Lucid Trading for US Traders: Everything You Need to Know

Lucid Trading is a US-based futures prop firm founded in 2025 by CEO AJ Campanella. If you're an American trader, this matters — because unlike offshore prop firms that treat US traders like second-class citizens, Lucid was built specifically for the US futures market.

Here's what US traders need to know about trading with Lucid, from instant ACH payouts to tax implications.

Learned the hard way: I've breached Lucid accounts, passed Lucid accounts, and spent 18+ months figuring out which rules trip traders versus which ones are manageable. This reflects trial-and-error experience—including my mistakes.

The single most important rule at Lucid is the EOD trailing drawdown—it's fundamentally different from intraday drawdown most firms use, and that difference changes how you size positions and manage risk during volatile sessions. I broke it down in my complete max drawdown guide, including real scenarios and exactly how to calculate safe position size. For the absolute latest, check Lucid Trading's website or their help center.

US Company, US Rules, US Trading Hours

Lucid Trading operates as a US-registered entity, which means:

✅ All rules and documentation follow US legal standards
✅ Trading hours align with US market sessions (EST-based)
✅ Support operates during US business hours (Monday-Friday)
✅ No offshore payment processing headaches

Trading hours: Sunday 6:00 PM EST through Friday 4:45 PM EST. All positions must close by 4:45 PM EST daily — this matches CME futures settlement times, so there's no confusion about "which timezone" the cutoff uses.

Instant Payouts for US Traders (ACH + Plaid)

This is where Lucid Trading crushes offshore competitors.

US traders get access to:

• ACH instant transfers via Plaid integration
• PayPal (typically arrives within hours)
• Wire transfer (1-2 business days)

Most traders report payout approval in under 15 minutes, with funds hitting their US bank account the same day via ACH. Compare that to offshore firms that take 5-7 business days for international wire transfers.

Real payout speeds (from Trustpilot reviews):

• "Requested payout, money in my account in 1 minute"
• "Submitted at 3 PM, funds in my bank by 5 PM same day"
• "Fastest prop firm payout I've ever seen — under 10 minutes total"

Why it's faster for US traders: Lucid uses US-based payment processors. Your money doesn't cross international borders, get converted between currencies, or sit in intermediary banks. It's direct US bank → US bank.

Tax Reporting for US Traders

Lucid Trading payouts are considered self-employment income for US tax purposes.

What you need to know:

• Lucid provides documentation for your tax reporting (similar to 1099 treatment)
• You're responsible for reporting prop firm earnings on Schedule C
• Payouts are NOT considered gambling winnings (they're business income)
• You can deduct business expenses: platform fees, data costs, evaluation purchases

Important: Lucid doesn't withhold taxes. You need to set aside ~25-30% for federal + state taxes, plus self-employment tax. Most funded traders pay quarterly estimated taxes to avoid penalties.

Pro tip: Consult a CPA who understands prop trading. The tax treatment is clear (business income), but deduction strategies vary by state.

No State Restrictions

Lucid Trading accepts traders from all 50 US states. There are no geographic restrictions within the United States.

Some offshore prop firms exclude certain states due to regulatory complexity (looking at you, New York and California). Lucid doesn't have this problem because they're already US-compliant.

US Futures Platforms Only

Lucid supports Rithmic and Tradovate — both US-based futures platforms popular with American day traders and scalpers.

Why this matters:

• Low latency to CME servers (Chicago data center proximity)
• US futures only (ES, NQ, YM, CL, GC — all CME contracts)
• No forex restrictions (Lucid doesn't offer forex, so no CFTC compliance issues)

If you're already trading NinjaTrader or Sierra Chart with Rithmic, you can plug directly into your Lucid account. No platform learning curve.

Benefits of a US-Based Prop Firm

Speed: Domestic ACH is 10x faster than international wires
Trust: US legal entity means disputes are handled under US law
Support: Discord and live chat during US trading hours
No currency conversion: Everything is in USD (no hidden forex fees)

Compare this to trading with a firm registered in the Seychelles or St. Vincent. When something goes wrong, good luck navigating offshore arbitration.

Who Lucid Trading Is Best For (US Traders)

Perfect fit:

• ✅ ES/NQ day traders and scalpers
• ✅ Traders who need fast ACH payouts
• ✅ Traders who want US legal protections
• ✅ Traders already using Rithmic/Tradovate

Not ideal for:

• ❌ Forex or stock traders (Lucid is futures-only)
• ❌ Traders who need 24/7 live support (support runs US business hours)
• ❌ Traders who want to avoid US tax reporting

Cost for US Traders

Account costs are the same for US and international traders, but US traders avoid:

• International wire fees ($20-$45 per payout)
• Currency conversion spreads (1-3% on each transaction)
• Multi-day payout delays

Example savings: If you withdraw $2,000/month internationally via wire, you're paying ~$240-$540/year in fees plus conversion losses. US ACH? $0 in fees.

Over 12 months of consistent payouts, being a US trader at Lucid saves $500-$1,000+ compared to offshore alternatives.

Getting Started as a US Trader

1. Sign up at lucidtrading.com (no geo-restrictions)
2. Choose your path: LucidTest evaluation ($97-$195) or LucidDirect instant funding ($489+)
3. Connect your US bank account via Plaid for instant ACH payouts
4. Trade US futures on Rithmic or Tradovate
5. Request payouts anytime (no payout windows or waiting periods)

Use discount code VIBES for maximum savings on account purchases.

The Bottom Line for US Traders

Lucid Trading is the best futures prop firm for US traders in 2026 if you prioritize:

• Instant ACH payouts (not 5-7 day international wires)
• US legal protections and compliance
• Low-latency access to CME futures
• Support during US market hours

It's not perfect — futures-only means no forex or stocks — but if you trade ES, NQ, or other CME contracts, there's no better US-based prop firm for speed, transparency, and payout reliability.