Overview
Topstep, founded in 2012, is the longest-running futures prop firm — and in 2026 its payout terms changed in a way that makes a lot of older reviews inaccurate. The headline “100% of your first profits” design is gone for new accounts, replaced by a flat 90/10 split.
This guide covers the current split policy, withdrawal conditions, payout caps, and payment methods, based on Topstep’s official help center as of July 2026. Topstep has revised these rules more than once this year, so verify the latest terms on the official payout policy page before requesting.
For transparency: we currently have no affiliate relationship with Topstep. What follows is a neutral summary.
The January 12, 2026 policy change
The most important change first. Which policy applies depends on when your account was created.
| Account | Profit split |
|---|---|
| Created after January 12, 2026 | 90/10 from the first dollar (you keep 90%) |
| Existed before January 12, 2026 (legacy) | 100% of the first $10,000 in lifetime profits, then 90/10 |
Note that the old “100% of the first $5,000” figure you may still see in reviews is doubly outdated: it was first raised to $10,000, and that $10,000 window now survives only as grandfathering for pre-existing accounts. If you sign up today, plan around 90/10 from day one.
A 90/10 split is standard for futures prop firms, but be wary of comparison articles that still rank Topstep on the strength of a first-profit 100% window it no longer offers to new traders.
Basic withdrawal conditions
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum payout | $125 |
| Where to request | Topstep Dashboard |
| Processing window | During CME market hours: Sunday 5 PM CT - Friday 5 PM CT, excluding holidays |
| Tax forms | W-9 for US persons, W-8BEN for non-US persons, submitted with the payout request |
Winning-day requirements
You need a set number of winning days before each payout request.
| Account type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Express Funded Account (standard path) | 5 winning days of $150+ net P&L |
| Express Funded Account (Consistency path) | 3 trading days with at least 1 trade per day, and your largest day at or below 40% of total net profit |
| Live Funded Account | 5 winning days of $150+ net P&L per cycle |
Winning days do not need to be consecutive. After a payout is approved, the count resets and you build toward the next one.
Express Funded Account payout caps
Passing the Trading Combine puts you in an Express Funded Account (XFA) first. XFA payouts are capped:
- Each request is limited to 50% of your account balance
- A per-size cap also applies
| Account size | Standard path | Consistency path |
|---|---|---|
| $50K | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| $100K | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| $150K | $5,000 | $6,000 |
These caps have themselves been revised during 2026 (the $50K and $100K caps were reportedly lowered in April), so treat the table as a snapshot and confirm the current figures before requesting.
Topstep also recommends building your balance until the Maximum Loss Limit trails up to $0 before withdrawing, so a payout does not leave the account with a thin drawdown buffer.
Live Funded Account payouts
With a track record on the XFA you move to a Live Funded Account (LFA), where the caps come off:
- No cap on payout size
- After 30 winning days, you can request any amount of your unlocked balance once per day (minimum $125)
The exact criteria for moving from XFA to LFA are not spelled out in the payout policy article, so check Topstep’s current documentation for the transition rules.
Payment methods, timing, and fees
| Method | Processing time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Prop-to-Brokerage transfer | Same day (if requested by 12 PM CT) | Free |
| Aeropay | Instant after approval | No Topstep fee |
| Wise | 1-3 business days | No Topstep fee |
| ACH | 1-3 business days | $30 |
| Wire / SWIFT | 5-10 business days | $30 |
Even where Topstep charges nothing, your bank or the transfer service may add its own fees or FX costs. Availability can also depend on your country of residence — Aeropay, for instance, is a US bank-account service — so traders outside the US will usually be choosing between Wise and wire.
The payout flow
- Meet the winning-day requirement (5 days of $150+ on the standard path)
- Request the payout from the Topstep Dashboard
- Submit your tax form (W-9 / W-8BEN) with the first request
- The request is processed during CME market hours
- Funds arrive per your chosen method (same day to 10 business days)
The help center does not commit to a specific approval turnaround per request, so leave slack in your schedule rather than counting on a same-day arrival.
Pre-request checklist
- Confirm whether your account is on 90/10 or the legacy first-$10,000 policy
- Check your current winning-day count in the Dashboard
- On an XFA, make sure the amount fits within 50% of balance and the size cap
- Have your tax form ready (W-8BEN if you are outside the US)
- Pick a payment method with fees and settlement time in mind
Summary
- Accounts created after January 12, 2026 are 90/10 from the first dollar; only older accounts keep 100% of the first $10,000
- Minimum payout is $125; the standard path requires five $150+ winning days per request
- XFA payouts are capped at 50% of balance up to $2,000-$6,000 by size; LFA payouts are uncapped
- ACH and wire cost $30; Wise and brokerage transfers are free on Topstep’s side
Topstep has moved both its split and its caps during 2026. The figures here are current as of writing — always confirm against the official help center before you request.
If you want to compare against FX/CFD prop firm payout terms, see the FX prop firm comparison.