Payout buffer
A payout buffer is an amount of profit a funded account must hold above the starting balance before a withdrawal can be requested, and which cannot be withdrawn.
How it works
Sometimes called a safety net or a threshold. On a 50K account a buffer of a few thousand dollars is common. Its practical effect is that the first payout requires reaching the buffer plus the withdrawal amount, not just the withdrawal amount. Some plans remove the buffer entirely as a selling point; others reduce it after the first successful payout.
Why it matters on a funded account
The buffer changes time to first payout more than any other single rule, and it is frequently omitted from firm comparison tables.
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Part of the Puravida Edge prop trading glossary. Firm-specific figures verified September 2026; rules change frequently — confirm on the firm's site.