FTMO Funded Accounts: 1-Step vs 2-Step Rules (2026)

9 March 2026

Prop firms8 min read

FTMO funded accounts are simulated accounts, not brokerage accounts with capital deposited in the trader’s name. In 2026, FTMO offers a 1-Step Challenge and a 2-Step Challenge for its CFD programme. The 1-Step route has one 10% target, a 3% maximum daily loss, an end-of-day trailing 10% maximum loss and a 50% Best Day rule. The 2-Step route uses 10% and 5% targets, a 5% maximum daily loss, a static 10% maximum loss and four minimum trading days in each evaluation phase.

Rules and source pages checked 15 September 2026. This article covers FTMO’s CFD programme, not FTMO Futures. Account terms can change; the provider’s current Trading Objectives, checkout, dashboard and signed agreement control.

FTMO or MFC: the short answer

If you searched for “FTMO instant funding,” the current FTMO CFD pages reviewed for this guide list evaluation routes only: 1-Step and 2-Step. MFC offers three routes: a one-phase challenge, a two-phase Scale Up challenge and Instant Funding that skips evaluation and starts with a simulated funded account using real market quotes.

Want an established FTMO route? Compare its 1-Step trailing-loss/Best Day model with its 2-Step static maximum-loss model below.
Want a challenge with different mechanics? Compare MFC 1-Step and Scale Up against the same historical trade sample.
Want to skip evaluation? MFC Instant Funding is the relevant alternative, but its 3% daily drawdown, tightening maximum drawdown, 15% consistency rule and payout conditions must fit your strategy.

Compare MFC plans and live prices

Prices and promotions can change. The plan calculator and checkout total control. Review the current MFC rules and payout conditions before purchase.

How FTMO funded accounts work

The process has two parts: an evaluation on simulated capital, followed—after the objectives, review and onboarding are completed—by an FTMO Account that also uses fictitious capital and real market quotes. Eligible traders can receive real monetary rewards based on simulated profits, subject to the applicable agreement and rules.

FTMO states that clients do not execute trades on live markets through the FTMO Account. In a separate process, FTMO may analyse client trading data and decide whether to trade on its own account. That distinction matters: “funded account” is industry terminology here, not proof that the trader controls a live brokerage balance. See FTMO’s technical account explanation.

FTMO 1-Step vs 2-Step rules

FTMO path	Evaluation objectives	Loss framework	Reward and fee
1-Step Challenge	One phase with a 10% profit target. A Best Day cannot exceed 50% of Positive Days’ Profit when the target/reward condition is assessed.	3% Maximum Daily Loss. The 10% Maximum Loss is recalculated from the highest qualifying end-of-day balance and can move upward, but not downward.	The reward ratio starts at 90%. FTMO says the 1-Step fee is not refunded.
2-Step Challenge	10% target in the Challenge, 5% in Verification and at least four trading days in each phase. There is no profit target on the later FTMO Account.	5% Maximum Daily Loss and a static 10% Maximum Loss, applied across both evaluation phases and the later FTMO Account.	The reward ratio starts at 80% and can rise to 90% under the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme. The initial 2-Step fee is refunded with the first Reward withdrawal.

The percentages above are not interchangeable. FTMO calculates daily limits from account equity, including open P/L, swaps and commissions, and resets them at 00:00 CE(S)T. Read the current FTMO Trading Objectives before ordering or trading.

A $100,000 example

On the first day of a $100,000 1-Step Challenge, a 3% Maximum Daily Loss sets a $97,000 daily equity floor. Its initial 10% Maximum Loss sets a $90,000 floor, but that maximum-loss limit can trail upward using qualifying end-of-day balances. On a $100,000 2-Step Challenge, the first-day daily floor is $95,000 and the static maximum-loss floor is $90,000.

Do not turn those account-wide limits into a per-trade target. Position size should come from the planned entry, stop distance, instrument specification and a smaller predefined cash-risk amount. The lot size calculator can do the arithmetic, but the platform’s contract values and the programme’s current rules still control.

FTMO rewards, payout timing and scaling

First reward claim: FTMO says a claim can be requested on the 14th day or later after the first trade on the specific FTMO Account, with all positions and pending orders closed.
Reward ratio: 1-Step starts at 90%. 2-Step starts at 80% and may rise to 90% through the Scaling Plan or Premium Programme.
Scaling: qualifying accounts can receive a 25% balance increase every four months, up to $2,000,000 across FTMO Accounts. Current requirements include at least four months, 10% net simulated profit in the prior four months, at least two processed Rewards and a positive balance when scaling is requested.
No guaranteed reward: a profitable result alone is not enough; the account must remain compliant with the applicable objectives and agreement.

Verify the live details on FTMO’s reward-withdrawal page and Scaling Plan.

News, overnight and weekend positions

FTMO’s restrictions depend on the account type and stage. Its current FAQ says selected-news, overnight and weekend holding restrictions apply to Standard FTMO Accounts, not during the evaluation; Swing accounts do not have those restrictions. The 1-Step product does not offer the Swing account type. Check the current FTMO product FAQ, economic calendar and instrument notices because symbol-specific trading hours and updates can change.

FTMO vs MyFundedCapital in 2026

FTMO and MFC both describe their funded CFD accounts as simulated. The useful comparison is therefore the route, objectives, drawdown calculation, reward conditions and payout schedule—not a claim that one hands the trader a live brokerage balance.

MFC path	Evaluation	Current funded-account outline	Best fit
MFC 1-Step	10% target, 5% daily limit, 10% closed-balance trailing drawdown that locks at the starting balance after +10%, and three minimum trading days.	Starts at an 80% split; paid add-ons can increase it. First payout is listed from day 7 and then every 7 days, subject to current terms.	A trader who wants one evaluation phase and accepts its trailing-drawdown mechanics.
MFC Scale Up (2-Step)	8% then 5% targets, 5% daily limit, static 10% maximum drawdown and three minimum trading days per phase.	Starts at an 80% split. First payout is listed from day 14 and then every 14 days; weekly/on-demand options depend on the selected add-on.	A trader who prefers two targets and a static maximum-drawdown structure.
MFC Instant Funding	No evaluation. The trader starts on a simulated funded account with real market quotes.	3% previous-EOD daily drawdown; maximum drawdown starts at 6% and tightens to 5% after +5%; 15% consistency rule. Split starts at 70%, first payout is listed from day 14 and later cycles every 7 days.	An experienced trader who wants to skip evaluation and has checked the tighter drawdown, consistency and payout conditions.

MFC prices, platforms, add-ons and campaigns change. Use the current plan comparison, MFC Help Center and checkout as the authoritative pre-purchase sources. Profit split can depend on performance and selected add-ons, and the current Help Center lists a $5,000 maximum withdrawal per payout across account types. Profit and payouts are never guaranteed.

Which route should you choose?

Choose FTMO 1-Step only after modelling the 3% daily limit, trailing maximum loss and Best Day rule together—not because “one step” sounds automatically easier.
Choose FTMO 2-Step if the static 10% maximum loss and two-phase structure fit your historical distribution of returns better.
Compare MFC 1-Step and Scale Up when payout timing or the exact trailing-versus-static drawdown model materially changes your plan.
Consider MFC Instant Funding only if skipping the evaluation is worth the higher upfront cost and its funded-stage consistency/drawdown rules fit an existing track record.

Export at least 30–60 representative trading days and replay the exact rule calculations. Count open P/L, commissions, swaps, reset times, best-day/consistency limits and what happens after a payout. A lower advertised target is not safer if the drawdown method conflicts with the strategy.

Pre-purchase checklist

Confirm whether the product and jurisdiction are available to you.
Read the current objective/rules page and the agreement, not a comparison article alone.
Verify whether maximum loss is static, balance-trailing or equity-based and when it resets or locks.
Check news, overnight, weekend and instrument restrictions for the exact stage/account type.
Confirm platform, symbols, contract specifications, leverage and all fees in checkout.
Model the first reward date, later cycle, split, cap, minimum amount, review time and payout effect on drawdown.
Save the version of the rules and receipt accepted at purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Is an FTMO funded account a live trading account?

No. FTMO says its CFD Challenge, Verification and FTMO Account use fictitious capital in a demo environment with real market quotes. Eligible FTMO Traders can receive real monetary rewards based on compliant simulated results.

Does FTMO have a one-step challenge?

Yes. FTMO currently offers both 1-Step and 2-Step CFD Challenges. The 1-Step route has one evaluation phase but uses a different daily-loss, maximum-loss, Best Day, reward and fee-refund structure from the 2-Step route.

How long before an FTMO payout?

FTMO’s current reward FAQ says the first claim can be made on the 14th day or later after the first trade on the specific FTMO Account. Review and payment processing happen after the claim; all positions and pending orders must be closed.

Is the FTMO fee refundable?

FTMO says the 2-Step initial fee is refunded with the first Reward withdrawal, while the 1-Step fee is not refunded. Confirm the current checkout and product terms before paying.

Can FTMO traders hold over news or weekends?

During the evaluation, FTMO says the selected-news and overnight/weekend restrictions do not apply. At the FTMO Account stage, they apply to Standard accounts; Swing accounts are exempt, and Swing is not available for 1-Step. Instrument hours and trading updates still apply.

Is MFC Instant Funding a live brokerage account?

No. MFC describes Instant Funding as a simulated funded account using real market quotes. MFC is not a broker and does not accept customer deposits.

Bottom line: FTMO now has two materially different CFD evaluation routes, while MFC offers one-step, two-step and no-evaluation paths. Compare the actual rule engine and reward conditions against your trading record; do not choose from the word “funded,” the number of phases or a headline split alone.

See current MFC account options

Disclosure: This comparison is published by MyFundedCapital. MFC is commercially interested in its own programmes and has no commercial relationship with FTMO. FTMO facts link to FTMO’s own current pages; MFC facts link to the current MFC Help Center. This material is educational and is not financial, investment or legal advice. Trading and programme fees involve risk of loss.