Best Prop Firms for News Trading in 2025: Head-to-Head Comparison

The News Trading Dilemma: Find Your Edge Without Breaking Rules

For traders who thrive on market volatility, news events represent prime opportunities. Major economic releases, central bank decisions, and geopolitical announcements create price action that can lead to substantial profits—if your prop firm allows you to trade during these critical windows.

While many prop firms restrict or outright ban trading around news events, some firms have recognized the demand for news trading capabilities and have adapted their offerings. In 2025, three firms stand out for news traders: Instant Funding, ThinkCapital, and BlueBerry Funded.

Let’s break down exactly how each firm handles news trading and which one might be the best fit for your strategy.

Head-to-Head: News Trading Policies & Add-Ons

Instant Funding: Freedom Through Specific Add-On

Instant Funding offers the most flexible approach through their specialized add-on system:

• Default Policy: 8-minute no-execution window around major news events
• News Trading Add-On: Available as a specific option that completely removes the 8-minute restriction
• Separate Add-Ons: Other independent add-ons (not bundled with news trading) include options to:
  • Reduce profit target by 2%
  • Add 2% to maximum drawdown allowance
  • Add 10% to profit share
  • Remove minimum trading days
• Leverage Impact: With the news trading add-on, leverage is reduced (FX: 1:30 vs standard 1:100)
• Multiple Platforms: MT5, cTrader, DXTrade, Match Trader

This customizable approach gives you the flexibility to tailor your account precisely to your strategy. If news trading is your primary edge, you can unlock that capability specifically. The leverage reduction that comes with the news trading add-on is substantial but may be worth it if your strategy thrives on news volatility.

ThinkCapital: News Trading Add-On with Dual-Step & Nexus

ThinkCapital takes a targeted approach to news trading:

• Default Policy: 4-minute no-execution window—tied with BlueBerry for the tightest window
• News Trading Add-On: Available specifically for Dual Step & Nexus accounts
• Add-On Effect: Allows trading during the restricted 4-minute window
• Other Add-Ons: Separate options for EAs, 90% profit split, and weekly payouts
• Platforms: MT5 and ThinkTrader
• Leverage Options: High standard leverage (1:100 for FX on Dual Step & Nexus)

ThinkCapital’s approach is particularly appealing because it combines one of the tightest standard news windows (4 minutes) with the option to remove it entirely through an add-on. This gives traders flexibility without imposing the most restrictive default window.

BlueBerry Funded: Strategic Exception Approach

BlueBerry takes a structured approach to news trading:

• News Window: 4-minute no-execution window—tied with ThinkCapital for the tightest standard restriction
• Strategic Exception: Orders placed 6+ hours earlier with proper stop loss protection can execute during news events
• No News-Specific Add-On: The 4-minute window cannot be modified
• Alternative Add-On: 7-day payout acceleration (+20%) available (unrelated to news trading)
• Multiple Platforms: MT4, MT5, TradeLocker & DXTrade

BlueBerry’s approach is particularly interesting for strategic news traders who plan ahead. While you can’t place new orders during the 4-minute window, your pre-placed orders with proper risk management can still execute. This encourages a more disciplined approach to news trading rather than reactive trading.

Head-to-Head: News Trading Restrictions Compared

Note: Both Instant Funding and ThinkCapital offer several other add-ons separate from their news trading add-ons, including EA options, profit split adjustments, and payout frequency changes.

How News Trading Impacts Other Critical Trading Parameters

Drawdown Structure Comparison

News traders face heightened volatility, making drawdown structures particularly important:

• Instant Funding: Static drawdown with a one-time 5% reduction if you earn 5% profit; EOD Balance calculation for daily drawdown
• ThinkCapital: Both static (Dual Step & Nexus) and trailing locked (Lightning) options; EOD Balance calculation for daily drawdown
• BlueBerry: Dual options with static drawdown (1 & 2-Step) or trailing locked drawdown (Rapid); EOD Higher of Balance or Equity for 1 & 2-Step and EOD Equity for Rapid

When trading news events, sharp moves can quickly impact your drawdown metrics. ThinkCapital and BlueBerry both offer trailing options in specific account types, which can provide breathing room after profitable news trades by locking in gains.

Leverage During News Events

Leverage directly affects your position sizing and risk during high-volatility events:

• Instant Funding: With news trading add-on: 1:30 for FX (vs. standard 1:100), 1:8 for commodities (vs. 1:20), 1:10 for indices (vs. 1:20), and 1:1 for crypto (vs. 1:2)
• ThinkCapital: Maintains standard leverage with news trading add-on: 1:100 for FX on Dual Step & Nexus accounts; varying by platform and account type for other assets
• BlueBerry: 1:30-1:50 for FX with no specific reduction during news events

ThinkCapital stands out by maintaining high leverage even with their news trading add-on. While Instant Funding significantly reduces leverage when you activate news trading, ThinkCapital allows you to trade news with full leverage, maximizing your position sizing potential during volatile events.

Scaling Opportunities for News Traders

For traders who successfully navigate news events, scaling potential determines long-term growth:

• Instant Funding: Most aggressive scaling at 100% for Instant accounts (vs. 25% for One-Phase & Two-Phase); 10% profit requirement; no time requirement for Instant accounts
• ThinkCapital: 20% scaling after 3 months with 10% profit requirement; requires 3 payouts; max scaling to $1,000,000
• BlueBerry: 25% scaling after 3 months with 10% profit requirement; requires 4 payouts; max scaling to $2,000,000

News trading often produces lumpy returns—potentially significant profits punctuated by periods of consolidation. Instant Funding’s immediate scaling with no time requirement can quickly compound success for news traders who hit their targets, while ThinkCapital and BlueBerry require consistent performance over multiple months and payouts.

Platform Reliability During High-Volatility Events

When trading news, execution quality becomes paramount:

• Instant Funding: Multiple platforms (MT5, cTrader, DXTrade, Match Trader)
• ThinkCapital: MT5 and ThinkTrader
• BlueBerry: MT4, MT5, TradeLocker & DXTrade

Platform diversity gives you options if execution issues arise during high-volatility events. All three firms offer multiple platform options, allowing you to test which provides the best execution during specific news events. ThinkCapital’s proprietary ThinkTrader platform may offer execution advantages during high-impact news for certain asset classes.

The Verdict: Choosing Your Ideal News Trading Prop Firm

Your perfect prop firm match depends entirely on your news trading approach:

Choose ThinkCapital if: You want the best combination of a tight default window (4 minutes) plus the ability to completely remove it with an add-on, all while maintaining high leverage (1:100 for FX). Their approach gives you both flexibility and power—unrestricted news trading without sacrificing position sizing. The news trading add-on is available specifically for their Dual Step & Nexus accounts, making these the top choice for serious news traders.

Choose Instant Funding if: You want the ability to trade directly during news releases through their specific news add-on, which completely removes the 8-minute restriction. Be aware that the primary tradeoff is significantly reduced leverage, which may limit your position sizing during volatile events. You can also separately choose from their other add-ons to further customize your account.

Choose BlueBerry Funded if: You prefer a more strategic approach to news trading with a tight standard restriction window (4 minutes). Their exception for pre-placed orders encourages thoughtful preparation rather than reactive trading. If you’re disciplined enough to set up your trades 6+ hours before news events with proper stop loss protection, you can still capitalize on major announcements without needing an add-on.

The Bottom Line: Your News Trading Strategy Determines Your Firm

News trading is inherently high-risk, high-reward—and choosing the right prop firm can amplify your edge or neutralize it entirely. The three firms we’ve examined offer distinctly different approaches to news trading in 2025:

• ThinkCapital: Tight 4-minute window with add-on option for complete removal while maintaining high leverage
• Instant Funding: 8-minute window with add-on for complete removal, but with significant leverage reduction
• BlueBerry: Tight 4-minute window with no add-on, but with strategic exceptions for planned trades

Your choice should align with your specific news trading methodology. Do you need to maintain high leverage while trading news? Are you comfortable with a wider restriction window? Or do you prefer a more disciplined approach with pre-planned entries?

Take Action

Compare these firms in detail using our prop firm comparison tool, or take our trading style quiz to get a personalized recommendation based on your specific approach to news events. For the latest rule changes and industry news, subscribe to our newsletter.

Last Updated: May 12, 2025