Leveled Up Society

Leveled Up Society (LUS) once captured the imagination of thousands of aspiring traders with its bold promises of high funding, generous profit splits, and the dream of scaling up to multimillion-dollar accounts. What began as an ambitious venture soon spiraled into one of the most talked-about collapses in the prop trading world. The story of LUS is a stark reminder of how ambition, mismanagement, and lack of transparency can bring even the most promising ventures crashing down.

The Meteoric Rise and Abrupt Shutdown

When LUS launched, its funding programs—ranging from $10,000 to $200,000 with an 80% profit split—appeared to redefine opportunity for independent traders. The platform quickly grew in popularity, amassing over 76,000 members and positioning itself as a rising star in the proprietary trading scene.

However, in late 2023, the dream abruptly ended. The company suddenly shut down operations, citing internal disputes with Easton Consulting Technologies—a Florida-based firm tied to more than a dozen other prop trading companies. Easton, led by CEO Angelo Ciaramello and Managing Partner Carlos Rico-Ospina, also runs The Funded Trader, creating a complex web of intertwined ownership that raised serious questions about conflicts of interest and operational integrity across these firms.

Internal Conflicts and Shifting Blame

Following the shutdown, public statements from both sides added confusion rather than clarity. Raul Gonzalez, better known as “Lamboraul,” a prominent FX influencer and co-owner of LUS, blamed irreconcilable differences with Easton Management for the platform’s demise. He claimed that Easton was steering the company in an undesirable direction.

Meanwhile, Ciaramello insisted the closure was unrelated to liquidity or insolvency issues, instead framing it as a result of “misalignment.” Yet these vague explanations failed to reassure traders who had invested both time and money into the platform. Promised refunds and payouts remained uncertain, leaving thousands of users questioning whether the dispute masked deeper financial instability.

Digital Silence and Information Control

In the aftermath, the company’s digital presence began to vanish. The official website displayed a brief shutdown notice with no detailed explanation or follow-up plan. Traders seeking answers were met with silence, generic support messages, or no response at all.

This deliberate lack of communication suggested more than just poor management—it appeared to be an intentional effort to suppress discussion and minimize reputational damage. By cutting off information channels, LUS prevented traders from organizing or collectively demanding accountability. Such suppression tactics are alarmingly common among companies seeking to control public perception after a crisis.

The Broader Prop Trading Problem

The LUS scandal is not an isolated case but rather a symptom of a larger issue plaguing the proprietary trading industry. Most prop firms operate in regulatory gray zones because they technically trade with their own capital rather than client funds. This loophole enables them to avoid traditional financial oversight, leaving traders vulnerable to exploitation.

The collapse of My Forex Funds (MFF) further underscores this risk. Once one of the biggest names in the industry, MFF was hit by CFTC charges for fraudulent activity and subsequently shut down, freezing thousands of accounts. Together, LUS and MFF highlight an urgent need for transparency, accountability, and stronger regulatory intervention in the prop trading space.

Lessons and a Call for Reform

The downfall of Leveled Up Society offers a powerful lesson: promises of high returns and “risk-free” opportunities should always be met with scrutiny. Before engaging with any trading platform, traders must conduct independent research—verifying corporate registration, ownership structures, and complaint history.

At the same time, regulators must close the gaps that allow unverified firms to flourish unchecked. Mandatory audits, clearer disclosure standards, and licensing requirements could help ensure that prop firms operate with integrity and transparency.

Conclusion

Leveled Up Society’s short-lived success and sudden collapse expose the darker side of the prop trading boom. Behind the glossy marketing lies an industry rife with conflicts of interest, weak oversight, and a culture of silence when things go wrong. By attempting to conceal information and avoid accountability, LUS only deepened suspicion and mistrust.

The takeaway is clear: transparency is not optional—it’s the foundation of trust. Until the prop trading industry embraces genuine oversight, traders must remain vigilant. In a world of bold promises and hidden risks, skepticism is not cynicism—it’s self-preservation.