Express Funded Account & Live Funded Account FAQ's | Topstep Help Center (2024)

Can I move from the Express Funded Account to the Live Funded Account at any time?

What are the fees for the Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account?

What are the parameters for the Express Funded Account?

How long does it take to receive my Express Funded Account?

How long do I have to pay my Activation Fee and start the Express Funded Account?

What happens if I lose my Express Funded Account due to violating the Maximum Loss Limit?

Why does the balance in my new Express Funded Account show $0 or N/A?

Can I decline to move to the Live Funded Account and stay in the Express Funded Account?

How do I request a payout?

What happens when I transfer to the Live Funded Account?

How do I earn payouts from a simulated account?

Can I take a break from trading my Express Funded Account?

How many steps or stages do I need to complete before earning funding?

Can I move from the Express Funded Account to the Live Funded Account at any time?

  • No, you cannot move from the Express Funded Account to the Live Funded Account at any time.

  • Our Risk Managers closely monitor our traders in the Express Funded Account and will reach out when they believe you should be moved to the Live Account. Based on performance and consistency, this will vary for each trader on a case-by-case basis.

What are the fees for the Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account?

Learn more about fees for the Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account below:

  • There’s no monthly subscription fee for an Express Funded Account since the Trading Combine subscription ends once you pass the Trading Combine.

  • If your trading platform was free in the Trading Combine, it’ll also be free to use in the Express Funded Account.

  • If you were paying a monthly fee for your trading platform, you’d continue to pay that once you earn the Express Funded Account.

The Activation Fee is required as a one-time payment per Express Funded Account. To prevent delays in receiving your Express Funded Account credentials, make sure to use the same email address associated with your Topstep.com account when paying the Activation Fee.

You can view the full details for costs in the Live Funded Account here: What are the costs in the Live Funded Account?

What are the parameters for the Express Funded Account?

How long does it take to receive my Express Funded Account?

  • You should receive the credentials for your new Express Funded Account (which is sometimes referred to as XFA) within 1-2 business days after submitting your contract and paying the Activation Fee

  • This process can take up to 2 full business days, so we appreciate your patience while we work to prepare your new Express Funded Account!

How long do I have to pay my Activation Fee and get started with the Express Funded Account?

  • You have 30 days from the time you pass your Trading Combine to pay your Activation Fee and get started with the Express Funded Account.

What happens if I lose my Express Funded Account due to violating the Maximum Loss Limit?

  • If you lose your funding due to violating the Maximum Loss Limit rule, you can start a new Trading Combine for another chance at earning an Express Funded Account

  • There is no option to reset if you hit your Maximum Loss Limit in an Express Funded Account or Live Account (Learn more here: Funded Rule Violation FAQ). Another Trading Combine will have to be completed to earn funding again.

Why does the balance in my new Express Funded Account show $0 or N/A?

  • When you start trading in your new Express Funded Account (also known as XFA), it will initially show a balance of zero ($0) or N/A in your trading platform. However, the buying power for this Express Funded Account remains the same as the corresponding Trading Combine account size you passed, whether it's 50K, 100K, or 150K.

  • Even though your account balance appears as zero, your buying power is still aligned with your Trading Combine account size.

Can I decline the invitation to move to a Live Funded Account and stay in the Express Funded Account instead?

  • No, it is not possible to stay in an Express Funded Account and decline to move to a Live Funded Account. Once our Risk Managers determine you're ready to move to a Live Funded Account, your options are to make the switch from Express to Live or close your Express Funded Account.

How do I request a payout?

  • Our Payout Policy can be found here with information on how to request a payout.

  • Traders in an Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account can request a payout of up to 50% of their account balance after accumulating five winning trading days per payout request.

  • A winning trading day is counted when a day’s Net PNL is $200 or more.

  • You cannot request a payout in a Trading Combine account, since payouts are only available to Funded Traders who have passed the Trading Combine.

What Happens When I Transfer to the Live Funded Account?

Below is the process of transferring to a Live Funded Account:

  • When Topstep determines that a trader has shown consistent success in the Express Funded Account, then that trader will receive an email to transfer to a Live Funded Account. At that time, the Express Funded Account will be closed to transfer funds and open the Live Funded Account.

  • The full balance of the Express Funded Account will be the starting balance of the subsequent Live Funded Account. A payout can be requested during your transfer from the Express Funded Account to the Live account. The Live Funded Account Maximum Loss Limit is set at $0.

How do I earn payouts from a simulated account?

  • The Express Funded Account is a simulated account that allows you to earn from your trading without additional fees. This account speeds up your time to earning (get started in two business days!) while allowing Topstep to manage risk more effectively. Your trades inform our live prop firm trades, and we both earn real money.

After passing the Trading Combine, can I switch to a new platform for my Express Funded Account?

  • No, you cannot switch to a different platform when starting an Express Funded Account; after passing your Trading Combine, your Express Funded Account will be created with the same platform as the Trading Combine.

  • If you want an Express Funded Account on a different platform, you will need to start a new Trading Combine and pass to earn an Express Funded Account on your desired platform.

  • Topstep is not able to offer any exceptions to this policy.

Can I take a break from trading my Express Funded Account or put it on hold?

  • You can take a break from trading your Express Funded Account for less than 30 days at a time.

  • If there is no trading activity (no trades entered) on your Express Funded Account for more than 30 days, it may be subject to closure due to inactivity.

  • It is never possible to put an Express Funded Account on hold.

How many steps or stages do I need to complete before earning funding?

  • Topstep is proud to offer a simple and clear path to earning funding. Once you pass our one-step Trading Combine (in as little as two days), you earn funding with our Express Funded Account.

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Express Funded Account & Live Funded Account FAQ's | Topstep Help Center (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between express funded and live funded accounts? ›

Trading Combine & Express Funded Account: Fees and Commissions will be included in your P&L. You can use your P&L to get an accurate count of your P&L for the day. Live Funded Account: Fees and Commissions are not included in your P&L. You will need to be aware of these costs.

What is the difference between a funded account and a live account? ›

With a funded account, you share risks but also share rewards. You risk other people's money but that allows other people to dictate to you how to trade. With a personal live account, you reap all the rewards but also bear all the risks.

Can I reset my Express Funded account? ›

There is no option to reset if you hit your Maximum Loss Limit in an Express Funded Account or Live Account (Learn more here: Funded Rule Violation FAQ). Another Trading Combine will have to be completed to earn funding again.

How many express funded accounts can I have? ›

Topstep allows traders to have five (5) active Express Funded Accounts simultaneously. If you earn additional funding while already having five active Express Funded Accounts, any new accounts will remain pending until you close one of your existing Express Funded Accounts.

What is the benefit of funded account? ›

Funded trading accounts can be beneficial due to features like access to significant capital, reduced trading costs, and the ability to trade with lower risk as compared to trading with personal funds. Additionally, some prop firms offer training and support to help traders improve their skills.

What happens when you lose money on a funded account? ›

A large number of funded accounts operate under a maximum drawdown rule. This rule sets the ceiling on how much money you can lose. Cross this limit, and you risk losing your trading privileges in that account.

Is a funded account real money? ›

About Virtual Funds

The Funded Trader challenge and funded accounts are not live trading accounts, they are fully simulated accounts utilizing real market quotes from liquidity providers.

What are the rules of funded account? ›

What are the rules for funded traders (Funded SIM and Funded LIVE)?
  • Rule 1: Do not hit or exceed the maximum trailing drawdown. ...
  • Rule 2: Close all positions 10 minutes before the close of the CME Globex trading day.
  • Rule 3: Do not trade tier 1 data releases.
  • Rule 4:Only trade the products permitted by TradeDay.
Jan 25, 2024

How do you qualify for a funded account? ›

Now that we understand the benefits of a funded trading account, let's take a look at the step-by-step process of acquiring one.
  1. Step 1: Research and Choose a Provider. ...
  2. Step 2: Meet the Eligibility Requirements. ...
  3. Step 3: Submit an Application. ...
  4. Step 4: Pass the Evaluation Process. ...
  5. Step 5: Sign the Agreement and Start Trading.
Mar 18, 2024

How much is the activation fee for the express funded account? ›

Activation Fee Frequently Asked Questions:

The activation fee is a one-time charge of $149 per Express Funded Account earned. The fee is the same amount across all account sizes.

What is the consistency rule for express funded? ›

Consistency Express Account:

You need to maintain consistency every week. A safe way to increase or decrease your risk consistency is to keep within +/- 200% of your weekly average or by a deviation of 2.0. The three main KPIs that are being used here are the number of trading days, trades, and lot size.

What happens if you lose money on a funded account on Topstep? ›

There are no exceptions for rule violations for Funded Level accounts. This means that once your Maximum Loss Limit has been hit in an Express Funded or Live Funded Account, the account will be automatically closed after the Trade Report is updated.

What is the TopStep express funded account? ›

The Express Funded Account™, sometimes referred to as the "XFA", is the simulated Funded Level account traders earn after passing the Trading Combine. After you've passed your Trading Combine and completed the necessary steps, you can start taking Payouts from your Express Funded Account based on our Payout Policy.

Can you have more than one funded account? ›

Can I have more than one Funded Level Account? Can I have more than one Funded Level Account? Yes, you can have more than one Funded Level Account, but it's important to note that this only pertains to the Express Funded Account. Only one Live Funded Account per trader is permitted.

How many accounts can you have at a credit union? ›

How Many Checking Accounts Can I Have? The number of checking accounts any one person can have is entirely up to them. There's no limit on the number of checking accounts you can open, whether you have them at traditional banks, credit unions or online banks.

What is the express funded futures account? ›

The Express Funded Account™, sometimes referred to as the "XFA", is the simulated Funded Level account traders earn after passing the Trading Combine. After you've passed your Trading Combine and completed the necessary steps, you can start taking Payouts from your Express Funded Account based on our Payout Policy.

Are funded accounts live? ›

Simulated Environments

For the avoidance of any confusion, please keep in mind that a Funded Account is a fully simulated account.

What is the funded Next Express account? ›

Express: Your goal in this model will be to hit an ambitious profit target with no time limit. Once you achieve the target, you will start trading on FundedNext Account with a 60% profit split. The profit split percentage can be increased all the way up to 90% based on your performance.

What is the express challenge in funded Next? ›

Express Challenge Account: In the Express Challenge, your goal is to grow your account by 25% over time. Though there is no time limit to reach the 25% target you have to trade in 4-week trading cycles and trade for at least 10 days in each cycle.

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