it's not BECAUSE they ask you to put money, then they are scum. but props that don't ask for deposit definitely have something to offer the trader they hire - otherwise, how will they profit? while for the classic prop (bright, generic, etc.) - they'll profit by simply having the trader churn his account till his death and replacement by the next sucker. a very few profitable traders like yourself, that go prop for the extra leverage, don't change the overall picture. one last thing - this is not 'my theory', as you put it. rather, it is their business model.