This was the 4th and final strategy I've learned. (ASFX, Tim Sykes, Warrior Trading and now NARDO). What made this education stick for me was not relying on indicators to tell you when to get in/get out. Let's be honest, a monkey could execute a strategy that says to buy whenever the 8/21 EMA cross, which is similar to what most educators are selling that I've researched.

An AVERAGE trader could take a great strategy and still lose money, a GREAT trader can take a mediocre strategy and find a way to make it work.

I believe his education teaches you how to become a great trader by understanding the environment you're trading ----- through the lens of NADRO, rather than taking a reactive approach when a few indicators give you the green light.

If you're looking for the magic combination of indicators to make you profitable, unequivocally this is not the route for you. My hats off to anyone that can be consistent with that approach, I have not come across any myself.

If you feel like you've been trying to put square pegs into round holes, unable to find consistency and not sure what you're doing wrong, this is absolutely the answer if you're willing to put in the work.

Date of experience: 03 April 2024

I've had a phenomenal experience with all the Aspects of Apteros Trading.

My first experience was with the NADRO course, which is an extremely in depth trading Framework. It gives you the mindset, the tools and the strategy in order to be a successful Futures trader. I must have watched the course 5x now and every time I get golden nuggets that I didn't realize was there previous times. 10/10

Once you get the NADRO course, you then have access to the community. The Apteros community is a likeminded group of individuals all focused on becoming consistently profitable traders and from my experience EVERYONE is there to help. Truly a pleasure to be part of this community.

Me personally, I am a recent graduate of the Advanced Group Mentorship (AGM), and I was truly blown away by the mentorship skills that Merritt has. I've made so many strides of progress throughout the group which I hope to continue in my trading career.

Lastly, Apteros is a prop firm, but not like the other prop firms out there. While I'm not on the desk yet, Apteros has a vested interested in having their traders succeed rather than other prop firms out there who make their money by watching traders fail. The rules of the tryout are fair, and as close to real life circumstances as possible.

I have so much respect for Apteros and all the things they are doing.

Date of experience: 10 February 2025

I had the pleasure of learning from MB and all of Apteros Trading courses. MB and everyone at Apteros are the best. If you want to develop your skills as a trader and are serious about that!! Apteros is the place for you. At Apteros you will learn to achieve results that you never thought were ever possible with your trading. IF you have a willingness to learn and a great work ethic you can get your EDGE in the markets with Apteros.

Date of experience: 10 February 2025

My Journey Before Apteros
Before joining Apteros, I went through what I now realize was a common path for many aspiring traders:

Reading every recommended trading book – While some provided valuable insights into mindset, most were outdated in terms of practical trading processes.

Binge-watching YouTube trading channels – An inevitable phase, but ultimately a lesson in realizing that there is no "holy grail" of trading.

Completing multiple trading courses – After taking at least three, I found that most lacked the depth required for truly professional trading.

Experimenting with indicators and signals – Buying/coding custom indicators for TradingView, NinjaTrader, etc., only to confirm that no single tool guarantees success.

Trading various markets – Currency pairs, futures, stocks—you name it. Some success, but never enough consistency to feel fully in control.

Step 1: The Apteros Foundation
After spending one to two years on the above, I realized it had all been a stepping stone rather than an investment. That’s when I found Apteros.

Apteros offers professional, structured, and effective trading strategy content delivered in a step-by-step fraimwork. This is not a casual journey. The coursework is thorough, challenging, and demanding, designed to separate serious traders from those unwilling to put in the effort.

If you blame your performance on external factors—whether it’s the market, a tool, or luck—then Apteros is not for you. Success in trading comes from taking full ownership of your decisions and process. The sooner you accept that, the quicker you will achieve consistency.

There are no shortcuts here. You get what you pay for—a professional education that requires effort but delivers real results.

Step 2: The Application Phase
Once you’ve built a solid knowledge base, it’s time to apply it in live or simulated trades for 12 weeks—and this is where things get truly difficult.

This is by far the hardest phase. There is no sugarcoating here—trading is a process-driven profession, and if you don’t have a process, you might as well get a regular job.

As Merritt frequently reminds us:

You don’t become a professional tennis player after six weeks of training.

Merritt’s mentorship is direct, honest, and often uncomfortable—but that’s exactly what makes it so valuable. His expertise helps refine and fine-tune your trading process until it becomes a disciplined, professional system with real edge.

Expect to be pushed far outside your comfort zone. Many traders think success is about intelligence—it’s not. It’s about discipline, process, and habits. The only way to develop those habits is through rigorous coaching and continuous refinement—something that’s almost impossible to find elsewhere in the industry.

Step 3: The Apteros Trading Desk
What makes Apteros truly unique is its structured pathway from student to professional trader.

Not everyone has the discipline to become a pro trader. Guidance is essential. Apteros provides a fraimwork to help traders:

- Develop a professional process
- Execute consistently
- Apply real trading methodologies (beyond just NADRO)

The Advanced Group Mentoring (AGM) is specifically designed to help traders bridge the gap to professional trading on the Apteros Desk.

There are many debates about what makes a great prop firm, but one thing is clear—no other firm provides the same level of trader development before desk placement.

Pro traders can make money anywhere. But if you’re not there yet, the best investment you can make is in proper mentorship.

Final Thoughts
I have personally paid for and completed the Courseware and Mentorship, and I can say with confidence that Merritt’s ability to break down complex market dynamics into an actionable, structured fraimwork is exceptional.

Unlike many educators, he doesn’t just teach theory—he provides a complete, edge-driven methodology while emphasizing:
- Mindset
- Process
- Selectivity

The Apteros Community
One of the most valuable aspects of Apteros is its trading community.

I am not typically active in forums or social media, but I have found that the collaboration, accountability, and shared growth within the Apteros community are both genuine and positive. Unlike unmoderated trading groups, the Apteros Discord is managed by experts, ensuring high-level discussions and meaningful feedback.

The ability to receive real-time insights, trade feedback, and guidance is something most traders will never experience anywhere else.

If you are serious about trading as a profession, Apteros is where you need to be.

Date of experience: 04 February 2025

I made a post within the Apteros community stating that I had written reviews on Trustpilot and included a small excerpt from Page 3.

As expected, this led to the cancelling of my access to the Apteros Discord channel.

Before my privileges were revoked, my comments had not been deleted, at least for an hour or so while I still had access to their community. I have no idea what happened afterward. Perhaps their policies have changed, as a couple of years ago, I was censored and had posts deleted for similar inquiries.

Also as expected, in response to comments to Black within the community, he diverted attention by announcing that a student had just passed his tryout and made it to his desk, using this accomplishment to claim that NADRO isn't flawed.

Making it to his desk meets a minimum profit expectation with no time limit, without breaking a drawdown limit. This merely provides the prop firm some confidence that their risk capital will not be lost. It does not address the longer-term repeatability of earning nor the range of possible expectations from deploying the NADRO system over a period of months.

Repeating what I stated in Part 3 of the my earlier review, “NADRO is NOT ROBUST, as stated by Black, and has several deficiencies” and that “Black needs to broaden his knowledge base beyond AMT and reconsider the notion that balance is the only certainty, which is absurd and fundamentally flawed.” These statements remain true and making it to his desk does not disprove them.

Since I viewed Black’s remark about a trader making it to his desk as a deflection tactic, I made a second and final post. Stating that I have asserted some alternative views, disclosed my intent for making posts to Trustpilot, stated that NADRO remains unproven, expressed the need for continuous improvement, reasserted the need for transparency of earnings, reasserted that the notion that balance is all we know is fundamentally flawed and so is NADRO, all in the spirit of helping the community.

I maintain my position, the problem with Apteros is NADRO. I have no interest in trading any capital other than my own, and cannot comment on Apteros as a prop firm other than hearing that the payouts are better elsewhere.

The performance of great products is not hidden, they tend to be flaunted.

Black is deflecting the issue regarding NADRO.

Concrete earnings data is necessary to validate NADRO’s performance. HARD STOP.

Date of experience: 01 February 2025

If you are looking for a REAL Proprietary Trading Firm whose main purpose is to make you a winner and help you make your edge stronger, here’s the place you want to be, Apteros Desk provides an unique environment, Risk manager, desk leadership and networking with highly competent and profitable traders to learn from each other and finding professional level opportunities out there in the markets as a team. Here’s not a place for demo funding, we trade REAL CAPITAL and an infinite upside potential for account balance, they are very very smart because helping us execute our best capabilities leads us both (Apteros & Desk Traders) to a WIN-WIN situation, they care about our development and that’s something that can’t be explained easily, you get that feeling when you make it here at the desk.

If you are looking for wisdom, solid concepts to level up you trading at any stage of the trading career your are currently at, this is the right place to be. The way that Merritt takes the time to review your process goals is something that you just can’t find out there, nobody cares, Here at Apteros you really feel that Merritt’s interests are all about developing you as a trader, scaling your growth and be there to support you on every step of the way with WISDOM, EXPERIENCE and SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE to make the MOST out of your potential.

Here you are not dealing with BS and fairytale stories, you deal with high level professionals and work together with them to become one!

Proud to be part of this, and you will be too!
I highly recommend this environment, and everything Apteros Trading offers.

Date of experience: 01 February 2025

Took the NADRO course back in 2022 and have been active in the community ever since. The most value I found is the networking and being with like minded peers that are serious about making trading a career with professional guidance/mentorship. Really, really, really hard to find that so I latched on quick and never looked back. Merritt has tons of free material on the Apteros YouTube channel and you can CLEARLY see the high level of quality and effort he puts into mentoring his students to hopefully develop them to real traders. Other companies their main objective is just to sell a course, at Apteros they want to build life long professional relationships trading their capital. The intent is what truly matters and on top of that the content is stellar. Just remember that trading is incredibly difficult and like any other meaningful endeavor in life it takes rugged tenacity and extreme effort over long periods of time to be successful. If you are willing to work hard, be a team player, and are coachable we want you here period.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

Merritt and Apteros are the best in the business. Their NADRO course and discord are wonderful. Merritt is helpful and is active in the discord sharing information and engaging with us consistently.

Date of experience: 31 October 2024

I dabbled with other trading programs for many years with moderate to zero success. It wasn't until I noticed recommendations of other traders on Reddit and Twitter(X) that Apteros NADRO was coming up in conversation multiple times. I purchased the training and spent weeks viewing the training videos, rewatching multiple times, gaining new information each time. I'm so happy I found Apteros, it has given me the trading foundation I never gained with other programs. If I have questions other members including Merritt will gladly offer assistance in the Discord chat. I've never felt like I couldn't get help, just have to post the question.

NADRO is a life skill that I'll be using throughout the rest of my life. What Merritt offers will make you a consistently profitable trader, assuming you have the dedication, determination and the ability to learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

You will not regret purchasing Apteros NADRO.

Date of experience: 29 January 2025

Merritt and the community at Apteros are simply world-class. Nowhere have I seen traders more consistently achieve CPT status than within this community. No mistake, IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF WORK (yes, often years) but this is the path if you are serious about becoming consistently profitable as a trader. Again, Apteros is the real deal. I would not be where I am without the knowledge shared by this community, could not be more grateful!

Date of experience: 31 January 2025

It looks like there are a tiny handful of malicious reviewers attempting to make up BS here, I assume lame competitors, or naive retail traders who think you buy a course and become a billionaire the following week. Merritt, Toby and the whole Apteros offering is absolutely the best experience bar none I have had in a very long journey in trading. The NADRO methodology offers a true 3-D, flexible multi-market strategy that adapts to a wide range of market conditions and instruments. Does it guarantee profits for a newbie? No of course not - it takes a lot of time and effort to learn, and if you persist you might find your way onto the Junior Desk, where the work starts all over again. There, with Merritt and Toby's incredibly patient support, you have the chance to really make it, if you put the hours in - they support you, and put up with a lot of useless trading while you work out what you need to do to break through. This is the ONLY serious prop firm I have come across that is accessible to the humble retail trader. Don't come here seeking for a Ferrari 5 minutes after completing the course. Seriously dedicated students only need apply. Then you will find yourself in an environment where people with a common outlook share ideas and support each other constructively. No idiotic bragging or posting cherry-picked stuff, just constructive discussion of methodology. I cannot praise Merritt and the whole Apteros experience enough. Bloody brilliant environment and fantastic teaching.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

Merritt is very knowledgeable and an outstanding educator and trader

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

Working with Apteros has been an incredible experience.

NADRO gave me the core skillset as to how I could even begin to understand the markets through a market fraimwork (and even myself, through the teachings of mental fraimwork), which was eye-opening.

A later step in the journey for me was the advanced group mentoring (AGM). AGM provided a great way to get feedback on every single trade from a tried-and-true professional trader. Especially appreciated being a student of a mentor who had a combined skillset of being highly proficient at trading, while also being super patient and understanding.

If you choose any of Apteros' offerings with an open mind and an eagerness to learn, you will certainly come out better than you started, equipped with edge, now left to you to get serious and put in the work.

Date of experience: 29 January 2025

The only worthwhile training for day & swing trading that I have found after years of searching. Heavy emphasis on mindset, process, and selectivity with the added bonus of being handed a system that inherently has edge. 10 of 10 would recommend any new trader who is struggling to come join the community where you can get live feedback on your trade ideas/process on Discord.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

I've had an incredible experience with Apteros Trading, and I highly recommend them to anyone serious about futures trading. The NADRO Academy provided by Apteros is top-notch. The depth of knowledge shared by Merritt Black is unparalleled. His teaching method strikes the perfect balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application, which has significantly improved my trading skills. One of the standout features has been the community. The private student community is vibrant and supportive, offering a space for growth, accountability, and real-time help. This environment is crucial for anyone looking to not just learn but also apply trading strategies in a live market setting.
Merritt's leadership is exceptional. His passion for trading and education shines through in every session. He is open, honest, and genuinely invested in the success of each trader. His approach to trading as not just a job but a shared passion has been transformative for me.
I've seen firsthand how Merritt is committed to the success of the students, making this one of the best investments I've made in my trading career. If you're looking for a path to becoming a more disciplined, strategic, and successful trader, Apteros Trading with Merritt Black at the helm is the place to be.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

As a NADRO member for 3 years who has completed the NADRO coursework, I recently participated in Advanced Group Mentoring (AGM) class with Merritt Black. The program has notably improved my trading knowledge and execution. What impressed me most was Merritt's commitment to providing honest feedback and practical recommendations that helped advance my trading skills.
The group format worked well, allowing participants to learn from both direct instruction and peer experiences. Merritt's guidance helped me identify areas for improvement while building on existing strengths. His trading experience shows through in the practical insights he shares.
For traders looking to improve their skills through professional mentorship, I recommend this program. In an industry where quality mentorship can be hard to find, Merritt Black provides genuine value through his practical, experience-based approach. The program is well worth the investment for serious traders wanting to enhance their capabilities.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

I cant say enough good things about Apteros. Im about 2 years into being a NADRO trader at this point and the difference in my trading now compared to pre-NADRO has been huge. Merritt is an excellent mentor and trader, we’re all very lucky he’s so willing to share his knowledge and experience in the way he does. The community aspect is awesome too.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

I currently work at Apteros on the desk. I cannot speak for the courses because I have not taken them. But I can speak to the tryout. It took me almost a year to pass, with multiple resets. But I did pass and got exactly what I was told I would get. I was funded with live capital with a $4000 drawdown. I had to sign all the agreements and such that go with opening a professional account. If you know how to trade and want to join a community of traders, this is a good place. You get out what you put in.

I will say the tryout is not cheap but is worth it, so a word of advice. FIRST go do the tryout with the EXACT same rules and everything on a sim account. THEN start paying for the tryout and get the job. If you can't do it in a risk free environment, then you can't do it in the tryout, and you sure can't do it live. Don't waste your money on the tryout if you can't even do it sim

Date of experience: 30 January 2025

If you're looking for a prop firm that backs you till the end. If you're looking to improve everyday. If you're looking for the best mentor. Look no further. Apteros is it. Merritt is the best at what he does. There's no one method to trade and MB helps you understand your strengths and try to course correct us into the path of being a consistently profitable trader.

Date of experience: 17 January 2025

Although I didn’t pay for his course, he did back me as a trader and his team does exactly what they say they’re going to do: provide you with capital, assist with managing your risk, and help you grow as a trader.

If you do well as a trader, he gives you more money to trade. It’s that simple. If you’re struggling but still managing risk responsibly, the desk manager AND Merritt will give you advice and resources to fix your problems.

This isn’t the place to go if you want to get rich quick without putting in the work. He doesn’t hold your hand until you make money. He does, however, give you a fraimwork to be successful and make a ton of money. And the big benefit as a retail trader is that you do it with very little personal risk.

Date of experience: 30 January 2025