Automate Elite Trader Funding with TradersPost

Elite Trader Funding's Terms of Service prohibit automated trading systems, bots, and trade copiers unless expressly authorized in writing¹. However, the firm maintains a list of approved automation partners², and TradersPost connects to ETF accounts through Tradovate for automated strategy execution.

This guide covers ETF's automation policy, setting up the integration, and managing payout rules with automated strategies.

Automation Policy

ETF's Terms of Service state that using "artificial intelligence, bots, or automated trading systems, trade copiers, or automated trading strategies" that are not expressly authorized by ETF is a prohibited activity¹.

Key restrictions include:

• Minimum 10-second holding period on all trades¹
• Martingale strategies prohibited¹
• Erratic trading patterns prohibited¹
• Unapproved third-party trade copiers result in profit forfeiture and permanent ban²

ETF maintains a list of approved trade copier and automation partners on their trade copier disclaimer page². Check this page to verify approved partners before connecting any automation tools.

How TradersPost Connects to ETF

TradersPost connects to Elite Trader Funding through the Tradovate platform³. When you create an ETF account with Tradovate as your platform, you receive credentials that link to TradersPost.

The signal chain:

• TradingView fires a strategy alert
• TradersPost receives the webhook and processes the order
• Tradovate executes the trade in your ETF account

Setting Up the Integration

Step 1: Choose Your Evaluation Model

Select an evaluation model that matches your automated strategy. The EOD Drawdown model is often best for automation since intraday fluctuations do not impact the drawdown⁴. Static Drawdown suits strategies that build equity over time⁵.

Step 2: Connect Tradovate to TradersPost

Add your ETF Tradovate credentials in TradersPost's broker section. Verify the account displays correctly with proper balance and position limits.

Step 3: Configure Alerts

Set up TradingView alerts with webhook messages directed to your TradersPost URL. Include entry, exit, and bracket order parameters.

Step 4: Paper Trade First

Test the entire chain in paper mode. Given ETF's strict automation policy¹, verify that your strategy's execution patterns do not trigger any compliance issues (10-second minimum hold, no erratic patterns).

Best Evaluation Models for Automation

EOD Drawdown

The EOD trailing drawdown only updates at market close⁴. Automated strategies can experience intraday drawdowns without triggering breaches, as long as the end-of-day balance stays above the floor. The daily loss limit (2.2%) provides a separate intraday guard⁶.

Static Drawdown

The fixed drawdown never trails⁵. As your strategy builds equity, the buffer between account value and the loss floor grows. Available at $10K, $25K, and $50K⁵.

Diamond Hands

The only model that allows overnight and weekend holds⁷. If your algorithm identifies opportunities that play out over multiple sessions, Diamond Hands supports this. Limited to 2 mini contracts⁷.

1-Step

The real-time trailing drawdown is the most aggressive⁸. Every tick counts toward the drawdown. Best for strategies with tight stops and consistent execution.

Managing the 40% Consistency Rule

No single day can exceed 40% of total profits at withdrawal time⁹. For automated strategies:

• Set daily profit targets in your strategy logic to cap gains on any single day
• Reduce position sizes after a particularly profitable day
• Track the consistency metric daily
• Consider pausing automation on a day approaching the 40% threshold

Meeting Active Trading Day Requirements

The first payout requires 8 Active Trading Days (ATDs), subsequent payouts require 10¹⁰. Each ATD needs $200+ in realized profit AND 23% of your best day's P&L⁹.

• Ensure your strategy trades frequently enough to generate qualifying days
• Avoid strategies that only trade 1-2 days per week
• The 23% rule means your best day cannot be massively outsized compared to others
• Maintain steady daily gains rather than infrequent large wins

Scaling Across Multiple Accounts

ETF allows up to 20 sim-funded accounts per trader (max 5 from Fast Track, max 5 from DTF)¹. TradersPost can route signals to multiple Tradovate accounts simultaneously:

• Connect each ETF account separately in TradersPost
• Route the same strategy signals to all connected accounts
• Manage drawdown and consistency rules per account independently
• Do not hedge correlated instruments across accounts¹

Tips for Automated Trading on ETF

• Verify approval status: Check ETF's approved partners list before connecting automation tools²
• Respect the 10-second minimum: All trades must be held at least 10 seconds¹ — avoid ultra-fast scalping strategies
• Account for the $80/month fee: Your strategy must generate enough profit to cover the ongoing funded cost¹¹
• Close positions before market close: All trades must be closed 1 minute before close (except Diamond Hands and DTF)¹
• Trade at least once per week: Accounts require weekly trading activity¹
• Start with one account: Test your automation on a single evaluation before scaling to multiple accounts

Conclusion

Automating Elite Trader Funding requires using approved automation partners² and respecting the 10-second minimum holding period¹. TradersPost connects through Tradovate for webhook-based strategy execution.

The EOD Drawdown and Static Drawdown models are generally best suited for automated strategies. Manage the 40% consistency rule⁹ and 8-10 ATD payout requirements¹⁰ by ensuring your strategy produces consistent, distributed gains.

Verify ETF's current automation policies and approved partners list on their website before setting up automated trading.

References

¹ ETF Help Center - Terms of Service
² ETF Help Center - Trade Copier Disclaimer
³ ETF Help Center - General Questions
⁴ ETF Help Center - EOD Plan
⁵ ETF Help Center - Static Account Plan
⁶ Elite Trader Funding - EOD Evaluation
⁷ Elite Trader Funding - Diamond Hands
⁸ Elite Trader Funding - 1-Step Evaluation
⁹ ETF Help Center - 1-Step Plan Rules
¹⁰ ETF Help Center - Payout Amounts by Account Type
¹¹ ETF Help Center - Funded Account Fees