Topstep

Payment Methods

• Credit/Debit card

Payout methods are a separate set: ACH, AeroPay, Bank Wire Transfer, Prop-to-Brokerage, and Wise. Availability may vary by trader location and payment provider.

Trading Rules

• Funding model is a 1-Step Trading Combine, available as Standard or No Activation Fee pricing, progressing into Express Funded and then Live Funded accounts
• Trading Combine: minimum 2 trading days tied to the 50% consistency requirement; a single trading day's profit cannot exceed 50% of total profit
• Express Funded Standard Path: requires 5 winning days of $150+; no consistency requirement
• Express Funded Consistency Path: requires 3 winning days while meeting the 40% consistency target; a single trading day's profit cannot exceed 40% of total profit
• The Express Funded Account size corresponds to the Trading Combine account size passed by the trader, and the payout path selected at Express Funded activation is locked once chosen
• Express Funded Accounts use an account-balance-based scaling structure where maximum position size increases as the balance grows, generally taking effect in the next trading session; Live Funded Accounts use a different dynamic risk-expansion structure
• News trading is generally allowed; starting September 11, 2026, special restrictions apply during the 7:25–7:35 AM CT CPI window for specified metals contracts, though existing qualifying metals positions opened before 7:25 AM CT may remain open and be managed under the applicable rules
• Trade copying is permitted between accounts within the same Topstep trading environment for Trading Combine and Express Funded accounts; Live Funded Accounts cannot use the Trade Copier; cross-account hedging is prohibited
• Automated strategies are permitted and supported through TopstepX API access, but automation may not be used to manipulate or exploit the simulated environment
• Express Funded Accounts require at least one trade every 30 days to remain active
• VPNs, proxies, TOR, geo-location obfuscation, and other identity-masking services are prohibited
• Trading sessions run approximately 6:00 PM ET to 5:00 PM ET the following day, with a daily trading break
• Traders may not participate when a product is trading within 2% of its price-limit boundary
• Exploiting simulated execution is prohibited, including impossible fills, unrealistic stop execution, rapid-fire trading, and scalping algorithms designed to exploit simulated fills

Restricted strategies

Topstep applies a prohibited-strategy framework focused on simulated-fill exploitation, cross-account hedging, account manipulation, and conduct designed to exploit system protections.

News trading

• Restricted

  News trading is generally allowed. Starting September 11, 2026, specific restrictions apply to certain metals contracts during a defined CPI window. Traders should also avoid strategies designed specifically to exploit news-event volatility.

  Window: 7:25–7:35 AM CT CPI window (specified metals contracts), effective September 11, 2026

  Existing qualifying metals positions opened before 7:25 AM CT may remain open and be managed under the applicable rules.

Payouts & Trading Costs

Payout frequency

Varies by path: Express Funded requires 5 winning days of $150+ (Standard Path) or 3 winning days meeting the 40% consistency target (Consistency Path) per payout cycle; Live Funded requires 5 winning days of $150+ Net P&L per cycle, with daily payouts available after 30 non-consecutive winning days of $150+

Processing time

1–3 business days

Profit split

Up to 90% — 90% profit split across the Trading Combine, Express Funded, and Live Funded accounts.

Payout routing

ACH, AeroPay, Bank Wire Transfer, Prop-to-Brokerage, or Wise

Minimum withdrawal

$125

Trading costs

$1.00 per Mini (round turn), $0.50 per Micro (round turn), plus applicable exchange and NFA fees · Commission applies across Trading Combine, Express Funded, and Live Funded accounts.

Trust & Safety

Topstep was established in January 2012, giving it a substantially longer operating history than most modern proprietary trading firms. It provides a structured progression from the Trading Combine to Express Funded and ultimately Live Funded accounts, supported by published payout rules, trading requirements, and risk controls. Its long operating history, established futures infrastructure, proprietary TopstepX platform, defined payout procedures, and structured live-account progression provide strong operational signals.

Legal entity

Topstep LLC (Delaware, USA)

Regulated

No

Topstep operates as a proprietary trading program rather than a conventional regulated investment account. No specific regulatory license information was stated in the source material.