Who is behind each firm
The leadership of these two firms represents a professionalized approach to prop trading in the UAE. Jason Blax at AquaFunded has positioned the firm as a multi-asset provider with a strong focus on platform variety. On the other side, Sebastian Ness at Sure Leverage Funding has opted for a highly diversified product catalog that includes niche models like "Buy Now, Pay Later" and "Futures Style" accounts. The fact that both CEOs chose the UAE—specifically Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah—indicates a shared preference for a jurisdiction that offers a structured business environment for financial technology services, which serves as the primary institutional backing for the traders' agreements.
How long they have been around
Since their foundation in 2023, both firms have navigated a rapidly changing regulatory and technical landscape. Surviving and growing for over a year in this industry is a sign of operational stability, as it requires managing liquidity, platform migrations, and payout cycles through various market conditions. AquaFunded has used this time to expand its technical infrastructure to four different platforms, while Sure Leverage Funding has focused on expanding its ruleset to accommodate different trading styles, such as high-frequency trading (HFT) through specific challenges. Their synchronized trajectories show two companies that have matured at a similar pace, moving from startup phases to established mid-sized firms.
What they promise and what backs it
What these firms promise is essentially a bridge to capital through various risk models. AquaFunded offers an aggressive 90% profit split across most of its plans, backed by a technical environment that includes MetaTrader 5, cTrader, MatchTrader, and TradeLocker. Their risk management is defined by the "Wave Stop" rule, which automatically closes trades at a 2% loss to protect the account—a mechanism that reflects a firm focused on preventing catastrophic drawdowns. Sure Leverage Funding promises even more variety, with profit splits ranging from 50% to 90% depending on the program. Their backing is characterized by a more restrictive approach to trading styles; for example, they generally prohibit Expert Advisors (EAs) except in dedicated challenges and enforce a 2-minute minimum duration for trades to prevent tick scalping. While AquaFunded relies on platform flexibility and general EA allowance to attract traders, Sure Leverage Funding uses a wide array of specialized account types (Static, Trailing, Zero) to cater to specific risk appetites.
How they handle your money
The financial maturity of a prop firm is best seen in its payout processing. AquaFunded requires a minimum withdrawal of $100 and charges a $35 flat fee for payouts over $1,000 via Rise, which is a transparent cost structure for high earners. They offer a 24-hour payout guarantee or an extra $1,000, which is a bold commitment to operational speed. Sure Leverage Funding also enforces a $100 minimum but applies a 2% payout fee (or a $10 minimum). While their payout frequency is similar—generally every 14 days—Sure Leverage also offers a guarantee: if not processed within 24 business hours, the trader receives an extra 10% on the profit split. Both firms utilize Rise and Crypto for distributions, showing a reliance on modern, decentralized payment rails that bypass the delays of traditional international banking.
Operational maturity
Operational maturity is evidenced by the technical and geographical scope of the firms. AquaFunded supports trading in Forex, Indices, and Commodities across a wider range of platforms, signaling a more robust technical integration. Sure Leverage Funding matches this by offering a broader range of payment methods, including bank transfers, and a complex system of add-ons that allow traders to customize their accounts at checkout. Both firms have clear geographic restrictions, excluding countries like Iran, North Korea, and Syria, which demonstrates compliance with international sanctions and a desire to maintain a clean operational record. The presence of a CEO, a physical headquarters in the UAE, and a consistent history of payouts since 2023 provides a factual baseline of a functioning corporate structure for both entities.
What the record does and does not tell you
This comparison is based on the documented history and current terms of AquaFunded and Sure Leverage Funding. While the data shows two firms with similar ages and geographical roots, it cannot predict future performance or long-term solvency. The number of reviews and the presence of a CEO are indicators of current activity and transparency, but the prop firm industry is inherently volatile. A blocked Trustpilot profile or a high number of specialized products are observations of current status, not definitive judgments on quality. Traders should view these records as a snapshot of how each firm has chosen to manage its risk, its technology, and its relationship with its users up to the current date.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is more affordable for a $100,000 one-step account, AquaFunded or Sure Leverage Funding?
For a $100,000 evaluation, Sure Leverage Funding is generally more affordable with its "1 Step Evaluation" priced at $711. In contrast, AquaFunded's "1 Step Flex" account of the same size is priced at $749. While the price difference is relatively small, Sure Leverage Funding offers the lower entry cost for this specific account size and type.
Which firm offers more trading platform options, AquaFunded or Sure Leverage Funding?
AquaFunded provides a significantly wider range of platforms, offering MetaTrader 5, MatchTrader, TradeLocker, and cTrader. Sure Leverage Funding is more limited in this regard, currently supporting only MetaTrader 5 and TradeLocker. If you prefer using cTrader or MatchTrader, AquaFunded is the only one of the two that provides those options.
How do the payout fees compare between AquaFunded and Sure Leverage Funding for large withdrawals?
AquaFunded is more cost-effective for large withdrawals, as it charges a flat fee of $35 for payouts of $1,000 or more via Rise. Sure Leverage Funding, on the other hand, charges a 2% payout fee. For example, on a $5,000 withdrawal, you would pay only $35 with AquaFunded, but $100 with Sure Leverage Funding.
Which firm has more flexible rules for using Expert Advisors (EAs), AquaFunded or Sure Leverage Funding?
AquaFunded is much more flexible regarding automated trading, as it generally allows the use of EAs across its accounts. Sure Leverage Funding prohibits EAs on most of its products, only allowing them during the challenge phase of the specific "EA Challenge" and prohibiting them once the account becomes funded.
