Alpha Futures News Trading Policy: What’s Allowed, What Isn’t

Most traders don’t lose accounts because the market moved too fast.
They lose them because they didn’t read the news rules.

Alpha Futures keeps its messaging short — but the real consequences of breaking their news policy are not. You can have a profitable day, and still see all profits voided if you trade the wrong two minutes.

I’ve tested Standard and Advanced plans, passed multiple accounts, and poked at every edge case. This is the guide I wish traders had before they clicked “Buy Evaluation.”

Let’s break down Alpha’s news trading rules — without fluff, excuses, or Discord mythology.

Alpha Futures News Trading Policy (Quick Summary)

Here’s the clean version:

• During evaluation:
  News trading is allowed.
  No timed restrictions.
• During Standard Qualified:
  2-minute restriction before and after “high-impact” releases.
  Entering inside these windows = profits voided.
• During Advanced Qualified:
  Same structure, but enforcement is stricter because the account runs at flat 90% split + weekly payouts.
• Holding through news is allowed.
  You just can’t open new trades inside the restricted window.

Sounds simple — but traders still mess this up daily.

Full Alpha Futures News Trading Table (Evaluation → Qualified)

Why Alpha Futures Restricts News Trading

Let’s be real: it has nothing to do with protecting traders.

It’s about protecting their risk model.

CME futures move violently around:

• CPI
• FOMC
• NFP
• PCE
• Fed Speakers
• PMI
• Crude Oil Inventories
• Treasury auctions

A single NQ 10-point slip can blow far past a static or trailing limit.
Prop firms offering payouts can’t afford unpredictable 5-tick-to-50-tick explosions.

So Alpha Futures does what most mature futures props do:
They let you trade around news — just not inside the most volatile seconds.

It’s simple, and it’s fair.
But you need to know the exact windows.

Alpha Futures Restricted News Window (+ Examples)

Rule:

You may not open new positions from:

• 2 minutes before a high-impact event
• until 2 minutes after the release time

You can hold an open trade through news.

Alpha does not force flattening.

You may close a trade during the window

Closing is allowed — only entries are restricted.

Real Examples (Futures Trader Interpretation)

Example 1 — CPI at 8:30 AM ET

Forbidden entry window:
8:28:00 → 8:32:00

• Entering at 8:27:59 = allowed
• Entering at 8:28:01 = forbidden
• Holding positions from 7:30 → allowed
• Closing at 8:30:10 → allowed
• Opening a new reversal at 8:31:45 → forbidden

Example 2 — FOMC Rate Decision at 2:00 PM ET

Forbidden entry window:
1:58 PM → 2:02 PM

Yes, the move from 2:00 → 2:03 is often where the “printing press” volatility happens.
That’s exactly why they block it.

Example 3 — Beige Book or Fed Speaker

These may or may not be flagged.
Alpha uses a filtered list of impactful events, not the full economic calendar.

That matters → because some firms block way too much (everything from PMI to random retail numbers). Alpha sticks to the majors.

Where Traders Break the Rules (And Lose Profits)

Let’s be brutally honest about what actually kills accounts.

1. Entering during the last seconds before the window

People try to “front-run” CPI by milliseconds.
No prop firm allows this.
Alpha voids the profits immediately.

2. Entering a micro-position as a test

“A small size is fine, right?”
No. It’s the entry timestamp that matters, not size.

3. Using an algo with delayed orders

If your bot fires 1–2 seconds late, you’re cooked.

4. Misreading TradingView timestamps

Common rookie error → TV shows your local timezone.
News is logged in ET.

5. Thinking “I held through news so I’m safe”

Holding is allowed.
But if you scale in during the window → that part of the position violates rules.

6. Using reverse trading or hedging tricks

Alpha bans hedging anyway — so any manipulative behavior under news is double-dead.

Evaluation vs Qualified: Why Alpha Gives Freedom First

This is intentional.

During the evaluation, your PnL is simulated and doesn’t represent an actual payout liability.
So Alpha is fine if you want to gamble around news.

Once you’re Qualified, Alpha is on the hook for real payouts → and they tighten the rules.

This structure is very similar to:

• FuturesElite (Tier-1 window)
• Topstep (flat into news)
• TakeProfitTrader (restricted list)

It signals a legit, risk-managed firm, not a shady CFD shop hiding behind vague rules.

How to Safely Trade Around Alpha Futures News Rules

This is the playbook that actually works.

1. Block out all Tier-1 events

If you're unsure, check CME volatility patterns.
NQ and ES don’t lie.

2. Close 3–5 minutes before the event

Two minutes is legal; five minutes is smart.

3. Never scale into an open position inside the window

Scaling = new entry
New entry = violation

4. If your strategy includes volatility rotations

Only run them outside the 4-minute window.

5. Don't rely on indicators or bots that execute late

Manual control during news windows is the safest path.

6. Always confirm you’re using Eastern Time

Alpha’s timer does not care about your local clock.

Is Alpha Futures News Policy Trader-Friendly?

Short answer: Yes — for a futures prop.

It’s clear, consistent, easy to follow, and doesn’t try to trick you.
You can hold trades.
You can close trades.
You can trade freely in the evaluation.

The only thing you can’t do is fire orders in a 4-minute window around the releases that blow up 90% of retail accounts.

Honestly? That’s reasonable.

FAQ: Alpha Futures News Trading

1. Can you trade news during the Alpha Futures evaluation?

Yes — no restrictions.

2. Can you open new trades during news on a Qualified account?

No.
Entries are blocked 2 minutes before and after high-impact releases.

3. Can you hold trades through news?

Yes.
Holding is allowed; only entries are restricted.

4. What happens if you enter during the window?

Profits may be voided.

5. Do Standard and Advanced have different news rules?

Same windows, stricter enforcement on Advanced.

6. How do I know which events are restricted?

Alpha provides an internal calendar matching high-impact CME release times.

7. Does closing a trade violate news rules?

No.
Closing is always allowed.

8. Do trading bots violate news rules?

They can — if they fire orders during the restricted window.

9. Are low-impact events restricted?

No, only high-impact.

10. Can news violations prevent payouts?

Yes — especially on Advanced.