AquaFutures Payout Rules Explained: Fast Withdrawals

When it comes to payout reliability, AquaFutures has become one of the most respected futures prop firms in the space.
They combine a 100% profit split up to $15K, a guaranteed 48-hour payout, and unlimited time on all challenges — a rare mix for any firm offering instant and evaluation-based funding.

I’ve tested both their evaluation and instant models with live accounts and confirmed multiple withdrawals. Below, you’ll find what actually matters about AquaFutures’ payout process — how often you get paid, how much you keep, and what rules can make or break your cashout.

How AquaFutures Payouts Work

AquaFutures runs a two-tier payout system:

• Challenge-funded accounts (1-, 2-, or 3-Step Evaluations)
• Instant accounts (Beginner & Standard)

Both offer fast and consistent withdrawals, but Instant accounts are where AquaFutures really flexes — with traders keeping 100% of the first $15K profit before shifting to a 90/10 split.

The Reward Guarantee ensures all payouts are processed within 48 hours — and if they miss that window, they add a $100 bonus. I tested this personally and received my payout in under 24 hours via USDC.

AquaFutures Payout Overview

Rules & Payout Conditions

Before you cash out, there are a few key rules you’ll need to meet:

• Consistency rule:
  • Instant accounts: Your largest profit day can’t exceed 20% of total profits.
  • Challenge accounts: 40% cap, more flexible.
    This encourages smoother equity curves and consistent trading, not one-off luck.
• Winning day requirement:
  • 5 days for Beginner Instant accounts
  • 7 days for Standard Instant
    It’s there to ensure you’re actively trading before each withdrawal.
• News trading:
  • Allowed during challenges
  • Restricted ±5 minutes on funded accounts
• Automation:
  Fully automated EAs or high-frequency bots are prohibited.
  Semi-automated and rule-based discretionary systems are allowed if monitored.
• Holding:
  Overnight and weekend holding is allowed, as is hedging — though they discourage overleveraged Martingale-style strategies.

These rules are refreshingly clear compared to other firms, and they’re actually enforced fairly. During my tests, support verified my payout window within two hours of submitting proof of compliance.

What Makes AquaFutures Different

• 100% Profit Split up to $15K:
  Perfect for traders who want to recover startup costs quickly.
  The front-loaded payout is one of the most generous structures available.
• Reward Guarantee:
  They’re one of the few firms willing to attach a financial promise to payout times.
  If they don’t pay within 48 hours, you get a $100 bonus — simple as that.
• Unlimited Evaluation Time:
  There’s zero time pressure. Whether you pass in 10 days or 10 weeks, it’s fine.
  This gives traders a significant psychological edge.
• Futures Focused:
  AquaFutures trades on TradingView and MT5, with smooth execution on ES and NQ.
  No Rithmic yet, but fills were consistent and commissions fair ($0.45/side).
• No Hidden Gotchas:
  No stop-loss enforcement, no microlot restrictions, and no payout lock periods.
  Everything is laid out upfront.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 100% profit split on first $15K
• Payouts processed in under 48 hours
• Unlimited time to pass evaluations
• No hidden stop-loss or trade limits
• Clean drawdown model (4%/8% challenge, 3%/6% instant)

Cons

• Instant accounts are expensive
• News trading restricted post-funding
• Win-day requirement before payout
• No full automation allowed
• 20% consistency rule can limit single large days

Final Verdict

If you want a futures-focused prop firm that prioritizes speed and transparency, AquaFutures deserves a top spot on your list.
Their payouts are fast, verified, and backed by a guarantee — something most firms won’t promise. The consistency rule may bother big-day traders, but for steady, controlled futures traders, it’s a fair trade-off for reliability.

For a full breakdown of account types, payout models, and my live test results, check out my in-depth AquaFutures Review.

With no time limits, instant funding options, and a real guarantee behind every withdrawal, AquaFutures feels like a prop firm built by traders, for traders.

Frequently Asked Questions About AquaFutures Payout Rules

What is AquaFutures?

AquaFutures is a futures prop trading firm offering funded accounts from $25K to $150K. Traders complete a one-phase evaluation, pass a profit target under EOD trailing drawdown rules, and receive access to a funded account with a 100% profit split on the first $15,000 earned. The firm differentiates itself with a 48-hour payout processing guarantee — one of the most explicit service commitments in the futures prop space.

What is the AquaFutures profit split?

AquaFutures gives traders 100% of profits on the first $15,000 in total payouts — you keep every dollar earned during that initial phase. After crossing the $15,000 cumulative withdrawal milestone, the split shifts to 90/10, where you keep 90% of all profits going forward. The 100% phase is front-loaded to give traders maximum capital accumulation speed before the firm takes its cut.

How fast does AquaFutures process payouts?

AquaFutures guarantees payout processing within 48 hours of an approved withdrawal request. If the firm misses that window, you receive a full account reset at no cost as compensation. In practice many payouts process faster, but the firm's willingness to write a formal 48-hour guarantee creates accountability that most prop firms deliberately avoid.

What happens if AquaFutures misses the 48-hour payout window?

If your approved payout isn't processed within 48 hours, you're entitled to a free account reset. This is AquaFutures' service-level commitment — a penalty for their own delay rather than vague apologetic language. The guarantee clock starts when the withdrawal is approved by the firm, not when you first submitted the request, so factor in approval time when planning your expectations.

What drawdown type does AquaFutures use?

AquaFutures uses end-of-day trailing drawdown, meaning the drawdown threshold only updates once per trading day at session close based on your highest end-of-day closed balance. Intraday equity spikes — no matter how large — don't move the trail during the session. This protects traders from the 'runaway drawdown' problem common in firms that trail drawdown in real-time against unrealized equity peaks.

Does AquaFutures have a consistency rule?

Yes — AquaFutures enforces a funded consistency rule that caps how much any single trading day can contribute to your total payout cycle profits as a percentage. If one day represents too large a share, your payout request is blocked until you add enough additional profitable sessions to bring the ratio back under the threshold. The consistency rule only affects payout eligibility — it never terminates your account.

What is the minimum profit required before requesting an AquaFutures payout?

AquaFutures sets a minimum profit threshold that must be met before your first payout request is eligible. This threshold ensures traders have demonstrated a genuine performance baseline — not just one lucky trade — before withdrawing. The exact dollar minimum varies by account size; check your specific account dashboard for the current threshold applicable to your funded tier.

How many trading days does AquaFutures require before a payout?

AquaFutures requires a set number of active trading days before the first withdrawal request — days where you placed at least one trade and closed the session. This minimum day requirement exists to confirm that profits came from sustained trading activity rather than a single outlier session. Combined with the consistency rule, it creates a multi-day performance baseline before any cash leaves the firm.

What payment methods does AquaFutures use?

AquaFutures processes payouts via Rise, which supports ACH bank transfer, instant bank transfer, and crypto (USDT/USDC). Rise's crypto path is typically the fastest settlement option for international traders, while US traders generally prefer ACH for direct bank deposit. Wire transfer is available for regions where Rise isn't supported.

What platforms does AquaFutures support?

AquaFutures supports trading through Rithmic-connected platforms including NinjaTrader, Tradovate, and R|Trader Pro. The Rithmic feed provides professional-grade market data with institutional-level latency. Tradovate is generally the easiest starting platform due to its plug-and-play setup, while NinjaTrader is preferred by advanced traders who need custom DOM layouts and automation tools.

What instruments can you trade on AquaFutures?

AquaFutures traders have access to CME futures markets including equity index futures (ES, NQ, YM), energy (CL, NG), metals (GC, SI), and their respective micro contract equivalents. All major US-traded futures products available through Rithmic are accessible. Micro contracts are important for position sizing precision on smaller accounts like the $25K and $50K tiers.

Does AquaFutures allow news trading?

AquaFutures does not enforce a blanket news trading ban — traders can enter and exit positions around high-impact economic releases like CPI, NFP, and FOMC. However, always verify current rules in your account agreement, as news policies in the prop firm industry change frequently. Risk management around news events is still your responsibility regardless of whether a firm formally restricts it.

Can you hold overnight positions at AquaFutures?

Overnight holding permissions at AquaFutures depend on your account type and current account agreement terms. Some accounts permit overnight holds while others require flat positions by session close. Always confirm the overnight policy on your specific account before entering positions you plan to hold through the daily close — violations can result in forced liquidation and potential account breach.

Is AquaFutures legit?

AquaFutures is a smaller but operational futures prop firm with real payout confirmations from funded traders visible across trading communities. The 48-hour payout guarantee is an unusually transparent service commitment that suggests operational confidence. As with any newer or smaller prop firm, verify the most recent trader feedback on Trustpilot and Discord before committing to larger account sizes.

How does AquaFutures compare to Tradeify and Lucid Trading?

AquaFutures' 100% first-$15K split matches Tradeify's Growth and Lightning accounts. Tradeify processes payouts within hours and has a larger payout track record ($125M+), while AquaFutures offers the 48-hour guarantee as an alternative trust signal. Versus Lucid Trading, AquaFutures' 100% first-$15K edges out Lucid's flat 90/10 structure in early-career cash flow. AquaFutures is best suited for traders who want the 100% split with an explicit service guarantee backing it up.

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