First-Time Purchase

In prop trading affiliate programs, the First-Time Purchase (FTP) is the equivalent of an FTD (First Time Deposit) in iGaming or Forex. It marks the moment a referred trader completes their initial challenge purchase from a prop firm. Because prop trading firms sell evaluation programs rather than accepting deposits, the FTP serves as the foundational conversion event that triggers affiliate commissions and starts the attribution relationship between the partner and the trader.

FTP matters for attribution because it establishes the link between a referring affiliate and a new customer. When a trader uses a coupon code or clicks an affiliate link and completes their first purchase, the program records which partner drove that conversion. This initial attribution event is critical for calculating CPA payouts, measuring partner performance, and understanding which channels and affiliates are bringing in new traders versus reactivating existing ones.

It is important to distinguish FTP from repeat purchases. A trader who fails their first evaluation and buys another challenge, or who purchases an additional account size, is making a repeat purchase rather than an FTP. Programs that track both metrics separately gain clearer insight into acquisition versus retention value. Affiliates who consistently drive high FTP volumes with strong repeat purchase rates are typically the most valuable partners in a prop trading program.