Direct Funding Prop Firms 2026: Skip the Simulated Funded Stage

Most prop firms have a simulated funded stage after you pass the evaluation. TradeDay and similar firms skip this entirely. Here's what direct funding means.

What is Simulated Funded?

Most prop firms operate like this:

1. Pass evaluation (simulated)
2. Enter "funded" stage (still simulated)
3. Eventually trade real capital (maybe)

TradeDay's Direct Model

TradeDay is different:

1. Pass evaluation (simulated)
2. Trade real capital immediately

No simulated funded stage in between.

Why This Matters

• Real stakes from day one
• Your profits are genuine immediately
• No additional requirements to meet
• Faster path to real payouts

The Mental Adjustment

Direct funding changes psychology:

• No "warm up" period
• Every trade counts immediately
• Higher stakes from day one
• Can be stressful for some

100% on First $10K

TradeDay's profit structure:

• First $10,000: 100% yours
• After $10K: 90% profit split
• Clear milestone to work toward

Who Should Choose Direct Funding?

• Experienced traders ready for real stakes
• Those frustrated by multi-stage processes
• Traders confident in their strategies
• Anyone who views sim stages as pointless

The Bottom Line

Direct funding isn't for everyone. The mental pressure is real. But for traders who hate simulated funded stages and just want real capital, TradeDay's model delivers exactly that.