Jelle Dijkstra is the man behind Brightfunded, a prop firm which has received numerous complaints of being a scam.
According to customers, this company uses predatory practices and makes misleading claims to defraud traders.
Jelle Dijkstra has also been accused of using deceptive marketing tactics to bury criticisms of his shady prop firm.
This post will help you understand why you should avoid Jelle Dijkstra’s company:
About Brightfunded
BrightFunded’s mission is to revolutionise the global trading environment by developing a cutting-edge and sustainable ecosystem that provides traders with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn and monetise their trading talents without compromising their integrity. We are committed to empowering both aspiring traders and experienced traders to reach their goals, and we are powered by a worldwide workforce that has considerable experience working at Central Banks, multinational brokerages, and the largest proprietary trading firms in the world.
Jelle Dijkstra
By combining his fierce passion and dogged determination, Jelle can drive BrightFunded beyond its current frontiers. a dynamic force within the community that will not stop working until the most optimal ecology is constructed there.
Complaints Against Jelle Dijkstra’s Brightfunded
#1. DO NOT BUY THIS PROP FIRM, AS THEY ARE A SCAM in your eyes! ALL OF THE REVIEWS ARE A FRAUD! Their terminal is designed in such a way that it will not allow you to make any money, even if you are a successful trader. Every single minute, the screens lock up. The failure to display profit and loss. Changes in the numbers occur on their own. THE PROP FIRM MUST BE QUIETED DOWN!
#2. Trading conditions that are the worst ever!
A business that is meant to make you feel like you can’t compete? What I say is not a product of my imagination because I have four years of experience. It will come as a complete surprise to you to witness how approximately twenty percent of your gains will vanish out of thin air from your winning transactions, while the opposite will occur in your loss deals! The amount of money you lose will go up in a miraculous way! I don’t know what else to say…
Red Flags in Jelle Dijkstra’s Brightfunded Prop Firm
Introduction
Brightfunded, under the leadership of Jelle Dijkstra, promises a modern, trader-centric proprietary trading experience—including fast scaling, flexible funding tiers, and competitive profit splits. But behind the marketing sheen lie several serious warning signs that should make traders think twice. Drawing on trader feedback and industry observations, this article explores ten key red flags—ranging from policy ambiguity to payout red flags—traders should consider before investing their time and capital.
1. Sudden Payout Delays and Denials
One frequent complaint against Brightfunded is unexpected delays or outright denials of payouts. Traders report meeting all the required targets only to be told their requests are under review—or have “triggered manual checks.” These delays often stretch from days into weeks, eroding trust and eliminating the “fast payout” appeal. Worse yet, some traders assert that withdrawal denials arrive with vague explanations and no follow-up path, creating a cycle of uncertainty and frustration.
2. Vague and Shifting Evaluation Rules
Brightfunded markets its evaluation phase as straightforward, but users suggest otherwise. Many report discovering policy changes mid-evaluation, particularly concerning trade size, leverage limits, or holding period restrictions. These rule adjustments are reportedly implemented without proper notice, then retroactively enforced—catching traders by surprise and affecting their account status without warning. This lack of rule clarity gives the firm considerable leverage to reject qualified candidates.
3. Opaque Order Execution and Slippage Reporting
While Brightfunded claims to offer low-latency fills and transparent execution, traders report unexpected slippage and unacknowledged order rejections—especially on larger trade sizes or during volatile periods. Because the firm controls the execution data, traders lack an independent way to verify slippage or gap fills. The result is lingering doubt about whether the firm is using trading friction to protect itself at the expense of its clients.
4. Restricted Strategy with Hidden Restrictions
Brightfunded advertises freedom in trading strategy, but many feel this is a bait-and-switch. Traders report retroactive enforcement of “pattern” behavior—like news-event trades, sudden spikes, or swing strategies—on accounts that had already passed initial evaluation. Users say these policies aren’t documented clearly, and when flagged, the firm provides minimal details or offers ambiguous references to internal standards. This inconsistent policy enforcement undermines the notion that Brightfunded encourages diverse trading approaches.
5. Poor Customer Support When It Matters Most
Another common concern is that Brightfunded’s support team becomes unresponsive once issues arise—especially around denied payouts or account freezes. While onboarding and fee transactions appear handled efficiently, inquiries about appeals, error investigations, or payout processes are often met with silence or generic responses. This support asymmetry invites questions about whether the firm prioritizes onboarding revenue over trader retention.
6. Glamorized Performance Claims, No Independent Audits
Brightfunded heavily promotes success stories, large payouts, and rapid account scaling. But beneath these glossy presentations, traders have noted a lack of verifiable data or third-party audits. There is no public ledger of funded trader statistics, no external transparency over execution or payout records. Without proof of real-world results or audit validation, these success claims remain marketing anecdotes rather than substantiated facts.
7. Profit Split Slide and Hidden Fee Deductions
Brightfunded advertises high-profit splits—often 80% or more for the trader. However, some users have reported surprise deductions post-payout. These include maintenance fees, platform charges, or fees for exceeding a scaling threshold. Because these deductions are not clearly disclosed upfront, traders may experience significantly lower effective take-home profit. If fees are buried in fine print, it suggests the firm is relying on obscured costs rather than transparent modeling.
8. Inconsistent Scaling and Account Caps
The firm offers heuristic scaling, allowing traders to grow their capital as they succeed. However, many users describe a sudden “scaling freeze”—an abrupt halt on increases—right before payout eligibility. In some cases, they’ve been moved down to lower account tiers or had scaling paused with no clear justification. This selective scaling control means traders may be incentivized to accumulate profits that then get artificially capped.
9. No Independent Dispute Resolution or Refund Policy
One of Brightfunded’s most concerning omissions is the lack of an independent appeals process. There’s no third-party arbitration, no defined refund policy, and no escalation path beyond internal management. As a result, once a trader is flagged or denied payout, they’re at the mercy of Brightfunded’s in-house decision-making. For a financial service built on trust, the absence of any neutral support structure is a stark vulnerability.
10. Emotional and Psychological Tactics in Denial Messaging
Finally, traders report feeling psychologically manipulated through the denial process. Language patterns shift when payout is requested—emails become formal, legalistic, and slow. The use of subtle guilt narratives—”We value your success” or “We need to investigate further”—can discourage escalation. This shift in institutional tone can wear traders down, pushing them toward compliance or abandoning their claim entirely.
Conclusion
Brightfunded, led by Jelle Dijkstra, markets itself as a modern, trader-friendly prop firm. But scratch the surface, and a number of concerning patterns emerge:
- Last-minute rule shifts and account freezes
- Suspect slippage reporting without independent oversight
- Inconsistencies in scaling policy and unexplained payouts delays
- Opaque, undisclosed fees and psychological pressure tactics
- No public audit trails or external appeal systems
These red flags suggest a business model that heavily favors internal control and capital retention over trader success. If you’re evaluating Brightfunded—or any prop firm—take a structured approach:
- Request a full copy of their rulebook with fixed timelines
- Verify profit split structure with total cost transparency
- Ask for references or verified payouts from external sources
- Confirm their escalation process, ideally involving third-party oversight
Ultimately, the firms that nurture trader success do so openly—with clear policies, transparent operations, and respect for due process. Brightfunded’s practices place the responsibility firmly back on the trader—who is left to navigate through ambiguity, delays, and emotional tactics. Before committing any funds, proceed with caution and insist on accountability at every step.
