How Many Traders Are There in the World? Why Prop Trading is the Future

How Many Traders Are There in the World? Why Prop Trading is the Future

By
Anna Hadjidou
March 9, 2025

The global trading industry is expanding at an unprecedented rate, with estimates suggesting that over 50 million traders are actively participating in financial markets. This includes Forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and futures. However, some studies indicate that the actual number could be far higher, considering the rise of online trading platforms and the increasing accessibility of financial markets worldwide.

Despite the growing interest in trading, most retail traders face two major challenges: lack of capital and high financial risk. Over 75% of retail traders lose money due to poor risk management, insufficient experience, and emotional trading. This is where proprietary trading firms (prop firms) provide a game-changing solution.

Instead of risking their own money, traders can take part in funded account challenges, where they prove their skills in exchange for access to six- or even seven-figure trading accounts. Prop firms eliminate the need for personal capital while offering traders the ability to scale their profits efficiently.

Unlike retail trading, which often relies on excessive leverage and personal funds, prop trading allows traders to keep the majority of their earnings while managing significantly larger capital pools.

With the number of traders increasing worldwide, shifting from retail to a prop firm could be the smartest career move for any serious trader.