or repurchase the program.

The Evaluation Program identifies skilled traders by testing consistency, risk control, and profitability over two stages. Available account sizes range from $15,000 to $200,000, and leverage is offered up to 1:100 on supported markets such as forex and indices.

Phase One sets a profit objective. Traders must stay within the firm’s daily loss rule and overall drawdown limit. There is no cap on trading days, but a minimum number of separate trading days is required to move forward.

Phase Two uses a second profit objective while preserving the same daily and total loss parameters. Again, there is no maximum trading period; the same minimum trading-day requirement applies to qualify for funding.

After completing both phases, traders receive a funded account. There is no minimum withdrawal threshold. The first payout window opens 30 calendar days from the first trade on the funded account, and subsequent payouts are available every two weeks. The profit split is 80% to the trader. During evaluation, traders receive $3 cashback per lot traded.

The scaling path rewards sustained performance. Each time a trader accumulates 25% net profit, the account balance increases by 50% of the original starting balance.

Example Progression:

• After 25% profit: a $50,000 account becomes $100,000. • After another 25%: the $100,000 account scales to $150,000. • After a further 25%: the $150,000 account scales to $200,000.

• Profit Target: Phase One 8%, Phase Two 5%.
• Maximum Daily Loss: 5%.
• Maximum Loss: 10%.
• Minimum Trading Days: 5 per phase.
• No Martingale strategies.

Fast Funding is a one-step assessment designed to qualify disciplined traders for capital quickly. Account sizes run from $15,000 to $100,000.

There are two Fast Funding variants: Standard and Aggressive. Standard offers leverage up to 1:50, while Aggressive provides up to 1:30. A key policy difference is how positions are handled around the weekend.

The assessment uses a defined profit objective alongside daily and overall drawdown rules. There is no maximum timeframe to complete the objective, and a minimum number of distinct trading days is required to be funded.

Upon passing, traders gain a funded account with no minimum payout threshold. The first payout can be requested 30 calendar days from the first trade, followed by bi-weekly withdrawal cycles. The profit split is 80% to the trader, and $3 per lot is credited as cashback during the evaluation.

Scaling mirrors the Evaluation Program. Each 25% profit milestone increases the balance by 50% of the initial starting amount.

Example Progression:

• After 25% profit: a $50,000 account becomes $100,000. • After another 25%: the $100,000 account scales to $150,000. • After a further 25%: the $150,000 account scales to $200,000.

• Profit Target: 10%.
• Maximum Daily Loss: 4%.
• Maximum Loss: 7%.
• Minimum Trading Days: 5.
• No Martingale strategies.
• No Weekend Holding (Standard only).

Direct Funded Trader differentiates itself from many prop firms by offering both a two-phase Evaluation Program and a single-phase Fast Funding track. The Evaluation Program follows a staged structure, while Fast Funding condenses qualification into one step and introduces variant-specific position holding policies.

Both paths provide unlimited time to reach targets, a competitive 80% profit split, bi-weekly payouts after the first 30-day window, and a $3-per-lot cashback during the evaluation. Each program also features a clear scaling plan to grow account size after consistent performance.

Selecting a prop firm should start with confirming that risk controls, drawdown rules, and payout cadence match your trading style. Generous profit splits lose their value if targets are unrealistic or drawdowns are too tight. Consider timelines, withdrawal frequency, and whether program constraints align with your strategy in live markets.

Profit targets can be achievable when they are paired with clear drawdown limits and a realistic pace of trading days, but most failures come from traders changing position size to “catch up” rather than sticking to a stable risk plan.

Direct funded trading is still risky. Even with transparent rules, you can lose the program fee, breach daily drawdown limits during volatile sessions, or get disqualified by breaking execution restrictions that don’t show up as “losing trades” on a performance curve.

Common pitfalls include overleveraging after a strong day, trying to recover losses with oversized positions, trading around major news without adjusting risk, and ignoring how daily loss limits can be hit by a single spike or spread widening. Another frequent issue is strategy drift—switching systems mid-evaluation and losing consistency.

Always review every policy before and after funding to avoid unintended breaches. Across both tracks, the structure is designed to be attainable while promoting strong risk management.

Overall, Direct Funded Trader presents two viable pathways to a funded account, each with transparent rules, predictable payouts, and room to scale.

Founded on February 28, 2023, Direct Funded Trader has built a sizable trader community that has reached funded status and qualified for profit splits. After passing the Evaluation Program or Fast Funding, the first payout can be requested 30 calendar days from the first funded trade, followed by a 14-day cycle. Traders receive an 80% profit split on gains generated on the funded account.

Payment proof is frequently shared on third-party review platforms and within the firm’s community channels. Many traders outline their payout experiences and share screenshots of successful withdrawals and certificates, and payouts are commonly reported as being processed through methods such as bank transfer or cryptocurrency, depending on the option available in your region. 

Direct Funded Trader does not publish formal educational courses on its site. Instead, the firm equips traders with a detailed performance dashboard that tracks objectives in real time, supports risk oversight, and allows you to iterate on strategy across markets like forex, indices, and commodities.

Community feedback on Trustpilot has been strong, reflecting satisfaction with platform features, funding options, and payout procedures. That said, not every review is positive, and the more critical feedback tends to focus on areas like rule clarity, the handling of breaches, and occasional frustration with response times during busy periods.

At the time of writing, the firm holds a 4.1 out of 5 rating from 29 reviews on Trustpilot, with 69% awarding a full 5-star score.

Traders frequently highlight responsive customer support, smooth payout processing, and quick issue resolution. Users note that the firm leverages modern infrastructure to deliver favorable conditions for professionals engaged in prop trading.

Overall sentiment indicates a reliable experience and long-term potential for traders seeking a stable prop partner.

If you need assistance, contact support via live chat on the website or by email at support@ . You can also consult the FAQ, Discord, or Telegram to find answers and platform updates.

Fast payouts matter, but reliable support is what keeps traders calm when a rule question or dashboard issue shows up mid-evaluation.

Direct Funded Trader is a modern proprietary trading firm offering two clear routes to a funded account: a two-step Evaluation Program and a one-step Fast Funding track. Both paths feature defined objectives, sensible risk limits, and an 80% profit split, with no maximum time to complete evaluations and bi-weekly payouts after the first 30-day window.

The Evaluation Program uses a two-stage structure, while Fast Funding consolidates qualification into a single step and includes multiple variants. Each program includes a scaling plan that increases account size after sustained profitability.