How to pass the FTMO Challenge (2026 rules)
FTMO is the benchmark forex prop firm — 10+ years, deeply trusted — and in 2026 it runs two distinct paths: a 1-Step with a trailing max loss and a 2-Step with a static one. The detail that catches futures traders crossing over: FTMO measures daily loss on intraday equity, not an end-of-day close.
⚠ Rules change often. Always verify the firm's current rules and Terms of Service directly with the firm before installing or deploying any strategy on their account. The figures below were verified May 2026 and may already have changed.
FTMO funds forex, indices and commodity CFDs — including XAU (gold) and Nasdaq indices, which map to PVE's instruments. There's no time limit on evaluations, a ~4-day minimum per phase, and the registration fee is refunded with your first payout. The platforms are MT4, MT5, cTrader and DXtrade, so a PVE forex strategy reaches it through the PineConnector bridge on MetaTrader.
1-Step vs 2-Step — the structural fork
The 2-Step (Challenge 10% target, Verification 5%) pairs a more lenient 5% daily loss with a 10% static max loss that never moves — predictable and forgiving of pullbacks. The 1-Step (single 10% target) has a tighter 3% daily loss and a 10% trailing max loss that rises as you grow. For a systematic strategy, the 2-Step's static floor is usually easier to size against because the limit doesn't chase your equity upward.
The intraday-equity trap for futures crossovers
This is the rule that surprises traders coming from EOD futures firms: FTMO's daily loss is measured against intraday equity (balance plus open P/L), checked continuously — not at a daily close. A floating drawdown mid-trade can breach you even if you'd have recovered by end of day. So unlike our EOD-calibrated futures sizing, an FTMO strategy must respect intraday heat: tighter stops and smaller size relative to the daily limit.
How to pass it
Pick the 2-Step for the static floor, size so a normal losing streak stays inside both the 5% daily and 10% total limits measured on equity, and respect the Best Day rule on the 1-Step path (best day ≤ 50% of positive-day profit). Apply the same survival-first framework — just remember the daily limit is live, not end-of-day. Funded, the target disappears, payouts are bi-weekly, and the split scales 80→90% toward a $2M cap.
FTMO's 2-Step static max loss is the predictable, systematic-friendly path — but its daily loss is measured on live intraday equity, so size for intraday heat, not just the end-of-day close.
Size any challenge against its drawdown rule
The free Playbook shows the sizing model behind six systematic strategies — built for trailing and static drawdown evaluations alike.
Get the PlaybookRules summarized here were verified in May 2026 from public sources and change frequently — always confirm the current Terms directly with the firm before trading. All strategy figures are hypothetical, from backtested data and Monte Carlo simulation; past and simulated performance does not guarantee future results. This is educational content, not financial advice, and not an endorsement. Puravida Edge is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or partnered with any proprietary trading firm named here. All firm names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.