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Topstep Rule Changes
Every Topstep rule and policy change on record, dated and shown before and after.
Topstep Premier
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PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterTrading Combine restrictions updated: Micro Crude Oil increased to 31/62/93, Micro Gold to 31/62/93, Micro Silver and Copper to 2/5/7 in some accounts; plus 4 other changes.Oct 19
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Velocity Logic halts
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Section: Current Restrictions
− Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
− Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
Section: 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
− - In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
− - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SI, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
- In the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 31 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB are limited to 3 lots. MHG and SIL are limited to 2 lots. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 3 lots.
- In the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 12 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 12 micros
- $1,500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 mini / 31 micros
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 mini / 25 micros
Section: Symbols this applies to:
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
150K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
- $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
250K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
- $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
- $6,000 balance = 12 minis / 125 micros
- $8,000+ balance = 15 minis / 156 micros
Section: Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/5/7 plan
− Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/4/6 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Micro Copper (MHG)
50K Express Funded Account
Section: Symbols this applies to:
− - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micros
− - $1,500 balance = 1 micros
− - $2,000 balance = 3 micros
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
− - $4,500 balance = 7 micro
250K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
- $4,500 balance = 7 micros
- $6,000 balance = 10 micros
- $8,000+ balance = 12 micros
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
- Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
- Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@Topstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
Section: Tier 1 News Events
− CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Trading Combines & Challenges
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
$1.5K, $3K, and $6K Challenges | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
$3K Challenge Undead | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
$3K Challenge Slasher | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Express Funded Accounts
After
- Velocity Logic halts
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Section: Current Restrictions
+ Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 31/62/93E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
+ Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 31/62/93Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/5/7Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/5/7Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
Section: 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
+ - In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/12 micros.
+ - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/156 micros. For SIL/MHG, 12 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SI, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
- In the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 31 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB are limited to 3 lots. MHG and SIL are limited to 2 lots. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 3 lots.
- In the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 12 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 12 micros
- $1,500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 mini / 31 micros
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 mini / 25 micros
Section: Symbols this applies to:
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
150K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
- $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
250K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
- $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
- $6,000 balance = 12 minis / 125 micros
- $8,000+ balance = 15 minis / 156 micros
Section: Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/5/7 plan
+ Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/5/7 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Micro Copper (MHG)
50K Express Funded Account
Section: Symbols this applies to:
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
+ - $1,500 balance = 1 micro
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 7 micros
250K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
- $4,500 balance = 7 micros
- $6,000 balance = 10 micros
- $8,000+ balance = 12 micros
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
- Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
- Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@Topstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
+ Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP, PPI), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in equity index products and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
Section: Tier 1 News Events
+ Consumer Price Index (CPI) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
+ Producer Price Index (PPI) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Trading Combines & Challenges
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
$1.5K, $3K, and $6K Challenges | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
$3K Challenge Undead | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
$3K Challenge Slasher | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Express Funded Accounts
- Velocity Logic halts
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Section: Current Restrictions
− Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
− Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
+ Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 31/62/93E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
+ Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 31/62/93Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/5/7Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/5/7Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
Section: 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
− - In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
− - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
+ - In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/12 micros.
+ - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/156 micros. For SIL/MHG, 12 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SI, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
- In the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 31 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB are limited to 3 lots. MHG and SIL are limited to 2 lots. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 3 lots.
- In the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 12 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 12 micros
- $1,500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 mini / 31 micros
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 mini / 25 micros
Section: Symbols this applies to:
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts minis / 31 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
150K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
- $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
250K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
- $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
- $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
- $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
- $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
- $6,000 balance = 12 minis / 125 micros
- $8,000+ balance = 15 minis / 156 micros
Section: Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/5/7 plan
− Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/4/6 plan
+ Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/5/7 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Micro Copper (MHG)
50K Express Funded Account
Section: Symbols this applies to:
− - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micros
− - $1,500 balance = 1 micros
− - $2,000 balance = 3 micros
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
+ - $1,500 balance = 1 micro
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
− - $4,500 balance = 7 micro
+ - $4,500 balance = 7 micros
250K Express Funded Account
- Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 micros
- $2,000 balance = 2 micros
- $3,000 balance = 5 micros
- $4,500 balance = 7 micros
- $6,000 balance = 10 micros
- $8,000+ balance = 12 micros
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
- Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
- Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@Topstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
+ Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP, PPI), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in equity index products and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
Section: Tier 1 News Events
− CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
+ Consumer Price Index (CPI) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
+ Producer Price Index (PPI) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Trading Combines & Challenges
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
$1.5K, $3K, and $6K Challenges | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
$3K Challenge Undead | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
$3K Challenge Slasher | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Express Funded Accounts
PremierTopstep · I've been banned. What are my options? | Topstep Help CenterNew page published.Oct 16
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterArticle reorganized into separate sections for Trading Combines & Challenges and Express Funded Accounts, with XFA removed from Combines table and new scaling margin rules added for XFAs.Oct 16
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Section: Trading Combines & Challenges
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
− 3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
− 50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micros
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Section: Express Funded Accounts
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
After
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Section: Trading Combines & Challenges
+ Trading Combines & Challenges
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
+ $1.5K, $3K, and $6K Challenges | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
+ $3K Challenge Undead | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
+ $3K Challenge Slasher | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Section: Express Funded Accounts
+ Express Funded Accounts
+ Express Funded Accounts (XFAs) have margin that scales with balance. This is called the Scaling Plan. See details on your Maximum Position Size when accounting for both Tier 1 News Event restrictions, and the Scaling Plan.
+ Account | Balance | Margin | Minis/Micros | SIL & MHG
+ $50K XFA | Below $1500 | $20,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $50K XFA | $1500-$2000 | $30,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $50K XFA | Above $2000 | $50,000 | 0/3 | 0/2
+ $100K XFA | Below $1500 | $30,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $100K XFA | $1500-$2000 | $40,000 | 0/2 | 0/2
+ $100K XFA | $2,000-3,000 | $50,000 | 0/3 | 0/2
+ $100K XFA | Above $3,000 | $100,000 | 0/6 | 0/5
+ $150K XFA | Below $1500 | $30,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $150K XFA | $1500-$2000 | $40,000 | 0/2 | 0/2
+ $150K XFA | $2,000-3,000 | $50,000 | 0/3 | 0/2
+ $150K XFA | $3,000-$4,500 | $100,000 | 0/6 | 0/5
+ $150K XFA | Above $4,500 | $150,000 | 0/9 | 0/7
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Section: Trading Combines & Challenges
+ Trading Combines & Challenges
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
− 3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
+ $1.5K, $3K, and $6K Challenges | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
+ $3K Challenge Undead | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
+ $3K Challenge Slasher | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
− 50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micros
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Section: Express Funded Accounts
+ Express Funded Accounts
+ Express Funded Accounts (XFAs) have margin that scales with balance. This is called the Scaling Plan. See details on your Maximum Position Size when accounting for both Tier 1 News Event restrictions, and the Scaling Plan.
+ Account | Balance | Margin | Minis/Micros | SIL & MHG
+ $50K XFA | Below $1500 | $20,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $50K XFA | $1500-$2000 | $30,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $50K XFA | Above $2000 | $50,000 | 0/3 | 0/2
+ $100K XFA | Below $1500 | $30,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $100K XFA | $1500-$2000 | $40,000 | 0/2 | 0/2
+ $100K XFA | $2,000-3,000 | $50,000 | 0/3 | 0/2
+ $100K XFA | Above $3,000 | $100,000 | 0/6 | 0/5
+ $150K XFA | Below $1500 | $30,000 | 0/1 | 0/1
+ $150K XFA | $1500-$2000 | $40,000 | 0/2 | 0/2
+ $150K XFA | $2,000-3,000 | $50,000 | 0/3 | 0/2
+ $150K XFA | $3,000-$4,500 | $100,000 | 0/6 | 0/5
+ $150K XFA | Above $4,500 | $150,000 | 0/9 | 0/7
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
PremierTopstep · Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions | Topstep Help CenterIncluding Challenges" changed to "or an Evaluation Challenge" in two locations describing affiliate code eligibility.Oct 16
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Where does my reward show up?
Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
Can I see who used my code?
Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
Affiliate Codes
What is Topstep’s affiliate program?
Topstep partners with a select group of creators, some of whom have an affiliate code to share with their community. When someone purchases with Topstep for the first time using an affiliate code, they save 20%.
What is the affiliate code offer?
Section: Affiliate Codes
− 20% off your first Topstep purchase (Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, including Challenges) when you check out with an affiliate’s code.
Who is eligible to use an affiliate’s code?
− If you have never previously purchased with Topstep, you are eligible to use an affiliate code on your very first Topstep purchase for the purchase of a Topstep Trading Combine, Topstep Labs offering, including a Topstep Challenge. Traders new to Topstep can only use one affiliate code, one time.
I want to purchase more than one account. Does the code apply to all purchases?
No, affiliate codes are eligible to be used on your first purchase with Topstep. Affiliate codes do not apply to Resets, Back2Funded, market data add-ons, or anything you buy after that first purchase.
Can I stack an affiliate code with another promo or code?
No, you cannot stack with another promo code, discount, or a referral code. There is one exception: if you opt to add a Daily Loss Limit to a No Activation Fee Trading Combine during your first purchase with Topstep, you can still use an affiliate code to save 20% in addition to the Responsible Trading Advantage savings.
How can I become a Topstep Affiliate?
We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands!
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
After
Where does my reward show up?
Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
Can I see who used my code?
Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
Affiliate Codes
What is Topstep’s affiliate program?
Topstep partners with a select group of creators, some of whom have an affiliate code to share with their community. When someone purchases with Topstep for the first time using an affiliate code, they save 20%.
What is the affiliate code offer?
Section: Affiliate Codes
+ 20% off your first Topstep purchase (Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, or an Evaluation Challenge) when you check out with an affiliate’s code.
Who is eligible to use an affiliate’s code?
+ If you have never previously purchased with Topstep, you are eligible to use an affiliate code on your very first Topstep purchase for the purchase of a Topstep Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, or a Topstep Evaluation Challenge. Traders new to Topstep can only use one affiliate code, one time.
I want to purchase more than one account. Does the code apply to all purchases?
No, affiliate codes are eligible to be used on your first purchase with Topstep. Affiliate codes do not apply to Resets, Back2Funded, market data add-ons, or anything you buy after that first purchase.
Can I stack an affiliate code with another promo or code?
No, you cannot stack with another promo code, discount, or a referral code. There is one exception: if you opt to add a Daily Loss Limit to a No Activation Fee Trading Combine during your first purchase with Topstep, you can still use an affiliate code to save 20% in addition to the Responsible Trading Advantage savings.
How can I become a Topstep Affiliate?
We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands!
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
Where does my reward show up?
Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
Can I see who used my code?
Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
Affiliate Codes
What is Topstep’s affiliate program?
Topstep partners with a select group of creators, some of whom have an affiliate code to share with their community. When someone purchases with Topstep for the first time using an affiliate code, they save 20%.
What is the affiliate code offer?
Section: Affiliate Codes
− 20% off your first Topstep purchase (Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, including Challenges) when you check out with an affiliate’s code.
+ 20% off your first Topstep purchase (Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, or an Evaluation Challenge) when you check out with an affiliate’s code.
Who is eligible to use an affiliate’s code?
− If you have never previously purchased with Topstep, you are eligible to use an affiliate code on your very first Topstep purchase for the purchase of a Topstep Trading Combine, Topstep Labs offering, including a Topstep Challenge. Traders new to Topstep can only use one affiliate code, one time.
+ If you have never previously purchased with Topstep, you are eligible to use an affiliate code on your very first Topstep purchase for the purchase of a Topstep Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, or a Topstep Evaluation Challenge. Traders new to Topstep can only use one affiliate code, one time.
I want to purchase more than one account. Does the code apply to all purchases?
No, affiliate codes are eligible to be used on your first purchase with Topstep. Affiliate codes do not apply to Resets, Back2Funded, market data add-ons, or anything you buy after that first purchase.
Can I stack an affiliate code with another promo or code?
No, you cannot stack with another promo code, discount, or a referral code. There is one exception: if you opt to add a Daily Loss Limit to a No Activation Fee Trading Combine during your first purchase with Topstep, you can still use an affiliate code to save 20% in addition to the Responsible Trading Advantage savings.
How can I become a Topstep Affiliate?
We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands!
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
PremierTopstep · What is the Responsible Trading Program? | Topstep Help CenterAdded clarification that No Activation Fee Trading Combines retain their status during RTP, and separated activation outcome into new sentence.Oct 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- You go full port or trade on tilt, FOMO, or revenge
- You disrespect your daily limits
Can't trade small? You can't trade big. Consistency first — then size and scale.
Responsible Trading Program Parameters
While in the Responsible Trading Program:
- All new Trading Combines® and XFAs automatically get a Daily Loss Limit (DLL):
- 50K accounts = -$1,000
- 100K accounts = -$2,000
- 150K accounts = -$3,000
- Pass a Trading Combine®? You'll be limited to Express Funded Account (XFA) Consistency — best day must stay under 40% of total profits per Payout period
- Standard XFA is unavailable until RTP is completed
If you’re placed into the RTP with an active Trading Combine:
Section: Responsible Trading Program Parameters
− - Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine. If passed, it may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
- If Reset, the new Trading Combine will follow RTP rules — it will be a Consistency Trading Combine account with a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) and will follow this path if the account is passed.
If you're placed into the RTP with an active Standard XFA:
- Your existing Standard XFA account is unaffected.
- Any new XFAs created during RTP will be Consistency XFA only
- XFAs activated from Trading Combines purchased before your RTP placement can be Standard or Consistency with a Daily Loss Limit.
If you're removed from RTP with an active Consistency XFA:
- Your Consistency XFA account stays unchanged
- Going forward, you can choose a Standard or Consistency XFA for new accounts
⚠️ Please note: Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
Responsible Trading Program FAQs
How is RTP different from the Focused Trader Program (FTP)?
Under the Focused Trader Program, Traders are limited to one Express Funded Account at a time. Under the Responsible Trading Program, Traders may trade up to five Express Funded Accounts while following a consistency requirement during payout periods. You can learn more about the Focused Trader Program here
After
- You go full port or trade on tilt, FOMO, or revenge
- You disrespect your daily limits
Can't trade small? You can't trade big. Consistency first — then size and scale.
Responsible Trading Program Parameters
While in the Responsible Trading Program:
- All new Trading Combines® and XFAs automatically get a Daily Loss Limit (DLL):
- 50K accounts = -$1,000
- 100K accounts = -$2,000
- 150K accounts = -$3,000
- Pass a Trading Combine®? You'll be limited to Express Funded Account (XFA) Consistency — best day must stay under 40% of total profits per Payout period
- Standard XFA is unavailable until RTP is completed
If you’re placed into the RTP with an active Trading Combine:
Section: Responsible Trading Program Parameters
+ - Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine, and No Activation Fee Trading Combines will remain as No Activation Fee Trading Combines.
+ - If passed, the Trading Combine may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
- If Reset, the new Trading Combine will follow RTP rules — it will be a Consistency Trading Combine account with a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) and will follow this path if the account is passed.
If you're placed into the RTP with an active Standard XFA:
- Your existing Standard XFA account is unaffected.
- Any new XFAs created during RTP will be Consistency XFA only
- XFAs activated from Trading Combines purchased before your RTP placement can be Standard or Consistency with a Daily Loss Limit.
If you're removed from RTP with an active Consistency XFA:
- Your Consistency XFA account stays unchanged
- Going forward, you can choose a Standard or Consistency XFA for new accounts
⚠️ Please note: Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
Responsible Trading Program FAQs
How is RTP different from the Focused Trader Program (FTP)?
Under the Focused Trader Program, Traders are limited to one Express Funded Account at a time. Under the Responsible Trading Program, Traders may trade up to five Express Funded Accounts while following a consistency requirement during payout periods. You can learn more about the Focused Trader Program here
- You go full port or trade on tilt, FOMO, or revenge
- You disrespect your daily limits
Can't trade small? You can't trade big. Consistency first — then size and scale.
Responsible Trading Program Parameters
While in the Responsible Trading Program:
- All new Trading Combines® and XFAs automatically get a Daily Loss Limit (DLL):
- 50K accounts = -$1,000
- 100K accounts = -$2,000
- 150K accounts = -$3,000
- Pass a Trading Combine®? You'll be limited to Express Funded Account (XFA) Consistency — best day must stay under 40% of total profits per Payout period
- Standard XFA is unavailable until RTP is completed
If you’re placed into the RTP with an active Trading Combine:
Section: Responsible Trading Program Parameters
− - Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine. If passed, it may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
+ - Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine, and No Activation Fee Trading Combines will remain as No Activation Fee Trading Combines.
+ - If passed, the Trading Combine may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
- If Reset, the new Trading Combine will follow RTP rules — it will be a Consistency Trading Combine account with a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) and will follow this path if the account is passed.
If you're placed into the RTP with an active Standard XFA:
- Your existing Standard XFA account is unaffected.
- Any new XFAs created during RTP will be Consistency XFA only
- XFAs activated from Trading Combines purchased before your RTP placement can be Standard or Consistency with a Daily Loss Limit.
If you're removed from RTP with an active Consistency XFA:
- Your Consistency XFA account stays unchanged
- Going forward, you can choose a Standard or Consistency XFA for new accounts
⚠️ Please note: Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
Responsible Trading Program FAQs
How is RTP different from the Focused Trader Program (FTP)?
Under the Focused Trader Program, Traders are limited to one Express Funded Account at a time. Under the Responsible Trading Program, Traders may trade up to five Express Funded Accounts while following a consistency requirement during payout periods. You can learn more about the Focused Trader Program here
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterMicro Crude Oil (MCL) restriction changed from 30/60/90 to 3/6/9; Micro Gold (MGC) changed from 30/60/90 to 5/10/15; two new challenge types added with specific position limits.Oct 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
Section: 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
− 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
− - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
- Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
- Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
Section: How You'll Be Notified
− - Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Section: Tier 1 News Events
− Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
After
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
Section: 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
+ 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
+ - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SI, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
+ - In the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 31 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB are limited to 3 lots. MHG and SIL are limited to 2 lots. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 3 lots.
+ - In the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 12 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
- Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
- Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
Section: How You'll Be Notified
+ - Social media updates (@Topstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Section: Tier 1 News Events
+ Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
+ 50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micros
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
Section: 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
− 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
+ 🧪 Labs: Restricted Products (Expand to learn more)
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
− - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SI, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
+ - In the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 31 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB are limited to 3 lots. MHG and SIL are limited to 2 lots. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 3 lots.
+ - In the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge, MCL and MGC are limited to 12 lots. CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot. HG, PL, and SI are 0. During Tier 1 News Events, MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL are limited to 1 lot.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
- Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
- Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
Section: How You'll Be Notified
− - Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
+ - Social media updates (@Topstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 5 minutes before the news event may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Section: Tier 1 News Events
− Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
+ Non Farm Payroll (NFP/Unemployment Rate) | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
+ 50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micros
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
PremierTopstep · Economic Releases | Topstep Help CenterRemoved Products Affected column; added CPI Report release; renamed Unemployment Rate to include Non-Farm Payroll; removed micro contracts note.Oct 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Section: Common Economic Releases
− Release | Time (CT) | Products Affected
− Unemployment Rate | 7:30 AM | ES, NKD, NQ, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, E7, GE, YM, UB, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, GC, RTY, SI, HG, TN, 6M, M6A, M6E, 6N, MBT, MET
− FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
− Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
− Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
− Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
− **Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Topstep restricts trading for a short period during Tier 1 News Events. learn more here.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
After
Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Section: Common Economic Releases
+ Release | Time (CT)*
+ CPI Report | 7:30 AM
+ Unemployment Rate (Non-Farm Payroll) | 7:30 AM
+ FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM
+ Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM
+ Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM
+ Crop Production | 11:00 AM
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
Trading During the News
Topstep restricts trading for a short period during Tier 1 News Events. learn more here.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Section: Common Economic Releases
− Release | Time (CT) | Products Affected
− Unemployment Rate | 7:30 AM | ES, NKD, NQ, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, E7, GE, YM, UB, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, GC, RTY, SI, HG, TN, 6M, M6A, M6E, 6N, MBT, MET
− FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
− Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
− Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
− Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
+ Release | Time (CT)*
+ CPI Report | 7:30 AM
+ Unemployment Rate (Non-Farm Payroll) | 7:30 AM
+ FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM
+ Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM
+ Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM
+ Crop Production | 11:00 AM
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
− **Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Topstep restricts trading for a short period during Tier 1 News Events. learn more here.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterTwo new $3K challenge products added: Undead Challenge ($199, $1,000 loss limit, 5 minis/50 micros) and Slasher Challenge ($65, $500 loss limit, 2 minis/20 micros).Oct 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
#005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
#006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
#007 | $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up | October 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
Consistency Target | None | None
Minimum Trading Days | None | None
Activation Fee | - | Free
Scaling Plan | - | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split.
After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | -
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Section: $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Hit the $1,500 Profit Target in the Challenge Round. Trading locks and the account shows as "passed." Activate the Payout Round from your dashboard. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it with the same rules. Hit $1,500 again and you'll see the option to request your $1,500 Payout in your dashboard.
👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
The Payout is a fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split. There is no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
Does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
No. There's no path to Live through this Challenge. The reward is the one-time $1,500 Payout, then the account closes out.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes.
Is there an expiration date?
Yes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
Yes, beyond the 2/20 limit: Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Learn more here.
Section: Return of the $3K Undead Challenge
After
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
#005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
#006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
#007 | $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up | October 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #008 | Return of the $3K Undead Challenge | October 2026
+ #009 | Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge | October 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
Consistency Target | None | None
Minimum Trading Days | None | None
Activation Fee | - | Free
Scaling Plan | - | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split.
After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | -
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Section: $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
+ $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
+ Back from the dead. 5x the position size. Same $1,000 Maximum Loss Limit. Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000.
+ The Undead Challenge is drop #008. It's a 2 round Challenge for $199, one time. Trade up to 5 minis / 50 micros. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
+ The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. There's no 90/10 split. You keep all $3,000.
+ Return of the $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Price | $199, one time | -
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
+ Maximum Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 5 minis / 50 micros | 5 minis / 50 micros
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | - | Free
+ Scaling Plan | None | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days from date of purchase | 90 days
+ Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
+ Purchase Limit | 5 Undead per Trader | -
+ You can buy up to 5 Undead and 5 Slasher, up to 10 total.
+ $3K Slasher Challenge Parameters
+ The MLL and price got slashed. Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000.
+ The Slasher Challenge is drop #009. It's a 2 round Challenge for $65, one time. Trade up to 2 minis / 20 micros. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
+ The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. There's no 90/10 split. You keep all $3,000.
+ Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Price | $65, one time | -
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
+ Maximum Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | - | Free
+ Scaling Plan | None | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days from date of purchase | 90 days
+ Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
+ Purchase Limit | 5 Slasher per Trader | -
+ You can buy up to 5 Slasher and 5 Undead, up to 10 total.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Hit the $1,500 Profit Target in the Challenge Round. Trading locks and the account shows as "passed." Activate the Payout Round from your dashboard. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it with the same rules. Hit $1,500 again and you'll see the option to request your $1,500 Payout in your dashboard.
👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
The Payout is a fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split. There is no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
Does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
No. There's no path to Live through this Challenge. The reward is the one-time $1,500 Payout, then the account closes out.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes.
Is there an expiration date?
Yes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
Yes, beyond the 2/20 limit: Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Learn more here.
Section: Return of the $3K Undead Challenge
+ Return of the $3K Undead Challenge
+ What's different about the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge?
+ More size, same risk. It costs $199 and trades up to 5 minis / 50 micros. The Maximum Loss Limit stays at $1,000 static, and Payout is still $3,000 same as the original $3K Challenge.
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. First come, first served. Once all units are sold, it's no longer available. You can buy up to 5 Undead and 5 Slasher, up to 10 total.
+ Each count of 5 includes accounts in the Challenge Round or the Payout Round. Closed accounts still count (the Trader hit the Maximum Loss Limit or earned the Payout), so you can't buy another to top off the cap. The limit applies only to this drop. Prior Challenges like the previous $3K, $6K, $9K, or $1.5K don't count toward it.
+ Are there restricted products for the Undead Challenge?
+ Yes, beyond the 5 minis / 50 micros limit:
+ - Limited to 31 lots of MCL and MGC.
+ - Limited to 3 lots of CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB.
+ - Limited to 2 lots of MHG and SIL.
+ - 0 for HG, PL, and SI.
+ - During Tier 1 News Events, limited to 3 lots of MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL.
+ Learn more here.
+ Is this a subscription?
+ No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ Who is eligible to purchase this?
+ All Traders, new and existing, while units remain.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine®?
+ Yes. It's a separate product. It doesn't replace or affect any existing Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts® (XFAs), or Live Funded Accounts® (LFAs). You can trade it at the same time.
+ How does the account move from the Challenge Round to the Payout Round, and how do I earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Trading locks and the account status is "passed." In your dashboard, activate the Payout Round. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it the same way, with the same rules. Hit the $3,000 Profit Target again, trading locks, and you'll see the option to request your $3,000 Payout in your dashboard.
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
+ Is there a Payout cap on this account?
+ No cap. The Payout is a fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split, so you get the full $3,000. There's no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
+ Where do I find the Undead Challenge?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. It shows as an offer card with all the details and a purchase button when available. It's sold only from the Labs page.
+ Does the Undead Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone. Unlike XFAs, your performance in Challenges has no effect on eligibility to be called up to Live. The reward is the one-time $3,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity and expiration?
+ If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
+ Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge
+ What's different about the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge?
+ The Maximum Loss Limit is slashed in half. It costs $65, trades up to 2 minis / 20 micros, and losses can't exceed $500 (static). Same $3,000 Profit Target and same $3,000 one-time Payout as the original $3K Challenge.
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. First come, first served. Once all units are sold, it's no longer available. You can buy up to 5 Slasher and 5 Undead, up to 10 total.
+ Each count of 5 includes accounts in the Challenge Round or the Payout Round. Closed accounts still count (the Trader hit the Maximum Loss Limit or earned the Payout), so you can't buy another to top off the cap. The limit applies only to this drop. Prior Challenges like the previous $3K, $6K, $9K, or $1.5K don't count toward it.
+ Are there restricted products for the Slasher Challenge?
+ Yes, beyond the 2 minis / 20 micros limit:
+ - Limited to 12 lots of MCL and MGC.
+ - Limited to 1 lot of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL.
+ - No HG, PL, or SI.
+ - During Tier 1 News Events, limited to 1 lot of MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL.
+ Learn more here
+ Is this a subscription?
+ No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ Who is eligible to purchase this?
+ All Traders, new and existing, while units remain.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine®?
+ Yes. It's a separate product. It doesn't replace or affect any existing Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts® (XFAs), or Live Funded Accounts® (LFAs). You can trade it at the same time.
+ How does the account move from the Challenge Round to the Payout Round, and how do I earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Trading locks and the account status is "passed." In your dashboard, activate the Payout Round. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it the same way, with the same rules. Hit the $3,000 Profit Target again, trading locks, and you'll see the option to request your $3,000 Payout in your dashboard.
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
+ Is there a Payout cap on this account?
+ No cap. The Payout is a fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split, so you get the full $3,000. There's no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
+ Where do I find the Slasher Challenge?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. It shows as an offer card with all the details and a purchase button when available. It's sold only from the Labs page.
+ Does the Slasher Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone. Unlike XFAs, your performance in Challenges has no effect on eligibility to be called up to Live. The reward is the one-time $3,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity and expiration?
+ If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
#005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
#006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
#007 | $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up | October 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #008 | Return of the $3K Undead Challenge | October 2026
+ #009 | Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge | October 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
Consistency Target | None | None
Minimum Trading Days | None | None
Activation Fee | - | Free
Scaling Plan | - | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split.
After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | -
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Section: $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
+ $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
+ Back from the dead. 5x the position size. Same $1,000 Maximum Loss Limit. Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000.
+ The Undead Challenge is drop #008. It's a 2 round Challenge for $199, one time. Trade up to 5 minis / 50 micros. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
+ The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. There's no 90/10 split. You keep all $3,000.
+ Return of the $3K Undead Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Price | $199, one time | -
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
+ Maximum Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 5 minis / 50 micros | 5 minis / 50 micros
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | - | Free
+ Scaling Plan | None | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days from date of purchase | 90 days
+ Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
+ Purchase Limit | 5 Undead per Trader | -
+ You can buy up to 5 Undead and 5 Slasher, up to 10 total.
+ $3K Slasher Challenge Parameters
+ The MLL and price got slashed. Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000.
+ The Slasher Challenge is drop #009. It's a 2 round Challenge for $65, one time. Trade up to 2 minis / 20 micros. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
+ The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. There's no 90/10 split. You keep all $3,000.
+ Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Price | $65, one time | -
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
+ Maximum Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | - | Free
+ Scaling Plan | None | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days from date of purchase | 90 days
+ Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
+ Purchase Limit | 5 Slasher per Trader | -
+ You can buy up to 5 Slasher and 5 Undead, up to 10 total.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Hit the $1,500 Profit Target in the Challenge Round. Trading locks and the account shows as "passed." Activate the Payout Round from your dashboard. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it with the same rules. Hit $1,500 again and you'll see the option to request your $1,500 Payout in your dashboard.
👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
The Payout is a fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split. There is no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
Does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
No. There's no path to Live through this Challenge. The reward is the one-time $1,500 Payout, then the account closes out.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes.
Is there an expiration date?
Yes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
Yes, beyond the 2/20 limit: Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Learn more here.
Section: Return of the $3K Undead Challenge
+ Return of the $3K Undead Challenge
+ What's different about the Return of the $3K Undead Challenge?
+ More size, same risk. It costs $199 and trades up to 5 minis / 50 micros. The Maximum Loss Limit stays at $1,000 static, and Payout is still $3,000 same as the original $3K Challenge.
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. First come, first served. Once all units are sold, it's no longer available. You can buy up to 5 Undead and 5 Slasher, up to 10 total.
+ Each count of 5 includes accounts in the Challenge Round or the Payout Round. Closed accounts still count (the Trader hit the Maximum Loss Limit or earned the Payout), so you can't buy another to top off the cap. The limit applies only to this drop. Prior Challenges like the previous $3K, $6K, $9K, or $1.5K don't count toward it.
+ Are there restricted products for the Undead Challenge?
+ Yes, beyond the 5 minis / 50 micros limit:
+ - Limited to 31 lots of MCL and MGC.
+ - Limited to 3 lots of CL, GC, HO, QM, and RB.
+ - Limited to 2 lots of MHG and SIL.
+ - 0 for HG, PL, and SI.
+ - During Tier 1 News Events, limited to 3 lots of MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL.
+ Learn more here.
+ Is this a subscription?
+ No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ Who is eligible to purchase this?
+ All Traders, new and existing, while units remain.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine®?
+ Yes. It's a separate product. It doesn't replace or affect any existing Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts® (XFAs), or Live Funded Accounts® (LFAs). You can trade it at the same time.
+ How does the account move from the Challenge Round to the Payout Round, and how do I earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Trading locks and the account status is "passed." In your dashboard, activate the Payout Round. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it the same way, with the same rules. Hit the $3,000 Profit Target again, trading locks, and you'll see the option to request your $3,000 Payout in your dashboard.
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
+ Is there a Payout cap on this account?
+ No cap. The Payout is a fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split, so you get the full $3,000. There's no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
+ Where do I find the Undead Challenge?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. It shows as an offer card with all the details and a purchase button when available. It's sold only from the Labs page.
+ Does the Undead Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone. Unlike XFAs, your performance in Challenges has no effect on eligibility to be called up to Live. The reward is the one-time $3,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity and expiration?
+ If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
+ Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge
+ What's different about the Revenge of the $3K Slasher Challenge?
+ The Maximum Loss Limit is slashed in half. It costs $65, trades up to 2 minis / 20 micros, and losses can't exceed $500 (static). Same $3,000 Profit Target and same $3,000 one-time Payout as the original $3K Challenge.
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. First come, first served. Once all units are sold, it's no longer available. You can buy up to 5 Slasher and 5 Undead, up to 10 total.
+ Each count of 5 includes accounts in the Challenge Round or the Payout Round. Closed accounts still count (the Trader hit the Maximum Loss Limit or earned the Payout), so you can't buy another to top off the cap. The limit applies only to this drop. Prior Challenges like the previous $3K, $6K, $9K, or $1.5K don't count toward it.
+ Are there restricted products for the Slasher Challenge?
+ Yes, beyond the 2 minis / 20 micros limit:
+ - Limited to 12 lots of MCL and MGC.
+ - Limited to 1 lot of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL.
+ - No HG, PL, or SI.
+ - During Tier 1 News Events, limited to 1 lot of MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K, M6A, M6B, M6E, MNG, MCL, MGC, MBT, MET, MHG, and SIL.
+ Learn more here
+ Is this a subscription?
+ No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ Who is eligible to purchase this?
+ All Traders, new and existing, while units remain.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine®?
+ Yes. It's a separate product. It doesn't replace or affect any existing Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts® (XFAs), or Live Funded Accounts® (LFAs). You can trade it at the same time.
+ How does the account move from the Challenge Round to the Payout Round, and how do I earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Trading locks and the account status is "passed." In your dashboard, activate the Payout Round. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it the same way, with the same rules. Hit the $3,000 Profit Target again, trading locks, and you'll see the option to request your $3,000 Payout in your dashboard.
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
+ Is there a Payout cap on this account?
+ No cap. The Payout is a fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split, so you get the full $3,000. There's no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
+ Where do I find the Slasher Challenge?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. It shows as an offer card with all the details and a purchase button when available. It's sold only from the Labs page.
+ Does the Slasher Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone. Unlike XFAs, your performance in Challenges has no effect on eligibility to be called up to Live. The reward is the one-time $3,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity and expiration?
+ If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Community | Topstep Help CenterAdded new Affiliates section describing a gradual affiliate program rollout with limited current details and promo code information.Oct 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Feedback
Post questions and feedback in the YouTube live chat during the broadcast. Coaches and the Production Team watch and respond in real time.
Daily programming includes: Opening Call, Fast Markets, Group Coaching, Power Hour, At the Buzzer, and more. Daily trade levels for ES, NQ, Gold, and Crude Oil provided throughout.
Social Media
🐦 X / Twitter
Follow @Topstep for news, feature updates, and announcements. Got a support question? Reach out to @AskTopstep — the official Topstep support account for account, platform, and billing help.
👥 Facebook Community
A space for traders to connect, share wins, and swap insights. Join the conversation and stay plugged into the broader Topstep Community.
📸 Instagram
Behind-the-scenes content, trader highlights, and visual snapshots of life at Topstep. Follow @topstep to stay inspired between sessions.
🎵 TikTok
Quick trading tips, platform walkthroughs, and community moments in short-form video. Follow @topstepofficial for content that fits in a scroll break.
Section: Topstep Affiliates
After
Feedback
Post questions and feedback in the YouTube live chat during the broadcast. Coaches and the Production Team watch and respond in real time.
Daily programming includes: Opening Call, Fast Markets, Group Coaching, Power Hour, At the Buzzer, and more. Daily trade levels for ES, NQ, Gold, and Crude Oil provided throughout.
Social Media
🐦 X / Twitter
Follow @Topstep for news, feature updates, and announcements. Got a support question? Reach out to @AskTopstep — the official Topstep support account for account, platform, and billing help.
👥 Facebook Community
A space for traders to connect, share wins, and swap insights. Join the conversation and stay plugged into the broader Topstep Community.
📸 Instagram
Behind-the-scenes content, trader highlights, and visual snapshots of life at Topstep. Follow @topstep to stay inspired between sessions.
🎵 TikTok
Quick trading tips, platform walkthroughs, and community moments in short-form video. Follow @topstepofficial for content that fits in a scroll break.
Section: Topstep Affiliates
+ Topstep Affiliates
+ We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands.
+ Have an Affiliate promo code? Learn more about our promo codes here!
Feedback
Post questions and feedback in the YouTube live chat during the broadcast. Coaches and the Production Team watch and respond in real time.
Daily programming includes: Opening Call, Fast Markets, Group Coaching, Power Hour, At the Buzzer, and more. Daily trade levels for ES, NQ, Gold, and Crude Oil provided throughout.
Social Media
🐦 X / Twitter
Follow @Topstep for news, feature updates, and announcements. Got a support question? Reach out to @AskTopstep — the official Topstep support account for account, platform, and billing help.
👥 Facebook Community
A space for traders to connect, share wins, and swap insights. Join the conversation and stay plugged into the broader Topstep Community.
📸 Instagram
Behind-the-scenes content, trader highlights, and visual snapshots of life at Topstep. Follow @topstep to stay inspired between sessions.
🎵 TikTok
Quick trading tips, platform walkthroughs, and community moments in short-form video. Follow @topstepofficial for content that fits in a scroll break.
Section: Topstep Affiliates
+ Topstep Affiliates
+ We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands.
+ Have an Affiliate promo code? Learn more about our promo codes here!
PremierTopstep · Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions | Topstep Help CenterAdded new section with six questions and answers about Topstep's affiliate program, including eligibility, offer details, and stacking rules.Oct 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Who can use a referral code?
Anyone new to Topstep who hasn't purchased yet, on their first account purchase only. Codes are public, so you can share yours anywhere.
Is this the affiliate program?
No. Referral Codes are open to all Traders with a Trader Profile.
Where does my reward show up?
Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
Can I see who used my code?
Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
Section: Affiliate Codes
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
☝ Important: At least 1 card must remain on file while a Trading Combine is active. Removing all cards will close your account. Once you set a default card, new purchases will automatically be tied to that card. To update an existing subscription’s payment method, you must change your default card and update the individual subscription.
Payment Troubleshooting
- Use a card in your name — must match your Topstep profile exactly. Using someone else’s card violates the Terms of Use.
- Check your billing address — must match your bank’s records exactly, including formatting.
- Delete and re-enter payment details manually — avoid autofill.
- Wait at least 1 hour between retry attempts — rapid retries can trigger bank blocks.
After
Who can use a referral code?
Anyone new to Topstep who hasn't purchased yet, on their first account purchase only. Codes are public, so you can share yours anywhere.
Is this the affiliate program?
No. Referral Codes are open to all Traders with a Trader Profile.
Where does my reward show up?
Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
Can I see who used my code?
Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
Section: Affiliate Codes
+ Affiliate Codes
+ What is Topstep’s affiliate program?
+ Topstep partners with a select group of creators, some of whom have an affiliate code to share with their community. When someone purchases with Topstep for the first time using an affiliate code, they save 20%.
+ What is the affiliate code offer?
+ 20% off your first Topstep purchase (Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, including Challenges) when you check out with an affiliate’s code.
+ Who is eligible to use an affiliate’s code?
+ If you have never previously purchased with Topstep, you are eligible to use an affiliate code on your very first Topstep purchase for the purchase of a Topstep Trading Combine, Topstep Labs offering, including a Topstep Challenge. Traders new to Topstep can only use one affiliate code, one time.
+ I want to purchase more than one account. Does the code apply to all purchases?
+ No, affiliate codes are eligible to be used on your first purchase with Topstep. Affiliate codes do not apply to Resets, Back2Funded, market data add-ons, or anything you buy after that first purchase.
+ Can I stack an affiliate code with another promo or code?
+ No, you cannot stack with another promo code, discount, or a referral code. There is one exception: if you opt to add a Daily Loss Limit to a No Activation Fee Trading Combine during your first purchase with Topstep, you can still use an affiliate code to save 20% in addition to the Responsible Trading Advantage savings.
+ How can I become a Topstep Affiliate?
+ We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands!
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
☝ Important: At least 1 card must remain on file while a Trading Combine is active. Removing all cards will close your account. Once you set a default card, new purchases will automatically be tied to that card. To update an existing subscription’s payment method, you must change your default card and update the individual subscription.
Payment Troubleshooting
- Use a card in your name — must match your Topstep profile exactly. Using someone else’s card violates the Terms of Use.
- Check your billing address — must match your bank’s records exactly, including formatting.
- Delete and re-enter payment details manually — avoid autofill.
- Wait at least 1 hour between retry attempts — rapid retries can trigger bank blocks.
Who can use a referral code?
Anyone new to Topstep who hasn't purchased yet, on their first account purchase only. Codes are public, so you can share yours anywhere.
Is this the affiliate program?
No. Referral Codes are open to all Traders with a Trader Profile.
Where does my reward show up?
Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
Can I see who used my code?
Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
Section: Affiliate Codes
+ Affiliate Codes
+ What is Topstep’s affiliate program?
+ Topstep partners with a select group of creators, some of whom have an affiliate code to share with their community. When someone purchases with Topstep for the first time using an affiliate code, they save 20%.
+ What is the affiliate code offer?
+ 20% off your first Topstep purchase (Trading Combine, Topstep Labs, including Challenges) when you check out with an affiliate’s code.
+ Who is eligible to use an affiliate’s code?
+ If you have never previously purchased with Topstep, you are eligible to use an affiliate code on your very first Topstep purchase for the purchase of a Topstep Trading Combine, Topstep Labs offering, including a Topstep Challenge. Traders new to Topstep can only use one affiliate code, one time.
+ I want to purchase more than one account. Does the code apply to all purchases?
+ No, affiliate codes are eligible to be used on your first purchase with Topstep. Affiliate codes do not apply to Resets, Back2Funded, market data add-ons, or anything you buy after that first purchase.
+ Can I stack an affiliate code with another promo or code?
+ No, you cannot stack with another promo code, discount, or a referral code. There is one exception: if you opt to add a Daily Loss Limit to a No Activation Fee Trading Combine during your first purchase with Topstep, you can still use an affiliate code to save 20% in addition to the Responsible Trading Advantage savings.
+ How can I become a Topstep Affiliate?
+ We’re launching a new affiliate program and rolling it out gradually, starting with a small group of Traders. Details are limited for now. We’ll share more information here as the program expands!
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
☝ Important: At least 1 card must remain on file while a Trading Combine is active. Removing all cards will close your account. Once you set a default card, new purchases will automatically be tied to that card. To update an existing subscription’s payment method, you must change your default card and update the individual subscription.
Payment Troubleshooting
- Use a card in your name — must match your Topstep profile exactly. Using someone else’s card violates the Terms of Use.
- Check your billing address — must match your bank’s records exactly, including formatting.
- Delete and re-enter payment details manually — avoid autofill.
- Wait at least 1 hour between retry attempts — rapid retries can trigger bank blocks.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterRestrictions expanded to include metals; micro contract limits differentiated for MHG/SIL; TP/SL brackets now accepted during news windows; minor wording updates.Oct 14
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
− - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
− - Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
− - Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Section: Tier 1 News Events
− Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
After
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
+ Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
+ - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
+ - Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Section: Tier 1 News Events
+ Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
+ Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening positions on equity index products and metals in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
− - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
− - Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
− - Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
+ - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - MHG and SIL: Opening transactions limited to 1, 2, 5, 7, 12 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - Other products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in energies and metals prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
+ - Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed. TP/SL brackets that are reducing/closing positions will be accepted during the window.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Section: Tier 1 News Events
− Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
+ Tier 1 News Events
Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
PremierTopstep · Economic Releases | Topstep Help CenterTopstep now restricts trading during Tier 1 News Events and removed guidance on position management and trade eligibility during releases.Oct 14
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Release | Time (CT) | Products Affected
Unemployment Rate | 7:30 AM | ES, NKD, NQ, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, E7, GE, YM, UB, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, GC, RTY, SI, HG, TN, 6M, M6A, M6E, 6N, MBT, MET
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Section: Trading During the News
− Topstep doesn't require you to flatten positions during economic releases — in SIM or Funded Accounts. But we highly recommend using caution or stepping aside when a release is coming up that affects your product.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
− A few things to know:
− - Trades impacted by economic releases are not eligible for exceptions or Reset credits
− - Results are your responsibility — full stop
− - To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely.
− ⚠️ You own the outcome. Trade accordingly.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
After
Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Release | Time (CT) | Products Affected
Unemployment Rate | 7:30 AM | ES, NKD, NQ, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, E7, GE, YM, UB, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, GC, RTY, SI, HG, TN, 6M, M6A, M6E, 6N, MBT, MET
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Section: Trading During the News
+ Topstep restricts trading for a short period during Tier 1 News Events. learn more here.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
Economic releases are scheduled government reports that give the market key data on the economy — things like unemployment, interest rate decisions, and supply figures. They can trigger extreme volatility and rapid price swings that make consistent, profitable trading very difficult.
Common Economic Releases
Know what releases affect your products and when they happen.
Release | Time (CT) | Products Affected
Unemployment Rate | 7:30 AM | ES, NKD, NQ, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6E, 6J, 6S, E7, GE, YM, UB, ZT, ZF, ZN, ZB, GC, RTY, SI, HG, TN, 6M, M6A, M6E, 6N, MBT, MET
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Section: Trading During the News
− Topstep doesn't require you to flatten positions during economic releases — in SIM or Funded Accounts. But we highly recommend using caution or stepping aside when a release is coming up that affects your product.
+ Topstep restricts trading for a short period during Tier 1 News Events. learn more here.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
− A few things to know:
− - Trades impacted by economic releases are not eligible for exceptions or Reset credits
− - Results are your responsibility — full stop
− - To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely.
− ⚠️ You own the outcome. Trade accordingly.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterCPI Release Restrictions renamed to Tier 1 News Events Restrictions, expanding scope from CPI to include FOMC and NFP events.Oct 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
− - In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
− - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− CPI Release Restrictions
− Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
After
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
+ - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
+ Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
+ Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
+ Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
+ Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
+ CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
+ FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
+ FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
+ Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
− - In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
− - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0.
+ - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during Tier 1 News Events is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
- In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
− CPI Release Restrictions
− Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
+ Tier 1 News Events Restrictions
+ Ahead of Tier 1 News Events (for example, CPI, FOMC, NFP), Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
− - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the Tier 1 News Events window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Section: Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
+ Tier 1 News Events Timeframes
+ Event | Announcement (CT) | Window (CT)
+ CPI | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
+ FOMC rate decision | 1:00 PM | 12:55 to 1:05 PM
+ FOMC press conference | 1:30 PM | 1:25 to 1:35 PM
+ Non Farm Payroll | 7:30 AM | 7:25 to 7:35 AM
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
$50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
PremierTopstep · Topstep Payout Policy | Topstep Help CenterAdded example calculation for consistency target and new FAQ entry about profit carryover from previous cycle.Oct 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
How the eligible Payout balance works
| Balance | Eligible?
Payout 1 | $6,000 (starting from $0) | ✅ No profit requirement on first Payout
Take $3,000 Payout | New balance: $3,000 | —
Payout 2 | $4,000 (up from $3,000) | ✅ Profitable since last Payout
Take $1,800 Payout | New balance: $2,200 | —
Payout 3 | $4,500 (up from $2,200) | ✅ Profitable since last Payout
Take $2,000 Payout | New balance: $2,500 | —
Payout 4 | $1,800 (down from $2,500) | ❌ Not profitable — keep trading
Express Funded Account Consistency
To request a Payout, you must meet both requirements:
- 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day.
Section: Express Funded Account Consistency
− - Stay at or below the 40% consistency target. Your largest single day cannot exceed 40% of your total net profit. Days lock in at 4:00 PM CT. The trading day your Payout is requested doesn't count toward your next 3.
After each Payout: Your Maximum Loss Limit resets to $0 permanently, your consistency calculation resets, and your 3-day count restarts.
Live Funded Account
- 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per Payout cycle (not consecutive)
- Request up to 50% of your account balance with no dollar cap
- After you request a Payout, your winning day count restarts. You'll need 5 new winning days before you're eligible to request your next Payout.
Daily Payouts (after 30 winning days in the LFA):
Once you've earned $150+ Net P&L on 30 non-consecutive days in your Live Funded Account, you unlock daily Payouts — request as much of your unlocked balance as you want, once per day (min $125). Winning days from the XFA do not count toward this total.
Note: Requesting a full 100% Payout closes your LFA since the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
Payout Methods
Method | Availability | Processing Time | Fee
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts | US only | Same day* | No Fee
Aeropay | US banks only | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee**
Yes. Your account can move up or down as you trade and take Payouts. You just need to be profitable ($.01 or more) since your last Payout before you can request the next one.
I hit the Daily Loss Limit, can I still request a Payout?
Yes — but not yet. Hitting the Daily Loss Limit puts your account in a Temporary Violation. It lifts at the start of the next trading session. Once it clears, you can request a Payout as long as you've met the Payout Policy requirements. The same goes for any personal Lock-outs you've set in Risk Settings.
How does trading impact my Payout request while it is being processed?
Once you request a Payout, the funds are transferred immediately, allowing you to start trading again right away. However, please keep in mind the Payout processing times to determine which trading day will not count toward winning day objectives.
Live Accounts: Please note that after submitting a Payout request, trading should be paused until the Payout has been fully processed and the funds have been deducted from the account.
Will I still get my Payout if I hit the MLL after requesting?
Yes. Once the Payout amount has been deducted from your balance, hitting the MLL won't affect it.
What happens to copy trading during a Payout?
Your copy-trading connection is automatically disabled while a Payout processes. Once the deduction is complete and your balance updates, you must manually re-enable it.
How do Payouts work across multiple XFAs?
Each XFA follows its own Payout Policy independently. Requests from one account don't affect another.
Section: Does profit from the previous cycle carry over?
When should I start taking Payouts?
We recommend reaching a balance where your MLL is at $0 first. This gives your account a healthier base. MLL levels by account size:
Account Size | Maximum Loss Limit
$50K | $2,000
$100K | $3,000
$150K | $4,500
Please note: the trading day your Payout is requested will not count toward your winning days for the next Payout cycle. The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT the following day. A request submitted after 5:00 PM CT belongs to the next trading day — that day becomes the Payout request day and is excluded from the new cycle. This applies to all account types.
Example: A Payout request submitted at 5:59 PM CT on Monday belongs to the Tuesday trading session. Tuesday is the Payout request day and does not count. The new cycle begins on Wednesday.
After
How the eligible Payout balance works
| Balance | Eligible?
Payout 1 | $6,000 (starting from $0) | ✅ No profit requirement on first Payout
Take $3,000 Payout | New balance: $3,000 | —
Payout 2 | $4,000 (up from $3,000) | ✅ Profitable since last Payout
Take $1,800 Payout | New balance: $2,200 | —
Payout 3 | $4,500 (up from $2,200) | ✅ Profitable since last Payout
Take $2,000 Payout | New balance: $2,500 | —
Payout 4 | $1,800 (down from $2,500) | ❌ Not profitable — keep trading
Express Funded Account Consistency
To request a Payout, you must meet both requirements:
- 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day.
Section: Express Funded Account Consistency
+ - Stay at or below the 40% consistency target. Your largest single day cannot exceed 40% of your total net profit. Days lock in at 4:00 PM CT. The trading day your Payout is requested doesn't count toward your next 3. For example, if your best trading day’s profit is $2,000, your total net profit must be at least $5,000 ($2,000 ÷ 0.4). This ensures that profits are distributed across multiple trading days, promoting consistent trading behavior.
After each Payout: Your Maximum Loss Limit resets to $0 permanently, your consistency calculation resets, and your 3-day count restarts.
Live Funded Account
- 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per Payout cycle (not consecutive)
- Request up to 50% of your account balance with no dollar cap
- After you request a Payout, your winning day count restarts. You'll need 5 new winning days before you're eligible to request your next Payout.
Daily Payouts (after 30 winning days in the LFA):
Once you've earned $150+ Net P&L on 30 non-consecutive days in your Live Funded Account, you unlock daily Payouts — request as much of your unlocked balance as you want, once per day (min $125). Winning days from the XFA do not count toward this total.
Note: Requesting a full 100% Payout closes your LFA since the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
Payout Methods
Method | Availability | Processing Time | Fee
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts | US only | Same day* | No Fee
Aeropay | US banks only | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee**
Yes. Your account can move up or down as you trade and take Payouts. You just need to be profitable ($.01 or more) since your last Payout before you can request the next one.
I hit the Daily Loss Limit, can I still request a Payout?
Yes — but not yet. Hitting the Daily Loss Limit puts your account in a Temporary Violation. It lifts at the start of the next trading session. Once it clears, you can request a Payout as long as you've met the Payout Policy requirements. The same goes for any personal Lock-outs you've set in Risk Settings.
How does trading impact my Payout request while it is being processed?
Once you request a Payout, the funds are transferred immediately, allowing you to start trading again right away. However, please keep in mind the Payout processing times to determine which trading day will not count toward winning day objectives.
Live Accounts: Please note that after submitting a Payout request, trading should be paused until the Payout has been fully processed and the funds have been deducted from the account.
Will I still get my Payout if I hit the MLL after requesting?
Yes. Once the Payout amount has been deducted from your balance, hitting the MLL won't affect it.
What happens to copy trading during a Payout?
Your copy-trading connection is automatically disabled while a Payout processes. Once the deduction is complete and your balance updates, you must manually re-enable it.
How do Payouts work across multiple XFAs?
Each XFA follows its own Payout Policy independently. Requests from one account don't affect another.
Section: Does profit from the previous cycle carry over?
+ Does profit from the previous cycle carry over?
+ Profits from the previous cycle remain in your account balance but do not count toward the new cycle’s Consistency Target calculation.
When should I start taking Payouts?
We recommend reaching a balance where your MLL is at $0 first. This gives your account a healthier base. MLL levels by account size:
Account Size | Maximum Loss Limit
$50K | $2,000
$100K | $3,000
$150K | $4,500
Please note: the trading day your Payout is requested will not count toward your winning days for the next Payout cycle. The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT the following day. A request submitted after 5:00 PM CT belongs to the next trading day — that day becomes the Payout request day and is excluded from the new cycle. This applies to all account types.
Example: A Payout request submitted at 5:59 PM CT on Monday belongs to the Tuesday trading session. Tuesday is the Payout request day and does not count. The new cycle begins on Wednesday.
How the eligible Payout balance works
| Balance | Eligible?
Payout 1 | $6,000 (starting from $0) | ✅ No profit requirement on first Payout
Take $3,000 Payout | New balance: $3,000 | —
Payout 2 | $4,000 (up from $3,000) | ✅ Profitable since last Payout
Take $1,800 Payout | New balance: $2,200 | —
Payout 3 | $4,500 (up from $2,200) | ✅ Profitable since last Payout
Take $2,000 Payout | New balance: $2,500 | —
Payout 4 | $1,800 (down from $2,500) | ❌ Not profitable — keep trading
Express Funded Account Consistency
To request a Payout, you must meet both requirements:
- 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day.
Section: Express Funded Account Consistency
− - Stay at or below the 40% consistency target. Your largest single day cannot exceed 40% of your total net profit. Days lock in at 4:00 PM CT. The trading day your Payout is requested doesn't count toward your next 3.
+ - Stay at or below the 40% consistency target. Your largest single day cannot exceed 40% of your total net profit. Days lock in at 4:00 PM CT. The trading day your Payout is requested doesn't count toward your next 3. For example, if your best trading day’s profit is $2,000, your total net profit must be at least $5,000 ($2,000 ÷ 0.4). This ensures that profits are distributed across multiple trading days, promoting consistent trading behavior.
After each Payout: Your Maximum Loss Limit resets to $0 permanently, your consistency calculation resets, and your 3-day count restarts.
Live Funded Account
- 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per Payout cycle (not consecutive)
- Request up to 50% of your account balance with no dollar cap
- After you request a Payout, your winning day count restarts. You'll need 5 new winning days before you're eligible to request your next Payout.
Daily Payouts (after 30 winning days in the LFA):
Once you've earned $150+ Net P&L on 30 non-consecutive days in your Live Funded Account, you unlock daily Payouts — request as much of your unlocked balance as you want, once per day (min $125). Winning days from the XFA do not count toward this total.
Note: Requesting a full 100% Payout closes your LFA since the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
Payout Methods
Method | Availability | Processing Time | Fee
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts | US only | Same day* | No Fee
Aeropay | US banks only | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee**
Yes. Your account can move up or down as you trade and take Payouts. You just need to be profitable ($.01 or more) since your last Payout before you can request the next one.
I hit the Daily Loss Limit, can I still request a Payout?
Yes — but not yet. Hitting the Daily Loss Limit puts your account in a Temporary Violation. It lifts at the start of the next trading session. Once it clears, you can request a Payout as long as you've met the Payout Policy requirements. The same goes for any personal Lock-outs you've set in Risk Settings.
How does trading impact my Payout request while it is being processed?
Once you request a Payout, the funds are transferred immediately, allowing you to start trading again right away. However, please keep in mind the Payout processing times to determine which trading day will not count toward winning day objectives.
Live Accounts: Please note that after submitting a Payout request, trading should be paused until the Payout has been fully processed and the funds have been deducted from the account.
Will I still get my Payout if I hit the MLL after requesting?
Yes. Once the Payout amount has been deducted from your balance, hitting the MLL won't affect it.
What happens to copy trading during a Payout?
Your copy-trading connection is automatically disabled while a Payout processes. Once the deduction is complete and your balance updates, you must manually re-enable it.
How do Payouts work across multiple XFAs?
Each XFA follows its own Payout Policy independently. Requests from one account don't affect another.
Section: Does profit from the previous cycle carry over?
+ Does profit from the previous cycle carry over?
+ Profits from the previous cycle remain in your account balance but do not count toward the new cycle’s Consistency Target calculation.
When should I start taking Payouts?
We recommend reaching a balance where your MLL is at $0 first. This gives your account a healthier base. MLL levels by account size:
Account Size | Maximum Loss Limit
$50K | $2,000
$100K | $3,000
$150K | $4,500
Please note: the trading day your Payout is requested will not count toward your winning days for the next Payout cycle. The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT to 3:10 PM CT the following day. A request submitted after 5:00 PM CT belongs to the next trading day — that day becomes the Payout request day and is excluded from the new cycle. This applies to all account types.
Example: A Payout request submitted at 5:59 PM CT on Monday belongs to the Tuesday trading session. Tuesday is the Payout request day and does not count. The new cycle begins on Wednesday.
PremierTopstep · Trading Combine Subscriptions | Topstep Help CenterAdded information that payments for current billing cycle are not refunded or prorated, and that passed Trading Combines remain in Passed status until Express Funded Account activation.Oct 12
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled. If you add a new card due to a failed renewal, please remember to update the affected subscription with your new card under the Subscriptions section of your Billing tab.
During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
Section: When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
− What happens to my subscription after I pass?
− The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
− I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
− Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
When your Trading Combine is marked as Passed, the subscription for that account is automatically canceled. The cancellation email you receive is a standard notification confirming this — it does not indicate any problem with your account or your progress toward funding.
What happens to my Reset Credits if I cancel?
Reset Credits stay on your profile. Available for any future Trading Combine (of the same size/type). However, once a subscription is canceled, you can't Reset that specific account anymore.
Can I reactivate a canceled subscription?
No. Once canceled, it's gone. Start a new Trading Combine to keep trading.
Can I have more than one Trading Combine at a time?
Yes — no limit on how many you can have at once.
Pro tip: Always confirm which account you're in before placing trades.
After
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled. If you add a new card due to a failed renewal, please remember to update the affected subscription with your new card under the Subscriptions section of your Billing tab.
During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
Section: When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
+ What happens to my subscription after I pass? The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them. Payments already processed for the current billing cycle are not refunded or prorated. Additionally, the passed Trading Combine remains in "Passed" status until you activate your Express Funded Account, ensuring you won't lose the account while waiting to activate. I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do? Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
When your Trading Combine is marked as Passed, the subscription for that account is automatically canceled. The cancellation email you receive is a standard notification confirming this — it does not indicate any problem with your account or your progress toward funding.
What happens to my Reset Credits if I cancel?
Reset Credits stay on your profile. Available for any future Trading Combine (of the same size/type). However, once a subscription is canceled, you can't Reset that specific account anymore.
Can I reactivate a canceled subscription?
No. Once canceled, it's gone. Start a new Trading Combine to keep trading.
Can I have more than one Trading Combine at a time?
Yes — no limit on how many you can have at once.
Pro tip: Always confirm which account you're in before placing trades.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled. If you add a new card due to a failed renewal, please remember to update the affected subscription with your new card under the Subscriptions section of your Billing tab.
During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
Section: When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
− What happens to my subscription after I pass?
− The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
− I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
− Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
+ What happens to my subscription after I pass? The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them. Payments already processed for the current billing cycle are not refunded or prorated. Additionally, the passed Trading Combine remains in "Passed" status until you activate your Express Funded Account, ensuring you won't lose the account while waiting to activate. I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do? Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
When your Trading Combine is marked as Passed, the subscription for that account is automatically canceled. The cancellation email you receive is a standard notification confirming this — it does not indicate any problem with your account or your progress toward funding.
What happens to my Reset Credits if I cancel?
Reset Credits stay on your profile. Available for any future Trading Combine (of the same size/type). However, once a subscription is canceled, you can't Reset that specific account anymore.
Can I reactivate a canceled subscription?
No. Once canceled, it's gone. Start a new Trading Combine to keep trading.
Can I have more than one Trading Combine at a time?
Yes — no limit on how many you can have at once.
Pro tip: Always confirm which account you're in before placing trades.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterRemoved instruction to point traders to the Risk Adjustments article for the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up.Oct 12
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Point Traders to the Risk Adjustments article.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
After
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Point Traders to the Risk Adjustments article.
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterIn $6K Challenge, MCL/MGC limit changed from 6 to removed; in $50K Combine, MCL/MGC changed from 25 to removed; $1.5K Challenge limits added.Oct 8
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
Section: Current Restrictions
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
After
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Point Traders to the Risk Adjustments article.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up, Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Point Traders to the Risk Adjustments article.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
50K Express Funded Account
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterNew $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up program added with $99 fee, 2 minis/20 micros limit, and $1,500 fixed payout.Oct 8
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
#005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
#006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Payout Cap | $8,000 on either path
Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥). After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
Scaling Plan | 2/3/4. Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Sizing | Mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
Max Contracts | Scale In Scale Up: 5 mini / 50 micros and reduces down to a minimum of 3 mini / 30 micros if tradable balance declines.
Call-up to Live is at the discretion of our Risk team.
Section: $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up Parameters
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
- Scale In Scale Up: Same as the standard $50K Trading Combine
Learn more about Scale In Scale Up.
What instruments can I trade?
The same instruments as the standard $50K Trading Combine. See When and What Products Can I Trade for details.
Where do I find the $50K Static Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. It shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Section: $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up"
After
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
#005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
#006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #007 | $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up | October 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Payout Cap | $8,000 on either path
Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥). After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
Scaling Plan | 2/3/4. Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Sizing | Mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
Max Contracts | Scale In Scale Up: 5 mini / 50 micros and reduces down to a minimum of 3 mini / 30 micros if tradable balance declines.
Call-up to Live is at the discretion of our Risk team.
Section: $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up Parameters
+ $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up Parameters
+ Make $1.5K. Do it again. Keep $1.5K. Now with more power. 💪
+ You told us 2 micros was too small. We heard you. The $1.5K Challenge is back with 10x the buying power: trade up to 2 minis / 20 micros. $99, one time fee.
+ $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up" Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
+ Maximum Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Minimum Trading Days | None | None
+ Activation Fee | - | Free
+ Scaling Plan | - | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split.
+ After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
+ Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | -
+ You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
- Scale In Scale Up: Same as the standard $50K Trading Combine
Learn more about Scale In Scale Up.
What instruments can I trade?
The same instruments as the standard $50K Trading Combine. See When and What Products Can I Trade for details.
Where do I find the $50K Static Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. It shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Section: $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up"
+ $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up"
+ What's different about the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
+ More power. Traders told us 2 micros was too small, so this version has 10x the buying power: up to 2 minis / 20 micros. The price is $99 (was $39). Same $1,500 Profit Target, same $1,500 one-time Payout.
+ How much does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up cost?
+ $99, one time (plus tax). No Rebills, no Resets. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply.
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. First come, first serve. Once they're gone, they're gone. You can buy up to 5 per Trader.
+ How does the account move from the Challenge Round to the Payout Round, and how do I earn a Payout?
+ Hit the $1,500 Profit Target in the Challenge Round. Trading locks and the account shows as "passed." Activate the Payout Round from your dashboard. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it with the same rules. Hit $1,500 again and you'll see the option to request your $1,500 Payout in your dashboard.
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
+ Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
+ The Payout is a fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split. There is no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
+ Does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through this Challenge. The reward is the one-time $1,500 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ Yes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
+ Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
+ Yes, beyond the 2/20 limit: Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Learn more here.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
#005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
#006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #007 | $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up | October 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Payout Cap | $8,000 on either path
Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥). After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
Scaling Plan | 2/3/4. Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Sizing | Mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
Max Contracts | Scale In Scale Up: 5 mini / 50 micros and reduces down to a minimum of 3 mini / 30 micros if tradable balance declines.
Call-up to Live is at the discretion of our Risk team.
Section: $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up Parameters
+ $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up Parameters
+ Make $1.5K. Do it again. Keep $1.5K. Now with more power. 💪
+ You told us 2 micros was too small. We heard you. The $1.5K Challenge is back with 10x the buying power: trade up to 2 minis / 20 micros. $99, one time fee.
+ $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up" Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
+ Maximum Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 2 minis / 20 micros | 2 minis / 20 micros
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Minimum Trading Days | None | None
+ Activation Fee | - | Free
+ Scaling Plan | - | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None. Passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split.
+ After the Payout | - | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
+ Inactivity | Closes after 30 days with no trades | Closes after 30 days with no trades
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | -
+ You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
- Scale In Scale Up: Same as the standard $50K Trading Combine
Learn more about Scale In Scale Up.
What instruments can I trade?
The same instruments as the standard $50K Trading Combine. See When and What Products Can I Trade for details.
Where do I find the $50K Static Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. It shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Section: $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up"
+ $1.5K Challenge "Powered Up"
+ What's different about the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
+ More power. Traders told us 2 micros was too small, so this version has 10x the buying power: up to 2 minis / 20 micros. The price is $99 (was $39). Same $1,500 Profit Target, same $1,500 one-time Payout.
+ How much does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up cost?
+ $99, one time (plus tax). No Rebills, no Resets. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply.
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. First come, first serve. Once they're gone, they're gone. You can buy up to 5 per Trader.
+ How does the account move from the Challenge Round to the Payout Round, and how do I earn a Payout?
+ Hit the $1,500 Profit Target in the Challenge Round. Trading locks and the account shows as "passed." Activate the Payout Round from your dashboard. It shows up as a new, separate account. Trade it with the same rules. Hit $1,500 again and you'll see the option to request your $1,500 Payout in your dashboard.
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass the Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to activate.
+ Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
+ The Payout is a fixed $1,500, paid one time. No profit split. There is no remaining balance after the Payout, and the account closes.
+ Does the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through this Challenge. The reward is the one-time $1,500 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If no trades are placed for 30 days, the account closes.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ Yes. The account expires and closes after 90 days.
+ Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge - Powered Up?
+ Yes, beyond the 2/20 limit: Traders can trade up to 12 contracts of MCL/MGC, 1 contract of CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, SIL, and 0 of HG, PL, SI. Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterContract limits for most symbols now specify mini/micro options; Micro Silver moved to restricted symbols section with separate lower limits.Oct 2
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
Section: Symbols this applies to:
− - Micro Silver (SIL)
50K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 1 contract
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
100K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
− - $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
− - $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
− - $4,500 balance = 9 contracts
250K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
− - $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
− - $4,500 balance = 9 contracts
− - $6,000 balance = 12 contracts
− - $8,000+ balance = 15 contracts
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
- Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
- Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
- Actively monitored: Our Risk Team continuously evaluates market conditions to determine when normal limits can be reinstated
What You Can Still Do
- Continue trading with adjusted position sizes in affected products
- Trade other products with standard position limits
- Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
- Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
After
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
Section: Symbols this applies to:
50K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 12 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 mini / 31 micros
100K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 mini / 25 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts minis / 31 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
250K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
+ - $6,000 balance = 12 minis / 125 micros
+ - $8,000+ balance = 15 minis / 156 micros
+ Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/4/6 plan
+ Symbols this applies to:
+ - Micro Silver (SIL)
+ - Micro Copper (MHG)
+ 50K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 1 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 micros
+ 100K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ 150K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 7 micro
+ 250K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 7 micros
+ - $6,000 balance = 10 micros
+ - $8,000+ balance = 12 micros
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
- Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
- Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
- Actively monitored: Our Risk Team continuously evaluates market conditions to determine when normal limits can be reinstated
What You Can Still Do
- Continue trading with adjusted position sizes in affected products
- Trade other products with standard position limits
- Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
- Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
- In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
Section: Symbols this applies to:
− - Micro Silver (SIL)
50K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 1 contract
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 12 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 mini / 31 micros
100K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
− - $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 mini / 25 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts minis / 31 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
− - $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
− - $4,500 balance = 9 contracts
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
250K Express Funded Account
− - Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
− - $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
− - $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
− - $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
− - $4,500 balance = 9 contracts
− - $6,000 balance = 12 contracts
− - $8,000+ balance = 15 contracts
+ - Below $1500 balance = 1 mini / 18 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 minis / 25 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 minis / 31 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 6 minis / 62 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 9 minis / 93 micros
+ - $6,000 balance = 12 minis / 125 micros
+ - $8,000+ balance = 15 minis / 156 micros
+ Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 2/4/6 plan
+ Symbols this applies to:
+ - Micro Silver (SIL)
+ - Micro Copper (MHG)
+ 50K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micros
+ - $1,500 balance = 1 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 3 micros
+ 100K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ 150K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 7 micro
+ 250K Express Funded Account
+ - Below $1,500 balance = 1 micro contract
+ - $1,500 balance = 2 micros
+ - $2,000 balance = 2 micros
+ - $3,000 balance = 5 micros
+ - $4,500 balance = 7 micros
+ - $6,000 balance = 10 micros
+ - $8,000+ balance = 12 micros
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
- Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
- Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
- Actively monitored: Our Risk Team continuously evaluates market conditions to determine when normal limits can be reinstated
What You Can Still Do
- Continue trading with adjusted position sizes in affected products
- Trade other products with standard position limits
- Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
- Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
PremierTopstep · Topstep® Refund Policies | Topstep Help CenterChargeback policy language expanded to specify consequences including account suspension, closure, and potential recovery of collection and chargeback fees.Oct 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
− ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always. Read more here.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
Activation Fee
No refunds on Activation Fee purchases, including accidental activations. Confirm the account name before paying.
Back2Funded
No refunds on Back2Funded purchases, including accidental reactivations. Confirm the account name before completing the purchase.
Chargebacks at Topstep
Section: Chargebacks at Topstep
− ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always.
− Most fees at Topstep are non-refundable, but we’re always happy to review your account and clear up confusion. Filing a chargeback/dispute so may put your account at risk.
What’s the Difference Between a Chargeback and an Unjustified Chargeback?
A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank and request a reversal.
An unjustified chargeback is filing a dispute without a valid reason — for example:
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription
- Misunderstanding a charge
- Overlooking Topstep’s refund policies
- Attempting to bypass the standard refund process
What Happens If You File a Chargeback?
Filing triggers an account review. Excessive or unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension or permanent removal from the Topstep program.
Initiating chargebacks is listed as prohibited conduct.
Already filed one? You can still contact Trader Support to discuss your options.
What If You Want to Dispute a Charge?
After
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
+ ⚠️ Fraudulent or bad-faith disputes, or reversals of charges for services received, may result in account review, suspension or closure. In addition, we may recover collection costs, chargeback fees and related costs to the extent fullest extent permitted by law. Before disputing a charge with your bank or card issuer, please contact us; we can often resolve it faster. See our Help Center policy here.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
Activation Fee
No refunds on Activation Fee purchases, including accidental activations. Confirm the account name before paying.
Back2Funded
No refunds on Back2Funded purchases, including accidental reactivations. Confirm the account name before completing the purchase.
Chargebacks at Topstep
Section: Chargebacks at Topstep
+ ⚠️ Fraudulent or bad-faith disputes, or reversals of charges for services received, may result in account review, suspension or closure. In addition, we may recover collection costs, chargeback fees and related costs to the extent fullest extent permitted by law. Before disputing a charge with your bank or card issuer, please contact us; we can often resolve it faster.
What’s the Difference Between a Chargeback and an Unjustified Chargeback?
A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank and request a reversal.
An unjustified chargeback is filing a dispute without a valid reason — for example:
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription
- Misunderstanding a charge
- Overlooking Topstep’s refund policies
- Attempting to bypass the standard refund process
What Happens If You File a Chargeback?
Filing triggers an account review. Excessive or unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension or permanent removal from the Topstep program.
Initiating chargebacks is listed as prohibited conduct.
Already filed one? You can still contact Trader Support to discuss your options.
What If You Want to Dispute a Charge?
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
− ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always. Read more here.
+ ⚠️ Fraudulent or bad-faith disputes, or reversals of charges for services received, may result in account review, suspension or closure. In addition, we may recover collection costs, chargeback fees and related costs to the extent fullest extent permitted by law. Before disputing a charge with your bank or card issuer, please contact us; we can often resolve it faster. See our Help Center policy here.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
Activation Fee
No refunds on Activation Fee purchases, including accidental activations. Confirm the account name before paying.
Back2Funded
No refunds on Back2Funded purchases, including accidental reactivations. Confirm the account name before completing the purchase.
Chargebacks at Topstep
Section: Chargebacks at Topstep
− ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always.
− Most fees at Topstep are non-refundable, but we’re always happy to review your account and clear up confusion. Filing a chargeback/dispute so may put your account at risk.
+ ⚠️ Fraudulent or bad-faith disputes, or reversals of charges for services received, may result in account review, suspension or closure. In addition, we may recover collection costs, chargeback fees and related costs to the extent fullest extent permitted by law. Before disputing a charge with your bank or card issuer, please contact us; we can often resolve it faster.
What’s the Difference Between a Chargeback and an Unjustified Chargeback?
A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank and request a reversal.
An unjustified chargeback is filing a dispute without a valid reason — for example:
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription
- Misunderstanding a charge
- Overlooking Topstep’s refund policies
- Attempting to bypass the standard refund process
What Happens If You File a Chargeback?
Filing triggers an account review. Excessive or unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension or permanent removal from the Topstep program.
Initiating chargebacks is listed as prohibited conduct.
Already filed one? You can still contact Trader Support to discuss your options.
What If You Want to Dispute a Charge?
PremierTopstep · What is the Responsible Trading Program? | Topstep Help CenterAdded note that traders may be placed in Responsible Trading Program if moved from Live program voluntarily or due to Loss Limit breach.Oct 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Pass a Trading Combine®? You'll be limited to Express Funded Account (XFA) Consistency — best day must stay under 40% of total profits per Payout period
- Standard XFA is unavailable until RTP is completed
If you’re placed into the RTP with an active Trading Combine:
- Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine. If passed, it may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
- If Reset, the new Trading Combine will follow RTP rules — it will be a Consistency Trading Combine account with a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) and will follow this path if the account is passed.
If you're placed into the RTP with an active Standard XFA:
- Your existing Standard XFA account is unaffected.
- Any new XFAs created during RTP will be Consistency XFA only
- XFAs activated from Trading Combines purchased before your RTP placement can be Standard or Consistency with a Daily Loss Limit.
If you're removed from RTP with an active Consistency XFA:
- Your Consistency XFA account stays unchanged
- Going forward, you can choose a Standard or Consistency XFA for new accounts
Section: Responsible Trading Program Parameters
Responsible Trading Program FAQs
How is RTP different from the Focused Trader Program (FTP)?
Under the Focused Trader Program, Traders are limited to one Express Funded Account at a time. Under the Responsible Trading Program, Traders may trade up to five Express Funded Accounts while following a consistency requirement during payout periods. You can learn more about the Focused Trader Program here
Is the RTP replacing the FTP?
Not necessarily. Some traders may still benefit from being in the Focused Trader Program. However, a Trader may be moved from RTP to FTP if they continue to violate our Trader Pledge or carry out the other prohibited trading strategies outlined here.
Are there limitations to what I can purchase while in the Responsible Trading Program?
You can purchase any size and type of Trading Combine — there's no limit on how many you can hold. Each one will automatically have a Daily Loss Limit. For Express Funded Accounts, there's an additional restriction: once you pass a TC while in RTP, you'll be placed on the Consistency path rather than Standard.
Is RTP a punishment or restriction?
RTP is not a punishment. It is a support-focused program designed to help Traders improve consistency, develop the mindset to manage emotional tilt, and instill trading discipline, all while maintaining access to multiple Express Funded Accounts. In fact, compared to the prior Focused Trader Program, RTP allows more flexibility, not less.
Will I always receive a warning before being put in RTP?
While warnings will often be sent out first, Topstep reserves the right to send Traders directly to RTP based on the severity of the violation. Traders are only placed into RTP after thorough reviews from our Risk Team. Trading activity is monitored over time, and placement occurs only if we continue to see patterns that suggest unsustainable or high-risk behavior. If you’re put into RTP, you will be notified directly via email.
How long does RTP last?
After
- Pass a Trading Combine®? You'll be limited to Express Funded Account (XFA) Consistency — best day must stay under 40% of total profits per Payout period
- Standard XFA is unavailable until RTP is completed
If you’re placed into the RTP with an active Trading Combine:
- Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine. If passed, it may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
- If Reset, the new Trading Combine will follow RTP rules — it will be a Consistency Trading Combine account with a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) and will follow this path if the account is passed.
If you're placed into the RTP with an active Standard XFA:
- Your existing Standard XFA account is unaffected.
- Any new XFAs created during RTP will be Consistency XFA only
- XFAs activated from Trading Combines purchased before your RTP placement can be Standard or Consistency with a Daily Loss Limit.
If you're removed from RTP with an active Consistency XFA:
- Your Consistency XFA account stays unchanged
- Going forward, you can choose a Standard or Consistency XFA for new accounts
Section: Responsible Trading Program Parameters
+ ⚠️ Please note: Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
Responsible Trading Program FAQs
How is RTP different from the Focused Trader Program (FTP)?
Under the Focused Trader Program, Traders are limited to one Express Funded Account at a time. Under the Responsible Trading Program, Traders may trade up to five Express Funded Accounts while following a consistency requirement during payout periods. You can learn more about the Focused Trader Program here
Is the RTP replacing the FTP?
Not necessarily. Some traders may still benefit from being in the Focused Trader Program. However, a Trader may be moved from RTP to FTP if they continue to violate our Trader Pledge or carry out the other prohibited trading strategies outlined here.
Are there limitations to what I can purchase while in the Responsible Trading Program?
You can purchase any size and type of Trading Combine — there's no limit on how many you can hold. Each one will automatically have a Daily Loss Limit. For Express Funded Accounts, there's an additional restriction: once you pass a TC while in RTP, you'll be placed on the Consistency path rather than Standard.
Is RTP a punishment or restriction?
RTP is not a punishment. It is a support-focused program designed to help Traders improve consistency, develop the mindset to manage emotional tilt, and instill trading discipline, all while maintaining access to multiple Express Funded Accounts. In fact, compared to the prior Focused Trader Program, RTP allows more flexibility, not less.
Will I always receive a warning before being put in RTP?
While warnings will often be sent out first, Topstep reserves the right to send Traders directly to RTP based on the severity of the violation. Traders are only placed into RTP after thorough reviews from our Risk Team. Trading activity is monitored over time, and placement occurs only if we continue to see patterns that suggest unsustainable or high-risk behavior. If you’re put into RTP, you will be notified directly via email.
How long does RTP last?
- Pass a Trading Combine®? You'll be limited to Express Funded Account (XFA) Consistency — best day must stay under 40% of total profits per Payout period
- Standard XFA is unavailable until RTP is completed
If you’re placed into the RTP with an active Trading Combine:
- Any Standard Trading Combine subscription started before RTP placement will remain as a Standard Trading Combine. If passed, it may be activated as either a Standard XFA or Consistency XFA.
- If Reset, the new Trading Combine will follow RTP rules — it will be a Consistency Trading Combine account with a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) and will follow this path if the account is passed.
If you're placed into the RTP with an active Standard XFA:
- Your existing Standard XFA account is unaffected.
- Any new XFAs created during RTP will be Consistency XFA only
- XFAs activated from Trading Combines purchased before your RTP placement can be Standard or Consistency with a Daily Loss Limit.
If you're removed from RTP with an active Consistency XFA:
- Your Consistency XFA account stays unchanged
- Going forward, you can choose a Standard or Consistency XFA for new accounts
Section: Responsible Trading Program Parameters
+ ⚠️ Please note: Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
Responsible Trading Program FAQs
How is RTP different from the Focused Trader Program (FTP)?
Under the Focused Trader Program, Traders are limited to one Express Funded Account at a time. Under the Responsible Trading Program, Traders may trade up to five Express Funded Accounts while following a consistency requirement during payout periods. You can learn more about the Focused Trader Program here
Is the RTP replacing the FTP?
Not necessarily. Some traders may still benefit from being in the Focused Trader Program. However, a Trader may be moved from RTP to FTP if they continue to violate our Trader Pledge or carry out the other prohibited trading strategies outlined here.
Are there limitations to what I can purchase while in the Responsible Trading Program?
You can purchase any size and type of Trading Combine — there's no limit on how many you can hold. Each one will automatically have a Daily Loss Limit. For Express Funded Accounts, there's an additional restriction: once you pass a TC while in RTP, you'll be placed on the Consistency path rather than Standard.
Is RTP a punishment or restriction?
RTP is not a punishment. It is a support-focused program designed to help Traders improve consistency, develop the mindset to manage emotional tilt, and instill trading discipline, all while maintaining access to multiple Express Funded Accounts. In fact, compared to the prior Focused Trader Program, RTP allows more flexibility, not less.
Will I always receive a warning before being put in RTP?
While warnings will often be sent out first, Topstep reserves the right to send Traders directly to RTP based on the severity of the violation. Traders are only placed into RTP after thorough reviews from our Risk Team. Trading activity is monitored over time, and placement occurs only if we continue to see patterns that suggest unsustainable or high-risk behavior. If you’re put into RTP, you will be notified directly via email.
How long does RTP last?
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterAdded position limits for $50K Static Trading Combine and added row to limits table for $50K Static account tier.Oct 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
Section: Current Restrictions
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
After
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ $50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
- In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ $50K Static | $40,000 | 2 | Blocked | Capped at 2 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterAdded new $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine product with three phases, parameters, and FAQ section; removed "Start the Challenge!" from $6K Challenge title.Oct 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− #005 | $6K Challenge - Start the Challenge! | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $6,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round. Closed accounts still count, so if one closes you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
Section: $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine Parameters
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Is there a Payout cap on the $6K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $6,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
Does the $6K Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone, and unlike Express Funded Accounts®, how you perform in a Challenge has no effect on your eligibility to be called up. The reward is the one-time $6,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes. It's a separate product and doesn't replace or affect any Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, or Live Funded Accounts you already have — you can trade it alongside them. The 5 account limit on $6K Challenges still applies.
Does this replace the $50K, $100K, or $150K Trading Combines?
No. The $6K Challenge is an additional limited offering under Topstep Labs. It doesn't remove or replace the XFA or the core Trading Combine program, and every existing Trading Combine stays available to purchase separately.
What is the price, and who is eligible to purchase this?
$149, one-time fee. No Resets, no Rebills. All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You may purchase up to 5 accounts total.
Where do I find the $6K Challenge?
Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. The $6K Challenge shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last. It's sold only from the Labs page.
Section: Is this a subscription?
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
After
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
+ #006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $6,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round. Closed accounts still count, so if one closes you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
Section: $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine Parameters
+ $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine Parameters
+ Our sixth Labs drop. $50,000 in buying power. A static Maximum Loss Limit that never moves. Hit the $4,000 Profit Target. Stay above the floor. Pay once.
+ Phase 1: Trading Combine
+ Parameter | Value
+ Buying Power | $50,000
+ Profit Target | $4,000
+ Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
+ Consistency Target | 55%
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $1,000
+ Price | $149 one-time. No subscription.
+ Resets | Not Available
+ Lifespan | 90 days
+ Inactivity | 30 days
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader
+ Funded Activation Fee | Free
+ Phase 2: Express Funded Account (XFA)
+ Parameter | Value
+ Path | Choose Standard (no consistency) or Consistency (40%)
+ Payout Cap | $8,000 on either path
+ Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥). After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
+ Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
+ Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
+ Scaling Plan | 2/3/4. Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works.
+ Phase 3: Live Funded Account (LFA)
+ Parameter | Value
+ Sizing | Mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine
+ Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
+ Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
+ Max Contracts | Scale In Scale Up: 5 mini / 50 micros and reduces down to a minimum of 3 mini / 30 micros if tradable balance declines.
+ Call-up to Live is at the discretion of our Risk team.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Is there a Payout cap on the $6K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $6,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
Does the $6K Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone, and unlike Express Funded Accounts®, how you perform in a Challenge has no effect on your eligibility to be called up. The reward is the one-time $6,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes. It's a separate product and doesn't replace or affect any Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, or Live Funded Accounts you already have — you can trade it alongside them. The 5 account limit on $6K Challenges still applies.
Does this replace the $50K, $100K, or $150K Trading Combines?
No. The $6K Challenge is an additional limited offering under Topstep Labs. It doesn't remove or replace the XFA or the core Trading Combine program, and every existing Trading Combine stays available to purchase separately.
What is the price, and who is eligible to purchase this?
$149, one-time fee. No Resets, no Rebills. All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You may purchase up to 5 accounts total.
Where do I find the $6K Challenge?
Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. The $6K Challenge shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last. It's sold only from the Labs page.
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ $50K Static Trading Combine
+ What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
+ Here's how each works using the same $50K scenario: a Trader starts with a $50,000 balance and a $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit, earns $2,000 in profit (balance hits $52,000), then loses $1,000 (balance ends at $51,000).
+ - End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Maximum Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance, not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $51,000, limit moves to $49,000. They start the next day with $2,000 of room.
+ - Static (this Trading Combine): The Maximum Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $48,000 no matter what. The Trader starts the next day with $3,000 of room. Grow the balance to $56,000 and that room is $8,000.
+ | EOD Trailing | Static
+ Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $49,000 | $48,000
+ Effective room next day | $2,000 | $3,000
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. Quantities are limited, first come, first serve. You can buy up to 5 $50K Static Trading Combines per Trader. Closed or failed accounts still count toward the 5, so if one closes, you can't replace it.
+ How much does it cost?
+ $149, one time (subject to taxes). No subscription, no Rebills, no Resets. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply.
+ Who is eligible to purchase this?
+ All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You can purchase up to 5 accounts total.
+ Are there restricted products for the $50K Static Trading Combine?
+ In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots. PL, HG, and SI cannot be traded, which is standard for all Trading Combines. Learn more here.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine or funded account?
+ Yes. You can buy up to five $50K Static Trading Combines no matter how many other Trading Combines you have. Standard limits still apply to how many active Express Funded Accounts you can hold at one time.
+ How does the 55% Consistency Target work?
+ Same as other Trading Combines. You need to meet a 55% Consistency Target to pass. See Consistency at Topstep for how it's calculated.
+ What happens after I pass the $50K Static Trading Combine?
+ You move to an Express Funded Account® (XFA) with a free activation fee. Pick your path:
+ - Standard: No consistency requirement
+ - Consistency: 40% Consistency Target
+ Both paths have an $8,000 Payout cap and a $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit (static until first Payout). After your first Payout, the MLL sets to $0.
+ Is there a limit on how many Payouts I can take?
+ No hard cap on the number of Payouts. Our Risk team decides on Live call-ups at its discretion.
+ Does the $50K Static Trading Combine lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ Yes. Like other Trading Combines, it can lead to a Live Funded Account. Sizing mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine, and our team makes the call-up decision. If you're called up:
+ - Minimum starting balance: $10,000
+ - Daily Loss Limit: Carries through
+ - Max Contracts: 3 mini / 30 micro minimum, up to 5 mini / 50 micro maximum
+ - Scale In Scale Up: Same as the standard $50K Trading Combine
+ Learn more about Scale In Scale Up.
+ What instruments can I trade?
+ The same instruments as the standard $50K Trading Combine. See When and What Products Can I Trade for details.
+ Where do I find the $50K Static Trading Combine?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page. It shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− #005 | $6K Challenge - Start the Challenge! | September 2026
+ #005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
+ #006 | $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | October 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $6,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round. Closed accounts still count, so if one closes you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
Section: $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine Parameters
+ $50K Static Drawdown Trading Combine Parameters
+ Our sixth Labs drop. $50,000 in buying power. A static Maximum Loss Limit that never moves. Hit the $4,000 Profit Target. Stay above the floor. Pay once.
+ Phase 1: Trading Combine
+ Parameter | Value
+ Buying Power | $50,000
+ Profit Target | $4,000
+ Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
+ Consistency Target | 55%
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $1,000
+ Price | $149 one-time. No subscription.
+ Resets | Not Available
+ Lifespan | 90 days
+ Inactivity | 30 days
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader
+ Funded Activation Fee | Free
+ Phase 2: Express Funded Account (XFA)
+ Parameter | Value
+ Path | Choose Standard (no consistency) or Consistency (40%)
+ Payout Cap | $8,000 on either path
+ Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥). After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
+ Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
+ Max Contracts | 4 mini / 40 micro
+ Scaling Plan | 2/3/4. Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works.
+ Phase 3: Live Funded Account (LFA)
+ Parameter | Value
+ Sizing | Mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine
+ Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
+ Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $1,000
+ Max Contracts | Scale In Scale Up: 5 mini / 50 micros and reduces down to a minimum of 3 mini / 30 micros if tradable balance declines.
+ Call-up to Live is at the discretion of our Risk team.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Is there a Payout cap on the $6K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $6,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
Does the $6K Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone, and unlike Express Funded Accounts®, how you perform in a Challenge has no effect on your eligibility to be called up. The reward is the one-time $6,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes. It's a separate product and doesn't replace or affect any Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, or Live Funded Accounts you already have — you can trade it alongside them. The 5 account limit on $6K Challenges still applies.
Does this replace the $50K, $100K, or $150K Trading Combines?
No. The $6K Challenge is an additional limited offering under Topstep Labs. It doesn't remove or replace the XFA or the core Trading Combine program, and every existing Trading Combine stays available to purchase separately.
What is the price, and who is eligible to purchase this?
$149, one-time fee. No Resets, no Rebills. All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You may purchase up to 5 accounts total.
Where do I find the $6K Challenge?
Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. The $6K Challenge shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last. It's sold only from the Labs page.
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ $50K Static Trading Combine
+ What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
+ Here's how each works using the same $50K scenario: a Trader starts with a $50,000 balance and a $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit, earns $2,000 in profit (balance hits $52,000), then loses $1,000 (balance ends at $51,000).
+ - End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Maximum Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance, not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $51,000, limit moves to $49,000. They start the next day with $2,000 of room.
+ - Static (this Trading Combine): The Maximum Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $48,000 no matter what. The Trader starts the next day with $3,000 of room. Grow the balance to $56,000 and that room is $8,000.
+ | EOD Trailing | Static
+ Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $49,000 | $48,000
+ Effective room next day | $2,000 | $3,000
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. Quantities are limited, first come, first serve. You can buy up to 5 $50K Static Trading Combines per Trader. Closed or failed accounts still count toward the 5, so if one closes, you can't replace it.
+ How much does it cost?
+ $149, one time (subject to taxes). No subscription, no Rebills, no Resets. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply.
+ Who is eligible to purchase this?
+ All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You can purchase up to 5 accounts total.
+ Are there restricted products for the $50K Static Trading Combine?
+ In the $50K Static Trading Combine, MCL and MGC are set to a max of 25 lots, and CL, GC, HO, QM, RB, MHG, and SIL are set to a max of 2 lots. PL, HG, and SI cannot be traded, which is standard for all Trading Combines. Learn more here.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine or funded account?
+ Yes. You can buy up to five $50K Static Trading Combines no matter how many other Trading Combines you have. Standard limits still apply to how many active Express Funded Accounts you can hold at one time.
+ How does the 55% Consistency Target work?
+ Same as other Trading Combines. You need to meet a 55% Consistency Target to pass. See Consistency at Topstep for how it's calculated.
+ What happens after I pass the $50K Static Trading Combine?
+ You move to an Express Funded Account® (XFA) with a free activation fee. Pick your path:
+ - Standard: No consistency requirement
+ - Consistency: 40% Consistency Target
+ Both paths have an $8,000 Payout cap and a $2,000 Maximum Loss Limit (static until first Payout). After your first Payout, the MLL sets to $0.
+ Is there a limit on how many Payouts I can take?
+ No hard cap on the number of Payouts. Our Risk team decides on Live call-ups at its discretion.
+ Does the $50K Static Trading Combine lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ Yes. Like other Trading Combines, it can lead to a Live Funded Account. Sizing mirrors the standard $50K Trading Combine, and our team makes the call-up decision. If you're called up:
+ - Minimum starting balance: $10,000
+ - Daily Loss Limit: Carries through
+ - Max Contracts: 3 mini / 30 micro minimum, up to 5 mini / 50 micro maximum
+ - Scale In Scale Up: Same as the standard $50K Trading Combine
+ Learn more about Scale In Scale Up.
+ What instruments can I trade?
+ The same instruments as the standard $50K Trading Combine. See When and What Products Can I Trade for details.
+ Where do I find the $50K Static Trading Combine?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page. It shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
PremierTopstep · Live Funded Account Parameters | Topstep Help CenterAdded section explaining that traders whose Live accounts close may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program.Oct 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
👉 Check out our Payout Policy for steps
Is the live trading capital my money?
No. It's Topstep's prop firm capital made available as you demonstrate consistent performance. Once you withdraw funds via a Payout, those funds are yours.
Can I unlock multiple Reserve tiers at once with a big win?
No. Each tier requires net profit since the last expansion, reviewed weekly. Single oversized wins do not bypass this.
Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live, so automated strategies are not possible at this time in the Live Funded Account.
How does trading Live benefit me over SIM?
Everything counts here. Real capital, real consequences, real payouts with no cap. The XFA proved your strategy works — Live is where you get paid like it. Trading Live is the goal. It means managing real money, which helps develop discipline and skills under real market conditions, preparing you for real-world trading at Topstep and beyond.
Once I have 30 winning days, can I take a 100% payout?
Yes. We encourage Traders to take full advantage of the benefits of Live trading with Topstep, including unlimited growth potential and daily Payouts. Please note that Payouts can only be taken from your unlocked balance, not from your Live Funded Account Reserve. Please note: withdrawing the full balance will close your account.
As you reach each profit target, additional funds are released from your Reserve into your unlocked balance. Once 100% of your balance has been unlocked, you may withdraw those funds as well.
Section: What happens if my Live account closes?
What happens if I lose my 20% starting balance?
If your Live Funded Account balance drops below $1,000, the account will be liquidated immediately and closed at the end of the trading day. The remaining balance will be sent to you as a final payout before the account is closed.
Example: Account drops to $800 = auto liquidation and account closure at the end of that day. The remaining $800 is sent as a final Payout. Unlocked reserve is forfeited.
What happens if I go inactive?
Live Funded Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 days may be closed. Live Funded Accounts can't be put on hold.
Can I have Trading Combines while I have a Live Funded Account?
Yes. You can have Trading Combines while actively trading a Live Funded Account. The restriction is only on activation — a passed Trading Combine cannot be activated into an Express Funded Account while your Live Funded Account is active. That option becomes available again if the Live Funded Account is lost.
Tip: You can duplicate trades across multiple accounts using a trade copier. Learn more here.
After
👉 Check out our Payout Policy for steps
Is the live trading capital my money?
No. It's Topstep's prop firm capital made available as you demonstrate consistent performance. Once you withdraw funds via a Payout, those funds are yours.
Can I unlock multiple Reserve tiers at once with a big win?
No. Each tier requires net profit since the last expansion, reviewed weekly. Single oversized wins do not bypass this.
Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live, so automated strategies are not possible at this time in the Live Funded Account.
How does trading Live benefit me over SIM?
Everything counts here. Real capital, real consequences, real payouts with no cap. The XFA proved your strategy works — Live is where you get paid like it. Trading Live is the goal. It means managing real money, which helps develop discipline and skills under real market conditions, preparing you for real-world trading at Topstep and beyond.
Once I have 30 winning days, can I take a 100% payout?
Yes. We encourage Traders to take full advantage of the benefits of Live trading with Topstep, including unlimited growth potential and daily Payouts. Please note that Payouts can only be taken from your unlocked balance, not from your Live Funded Account Reserve. Please note: withdrawing the full balance will close your account.
As you reach each profit target, additional funds are released from your Reserve into your unlocked balance. Once 100% of your balance has been unlocked, you may withdraw those funds as well.
Section: What happens if my Live account closes?
+ What happens if my Live account closes?
+ Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
What happens if I lose my 20% starting balance?
If your Live Funded Account balance drops below $1,000, the account will be liquidated immediately and closed at the end of the trading day. The remaining balance will be sent to you as a final payout before the account is closed.
Example: Account drops to $800 = auto liquidation and account closure at the end of that day. The remaining $800 is sent as a final Payout. Unlocked reserve is forfeited.
What happens if I go inactive?
Live Funded Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 days may be closed. Live Funded Accounts can't be put on hold.
Can I have Trading Combines while I have a Live Funded Account?
Yes. You can have Trading Combines while actively trading a Live Funded Account. The restriction is only on activation — a passed Trading Combine cannot be activated into an Express Funded Account while your Live Funded Account is active. That option becomes available again if the Live Funded Account is lost.
Tip: You can duplicate trades across multiple accounts using a trade copier. Learn more here.
👉 Check out our Payout Policy for steps
Is the live trading capital my money?
No. It's Topstep's prop firm capital made available as you demonstrate consistent performance. Once you withdraw funds via a Payout, those funds are yours.
Can I unlock multiple Reserve tiers at once with a big win?
No. Each tier requires net profit since the last expansion, reviewed weekly. Single oversized wins do not bypass this.
Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live, so automated strategies are not possible at this time in the Live Funded Account.
How does trading Live benefit me over SIM?
Everything counts here. Real capital, real consequences, real payouts with no cap. The XFA proved your strategy works — Live is where you get paid like it. Trading Live is the goal. It means managing real money, which helps develop discipline and skills under real market conditions, preparing you for real-world trading at Topstep and beyond.
Once I have 30 winning days, can I take a 100% payout?
Yes. We encourage Traders to take full advantage of the benefits of Live trading with Topstep, including unlimited growth potential and daily Payouts. Please note that Payouts can only be taken from your unlocked balance, not from your Live Funded Account Reserve. Please note: withdrawing the full balance will close your account.
As you reach each profit target, additional funds are released from your Reserve into your unlocked balance. Once 100% of your balance has been unlocked, you may withdraw those funds as well.
Section: What happens if my Live account closes?
+ What happens if my Live account closes?
+ Traders moved from the Live program voluntarily or due to the account breaching the Loss Limit and closing may be placed in the Responsible Trading Program (RTP).
What happens if I lose my 20% starting balance?
If your Live Funded Account balance drops below $1,000, the account will be liquidated immediately and closed at the end of the trading day. The remaining balance will be sent to you as a final payout before the account is closed.
Example: Account drops to $800 = auto liquidation and account closure at the end of that day. The remaining $800 is sent as a final Payout. Unlocked reserve is forfeited.
What happens if I go inactive?
Live Funded Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 days may be closed. Live Funded Accounts can't be put on hold.
Can I have Trading Combines while I have a Live Funded Account?
Yes. You can have Trading Combines while actively trading a Live Funded Account. The restriction is only on activation — a passed Trading Combine cannot be activated into an Express Funded Account while your Live Funded Account is active. That option becomes available again if the Live Funded Account is lost.
Tip: You can duplicate trades across multiple accounts using a trade copier. Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · Prohibited Conduct | Topstep Help CenterChargebacks or Disputes changed to Bad-Faith Disputes with added requirement to contact firm before disputing charges with bank.Oct 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
− - Chargebacks or Disputes— filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
- Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
- Personal Data or misleading claims
- Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
- Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
After
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
+ - Bad-Faith Disputes— filing a bad-faith dispute against a payment to Topstep, or improperly reversing a charge for services received. Before disputing a charge with your bank, please contact us; we can often resolve it faster. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
- Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
- Personal Data or misleading claims
- Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
- Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
− - Chargebacks or Disputes— filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
+ - Bad-Faith Disputes— filing a bad-faith dispute against a payment to Topstep, or improperly reversing a charge for services received. Before disputing a charge with your bank, please contact us; we can often resolve it faster. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
- Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
- Personal Data or misleading claims
- Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
- Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ — Commissions and Fees | Topstep Help CenterValues changed: $1.52 to $1.72, $1.72 to $1.92.Sep 30
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
Crude Oil (CL) | $4.02
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
− Micro Crude Oil (MCL) | $1.52
E-mini Crude Oil (QM) | $3.42
Platinum (PL) | $4.32
E-mini Natural Gas (QG) | $2.02
RBOB Gasoline (RB) | $4.02
Heating Oil (HO) | $4.02
Natural Gas (NG) | $4.22
− Micro Henry Hub Natural Gas (MNG) | $1.72
CME CBOT Equity Futures |
Mini-DOW (YM) | $3.78
Micro Mini-DOW (MYM) | $1.22
CME Foreign Exchange Futures |
Australian $ (6A) | $4.22
Micro AUD/USD (M6A) | $1.00
British Pound (6B) | $4.22
Canadian $ (6C) | $4.22
Euro FX (6E) | $4.22
Micro EUR/USD (M6E) | $1.00
Japanese Yen (6J) | $4.22
Swiss Franc (6S) | $4.22
After
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
Crude Oil (CL) | $4.02
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
+ Micro Crude Oil (MCL) | $1.72
E-mini Crude Oil (QM) | $3.42
Platinum (PL) | $4.32
E-mini Natural Gas (QG) | $2.02
RBOB Gasoline (RB) | $4.02
Heating Oil (HO) | $4.02
Natural Gas (NG) | $4.22
+ Micro Henry Hub Natural Gas (MNG) | $1.92
CME CBOT Equity Futures |
Mini-DOW (YM) | $3.78
Micro Mini-DOW (MYM) | $1.22
CME Foreign Exchange Futures |
Australian $ (6A) | $4.22
Micro AUD/USD (M6A) | $1.00
British Pound (6B) | $4.22
Canadian $ (6C) | $4.22
Euro FX (6E) | $4.22
Micro EUR/USD (M6E) | $1.00
Japanese Yen (6J) | $4.22
Swiss Franc (6S) | $4.22
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
Crude Oil (CL) | $4.02
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
− Micro Crude Oil (MCL) | $1.52
+ Micro Crude Oil (MCL) | $1.72
E-mini Crude Oil (QM) | $3.42
Platinum (PL) | $4.32
E-mini Natural Gas (QG) | $2.02
RBOB Gasoline (RB) | $4.02
Heating Oil (HO) | $4.02
Natural Gas (NG) | $4.22
− Micro Henry Hub Natural Gas (MNG) | $1.72
+ Micro Henry Hub Natural Gas (MNG) | $1.92
CME CBOT Equity Futures |
Mini-DOW (YM) | $3.78
Micro Mini-DOW (MYM) | $1.22
CME Foreign Exchange Futures |
Australian $ (6A) | $4.22
Micro AUD/USD (M6A) | $1.00
British Pound (6B) | $4.22
Canadian $ (6C) | $4.22
Euro FX (6E) | $4.22
Micro EUR/USD (M6E) | $1.00
Japanese Yen (6J) | $4.22
Swiss Franc (6S) | $4.22
PremierTopstep · What is a Reset? | Topstep Help CenterQuestion title changed from "How do I apply a Reset?" to "How do I Reset my Trading Combine?"; answer expanded to describe Dashboard and TopstepX reset methods with new condition that Trading Combine must breach Maximum Loss Limit.Sep 26
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Can't combine (two 50K credits can't Reset a 100K)
- Can't use credits to buy a new Trading Combine — only on an existing active subscription
- Oldest matching credit will be used first
Reset FAQs
What does a Reset cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions
Can I Reset an Express Funded Account (XFA) or Live Funded Account (LFA)?
No. Resets only work on active Trading Combine subscriptions. For Express Funded Accounts, use Back2Funded. Learn more →
Does a Reset change my Rebill date?
Yes. Applying a Reset pushes your Rebill date out 30 days from the purchase date.
Can I get a refund for a purchased Reset, or reverse an applied Reset Credit?
No. Once Reset, it's done. Always double-check the account number before confirming. If your account was in profit before the Reset and no trades were placed after, Support may adjust your new profit target.
Section: How do I Reset my Trading Combine?
− How do I apply a Reset?
− Dashboard → select the active Trading Combine → click Reset → confirm. Eligible credits show automatically. No matching credit? Purchase one directly.
Is a Reset the same as Back2Funded?
No. Resets are for active Trading Combine subscriptions. Back2Funded reactivates a lost Express Funded Account for a fee. Learn more →
How do I get a free Reset?
Topstep sometimes offers free Resets on TopstepTV and through the newsletter. Subscribe to stay in the loop.
After
- Can't combine (two 50K credits can't Reset a 100K)
- Can't use credits to buy a new Trading Combine — only on an existing active subscription
- Oldest matching credit will be used first
Reset FAQs
What does a Reset cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions
Can I Reset an Express Funded Account (XFA) or Live Funded Account (LFA)?
No. Resets only work on active Trading Combine subscriptions. For Express Funded Accounts, use Back2Funded. Learn more →
Does a Reset change my Rebill date?
Yes. Applying a Reset pushes your Rebill date out 30 days from the purchase date.
Can I get a refund for a purchased Reset, or reverse an applied Reset Credit?
No. Once Reset, it's done. Always double-check the account number before confirming. If your account was in profit before the Reset and no trades were placed after, Support may adjust your new profit target.
Section: How do I Reset my Trading Combine?
+ How do I Reset my Trading Combine?
+ You can Reset your account in the Topstep Dashboard or the TopstepX platform once your Trading Combine breaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
+ - Dashboard → select the active Trading Combine → click Reset → confirm. Eligible credits show automatically. No matching credit? Purchase one directly.
+ - TopstepX → Trading Combine breaches Maximum Loss Limit → Pop-up appears that shows option to Reset.
Is a Reset the same as Back2Funded?
No. Resets are for active Trading Combine subscriptions. Back2Funded reactivates a lost Express Funded Account for a fee. Learn more →
How do I get a free Reset?
Topstep sometimes offers free Resets on TopstepTV and through the newsletter. Subscribe to stay in the loop.
- Can't combine (two 50K credits can't Reset a 100K)
- Can't use credits to buy a new Trading Combine — only on an existing active subscription
- Oldest matching credit will be used first
Reset FAQs
What does a Reset cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions
Can I Reset an Express Funded Account (XFA) or Live Funded Account (LFA)?
No. Resets only work on active Trading Combine subscriptions. For Express Funded Accounts, use Back2Funded. Learn more →
Does a Reset change my Rebill date?
Yes. Applying a Reset pushes your Rebill date out 30 days from the purchase date.
Can I get a refund for a purchased Reset, or reverse an applied Reset Credit?
No. Once Reset, it's done. Always double-check the account number before confirming. If your account was in profit before the Reset and no trades were placed after, Support may adjust your new profit target.
Section: How do I Reset my Trading Combine?
− How do I apply a Reset?
− Dashboard → select the active Trading Combine → click Reset → confirm. Eligible credits show automatically. No matching credit? Purchase one directly.
+ How do I Reset my Trading Combine?
+ You can Reset your account in the Topstep Dashboard or the TopstepX platform once your Trading Combine breaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
+ - Dashboard → select the active Trading Combine → click Reset → confirm. Eligible credits show automatically. No matching credit? Purchase one directly.
+ - TopstepX → Trading Combine breaches Maximum Loss Limit → Pop-up appears that shows option to Reset.
Is a Reset the same as Back2Funded?
No. Resets are for active Trading Combine subscriptions. Back2Funded reactivates a lost Express Funded Account for a fee. Learn more →
How do I get a free Reset?
Topstep sometimes offers free Resets on TopstepTV and through the newsletter. Subscribe to stay in the loop.
PremierTopstep · TopstepX: Price Alerts | Topstep Help CenterSep 26
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterRemoved detailed information about alert limits, contract rollovers, user-specificity, trigger behavior, notification delivery, and setup instructions; replaced with brief description and link.Sep 26
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Performance Dashboard
Real-time view of your trading activity. Desktop only. Available for Practice, Trading Combine, and Express Funded Accounts.
Access: Performance Stats tab on the left.
Includes:
- Balance High/Current/Low, Best Day %, Avg Win/Loss, Best/Worst Trade, Win Rate, Long vs. Short %, Weekly/Monthly P&L
- Trade Log with full entry/exit detail
- Trader Journal — log emotions, notes, observations
- Calendar with Daily P&L
- Social Sharing
Stats update as trades complete. Multiple tabs open? Refresh the performance page after each trade.
Price Alerts
Price Alerts
Section: Price Alerts
− Price Alerts on TopstepX™ allow you to track key market levels and receive instant notifications when your targets are met.
− ✋ Before you setting Price Alerts, please know:
− - Alert Limits: You are limited to a maximum of 40 total alerts at any given time. This cap includes both active and paused/inactive alerts.
− - Contract Rollovers: Alerts are strictly contract-specific. When a contract rolls over, all attached alerts are permanently deleted, so you will need to recreate them for the new front-month contract.
− - Alerts are user-specific, meaning any alert you create will automatically share across all trading accounts tied to your same username.
− - Alert Triggers: If you select the "Every time" trigger option, it will trigger once per minute to prevent performance lag during fast, highly volatile markets.
− - While alerts will still trigger on the server if your platform is closed or your computer is asleep, you will not receive the visual notification until you log back in. Additionally, audio/sound notifications will not play unless the TopstepX platform is actively open on your machine.
− - Alert Type: Alerts are currently triggered in the platform only (while trading on a mobile phone or on a desktop). You cannot receive them via phone, email, or SMS at this time.
− Setting up Price Alerts
− - Desktop: To set a Price Alert, right-click the chart on TopstepX and select Create Alert.
− - Mobile: Click the 3 dots in the bottom right of your screen, then click Price Alerts. From there, click +Create Alert at the top left of your screen.
− Price Alert FAQ's
− Timing, Expiration, and Conditions
− - What exact time does an alert expire?
− Always midnight (12:00 AM) based on the local time zone of your computer when the alert was created.
− Example: If you select End of Trading Day, or One Week both will expire at Midnight on either that day or a week from the day you created the alert. However, if you select Till Canceled, that alert will not expire until the contract rolls over.
− - If I select "Every time" and the market is moving fast, can I slow down that trigger?
− "Every time" will only trigger once per minute. There is no way to slow it down further at this time.
− - What happens after a "Once" alert is triggered?
− The alert moves to a paused state. You can restart it from the top-right corner, or from the active/paused alerts menu.
− - What happens to my alerts during rollover?
− Alerts are contract-specific. When a contract is rolled over, the alert will be deleted.
− - What do the different Alert Conditions mean?
− - Crossing: Alert triggered when the price gets crossed
− - Crossing Up: Alert triggered when the price gets crossed moving up
− - Crossing Down: Alert triggered when the price gets crossed moving down
− Managing Alerts
− How many alerts can I have?
− 40 total. This includes both active and inactive alerts.
− Can I show paused alerts on the chart?
− Yes. Go to the alerts icon in the top-right corner, click the settings icon, and check the box for "Show paused alerts on chart." This is turned off by default.
− Can I reactivate a paused alert?
− Yes. Go to your active alerts and scroll all the way down and you will find the ‘paused alerts’ section.
− Can I drag an alert to change the price instead of editing it?
− Yes. You can drag and drop an alert on the chart at any time to change the price it triggers at.
− Are alerts account-specific or shared across accounts?
− Alerts are user-specific, which means they are shared across all of your accounts.
− Does clearing the alert log delete my active alerts?
− It does not. Active alerts are not impacted by the "Clear alert log" action.
− Notifications & platform status
− Do alerts work if I'm logged out or close TopstepX?
− Yes. The alert will trigger, and you'll see the notification the next time you log in to the platform. Note: sound alerts will not trigger unless the platform is open.
− Will alerts trigger while my computer is locked or asleep?
− The alert will trigger, but you won't receive the notification until you log back into the platform or wake up your computer.
− Can I receive alerts on my phone, email, or SMS?
− Not at this time. More updates are planned for these — keep an eye out for additional features in the future.
− Can Support see my alerts if I need help?
− Yes. Alerts can be viewed in our admin tools, so the Support team is able to help if you have any questions.
Track Your Preferred Products
Track Your Preferred Products
Starred products move to the top of the dropdown.
No traditional watchlist. Use favorites instead:
- Open the Order Ticket or DOM
- Click the Contract dropdown
- Star ⭐ your preferred products
Starred products move to the top of the dropdown.
Trade Copier
Trade Copier
The Trade Copier lets you mirror trades from a Lead account to 1 or more Follower accounts automatically — so you can run the same strategy across multiple accounts without placing every order manually.
- Lead account — where you place your trades
After
Performance Dashboard
Real-time view of your trading activity. Desktop only. Available for Practice, Trading Combine, and Express Funded Accounts.
Access: Performance Stats tab on the left.
Includes:
- Balance High/Current/Low, Best Day %, Avg Win/Loss, Best/Worst Trade, Win Rate, Long vs. Short %, Weekly/Monthly P&L
- Trade Log with full entry/exit detail
- Trader Journal — log emotions, notes, observations
- Calendar with Daily P&L
- Social Sharing
Stats update as trades complete. Multiple tabs open? Refresh the performance page after each trade.
Price Alerts
Price Alerts
Section: Price Alerts
+ Price Alerts on TopstepX™ allow you to track key market levels and receive instant notifications when your targets are met. Learn more here!
Track Your Preferred Products
Track Your Preferred Products
Starred products move to the top of the dropdown.
No traditional watchlist. Use favorites instead:
- Open the Order Ticket or DOM
- Click the Contract dropdown
- Star ⭐ your preferred products
Starred products move to the top of the dropdown.
Trade Copier
Trade Copier
The Trade Copier lets you mirror trades from a Lead account to 1 or more Follower accounts automatically — so you can run the same strategy across multiple accounts without placing every order manually.
- Lead account — where you place your trades
Performance Dashboard
Real-time view of your trading activity. Desktop only. Available for Practice, Trading Combine, and Express Funded Accounts.
Access: Performance Stats tab on the left.
Includes:
- Balance High/Current/Low, Best Day %, Avg Win/Loss, Best/Worst Trade, Win Rate, Long vs. Short %, Weekly/Monthly P&L
- Trade Log with full entry/exit detail
- Trader Journal — log emotions, notes, observations
- Calendar with Daily P&L
- Social Sharing
Stats update as trades complete. Multiple tabs open? Refresh the performance page after each trade.
Price Alerts
Price Alerts
Section: Price Alerts
− Price Alerts on TopstepX™ allow you to track key market levels and receive instant notifications when your targets are met.
− ✋ Before you setting Price Alerts, please know:
− - Alert Limits: You are limited to a maximum of 40 total alerts at any given time. This cap includes both active and paused/inactive alerts.
− - Contract Rollovers: Alerts are strictly contract-specific. When a contract rolls over, all attached alerts are permanently deleted, so you will need to recreate them for the new front-month contract.
− - Alerts are user-specific, meaning any alert you create will automatically share across all trading accounts tied to your same username.
− - Alert Triggers: If you select the "Every time" trigger option, it will trigger once per minute to prevent performance lag during fast, highly volatile markets.
− - While alerts will still trigger on the server if your platform is closed or your computer is asleep, you will not receive the visual notification until you log back in. Additionally, audio/sound notifications will not play unless the TopstepX platform is actively open on your machine.
− - Alert Type: Alerts are currently triggered in the platform only (while trading on a mobile phone or on a desktop). You cannot receive them via phone, email, or SMS at this time.
− Setting up Price Alerts
− - Desktop: To set a Price Alert, right-click the chart on TopstepX and select Create Alert.
− - Mobile: Click the 3 dots in the bottom right of your screen, then click Price Alerts. From there, click +Create Alert at the top left of your screen.
− Price Alert FAQ's
− Timing, Expiration, and Conditions
− - What exact time does an alert expire?
− Always midnight (12:00 AM) based on the local time zone of your computer when the alert was created.
− Example: If you select End of Trading Day, or One Week both will expire at Midnight on either that day or a week from the day you created the alert. However, if you select Till Canceled, that alert will not expire until the contract rolls over.
− - If I select "Every time" and the market is moving fast, can I slow down that trigger?
− "Every time" will only trigger once per minute. There is no way to slow it down further at this time.
− - What happens after a "Once" alert is triggered?
− The alert moves to a paused state. You can restart it from the top-right corner, or from the active/paused alerts menu.
− - What happens to my alerts during rollover?
− Alerts are contract-specific. When a contract is rolled over, the alert will be deleted.
− - What do the different Alert Conditions mean?
− - Crossing: Alert triggered when the price gets crossed
− - Crossing Up: Alert triggered when the price gets crossed moving up
− - Crossing Down: Alert triggered when the price gets crossed moving down
− Managing Alerts
− How many alerts can I have?
− 40 total. This includes both active and inactive alerts.
− Can I show paused alerts on the chart?
− Yes. Go to the alerts icon in the top-right corner, click the settings icon, and check the box for "Show paused alerts on chart." This is turned off by default.
− Can I reactivate a paused alert?
− Yes. Go to your active alerts and scroll all the way down and you will find the ‘paused alerts’ section.
− Can I drag an alert to change the price instead of editing it?
− Yes. You can drag and drop an alert on the chart at any time to change the price it triggers at.
− Are alerts account-specific or shared across accounts?
− Alerts are user-specific, which means they are shared across all of your accounts.
− Does clearing the alert log delete my active alerts?
− It does not. Active alerts are not impacted by the "Clear alert log" action.
− Notifications & platform status
− Do alerts work if I'm logged out or close TopstepX?
− Yes. The alert will trigger, and you'll see the notification the next time you log in to the platform. Note: sound alerts will not trigger unless the platform is open.
− Will alerts trigger while my computer is locked or asleep?
− The alert will trigger, but you won't receive the notification until you log back into the platform or wake up your computer.
− Can I receive alerts on my phone, email, or SMS?
− Not at this time. More updates are planned for these — keep an eye out for additional features in the future.
− Can Support see my alerts if I need help?
− Yes. Alerts can be viewed in our admin tools, so the Support team is able to help if you have any questions.
+ Price Alerts on TopstepX™ allow you to track key market levels and receive instant notifications when your targets are met. Learn more here!
Track Your Preferred Products
Track Your Preferred Products
Starred products move to the top of the dropdown.
No traditional watchlist. Use favorites instead:
- Open the Order Ticket or DOM
- Click the Contract dropdown
- Star ⭐ your preferred products
Starred products move to the top of the dropdown.
Trade Copier
Trade Copier
The Trade Copier lets you mirror trades from a Lead account to 1 or more Follower accounts automatically — so you can run the same strategy across multiple accounts without placing every order manually.
- Lead account — where you place your trades
PremierTopstep · Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions | Topstep Help CenterAdded guidance on purchasing Resets from Topstep dashboard or TopstepX platform after Maximum Loss Limit breach.Sep 26
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
50K | $49/month | $95/month
100K | $99/month | $149/month
150K | $199/month | $229/month
⚠️ Important: Paths cannot be changed after purchase.
The Details:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly cost. $149 Activation Fee charged once per Express Funded Account (XFA) earned. Best for Traders still building consistency.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly cost. No fee when you pass. Best for Traders confident they’ll pass in 1–2 attempts.
Reset Pricing
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49 | $95
100K | $99 | $149
150K | $199 | $229
Section: Reset Pricing
Express Funded Account Activation & Reactivation
☝️ Activation
Depends on your path: Standard Path — $149, charged once per XFA earned. No Activation Fee Path — $0.
👉 Reactivation
Lost your XFA before your first Payout? Reactivate through our Back2Funded option.
Reactivation fees:
- $50K XFA — $599
- $100K XFA — $699
- $150K XFA — $829
⏳ Reactivation window: 30 calendar days from account closure. Learn more here.
Responsible Trading Discount
🙌 There's now a Responsible Trading Discount when you add a DLL at purchase for No Activation Fee Trading Combines, Express Funded Account Activations, and Back2Funded Reactivations. 👉 Discount is applied at checkout. Learn more here.
After
50K | $49/month | $95/month
100K | $99/month | $149/month
150K | $199/month | $229/month
⚠️ Important: Paths cannot be changed after purchase.
The Details:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly cost. $149 Activation Fee charged once per Express Funded Account (XFA) earned. Best for Traders still building consistency.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly cost. No fee when you pass. Best for Traders confident they’ll pass in 1–2 attempts.
Reset Pricing
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49 | $95
100K | $99 | $149
150K | $199 | $229
Section: Reset Pricing
+ You may purchase a Reset from your Topstep dashboard, or within the TopstepX platform once your Trading Combine breaches the Maximum Loss Limit. Learn more about Resets here.
Express Funded Account Activation & Reactivation
☝️ Activation
Depends on your path: Standard Path — $149, charged once per XFA earned. No Activation Fee Path — $0.
👉 Reactivation
Lost your XFA before your first Payout? Reactivate through our Back2Funded option.
Reactivation fees:
- $50K XFA — $599
- $100K XFA — $699
- $150K XFA — $829
⏳ Reactivation window: 30 calendar days from account closure. Learn more here.
Responsible Trading Discount
🙌 There's now a Responsible Trading Discount when you add a DLL at purchase for No Activation Fee Trading Combines, Express Funded Account Activations, and Back2Funded Reactivations. 👉 Discount is applied at checkout. Learn more here.
50K | $49/month | $95/month
100K | $99/month | $149/month
150K | $199/month | $229/month
⚠️ Important: Paths cannot be changed after purchase.
The Details:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly cost. $149 Activation Fee charged once per Express Funded Account (XFA) earned. Best for Traders still building consistency.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly cost. No fee when you pass. Best for Traders confident they’ll pass in 1–2 attempts.
Reset Pricing
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49 | $95
100K | $99 | $149
150K | $199 | $229
Section: Reset Pricing
+ You may purchase a Reset from your Topstep dashboard, or within the TopstepX platform once your Trading Combine breaches the Maximum Loss Limit. Learn more about Resets here.
Express Funded Account Activation & Reactivation
☝️ Activation
Depends on your path: Standard Path — $149, charged once per XFA earned. No Activation Fee Path — $0.
👉 Reactivation
Lost your XFA before your first Payout? Reactivate through our Back2Funded option.
Reactivation fees:
- $50K XFA — $599
- $100K XFA — $699
- $150K XFA — $829
⏳ Reactivation window: 30 calendar days from account closure. Learn more here.
Responsible Trading Discount
🙌 There's now a Responsible Trading Discount when you add a DLL at purchase for No Activation Fee Trading Combines, Express Funded Account Activations, and Back2Funded Reactivations. 👉 Discount is applied at checkout. Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · How IDV/Identity Verification Works | Topstep Help CenterSep 25
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterRemoved the 50K XFA product tier from the account offerings table.Sep 24
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
− 50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
After
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
− 50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
PremierTopstep · How Identity Verification Works | Topstep Help CenterSep 24
PremierTopstep · Trading Combine® Parameters | Topstep Help CenterDescription now specifies which Trading Combine account types trigger closure and activation, and changes email notification from "email" to "confirmation email.Sep 24
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
- All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
- Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
- If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
- To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 55% of your Profit Target.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
Section: What happens after I pass?
− The account will close, and the subscription will be canceled. You'll get an email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
- Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
- Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
- Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Prohibited Trading Strategies before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
📚 If you're new to Topstep or the Trading Combine, reading the following resources will enhance your experience:
- Trading Combine Subscriptions
- What is the Reset?
After
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
- All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
- Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
- If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
- To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 55% of your Profit Target.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
Section: What happens after I pass?
+ When a 50K, 100K, or 150K Trading Combine® (account prefix: 50KTC, 100KTC, or 150KTC) passes, the account closes and the subscription is canceled. You'll receive a confirmation email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your Dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
- Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
- Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
- Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Prohibited Trading Strategies before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
📚 If you're new to Topstep or the Trading Combine, reading the following resources will enhance your experience:
- Trading Combine Subscriptions
- What is the Reset?
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
- All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
- Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
- If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
- To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 55% of your Profit Target.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
Section: What happens after I pass?
− The account will close, and the subscription will be canceled. You'll get an email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
+ When a 50K, 100K, or 150K Trading Combine® (account prefix: 50KTC, 100KTC, or 150KTC) passes, the account closes and the subscription is canceled. You'll receive a confirmation email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your Dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
- Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
- Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
- Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Prohibited Trading Strategies before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
📚 If you're new to Topstep or the Trading Combine, reading the following resources will enhance your experience:
- Trading Combine Subscriptions
- What is the Reset?
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ — Commissions and Fees | Topstep Help CenterColumn header changed from "Round-Turn Cost (RT)" to "Total Round-Turn Cost (RT)".Sep 24
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $3.78 | $1.22
Example using GC & MGC | GC | MGC
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $3.30 | $1.40
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $4.32 | $1.92
⚠️ Exchange fee increase starting the October 1, 2026 trading day
The CME is raising Exchange transaction fees on 2 products. Fees apply per side, so a round turn counts both entry and exit.
- MCL: $0.50 to $0.60 per side ($1.20 round turn)
- MNG: $0.60 to $0.70 per side ($1.40 round turn)
That's $0.10 more per side. Deducted automatically and shown in your trade activity.
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
− Product | Round-Turn Cost (RT)
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
Crude Oil (CL) | $4.02
After
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $3.78 | $1.22
Example using GC & MGC | GC | MGC
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $3.30 | $1.40
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $4.32 | $1.92
⚠️ Exchange fee increase starting the October 1, 2026 trading day
The CME is raising Exchange transaction fees on 2 products. Fees apply per side, so a round turn counts both entry and exit.
- MCL: $0.50 to $0.60 per side ($1.20 round turn)
- MNG: $0.60 to $0.70 per side ($1.40 round turn)
That's $0.10 more per side. Deducted automatically and shown in your trade activity.
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
+ Product | Total Round-Turn Cost (RT)
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
Crude Oil (CL) | $4.02
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $3.78 | $1.22
Example using GC & MGC | GC | MGC
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $3.30 | $1.40
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $4.32 | $1.92
⚠️ Exchange fee increase starting the October 1, 2026 trading day
The CME is raising Exchange transaction fees on 2 products. Fees apply per side, so a round turn counts both entry and exit.
- MCL: $0.50 to $0.60 per side ($1.20 round turn)
- MNG: $0.60 to $0.70 per side ($1.40 round turn)
That's $0.10 more per side. Deducted automatically and shown in your trade activity.
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
− Product | Round-Turn Cost (RT)
+ Product | Total Round-Turn Cost (RT)
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
Crude Oil (CL) | $4.02
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ — Commissions and Fees | Topstep Help CenterAdded colon to heading; removed July 20, 2026 metals fee increase notice; added October 1, 2026 exchange fee increases for MCL ($0.50 to $0.60 per side) and MNG ($0.60 to $0.70 per side).Sep 23
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
TopstepX™ — Commissions & Fees
These fees apply when trading the Trading Combine, Express Funded Account, and Live Funded Account. Commissions and fees are automatically deducted from each trade, and you'll see a breakdown in the TopstepX platform and from your Dashboard!
Round-Turn (RT) cost: charged when you complete both sides of a trade. Each side (Buy or Sell) incurs half the total, also called a "per side" fee.
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
− Round-Turn Cost Breakdown
Exchange Fee | NFA Regulatory Fee | Commissions
Exchange fees are set by the exchange and do not include the regulatory fee. Each varies by product. | $0.02 round turn ($0.01 per side) | Minis $1.00 round turn ($0.50 per side)Micros $.50 round turn ($0.25 per side)
Example using ES & MES | ES | MES
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $2.76 | $0.70
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $3.78 | $1.22
− Starting July 20, 2026, exchange fees for Metals have increased by $0.05-$0.10 cents per side. This includes GC, MGC, SI, SIL, HG, MHG, and PL. Prices below reflect updated fees.
Example using GC & MGC | GC | MGC
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $3.30 | $1.40
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $4.32 | $1.92
Product | Round-Turn Cost (RT)
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
After
TopstepX™ — Commissions & Fees
These fees apply when trading the Trading Combine, Express Funded Account, and Live Funded Account. Commissions and fees are automatically deducted from each trade, and you'll see a breakdown in the TopstepX platform and from your Dashboard!
Round-Turn (RT) cost: charged when you complete both sides of a trade. Each side (Buy or Sell) incurs half the total, also called a "per side" fee.
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
+ Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
Exchange Fee | NFA Regulatory Fee | Commissions
Exchange fees are set by the exchange and do not include the regulatory fee. Each varies by product. | $0.02 round turn ($0.01 per side) | Minis $1.00 round turn ($0.50 per side)Micros $.50 round turn ($0.25 per side)
Example using ES & MES | ES | MES
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $2.76 | $0.70
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $3.78 | $1.22
Example using GC & MGC | GC | MGC
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $3.30 | $1.40
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $4.32 | $1.92
+ ⚠️ Exchange fee increase starting the October 1, 2026 trading day
+ The CME is raising Exchange transaction fees on 2 products. Fees apply per side, so a round turn counts both entry and exit.
+ - MCL: $0.50 to $0.60 per side ($1.20 round turn)
+ - MNG: $0.60 to $0.70 per side ($1.40 round turn)
+ That's $0.10 more per side. Deducted automatically and shown in your trade activity.
Product | Round-Turn Cost (RT)
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
TopstepX™ — Commissions & Fees
These fees apply when trading the Trading Combine, Express Funded Account, and Live Funded Account. Commissions and fees are automatically deducted from each trade, and you'll see a breakdown in the TopstepX platform and from your Dashboard!
Round-Turn (RT) cost: charged when you complete both sides of a trade. Each side (Buy or Sell) incurs half the total, also called a "per side" fee.
Section: Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
− Round-Turn Cost Breakdown
+ Round-Turn Cost Breakdown:
Exchange Fee | NFA Regulatory Fee | Commissions
Exchange fees are set by the exchange and do not include the regulatory fee. Each varies by product. | $0.02 round turn ($0.01 per side) | Minis $1.00 round turn ($0.50 per side)Micros $.50 round turn ($0.25 per side)
Example using ES & MES | ES | MES
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $2.76 | $0.70
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $3.78 | $1.22
− Starting July 20, 2026, exchange fees for Metals have increased by $0.05-$0.10 cents per side. This includes GC, MGC, SI, SIL, HG, MHG, and PL. Prices below reflect updated fees.
Example using GC & MGC | GC | MGC
NFA & Regulatory Fees | $0.02 | $0.02
Exchange Fee | $3.30 | $1.40
Commissions | $1.00 | $0.50
Total | $4.32 | $1.92
+ ⚠️ Exchange fee increase starting the October 1, 2026 trading day
+ The CME is raising Exchange transaction fees on 2 products. Fees apply per side, so a round turn counts both entry and exit.
+ - MCL: $0.50 to $0.60 per side ($1.20 round turn)
+ - MNG: $0.60 to $0.70 per side ($1.40 round turn)
+ That's $0.10 more per side. Deducted automatically and shown in your trade activity.
Product | Round-Turn Cost (RT)
CME Equity Futures |
E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | $3.78
Micro E-mini S&P 500 (MES) | $1.22
E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | $3.78
Micro E-mini NASDAQ 100 (MNQ) | $1.22
E-mini Russell 2000 (RTY) | $3.78
Micro E-mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | $1.22
Nikkei (NKD) | $5.32
Micro E-mini Bitcoin (MBT) | $2.82
Micro E-mini Ether (MET) | $0.72
CME NYMEX Futures |
PremierTopstep · Getting Started with the Topstep Dashboard | Topstep Help CenterSet up your Trader Profile call-to-action now includes referring a friend, and added new section explaining referral codes offer 15% discount to new users and 15% reward to referrers.Sep 23
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Basics
One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, sign up here.
What You Can Do on the Dashboard
- Instant Express Funded Account® (XFA) Activation — Hit your Profit Target and activate your XFA in real time.
- Payout Tracker & Instant Deductions — Monitor Payout requests in real time. Amounts deduct instantly so you can get back to trading.
- Resets Extend Rebill Dates — Each Reset adds 30 days to your rebill date.
- Performance Stats — Real-time trading progress and metrics.
- Account & Profile Management — Manage Resets, rebill dates, and Payouts in one place.
- IDV & Funded Trader Certificates — Submit IDV documents and view funded certificates and Payout statuses directly in the platform.
- Training Camp — Learn the basics of Futures trading in Training Camp through a series of interactive lessons.
Section: What You Can Do on the Dashboard
− - Set up your Trader Profile!
How does the Reset Bank work?
Every Trading Combine® Rebill adds 1 Reset Credit to your Reset Bank. Credits are tied to a specific account size and path (Standard, Daily Loss Limit, or No Activation Fee) and expire 1 year after issue.
👉 Your Dashboard shows: how many Reset Credits you have, which sizes and paths they apply to, and expiration dates. The system always applies the oldest matching Reset Credit first.
How to Apply a Reset
- Log into your Topstep Dashboard.
- Select the active Trading Combine® you want to Reset.
- Click Reset.
- If you have eligible Reset Credits, you'll see how many apply.
- Confirm the Reset.
No eligible Reset Credit? You can purchase one directly for that account size and path.
Changing Your Email Address
To update your email, contact Trader Support with:
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
Do not create a new profile when purchasing additional Trading Combines®. All accounts must live under a single profile. Profiles cannot be transferred between individuals.
Set up your Trader Profile
Your Trader Profile is a public facing page where you can show who you are and share your trading journey. It's optional, and it has no effect on your Trading Combine®, funded account, or Payouts.
Where to find it: Dashboard → Profile → Public Trader Profile.
What you can show:
- Avatar, background, and a custom handle
- Location, bio, and time with Topstep
- Discord handle (X, Reddit, and Instagram coming soon)
- Trading preferences, badges, Proof of Payouts, stats, and Profit Calendar
Nothing displays by default. Every section has its own toggle, so you choose what's visible and when.
⚠️ Your handle is permanent. Pick carefully: it can't be changed after you set it. Handles are 6 to 16 characters, no numbers, special characters, or spaces.
Section: Trader Profile: Referral Codes
Trader Profiles FAQs
Who can create a Trader Profile?
All active Topstep Traders. Practice Accounts won't show up in the list of accounts you can select for your profile.
Who can see my profile?
Only people you share your link with. Profiles live at social.topstep.com with a unique URL and aren't discoverable on the public web.
Will my dollar amounts be public?
Only if you turn on All-Time Payouts, Proof of Payouts, Trading Stats, or Profit Calendar. Those show real dollar amounts and are optional.
Can I edit, hide, or delete my profile?
Yes, any time. Changes to your sharing preferences take effect within seconds. Your handle is the 1 thing you can't change.
Can I have more than 1 profile?
No. 1 profile per Trader account and email.
Can I edit my stats?
After
The Basics
One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, sign up here.
What You Can Do on the Dashboard
- Instant Express Funded Account® (XFA) Activation — Hit your Profit Target and activate your XFA in real time.
- Payout Tracker & Instant Deductions — Monitor Payout requests in real time. Amounts deduct instantly so you can get back to trading.
- Resets Extend Rebill Dates — Each Reset adds 30 days to your rebill date.
- Performance Stats — Real-time trading progress and metrics.
- Account & Profile Management — Manage Resets, rebill dates, and Payouts in one place.
- IDV & Funded Trader Certificates — Submit IDV documents and view funded certificates and Payout statuses directly in the platform.
- Training Camp — Learn the basics of Futures trading in Training Camp through a series of interactive lessons.
Section: What You Can Do on the Dashboard
+ - Set up your Trader Profile and refer a friend!
How does the Reset Bank work?
Every Trading Combine® Rebill adds 1 Reset Credit to your Reset Bank. Credits are tied to a specific account size and path (Standard, Daily Loss Limit, or No Activation Fee) and expire 1 year after issue.
👉 Your Dashboard shows: how many Reset Credits you have, which sizes and paths they apply to, and expiration dates. The system always applies the oldest matching Reset Credit first.
How to Apply a Reset
- Log into your Topstep Dashboard.
- Select the active Trading Combine® you want to Reset.
- Click Reset.
- If you have eligible Reset Credits, you'll see how many apply.
- Confirm the Reset.
No eligible Reset Credit? You can purchase one directly for that account size and path.
Changing Your Email Address
To update your email, contact Trader Support with:
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
Do not create a new profile when purchasing additional Trading Combines®. All accounts must live under a single profile. Profiles cannot be transferred between individuals.
Set up your Trader Profile
Your Trader Profile is a public facing page where you can show who you are and share your trading journey. It's optional, and it has no effect on your Trading Combine®, funded account, or Payouts.
Where to find it: Dashboard → Profile → Public Trader Profile.
What you can show:
- Avatar, background, and a custom handle
- Location, bio, and time with Topstep
- Discord handle (X, Reddit, and Instagram coming soon)
- Trading preferences, badges, Proof of Payouts, stats, and Profit Calendar
Nothing displays by default. Every section has its own toggle, so you choose what's visible and when.
⚠️ Your handle is permanent. Pick carefully: it can't be changed after you set it. Handles are 6 to 16 characters, no numbers, special characters, or spaces.
Section: Trader Profile: Referral Codes
+ Trader Profile: Referral Codes
+ Every Trader with an active Trader Profile can generate a referral code. Anyone new to Topstep who enters it at checkout gets 15% off their first account purchase. Once that purchase completes, the referrer gets a 15% reward discount code by email for a purchase of their own. Learn more about Referral Codes here.
Trader Profiles FAQs
Who can create a Trader Profile?
All active Topstep Traders. Practice Accounts won't show up in the list of accounts you can select for your profile.
Who can see my profile?
Only people you share your link with. Profiles live at social.topstep.com with a unique URL and aren't discoverable on the public web.
Will my dollar amounts be public?
Only if you turn on All-Time Payouts, Proof of Payouts, Trading Stats, or Profit Calendar. Those show real dollar amounts and are optional.
Can I edit, hide, or delete my profile?
Yes, any time. Changes to your sharing preferences take effect within seconds. Your handle is the 1 thing you can't change.
Can I have more than 1 profile?
No. 1 profile per Trader account and email.
Can I edit my stats?
The Basics
One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, sign up here.
What You Can Do on the Dashboard
- Instant Express Funded Account® (XFA) Activation — Hit your Profit Target and activate your XFA in real time.
- Payout Tracker & Instant Deductions — Monitor Payout requests in real time. Amounts deduct instantly so you can get back to trading.
- Resets Extend Rebill Dates — Each Reset adds 30 days to your rebill date.
- Performance Stats — Real-time trading progress and metrics.
- Account & Profile Management — Manage Resets, rebill dates, and Payouts in one place.
- IDV & Funded Trader Certificates — Submit IDV documents and view funded certificates and Payout statuses directly in the platform.
- Training Camp — Learn the basics of Futures trading in Training Camp through a series of interactive lessons.
Section: What You Can Do on the Dashboard
− - Set up your Trader Profile!
+ - Set up your Trader Profile and refer a friend!
How does the Reset Bank work?
Every Trading Combine® Rebill adds 1 Reset Credit to your Reset Bank. Credits are tied to a specific account size and path (Standard, Daily Loss Limit, or No Activation Fee) and expire 1 year after issue.
👉 Your Dashboard shows: how many Reset Credits you have, which sizes and paths they apply to, and expiration dates. The system always applies the oldest matching Reset Credit first.
How to Apply a Reset
- Log into your Topstep Dashboard.
- Select the active Trading Combine® you want to Reset.
- Click Reset.
- If you have eligible Reset Credits, you'll see how many apply.
- Confirm the Reset.
No eligible Reset Credit? You can purchase one directly for that account size and path.
Changing Your Email Address
To update your email, contact Trader Support with:
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
Do not create a new profile when purchasing additional Trading Combines®. All accounts must live under a single profile. Profiles cannot be transferred between individuals.
Set up your Trader Profile
Your Trader Profile is a public facing page where you can show who you are and share your trading journey. It's optional, and it has no effect on your Trading Combine®, funded account, or Payouts.
Where to find it: Dashboard → Profile → Public Trader Profile.
What you can show:
- Avatar, background, and a custom handle
- Location, bio, and time with Topstep
- Discord handle (X, Reddit, and Instagram coming soon)
- Trading preferences, badges, Proof of Payouts, stats, and Profit Calendar
Nothing displays by default. Every section has its own toggle, so you choose what's visible and when.
⚠️ Your handle is permanent. Pick carefully: it can't be changed after you set it. Handles are 6 to 16 characters, no numbers, special characters, or spaces.
Section: Trader Profile: Referral Codes
+ Trader Profile: Referral Codes
+ Every Trader with an active Trader Profile can generate a referral code. Anyone new to Topstep who enters it at checkout gets 15% off their first account purchase. Once that purchase completes, the referrer gets a 15% reward discount code by email for a purchase of their own. Learn more about Referral Codes here.
Trader Profiles FAQs
Who can create a Trader Profile?
All active Topstep Traders. Practice Accounts won't show up in the list of accounts you can select for your profile.
Who can see my profile?
Only people you share your link with. Profiles live at social.topstep.com with a unique URL and aren't discoverable on the public web.
Will my dollar amounts be public?
Only if you turn on All-Time Payouts, Proof of Payouts, Trading Stats, or Profit Calendar. Those show real dollar amounts and are optional.
Can I edit, hide, or delete my profile?
Yes, any time. Changes to your sharing preferences take effect within seconds. Your handle is the 1 thing you can't change.
Can I have more than 1 profile?
No. 1 profile per Trader account and email.
Can I edit my stats?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Pricing and Payment Questions | Topstep Help CenterAdded Google Wallet and Apple Pay as payment options; added new Referral Codes section describing code generation, rewards, eligibility, and expiration terms with FAQs.Sep 23
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
− Topstep accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. PayPal is not supported. Sales tax may be added at checkout where applicable.
Trading Combine
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49/month | $95/month
100K | $99/month | $149/month
150K | $199/month | $229/month
⚠️ Important: Paths cannot be changed after purchase.
The Details:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly cost. $149 Activation Fee charged once per Express Funded Account (XFA) earned. Best for Traders still building consistency.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly cost. No fee when you pass. Best for Traders confident they’ll pass in 1–2 attempts.
Reset Pricing
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49 | $95
Commissions and Fees
Commissions and fees are deducted automatically from your balance with each filled trade and show up in your Net P&L. See the full breakdowns: Trading Combines® & Express Funded Accounts · Live Funded Accounts
VAT and Sales Tax
Listed prices are base costs only. Depending on where you're located, applicable taxes — VAT, GST, or sales tax — will be calculated and shown at checkout in accordance with local regulations. The exact amount varies by region and will appear before you complete your purchase. Topstep collects and remits all taxes directly — we don't keep any of it. Check your account dashboard for a full breakdown of billing details anytime.
Promo Codes
- Log in before applying — do not create a new profile
- Codes apply to a new Trading Combine® or a Reset — not both
- Case-sensitive; no extra spaces
- Profile-specific — codes won’t work under a different email
- First month only billed at promo price (unless stated otherwise)
- Topstep does not refund purchases where a code wasn’t applied, or full-price purchases made before a sale
To apply a code: Dashboard → Start a Trading Combine → select size → confirm address → enter code under Coupons & Payment → click Apply
Section: Referral Codes
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
☝ Important: At least 1 card must remain on file while a Trading Combine is active. Removing all cards will close your account. Once you set a default card, new purchases will automatically be tied to that card. To update an existing subscription’s payment method, you must change your default card and update the individual subscription.
Payment Troubleshooting
- Use a card in your name — must match your Topstep profile exactly. Using someone else’s card violates the Terms of Use.
- Check your billing address — must match your bank’s records exactly, including formatting.
- Delete and re-enter payment details manually — avoid autofill.
- Wait at least 1 hour between retry attempts — rapid retries can trigger bank blocks.
After
+ Topstep accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You may also choose to pay via Google Wallet or Apple Pay. PayPal is not supported. Sales tax may be added at checkout where applicable.
Trading Combine
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49/month | $95/month
100K | $99/month | $149/month
150K | $199/month | $229/month
⚠️ Important: Paths cannot be changed after purchase.
The Details:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly cost. $149 Activation Fee charged once per Express Funded Account (XFA) earned. Best for Traders still building consistency.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly cost. No fee when you pass. Best for Traders confident they’ll pass in 1–2 attempts.
Reset Pricing
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49 | $95
Commissions and Fees
Commissions and fees are deducted automatically from your balance with each filled trade and show up in your Net P&L. See the full breakdowns: Trading Combines® & Express Funded Accounts · Live Funded Accounts
VAT and Sales Tax
Listed prices are base costs only. Depending on where you're located, applicable taxes — VAT, GST, or sales tax — will be calculated and shown at checkout in accordance with local regulations. The exact amount varies by region and will appear before you complete your purchase. Topstep collects and remits all taxes directly — we don't keep any of it. Check your account dashboard for a full breakdown of billing details anytime.
Promo Codes
- Log in before applying — do not create a new profile
- Codes apply to a new Trading Combine® or a Reset — not both
- Case-sensitive; no extra spaces
- Profile-specific — codes won’t work under a different email
- First month only billed at promo price (unless stated otherwise)
- Topstep does not refund purchases where a code wasn’t applied, or full-price purchases made before a sale
To apply a code: Dashboard → Start a Trading Combine → select size → confirm address → enter code under Coupons & Payment → click Apply
Section: Referral Codes
+ Referral Codes
+ Every Trader with an active Trader Profile can generate a referral code. Anyone new to Topstep who enters it at checkout gets 15% off their first account purchase. Once that purchase completes, the referrer get a 15% reward discount code by email for a purchase of their own.
+ - Generate and copy your code on your Trader Profile.
+ - Your referral code is good for 90 days. Generate a new one after that.
+ - Earn up to 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Limit of 5 no matter how many Traders use your referral code.
+ - Each reward code expires 90 days from the date it's issued. The date is in the email.
+ - 1 discount per purchase. No stacking with other promotions.
+ - The discount percentage is set by Topstep and can change. Whatever is active on the day you redeem is what applies.
+ FAQs
+ Who can use a referral code?
+ Anyone new to Topstep who hasn't purchased yet, on their first account purchase only. Codes are public, so you can share yours anywhere.
+ Is this the affiliate program?
+ No. Referral Codes are open to all Traders with a Trader Profile.
+ Where does my reward show up?
+ Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
+ More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
+ The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
+ I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
+ No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
+ Can I see who used my code?
+ Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
☝ Important: At least 1 card must remain on file while a Trading Combine is active. Removing all cards will close your account. Once you set a default card, new purchases will automatically be tied to that card. To update an existing subscription’s payment method, you must change your default card and update the individual subscription.
Payment Troubleshooting
- Use a card in your name — must match your Topstep profile exactly. Using someone else’s card violates the Terms of Use.
- Check your billing address — must match your bank’s records exactly, including formatting.
- Delete and re-enter payment details manually — avoid autofill.
- Wait at least 1 hour between retry attempts — rapid retries can trigger bank blocks.
− Topstep accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. PayPal is not supported. Sales tax may be added at checkout where applicable.
+ Topstep accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You may also choose to pay via Google Wallet or Apple Pay. PayPal is not supported. Sales tax may be added at checkout where applicable.
Trading Combine
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49/month | $95/month
100K | $99/month | $149/month
150K | $199/month | $229/month
⚠️ Important: Paths cannot be changed after purchase.
The Details:
- Standard Path: Lower monthly cost. $149 Activation Fee charged once per Express Funded Account (XFA) earned. Best for Traders still building consistency.
- No Activation Fee Path: Higher monthly cost. No fee when you pass. Best for Traders confident they’ll pass in 1–2 attempts.
Reset Pricing
Account Size | Standard Path | No Activation Fee Path
50K | $49 | $95
Commissions and Fees
Commissions and fees are deducted automatically from your balance with each filled trade and show up in your Net P&L. See the full breakdowns: Trading Combines® & Express Funded Accounts · Live Funded Accounts
VAT and Sales Tax
Listed prices are base costs only. Depending on where you're located, applicable taxes — VAT, GST, or sales tax — will be calculated and shown at checkout in accordance with local regulations. The exact amount varies by region and will appear before you complete your purchase. Topstep collects and remits all taxes directly — we don't keep any of it. Check your account dashboard for a full breakdown of billing details anytime.
Promo Codes
- Log in before applying — do not create a new profile
- Codes apply to a new Trading Combine® or a Reset — not both
- Case-sensitive; no extra spaces
- Profile-specific — codes won’t work under a different email
- First month only billed at promo price (unless stated otherwise)
- Topstep does not refund purchases where a code wasn’t applied, or full-price purchases made before a sale
To apply a code: Dashboard → Start a Trading Combine → select size → confirm address → enter code under Coupons & Payment → click Apply
Section: Referral Codes
+ Referral Codes
+ Every Trader with an active Trader Profile can generate a referral code. Anyone new to Topstep who enters it at checkout gets 15% off their first account purchase. Once that purchase completes, the referrer get a 15% reward discount code by email for a purchase of their own.
+ - Generate and copy your code on your Trader Profile.
+ - Your referral code is good for 90 days. Generate a new one after that.
+ - Earn up to 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Limit of 5 no matter how many Traders use your referral code.
+ - Each reward code expires 90 days from the date it's issued. The date is in the email.
+ - 1 discount per purchase. No stacking with other promotions.
+ - The discount percentage is set by Topstep and can change. Whatever is active on the day you redeem is what applies.
+ FAQs
+ Who can use a referral code?
+ Anyone new to Topstep who hasn't purchased yet, on their first account purchase only. Codes are public, so you can share yours anywhere.
+ Is this the affiliate program?
+ No. Referral Codes are open to all Traders with a Trader Profile.
+ Where does my reward show up?
+ Email only. It's a discount code, not cash, and nothing is added to an account balance. Check spam and promotions if you don't see it.
+ More than 5 people used my code. Where are the rest of my rewards?
+ The cap is 5 reward codes in a rolling 90-day period. Rewards past that aren't banked. Once your oldest code expires, you're eligible to earn another.
+ I signed up but didn't see the discount. Did I miss it?
+ No. The referral code applies to your first account purchase, not at sign-up. Enter it at checkout!
+ Can I see who used my code?
+ Not yet. The reward email is the only signal right now.
How to Add or Update Payment Details
- Go to your Billing Page on the Dashboard
- Click Add New Card and enter your details
- Scroll to Subscriptions
- Click the Edit icon next to the subscription you want to update
- Select your preferred card and save
☝ Important: At least 1 card must remain on file while a Trading Combine is active. Removing all cards will close your account. Once you set a default card, new purchases will automatically be tied to that card. To update an existing subscription’s payment method, you must change your default card and update the individual subscription.
Payment Troubleshooting
- Use a card in your name — must match your Topstep profile exactly. Using someone else’s card violates the Terms of Use.
- Check your billing address — must match your bank’s records exactly, including formatting.
- Delete and re-enter payment details manually — avoid autofill.
- Wait at least 1 hour between retry attempts — rapid retries can trigger bank blocks.
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterThe "+" symbol was replaced with "" in two instances describing mobile chart navigation features.Sep 22
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
For the best experience, use a smartphone, and tablets may perform better in desktop mode. Please note there is currently no mobile app. If the mobile version is not loading correctly, ensure that “Desktop Mode” is disabled in your browser settings.
Mobile Navigation
Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
All Accounts—Overview of every account tied to your login, including status (Active, Temp. Liquidation, Goal Achieved, or Ineligible), Created On date, Account Name, Win Rate, Total Lots Traded, Day P&L, Open P&L, and Account Balance.
Positions—Monitor open positions in with details on Time, Symbol, Position size, Entry Price, Risk (Stop Loss), To Make (Take Profit), P&L, and a 1-tap Close button.
Orders—Track open, filled, canceled, or rejected orders with key price levels and a quick Cancel option.
Trades—Review your completed round-trip trade history, including Symbol, Size, Time, Entry Price, Exit Price, P&L, and Fees.
Mobile DOM:
- Limit Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, below market) or Ask Size (sell, above market)
- Stop Market Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, above market) or Ask Size (sell, below market)
- Breakeven ("B/E") Order — appears once a position shows a positive unrealized P&L. Tap it to place a Stop Market order at your average entry price
Mobile Charts:
Section: Mobile Navigation
− - Change symbol — tap the "+" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
- TP/SL from chart — tap your position indicator, then drag up or down. A blue-outlined dot shows it's active to move
− - Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "+" button
Important: Because mobile performance depends on your device, Wi-Fi, and data provider, we’re unable to troubleshoot mobile-specific issues that may be related to connectivity.
TopstepX YouTube Videos
TopstepX offers a video library on YouTube with a variety of videos to help you get comfortable with the Platform.
These videos are designed to provide quick, easy-to-follow guidance so you can find the information you need and learn at your own pace. Whether you’re just getting started or diving deeper into specific features, the library is a great place to find the information you’re looking for.
You can access these videos anytime on YouTube.
After
For the best experience, use a smartphone, and tablets may perform better in desktop mode. Please note there is currently no mobile app. If the mobile version is not loading correctly, ensure that “Desktop Mode” is disabled in your browser settings.
Mobile Navigation
Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
All Accounts—Overview of every account tied to your login, including status (Active, Temp. Liquidation, Goal Achieved, or Ineligible), Created On date, Account Name, Win Rate, Total Lots Traded, Day P&L, Open P&L, and Account Balance.
Positions—Monitor open positions in with details on Time, Symbol, Position size, Entry Price, Risk (Stop Loss), To Make (Take Profit), P&L, and a 1-tap Close button.
Orders—Track open, filled, canceled, or rejected orders with key price levels and a quick Cancel option.
Trades—Review your completed round-trip trade history, including Symbol, Size, Time, Entry Price, Exit Price, P&L, and Fees.
Mobile DOM:
- Limit Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, below market) or Ask Size (sell, above market)
- Stop Market Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, above market) or Ask Size (sell, below market)
- Breakeven ("B/E") Order — appears once a position shows a positive unrealized P&L. Tap it to place a Stop Market order at your average entry price
Mobile Charts:
Section: Mobile Navigation
+ - Change symbol — tap the "" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
- TP/SL from chart — tap your position indicator, then drag up or down. A blue-outlined dot shows it's active to move
+ - Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "" button
Important: Because mobile performance depends on your device, Wi-Fi, and data provider, we’re unable to troubleshoot mobile-specific issues that may be related to connectivity.
TopstepX YouTube Videos
TopstepX offers a video library on YouTube with a variety of videos to help you get comfortable with the Platform.
These videos are designed to provide quick, easy-to-follow guidance so you can find the information you need and learn at your own pace. Whether you’re just getting started or diving deeper into specific features, the library is a great place to find the information you’re looking for.
You can access these videos anytime on YouTube.
For the best experience, use a smartphone, and tablets may perform better in desktop mode. Please note there is currently no mobile app. If the mobile version is not loading correctly, ensure that “Desktop Mode” is disabled in your browser settings.
Mobile Navigation
Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
All Accounts—Overview of every account tied to your login, including status (Active, Temp. Liquidation, Goal Achieved, or Ineligible), Created On date, Account Name, Win Rate, Total Lots Traded, Day P&L, Open P&L, and Account Balance.
Positions—Monitor open positions in with details on Time, Symbol, Position size, Entry Price, Risk (Stop Loss), To Make (Take Profit), P&L, and a 1-tap Close button.
Orders—Track open, filled, canceled, or rejected orders with key price levels and a quick Cancel option.
Trades—Review your completed round-trip trade history, including Symbol, Size, Time, Entry Price, Exit Price, P&L, and Fees.
Mobile DOM:
- Limit Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, below market) or Ask Size (sell, above market)
- Stop Market Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, above market) or Ask Size (sell, below market)
- Breakeven ("B/E") Order — appears once a position shows a positive unrealized P&L. Tap it to place a Stop Market order at your average entry price
Mobile Charts:
Section: Mobile Navigation
− - Change symbol — tap the "+" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
+ - Change symbol — tap the "" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
- TP/SL from chart — tap your position indicator, then drag up or down. A blue-outlined dot shows it's active to move
− - Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "+" button
+ - Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "" button
Important: Because mobile performance depends on your device, Wi-Fi, and data provider, we’re unable to troubleshoot mobile-specific issues that may be related to connectivity.
TopstepX YouTube Videos
TopstepX offers a video library on YouTube with a variety of videos to help you get comfortable with the Platform.
These videos are designed to provide quick, easy-to-follow guidance so you can find the information you need and learn at your own pace. Whether you’re just getting started or diving deeper into specific features, the library is a great place to find the information you’re looking for.
You can access these videos anytime on YouTube.
PremierTopstep · Getting Started with the Topstep Dashboard | Topstep Help CenterRemoved instruction to create new profile with email; added link to sign up instead. Added Training Camp and Trader Profile setup to dashboard features. Added new section explaining Trader Profile functionality, customization options, and FAQs. Added Training Camp description.Sep 21
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Basics
Section: The Basics
− One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, create a new profile with your existing Topstep email or a new one.
What You Can Do on the Dashboard
- Instant Express Funded Account® (XFA) Activation — Hit your Profit Target and activate your XFA in real time.
- Payout Tracker & Instant Deductions — Monitor Payout requests in real time. Amounts deduct instantly so you can get back to trading.
- Resets Extend Rebill Dates — Each Reset adds 30 days to your rebill date.
- Performance Stats — Real-time trading progress and metrics.
- Account & Profile Management — Manage Resets, rebill dates, and Payouts in one place.
- IDV & Funded Trader Certificates — Submit IDV documents and view funded certificates and Payout statuses directly in the platform.
Section: What You Can Do on the Dashboard
How does the Reset Bank work?
Every Trading Combine® Rebill adds 1 Reset Credit to your Reset Bank. Credits are tied to a specific account size and path (Standard, Daily Loss Limit, or No Activation Fee) and expire 1 year after issue.
👉 Your Dashboard shows: how many Reset Credits you have, which sizes and paths they apply to, and expiration dates. The system always applies the oldest matching Reset Credit first.
How to Apply a Reset
- Log into your Topstep Dashboard.
- Select the active Trading Combine® you want to Reset.
- Click Reset.
- If you have eligible Reset Credits, you'll see how many apply.
- Confirm the Reset.
No eligible Reset Credit? You can purchase one directly for that account size and path.
Changing Your Email Address
To update your email, contact Trader Support with:
- Your Topstep username
- Last 4 digits of the card on file
This verifies your identity so we can process the request quickly. Review our Single Profile Policy below before reaching out.
Please note: this process covers email address updates only; it does not apply to converting a Google/social login to an email login, which is not currently supported.
Changing Your Name
Minor typos or errors in your legal name? Trader Support can correct those.
We cannot update a profile to reflect a completely different name, and we cannot transfer profiles between individuals. Contact Trader Support to get started.
Single Profile Policy
Each Trader is permitted one Topstep profile. Multiple profiles violate our Terms of Use and may result in:
- Profiles or Trading Combines® closed without warning
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
Do not create a new profile when purchasing additional Trading Combines®. All accounts must live under a single profile. Profiles cannot be transferred between individuals.
Section: Set up your Trader Profile
After
The Basics
Section: The Basics
+ One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, sign up here.
What You Can Do on the Dashboard
- Instant Express Funded Account® (XFA) Activation — Hit your Profit Target and activate your XFA in real time.
- Payout Tracker & Instant Deductions — Monitor Payout requests in real time. Amounts deduct instantly so you can get back to trading.
- Resets Extend Rebill Dates — Each Reset adds 30 days to your rebill date.
- Performance Stats — Real-time trading progress and metrics.
- Account & Profile Management — Manage Resets, rebill dates, and Payouts in one place.
- IDV & Funded Trader Certificates — Submit IDV documents and view funded certificates and Payout statuses directly in the platform.
Section: What You Can Do on the Dashboard
+ - Training Camp — Learn the basics of Futures trading in Training Camp through a series of interactive lessons.
+ - Set up your Trader Profile!
How does the Reset Bank work?
Every Trading Combine® Rebill adds 1 Reset Credit to your Reset Bank. Credits are tied to a specific account size and path (Standard, Daily Loss Limit, or No Activation Fee) and expire 1 year after issue.
👉 Your Dashboard shows: how many Reset Credits you have, which sizes and paths they apply to, and expiration dates. The system always applies the oldest matching Reset Credit first.
How to Apply a Reset
- Log into your Topstep Dashboard.
- Select the active Trading Combine® you want to Reset.
- Click Reset.
- If you have eligible Reset Credits, you'll see how many apply.
- Confirm the Reset.
No eligible Reset Credit? You can purchase one directly for that account size and path.
Changing Your Email Address
To update your email, contact Trader Support with:
- Your Topstep username
- Last 4 digits of the card on file
This verifies your identity so we can process the request quickly. Review our Single Profile Policy below before reaching out.
Please note: this process covers email address updates only; it does not apply to converting a Google/social login to an email login, which is not currently supported.
Changing Your Name
Minor typos or errors in your legal name? Trader Support can correct those.
We cannot update a profile to reflect a completely different name, and we cannot transfer profiles between individuals. Contact Trader Support to get started.
Single Profile Policy
Each Trader is permitted one Topstep profile. Multiple profiles violate our Terms of Use and may result in:
- Profiles or Trading Combines® closed without warning
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
Do not create a new profile when purchasing additional Trading Combines®. All accounts must live under a single profile. Profiles cannot be transferred between individuals.
Section: Set up your Trader Profile
+ Set up your Trader Profile
+ Your Trader Profile is a public facing page where you can show who you are and share your trading journey. It's optional, and it has no effect on your Trading Combine®, funded account, or Payouts.
+ Where to find it: Dashboard → Profile → Public Trader Profile.
+ What you can show:
+ - Avatar, background, and a custom handle
+ - Location, bio, and time with Topstep
+ - Discord handle (X, Reddit, and Instagram coming soon)
+ - Trading preferences, badges, Proof of Payouts, stats, and Profit Calendar
+ Nothing displays by default. Every section has its own toggle, so you choose what's visible and when.
+ ⚠️ Your handle is permanent. Pick carefully: it can't be changed after you set it. Handles are 6 to 16 characters, no numbers, special characters, or spaces.
+ Trader Profiles FAQs
+ Who can create a Trader Profile?
+ All active Topstep Traders. Practice Accounts won't show up in the list of accounts you can select for your profile.
+ Who can see my profile?
+ Only people you share your link with. Profiles live at social.topstep.com with a unique URL and aren't discoverable on the public web.
+ Will my dollar amounts be public?
+ Only if you turn on All-Time Payouts, Proof of Payouts, Trading Stats, or Profit Calendar. Those show real dollar amounts and are optional.
+ Can I edit, hide, or delete my profile?
+ Yes, any time. Changes to your sharing preferences take effect within seconds. Your handle is the 1 thing you can't change.
+ Can I have more than 1 profile?
+ No. 1 profile per Trader account and email.
+ Can I edit my stats?
+ No. Stats pull from Topstep data for accuracy. You only choose whether to display them.
+ What happens to my profile if my account closes?
+ It stays as is. You can hide or delete it any time, regardless of account status.
+ Go through Training Camp
+ Training Camp is a guided practice mode inside your Topstep Dashboard that teaches Trading fundamentals and builds confidence. You have access to this before you even buy a Trading Combine!
The Basics
Section: The Basics
− One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, create a new profile with your existing Topstep email or a new one.
+ One place. Everything in real time. The Dashboard is where you track progress, manage accounts, and handle Payouts and Resets — the moment you need to. To get started, sign up here.
What You Can Do on the Dashboard
- Instant Express Funded Account® (XFA) Activation — Hit your Profit Target and activate your XFA in real time.
- Payout Tracker & Instant Deductions — Monitor Payout requests in real time. Amounts deduct instantly so you can get back to trading.
- Resets Extend Rebill Dates — Each Reset adds 30 days to your rebill date.
- Performance Stats — Real-time trading progress and metrics.
- Account & Profile Management — Manage Resets, rebill dates, and Payouts in one place.
- IDV & Funded Trader Certificates — Submit IDV documents and view funded certificates and Payout statuses directly in the platform.
Section: What You Can Do on the Dashboard
+ - Training Camp — Learn the basics of Futures trading in Training Camp through a series of interactive lessons.
+ - Set up your Trader Profile!
How does the Reset Bank work?
Every Trading Combine® Rebill adds 1 Reset Credit to your Reset Bank. Credits are tied to a specific account size and path (Standard, Daily Loss Limit, or No Activation Fee) and expire 1 year after issue.
👉 Your Dashboard shows: how many Reset Credits you have, which sizes and paths they apply to, and expiration dates. The system always applies the oldest matching Reset Credit first.
How to Apply a Reset
- Log into your Topstep Dashboard.
- Select the active Trading Combine® you want to Reset.
- Click Reset.
- If you have eligible Reset Credits, you'll see how many apply.
- Confirm the Reset.
No eligible Reset Credit? You can purchase one directly for that account size and path.
Changing Your Email Address
To update your email, contact Trader Support with:
- Your Topstep username
- Last 4 digits of the card on file
This verifies your identity so we can process the request quickly. Review our Single Profile Policy below before reaching out.
Please note: this process covers email address updates only; it does not apply to converting a Google/social login to an email login, which is not currently supported.
Changing Your Name
Minor typos or errors in your legal name? Trader Support can correct those.
We cannot update a profile to reflect a completely different name, and we cannot transfer profiles between individuals. Contact Trader Support to get started.
Single Profile Policy
Each Trader is permitted one Topstep profile. Multiple profiles violate our Terms of Use and may result in:
- Profiles or Trading Combines® closed without warning
- Temporary or permanent account suspension
Do not create a new profile when purchasing additional Trading Combines®. All accounts must live under a single profile. Profiles cannot be transferred between individuals.
Section: Set up your Trader Profile
+ Set up your Trader Profile
+ Your Trader Profile is a public facing page where you can show who you are and share your trading journey. It's optional, and it has no effect on your Trading Combine®, funded account, or Payouts.
+ Where to find it: Dashboard → Profile → Public Trader Profile.
+ What you can show:
+ - Avatar, background, and a custom handle
+ - Location, bio, and time with Topstep
+ - Discord handle (X, Reddit, and Instagram coming soon)
+ - Trading preferences, badges, Proof of Payouts, stats, and Profit Calendar
+ Nothing displays by default. Every section has its own toggle, so you choose what's visible and when.
+ ⚠️ Your handle is permanent. Pick carefully: it can't be changed after you set it. Handles are 6 to 16 characters, no numbers, special characters, or spaces.
+ Trader Profiles FAQs
+ Who can create a Trader Profile?
+ All active Topstep Traders. Practice Accounts won't show up in the list of accounts you can select for your profile.
+ Who can see my profile?
+ Only people you share your link with. Profiles live at social.topstep.com with a unique URL and aren't discoverable on the public web.
+ Will my dollar amounts be public?
+ Only if you turn on All-Time Payouts, Proof of Payouts, Trading Stats, or Profit Calendar. Those show real dollar amounts and are optional.
+ Can I edit, hide, or delete my profile?
+ Yes, any time. Changes to your sharing preferences take effect within seconds. Your handle is the 1 thing you can't change.
+ Can I have more than 1 profile?
+ No. 1 profile per Trader account and email.
+ Can I edit my stats?
+ No. Stats pull from Topstep data for accuracy. You only choose whether to display them.
+ What happens to my profile if my account closes?
+ It stays as is. You can hide or delete it any time, regardless of account status.
+ Go through Training Camp
+ Training Camp is a guided practice mode inside your Topstep Dashboard that teaches Trading fundamentals and builds confidence. You have access to this before you even buy a Trading Combine!
PremierTopstep · What is the Maximum Loss Limit? | Topstep Help CenterExample numbers for 50K XFA MLL behavior changed from Day 1 +$1,000 to +$500 and Day 2 +$1,000 to +$1,500.Sep 18
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
How the MLL works
The MLL is a trailing limit. It rises as your end-of-day balance grows, but never moves down. Once it reaches your starting balance, it locks permanently.
📺 Watch: How the Maximum Loss Limit works
In the Trading Combine
Your account starts at the full account size (e.g., $50,000 for a 50K Trading Combine), and your Maximum Loss Limit starts $2,000 below that.
Example:
- You start a 50K Trading Combine. Balance: $50,000. MLL: $48,000.
- You make $500 on day 1, balance rises to $50,500, MLL trails up to $48,500.
- You lose $500 on day 2, balance drops back to $50,000, but MLL stays at $48,500.
In the Express Funded Account
Your Express Funded Account (XFA) balance starts at $0. The 50K, 100K, or 150K label refers to your buying power, not your starting balance. You build your balance from trading profits.
For a 50K XFA, your MLL starts at -$2,000 and trails upward. Once your balance reaches $2,000, the MLL locks at $0 permanently. From that point on, your balance can never fall below $0.
Section: In the Express Funded Account
− Example: You start a 50K XFA at $0. Day 1: +$1,000, balance $1,000, MLL -$1,000. Day 2: +$1,000, balance $2,000, MLL locks at $0.
👉 After your first Payout: Your MLL is set to $0 regardless of where it was before. The remaining balance becomes your effective loss floor.
Example: Balance $10,000. Take a $5,000 Payout. Balance $5,000, MLL $0. If your balance ever hits $0, the account closes.
In the Live Funded Account
For the Live Funded Account, refer here.
FAQs
When is the MLL calculated?
The MLL updates at the end of each trading day but is monitored in real time throughout the session. Both realized and unrealized P&L count toward it. If your Net P&L hits the limit at any point during the day, your account is liquidated immediately.
What happens if I break the MLL?
- Trading Combine: Your account is liquidated for the rest of the trading day and becomes ineligible for funding until you Reset. You can still practice trade.
- Express Funded Account: Your account is permanently closed. Back2Funded may be available if you're eligible.
- Live Funded Account® (LFA): Learn more.
What happens to my MLL when I use Back2Funded?
After
How the MLL works
The MLL is a trailing limit. It rises as your end-of-day balance grows, but never moves down. Once it reaches your starting balance, it locks permanently.
📺 Watch: How the Maximum Loss Limit works
In the Trading Combine
Your account starts at the full account size (e.g., $50,000 for a 50K Trading Combine), and your Maximum Loss Limit starts $2,000 below that.
Example:
- You start a 50K Trading Combine. Balance: $50,000. MLL: $48,000.
- You make $500 on day 1, balance rises to $50,500, MLL trails up to $48,500.
- You lose $500 on day 2, balance drops back to $50,000, but MLL stays at $48,500.
In the Express Funded Account
Your Express Funded Account (XFA) balance starts at $0. The 50K, 100K, or 150K label refers to your buying power, not your starting balance. You build your balance from trading profits.
For a 50K XFA, your MLL starts at -$2,000 and trails upward. Once your balance reaches $2,000, the MLL locks at $0 permanently. From that point on, your balance can never fall below $0.
Section: In the Express Funded Account
+ Example: You start a 50K XFA at $0. Day 1: +$500, balance $500, MLL -$1,500.
+ Day 2: +$1,500, balance $2,000, MLL locks at $0.
👉 After your first Payout: Your MLL is set to $0 regardless of where it was before. The remaining balance becomes your effective loss floor.
Example: Balance $10,000. Take a $5,000 Payout. Balance $5,000, MLL $0. If your balance ever hits $0, the account closes.
In the Live Funded Account
For the Live Funded Account, refer here.
FAQs
When is the MLL calculated?
The MLL updates at the end of each trading day but is monitored in real time throughout the session. Both realized and unrealized P&L count toward it. If your Net P&L hits the limit at any point during the day, your account is liquidated immediately.
What happens if I break the MLL?
- Trading Combine: Your account is liquidated for the rest of the trading day and becomes ineligible for funding until you Reset. You can still practice trade.
- Express Funded Account: Your account is permanently closed. Back2Funded may be available if you're eligible.
- Live Funded Account® (LFA): Learn more.
What happens to my MLL when I use Back2Funded?
How the MLL works
The MLL is a trailing limit. It rises as your end-of-day balance grows, but never moves down. Once it reaches your starting balance, it locks permanently.
📺 Watch: How the Maximum Loss Limit works
In the Trading Combine
Your account starts at the full account size (e.g., $50,000 for a 50K Trading Combine), and your Maximum Loss Limit starts $2,000 below that.
Example:
- You start a 50K Trading Combine. Balance: $50,000. MLL: $48,000.
- You make $500 on day 1, balance rises to $50,500, MLL trails up to $48,500.
- You lose $500 on day 2, balance drops back to $50,000, but MLL stays at $48,500.
In the Express Funded Account
Your Express Funded Account (XFA) balance starts at $0. The 50K, 100K, or 150K label refers to your buying power, not your starting balance. You build your balance from trading profits.
For a 50K XFA, your MLL starts at -$2,000 and trails upward. Once your balance reaches $2,000, the MLL locks at $0 permanently. From that point on, your balance can never fall below $0.
Section: In the Express Funded Account
− Example: You start a 50K XFA at $0. Day 1: +$1,000, balance $1,000, MLL -$1,000. Day 2: +$1,000, balance $2,000, MLL locks at $0.
+ Example: You start a 50K XFA at $0. Day 1: +$500, balance $500, MLL -$1,500.
+ Day 2: +$1,500, balance $2,000, MLL locks at $0.
👉 After your first Payout: Your MLL is set to $0 regardless of where it was before. The remaining balance becomes your effective loss floor.
Example: Balance $10,000. Take a $5,000 Payout. Balance $5,000, MLL $0. If your balance ever hits $0, the account closes.
In the Live Funded Account
For the Live Funded Account, refer here.
FAQs
When is the MLL calculated?
The MLL updates at the end of each trading day but is monitored in real time throughout the session. Both realized and unrealized P&L count toward it. If your Net P&L hits the limit at any point during the day, your account is liquidated immediately.
What happens if I break the MLL?
- Trading Combine: Your account is liquidated for the rest of the trading day and becomes ineligible for funding until you Reset. You can still practice trade.
- Express Funded Account: Your account is permanently closed. Back2Funded may be available if you're eligible.
- Live Funded Account® (LFA): Learn more.
What happens to my MLL when I use Back2Funded?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterChallenge #005 title changed from "$6K Challenge" to "$6K Challenge - Start the Challenge!".Sep 18
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− #005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
After
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #005 | $6K Challenge - Start the Challenge! | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− #005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
+ #005 | $6K Challenge - Start the Challenge! | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterThe $3K Challenge and $1.5K Challenge restrictions were removed, and a new $6K Challenge restriction was added prohibiting nine additional products with MGC/MCL limited to 6 micros.Sep 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
After
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ API Access | Topstep Help CenterAdded new FAQ entry stating Live Funded Accounts cannot trade through ProjectX API, which is limited to simulated environments.Sep 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.To test your strategy, use a Practice account instead — same endpoints and real-time hubs, no risk to an Evaluation account.
Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
Yes. One subscription and one API key cover every eligible account under your ProjectX Dashboard profile. A single authenticated session can manage all of them; you specify the target account Id on each order.
What programming languages are supported?
The REST API works with most modern languages including Python, Java, .NET, and JavaScript — anything that supports REST or WebSocket connections.
Do I need to know how to code?
Only if you're building your own tools. If you're using third-party tools, just plug in your credentials.
Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
Yes, you need an active Topstep account in order to use the service.
Can I build and use my own custom trading bot with the TopstepX / ProjectX API?
Yes. Custom automated strategies and bots are allowed via the TopstepX / ProjectX API, subject to standard platform rules and our prohibition on highfrequency trading (HFT). You're free to develop your own system without additional restrictions beyond those standard rules. You remain the owner of your bot and are solely responsible for its design, performance, and behavior — including making sure it operates within all applicable rules.
Section: Can I use the ProjectX API if I'm in a Live Funded Account?
Troubleshooting
Error creating key: User lacks subscription
Your subscription isn't linked to your TopstepX profile. Go back and complete Part 3, then try generating your key again. If your subscription is active and linked and you still see this, email .
My account doesn't appear in the ProjectX Dashboard after linking
Refresh the Dashboard and confirm you completed the linking pop-up in Part 3. If it's still missing, email .
Where do I find my API Key
Generate a new one from Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key, then update every tool using the old key.
My requests are being rejected after they worked earlier
Session tokens expire. Confirm your client refreshes its token rather than reusing an old one. If you're being rate limited, back off and retry.
After
Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.To test your strategy, use a Practice account instead — same endpoints and real-time hubs, no risk to an Evaluation account.
Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
Yes. One subscription and one API key cover every eligible account under your ProjectX Dashboard profile. A single authenticated session can manage all of them; you specify the target account Id on each order.
What programming languages are supported?
The REST API works with most modern languages including Python, Java, .NET, and JavaScript — anything that supports REST or WebSocket connections.
Do I need to know how to code?
Only if you're building your own tools. If you're using third-party tools, just plug in your credentials.
Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
Yes, you need an active Topstep account in order to use the service.
Can I build and use my own custom trading bot with the TopstepX / ProjectX API?
Yes. Custom automated strategies and bots are allowed via the TopstepX / ProjectX API, subject to standard platform rules and our prohibition on highfrequency trading (HFT). You're free to develop your own system without additional restrictions beyond those standard rules. You remain the owner of your bot and are solely responsible for its design, performance, and behavior — including making sure it operates within all applicable rules.
Section: Can I use the ProjectX API if I'm in a Live Funded Account?
+ Can I use the ProjectX API if I'm in a Live Funded Account?
+ No, Live funded accounts are not allowed to trade through the ProjectX API. The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live.
Troubleshooting
Error creating key: User lacks subscription
Your subscription isn't linked to your TopstepX profile. Go back and complete Part 3, then try generating your key again. If your subscription is active and linked and you still see this, email .
My account doesn't appear in the ProjectX Dashboard after linking
Refresh the Dashboard and confirm you completed the linking pop-up in Part 3. If it's still missing, email .
Where do I find my API Key
Generate a new one from Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key, then update every tool using the old key.
My requests are being rejected after they worked earlier
Session tokens expire. Confirm your client refreshes its token rather than reusing an old one. If you're being rate limited, back off and retry.
Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.To test your strategy, use a Practice account instead — same endpoints and real-time hubs, no risk to an Evaluation account.
Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
Yes. One subscription and one API key cover every eligible account under your ProjectX Dashboard profile. A single authenticated session can manage all of them; you specify the target account Id on each order.
What programming languages are supported?
The REST API works with most modern languages including Python, Java, .NET, and JavaScript — anything that supports REST or WebSocket connections.
Do I need to know how to code?
Only if you're building your own tools. If you're using third-party tools, just plug in your credentials.
Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
Yes, you need an active Topstep account in order to use the service.
Can I build and use my own custom trading bot with the TopstepX / ProjectX API?
Yes. Custom automated strategies and bots are allowed via the TopstepX / ProjectX API, subject to standard platform rules and our prohibition on highfrequency trading (HFT). You're free to develop your own system without additional restrictions beyond those standard rules. You remain the owner of your bot and are solely responsible for its design, performance, and behavior — including making sure it operates within all applicable rules.
Section: Can I use the ProjectX API if I'm in a Live Funded Account?
+ Can I use the ProjectX API if I'm in a Live Funded Account?
+ No, Live funded accounts are not allowed to trade through the ProjectX API. The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live.
Troubleshooting
Error creating key: User lacks subscription
Your subscription isn't linked to your TopstepX profile. Go back and complete Part 3, then try generating your key again. If your subscription is active and linked and you still see this, email .
My account doesn't appear in the ProjectX Dashboard after linking
Refresh the Dashboard and confirm you completed the linking pop-up in Part 3. If it's still missing, email .
Where do I find my API Key
Generate a new one from Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key, then update every tool using the old key.
My requests are being rejected after they worked earlier
Session tokens expire. Confirm your client refreshes its token rather than reusing an old one. If you're being rate limited, back off and retry.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterAdded $6K Challenge product with $149 one-time fee, $6,000 profit target, $2,000 max loss limit, fixed $6,000 payout, 5-per-trader purchase limit, 90-day lifespan, and 10,000 units available first-come-first-serve.Sep 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
*See more information regarding contract limits here.
Section: $6K Challenge Parameters
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
Section: Is this a subscription?
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
After
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
*See more information regarding contract limits here.
Section: $6K Challenge Parameters
+ $6K Challenge Parameters
+ Make $6,000. Do it again. Keep $6,000. $149, one time. The $6K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $6,000 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
+ The $6,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $6,000.
+ $6K Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $6,000 | $6,000
+ Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | — | Free
+ Path | — | Standard only
+ Scaling Plan | — | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $6,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
+ You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round. Closed accounts still count, so if one closes you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ $6K Challenge
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. There are 10,000 units available, first come, first serve. Once they're sold, it's no longer available for purchase. You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round, and closed accounts still count — if one closes, you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
+ Are there restricted products for the $6K Challenge?
+ Regular contract limits are set to 10 micros and 1 mini. Additionally, in the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros. Learn more here.
+ How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $6,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $6,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $6,000 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
+ Is there a Payout cap on the $6K Challenge account?
+ There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $6,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
+ Does the $6K Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone, and unlike Express Funded Accounts®, how you perform in a Challenge has no effect on your eligibility to be called up. The reward is the one-time $6,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
+ Yes. It's a separate product and doesn't replace or affect any Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, or Live Funded Accounts you already have — you can trade it alongside them. The 5 account limit on $6K Challenges still applies.
+ Does this replace the $50K, $100K, or $150K Trading Combines?
+ No. The $6K Challenge is an additional limited offering under Topstep Labs. It doesn't remove or replace the XFA or the core Trading Combine program, and every existing Trading Combine stays available to purchase separately.
+ What is the price, and who is eligible to purchase this?
+ $149, one-time fee. No Resets, no Rebills. All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You may purchase up to 5 accounts total.
+ Where do I find the $6K Challenge?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. The $6K Challenge shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last. It's sold only from the Labs page.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #005 | $6K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
*See more information regarding contract limits here.
Section: $6K Challenge Parameters
+ $6K Challenge Parameters
+ Make $6,000. Do it again. Keep $6,000. $149, one time. The $6K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $6,000 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
+ The $6,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $6,000.
+ $6K Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $6,000 | $6,000
+ Max Loss Limit | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $2,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | — | Free
+ Path | — | Standard only
+ Scaling Plan | — | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $6,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Lifespan | 90 days | 90 days
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
+ You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round. Closed accounts still count, so if one closes you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ $6K Challenge
+ Is this a limited release, and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. There are 10,000 units available, first come, first serve. Once they're sold, it's no longer available for purchase. You can buy up to 5 $6K Challenges per Trader. That count covers every $6K Challenge account you own, in either round, and closed accounts still count — if one closes, you can't replace it. $3K and $1.5K Challenges don't count toward the 5.
+ Are there restricted products for the $6K Challenge?
+ Regular contract limits are set to 10 micros and 1 mini. Additionally, in the $6K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, SIL, HG, SL, CL, GC, HO, QM, PL, or RB. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros. Learn more here.
+ How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $6,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $6,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $6,000 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
+ 👉 There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
+ Is there a Payout cap on the $6K Challenge account?
+ There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $6,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
+ Does the $6K Challenge lead to a Live Funded Account® (LFA)?
+ No. There's no path to Live through Challenges alone, and unlike Express Funded Accounts®, how you perform in a Challenge has no effect on your eligibility to be called up. The reward is the one-time $6,000 Payout, then the account closes out.
+ Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
+ Yes. It's a separate product and doesn't replace or affect any Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, or Live Funded Accounts you already have — you can trade it alongside them. The 5 account limit on $6K Challenges still applies.
+ Does this replace the $50K, $100K, or $150K Trading Combines?
+ No. The $6K Challenge is an additional limited offering under Topstep Labs. It doesn't remove or replace the XFA or the core Trading Combine program, and every existing Trading Combine stays available to purchase separately.
+ What is the price, and who is eligible to purchase this?
+ $149, one-time fee. No Resets, no Rebills. All Traders, new and existing, while units remain. You may purchase up to 5 accounts total.
+ Where do I find the $6K Challenge?
+ Visit the Topstep Labs page or the Labs page in your dashboard. The $6K Challenge shows up as an offer card with the details and a button to purchase while units last. It's sold only from the Labs page.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
PremierTopstep · Consistency at Topstep | Topstep Help CenterProfit Target calculation divisor changed from 0.50 to 0.55, resulting in lower Profit Targets; example values updated accordingly, and "violation" terminology changed to "increase" throughout.Sep 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,800 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,800.
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
− To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
− Example: On a $50K account, a $1,800 best day ÷ 0.50 = a $3,600 Profit Target. You now need to reach $3,600 without letting any single day exceed $1,800. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,400.
− Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency increase by trading more on the same day?
− To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
− Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,400. Trading more today to earn the remaining $2,200 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
What happened to the buffer?
There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
After
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,800 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,800.
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
+ To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.55 = Total Profit Needed.
+ Example: On a $50K account, a $1,800 best day ÷ 0.55 = a $3,273 Profit Target. You now need to reach $3,273 without letting any single day exceed $1,800. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
+ Can I fix a Consistency increase by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency increase by trading more on the same day?
+ To resolve a Consistency Target increase, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
+ Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,000. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
What happened to the buffer?
There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,800 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,800.
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
− To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
− Example: On a $50K account, a $1,800 best day ÷ 0.50 = a $3,600 Profit Target. You now need to reach $3,600 without letting any single day exceed $1,800. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,400.
− Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.55 = Total Profit Needed.
+ Example: On a $50K account, a $1,800 best day ÷ 0.55 = a $3,273 Profit Target. You now need to reach $3,273 without letting any single day exceed $1,800. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
+ Can I fix a Consistency increase by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency increase by trading more on the same day?
− To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
− Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,400. Trading more today to earn the remaining $2,200 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
+ To resolve a Consistency Target increase, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
+ Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,000. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
What happened to the buffer?
There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
PremierTopstep · Live Funded Account Parameters | Topstep Help CenterAutomated strategies policy changed from permitted-but-unsupported to prohibited in Live Funded Account due to API Gateway unavailability on live environment.Sep 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
You can only have one (1) Live Funded Account active. When you receive a Live Funded Account, all Express Funded Accounts are closed.
If I lose my LFA, can I go straight back to an XFA without a Trading Combine?
No. You must pass a Trading Combine first. From there, demonstrate consistency in an XFA before being called back up to Live.
Can I take Payouts before unlocking all my Reserve?
Yes. Payout eligibility is not tied to capital expansion. You can take Payouts while still trading with partial account access.
How do I request a Payout?
👉 Check out our Payout Policy for steps
Is the live trading capital my money?
No. It's Topstep's prop firm capital made available as you demonstrate consistent performance. Once you withdraw funds via a Payout, those funds are yours.
Can I unlock multiple Reserve tiers at once with a big win?
No. Each tier requires net profit since the last expansion, reviewed weekly. Single oversized wins do not bypass this.
Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
Section: Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
− Automated strategies are permitted, but Topstep cannot help set them up or troubleshoot them. Automated trading via the ProjectX API is prohibited in the LFA.
How does trading Live benefit me over SIM?
Everything counts here. Real capital, real consequences, real payouts with no cap. The XFA proved your strategy works — Live is where you get paid like it. Trading Live is the goal. It means managing real money, which helps develop discipline and skills under real market conditions, preparing you for real-world trading at Topstep and beyond.
Once I have 30 winning days, can I take a 100% payout?
Yes. We encourage Traders to take full advantage of the benefits of Live trading with Topstep, including unlimited growth potential and daily Payouts. Please note that Payouts can only be taken from your unlocked balance, not from your Live Funded Account Reserve. Please note: withdrawing the full balance will close your account.
As you reach each profit target, additional funds are released from your Reserve into your unlocked balance. Once 100% of your balance has been unlocked, you may withdraw those funds as well.
What happens if I lose my 20% starting balance?
If your Live Funded Account balance drops below $1,000, the account will be liquidated immediately and closed at the end of the trading day. The remaining balance will be sent to you as a final payout before the account is closed.
Example: Account drops to $800 = auto liquidation and account closure at the end of that day. The remaining $800 is sent as a final Payout. Unlocked reserve is forfeited.
What happens if I go inactive?
Live Funded Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 days may be closed. Live Funded Accounts can't be put on hold.
Can I have Trading Combines while I have a Live Funded Account?
Yes. You can have Trading Combines while actively trading a Live Funded Account. The restriction is only on activation — a passed Trading Combine cannot be activated into an Express Funded Account while your Live Funded Account is active. That option becomes available again if the Live Funded Account is lost.
After
You can only have one (1) Live Funded Account active. When you receive a Live Funded Account, all Express Funded Accounts are closed.
If I lose my LFA, can I go straight back to an XFA without a Trading Combine?
No. You must pass a Trading Combine first. From there, demonstrate consistency in an XFA before being called back up to Live.
Can I take Payouts before unlocking all my Reserve?
Yes. Payout eligibility is not tied to capital expansion. You can take Payouts while still trading with partial account access.
How do I request a Payout?
👉 Check out our Payout Policy for steps
Is the live trading capital my money?
No. It's Topstep's prop firm capital made available as you demonstrate consistent performance. Once you withdraw funds via a Payout, those funds are yours.
Can I unlock multiple Reserve tiers at once with a big win?
No. Each tier requires net profit since the last expansion, reviewed weekly. Single oversized wins do not bypass this.
Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
Section: Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
+ The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live, so automated strategies are not possible at this time in the Live Funded Account.
How does trading Live benefit me over SIM?
Everything counts here. Real capital, real consequences, real payouts with no cap. The XFA proved your strategy works — Live is where you get paid like it. Trading Live is the goal. It means managing real money, which helps develop discipline and skills under real market conditions, preparing you for real-world trading at Topstep and beyond.
Once I have 30 winning days, can I take a 100% payout?
Yes. We encourage Traders to take full advantage of the benefits of Live trading with Topstep, including unlimited growth potential and daily Payouts. Please note that Payouts can only be taken from your unlocked balance, not from your Live Funded Account Reserve. Please note: withdrawing the full balance will close your account.
As you reach each profit target, additional funds are released from your Reserve into your unlocked balance. Once 100% of your balance has been unlocked, you may withdraw those funds as well.
What happens if I lose my 20% starting balance?
If your Live Funded Account balance drops below $1,000, the account will be liquidated immediately and closed at the end of the trading day. The remaining balance will be sent to you as a final payout before the account is closed.
Example: Account drops to $800 = auto liquidation and account closure at the end of that day. The remaining $800 is sent as a final Payout. Unlocked reserve is forfeited.
What happens if I go inactive?
Live Funded Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 days may be closed. Live Funded Accounts can't be put on hold.
Can I have Trading Combines while I have a Live Funded Account?
Yes. You can have Trading Combines while actively trading a Live Funded Account. The restriction is only on activation — a passed Trading Combine cannot be activated into an Express Funded Account while your Live Funded Account is active. That option becomes available again if the Live Funded Account is lost.
You can only have one (1) Live Funded Account active. When you receive a Live Funded Account, all Express Funded Accounts are closed.
If I lose my LFA, can I go straight back to an XFA without a Trading Combine?
No. You must pass a Trading Combine first. From there, demonstrate consistency in an XFA before being called back up to Live.
Can I take Payouts before unlocking all my Reserve?
Yes. Payout eligibility is not tied to capital expansion. You can take Payouts while still trading with partial account access.
How do I request a Payout?
👉 Check out our Payout Policy for steps
Is the live trading capital my money?
No. It's Topstep's prop firm capital made available as you demonstrate consistent performance. Once you withdraw funds via a Payout, those funds are yours.
Can I unlock multiple Reserve tiers at once with a big win?
No. Each tier requires net profit since the last expansion, reviewed weekly. Single oversized wins do not bypass this.
Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
Section: Can I use automated strategies in my LFA?
− Automated strategies are permitted, but Topstep cannot help set them up or troubleshoot them. Automated trading via the ProjectX API is prohibited in the LFA.
+ The API Gateway is built for the simulated environment and isn't available on Live, so automated strategies are not possible at this time in the Live Funded Account.
How does trading Live benefit me over SIM?
Everything counts here. Real capital, real consequences, real payouts with no cap. The XFA proved your strategy works — Live is where you get paid like it. Trading Live is the goal. It means managing real money, which helps develop discipline and skills under real market conditions, preparing you for real-world trading at Topstep and beyond.
Once I have 30 winning days, can I take a 100% payout?
Yes. We encourage Traders to take full advantage of the benefits of Live trading with Topstep, including unlimited growth potential and daily Payouts. Please note that Payouts can only be taken from your unlocked balance, not from your Live Funded Account Reserve. Please note: withdrawing the full balance will close your account.
As you reach each profit target, additional funds are released from your Reserve into your unlocked balance. Once 100% of your balance has been unlocked, you may withdraw those funds as well.
What happens if I lose my 20% starting balance?
If your Live Funded Account balance drops below $1,000, the account will be liquidated immediately and closed at the end of the trading day. The remaining balance will be sent to you as a final payout before the account is closed.
Example: Account drops to $800 = auto liquidation and account closure at the end of that day. The remaining $800 is sent as a final Payout. Unlocked reserve is forfeited.
What happens if I go inactive?
Live Funded Accounts with no trading activity for more than 30 days may be closed. Live Funded Accounts can't be put on hold.
Can I have Trading Combines while I have a Live Funded Account?
Yes. You can have Trading Combines while actively trading a Live Funded Account. The restriction is only on activation — a passed Trading Combine cannot be activated into an Express Funded Account while your Live Funded Account is active. That option becomes available again if the Live Funded Account is lost.
PremierTopstep · Order Types, Fills, and Slippage | Topstep Help CenterRemoved explanation of Stop vs Stop-Limit orders and mobile availability; simplified slippage avoidance guidance to recommend Stop orders without mentioning Stop-Limit.Sep 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Fast process. But in fast-moving markets, milliseconds matter. In normal conditions, the difference is minimal. In volatile markets, it can be significant. Exact price execution is never guaranteed with a platform risk tool.
👉 What this means for your trading:
- A resting stop order sits at the exchange and fills when price reaches it — it can execute before a platform risk tool liquidation even triggers.
- Your Personal Daily Loss Limit is a backstop. Not a substitute for a stop loss.
- If your stop is placed at a level with more risk than your loss limit threshold, your stop could fill first, depending on volatility.
- Layer your tools. Stops, loss limits, profit targets — together, not interchangeably.
Why didn't my Personal Daily Profit Target trigger at the exact value I set?
Platform risk tools require the system to detect a threshold breach, generate an order, and send it to the exchange. That process takes time. Even under normal conditions, exact price execution isn't guaranteed — a millisecond difference can change the outcome. In volatile markets, the gap can be more significant. This is expected behavior. Build it into your risk planning.
Can I use my Personal Daily Loss Limit as a stop loss?
No. The Personal Daily Loss Limit monitors your unrealized P&L and triggers when your threshold is crossed. A stop loss is a resting order already waiting at the exchange. Relying on your loss limit as your primary exit means you may not get out where you expect. Always use a stop loss to manage position-level risk. Your Personal Daily Loss Limit is a backstop — not a replacement.
🧠 Learn more about the PDLL and PDPT here.
Orders & Slippage — FAQs
− What's the difference between a Stop and a Stop-Limit?
− - A Stop (Stop Market) becomes a market order when triggered — fill is guaranteed, price is not.
− - A Stop-Limit becomes a limit order — price is guaranteed, fill is not. Use Stop-Limit when exact price matters more than getting filled.
− Which order types are available on mobile?
− Stop-Limit is desktop only. Use Stop Market on mobile instead.
How does slippage affect my Maximum Loss Limit?
Slippage can push your account past your Maximum Loss Limit faster than you expect. When that limit is hit, the system automatically liquidates your position. Build slippage into your risk planning.
What's an OCO order?
OCO stands for One Cancels Other. You place 2 orders simultaneously. When 1 fills, the other automatically cancels. Traders use it as a bracket — 1 side for profit target, 1 for stop loss.
Can I eliminate slippage entirely?
Only with limit orders — but limit orders risk not getting filled if price doesn't reach your level. It's a trade-off: price certainty vs. fill certainty.
Does slippage affect both buy and sell orders?
Yes. Buy orders fill higher than expected; sell orders fill lower than expected.
Can slippage be completely avoided?
Section: Can slippage be completely avoided?
− Not reliably. Stop Limit Orders can avoid slippage but aren't guaranteed to fill — leaving you with open risk. Stop Orders are the better protection for most situations.
To minimize slippage:
- Avoid trading during major news events
- Trade during high-liquidity market hours
Does slippage occur in simulated trading and other financial markets?
Slippage occurs in both simulated and live trading across all financial markets — stocks, forex, futures, and crypto. Simulated platforms model real market conditions, including slippage, to keep the experience realistic. It's most common in low-liquidity markets or during high volatility.
How do stop-loss orders respond to slippage?
Stop-loss orders convert to market orders when the stop price is hit. Market orders guarantee a fill, not a price — so in fast-moving markets, your execution price may differ from your stop price, leading to larger-than-expected losses.
When am I most exposed to slippage?
Slippage can happen anytime, but it's most likely around:
- Economic Releases
- High volatility periods
- Illiquid markets / low market depth
After
Fast process. But in fast-moving markets, milliseconds matter. In normal conditions, the difference is minimal. In volatile markets, it can be significant. Exact price execution is never guaranteed with a platform risk tool.
👉 What this means for your trading:
- A resting stop order sits at the exchange and fills when price reaches it — it can execute before a platform risk tool liquidation even triggers.
- Your Personal Daily Loss Limit is a backstop. Not a substitute for a stop loss.
- If your stop is placed at a level with more risk than your loss limit threshold, your stop could fill first, depending on volatility.
- Layer your tools. Stops, loss limits, profit targets — together, not interchangeably.
Why didn't my Personal Daily Profit Target trigger at the exact value I set?
Platform risk tools require the system to detect a threshold breach, generate an order, and send it to the exchange. That process takes time. Even under normal conditions, exact price execution isn't guaranteed — a millisecond difference can change the outcome. In volatile markets, the gap can be more significant. This is expected behavior. Build it into your risk planning.
Can I use my Personal Daily Loss Limit as a stop loss?
No. The Personal Daily Loss Limit monitors your unrealized P&L and triggers when your threshold is crossed. A stop loss is a resting order already waiting at the exchange. Relying on your loss limit as your primary exit means you may not get out where you expect. Always use a stop loss to manage position-level risk. Your Personal Daily Loss Limit is a backstop — not a replacement.
🧠 Learn more about the PDLL and PDPT here.
Orders & Slippage — FAQs
How does slippage affect my Maximum Loss Limit?
Slippage can push your account past your Maximum Loss Limit faster than you expect. When that limit is hit, the system automatically liquidates your position. Build slippage into your risk planning.
What's an OCO order?
OCO stands for One Cancels Other. You place 2 orders simultaneously. When 1 fills, the other automatically cancels. Traders use it as a bracket — 1 side for profit target, 1 for stop loss.
Can I eliminate slippage entirely?
Only with limit orders — but limit orders risk not getting filled if price doesn't reach your level. It's a trade-off: price certainty vs. fill certainty.
Does slippage affect both buy and sell orders?
Yes. Buy orders fill higher than expected; sell orders fill lower than expected.
Can slippage be completely avoided?
Section: Can slippage be completely avoided?
+ Not reliably. Stop orders are the best protection for most situations.
To minimize slippage:
- Avoid trading during major news events
- Trade during high-liquidity market hours
Does slippage occur in simulated trading and other financial markets?
Slippage occurs in both simulated and live trading across all financial markets — stocks, forex, futures, and crypto. Simulated platforms model real market conditions, including slippage, to keep the experience realistic. It's most common in low-liquidity markets or during high volatility.
How do stop-loss orders respond to slippage?
Stop-loss orders convert to market orders when the stop price is hit. Market orders guarantee a fill, not a price — so in fast-moving markets, your execution price may differ from your stop price, leading to larger-than-expected losses.
When am I most exposed to slippage?
Slippage can happen anytime, but it's most likely around:
- Economic Releases
- High volatility periods
- Illiquid markets / low market depth
Fast process. But in fast-moving markets, milliseconds matter. In normal conditions, the difference is minimal. In volatile markets, it can be significant. Exact price execution is never guaranteed with a platform risk tool.
👉 What this means for your trading:
- A resting stop order sits at the exchange and fills when price reaches it — it can execute before a platform risk tool liquidation even triggers.
- Your Personal Daily Loss Limit is a backstop. Not a substitute for a stop loss.
- If your stop is placed at a level with more risk than your loss limit threshold, your stop could fill first, depending on volatility.
- Layer your tools. Stops, loss limits, profit targets — together, not interchangeably.
Why didn't my Personal Daily Profit Target trigger at the exact value I set?
Platform risk tools require the system to detect a threshold breach, generate an order, and send it to the exchange. That process takes time. Even under normal conditions, exact price execution isn't guaranteed — a millisecond difference can change the outcome. In volatile markets, the gap can be more significant. This is expected behavior. Build it into your risk planning.
Can I use my Personal Daily Loss Limit as a stop loss?
No. The Personal Daily Loss Limit monitors your unrealized P&L and triggers when your threshold is crossed. A stop loss is a resting order already waiting at the exchange. Relying on your loss limit as your primary exit means you may not get out where you expect. Always use a stop loss to manage position-level risk. Your Personal Daily Loss Limit is a backstop — not a replacement.
🧠 Learn more about the PDLL and PDPT here.
Orders & Slippage — FAQs
− What's the difference between a Stop and a Stop-Limit?
− - A Stop (Stop Market) becomes a market order when triggered — fill is guaranteed, price is not.
− - A Stop-Limit becomes a limit order — price is guaranteed, fill is not. Use Stop-Limit when exact price matters more than getting filled.
− Which order types are available on mobile?
− Stop-Limit is desktop only. Use Stop Market on mobile instead.
How does slippage affect my Maximum Loss Limit?
Slippage can push your account past your Maximum Loss Limit faster than you expect. When that limit is hit, the system automatically liquidates your position. Build slippage into your risk planning.
What's an OCO order?
OCO stands for One Cancels Other. You place 2 orders simultaneously. When 1 fills, the other automatically cancels. Traders use it as a bracket — 1 side for profit target, 1 for stop loss.
Can I eliminate slippage entirely?
Only with limit orders — but limit orders risk not getting filled if price doesn't reach your level. It's a trade-off: price certainty vs. fill certainty.
Does slippage affect both buy and sell orders?
Yes. Buy orders fill higher than expected; sell orders fill lower than expected.
Can slippage be completely avoided?
Section: Can slippage be completely avoided?
− Not reliably. Stop Limit Orders can avoid slippage but aren't guaranteed to fill — leaving you with open risk. Stop Orders are the better protection for most situations.
+ Not reliably. Stop orders are the best protection for most situations.
To minimize slippage:
- Avoid trading during major news events
- Trade during high-liquidity market hours
Does slippage occur in simulated trading and other financial markets?
Slippage occurs in both simulated and live trading across all financial markets — stocks, forex, futures, and crypto. Simulated platforms model real market conditions, including slippage, to keep the experience realistic. It's most common in low-liquidity markets or during high volatility.
How do stop-loss orders respond to slippage?
Stop-loss orders convert to market orders when the stop price is hit. Market orders guarantee a fill, not a price — so in fast-moving markets, your execution price may differ from your stop price, leading to larger-than-expected losses.
When am I most exposed to slippage?
Slippage can happen anytime, but it's most likely around:
- Economic Releases
- High volatility periods
- Illiquid markets / low market depth
PremierTopstep · Consistency at Topstep | Topstep Help CenterBest day example changed from $1,650 to $1,800, divisor changed from 0.55 to 0.50, and profit target calculation example updated accordingly.Sep 15
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
− Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,650 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,650.
− To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.55 = Total Profit Needed.
− Example: On a $50K account, a $1,650 best day ÷ 0.55 = a $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,650. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
− Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,000. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
What happened to the buffer?
There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
After
Formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
+ Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,800 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,800.
+ To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
+ Example: On a $50K account, a $1,800 best day ÷ 0.50 = a $3,600 Profit Target. You now need to reach $3,600 without letting any single day exceed $1,800. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,400.
Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,400. Trading more today to earn the remaining $2,200 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
What happened to the buffer?
There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
Formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
− Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,650 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,650.
− To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.55 = Total Profit Needed.
− Example: On a $50K account, a $1,650 best day ÷ 0.55 = a $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,650. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
+ Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,800 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,800.
+ To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
+ Example: On a $50K account, a $1,800 best day ÷ 0.50 = a $3,600 Profit Target. You now need to reach $3,600 without letting any single day exceed $1,800. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,400.
Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
− Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,000. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
+ Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,400. Trading more today to earn the remaining $2,200 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
What happened to the buffer?
There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterWording updated in one sentence; no change to trading rules or restrictions.Sep 14
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
After
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ - Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
+ - Non-equity/metals products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
PremierTopstep · Prohibited Conduct | Topstep Help CenterRemoved requirement that chargebacks be unjustified; now any chargeback or dispute filing is prohibited.Sep 11
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
− - Unjustified chargebacks — filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
- Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
- Personal Data or misleading claims
- Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
- Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
After
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
+ - Chargebacks or Disputes— filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
- Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
- Personal Data or misleading claims
- Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
- Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
− - Unjustified chargebacks — filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
+ - Chargebacks or Disputes— filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
- Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
- Personal Data or misleading claims
- Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
- Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterWording only.Sep 11
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Hotkeys
Hotkeys
Keyboard shortcuts for faster execution. Fewer clicks. Fewer errors.
Setup:
- Settings gear → Hotkeys
- Click Set Hotkey next to the action you want
- Press your key(s) → Confirm
- Press H on the DOM or Orderbook to enable
- Not set by default — configure your own
- Desktop only — not supported on mobile
- Avoid system-reserved keys (e.g., CTRL+R reloads the page)
- Practice in a Practice Account first
Section: Hotkeys
Performance Dashboard
Performance Dashboard
Real-time view of your trading activity. Desktop only. Available for Practice, Trading Combine, and Express Funded Accounts.
Access: Performance Stats tab on the left.
Includes:
- Balance High/Current/Low, Best Day %, Avg Win/Loss, Best/Worst Trade, Win Rate, Long vs. Short %, Weekly/Monthly P&L
- Trade Log with full entry/exit detail
- Trader Journal — log emotions, notes, observations
- Calendar with Daily P&L
- Social Sharing
Stats update as trades complete. Multiple tabs open? Refresh the performance page after each trade.
Price Alerts
After
Hotkeys
Hotkeys
Keyboard shortcuts for faster execution. Fewer clicks. Fewer errors.
Setup:
- Settings gear → Hotkeys
- Click Set Hotkey next to the action you want
- Press your key(s) → Confirm
- Press H on the DOM or Orderbook to enable
- Not set by default — configure your own
- Desktop only — not supported on mobile
- Avoid system-reserved keys (e.g., CTRL+R reloads the page)
- Practice in a Practice Account first
Section: Hotkeys
+ Pressing a hotkey triggers that action across all active components where hotkeys are enabled. For example: if hotkeys are enabled across multiple order panels with different symbols selected, pressing the hotkey executes a market buy for each symbol.
Performance Dashboard
Performance Dashboard
Real-time view of your trading activity. Desktop only. Available for Practice, Trading Combine, and Express Funded Accounts.
Access: Performance Stats tab on the left.
Includes:
- Balance High/Current/Low, Best Day %, Avg Win/Loss, Best/Worst Trade, Win Rate, Long vs. Short %, Weekly/Monthly P&L
- Trade Log with full entry/exit detail
- Trader Journal — log emotions, notes, observations
- Calendar with Daily P&L
- Social Sharing
Stats update as trades complete. Multiple tabs open? Refresh the performance page after each trade.
Price Alerts
Hotkeys
Hotkeys
Keyboard shortcuts for faster execution. Fewer clicks. Fewer errors.
Setup:
- Settings gear → Hotkeys
- Click Set Hotkey next to the action you want
- Press your key(s) → Confirm
- Press H on the DOM or Orderbook to enable
- Not set by default — configure your own
- Desktop only — not supported on mobile
- Avoid system-reserved keys (e.g., CTRL+R reloads the page)
- Practice in a Practice Account first
Section: Hotkeys
+ Pressing a hotkey triggers that action across all active components where hotkeys are enabled. For example: if hotkeys are enabled across multiple order panels with different symbols selected, pressing the hotkey executes a market buy for each symbol.
Performance Dashboard
Performance Dashboard
Real-time view of your trading activity. Desktop only. Available for Practice, Trading Combine, and Express Funded Accounts.
Access: Performance Stats tab on the left.
Includes:
- Balance High/Current/Low, Best Day %, Avg Win/Loss, Best/Worst Trade, Win Rate, Long vs. Short %, Weekly/Monthly P&L
- Trade Log with full entry/exit detail
- Trader Journal — log emotions, notes, observations
- Calendar with Daily P&L
- Social Sharing
Stats update as trades complete. Multiple tabs open? Refresh the performance page after each trade.
Price Alerts
PremierTopstep · Topstep® Refund Policies | Topstep Help CenterWarning added that filing chargebacks or disputes is strictly prohibited, and language about account risk was updated. TIER: notableSep 11
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
Activation Fee
No refunds on Activation Fee purchases, including accidental activations. Confirm the account name before paying.
Back2Funded
No refunds on Back2Funded purchases, including accidental reactivations. Confirm the account name before completing the purchase.
Chargebacks at Topstep
Section: Chargebacks at Topstep
− ⚠️ Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always.
− Most fees at Topstep are non-refundable, but we’re always happy to review your account and clear up confusion. Filing a chargeback before reaching out could limit your options and put your account at risk.
What’s the Difference Between a Chargeback and an Unjustified Chargeback?
A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank and request a reversal.
An unjustified chargeback is filing a dispute without a valid reason — for example:
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription
- Misunderstanding a charge
- Overlooking Topstep’s refund policies
- Attempting to bypass the standard refund process
What Happens If You File a Chargeback?
Filing triggers an account review. Excessive or unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension or permanent removal from the Topstep program.
Initiating chargebacks is listed as prohibited conduct.
Already filed one? You can still contact Trader Support to discuss your options.
What If You Want to Dispute a Charge?
After
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
+ ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always. Read more here.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
Activation Fee
No refunds on Activation Fee purchases, including accidental activations. Confirm the account name before paying.
Back2Funded
No refunds on Back2Funded purchases, including accidental reactivations. Confirm the account name before completing the purchase.
Chargebacks at Topstep
Section: Chargebacks at Topstep
+ ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always.
+ Most fees at Topstep are non-refundable, but we’re always happy to review your account and clear up confusion. Filing a chargeback/dispute so may put your account at risk.
What’s the Difference Between a Chargeback and an Unjustified Chargeback?
A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank and request a reversal.
An unjustified chargeback is filing a dispute without a valid reason — for example:
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription
- Misunderstanding a charge
- Overlooking Topstep’s refund policies
- Attempting to bypass the standard refund process
What Happens If You File a Chargeback?
Filing triggers an account review. Excessive or unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension or permanent removal from the Topstep program.
Initiating chargebacks is listed as prohibited conduct.
Already filed one? You can still contact Trader Support to discuss your options.
What If You Want to Dispute a Charge?
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
+ ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always. Read more here.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
Activation Fee
No refunds on Activation Fee purchases, including accidental activations. Confirm the account name before paying.
Back2Funded
No refunds on Back2Funded purchases, including accidental reactivations. Confirm the account name before completing the purchase.
Chargebacks at Topstep
Section: Chargebacks at Topstep
− ⚠️ Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always.
− Most fees at Topstep are non-refundable, but we’re always happy to review your account and clear up confusion. Filing a chargeback before reaching out could limit your options and put your account at risk.
+ ⚠️ Filing a chargeback or dispute is strictly prohibited. Have a question about a charge? Call us first. Always.
+ Most fees at Topstep are non-refundable, but we’re always happy to review your account and clear up confusion. Filing a chargeback/dispute so may put your account at risk.
What’s the Difference Between a Chargeback and an Unjustified Chargeback?
A chargeback is when you dispute a charge with your bank and request a reversal.
An unjustified chargeback is filing a dispute without a valid reason — for example:
- Forgetting to cancel a subscription
- Misunderstanding a charge
- Overlooking Topstep’s refund policies
- Attempting to bypass the standard refund process
What Happens If You File a Chargeback?
Filing triggers an account review. Excessive or unjustified chargebacks may result in account suspension or permanent removal from the Topstep program.
Initiating chargebacks is listed as prohibited conduct.
Already filed one? You can still contact Trader Support to discuss your options.
What If You Want to Dispute a Charge?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterPurchase limit for $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine changed from unlimited to maximum 5 accounts per trader; subscription language simplified.Sep 11
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
No. Once a Topstep Labs offering is gone, it's gone. Although some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience, it's not guaranteed. If it happens, we'll let you know!
Will the $25k Static Trading Combine Rebill each month?
No. The $25k Static Trading Combine has a one-time fee — no Rebill, no subscription. Please note, this Trading Combine expires 90 days after purchase. If you haven't passed by then, it will close automatically.
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine
Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
Section: Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
− Yes, there are limited quantities available for this purchase. First come first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
How much does it cost?
$499 one-time fee. There is no subscription — you pay once. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply even though a DLL is automatic.
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
Section: Is this a subscription?
− No. This is a one-time purchase. There is no recurring billing, no rebills, and no resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
$3K Challenge
Can I buy more than one?
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
After
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
No. Once a Topstep Labs offering is gone, it's gone. Although some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience, it's not guaranteed. If it happens, we'll let you know!
Will the $25k Static Trading Combine Rebill each month?
No. The $25k Static Trading Combine has a one-time fee — no Rebill, no subscription. Please note, this Trading Combine expires 90 days after purchase. If you haven't passed by then, it will close automatically.
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine
Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
Section: Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
+ Yes, there are limited quantities available for this purchase. First come first serve. For the $250K Re-release, you may purchase up to 5 accounts.
How much does it cost?
$499 one-time fee. There is no subscription — you pay once. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply even though a DLL is automatic.
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ No. This is a one-time purchase. There are no rebills, and no Resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
$3K Challenge
Can I buy more than one?
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
No. Once a Topstep Labs offering is gone, it's gone. Although some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience, it's not guaranteed. If it happens, we'll let you know!
Will the $25k Static Trading Combine Rebill each month?
No. The $25k Static Trading Combine has a one-time fee — no Rebill, no subscription. Please note, this Trading Combine expires 90 days after purchase. If you haven't passed by then, it will close automatically.
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine
Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
Section: Is this a limited release and can I buy more than one?
− Yes, there are limited quantities available for this purchase. First come first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
+ Yes, there are limited quantities available for this purchase. First come first serve. For the $250K Re-release, you may purchase up to 5 accounts.
How much does it cost?
$499 one-time fee. There is no subscription — you pay once. The Responsible Trading Discount does not apply even though a DLL is automatic.
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
Section: Is this a subscription?
− No. This is a one-time purchase. There is no recurring billing, no rebills, and no resets.
+ No. This is a one-time purchase. There are no rebills, and no Resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
$3K Challenge
Can I buy more than one?
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
PremierTopstep · Prohibited Conduct | Topstep Help CenterRemoved rule against unfair technology and trading inconsistent with real markets; added chargeback dispute rule and new trader profile content restrictions. TIER: majorSep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
− Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience
− Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Who is the Trust Team?
The Trust Team protects the integrity of the program. If your conduct is called into question, they're who you'll hear from.
Trust reviews Terms of Use violations, fraudulent activity, and account manipulation. They do not handle platform or technical issues — that's Trader Support.
Appeals
You don't need to initiate an appeal. The Trust Team will contact you directly if one is available. Trader Support cannot assist with appeals.
Once you receive an email from Trust, respond directly to the assigned team member with any supporting documents or information. Respond as soon as possible — there's no fixed deadline, but early responses help.
Appeals can be denied if the review finds ToU violations, fraudulent activity, or account manipulation. If accepted, you'll receive an email with terms and conditions you must accept to return. Breaching those terms will result in immediate account termination.
Trust FAQs
Why can't I appeal?
An appeal may not be possible depending on the severity of the Terms of Use violation. The Trust Team will let you know whether one is available.
What if I just create a new profile?
Don't. New profiles created after a ban will be closed immediately and no refunds will be issued.
After
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
+ - Unjustified chargebacks — filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
+ Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
+ - Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
+ - Personal Data or misleading claims
+ - Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
+ - Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
+ - Notice that Profile Content may undergo automated screening and moderation, which may result in profile suspension or deactivation
+ 🤝 Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience. Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Who is the Trust Team?
The Trust Team protects the integrity of the program. If your conduct is called into question, they're who you'll hear from.
Trust reviews Terms of Use violations, fraudulent activity, and account manipulation. They do not handle platform or technical issues — that's Trader Support.
Appeals
You don't need to initiate an appeal. The Trust Team will contact you directly if one is available. Trader Support cannot assist with appeals.
Once you receive an email from Trust, respond directly to the assigned team member with any supporting documents or information. Respond as soon as possible — there's no fixed deadline, but early responses help.
Appeals can be denied if the review finds ToU violations, fraudulent activity, or account manipulation. If accepted, you'll receive an email with terms and conditions you must accept to return. Breaching those terms will result in immediate account termination.
Trust FAQs
Why can't I appeal?
An appeal may not be possible depending on the severity of the Terms of Use violation. The Trust Team will let you know whether one is available.
What if I just create a new profile?
Don't. New profiles created after a ban will be closed immediately and no refunds will be issued.
What Is Prohibited Conduct?
- Unprofessional behavior — see Professional Behavior at Topstep
- Excessive purchases of Trading Combines or Resets
- Price exploitation — strategies designed to exploit errors in price display or data feed delays
- Disruptive practices — including spoofing
- Trading outside the best bid or offer
- Using an external or slow data feed to trade
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
+ - Unjustified chargebacks — filing a dispute against a payment to Topstep. Learn more here.
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
− Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience
− Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
+ Prohibited Conduct regarding Trader Profiles:
+ - Harmful, offensive, illegal, or sexual content
+ - Personal Data or misleading claims
+ - Unauthorized names, trademarks, or third-party content
+ - Advertising, scams, or attempts to evade moderation
+ - Notice that Profile Content may undergo automated screening and moderation, which may result in profile suspension or deactivation
+ 🤝 Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience. Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Who is the Trust Team?
The Trust Team protects the integrity of the program. If your conduct is called into question, they're who you'll hear from.
Trust reviews Terms of Use violations, fraudulent activity, and account manipulation. They do not handle platform or technical issues — that's Trader Support.
Appeals
You don't need to initiate an appeal. The Trust Team will contact you directly if one is available. Trader Support cannot assist with appeals.
Once you receive an email from Trust, respond directly to the assigned team member with any supporting documents or information. Respond as soon as possible — there's no fixed deadline, but early responses help.
Appeals can be denied if the review finds ToU violations, fraudulent activity, or account manipulation. If accepted, you'll receive an email with terms and conditions you must accept to return. Breaching those terms will result in immediate account termination.
Trust FAQs
Why can't I appeal?
An appeal may not be possible depending on the severity of the Terms of Use violation. The Trust Team will let you know whether one is available.
What if I just create a new profile?
Don't. New profiles created after a ban will be closed immediately and no refunds will be issued.
PremierTopstep · General Platform Troubleshooting | Topstep Help CenterArticle replaced browser recommendation with detailed supported browser and version list for desktop and mobile platforms. TIER: notableSep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Multiple charts running multiple indicators in fast markets can cause lag or freezing. Reduce active charts and indicators if you notice performance issues.
Update and restart
Restart your device regularly. Keep your platform, operating system, and graphics drivers up to date.
Check device specs
Component | Minimum | Recommended
RAM | 8GB | 16GB
Processor | 4–6 core (i5) | i7, i9, or M1
Storage | 250GB SSD | 250GB+ SSD
Switch from tick charts to time-based charts
Tick charts are resource-intensive. If you’re experiencing lag, switch to a larger timeframe chart.
Close background programs & refresh your browser
Close anything not needed while trading. Try refreshing your browser.
Section: Supported Browsers
− Recommended browser: Google Chrome. DuckDuckGo is not supported.
Note: Topstep does not offer courtesy adjustments for connectivity issues. Internet instability is outside Topstep’s control and responsibility.
💻 Login Issues
- Confirm your subscription is active. If your Trading Combine closed due to cancellation or past-due payment, you won’t be able to log in. Check your billing page.
- Check your credentials. Usernames and passwords are case-sensitive. Your TopstepX login credentials are emailed with each account purchase. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it.
- Type credentials manually. Auto-fill tools can cause login failures.
📱Trading on Mobile
Topstep recommends trading on a desktop or laptop for best stability. We’re unable to troubleshoot mobile-specific issues. If you do trade on mobile:
- Use stop-loss orders to protect against unexpected disconnections
- Use a hardwired connection over WiFi when possible
🚫 Why Are My Orders Being Rejected?
- Hit the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) — Account auto-liquidates; orders rejected for the rest of the trading day. The account will be ineligible or closed depending on account type.
- Trading outside permitted hours — Orders placed outside Topstep’s permitted trading hours are rejected.
After
Multiple charts running multiple indicators in fast markets can cause lag or freezing. Reduce active charts and indicators if you notice performance issues.
Update and restart
Restart your device regularly. Keep your platform, operating system, and graphics drivers up to date.
Check device specs
Component | Minimum | Recommended
RAM | 8GB | 16GB
Processor | 4–6 core (i5) | i7, i9, or M1
Storage | 250GB SSD | 250GB+ SSD
Switch from tick charts to time-based charts
Tick charts are resource-intensive. If you’re experiencing lag, switch to a larger timeframe chart.
Close background programs & refresh your browser
Close anything not needed while trading. Try refreshing your browser.
Section: Supported Browsers
+ Supported Browsers
+ Desktop Browser | Fully supported
+ Chrome | 149 or newer
+ Edge | 149 or newer
+ Firefox | 152 or newer
+ Safari (on a Mac) | 17, 18, or 26
+ Mobile Browser | Fully supported
+ iPhone or iPad — any browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge) | iOS 17, 18, or 26
+ Chrome on Android | 149 or newer
+ 👉 Recommended browser: Google Chrome.
Note: Topstep does not offer courtesy adjustments for connectivity issues. Internet instability is outside Topstep’s control and responsibility.
💻 Login Issues
- Confirm your subscription is active. If your Trading Combine closed due to cancellation or past-due payment, you won’t be able to log in. Check your billing page.
- Check your credentials. Usernames and passwords are case-sensitive. Your TopstepX login credentials are emailed with each account purchase. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it.
- Type credentials manually. Auto-fill tools can cause login failures.
📱Trading on Mobile
Topstep recommends trading on a desktop or laptop for best stability. We’re unable to troubleshoot mobile-specific issues. If you do trade on mobile:
- Use stop-loss orders to protect against unexpected disconnections
- Use a hardwired connection over WiFi when possible
🚫 Why Are My Orders Being Rejected?
- Hit the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) — Account auto-liquidates; orders rejected for the rest of the trading day. The account will be ineligible or closed depending on account type.
- Trading outside permitted hours — Orders placed outside Topstep’s permitted trading hours are rejected.
Multiple charts running multiple indicators in fast markets can cause lag or freezing. Reduce active charts and indicators if you notice performance issues.
Update and restart
Restart your device regularly. Keep your platform, operating system, and graphics drivers up to date.
Check device specs
Component | Minimum | Recommended
RAM | 8GB | 16GB
Processor | 4–6 core (i5) | i7, i9, or M1
Storage | 250GB SSD | 250GB+ SSD
Switch from tick charts to time-based charts
Tick charts are resource-intensive. If you’re experiencing lag, switch to a larger timeframe chart.
Close background programs & refresh your browser
Close anything not needed while trading. Try refreshing your browser.
Section: Supported Browsers
− Recommended browser: Google Chrome. DuckDuckGo is not supported.
+ Supported Browsers
+ Desktop Browser | Fully supported
+ Chrome | 149 or newer
+ Edge | 149 or newer
+ Firefox | 152 or newer
+ Safari (on a Mac) | 17, 18, or 26
+ Mobile Browser | Fully supported
+ iPhone or iPad — any browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge) | iOS 17, 18, or 26
+ Chrome on Android | 149 or newer
+ 👉 Recommended browser: Google Chrome.
Note: Topstep does not offer courtesy adjustments for connectivity issues. Internet instability is outside Topstep’s control and responsibility.
💻 Login Issues
- Confirm your subscription is active. If your Trading Combine closed due to cancellation or past-due payment, you won’t be able to log in. Check your billing page.
- Check your credentials. Usernames and passwords are case-sensitive. Your TopstepX login credentials are emailed with each account purchase. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it.
- Type credentials manually. Auto-fill tools can cause login failures.
📱Trading on Mobile
Topstep recommends trading on a desktop or laptop for best stability. We’re unable to troubleshoot mobile-specific issues. If you do trade on mobile:
- Use stop-loss orders to protect against unexpected disconnections
- Use a hardwired connection over WiFi when possible
🚫 Why Are My Orders Being Rejected?
- Hit the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) — Account auto-liquidates; orders rejected for the rest of the trading day. The account will be ineligible or closed depending on account type.
- Trading outside permitted hours — Orders placed outside Topstep’s permitted trading hours are rejected.
PremierTopstep · Economic Releases | Topstep Help CenterWording only.Sep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Topstep doesn't require you to flatten positions during economic releases — in SIM or Funded Accounts. But we highly recommend using caution or stepping aside when a release is coming up that affects your product.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
A few things to know:
- Trades impacted by economic releases are not eligible for exceptions or Reset credits
- Results are your responsibility — full stop
Section: Trading During the News
− - To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely
⚠️ You own the outcome. Trade accordingly.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Section: FAQs
− Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
After
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Topstep doesn't require you to flatten positions during economic releases — in SIM or Funded Accounts. But we highly recommend using caution or stepping aside when a release is coming up that affects your product.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
A few things to know:
- Trades impacted by economic releases are not eligible for exceptions or Reset credits
- Results are your responsibility — full stop
Section: Trading During the News
+ - To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely.
⚠️ You own the outcome. Trade accordingly.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Section: FAQs
+ Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
FOMC Statement | 1:00 PM | All products
Crude Oil Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM / 10:00 AM* | CL, QM, MCL, RB
Natural Gas Inventories (EIA) | 9:30 AM | NG, QG
Crop Production | 11:00 AM | ZC, ZS, ZW, ZM, ZL
*Pending abbreviated trading hours. Times are subject to change — Traders are responsible for knowing what releases are scheduled and when.
**Micro contracts also apply.
Trading During the News
Topstep doesn't require you to flatten positions during economic releases — in SIM or Funded Accounts. But we highly recommend using caution or stepping aside when a release is coming up that affects your product.
Slippage is common during these events. Orders can execute at a worse price than expected. That's not a bug — that's the market.
A few things to know:
- Trades impacted by economic releases are not eligible for exceptions or Reset credits
- Results are your responsibility — full stop
Section: Trading During the News
− - To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely
+ - To reduce slippage risk: cut your position size, use limit orders, or avoid trading the event entirely.
⚠️ You own the outcome. Trade accordingly.
FAQs
What causes slippage during economic releases?
Rapid price movement and low liquidity make it hard to fill orders at your expected price. The bigger the release, the more pronounced the slippage risk.
How can I minimize slippage?
Section: FAQs
− Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade.
+ Monitor economic calendars so you know what's coming. Reduce position sizes during volatile events. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Or sit it out — sometimes that's the best trade. Check out the Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility article to learn more.
Does Topstep adjust accounts for slippage losses?
No. Slippage is a normal market condition. Topstep doesn't make account adjustments for losses attributable to it.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterConsistency Target increased from 50% to 55% across two account tiers.Sep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
− Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $250,000
Profit Target | $15,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing End of Day
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
− Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Funded Activation Fee | Free!
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Standard
Payout Cap | $25,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro
Scaling Plan
Balance | Lots
After
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
+ Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $250,000
Profit Target | $15,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing End of Day
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
+ Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Funded Activation Fee | Free!
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Standard
Payout Cap | $25,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro
Scaling Plan
Balance | Lots
#001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
#002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
#003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
#004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
− Consistency Target | 50%
+ Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $250,000
Profit Target | $15,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing End of Day
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
− Consistency Target | 50%
+ Consistency Target | 55%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Funded Activation Fee | Free!
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Standard
Payout Cap | $25,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro
Scaling Plan
Balance | Lots
PremierTopstep · Consistency at Topstep | Topstep Help CenterConsistency Target increased from 50% to 55% for Trading Combine; Best Day Recommendations and calculation examples updated accordingly; buffer removed and stated as hard limit.Sep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Consistency rules exist because big spike days don't build funded traders. Sustainable habits do. Here's how the Consistency rules work in the Trading Combine® and the Express Funded Account®.
Section: Trading Combine — Consistency Target (55%)
− Trading Combine — Consistency Target (50%)
− Your single best day of profit must stay at or below 50% of your Profit Target. If it exceeds that, your Profit Target increases. You'll need to earn more to pass.
Formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
− $50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,500
− $100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,000
− $150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,500
− Example: $1,200 best day ÷ $2,800 total profit = 43% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
− There's a small backend buffer for market fluctuations — you don't need to hit numbers to the penny. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 50% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
− Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,500 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,500.
− To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
− Example: $1,500 best day ÷ 0.50 = $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,500. If your next day earns $2,000, your best day becomes $2,000 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
− Example: Your best day is $1,800 (set today, session still open). Your adjusted Profit Target is $3,600. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work — every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
Section: What happened to the buffer?
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
If your Consistency % exceeds 40%, keep trading. As you earn more net profit, the percentage will naturally come down.
👉 Your dashboard updates in real time and shows your Consistency %, total net profit, largest single-day profit, and Payout eligibility status.
Does Consistency reset after a Payout?
Yes. After a Payout is requested, your consistency calculation resets to $0 and applies only to profits earned in the new window. All eligibility requirements must be met again.
After
Consistency rules exist because big spike days don't build funded traders. Sustainable habits do. Here's how the Consistency rules work in the Trading Combine® and the Express Funded Account®.
Section: Trading Combine — Consistency Target (55%)
+ Trading Combine — Consistency Target (55%)
+ Your single best day of profit must stay at or below 55% of your Profit Target. If it exceeds that, your Profit Target increases. You'll need to earn more to pass.
Formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
+ $50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
+ $100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
+ $150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
+ Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
+ 55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
+ Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,650 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,650.
+ To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.55 = Total Profit Needed.
+ Example: On a $50K account, a $1,650 best day ÷ 0.55 = a $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,650. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,000. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
Section: What happened to the buffer?
+ What happened to the buffer?
+ There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
If your Consistency % exceeds 40%, keep trading. As you earn more net profit, the percentage will naturally come down.
👉 Your dashboard updates in real time and shows your Consistency %, total net profit, largest single-day profit, and Payout eligibility status.
Does Consistency reset after a Payout?
Yes. After a Payout is requested, your consistency calculation resets to $0 and applies only to profits earned in the new window. All eligibility requirements must be met again.
Consistency rules exist because big spike days don't build funded traders. Sustainable habits do. Here's how the Consistency rules work in the Trading Combine® and the Express Funded Account®.
Section: Trading Combine — Consistency Target (55%)
− Trading Combine — Consistency Target (50%)
− Your single best day of profit must stay at or below 50% of your Profit Target. If it exceeds that, your Profit Target increases. You'll need to earn more to pass.
+ Trading Combine — Consistency Target (55%)
+ Your single best day of profit must stay at or below 55% of your Profit Target. If it exceeds that, your Profit Target increases. You'll need to earn more to pass.
Formula: Best Day Profit ÷ Total Profit = Best Day %
Best Day Recommendations (stay below these to avoid a Profit Target increase):
Account Size | Profit Target | Best Day Recommendation
− $50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,500
− $100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,000
− $150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,500
− Example: $1,200 best day ÷ $2,800 total profit = 43% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
− There's a small backend buffer for market fluctuations — you don't need to hit numbers to the penny. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 50% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
+ $50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,650
+ $100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,300
+ $150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,950
+ Example: $50K account: $1,600 best day ÷ $3,000 total profit = 53% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
+ 55% is a hard line. It is not rounded, and there is no buffer. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 55% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Section: What happens if I have a losing day?
− Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,500 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,500.
− To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
− Example: $1,500 best day ÷ 0.50 = $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,500. If your next day earns $2,000, your best day becomes $2,000 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
+ Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,650 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,650.
+ To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.55 = Total Profit Needed.
+ Example: On a $50K account, a $1,650 best day ÷ 0.55 = a $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,650. If your next day earns $2,200, your best day becomes $2,200 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
− Example: Your best day is $1,800 (set today, session still open). Your adjusted Profit Target is $3,600. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work — every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
+ Example: You're in a $50K Trading Combine with a $3,000 Profit Target. Your best day is $2,200 (set today, session still open), so your adjusted Profit Target is $4,000. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work. Every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
Section: What happened to the buffer?
+ What happened to the buffer?
+ There is no buffer. 55% is the hard limit. The old buffer was quiet padding on top of a 50% target. Now the number you see is the number that counts, so there's nothing hidden to account for.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
If your Consistency % exceeds 40%, keep trading. As you earn more net profit, the percentage will naturally come down.
👉 Your dashboard updates in real time and shows your Consistency %, total net profit, largest single-day profit, and Payout eligibility status.
Does Consistency reset after a Payout?
Yes. After a Payout is requested, your consistency calculation resets to $0 and applies only to profits earned in the new window. All eligibility requirements must be met again.
PremierTopstep · Trading Combine® Parameters | Topstep Help CenterConsistency Target threshold increased from 50% to 55% of Profit Target in two locations.Sep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Trading Combine® is how you prove your trading ability without risking your own capital. It's a simulated account with one rule and two objectives. Meet them, and you've earned your Express Funded Account®.
Rule
- Do not let your account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Objectives
- Reach and maintain your Profit Target
Section: Objectives
− - Meet the Consistency Target — your best single day should stay below 50% of your Profit Target to avoid increasing your Consistency Target.
Maximum Position Size
The maximum number of contracts you can hold open at one time, per account. Micros and minis count at a 10:1 ratio.
Account Size | Max Contracts | Max Micros
$50K | 5 | 50
$100K | 10 | 100
$150K | 15 | 150
Hint: You're never required to trade the maximum. Fewer contracts is always allowed.
⚠️ Please note: The Micro to Mini ratio functionality is available for the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account. It is not currently available for the Live Funded Account.
FAQs
Can I have more than one Trading Combine?
Yes. There's no limit to the number of Trading Combines you can have.
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
- All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
- Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
- If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
- To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
Section: Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
− No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 50% of your Profit Target.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
The account will close, and the subscription will be canceled. You'll get an email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
- Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
- Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
- Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Prohibited Trading Strategies before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
After
The Trading Combine® is how you prove your trading ability without risking your own capital. It's a simulated account with one rule and two objectives. Meet them, and you've earned your Express Funded Account®.
Rule
- Do not let your account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Objectives
- Reach and maintain your Profit Target
Section: Objectives
+ - Meet the Consistency Target — your best single day should stay below 55% of your Profit Target to avoid increasing your Consistency Target.
Maximum Position Size
The maximum number of contracts you can hold open at one time, per account. Micros and minis count at a 10:1 ratio.
Account Size | Max Contracts | Max Micros
$50K | 5 | 50
$100K | 10 | 100
$150K | 15 | 150
Hint: You're never required to trade the maximum. Fewer contracts is always allowed.
⚠️ Please note: The Micro to Mini ratio functionality is available for the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account. It is not currently available for the Live Funded Account.
FAQs
Can I have more than one Trading Combine?
Yes. There's no limit to the number of Trading Combines you can have.
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
- All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
- Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
- If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
- To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
Section: Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
+ No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 55% of your Profit Target.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
The account will close, and the subscription will be canceled. You'll get an email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
- Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
- Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
- Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Prohibited Trading Strategies before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
The Trading Combine® is how you prove your trading ability without risking your own capital. It's a simulated account with one rule and two objectives. Meet them, and you've earned your Express Funded Account®.
Rule
- Do not let your account balance hit or go below the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Objectives
- Reach and maintain your Profit Target
Section: Objectives
− - Meet the Consistency Target — your best single day should stay below 50% of your Profit Target to avoid increasing your Consistency Target.
+ - Meet the Consistency Target — your best single day should stay below 55% of your Profit Target to avoid increasing your Consistency Target.
Maximum Position Size
The maximum number of contracts you can hold open at one time, per account. Micros and minis count at a 10:1 ratio.
Account Size | Max Contracts | Max Micros
$50K | 5 | 50
$100K | 10 | 100
$150K | 15 | 150
Hint: You're never required to trade the maximum. Fewer contracts is always allowed.
⚠️ Please note: The Micro to Mini ratio functionality is available for the Trading Combine and Express Funded Account. It is not currently available for the Live Funded Account.
FAQs
Can I have more than one Trading Combine?
Yes. There's no limit to the number of Trading Combines you can have.
If you have multiple accounts, double-check which one you're trading on before you start. Topstep isn't responsible for trades made on the wrong account.
⚠️ Single Profile Policy:
- All Trading Combines, Express Funded Accounts, and Live Funded Accounts must be under 1 Topstep profile.
- Multiple profiles are a Terms of Use violation and can result in account closure or suspension.
- If you've accidentally created a second profile, contact Trader Support.
- To update your name or email, follow these steps instead.
Do I need to purchase a data subscription?
No. Level 1 (Top of Book) live data is included in your Topstep membership at no extra cost. Level 2 (Depth of Market) is available as an upgrade for DOM or Ladder traders. See Level 1 and Level 2 Market Data for details.
Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
Section: Can I pass the Trading Combine in one day?
− No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 50% of your Profit Target.
+ No. Big spike days don't build funded traders, consistency does. You can pass in as few as two days, but keep your best day below 55% of your Profit Target.
What happens after I pass?
What happens after I pass?
The account will close, and the subscription will be canceled. You'll get an email and can activate your Express Funded Account® directly from your dashboard. See step-by-step activation instructions here.
Please note: The status update can take up to 30 minutes. If it still shows Active after 30 minutes, verify your Consistency Target has been met.
👉 A few things to keep in mind:
- Passed on a Friday? You can pay the Activation Fee immediately, but your XFA won't be available to trade until markets reopen at 5 PM CT Sunday.
- Trading day hours: The trading day runs from 5:00 PM CT through 3:10 PM CT the next calendar day. Trades placed after 5:00 PM CT (e.g., 6:30 PM CT Tuesday) count toward Wednesday's activity.
- Profits don't transfer. Money made in the Trading Combine does not carry over to your Express Funded Account.
Can I change my account size?
No. Account sizes can't be changed after purchase. If your purchase was made within the last 28 days and your account has had no trading activity, contact Trader Support to review your account for a refund so you can purchase the correct size. After 28 days or if any trading has occurred, refunds are not available.
Can I use automated trading strategies?
Yes, with conditions. Topstep won't help set up or troubleshoot automated strategies, and no exceptions are made for errant trades or malfunctions. Test on your Practice Account first and review Prohibited Conduct and Prohibited Trading Strategies before going live. You can also use a trade copier to duplicate trades across multiple accounts. See What is a Trade Copier?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Program Overview | Topstep Help CenterConsistency Target threshold for best trading day increased from 50% to 55% of total profits.Sep 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The goal is Live. The Trading Combine® earns you entry. The Express Funded Account is where you take Payouts and build the track record to get to the Live Funded Account. 3 stages, 1 destination — protect your account at every step.
Trading Combine®
The Trading Combine® evaluates your skills, discipline, and habits before you’re funded. It requires a monthly subscription.
Objectives:
- Reach and maintain the Profit Target
Section: Trading Combine®
− - Consistency Target: best trading day must stay below 50% of total profits
Rule:
- Do not let your Account Balance hit or exceed the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Express Funded Account™ — Standard
Earn this by passing the Trading Combine®. No monthly subscription required.
Objectives:
- 5 Winning Days of $150 or more (non-consecutive) to request a Payout
- Net profit greater than $0 since your last Payout
- Follow the Scaling Plan
Rule:
- Do not let your Account Balance hit or exceed the Maximum Loss Limit
Express Funded Account™ — Consistency
An alternative XFA path with a different Payout structure. No monthly subscription required.
After
The goal is Live. The Trading Combine® earns you entry. The Express Funded Account is where you take Payouts and build the track record to get to the Live Funded Account. 3 stages, 1 destination — protect your account at every step.
Trading Combine®
The Trading Combine® evaluates your skills, discipline, and habits before you’re funded. It requires a monthly subscription.
Objectives:
- Reach and maintain the Profit Target
Section: Trading Combine®
+ - Consistency Target: best trading day must stay below 55% of total profits
Rule:
- Do not let your Account Balance hit or exceed the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Express Funded Account™ — Standard
Earn this by passing the Trading Combine®. No monthly subscription required.
Objectives:
- 5 Winning Days of $150 or more (non-consecutive) to request a Payout
- Net profit greater than $0 since your last Payout
- Follow the Scaling Plan
Rule:
- Do not let your Account Balance hit or exceed the Maximum Loss Limit
Express Funded Account™ — Consistency
An alternative XFA path with a different Payout structure. No monthly subscription required.
The goal is Live. The Trading Combine® earns you entry. The Express Funded Account is where you take Payouts and build the track record to get to the Live Funded Account. 3 stages, 1 destination — protect your account at every step.
Trading Combine®
The Trading Combine® evaluates your skills, discipline, and habits before you’re funded. It requires a monthly subscription.
Objectives:
- Reach and maintain the Profit Target
Section: Trading Combine®
− - Consistency Target: best trading day must stay below 50% of total profits
+ - Consistency Target: best trading day must stay below 55% of total profits
Rule:
- Do not let your Account Balance hit or exceed the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL)
Express Funded Account™ — Standard
Earn this by passing the Trading Combine®. No monthly subscription required.
Objectives:
- 5 Winning Days of $150 or more (non-consecutive) to request a Payout
- Net profit greater than $0 since your last Payout
- Follow the Scaling Plan
Rule:
- Do not let your Account Balance hit or exceed the Maximum Loss Limit
Express Funded Account™ — Consistency
An alternative XFA path with a different Payout structure. No monthly subscription required.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterRemoved micro contract opening limits by account size; clarified metals position handling and added automatic enforcement detail. TIER: notableSep 9
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
After
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
+ - Existing Positions: Traders holding existing positions in Metals (GC, SI, HG, PL) prior to 7:25 AM CT may keep them open and manage them through the CPI window. TopstepX™ automatically enforces these limits, so no manual adjustment is required for existing trades.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterPurchase Limit row clarified to explain five-Challenge limit in Payout Round applies separately from XFA limit, with no limit in Challenge Round.Sep 8
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
Section: $3K Challenge Parameters
*See more information regarding contract limits here.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
After
Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
Section: $3K Challenge Parameters
+ You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
*See more information regarding contract limits here.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
Section: $3K Challenge Parameters
+ You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
*See more information regarding contract limits here.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
PremierTopstep · Am I Eligible to Trade with Topstep? | Topstep Help CenterEligibility requirement changed from residency to permanent residency.Sep 4
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Overview
Section: Overview
− Eligibility is based on both citizenship and residency. OFAC sanctions and partner restrictions apply. Some countries can access Express Funded Accounts® (XFA) but not Live Funded Accounts® (LFA).
Requirements
- No US citizenship required
- Minimum age: 18
- Citizens or residents of OFAC-sanctioned or partner-restricted countries are not eligible to trade, earn funding, or receive payouts
Countries Eligible for an XFA — Not LFA
These Traders can join Topstep, trade and pass the Trading Combine, earn Express Funded Accounts, and take up to $200,000 in total payouts. No Live Funded Account access:
A–E | F–K | L–O | P–Z
Albania | Germany | Laos | Papua New Guinea
Bolivia | Ghana | Liberia | Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Hong Kong | Macedonia | Trinidad and Tobago
British Virgin Islands | Iceland | Monaco | Vietnam
Cameroon | Kuwait | Mongolia | Zimbabwe
After
Overview
Section: Overview
+ Eligibility is based on both citizenship and permanent residency. OFAC sanctions and partner restrictions apply. Some countries can access Express Funded Accounts® (XFA) but not Live Funded Accounts® (LFA).
Requirements
- No US citizenship required
- Minimum age: 18
- Citizens or residents of OFAC-sanctioned or partner-restricted countries are not eligible to trade, earn funding, or receive payouts
Countries Eligible for an XFA — Not LFA
These Traders can join Topstep, trade and pass the Trading Combine, earn Express Funded Accounts, and take up to $200,000 in total payouts. No Live Funded Account access:
A–E | F–K | L–O | P–Z
Albania | Germany | Laos | Papua New Guinea
Bolivia | Ghana | Liberia | Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Hong Kong | Macedonia | Trinidad and Tobago
British Virgin Islands | Iceland | Monaco | Vietnam
Cameroon | Kuwait | Mongolia | Zimbabwe
Overview
Section: Overview
− Eligibility is based on both citizenship and residency. OFAC sanctions and partner restrictions apply. Some countries can access Express Funded Accounts® (XFA) but not Live Funded Accounts® (LFA).
+ Eligibility is based on both citizenship and permanent residency. OFAC sanctions and partner restrictions apply. Some countries can access Express Funded Accounts® (XFA) but not Live Funded Accounts® (LFA).
Requirements
- No US citizenship required
- Minimum age: 18
- Citizens or residents of OFAC-sanctioned or partner-restricted countries are not eligible to trade, earn funding, or receive payouts
Countries Eligible for an XFA — Not LFA
These Traders can join Topstep, trade and pass the Trading Combine, earn Express Funded Accounts, and take up to $200,000 in total payouts. No Live Funded Account access:
A–E | F–K | L–O | P–Z
Albania | Germany | Laos | Papua New Guinea
Bolivia | Ghana | Liberia | Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Hong Kong | Macedonia | Trinidad and Tobago
British Virgin Islands | Iceland | Monaco | Vietnam
Cameroon | Kuwait | Mongolia | Zimbabwe
PremierTopstep · Trading Combine Subscriptions | Topstep Help CenterAdded instruction to update subscription with new card in Billing tab if card is added due to failed renewal payment.Sep 4
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
What does the Trading Combine cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Information →
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit or debit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
👉 Must be in your own name — using someone else's card violates Topstep's Terms of Use.
Important: Prepaid cards and gift cards (including Cash App and Venmo) may not work.
How do I cancel?
Billing page → click "X" next to the subscription → confirm.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
Section: What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
− If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled.
During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
What happens to my subscription after I pass?
The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
After
What does the Trading Combine cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Information →
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit or debit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
👉 Must be in your own name — using someone else's card violates Topstep's Terms of Use.
Important: Prepaid cards and gift cards (including Cash App and Venmo) may not work.
How do I cancel?
Billing page → click "X" next to the subscription → confirm.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
Section: What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
+ If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled. If you add a new card due to a failed renewal, please remember to update the affected subscription with your new card under the Subscriptions section of your Billing tab.
During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
What happens to my subscription after I pass?
The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
What does the Trading Combine cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Information →
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit or debit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
👉 Must be in your own name — using someone else's card violates Topstep's Terms of Use.
Important: Prepaid cards and gift cards (including Cash App and Venmo) may not work.
How do I cancel?
Billing page → click "X" next to the subscription → confirm.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
Section: What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
− If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled.
+ If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled. If you add a new card due to a failed renewal, please remember to update the affected subscription with your new card under the Subscriptions section of your Billing tab.
During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
What happens to my subscription after I pass?
The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterCPI release restrictions now include metals (GC, SI, HG, PL for minis; MGC, SIL, MHG for micros) in the trading window blackout.Sep 3
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
− - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
− - Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
After
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
+ - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
+ - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MHG, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
- In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
- In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
− - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
− - Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
+ - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD, GC, SI, HG, PL): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
+ - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MGC, SIL, MHG): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - Non-equity or metal products (energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
- Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterMax Contracts field added asterisk with footnote; restricted products FAQ moved; Purchase Limit removed from table.Sep 3
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
$1.5K Challenge Parameters
Make $1,500. Do it again. Keep $1,500. $39, one time. The $1.5K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $1,500 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
The $1,500 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $1,500.
$1.5K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
Starting Balance | $0 | $0
Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Section: $1.5K Challenge Parameters
− Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis) | 2 micro (no minis)
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
$1.5K Challenge
How much does it cost?
$39, one time. No Rebills, no Resets.
Can I buy more than one?
Yes, you can purchase up to 5 $1.5K Challenges per Trader. Once you reach that limit, you cannot buy additional $1.5K Challenges, even if some of your accounts have closed.
Section: Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
− Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
− Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
After
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
$1.5K Challenge Parameters
Make $1,500. Do it again. Keep $1,500. $39, one time. The $1.5K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $1,500 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
The $1,500 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $1,500.
$1.5K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
Starting Balance | $0 | $0
Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Section: $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
+ *See more information regarding contract limits here.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
$1.5K Challenge
How much does it cost?
$39, one time. No Rebills, no Resets.
Can I buy more than one?
Yes, you can purchase up to 5 $1.5K Challenges per Trader. Once you reach that limit, you cannot buy additional $1.5K Challenges, even if some of your accounts have closed.
Section: Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
$1.5K Challenge Parameters
Make $1,500. Do it again. Keep $1,500. $39, one time. The $1.5K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $1,500 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
The $1,500 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $1,500.
$1.5K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
Starting Balance | $0 | $0
Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Section: $1.5K Challenge Parameters
− Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis) | 2 micro (no minis)
+ Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis)* | 2 micro (no minis)*
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
+ *See more information regarding contract limits here.
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
$1.5K Challenge
How much does it cost?
$39, one time. No Rebills, no Resets.
Can I buy more than one?
Yes, you can purchase up to 5 $1.5K Challenges per Trader. Once you reach that limit, you cannot buy additional $1.5K Challenges, even if some of your accounts have closed.
Section: Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
− Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
− Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Payout Policy | Topstep Help CenterMaximum withdrawal request increased from $5,000 to $6,000, and clarification added regarding Legacy dashboard payouts not counting toward the $10K profit threshold.Sep 3
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Topstep's Payout policy is one of the best in the game — and it's built for Traders who put in the work. Stack 30 winning days in your Live Funded Account® and you unlock daily access to up to 100% of your profits. Put in the reps. The Payouts follow.
The Basics
- Request Payouts in the Express Funded Account (XFA) and Live Funded Account (LFA) via your Topstep Dashboard
- Available during CME market hours: Sunday 5 PM CT – Friday 5 PM CT (excluding holidays)
- Minimum Payout: $125
- 90/10 profit split — you keep 90%
2 paths. 1 goal. Express Funded Account® Standard. Express Funded Account® Consistency. Pick your lane.
Standard Path | Consistency Path
5 winning days of $150+ | 3 days with 40% consistency target
Request 50% of the account balance up to $5000* | Request 50% of the account balance up to $6,000*
90/10 split | 90/10 split
Section: The Basics
− ⚠️ Note for traders who joined the new Topstep dashboard before January 12, 2026: You receive 100% of your first $10,000 in lifetime profits. After that, the 90/10 split applies.
Payout caps by account size
Max Payout per request: 50% of your account balance up to the cap below.
Account Size | XFA Standard | XFA Consistency
$50K | $2,000 | $3,000
$100K | $3,000 | $4,000
$150K | $5,000 | $6,000
👉 Payout caps apply to XFA accounts only. Live Funded Account Payouts are not capped. Another reason Live is the goal — no ceiling, no clock, no limit on the upside.
Remember: The XFA isn't where you run up stats. Take your Payouts, stay consistent, and position yourself for Live — where there are no caps and no ceiling on what you can earn.
⏰ Limited Time Offering: Add a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) at checkout in the Trading Combine, and increase your Payout Cap once you pass and activate an Express Funded Account. Available starting at 3:30 PM CT on Tuesday, June 2nd.
Traders who voluntarily add a Daily Loss Limit to their account unlock double per-request payout caps. No DLL added = current caps remain unchanged.
Account | Path | Current Cap | With DLL (new)
$50K | Standard | $2,000 | $4,000
After
Topstep's Payout policy is one of the best in the game — and it's built for Traders who put in the work. Stack 30 winning days in your Live Funded Account® and you unlock daily access to up to 100% of your profits. Put in the reps. The Payouts follow.
The Basics
- Request Payouts in the Express Funded Account (XFA) and Live Funded Account (LFA) via your Topstep Dashboard
- Available during CME market hours: Sunday 5 PM CT – Friday 5 PM CT (excluding holidays)
- Minimum Payout: $125
- 90/10 profit split — you keep 90%
2 paths. 1 goal. Express Funded Account® Standard. Express Funded Account® Consistency. Pick your lane.
Standard Path | Consistency Path
5 winning days of $150+ | 3 days with 40% consistency target
Request 50% of the account balance up to $5000* | Request 50% of the account balance up to $6,000*
90/10 split | 90/10 split
Section: The Basics
+ ⚠️ Note for traders who joined the new Topstep dashboard before January 12, 2026: You receive 100% of your first $10,000 in lifetime profits. After that, the 90/10 split applies. Payouts from the Legacy dashboard do not contribute to the first $10K.
Payout caps by account size
Max Payout per request: 50% of your account balance up to the cap below.
Account Size | XFA Standard | XFA Consistency
$50K | $2,000 | $3,000
$100K | $3,000 | $4,000
$150K | $5,000 | $6,000
👉 Payout caps apply to XFA accounts only. Live Funded Account Payouts are not capped. Another reason Live is the goal — no ceiling, no clock, no limit on the upside.
Remember: The XFA isn't where you run up stats. Take your Payouts, stay consistent, and position yourself for Live — where there are no caps and no ceiling on what you can earn.
⏰ Limited Time Offering: Add a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) at checkout in the Trading Combine, and increase your Payout Cap once you pass and activate an Express Funded Account. Available starting at 3:30 PM CT on Tuesday, June 2nd.
Traders who voluntarily add a Daily Loss Limit to their account unlock double per-request payout caps. No DLL added = current caps remain unchanged.
Account | Path | Current Cap | With DLL (new)
$50K | Standard | $2,000 | $4,000
Topstep's Payout policy is one of the best in the game — and it's built for Traders who put in the work. Stack 30 winning days in your Live Funded Account® and you unlock daily access to up to 100% of your profits. Put in the reps. The Payouts follow.
The Basics
- Request Payouts in the Express Funded Account (XFA) and Live Funded Account (LFA) via your Topstep Dashboard
- Available during CME market hours: Sunday 5 PM CT – Friday 5 PM CT (excluding holidays)
- Minimum Payout: $125
- 90/10 profit split — you keep 90%
2 paths. 1 goal. Express Funded Account® Standard. Express Funded Account® Consistency. Pick your lane.
Standard Path | Consistency Path
5 winning days of $150+ | 3 days with 40% consistency target
Request 50% of the account balance up to $5000* | Request 50% of the account balance up to $6,000*
90/10 split | 90/10 split
Section: The Basics
− ⚠️ Note for traders who joined the new Topstep dashboard before January 12, 2026: You receive 100% of your first $10,000 in lifetime profits. After that, the 90/10 split applies.
+ ⚠️ Note for traders who joined the new Topstep dashboard before January 12, 2026: You receive 100% of your first $10,000 in lifetime profits. After that, the 90/10 split applies. Payouts from the Legacy dashboard do not contribute to the first $10K.
Payout caps by account size
Max Payout per request: 50% of your account balance up to the cap below.
Account Size | XFA Standard | XFA Consistency
$50K | $2,000 | $3,000
$100K | $3,000 | $4,000
$150K | $5,000 | $6,000
👉 Payout caps apply to XFA accounts only. Live Funded Account Payouts are not capped. Another reason Live is the goal — no ceiling, no clock, no limit on the upside.
Remember: The XFA isn't where you run up stats. Take your Payouts, stay consistent, and position yourself for Live — where there are no caps and no ceiling on what you can earn.
⏰ Limited Time Offering: Add a Daily Loss Limit (DLL) at checkout in the Trading Combine, and increase your Payout Cap once you pass and activate an Express Funded Account. Available starting at 3:30 PM CT on Tuesday, June 2nd.
Traders who voluntarily add a Daily Loss Limit to their account unlock double per-request payout caps. No DLL added = current caps remain unchanged.
Account | Path | Current Cap | With DLL (new)
$50K | Standard | $2,000 | $4,000
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterMicro Gold (MGC) contract limits changed from 30/60/90 to 5/10/15; new $1.5K Challenge restrictions added; wording changed from "For" to "In" for three challenges.Sep 2
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
Section: Current Restrictions
− - For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
− - For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
− - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
After
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
+ - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
+ - In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
Section: Current Restrictions
− - For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
− - For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
− - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
+ - In the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
+ - In the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
+ - In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterWording only.Sep 2
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Prevents new entries | Yes | Yes
Manage existing trades | Yes | No
The Tilt™
The Tilt™
The Tilt is Topstep's proprietary real-time sentiment indicator showing the long/short positioning of all Funded Traders on TopstepX. It gives you a visual breakdown of buy and sell interest for ES, NQ, CL, and GC — updated every 10 seconds using Express Funded Account data.
How to Access
The Tilt is enabled by default in the bottom panel. If you don't see it, click the "+" icon in the top-right corner and select The Tilt. If it's still missing, use Reset Layout to restore defaults — note this may remove any custom layouts you've saved.
Best Practices
- Use alongside technical analysis and risk management — not as a replacement
- Reflects Topstep funded trader positioning only, not the broader market
- Sentiment shifts quickly; always factor in current market context like news and volatility
Confirm Account Switching
Section: Confirm Account Switching
Ensure you’re trading the right account be turning on Confirm Account Switching.
Settings —> Charts & Data —> Confirm Account Switching
Distance to MLL
Distance to MLL
Swap your header display from your Maximum Loss Limit balance to your distance from it — how much room you have left before you hit it.
Setup: Settings → Misc → toggle Distance to MLL.
General Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing latency or slow performance:
- Lower your Data Speed (Slow or Medium Recommended)
- Remove indicators and add them back one at a time
- Reduce the number of active indicators
- If you’re on mobile, try using another device such as a laptop or desktop
After
Prevents new entries | Yes | Yes
Manage existing trades | Yes | No
The Tilt™
The Tilt™
The Tilt is Topstep's proprietary real-time sentiment indicator showing the long/short positioning of all Funded Traders on TopstepX. It gives you a visual breakdown of buy and sell interest for ES, NQ, CL, and GC — updated every 10 seconds using Express Funded Account data.
How to Access
The Tilt is enabled by default in the bottom panel. If you don't see it, click the "+" icon in the top-right corner and select The Tilt. If it's still missing, use Reset Layout to restore defaults — note this may remove any custom layouts you've saved.
Best Practices
- Use alongside technical analysis and risk management — not as a replacement
- Reflects Topstep funded trader positioning only, not the broader market
- Sentiment shifts quickly; always factor in current market context like news and volatility
Confirm Account Switching
Section: Confirm Account Switching
+ Confirm Account Switching
Ensure you’re trading the right account be turning on Confirm Account Switching.
Settings —> Charts & Data —> Confirm Account Switching
Distance to MLL
Distance to MLL
Swap your header display from your Maximum Loss Limit balance to your distance from it — how much room you have left before you hit it.
Setup: Settings → Misc → toggle Distance to MLL.
General Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing latency or slow performance:
- Lower your Data Speed (Slow or Medium Recommended)
- Remove indicators and add them back one at a time
- Reduce the number of active indicators
- If you’re on mobile, try using another device such as a laptop or desktop
Prevents new entries | Yes | Yes
Manage existing trades | Yes | No
The Tilt™
The Tilt™
The Tilt is Topstep's proprietary real-time sentiment indicator showing the long/short positioning of all Funded Traders on TopstepX. It gives you a visual breakdown of buy and sell interest for ES, NQ, CL, and GC — updated every 10 seconds using Express Funded Account data.
How to Access
The Tilt is enabled by default in the bottom panel. If you don't see it, click the "+" icon in the top-right corner and select The Tilt. If it's still missing, use Reset Layout to restore defaults — note this may remove any custom layouts you've saved.
Best Practices
- Use alongside technical analysis and risk management — not as a replacement
- Reflects Topstep funded trader positioning only, not the broader market
- Sentiment shifts quickly; always factor in current market context like news and volatility
Confirm Account Switching
Section: Confirm Account Switching
+ Confirm Account Switching
Ensure you’re trading the right account be turning on Confirm Account Switching.
Settings —> Charts & Data —> Confirm Account Switching
Distance to MLL
Distance to MLL
Swap your header display from your Maximum Loss Limit balance to your distance from it — how much room you have left before you hit it.
Setup: Settings → Misc → toggle Distance to MLL.
General Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing latency or slow performance:
- Lower your Data Speed (Slow or Medium Recommended)
- Remove indicators and add them back one at a time
- Reduce the number of active indicators
- If you’re on mobile, try using another device such as a laptop or desktop
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterAdded $1.5K Challenge program launching September 2026, plus removed one line and reformatted table headers.Sep 2
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− Initiative | Launch Date
− #001 - $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
− #002 - $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
− #003 - $3K Challenge | August 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
− Accounts Available for Purchase | Quantities Limited
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
Section: $1.5K Challenge Parameters
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout round, even if you're in an Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
Section: $1.5K Challenge
After
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
+ #001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
+ #002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
+ #003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
+ #004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
Section: $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ Make $1,500. Do it again. Keep $1,500. $39, one time. The $1.5K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $1,500 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
+ The $1,500 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $1,500.
+ $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
+ Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis) | 2 micro (no minis)
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | — | Free
+ Path | — | Standard only
+ Scaling Plan | — | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout round, even if you're in an Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
Section: $1.5K Challenge
+ $1.5K Challenge
+ How much does it cost?
+ $39, one time. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ Can I buy more than one?
+ Yes, you can purchase up to 5 $1.5K Challenges per Trader. Once you reach that limit, you cannot buy additional $1.5K Challenges, even if some of your accounts have closed.
+ How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
+ Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
+ There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
+ What happens if I'm called up to Live?
+ You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
+ If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
+ If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
+ If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− Initiative | Launch Date
− #001 - $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
− #002 - $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
− #003 - $3K Challenge | August 2026
+ Labs Drop | Initiative | Launch Date
+ #001 | $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
+ #002 | $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
+ #003 | $3K Challenge | August 2026
+ #004 | $1.5K Challenge | September 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
− Accounts Available for Purchase | Quantities Limited
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
Activation Fee | — | Free
Path | — | Standard only
Scaling Plan | — | None
Resets | None | None
Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
Section: $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ Make $1,500. Do it again. Keep $1,500. $39, one time. The $1.5K Challenge is a 2-round challenge with no Consistency Target and no Daily Loss Limit — just a static drawdown and a target. Clear the Challenge Round, advance to the Payout Round. Passing the Payout Round earns a fixed $1,500 Payout. Paid once. Then the account closes out.
+ The $1,500 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $1,500.
+ $1.5K Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $1,500 | $1,500
+ Max Loss Limit | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $500 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 2 micro (no minis) | 2 micro (no minis)
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | — | Free
+ Path | — | Standard only
+ Scaling Plan | — | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $1,500, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
+ Purchase Limit | 5 per Trader | —
👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout round, even if you're in an Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
Section: $1.5K Challenge
+ $1.5K Challenge
+ How much does it cost?
+ $39, one time. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ Can I buy more than one?
+ Yes, you can purchase up to 5 $1.5K Challenges per Trader. Once you reach that limit, you cannot buy additional $1.5K Challenges, even if some of your accounts have closed.
+ How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a Payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $1,500 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is "passed". In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout Round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $1,500 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you'll see an option to request the $1,500 Payout in your dashboard. That's it!
+ Is there a Payout cap on the $1.5K Challenge account?
+ There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $1,500 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
+ What happens if I'm called up to Live?
+ You can't be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
+ If I'm already in an LFA, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout Round, even if you're in a Live Funded Account.
+ If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $1.5K Challenge?
+ If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $1.5K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ Are there restricted products for the $1.5K Challenge?
+ Yes. In the $1.5K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. MGC/MCL are limited to 1. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · Topstep® Refund Policies | Topstep Help CenterAdded requirement to provide account number, card digits, charge date, and screenshots when requesting refunds from support.Sep 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
− Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
After
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
+ Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
− Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support.
+ Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support. When contacting Trader Support for a refund, provide your Trading Combine or Express Funded Account Number, the last four digits of the charged card, the charge date, and any relevant screenshots or recordings.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
PremierTopstep · Topstep Holiday Trading Hours | Topstep Help CenterRemoved note that July 4, 2026 early close would be observed on Friday July 3.Sep 1
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
MLK Day | Mon Jan 19, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Jan 19
Presidents' Day | Mon Feb 16, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Feb 16
Good Friday | Fri Apr 3, 2026 | 08:00 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Apr 5
Memorial Day | Mon May 25, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon May 25
Juneteenth | Fri Jun 19, 2026 | SIM: 11:45 CT Fri Jun 19, 2026Live: 11:10 CT Fri Jun 19, 2026 | 17:00 CT Sun Jun 21
Independence Day | Fri Jul 3, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Jul 5
Labor Day | Mon Sep 7, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Sep 7
Thanksgiving | Thu Nov 26, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Thu Nov 26
Day After Thanksgiving | Fri Nov 27, 2026 | 12:00 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Nov 29
Christmas Eve | Thu Dec 24, 2026 | 12:00 CT | —
Christmas Day | Fri Dec 25, 2026 | Markets closed | 17:00 CT Sun Dec 27
New Year's Day | Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Markets closed | 17:00 CT Sun Jan 3
− *July 4 falls on Saturday; early close observed on Friday July 3.
👉 Please note: Payouts are not available during holiday hours.
CME Protocol
What Is the CME Holiday Protocol?
On certain holidays, the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) operates on a shortened trading schedule. Rather than treating each calendar day as a separate trading session, the CME may blend multiple calendar days into a single trading day — meaning all profits, losses, and drawdowns accumulated across that window are counted together as one session.
Example: If a holiday falls on a Monday with reduced trading hours, the CME may treat the period from Sunday's market open through Tuesday's market close as a single trading day.
How Does a Blended Trade Date Affect Your Daily Loss Limit (DLL)?
This is an important distinction that can directly impact your ability to trade. Your DLL applies to the entire blended session — not each calendar day within it. Here's what that means in practice:
- If you hit your DLL during the abbreviated holiday session (e.g., Monday), your account will be locked for the remainder of that blended trading day — which may extend into Tuesday's session.
- Even though Tuesday feels like a brand new day, the platform will still consider you to be within the same trade date until the blended session officially closes.
- You would not be able to resume trading until the blended session ends and a new trade date begins.
Bottom line: On a blended trade date, hitting your DLL earlier in the session can prevent you from trading further into what you may think of as the "next" calendar day.
What If My Platform Does NOT Follow the CME Protocol?
After
MLK Day | Mon Jan 19, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Jan 19
Presidents' Day | Mon Feb 16, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Feb 16
Good Friday | Fri Apr 3, 2026 | 08:00 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Apr 5
Memorial Day | Mon May 25, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon May 25
Juneteenth | Fri Jun 19, 2026 | SIM: 11:45 CT Fri Jun 19, 2026Live: 11:10 CT Fri Jun 19, 2026 | 17:00 CT Sun Jun 21
Independence Day | Fri Jul 3, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Jul 5
Labor Day | Mon Sep 7, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Sep 7
Thanksgiving | Thu Nov 26, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Thu Nov 26
Day After Thanksgiving | Fri Nov 27, 2026 | 12:00 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Nov 29
Christmas Eve | Thu Dec 24, 2026 | 12:00 CT | —
Christmas Day | Fri Dec 25, 2026 | Markets closed | 17:00 CT Sun Dec 27
New Year's Day | Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Markets closed | 17:00 CT Sun Jan 3
👉 Please note: Payouts are not available during holiday hours.
CME Protocol
What Is the CME Holiday Protocol?
On certain holidays, the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) operates on a shortened trading schedule. Rather than treating each calendar day as a separate trading session, the CME may blend multiple calendar days into a single trading day — meaning all profits, losses, and drawdowns accumulated across that window are counted together as one session.
Example: If a holiday falls on a Monday with reduced trading hours, the CME may treat the period from Sunday's market open through Tuesday's market close as a single trading day.
How Does a Blended Trade Date Affect Your Daily Loss Limit (DLL)?
This is an important distinction that can directly impact your ability to trade. Your DLL applies to the entire blended session — not each calendar day within it. Here's what that means in practice:
- If you hit your DLL during the abbreviated holiday session (e.g., Monday), your account will be locked for the remainder of that blended trading day — which may extend into Tuesday's session.
- Even though Tuesday feels like a brand new day, the platform will still consider you to be within the same trade date until the blended session officially closes.
- You would not be able to resume trading until the blended session ends and a new trade date begins.
Bottom line: On a blended trade date, hitting your DLL earlier in the session can prevent you from trading further into what you may think of as the "next" calendar day.
What If My Platform Does NOT Follow the CME Protocol?
MLK Day | Mon Jan 19, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Jan 19
Presidents' Day | Mon Feb 16, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Feb 16
Good Friday | Fri Apr 3, 2026 | 08:00 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Apr 5
Memorial Day | Mon May 25, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon May 25
Juneteenth | Fri Jun 19, 2026 | SIM: 11:45 CT Fri Jun 19, 2026Live: 11:10 CT Fri Jun 19, 2026 | 17:00 CT Sun Jun 21
Independence Day | Fri Jul 3, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Jul 5
Labor Day | Mon Sep 7, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Mon Sep 7
Thanksgiving | Thu Nov 26, 2026 | 11:45 CT | 17:00 CT Thu Nov 26
Day After Thanksgiving | Fri Nov 27, 2026 | 12:00 CT | 17:00 CT Sun Nov 29
Christmas Eve | Thu Dec 24, 2026 | 12:00 CT | —
Christmas Day | Fri Dec 25, 2026 | Markets closed | 17:00 CT Sun Dec 27
New Year's Day | Fri Jan 1, 2027 | Markets closed | 17:00 CT Sun Jan 3
− *July 4 falls on Saturday; early close observed on Friday July 3.
👉 Please note: Payouts are not available during holiday hours.
CME Protocol
What Is the CME Holiday Protocol?
On certain holidays, the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) operates on a shortened trading schedule. Rather than treating each calendar day as a separate trading session, the CME may blend multiple calendar days into a single trading day — meaning all profits, losses, and drawdowns accumulated across that window are counted together as one session.
Example: If a holiday falls on a Monday with reduced trading hours, the CME may treat the period from Sunday's market open through Tuesday's market close as a single trading day.
How Does a Blended Trade Date Affect Your Daily Loss Limit (DLL)?
This is an important distinction that can directly impact your ability to trade. Your DLL applies to the entire blended session — not each calendar day within it. Here's what that means in practice:
- If you hit your DLL during the abbreviated holiday session (e.g., Monday), your account will be locked for the remainder of that blended trading day — which may extend into Tuesday's session.
- Even though Tuesday feels like a brand new day, the platform will still consider you to be within the same trade date until the blended session officially closes.
- You would not be able to resume trading until the blended session ends and a new trade date begins.
Bottom line: On a blended trade date, hitting your DLL earlier in the session can prevent you from trading further into what you may think of as the "next" calendar day.
What If My Platform Does NOT Follow the CME Protocol?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterInitiative rows now prefixed with sequential numbers #001, #002, #003 instead of unlabeled.Aug 31
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
− $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
− $3K Challenge | August 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
After
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ #001 - $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
+ #002 - $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
+ #003 - $3K Challenge | August 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
− $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
− $3K Challenge | August 2026
+ #001 - $25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
+ #002 - $250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
+ #003 - $3K Challenge | August 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Payout Policy | Topstep Help CenterWise payout availability changed from international and domestic to China, Canada, and UK only; new section added explaining August 2026 restoration for select regions.Aug 31
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
After each Payout: Your Maximum Loss Limit resets to $0 permanently, your consistency calculation resets, and your 3-day count restarts.
Live Funded Account
- 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per Payout cycle (not consecutive)
- Request up to 50% of your account balance with no dollar cap
- After you request a Payout, your winning day count restarts. You'll need 5 new winning days before you're eligible to request your next Payout.
Daily Payouts (after 30 winning days in the LFA):
Once you've earned $150+ Net P&L on 30 non-consecutive days in your Live Funded Account, you unlock daily Payouts — request as much of your unlocked balance as you want, once per day (min $125). Winning days from the XFA do not count toward this total.
Note: Requesting a full 100% Payout closes your LFA since the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
Payout Methods
Method | Availability | Processing Time | Fee
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts | US only | Same day* | No Fee
Aeropay | US banks only | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee**
Section: Payout Methods
− Wise | International and domestic | 1-3 business days | No Topstep fee**
ACH | US banks only | 1-3 business days | $30
Wire/SWIFT | International | 5-10 business days | $30
* If requested by 12 pm CT
**Please note: No Topstep fee for Aeropay or Wise, but your bank or those services may charge their own fees. Processing times are estimates and exclude weekends and holidays. Internal approval can take 1-3 business days.
Example (ACH, $500 request): $500 minus $50 (10% split) minus $30 (processing fee) = $420 received
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts
Earned a prop Payout? U.S. Topstep Prop Traders can direct eligible Payouts to their Topstep Brokerage account – same day, if requested by 12 PM CT.
What is Aeropay?
Aeropay is a Pay by Bank service for U.S. domestic Traders. Link your bank account and receive approved Payouts directly, with real-time payment processing after approval.
Instant payments are subject to your bank's support of real-time transactions. If your bank doesn't support it, funds may take 1-3 business days.
How do I link my bank account? In your Topstep Dashboard, select Aeropay as your Payout method. You'll be redirected to Aeropay's proprietary bank-link flow and authenticate through Aerosync.
Is my banking information secure? Yes. The setup uses Aerosync's authentication flow and data encryption. No banking credentials are stored in Topstep's system.
A few things to note:
- Instant payments are available for XFA Payouts through Aeropay Real-time Payments (RTP).
- Available to U.S.-based Traders with a U.S.-based bank that supports real-time payments. Check participating institutions here.
- Not all Aeropay Payouts deliver instantly — processing times may vary depending on review and approval steps.
What is Wise?
After
After each Payout: Your Maximum Loss Limit resets to $0 permanently, your consistency calculation resets, and your 3-day count restarts.
Live Funded Account
- 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per Payout cycle (not consecutive)
- Request up to 50% of your account balance with no dollar cap
- After you request a Payout, your winning day count restarts. You'll need 5 new winning days before you're eligible to request your next Payout.
Daily Payouts (after 30 winning days in the LFA):
Once you've earned $150+ Net P&L on 30 non-consecutive days in your Live Funded Account, you unlock daily Payouts — request as much of your unlocked balance as you want, once per day (min $125). Winning days from the XFA do not count toward this total.
Note: Requesting a full 100% Payout closes your LFA since the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
Payout Methods
Method | Availability | Processing Time | Fee
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts | US only | Same day* | No Fee
Aeropay | US banks only | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee**
Section: Payout Methods
+ Wise | China, Canada, UK | 1-3 business days | No Topstep fee**
ACH | US banks only | 1-3 business days | $30
Wire/SWIFT | International | 5-10 business days | $30
* If requested by 12 pm CT
**Please note: No Topstep fee for Aeropay or Wise, but your bank or those services may charge their own fees. Processing times are estimates and exclude weekends and holidays. Internal approval can take 1-3 business days.
Example (ACH, $500 request): $500 minus $50 (10% split) minus $30 (processing fee) = $420 received
+ August 2026: Wise Payout Option Restored for Select Regions
+ - Wise is available again as a payout method for traders in China, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
+ - If you're in one of these regions, you can submit new payout requests using Wise as usual.
+ - Wise remains unavailable everywhere else. Keep using another available payout method — we'll update all traders if that changes.
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts
Earned a prop Payout? U.S. Topstep Prop Traders can direct eligible Payouts to their Topstep Brokerage account – same day, if requested by 12 PM CT.
What is Aeropay?
Aeropay is a Pay by Bank service for U.S. domestic Traders. Link your bank account and receive approved Payouts directly, with real-time payment processing after approval.
Instant payments are subject to your bank's support of real-time transactions. If your bank doesn't support it, funds may take 1-3 business days.
How do I link my bank account? In your Topstep Dashboard, select Aeropay as your Payout method. You'll be redirected to Aeropay's proprietary bank-link flow and authenticate through Aerosync.
Is my banking information secure? Yes. The setup uses Aerosync's authentication flow and data encryption. No banking credentials are stored in Topstep's system.
A few things to note:
- Instant payments are available for XFA Payouts through Aeropay Real-time Payments (RTP).
- Available to U.S.-based Traders with a U.S.-based bank that supports real-time payments. Check participating institutions here.
- Not all Aeropay Payouts deliver instantly — processing times may vary depending on review and approval steps.
What is Wise?
After each Payout: Your Maximum Loss Limit resets to $0 permanently, your consistency calculation resets, and your 3-day count restarts.
Live Funded Account
- 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per Payout cycle (not consecutive)
- Request up to 50% of your account balance with no dollar cap
- After you request a Payout, your winning day count restarts. You'll need 5 new winning days before you're eligible to request your next Payout.
Daily Payouts (after 30 winning days in the LFA):
Once you've earned $150+ Net P&L on 30 non-consecutive days in your Live Funded Account, you unlock daily Payouts — request as much of your unlocked balance as you want, once per day (min $125). Winning days from the XFA do not count toward this total.
Note: Requesting a full 100% Payout closes your LFA since the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.
Payout Methods
Method | Availability | Processing Time | Fee
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts | US only | Same day* | No Fee
Aeropay | US banks only | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee**
Section: Payout Methods
− Wise | International and domestic | 1-3 business days | No Topstep fee**
+ Wise | China, Canada, UK | 1-3 business days | No Topstep fee**
ACH | US banks only | 1-3 business days | $30
Wire/SWIFT | International | 5-10 business days | $30
* If requested by 12 pm CT
**Please note: No Topstep fee for Aeropay or Wise, but your bank or those services may charge their own fees. Processing times are estimates and exclude weekends and holidays. Internal approval can take 1-3 business days.
Example (ACH, $500 request): $500 minus $50 (10% split) minus $30 (processing fee) = $420 received
+ August 2026: Wise Payout Option Restored for Select Regions
+ - Wise is available again as a payout method for traders in China, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
+ - If you're in one of these regions, you can submit new payout requests using Wise as usual.
+ - Wise remains unavailable everywhere else. Keep using another available payout method — we'll update all traders if that changes.
Prop-to-Brokerage Payouts
Earned a prop Payout? U.S. Topstep Prop Traders can direct eligible Payouts to their Topstep Brokerage account – same day, if requested by 12 PM CT.
What is Aeropay?
Aeropay is a Pay by Bank service for U.S. domestic Traders. Link your bank account and receive approved Payouts directly, with real-time payment processing after approval.
Instant payments are subject to your bank's support of real-time transactions. If your bank doesn't support it, funds may take 1-3 business days.
How do I link my bank account? In your Topstep Dashboard, select Aeropay as your Payout method. You'll be redirected to Aeropay's proprietary bank-link flow and authenticate through Aerosync.
Is my banking information secure? Yes. The setup uses Aerosync's authentication flow and data encryption. No banking credentials are stored in Topstep's system.
A few things to note:
- Instant payments are available for XFA Payouts through Aeropay Real-time Payments (RTP).
- Available to U.S.-based Traders with a U.S.-based bank that supports real-time payments. Check participating institutions here.
- Not all Aeropay Payouts deliver instantly — processing times may vary depending on review and approval steps.
What is Wise?
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterExisting position language clarified; pending orders during the window now explicitly prohibited and will not fill.Aug 27
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
After
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ - Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
+ - Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
+ - Existing positions: You may continue to hold and manage existing positions opened before the window started; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions during the 10-minute window.
+ - Pending orders: Pending orders are not open positions. They will not fill during the 10-minute window, and new pending orders intended to execute during this timeframe cannot be placed.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterPolicy changed: traders called up to Live from Express Funded Accounts can now keep Challenges and Payout Rounds open instead of closing them.Aug 27
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
Is this a limited time offering?
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
Section: Is this a subscription?
− You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
− If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
After
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
Is this a limited time offering?
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
+ Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout round, even if you're in an Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
Is this a limited time offering?
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
Section: Is this a subscription?
− You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
+ You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, your Challenges and Payout Round stay open and eligible.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
− If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
+ Yes! You can still trade, pass, and activate the Payout round, even if you're in an Live Funded Account.
If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ API Access | Topstep Help CenterSetup instructions reorganized into four sequential parts with clearer structure; VPS/remote server rules expanded with allowed vs. prohibited use table; disclaimers and support resources restructured; FAQ expanded with new entries.Aug 26
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
TopstepX™ API Access lets advanced Traders and developers build automated strategies, connect third-party tools, and execute trades directly through TopstepX. It's powered by ProjectX and billed separately from your Topstep subscription.
What You Can Do With API Access
- Build and run automated trading strategies
- Connect third-party tools and platforms
- Create custom risk management rules
- Pull live and historical market data
- Execute trades directly through your TopstepX account
Who It's For
Traders and developers comfortable coding in Python, Java, .NET, JavaScript, or similar languages who want to work with REST and WebSocket APIs. If you use third-party tools built by others, no coding required — just plug in your credentials.
Getting Started
Section: Getting Started
− - Inside TopstepX, click the Settings icon ⚙️
− - Click the API tab
− - Click Link under ProjectX Linking
− - Verify your email on the dashboard.projectx.com landing page
− - Click Log in/Register → Don't have an account?
− - Create your username and password → Create Account
− - In your ProjectX dashboard, select Subscriptions → ProjectX API Access
− - Enter your credit card info and promo code (if applicable) to unlock API Access
− - Back in TopstepX: Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key to generate your key
− Where do I find my API Key?
− - Login to your TopstepX Platform.
− - Select the Settings Icon wheel.
− - Click the API Tab from the top bar.
− - You will generate an API key inside your ProjectX settings. Use this key to authenticate your requests through OAuth.
− - To authenticate your requests, you must use the API key generated within your TopstepX platform settings. This key must be used in conjunction with your TopstepX username.
− Cost
API Access is $29/month. Topstep Traders get 50% off with code topstep — that's $14.50/month, valid every month with no end date.
🧾 Please note: Billing appears as Sim2Funded Solutions on your bank statement. Billing is managed separately from your Topstep subscription.
VPNs, VPS, and Remote Servers
All trading activity must originate from your personal device. The use of VPS, VPNs, and remote servers is prohibited by Topstep's Terms of Use. Running automation on a VPS can result in account suspension or removal from the program.
Section: VPNs, VPS, and Remote Servers
Important Disclaimers
Section: Important Disclaimers
− - Orders executed via the API are final. No review, adjustment, or reversal.
− - Topstep is not responsible for the performance of any tool, algo, or system built using API Access.
− - Topstep does not provide technical support for API implementation, coding, or troubleshooting.
− - Use of the API Access and any connected tools is entirely at your own risk. Please ensure your systems are tested, stable, and compliant with Topstep's Terms of Use.
− - Please read more about how API access can affect the potential for hedging here.
👥 Getting Help
Section: 👥 Getting Help
− Topstep does not provide technical support for coding or API implementation. For help:
− - ProjectX Developer Docs
− - #api-trading channel in the Topstep Discord
− - ProjectX directly:
− For billing or subscription questions, contact ProjectX Support.
FAQ
Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
Section: Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
− No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.
Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
Section: Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
− Yes. A single subscription applies to all TopstepX accounts linked via your ProjectX Dashboard profile.
What programming languages are supported?
The REST API works with most modern languages including Python, Java, .NET, and JavaScript — anything that supports REST or WebSocket connections.
Do I need to know how to code?
Only if you're building your own tools. If you're using third-party tools, just plug in your credentials.
Section: Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
After
TopstepX™ API Access lets advanced Traders and developers build automated strategies, connect third-party tools, and execute trades directly through TopstepX. It's powered by ProjectX and billed separately from your Topstep subscription.
What You Can Do With API Access
- Build and run automated trading strategies
- Connect third-party tools and platforms
- Create custom risk management rules
- Pull live and historical market data
- Execute trades directly through your TopstepX account
Who It's For
Traders and developers comfortable coding in Python, Java, .NET, JavaScript, or similar languages who want to work with REST and WebSocket APIs. If you use third-party tools built by others, no coding required — just plug in your credentials.
Getting Started
Section: Getting Started
+ Setup has four parts. Complete them in order — Part 4 will fail if you skip Part 3.
+ Part | Where | What you'll do
+ 1 | ProjectX Dashboard | Create your ProjectX account
+ 2 | ProjectX Dashboard | Subscribe to API Access
+ 3 | TopstepX | Link your subscription to your TopstepX profile
+ 4 | TopstepX | Generate your API key
+ Part 1: Create your ProjectX account
+ Start here, in the ProjectX Dashboard. You don't need to do anything in TopstepX yet.
+ Already have a ProjectX Dashboard account? Log in and skip to Part 2.
+ - Go to dashboard.projectx.com and click Register
+ - Enter your email address, then create your username and password
+ - Click Create Account
+ Part 2: Subscribe to API Access
+ - Log into your ProjectX Dashboard.
+ - In your ProjectX Dashboard, go to Subscriptions → ProjectX API Access
+ - Enter your payment details
+ - Enter promo code topstep to apply the 50% Topstep Trader discount
+ - Confirm your subscription
+ See Cost and Billing for pricing details.
+ Part 3: Link your subscription to your TopstepX profile
+ Subscribing is not the same as linking. This part connects the subscription you just bought to your TopstepX profile — without it, Part 4 will fail with the error User lacks subscription.
+ - In TopstepX, click the Settings icon ⚙️
+ - Open the API tab
+ - Under ProjectX Linking, click Add Link
+ - In the confirmation pop-up, confirm that you want to link your TopstepX profile to the ProjectX Dashboard
+ - Open your ProjectX Dashboard and confirm your account now appears there
+ If the account doesn't appear, try turning off the browser pop-up blockers or use an Incognito Chrome window. Refresh the Dashboard before retrying. Still missing? See Troubleshooting.
+ Part 4: Generate your API key
+ - In TopstepX, go to Settings ⚙️ → API tab
+ - Click Add API Key
+ - Copy your key and store it somewhere secure — treat it like a password
+ ⚠️ Your API key grants full trading access to every eligible account under your profile. Never share it, never commit it to a public repository, and never paste it into a tool you don't trust. If you think it's been exposed, generate a new key immediately and update your tools
+ Cost and Billing
API Access is $29/month. Topstep Traders get 50% off with code topstep — that's $14.50/month, valid every month with no end date.
🧾 Please note: Billing appears as Sim2Funded Solutions on your bank statement. Billing is managed separately from your Topstep subscription.
VPNs, VPS, and Remote Servers
All trading activity must originate from your personal device. The use of VPS, VPNs, and remote servers is prohibited by Topstep's Terms of Use. Running automation on a VPS can result in account suspension or removal from the program.
Section: VPNs, VPS, and Remote Servers
+ You may still use your own private server for supporting work that doesn't touch order flow:
+ Allowed on a private server | Not allowed on a private server
+ Historical data storage | Placing, modifying, or cancelling orders
+ Research and backtesting | Any automated trigger that can reach the order endpoints
+ Logging and analytics | Routing or relaying orders on your behalf
+ A read-only dashboard |
+ Receiving copies of your own fills, positions, and P&L |
+ The line is order transmission: your server can watch and record, but it cannot trade.
Important Disclaimers
Section: Important Disclaimers
+ - Orders executed via the API are final — no review, adjustment, or reversal.
+ - Topstep does not support or take responsibility for any tool, algo, or system built on API Access, including implementation, coding, and troubleshooting.
+ - Some traders connect third-party applications to the ProjectX API. If you do, it's at your own risk — Topstep and ProjectX don't affiliate with, endorse, or support any external vendor or platform offering API integrations.
+ - Your API access remains governed by the ProjectX Terms of Use, including fair-use limits.
+ - All trading activity remains subject to Topstep's Trading Guidelines regardless of which platform executes the trades. A rule violation is treated the same whether it originates from manual trading or third-party automation.
+ - Ensure your systems are tested, stable, and compliant before connecting.
+ - API access can affect the potential for hedging — more here.
👥 Getting Help
Section: 👥 Getting Help
+ Topstep does not provide technical support for coding or API implementation.
+ What you need | Where to go
+ Endpoints, authentication, code samples | ProjectX Gateway API Docs
+ Full endpoint reference | Swagger Documentation
+ Community help and troubleshooting | #api-trading in the Topstep Discord
+ Linking, subscription, billing, cancellation |
FAQ
Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
Section: Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
+ No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.To test your strategy, use a Practice account instead — same endpoints and real-time hubs, no risk to an Evaluation account.
Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
Section: Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
+ Yes. One subscription and one API key cover every eligible account under your ProjectX Dashboard profile. A single authenticated session can manage all of them; you specify the target account Id on each order.
What programming languages are supported?
The REST API works with most modern languages including Python, Java, .NET, and JavaScript — anything that supports REST or WebSocket connections.
Do I need to know how to code?
Only if you're building your own tools. If you're using third-party tools, just plug in your credentials.
Section: Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
+ Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
+ Yes, you need an active Topstep account in order to use the service.
+ Can I build and use my own custom trading bot with the TopstepX / ProjectX API?
+ Yes. Custom automated strategies and bots are allowed via the TopstepX / ProjectX API, subject to standard platform rules and our prohibition on highfrequency trading (HFT). You're free to develop your own system without additional restrictions beyond those standard rules. You remain the owner of your bot and are solely responsible for its design, performance, and behavior — including making sure it operates within all applicable rules.
+ Troubleshooting
+ Error creating key: User lacks subscription
+ Your subscription isn't linked to your TopstepX profile. Go back and complete Part 3, then try generating your key again. If your subscription is active and linked and you still see this, email .
+ My account doesn't appear in the ProjectX Dashboard after linking
+ Refresh the Dashboard and confirm you completed the linking pop-up in Part 3. If it's still missing, email .
+ Where do I find my API Key
+ Generate a new one from Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key, then update every tool using the old key.
+ My requests are being rejected after they worked earlier
+ Session tokens expire. Confirm your client refreshes its token rather than reusing an old one. If you're being rate limited, back off and retry.
TopstepX™ API Access lets advanced Traders and developers build automated strategies, connect third-party tools, and execute trades directly through TopstepX. It's powered by ProjectX and billed separately from your Topstep subscription.
What You Can Do With API Access
- Build and run automated trading strategies
- Connect third-party tools and platforms
- Create custom risk management rules
- Pull live and historical market data
- Execute trades directly through your TopstepX account
Who It's For
Traders and developers comfortable coding in Python, Java, .NET, JavaScript, or similar languages who want to work with REST and WebSocket APIs. If you use third-party tools built by others, no coding required — just plug in your credentials.
Getting Started
Section: Getting Started
− - Inside TopstepX, click the Settings icon ⚙️
− - Click the API tab
− - Click Link under ProjectX Linking
− - Verify your email on the dashboard.projectx.com landing page
− - Click Log in/Register → Don't have an account?
− - Create your username and password → Create Account
− - In your ProjectX dashboard, select Subscriptions → ProjectX API Access
− - Enter your credit card info and promo code (if applicable) to unlock API Access
− - Back in TopstepX: Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key to generate your key
− Where do I find my API Key?
− - Login to your TopstepX Platform.
− - Select the Settings Icon wheel.
− - Click the API Tab from the top bar.
− - You will generate an API key inside your ProjectX settings. Use this key to authenticate your requests through OAuth.
− - To authenticate your requests, you must use the API key generated within your TopstepX platform settings. This key must be used in conjunction with your TopstepX username.
− Cost
+ Setup has four parts. Complete them in order — Part 4 will fail if you skip Part 3.
+ Part | Where | What you'll do
+ 1 | ProjectX Dashboard | Create your ProjectX account
+ 2 | ProjectX Dashboard | Subscribe to API Access
+ 3 | TopstepX | Link your subscription to your TopstepX profile
+ 4 | TopstepX | Generate your API key
+ Part 1: Create your ProjectX account
+ Start here, in the ProjectX Dashboard. You don't need to do anything in TopstepX yet.
+ Already have a ProjectX Dashboard account? Log in and skip to Part 2.
+ - Go to dashboard.projectx.com and click Register
+ - Enter your email address, then create your username and password
+ - Click Create Account
+ Part 2: Subscribe to API Access
+ - Log into your ProjectX Dashboard.
+ - In your ProjectX Dashboard, go to Subscriptions → ProjectX API Access
+ - Enter your payment details
+ - Enter promo code topstep to apply the 50% Topstep Trader discount
+ - Confirm your subscription
+ See Cost and Billing for pricing details.
+ Part 3: Link your subscription to your TopstepX profile
+ Subscribing is not the same as linking. This part connects the subscription you just bought to your TopstepX profile — without it, Part 4 will fail with the error User lacks subscription.
+ - In TopstepX, click the Settings icon ⚙️
+ - Open the API tab
+ - Under ProjectX Linking, click Add Link
+ - In the confirmation pop-up, confirm that you want to link your TopstepX profile to the ProjectX Dashboard
+ - Open your ProjectX Dashboard and confirm your account now appears there
+ If the account doesn't appear, try turning off the browser pop-up blockers or use an Incognito Chrome window. Refresh the Dashboard before retrying. Still missing? See Troubleshooting.
+ Part 4: Generate your API key
+ - In TopstepX, go to Settings ⚙️ → API tab
+ - Click Add API Key
+ - Copy your key and store it somewhere secure — treat it like a password
+ ⚠️ Your API key grants full trading access to every eligible account under your profile. Never share it, never commit it to a public repository, and never paste it into a tool you don't trust. If you think it's been exposed, generate a new key immediately and update your tools
+ Cost and Billing
API Access is $29/month. Topstep Traders get 50% off with code topstep — that's $14.50/month, valid every month with no end date.
🧾 Please note: Billing appears as Sim2Funded Solutions on your bank statement. Billing is managed separately from your Topstep subscription.
VPNs, VPS, and Remote Servers
All trading activity must originate from your personal device. The use of VPS, VPNs, and remote servers is prohibited by Topstep's Terms of Use. Running automation on a VPS can result in account suspension or removal from the program.
Section: VPNs, VPS, and Remote Servers
+ You may still use your own private server for supporting work that doesn't touch order flow:
+ Allowed on a private server | Not allowed on a private server
+ Historical data storage | Placing, modifying, or cancelling orders
+ Research and backtesting | Any automated trigger that can reach the order endpoints
+ Logging and analytics | Routing or relaying orders on your behalf
+ A read-only dashboard |
+ Receiving copies of your own fills, positions, and P&L |
+ The line is order transmission: your server can watch and record, but it cannot trade.
Important Disclaimers
Section: Important Disclaimers
− - Orders executed via the API are final. No review, adjustment, or reversal.
− - Topstep is not responsible for the performance of any tool, algo, or system built using API Access.
− - Topstep does not provide technical support for API implementation, coding, or troubleshooting.
− - Use of the API Access and any connected tools is entirely at your own risk. Please ensure your systems are tested, stable, and compliant with Topstep's Terms of Use.
− - Please read more about how API access can affect the potential for hedging here.
+ - Orders executed via the API are final — no review, adjustment, or reversal.
+ - Topstep does not support or take responsibility for any tool, algo, or system built on API Access, including implementation, coding, and troubleshooting.
+ - Some traders connect third-party applications to the ProjectX API. If you do, it's at your own risk — Topstep and ProjectX don't affiliate with, endorse, or support any external vendor or platform offering API integrations.
+ - Your API access remains governed by the ProjectX Terms of Use, including fair-use limits.
+ - All trading activity remains subject to Topstep's Trading Guidelines regardless of which platform executes the trades. A rule violation is treated the same whether it originates from manual trading or third-party automation.
+ - Ensure your systems are tested, stable, and compliant before connecting.
+ - API access can affect the potential for hedging — more here.
👥 Getting Help
Section: 👥 Getting Help
− Topstep does not provide technical support for coding or API implementation. For help:
− - ProjectX Developer Docs
− - #api-trading channel in the Topstep Discord
− - ProjectX directly:
− For billing or subscription questions, contact ProjectX Support.
+ Topstep does not provide technical support for coding or API implementation.
+ What you need | Where to go
+ Endpoints, authentication, code samples | ProjectX Gateway API Docs
+ Full endpoint reference | Swagger Documentation
+ Community help and troubleshooting | #api-trading in the Topstep Discord
+ Linking, subscription, billing, cancellation |
FAQ
Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
Section: Is there a sandbox environment for testing?
− No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.
+ No. There is currently no sandbox environment available.To test your strategy, use a Practice account instead — same endpoints and real-time hubs, no risk to an Evaluation account.
Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
Section: Can I use 1 subscription across multiple accounts?
− Yes. A single subscription applies to all TopstepX accounts linked via your ProjectX Dashboard profile.
+ Yes. One subscription and one API key cover every eligible account under your ProjectX Dashboard profile. A single authenticated session can manage all of them; you specify the target account Id on each order.
What programming languages are supported?
The REST API works with most modern languages including Python, Java, .NET, and JavaScript — anything that supports REST or WebSocket connections.
Do I need to know how to code?
Only if you're building your own tools. If you're using third-party tools, just plug in your credentials.
Section: Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
+ Do I need a Topstep Account in order to use the API service?
+ Yes, you need an active Topstep account in order to use the service.
+ Can I build and use my own custom trading bot with the TopstepX / ProjectX API?
+ Yes. Custom automated strategies and bots are allowed via the TopstepX / ProjectX API, subject to standard platform rules and our prohibition on highfrequency trading (HFT). You're free to develop your own system without additional restrictions beyond those standard rules. You remain the owner of your bot and are solely responsible for its design, performance, and behavior — including making sure it operates within all applicable rules.
+ Troubleshooting
+ Error creating key: User lacks subscription
+ Your subscription isn't linked to your TopstepX profile. Go back and complete Part 3, then try generating your key again. If your subscription is active and linked and you still see this, email .
+ My account doesn't appear in the ProjectX Dashboard after linking
+ Refresh the Dashboard and confirm you completed the linking pop-up in Part 3. If it's still missing, email .
+ Where do I find my API Key
+ Generate a new one from Settings ⚙️ → API tab → Add API Key, then update every tool using the old key.
+ My requests are being rejected after they worked earlier
+ Session tokens expire. Confirm your client refreshes its token rather than reusing an old one. If you're being rate limited, back off and retry.
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterMax Contracts limit changed from 15 mini / 150 micro to 15 mini only.Aug 26
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Section: Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
− Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Our third Labs drop! Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000. The $3K Challenge is a 2 round challenge for $49, one time. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $3,000.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
Starting Balance | $0 | $0
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
After
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Section: Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
+ Max Contracts | 15 mini
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Our third Labs drop! Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000. The $3K Challenge is a 2 round challenge for $49, one time. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $3,000.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
Starting Balance | $0 | $0
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Section: Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
− Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
+ Max Contracts | 15 mini
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Our third Labs drop! Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000. The $3K Challenge is a 2 round challenge for $49, one time. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $3,000.
$3K Challenge Parameters
Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
Starting Balance | $0 | $0
Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
Consistency Target | None | None
PremierTopstep · Trading Combine Subscriptions | Topstep Help CenterAdded guidance on payment failure retry procedures, account reset availability during failed payments, and timing recommendations for resets before billing dates.Aug 25
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Trading Combine Subscription FAQs
What does the Trading Combine cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Information →
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit or debit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
👉 Must be in your own name — using someone else's card violates Topstep's Terms of Use.
Important: Prepaid cards and gift cards (including Cash App and Venmo) may not work.
How do I cancel?
Billing page → click "X" next to the subscription → confirm.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
Section: What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
What happens to my subscription after I pass?
The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
When your Trading Combine is marked as Passed, the subscription for that account is automatically canceled. The cancellation email you receive is a standard notification confirming this — it does not indicate any problem with your account or your progress toward funding.
What happens to my Reset Credits if I cancel?
After
Trading Combine Subscription FAQs
What does the Trading Combine cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Information →
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit or debit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
👉 Must be in your own name — using someone else's card violates Topstep's Terms of Use.
Important: Prepaid cards and gift cards (including Cash App and Venmo) may not work.
How do I cancel?
Billing page → click "X" next to the subscription → confirm.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
Section: What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
+ What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
+ If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled.
+ During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
+ Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
What happens to my subscription after I pass?
The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
When your Trading Combine is marked as Passed, the subscription for that account is automatically canceled. The cancellation email you receive is a standard notification confirming this — it does not indicate any problem with your account or your progress toward funding.
What happens to my Reset Credits if I cancel?
Trading Combine Subscription FAQs
What does the Trading Combine cost?
Topstep Pricing and Payment Information →
What payment methods are accepted?
Credit or debit card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
👉 Must be in your own name — using someone else's card violates Topstep's Terms of Use.
Important: Prepaid cards and gift cards (including Cash App and Venmo) may not work.
How do I cancel?
Billing page → click "X" next to the subscription → confirm.
Once canceled, it cannot be undone. No resubscribe option. You also can't purchase a Reset on that subscription after it's canceled.
What happens if I break a rule (hit the Maximum Loss Limit)?
Your account becomes ineligible for funding until it's reset. The subscription does not cancel — it keeps rebilling, and you can still trade for practice. You'll get a Reset Credit when your Rebill processes.
Section: What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
+ What happens if my subscription renewal payment fails?
+ If a renewal payment fails, your subscription enters a retry period. The system will automatically attempt to process the charge two more times before the subscription is canceled.
+ During this retry period, account Resets are temporarily disabled for that subscription. Resets will become available again as soon as your subscription payment successfully processes.
+ Important: Subscription renewals process early on your rebill date. To avoid unexpected charges or losing the ability to Reset before your next billing cycle, we recommend completing any account Resets the day before your billing date.
Can I pause my Trading Combine?
No. Subscriptions can't be paused or put on hold. It will Rebill monthly until you pass or cancel.
When do I need to pass to avoid being Rebilled?
Your Dashboard must show you've passed before your Rebill date.
- Example: Rebill is the 5th → pass before trading ends on the 4th.
What happens to my subscription after I pass?
The subscription tied to the passed Trading Combine will auto-cancel, and the account will close. You'll be able to activate your Express Funded Account immediately. Other active Trading Combines keep Rebilling until you manually cancel them.
I passed, but I'm still being charged, what should I do?
Check your Billing page for any other active Trading Combine subscriptions that haven't been passed yet. These will continue to rebill automatically until you cancel them manually. If you believe you're being charged in error for the passed account specifically, please contact support.
Why did I receive a cancellation email after I passed?
When your Trading Combine is marked as Passed, the subscription for that account is automatically canceled. The cancellation email you receive is a standard notification confirming this — it does not indicate any problem with your account or your progress toward funding.
What happens to my Reset Credits if I cancel?
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterMax Loss Limit description changed from "$10,000 Trailing" to "$10,000 Trailing End of Day".Aug 25
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $250,000
Profit Target | $15,000
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
− Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Funded Activation Fee | Free!
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Standard
Payout Cap | $25,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro
After
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $250,000
Profit Target | $15,000
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
+ Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing End of Day
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Funded Activation Fee | Free!
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Standard
Payout Cap | $25,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 2 micro
$250K Freedom Trading Combine Parameters
It's our second Topstep Labs drop, a new evaluation account with $250,000 in buying power - our biggest yet. Structured like our Standard Trading Combines with Daily Loss Limit (DLL), the $250K Freedom Trading Combine has a Profit Target of $15,000 and Max Loss Limit (MLL) of $10,000.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $250,000
Profit Target | $15,000
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
− Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing
+ Max Loss Limit | $10,000 Trailing End of Day
Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $5,000
Price | $499 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Funded Activation Fee | Free!
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Standard
Payout Cap | $25,000
Max Loss Limit | $10,000 After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 25 mini / 250 micro
PremierTopstep · Topstep Community | Topstep Help CenterAdded information directing users to official Topstep Status Page for real-time platform updates and service status information.Aug 25
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Community
Topstep's community spans Reddit, Discord, Facebook, Twitch, Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Show up wherever you already hang out. Share wins, debrief losses, ask questions, and watch live trading.
Section: Platform Status
All Topstep Channels
Platform | Link
💬 Discord | discord.gg/topstep
📺 YouTube | @TopstepOfficial
🐦 X / Twitter | @Topstep
📱 Support on X | @AskTopstep
📸 Instagram | @topstep
🎵 TikTok | @topstepofficial
👥 Facebook Community | Topstep Community
🔴 Reddit | r/TopstepCommunity
🗯️ Twitch | Twitch TopstepTV
🟢 Kick | Kick TopstepTV
After
Community
Topstep's community spans Reddit, Discord, Facebook, Twitch, Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Show up wherever you already hang out. Share wins, debrief losses, ask questions, and watch live trading.
Section: Platform Status
+ Platform Status
+ For real-time updates on platform outages, maintenance windows, and service disruptions, check the official Topstep Status Page. This is the authoritative source for TopstepX service status — not social media.
All Topstep Channels
Platform | Link
💬 Discord | discord.gg/topstep
📺 YouTube | @TopstepOfficial
🐦 X / Twitter | @Topstep
📱 Support on X | @AskTopstep
📸 Instagram | @topstep
🎵 TikTok | @topstepofficial
👥 Facebook Community | Topstep Community
🔴 Reddit | r/TopstepCommunity
🗯️ Twitch | Twitch TopstepTV
🟢 Kick | Kick TopstepTV
Community
Topstep's community spans Reddit, Discord, Facebook, Twitch, Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Show up wherever you already hang out. Share wins, debrief losses, ask questions, and watch live trading.
Section: Platform Status
+ Platform Status
+ For real-time updates on platform outages, maintenance windows, and service disruptions, check the official Topstep Status Page. This is the authoritative source for TopstepX service status — not social media.
All Topstep Channels
Platform | Link
💬 Discord | discord.gg/topstep
📺 YouTube | @TopstepOfficial
🐦 X / Twitter | @Topstep
📱 Support on X | @AskTopstep
📸 Instagram | @topstep
🎵 TikTok | @topstepofficial
👥 Facebook Community | Topstep Community
🔴 Reddit | r/TopstepCommunity
🗯️ Twitch | Twitch TopstepTV
🟢 Kick | Kick TopstepTV
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterAdded new FAQ section about trading the $3K Challenge while in a Pro Account, with details on Challenge Round eligibility and Payout Round limits.Aug 21
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
Section: Is this a subscription?
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
After
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
+ If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
Is this a subscription?
No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
Is there a Payout cap on this account?
There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
What happens if I'm called up to Live?
You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
Section: Is this a subscription?
+ If I'm already in a Pro Account, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
+ If you're already in a Pro Account, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Passing the Challenge Round doesn't require you to give up your Pro Account, and the new account follows the standard five account Payout Round limit once it's eligible.
What happens if I want a refund?
Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
What are the rules on inactivity?
If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
Is there an expiration date?
The account will expire and close after 90 days.
Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterFor the $3K Challenge, MGC and MCL limit increased from 1 micro to 6 micros.Aug 20
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 1 micro.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
After
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
+ - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
Section: Current Restrictions
− - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 1 micro.
+ - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
- Micro Silver (SIL)
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterWording only.Aug 20
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Toggle Position Risk / Profit Brackets ON → enter Risk and Profit dollar amounts
- Save
Adjust an active trade by dragging the P&L bar directly.
Auto-OCO Brackets
Auto-OCO Brackets
Every entry gets its own take-profit and stop-loss — no manual placement needed. (OCO = One Cancels Other)
- When one fills, the other cancels automatically
- Brackets apply per entry, not across the full position
- Must be flat to enable or switch bracket types
- Using the DOM? OCO must also be enabled there.
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Switch to Auto-OCO → set values → Save.
Enable Auto-OCO brackets directly on the specific interface(s) you trade from, whether that is the Chart, Order Panel, DOM, or a combination of them.
Section: Auto-OCO Brackets
− 👉 Important: If you use ticks, TopstepX requiresenter a value greater than 5 ticks. If you use a dollar value, TopstepX will reject your orders if the dollar value entered does not place your brackets at least 4 ticks away from the entry price.
Charting
Charting
TopstepX supports up to 8 charts on a single screen, each defaulting to /ES. Leave charts unlinked for independent operation, or use Symbol Link (color-coded) to keep them in sync.
Chart Types
TopstepX supports 16 chart types — Bars, Candles, Hollow Candles, Line, Line with Markers, Step Line, Area, HLC Area, Baseline, Columns, High-Low, Heikin Ashi, Renko, Line Break, Kagi, and Point & Figure. Change type and timeframe from the dropdowns in the chart's top-left corner. To set a custom timeframe, click the chart and type your interval — only listed timeframes are valid.
Symbol & Component Linking
Linking syncs a symbol change across all components (charts, DOM) assigned the same color. Click the link icon in any component header to assign a color. For charts, click "Add Chart Link" while the chart is active.
Chart Executions
Displays trade entries and exits directly on your charts. Useful for identifying patterns, reviewing decision-making, and journaling trades. All entry/exit points stack and remain visible even on larger candles. Disabled by default.
To enable: Settings → Charts & Data → toggle "Show Chart Executions" → Save
- Place an order — right-click at your price and pick the order type
- Modify a working order — click and drag it to a new price
After
- Toggle Position Risk / Profit Brackets ON → enter Risk and Profit dollar amounts
- Save
Adjust an active trade by dragging the P&L bar directly.
Auto-OCO Brackets
Auto-OCO Brackets
Every entry gets its own take-profit and stop-loss — no manual placement needed. (OCO = One Cancels Other)
- When one fills, the other cancels automatically
- Brackets apply per entry, not across the full position
- Must be flat to enable or switch bracket types
- Using the DOM? OCO must also be enabled there.
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Switch to Auto-OCO → set values → Save.
Enable Auto-OCO brackets directly on the specific interface(s) you trade from, whether that is the Chart, Order Panel, DOM, or a combination of them.
Section: Auto-OCO Brackets
+ 👉 Important: If you use ticks, TopstepX requires you to enter a value greater than 5 ticks. If you use a dollar value, TopstepX will reject your orders if the dollar value entered does not place your brackets at least 4 ticks away from the entry price.
Charting
Charting
TopstepX supports up to 8 charts on a single screen, each defaulting to /ES. Leave charts unlinked for independent operation, or use Symbol Link (color-coded) to keep them in sync.
Chart Types
TopstepX supports 16 chart types — Bars, Candles, Hollow Candles, Line, Line with Markers, Step Line, Area, HLC Area, Baseline, Columns, High-Low, Heikin Ashi, Renko, Line Break, Kagi, and Point & Figure. Change type and timeframe from the dropdowns in the chart's top-left corner. To set a custom timeframe, click the chart and type your interval — only listed timeframes are valid.
Symbol & Component Linking
Linking syncs a symbol change across all components (charts, DOM) assigned the same color. Click the link icon in any component header to assign a color. For charts, click "Add Chart Link" while the chart is active.
Chart Executions
Displays trade entries and exits directly on your charts. Useful for identifying patterns, reviewing decision-making, and journaling trades. All entry/exit points stack and remain visible even on larger candles. Disabled by default.
To enable: Settings → Charts & Data → toggle "Show Chart Executions" → Save
- Place an order — right-click at your price and pick the order type
- Modify a working order — click and drag it to a new price
- Toggle Position Risk / Profit Brackets ON → enter Risk and Profit dollar amounts
- Save
Adjust an active trade by dragging the P&L bar directly.
Auto-OCO Brackets
Auto-OCO Brackets
Every entry gets its own take-profit and stop-loss — no manual placement needed. (OCO = One Cancels Other)
- When one fills, the other cancels automatically
- Brackets apply per entry, not across the full position
- Must be flat to enable or switch bracket types
- Using the DOM? OCO must also be enabled there.
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Switch to Auto-OCO → set values → Save.
Enable Auto-OCO brackets directly on the specific interface(s) you trade from, whether that is the Chart, Order Panel, DOM, or a combination of them.
Section: Auto-OCO Brackets
− 👉 Important: If you use ticks, TopstepX requiresenter a value greater than 5 ticks. If you use a dollar value, TopstepX will reject your orders if the dollar value entered does not place your brackets at least 4 ticks away from the entry price.
+ 👉 Important: If you use ticks, TopstepX requires you to enter a value greater than 5 ticks. If you use a dollar value, TopstepX will reject your orders if the dollar value entered does not place your brackets at least 4 ticks away from the entry price.
Charting
Charting
TopstepX supports up to 8 charts on a single screen, each defaulting to /ES. Leave charts unlinked for independent operation, or use Symbol Link (color-coded) to keep them in sync.
Chart Types
TopstepX supports 16 chart types — Bars, Candles, Hollow Candles, Line, Line with Markers, Step Line, Area, HLC Area, Baseline, Columns, High-Low, Heikin Ashi, Renko, Line Break, Kagi, and Point & Figure. Change type and timeframe from the dropdowns in the chart's top-left corner. To set a custom timeframe, click the chart and type your interval — only listed timeframes are valid.
Symbol & Component Linking
Linking syncs a symbol change across all components (charts, DOM) assigned the same color. Click the link icon in any component header to assign a color. For charts, click "Add Chart Link" while the chart is active.
Chart Executions
Displays trade entries and exits directly on your charts. Useful for identifying patterns, reviewing decision-making, and journaling trades. All entry/exit points stack and remain visible even on larger candles. Disabled by default.
To enable: Settings → Charts & Data → toggle "Show Chart Executions" → Save
- Place an order — right-click at your price and pick the order type
- Modify a working order — click and drag it to a new price
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterTopstep added $3K Challenge product launching August 2026 with $49 one-time fee, $3,000 fixed payout, and two-round structure with detailed parameters and FAQ.Aug 20
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
Section: $3K Challenge Parameters
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
No. This is a one-time purchase. There is no recurring billing, no rebills, and no resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
Section: $3K Challenge
After
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ $3K Challenge | August 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
Section: $3K Challenge Parameters
+ $3K Challenge Parameters
+ Our third Labs drop! Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000. The $3K Challenge is a 2 round challenge for $49, one time. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
+ The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $3,000.
+ $3K Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
+ Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | — | Free
+ Path | — | Standard only
+ Scaling Plan | — | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
+ You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
+ 👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
No. This is a one-time purchase. There is no recurring billing, no rebills, and no resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
Section: $3K Challenge
+ $3K Challenge
+ Can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
+ Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
+ Is this a limited time offering?
+ Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
+ Is this a subscription?
+ No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
+ There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
+ Is there a Payout cap on this account?
+ There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
+ What happens if I'm called up to Live?
+ You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
+ If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
+ If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
+ Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ $3K Challenge | August 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
Section: $3K Challenge Parameters
+ $3K Challenge Parameters
+ Our third Labs drop! Make $3,000. Do it again. Keep $3,000. The $3K Challenge is a 2 round challenge for $49, one time. Clear the Challenge Round to advance to the Payout Round, pass the Payout Round and earn a fixed $3,000 Payout, paid one time. Then the account closes out.
+ The $3,000 is a set Payout for finishing the Challenge. It isn't tied to your account balance, and there's no 90/10 split — you keep all $3,000.
+ $3K Challenge Parameters
+ Parameter | Challenge Round | Payout Round
+ Starting Balance | $0 | $0
+ Profit Target | $3,000 | $3,000
+ Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥) | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
+ Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | None | None
+ Max Contracts | 10 micros / 1 mini | 10 micros / 1 mini
+ Consistency Target | None | None
+ Activation Fee | — | Free
+ Path | — | Standard only
+ Scaling Plan | — | None
+ Resets | None | None
+ Payout | None — passing advances you to the Payout Round | Fixed $3,000, paid one time. No 90/10 split.
+ After the Payout | — | Account closes out. One and done.
+ You can have up to 5 active Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That’s separate from the 5 Express Funded Account (XFA) limit. There is no limit on how many Challenges you can have in the Challenge Round.
+ 👉 For all Labs offerings, be sure to check the Risk Adjustments article to see how high-risk products and CPI restrictions may affect your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
I missed out on the $25K Offering. Can I purchase later?
What is the Payout cap on the funded account?
$25,000 per Payout - our biggest Payout cap yet!
Is this a subscription?
No. This is a one-time purchase. There is no recurring billing, no rebills, and no resets.
Who is eligible to purchase this?
All Traders — new and existing — can purchase the $250K Freedom Trading Combine, as long as remaining spots are available.
Can I purchase this in addition to my existing Trading Combine?
Yes, this is a separate product and does not replace or affect any existing Trading Combines you may have.
Where do I find the $250K Freedom Trading Combine?
Visit the Topstep Labs page. The $250K Freedom Trading Combine will be displayed as an offer with all the details and a button to purchase if available.
What is the starting balance and Daily Loss Limit (DLL) in the Live Funded Account?
The Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters with a minimum starting balance of $10,000. Your account size will be based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs including any activated from the $250K Freedom Trading Combine(s). Based on the account size, your starting DLL will be set as per. the Dynamic Live Risk Expansion guidelines.
Section: $3K Challenge
+ $3K Challenge
+ Can I buy more than one?
+ Yes. There's no cap on how many you can buy, and the Challenge is repeatable — you can buy and run another one. One limit to know: you can only have 5 Challenges in the Payout Round at one time. That's separate from the 5 Express Funded Account® (XFA) limit.
+ Example: if you hold 5 XFAs and 10 Challenges, up to 5 of those Challenges can advance to the Payout Round at once.
+ Is this a limited time offering?
+ Yes, this release is limited availability; first come, first serve. There is no limit on how many a single Trader can purchase. Once all spots are sold, it's no longer available for purchase.
+ Is this a subscription?
+ No. One-time purchase. No Rebills, no Resets.
+ How does the account move from Challenge Round to Payout Round, and how do you earn a payout?
+ In the Challenge Round, you trade freely until you hit the $3,000 Profit Target. Once hit, trading is locked for that account and the account status is “passed”. In the dashboard, you will then be able to activate the Payout Round, which will display as a new and separate account. Trade the Payout round the same way, with the same rules. Upon hitting the $3,000 Profit Target, the Payout Round account will be locked for trading, and you’ll see an option to request the $3,000 payout in your dashboard. That’s it!
+ There may be up to a 15 minute delay from the moment you pass a Challenge Round before the Payout Round account is ready to be activated.
+ Is there a Payout cap on this account?
+ There is no Payout cap in this experiment, the Challenge is for a fixed $3,000 Payout, no 90/10 split, paid one time. There will not be a remaining account balance, and the account will be closed upon completion.
+ What happens if I'm called up to Live?
+ You can’t be called up to Live solely as a result of trading Challenges. If you are called up to Live as a result of your performance in Express Funded Accounts, any Challenges in the Payout Round will be closed as Live Funded Account (LFA) traders won’t be eligible for those payouts.
+ If I’m already in an LFA, can I still trade the $3K Challenge?
+ If you’re already in an LFA, you can still purchase and trade the $3K Challenge in the Challenge Round phase. Upon passing the Challenge Round, the account will be eligible for activating as a Payout Round account, but you won’t be able to activate the Payout Round while in an LFA. Once you're no longer in an LFA, you can activate the Payout Round if the account hasn't expired and you're under the five-account Payout Round limit.
+ What happens if I want a refund?
+ Our standard Topstep Refund Policies apply.
+ What are the rules on inactivity?
+ If there are no trades placed for 30 days, the account will close.
+ Is there an expiration date?
+ The account will expire and close after 90 days.
+ Are there restricted products for the $3K Challenge?
+ Yes. You cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. MGC and MCL is limited to 6 micros Learn more here.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterMicro Gold limits changed from 30/60/90 to 5/10/15 for Live Funded Accounts; added $3K Challenge restrictions and CPI trading rules.Aug 18
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Section: Current Restrictions
− Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6⚠️ Note: The $250K Freedom Trading Combine has different GC limits. See the Labs callout below.Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
Section: Symbols this applies to:
50K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 1 contract
- $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
- $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
- $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
After
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Section: Current Restrictions
+ Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
+ - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 1 micro.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
Section: Symbols this applies to:
+ - Micro Silver (SIL)
50K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 1 contract
- $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
- $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
- $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ 3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
Section: Current Restrictions
− Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6⚠️ Note: The $250K Freedom Trading Combine has different GC limits. See the Labs callout below.Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
+ Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
+ - For the $3K Challenge, you cannot trade MHG, MET, MBT, or SIL. Trading during CPI is also restricted to 0. Additionally, MGC and MCL is limited to 1 micro.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
- Gold (GC)
- Micro Gold (MGC)
Section: Symbols this applies to:
+ - Micro Silver (SIL)
50K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 1 contract
- $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
100K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
- $2,000 balance = 3 contracts
- $3,000 balance = 6 contracts
150K Express Funded Account
- Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
- $1,500 balance = 2 contracts
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ 3K Challenge | $3,000 | 0 | Blocked | No Trading available
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterArticle added warning that pending orders must be manually cancelled when trade limits are reached, as TopstepX does not automatically remove them.Aug 18
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Enforced separately for long and short
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Contract Limits → enter limits → Save.
This is also where you can see current contract limits according to your account type/size.
Trade Limits
Trade Limits
Cap total trades per day and/or week.
- Open positions can still be managed
- Every entry and exit counts as a trade
- Once the limit is hit, no new trades
- Trade limits do NOT auto-close open positions
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Trade Limits → enter max daily/weekly → Save.
Trade Limits allow you to set a maximum number of trades you can take per day and/or week.
Section: Trade Limits
Daily Risk Lock
Daily Risk Lock
Lock your risk settings for the day. Covers PDLL, PDPT, and Trade Limits.
- Can't be changed until the next trading day
- Unlocks at 5 PM CT
- Support cannot reverse a lock once applied
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → set limits → Save → Lock Risk Settings for Day → Confirm.
Lockout
Lockout
Manually block yourself from trading for a set period. Per account — must be set separately for each.
- Choose a session (NY, London, etc.) or custom duration (15 min, 1 hr, all day)
- Once applied, it can't be canceled
After
- Enforced separately for long and short
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Contract Limits → enter limits → Save.
This is also where you can see current contract limits according to your account type/size.
Trade Limits
Trade Limits
Cap total trades per day and/or week.
- Open positions can still be managed
- Every entry and exit counts as a trade
- Once the limit is hit, no new trades
- Trade limits do NOT auto-close open positions
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Trade Limits → enter max daily/weekly → Save.
Trade Limits allow you to set a maximum number of trades you can take per day and/or week.
Section: Trade Limits
+ ⚠️ Important: Any pending orders placed prior to hitting the limit must be manually cancelled. TopstepX will not automatically remove pre-existing pending orders upon a trade limit lockout.
Daily Risk Lock
Daily Risk Lock
Lock your risk settings for the day. Covers PDLL, PDPT, and Trade Limits.
- Can't be changed until the next trading day
- Unlocks at 5 PM CT
- Support cannot reverse a lock once applied
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → set limits → Save → Lock Risk Settings for Day → Confirm.
Lockout
Lockout
Manually block yourself from trading for a set period. Per account — must be set separately for each.
- Choose a session (NY, London, etc.) or custom duration (15 min, 1 hr, all day)
- Once applied, it can't be canceled
- Enforced separately for long and short
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Contract Limits → enter limits → Save.
This is also where you can see current contract limits according to your account type/size.
Trade Limits
Trade Limits
Cap total trades per day and/or week.
- Open positions can still be managed
- Every entry and exit counts as a trade
- Once the limit is hit, no new trades
- Trade limits do NOT auto-close open positions
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Trade Limits → enter max daily/weekly → Save.
Trade Limits allow you to set a maximum number of trades you can take per day and/or week.
Section: Trade Limits
+ ⚠️ Important: Any pending orders placed prior to hitting the limit must be manually cancelled. TopstepX will not automatically remove pre-existing pending orders upon a trade limit lockout.
Daily Risk Lock
Daily Risk Lock
Lock your risk settings for the day. Covers PDLL, PDPT, and Trade Limits.
- Can't be changed until the next trading day
- Unlocks at 5 PM CT
- Support cannot reverse a lock once applied
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → set limits → Save → Lock Risk Settings for Day → Confirm.
Lockout
Lockout
Manually block yourself from trading for a set period. Per account — must be set separately for each.
- Choose a session (NY, London, etc.) or custom duration (15 min, 1 hr, all day)
- Once applied, it can't be canceled
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterManual Lockout" renamed to "Lockout" in Account Info feature description.Aug 17
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Discord
If you're unable to flatten directly on the platform, you can submit a request through out #get-flat channel in Discord.
Include:
- Account number
- Platform (TopstepX)
- Brief reason for the request
Our team will review and process the request as quickly as possible.
💡 Orders, stops, or take profits not showing on your chart? Check chart linking first. Click the link icon on your chart and confirm it's connected to the account you're actively trading. This is the most common reason orders don't appear visually even when they're executing correctly. Performance troubleshooting (data speed, cache) is a separate issue.
Mobile Devices
TopstepX is mobile-friendly and can be accessed through your phone’s web browser, allowing you to manage trades and monitor the market on the go. Most desktop features are available on mobile, providing a consistent and flexible trading experience.
For the best experience, use a smartphone, and tablets may perform better in desktop mode. Please note there is currently no mobile app. If the mobile version is not loading correctly, ensure that “Desktop Mode” is disabled in your browser settings.
Mobile Navigation
Section: Mobile Navigation
− Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Manual Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
All Accounts—Overview of every account tied to your login, including status (Active, Temp. Liquidation, Goal Achieved, or Ineligible), Created On date, Account Name, Win Rate, Total Lots Traded, Day P&L, Open P&L, and Account Balance.
Positions—Monitor open positions in with details on Time, Symbol, Position size, Entry Price, Risk (Stop Loss), To Make (Take Profit), P&L, and a 1-tap Close button.
Orders—Track open, filled, canceled, or rejected orders with key price levels and a quick Cancel option.
Trades—Review your completed round-trip trade history, including Symbol, Size, Time, Entry Price, Exit Price, P&L, and Fees.
Mobile DOM:
- Limit Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, below market) or Ask Size (sell, above market)
- Stop Market Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, above market) or Ask Size (sell, below market)
- Breakeven ("B/E") Order — appears once a position shows a positive unrealized P&L. Tap it to place a Stop Market order at your average entry price
Mobile Charts:
- Change symbol — tap the "+" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
- TP/SL from chart — tap your position indicator, then drag up or down. A blue-outlined dot shows it's active to move
- Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "+" button
After
Discord
If you're unable to flatten directly on the platform, you can submit a request through out #get-flat channel in Discord.
Include:
- Account number
- Platform (TopstepX)
- Brief reason for the request
Our team will review and process the request as quickly as possible.
💡 Orders, stops, or take profits not showing on your chart? Check chart linking first. Click the link icon on your chart and confirm it's connected to the account you're actively trading. This is the most common reason orders don't appear visually even when they're executing correctly. Performance troubleshooting (data speed, cache) is a separate issue.
Mobile Devices
TopstepX is mobile-friendly and can be accessed through your phone’s web browser, allowing you to manage trades and monitor the market on the go. Most desktop features are available on mobile, providing a consistent and flexible trading experience.
For the best experience, use a smartphone, and tablets may perform better in desktop mode. Please note there is currently no mobile app. If the mobile version is not loading correctly, ensure that “Desktop Mode” is disabled in your browser settings.
Mobile Navigation
Section: Mobile Navigation
+ Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
All Accounts—Overview of every account tied to your login, including status (Active, Temp. Liquidation, Goal Achieved, or Ineligible), Created On date, Account Name, Win Rate, Total Lots Traded, Day P&L, Open P&L, and Account Balance.
Positions—Monitor open positions in with details on Time, Symbol, Position size, Entry Price, Risk (Stop Loss), To Make (Take Profit), P&L, and a 1-tap Close button.
Orders—Track open, filled, canceled, or rejected orders with key price levels and a quick Cancel option.
Trades—Review your completed round-trip trade history, including Symbol, Size, Time, Entry Price, Exit Price, P&L, and Fees.
Mobile DOM:
- Limit Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, below market) or Ask Size (sell, above market)
- Stop Market Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, above market) or Ask Size (sell, below market)
- Breakeven ("B/E") Order — appears once a position shows a positive unrealized P&L. Tap it to place a Stop Market order at your average entry price
Mobile Charts:
- Change symbol — tap the "+" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
- TP/SL from chart — tap your position indicator, then drag up or down. A blue-outlined dot shows it's active to move
- Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "+" button
Discord
If you're unable to flatten directly on the platform, you can submit a request through out #get-flat channel in Discord.
Include:
- Account number
- Platform (TopstepX)
- Brief reason for the request
Our team will review and process the request as quickly as possible.
💡 Orders, stops, or take profits not showing on your chart? Check chart linking first. Click the link icon on your chart and confirm it's connected to the account you're actively trading. This is the most common reason orders don't appear visually even when they're executing correctly. Performance troubleshooting (data speed, cache) is a separate issue.
Mobile Devices
TopstepX is mobile-friendly and can be accessed through your phone’s web browser, allowing you to manage trades and monitor the market on the go. Most desktop features are available on mobile, providing a consistent and flexible trading experience.
For the best experience, use a smartphone, and tablets may perform better in desktop mode. Please note there is currently no mobile app. If the mobile version is not loading correctly, ensure that “Desktop Mode” is disabled in your browser settings.
Mobile Navigation
Section: Mobile Navigation
− Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Manual Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
+ Account Info—View a snapshot of your account balance, UP&L, RP&L, and parameters. Switch between accounts via the dropdown or trigger a Lockout right from this panel — once enabled, it can't be reversed.
All Accounts—Overview of every account tied to your login, including status (Active, Temp. Liquidation, Goal Achieved, or Ineligible), Created On date, Account Name, Win Rate, Total Lots Traded, Day P&L, Open P&L, and Account Balance.
Positions—Monitor open positions in with details on Time, Symbol, Position size, Entry Price, Risk (Stop Loss), To Make (Take Profit), P&L, and a 1-tap Close button.
Orders—Track open, filled, canceled, or rejected orders with key price levels and a quick Cancel option.
Trades—Review your completed round-trip trade history, including Symbol, Size, Time, Entry Price, Exit Price, P&L, and Fees.
Mobile DOM:
- Limit Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, below market) or Ask Size (sell, above market)
- Stop Market Orders — tap Bid Size (buy, above market) or Ask Size (sell, below market)
- Breakeven ("B/E") Order — appears once a position shows a positive unrealized P&L. Tap it to place a Stop Market order at your average entry price
Mobile Charts:
- Change symbol — tap the "+" near the chart's right edge and pick from the dropdown
- TP/SL from chart — tap your position indicator, then drag up or down. A blue-outlined dot shows it's active to move
- Order types on mobile charts — Market, Limit, Stop, and Trailing Stop, all accessible from the same "+" button
PremierTopstep · Topstep Labs | Topstep Help CenterRemoved statement about limited quantities and Topstep Labs webpage; added note that accounts available are quantity-limited; max contracts reduced from 25 mini/250 micro to 15 mini/150 micro.Aug 14
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Not just concepts — actual experiments you can trade right now. Every drop is limited; when it's gone, it's gone. Some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience. Others won't. But every drop teaches us something. This article tracks every Labs offering as it launches — full details and dates, all in one place.
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here. All Labs offerings are available in limited quantities. Visit the Topstep Labs webpage to see what's available.
Initiative | Launch Date
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Section: Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
− Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
After
Not just concepts — actual experiments you can trade right now. Every drop is limited; when it's gone, it's gone. Some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience. Others won't. But every drop teaches us something. This article tracks every Labs offering as it launches — full details and dates, all in one place.
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
+ Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
+ Accounts Available for Purchase | Quantities Limited
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Section: Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
+ Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
Not just concepts — actual experiments you can trade right now. Every drop is limited; when it's gone, it's gone. Some Labs ideas graduate into the full Topstep experience. Others won't. But every drop teaches us something. This article tracks every Labs offering as it launches — full details and dates, all in one place.
👉 You can also visit topstep.com/labs to see what's live and sign up to stay in the know.
How Topstep Labs Works
- We drop an experiment. A new Labs offering goes live as a limited drop.
- You trade it. Real Traders, real data. This is how we find out if an idea actually works.
- We see what works. Some experiments make it out of the lab and into the full Topstep program.
The Scientist Behind Labs
Topstep acquired Futures Desk because we knew how much they cared about the development of futures Traders. Josh Schwartzberg was the man behind Futures Desk — and now he's the Head Scientist behind Topstep Labs.
"We built Futures Desk because we believed traders deserved a better way to learn. Topstep Labs gives us the opportunity to bring those ideas to life at Topstep's scale. A place to test new opportunities, explore new ideas, and help traders become better traders."
Josh Schwartzberg
CEO, Futures Desk — Topstep Labs Head Scientist
Topstep Labs Drops
Section: Topstep Labs Drops
− Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here. All Labs offerings are available in limited quantities. Visit the Topstep Labs webpage to see what's available.
+ Check here for Topstep Labs offering details. Once something drops, we'll list it here.
Initiative | Launch Date
$25K Static Drawdown Trading Combine® | June 2026
$250K Freedom Funded Trading Combine® | July 2026
$25K Static Trading Combine Parameters
The first program under Topstep Labs. A one-time-fee evaluation with $25,000 in buying power and a static Maximum Loss Limit — your drawdown floor never moves, so your effective room grows as your account does.
Phase 1: Trading Combine®
Parameter | Value
Buying Power | $25,000
Profit Target | $2,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)
Max Contracts | 2 mini / 20 micro
Consistency Target | 50%
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Funded Activation Fee | Free
Price | $75 one-time — no subscription. 90 Day expiration.
Resets | Not Available
Section: Phase 1: Trading Combine®
+ Accounts Available for Purchase | Quantities Limited
Phase 2: Express Funded Account® (XFA)
Parameter | Value
Path | Choose Consistency or Standard
Payout Cap | $4,000
Max Loss Limit | $1,000 (static, non-trailing 🔥)After first Payout, MLL sets to $0
Max Contracts: | 2 mini / 20 micro (no scaling)
Daily Loss Limit (DLL) | Mandatory $500
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $25,000
Starting Balance | $5,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $500
$1,500 - $2,000 | 4 Lots
$2,000 - $3,000 | 5 Lots
$3,000 - $4,500 | 10 Lots
$4,500 - $6,000 | 15 Lots
$6,000 - $8,000 | 20 Lots
Above $8,000 | 25 Lots
Learn more about how the Scaling Plan works here.
Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
Parameter | Value
Tier Size | $150,000
Starting Balance | $10,000 minimum
Daily Loss Limit | Mandatory $5,000
Section: Phase 3: Live Funded Account® (LFA)
− Max Contracts | 25 mini / 250 micro
+ Max Contracts | 15 mini / 150 micro
Please note: once moved to a Live Funded Account, the Live Funded Account will follow our standard Live Funded Account Parameters and be treated as a $150K.
Frequently Asked Questions
$25K Static Trading Combine
What does "static drawdown" mean, and how is it different from trailing drawdown?
Topstep uses 2 types of drawdown. Here's how each works using the same scenario: a Trader starts with a $25,000 balance and a $1,000 Max Loss Limit, earns $1,000 in profit (balance hits $26,000), then loses $500 (balance ends at $25,500).
- End-of-Day (EOD) Trailing (standard Topstep Trading Combines): The Max Loss Limit trails the end-of-day closing balance — not intraday peaks. Trader ends at $25,500, limit moves to $24,500. They start the next day with $1,000 of room.
- Static (this Trading Combine): The Max Loss Limit never moves. It stays at $24,000 no matter what. With a $28,000 balance, the Trader has $4,000 of room — not $3,000.
| EOD Trailing | Static
Maximum Loss Limit after scenario | $24,500 | $24,000
Effective room next day | $1,000 | $1,500
Who is eligible to purchase this new offering?
Quantities are limited. Keep an eye on topstep.com/labs for future Labs drops.
PremierTopstep · Prohibited Conduct | Topstep Help CenterTwo prohibited behaviors removed (uncommercial conduct clause and VPN restriction); replaced with guidance permitting friends and family trading under specific conditions.Aug 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
Who is the Trust Team?
The Trust Team protects the integrity of the program. If your conduct is called into question, they're who you'll hear from.
Trust reviews Terms of Use violations, fraudulent activity, and account manipulation. They do not handle platform or technical issues — that's Trader Support.
Appeals
You don't need to initiate an appeal. The Trust Team will contact you directly if one is available. Trader Support cannot assist with appeals.
Once you receive an email from Trust, respond directly to the assigned team member with any supporting documents or information. Respond as soon as possible — there's no fixed deadline, but early responses help.
Appeals can be denied if the review finds ToU violations, fraudulent activity, or account manipulation. If accepted, you'll receive an email with terms and conditions you must accept to return. Breaching those terms will result in immediate account termination.
Trust FAQs
Why can't I appeal?
An appeal may not be possible depending on the severity of the Terms of Use violation. The Trust Team will let you know whether one is available.
What if I just create a new profile?
Don't. New profiles created after a ban will be closed immediately and no refunds will be issued.
After
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
+ Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience
+ Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Who is the Trust Team?
The Trust Team protects the integrity of the program. If your conduct is called into question, they're who you'll hear from.
Trust reviews Terms of Use violations, fraudulent activity, and account manipulation. They do not handle platform or technical issues — that's Trader Support.
Appeals
You don't need to initiate an appeal. The Trust Team will contact you directly if one is available. Trader Support cannot assist with appeals.
Once you receive an email from Trust, respond directly to the assigned team member with any supporting documents or information. Respond as soon as possible — there's no fixed deadline, but early responses help.
Appeals can be denied if the review finds ToU violations, fraudulent activity, or account manipulation. If accepted, you'll receive an email with terms and conditions you must accept to return. Breaching those terms will result in immediate account termination.
Trust FAQs
Why can't I appeal?
An appeal may not be possible depending on the severity of the Terms of Use violation. The Trust Team will let you know whether one is available.
What if I just create a new profile?
Don't. New profiles created after a ban will be closed immediately and no refunds will be issued.
- Coordinated trading — performing trades in concert with others (including unconnected accounts or third parties) to pool risk, hedge aggregate positions, or trade the same or opposite strategy simultaneously
- Cross-account hedging (single-user) — holding opposite positions across multiple accounts simultaneously
- Trades conflicting with Topstep’s Terms of Use
- Unfair technology — using software, AI, ultra-high speed systems, or mass data entry to gain an unfair advantage
- Trading inconsistent with real futures markets — or in a way that creates financial risk for Topstep
- Exploiting platform deficiencies — using instruments or methods that misuse bugs, errors, or deficiencies in the platform
- Circumventing geographical or technical restrictions
- Holding a position within 2% of a product’s price lock limit — see How to Ensure I Am Not Trading Within 2% of a Price Limit
- Trading on behalf of others — including sharing incentives as part of any business arrangement
- Account stacking — repeatedly hitting the Maximum Loss Limit in one account and switching to another to repeat high-risk attempts
- Any other conduct that Topstep determines, at its sole discretion, is uncommercial, games the market, is not a viable strategy, or is not responsible trading
- Do not use a VPN. VPNs, proxy services, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are not permitted at Topstep. If you see an Error 403 Forbidden message, disable your VPN or proxy and try again.
Section: What Is Prohibited Conduct?
+ Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience
+ Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Who is the Trust Team?
The Trust Team protects the integrity of the program. If your conduct is called into question, they're who you'll hear from.
Trust reviews Terms of Use violations, fraudulent activity, and account manipulation. They do not handle platform or technical issues — that's Trader Support.
Appeals
You don't need to initiate an appeal. The Trust Team will contact you directly if one is available. Trader Support cannot assist with appeals.
Once you receive an email from Trust, respond directly to the assigned team member with any supporting documents or information. Respond as soon as possible — there's no fixed deadline, but early responses help.
Appeals can be denied if the review finds ToU violations, fraudulent activity, or account manipulation. If accepted, you'll receive an email with terms and conditions you must accept to return. Breaching those terms will result in immediate account termination.
Trust FAQs
Why can't I appeal?
An appeal may not be possible depending on the severity of the Terms of Use violation. The Trust Team will let you know whether one is available.
What if I just create a new profile?
Don't. New profiles created after a ban will be closed immediately and no refunds will be issued.
PremierTopstep · What is Responsible Trading? | Topstep Help CenterAdded guidance that trading with friends and family is permitted in Ultimate Trading Experience, with restrictions on coordinated group trading and account-sharing.Aug 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Disrespect your daily limits
Can't trade small? You can't trade big. This program builds the discipline and risk management your strategy needs. Consistency first — then size and scale.
Learn more about the Responsible Trading Program.
Resources for Responsible Trading
To help you trade responsibly, we've built risk tools designed to reinforce discipline, manage emotion, and keep your best behaviors in check.
Topstep Content
- TopstepX Risk Settings
- How to set Trade Limits
- Video: Breakeven Button
- How to use Auto OCO Brackets
Trader Communities
Topstep's community spans Reddit, Discord, Facebook, Twitch, Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Show up wherever you already hang out. Share wins, debrief losses, ask questions, and watch live trading. Learn more here: Topstep Community
Section: Trader Communities
Trader Resources
- Topstep Blog
- Help Center
- Status Page
- Topstep Learning
Trader Support
- Windy (smart assistant, 24/7): https://www.topstep.com/contact-support/
- Call: (888) 407-1611
- Email:
- Text: (866) 448-1642
- WhatsApp: (773) 900-6673
All the rules and legal stuff
After
- Disrespect your daily limits
Can't trade small? You can't trade big. This program builds the discipline and risk management your strategy needs. Consistency first — then size and scale.
Learn more about the Responsible Trading Program.
Resources for Responsible Trading
To help you trade responsibly, we've built risk tools designed to reinforce discipline, manage emotion, and keep your best behaviors in check.
Topstep Content
- TopstepX Risk Settings
- How to set Trade Limits
- Video: Breakeven Button
- How to use Auto OCO Brackets
Trader Communities
Topstep's community spans Reddit, Discord, Facebook, Twitch, Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Show up wherever you already hang out. Share wins, debrief losses, ask questions, and watch live trading. Learn more here: Topstep Community
Section: Trader Communities
+ Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience
+ Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Trader Resources
- Topstep Blog
- Help Center
- Status Page
- Topstep Learning
Trader Support
- Windy (smart assistant, 24/7): https://www.topstep.com/contact-support/
- Call: (888) 407-1611
- Email:
- Text: (866) 448-1642
- WhatsApp: (773) 900-6673
All the rules and legal stuff
- Disrespect your daily limits
Can't trade small? You can't trade big. This program builds the discipline and risk management your strategy needs. Consistency first — then size and scale.
Learn more about the Responsible Trading Program.
Resources for Responsible Trading
To help you trade responsibly, we've built risk tools designed to reinforce discipline, manage emotion, and keep your best behaviors in check.
Topstep Content
- TopstepX Risk Settings
- How to set Trade Limits
- Video: Breakeven Button
- How to use Auto OCO Brackets
Trader Communities
Topstep's community spans Reddit, Discord, Facebook, Twitch, Kick, YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Show up wherever you already hang out. Share wins, debrief losses, ask questions, and watch live trading. Learn more here: Topstep Community
Section: Trader Communities
+ Trading with friends & family is part of the Ultimate Trading Experience
+ Just keep it by the book — no coordinated group trading, no account-sharing, no single-account rule workarounds.
Trader Resources
- Topstep Blog
- Help Center
- Status Page
- Topstep Learning
Trader Support
- Windy (smart assistant, 24/7): https://www.topstep.com/contact-support/
- Call: (888) 407-1611
- Email:
- Text: (866) 448-1642
- WhatsApp: (773) 900-6673
All the rules and legal stuff
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterFor the 25K account, the effect during window changed from Fully blocked from trading to Capped at 1 micro.Aug 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− 25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Fully blocked from trading
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
After
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ 25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
- Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
- Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− 25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Fully blocked from trading
+ 25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
Related Articles:
- CME Velocity Logic
- When and What Products Can I Trade?
- Topstep Program Overview
PremierTopstep · Topstep® Refund Policies | Topstep Help CenterRefund request process changed from requiring transaction details to requiring payment reference ID, with automatic eligibility checking and immediate processing for qualified requests.Aug 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
Section: Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
− ☝️ To request a refund, share the following details with our support team in this chat: transaction amount, date, last 4 digits of payment card, and a brief explanation. A team member will review and follow up — a refund request isn't started until the team confirms it with you.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
No refunds for:
- Codes applied incorrectly
- Purchases made outside promotion terms
- Discounts or codes that were missed
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
After
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
Section: Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
+ ☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
No refunds for:
- Codes applied incorrectly
- Purchases made outside promotion terms
- Discounts or codes that were missed
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
The Trading Combine® gives you instant access to live data and a trading account. Because of that, refunds are generally not available once a purchase is made.
Refunds are issued to the original payment method only. Processing takes 7–10 business days. If it's been longer, check with your bank first, then contact Trader Support.
14-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
New to Topstep? If within your first 14 calendar days you decide it's not for you, we'll refund up to 1 monthly renewal payment for your Trading Combine® — as long as you haven't passed the evaluation.
👉 This applies to your first-ever Trading Combine® purchase only. We just ask for feedback on why it wasn't a fit.
Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
Your Trading Combine® is a monthly subscription that Rebills approximately every 30 days until you pass or cancel. Managing your subscription is your responsibility. You will receive a reminder email 3 days before your Rebill processes. Manage your subscription at dashboard.topstep.com.
- Accounts must have no trading activity
- Contact us within 28 days of the charge.
- Each Rebill adds 1 Reset credit to your Reset Bank (same size and account type, expires 1 year from issue).
- If you've already used the Reset credit from that Rebill, we cannot process a refund.
- Processing a refund will result in the immediate cancellation of your subscription, closure of the associated Trading Combine, and removal of the associated Reset credit.
Section: Accidentally Left Subscription On / Forgot to Cancel
− ☝️ To request a refund, share the following details with our support team in this chat: transaction amount, date, last 4 digits of payment card, and a brief explanation. A team member will review and follow up — a refund request isn't started until the team confirms it with you.
+ ☝️ Rebill refund requests are handled in chat. Windy will ask for your payment reference ID (found on your Billing page at dashboard.topstep.com) and check eligibility against our policy automatically. Eligible requests are processed immediately. If your request doesn’t qualify, you’ll be routed to the Trader Support team.
Promotional Codes and Discounts
No refunds for:
- Codes applied incorrectly
- Purchases made outside promotion terms
- Discounts or codes that were missed
Passed the Trading Combine® After a Recent Charge
If you pass shortly after a monthly payment, we cannot refund or prorate that payment. The subscription payment was required to keep your account active through to funding.
Once you earn funding, the subscription and all fees are considered used in full.
Resets
No refunds on Reset purchases — including accidentally resetting the wrong account or resetting the same account twice. Double-check your account number before resetting.
Level 2 Depth of Market Data
Depth of Market Data activates immediately upon purchase and Rebills monthly on the 28th day of the month for $38. Nonrefundable. Cancel anytime from your dashboard.
PremierTopstep · Consistency at Topstep | Topstep Help CenterAdded four paragraphs clarifying that additional trading on the same day a best day was set raises the profit target further, requiring profit on a separate trading day instead.Aug 13
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,500
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,000
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,500
Example: $1,200 best day ÷ $2,800 total profit = 43% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
There's a small backend buffer for market fluctuations — you don't need to hit numbers to the penny. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 50% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,500 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,500.
To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
Example: $1,500 best day ÷ 0.50 = $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,500. If your next day earns $2,000, your best day becomes $2,000 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
If your Consistency % exceeds 40%, keep trading. As you earn more net profit, the percentage will naturally come down.
👉 Your dashboard updates in real time and shows your Consistency %, total net profit, largest single-day profit, and Payout eligibility status.
After
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,500
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,000
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,500
Example: $1,200 best day ÷ $2,800 total profit = 43% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
There's a small backend buffer for market fluctuations — you don't need to hit numbers to the penny. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 50% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,500 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,500.
To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
Example: $1,500 best day ÷ 0.50 = $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,500. If your next day earns $2,000, your best day becomes $2,000 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
+ To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
+ Example: Your best day is $1,800 (set today, session still open). Your adjusted Profit Target is $3,600. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work — every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
If your Consistency % exceeds 40%, keep trading. As you earn more net profit, the percentage will naturally come down.
👉 Your dashboard updates in real time and shows your Consistency %, total net profit, largest single-day profit, and Payout eligibility status.
$50K | $3,000 | Less than $1,500
$100K | $6,000 | Less than $3,000
$150K | $9,000 | Less than $4,500
Example: $1,200 best day ÷ $2,800 total profit = 43% ✅ — Consistency Target met.
There's a small backend buffer for market fluctuations — you don't need to hit numbers to the penny. You can pass in as few as 2 days, as long as no single day exceeds 50% of your total profit and your Profit Target is met.
⚠️ Losses do not reset your best day. The Consistency Target applies regardless of your current account balance.
How does the Best Day lock in?
Your best day updates throughout the session as your P&L moves. At 3:10 PM CT, that day's value locks into your trading history and cannot be changed. A future day becomes your new best day if it exceeds the previous one and locks at 3:10 PM CT on its own day.
What happens if I have a losing day?
Losses don't reset your best day. If your best day is $1,500 but a losing day brings your total profit down to $1,000, your best day is still $1,500.
To find your new Profit Target: Best Day ÷ 0.50 = Total Profit Needed.
Example: $1,500 best day ÷ 0.50 = $3,000 Profit Target. You need to recover losses and reach $3,000 without letting any single day exceed $1,500. If your next day earns $2,000, your best day becomes $2,000 and your new Profit Target becomes $4,000.
Section: Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ Can I fix a Consistency violation by trading more on the same day?
+ No. If your best day was set during the current trading session (before 3:10 PM CT), any additional profit you earn today adds directly to that best day total — which raises your adjusted Profit Target even further.
+ To resolve a Consistency Target violation, the remaining profit must be earned on a separate trading day, after the market close of the session in which your best day was set.
+ Example: Your best day is $1,800 (set today, session still open). Your adjusted Profit Target is $3,600. Trading more today to earn the remaining $1,800 will not work — every dollar you earn today increases your best day total, which keeps raising the target.
Can I keep trading after hitting my Best Day Recommendation?
Yes, but exceeding it increases your Profit Target and makes the Trading Combine harder to pass.
💡 Tip: On TopstepX™, you can set a Personal Daily Profit Target to lock in your gains before exceeding the Consistency Target. Go to Settings, then Risk Settings, set your dollar amount and action (Do Nothing, Liquidate, or Liquidate and Block), then save. Read more or watch the video.
Express Funded Account Consistency — Consistency Objective (40%)
The Consistency path in the Express Funded Account® (XFA) rewards Traders who build profit steadily, not in one big day. When you activate your XFA, you choose Standard or Consistency as your Payout path. The Consistency path gets you to Payout eligibility faster but adds a 40% threshold.
Formula: Largest Single-Day Net Profit ÷ Total Net Profit = Consistency %
Your Consistency % must be 40% or below to be Payout eligible. This is not rounded. Any result above 40% does not qualify.
To request a Payout, you must also have:
- A minimum of 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day
- Example: $3,600 largest day ÷ $9,500 total net profit = 37.9% ✅
If your Consistency % exceeds 40%, keep trading. As you earn more net profit, the percentage will naturally come down.
👉 Your dashboard updates in real time and shows your Consistency %, total net profit, largest single-day profit, and Payout eligibility status.
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterMicro Gold (MGC) limits changed to 30/60/90 for Trading Combine accounts and 5/10/15 for Live Funded; added clarification text and removed $25K Static Trading Combine restriction.Aug 12
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
During extreme volatility, we may temporarily tighten position limits on affected products. We're talking about conditions like:
- Expanding price limits
- Velocity Logic halts
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
Section: Current Restrictions
− 👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size: 50K/100K/150K
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
− Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
After
During extreme volatility, we may temporarily tighten position limits on affected products. We're talking about conditions like:
- Expanding price limits
- Velocity Logic halts
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
Section: Current Restrictions
+ 👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
+ Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6⚠️ Note: The $250K Freedom Trading Combine has different GC limits. See the Labs callout below.Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
During extreme volatility, we may temporarily tighten position limits on affected products. We're talking about conditions like:
- Expanding price limits
- Velocity Logic halts
- Historic price ranges
- Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
- Micro Contract Limits
- Mini Contract Restrictions
- Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
Section: Current Restrictions
− 👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size: 50K/100K/150K
+ 👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size. The numbers shown use a 3-tier format: $50K / $100K / $150K. For example, "GC = 3/6/9" means 3 minis for $50K accounts, 6 minis for $100K accounts, and 9 minis for $150K accounts.
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account,Pro Account | Live Funded Account
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9
− Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
+ Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6⚠️ Note: The $250K Freedom Trading Combine has different GC limits. See the Labs callout below.Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15Silver (SI) = 0Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6Copper (HG) = 0Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6Platinum (PL) = 0
🧪 Labs: Restricted Products
- For the $25K Static Trading Combine, restricted products are set to a max contract size of 1 mini/10 micros.
- For the $250K Trading Combine, restricted energies are set to a max contract size of 15 minis/150 micros. For SIL/MGH, 10 minis/100 micros. SI, HG, and PL are still 0.
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
- Crude Oil (CL)
- E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
- Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
- Heating Oil (HO)
- RBOB Gasoline (RB)
PremierTopstep · Live Funded Account Parameters | Topstep Help CenterLive Account starting balance calculation restructured: Account Size now explicitly capped at the funded tier, with separate Cumulative balance determining what transfers; example changed to clarify forfeiture rules.Aug 12
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Basics
Real capital. Real markets. The Live Funded Account® (LFA) is the big leagues — Topstep's money behind you, no Payout caps, and unlimited growth potential. When the call-up comes, all Express Funded Accounts (XFA) close. This is what you've been working toward.
Live Account Size
Section: Live Account Size
− Your LFA size is based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs with at least 1 Payout. If you haven't requested any Payouts yet, all XFAs are averaged together. The average is rounded up to the nearest tier ($50K, $100K, or $150K).
Example: Four 50K XFAs + one 150K XFA = 70K average → rounds up to $100K LFA.
Starting Balance and Reserve
Section: Starting Balance and Reserve
− At Live activation:
− - 20% of combined XFA balances is available for trading immediately
− - Minimum starting balance: $10,000 (Topstep supplements from Reserve if needed)
− - 80% held in Reserve — unlocked in 4 increments as you hit profit thresholds
− - Each threshold = 25% of Reserve released
− Example: $75K combined profit → $15K to trade, $60K in Reserve.
− Starting balance is capped at your account size. Can't transfer more than $100K into a $100K LFA. The excess is forfeited.
👉 Heads up: all Express Funded Accounts are averaged together, so new Topstep Labs accounts may affect your account size.
Capital Expansion — Unlocking Your Reserve
Reserve funds unlock in 25% increments each time you hit the Profit Target for your LFA size. The Profit Target mirrors your Trading Combine® profit target:
LFA Size | Profit Target to Unlock Reserve Increment
$50K | $3,000
$100K | $6,000
$150K | $9,000
Capital Expansion is:
- Reviewed every Monday morning
- Funds deposited within 1-2 business days
- Can be delayed or denied for excessive or reckless risk behavior
- You cannot unlock multiple tiers with a single large win — each threshold requires net profit since the last expansion.
After
The Basics
Real capital. Real markets. The Live Funded Account® (LFA) is the big leagues — Topstep's money behind you, no Payout caps, and unlimited growth potential. When the call-up comes, all Express Funded Accounts (XFA) close. This is what you've been working toward.
Live Account Size
Section: Live Account Size
+ Your LFA size is based on the average account size (the funded tier of each XFA — $50K, $100K, or $150K — not the current balance) of all active, eligible XFAs with at least 1 Payout. If you haven't requested any Payouts yet, all XFAs are averaged together. The average is rounded up to the nearest tier ($50K, $100K, or $150K).
Example: Four 50K XFAs + one 150K XFA = 70K average → rounds up to $100K LFA.
Starting Balance and Reserve
Section: Starting Balance and Reserve
+ Two numbers set your Live starting balance:
+ - Account Size — the average of your eligible XFAs, rounded up to the nearest tier. This is a hard cap ($50K, $100K, or $150K)
+ - Cumulative balance — the actual balances in those XFAs, added together. Remember: what transfers is capped at the account size.
+ What transfers then splits:
+ - 20% available to trade immediately — minimum $10,000
+ - 80% held in Reserve — released in 4 increments of 25% as you hit profit thresholds
+ Example: Four $50K XFAs holding $25K each. Account Size = $50K. Cumulative balance was $100K, so $50K is forfeited. → $10K to trade, $40K in Reserve.
👉 Heads up: all Express Funded Accounts are averaged together, so new Topstep Labs accounts may affect your account size.
Capital Expansion — Unlocking Your Reserve
Reserve funds unlock in 25% increments each time you hit the Profit Target for your LFA size. The Profit Target mirrors your Trading Combine® profit target:
LFA Size | Profit Target to Unlock Reserve Increment
$50K | $3,000
$100K | $6,000
$150K | $9,000
Capital Expansion is:
- Reviewed every Monday morning
- Funds deposited within 1-2 business days
- Can be delayed or denied for excessive or reckless risk behavior
- You cannot unlock multiple tiers with a single large win — each threshold requires net profit since the last expansion.
The Basics
Real capital. Real markets. The Live Funded Account® (LFA) is the big leagues — Topstep's money behind you, no Payout caps, and unlimited growth potential. When the call-up comes, all Express Funded Accounts (XFA) close. This is what you've been working toward.
Live Account Size
Section: Live Account Size
− Your LFA size is based on the average of all active, eligible XFAs with at least 1 Payout. If you haven't requested any Payouts yet, all XFAs are averaged together. The average is rounded up to the nearest tier ($50K, $100K, or $150K).
+ Your LFA size is based on the average account size (the funded tier of each XFA — $50K, $100K, or $150K — not the current balance) of all active, eligible XFAs with at least 1 Payout. If you haven't requested any Payouts yet, all XFAs are averaged together. The average is rounded up to the nearest tier ($50K, $100K, or $150K).
Example: Four 50K XFAs + one 150K XFA = 70K average → rounds up to $100K LFA.
Starting Balance and Reserve
Section: Starting Balance and Reserve
− At Live activation:
− - 20% of combined XFA balances is available for trading immediately
− - Minimum starting balance: $10,000 (Topstep supplements from Reserve if needed)
− - 80% held in Reserve — unlocked in 4 increments as you hit profit thresholds
− - Each threshold = 25% of Reserve released
− Example: $75K combined profit → $15K to trade, $60K in Reserve.
− Starting balance is capped at your account size. Can't transfer more than $100K into a $100K LFA. The excess is forfeited.
+ Two numbers set your Live starting balance:
+ - Account Size — the average of your eligible XFAs, rounded up to the nearest tier. This is a hard cap ($50K, $100K, or $150K)
+ - Cumulative balance — the actual balances in those XFAs, added together. Remember: what transfers is capped at the account size.
+ What transfers then splits:
+ - 20% available to trade immediately — minimum $10,000
+ - 80% held in Reserve — released in 4 increments of 25% as you hit profit thresholds
+ Example: Four $50K XFAs holding $25K each. Account Size = $50K. Cumulative balance was $100K, so $50K is forfeited. → $10K to trade, $40K in Reserve.
👉 Heads up: all Express Funded Accounts are averaged together, so new Topstep Labs accounts may affect your account size.
Capital Expansion — Unlocking Your Reserve
Reserve funds unlock in 25% increments each time you hit the Profit Target for your LFA size. The Profit Target mirrors your Trading Combine® profit target:
LFA Size | Profit Target to Unlock Reserve Increment
$50K | $3,000
$100K | $6,000
$150K | $9,000
Capital Expansion is:
- Reviewed every Monday morning
- Funds deposited within 1-2 business days
- Can be delayed or denied for excessive or reckless risk behavior
- You cannot unlock multiple tiers with a single large win — each threshold requires net profit since the last expansion.
PremierTopstep · What is the Focused Trader Program? | Topstep Help CenterSlowdown Path account limit changed from no restriction to one active $50K account once current accounts close.Aug 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
The Focused Trader Program (FTP) resets your approach and helps you build the habits needed to trade consistently and sustainably.
This is your chance to prove you can trade with real discipline — in line with Topstep's Trading Pledge. There are 2 paths into the FTP depending on why you were placed: the Corrective Path and the Slowdown Path.
Details of the Focused Trader Program:
| Corrective Path | Slowdown Path
Section: Details of the Focused Trader Program:
− Account limit | 1 active $50K account at a time (Trading Combine, XFA, or LFA) | No restriction
Time requirement | 6 months | None
To request a review from the Risk Team | 6 months of consistent trading + $10K net LFA profits, or good trading behavior | $10K net LFA profits or good trading behavior
👉 For both paths, Risk Team review does not guarantee approval to rejoin the regular program or purchase multiple accounts.
Corrective Path
This path is for Traders who haven't followed Topstep's Terms of Use after multiple warnings. It's a final opportunity to prove you can trade within the rules — before permanent removal.
You may be on this path for:
- Hedging accounts against each other to gain funding
- Excessive recycling of Trading Combines® or XFAs
- Losing multiple LFAs
- Behavior that goes against the Trader Pledge or real-world market discipline
What happens:
- Immediately placed into the Focused Trader Program (outlined above)
After
The Focused Trader Program (FTP) resets your approach and helps you build the habits needed to trade consistently and sustainably.
This is your chance to prove you can trade with real discipline — in line with Topstep's Trading Pledge. There are 2 paths into the FTP depending on why you were placed: the Corrective Path and the Slowdown Path.
Details of the Focused Trader Program:
| Corrective Path | Slowdown Path
Section: Details of the Focused Trader Program:
+ Account limit | 1 active $50K account at a time (Trading Combine, XFA, or LFA) | Current active accounts can remain open but limited to 1 active $50K account at a time (Trading Combine, XFA, or LFA) once closed.
Time requirement | 6 months | None
To request a review from the Risk Team | 6 months of consistent trading + $10K net LFA profits, or good trading behavior | $10K net LFA profits or good trading behavior
👉 For both paths, Risk Team review does not guarantee approval to rejoin the regular program or purchase multiple accounts.
Corrective Path
This path is for Traders who haven't followed Topstep's Terms of Use after multiple warnings. It's a final opportunity to prove you can trade within the rules — before permanent removal.
You may be on this path for:
- Hedging accounts against each other to gain funding
- Excessive recycling of Trading Combines® or XFAs
- Losing multiple LFAs
- Behavior that goes against the Trader Pledge or real-world market discipline
What happens:
- Immediately placed into the Focused Trader Program (outlined above)
The Focused Trader Program (FTP) resets your approach and helps you build the habits needed to trade consistently and sustainably.
This is your chance to prove you can trade with real discipline — in line with Topstep's Trading Pledge. There are 2 paths into the FTP depending on why you were placed: the Corrective Path and the Slowdown Path.
Details of the Focused Trader Program:
| Corrective Path | Slowdown Path
Section: Details of the Focused Trader Program:
− Account limit | 1 active $50K account at a time (Trading Combine, XFA, or LFA) | No restriction
+ Account limit | 1 active $50K account at a time (Trading Combine, XFA, or LFA) | Current active accounts can remain open but limited to 1 active $50K account at a time (Trading Combine, XFA, or LFA) once closed.
Time requirement | 6 months | None
To request a review from the Risk Team | 6 months of consistent trading + $10K net LFA profits, or good trading behavior | $10K net LFA profits or good trading behavior
👉 For both paths, Risk Team review does not guarantee approval to rejoin the regular program or purchase multiple accounts.
Corrective Path
This path is for Traders who haven't followed Topstep's Terms of Use after multiple warnings. It's a final opportunity to prove you can trade within the rules — before permanent removal.
You may be on this path for:
- Hedging accounts against each other to gain funding
- Excessive recycling of Trading Combines® or XFAs
- Losing multiple LFAs
- Behavior that goes against the Trader Pledge or real-world market discipline
What happens:
- Immediately placed into the Focused Trader Program (outlined above)
PremierTopstep · Risk Adjustments: High Risk/High Volatility | Topstep Help CenterMicros restriction removed MNKD from the list of affected products.Aug 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
− - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MNKD): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Fully blocked from trading
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
After
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
+ - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
+ - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Fully blocked from trading
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
- Slippage increases
- Risk management becomes more challenging
- Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
- Email communication
- Dashboard banners
- Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
CPI Release Restrictions
Ahead of Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, Topstep temporarily restricts new opening transactions on equity index products (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD) in SIM to protect Traders from extreme volatility.
Section: CPI Release Restrictions
− - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
− - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ, MNKD): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
+ - Minis (ES, RTY, YM, NQ, NKD): No new opening transactions permitted during the 10-minute window surrounding the release (5 minutes before, 5 minutes after).
+ - Micros (MES, M2K, MYM, MNQ): Opening transactions limited to 1, 3, 6, 9, and 15 contracts for the $25K, $50K, $100K, $150K, and $250K account sizes, respectively, during the window (see table below)
- Non-equity products (metals, energies, rates, FX, etc.) are unaffected.
- Existing positions can continue to be held through the window; the restriction only applies to new opening transactions.
- How you'll be alerted: we'll email you and you'll see a banner at the top of the platform, so you're always prepared.
Account | Margin | Max micros | Equity Minis | Effect during window
25K | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Fully blocked from trading
50K XFA | $20,000 | 1 | Blocked | Capped at 1 micro
50K | $50,000 | 3 | Blocked | Capped at 3 micros
100K | $100,000 | 6 | Blocked | Capped at 6 micros
150K | $150,000 | 9 | Blocked | Capped at 9 micros
250K | $250,000 | 15 | Blocked | Capped at 15 micros
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
PremierTopstep · TopstepX™ | Topstep Help CenterAdded clarification that open positions can still be managed after trade limits are hit, moved earlier in the list.Aug 10
▸ View exact changes
What the page said before and after
Before
Contract Limits
Contract Limits
Cap the number of contracts you can trade per symbol.
- Orders exceeding the limit are automatically rejected
- Applies to order entry only — won't close open positions
- Take Profit and Stop Loss bracket orders are ignored
- Enforced separately for long and short
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Contract Limits → enter limits → Save.
This is also where you can see current contract limits according to your account type/size.
Trade Limits
Trade Limits
Cap total trades per day and/or week.
Section: Trade Limits
- Every entry and exit counts as a trade
- Once the limit is hit, no new trades
− - Open positions can still be managed
- Trade limits do NOT auto-close open positions
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Trade Limits → enter max daily/weekly → Save.
Trade Limits allow you to set a maximum number of trades you can take per day and/or week.
Daily Risk Lock
Daily Risk Lock
Lock your risk settings for the day. Covers PDLL, PDPT, and Trade Limits.
- Can't be changed until the next trading day
- Unlocks at 5 PM CT
- Support cannot reverse a lock once applied
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → set limits → Save → Lock Risk Settings for Day → Confirm.
Lockout
Lockout
After
Contract Limits
Contract Limits
Cap the number of contracts you can trade per symbol.
- Orders exceeding the limit are automatically rejected
- Applies to order entry only — won't close open positions
- Take Profit and Stop Loss bracket orders are ignored
- Enforced separately for long and short
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Contract Limits → enter limits → Save.
This is also where you can see current contract limits according to your account type/size.
Trade Limits
Trade Limits
Cap total trades per day and/or week.
Section: Trade Limits
+ - Open positions can still be managed
- Every entry and exit counts as a trade
- Once the limit is hit, no new trades
- Trade limits do NOT auto-close open positions
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Trade Limits → enter max daily/weekly → Save.
Trade Limits allow you to set a maximum number of trades you can take per day and/or week.
Daily Risk Lock
Daily Risk Lock
Lock your risk settings for the day. Covers PDLL, PDPT, and Trade Limits.
- Can't be changed until the next trading day
- Unlocks at 5 PM CT
- Support cannot reverse a lock once applied
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → set limits → Save → Lock Risk Settings for Day → Confirm.
Lockout
Lockout
Contract Limits
Contract Limits
Cap the number of contracts you can trade per symbol.
- Orders exceeding the limit are automatically rejected
- Applies to order entry only — won't close open positions
- Take Profit and Stop Loss bracket orders are ignored
- Enforced separately for long and short
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Contract Limits → enter limits → Save.
This is also where you can see current contract limits according to your account type/size.
Trade Limits
Trade Limits
Cap total trades per day and/or week.
Section: Trade Limits
+ - Open positions can still be managed
- Every entry and exit counts as a trade
- Once the limit is hit, no new trades
− - Open positions can still be managed
- Trade limits do NOT auto-close open positions
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → Trade Limits → enter max daily/weekly → Save.
Trade Limits allow you to set a maximum number of trades you can take per day and/or week.
Daily Risk Lock
Daily Risk Lock
Lock your risk settings for the day. Covers PDLL, PDPT, and Trade Limits.
- Can't be changed until the next trading day
- Unlocks at 5 PM CT
- Support cannot reverse a lock once applied
Setup: Settings → Risk Settings → set limits → Save → Lock Risk Settings for Day → Confirm.
Lockout
Lockout