Benefits of LIVE ELITE
LIVE ELITE is where traders with proven consistent profitability get paid. Scale your account when your edge is working. Step back when it isn't. Your downside stays defined.
You execute. We provide capital, daily withdrawals, and guardrails that keep profits yours.
All Live Elite accounts come with an End-of-Day drawdown. Additional benefits of the program include:
Real execution is in the live markets. There is no consistency rule in LIVE ELITE.
Uncapped payouts above the starting balance, minimum $250.
Swing trading permitted at ETF's discretion.
Risk tools that protect gains. Optional daily loss limit. Use custom loss limits to lock in profits.
Performance-based advancement: progress is earned through risk control and results, not time.
Flexible scaling, merge or split accounts; enable trade copying after profits and splits are approved.
Transparent costs: Level 2 data included; EdgeProX covered by ETF after 3 months of genuine trading.
Eligibility
You may qualify to trade real capital with our live broker and transition to LIVE ELITE if you satisfy any of the following:
5 payouts per trader
50 Active Trading Days per trader
$25,000 payout cap per trader
ETF reserves the right to move any trader to LIVE ELITE at any time. This could be during your evaluation, before a payout, during a payout or after a payout request.
Read LIVE ELITE Selection and Transition section below for additional information.
Background screening: pass a background check.
Market rules knowledge: complete the 34 core CME rules lessons if not done during evaluation.
Safety Threshold (each Sim-Funded account): maintain Profit >= (Account Max Drawdown + $100).
Risk-management requirement (Elite Sim-Funded stage):
After the account gains +20%, a loss limit equal to 35% of that profit takes effect and overrides the initial max drawdown.
Breach can occur intraday, in one session, or across the account's lifetime; breaching can remove the account from Elite Sim and disqualify you from LIVE ELITE.
ETF checks compliance during routine risk audits and at payout requests.
Illustration (150K Sim-Funded account)
Account Stage | Description | Account Balance | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial balance | Starting account balance | $150,000 | - |
After 20% growth | Account increases by 20% | $180,000 | +$30,000 |
After a significant loss | Loss equal to 35% of the increase ($10,500) | $169,500 | -$10,500 |
LIVE ELITE Selection and Transition
Evaluations and Sim-Funded Accounts
Active Evaluation and Elite Sim-Funded subscriptions are automatically canceled when you go live.
For active evaluations (non-failed), passed accounts, and active Elite Sim-Funded accounts with no payout requested, the last billing payment amount will be added to your LIVE ELITE Starting Balance.
LIVE ELITE Onboarding
If and when you are transitioned to LIVE ELITE, you will receive a welcome email from the Risk Team that explains the next steps and how you can begin trading.
ETF reserves the right to move any trader to LIVE ELITE at any time. This can happen during the evaluation stage, during the Elite Sim-Funded stage, before a payout, during a payout review, or after a payout. If we see the talent and believe you are ready, we will make that call when we think it is appropriate.
When this happens, your sim account balance and sim earnings do not carry over. Upon conversion, all Elite Sim-Funded Accounts will be closed and no payouts from those accounts will be owed. You are set up with a fixed LIVE ELITE starting balance funded with real capital (see the table below). This is a fresh start with real money behind you. The sim environment served its purpose, it helped us identify your edge, and now we are putting real dollars to work based on what we saw.
Starting Balance
Your End of Day onboarding starting balance is based on your single top-performing Elite Sim-Funded account that has achieved the safety net (account max drawdown + $100):
50K or Below | 100K | 150K or Above | 25K Direct to Funded (DTF) | 50K Direct to Funded (DTF) | 100K Direct to Funded (DTF) |
$2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Declining the LIVE ELITE Offer
When you receive an offer to transition to LIVE ELITE, you have 5 business days to accept. We encourage you to take the time you need within that window to make an informed decision.
If you choose not to convert within those 5 business days, you will still receive a payout based on your earnings as of the offer date:
10% of your earnings up to $12,500
5% of any earnings above $12,500
These amounts are calculated based on your account balance on the date the offer was made. After that, the account will be closed.
We want every trader to move forward on their own terms, but LIVE ELITE is where we invest real capital, and we need a clear commitment to do that. This structure ensures you're still compensated for the work you put in, even if the timing isn't right.
LIVE ELITE Program Details
Withdrawals
Daily Frequency: Requests submitted before 1:00 PM EST are given priority. All other requests are generally handled within 24 business hours. Processing times may vary, especially around bank holidays or during periods of high volume, and delays may occur. All processing is handled on business days only.
Minimum: $250
Maximum: None
Requirement: Must be above your starting balance
Profit split: 80/20 (80% to you; 20% to ETF)
Risk Parameters
Custom Loss Limits
When you want to lock in gains, email risk@etf.fund. We review recent P&L and trading behavior, then set a new soft-liquidation level above your Starting Balance to secure part of your profits.
Example: start at $5,000 and earn $10,000 (balance $15,000). We can set soft liquidation at $10,000, securing $5,000 while you continue trading the remaining cushion.
Risk Management Expectations
LIVE ELITE does not enforce a mandatory Daily Loss Limit (DLL) on your account. That is by design. We trust you to manage your risk like the professional trader you've proven yourself to be.
However, that trust comes with a clear expectation: you are trading real capital that ETF has invested in you. We expect you to protect it accordingly.
For example, if your account suffers a 20% or greater drawdown from its high-water mark, we will review the account. We may take action, including reducing contract limits, pausing the account, or closing it entirely. Reckless or outsized losses signal a breakdown in discipline, and we are not in the business of funding unmanaged risk.
Part of trading real capital is knowing when to step back. If your strategy is not working, reduce the size or stop trading. The ability to recognize when conditions are not in your favor and adjust accordingly is exactly what separates funded traders from everyone else.
We also encourage traders to request Custom Loss Limits (see above) to lock in gains and define their own risk boundaries. Think of it as building your own safety net, one that protects both your profits and your standing in the program.
Bottom line: No DLL does not mean no accountability. Trade with intention, manage your downside, and treat the capital the way you would if it came out of your own pocket, because your future in LIVE ELITE depends on it.
Market Data Fees
You pay a flat $197 per month per exchange for your first account. This includes:
Level 1 data
Level 2 data
The FCM fees for that account
The $197 is deducted from your account balance on the first of each month. If you have additional accounts, each will incur an additional fee of $197.
Available exchanges:
CME
CBOT
NYMEX
COMEX
EUREX
Fees are deducted from your account balance on the first of each month. Only select the exchanges you need.
Common instruments by exchange:
CME: ES, NQ, 6E
CBOT: YM, ZN, ZB
NYMEX: CL, NG
COMEX: GC, SI
Earn covered exchange fees
If you've shown consistent, genuine performance in LIVE ELITE for 3 months, we cover your exchange fees, and you would only have to cover the FCM fees. This is our way of backing serious traders who manage risk well.
Clear pricing up front, meaningful rewards for traders who treat LIVE ELITE like a real business.
Fees are subject to change based on the data broker.
Trading commissions and fees
Minis: $2.00
Micros: $0.62
Eurex: $0.69 (commissions only; exchange fees vary by instrument)
Optional platform fee
EdgeProX: $34.99 per month. After 3 months of genuine trading, ETF covers EdgeProX.
Auto-Liquidation Fees and Contract Limits
Contract Limits
Your initial contract limit depends on your LIVE ELITE Starting Balance:
Starting Balance | Max Micro Contracts |
|---|---|
$3,000 and below | 5 Micros |
$5,000 and above | 10 Micros |
These limits are in place to protect both you and the capital we've invested in you. After 20 trading days, if you believe your limit should be increased, email risk@etf.fund and we will review your account. The Risk Team will evaluate your trading style, consistency, and risk management before approving any changes.
Auto-Liquidation Fees
Auto-liquidation fees are charged to your LIVE ELITE account at a rate of $5 per contract when an auto-liquidation event occurs. This is a fee our broker charges us, and we pass it through to the account.
You will be charged this fee if:
Your position causes you to hit your Daily Loss Limit.
You breach your End-of-Day liquidation value.
You leave a position or pending limit order open through market close, unless you have been approved to swing trade.
Manage your positions accordingly. These fees are non-negotiable and will not be reversed.
Supported Platforms
The platforms you may trade your LIVE ELITE account on are listed below.
Platforms
Rithmic, R | Trader (Web, iOS, Android), ATAS, Bookmap, EdgeProX, eSignal, Finamark, Investor/RT, MotiveWave, Quantower, Sierra Chart
Data Connection: Rithmic compatible platforms only, for now.
Note: Tradovate and NinjaTrader are currently not supported in LIVE ELITE.
Platform Subscriptions: Paid by the trader
If you want to trade from EdgeProX, it will be covered by ETF after 3 months of genuine trading activity; see above.
Trade Copying
Trade copying is permitted only after you have built a sufficient realized profit buffer above your Starting Balance in LIVE ELITE and split your live account into multiple accounts (approved by Risk).
All risk rules still apply (DLL, soft-liquidation, custom contract limits). If your account(s) are in drawdown, trade copying may be turned off, and accounts may be consolidated.
Email risk@etf.fund to request trade copying and verify your profit buffer and split status.
Inactivity Period
The Inactivity Period exists to ensure Live Elite traders remain engaged, consistent, and aligned with the expectations that come with being entrusted with real capital. When you are in Live Elite, you are treated as an independent contractor of the firm. Like any contractor relationship, the expectation is performance and active engagement.
Because you represent the firm and we are investing in you, we expect genuine trading activity each week that reflects your commitment to growth and professionalism. If a Live Elite account becomes inactive and we have not heard from you, we will take action to protect the firm's capital, including reallocating those funds to another trader.
This does not mean forcing trades. It means showing real participation in the markets. Scratch trades or artificial activity designed to "check the box" do not count toward monthly requirements and are not in the spirit of what Live Elite stands for.
If you are unable to trade for a period of time, simply email risk@etf.fund. Life happens, and requesting time off is always better than going silent. However, extended inactivity without communication puts the account and our investment at risk.
If there is no genuine trading activity for 7 calendar days, the Live Elite account will be closed, and you will be removed from the program. To re-enter Live Elite, you must go through the DTF route as outlined below in this FAQ.
We want to work with traders who treat Live Elite as the professional opportunity it is. Stay active, communicate when needed, and continue trading with intention. This is how you grow, and how we grow with you.
Account Liquidation and Starting Over
We recognize that trading real capital comes with real challenges. Markets get volatile, strategies need adjusting, and sometimes things don't go as planned. We can't reset a LIVE Elite account once it's liquidated because real capital was on the line, but that doesn't mean your journey with us is over.
You can start fresh in our SIM program and work your way back. We've been through this with traders before and many come back stronger. Your long-term success is our success, and we want to give you every opportunity to get back on track.
To start over, follow the program explained below:
Waiting Period and Your Opportunity to Succeed
There is a 14-day cool off period during which you cannot make any new purchases. On day 15, you may reach out to the ETF Risk Team at support@etf.fund to determine whether you are eligible to return. If approved, you may re-enter through the 50K Direct to Funded (DTF) route.
Cost: $99, one-time
Reset fee: $25
Unlimited $25 resets are available exclusively to former Live Elite traders. If you are not a former Live Elite trader, please refer to the help article How Does The Direct to Funded Work
To demonstrate your readiness for ETF to reinvest in your trading journey, we require you to achieve a minimum of: 15 Active Trading Days and $7,500 in realized profit.
Once you have accomplished the ATD and profit requirement with the 50K Direct to Funded account, email support@etf.fund. We will re-enable SIM purchases and payouts under the normal SIM evaluation path while we evaluate readiness for LIVE ELITE.
NOTE: Since we aim to facilitate your swift return to a LIVE Elite account, please understand that payouts from this DTF account will not be available or approved.
Important Notes
Elite Sim-Funded accounts are not meant to supplement income.
ETF is a for-profit business. Evaluations are challenging and not everyone will make it through.
LIVE ELITE daily withdrawals: no maximum, $250 minimum, must remain above Starting Balance.
Re-entry, timing, and any waivers are at ETF's sole discretion.
After re-entry, you may withdraw up to an additional $25,000 under the SIM payout cap. Lifetime SIM-funded payouts are capped at $150,000 total.
Once back in SIM, your performance and risk behavior are reviewed closely before any live capital consideration.