Alpha Futures FAQ: 50+ Questions Answered

Alpha Futures operates a monthly subscription model with three distinct plans (Standard, Advanced, Zero) offering one-step evaluations, progressive or flat profit splits, and bi-weekly or weekly payouts. This FAQ answers 50+ frequently asked questions helping traders understand Alpha's unique subscription structure, choose the right plan, and optimize evaluation attempts before committing monthly fees.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Alpha Futures and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Alpha Futures's website or their help center.

Account Types & Program Differences

What are the three Alpha Futures plans?

Alpha offers Standard (entry-level with 70-90% progressive split, bi-weekly payouts, $149 activation fee), Advanced (experienced traders with flat 90% split, weekly payouts, no funded consistency rule, $149 activation), and Zero (no activation fee, flat 90% split, up to 4 monthly payouts, no eval consistency rule). Standard suits beginners learning prop trading, Advanced suits experienced traders wanting maximum flexibility and faster payouts, Zero suits budget-conscious traders or those testing Alpha before committing to higher-cost plans. Each plan available in three sizes: $50K, $100K, $150K.

How does Standard plan differ from Advanced?

Standard costs less monthly ($79 vs $139 for $50K), has lower profit target (6% vs 8%), includes 50% eval consistency and 40% funded consistency, restricts news trading somewhat, offers bi-weekly payouts from $200 minimum, and uses progressive profit split (70% initially, reaching 90% after five payouts). Advanced costs more ($139-$419 monthly), requires 8% profit target, has no funded consistency rule, allows unrestricted news trading, offers weekly payouts from $1,000 minimum requiring five $200+ winning days, and provides flat 90% split immediately. Advanced trades higher monthly cost and tougher target for better payout conditions and flexibility.

What makes Zero plan unique?

Zero plan eliminates the $149 activation fee (pay only monthly subscription), offers flat 90% split from first payout, allows up to 4 monthly payouts after 5 trading days with $200+ profit each, has no consistency rule during evaluation (can pass in one day), maintains 40% consistency when funded, and keeps 6% profit target like Standard. Available only for $50K ($99/month) and $100K ($199/month) sizes—no $150K option. Zero provides fastest path to funded status with lowest total upfront investment, ideal for traders confident in quick evaluation passing or those wanting to test Alpha before committing to Standard/Advanced.

Can you switch between plans after starting?

No, you cannot switch plans mid-evaluation—if you purchase Standard $50K evaluation, you're locked to Standard until passing or canceling. To switch plans, cancel current subscription, wait for rebill cycle to end, purchase new plan evaluation. However, you can run multiple plans simultaneously—maintain Standard $50K evaluation while also purchasing Advanced $100K evaluation. Most traders stick with one plan initially, then diversify to multiple accounts/plans once funded, running different strategies on different plan types.

Which plan should beginners choose?

Beginners should start with Standard $50K ($79/month) minimizing financial risk while learning Alpha's platform, rules, and evaluation process. The lower 6% profit target ($3,000 on $50K) feels more achievable than Advanced's 8% ($4,000), and bi-weekly payout timing provides adequate cash flow without pressure of weekly withdrawal requirements. Once comfortable and consistently profitable, consider Zero $50K ($99/month) for no activation fee, or upgrade to Advanced if your strategy requires weekly payouts or benefits from no consistency rule. Don't start with Advanced unless you've successfully passed other prop firm evaluations.

How many accounts can you have simultaneously?

During evaluation: unlimited eval accounts across all plans—you can run 5 Standard evals, 3 Advanced evals, and 2 Zero evals simultaneously if desired (though managing that many isn't recommended). Once qualified: maximum 3 funded accounts total across all plans with combined $450K allocation cap. Examples: 3x $150K Standard accounts = $450K total, or 1x $150K Advanced + 1x $150K Standard + 1x $150K Zero = $450K, or 2x $100K + 1x $50K = $250K (under cap). The 3-account limit prevents excessive risk concentration.

What's the maximum funding allocation?

Alpha caps total qualified allocation at $450,000 across maximum 3 funded accounts. Achieving $450K requires three $150K accounts (Standard, Advanced, or Zero combinations). You cannot exceed $450K even if willing to pay for more accounts—the cap ensures risk management and sustainable business model. Realistically, most traders operate 1-2 funded accounts ($50K-$200K total) before reaching the 3-account/$450K maximum. The cap becomes constraint only for highly profitable traders seeking to scale beyond $450K, at which point they'd need additional prop firms or personal capital.

Can you run Standard and Advanced accounts together?

Yes, operating multiple plan types simultaneously diversifies your approach—run conservative strategies on Standard accounts meeting consistency rules, run aggressive or news-focused strategies on Advanced accounts leveraging no consistency rule. However, managing different plans requires tracking distinct rules: Standard's 40% funded consistency vs Advanced's zero consistency, Standard's bi-weekly timing vs Advanced's weekly with 5-day requirement. Most successful traders master one plan type first (passing 2-3 evaluations, establishing payout rhythm) before adding complexity of multiple plan types.

What happens to evaluation if you cancel subscription?

Canceling subscription terminates access to evaluation accounts at end of current billing cycle—your account closes, all progress lost, no refund for partial month. If you're in profit during evaluation and close to passing, consider maintaining subscription one more month to complete pass. If you're deep in drawdown or clearly failing, canceling prevents throwing more monthly fees at unwinnable account. Strategic cancellation timing: cancel immediately after rebill if account performing poorly (locks in one more month to attempt pass), or maintain subscription if close to profit target completion.

Is there a trial period or demo access?

No, Alpha doesn't offer free trials or demo accounts—you must purchase monthly subscription to access evaluation platform and test trading. The lowest-cost option ($79/month Standard $50K or $99/month Zero $50K) serves as affordable trial period. Many traders view first month as "paid demo" testing Alpha's platform, execution, rules, and their ability to trade profitably under prop firm constraints. If you pass first month, you've gained funded access; if you fail, you've tested viability for $79-$99 versus committing larger amounts to instant-funding firms charging $300-$500 upfront.

Subscription & Cost Model

How does the monthly subscription model work?

Alpha charges monthly subscriptions during evaluation phase until you pass or cancel: Standard $50K = $79/month, $100K = $159/month, $150K = $239/month. Advanced: $50K = $139/month, $100K = $279/month, $150K = $419/month. Zero: $50K = $99/month, $100K = $199/month. Subscriptions rebill same day monthly—if you purchase January 5th, you rebill February 5th, March 5th, etc. Upon passing evaluation, monthly fees stop and you pay one-time $149 activation fee (Standard/Advanced) or $0 activation (Zero). Qualified traders pay zero ongoing monthly fees.

What's included in monthly subscription?

Monthly fee covers: unlimited evaluation attempts (automatic reset on rebill if failed), platform access (AlphaTicks or Tradovate/ProjectX), real-time market data, customer support, and dashboard tools tracking profit targets, drawdown limits, consistency percentages. You're not paying per evaluation attempt—you're paying monthly access allowing unlimited resets. Pass in one month for $79-$279 total cost, or take three months costing $237-$837 total before passing. This contrasts with one-time-fee firms where failed attempt costs another $150-$400 per reset.

How much does activation fee cost?

Standard and Advanced plans charge $149 one-time activation fee after passing evaluation, payable before receiving qualified account access. Zero plan has $0 activation fee—once you pass evaluation, you immediately receive funded account with no additional cost. Total investment examples: Standard $50K = $79 monthly × months to pass + $149 activation. Zero $50K = $99 monthly × months to pass + $0 activation. If you pass first month, Standard total = $228 ($79 + $149), Zero total = $99. If you take three months, Standard = $386 ($237 + $149), Zero = $297.

Can you pause subscription without losing progress?

No pause functionality exists—subscriptions are active or canceled. You cannot "freeze" account maintaining progress without paying. If you need break from trading (vacation, personal issues, financial constraints), you have two options: maintain subscription paying monthly fee even while not trading (preserving any profit progress), or cancel subscription losing all progress but stopping charges. Some traders maintain subscriptions while inactive if they're in significant profit (e.g., $2,500 of $3,000 target completed), viewing $79-$279 monthly fee as worthwhile to preserve progress.

What happens on rebill date if evaluation is in progress?

24 hours before rebill, Alpha prompts you to choose: reset account to starting balance (erasing progress, starting fresh evaluation), or maintain current balance continuing from current profit/loss level. If you're in profit ($1,500 of $3,000 target), choosing "maintain" preserves that $1,500 allowing you to reach $3,000 next month without starting over. If you're in drawdown (-$1,200), choosing "reset" gives fresh start with full $50K balance. Most traders in profit choose maintain; traders in deep drawdown choose reset for clean slate.

How do reset fees compare to other firms?

Alpha's "reset" is built into monthly subscription—you don't pay separate reset fees like traditional firms charging 20-40% of evaluation cost per reset. Example: Other firm charges $150 evaluation + $120 reset + $120 second reset = $390 total for three attempts. Alpha charges $79/month × 3 months = $237 total for unlimited attempts within those months. Alpha's model becomes cost-effective if you need multiple attempts (2-3 resets break-even, 4+ heavily favors Alpha), but costs more if you pass first attempt compared to one-time-fee firms.

Is Alpha cheaper than one-time fee prop firms?

Depends on time to pass: Pass first attempt? One-time firms cheaper ($150-$200 evaluation vs Alpha's $79-$279/month + $149 activation). Take 2-3 months passing? Alpha comparable or slightly more expensive. Take 4+ months or need multiple resets? Alpha significantly cheaper due to unlimited attempts per month. Calculate based on realistic timeline—if you've never passed prop evaluations and expect 3-6 month learning curve, Alpha's subscription model may save $200-$500 versus buying $150-$400 resets repeatedly. If you consistently pass evaluations quickly elsewhere, one-time firms cheaper.

What's the total investment before first payout?

Minimum total investment (best case): Zero $50K passed first month = $99 subscription + $0 activation + 5-10 days to first payout = $99 total. Standard $50K passed first month = $79 + $149 + 5-10 days = $228. Advanced $50K passed first month = $139 + $149 = $288. Realistic total investment (3 months to pass): Zero = $297 + $0 = $297. Standard = $237 + $149 = $386. Advanced = $417 + $149 = $566. Budget $300-$600 total before seeing first payout depending on plan, account size, and months required to pass evaluation.

Are there hidden fees beyond subscription and activation?

No hidden fees from Alpha—monthly subscription and activation fee (if applicable) are total costs. However, external costs exist: platform commissions if using Tradovate/ProjectX instead of commission-free AlphaTicks (typically $0.50-$1.50 per contract round-turn), payment processing fees for payouts (ACH free, wire $15-$40, crypto minimal), and potential monthly costs for trading tools/VPNs/internet if needed. Alpha itself charges zero withdrawal fees, zero monthly fees post-qualification, zero platform fees using AlphaTicks. Budge an extra $50-$100 monthly for external trading infrastructure.

Can you get refunds if unsatisfied?

No refunds on monthly subscriptions—once you pay for month's access, that fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you trade, pass, or cancel mid-month. Activation fees also non-refundable once paid. This no-refund policy is standard across prop firms. Before purchasing, thoroughly research Alpha's rules, test your strategy in demo/simulation elsewhere, and ensure you're committed to at least one month's subscription cost. Treat first month as sunk cost for testing; if Alpha doesn't suit your style or you fail badly, cancel before second rebill to minimize total investment.

Evaluation Phase Rules

What's the profit target for evaluations?

Standard and Zero plans require 6% profit target: $50K needs $3,000, $100K needs $6,000, $150K needs $9,000. Advanced plan requires 8% profit target: $50K needs $4,000, $100K needs $8,000, $150K needs $12,000. Profit targets are cumulative—losses don't reset progress, they just subtract from running total. You can reach target through one massive winning day (Zero allows this) or distributed across many smaller wins (required by Standard/Advanced eval consistency rules). Targets must be achieved while maintaining Max Loss Limit and meeting minimum trading day requirements.

What's the Max Loss Limit during evaluation?

MLL is 4% End-of-Day trailing drawdown calculated from highest closing balance: $50K starts with $48K MLL ($2K buffer), $100K starts at $96K ($4K buffer), $150K starts at $141K ($6K buffer). The MLL trails your highest close—if you close at $52K on $50K account, MLL moves to $49.92K ($52K - 4% = $52K - $2.08K). Once your highest close reaches initial balance + 4% ($52K on $50K), MLL locks permanently at starting balance ($50K), providing complete protection. You can never close below your locked MLL without termination.

Is there a Daily Loss Limit during evaluation?

Standard and Advanced evaluations have no Daily Loss Limit—you can lose any amount in single day as long as you don't close below MLL. Zero plan has 2% Daily Loss Guard during evaluation—$50K limited to $1K daily loss, $100K to $2K daily loss. DLL is soft breach: hitting it locks trading until next session (6 PM ET) but doesn't terminate evaluation. Zero's DLL prevents catastrophic single-day losses but constrains intraday volatility strategies. Standard/Advanced traders can risk larger single-day amounts as long as overall MLL respected.

What are the minimum trading days required?

Standard and Advanced require minimum 2 trading days during evaluation (meaning you cannot pass in one day—must spread across at least two days). Zero requires minimum 3 trading days. A trading day counts when you execute at least one trade during 6 PM ET to 4:59 PM ET session (must close all positions by 4:59 PM). Minimum days prevent one-lucky-trade passes requiring some demonstrated consistency. Realistically, most traders take 10-30 trading days reaching profit targets even with no minimums, so 2-3 day minimums rarely constrain.

What's the consistency rule during evaluation?

Standard and Advanced enforce 50% consistency—your largest single day profit cannot exceed 50% of total evaluation profits. If you made $6,000 total on $100K eval, your best day can't exceed $3,000. Zero has no consistency rule during evaluation—your entire $3,000 profit on $50K could come from one day. If you violate consistency on Standard/Advanced, you don't fail immediately—you must continue trading diluting that large day to under 50% before passing. Zero's zero eval consistency makes it attractive for news traders and breakout strategies generating concentrated profits.

Can you trade news events during evaluation?

Standard plan restricts news trading somewhat—specific limitations depend on event type and require checking Alpha's news trading policy. Advanced plan allows completely unrestricted news trading—you can enter/exit positions immediately before, during, or after FOMC, NFP, CPI without buffers or blackout windows. Zero plan generally allows news trading similar to Advanced. If your edge relies heavily on news event volatility, Advanced or Zero better suits your strategy. Standard works if you avoid news trading or trade around events rather than directly through them.

How long can evaluations last?

Evaluations have no time limit—you can take days, weeks, months, or years reaching profit target as long as you maintain monthly subscription and avoid MLL breach. Subscriptions rebill monthly; you can attempt evaluations indefinitely. However, each month costs $79-$419, creating financial pressure to pass efficiently. Realistically, taking 6+ months signals strategy lacking edge or significant trading issues—at that point you've paid $474-$2,514 in subscriptions without funded access. Most successful traders pass in 1-3 months (10-60 trading days).

Can you scale into positions during evaluation?

Yes, position scaling and dollar-cost averaging fully permitted—enter 1 contract at one price, add another at better price, build position gradually. However, respect position limits (5 contracts on $50K, 10 on $100K, 15 on $150K during eval) and ensure combined position doesn't risk exceeding MLL. Scaling works well in Alpha's no-DLL environment (Standard/Advanced) allowing larger intraday swings. Zero's 2% DLL constrains aggressive scaling since cumulative position could trigger daily limit. Use scaling to improve average entry without overleveraging account balance.

Are there prohibited trading strategies during evaluation?

Yes, prohibited activities include: high-frequency algorithmic abuse, tick scalping (ultra-short holds exploiting platform mechanics rather than market movement), account cycling (deliberately failing accounts attempting to game rebill system), platform loophole exploitation, and CME Group rule violations. Legitimate strategies permitted: day trading, swing trading (positions closed by 4:59 PM, no overnight), scalping with reasonable hold times (30 seconds+), automated trading under supervision, news trading (plan-dependent), and hedging within single account. Trade actual market movements, not platform mechanics.

What happens if you fail evaluation by hitting MLL?

Hitting MLL terminates current evaluation—account becomes ineligible for funding, all progress lost. You have two options: wait for next monthly rebill receiving automatic fresh evaluation at starting balance, or cancel subscription cutting losses. Unlike traditional firms charging $100-$200 reset fees, Alpha's next attempt is included in next month's subscription you're already paying. If you fail on day 3 of 30-day subscription period, you've essentially paid $79-$419 for unlimited attempts across remaining 27 days—strategic to keep practicing with fresh resets versus canceling immediately.

Funded Account Requirements

What changes when you move from evaluation to qualified account?

Account rules tighten: 2% Daily Loss Guard activates (Standard/Advanced qualified accounts), consistency rule adjusts to 40% on Standard/Zero (from 50% eval) while Advanced maintains zero consistency, position limits start conservatively and scale with profits, payout eligibility requirements activate (5-14 days between withdrawals depending on plan), and MLL mechanics remain identical to evaluation. You're no longer paying monthly subscriptions—the $149 activation fee (Standard/Advanced) grants permanent qualified status requiring zero ongoing costs unless you breach MLL terminating account.

What's the Daily Loss Guard on qualified accounts?

Qualified accounts enforce 2% Daily Loss Guard based on account balance: $50K account limited to $1,000 daily loss, $100K to $2,000, $150K to $3,000. This is soft breach—hitting DLG liquidates all positions, locks trading until 6 PM ET next session, but doesn't terminate account. You can hit DLG repeatedly without losing qualified status, though it indicates position sizing too aggressive. Standard accounts use DLG as percentage of starting balance (fixed $1K on $50K). Advanced accounts use 2% of current balance (grows as account grows—$52K balance = $1,040 DLG).

What's the consistency rule on qualified accounts?

Standard and Zero plans enforce 40% consistency when qualified—largest single day profit cannot equal or exceed 40% of total accumulated profits for payout eligibility. If you've made $10,000 total since last payout, your best day can't exceed $3,999. Violating this doesn't breach account—you simply can't request payout until you trade more, diluting that large day below 40%. Advanced has zero consistency rule when qualified—your entire payout cycle profit can come from one day without restriction. This flexibility makes Advanced ideal for news traders and breakout specialists.

How does the payout schedule work?

Standard accounts allow bi-weekly payouts (every 14 days from first qualified trade) with $200 minimum withdrawal. Advanced accounts allow weekly payouts requiring five separate trading days with $200+ profit each day, $1,000 minimum withdrawal per request. Zero accounts allow up to 4 payouts monthly after 5 trading days with $200+ profit each. Payout timing: Standard every 2 weeks, Advanced every 7 days, Zero approximately every 7-8 days if trading regularly. Advanced's weekly access provides fastest cash flow but strict $1K minimum; Standard's $200 minimum allows smaller extractions.

What's the progressive profit split on Standard accounts?

Standard plan uses tiered splits rewarding longevity: 70% on payouts 1-2, 80% on payouts 3-4, 90% on payouts 5+. Your first two payouts you keep $140 of every $200 withdrawal ($60 to Alpha). Third and fourth payouts you keep $160 of $200 ($40 to Alpha). Fifth payout onward you keep $180 of $200 ($20 to Alpha). By payout #5 you've reached Advanced's permanent 90% split. The progression incentivizes staying with Alpha long-term—traders achieving 5+ payouts demonstrate consistency and earn maximum split.

Why do Advanced and Zero start at 90% split?

Advanced and Zero offer flat 90% split immediately because traders pay higher monthly costs (Advanced) or accept no activation fee with specific constraints (Zero). Advanced traders paid $139-$419 monthly versus Standard's $79-$239, effectively prepaying for premium treatment (90% split, weekly payouts, zero consistency). Zero traders trade lower activation cost ($0) for slightly different payout mechanics but still receive competitive 90% split encouraging adoption. Alpha incentivizes Premium plan selection through better split terms while Standard provides affordable entry with slower split progression.

How do payouts affect Max Loss Limit?

Alpha's key innovation: "Whatever your MLL was on date of withdrawal, it will be there after you receive performance fee as well, then continue to trail again as you set new highs." Example: Account at $55K with MLL locked at $50K, you withdraw $3K profit bringing balance to $52K—your MLL stays at $50K (not dropping to $48K like some firms). This protection allows aggressive extraction without destroying account buffer. Your MLL only moves upward with new closing highs, never downward from withdrawals.

What are the payout caps on qualified accounts?

Standard accounts have no published payout caps—you can request any amount above $200 minimum up to your available balance above MLL. Advanced accounts require $1,000 minimum but no published maximum cap. Zero accounts cap at $1,500 per payout on $50K, $3,000 per payout on $100K. The lack of caps on Standard/Advanced allows flexible extraction—withdraw $500, $2,000, $5,000 depending on accumulated profits and buffer above MLL. Zero's caps prevent excessive single-withdrawal extraction but 4 monthly payouts compensate through frequency.

Can you request payouts while continuing to trade?

Yes, payout requests don't lock accounts—you submit request, continue trading while withdrawal processes (24-48 hours approval, 1-3 days funds arrival). Some traders request payout Friday, trade Monday-Friday building next cycle's profits while previous payout processes. This overlapping strategy maximizes income—always building next payout while previous withdrawals clear. However, ensure you maintain buffer above MLL while trading post-request; withdrawals reducing balance could leave you dangerously close to MLL if subsequent trades lose money.

What happens if you breach MLL on qualified account?

Breaching MLL (closing below locked limit) on qualified account results in immediate termination—account closes by end of trading day, all agreements canceled, no more payouts possible. Unlike DLG (soft breach allowing recovery), MLL breach is permanent termination. Any accumulated but unwithdrawn profits above your last payout are lost—if you're at $58K with $8K profit since last payout and hit MLL, you lose that $8K. This makes payout frequency critical: request withdrawals regularly (every 14 days Standard, every 7 days Advanced) extracting profits rather than accumulating large balances risking total loss.

Payout Structure & Withdrawals

How fast are Alpha Futures payouts?

Payout approval within 24-48 hours of request submission (assuming all requirements met), funds arrival 1-3 business days depending on method: ACH (U.S. domestic) 1-2 days, wire transfers 2-3 days, Wise/Rise 1-2 days, cryptocurrency faster. Total timeline from request to funds in account: 2-5 days typically. This beats many prop firms taking 5-7 days or longer for processing. Fastest method: crypto or Wise arriving within 24-48 hours total. Slowest: international wire potentially taking 5 days. Plan for 3-day average when calculating cash flow expectations.

What payment methods does Alpha support?

Alpha offers five USD-denominated payment options: ACH (U.S. bank accounts only, free, 1-2 days), Wire Transfer (domestic and international, may incur $15-$40 bank fees, 2-3 days), SWIFT (international, higher fees, 3-5 days), Wise (international-friendly, low fees, 1-2 days), and Rise (cryptocurrency-based, fast, minimal fees). Most U.S. traders use free ACH. International traders benefit from Wise or Rise avoiding expensive wire fees. All payouts processed in USD—if using non-USD account, your bank handles conversion at prevailing rates (typically costing 0.5-2% conversion markup).

Is there a minimum withdrawal amount?

Yes, minimums vary by plan: Standard $200 minimum, Advanced $1,000 minimum, Zero $200 minimum. You cannot request payouts below threshold even if you've met all other requirements (trading days, consistency, MLL buffer). If you've only generated $500 profit on Advanced, you must continue trading reaching $1,000 before withdrawal eligibility. Lower minimums (Standard/Zero $200) allow more frequent smaller extractions; higher minimum (Advanced $1K) forces profit accumulation but compensates with weekly payout access once threshold reached.

Are there withdrawal fees?

Alpha charges zero withdrawal fees—no deductions for processing payouts. However, intermediary fees exist: receiving banks may charge wire fees ($15-$40), SWIFT transfers incur correspondent bank fees ($20-$60 total), cryptocurrency exchanges charge conversion fees (0.5-1%). ACH typically fee-free for U.S. domestic. Wise charges nominal fees ($5-$15 depending on amount). Total cost receiving payouts: $0-$60 depending on method and banking institution. Choose ACH or Wise minimizing fees, or accept wire fees for faster international transfers.

Can you withdraw partial profits or must you withdraw all?

Partial withdrawals fully supported—withdraw any amount between minimum ($200-$1,000) and maximum available balance above MLL buffer. Example: Account at $56K with $50K locked MLL, you can withdraw $500, $2,000, $4,000, or full $6K (minus buffer for safety). Most traders withdraw partial amounts preserving larger account balances for position sizing flexibility and MLL buffer protection. Strategic partial withdrawals: extract $1,000-$2,000 every 2 weeks maintaining $4,000-$6,000 buffer rather than withdrawing full $6K leaving minimal buffer above MLL.

How does profit split affect net withdrawals?

Profit split determines actual cash received: Standard 70-90% depending on payout number, Advanced/Zero flat 90%. Gross withdrawal $2,000 on Standard payout #1 (70% split) = $1,400 net received ($600 to Alpha). Same $2,000 on Standard payout #5 (90% split) = $1,800 net ($200 to Alpha). Advanced/Zero always $1,800 net on $2,000 gross. Account balance reduces by gross withdrawal amount ($2,000), but you only receive net amount based on split. Plan cash flow expectations using net amounts after split, not gross profits accumulated.

Can you have multiple pending payouts?

No, only one payout request pending at time across all qualified accounts. Submit payout request on Account A, wait for approval and processing before requesting payout from Account B or submitting second request from Account A. Given 24-48 hour approval and 1-3 day delivery, total pending period is 3-5 days maximum. This rarely creates bottlenecks—most traders request payouts bi-weekly (Standard) or weekly (Advanced) providing ample spacing. Serial payout strategy: request Account A Monday, receives funds Thursday, request Account B Friday, receives funds Tuesday, maintains continuous cash flow.

What happens if payout request is denied?

Denials occur when requirements unmet: insufficient trading days (Standard needs 14 days elapsed, Advanced needs 5 winning days $200+), consistency rule violated (Standard/Zero requiring best day under 40% threshold), insufficient balance above MLL buffer, or account approaching MLL dangerously close. Denied requests return account to pre-request state—no funds withdrawn, requirements still active. Address specific violation: trade more days meeting thresholds, dilute consistency below 40% by trading additional profits, or rebuild buffer above MLL. Then resubmit payout request.

Do payouts reset profit tracking?

Yes, approved payouts reset accumulated profit counters to zero, restart trading day requirements, reset consistency calculations. After withdrawing $3,000, your account shows $0 accumulated profit for next cycle—you must build new profits reaching minimum thresholds and trading day requirements before next payout eligibility. Consistency tracking resets: previous cycle's large days don't affect next cycle's calculations. Each payout cycle operates independently. This clean-slate approach prevents compounding restriction issues across multiple months of trading.

Can you reinvest payouts into new evaluations?

Yes, use payout funds purchasing additional evaluations expanding account quantity. Example: Receive $1,400 net payout from Standard $50K account, use $159 purchasing $100K Standard eval, keep $1,241 as income. This reinvestment strategy compounds capacity: start with one account, use first 2-3 payouts funding additional evals, grow to 3 accounts (maximum) generating $3,000-$6,000 monthly combined. Aggressive scaling: reinvest all payouts months 1-3 building to 3 accounts, withdraw all payouts as pure income months 4+ generating maximum cash flow.

Trading Rules & Restrictions

What position limits apply to accounts?

Evaluation phase limits: $50K allows 5 full-size contracts or 50 micros, $100K allows 10 full-size or 100 micros, $150K allows 15 full-size or 150 micros. Qualified accounts start with conservative limits based on account size and profits: $50K accounts begin with 2-3 minis, scaling to 5 minis after demonstrating $1,500+ profits. This "earn your positions" philosophy prevents overleveraging early. Maximum qualified position limits reached at higher profit levels: $150K accounts with $4,500+ profits can trade 15 contracts, providing substantial capacity for experienced traders.

Can you hold positions overnight?

No, all positions must close by 4:59 PM EST daily—Alpha enforces mandatory liquidation at this time. No weekend holds, no overnight positions regardless of setup or strategy. This restriction limits swing traders requiring multi-day holds but protects against overnight gaps and weekend risk. If you forget to close manually, Alpha's automatic liquidation closes positions at market price (potentially unfavorable fills during low liquidity). Build 4:30-4:45 PM close discipline leaving buffer before 4:59 PM deadline. Swing traders should seek firms allowing overnight holds rather than Alpha.

What instruments can you trade?

Alpha supports all CME Group futures products: index futures (ES, NQ, YM, RTY), commodities (CL, GC, SI, NG), currencies (6E, 6J, 6B), bonds (ZN, ZB), agricultural (ZC, ZS, ZW). Focus on highly liquid contracts with tight spreads—ES and NQ most popular for index exposure, CL for energy. Avoid exotic or thinly-traded futures with wide spreads and poor execution. Position limits and commission structures vary by instrument—micros cost less commission than full-size, making MES and MNQ attractive for position sizing flexibility.

Is scalping permitted?

Yes, legitimate scalping with reasonable hold times (30+ seconds) using limit orders at realistic prices representing actual market movement is fully permitted. Alpha's microscalping policy targets manipulative ultra-short hold trading exploiting fill logic rather than market price action. If you're genuinely scalping NQ capturing 4-8 tick moves holding 1-3 minutes per trade executing 10-20 trades daily, you're well within acceptable parameters. Violations involve hundreds of trades per day with sub-second holds attempting to game execution mechanics versus trading actual price discovery.

Can you use automated trading systems?

Yes, semi-automated and fully automated systems allowed under active supervision—you can deploy algos, EAs, and automated strategies on Alpha accounts. However, prohibited automated strategies include: high-frequency trading algorithms (HFT attempting latency arbitrage), tick-scalping bots, account cycling scripts, and systems exploiting platform loopholes. Legitimate automated strategies: systematic entry/exit rules based on technical indicators, automated stop-loss/take-profit management, algorithmic position sizing, and overnight indicator calculation feeding manual trades. You're responsible for system behavior—algo violations cause account termination just like manual violations.

Are there news trading restrictions?

Varies by plan: Standard has some news trading restrictions (check Alpha's specific policy for event types and timing), Advanced allows completely unrestricted news trading across all events, Zero generally permits news trading similar to Advanced. If your strategy depends on trading FOMC, NFP, or CPI releases directly, choose Advanced or Zero. Standard works if you avoid news trading or trade around events without entering during releases. News traders benefit from Advanced's zero consistency rule accommodating large profits from single events without violating payout eligibility thresholds.

Can you hedge positions across multiple accounts?

No, cross-account hedging prohibited—you cannot simultaneously hold long ES position on Account A and short ES on Account B creating guaranteed-win scenario where one account profits while other loses. Within single account, hedging permitted as legitimate risk management (long ES, short NQ capturing spread, or long ES with protective puts using options). Cross-account hedging detection results in termination of all involved accounts and profit forfeiture. If trading multiple accounts, ensure positions represent independent strategies, not offsetting hedges.

What happens if you violate trading rules?

Rule violations trigger immediate account reviews: minor violations (late closes past 4:59 PM caught by auto-liquidation, occasional DLG hits) result in warnings or temporary restrictions. Major violations (HFT abuse, cross-account hedging, platform exploitation, CME rule breaches) result in immediate account termination, profit forfeiture, potential permanent ban from Alpha, and possible legal action for fraudulent activity. Alpha monitors all trading activity via automated systems flagging suspicious patterns. Trade legitimately using actual market movements—don't test boundaries with "creative" interpretations of rules.

Is copy trading allowed?

Copy trading your own strategies across multiple Alpha accounts is permitted—trade Account A manually, use copy software replicating those trades on Accounts B and C. However, you cannot copy trades from external signal providers you don't control or join group copying schemes. Each account must represent your genuine trading decisions (even if automated/copied from yourself), not following third-party signals. Copy trading yourself efficiently scales proven strategies across 2-3 accounts maximizing income without manually entering every position separately. Ensure copied positions respect each account's individual position limits and MLL buffers.

What trading practices are explicitly forbidden?

Prohibited activities include: high-frequency algorithmic abuse (sub-second trading exploiting execution), tick scalping (ultra-short holds gaming fill logic), account cycling (deliberately failing/passing accounts attempting rebill manipulation), platform loophole exploitation (finding and abusing execution quirks), reverse trading (intentionally losing on evaluations attempting scams), CME Group rule violations (any activity CME prohibits), cross-account hedging (offsetting positions across multiple Alpha accounts), and signal following from unauthorized third parties. These prohibitions maintain fair, sustainable trading environment protecting both traders and firm integrity.

Bottom Line

Alpha Futures' monthly subscription model ($79-$419 depending on plan/size) provides unlimited evaluation attempts during each billing cycle, making it cost-effective for traders needing multiple resets but potentially expensive for quick passes compared to one-time-fee firms. Choose Standard for affordable entry ($79-$239 monthly, $149 activation, 70-90% progressive split, bi-weekly payouts), Advanced for experienced traders ($139-$419 monthly, $149 activation, flat 90%, weekly payouts, zero funded consistency), or Zero for lowest total cost ($99-$199 monthly, $0 activation, flat 90%, no eval consistency).

Evaluation rules: 6% target (Standard/Zero) vs 8% (Advanced), 4% EOD trailing MLL, no DLL (Standard/Advanced eval) vs 2% DLL (Zero eval), 50% eval consistency (Standard/Advanced) vs zero (Zero), minimum 2-3 trading days, and mandatory 4:59 PM position closure. Funded accounts add 2% Daily Loss Guard, 40% consistency (Standard/Zero) vs zero (Advanced), bi-weekly payouts from $200 (Standard) vs weekly from $1K requiring five $200+ days (Advanced).

Alpha suits traders comfortable with ongoing monthly commitments who value unlimited reset attempts, appreciate End-of-Day MLL tracking (more forgiving than intraday), and plan to maintain qualified status long-term achieving 90% profit splits. The 3-account maximum and $450K allocation cap eventually constrains highly successful traders seeking larger scaling beyond what Alpha provides.

Next Steps

👉 Start Trading at Alpha Futures Today

👉 Read My Full Alpha Futures Review

👉 Alpha Futures Payout Rules