Question 1

What is Traders Launch?

Accepted Answer

Traders Launch is a funded trading program. You pay a one-time evaluation fee to access a simulated account. Hit your profit target within the time limit and you move into a Simfunded account, where you can trade and request real payouts from your profits. No subscription, no recurring fees — just one upfront cost.

Question 2

Who is Traders Launch for?

Accepted Answer

Traders Launch is for people who already know how to trade futures. You need to understand risk management and how to use a trading platform. We don't teach you to trade — we fund you once you prove you can.

Question 3

How much does it cost to get started?

Accepted Answer

You pay a one-time evaluation fee ranging from $49 to $599 depending on account size, session, and profit-split plan. If you haven't passed by day 60 but you're above 50% of your profit target, you automatically get a free 30-day extension — no extra charge. There's no subscription and no recurring billing.

Question 4

Are there any activation fees or hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

None. You pay the evaluation fee once. No activation fee when you pass, no recurring charge once you're Simfunded, no hidden costs at any stage. The one-time evaluation purchase is all you pay.

Question 5

Are there any restricted countries?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Traders Launch does not accept traders from Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, Sudan, South Sudan, or Venezuela. See our Terms for the authoritative current list.

Question 6

What are the profit targets?

Accepted Answer

Targets depend on account size and session. 100K: $2,000 (both sessions). 200K: $3,000 (NYC) or $4,000 (22-hour). 300K: $5,000 (NYC) or $6,000 (22-hour). You need to hit this target while staying above your drawdown floor.

Question 7

Is there a maximum time limit to pass?

Accepted Answer

The evaluation window is 60 days. If you haven't passed by day 60 but you're above 50% of your profit target, you automatically get a free 30-day extension at no extra cost. Simfunded accounts have no time limit once you're funded.

Question 8

Is there a minimum number of trading days?

Accepted Answer

Yes — 3 minimum trading days during the evaluation. You can't pass on a single day even if you hit the profit target. Simfunded accounts have no minimum trading days before requesting a payout.

Question 9

How does the drawdown work?

Accepted Answer

Traders Launch uses End of Day (EOD) drawdown — not intraday trailing. Your drawdown level is calculated from your closing balance each session. It only moves up, never down. Once your account grows enough that the drawdown floor would reach your starting balance, it locks there permanently. Drawdown amounts: 100K: $1,000; 200K: $1,000 (NYC) or $2,000 (22-hour); 300K: $2,000 (NYC) or $3,000 (22-hour). We do not use intraday trailing drawdown, which we consider predatory.

Question 10

What is the 40% rule?

Accepted Answer

During the evaluation, no single trading day can account for more than 40% of your total profits at evaluation end. If you're about to hit that limit, the system auto-closes your positions and locks you out for the rest of that session. This prevents a single lucky day from carrying the whole evaluation. The 40% rule does not apply in your Simfunded account.

Question 11

Are there inactivity rules?

Accepted Answer

Yes. During evaluation and in your Simfunded account, you must place at least 1 trade per week. During evaluation: missing a week deactivates your account. In your Simfunded account: missing a week pauses it — you remain eligible for profits and payouts but need to reactivate.

Question 12

What are the contract limits?

Accepted Answer

Starting sizes: 100K NYC = 5 micros; 200K NYC = 1 mini or 10 micros; 300K NYC = 2 minis or 20 micros; 100K 22-hour = 2 minis or 20 micros; 200K 22-hour = 4 minis or 40 micros; 300K 22-hour = 6 minis or 60 micros. Maximum across all account sizes: 15 minis (or equivalent in micros).

Question 13

What is the commission per contract?

Accepted Answer

$0.50 per side — not round trip. You pay $0.50 when you open a position and $0.50 when you close it, so a full round-trip trade costs $1.00 per contract in commissions.

Question 14

Are there restrictions on hedging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You cannot hold simultaneous opposing positions across accounts or in correlated symbols. For example, being long NQ on one account and short NQ on another is prohibited. Each account must stand independently. Hedging between correlated instruments on the same or different accounts is not allowed.

Question 15

Can I average into positions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with limits. You can average into a position up to 5 executions maximum on the same symbol. Martingale-style sizing — where you increase position size specifically to recover losses — is prohibited.

Question 16

Are there any hidden rules not shown on the site?

Accepted Answer

No. All rules, limits, and conditions are listed on this site and in the Terms. There are no secret profit caps, hidden thresholds, or unpublished disqualification conditions.

Question 17

Do I need to use my own card to purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The name on the payment card must match your registered account name. Purchases using someone else's card are blocked as a fraud prevention measure. No exceptions.

Question 18

Is the 100K account truly one-step with no Phase 2?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You pass the evaluation, build your buffer in your Simfunded account, and become eligible for payouts. There is no Phase 2, no second evaluation, and no post-pass consistency check.

Question 19

What is the buffer stage and how much do I need to build?

Accepted Answer

After passing the evaluation you're moved into a Simfunded account. Before requesting your first payout, you need to build a small profit buffer above your starting balance. Buffer amounts: 100K: $1,000; 200K: $1,000 (NYC) or $2,000 (22-hour); 300K: $2,000 (NYC) or $3,000 (22-hour). Once you're above your buffer you're payout-eligible. You move into your Simfunded account on one of our brokers (NinjaTrader or IBKR) once the buffer is cleared.

Question 20

What are the payout rules?

Accepted Answer

Your Simfunded account must be above +1% profit from your starting balance to request a payout. You keep 55% or 80% of profits based on the plan you chose when you purchased. No consistency rules once you're Simfunded. No time restrictions on when you can request. At $100,000 in cumulative payouts you are paused and become eligible for scaling opportunities, including increased allocations and priority consideration for live-capital opportunities.

Question 21

How and when do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

Payouts are processed daily. Crypto (USDT on Solana) and ACH bank transfers are processed every 24 hours. Wire transfers are processed weekly — when the funds arrive at your bank depends on your bank's processing time. We set conservative expectations and aim to exceed them.

Question 22

Do payouts affect my drawdown level?

Accepted Answer

No. Once your drawdown locks at your starting balance (which happens as you grow past the buffer stage), it stays fixed regardless of payouts. Taking a payout does not lower your drawdown floor. Your drawdown is permanently locked once you've cleared the buffer stage and entered your Simfunded account.

Question 23

What trading platforms are available?

Accepted Answer

Three options: TradingView (browser-based, no download), Volumetrica (desktop and web), and Quantower (desktop). MES and MNQ come pre-loaded on all accounts. MGC (gold micro), MCL (crude oil micro), SIL (silver micro), and MYM (Dow micro) are available by request. All three platforms work for evaluation and Simfunded accounts.

Question 24

What are the trading hours?

Accepted Answer

Two session options. NYC Session: 9:30am–4:00pm ET. 22-Hour Session: 6:00pm–4:00pm ET the following day. You pick your session at purchase — it affects your fee, profit targets, contract limits, and drawdown. You can't switch sessions mid-evaluation.

Question 25

What instruments can I trade?

Accepted Answer

Micro and mini futures. Pre-loaded: MES (S&P 500 micro) and MNQ (Nasdaq micro). Available by request: MGC (gold micro), MCL (crude oil micro), SIL (silver micro), MYM (Dow micro). Full-size minis (ES, NQ, GC, CL, YM) are also tradeable within your contract limits.

Question 26

Can I trade SPX, NDX, gold, or oil?

Accepted Answer

Yes, through their futures equivalents. SPX → ES or MES. NDX → NQ or MNQ. Gold → GC or MGC. Oil → CL or MCL. US30/Dow → YM or MYM. All available within your account's contract limits.

Question 27

How do I log in to Quantower?

Accepted Answer

Use your Volumetrica credentials to connect Quantower to your Traders Launch account. No separate Quantower subscription is needed — access is included. Full setup instructions are sent in your account setup email. If you run into issues, reach out in Discord.

Question 28

What broker will my Simfunded account be on?

Accepted Answer

After clearing the buffer stage you'll be assigned to either NinjaTrader or Interactive Brokers (IBKR) based on your location. The assignment is automatic and you'll receive an email with your account details and login instructions.

Question 29

How many accounts can I have?

Accepted Answer

Up to 5 evaluation accounts and up to 5 Simfunded accounts active at the same time. All funded traders move into a Simfunded account once they clear the buffer stage. You can request to merge multiple Simfunded accounts if needed.

Questions before you start?

Getting Started(5)

The Evaluation(13)

Getting Funded(1)

Payouts(3)

Platforms & Trading(6)

Account Management(1)

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