A team of former institutional derivatives traders from JP Morgan, Dresdner Kleinwort, and Bank of America has entered the prop trading arena with the launch of a crypto-focused funded trading platform based in Hong Kong. The venture, operated by Velotrade Re Limited, was announced on March 13 and represents one of the most credentialed entries into the retail prop space to date.
Founders Gianluca Pizzituti and Vittorio De Angelis bring decades of experience from top-tier investment banks, and their previous company — Velotrade Management Limited — operates a fintech trade finance platform that has processed more than $2.5 billion in payouts to clients worldwide since 2016. That operational track record is now being channeled into a new model: giving retail traders access to funded prop firm accounts without requiring them to risk their own capital.
What the Platform Offers
The new platform provides funded trading accounts ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, with traders able to keep a significant share of their profits. The firm uses institutional-grade liquidity bridges and AI-driven hedging systems to mirror selected trader positions in real markets — a technical approach that reflects the founders’ background in institutional derivatives trading rather than the simulated-account model used by many existing prop firms.
The focus on cryptocurrency markets is a deliberate choice. Digital assets trade around the clock, attract a younger and more tech-savvy demographic, and have proven to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the prop trading industry. By building a platform specifically for crypto traders, the founders are targeting a market that many traditional prop firms have been slow to address comprehensively.
Why Institutional Credentials Matter
The prop trading industry has faced persistent questions about the legitimacy and financial stability of many operators. Some firms have collapsed, others have changed rules retroactively, and a number have struggled to honor payout commitments. Against this backdrop, a team with verifiable careers at major global banks and a $2.5 billion fintech track record brings a level of institutional credibility that is rare in the retail prop space.
This matters for traders because the financial infrastructure behind a prop firm — including how it hedges risk, manages liquidity, and processes payouts — directly affects whether traders can reliably access their earnings. A firm backed by experienced derivatives professionals is better positioned to manage these operations at scale.
The Broader Trend: Brokers and Institutions Entering Prop
This launch is part of a wider pattern in the prop trading landscape. Over the past year, established brokers and institutional players have increasingly entered the prop trading space, recognizing it as a powerful channel for trader acquisition and engagement. The OANDA-FTMO partnership, TrioMarkets’ launch of TrioFunded, and now this institutional-backed crypto venture all point to a maturing industry that is attracting more sophisticated operators.
For traders, this trend is broadly positive. More credible entrants mean higher operational standards, better risk management, and stronger payout guarantees. It also increases competitive pressure on existing firms to improve their offerings or risk losing market share to better-capitalized competitors.
What Traders Should Watch For
While the institutional pedigree is encouraging, traders should still apply the same due diligence they would with any prop firm. Key factors to evaluate include the specific trading challenge structure and rules, profit split percentages and payout frequency, whether the platform uses real market execution or simulated environments, the firm’s regulatory status and jurisdictional protections, and independent user reviews as they become available.
The Hong Kong base is also noteworthy. As a major financial hub with a relatively clear regulatory framework for digital assets, Hong Kong provides a credible operating environment that may give traders additional confidence compared to firms domiciled in less regulated jurisdictions.
With institutional money and expertise now flowing into the prop trading sector, the bar for what constitutes a trustworthy funded trading platform continues to rise. For crypto traders in particular, this launch signals that the market is moving beyond its early, Wild West phase and into a more structured, professionally managed era.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
Why is this story important for prop traders?
This launch matters because it represents one of the first times that traders with verifiable careers at major investment banks have entered the retail prop trading space. Their institutional experience in derivatives, risk management, and large-scale payouts could set a new standard for how prop firms are built and operated.
Which area of prop trading does this story relate to?
This story sits at the intersection of crypto prop trading and institutional involvement in the funded trader model. It is directly relevant to traders interested in cryptocurrency markets and those who prioritize firm credibility and operational sophistication when choosing a prop firm.
How does this development compare to broader industry trends?
The prop trading industry is experiencing a wave of institutional and brokerage entrants. From OANDA’s partnership with FTMO to brokers launching their own prop arms, the sector is consolidating around more established operators. This crypto-focused launch from former Wall Street traders is the latest example of that professionalization trend.
What should traders do in response to this news?
Crypto traders should monitor the platform’s launch closely and evaluate its offering against established competitors. Key factors to compare include account sizes, profit splits, challenge structures, and payout processing times. Early adopters should start with smaller accounts to test the platform before committing larger capital.
Which types of prop traders are most affected?
This development is most relevant to crypto-native traders who have been underserved by traditional prop firms built primarily for forex and equities. Traders who operate in 24/7 digital asset markets and want institutional-grade execution will find this particularly noteworthy.
Is this a positive or negative development for the prop trading industry?
This is a positive development. When experienced institutional traders enter the prop space, they bring higher operational standards, better risk management frameworks, and stronger financial backing. This raises the credibility of the entire sector and benefits traders by expanding the range of trustworthy options available to them.
How does this affect prop firm selection for new traders?
New traders interested in crypto prop trading now have an additional option backed by institutional expertise. When evaluating this or any firm, new traders should look beyond marketing claims and assess the team’s track record, the platform’s execution model, and whether trading platforms and tools meet their needs before committing to any challenge program.
