From the bustling trading floors of Wall Street three decades ago, “prop trading” — a model where traders use firm capital instead of personal funds — has been booming worldwide. Between 2020–2024 alone, searches for this keyword in Vietnam skyrocketed by over 8,000%. This reflects the growing thirst for new opportunities among local traders.

But prop trading is not a creation of the digital age. When exactly was this seed planted, how did it grow, and why has it taken root so deeply in Vietnam’s market? This article takes you back through history to find the answers — while also opening a roadmap to conquering funded accounts worth up to $5,000,000 for anyone disciplined enough.

1. Prop Trading – Origins on Wall Street: History & Model Essence

The Origins of Prop Trading

Prop Trading, short for Proprietary Trading, refers to a unique business model in which financial institutions use their own capital to execute trades in the market, rather than merely acting as intermediaries for clients as in traditional models.

Looking back at history, prop trading began to take shape and flourish in the 1980s on Wall Street, when major financial institutions and banks recognized the exceptional profit potential of trading directly in the markets instead of relying solely on brokerage fees from clients.

The emergence and growth of the prop model are closely tied to the rise of hedge funds and leading investment banks such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. These organizations pioneered the creation of professional trading teams, actively adopted advanced technologies, and developed modern trading strategies to maximize performance and profitability.

Key features of prop trading include:

  • Operating with firm-owned capital instead of client funds as in traditional models.
  • Setting ambitious profit goals alongside strict risk management systems.
  • Heavy investment in training and developing professional traders with modern risk tools and technology.

2. The Global Boom of Prop Trading: From the U.S. to Europe and Asia

The Global Boom of Prop Trading

After major success in the U.S., prop trading quickly expanded worldwide, reaching Europe and Asia. The rise of global prop firms such as AI Prop, FTMO, MyForexFunds, The5ers and others created a powerful wave, attracting hundreds of thousands of traders.

The development trend of the prop trading industry in the digital era is closely tied to the boom of financial technology (fintech), the rise of automated trading systems (algo trading), and the growing popularity of modern trading platforms such as MT4, MT5, Ctrader, and TradingView.

Throughout history, prop trading has marked many remarkable success stories: it is not uncommon for traders who started modestly with demo accounts to, after a few years of practice and experience, become skilled “pro traders” managing multi-million-dollar portfolios for leading prop firms.

Several key factors have significantly contributed to the strong growth of prop trading:

  • Attractive and fair profit-sharing models (with payout ratios of up to 80–90% of profits).
  • Transparent and fair evaluation and selection processes for all applicants.
  • Development of a comprehensive support ecosystem, including knowledge-sharing communities, professional coaching services, and AI-powered performance analysis tools.

3. The Arrival in Vietnam: How Prop Trading Took Root

The Rise of Prop Trading in Vietnam

In recent years, prop trading has witnessed remarkable growth in the Vietnamese market, with its expansion and community interest exceeding all expectations. The number of Vietnamese traders joining international prop firms continues to rise, and many have achieved impressive milestones on the global stage.

The origin of the prop trading wave in Vietnam stems from the real and pressing needs of the market: most retail traders frequently face challenges such as limited capital, heavy psychological pressure when trading with real money, and the desire for a professional, transparent, and reliable trading environment.

To meet these needs, prop firms quickly entered the Vietnamese market, capturing the trend and pioneering the development of a comprehensive support ecosystem that includes:

  • Offering a wide range of prop trading accounts tailored to different experience levels and trading styles.
  • Launching advanced AI dashboards that provide detailed and transparent performance reports.
  • Implementing fast payout policies with highly attractive profit-sharing rates.
  • Building professional support communities that offer coaching and psychological trading guidance.

Although the history of prop trading in Vietnam is still relatively young, the market has already seen many remarkable success stories. For example, some traders, after just a few months of focused training, managed to pass tough challenges and received their first payouts from reputable international prop firms.

4. Challenges & Opportunities in Vietnam

The biggest challenge Vietnamese traders face today is the lack of fundamental knowledge about prop trading. This gap makes many easily attracted to “fake prop” models, sophisticated scams, or unreliable prop firms.

In addition, the issue of transparency and credibility among prop firms operating in Vietnam remains a top concern within the trading community.

However, the overall picture still reveals tremendous opportunities and great potential:

  • Traders don’t need large personal capital; instead, they can focus on developing professional knowledge and trading skills.
  • Access to significant funding from prop firms with fair and transparent profit-sharing mechanisms.
  • Comprehensive support through professional ecosystems, including coaching services and AI-powered analysis tools, helping traders grow sustainably in their careers.

As a pioneer in the market, AI Prop is committed to continuously building and developing a professional and transparent prop trading environment, enabling Vietnamese traders to rise and establish their presence on the international stage.

5. AI Prop’s Advice: How to Succeed in Prop Trading

The first and most important step is to invest time and effort in thoroughly understanding the history of prop trading, mastering the origins and essence of the model, and carefully comparing reputable prop firms in the market.

Next, focus on building knowledge, practicing seriously with demo accounts, and actively participating in free trading competitions to gain experience.

When choosing a prop firm to partner with, prioritize those with transparent policies, clear payout procedures, and comprehensive support such as AI tools and professional coaching services.

Above all, don’t let early failures discourage you — every time you “fail a challenge” is a valuable lesson on your journey toward growth and career development.

Finally, always maintain a strong mindset and stay committed to your long-term goals.