What risk management and consistency rules must traders follow at FTMO?

💡 Answer

3 Percent Rule

FTMO does not enforce a fixed “3% per trade” rule. Risk is controlled primarily through the 5% Maximum Daily Loss, 10% Maximum Loss, and its monitoring/enforcement of forbidden or non-replicable risk behaviors (e.g., overleveraging/overexposure patterns).


Consistency Rules

  • Minimum trading days: At least 4 trading days are required in both the FTMO Challenge and Verification.
  • Verification purpose: The Verification stage is explicitly designed to confirm the trader can execute their approach consistently over time, not just hit a target in a single day.

Other Risk Rules

  • Personal use only: you may not share access or allow third-party trading on your accounts.
  • Max volume & server limits: maximum volume per order on Forex is 50 lots; platform/server limits apply (e.g., order/position caps and server-request protections).
  • Market integrity: strategies that exploit pricing errors/latency, manipulate via coordinated or cross-account opposite positions, or use prohibited ‘gap trading’ patterns can lead to disqualification/termination.
  • EA hyperactivity protection: automated trading that overloads servers (e.g., excessive daily server requests) is prohibited.

More FAQs about FTMO

Guides Where FTMO Is Featured

These guides include FTMO alongside other prop firms, grouped by trading features, platforms, availability, and trader requirements.

FTMO vs Maven Trading vs BrightFunded - Prop Firm Comparison (March 2026)

Side-by-side comparison of FTMO vs Maven Trading vs BrightFunded. Quickly scan maximum funding, profit splits, risk rules, leverage, platforms, instruments, payout schedules, payment options, trading permissions and KYC restrictions to narrow down your prop trading firm shortlist. Data updated March 2026.

FTMO vs Maven Trading vs BrightFunded - Prop Firm Comparison (March 2026)
FTMO
FTMO is a Prague-based prop trading evaluation company founded in 2015 that uses a two-step challenge (FTMO Challenge + Verification) with unlimited time, strict 5% max daily loss and 10% max loss limits, and Normal or Swing funded account types....
Maven Trading
Maven Trading (MAVEN LLC) is a UAE-registered simulated proprietary trading platform offering 1-step, 2-step, 3-step evaluations plus Instant and 24-hour Maven Mini accounts, with an 80% profit split, MT5/Match Trader/cTrader access, and withdrawals typically available every 10 business days for...
BrightFunded
BrightFunded (Bright Global FZCO) is a Dubai-based prop firm offering an unlimited-time, 2-phase evaluation (8% then 5% targets) with 5% daily and 10% max loss limits, trading on cTrader, DXtrade and MT5 with up to 1:100 FX leverage, and Funded...
Overview
Trustpilot Rating 4.8 0 0
Trustpilot Reviews 40,041 0 0
Headquarters Czech Republic United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
Age (Years) 11 N/A N/A
Max Funding $400,000 $1,000,000 $400,000
Profit Split Start 80% 80% 80%
Profit Split Max 90% 80% 100%
Platforms MT4 MT5 cTrader DXtrade MT5 cTrader Match-Trader MT5 cTrader DXtrade
Assets FX Indices Commodities Stocks Crypto Commodities Crypto Digital Etfs Forex Indices FX Commodities Indices Crypto
Leverage
FX Leverage 100 75 100
Metals Leverage 30 20 40
Crypto Leverage 3.3 0 5
Risk & Drawdown Rules
Max Daily Loss Maximum Daily LossFTMO applies a 5% Maximum Daily Loss. It is calculated from the account’s balance at midnight CE(S)T (platform time) each day and includes the running total of the day’s closed trades + floating P/L, including commissions and swaps. If the daily limit is exceeded at any time, the account fails. Maximum Daily LossMaven’s daily loss limits vary by program and are measured from the higher of balance or equity at 00:00 UTC (daily reset window). One-Step uses 3% daily drawdown, Two-Step uses 4%, and Three-Step uses 2%. Instant and Maven Mini accounts also use a 2% daily loss limit. 5
Max Total Loss Maximum LossFTMO applies a 10% Maximum Loss (overall loss limit). This is a static cap measured against the account’s starting balance, and it is evaluated on equity (closed + floating results, including trading costs). Breaching it at any time results in account failure. Maximum Overall LossMaven’s overall loss rules depend on the account type: One-Step uses a 5% trailing max loss from the highest equity watermark; Two-Step uses an 8% static max loss from the initial balance; Three-Step uses a 3% static max loss from the initial balance. Instant and Maven Mini accounts use a 3% trailing max loss and also enforce a strict 1% maximum floating/open loss rule. 10
Drawdown Type Drawdown ModelFTMO uses static loss limits: a daily loss limit that resets at midnight (platform time) and an overall loss limit based on the starting balance. Both limits include floating P/L and trading costs (commissions/swaps), so equity protection matters as much as closed P/L. Drawdown ModelMaven combines several drawdown models depending on the program: static drawdown (fixed from initial balance) on Two-Step and Three-Step, trailing drawdown (moves with equity highs) on One-Step, Instant and Maven Mini, and daily drawdown calculated from the higher of balance/equity at 00:00 UTC. Drawdown ModelBrightFunded’s drawdown approach uses an end-of-day (EOD) high-watermark logic for daily risk: the daily permitted loss is always 5% of the challenge size, and the next day’s breach level is set using the highest balance or equity recorded at the end of the prior day. The daily loss resets during the rollover window (roughly 23:30–23:59 CET).Across the evaluation phases, the account must also respect a 10% maximum loss limit; breaching either the daily or max-loss thresholds invalidates the account.
Payouts
Payout Frequency Payout FrequencyFTMO rewards are processed on request. Once you have access to the FTMO Account, you can request your reward after a minimum of 14 calendar days from your first day of trading on the FTMO Account (biweekly request cadence).Minimum profit thresholds apply to cover transaction costs (e.g., $20 minimum for bank transfer, $50 minimum for crypto withdrawals). Payout FrequencyFor One-Step, Two-Step, Three-Step and Instant accounts, Maven states withdrawals can be requested every 10 business days after your first trade. Maven Mini is a 24-hour program with payouts available on-demand within the 24-hour window (single payout; account closes after the first withdrawal). Payout FrequencyOn Funded Star accounts, BrightFunded allows the first reward split request 30 days after the first trade. After the first payout, reward splits can be requested bi-weekly (every 14 days). Optional add-ons at checkout can enable weekly payouts (every 7 days) and/or an instant 90% profit split upgrade.
Days to First Payout 14 10 30
Payout Processing Time Payout ProcessingReward requests go through a review step (typically 1–2 business days). After approval, payments are usually processed within an additional 1–2 business days, depending on the chosen payout method and banking/processor timelines. Payout ProcessingMaven Mini payouts are described as being processed the next day after the 24-hour trading period ends (subject to approval). For standard funded/instant accounts, withdrawals are requested on a 10-business-day cycle and are processed after compliance checks and the chosen payout rail (Rise/direct bank transfer) timing. Payout ProcessingBrightFunded states that payouts are typically processed by the finance team within about 1 day after a request is submitted, with final receipt time depending on the payment rail and compliance checks.
Payout Methods Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency Skrill Neteller Direct Bank Transfer Rise (and other options depending on residence) Crypto (USDC – ERC-20) Bank Transfer
Payments
Payment Methods Credit/Debit Card Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency Skrill Credit/Debit Card (must match trader identity) Bank Transfer Cryptocurrency; additional regional checkout options may be available via payment partners Credit/Debit Card Crypto
Trading Permissions
News Trading Evaluation (FTMO Challenge + Verification): news trading is allowed freely during all releases.FTMO Account (Normal): for specified high-impact announcements and targeted instruments, you must not open or close trades (including SL/TP triggers) in the 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after the release.FTMO Account Swing: news trading restrictions do not apply. News trading restrictions apply to evaluation and funded accounts: traders cannot open or close trades within 2 minutes before or after red-folder news events (ForexFactory), and profits generated in that window may prevent passing. Maven states the news rule does not apply to Instant and Mini accounts. News trading is permitted, but traders remain responsible for respecting all drawdown rules; spreads and slippage can widen materially during high-impact releases. Tick-scalping and any attempts to exploit pricing/data-feed errors are prohibited.
Weekend Trades Evaluation (FTMO Challenge + Verification): holding trades over the weekend is allowed.FTMO Account (Normal): positions must be closed before the weekend market close (or if the market break/rollover is longer than 2 hours). Some cryptocurrencies may be tradable during specific weekend hours.FTMO Account Swing: no restrictions on holding positions over the weekend. Weekend holdings are permitted for all account types (positions may be held over the weekend, subject to underlying market hours and instrument availability). BrightFunded allows holding positions over the weekend. Traders should account for gap risk and liquidity changes at the weekly reopen; a swap-free add-on can remove swap fees for overnight/weekend holds when purchased.
Copy Trading Trade copying tools can be used as long as your trading remains compliant with FTMO’s rules. FTMO’s services are for personal use only: you must not allow any third party to access or trade your accounts, and coordinated/manipulative trade patterns between connected accounts (e.g., opposite positions across accounts for manipulation) are forbidden. Copy trading from another individual is prohibited; if detected, both users may be breached/terminated. Maven treats cross-user copying and related ‘gamifying’ patterns (including reversing accounts) as cheating behavior. Copy trading is allowed only between accounts owned by the same person (BrightFunded accounts, other evaluation firms, or personal brokerage accounts). Copying between different individuals, signal-group trading, or account management services are prohibited and can lead to profit deductions, resets, or closure.
EA Allowed EAs are allowed as long as the strategy is legitimate, replicable in real markets, and does not fall into forbidden practices. Note that automated trading that overloads servers (e.g., excessive server requests) is prohibited, and widely used third-party EAs may risk breaching maximum capital allocation constraints if multiple users run the same strategy. No. Maven states Expert Advisors (EAs) are not permitted across its platforms; automated trading use can prevent challenge passing and may lead to suspension/termination. Expert Advisors (EAs) are allowed, provided all activity remains compliant with BrightFunded’s daily/maximum loss rules and non-authorized-practices policies.
KYC & Restrictions
KYC Required No Yes Yes
KYC Stage FTMO requires identity verification before becoming an FTMO Trader and signing the FTMO Account Agreement. For individuals, this is KYC and typically requires a government-issued ID and proof of address. Businesses may require KYB documentation. Once the verification is complete, the FTMO Account Agreement is unlocked for signing in the Client Area. KYC is required when requesting a payout and may include identity, address and source-of-funds verification. Maven’s FAQ states checkout/KYC details must match government ID, only one email per person is allowed, and the payment card used must be in the trader’s name; Maven references Veriff for supported-country document coverage. KYC is required to activate a Funded Star account after passing Phase 2, and BrightFunded uses SumSub for identity verification (typically government-issued ID plus proof of address). Activation also includes a security check by the risk team before the trader contract is issued.
Restricted Countries Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Barbados Belarus Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Central African Republic Cuba Democratic Republic of the Congo Eritrea Guam Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Hong Kong Iran Iraq Kazakhstan Kosovo Libya Mali Morocco Myanmar Nicaragua North Korea Pakistan Palestine Panama Puerto Rico Russia Samoa Sierra Leone Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Tunisia Uganda Ukraine (Crimea Donetsk Luhansk) United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Venezuela Virgin Islands (US) Yemen Zimbabwe Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Burundi Central African Republic Congo (Republic of the Congo) Cuba Eritrea Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Iran Mali North Korea Russia Saint Lucia Sierra Leone Somalia South Sudan Sudan Ukraine Vanuatu Venezuela Yemen Cuba Iran North Korea Syria Vietnam

See all FTMO comparisons