Home › Market News › A Beginner’s Guide: How To Get Funded as a Trader
Let’s be real: most traders blow up an account (or three) before they ever get good. Not because they’re reckless. But because they’re forced to learn the hard way. Trading real money without structure, without support, and without room for error.
One bad day? You’re out. And all that potential? Gone before it had a shot to grow.
That’s why Topstep created the Trading Combine. To give serious traders a smarter path forward. One built around skill development, accountability, and real funding opportunities. No tricks. Just a clear runway to becoming a better trader with real capital behind you.
If you’re ready to get funded, here’s how it actually works.
This is where it all starts. The Combine is a rules-based trading evaluation in a simulated futures market. You’re not on your own here. You’re on TopstepX, our custom platform built by traders, for traders. It’s designed to keep you focused and disciplined.
Your goal is simple:
That’s it. One step, one rule. We don’t move the goalposts.
Example: In a $50k Combine, reach your $3000 target (trading with consistency) without hitting your $2000 max loss limit, and earn your funded account.
No hero trades. Just consistent, clean execution.
And if you slip up? Reset and try again. It’s part of the process. Because good trading isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress under pressure.
Pass the Trading Combine, and you unlock the Express Funded Account (XFA). This is where the stakes feel real, even though you’re still in a simulated environment.
But here’s the difference: Now, you can get paid.
With an XFA, you can:
This is where the mental game shifts. Emotions creep in. Stakes feel higher. And that’s the point.
This is your preseason. Your warm-up before game day. And if you keep performing? You could get called up to the Big Leagues.
Why the Combine & XFA Work
Hint: It’s not luck.
Most funded programs sell speed. We focus on staying power.
The Trading Combine isn’t about chasing a lucky trade. It’s about building a foundation that holds up when the market gets rough.
Here’s what sets it apart:
Discipline doesn’t mean boring. It means consistent wins over time.
Thousands of traders have used the Trading Combine to level up their mindset, lock in better habits, and finally trade with purpose. And if you’ve tried going it alone before, you’ll feel the difference on day one.
You’re Not in This Alone. You’re Backed by a Strong Trading Community.
Trading solo can mess with your head. That’s why we built a strong community around you from the jump:
We’re not here to leave you hanging. We’re here to help you grow.
Topstep’s top performers move from XFA into a Live Funded Account, AKA The Big Leagues. That’s where you trade in real markets with up to $150,000 in Topstep capital.
Here’s how the rewards work:
This is what the work leads to. Real trades. Real payouts. Real proof that you’ve leveled up.
Ready to Get Funded?
If you’re serious about trading but unsure where to start, the Combine gives you a better way forward.
Whether you’re just starting out or coming back from a tough streak, Topstep offers a second chance with a path to real capital and the structure to succeed.
We’ve funded 10,000+ accounts and paid out millions. You could be next.
Start My Trading CombineThe Trading Combine is Topstep’s rules-based evaluation that lets you prove your trading skills in a simulated environment. It focuses on hitting profit targets and staying within loss limits, helping you build discipline before trading with real capital.
Once you pass the Trading Combine, you unlock the Express Funded Account (XFA). This allows you to earn payouts of up to $5,000 while trading in a realistic, high-pressure environment that prepares you for a Live Funded Account (LFA).
Yes. Even though the XFA is simulated, the rewards are real. You can earn payouts up to $5K while trading under real-world pressure.
Topstep isn’t about flashy promises or fast tracks. We focus on what actually works: structure, risk management, and long-term consistency with clear rules and a supportive community.
You’ll never trade alone. We’ve got live group coaching on TopstepTV, a 150K+ trader Discord, real-time performance tips from Coach T™, and TopstepX, our custom platform built to help you get funded and stay funded.
Top performers get called up to trade Live with up to $150,000 in Topstep capital. You’ll keep your first $10K in profits and 90% after that, with consistent weekly or daily payouts.
The Trading Combine® is built for both new and seasoned traders. Beginners get structure and a safe place to grow. Experienced traders get a second chance to rebuild discipline and earn funding, without risking their own capital.
It all starts with the Trading Combine®. It’s your chance to prove your edge, develop better habits, and earn real funding.
