Complete Elite Trader Funding Prop Firm Guide

Elite Trader Funding (ETF) is a US-based futures proprietary trading firm founded in 2022¹ that offers six evaluation models for different trading styles. With accounts from $10,000 to $300,000, traders keep 100% of the first $12,500 in profits, then 90/10 after that².

The firm supports Tradovate, Rithmic, NinjaTrader, TradingView, and other platforms³. ETF holds a 3.8/5 Trustpilot rating from approximately 995 reviews¹.

Six Evaluation Models

1-Step Evaluation

The standard monthly subscription evaluation with trailing drawdown calculated in real time⁴. No daily loss limit and no time limit to pass. Account sizes from $50K to $300K⁴.

EOD Drawdown Evaluation

Uses end-of-day trailing drawdown that only updates at market close, giving traders room for intraday volatility⁵. Includes a daily loss limit (2.2% of account)⁶. Account sizes from $50K to $150K⁶.

Fast Track Evaluation

A one-time fee evaluation with a 14-day time limit⁷. Available at $100K ($75) and $250K ($175)⁷. Trailing drawdown, no daily loss limit.

Static Drawdown Evaluation

Uses a fixed drawdown that never trails with profits⁸. One-time fee. Account sizes from $10K to $50K⁸.

Diamond Hands Evaluation

The only ETF plan that allows overnight and weekend position holding⁹. Available at $100K for $365/month with a $5,000 profit target, $3,500 EOD trailing drawdown, and $1,500 daily loss limit⁹. Limited to 2 mini contracts⁹.

Direct to Funded (DTF)

Skip the evaluation entirely with a one-time fee¹⁰. Available at $25K ($599) and $50K ($699) with no profit target required¹⁰. Allows overnight and weekend holding¹⁰.

Account Sizes and Parameters

Key specifications for the most popular evaluation models:

1-Step Evaluation (monthly subscription):

• $50,000: $165/month, $3,000 profit target, $2,000 trailing drawdown, 8 minis⁴
• $100,000: $205/month, $6,000 profit target, $3,000 trailing drawdown, 14 minis⁴
• $150,000: $295/month, $9,000 profit target, $5,000 trailing drawdown, 18 minis⁴

Static Drawdown (one-time fee):

• $10,000: $99, $1,000 profit target, $500 static drawdown, 1 mini⁸
• $25,000: $229, $2,000 profit target, $1,000 static drawdown, 2 minis⁸
• $50,000: $449, $4,000 profit target, $2,000 static drawdown, 4 minis⁸

Profit Split and Payouts

• First $12,500 in profits: 100% to the trader²
• Beyond $12,500: 90% to the trader, 10% to ETF²
• Total sim-funded payout cap: $25,000 per trader¹¹

Payout Requirements

The first payout requires 8 Active Trading Days (ATDs)¹¹. An ATD requires at least $200 in realized profit AND at least 23% of your best trading day's P&L¹². Subsequent payouts require 10 ATDs¹¹.

The 40% consistency rule applies: no single day can exceed 40% of total profits at withdrawal time¹².

Payout Caps by Cycle ($50K account)

• Cycle 1 (8 ATDs): $100-$1,250¹¹
• Cycle 2 (10 ATDs): $100-$1,500¹¹
• Cycle 3 (10 ATDs): $100-$1,750¹¹
• Cycle 4+ (10 ATDs): $100-$2,000¹¹

Payouts are processed weekly on Wednesdays via Riseworks¹³. Payment methods include USDC on Coinbase, blockchain transfers, and international bank transfers¹³. Minimum withdrawal is $100¹³.

Trading Rules

• All trades must be closed 1 minute before market close (except Diamond Hands and DTF)¹⁴
• Minimum 10-second holding period on all trades¹⁴
• Minimum 5 trading days required during evaluation¹⁴
• At least 1 trade per week to maintain active status¹⁴
• No wash sales or hedging correlated instruments across accounts¹⁴
• News trading is allowed, but no hedging correlated instruments during major releases across multiple accounts³
• Up to 20 sim-funded accounts per trader (max 5 from Fast Track, max 5 from DTF)¹⁴

Safety Net

Once realized profits equal the max drawdown plus $100, the trailing drawdown locks permanently⁵. For example, on a $50K 1-Step with $2,000 drawdown, earning $2,100 in realized profits locks the floor at $50,100⁵.

Supported Platforms

ETF supports Tradovate, Rithmic, NinjaTrader, TradingView, Quantower, Sierra Chart, ATAS, Bookmap, MotiveWave, EdgeProX, and others³.

Automation Policy

ETF's Terms of Service prohibit automated trading systems, bots, and trade copiers unless expressly authorized in writing¹⁴. The firm maintains a list of approved trade copier partners¹⁵. TradersPost connects to ETF accounts through Tradovate for automated strategy execution.

All trades must be held for a minimum of 10 seconds¹⁴. Martingale strategies and erratic trading patterns are prohibited¹⁴.

Funded Account Progression

Elite Sim-Funded

After passing evaluation, traders receive a sim-funded account with an $80/month activation fee¹⁶. Trading rules carry over from the evaluation model.

LIVE Elite

Traders may qualify for live capital after 5 completed payouts and 50 Active Trading Days, or upon reaching the $25,000 sim payout cap¹⁷. LIVE Elite accounts trade real capital through EdgeClear¹⁷. Starting live balances range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the sim account size¹⁷.

SMART Growth Plan

ETF's scaling program matches 50% of withdrawal amounts toward the LIVE Elite balance¹⁸. Growth tiers include Gold (10 x $5,000 withdrawals), Platinum (5 x $10,000), and Diamond ($20,000+)¹⁸.

Comparison to Other Prop Firms

Profit Split: ETF offers 100% on first $12,500, then 90/10². Apex offers 100% on first $25K. MFFU offers 100% on first $10K (Scale/Pro plans).

Evaluation Variety: ETF offers 6 evaluation types — more than most competitors who offer 1-2 options.

Overnight Holds: Diamond Hands and DTF allow overnight and weekend holds⁹¹⁰. Most competitors require daily closure.

Ongoing Fees: ETF charges $80/month on funded accounts¹⁶. Most competitors charge no ongoing funded fees.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

• Six evaluation models for different trading styles¹⁴
• 100% profit on first $12,500²
• Diamond Hands allows overnight and weekend positions⁹
• Fast Track offers affordable one-time entry at $75-$175⁷
• Static drawdown never trails with profits⁸
• Safety net locks drawdown permanently⁵
• Up to 20 sim-funded accounts per trader¹⁴
• News trading allowed³

Disadvantages

• $80/month ongoing fee on funded accounts¹⁶
• Payout caps per cycle limit early withdrawal amounts¹¹
• $25,000 total sim-funded payout cap¹¹
• Complex ATD requirements (8-10 qualifying days per payout)¹²
• LIVE Elite starting balances are small ($2,000-$5,000)¹⁷
• Automation prohibited unless using approved partners¹⁴
• 3.8/5 Trustpilot with 24% one-star reviews¹

Conclusion

Elite Trader Funding's six evaluation models make it one of the most flexible prop firms in the industry. The Diamond Hands plan for overnight holds⁹, static drawdown option⁸, and Fast Track at $75⁷ provide choices not available at most competitors.

The main considerations are the $80/month funded fee¹⁶, progressive payout caps¹¹, and the $25,000 total sim payout limit¹¹. LIVE Elite accounts offer real capital but start with small balances¹⁷.

Verify current rules, pricing, and evaluation details on the Elite Trader Funding website before purchasing.

¹ Trustpilot - Elite Trader Funding Reviews
² Elite Trader Funding - Payouts
³ ETF Help Center - General Questions
⁴ Elite Trader Funding - 1-Step Evaluation
⁵ ETF Help Center - EOD Plan
⁶ Elite Trader Funding - EOD Evaluation
⁷ Elite Trader Funding - Fast Track
⁸ ETF Help Center - Static Account Plan
⁹ Elite Trader Funding - Diamond Hands
¹⁰ ETF Help Center - Direct to Funded Plan
¹¹ ETF Help Center - Payout Amounts by Account Type
¹² ETF Help Center - 1-Step Plan Rules
¹³ ETF Help Center - Payout Processing
¹⁴ ETF Help Center - Terms of Service
¹⁵ ETF Help Center - Trade Copier Disclaimer
¹⁶ ETF Help Center - Funded Account Fees
¹⁷ ETF Help Center - LIVE Elite
¹⁸ ETF Help Center - SMART Growth Plan