Equity index futures remain the backbone for many prop firms; Dow Jones futures advanced 0.6% following strong industrial earnings, suggesting possible extension of cyclical rally into next quarter. “It is both true that AI will transform the economy, and I think it will, like the internet, create huge amounts of economic value in the future,” Taylor said. “I think we’re also in a bubble, and a lot of people will lose a lot of money.” Futures trading, once considered the preserve of institutional desks and seasoned speculators, is now witnessing a strong surge in interest from independent traders looking to diversify beyond forex and crypto. But with this shift has come a growing list of frustrations: multi-step evaluations, unclear rules, delayed withdrawals, and outdated platforms that deter rather than empower. Equity volatility products are gaining traction in top futures prop firms, with E-mini VIX futures allowing precise hedges against equities ahead of critical CPI data.