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- EUR/USD, Gold or Nasdaq? #1 Choice for Funded Traders
EUR/USD, Gold or Nasdaq? #1 Choice for Funded Traders
Thinking about prop trading but not sure where to kick things off? Trade any of these, and you’ll be beginning on the right track.

Hey Prop Traders, here’s are some valuable tips, terms explained and prop firm news for July 8, 2025
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EUR/USD, Gold or Nasdaq? The
#1 Choice for Funded Traders
Thinking about prop trading but not sure where to kick things off? You’ve come to the right place. Prop firms want traders who can deliver steady profits and survive the occasional drawdown and the first step is picking the right market. Out of the dozens of instruments out there, three consistently rise to the top for funded accounts: the ultra‐liquid EUR/USD, the macro‐driven Gold market, and the high‐volatility Nasdaq. Trade any of these, and you’ll be beginning on the right track.
EUR / USD: The Workhorse of Consistency
If you’re after a market that feels like clockwork, where costs are negligible and spikes are rare - EUR/USD checks all the boxes. It’s the go‐to for traders who want to execute tight, repeatable strategies without drama. Here’s why it shines for prop traders:
Deep Liquidity & Ultra‐Low Cost
Average spreads often under 0.2 pips even on retail platforms
Virtually zero slippage during normal conditions
Tight costs let you run very small targets (3 to 5 pips) and still make money
24×5 Market Access
Trades continuously from Sunday evening to Friday evening ET
Overlaps London and New York sessions for peak volume
You can pick your best time zone to trade based on your edge
Predictable Volatility Profile
ATR (14) typically ~50 pips/day - enough room for repeatable setups
Fewer wild spikes than commodity or equity futures
Enables backtest‐driven strategies with stable equity curves
Ideal for Rule‐Based Scalp & Day Strategies
Supports tight stop‐loss, clear R‐multiples, and mechanical entries
Rarely gaps more than a pip or two at weekend open
Perfect if your prop‐firm demands a low daily drawdown (e.g., 2–4%)
Gold (XAU/USD or GC Futures): The Macro Swing Engine
If you like mixing fundamental themes with clean chart patterns, Gold gives you both - a trending ride when the macro data hits and a reliable range in between. That blend makes it a staple for funded accounts. Here’s what makes it a prop‐firm favorite:
Blend of Trend & Range
Clear trending days around Fed/CPI/Geopolitics
Defined ranges in quiet periods - easy to spot support/resistance
ATR (14) often 50 to 100 ticks in futures (~$250–$500), giving flexible targets
Strong Institutional Participation
Central banks, sovereign wealth funds, ETFs keep volume steady
News‐driven moves amplified by positioning - more edge on big prints
Retail and algo flows create predictable “liquidity pools”
24‐Hour Access & Session Rotation
Asian session tends to set the tone; London picks up European drivers; New York brings the fireworks
Allows you to trade mini‐sessions rather than full days, fitting prop‐firm time requirements
Great for Hybrid Macro‐Technical Approaches
Combine yield‐curve moves, carry‐trade dynamics, and classic chart patterns
Multiple time‐frame confluence: weekly range, daily breakout, intraday pullback
Frequently meets minimum trade counts thanks to chop phases
Nasdaq (E-mini NQ): The High-Octane Playground
When you’re up for some big trends or wild intraday swings, Nasdaq delivers and prop firms reward you for capturing those fast moves. Here’s why it appeals to funded traders:
Explosive Volatility & Big Tick Value
Moves of 200–300 points on active days; each tick is $5
One strong trend can deliver your monthly target in hours
ATR (14) often 100–150 ticks- ideal for medium-term swing or aggressive scalps
Tight, Transparent Auctions
Central Limit Order Book ensures deep bids/offers around the NBBO
Minimal slippage on market orders during peak US hours (9:30–16:00 ET)
Fast auctions let you scale in/out with precision
Clear News & Tech Sector Catalysts
Earnings, Fed minutes, big-tech announcements fuel impulsive moves
You can plan around scheduled events to meet prop-firm holding requirements
Intraday liquidity ramps up into key macro releases
Built-in Risk Management Signals
High-vol days tend to follow pattern breakouts - easy to define entry triggers
Stops can be placed beyond prior session highs/lows for logical R:R
A handful of ticks win or lose often meets the “minimum 5 trades per day” rule
Quick Tips
Match your style: EUR/USD for tight scalps, Gold for mixed macro swings, NQ for high-risk/high-reward plays.
Respect drawdown rules: All three offer ways to fit within a 2–4% daily drawdown limit, just size appropriately.
Time it right: Use session overlaps and news calendars to hit your minimum trade counts.
Pick the one whose rhythm aligns with your strategy, size smart, and you’ll be ticking all the boxes prop firms care about.
Real-World Proof
For the handful of traders who’ve hit the $1 million funding mark at Axi Select - its 100% free funded-trader program - Gold has been their top choice.
Sofea became the first female trader to secure that $1 million, and she did it entirely with Gold.
22-year-old Kayan has already pulled in $90 K in payouts and it’s all from Gold trades.
If that doesn’t convince you that Gold deserves a close look, nothing will. Good luck out there!
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