Seacrest Markets, once a prominent player in the prop trading space, has announced it will fully close its proprietary trading operations on February 6, 2026. The firm is shifting focus entirely to its CFD brokerage activities after integrating MyFundedFX. All prop trading accounts and open positions will be terminated, with refunds and final payout instructions already being issued to affected traders.
For many traders who trusted seacrest markets with their evaluations and funded accounts, this sudden exit feels jarring. Even firms that appeared strong and well-reviewed can make dramatic pivots. This event underscores a critical reality in 2026: being selective when choosing a prop firm is more important than ever, regardless of past reputation or marketing claims.
A Brief History of Seacrest Markets and the Road to Closure
Seacrest Markets (formerly MyFundedFX) built a solid reputation offering flexible evaluation programs, competitive profit splits, and access to forex, indices, and other markets. At its peak, it backed thousands of traders and paid out millions in profits. Traders appreciated fast payouts and responsive support in many cases.
However, like several other prop firms in recent years, Seacrest faced industry-wide pressures: tighter broker relationships, regulatory scrutiny, rising operational costs, and evolving trader expectations around rule consistency. Rather than continue the prop model, the firm chose a full transition to a broker-backed CFD operation. This makes Seacrest Markets one of the clearest recent examples of a once-top prop firm exiting the funded trader space entirely.
Traders holding active seacrest markets challenges or funded accounts now face deadlines to request refunds or process final payouts. The situation highlights a key risk: sudden rule changes, platform shifts, or outright closures can leave traders scrambling, even when everything seemed stable months earlier.
Why This Matters: The Growing Need for Selectivity in Prop Firms
The prop trading industry has seen dozens of firms adjust rules, reduce profit splits, or wind down operations in the past 12–18 months. What looked like a “safe” choice yesterday can change overnight.
Key red flags traders should watch for today include:
- Retroactive rule additions or unexplained restrictions
- Heavy reliance on third-party brokers without clear contingency plans
- Inconsistent payout experiences reported across communities
- Lack of long-term transparency around capital sourcing and risk management
In contrast, firms that publish clear, unchanging rules, process payouts predictably, and focus on sustainable trader development tend to build lasting trust.
A Stronger Alternative Path: Futures-Focused Stability with Funded Futures Family
While the seacrest markets news understandably shakes confidence, many futures traders are finding reliable, transparent options in the futures prop space. One program that consistently stands out for its no-hidden-rules approach and repeatable payout pathway is the funded futures family.
Funded Futures Family (FFF) specializes exclusively in futures trading strategies and funded futures accounts. Their model is built around:
- Transparent drawdown rules (End-of-Day or Intraday Trailing, clearly stated upfront)
- A straightforward payout trigger: just 7 qualifying winning days ($200+ profit each) with staged consistency limits that actually loosen over time (40% → 45% → 50%)
- Fast funding activation (often next business day after passing)
- 90% profit split (100% on the first $10,000 in payouts)
- No activation fees on most plans and affordable resets
Traders consistently report that FFF’s rules feel designed for real trading careers rather than short-term challenges. The emphasis on stacking consistent green days aligns naturally with sound futures trading strategies and reduces the frustration of payout delays caused by one oversized winning day.
Compared to firms that have faced complaints about sudden restrictions or payout uncertainty, Funded Futures Family’s public transparency and trader-first design provide a noticeable edge in reliability. In an era where even established names like seacrest markets can exit the prop model, this kind of clarity and consistency becomes a major differentiator.
What Traders Should Prioritize When Evaluating Prop Firms Today
- Rule permanence – Are the guidelines locked in, or do they change quietly?
- Payout predictability – Can you realistically plan withdrawals based on repeatable criteria?
- Market focus – Does the firm specialize in the instruments you actually trade (e.g., futures vs. broad CFDs)?
- Capital sourcing & longevity – How is the funded capital backed, and has the firm demonstrated multi-year stability?
- Community feedback – Look beyond marketing; read recent verified payout proofs and support experiences.
Final Thoughts
The seacrest markets shutdown is a wake-up call, not a reason to abandon prop trading entirely. It simply reinforces that traders must do deeper due diligence and favor firms that prove reliability over time rather than flashy promises.
For futures traders seeking funded futures accounts with transparent rules, fast payouts, and genuine long-term support, programs that prioritize consistency and clarity—like those offered by Funded Futures Family—represent a far more sustainable choice in today’s environment.
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