Navigating the landscape of paid and funded trading accounts can be complex, especially when managing multiple accounts across different platforms and entities. Apex Trader Funding provides a structured approach to managing these accounts, ensuring consistency and compliance. This article outlines the key policies and functionalities associated with Paid Accounts (PA) and Evaluation Accounts, helping traders maximize their potential while adhering to Apex Trader Funding’s guidelines.
PA Account Fees and Payment Options
At Apex, managing your Performance Account (PA) accounts is streamlined with clear fee structures and payment options designed to suit your trading needs. Whether you're a new trader or managing multiple accounts, it's essential to understand the lifetime and monthly fee options, activation procedures, and billing processes to make informed decisions. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of PA account fees, payment options, and essential procedures to ensure a smooth experience with Apex.
How the PA Account Process Works:
- Pass the Evaluation Before the Renewal Date: To qualify for a refund of the evaluation renewal fee, you must pass your evaluation at least one day before the renewal date.
- Activate the PA Account Within 48 Hours: Once you've passed the evaluation, you must activate your PA account within 48 hours. This includes signing the agreement and paying the PA fee.
If the renewal fee was paid before you passed the evaluation or activated the PA account, the renewal fee is unfortunately not eligible for a refund, as the system processes renewals automatically and requires both the evaluation to be passed and the PA account to be activated within the proper time frame.
What Happens After You Activate Your PA Account:
Once your PA account is activated, the following changes will occur:
- Evaluation Account Cancelation: Your passed evaluation account will be automatically canceled, and any monthly evaluation fees associated with it will be waived.
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Monthly PA Fees: Depending on the platform you choose, the monthly fees are:
- Rithmic: $85 per month
- Tradovate: $105 per month
- Alternatively, you can choose a Lifetime PA Fee, which varies based on the account size. This one-time fee covers all future costs for non-professional traders.
- NinjaTrader License: You’ll continue to have access to a free NinjaTrader License Key for the duration of your account.
For more detailed information about PA fees, billing, and payment options, visit: PA Fees.
Trading Times
All trades must be closed before 4:59 PM ET. It is your responsibility to ensure that your account is flat before 4:59 PM ET. Apex will not take responsibility for trades that are left open throughout market close.
Agricultural markets must be closed earlier. For the rules on when Agricultural markets close, see the table below:
| Equity Futures | Symbol | Exchange | Closing Time |
| E-mini S&P 500 (ES) | ES | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Nikkei NKD (NKD) | NKD | CME | 5 PM ET |
| E-mini NASDAQ 100 (NQ) | NQ | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Mini-DOW (YM) | YM | CBOT | 5 PM ET |
| E-mini Midcap 400 (EMD) | EMD | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Russell 2000 (RTY) | RTY | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Currency Futures | |||
| Australian Dollar (6A) | 6A | CME | 5 PM ET |
| British Pound (6B) | 6B | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Canadian Dollar (6C) | 6C | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Euro FX (6E) | 6E | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Japanese Yen (6J) | 6J | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Swiss Franc (6S) | 6S | CME | 5 PM ET |
| New Zealand Dollar (6N) | 6N | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Agricultural Futures | |||
| Lean Hogs (HE) | HE | CME | 2:05 PM ET |
| Live Cattle (LE) | LE | CME | 2:05 PM ET |
| Feeder Cattle (GF) | GF | CME | 2:05 PM ET |
| Corn (ZC) | ZC | CBOT | 2:20 PM ET |
| Wheat (ZW) | ZW | CBOT | 2:20 PM ET |
| Soybeans (ZS) | ZS | CBOT | 2:20 PM ET |
| Soybean Meal (ZM) | ZM | CBOT | 2:20 PM ET |
| Soybean Oil (ZL) | ZL | CBOT | 2:20 PM ET |
| Energy Futures | |||
| Crude Oil (CL) | CL | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Mini Crude Oil (QM) | QM | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Natural Gas (NG) | NG | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| E-mini Natural Gas (QG) | QG | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Heating Oil (HO) | HO | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| New York Harbor (RB) | RB | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Metal Futures | |||
| Gold (GC) | GC | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Silver (SI) | SI | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Copper (HG) | HG | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Platinum (PL) | PL | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Palladium (PA) | PA | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| miNY Silver (QI) | QI | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| miNY Gold (QO) | QO | COMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Micro Futures | |||
| Micro E-Mini S&P 500 (MES) | MES | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Micro E-Mini Dow Jones (MYM) | MYM | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Micro E-Mini Nasdaq-100 (MNQ) | MNQ | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Micro E-Mini Russell 2000 (M2K) | M2K | CME | 5 PM ET |
| E-Micro Gold (MGC) | MGC | CME | 5 PM ET |
| E-Micro AUD/USD (M6A) | M6A | CME | 5 PM ET |
| E-Micro EUR/USD (M6E) | M6E | CME | 5 PM ET |
| E-Micro USD/JPY (M6J) | M6J | CME | 5 PM ET |
| Micro Crude Oil (MCL) | MCL | NYMEX | 5 PM ET |
| Cryptocurrencies | |||
| Micro Bitcoin / Ethereum | MBT / MET | CME | 5 PM ET |
Keep in mind that some markets close earlier than 5:00 PM ET.
Also, remember some markets close early on holidays. Here is the current holiday calendar for your reference: CME Holiday Calendar.
Starting at 6:00 PM ET, you can start placing trades again.
Understanding Trading Days and System Updates
A trading day is defined from 6 PM ET one day to 4:59 PM ET the next day. The system updates overnight to recognize the previous completed trading day. For instance, after completing seven days of trading and passing the Evaluation, the system will acknowledge this on the morning of the eighth day, initiating the process to email you the paperwork for the PA Account.
Monitoring Your Progress:
- PA Charts: Check your trading days and account statuses in your member's area under "PA Charts."
- Updates: The PA Charts display statistics from the previous day and refresh every 24 hours to ensure you have the most current information. Watch the video below to see how you can utilize the information in the PA Charts.
What Happens if I Fail a Paid Performance Account?
At Apex, we understand that the journey to becoming a successful trader involves challenges, including the possibility of not meeting the requirements of a Funded or Paid Performance Account (PA). To support our traders through these setbacks, we have established clear policies and supportive measures to ensure that you can continue striving toward your trading goals without unnecessary burdens. This guide outlines what happens if you fail a Funded or PA account, the status of your NinjaTrader license key, and the steps you can take to restart your evaluation process with advantageous discounts.
Failing a Paid Performance (PA) Account at Apex triggers a specific set of procedures designed to maintain clarity and fairness for all traders. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what occurs and what actions you should take:
Automatic Subscription Cancelation
- Account Cancelation: If you fail a PA, the system will automatically cancel your account.
- Recurring Fee Cancelation: The account and any recurring PA fees associated with it will also be canceled.
- Verification: Log in to your member's area to ensure that the cancellation has been processed. Check that both the account and the PA fee have been successfully canceled to avoid any further charges.
- Important Note: If you cancel your PA invoice, your account will be deactivated at the expiry date of the billing cycle. This is an irreversible action, and we cannot reactivate invoices that are canceled. Please move with caution when canceling account invoices. You should never need to cancel a PA invoice, as it is done automatically once the account breaches the drawdown.
Restarting the Evaluation Process
- Begin Again: After confirming the cancellation, you can start the evaluation process anew. Sign up for another evaluation account to continue your path toward securing a PA. Note: Check your emails for the Breached PA email with an exclusive discount for a new evaluation.
- No Restrictions on Attempts: Failing a PA does not prevent you from trying again. Unlike other companies that impose hefty reset fees ranging from $500 to $1,700, Apex offers more favorable terms to our members.
Exclusive Discounts for Restarting Evaluations
Apex is committed to supporting our traders by offering significant discounts to facilitate your continued evaluations:
- Unique Discount Code: After failing a PA, you will receive an email containing a unique code.
- Evaluation Discount: This code grants you an 80% discount for one month on an evaluation and 50% off for every subsequent recurring month.
- One-Time Use: The discount applies to ONE evaluation on any account size.
- Expiration: The coupon code must be used within seven (7) calendar days after the PA failure and cannot be reactivated once expired.
- Email Timing: You should expect to receive the discount email sometime after 1:00 AM ET the day after your PA Account fails.
Unlimited Evaluation Resets
- Flexible Attempts: You can reset and restart your evaluation accounts as many times as necessary to achieve success.
- PA Account Limitations: While PA Accounts cannot be reset once failed, evaluation accounts remain flexible, allowing you to continuously work towards meeting the performance criteria.
Failed a Funded Account: What Happens to Your NinjaTrader License Key?
If you fail a Funded Account at Apex, it’s important to know that the NinjaTrader license key is not associated with specific accounts. Your user profile needs an active account/subscription to continue accessing the NinjaTrader License Key. If you fail your PA and have no other active accounts, then you will lose the license key, including the default NinjaTrader SIM Account. The license key is not a lifetime key; instead, it is tied directly to your member account. Here’s what you need to do if you have no other active accounts/subscriptions:
- Restart the Evaluation Process: Upon failing a Funded Account, you must initiate a new evaluation account to regain access to your NinjaTrader license key.
Additional Support and Resources
To further assist you in navigating the process of restarting your evaluation and maximizing your chances of success, Apex provides additional resources:
Help Desk Assistance: If you encounter any issues or have questions about the cancelation process or discounts, our help desk is available to support you. However, please note that they cannot make exceptions to the established policies.
Reminders
- No Lifetime License Keys: Remember that NinjaTrader license keys are tied to specific user accounts and are not transferable after account expiration.
- Timely Use of Discounts: Utilize your unique discount code within the seven-day window to take advantage of significant savings on your next evaluation.
- Continuous Effort: Persistence is key. Take advantage of the flexible evaluation resets to hone your trading skills and meet the necessary criteria for a successful PA Account.
- Stay Informed: Regularly check your emails and the members’ area for updates, discount codes, and important notifications regarding your accounts.
By understanding and adhering to these procedures, you can effectively manage the challenges of failed Funded and PA Accounts at Apex. Our supportive policies and generous discounts are designed to help you overcome setbacks and continue your journey toward trading success with confidence and financial prudence.
PA Account Benefits and Guidelines
Allowed Number of Performance Accounts (PAs)
At Apex Trader Funding, traders are allowed to manage one Member Account and one Business Member Account, with a total of up to 20 Funded Performance Accounts (PAs) collectively under those accounts. Traders can also have multiple Evaluation Account subscriptions within the same Member Account to test and refine their strategies before transitioning to a funded account.
Account Structure Breakdown
- One Member Account: Each trader is permitted to have one Member Account to manage their subscription accounts.
- One Business Member Account: If applicable, you can also have one Business Member Account to manage Performance Accounts (PAs) and Evaluation Accounts under a business entity.
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Performance Accounts (PAs): You can hold up to 20 PA accounts under a single Member or Business Member Account, collectively.
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- A total of 20 PA accounts within the same household.
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- Evaluation Accounts: Evaluation Accounts are unlimited, allowing traders to test and refine strategies before transitioning to a funded account. These do not count toward the 20 PA account limit.
Example Scenario for PA Accounts:
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Member Account:
- Rithmic PA Subscriptions: 3 PA accounts are held under the Member Account.
- Tradovate PA Subscriptions: 4 PA accounts are held under the Member Account.
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Business Member Account:
- Rithmic PA Subscriptions: 5 PA accounts are held under the Business Member Account.
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Spouse/Significant Other:
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8 PA accounts are held under their own Member or Business Member Account.
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In this scenario, the total number of PA accounts across both the Member Account, Business Member Account, and Spouse/Significant Other would be 20, which is the maximum allowed.
Important Notes:
- Evaluation Accounts: These accounts are unlimited and are separate from the 20 PA account limit. You can use them to test strategies before applying for a funded account.
- Adherence to Limits: Ensure that you don’t exceed 20 PA accounts across your Member Account, Business Member Account, and any accounts held by your Spouse/Significant Other residing within the same household. Exceeding this limit will result in the forfeiture of excess accounts
By following these guidelines, you can scale your trading with multiple PA accounts, while still complying with Apex’s rules and maintaining account integrity.
Trading Guidelines
After you pass your evaluation and pay the PA activation fee (monthly or lifetime), you will receive a new PA account that matches your passed evaluation; this includes a fresh account balance corresponding to the starting balance of the passed evaluation.
- Trade Closure Requirement: Daily Trade Closure: All trades must be closed, and any pending orders must be canceled by 4:59 PM EST each day. This ensures that your account remains compliant with the trading rules.
For a more detailed understanding of the process and guidelines, refer to the PA Rules Article here.
Contract Size Limits in PA Accounts
Traders are encouraged to trade up to the maximum allowed contracts based on the limits of their Performance Account (PA), in accordance with the Contract Size Consistency Rule. However, increasing the number of contracts within a single PA account beyond the permitted maximum limit is not allowed.
If additional trading capacity is required, traders can open, pass, and activate a new evaluation account that aligns with the desired contract size limits. This allows for scaling trading activity while maintaining compliance with Apex’s contract size consistency rules.
It's important to note that all trades must remain consistent with your defined strategy. Any attempt to adjust contract sizes recklessly or without a strategic rationale, particularly to chase profits or use windfall strategies, will result in non-compliance with the consistency rules.
By following these rules, traders can scale their trading responsibly and effectively while maintaining integrity and compliance with Apex’s performance account policies.
Payout Limits and Withdrawal Policies
Apex Trader Funding implements specific payout limits to ensure proper risk management and consistent trading practices. These limits apply to approved payouts during the early stages of your trading journey:
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Payouts One to Three: Traders must maintain a Safety Net. This safety net ensures that a buffer equal to the drawdown amount plus $100 remains in the account for the first three payouts.
- Max Withdrawal: Payouts for the first three approved payouts are capped at a maximum amount to ensure proper risk management.
- Payouts Four to Five: Traders are no longer required to maintain a Safety Net, however, the maximum withdrawal limit for these payouts continues to apply.
- Sixth Payout and Beyond: Starting with the sixth approved payout, traders can withdraw 100% of their profits, regardless of whether this is achieved earlier than four months.
- Live Prop Account Transition: If you transition to a Live Prop Account, you can begin withdrawals before reaching the sixth payout.
- Existing PA Holders: Traders already at 100% or in their third month will not be impacted by these changes and can continue trading as per the existing rules.
Withdrawal Schedule
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Frequency: Payouts can be requested and received every 8 complete trading days, provided the trader has earned a profit of at least $50 on 5 or more of those days. Once a payout request is submitted, the 8-day payout period starts over again from the submission date.
- If a payout is denied, the profits earned are not lost. The trader can continue to trade, and once they meet the required criteria again (e.g., profit of $50 on at least 5 trading days), they can reapply for a payout. The trader must simply continue to trade and align their performance with PA rules, improving their chances of qualifying for the next payout.
- Profit Sharing: Traders retain 100% of the first $25,000 in profits and 90% of any profits earned above that threshold.
For more detailed information on the payout process and policies, refer to the Payout Policies.
Trading Frequency: Flexibility and Freedom
Apex Trader Funding provides flexibility in trading frequency after funding, allowing traders to manage their trading schedules according to their preferences:
- No Inactivity Rules: There are no mandatory trading days or minimum number of trading days required. If you encounter any inactivity warnings on your platform, you may simply dismiss the message. Just ensure that your account remains active in your Apex Trader Funding Member's Area.
- Trade as Desired: Traders have the freedom to trade as little or as often as they wish. This flexibility allows you to develop and implement personalized trading schedules and strategies tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
This approach ensures that traders can manage their time and strategies without unnecessary constraints, providing the freedom to trade according to their own plans.
Optimizing Your Trading Potential with Apex Trader Funding
Apex Trader Funding offers a comprehensive framework for managing Performance and Evaluation Accounts, with a strong focus on consistency, risk management, and long-term growth.
By adhering to account limits, understanding the features of PA accounts, respecting payout and withdrawal policies, and following trading restrictions, traders can optimize their potential and build a sustainable trading career.
Whether you manage multiple accounts or focus on a single account, Apex Trader Funding provides the necessary tools and guidelines to support you throughout your trading journey.
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