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Express Funded Account & Live Funded Account FAQ's
Express Funded Account & Live Funded Account FAQ's
Updated over a week ago

Can I move from the Express Funded Account to the Live Funded Account at any time?

You cannot move from the Express Funded Account to the Live Funded Account at any time. We want traders to get some good momentum in their Express Funded Account™. However, our Risk Managers closely monitor our traders in the Express Funded Account™ and will reach out when they believe you should be moved to the Live Account. Based on performance and consistency, this will vary for each trader on a case-by-case basis.

What are the fees for the Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account?

There’s no monthly subscription fee for an Express Funded Account since the Trading Combine subscription ends once you pass the Trading Combine!🎉 If your trading platform was free in the Trading Combine, it’ll also be free to use in the Express Funded Account. If you were paying a monthly fee for your trading platform, you’d continue to pay that once you earn the Express Funded Account™.

The Activation Fee is required as a one-time payment per Express Funded Account. To prevent delays in receiving your Express Funded Account credentials, make sure to use the same email address associated with your Topstep.com account when paying the Activation Fee.

You can view the full details for costs in the Live Funded Account here: What are the costs in the Live Funded Account?

What are the parameters for the Express Funded Account?

The rules and objectives for the Express Funded Account are found here: Express Funded Account Parameters.

How long does it take to receive my Express Funded Account?

You should receive the credentials for your new Express Funded Account™ (which is sometimes referred to as XFA) within 1-2 business days after submitting your contract and paying the Activation Fee; this process can take up to 2 full business days, so we appreciate your patience while we work to prepare your new Express Funded Account!

How long do I have to pay my Activation Fee and get started with the Express Funded Account?

You have 30 days from the time you pass your Trading Combine to pay your Activation Fee and get started with the Express Funded Account.

What happens if I lose my Express Funded Account due to violating the Maximum Loss Limit?

If you lose your funding due to violating the Maximum Loss Limit rule, you can start a new Trading Combine for another chance at earning an Express Funded Account; there is no option to reset if you hit your Maximum Loss Limit in an Express Funded Account or Live Account (Learn more here: Funded Rule Violation FAQ). Please keep in mind that Express Funded Account Activation Fees are non-refundable, and another Trading Combine will have to be completed to earn funding again.

Why does the balance in my new Express Funded Account show $0 or N/A?

Your Express Funded Account will show as having a zero ($0) balance in your trading platform when you first start trading in that new account, while the buying power for that Express Funded Account™ (sometimes referred to as the XFA) is still the same as the correlating Trading Combine account size. Even though your account balance will show as zero, your buying power for that Express Funded Account is still the same as your Trading Combine account size.

When you start your Express Funded Account, have the buying power of whatever size account, you pass with. In these cases, 50K buying power, 100K buying power, or 150K buying power. Unlike the Trading Combine which includes the 50K, 100K, or 150K amount in your displayed account balance, your Express Funded Account will only show the balance of the money you've earned or lost which explains why the Express Funded Account starts with a zero balance. Since you start with a $0 balance in our Express Funded Accounts, your dashboard will display N/A or zero until you start trading.

*If you're seeing no balance or a zero ($0) balance in your Trading Combine account, this likely means that you missed a step when connecting to or logging into your platform; If this happens, you will need to review your Platform Connection instructions step by step to properly log in and connect.

Can I decline the invitation to move to a Live Funded Account and stay in the Express Funded Account instead?

No, it is not possible to stay in an Express Funded Account and decline to move to a Live Funded Account; Once our Risk Managers determine you're ready to move to a Live Funded Account, your options are to make the switch from Express to Live or close your Express Funded Account.

How do I request a payout?

Our Payout Policy can be found here. Traders in an Express Funded Account or Live Funded Account can request a payout of up to 50% of their account balance after accumulating five winning trading days per payout request. A winning trading day is counted when a day’s Net PNL is $200 or more. You cannot request a payout in a Trading Combine account, since payouts are only available to Funded Traders who have passed the Trading Combine.

What Happens When I Transfer to the Live Funded Account?

When Topstep determines that a trader has shown consistent success in the Express Funded Account, then that trader will receive an email to transfer to a Live Funded Account. At that time, the Express Funded Account will be closed to transfer funds and open the Live Funded Account.

The full balance of the Express Funded Account will be the starting balance of the subsequent Live Funded Account. A payout can be requested during your transfer from the Express Funded Account to the Live account. The Live Funded Account Maximum Loss Limit is set at $0.

How do I earn payouts from a simulated account?

The Express Funded Account is a simulated account that allows you to earn from your trading without additional fees. This account speeds up your time to earning (get started in two business days!) while allowing Topstep to manage risk more effectively.

Your trades inform our live prop firm trades, and we both earn real money.

After passing the Trading Combine, can I switch to a new platform for my Express Funded Account?

You cannot switch to a different platform when starting an Express Funded Account; after passing your Trading Combine, your Express Funded Account will be created with the same platform as the Trading Combine. If you want an Express Funded Account on a different platform, you will need to start a new Trading Combine and pass to earn an Express Funded Account on your desired platform. We are not able to offer any exceptions to this policy.

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