XAUUSD: Gold CFD
Everything that decides whether XAUUSD fits a funded account: tick value, point value, margin, sessions, which prop firms offer it, and how many contracts the drawdown buffer actually supports at each account size.
XAUUSD contract specifications
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gold CFD |
| Tick size | 0.01 (1 cent), broker-dependent |
| Tick value | Varies by lot size |
| Point value | $1 per $0.01 move at 0.1 lot (typical) |
| Contract size | CFD, not a COMEX contract |
| Day-trading margin | Set by the prop firm's broker, typically 1:20 to 1:100 on metals |
| Sessions | Broker-dependent, typically Sunday evening to Friday evening with a daily break |
| Prop firms | Forex/CFD prop firms: FTMO, FundingPips, The5ers, E8 Markets. Not available at futures firms |
How many contracts fit each prop account size
| Account | Drawdown buffer | Contracts | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25K | 6–10% static | 0.05–0.15 lot | Gold's volatility makes conservative lot sizing essential even with a static floor. |
| 50K | 6–10% static | 0.1–0.3 lot | A $10 gold move at 0.3 lot is roughly $300. |
| 100K | 10–12% static | 0.3–0.6 lot | $10,000 static floor absorbs gold's macro gaps better than a trailing futures floor. |
| Swing accounts | Same static floor | Same | The only structure that survives holding gold through a Fed decision. |
The buffer decides the size, not the contract cap. Firms commonly permit 15 minis or 150 micros on a 150K account — far above what the drawdown floor supports. Run the arithmetic on the sizing checker or the position size calculator.
What this means for a systematic strategy
XAUUSD is where the static-versus-trailing distinction does the most work. Gold gaps on macro releases, and a trailing floor that follows every new closing high leaves no permanent cushion for that. A 10% static floor on a 100K account does — and it widens with every winning day rather than following the balance up.
For a systematic gold strategy the forex side is usually the better structural fit, with one caveat: FTMO restricts news trading on standard accounts, so a strategy that trades releases needs the Swing variant. Apex is not an alternative — metals have been suspended there since early 2026.
Related
- All instruments compared
- Best instrument by prop account size
- MNQ vs MGC for prop accounts
- Rules cards for every firm
FAQ
Is XAUUSD the same as MGC?
Both track gold but are different instruments. XAUUSD is a CFD at forex prop firms; MGC is a COMEX futures contract at futures prop firms. Drawdown models differ fundamentally.
Which prop firms allow gold CFD trading?
FTMO, FundingPips, The5ers and E8 Markets. On the futures side, all major firms offer MGC except Apex, which suspended metals in early 2026.
Can I hold XAUUSD through news on a prop account?
On FTMO Swing accounts, yes. Standard FTMO accounts restrict it. FundingPips permits news on 1 Step and 2 Step but prohibits it on Zero.
Contract specifications verified September 2026 against CME Group and current futures specification trackers. Prop firm availability cross-checked against the rules cards. Margins vary by broker and rise during volatility; confirm before trading.