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The Futures Desk by Topstep
Futures Prop Firm
Established:
2012 (14 years in business)
Legal Company Name:
TS TFD Buyer, LLC
Location:
1 East Erie St Suite 525 #4200 Chicago, IL 60611
Leadership:
Josh (dotjosh on X), CEO
Our Summary
Futures prop firm built around a one-step assessment, a short simulated brokerage bridge, and then live brokerage accounts with daily payouts, coaching, and unusually low exchange execution costs.
Trading Plans
Explore each plan's phases, price, payout timing, and requirements.
Static Mini
2
1
Assessment
Evaluation
Profit Target:
$2,000
Max Daily Loss:
$400
Max Drawdown:
$1,000 (EOD)
Min Trading Days:
7 days
Reset Cost:
$99
Max Contracts:
1
Micros Equivalent:
10
Consistency Rules:
$286 Base Hits
Quick Rules Summary:
Static drawdown path. Assessment requires 7 minimum trading days and a profit target. After passing, traders move to a build-buffer funded stage before live trading.
Evaluation Fee:
$99
Notes:
Assessment stage for Static Mini on TFD-X. List price shown: $349; promo EDGE price: $99.
2
Funded - Build Buffer
Sim-Funded
Profit Target:
$1,000
Buffer Amount:
$1,000
Max Drawdown:
$1,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
1
Micros Equivalent:
10
Max Sim Accounts:
4
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No min days. Free extensions.
Payout Restrictions:
This is the build-buffer stage. Traders do not take payouts …
Quick Rules Summary:
Build-buffer funded stage with static drawdown. No minimum days, no consistency rule, and no payouts during this stage; traders build the required live buffer first.
Notes:
Buffer-building funded stage for Static Mini on TFD-X.
3
Funded - Payouts + Live
Live-Funded
Min Payout:
$100
Payout Interval:
Every 1 days
Profit Split:
8E+1
Max Contracts:
1
Micros Equivalent:
10
Max Live Accounts:
2
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No benchmark days. Daily uncapped payouts. Payouts into buffer.
Payout Restrictions:
Daily uncapped payouts are available Monday through Friday once live. …
Quick Rules Summary:
Live brokerage stage with daily uncapped payouts, no consistency rule, and no benchmark-day requirement once the required buffer has been built.
Notes:
Live payout stage for Static Mini on TFD-X.
1
Assessment
Evaluation
Profit Target:
$2,000
Max Daily Loss:
$400
Max Drawdown:
$1,000 (EOD)
Min Trading Days:
7 days
Reset Cost:
$99
Max Contracts:
1
Micros Equivalent:
10
Consistency Rules:
$286 Base Hits
Quick Rules Summary:
Static drawdown path. Assessment requires 7 minimum trading days and a profit target. After passing, traders move to a build-buffer funded stage before live trading.
Evaluation Fee:
$119
Notes:
Assessment stage for Static Mini on Rithmic. List price shown: $369; promo EDGE price: $119.
2
Funded - Build Buffer
Sim-Funded
Profit Target:
$1,000
Buffer Amount:
$1,000
Max Drawdown:
$1,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
1
Micros Equivalent:
10
Max Sim Accounts:
4
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No min days. Free extensions.
Payout Restrictions:
This is the build-buffer stage. Traders do not take payouts …
Quick Rules Summary:
Build-buffer funded stage with static drawdown. No minimum days, no consistency rule, and no payouts during this stage; traders build the required live buffer first.
Notes:
Buffer-building funded stage for Static Mini on Rithmic.
3
Funded - Payouts + Live
Live-Funded
Min Payout:
$100
Payout Interval:
Every 1 days
Profit Split:
8E+1
Max Contracts:
1
Micros Equivalent:
10
Max Live Accounts:
2
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No benchmark days. Daily uncapped payouts. Payouts into buffer.
Payout Restrictions:
Daily uncapped payouts are available Monday through Friday once live. …
Quick Rules Summary:
Live brokerage stage with daily uncapped payouts, no consistency rule, and no benchmark-day requirement once the required buffer has been built.
Notes:
Live payout stage for Static Mini on Rithmic.
Static Core
2
1
Assessment
Evaluation
Profit Target:
$4,000
Max Daily Loss:
$800
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Min Trading Days:
7 days
Reset Cost:
$99
Max Contracts:
2
Micros Equivalent:
20
Consistency Rules:
$572 Base Hits
Quick Rules Summary:
Static drawdown path. Assessment requires 7 minimum trading days and a profit target. After passing, traders move to a build-buffer funded stage before live trading.
Evaluation Fee:
$139
Notes:
Assessment stage for Static Core on TFD-X. List price shown: $559; promo EDGE price: $139.
2
Funded - Build Buffer
Sim-Funded
Profit Target:
$2,000
Buffer Amount:
$2,000
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
2
Micros Equivalent:
20
Max Sim Accounts:
4
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No min days. Free extensions.
Payout Restrictions:
This is the build-buffer stage. Traders do not take payouts …
Quick Rules Summary:
Build-buffer funded stage with static drawdown. No minimum days, no consistency rule, and no payouts during this stage; traders build the required live buffer first.
Notes:
Buffer-building funded stage for Static Core on TFD-X.
3
Funded - Payouts + Live
Live-Funded
Min Payout:
$100
Payout Interval:
Every 1 days
Profit Split:
8E+1
Max Contracts:
2
Micros Equivalent:
20
Max Live Accounts:
2
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No benchmark days. Daily uncapped payouts. Payouts into buffer.
Payout Restrictions:
Daily uncapped payouts are available Monday through Friday once live. …
Quick Rules Summary:
Live brokerage stage with daily uncapped payouts, no consistency rule, and no benchmark-day requirement once the required buffer has been built.
Notes:
Live payout stage for Static Core on TFD-X.
1
Assessment
Evaluation
Profit Target:
$4,000
Max Daily Loss:
$800
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Min Trading Days:
7 days
Reset Cost:
$99
Max Contracts:
2
Micros Equivalent:
20
Consistency Rules:
$572 Base Hits
Quick Rules Summary:
Static drawdown path. Assessment requires 7 minimum trading days and a profit target. After passing, traders move to a build-buffer funded stage before live trading.
Evaluation Fee:
$159
Notes:
Assessment stage for Static Core on Rithmic. List price shown: $579; promo EDGE price: $159.
2
Funded - Build Buffer
Sim-Funded
Profit Target:
$2,000
Buffer Amount:
$2,000
Max Drawdown:
$2,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
2
Micros Equivalent:
20
Max Sim Accounts:
4
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No min days. Free extensions.
Payout Restrictions:
This is the build-buffer stage. Traders do not take payouts …
Quick Rules Summary:
Build-buffer funded stage with static drawdown. No minimum days, no consistency rule, and no payouts during this stage; traders build the required live buffer first.
Notes:
Buffer-building funded stage for Static Core on Rithmic.
3
Funded - Payouts + Live
Live-Funded
Min Payout:
$100
Payout Interval:
Every 1 days
Profit Split:
8E+1
Max Contracts:
2
Micros Equivalent:
20
Max Live Accounts:
2
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No benchmark days. Daily uncapped payouts. Payouts into buffer.
Payout Restrictions:
Daily uncapped payouts are available Monday through Friday once live. …
Quick Rules Summary:
Live brokerage stage with daily uncapped payouts, no consistency rule, and no benchmark-day requirement once the required buffer has been built.
Notes:
Live payout stage for Static Core on Rithmic.
Static Pro
2
1
Assessment
Evaluation
Profit Target:
$6,000
Max Daily Loss:
$1,200
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Min Trading Days:
7 days
Reset Cost:
$99
Max Contracts:
3
Micros Equivalent:
30
Consistency Rules:
$858 Base Hits
Quick Rules Summary:
Static drawdown path. Assessment requires 7 minimum trading days and a profit target. After passing, traders move to a build-buffer funded stage before live trading.
Evaluation Fee:
$179
Notes:
Assessment stage for Static Pro on TFD-X. List price shown: $719; promo EDGE price: $179.
2
Funded - Build Buffer
Sim-Funded
Profit Target:
$3,000
Buffer Amount:
$3,000
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
3
Micros Equivalent:
30
Max Sim Accounts:
4
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No min days. Free extensions.
Payout Restrictions:
This is the build-buffer stage. Traders do not take payouts …
Quick Rules Summary:
Build-buffer funded stage with static drawdown. No minimum days, no consistency rule, and no payouts during this stage; traders build the required live buffer first.
Notes:
Buffer-building funded stage for Static Pro on TFD-X.
3
Funded - Payouts + Live
Live-Funded
Min Payout:
$100
Payout Interval:
Every 1 days
Profit Split:
8E+1
Max Contracts:
3
Micros Equivalent:
30
Max Live Accounts:
2
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No benchmark days. Daily uncapped payouts. Payouts into buffer.
Payout Restrictions:
Daily uncapped payouts are available Monday through Friday once live. …
Quick Rules Summary:
Live brokerage stage with daily uncapped payouts, no consistency rule, and no benchmark-day requirement once the required buffer has been built.
Notes:
Live payout stage for Static Pro on TFD-X.
1
Assessment
Evaluation
Profit Target:
$6,000
Max Daily Loss:
$1,200
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Min Trading Days:
7 days
Reset Cost:
$99
Max Contracts:
3
Micros Equivalent:
30
Consistency Rules:
$858 Base Hits
Quick Rules Summary:
Static drawdown path. Assessment requires 7 minimum trading days and a profit target. After passing, traders move to a build-buffer funded stage before live trading.
Evaluation Fee:
$199
Notes:
Assessment stage for Static Pro on Rithmic. List price shown: $739; promo EDGE price: $199.
2
Funded - Build Buffer
Sim-Funded
Profit Target:
$3,000
Buffer Amount:
$3,000
Max Drawdown:
$3,000 (EOD)
Max Contracts:
3
Micros Equivalent:
30
Max Sim Accounts:
4
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No min days. Free extensions.
Payout Restrictions:
This is the build-buffer stage. Traders do not take payouts …
Quick Rules Summary:
Build-buffer funded stage with static drawdown. No minimum days, no consistency rule, and no payouts during this stage; traders build the required live buffer first.
Notes:
Buffer-building funded stage for Static Pro on Rithmic.
3
Funded - Payouts + Live
Live-Funded
Min Payout:
$100
Payout Interval:
Every 1 days
Profit Split:
8E+1
Max Contracts:
3
Micros Equivalent:
30
Max Live Accounts:
2
Consistency Rules:
No consistency. No benchmark days. Daily uncapped payouts. Payouts into buffer.
Payout Restrictions:
Daily uncapped payouts are available Monday through Friday once live. …
Quick Rules Summary:
Live brokerage stage with daily uncapped payouts, no consistency rule, and no benchmark-day requirement once the required buffer has been built.
Notes:
Live payout stage for Static Pro on Rithmic.
Allowed Trading Instruments
Futures - Energy
CL
Crude Oil Futures (WTI)
NG
Natural Gas Futures
MCL
Micro Crude Oil Futures
Futures - Metals
GC
Gold Futures
SI
Silver Futures
HG
Copper Futures
MGC
Micro Gold Futures
Futures - Currencies
6E
Euro FX Futures
6J
Japanese Yen Futures
Futures - Equity Indices
ES
E-mini S&P 500
MES
Micro E-mini S&P 500
NQ
E-mini Nasdaq-100
MNQ
Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100
YM
E-mini Dow Jones Industrial Average
MYM
Micro E-mini Dow Jones
RTY
E-mini Russell 2000
M2K
Micro E-mini Russell 2000
Restricted Countries 0
The Futures Desk requires users to be at least 18, to be U.S. citizens or legal U.S. residents, and not to appear on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List or similar sanctions lists. The terms also say users may not use the services where participation is unlawful in their jurisdiction.
Countries and Jurisdictions With Different Handling
None.
Trading Costs
Execution-related costs such as commissions, per-contract fees, data fees, spreads, swaps, and other trading costs; plan purchase fees and activation fees are shown separately.
The Futures Desk advertises institutional commission pricing on live accounts, such as about $2.40 round trip on NQ/ES.
General Policies
Algorithm & EA Policy
Algorithmic trading is allowed.
The Futures Desk says scalping, day trading, and algorithmic trading are allowed, while swing trading and holding positions beyond the trading session are not permitted.
Copy Trading
No standalone copy-trading policy surfaced in the reviewed official The Futures Desk materials.
Business Entity Accounts
Allowed
Microscalping Policy
Microscalping is allowed.
Bots Policy
Algorithmic trading is allowed. The Futures Desk explicitly allows scalping, day trading, and algorithmic strategies.
Allowed Trading Hours
Day trading is allowed, but swing trading and holding positions beyond the trading session are not permitted.
Weekend Holding Policy
Not allowed. This seems standard for futures-oriented prop firms.
Move to Live Criteria
Pass the 7-day static assessment, then build a funded buffer equal to the plan's static drawdown amount. Once that buffer is reached, The Futures Desk moves traders into a fully live brokerage account with daily uncapped payouts.
Rule Enforcement Notes
The Futures Desk says the assessment has one true failing rule, uses a soft daily loss limit during assessment, and turns overages into higher targets rather than hidden penalties.
Refund Policy
The Futures Desk terms state program fees are non-refundable, including when a trader stops using the service or fails to meet program conditions.
Activation Fee Policy
The Futures Desk advertises $0 funded setup / activation fees after passing.
VPN Policy
The Futures Desk does not allow use of a VPN or VPS in the system due to security concerns.
Payment Methods
Credit/Debit Card
Google Pay
PayPal
Payout Methods
The Futures Desk markets daily uncapped payouts once a trader is live and has built the required buffer. Public materials say live payouts have a $100 minimum and are typically processed within 24 hours, with same-day processing often available for requests made before 11 AM on weekdays.
Rise
ACH
Change Log
-
Apr 24, 2026 OtherFull audit and update completed on April 24, 2026.
-
Feb 26, 2026 OtherUpdated February 26, 2026.
-
Dec 31, 2025 OtherAdded to database.
Current News / Promotions
Topstep Acquires The Futures Desk as Site Adopts 'A Topstep Company' Branding
Topstep announced on April 1, 2026 that it acquired The Futures Desk, a move the company says will help it expand trader coaching tools and bring additional technology into the broader Topstep ecosys… Read more →
View All News for The Futures Desk by Topstep
Reviews
Last checked: Feb 19, 2026
Evaluate Trustpilot reviews with a grain of salt: the platform is known to have fake review issues - both fake positives and fake negatives.
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Help & Resources
Holiday Notes
Abbreviated holiday schedules are posted on the firm website; trading hours follow those holiday schedules.
HEADS UP: Prop firms change their plans and rules all the time, and tracking it all sometimes seems impossible. We try to stay current but can't guarantee every detail is up to date. See something wrong? Let us know!
Note:
- While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Happy Dog Trading is not liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the data presented. Prop firms are constantly changing plans, rules, and prices -- and we work hard to keep up -- but there is always the chance information could be temporarily out of sync. Therefore, users should verify all information directly with the respective firm as the authoritative source of truth before making any decisions. We provide links to source urls to assist you in double-checking information at the prop firm itself. If you see changes we have missed, please let us know.
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