What trading practices are restricted at FTUK, including rules on martingale and lot size limits?
💡 Answer
Martingale Allowed?No
Prohibited Strategies
FTUK prohibits (or restricts) system-abusive or unrealistic practices including high-frequency trading, grid trading, latency/hedge/reverse arbitrage, hedging across multiple accounts, and EA-based tick-scalping/scalping approaches. Trading activity that relies on rapidly repeated orders or uses multiple changing IPs to mask identity can also lead to termination.
Lot Size Limits:
FTUK markets its Forex programs as having no fixed maximum lot sizes. In practice, position sizing is constrained by drawdown rules and the Account Protector, which can close trades if exposure on a single instrument exceeds 2% of starting balance or if total floating PnL reaches -2%.
More FAQs about FTUK
- Can traders use EAs, trade news, hold weekend positions, or copy trades at FTUK, and what strategies are prohibited?
- How do payments and refunds work at FTUK?
- How does FTUK handle trader withdrawals in terms of payout limits, timing, and payment options?
- What is the highest profit split percentage available at FTUK?
- What asset classes does FTUK support for trading?
- How much leverage is available at FTUK for FX, indices, metals, and crypto assets?
- What are the supported trading platforms at FTUK, and who is the broker behind them?
- What are the spread, commission, and slippage conditions for traders at FTUK?
- What drawdown structure does FTUK follow for traders?
- Does FTUK apply any consistency or risk-based trading rules?
- Which evaluation or funding programs are available at FTUK?
- How do the challenges work at FTUK for traders seeking funding?
- What is the funding limit at FTUK, and does the firm allow traders to scale their accounts?
- What is FTUK's Trustpilot rating and total review count right now?
- Does FTUK offer 2-phase, 1-phase, or instant funding programs?
- What should traders know about account limits at FTUK, such as max accounts, merging rules, and lot size limits?
- Does FTUK enforce identity verification, and when is KYC performed?
- Are traders from all countries allowed at FTUK, or are there restrictions?
Guides Where FTUK Is Featured
- Prop Firms Offering Commodities Trading
- Prop Firms with More Than 250 Trustpilot Reviews
- Prop Firms With TradeLocker Platform
- Prop Firms With Trustpilot rating of 3.3 or higher
- Top Prop Firms That Accept Clients From Cuba
These guides include FTUK alongside other prop firms, grouped by trading features, platforms, availability, and trader requirements.
FTUK vs Trade The Pool vs QT Funded - Prop Firm Comparison (March 2026)
Side-by-side comparison of FTUK vs Trade The Pool vs QT Funded. 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.
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FTUK
FTUK (FTUK Inc.) is a US-based prop firm offering simulated Forex and Futures funding via Instant Funding and 1-step/2-step evaluation programs, with trading on DXtrade, MatchTrader and TradeLocker, profit shares that scale up to 80%, and a published maximum scaling...
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Trade The Pool
Trade The Pool is a stock-focused prop firm operated by Five Percent Online Ltd (Trade The Pool is the brand) that evaluates traders on one-step Day Trade and Swing programs, provides access to thousands of US stocks and ETFs on...
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QT Funded
QT Funded (Quant Tekel) is a simulated CFD prop firm (founded Oct 2023) offering QT Prime (2-step/3-step), QT Power (2-step) and QT Instant (instant funding). Traders get access to FX, indices, metals, crypto and oil on MT5, cTrader or TradeLocker,...
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|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Trustpilot Reviews | 602 | 583 | 12,324 |
| Headquarters | United States | Israel | South Africa |
| Age (Years) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Max Funding | $6,400,000 | $450,000 | $400,000 |
| Profit Split Start | 50% | 70% | 80% |
| Profit Split Max | 80% | 80% | 100% |
| Platforms | Match-Trader DXtrade TradeLocker | Traderevolution | MT5 cTrader TradeLocker |
| Assets | FX Metals Indices Commodities Crypto Futures | Stocks ETFs | FX Metals Indices Crypto Oil |
| Leverage | |||
| FX Leverage | 100 | 0 | 100 |
| Metals Leverage | 10 | 0 | 35 |
| Crypto Leverage | 2 | 0 | 2.5 |
| Risk & Drawdown Rules | |||
| Max Daily Loss | Maximum Daily LossDaily drawdown limits depend on the program: Instant Funding uses a 5% daily drawdown, One Step uses a 4% daily drawdown, and Two Step uses a 5% daily drawdown in both evaluation phases and funded levels.FTUK states daily drawdown is calculated using the higher value of balance or equity at the end-of-day snapshot (22:00 UTC), which means open profit can increase the daily-loss threshold but open losses still count toward it. | Daily Pause (Max Daily Loss)Trade The Pool controls daily risk using a Daily Pause threshold. If the Daily Pause is hit, the account is disabled for the remainder of the trading day (with recalibration at the start of the next day).Current program parameters on the public program page show:Day Trade: 2% Daily Pause on FLEX and 1% Daily Pause on MAX.Swing: 3% Daily Pause (FLEX and MAX). | Maximum Daily LossDaily loss limits are program-specific:QT PRIME: 4% daily drawdown fixed to the initial balance (does not change with profits).QT POWER: daily drawdown is based on End-of-Day (EOD) equity; 3% on legacy rulesets and 4% for accounts issued after 9 Apr 2025.QT INSTANT: 3% daily drawdown fixed to the initial account balance (does not change with profits).Breaching the daily limit is treated as a hard breach on funded stages. |
| Max Total Loss | Maximum Overall LossFTUK applies different overall drawdown models across programs: Instant Funding uses a 6% relative max drawdown, One Step uses an 8% relative max drawdown, and the Two Step program uses static maximum drawdown limits of 10% (Phase 1) and 5% (Phase 2) calculated on equity. | Max Loss (Maximum Overall Loss)Each account type has a lifetime Max Loss limit (overall drawdown from the starting level):Day Trade: 4% Max Loss on FLEX and 3% Max Loss on MAX.Swing: 7% Max Loss (FLEX and MAX).On funded accounts, Trade The Pool also applies a buffer rule: once equity reaches 3× the Daily Pause, the account’s max drawdown is moved up to the initial balance (falling below it can terminate the account). | Maximum Overall LossOverall drawdown limits differ by plan:QT PRIME: 10% maximum drawdown (static, based on initial balance).QT POWER: 8% maximum loss limit (based on initial balance).QT INSTANT: 6% maximum drawdown that trails the highest recorded balance or floating equity (high-water mark). (Some operational details—such as whether trailing drawdown locks at starting balance after withdrawal—depend on the account’s issue date.) |
| Drawdown Type | Drawdown ModelFTUK distinguishes between relative (trailing) drawdown and static drawdown. On One Step and Instant Funding, the trailing max drawdown is based on balance (not equity) and only moves upward as profits accumulate. On the Two Step program, drawdown is static and calculated on equity, meaning floating profit/loss is included in the drawdown check. | Drawdown ModelTrade The Pool’s primary risk model is static (starting-level) drawdown, implemented via (1) a Daily Pause (daily loss allowance) and (2) a Max Loss (overall loss limit). These limits are expressed as percentages of buying power for each program.For funded accounts, an additional protective rule can effectively tighten drawdown after strong performance: once equity reaches 3× the Daily Pause, the max drawdown line is moved up to the initial balance. | Drawdown ModelQT Funded uses a mix of static and trailing drawdown models:Static drawdown: QT PRIME (10% max loss) and QT POWER (8% max loss) use static overall drawdown anchored to the initial balance.Trailing drawdown: QT INSTANT uses a 6% trailing maximum drawdown from the highest recorded balance/equity, paired with a fixed 3% daily drawdown. |
| Payouts | |||
| Payout Frequency | Payout FrequencyInstant Funding: Payouts are available on demand, subject to meeting the Consistency Score requirement.One Step & Two Step: Payouts are typically available every 14 days (bi-weekly) once the trader meets minimum trading-day requirements and other eligibility checks (including the challenge-program Payout Locker terms where applicable). | Payout FrequencyFunded traders can request a payout every 14 days (and at least 14 days since the last payout or since a new scaled account is activated), provided the account meets the minimum profit requirement.Minimum profit to withdraw is generally $300 (for $5K accounts, $150). FLEX funded accounts also require meeting the 0.5%/day consistency rule on 3 separate days within the 14‑day period. | Payout FrequencyPayout requests are available every 2 weeks (14 days) from the first trade on the funded account and every 14 days for each consecutive payout cycle.QT PRIME: Bi-weekly payouts at 80% split, or Prime On-Demand payouts (100% split) subject to eligibility requirements.QT POWER: payout on-demand subject to minimum conditions (including 35% consistency and minimum trading days).QT INSTANT: bi-weekly payouts at 80% split (with a 5% minimum profit and 25% consistency requirement for eligibility). |
| Days to First Payout | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Payout Processing Time | Payout ProcessingFTUK states payout requests are usually approved within 1–2 working days after account review. After approval, funds are typically reflected in the trader’s wallet within 1–3 working days depending on the payout method. | Payout ProcessingPayouts are processed via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, Hub credits, or credit card and typically take 3–5 business days, depending on the payout method and banking/card rails. | Payout ProcessingQT Funded states payout requests are processed within 24 business hours after submission/approval (the request day does not count toward the 24-hour processing window).Minimum performance fee: the minimum payout amount is 1% or $100 (whichever is higher). For QT INSTANT, the minimum performance fee is stated as 5% of profit margin. |
| Payout Methods | RiseWorks USDT (TRC20) | Wire Transfer Crypto Hub Credits Credit Card | Crypto Bank Wire Transfer QT Card |
| Payments | |||
| Payment Methods | Credit/Debit Card Crypto | Credit/Debit Card Bank Transfer (plus other methods offered at checkout) | Credit/Debit Card (Visa Mastercard American Express) PayPal Crypto |
| Trading Permissions | |||
| News Trading | Instant Funding: News trading is permitted at all stages with no restrictions.One Step & Two Step: FTUK applies a 10-minute no-trade window around major economic releases (from 5 minutes before to 5 minutes after). Trades opened or closed inside this window are treated as a soft breach where profits are erased and losses are not compensated. | News TradingTrade The Pool does not publish a blanket “no news trading” restriction for evaluations on its public program parameters, but equity trading around major news is inherently higher-risk and may involve volatility, slippage, and halts. Trading is not permitted during regulatory trading halts. | Evaluation stage: news trading is allowed.Funded stage (QT PRIME & QT INSTANT): news trading is restricted around Forex Factory red-folder (high-impact) releases: no manual trading activity (opening/closing/modifying positions or orders) within 5 minutes before/after the event; SL/TP and qualifying limit orders set earlier may still trigger. Violations are treated as hard breaches. QT PRIME On-Demand does not have the news rule applied. |
| Weekend Trades | Forex programs: Holding positions overnight and over the weekend is allowed on Instant Funding, One Step and Two Step accounts.Futures programs: FTUK Futures does not allow holding positions overnight or over the weekend; positions must be closed by the daily cutoff time specified by FTUK. | Weekend TradingUS equity markets are closed on weekends. Swing program positions can be held overnight/weekend subject to market hours and risk limits; Day Trade programs are designed for intraday trading. | Weekend holding is permitted across QT PRIME, QT POWER and QT INSTANT (trades can be held over the weekend), subject to general risk rules and market conditions. |
| Copy Trading | Forex programs: Copy trading is allowed between your FTUK account and your personal external accounts, but copying between multiple FTUK accounts (or running identical trades across multiple FTUK accounts) is prohibited.Futures programs: Copy trading is not permitted. | Copy TradingTrade The Pool offers optional “boosters” (including a SignalStack booster) that can be used for automation workflows. Any copying/automation must still comply with all risk, volume, and consistency rules, and each evaluation is reviewed independently for compliance. | Copy trading rules depend on total allocation:Under $400,000 total allocation: traders may copy trades and use the same strategy across accounts.$400,000 and above: traders may still hold multiple accounts, but they may not copy trades or use the same strategy between accounts; each account must use a different strategy and trade different instruments for its entire history.QT INSTANT: additional max-allocation rule for same-strategy use (max $99,000); QT Instant allocation also counts toward the overall $400,000 cap. |
| EA Allowed | Expert Advisors (EAs) and automated trading are permitted for standard intraday strategies, but FTUK’s permitted-styles matrix restricts EAs from a range of behaviors (e.g., martingale, scalping, tick scalping, hedging, and prohibited arbitrage styles). FTUK also warns that any trading style that constitutes high-frequency trading is not allowed. | EAs / AutomationTrade The Pool does not run on MT4/MT5; it provides a TraderEvolution-based platform (desktop/web/mobile). Automation is typically handled via platform tools and optional integrations/boosters (e.g., SignalStack), rather than MetaTrader EAs. | Expert Advisors (EAs) are permitted only with pre-approval. Traders must submit the EA name and links to [email protected] before use. Trade copiers are also permitted with approval, and copied executions must place visible SL/TP (no invisible trade management). Unapproved use can result in account forfeit and group trading with shared EAs is prohibited. |
| KYC & Restrictions | |||
| KYC Required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| KYC Stage | FTUK uses RiseWorks for payout processing and requires trader verification to access and withdraw via Rise. FTUK states payouts above $500 are processed via RiseWorks in USD, while payouts below $500 are processed via USDT (TRC20). If Rise is not supported in a trader’s country, FTUK can manually send payouts via USDT (TRC20). | Trade The Pool applies AML/KYC checks and may request identity documentation at any stage, particularly after a trader passes evaluation and before becoming (or remaining) a funded user. | KYC is required as part of onboarding and may be requested by the company’s AML/KYC providers. QT INSTANT specifically requires KYC verification and a signed contract before trading is enabled. Accounts may be treated as inactive/invalid if the latest KYC requirements are not completed. |
| Restricted Countries | Algeria Democratic Republic of the Congo Iran Libya Morocco North Korea Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Vietnam Yemen Tunisia | Afghanistan Belarus Burundi Central African Republic Cuba Congo Republic Crimea Democratic Republic of Congo Eritrea Guinea Guinea-Bissau Iraq Iran Israel Laos Lebanon Liberia Libya Myanmar North Korea Palestinian Territory Papua New Guinea Russia South Sudan Sudan Somalia Syria Vanuatu Venezuela Yemen | Iran Iraq Myanmar Belarus North Korea South Korea Russia (MT5) Pakistan Syria Egypt United States (MT5 and cTrader) Canada (MT5) |