CTC vs Allston vs Akuna

I am going to be graduating this spring from what many consider to be a top tier target. I have offers at the prop shops I've listed and I was wondering if you guys had any opinions on which shop is the best. I've listed some things (positive and negative) I've heard about each shop.

CTC: I've heard that they have a great training program but are behind in terms of technology when compared to other similar Chicago prop shops.

Allston: I've also heard that they have been declining in terms of not being on the cutting edge of modern day technology and the bonuses aren't great. I did like the culture during my onsite interview though.

Akuna: It seems like this firm has much better technology than the other firms. However, I heard rumors from others in my school that the firm was going bankrupt and the bonuses were much smaller than at similar shops.

Any opinions? Thanks.

 

Pokerguy177, pure crickets, that's where I come in. Any of these useful?

If we're lucky, maybe these professional users will respond: Antiaverage mlevensohn MostRandomTask

I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

My prior would have been Akuna>CTC>Allston, though I ahven't heard the "firm was going bankrupt and the bonuses were much smaller than at similar shops" rumors. Anything to substantiate it? People leaving all of a sudden (if this were true, this would be verifiable via brokercheck)?

 

I work at a firm similar to the ones you mentioned - CTC would be my choice. You're correct that they have an excellent training program. At the same time, all are great firms, all are similar, and fit may be what you should decide based on.

Yes, it is true (from what I've heard through the grapevine) that bonuses were smaller at Akuna this year, but 2017 wasn't a great year for any of the firms in this industry due to lower volatility.

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss in more detail.

 

Allston I would guess is easier to move into class b partner type. I could say a lot more but they gave a friend of mine a ridiculously good offer.

Akuna is hft. Scalping for a tick. I guess allston does that too but I think their may be a little bit more discretion. Akuna is mostly option market making with a little bit of other things. That is almost entirely a speed game (picking off retail orders and being fast enough to pull orders before other fast firms hit them).

I don’t know much on ctc. Akuna likely has better tech. I think on Glassdoor reviews Akuna had a reputation for firing towards the end of the year to not pay out bonuses but no inside information.

 

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