Proprietary trading firms accepting US traders often impose platform-level restrictions that go unmentioned in country-level marketing claims. Five crypto-focused firms reviewed in 2026 all accept US applicants, but each enforces different platform gates that US traders must verify before paying evaluation fees.
The distinction matters because a firm's country policy and its platform policy are separate. A firm can answer yes to US access while restricting specific trading terminals to non-US residents.
Platform Restrictions Vary Across Firms
Crypto Fund Trader accepts US traders on Bybit and Match-Trader but restricts MetaTrader 5 under its Terms and Conditions. Bybit evaluations run across more than 550 crypto futures pairs with no markup on pricing. Programs scale to $300,000 in simulated allocation with no time limit. Trader splits reach 80% of profits, or 90% with an add-on. KYC is not required to begin evaluation but is mandatory before receiving any reward payout.
Breakout operates as a Kraken-linked firm headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and accepts the US with no platform carved out. It does not restrict specific platforms by country. Evaluations run on Breakout's own terminal across roughly 60 crypto pairs with leverage up to 5x on BTC and ETH. Profit splits range from 80% to 90%, with on-demand reward requests available.
HyroTrader operates two separate evaluation tracks. Its Bybit-linked track is closed to US and Canadian residents. To accommodate US traders, HyroTrader built a proprietary platform called Cleo with no country restrictions, which uses Binance market data. Splits start at 80%, rising to 90%. Account sizes range from $5,000 to $200,000.
RebelsFunding accepts US applicants conditionally. Its Terms and Conditions state that US residents may be accepted for simulated trading evaluation where permitted by applicable law and where they satisfy the firm's internal compliance requirements. The firm reserves discretion to refuse applications based on legal, regulatory, or compliance risk. Evaluations run on RebelsFunding's proprietary RF-Trader platform.
BrightFunded restricts MetaTrader 5 and cTrader to non-US residents but opens DXTrade to all locations, including the US. DXTrade covers forex, CFDs, and a smaller crypto asset set than exchange-linked terminals.
Why MetaTrader 5 Restrictions Recur
Three of the five firms restrict MetaTrader 5 to US residents. This stems from a licensing requirement, not individual firm policy. Offering MT5 to US clients requires authorization from the NFA, CFTC, or FINRA. MetaQuotes enforced this requirement on February 2, 2024, withdrawing licenses from unauthorized grey-label providers. Most evaluation firms lack this authorization, forcing them to route US business to alternative platforms.
Key Differences Between Firms
- Breakout applies country-level policy only, with no platform-specific gates
- Crypto Fund Trader, HyroTrader, and BrightFunded gate specific platforms while keeping others open to US residents
- RebelsFunding requires case-by-case compliance review for US applications
What US Traders Should Verify
Before enrolling, US traders should confirm which platform they will use and whether that specific platform is open to their location. Country acceptance does not guarantee platform access. Each firm publishes its platform restrictions in its Terms and Conditions, often in different sections than country-level policies. Checking the platform clause is a separate step from confirming country eligibility.
