The Elite Trader Funding FAQ Mega Guide (60+ Questions Answered, 2026)

Elite Trader Funding (ETF) is a futures-only sim-funded prop firm operating as Elite Trader Funding, LLC since February 2022. The firm runs six distinct evaluation plan types, 1-Step, Static, End of Day, Diamond Hands, Direct to Funded, and Fast Track, and a discretionary Live Elite program that places top sim performers onto real CME capital. ETF does not trade forex or crypto. All evaluation accounts are simulated until a trader graduates into Live Elite, at which point capital is real, the split shifts to 80/20 in the trader's favour, and the lifetime sim cap of $25,000 no longer applies.

This guide answers 60+ of the most-searched questions about Elite Trader Funding. As of May 2026, the source material is ETF's own Help Center (help.elitetraderfunding.com), the marketing site at elitetraderfunding.app, and the firm's April-May 2026 blog index. The guide is organised into nine thematic sections: the basics, account types and pricing, rules and mechanics, platforms and data, payouts and the Live Elite program, promo codes and resets, what changed in September 2025, trust signals, and a TLDR FAQ summary.

A few things to flag before reading. Founders, CEO, office location, and state of incorporation are not publicly disclosed by ETF, sections about company background reflect that gap rather than guess. The drawdown numbers below are derived from the help center's Safety Net Requirements article and may differ from older blog references. Live Elite starting balances are sourced from ETF's current Live Elite Program Information article, which corrects the older $2,000-$5,000 figures still floating around in older content. The September 17, 2025 plan overhaul is a meaningful cutoff, pre-overhaul rules around HFT, Martingale, VPNs, and the 20-account cap no longer apply to new accounts. Where a fact varies by plan, the guide names the plan instead of generalising.

PTV has not personally tested every plan at ETF; this is research-grade content drawn from the Help Center. Verify pricing, drawdown, and payout details directly at checkout before committing.

The Basics

What is Elite Trader Funding?

Elite Trader Funding is a futures-only sim-funded prop firm operating under Elite Trader Funding, LLC. The firm sells monthly evaluation accounts, plus a one-time Direct to Funded option, that simulate CME futures trading. Successful traders move into "Elite Sim-Funded" status, can request payouts up to $25,000 lifetime in simulated funds, and may be invited into Live Elite, ETF's real-capital pathway. ETF launched in February 2022 and has paid out more than $13 million across 6,800+ payouts as of April-May 2026.

When was Elite Trader Funding founded?

Elite Trader Funding was founded in February 2022, making the firm roughly four years old. The founding date is stated on ETF's homepage FAQ. ETF has not publicly named a founder, CEO, or executive team; the firm's documentation references the LLC entity but not individuals. By prop-firm standards, four years is mid-tenure: long enough to have weathered the 2024 broker shutdowns that ended several smaller competitors, short enough that historical payout proof beyond Discord screenshots is limited.

Where is Elite Trader Funding based?

Elite Trader Funding's office location and state of incorporation are not publicly disclosed. The legal entity is Elite Trader Funding, LLC per the website footer copyright. There is no About page accessible on either elitetraderfunding.app or help.elitetraderfunding.com that names the founders, CEO, or operational headquarters. Third-party prop-firm directories occasionally list a U.S. address, but those numbers are not corroborated on ETF's own pages, so the safe answer is "ETF does not disclose this publicly."

Does Elite Trader Funding offer forex?

No. Elite Trader Funding is a futures-only firm. Forex pairs are not available on any ETF plan. The firm trades exclusively CME-listed futures products including ES, NQ, CL, GC, and the related minis and micros. Traders looking for combined futures and forex from one provider should look at firms like The 5%ers or YRM Prop Trading, which offer multi-asset accounts. ETF's futures-only focus is intentional and reflected in the platform list (Tradovate, NinjaTrader, Rithmic, TradingView, QuanTower), all of which are futures-native.

Does Elite Trader Funding offer crypto?

No. Elite Trader Funding does not offer crypto trading. CME does list Bitcoin and Ether futures, but ETF's documented product list focuses on equity index futures (ES/NQ/RTY), energies (CL/NG), metals (GC/SI), and ag products. Crypto futures are not listed as a primary tradeable category in ETF's marketing material or help center. Traders who want spot crypto, perpetuals, or BTC/ETH derivatives need a different firm, ETF is structured around CME-floor products and the regulated futures workflow.

What asset class does ETF offer?

Elite Trader Funding offers a single asset class: CME-listed futures. That includes ES, NQ, RTY, MES, MNQ, MRTY (equity indices); CL, NG, RB, HO (energies); GC, SI, HG (metals); ZB, ZN, ZF (rates); and the standard agricultural complex. Position-size rules use a 1 mini = 10 micros conversion ratio on standard plans, with Direct to Funded uniquely using a 1:1 mini-to-micro relationship. Traders can use Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, Rithmic, TradingView, or QuanTower to execute these contracts.

Who owns Elite Trader Funding?

Elite Trader Funding operates as Elite Trader Funding, LLC. No founder, CEO, or executive team is publicly named on the website, the help center, the X/Twitter handle (@etfunded), or the LinkedIn page. PTV's recon found no verifiable named individual on any public page. Articles claiming a specific founder name should be treated as unverified speculation. The LLC structure is documented; the natural-person owners behind it are not. This is unusual but not unique in the prop-firm space, and several mid-tier futures firms run similarly opaque ownership.

What is ETF's legal entity?

The legal entity is Elite Trader Funding, LLC, as stated in the website footer. The state of incorporation is not publicly disclosed. The firm uses three vendors visible to traders: SumSub for KYC and biometric verification, Rise (Riseworks) for payout processing, and Stripe for billing and checkout. The company is documented enough to function as a regulated counterparty for these vendors, but the parent LLC's filing state and any related entities are not surfaced on accessible ETF pages.

What is the official ETF affiliate URL?

Elite Trader Funding's official affiliate landing page for PropTradingVibes is `https://elitetraderfunding.app/evaluations?ref=Proptradingvibes`. The canonical domain for all current ETF marketing, blog, and product pages is `elitetraderfunding.app`. The `.com` variant returns HTTP 403 and should not be linked. The historical `etfunded.com` domain is not active. Traders arriving via the affiliate URL still need to apply the GOFUTURES promo code separately at checkout to claim 80% off the first month, the URL alone does not auto-apply the discount.

Is ETF a US firm?

Elite Trader Funding, LLC is a U.S. legal entity, processes billing through Stripe, and pays through Rise (Riseworks), both U.S.-based fintechs. The KYC vendor SumSub is global. ETF restricts U.S.-resident-only competitions like Beat the Beast to "U.S. residents 18+." Beyond those data points, ETF has not stated which U.S. state houses operations. For tax and compliance purposes, traders should treat ETF payouts as 1099-eligible income from a U.S. counterparty and consult a tax professional, especially when payouts route through Rise's contractor-payment rails.

Account Types and Pricing

What plans does Elite Trader Funding offer?

Elite Trader Funding currently offers six main plan types plus add-ons. The plans are: 1-Step (live trailing drawdown, $50K-$250K), Static Drawdown ($25K-$50K, fixed-dollar floor), End of Day ($50K-$150K, EOD trailing), Diamond Hands ($100K only, EOD trailing with overnight permission), Direct to Funded ($25K-$100K one-time fee, no eval), and Fast Track ($10K, 10-day deadline). Add-ons include Double Down Deal, One Day to Pass, TradeShield, and PriceSlash.

What is the cheapest ETF plan?

The cheapest entry into ETF is the Fast Track plan at $87 per month for the $10K size in either EOD or Static variant. ETF's documentation indicates the first month is free on activation, which makes Fast Track an effective $0 trial, provided the trader closes the 10-calendar-day evaluation deadline. Below that, the Static $25K at $277/month and the 1-Step $50K at $197/month are the next-cheapest entries on the standard subscription plans.

What is the most permissive ETF plan?

The most permissive ETF plan is the 1-Step plan, primarily because it does not impose a daily loss limit during evaluation. Traders only need to manage the trailing drawdown ceiling. Diamond Hands is the most permissive on hold-time, allowing overnight and over-weekend positions. Direct to Funded skips the evaluation entirely and grants Elite Sim status from day one. Permissiveness depends on which constraint a trader most wants removed: DLL, time-of-day, or eval phase.

What is the difference between 1-Step and Static at ETF?

The 1-Step plan uses a live trailing drawdown that follows unrealized equity highs during evaluation; the Static plan uses a fixed-dollar drawdown that never trails. On a 1-Step $50K, the $48,000 floor moves up as equity rises. On a Static $50K, the floor stays permanently at the fixed level set by ETF. The 1-Step has no daily loss limit; the Static does. Static accounts also have notably tight drawdowns at higher sizes, $625 on $100K and $1,250 on $150K.

What is the difference between EOD and 1-Step at ETF?

The EOD plan only adjusts the drawdown floor at end-of-day close; intraday unrealized swings do not move it. The 1-Step plan trails on unrealized equity in real time during the eval phase. EOD has a hard daily loss limit calculated from prior day's close. 1-Step has no daily loss limit. EOD is structurally more forgiving for swing-day setups that drawdown intraday before recovering, while 1-Step rewards traders who run tight unrealized profit management and never let mid-trade dips affect the running drawdown.

What is Diamond Hands at ETF?

Diamond Hands is Elite Trader Funding's swing-trading plan, offered only at the $100K size for $397 per month. It uses an EOD trailing drawdown identical to the EOD plan but uniquely permits overnight and over-weekend position holds. Diamond Hands has a daily loss limit during evaluation that gets removed once the safety net is hit in Elite Sim status. Payout structure is staggered: cycle 1 max $1,750, cycle 2 max $2,000, cycle 3 max $2,250, cycle 4+ max $2,500, with the standard $25,000 lifetime sim cap.

What is Direct to Funded at ETF?

Direct to Funded (DTF) is ETF's no-evaluation plan. Traders pay a one-time fee, $647 for $25K, $747 for $50K, $997 for $100K, and start in Elite Sim-Funded status immediately, with swing trading permitted. DTF has its own consistency rules: 38% on $25K, 62% on $50K, 50% on $100K. Minimum withdrawals are $1,000 on the smaller sizes, $500 on $100K. DTF accounts can be reset twice. Fast Track DTF is excluded from the GOFUTURES promo. The 35% loss limit rule still applies.

What is Fast Track at ETF?

Fast Track is Elite Trader Funding's 10-day intermediate evaluation. Two variants, EOD and Static, at the $10K account size, both at $87 per month with the first month free on activation. The profit target is $2,000, max drawdown $500, max position 1 mini or 10 micros. Traders must close the eval within 10 calendar days; missing the deadline auto-fails the account, and Fast Track cannot be reset. Funded payout retains up to 100% of sim profits with $100 minimum withdrawal. Cycle ATD requirements: 8 ATDs in cycle 1, 10 each in cycles 2-4.

What account sizes does ETF offer?

Elite Trader Funding offers account sizes ranging from $10K (Fast Track) up to $250K (1-Step max). The full ladder by plan: 1-Step at $50K/$100K/$150K/$250K, Static at $25K/$50K, EOD at $50K/$100K/$150K, Diamond Hands at $100K only, DTF at $25K/$50K/$100K, and Fast Track at $10K. The $25K size is unavailable on 1-Step. The $200K and $300K sizes referenced in some Help Center safety-net tables appear to be advanced or grandfathered offerings rather than current sales catalog.

What are ETF's current prices?

Elite Trader Funding pricing is: 1-Step $197/$247/$347/$597 monthly for $50K/$100K/$150K/$250K; Static $277/$497 for $25K/$50K; EOD $347/$487/$657 for $50K/$100K/$150K; Diamond Hands $397 for $100K; DTF (one-time) $647/$747/$997 for $25K/$50K/$100K; Fast Track $87/month for $10K. GOFUTURES delivers 80% off the first month on every plan except DTF, which means the 1-Step $50K becomes $39.40 in month one and the Static $25K becomes $55.40.

What are ETF's drawdown amounts by size?

ETF drawdowns derived from the Safety Net Requirements help article: 1-Step trails $1,000 ($10K) / $1,500 ($25K) / $2,000 ($50K) / $3,000 ($100K) / $5,000 ($150K) / $6,500 ($250K). EOD: $1,500 ($25K) / $2,000 ($50K) / $3,500 ($100K) / $4,500 ($150K) / $7,000 ($250K). Static drawdowns are notably tight at higher sizes: $1,000 ($25K) / $2,000 ($50K) / $625 ($100K) / $1,250 ($150K). Diamond Hands $100K: $3,500. Fast Track $10K: $500.

Does ETF offer a $25K 1-Step account?

No. The 1-Step plan starts at $50K. The $25K account size on ETF is only available on Static Drawdown ($277/month) and Direct to Funded ($647 one-time). If a trader specifically wants the 1-Step structure (live trailing drawdown, no daily loss limit), the cheapest entry is the $50K size at $197 per month. Smaller-balance traders who want to try ETF without the $50K commitment typically use Fast Track at $10K or Static at $25K instead.

Rules and Mechanics

What is the 35% loss limit rule at ETF?

The 35% loss limit rule is Elite Trader Funding's drawdown-recovery cap on funded sim accounts. It activates once the account hits +20% profit above starting balance. From that point, the trader cannot lose more than 35% of total accumulated profit, calculated from the Payout Adjustment figure. Example: $50,000 in accumulated profits permits a maximum recovery loss of $17,500. Breach removes the account from Elite Sim status and disqualifies the trader from Live Elite. Payouts do not reset the calculation, the running total continues across cycles.

What is the 23% ATD consistency rule?

The 23% ATD rule is Elite Trader Funding's funded-phase consistency mechanic. To count as a qualifying Active Trading Day, two conditions must both be met: at least $200 in realized profit on the day (or $100 on smaller accounts like 10K/25K 1-Step and 100K Static), and the day's profit must be at least 23% of the trader's best-ever ATD profit. A $10,000 single-day setting raises every future ATD requirement to $2,300 in realized profit. Direct to Funded uses higher thresholds, 38%, 50%, or 62% depending on size.

What is the safety net at ETF?

The safety net is Elite Trader Funding's drawdown-locking mechanism. To activate it, a trader must earn realized profits equal to the account's max drawdown plus $100. Once achieved, the drawdown stops trailing on most plans, the daily loss limit is removed, and the minimum balance becomes a permanent floor. Example: a 1-Step $50K account with $2,000 max drawdown locks the safety net at $2,100 in realized profits. Until that threshold, the trailing drawdown continues to follow equity highs and the DLL stays in force.

Does the 1-Step plan have a daily loss limit?

No. The 1-Step plan does not have a daily loss limit during evaluation. This is documented by omission in ETF's 1-Step help article and is a deliberate product differentiator versus EOD, Static, Diamond Hands, and Fast Track Static, all of which carry a daily loss limit. On 1-Step, the only intraday risk constraint is the trailing drawdown ceiling: if equity drops below the moving floor, the evaluation fails. Traders accustomed to DLL-restricted evals can hold drawdowns deeper without an artificial daily cutoff.

How does the ETF trailing drawdown work?

The trailing drawdown on the 1-Step plan trails on unrealized equity highs during the evaluation. A 1-Step $50K with $2,000 drawdown starts at a $48,000 floor; if equity spikes to $51,000 unrealized, the floor moves up to $49,000 and stays there. In Elite Sim-Funded status, the drawdown continues to trail until the safety net is achieved, at which point it converts to a static minimum of starting balance plus $100. EOD and Diamond Hands trail only on end-of-day closing balance, not intraday.

Does ETF allow news trading?

Yes, news trading is explicitly permitted at Elite Trader Funding. The help center article on volatile trading windows states that ETF imposes no restrictions or limitations during major economic news events. Traders may hold positions through CPI, FOMC, NFP, and other releases. ETF does not pause execution or restrict size around news. The firm explicitly disclaims liability for platform malfunctions or slippage during volatile periods, but the policy allowance itself is unconditional. The pre-September-2025 HFT and DCA restrictions were also removed in the same overhaul.

What are the position size limits at ETF?

Elite Trader Funding uses a 1 mini = 10 micros conversion ratio on the 1-Step, EOD, Static, Diamond Hands, and Fast Track plans. So a "3-position max" allows three minis, 30 micros, or any 1:10 mix (e.g., 2 minis plus 10 micros). Direct to Funded uses a different 1:1 mini-to-micro relationship, DTF traders cannot scale via micros to multiply position count. Exact maximum position counts per plan and size are stored in the JS-rendered evaluations table; verify at checkout for the specific size purchased.

What countries are restricted at ETF?

Elite Trader Funding does not maintain a published static country list. Restrictions are determined by three external lists: the OFAC sanctions list (citizens and residents of sanctioned countries cannot register), the Rise (Riseworks) supported countries list (governs payout eligibility), and the Stripe supported regions list (governs billing). Because each underlying list updates without ETF announcement, applicants from edge-case jurisdictions should email ETF support before purchasing. Common restricted jurisdictions follow OFAC: Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, parts of Russia and Belarus, plus regions Stripe and Rise do not service.

Can a household share ETF accounts?

No. Elite Trader Funding's household policy is among the strictest in the prop-firm industry. Two people sharing the same residential address are not permitted to hold ETF accounts simultaneously, regardless of relationship. The policy applies to family members, spouses, and roommates. Violations result in immediate suspension and termination of all linked accounts, forfeiture of any earned profits, and potential legal action. The policy went into effect March 20, 2024. Traders sharing internet connections or hardware across households should especially review the rule before opening accounts.

How many active accounts can I have at ETF?

New accounts opened from September 17, 2025 onward are capped at 5 active Elite Sim-Funded accounts per trader. This combined cap includes any DTF and Fast Track accounts within the same 5-account ceiling. Legacy accounts created before September 17, 2025 retain the older 20-account ceiling (with a max of 5 Fast Track and 5 DTF inside that 20). Accounts that exceed the new cap may be deactivated without notice. The change is part of the broader September 2025 plan overhaul that tightened the ETF risk envelope.

What is the 30-day login policy?

Elite Trader Funding's 30-day login policy requires traders to log into their Elite Sim-Funded accounts at least once every 30 days and to execute at least one trade per week. Sustained inactivity, either no login for 30 days, or no trade for one full week, can result in account closure. The policy is documented in the help center's "Mandatory 30-Day Login And Weekly Trade Policy" article. Inactive-account closure is automatic; reinstating a closed account requires a new evaluation purchase. Slow-cadence swing traders should factor this into their workflow.

Platforms and Data

What platforms does ETF support?

Elite Trader Funding supports five trading platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, Rithmic, TradingView (routed via Tradovate), and QuanTower. ETF is a futures-only firm so MetaTrader 4 and 5 are not offered. Each platform has dedicated connection guides in the help center. Tradovate is the entry-level setup (web-based, fastest to install). NinjaTrader 8 and QuanTower offer order-flow tooling. Rithmic gives the lowest-latency data feed but requires platform pairing. TradingView traders need a Tradovate connection to route execution.

Should I use Tradovate or NinjaTrader at ETF?

Tradovate is faster to set up: no installation required, runs in the browser, and connects via the credentials in the ETF dashboard. NinjaTrader 8 is heavier to install but offers deeper charting and order-flow tools. For traders who want to execute from TradingView, Tradovate is mandatory because TradingView routes through it. For tape-reader workflows, NinjaTrader 8 with Rithmic data is the more common ETF stack. ETF does not allow mid-evaluation platform switching on a given account, so choose at purchase.

Is TradingView supported at ETF?

Yes. TradingView is supported at Elite Trader Funding via the Tradovate add-on. To trade ETF accounts on TradingView, a trader needs both an active Tradovate connection (set up with ETF dashboard credentials) and a TradingView Pro+ subscription or higher. TradingView routes orders through Tradovate to ETF's data feeds. The help center has a dedicated "Connect Tradovate to TradingView Guide" article for setup. Order types, bracket orders, and TradingView's chart-trading workflow all function once the routing is configured correctly.

What are the data fees at ETF?

Non-professional Level 1 CME data is included free with every ETF subscription. Rithmic data feed costs an additional fee (amount not published in the help center). CME Market Depth (Level 2) is an optional one-time-monthly add-on, with the help-article title implying around $15 per month, though that number is not confirmed in the article body. Professional market data costs extra and varies by classification. Live Elite traders pay $197 per month per exchange for live execution data, with Level 1 and Level 2 included at that price.

Does ETF use real broker accounts?

No on the evaluation side, yes on Live Elite. Every Elite Trader Funding evaluation account, 1-Step, Static, EOD, Diamond Hands, DTF, Fast Track, is simulated. Sim-funded payouts come from ETF's operating revenue, not live trading P&L. Live Elite is the exception: those accounts trade real capital on CME exchanges with real execution, real fill quality, and real exchange fees. The ratio of sim to live capital at ETF is heavily weighted toward sim, only top-performing sim graduates reach Live Elite, and Live Elite balances start at $1,250-$2,500.

What is QuanTower at ETF?

QuanTower is an order-flow-focused trading platform supported as one of Elite Trader Funding's five connection options. It pairs with Rithmic data for ETF accounts. QuanTower is less mainstream than Tradovate or NinjaTrader 8 in the prop-firm world but well-regarded among footprint and tape-reading traders. The help center documents the Rithmic-to-QuanTower connection procedure. Traders who already use QuanTower on personal capital can keep the same workflow on ETF accounts. Traders new to platforms should default to Tradovate or NinjaTrader 8 for community support volume.

Payouts and the Live Elite Program

What is the ETF profit split?

Elite Trader Funding's sim-funded profit split is tiered. The first $12,500 per cycle goes 100% to the trader, with no firm cut. Above $12,500 in a single cycle, the split shifts to 80/20 (the trader keeps 80%, ETF keeps 20%). Lifetime sim payout is capped at $25,000 per trader. Live Elite is a flat 80/20 in the trader's favour from the first dollar, with no cycle tiering, no lifetime cap, and daily payouts. The split is documented in the Help Center "How Do Payouts Work?" article.

How often does ETF pay out?

Sim-funded payouts at Elite Trader Funding are reviewed twice weekly, on Mondays and Wednesdays. Since the September 17, 2025 update, ETF reviews requests daily, meaning a request submitted Friday afternoon will be reviewed Monday rather than waiting multiple business days. The 48-Hour Payout Guarantee ($1,000 bonus if missed) applies. Live Elite payouts are reviewed daily, Monday through Friday. Both flow through Rise (Riseworks) for funds disbursement. ACH, wire, and crypto rails are likely available through Rise, though specific options are not published.

What is the ETF $25,000 sim payout cap?

Elite Trader Funding caps sim-funded payouts at $25,000 per cycle and $25,000 in lifetime sim earnings per trader, across all sim accounts combined. After hitting the lifetime cap, traders are expected to graduate into Live Elite where there is no cap. Live Elite graduates who liquidate and return to sim have a separate provision: up to $150,000 in lifetime sim payouts in $25,000 increments. The cap is the single most-common criticism of ETF, it limits long-term sim earnings even for consistent performers who have not yet reached Live Elite eligibility.

What are ETF's cycle payout maximums?

Per-cycle payout maximums vary by plan and size. Diamond Hands $100K stages: cycle 1 max $1,750, cycle 2 $2,000, cycle 3 $2,250, cycle 4+ $2,500, lifetime $25,000. EOD plan cycle 1 caps at $2,000 with subsequent cycles ramping toward the $25,000 lifetime ceiling. DTF $25K/$50K minimum withdrawal $1,000, $100K minimum $500, lifetime $25,000 each. The cycle-cap structure is designed to slow early withdrawal velocity and ensure traders accumulate ATDs across multiple cycles before extracting the full lifetime cap.

Does ETF require KYC?

Yes. Elite Trader Funding uses SumSub for KYC, with both AI document verification and biometric face matching. KYC is required at two points: initial registration and at first payout request. If SumSub cannot verify a trader's identity, ETF must comply with that decision and cannot override, failed KYC can result in account closure. Account ownership is permanent and cannot be transferred. The registered email address is also permanent and cannot be changed. LLC and business accounts must be registered at signup, not added later.

Can I withdraw $100 at ETF?

Yes, on most plans. The default minimum withdrawal at Elite Trader Funding is $100 per request on 1-Step, Static, EOD, Diamond Hands, and Fast Track. Direct to Funded plans have higher minimums: $1,000 on $25K and $50K, $500 on $100K. The Live Elite program has a $250 minimum per request. The $100 minimum is competitive with the wider futures-prop industry and lets traders extract small early payouts to clear initial KYC before scaling up.

How do I qualify for Live Elite at ETF?

Live Elite qualification at Elite Trader Funding is discretionary and requires meeting any one of three triggers: 5 sim payouts completed, 50 ATDs accumulated, or $25,000 in lifetime sim payouts reached. Beyond hitting one trigger, ETF requires a background check and completion of 34 core CME-rules lessons before placing the trader on real capital. Qualification is not automatic, ETF reserves discretion to invite traders into Live Elite based on additional risk assessment. Roughly speaking, the most direct path is hitting the lifetime sim cap.

What does Live Elite cost?

Live Elite at Elite Trader Funding has both fixed and per-trade costs. Fixed: $197 per month per exchange for live data (Level 1 and Level 2 included at that price), and $34.99 per month for EdgeProX (which ETF reimburses after three months of genuine trading). Per-trade: $2.00 per mini contract, $0.62 per micro contract, $0.69 per Eurex contract, plus a $5 auto-liquidation fee per contract if exchange risk thresholds are hit. Inactivity beyond 7 days closes a Live Elite account.

What is the Live Elite starting balance?

Live Elite starting balances at Elite Trader Funding range $1,250 to $2,500. Specifically: $1,250 for accounts $50K and below, $1,500 for $100K, and $2,000 for $150K-and-above sim accounts that graduate. DTF graduates start at $1,500 ($25K), $2,000 ($50K), or $2,500 ($100K). The $2,000-$5,000 figures sometimes cited in older blog material come from an outdated 1-Step article and have been superseded by the dedicated Live Elite Program Information help page.

What is Beat the Beast?

Beat the Beast is Elite Trader Funding's recurring trading competition. Entry is available either by paid account purchase or via free AMOE (Alternative Method of Entry, a 200-word essay submission). Eligibility is restricted to U.S. residents 18+. Prizes vary by competition and have included auto-pass for evaluation, coupon codes, and funded accounts directly. Challenge timing is unannounced and runs at random intervals. The competition mechanic doubles as marketing, payout-success Discord screenshots from Beat the Beast winners feed ETF's social-proof flywheel.

Promo Codes, Activation, and Resets

What is the GOFUTURES discount?

GOFUTURES is Elite Trader Funding's standing promo code. It applies 80% off the first month's subscription on five plans: 1-Step, Static, EOD, Diamond Hands, and Fast Track. Direct to Funded is excluded. The code is not stackable with other promotions and only applies to the first billing cycle; month two and beyond renew at full price. Sample first-month prices with GOFUTURES: 1-Step $50K becomes $39.40, Static $25K becomes $55.40, EOD $50K becomes $69.40, Diamond Hands $100K becomes $79.40.

Does GOFUTURES work on Direct to Funded?

No. GOFUTURES is explicitly excluded from Direct to Funded accounts at Elite Trader Funding. DTF accounts are one-time-fee purchases (not recurring subscriptions), and the 80%-off-first-month logic does not apply to one-time-fee products. DTF traders looking for discounts need to wait for seasonal promotions (Black Friday, New Year, flash sales), monitor ETF's email list and X feed, or check the dedicated promo-codes help page for one-off DTF-eligible codes that occasionally appear during sales windows.

What is the ETF activation fee?

After passing an evaluation at Elite Trader Funding, traders activate the Elite Sim-Funded account through one of three options. The cheapest is the Double Down Deal (3D) at $47, which requires purchasing the 3D add-on at evaluation checkout and grants two months of Elite activation plus one month free. The standard option is $87 per month, ongoing. The one-time fee option ranges roughly $177-$307 depending on account size. Once activated, ETF credits the account with the original evaluation cost as a starting balance bonus.

What are the ETF reset fees?

Reset fees at Elite Trader Funding range from $87 to $557 depending on plan and size. Confirmed examples: 1-Step $50K reset is $147; Static $10K is $117; EOD $100K is $437; DTF $100K is $447. The maximum number of resets is 3 per Elite Sim-Funded account and 2 per DTF account. Fast Track evaluations cannot be reset at all, failure to close the 10-day eval ends the account permanently. All resets are final and non-refundable, and pre-September-17-2025 failed accounts cannot be reset.

Is there a free trial at ETF?

Sort of. The Fast Track plan at Elite Trader Funding is the closest thing to a free trial, $87 per month with the first month free on activation. That gives a trader 30 days at no subscription cost, although the 10-calendar-day evaluation deadline runs in parallel and an unsuccessful eval cannot be reset. Outside of Fast Track, ETF does not offer a free trial. The GOFUTURES code reduces month-one cost on the standard plans by 80% but does not eliminate the subscription fee entirely.

What is the Sim-Funded Credit Bonus?

The Elite Sim-Funded Credit Bonus is a small starting cushion ETF credits to a newly activated account. When a trader passes the evaluation and activates Elite Sim-Funded status, ETF credits the account with the amount originally paid for the evaluation, including any add-on costs. The credit does not count toward ATD profit requirements or P&L for payout purposes, it's a balance-cushion subsidy, not a withdrawable bonus. The mechanism reduces effective starting risk and is documented in the dedicated help-center article.

What are ETF's add-ons?

Elite Trader Funding sells four add-ons during checkout. Double Down Deal (3D) at $47 grants discounted activation. One Day to Pass (ODTP) waives the 5-minimum-trading-days requirement after the profit target is hit. TradeShield prevents instant account failure when the daily loss limit is breached and gives the trader a recovery session. PriceSlash gives a 90% off coupon for the next evaluation of the same type, valid 90 days after passing. ODTP, TradeShield, and PriceSlash prices are not published outside checkout.

What Changed in September 2025 and After

What changed at ETF in September 2025?

Elite Trader Funding's September 17, 2025 update was the most significant rule overhaul of the firm's history. New accounts opened from that date forward operate under tighter account caps but more permissive trading rules. Max active Elite Sim accounts dropped from 20 to 5 per trader. HFT, Martingale, and VPN/VPS restrictions were all removed. Scratch trades and contract scaling are now unlimited. DCA (dollar-cost averaging) is permitted. Payout review moved from multi-day delays to daily processing. Live Elite liquidation expanded to allow up to $150,000 lifetime sim payouts.

Was HFT banned at ETF before September 2025?

Yes. Before September 17, 2025, Elite Trader Funding restricted high-frequency trading patterns. The September 2025 update removed those restrictions explicitly. HFT-style execution is permitted on ETF accounts, including rapid scratch trades and high-volume contract scaling. ETF still monitors for behavior that violates other rules (for example, hedging against yourself or trading for another user), but the HFT-specific prohibition no longer exists. Traders running rapid mean-reversion or scalping bots should still verify the bot policy with ETF support before deploying.

Are VPNs allowed at ETF now?

Yes. VPN and VPS use is no longer restricted on Elite Trader Funding accounts opened after September 17, 2025. The pre-overhaul restriction was removed in the September update. That said, KYC requires location verification at signup and at payout, and ETF can still flag accounts whose IP geography doesn't match the registered identity. Practical guidance: VPNs are not a hard breach, but using one to circumvent country restrictions or to mask jurisdiction can still trigger KYC-related account closure if SumSub flags the discrepancy.

How fast does ETF approve payouts now?

Since the September 17, 2025 update, Elite Trader Funding reviews payout requests daily rather than on the older multi-day delay schedule. The 48-Hour Payout Guarantee promises any qualifying request will be approved within two business days, with a $1,000 bonus to the trader if ETF misses the window. Weekends, U.S. bank holidays, and ETF system outages are excluded. Third-party delays, Rise processing time, SumSub re-verification, are not covered by the guarantee. In practice, most approved payouts hit Rise within 24-48 business hours.

What was reduced after September 2025?

The most material reduction was the Max Active Elite Sim Accounts cap, which dropped from 20 to 5 per trader for new accounts. ETF also reduced "max withdrawal amounts" generically without publishing specific dollar reductions. Pre-September-17-2025 failed accounts can no longer be reset. Legacy accounts created before September 17, 2025 retain access to the older 20-account ceiling, with sub-caps of 5 Fast Track and 5 DTF inside that 20. The reductions are part of a broader risk-tightening that paired with the more permissive trading-style rule changes.

Trust Signals and What to Watch For

Is Elite Trader Funding legit?

Elite Trader Funding has operated since February 2022, paid more than $13 million across 6,800+ payouts, served 13,000+ funded traders, and uses regulated providers (SumSub, Rise, Stripe). The firm has a documented help center, a public blog updated through May 2026, and an active 17,000-member Discord with a #payout-success channel showing transaction screenshots. Trustpilot sits at roughly 3.9/5 across about 1,000 reviews, solid but not industry-leading. The structural signals point toward legitimacy. Founder/CEO opacity is the main caveat for risk-averse traders.

What is ETF's Trustpilot rating?

Elite Trader Funding's Trustpilot rating is approximately 3.9 out of 5 across roughly 1,000 reviews, per references in ETF's own April-May 2026 blog posts. PTV could not access Trustpilot directly during the May 2026 recon to corroborate the exact score. The 3.9 figure is described by ETF itself as "solid but not outstanding" and sits below the 4.5+ scores of top-tier futures-prop firms. Traders should verify the current score directly at trustpilot.com/review/elitetraderfunding.com before making a firm-quality decision based on that single metric.

How much has ETF paid out?

As of April-May 2026, Elite Trader Funding has paid out more than $13 million in cumulative trader earnings across 6,800+ individual payouts. The firm states it has served 13,000+ funded traders historically. ETF claims more than $5 million in capital invested into Live Elite real-capital traders. These figures are stated on ETF's homepage and across multiple blog posts but are not independently audited. The Discord #payout-success channel provides ongoing screenshot proof of recent payouts, which is the most accessible third-party validation.

How big is ETF's Discord?

Elite Trader Funding's Discord community is approximately 17,000 members per the homepage stats. The 59,000+ figure that sometimes circulates refers to ETF's total customer/community count broadly, not the Discord server specifically. The two stats appear separately on the homepage: "Happy Customers: 59,000+" and "Discord Community: 17,000+ elite users." Articles citing 59,000 Discord members are conflating those numbers. Discord activity centers on the #payout-success channel, plan-specific support channels, and announcements around Beat the Beast competitions.

Who founded Elite Trader Funding?

The founder of Elite Trader Funding is not publicly disclosed. PTV's research found no named individual on the ETF homepage, About page (none accessible), help center, blog, X/Twitter handle, or LinkedIn company page. The legal entity is Elite Trader Funding, LLC, but the natural-person owners behind it are not surfaced on any accessible page. Articles or directories that name a specific founder should be treated as unverified speculation. Risk-averse traders may treat this opacity as a soft red flag relative to firms with publicly named leadership.

How does ETF compare to Apex on trust?

On trust signals, Apex Trader Funding has been operating longer (since 2021), maintains a higher Trustpilot rating (typically 4.5+), and has paid out a higher cumulative amount in publicized industry totals. ETF counters with the Live Elite real-capital program (Apex has no comparable), more plan variety (six types versus Apex's narrower lineup), the Diamond Hands swing-trading option, and the 48-hour payout guarantee. ETF's $25,000 sim payout cap is a structural disadvantage for high-volume sim traders who don't want to graduate to Live Elite.

Is ETF safe for international traders?

Elite Trader Funding accepts international traders subject to three filters: OFAC sanctions list, Rise (Riseworks) supported countries, and Stripe supported regions. Traders from countries supported by all three can register, fund, and withdraw normally. Common eligible jurisdictions include most of Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia, much of Latin America, and parts of Asia. Excluded jurisdictions include Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, parts of Russia and Belarus, and any country Stripe or Rise does not service. Traders in edge-case markets should email ETF support before purchasing.

The bottom line

Elite Trader Funding is a credible, mid-tier U.S. futures-prop firm that has built a defendable product line around six plan types, a 23% ATD consistency rule, a $25,000 sim payout cap, and a discretionary Live Elite real-capital pathway. The right ETF trader is someone who values plan variety (1-Step, Static, EOD, Diamond Hands, DTF, Fast Track each have a distinct personality), wants the optionality of swing trading via Diamond Hands, and is willing to climb toward Live Elite for uncapped earnings on real CME capital. The September 2025 overhaul made the firm more permissive on trading style (HFT, Martingale, VPN, DCA all unlocked) while tightening account caps to 5 from 20.

Skip ETF if the $25,000 sim payout cap is a non-starter, if a 3.9 Trustpilot rating bothers you relative to firms scoring 4.5+, or if you specifically need forex or crypto products (ETF is futures-only). High-volume sim traders who cannot tolerate the cap should look at firms with uncapped sim earnings. Traders who want a published founder, named CEO, and a transparent operational footprint may find ETF's opacity uncomfortable. For everything else, the rule mechanics, the platform list, the payout cadence, the plan economics, ETF is a fully-functional choice, and the GOFUTURES code at 80% off the first month is a generous low-risk way to test the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Elite Trader Funding?

Elite Trader Funding (ETF) is a futures-only sim-funded prop firm operating as Elite Trader Funding, LLC since February 2022. The firm offers six evaluation plan types, a 23% Active Trading Day consistency rule, a $25,000 lifetime sim payout cap, and a discretionary Live Elite program where top sim traders may graduate to real CME capital. Trading is restricted to CME futures products. ETF does not offer forex or crypto products.

Is Elite Trader Funding legit?

Elite Trader Funding has been operating since February 2022, has paid out more than $13 million across 6,800+ payouts, served 13,000+ funded traders, and uses regulated providers including SumSub for KYC, Rise (Riseworks) for payouts, and Stripe for billing. The Trustpilot rating is roughly 3.9/5 across about 1,000 reviews per ETF's own blog references. Verify the current Trustpilot score directly before relying on this number.

What is the GOFUTURES code?

GOFUTURES is Elite Trader Funding's standing promo code. It applies 80% off the first month's subscription on the 1-Step, Static, EOD, Diamond Hands, and Fast Track plans. Direct to Funded accounts are excluded. The code is not stackable with other promotions and only applies to the first billing cycle, accounts then renew at full subscription price.

What is the 23% ATD rule?

The 23% rule is ETF's funded-phase consistency requirement. To count as a qualifying Active Trading Day, a day must produce at least $200 in realized profit (or $100 on smaller accounts) and must be at least 23% of the trader's best-ever ATD profit. A single $10,000 day raises the bar to $2,300 for every future ATD. Direct to Funded plans use 38%, 50%, or 62% depending on size.

What is the 35% loss limit rule?

The 35% loss limit rule activates after a funded ETF Elite Sim account hits +20% profit above starting balance. After that threshold, the trader cannot lose more than 35% of total accumulated profit. Breach removes the account from the Elite Sim program and disqualifies the trader from Live Elite. Payouts do not reset the calculation.

Does ETF have a daily loss limit?

It depends on the plan. The 1-Step plan has no daily loss limit at all and relies solely on the trailing drawdown ceiling. The Static, End of Day, Diamond Hands, and Fast Track Static plans all have a daily loss limit calculated from the prior day's close. The daily loss limit is removed once the safety net is achieved on funded accounts.

How does the Live Elite program work?

Live Elite is Elite Trader Funding's real-capital pathway on CME exchanges. Qualification is discretionary based on any one of: 5 sim payouts completed, 50 ATDs accumulated, or $25,000 lifetime sim payout reached, plus a background check and 34 CME-rules lessons. Starting balances run $1,250-$2,500. The split is 80/20 in favor of the trader, payouts are daily Monday-Friday, and there is no lifetime cap.

What is the maximum payout at ETF?

Sim-funded accounts cap at $25,000 per request and $25,000 in lifetime sim payouts. Live Elite graduates who liquidate and return to sim may earn up to $150,000 in lifetime sim payouts in $25,000 increments. On Live Elite itself, payouts are uncapped, earnings are limited only by the trader's results on real CME capital.

How fast does ETF pay out?

Elite Trader Funding processes payout reviews daily since the September 17, 2025 update. The 48-Hour Payout Guarantee promises that any qualifying request approved within two business days will be honoured, and if ETF misses that window the trader receives a $1,000 bonus. Payouts route through Rise (Riseworks). Weekends, U.S. bank holidays, and ETF system outages are excluded from the guarantee.

What platforms does ETF support?

Elite Trader Funding supports five platforms: Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, Rithmic, TradingView, and QuanTower. There is no MetaTrader 4 or 5 because ETF is futures-only. Level 1 non-professional CME data is included free with subscriptions. Live Elite traders pay $197 per month per exchange for live data plus a $34.99/month EdgeProX fee that ETF reimburses after three months of genuine trading.

Can I trade news on ETF?

Yes. News trading is explicitly permitted at Elite Trader Funding. The help center states that ETF imposes no restrictions or limitations during major economic releases, including CPI, FOMC, NFP, and ECB events. ETF does not pause trading or restrict size around news. The firm disclaims liability for platform malfunctions during volatile windows.

Can I hold trades overnight at ETF?

Only on Diamond Hands and Direct to Funded accounts. The 1-Step, Static, EOD, and Fast Track plans require all positions to close at least one minute before market close. Diamond Hands explicitly permits overnight and over-weekend holds at the $100K size, and all DTF account sizes ($25K, $50K, $100K) permit swing trading.

How many accounts can I have at ETF?

New accounts opened from September 17, 2025 onward are capped at 5 active Elite Sim-Funded accounts per trader, including DTF and Fast Track within that 5-account total. Legacy accounts created before September 17, 2025 retain access to up to 20 accounts. Exceeding the cap can lead to deactivation without notice.

What countries are restricted at ETF?

Elite Trader Funding does not publish a single country list. Eligibility is governed by three external lists: the OFAC sanctions list, Rise (Riseworks) supported countries for payouts, and Stripe supported regions for billing. Applicants from sanctioned or unsupported jurisdictions should verify with ETF support before purchasing rather than rely on third-party country guides.

What was the September 2025 ETF update?

The September 17, 2025 update was Elite Trader Funding's most significant rule overhaul. Max active accounts dropped from 20 to 5 per trader. HFT, Martingale, and VPN/VPS restrictions were all removed. Scratch trades, contract scaling, and DCA became permitted. Payout review moved to daily processing. Live Elite liquidation expanded to allow up to $150,000 lifetime sim payouts in $25,000 increments.