TopstepTrader Q & A

[Topstep]

Thanks for the question, @CALLumbus. The Funded Account and the Premium Funded Account are nearly identical. However, the difference is the path to get to the Premium Funded Account. Due to feedback about the psychological challenges moving from trading SIM to live markets, we've started to test a Pro Account. This is a simulated account you can profit from. Once you reach the $5,000 profit cap in the Pro Account, we take that closing balance and that is what balance you start with in the Premium Funded Account. We are finding that this path has helped some traders overcome that initial psyche going from SIM to live markets.

Not all traders can be offered this option because we do not have the ability to create simulated Pro Accounts for TSTrader users. It is also important to note that this is an option and not required. If a trader is ready to start trading live markets right away, they can choose to do so.

 

[qubit000]

This seems to be a point on which both enthusiasts and detractors of TST are agreed.

Though I have no connection with them and have never done a Combine myself (sadly for me, they didn't exist when I was starting out, otherwise I think I probably would have done so), I suppose I admit to being an "enthusiast" (mostly because a couple of my friends have very successfully started out on their funded trading careers through TST, earning a lot of money in the process), and even I completely agree that it would probably be unwise, and unnecessary, to pay for a Combine before testing it out on your own, on a demo account, and feeling pretty confident that you can pass it. Unless the money really doesn't matter at all.

Are your friend still trading with them, of not, how much did they profit before leaving?

 

[traderjo]

is this true? a third party with approval of TST trades your "Combine" for a fee of $99!
https://fractalfinance.com/roxi-2/tell-me-more-about-roxi-2/

 

[qubit000]

Thanks for the question, @CALLumbus. The Funded Account and the Premium Funded Account are nearly identical. However, the difference is the path to get to the Premium Funded Account. Due to feedback about the psychological challenges moving from trading SIM to live markets, we've started to test a Pro Account. This is a simulated account you can profit from. Once you reach the $5,000 profit cap in the Pro Account, we take that closing balance and that is what balance you start with in the Premium Funded Account. We are finding that this path has helped some traders overcome that initial psyche going from SIM to live markets.

Not all traders can be offered this option because we do not have the ability to create simulated Pro Accounts for TSTrader users. It is also important to note that this is an option and not required. If a trader is ready to start trading live markets right away, they can choose to do so.

What's the difference between Funded Account and Pro Account or are they they same?

 

[Topstep]

What's the difference between Funded Account and Pro Account or are they they same?

Good question. You can take the traditional path and go straight to a Funded Account from passing Step 2, or you can go into a Pro Account. The Pro Account is ultimately an optional step you can take to help with the psychological challenge moving from a simulated environment to trading live markets. You can profit from both accounts. Once you reach the $5,000 profit cap in the Pro Account, we take that closing balance and that is what balance you start within the Premium Funded Account, which is treated the same as a Funded Account.

 

[Topstep]

is this true? a third party with approval of TST trades your "Combine" for a fee of $99!
https://fractalfinance.com/roxi-2/tell-me-more-about-roxi-2/

Hi @traderjo. We do not prohibit traders from using automated systems in the Trading Combine, however, using an automated system is up to the trader's discretion and they are responsible for the account activity.

 

[qubit000]

Good question. You can take the traditional path and go straight to a Funded Account from passing Step 2, or you can go into a Pro Account. The Pro Account is ultimately an optional step you can take to help with the psychological challenge moving from a simulated environment to trading live markets. You can profit from both accounts. Once you reach the $5,000 profit cap in the Pro Account, we take that closing balance and that is what balance you start within the Premium Funded Account, which is treated the same as a Funded Account.

Is the 'Premium' funded account the same as a 'Funded' account or something different?

Once both combines are completed, how would one make the request to go forward w/the Pro account or straight to Funded acct - phone call, email, or is it a selection in the account setup process?

 

[Topstep]

Hey @qubit000
Once a trader passes Step 2 of the Trading Combine, they are presented with the options to go directly to a Funded Account or opt for a Pro Account. The Premium Funded Account and Funded Account are essentially the same accounts, but the path is slightly different. Traders who opt for the Pro Account after Step 2 will eventually move into a Premium Funded Account once they reach the profit cap, or opt to move from the Pro Account to Premium Funded Account.
The only difference between Premium Funded Account and Funded Account is that those in the Premium Funded Account will have a starting balance equal to what their closing balance was in the Pro Account, while traders who opt for the Funded Account after Step 2 will start with a $0 balance.
I hope this helps answer your question!

 

[qubit000]

Hey @qubit000
Once a trader passes Step 2 of the Trading Combine, they are presented with the options to go directly to a Funded Account or opt for a Pro Account. The Premium Funded Account and Funded Account are essentially the same accounts, but the path is slightly different. Traders who opt for the Pro Account after Step 2 will eventually move into a Premium Funded Account once they reach the profit cap, or opt to move from the Pro Account to Premium Funded Account.
The only difference between Premium Funded Account and Funded Account is that those in the Premium Funded Account will have a starting balance equal to what their closing balance was in the Pro Account, while traders who opt for the Funded Account after Step 2 will start with a $0 balance.
I hope this helps answer your question!

Hi,

Thanks for the clarification. Does the Pro Account have the same rules as the Funded account? And does the starting balance of Premium acct (based on closing balance of Pro acct) have the same draw downs as the funded account -- even if the amount is less than profit target for the combine selected?

It would be nice if this were explained on your website w/maybe a comparison table.

 

[Topstep]

Thanks for the clarification. Does the Pro Account have the same rules as the Funded account? And does the starting balance of Premium acct (based on closing balance of Pro acct) have the same draw downs as the funded account -- even if the amount is less than profit target for the combine selected?

The Pro Account will follow the same rules as both Step 2 and the Funded Account. If you break a rule and your Pro Account is closed, you can return to Step 2 of the Trading Combine.

The starting balance of the Premium Funded Account will be determined by the account balance of your Pro Account at the time you decide to transition, up to the $5000 cap. The Trailing Max Drawdown of the Premium Funded Account will always be set to $0, regardless of the starting account balance.

If you have more advanced or in-depth questions about the Pro Account please contact the Support team and ask for Matt or Mick. They work with all of our traders on the funded level.