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Trading insights, real-world lessons, and Topstep updates for traders focused on consistency and growth.

Trading Education

Topstep Funded Trader & 2026 Olympic Gold Medalist Alex Ferreira’s 5 habits for consistency

Most traders see results, not the process. Topstep connects Alex Ferreira’s discipline to consistent trading habits that build confidence through routines and preparation.

Team Topstep

February 27, 2026

Market News

Gold prices, interest rate futures, and a short squeeze in stocks?

Actionable market insights to help you kick off the trading week with the knowledge and confidence of a seasoned professional.

John Doherty

January 16, 2026

Market News

The copper vs gold ratio

Actionable market insights to help you kick off the trading week with the knowledge and confidence of a seasoned professional.

Team Topstep

January 15, 2026

Trading Education

A beginner's guide to trading crude oil futures

Curious about trading crude oil futures? See how WTI contracts are traded, what makes them unique, and how you can get involved.

Team Topstep

January 15, 2026

Prop Firm Education

The truth about prop firm payouts

Learn what to expect from prop firm payouts. Discover how Topstep makes getting paid fast, fair, and transparent, with no gimmicks or fine print.

Team Topstep

January 15, 2026

Trading Education

The most important metric in trading (hint: it’s not your P&L)

Focusing on your risk-to-reward ratio gives you a clear edge in trading. It helps you manage risk and grow your account with confidence.

Team Topstep

January 14, 2026

Trading Education

When should traders take a withdrawal?

Topstep's Risk Manager, Mick Iernomo talks about the importance of paying yourself as a trader and when to take a withdrawal.

Team Topstep

January 14, 2026

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Topstep and Affiliated Entities
Topstep disclaimer. Topstep LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Topstep”) provide information on this website for general informational purposes only. Testimonials appearing on Topstep’s websites may not be representative of other clients or customers and are not a guarantee of future performance or success. Use of the information on Topstep’s websites is at your own risk and Topstep and its partners, representatives, agents, employees, and contractors assume no responsibility or liability for any use or misuse of such information. Topstep does not provide tax, legal, investment, or accounting advice. You should consult your own advisors before engaging in any transaction.

The following entities are affiliated but separate entities and wholly owned subsidiaries of Topstep LLC.
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‍Introducing brokerage services are offered through Topstep Brokerage LLC (“Topstep Brokerage”), a registered introducing broker and a member of the National Futures Association. More information about the firm may be found here under NFA ID# 0567079. Please review Topstep Brokerage’s Risk Disclosures Statement. Futures accounts are not protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC).

Simulated trading program services, comprising the Trading Combine, and the Express Funded Account, and Topstep Labs experiments are operated by TopstepTrader, LLC (“TopstepTrader”). Please review the Risk Disclosures.

Live funded proprietary trading firm services are operated by TopstepFunded LLC (“TopstepFunded”). TopstepFunded offers live funded proprietary trading firm for individuals demonstrating proficiency in TopstepTrader’s simulated trading evaluation program. Please review the Risk Disclosures.

The TopstepX trading platform is a trading platform designed to help retail traders develop sound habits, discipline, and risk management. It is developed and owned by ProjectX Trading LLC (“TopstepX”). Additional information and terms of use can be found here and here.

TopstepTV is a digital media network offering real-time trading insights and education owned and operated by TopstepTV LLC (“TopstepTV”). Please review the TopstepTV Risk Disclosures.

The Futures Desk is an online proprietary trading firm that evaluates and funds retail futures traders owned by TS TFD Buyer, LLC (“The Futures Desk”). Additional information and terms and conditions can be found here and here.

General Risk Disclosures
Commodity trading involves substantial risk of loss. All investments involve risk, and not all risks are suitable for every investor. The value of investments may fluctuate and as a result, clients may lose more than their original investment. The past performance of a financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Please carefully consider whether it is appropriate for you to engage in futures trading in light of your personal financial circumstances. You should only use funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your financial security or lifestyle, and only a portion of those funds should be used to support a single trade because you cannot expect to profit on every trade. To learn more about the risks of trading, please visit our Risk Disclosure.

System Risk. Trading through an electronic trading or order routing system exposes you to risks associated with system or component failure. System response and account access times may vary due to a variety of factors, including trading volumes, market conditions, system performance, and other factors.

Trading Combine and Topstep Labs Experiments. The Trading Combine, Express Funded Accounts and Topstep Labs experiments are realistic simulations of trading under actual market conditions and are difficult to pass even for experienced traders. Simulated performance results have certain limitations. Unlike an actual performance record, simulated results do not represent actual trading. Also, because the trades have not actually been executed, the results may have under- or over-compensated for the impact, if any, of certain market factors, such as lack of liquidity. Simulated trading programs, in general, are also subject to the fact that they are designed with the benefit of hindsight. Simulated trading does not involve financial risk, and no simulated trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk in actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can also adversely affect actual trading results. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profit or losses similar to those shown.

2025 Trader Performance Statistics. From January through December 2025, (a) 16.8% of all Trading Combines initiated were successfully completed and afforded the opportunity to advance to the Funded Level, (b) 51.8% of individual participants who entered one or more Trading Combines advanced to the Funded Level in at least one of their Trading Combines, (c) 33.3% of all individual participants at the Funded Level received a payout, and (d) 0.71% of individual participants trading in an Express Funded Account were called up to a Live Funded Account. The Funded Level includes both Express Funded Accounts and Live Funded Accounts, with the aggregate of such accounts used in the percentage determination. These statistics reflect performance in both a simulated trading environment and a live trading environment and are not indicative of future results.

NO INVESTMENT ADVICE. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS WEBSITE CONSTITUTES INVESTMENT ADVICE, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION, ENDORSEMENT, OR RECOMMENDATION OF THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF ANY FUTURES OR OTHER FINANCIAL PRODUCT. THE WEBSITE CONTENT IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS CONSTITUTING AN OFFER, SOLICITATION, ENDORSEMENT, OR RECOMMENDATION TO BUY OR SELL ANY FUTURES OR OTHER FINANCIAL PRODUCT AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS INVESTMENT ADVICE.