A profit target and loss limit are only part of a prop programme's agreement. Before paying, check the rules governing how trades are placed, when positions may remain open and when rewards become eligible.

Do not treat a platform accepting an order as confirmation that the contract permits it.

Consistency and Qualifying Activity

Find the exact best-day or consistency formula and whether it is an objective or a breach condition. Check the period, fees included and reset after a payout. FTMO's CFD comparison table illustrates how two products at one company can differ.

Minimum trading days, winning days and inactivity windows are separate. A token trade should not be assumed to satisfy any of them.

Copying, Hedging and Account Ownership

Check permissions for your own accounts, accounts at other firms, third-party signals and account management. A technical inability to detect a practice would not make it permitted.

The old claim that cross-firm copying is generally allowed because firms cannot monitor one another has been removed. Use the actual contract and ask for written clarification if the intended setup is unclear. Topstep's hedging guidance demonstrates one specific restriction that must be considered separately from copying support.

Position Limits and Order Behaviour

Record the maximum contracts or lots, how micro and larger contracts are counted, and whether limits apply across instruments. Check pending orders as well as filled positions.

A limit that appears in a dashboard may differ from what an order-entry interface technically allows. Inspect the account after rejections, partial fills or a disconnected copier.

Session and News Rules

Find the required flat time, holiday treatment, overnight and weekend permissions and the exact news policy. Check whether restrictions cover opening, closing, holding or the triggering of pending orders. FTMO's news FAQ shows why account stage and type matter.

Use the provider's timezone. Do not infer a universal “fifteen minutes before close” rule.

Changes, Breaks and Appeals

Read how changes are communicated, whether a legacy cohort is treated differently and which dispute process exists. Do not assume either automatic grandfathering or that every mistake has no appeal.

Before a break, confirm inactivity and billing conditions. Cancel or pause only through the permitted process and retain confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I find the governing rules?

Use the contract and exact programme documentation, with support clarification where necessary. A third-party review is orientation, not the agreement.

Does an available trade copier mean copying is allowed?

No. Technical functionality and contractual permission are separate.

Are all breaches immediate account termination?

Consequences vary by rule and programme. Distinguish hard breaches, temporary locks and unmet payout objectives.

Risk Disclaimer: Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. See our full risk disclaimer.