8 linked sources · Reviewed Oct 25, 2026
Documentation review by FN Blogs. This site uses FundedNext branding and includes FundedNext in its coverage. Inclusion is not an independent certification or a guarantee of payouts. No firsthand account test is claimed.
What to know before you compare
FTMO 2-Step is a two-stage evaluation using simulated capital, followed by a simulated FTMO Account for eligible traders. It may suit traders who prefer a fixed overall loss floor and can demonstrate discipline across two assessments. Passing does not mean receiving the advertised account balance as cash. [1][2]
- Market
- International CFD evaluation
- Account model
- Simulated evaluation and FTMO Account [6]
- Evaluation
- 10% then 5%; four trading days per phase [1]
- Loss framework
- 5% daily allowance; 10% static maximum loss [2]
Start with the correct FTMO product
This guide covers the international CFD 2-Step product checked on 25 October 2026. Its Challenge target is 10%, followed by a 5% Verification target, with four trading days required in each phase and no completion deadline. Identity verification and the account agreement follow a successful evaluation. [1] A trader comparing firms should identify the actual product first: FTMO’s other products have different rules, and a familiar brand name does not make their conditions interchangeable.
Understand the two loss limits
The 2-Step daily allowance is 5% of initial simulated capital. At midnight CE(S)T, FTMO subtracts that amount from the recorded balance to establish the new daily equity floor. Equity includes open-position results, swaps and commissions. The overall floor is static at 90% of initial capital. [2] On a $100,000 account, the overall floor is therefore $90,000. Treat the remaining permitted loss as the working risk budget; the headline balance is not a sensible amount to risk.
Choose Standard or Swing deliberately
Swing removes the specified news-release and extended market-closure holding restrictions, while reducing base leverage from 1:100 to 1:30. It is offered exclusively with 2-Step. Standard cannot subsequently be converted to Swing; the reverse change is possible only under FTMO’s stated conditions. [3] This choice matters for strategies that hold through weekends or scheduled announcements. Lower leverage also changes the margin required for an otherwise identical position, so rehearse the strategy with the intended account configuration.
Separate the fee from its conditional refund
FTMO describes its purchase charge as a one-time fee rather than a recurring subscription. [4] For 2-Step, the initial purchase fee is returned when the trader requests the first Reward withdrawal, using the original payment method. [5] That is a conditional reimbursement after successful funded-stage activity, not a promise that any failed attempt will be refunded. Compare the actual checkout amount and budget for the possibility of receiving no reward, rather than subtracting an expected refund from the upfront cost.
Know what unlocks a reward request
The reward FAQ allows a request from day 14 after the first trade on the relevant FTMO Account. Positions and pending orders must first be closed, and trading objectives and account terms must be satisfied. FTMO reviews the request before payment; its published processing estimates are not guaranteed deadlines. [6] Keep records of trades and account notices. A profitable dashboard alone is not proof that a withdrawal has been approved or that another trader will receive the same outcome.
Check eligibility, platforms and practical fit
Country and identity restrictions apply, and the international CFD eligibility page excludes under-18s and specified restricted categories. [7] The platform FAQ currently lists MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, subject to the relevant account conditions. [8] Before purchasing, check residency eligibility, available instruments, contract sizes and the chosen platform’s execution workflow. FTMO 2-Step is a reasonable research candidate for a methodical trader; someone whose normal strategy repeatedly approaches the daily floor should first adjust or test that strategy rather than buy a larger nominal account.
Frequently asked questions
Is an FTMO Account live brokerage capital?
FTMO describes trading as simulated, including the subsequent FTMO Account. Eligible rewards can be paid in real money under the agreement. [6]
Can I finish a phase after one profitable day?
Reaching the target alone is insufficient: the standard 2-Step evaluation also requires four trading days in each phase. [1]
Compare this program with the other firms
Use the same questions for each account: market access, loss allowance, total fees, withdrawal rules and eligibility.
Read the top 10 prop firms comparison →- FTMO 2-Step Challenge FTMO
- Trading Objectives — 2-Step section FTMO
- What is the Swing account type, and how does it work? FTMO
- What fees do you charge, and are they recurrent? FTMO
- Is the entry fee refunded? FTMO
- How do I withdraw my reward? FTMO
- Who can join FTMO? FTMO
- Which platforms can I use for trading? FTMO
Sources checked for this edition on Oct 25, 2026. Program terms and market data can change after publication.
For education and information only. This article is not a recommendation to buy, sell or trade. Prices and events are tied to the dates stated.
