Proprietary (prop) trading has a long history dating back to when financial institutions and firms began trading their own capital for profit rather than executing trades on behalf of clients. Prop trading allows firms to maximize returns while directly controlling risk exposure. Futures trading, on the other hand, has its roots in commodity markets where contracts were used to hedge against price volatility. E-mini futures emerged as a more accessible and efficient way for individual traders to engage with major market indices like the S&P 500, revolutionizing the trading landscape.