What are the trading style rules at FTUK regarding EAs, news trading, weekend trades, and copy trading?
💡 Answer
Is the use of EA Allowed at FTUK?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.
Is News Trading allowed at FTUK?
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.
Can FTUK traders hold 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.
Is Copy Trading allowed at FTUK?
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.
What are some main Prohibited Strategies at FTUK?
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.
More FAQs about FTUK
- What payment methods can be used at FTUK, and are purchases refundable?
- What are the withdrawal conditions at FTUK, including minimum payout and processing time?
- How is profit shared between the trader and FTUK at the maximum level?
- What instruments and markets can traders access at FTUK?
- How much leverage is available at FTUK for FX, indices, metals, and crypto assets?
- Does FTUK offer multiple trading platforms, and which broker are they connected to?
- How does the trading environment at FTUK compare in terms of spreads, commissions, and slippage policy?
- What are the trading restrictions at FTUK, such as prohibited strategies, martingale usage, and lot size limits?
- How does the drawdown system work at FTUK?
- What are the main risk control rules enforced by FTUK during evaluations?
- What types of trading programs can traders choose from at FTUK?
- What type of trading challenges does FTUK require before 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?
- Does FTUK allow multiple accounts, account merging, and are there any lot size restrictions?
- Is identity verification mandatory at FTUK, and at which stage does KYC occur?
- Which regions or countries are restricted by FTUK?
Guides Where FTUK Is Featured
- Prop Firms Offering Futures Trading
- Prop Firms With DXtrade Platform
- Prop Firms with More Than 500 Trustpilot Reviews
- Prop Firms With Trustpilot rating of 3.2 or higher
- Top Prop Firms That Accept Clients From Costa Rica
These guides include FTUK alongside other prop firms, grouped by trading features, platforms, availability, and trader requirements.
FTUK vs Top One Trader vs Funded Futures Family - Prop Firm Comparison (March 2026)
Side-by-side comparison of FTUK vs Top One Trader vs Funded Futures Family. 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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Top One Trader
Top One Trader is a fast-growing prop firm offering simple 1-step and 2-step evaluations plus instant funding and Instant Prime accounts, with low-cost challenges, straightforward rules, EquityShield risk protection and profit splits that can reach 100% while scaling up to...
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Funded Futures Family
Funded Futures Family (FFF) is a US-based futures prop firm that offers evaluation challenges and Straight-To-Funded options with access via Tradovate, NinjaTrader, and TradingView, a ruleset centered on trailing drawdown (EOD or intraday by plan), structured payout eligibility based on...
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|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Trustpilot Reviews | 604 | 3,026 | 1,485 |
| Headquarters | United States | United States | United States |
| Age (Years) | N/A | 3 | 3 |
| Max Funding | $6,400,000 | $5,000,000 | $600,000 |
| Profit Split Start | 50% | 60% | 100% |
| Profit Split Max | 80% | 100% | 100% |
| Platforms | Match-Trader DXtrade TradeLocker | MT5 cTrader Match-Trader TradeLocker | TradingView NinjaTrader Tradovate |
| Assets | FX Metals Indices Commodities Crypto Futures | FX Metals Indices Commodities Crypto | Commodities Energies Futures Metals |
| Leverage | |||
| FX Leverage | 100 | 50 | 0 |
| Metals Leverage | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Crypto Leverage | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 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. | Maximum Daily LossDaily loss limits at Top One Trader are simple but strict: 1-Step and 2-Step accounts usually have a 4% daily loss cap, Instant Funding has a 3% daily loss limit and Instant Prime applies an even tighter 2.5% profile tied to the ESS metric.The daily limit is generally calculated on equity and includes both closed and floating losses; if equity falls beyond the allowed percentage in a single day, the account is considered in breach even if the loss is later recovered. | Maximum Daily LossFFF’s futures programs are designed around a trailing max drawdown and contract-sizing rules rather than a separate daily loss limit.For S2F accounts, the published Daily Loss Limit is None across $50k, $100k, and $150k account sizes. |
| 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. | Maximum Overall LossOverall loss caps depend on the program: 1-Step FLASH uses a 7% trailing max drawdown, 2-Step PRO uses an 8% static max loss from the starting balance, Instant Funding runs with a 6% trailing drawdown and Instant Prime typically keeps a 5–6% trailing max loss.For trailing accounts, the max loss tracks the highest equity until a payout is taken, at which point the level locks at the initial balance; breaching the max loss at any time results in losing the account. | Maximum Overall LossFFF enforces maximum loss through a trailing max drawdown model whose calculation mode depends on the plan type.S2F trailing max drawdown (published): $2,000 on $50k; $3,000 on $100k; $4,500 on $150k (drawdown mode: End of Day).FFF also states that evaluation plans include both End-of-Day drawdown (Premiere/Classic) and intraday trailing drawdown (Elite), so traders should choose the model that best fits their risk style. |
| 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 ModelTop One Trader combines static and trailing drawdown models. 2-Step PRO accounts use a simple static 8% max loss from starting balance, while 1-Step FLASH, Instant Funding and Instant Prime rely on trailing max drawdown that follows peak equity and then locks at the starting balance when a payout is requested (Lock Upon Payout rule).The EquityShield risk engine helps enforce these limits by monitoring symbol-level and overall open risk and automatically closing trades if thresholds are exceeded. | Drawdown ModelEnd-of-Day (EOD) drawdown: drawdown is assessed using end-of-day account values (used in Premiere/Classic evaluations; also shown for S2F account structures).Intraday trailing drawdown: drawdown trails equity highs intraday (used in Elite evaluations). |
| 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 Frequency1-Step and 2-Step challenge accounts pay out bi-weekly by default, with add-ons available for weekly or instant payouts after the first withdrawal. Instant Funding normally pays monthly, while Instant Prime offers bi-weekly payouts, again with minimum profit of 2% of the initial balance required to request a withdrawal.Profit splits typically start at 80–90% on challenge accounts, 60% on Instant Funding and 80% on Instant Prime, stepping up over successive payouts until they reach as high as 90–100% for long-term, consistent traders. | Payout FrequencyPayouts become requestable once the trader meets eligibility requirements (including 7 qualifying $200+ profit days and applicable consistency/buffer rules). Requests can be submitted as soon as eligible.Approved payout requests are processed on Tuesdays and Fridays (with cut-off times for each batch). |
| Days to First Payout | 14 | 30 | 7 |
| 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 requested through the Top One Trader dashboard and are routed via Rise (Riseworks) to bank transfer or cryptocurrency. Approved withdrawals are often processed within about 24 hours, although exact timing can vary with the chosen method, weekends and additional compliance checks. | Payout ProcessingPayouts are delivered through Rise. After approval, traders receive an invite, complete Rise onboarding/KYC, and then sign the contractor documentation; payouts are sent after that step.Typical Rise timeframes: bank transfer/wire often 1–3 business days; crypto often same day to ~24 hours (network-dependent). |
| Payout Methods | RiseWorks USDT (TRC20) | Bank Transfer Crypto via Rise (Riseworks) | Rise (Bank Transfer/Wire Crypto Local Currency) |
| Payments | |||
| Payment Methods | Credit/Debit Card Crypto | Credit Card Crypto | Credit/Debit Card |
| 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 trading rules depend on the program. Evaluations are typically more flexible, but on funded and instant accounts it is prohibited to open, modify or close positions within 5 minutes before or after designated high-impact news on the affected instrument. Instant Prime provides more flexibility when combined with relevant add-ons, but bracket-style and pure spike-catching news strategies are still not allowed. | FFF publishes a dedicated News Trading Policy in its help center; traders should follow that policy for their specific account type (evaluation, simulated funded, or live). |
| 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. | Overnight and weekend holding is allowed on 1-Step FLASH and 2-Step PRO accounts subject to normal swap charges. Instant Funding accounts require a weekend add-on to hold trades over the close; without it, positions should be closed before markets shut to avoid soft or hard breaches. | Weekend trading is generally not applicable for CME-style futures because markets are closed during the weekend maintenance window; trading is only possible during the exchange’s open sessions. Positions must comply with the product’s trading hours. |
| 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. | Manual copy trading is allowed only between your own challenge accounts on supported platforms, and not on funded or instant funded accounts. Copying between different users, mirroring trades across large groups of accounts or hedging between accounts and firms is prohibited. Violations can lead to profit removal, account resets or termination. | FFF’s public materials emphasize that accounts are for the account holder’s own use. Any copying/account-management behavior should remain consistent with FFF’s fair-use/prohibited-conduct framework and must not involve third-party account management. |
| 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. | Expert Advisors are allowed on 1-Step FLASH and 2-Step PRO evaluation accounts provided they are customised to the trader, fully disclosed and not commercial grid, martingale, latency or arbitrage systems. EAs are not permitted on funded and instant accounts, where trading is expected to be manual or semi-manual under the firm’s risk rules. | Automation can be implemented via supported platforms (e.g., NinjaTrader tools or TradingView-based execution flows), but traders remain responsible for compliance with all rules, including position sizing, consistency, and prohibited conduct. |
| KYC & Restrictions | |||
| KYC Required | Yes | No | No |
| 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). | Top One Trader applies standard KYC and AML checks. Traders must complete identity verification and, where required, provide proof of address or other documents before receiving funded accounts and before withdrawals are processed through Rise and other payment providers. | KYC is required through Rise before the first payout is sent (Rise onboarding/identity verification as part of contractor setup). |
| Restricted Countries | Algeria Democratic Republic of the Congo Iran Libya Morocco North Korea Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Vietnam Yemen Tunisia | Afghanistan Albania Algeria Armenia Azerbaijan Crimea (Region of Ukraine) Cuba Iran Iraq Kazakhstan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Macedonia Morocco Pakistan Russia Somalia Sudan Syria Turkey Ukraine Vietnam | Afghanistan Albania Algeria Angola Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) Burma/Myanmar Burundi Central African Republic Chad Chinese Military Companies Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Crimea (Region of Ukraine - Crimea Donetsk Luhansk Kherson Zaporizhzhia) Cuba Democratic Republic of Congo Ethiopia Iran Iraq Jamaica Kosovo Lebanon Liberia Libya Mali Monaco Morocco Montenegro Mozambique Namibia Nicaragua North Korea North Macedonia Puerto Rico Russia Senegal Somalia South Sudan Sudan and Darfur Syria Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Ukraine Venezuela Vietnam Yemen Zimbabwe |