How Much Money Do You Need to Start Trading?

How much capital do you need to start trading?

It’s one of the most asked—and misunderstood—questions in finance. Ask ten traders, and you’ll get ten different answers.

The truth? There’s no single figure. The amount of capital you need depends on your trading style, the market you’re trading, your risk appetite—and whether you’re using your own money or trading with funded capital.

Traditionally, becoming a trader meant risking thousands just to get started. Today, prop firms like FXIFY are changing that—lowering the entry cost while raising the ceiling on what traders can achieve.

What Does it Cost to Get Started with FXIFY?

FXIFY gives traders access to up to $400,000 in funded capital, with programmes starting from just $39.

Programme Type	You Pay (One-Time Fee)	You Get (Trading Capital)
Lightning	$59-$399	$10,000 – $100,000
Instant Funding	$69 – $4,249	$1,000 – $100,000 (no evaluation)
One-Phase	$59 – $2,950	$5,000 – $400,000 (after 1 phase)
Two-Phase	$59 – $2,950	$5,000 – $400,000 (after 2 phases)
Three-Phase	$39 – $1,599	$5,000 – $400,000 (after 3 phases)

Key Benefits:

• No capital risk – only pay the fee to get started
  
• Funded accounts up to $400K
  
• Keep up to 100% of your realised gains
  
• First payout on demand, then bi-weekly

What is Trading Capital?

Trading capital is the money allocated specifically for buying and selling financial instruments, whether for short-term trades or long-term positions. It is the capital you put at risk to generate returns.

Compared to traditional investing, trading requires more liquidity, tighter execution, and strict risk management. Without enough capital, your strategy may lack flexibility or fail to withstand market volatility.

“Don’t focus on making money; focus on protecting what you have.”
— Paul Tudor Jones

What if You Are Trading Without a Prop Firm?

When you trade without prop firm support, you are using your own money, which means you take on full financial risk. That changes everything.

Here is how capital requirements vary depending on your trading style:

Day Trading

Day traders enter and exit positions within a single trading day, aiming to profit from short-term price moves. This strategy often requires substantial capital to manage leverage, spreads, and fast-moving risk.

Market	Capital Requirements	Recommended Capital
U.S. Day Trading	$25,000+ (PDT Rule)	$30,000+
UK & European Day Trading	£5,000 – £10,000	£10,000+

Is Day Trading Right for You?

• Confident using leverage with disciplined risk control
  
• Comfortable placing frequent trades—even with higher fees and spreads
  
• Able to monitor markets closely throughout the day
  
• Aware that lack of discipline often leads to losses

Swing Trading 

Swing traders hold positions for several days to weeks, capturing larger price moves over time. It suits part-time traders who want to avoid the intensity of day trading.

Market	Minimum Capital	Recommended Capital
Forex	£500	£2,000-£5,000
Stocks	£2,000	£5,000-£10,000
Options	£1,000	£3,000-£5,000

Is Swing Trading Right for You?

• You prefer fewer trades with lower fees and spreads
  
• You want flexibility to trade part-time around other commitments
  
• You value less screen time and reduced emotional pressure
  
• You have limited capital and want to avoid large margin requirements

Position Trading

This long-term approach focuses on macro trends. Position traders may hold trades for weeks or even months, using technical and fundamental analysis to identify high-probability opportunities.

Market	Minimum Capital	Recommended Capital
Forex	£500	£1,000 – £5,000
Stocks	£2,000	£5,000 – £10,000
ETFs/Indices	£1,000	£3,000 – £7,500

Is Position Trading Right for You?

• You prefer a low-stress approach with minimal market monitoring
  
• You aim to capitalise on long-term trends without daily trade management
  
• You want a strategy that fits around a full-time job or lifestyle
  
• You’re comfortable holding trades for weeks or months and managing risk over time

Scalping

Scalpers execute multiple trades per day, sometimes per minute, targeting small profits at high frequency. This method requires extreme focus, quick decisions, and ultra-fast execution.

Market	Minimum Capital	Recommended Capital
Minimum Recommended Capital	£5,000+	£10,000+

Is Scalping Right for You?

• You thrive in high-speed environments and can act quickly under pressure
  
• You use brokers that support scalping with tight spreads and fast execution

Why FXIFY Makes Capital More Accessible

For many aspiring traders, capital is the biggest hurdle. Traditional trading demands large upfront deposits and exposes traders to personal financial risk.

FXIFY solves this by offering funded accounts. You trade with firm capital, not your own, which means you can focus on performance without the stress of personal losses.

Why FXIFY is a Game-Changer for Traders

Barrier	Traditional Trading	FXIFY Solution
High Capital Requirements	Requires thousands to trade effectively	Start with as little as $39 and access funding from $5,000 to $400,000
Personal Financial Risk	Traders risk their own funds	Trade without putting personal capital at risk
Slow Account Growth	Small accounts restrict scaling	Scale instantly with access to higher capital
Strict Regulatory Barriers	Margin rules and PDT limits apply	Simple evaluations with no PDT rule or capital minimums

Final Thoughts

How much money do you need to start trading? The answer depends—but thanks to modern funding models, it is now more accessible than ever.

With FXIFY, you can enter the market without risking personal capital, scale up to $400,000, and receive payouts from your very first trade. Whether you are just starting out or looking to go further, FXIFY offers a clear path forward with structure, support, and real growth potential.