TopStep Review 2024: Comprehensive Insights and Analysis

Payouts and Withdrawals

Weekly Payouts After Accumulating Winning Days

• Initial Stage: Traders can request up to 50% of their account balance as a payout after accumulating five winning trading days. A net PNL (Profit and Loss) of $200 or more defines a winning day. These winning days accumulate as a running total between payout requests and don't need to be consecutive.
• Unlocking Full Balance Access: After reaching 30 winning trading days, traders gain the ability to access 100% of their profits for payouts. If a trader requests a full 100% payout, their Funded Account will be closed as the balance reaches the Maximum Loss Limit.

Detailed Payout Conditions and Methods

• Payout Requests: Payouts can be initiated via a specific form within Topstep's app, and processing times vary by payout method.
• Available Methods:
• Wise: 1-3 business days
• ACH: 1-3 business days
• Wire/SWIFT: 3-5 business days
• International Wire/SWIFT: 5-10 business days
• Note: From January 22, 2024, Wise will be integrated as an option for payouts.

Profit Split Policy

• First $10,000 in Profits: Traders receive 100% of the profits until they have cumulatively withdrawn $10,000.
• After the First $10,000, A profit split of 90/10 is implemented, where the trader receives 90% of further payouts, and Topstep retains 10%. This policy applies cumulatively across all of a trader's funded accounts.

Transitioning from Express to Live Funded Account

• Continuity of Winning Days: Winning days in an Express Funded Account carry over to the Live Funded Account, adhering to the same payout and profit split policies.
• During the Transition: Traders may request a payout that initiates the Live Funded Account with a $0 Maximum Loss Limit, following the standard payout policy.

Impact of Payouts on Account Parameters

Maximum Loss Limit Adjustment: After a payout, the Maximum Loss Limit automatically resets to $0. This is a critical aspect to consider, as it impacts your account's operational capacity and risk exposure.

Strategic Considerations for Payouts

Traders must carefully weigh their payout decisions, balancing the desire to reward themselves with the need to preserve sufficient capital for ongoing trading activities. The choice of payout amount should reflect the trader's risk tolerance, trading strategy, and the necessity to maintain an adequate account balance for posting margins and covering potential drawdowns.

First Payout Bonus

Topstep offers a First Payout Bonus equal to last month's Trading Combine subscription fee as an additional incentive for traders to reach their first Payout. This bonus supports traders in their continuous learning and trading development.

Making Informed Payout Decisions

When contemplating a payout, traders should consider their account's Maximum Loss Limit and how the withdrawal affects their trading strategy. Below are illustrative examples of how different payout amounts can impact an account balance:

Example Payout Impact Table for a $10,000 Account Balance

• Small Payout ($1,000 or 10%): Minimal impact, ensuring the trader can continue operating effectively.
• Medium Payout ($2,000 or 20%): Requires careful planning to continue trading safely.
• Large Payout ($2,500 or 25%): Traders should consider reducing daily risk exposure.
• Extra Large Payout ($5,000 or 50%): Significantly reduces operational capacity, necessitating a conservative approach to trading to avoid depleting the account.

Trading Platforms

Topstep provides traders access to the Trading Combine, Express Funded Account, and Live Funded Account, supporting various trading platforms tailored to different needs and preferences. Recommended platforms include TopstepX, NinjaTrader, and Quantower, among others. This ensures traders have the flexibility to choose the best fit for their trading style, device compatibility, and personal preferences. It's important to select your platform carefully during the Trading Combine, as this choice will carry through to your funded trading phase.

Platform Compatibility and Selection Tips:

• Mac/iOS Compatibility: For traders using Mac/iOS, available platforms include TopstepX, MotiveWave, Bookmap, VolFix, TradingView, and Tradovate. Other platforms are primarily compatible with Windows.
• Mobile Trading: Tradovate, T4, RTrader Pro, VolFix, and MotiveWave are mobile-friendly platforms that facilitate trading on the go.

Platform Switching Guidelines:

• During the Trading Combine: Switching platforms is prohibited once trading has commenced. However, platforms using the same data feed (Rithmic, CQG, or CTS) allow for some flexibility. A new Trading Combine must be initiated for a complete switch or to use a platform on a different data feed.
• For Express Funded Account: The platform selection is final after passing the Trading Combine. Starting and passing a new Trading Combine is required to trade on a different platform.

Data Feed Information:

The choice of platform dictates the data feed used. Platforms on the Rithmic feed include NinjaTrader, Quantower, and others, offering a broad selection. Tradovate and TradingView use the CQG feed, noted for its reliability. T4 operates on the CTS feed, with the limitation of not including micro contracts currently.

Additional Details:

• Multiple Trading Combines: Traders can maintain multiple Trading Combines, offering the flexibility to experiment with different platforms or account sizes.
• Account Size Changes: A new trading combine is necessary to change the account size. Contact support for changes in Trading combine without trading activity.
  

Daily Loss Limit

The Daily Loss Limit, a pivotal tool in trading with Topstep, empowers traders with discipline and risk management. It sets a specific threshold for losses in a trading day, giving traders the power to recognize when it might be time to step back and reassess their strategies without the pressure of breaking a funding rule. Understanding this limit and its implications is crucial for maintaining a healthy trading approach. The Daily Loss Limit is a pre-defined loss amount that, if reached, triggers an automatic pause in trading activities for the day. It's not considered a rule violation but a protective measure. For example, in a $150K Trading Combine, a Daily Loss Limit of $3,000 means if your Net P&L drops to -$3,000 at any point in the trading day, trading is halted to prevent further losses.

Importance of the Daily Loss Limit

Adhering to this limit is essential for several reasons:

• It instills discipline by setting a boundary on daily losses.
• Recognizing a bad trading day early can save you from further losses, allowing you to return with a fresh perspective.
• It mitigates the emotional impact of losses, which can adversely affect decision-making.

Daily Loss Limits by Account Size

• 50K Trading Combine: -$1,000
• 100K Trading Combine: -$2,000
• 150K Trading Combine: -$3,000

Exceeding the Daily Loss Limit

Should your trading day's Net P&L reach or exceed the Daily Loss Limit, your account undergoes auto-liquidation for the remainder of the session, preventing further trades until the markets reopen at 5:00 PM CT. This auto-liquidation process might result in your P&L settling slightly above the limit due to market fluctuations, but it indicates the limit was indeed triggered.

Adjusting Your Daily Loss Limit

While adjustments to risk parameters like the Daily Loss Limit aren't possible in simulated accounts (Trading Combine or Express Funded Accounts), traders who progress to a Live Funded Account can discuss parameter adjustments with the Risk Management Team. This flexibility allows for a more tailored trading experience as you grow with Topstep.

Maximum Loss Limit

The Maximum Loss Limit is set at the end of each trading day. This means the minimum account balance, reflective of this limit, remains constant throughout the trading day and adjusts between sessions based on the highest account balance achieved. Monitoring this limit through your Trader Dashboard is essential to ensure compliance.

Consequences of Breaking the Maximum Loss Limit

• Immediate Action: If your account balance drops below the minimum allowed as per the Maximum Loss Limit during trading hours, your trades will be immediately halted, the account will be liquidated, and the specific rule will be considered broken.
• Impact on Account Status:
• In the Trading Combine: Breaching the Maximum Loss Limit disqualifies the account from funding eligibility, necessitating a reset for another chance at qualification.
• In Funded Accounts (Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account): Such a breach leads to the account's closure by the end of the trading day.

Resetting After a Breach

• Trading Combine Reset: A breach of the Maximum Loss Limit in the Trading Combine doesn't automatically close your account but does require a reset to regain eligibility for funding.
• Funded Account Closure: In contrast, breaching this limit in a funded account results in automatic closure, emphasizing the importance of adhering to set limits for sustained trading opportunities.

Adjusting the Maximum Loss Limit

• Simulated Accounts: Adjustments to the Maximum Loss Limit aren't possible in simulated accounts, including the Trading Combine and Express Funded Accounts. This reinforces the importance of strategic planning and risk management within the simulated trading environment.
• Live Funded Accounts: Upon advancing to a Live Funded Account, traders can discuss adjustments to their Maximum Loss Limit with the Risk Management Team, allowing for a tailored trading strategy that aligns with their risk tolerance and trading goals.

Embarking on a journey with Topstep's Trading Combine is your gateway to potentially earning a Funded Account, where your trading skills, discipline, and risk management habits are tested. Here's a more detailed walkthrough of the process, designed to make your path from the Trading Combine to trading with a Funded Account clear, engaging, and achievable.

The Trading Combine is a simulated trading evaluation structured to refine your trading strategies and ensure you can manage risk effectively. Achieving the set objectives in the Trading Combine paves the way to the Express Funded Account, marking the first milestone in your funded trading journey.

Key Features of the Trading Combine:

• Monthly Subscription: Access to the Trading Combine requires a monthly subscription fee, unlike the subsequent Express Funded Account and Live Funded Account, which are subscription-free.
• Account Sizes and Profit Targets: Choose from $50K, $100K, or $150K account sizes, with profit targets set at $3K, $6K, and $9K, respectively.
• Position Size and Loss Limits: The maximum position size ranges from 5, 10, or 15 contracts based on account size, and the Maximum Loss Limit is between $2K, $3K, or $4.5K, which is carefully set to safeguard your trading capital.

Objectives:

• Profit Target: Aim to reach and maintain the set profit target for your account size.
• Consistency Target: Ensure your best trading day's profit is below 50% of your total profits, promoting consistent trading performance.
• Daily Loss Limit: Avoid exceeding this limit to prevent the deactivation of your account for the trading day.

Rules:

Maximum Loss Limit: Crucially, keep your account balance from reaching or falling below the set Maximum Loss Limit.

Meeting these parameters consistently advances you to the Express Funded Account, and you must also remember the Maximum Position Size rule.

Multiple Trading Combines Policy

Yes, engaging in more than one Trading Combine at a time is possible, offering traders the flexibility to test various strategies simultaneously. However, adherence to the Single Account Policy is necessary; maintaining multiple Topstep profiles or accounts for a single user breaches our Terms of Use, potentially leading to account closures or suspensions. All activities, including opening additional Trading Combines or Funded Accounts, must occur under a single Topstep profile using the same email address.

Progressing Beyond the Trading Combine

After conquering the Trading Combine:

• Activation Process: You'll receive an email with instructions on "Activate My Account" for the Express Funded Account, including reviewing the agreement and paying the Activation Fee.
• Funded Trader Certificate: A symbol of your achievement, the Topstep Funded Trader Certificate is sent within two business days of passing your first Trading Combine.
• Express Funded Account Credentials: Post-activation, look out for an email with your new account credentials, typically arriving within 1-2 business days.

Verifying Your Success

To confirm your Trading Combine success, your Trade Report, updated by 6 pm CT, is the go-to source. Check this report for your performance confirmation before proceeding with the activation steps.

What Happens If You Break the Trading Combine’s Rule?

Exceeding the Maximum Loss Limit (MLL) in the Trading Combine is a rule violation, making the account ineligible for funding until reset. The Trading Combine subscription continues monthly until the trader passes or cancels, unaffected by rule breaches.

A rule violation triggers an automatic "Reset-at-Rebill" with the next subscription payment, providing a new account ready for funding, with a clean slate and no violations. Hitting the Daily Loss Limit (DLL) or MLL leads to immediate account liquidation for the day, halting any further orders. While exceeding the DLL isn't considered a rule violation but an objective, surpassing the MLL necessitates an account reset to restore funding eligibility.

The Maximum Position Size determines the largest number of lots you're allowed to hold at any time across different markets. For instance, within a $50K Trading Combine, you may hold up to 5 lots, a mix of long and short positions across various instruments like E-mini S&P and Crude Oil. The allowed position sizes increase with account tiers:

• $50K Trading Combine: 5 Lots
• $100K Trading Combine: 10 Lots
• $150K Trading Combine: 15 Lots

Important Note: Micro products are full-sized lots in the Trading Combine and Funded Accounts. Regarding maximum position size, trading 1 lot in ES is equivalent to trading 1 lot in MES.

What's the Consistency Target?

The Consistency Target is a measure designed to assess a trader's ability to generate profits consistently without depending on a single successful day. To meet this target in the Trading Combine, your most profitable day should not exceed 50% of your overall profit target.

Understanding the Calculations and Recommendations:

If your best day's profit equals or surpasses 50% of your profit target, you'll need to secure additional profits to ensure your best day constitutes less than 50% of your total profits. We recommend aiming for a daily profit that stays under half of your account's profit target to foster a habit of consistent trading.

Here's a quick reference for daily profit recommendations by account size:

• 50K Account: Aim for less than $1,500
• 100K Account: Aim for less than $3,000
• 150K Account: Aim for less than $4,500

The Consistency Target underscores the importance of steady, repeatable performance over sporadic high gains. This approach propels traders towards sustainable growth and profitability and aligns with Topstep's philosophy of cultivating disciplined trading habits.

Additional Profits Requirement:

If your dashboard indicates the need for more profits, it implies that your best trading day significantly impacts your total profits, urging you to surpass the profit target to meet the consistency objective.

The Role of the Consistency Target in Funded Accounts:

While the Consistency Target is specific to the Trading Combine, adopting a similar strategy and mindset benefits traders in Express Funded and Live Funded Accounts. They consistently apply disciplined profit-making strategies and position you well for success with real capital in the live markets.

New 50% Consistency Target: A Closer Look

Topstep's Trading Combine is evolving to better accommodate traders' diverse strategies and strengths. It has introduced an updated 50% Consistency Target across all Trading Plans. This significant change now enables traders to pass the Combine in as few as two days, provided they manage their trades with the updated target in mind.

Why the Change?

The adjustment to a 50% Consistency Target is rooted in the understanding that consistency is the cornerstone of long-term trading success. Topstep recognizes that traders capable of significant wins should be supported. The new target simplifies the requirement: keep your most profitable day to no more than half of your total profit. That's the key to advancing.

Account Guidelines:

• $50K Account: Profit Target $3K, Best Day no more than $1.5K
• $100K Account: Profit Target $6K, Best Day no more than $3K
• $150K Account: Profit Target $9K, Best Day no more than $4.5K

Implementation and Flexibility:

Achieving exactly 50% may seem daunting, but the structure is designed flexibly, incorporating a buffer for market fluctuations. This means you're expected to match the numbers sparingly to succeed.

Simplified Trading Combine: One Step, One Rule

Topstep introduces a streamlined approach to the Trading Combine: now with just one step and one crucial rule—don't exceed your Maximum Loss Limit. This single rule change underscores the importance of risk management, allowing traders to focus on what truly matters without the complication of multiple steps.

Maximum Loss Limit:

The cornerstone of this approach is the Maximum Loss Limit, a daily updated figure based on realized profits. It's the line in the sand that, if crossed, makes your account ineligible for further funding. Unlike other prop firms, Topstep does not employ a Trailing Maximum Drawdown calculated on unrealized profits, emphasizing a more straightforward, trader-friendly policy.

Follow Your Trading Plan

Discipline and adherence to a well-structured trading plan are prerequisites for success. Objectives under this plan include:

• Profit Target: Aiming for and maintaining a $3,000 profit target.
• Consistency Target: Demonstrating the ability to achieve more than just one significant profit day, with your best day below 30% of total profits.
• Daily Loss Limit: An exceedance here deactivates your account for the trading day, yet it doesn't constitute a rule break.

Industry-Leading Payout Policy

Upon becoming a funded trader with Topstep, you'll benefit from the industry's most straightforward payout policy, with opportunities to pay yourself up to four times a month. This policy allows:

• Payout Requests: After accumulating five winning days of $200+.
• Withdrawal Flexibility: Withdraw up to 50% of your account balance per request, ensuring you can reap the rewards of your trading acumen regularly.

After successfully navigating the Trading Combine, traders are ushered into the Express Funded Account (often abbreviated as XFA), a simulated funded level account designed for real payouts based on Topstep’s straightforward Payout Policy.

Key Features of the Express Funded Account

• Simultaneous Accounts: Traders can manage up to three Express Funded Accounts concurrently, amplifying their potential for earnings and experience across multiple trading strategies.
• Starting Balance: Each Express Funded Account starts with a $0 balance, a strategic move that ensures traders focus on generating profits from scratch. Despite this initial zero balance, the buying power mirrors that of the correlating Trading Combine account size, allowing for significant trading leverage right from the start.

Rules: The paramount rule in the Express Funded Account is to prevent the account balance from hitting or exceeding the Maximum Loss Limit. This single rule underscores the importance of risk management in sustaining account viability.

Objectives:

• Achieving five winning days where each day’s Net PNL is $200 or more.
• Adhering to the Scaling Plan, which replaces the Max Position Size from the Trading Combine, to further instill risk management principles.
• Avoiding the Daily Loss Limit to prevent account deactivation for the trading day.

Distinguishing Factors from the Trading Combine

While the Express Funded Account operates in a simulated environment similar to the Trading Combine, there are notable distinctions:

• Consistency Target: This metric, crucial in the Trading Combine for evaluating trading discipline, is not applicable in the Express Funded Account.
• Resets: In the realm of the Express Funded Account, the option for resets does not exist. A breach of the sole rule, hitting or exceeding the Maximum Loss Limit, leads to a more permanent consequence than the Trading Combine. Traders looking to requalify for funding must navigate through the Trading Combine once again.
• Profit Target: The focus shifts from reaching a specified Profit Target in the Trading Combine to adhering to the Payout Policy’s criteria in the Express Funded Account, emphasizing consistent profit generation over meeting a singular profit goal.

The Express Funded Account Activation Fee is crucial for traders moving from the Trading Combine to funded trading with Topstep. Here's a streamlined guide to understanding this fee, what it covers, and the process for getting started with your Express Funded Account.

Activation Fee Overview

• Flat Rate: The Activation Fee is a one-time charge of $149 for each Express Funded Account you earn after passing the Trading Combine. This fee is consistent across all account sizes and is pivotal for transitioning to funded trading.
• Purpose: This fee facilitates onboarding, ensuring your trading account is set up with the necessary risk parameters and support services. It also covers account management by Topstep's Risk Managers and access to exclusive trader support and resources.
• Payment Window: You have 30 days from passing the Trading Combine to pay this fee and activate your Express Funded Account.

Key Details

• Email Consistency: It's imperative to use the same email address associated with your Topstep profile when paying the Activation Fee to avoid delays in receiving your account credentials, typically sent within 1-2 business days.
• Non-refundable: The $149 Activation Fee is non-refundable and contributes to the costs of onboarding, monitoring, and providing ongoing support to funded traders.

What's Included?

• Account Onboarding involves setting up your trading platform, establishing risk parameters, and ensuring all technical configurations are in place for your start.
• Support and Services: Gain access to group coaching, direct communication with Risk Managers, support from Funding Specialists, and assistance processing payouts.
• Account Management: Risk Managers thoroughly review traders' performance to ensure adherence to trading rules and risk management strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

• One-time vs. Monthly Charge: The Activation Fee is a one-time charge, not a monthly recurring fee.
• Multiple Accounts: Each new Express Funded Account requires a $149 Activation Fee.
• Transition to Live Account: No additional Activation Fee is required when moving from an Express Funded Account to a Live Funded Account.
• Payment Methods: Credit or debit cards are acceptable payment methods. PayPal and winnings from other Funded Accounts cannot be used to pay this fee.

Payment Timeline

Traders are encouraged to pay the Activation Fee within 30 days of passing the Trading Combine, aligning with Topstep's commitment to providing a seamless transition to funded trading without rushing or delaying the onboarding process. This approach ensures traders are ready and supported as they embark on their funded trading journey with Topstep.

When a trader consistently excels in their Express Funded Account, Topstep acknowledges this achievement by offering a transition to a Live Funded Account. The trader will be notified via email about this advancement opportunity. Upon acceptance, the Express Funded Account will be concluded, and the funds within it will set the stage for the new Live Funded Account.

This transition means the entire balance from the Express Funded Account becomes the initial balance in the Live Funded Account, providing a seamless progression for the trader. During this shift, there's also an opportunity to request a payout, ensuring that the rewards of successful trading can be realized. Notably, the Live Funded Account introduces a Maximum Loss Limit set at $0, emphasizing the importance of risk management in live market conditions.

In the Live Funded Account with Topstep, traders are accountable for certain costs of operating a Professional Trading Business, including the CME Professional Data Subscription, Round Turn Commissions and Fees, and any Platform License or Subscription fees.

CME Professional Data Subscription

Live Trading requires a subscription to Professional Data from Exchanges, with fees directly passed from the exchanges to the trader without profit to Topstep. The monthly cost per exchange varies by trading platform but generally stands at $135 for all platforms except Tradovate, which incurs higher fees due to CQG data fees. Trading across CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX would collectively cost $540 monthly.

Reducing Data Fees:

• Single Exchange Subscription: Traders can minimize costs by subscribing to just one exchange at $135 monthly, with the option to expand subscriptions later.
• Start Date Strategy: Starting the Live Funded Account on the 1st of the month avoids partial month charges, as exchanges do not pro-rate data fees.

Round Turn Commissions and Fees

These are transaction costs incurred in the Live Funded Account, similar to the $3.70 round turn fee per lot in the Trading Combine. Commissions range from $0.72 to $2.04, while exchange fees for permitted products vary from $2.46 to $4.30.

Examples:

• E-mini S&P 500 (ES) and E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ): $2.66 each
• Crude Oil (CL): $3.00
• Gold (GC): $3.10

Platform License or Subscription

While many platform fees are covered in the Trading, Combine, thanks to Topstep's partnerships, in the Live Funded Account, traders must cover these costs themselves. For instance, NinjaTrader, free in the Combine, requires a license purchase for funded Trading.

Reducing Platform Costs:

• Free Platforms: Tradovate, TradingView (Basic version), Quantower, T4, and R|Trader are free in the Combine and Live Funded Accounts.
• NinjaTrader Discount: Traders without a NinjaTrader license can access discounts through Topstep's partnership.

Topstep's unique offering allows traders the flexibility to manage multiple accounts, fostering an environment where diverse strategies and risk management techniques can be tested and refined. Here's an insight into managing multiple Express Funded Accounts, the logistics of payouts, and the intricacies of trading across various platforms.

Managing Multiple Accounts

Under a single Topstep profile, traders can embark on as many 1-Step Trading Combines as manageable, leading to the potential of holding up to three Express Funded Accounts simultaneously. Additionally, when applicable, traders can have one active Live Funded Account. Should a trader qualify for additional funding while managing three Express Funded Accounts, any new account openings will be on hold until one of the Express Accounts is closed.

This approach is designed to support traders in concurrently developing, testing, and perfecting multiple trading strategies, accelerating the learning curve and paving the way for confident trading at the Funded Level.

Requesting Payouts Across Multiple Accounts

• Policy: Each Express Funded Account adheres to the same payout policy, with requests processed individually without impact on one another.
• Live Account Transitions: If Express Funded Accounts are upgraded to a Live Funded Account, their funds consolidate into the total balance of the live account. Note that traders are limited to one active Live Funded Account with brokerage partners.

Trading Guidelines for Express Funded Accounts

• Permitted Activities: Traders are encouraged to explore various markets, trading times, and platforms to diversify their trading experience and strategy.
• Prohibited Practices: Activities against Topstep's Terms of Use, including hedging strategies across multiple accounts or collaborative trading meant to circumvent risk management rules, are strictly forbidden. Topstep reserves the right to revoke multiple account privileges for any reason.

FAQs: Navigating Account Combinations and Platforms

• Account Combinations: Traders may manage up to three sizes of Express Funded Accounts and one Live Funded Account. The Live Account will reflect the parameters of the largest account size passed.
• Platform Choices: While traders might operate accounts on different platforms during the Express Funded stage, it's recommended to maintain consistency, especially as accounts transition to live trading. Subsequent Express Funded Accounts converted to live will align with the platform of the first passed account.
• Account Mergers: Express Funded Account balances will be combined into an existing Live Funded Account upon transition. Offers to transition to live trading must be extended for each Express Account individually before consolidation.
• Platform Switching Post-Combine: After passing the Trading Combine, the platform used for the Express Funded Account must be the same. The desire for a different platform necessitates starting and passing a new Trading Combine associated with that platform.

Account Overview

The Scaling Plan is integral to Topstep's Express Funded Account. It is devised to guide traders through safely increasing or decreasing their equity based on their trading performance. This plan, crucial for easing traders into live market dynamics, aims for consistent equity growth without undue risk. Since its inception, the Scaling Plan has notably improved the longevity of traders' careers by encouraging prudent risk management and trading strategies.

Key Components of the Scaling Plan:

Objective and Evaluation: Found in the Express Funded Account, the Scaling Plan's objective is reviewed daily with the Trade Report, aiding traders in gradually adapting to live trading conditions.

Purpose: The plan is crafted to support traders in navigating initial market fluctuations, allowing them a genuine opportunity for success by advocating for incremental trading strategies that align with their evolving account balance.

Profit Threshold Adjustments: In the Live Funded Account scenario, traders with cumulative profits exceeding $10,000 can request an adjustment in risk parameters, offering a tailored trading experience based on individual performance.

Importance of the Scaling Plan:

The Scaling Plan serves as a critical navigational tool for responsibly leveraging growing accounts. It cautions against the dangers of over-leveraging, which is often the downfall of many trading careers. The plan enforces a disciplined approach to trading, with Micro products treated as full-sized lots to maintain consistency across trading strategies.

Below shows your account size, displaying the account balance within the bar graph and the related Maximum Position Size to the right.

• 50K Account Size
• Below $1.5K – 2 Lots
• Between $1.5K to $2K – 3 Lots
• Above $2K – 5 Lots
• $100K Account Size
• Below $1.5K – 3 Lots
• Between $1.5K to $2K – 4 Lots
• Between $2K to $3K– 5 Lots
• Above $3K – 10 Lots
• $150K Account Size
• Below $1.5K – 3 Lots
• Between $1.5K to $2K – 4 Lots
• Between $2K to $3K– 5 Lots
• Between $3K to $4.5K – 10 Lots
• Above $4.5K - 15 Lots

Adherence to the Scaling Plan:

Traders are encouraged to trade within their means, reminding them that the maximum number of contracts permitted is impossible. This allows traders the flexibility to trade less aggressively as they deem fit, ensuring strategies can be adjusted without breaching the plan. Importantly, the maximum allowable contracts do not increase during the trading day, with any required adjustments reflected in the following session’s trade report.

Platform Guidelines and Managing Errors:

Certain platforms like Tradovate, NinjaTrader, and those based on Rithmic technology strive to halt orders that might exceed the Scaling Plan’s limits. Conversely, the T4 platform, due to technical constraints, cannot prevent orders that surpass the Scaling Plan, necessitating manual vigilance by the trader.

Understanding that errors are part of the trading process, Topstep does not penalize traders for quick corrections made within 10 seconds. Should traders inadvertently exceed the Scaling Plan’s limits, they are advised to adjust their positions to stay within the defined parameters promptly.

The Trading Combine subscription is a monthly commitment that continues until a trader successfully passes the Combine, leading to an Express Funded Account, which incurs no monthly fee. For billing and subscription management details, traders can access their Topstep Dashboard under the Billing section.

Time Frame for Success: The path to becoming a Funded Trader needs to be more time constrained. Thanks to the Consistency Target, reaching this milestone in as little as two days is possible. The subscription continues monthly until the trader qualifies for the Express Funded Account or opts to cancel.

Subscription Adjustments and Rules

Account Resets and Rule Violations: Encountering the Maximum Loss Limit triggers an account status change to 'Ineligible' for funding, requiring a reset. However, this doesn't automatically end the subscription. Monthly billing dates remain constant, and resets can be purchased anytime without affecting the billing cycle. Post-rebill, accounts that have breached the Maximum Loss Limit are reset at no extra charge.

Subscription Pauses: Once initiated, the Trading Combine subscription cannot be paused. Traders must continue their subscription until they pass or decide to cancel. Canceling a subscription erases progress, but traders can re-subscribe when ready.

Managing Multiple Combines

Simultaneous Trading Combines: Traders can manage multiple Trading Combine accounts under one Topstep profile without affecting other active subscriptions. The Single Account Policy restricts traders to one Topstep profile.

Avoiding Additional Billing

Preventing Rebilling: To avoid another monthly charge, traders must pass the Trading Combine before their next billing date. For instance, to evade a charge on the 5th, traders must pass by the end of the trading day on the 4th.

PayPal Subscriptions

PayPal is a payment option for monthly subscriptions and reset purchases. It is processed a day before the rebill date. It's designated for new Trading Combine purchases, with missed rebills requiring a switch to credit or debit cards.

Key Takeaways

• The Trading Combine subscription is a pivotal step towards earning a Funded Account, with monthly charges applying until passing.
• Resets and handling rule violations don't automatically cancel the subscription; adjustments are independent of monthly fees.
• Trading Combine subscriptions cannot be paused; cancellation erases progress.
• Multiple combinations can be managed under a single profile without the automatic cancellation of others.
• Passing before the rebill date is essential to avoid additional charges.
• PayPal users should note the specific considerations for subscription processing.

Topstep introduces an in-depth course on futures trading led by Senior Performance Coach John Hoagland. Aimed at beginners, the course covers everything from the basics of futures contracts to advanced topics like technical analysis, the auction process, and the psychology behind trading. Ideal for those new to the financial markets, this series offers a solid foundation for aspiring traders.

Complimentary Coaching for Aspiring Funded Traders

Topstep is committed to the success of its traders, providing complimentary coaching to guide them towards becoming a Topstep Funded Trader. This personalized coaching is designed to cater to the unique needs of each trader, ensuring they receive the support necessary for success. For more information and to access these coaching services, visit the Topstep Free Coaching page.

Innovative Coaching Methodology: Prep–Trade–Reflect

Topstep's proprietary Prep–Trade–Reflect coaching methodology is designed to cultivate daily trading habits that drive consistent performance. Embedded across all coaching programs, this approach encourages traders to build a disciplined trading routine.

Daily Insights on TOPSTEPTV

TOPSTEPTV offers live daily broadcasts featuring Topstep's experts who provide real-time market insights, trading tips, and updates on market news. The show also highlights top-performing traders and hosts special guests, enriching the trading day with valuable information and community engagement. Broadcasts run Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM CT.

Interactive Group Coaching Sessions

Topstep hosts free Group Coaching sessions live on TopstepTV from Monday to Thursday, 12-1 PM CT. These sessions allow traders to learn directly from Topstep's team of expert coaches and get their questions answered live. Queries can be sent to groupcoaching@topstep.com, inviting all traders to become funded traders.

Engage with the Community on Discord

The Discord community offers a platform for traders to connect with Topstep's coaches and fellow traders in the #group-coaching channel. Specific channels for individual coaches, such as #coach-robert, provide direct access to advice and support, with posted hours ensuring timely interactions.

Digital Coaching with Coach T

Topstep's trading dashboard features Coach T, a digital performance coach offering tools and personalized trading analytics. Coach T assists traders in becoming smarter, more disciplined, and well-prepared for achieving Funded Trader status.

Resource Library: Enhancing Trader Knowledge

Topstep's Resource Library is a treasure trove of educational materials to bolster traders' knowledge and confidence. From blogs and videos to podcasts, the library is accessible at Topstep's Resource Library, providing traders with the tools to navigate the markets effectively.