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A Trader’s Guide to One of the Fastest, Most Flexible Markets Around.
If you’ve been hanging out in trading circles or scrolling FinTwit, you’ve probably heard the term futures trading. And maybe you’ve nodded along like you totally get it… while secretly wondering what the heck futures even are.
We’ve got you.
Futures can feel intimidating at first, but once you understand how they work, you’ll see why so many traders gravitate toward them for speed, leverage, and flexibility. Whether you’re brand new or brushing up, this guide is your starting point.
Let’s break it down so you can stop guessing and start trading with confidence.
New to trading? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. In Futures Trading 101, Coach Hoag, our veteran coach backed by 35+ years of experience, walks you through how futures contracts work and what it really takes to build smart, sustainable trading habits. It’s everything you wish you knew when you were just starting out.
Been through a few Combines already? There’s plenty here for you, too. Later episodes unpack trader psychology, market drivers, and daily prep. It’s perfect for sharpening your edge or getting back on track after a tough stretch.
Watch the Series Here
Futures are contracts to buy or sell an asset at a set price, on a set date.
Simple enough, right? But there’s a lot more power packed into that sentence. Futures let you speculate on the direction of markets, everything from crude oil and gold to interest rates, corn, and the S&P 500, without actually owning the asset.
You’re not buying barrels of oil or truckloads of soybeans. You’re trading price movements. That’s what makes it fast, flexible, and perfect for active traders looking for opportunity.
There’s a learning curve. Futures are powerful, but they’ll expose every weakness in your discipline, fast.
Shortcut it, and the market will humble you.
Start with structure, build real habits, and get funded when you’re ready. That’s the Topstep way.
Why Trade Futures with Topstep?
Futures are one of the most powerful markets a trader can choose, fast-moving, flexible, and packed with opportunity. But here’s the problem: if you are new or don’t know the risks, you can burn through your life savings trying to learn. That’s where proprietary firms (aka prop firms) come in.
A prop firm gives you the opportunity to prepare for the real markets without risking everything while you learn. Prove you can trade in their simulated trading evaluation, and they’ll back you with real capital. It’s a smarter, safer way for traders to enter the world of futures trading.
Combine the benefits of Futures with a prop firm’s capital, structure, and support, and you’ve got a setup built for growth. And no one does it better than Topstep.
Topstep didn’t just jump into the future’s space. We created the first futures prop trading model. Since 2012, we’ve funded 10,000+ traders and paid out millions.
Here’s how we help you trade smarter and go further:
Funding that’s actually within reach.
Pass our trading evaluation (the Trading Combine) and unlock a Funded Account. Trade well, manage risk, and start getting paid out after just 5 winning days.
Structure and Trading Resources that help you grow
TopstepX gives you tools to trade with discipline: daily risk limits, contract caps, and more. It’s about building habits that last.
Learning that meets you where you are.
Watch funded traders break down trades or dig into daily market prep with our coaches on TopstepTV. It’s real education, not just theory.
A community that gets it.
Trading can be isolating. That’s why 150,000+ traders connect on Discord to swap ideas, share wins, and stay motivated. Jump into the #group-coaching channel to connect with our coaches, get your questions answered live, and level up your trading in real time.
Futures give you the tools. A good prop firm gives you the backing.
At Topstep, we’re not just here to watch you trade. We’re here to back you when you’re ready. Let’s turn your potential into progress.
If you’re serious about trading and want speed, flexibility, and structure, futures might be your market.
Just don’t do it alone.
Join the prop firm that helps you grow. Trade smarter. Get funded faster. And take the next step with futures, the Topstep way.
🎥 Explore the Full Futures Education Series »
📺 Subscribe to TopstepTV »
💬 Join 150,000+ traders on Discord
Futures trading means buying or selling a contract that locks in the price of an asset like oil, gold, or the S&P 500 on a set date. You’re trading price movement, not the actual asset. Topstep helps you start smarter by letting you practice in a simulated environment. Prove you can manage risk, and we’ll fund you with real capital.
Futures offer speed, flexibility, extended hours, and low capital requirements. There’s no Pattern Day Trading rule, no complex options pricing, and you can short without extra fees. The Trading Combine® is your proving ground. It gives you structure, rules, and real-world conditions so you can trade with confidence before jumping into live markets.
Yes. Some micro contracts require as little as $50 to control a position. But, instead of jumping straight into live markets, Topstep lets you build your skills first in a simulated environment. Once you pass, we’ll fund you, so you’re trading firm capital, not your own.
It is. Leverage can amplify gains and losses. That’s why Topstep gives you guardrails: a structured evaluation, clear risk rules, and tools designed to help you stay disciplined. Futures can expose your weaknesses fast. We help you turn them into strengths.
The Trading Combine® is a step-by-step evaluation that mirrors real market conditions. You’ll trade simulated futures, hit profit targets, and follow defined risk rules. Nail the basics, and you’ll unlock a Funded Account with real capital.
Through Topstep’s Trading Combine® and Funded Accounts, you can trade a wide range of futures contracts, including indexes like the S&P 500, commodities like oil and gold, and even financial futures, all with one centralized, transparent market.
Trading alone can get expensive, fast. Topstep gives you funding, structure, and support. From trading tools and daily coaching to a community of 150,000+ traders, we’re here to help you grow. It’s your strategy, your trades, but now with a firm behind you.
Check out Topstep’s How It Works page to explore the Trading Combine, see step-by-step details, and learn how thousands of traders have earned funded accounts.
