Overview
Elite Trader Funding (ETF) is a futures-focused prop firm offering five distinct evaluation paths: 1-Step, EOD Trailing, Static Drawdown, Fast Track (time-limited), and Diamond Hands (overnight/weekend holds). Their unique tiered payout model gives you 100% of the first $12,500 in realized profits per trader, then 90/10 thereafter. The "Safety Net" mechanism permanently removes your trailing drawdown once realized profits exceed your max drawdown plus $100, protecting your downside indefinitely. Payouts are processed through Rise, with options including instant USDC to Coinbase, blockchain wallets, or international bank wire. ETF supports NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Rithmic, and TradingView, and allows up to 20 simultaneous funded accounts — ideal for retirees looking to scale. Their $80/month funded account fee (after passing) is among the lowest activation costs in the industry.
Plans & Sizes
| Plan | Account Size | Fee | Profit Target | Max Drawdown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Step 10K | $10,000 | $45/mo | $800 | $500 |
| 1-Step 25K | $25,000 | $90/mo | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| 1-Step 50K | $50,000 | $165/mo | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| 1-Step 75K | $75,000 | $215/mo | $4,500 | $2,500 |
| 1-Step 100K | $100,000 | $265/mo | $6,000 | $3,000 |
| 1-Step 150K | $150,000 | $390/mo | $9,000 | $4,500 |
| 1-Step 250K | $250,000 | $590/mo | $15,000 | $6,500 |
| Static 10K | $10,000 | $45/mo | $800 | $500 (fixed) |
| Static 50K | $50,000 | $165/mo | $3,000 | $2,000 (fixed) |
| Static 100K | $100,000 | $265/mo | $6,000 | $3,000 (fixed) |
| Diamond Hands 50K | $50,000 | $300 (one-time) | $3,000 | $2,000 EOD trail |
| Diamond Hands 100K | $100,000 | $300 (one-time) | $6,000 | $3,000 EOD trail |
Dashboard & User Experience
Elite Trader Funding offers a clean, well-organized dashboard with solid multi-account management. Drawdown buffers, consistency tracking, and payout status are all clearly visible. The platform handles the firm's 20-account maximum gracefully, which is its biggest differentiator. It falls short of Tradeify's analytics depth but beats most competitors.
✅ Dashboard Strengths
- ✓Clear drawdown buffer and Safety Net progress tracking
- ✓Handles up to 20 accounts cleanly in one view
- ✓Payout history and withdrawal status are easy to access
- ✓Consistency rule progress displayed prominently
⚠️ Dashboard Weaknesses
- ✗No visual equity curves or trade calendar
- ✗Trade analytics are limited compared to Tradeify
- ✗Mobile experience could be improved
Platforms Supported
Drawdown Policies
Drawdown Type
Trailing EOD (or Static / Intraday by plan)
The drawdown limit updates at the end of each trading day based on your highest closing balance. This gives you room during the day.
Daily Loss Limit
No daily loss limit — only the max trailing drawdown applies.
Profit Split
Elite Trader Funding offers a 100% first $12,500 then 90/10 profit split.
Path to Live (Funded) Account
You must trade for a minimum of 10 trading days and hit the profit target without violating any drawdown rules to become funded.
Rules & Restrictions
⚡ The Safety Net — ETF's Unique Advantage
Elite Trader Funding's "Safety Net" is one of the most trader-friendly mechanisms in the prop firm industry. Once your realized profits exceed your maximum drawdown amount plus $100, the trailing drawdown is permanently removed and replaced with a static floor — so your accumulated gains are permanently protected.
Example (100K Account — $3,000 trailing drawdown):
- → Start: Trailing drawdown follows your equity highs.
- → You reach $3,100 in realized profits ($3,000 DD + $100).
- → Safety Net activates: Drawdown floor becomes static (starting balance + $100).
- → From now on: No matter how high you trade, you can never blow the account from drawdown trailing.
💰 Payout Structure — How ETF Pays You
Tiered Profit Split
Payout Requirements
- → Safety Net must be reached first
- → 10 active trading days (first 2 cycles)
- → Active day = $200 profit AND ≥23% of best day
- → Minimum withdrawal: $100
Withdrawal Methods (via Rise)
- → Instant USDC to Coinbase
- → Blockchain wallet transfer
- → USD international bank wire
- → Sim-funded: Wednesdays. Live: Mon–Fri
🎓 Education & Community Resources
Elite Trader Funding does not offer formal in-house trading courses, but they support an active trading community through several channels and have connections to affiliated educational resources.
Official YouTube Channel
Rule explanations, account walkthroughs, payout demonstrations, and platform tutorials. A must-watch before purchasing an evaluation.
Official Discord Community
Active community of ETF traders. Share trade ideas, ask rule questions, get payout tips, and connect with other funded traders.
Elite Trader Academy (Affiliated)
Affiliated educational program offering daily chart analysis, live weekly classes, trade signals, and mentorship for active futures traders.
Third-Party YouTube Reviews
Many popular trading channels on YouTube do live sessions, rule breakdowns, and funded account reviews specifically focused on ETF accounts — search "Elite Trader Funding review" for updated content.
💡 Retiree Tip: Before starting your evaluation, watch at least 2–3 ETF YouTube walkthroughs covering the exact evaluation type you purchased (1-Step vs Static vs Diamond Hands). The rules vary significantly between plans and understanding them upfront greatly improves your pass rate.
Ready to try Elite Trader Funding?
Start with their $165 evaluation for a $50,000 account. Always remember to read their full terms before purchasing.
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