The landscape of community-building in the trading world is shifting and fast. Once the go-to hub for prop firms and retail traders alike, Discord is no longer the default choice. Now, firms are beginning to explore more secure, compliant, and data-integrated alternatives. According to Desmond Leong, CEO of Returning.AI, this quiet migration signals a deeper transformation in how prop firms engage with their communities.
“Traders crave real-time interaction,” Leong explains. “It’s no longer just about having a place to chat. Firms now need dynamic, fully integrated ecosystems that meet compliance standards and drive loyalty.”
Behind the Shift: It’s Not Regulators—It’s Tech Vendors
Surprisingly, this change isn’t being driven by regulatory bodies, but rather by the technology providers behind trading platforms. Leong points out that some vendors are now requiring firms to either obtain brokerage licenses or partner with regulated entities to continue using their tools. Though he didn’t name names, MetaQuotes the company behind MetaTrader has already cracked down on unlicensed prop firms.
“This is essentially the first step toward regulation for prop firms,” Leong notes. “It’s not formal, but the pressure is real.”
This shift has forced firms to reevaluate how they manage user communities. “You can’t just run a 30,000-person Discord group off the side of your desk anymore,” says Leong. “Community management now needs to be treated as part of the business compliant, measurable, and secure.”
The Trouble with Discord
While Discord offered an easy entry point for building large trader communities, many firms are now discovering its limitations. “It’s not built for financial services,” Leong warns. “You can’t sync data to your CRM. You can’t track engagement. And worse, anyone can impersonate your brand or members.”
One firm even had its Discord invite link hijacked exposing members to phishing and impersonation scams. That kind of security risk has become a tipping point for many.
Enter Returning.AI: Building Smarter Trader Communities
To meet this growing demand, Returning.AI has evolved from a brokerage engagement tool into a full-blown community management platform tailored for prop firms. It combines familiar features chat, chart sharing, messaging with loyalty programs and compliance infrastructure.
Traders can earn “coins” for activities like placing trades or engaging with a broker’s social media. These coins can be redeemed for rewards, creating a gamified loyalty system that encourages retention. “It’s like a supermarket points card,” Leong says. “The closer you get to a reward, the more likely you are to stay and trade more.”
The result? Firms using Returning.AI have seen client retention rise by 7% to 20%, depending on how well they implement the system. It’s also proving effective at winning new clients in a crowded market.
Real-Time Connection and Reputation Matter
Today’s traders are highly engaged and selective. They don’t just want a place to chat they want to connect with credible voices. “If someone passed a prop challenge or got their first payout, the community listens,” Leong says. “These platforms allow traders to filter who they trust and engage with.”
Returning.AI supports this behavior by integrating real-time price feeds and allowing traders to comment on charts during key events like economic announcements or geopolitical shifts.
The Broker-Prop Firm Hybrid Is Emerging
Leong predicts the lines between brokers and prop firms will continue to blur. As vendors tighten compliance rules and firms evolve, he sees a future where prop accounts are offered just like standard or ECN accounts.
“Eventually, every serious broker may have a prop account option,” Leong says. “That’s where the industry is heading.”
With big names like Vantage Markets, Blueberry Markets, IronFX, and Axi Select already on board, Returning.AI is riding this wave of change. And as the demand for compliance, security, and loyalty-driven growth increases, platforms like Discord may no longer make the cut.
“The industry is maturing,” Leong concludes. “And firms that don’t adapt risk being left behind not just by regulators, but by their own traders.”
