Everything FTMO just changed (and what it means for your trading)
If you only have two minutes, here’s the punchline: FTMO launched the 1-Step Challenge (single evaluation, no time limit), improved leverage on Gold pairs, scheduled platform + Client Area maintenance, and published trading hour adjustments for mid-February. This post walks through all of it in plain language with practical “what should I do now?” guidance.
Want the new 1-Step Challenge?
Choose the right portal for your region. If you’re not sure, start with FTMO Global.
Tip: 1-Step is best for traders who do better when they are not racing a deadline.
What changed at a glance
- 1-Step Challenge is live (single evaluation, no verification)
- Profit share: 90% (after you progress)
- Risk rules: 3% max daily loss, 10% max loss (end-of-day trailing style)
- Gold leverage: XAU pairs improved (Standard 1:50, Swing 1:15)
- Maintenance: platforms + Client Area disruptions (Feb 7)
- Trading hours: President’s Day + Lunar New Year impacts (Feb 16–19)
Update timeline (so you can map it to your calendar)
Here’s a clean “what happened / what’s coming” snapshot. If you trade indices, metals, or HK50.cash, the dates matter.
| Date | Category | What changed | Why you should care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2026 | Trading conditions | Leverage improved on XAU pairs (XAUUSD, XAUEUR, XAUAUD). | Lower margin usage can make risk management smoother, especially if you scale positions or hold trades longer. |
| Feb 7, 2026 | Platform / IT | Scheduled maintenance on MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade, plus Client Area disruptions. | Plan around downtime. Avoid opening positions that require urgent management during the maintenance window. |
| Feb 16, 2026 | Trading hours | President’s Day early closes for several indices and CFDs; US stocks closed all day. | Liquidity + spreads can behave differently around early closes. If your strategy relies on normal sessions, be careful. |
| Feb 16–19, 2026 | Trading hours | Lunar New Year: HK50.cash early close on Feb 16; closed Feb 17–19. | If you trade HK50.cash, you simply need to plan around it. No surprises, no forced trades. |
| Now live | New product | FTMO Challenge: 1-Step (single evaluation, unlimited trading period). | Big for traders who perform better without deadlines and prefer steady execution. |
1-Step Challenge: what it is (and what’s different)
The simplest way to describe the new 1-Step Challenge is: one evaluation phase, with the same core trading objectives each account size. There is no verification phase, and the trading period is unlimited.
- No time limit means you can wait for A+ setups instead of forcing trades.
- Single phase reduces complexity and the “phase switching” mindset.
- For many people, less pressure = better decision making.
- The rules are still strict. If your sizing is inconsistent, you’ll feel it fast.
- Best Day Rule pushes consistent performance, not one big “hero day”.
- Unlimited time only helps if you keep a routine. Otherwise, it becomes endless waiting.
What the key objectives mean in practice
Here’s how I’d translate the main objectives into day-to-day behavior. This is not financial advice, just practical planning.
Because you have unlimited time, the “smart move” is to trade your best setups and let the account grow steadily. You’re not rewarded for speed. You’re rewarded for staying inside the rules.
Think of it as your daily safety rail. Many traders pass challenges by creating an even tighter “soft stop” before the hard limit, especially on days where the market feels choppy.
This is the one you should respect the most. The max loss limit updates at the end of the day (based on closed balance), and it can move up but not down. That structure typically favors steady equity curves over big swings.
If you exceed it, it’s not an instant failure. You simply need to generate additional profit so your best day becomes 50% or less of total profits. It encourages results spread across multiple days.
Mid-post quick action
If you already know 1-Step fits your style, here are the links again (affiliate).
Gold (XAU) leverage improved: why this is a bigger deal than it sounds
FTMO improved leverage on XAU pairs (XAUUSD, XAUEUR, XAUAUD). For Standard accounts it moved to 1:50, and for Swing accounts to 1:15. That’s a meaningful change for anyone who trades Gold frequently.
- More breathing room for the same position size, because margin requirements are lighter.
- If you scale positions, the account can feel less “tight” from a margin perspective.
- It can help swing traders who hold longer and need room for normal volatility.
- Lower margin does not change the drawdown rules. Risk management still decides everything.
- If leverage makes you trade bigger than your plan, it becomes a trap.
- Use the extra room to trade cleaner, not heavier.
A practical way to use the change
If Gold is your main pair, you can use the improved leverage as a stability tool: keep sizing the same, but enjoy less margin stress, especially around volatile sessions. If you were already near your comfort limit, this update can genuinely make execution smoother.
Maintenance update: what to do before and after (so you don’t get caught off guard)
FTMO scheduled maintenance on all platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, DXtrade) on Feb 7, 2026, and noted that the Client Area could be inaccessible or disrupted during the IT maintenance window.
- Do not open positions that require tight management during the window.
- If you must hold trades, make sure stops are in place and you have a calm plan.
- Take screenshots of your key account metrics if you rely on them daily.
- Check platform connectivity and symbol availability first.
- Confirm your account is behaving normally before placing new trades.
- If you use automation, run a small “sanity check” to confirm orders behave as expected.
Trading hours updates (Feb 16–19): what might be different in your charts
Mid-February has two trading hour events: President’s Day in the US (Feb 16, 2026), and the Lunar New Year schedule impacting HK50.cash (Feb 16 early close; Feb 17–19 closed).
Why these days matter even if you do not trade the specific symbol
When markets have early closes or closed sessions, the usual behavior can change: liquidity can thin out, spreads can widen, and some “normally clean” setups can get messy. The safest move is simply to be selective and avoid forcing trades during unusual sessions.
My simple rule for holiday sessions
If my strategy relies on normal market rhythm, I reduce trading activity around early closes. If I do trade, I prefer smaller risk and only take the cleanest setups. No hero trades.
Which update matters most for you? A quick guide
Unlimited time is a big psychological advantage if you tend to overtrade when you feel pressure.
Lower margin requirements can make your account feel smoother, especially around volatility.
Early closes can alter session behavior. Plan your trades like it’s a “special schedule” day.
Downtime is normal. The goal is making sure your EA is not surprised by it.
FAQs
Can I pass the 1-Step Challenge quickly even though it has no time limit? ›
If I exceed the Best Day Rule, is it an instant failure? ›
Does improved leverage mean I should increase lot size? ›
Where can I double-check the official details? ›
Final note (and the links again)
The best way to use these updates is simple: plan around special trading hours, respect maintenance windows, and if you choose 1-Step, treat it like a long game where patience is the edge.
Helpful official pages
Trading involves risk. This post is for information and planning, not financial advice.
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