AquaFutures Minimum Withdrawal Amounts: $250 vs $500 by Account Type

Minimum withdrawal amounts vary by account type and payout frequency: Beginner/Standard accounts typically have $250 minimums for first payout, $500 for subsequent payouts. Instant/Instant Pro accounts often have $500 minimums regardless of payout number. First payouts require 7-14 business days processing, while recurring payouts process in 2-5 business days. You can request payouts after meeting win day requirements (5 for evaluations, 7 for Instant) and profit targets.

The minimum withdrawal exists to reduce processing costs and prevent excessive small withdrawals that burden the prop firm's payment infrastructure. If you have $800 profit available, you can withdraw $250-$500 (meeting minimum) and keep the remainder in your account to continue trading. Most funded traders withdraw monthly ($2,000-$5,000 per payout) rather than chasing minimum thresholds weekly.

I'm breaking down minimum withdrawal amounts by account type, first vs recurring payout differences, how to calculate available withdrawal balance, withdrawal frequency limits, processing times, fees (if any), and optimal withdrawal strategies to maximize your funded account growth.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Aquafutures 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 Aquafutures´s website or their faq page.

Minimum Withdrawal Amounts by Account Type

Key insight: Instant accounts have higher minimums ($500 vs $250) and Instant Pro offers faster recurring payouts (weekly vs bi-weekly).

For account type details, see the account types guide.

Why Minimum Withdrawals Exist

Reason 1: Processing Costs

Every withdrawal costs the prop firm:

• Payment processor fees ($2-$10)
• Bank wire fees ($15-$30 for international)
• Administrative overhead (accounting, verification)

If minimum was $10:

• 100 traders withdraw $10 each
• Prop firm pays $200-$1,000 in fees
• Only moves $1,000 in actual profits

With $250-$500 minimum:

• Fees become negligible (1-5% of withdrawal)
• More efficient payment processing

Reason 2: Account Balance Stability

Scenario without minimums:

• You have $1,000 profit
• You withdraw $50 every 3 days (20 withdrawals)
• Balance fluctuates constantly
• Harder to calculate drawdown thresholds

With $250-$500 minimums:

• You withdraw $500 twice (2 withdrawals)
• Stable balance, easier tracking
• Less administrative burden

Reason 3: Prevents "Cash-and-Dash"

Without minimums:

• Trader gets funded instantly
• Makes $100
• Withdraws immediately
• Repeats 10 times per month

With minimums:

• Forces traders to build meaningful profit ($250-$500)
• Demonstrates sustainability
• Reduces frivolous withdrawal requests

For funded account details, see the funded account guide.

First Payout vs Recurring Payouts: Why Different Minimums?

First payout ($250 for Beginner/Standard):

Lower minimum because:

• Encourages traders to request their first payout sooner
• Psychological win (validates passing evaluation)
• Tests payout process (ensures it works)

Recurring payouts ($500):

Higher minimum because:

• You've proven you can withdraw successfully
• Reduces processing frequency
• Encourages building larger profits before withdrawal

Example timeline (Beginner funded account):

• Week 1-3: Build to $400 profit
• Week 4: Request first payout ($250), keep $150 in account
• Week 5-7: Build to $700 profit total
• Week 8: Request second payout ($500), keep $200 in account

For payout process details, see the payout process guide.

How to Calculate Your Available Withdrawal Amount

Formula: Available withdrawal = Current balance - Starting balance

Example 1: Beginner $50K account

• Starting balance: $50,000
• Current balance: $51,200
• Available withdrawal: $1,200

You can withdraw $250 (first payout) or $500 (recurring) and keep the remainder.

Example 2: Instant $50K account

• Starting balance: $50,000
• Current balance: $50,800
• Available withdrawal: $800

You can withdraw $500 (minimum) and keep $300 in account.

Example 3: Not enough for minimum

• Starting balance: $50,000
• Current balance: $50,400
• Available withdrawal: $400
• Can't withdraw yet (need $500 minimum for Instant, $250 for Beginner)

Important: You can't withdraw your starting balance—only profits above it.

For balance tracking, see the dashboard guide.

Withdrawal Frequency Limits

Beginner/Standard/Instant:

• First payout: After passing evaluation and meeting win days
• Recurring payouts: Every 14 days after first payout

Instant Pro:

• First payout: After 7 win days
• Recurring payouts: Every 7 days after first payout (weekly)

Why 14-day limits?

Prevents:

• Daily withdrawal requests (administrative nightmare)
• Constant balance fluctuations
• Withdrawal-focused trading (instead of growth-focused trading)

Can you withdraw less frequently?

Yes. The 14-day limit is minimum time between withdrawals—not a requirement to withdraw every 14 days.

Example:

• First payout: January 1
• You could withdraw again: January 15 (14 days later)
• But you choose to wait until: February 1 (build larger profit)

No penalty for waiting. Most successful funded traders withdraw monthly ($2,000-$5,000) rather than bi-weekly minimums.

Processing Times by Payout Number

Why first payouts take longer:

✅ Trade history review: AquaFutures verifies no rule violations

✅ Compliance checks: Ensuring win days and profit targets met

✅ Payment method verification: Confirming bank details, PayPal accounts, etc.

✅ Fraud prevention: Checking for coordinated trading, hedging, account sharing

Once approved: Recurring payouts process faster because you've been vetted.

For payout timing details, see the payout process guide.

Withdrawal Fees (If Any)

Most prop firms:

✅ No withdrawal fees for standard methods (ACH, domestic wire)

⚠️ Possible fees for international wire ($15-$30, paid by trader or prop firm—varies)

⚠️ Currency conversion fees (if withdrawing in non-USD, 1-3%)

Check AquaFutures' specific policy before requesting first payout.

Example (no fees):

• Profit: $1,000
• Withdrawal request: $500
• You receive: $500 (no deductions)

Example (with international wire fee):

• Profit: $1,000
• Withdrawal request: $500
• Wire fee: $25
• You receive: $475

For fee structures, see the commission fees guide.

Can You Withdraw Partial Profits?

Yes. You don't need to withdraw all available profits.

Example:

• Available withdrawal: $1,200
• Minimum: $500
• You can withdraw: $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, $1,100, or $1,200

Remainder stays in account to continue trading.

Strategic approach:

• Withdraw enough to meet minimum ($500)
• Keep remainder as buffer (cushion above starting balance)
• Reduces drawdown breach risk

Example:

• Starting balance: $50,000
• Current balance: $52,500
• Available withdrawal: $2,500
• Option A: Withdraw $2,500 (full amount), return to $50,000 balance
• Option B: Withdraw $1,500, keep $1,000 buffer (balance stays at $51,000)

Option B is safer: If you lose -$500 next week, you're at $50,500 (still above starting balance). If you'd withdrawn all $2,500, you'd be at $49,500 (below starting balance, closer to drawdown threshold).

Optimal Withdrawal Strategy

Strategy 1: Withdraw minimums frequently (cash flow priority)

Method:

• Request payout every 14 days at $500 minimum
• Maximize cash flow to cover expenses
• Keep minimal buffer in account

Pros: Steady income, money in your pocket

Cons: Less buffer, higher breach risk, more withdrawal requests

Best for: Traders needing income, confident in consistency

Strategy 2: Accumulate larger payouts (growth priority)

Method:

• Build profit to $2,000-$5,000
• Withdraw monthly (not every 14 days)
• Keep larger buffer in account

Pros: Larger cushion, fewer withdrawals, compound growth

Cons: Money tied up in account longer

Best for: Traders focused on scaling, don't need immediate income

Strategy 3: Hybrid (balanced)

Method:

• First payout: $250-$500 (validate process)
• Build to $1,500-$2,000
• Withdraw $1,000, keep $500-$1,000 buffer
• Repeat monthly

Pros: Balance of income and safety

Cons: Requires discipline to not withdraw everything

Recommended: Strategy 2 or 3 for most traders. Build larger payouts, keep buffers, scale sustainably.

For scaling strategies, see the profit split guide.

What Happens If You Don't Meet Minimum?

Scenario: You have $400 profit but minimum is $500.

Options:

Option 1: Wait until you reach $500

• Continue trading
• Build to $500+
• Then request withdrawal

Option 2: Contact support (rarely works)

• Email: "I have $400 profit, can I withdraw despite $500 minimum?"
• Most firms: No (minimums are firm policy)
• Occasionally: Approved for special circumstances (medical emergency, etc.)

Option 3: Reduce minimum (Instant Pro only)

Instant Pro has lower minimum or more flexible terms—check policy.

Best approach: Trade until you hit minimum. Don't request below-minimum withdrawals—they'll be denied.

Withdrawal Limits (Maximum)

Is there a maximum withdrawal per request?

Usually no—but check with AquaFutures.

Example:

• Available withdrawal: $10,000
• Can you withdraw all $10,000? Typically yes

Exception: Some firms cap withdrawals at $5,000-$10,000 per request to manage cash flow. If you have $15,000, you'd request:

• Payout 1: $10,000
• Payout 2 (14 days later): $5,000

Verify with AquaFutures if you're approaching large withdrawals ($10K+).

Withdrawal After Scaling Account Size

Funded accounts can scale (grow from $50K → $100K → $200K).

Do minimums change?

Usually no. $250-$500 minimums apply regardless of account size.

Example:

• Start: $50K account, $500 minimum
• Scale to: $200K account, still $500 minimum

Your withdrawals scale naturally:

• $50K account: Withdraw $1,000-$2,000/month
• $200K account: Withdraw $5,000-$10,000/month

Minimum stays the same, but your profit potential increases.

For scaling details, see the copy trading guide.

Tax Implications of Withdrawals

U.S. traders:

Withdrawals are taxable income (1099 from prop firm).

Example:

• Withdraw $6,000 total in 2026
• Tax filing: Report $6,000 as self-employment income
• Owe taxes: ~25-35% depending on bracket ($1,500-$2,100)

Set aside 25-35% of each withdrawal for taxes.

Withdrawal 1: $500 → Set aside $125-$175

Withdrawal 2: $1,000 → Set aside $250-$350

Consult a tax professional for specific guidance.

For tax considerations, see the copy trading guide (mentions tax implications of multiple accounts).

Final Thoughts: Build Before You Withdraw

New funded traders often make this mistake:

• Get funded with $50K
• Make $300 in Week 1
• Immediately try to withdraw (below minimum)
• Get frustrated when denied

Better approach:

1. Get funded
2. Trade for 3-4 weeks
3. Build to $800-$1,200 profit
4. Request first payout ($250-$500)
5. Keep $300-$700 buffer
6. Continue trading
7. Repeat every 30-45 days

Don't chase minimum withdrawals. Focus on building sustainable profits. Withdrawals are a byproduct of good trading—not the primary goal.

Trade well, scale accounts, withdraw strategically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum withdrawal amount on AquaFutures?

Beginner/Standard: $250 first payout, $500 subsequent payouts. Instant/Instant Pro: $500 all payouts. You can only withdraw profits above starting balance. Example: $50K starting balance, $51,200 current balance = $1,200 available, can withdraw $250-$500 (meeting minimum) and keep remainder to continue trading.

Can I withdraw less than $250?

No. If you have $200 profit and minimum is $250, you must wait until you reach $250+ before requesting withdrawal. Contact support for special circumstances (rarely approved), but best approach is continue trading until you hit minimum. Minimum withdrawals are firm policy to reduce processing costs.

How long does first payout take?

First payout: 7-14 business days (manual review, compliance checks, payment verification). Second payout: 5-7 business days (less review). Third+ payouts: 2-5 business days (routine processing). First payouts take longer for trade history review, verifying win days/profit targets met, fraud prevention checks.

How often can I withdraw profits?

Beginner/Standard/Instant: Every 14 days after first payout. Instant Pro: Every 7 days after first payout (weekly). This is minimum time between withdrawals—you can wait longer. Most successful traders withdraw monthly ($2,000-$5,000) rather than bi-weekly minimums to build larger profits and maintain account buffers.

Do I have to withdraw all my profits?

No. Partial withdrawals allowed above minimum. Example: $1,200 available, $500 minimum, can withdraw $500-$1,200 (any amount ≥$500). Remainder stays in account. Strategic: Withdraw $700, keep $500 buffer (safer—gives cushion above starting balance, reduces breach risk if you hit losing streak).

Are there withdrawal fees?

Most prop firms: No fees for ACH/domestic wire. Possible fees: International wire ($15-$30), currency conversion (1-3% if non-USD). Check AquaFutures' specific policy. Example no fees: $500 withdrawal = $500 received. Example with fees: $500 withdrawal - $25 wire fee = $475 received.

Why is Instant minimum higher than Beginner/Standard?

Instant accounts have immediate funding without evaluation grind. Higher minimum ($500 vs $250 first payout) ensures you build meaningful profit before withdrawing—prevents "get funded instantly, make $100, withdraw" pattern. Forces sustainability. Instant Pro has same $500 minimum but faster recurring frequency (7 days vs 14).

What if I breach after withdrawing profits?

Withdrawals don't affect breach calculations. Drawdown threshold based on highest balance (high water mark). Example: Start $50K, build to $52K (withdraw $1,500 = $500 left), new starting balance $50,500, threshold $47,975 (5% below $50,500). If you breach, account terminates—withdrawn profits are yours to keep.

Your Next Steps

‍👉 Start Trading at Aquafutures Today

‍👉 Read My Full Aquafutures Review

‍👉 Check out Aquafutures´s Payout Rules

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