Trade right, pass faster
Know what FTMO US flags as forbidden—and use safer alternatives that still fit your edge.
Start the FTMO US ChallengeUpdated: August 27, 2025
What counts as “forbidden” on FTMO US
Below is a plain-English translation of the official list, plus the safe behaviors to use instead. Wherever possible, we link you to FTMO’s own pages.
1) Exploiting platform/data errors or slow feeds
Forbidden: Any strategy that takes advantage of price display errors, delayed updates, or external/slow data feeds. This includes latency arbitrage and tick manipulation.
Safe alternative: Trade off confirmed chart prints and realistic liquidity; if your edge depends on micro-latency between feeds, it won’t pass the “real-market” test.
2) Coordinated or manipulative trading across accounts
Forbidden: Entering combinations of trades for manipulative purposes—especially across connected persons/accounts or other providers. (Opening opposite positions across multiple accounts to engineer outcomes is a red flag.)
Safe alternative: Keep your trading personal and independent. If you manage a legal-entity account, access is restricted to top management only; otherwise, no third-party access.
3) Breaking T&Cs or platform rules
Forbidden: Any simulated trades that conflict with FTMO US General Terms & Conditions, Signal Provider Agreement, or MT5 platform rules.
Safe alternative: Build your plan around FTMO’s rules and MT5 netting/FIFO behavior (one position per symbol, partials reduce the oldest portion first).
4) “Unfair advantage” tooling
Forbidden: Using software, AI, ultra-high-speed tools, or mass data entry intended to manipulate/overload the system or give you an unfair edge.
Safe alternative: EAs are allowed if they behave like a real trader would. Avoid hyperactive bots that spam the server.
5) Gap trading in sensitive windows
Forbidden: Opening trades right before major news or within ~2 hours of a market close that will last ≥2 hours (“gap hunting”).
Safe alternative: Enter after the event or after the open stabilizes; size smaller and document the scenario in your journal.
6) “Not like real markets” behavior
Forbidden examples: overleveraging, one-sided all-in bets, “account rolling,” or any style that a reasonable person wouldn’t apply with their own money. Repeated activity that ramps total exposure (same idea across many orders or correlated symbols) also triggers scrutiny.
Safe alternative: Keep Risk-per-Trade stable, cap total open risk, and diversify entries rather than shotgun-stacking exposure.
7) EA hyperactivity & flood protection
Forbidden: Robots that trigger excessive server requests (around >2,000 order-related actions/day) or overload MT5 (e.g., constant modification of dozens of orders).
Safe alternative: Throttle modifications, batch updates, and keep pending orders under platform limits (MT5 accounts typically allow up to 200 pending orders).
8) Personal use only
Forbidden: Letting someone else trade your account or you trading someone else’s. (For entities: only top management can access.)
Safe alternative: If you teach/mentor, separate that from your personal FTMO US account. Don’t coordinate entries.
Quick-reference table: forbidden vs. compliant
| Risky behavior | Why it’s a problem | Compliant alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Latency/tick arbitrage | Exploits feed delay; not replicable on real markets | Trade post-print momentum/pullback; avoid cross-feed latency plays |
| Opposite positions across linked accounts | Manipulative, not “real market” | One personal plan; no coordinated baskets across people |
| AI bot spamming 1000s of edits | Overloads servers; triggers anti-flood | Throttle EA; batch edits; respect ~2,000 actions/day guidance |
| “All-in” one-sided bets | Fails reasonable risk rules; not replicable | Stable % risk per trade + total open risk cap |
| Gap hunting pre-news/close | Targets mechanical slippage windows | Trade after spreads normalize; half size on events |
| Third-party login/trading | Breaks personal-use rule | You only; entity = top management only |
Understand the US product (so you don’t accidentally break rules)
MT5 only, netting & FIFO
FTMO US uses MT5 in netting mode: one position per symbol, and reductions apply FIFO (oldest reduced first). No hedging. Stop/limit levels apply to the netted position.
Details: US vs Global differences • Platform is MT5-only
Simulated futures & expiries
Some instruments are simulated futures. Positions must be closed before expiry; near expiry, symbols switch to “close-only.”
EA users: pass the “real-market” test
FTMO US allows discretionary, algorithmic, and EA trading styles—if they behave like a rational, real-market participant. Here’s how to stay safe:
| EA area | Keep it safe by… | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Order volume | Limit pending orders to sane levels (MT5 ~200 pending orders/account) | Hundreds of micro-orders that spam edits |
| Server requests | Throttle to stay well under ~2,000 order actions/day | Frequent modify/cancel loops that trigger anti-flood |
| Strategy logic | Use multi-timeframe confirmations & realistic slippage assumptions | Latency/tick sniffing between feeds |
| Third-party EAs | Customize parameters; ensure uniqueness across accounts | Copy-pasting the same EA settings many others are using |
| Risk control | Fixed % per trade; cap total open risk; circuit breaker after −2R day | Grid/martingale growth without hard limits |
See: “Which instruments & strategies are allowed?” and Forbidden Practices.
Gap & news windows: how to avoid grey zones
Before big news
- Avoid opening right into CPI/NFP/FOMC. Wait for spreads to stabilize.
- Cut your usual size by 50–75% if you must participate.
- Prefer a single, A+ attempt—no re-entries if you miss.
US news policy: News trading FAQ
Around market closes
- Don’t “gap hunt” within ~2 hours of a multi-hour close.
- Check Trading Updates for maintenance windows/contract changes.
- For weekend holds: cap total exposure ≤ 0.75% and avoid stacking correlated USD bets.
Build a compliant risk framework
| Component | Baseline | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Per-trade risk | Intraday: 0.25%–0.5% • Swing: 0.5%–1.0% | Looks “reasonable” vs. real-market behavior; smooths equity swings |
| Total open risk cap | ≤ 1.0% intraday • ≤ 1.5% swing | Prevents “one-sided all-in” exposure |
| Daily circuit breaker | Stop trading at −2R or 4.5% cushion before Daily Loss limit | Stops tilt; protects from breach via floating P/L |
| Session filter | Trade your best session only (London or NY) | Reduces over-trading and flood-like behavior |
“Trading according to a real market” — the litmus test
FTMO US asks a simple question: would a rational person trade this way with their own money on a real market? If yes, you’re likely fine. If not, you’re drifting toward forbidden territory. Use this quick self-audit before you click:
- Am I sizing consistently (not random spikes)?
- Is total exposure capped across correlated symbols?
- Am I opening after spreads normalize?
- Would I run this exact plan at a live broker? (Same stops/targets?)
- Could I explain this trade to a risk manager in 2 minutes?
Background: What is “Trading according to a real market”?
Common mistakes that look “forbidden” (and fixes)
| Looks like | Reality | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dozens of micro-orders | EA trailing logic too chatty | Increase step size; batch modifications; cap orders <200 |
| Spiky lot sizes | Manual sizing by feel | Use fixed % risk model; pre-compute lot size by stop distance |
| Event-time entries | FOMO around CPI/NFP | Rule: wait 3–5 mins post-release; one attempt only; half size |
| Correlated stacking | Long EURUSD + GBPUSD + XAUUSD | Treat this as one macro USD bet; cap total exposure |
| Copy-like behavior | Friends trading same EA/params | Customize logic/params; don’t coordinate timing |
US-specific notes (so your plan matches policy)
- News & weekends allowed: FTMO US permits trading during news and holding overnight/over the weekend. Still, avoid “gap hunting” windows described in Forbidden Practices.
- Account type US: Leverage up to 1:33; no restrictions around news/overnights for the account type itself. Simulated futures must be closed before expiry.
- Simulated environment: All stages are simulated (Evaluation + Rewards). Rewards are paid on eligible simulated profits when you’re flat and in profit.
Read more: FTMO account type US • Overnight/Weekend FAQ
Credibility snapshot
FTMO highlights 3M+ customers and $400M+ rewards paid worldwide with a 4.8 Trustpilot score on US pages. Treat these as signals of platform maturity—not edge guarantees. Your job is still the same: trade like a professional and avoid grey zones.
Trade smart, stay compliant, pass with confidence
Follow the rules, keep risk realistic, and let Account MetriX confirm your consistency. When your plan is ready, step into the Evaluation.
Start the FTMO US ChallengeOfficial resources
- Forbidden Trading Practices (FTMO US)
- Which instruments & strategies are allowed?
- US vs Global (netting/FIFO, expiries)
- Can I trade during news?
- Do I have to close positions overnight?
- Trading Updates (sessions/maintenance)
- Simulated Assets list
Disclosure: FTMO US provides a simulated, educational environment. Performance in simulation does not guarantee results in live markets. This article includes a partner affiliate link.