Lucid Trading Payout Methods: How to Withdraw Your Profits

Payout delays kill momentum. I've seen traders hit their profit target, request a withdrawal, then wait days because they didn't set up their payout method correctly—or chose the wrong option for their situation.

I've pulled multiple payouts from Lucid Trading using different methods. Here's exactly how each one works, which is fastest for your situation, and how to avoid the common issues that slow down your first withdrawal.

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.

Lucid Trading Payout Methods Overview

Lucid supports three payout options—one for US traders, one for international traders, and a new crypto option that just launched.

Plaid (US Only)

• Instant bank transfers to US-based traders
• Direct connection to your US bank account
• Fastest withdrawal method available
• Processing: Instant to same-day (typically 1-4 hours)

WorkMarket by ADP (US + International)

• Available to all traders globally
• Withdraw via bank transfer or PayPal
• Funds received as early as next business day
• Processing: 1-4 business days depending on method

Cryptocurrency (NEW - International Only)

• Live as of February 2026
• International traders only (not available to US)
• Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT supported
• Processing: Immediate or 1-2 business days after approval

Let's break down each one.

Plaid: Instant US Bank Transfers

Plaid is the fastest payout method Lucid offers—but it only works if you're US-based with a US bank account.

How It Works

Plaid connects directly to your bank account. When you request a withdrawal, funds transfer from Lucid to your bank within minutes to a few hours. No intermediaries, no waiting for ACH batches.

Availability

US traders with accounts at Plaid-supported banks:

• 12,000+ institutions supported
• All major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo)
• Credit unions
• Online banks (Ally, Chime, Marcus, etc.)

Setup (5-10 Minutes)

1. Dashboard → Payouts → Add Bank Account
2. Select Plaid
3. Choose your bank from the list
4. Enter your online banking credentials (secure—Plaid never stores them)
5. Select checking or savings account
6. Verify connection

Note: Some banks require micro-deposit verification (1-2 business days) instead of instant. Most offer instant verification.

Processing Time

Typical: 1-4 hours from request to bank account
Maximum: 8 hours for slower banks
Best case: Under 1 hour

I've had Plaid payouts hit my account in under 2 hours consistently. It's legitimately instant compared to traditional methods.

Pros

✅ Fastest method available
✅ Direct deposits—no intermediary
✅ Works with virtually all US banks
✅ No fees from Lucid or Plaid

Cons

❌ US-only (international traders can't use it)
❌ Requires sharing online banking credentials (though Plaid is secure and widely trusted)

WorkMarket by ADP: US & International Payouts

WorkMarket is Lucid's solution for international traders—and also works for US traders who prefer not to use Plaid.

It offers two withdrawal options: bank transfer or PayPal.

Availability

All traders globally in non-restricted countries. This is your only option if you're not US-based.

Bank Transfer Option

How it works: Direct transfers to bank accounts worldwide. You provide your account number, routing/SWIFT/IBAN codes, and bank details. WorkMarket handles currency conversion for non-USD accounts using standard banking rates.

Processing time:

• US domestic: 1-2 business days
• International: 2-4 business days

Pros:

‍✅ Direct to bank—no intermediary like PayPal
✅ Works globally
✅ No PayPal withdrawal fees

Cons:

‍❌ Slower than Plaid (US traders)
❌ International wire fees may apply ($10-$25 from your bank)
❌ Currency conversion at banking rates (usually better than PayPal, but not always transparent)

PayPal Option

How it works: Link your PayPal account to WorkMarket. Payouts go directly to your PayPal balance. From there, you can transfer to your bank (3-5 days standard, instant for 1.75% fee) or spend with PayPal debit card.

Processing time:

• Lucid → PayPal: 1-2 business days
• PayPal → Bank: 3-5 days (standard) or instant (1.75% fee)

Pros:

‍✅ Works in 190+ countries
✅ Faster than traditional banking in some regions
✅ Can spend directly from PayPal without bank transfer
✅ Good for countries with slow/expensive wire transfers

Cons:

‍❌ PayPal withdrawal fees (1-3% depending on country)
❌ PayPal currency conversion spreads (3-4% above spot rate)
❌ Two-step process (Lucid → PayPal → Bank)
❌ PayPal may flag accounts receiving business payments

WorkMarket Setup (15-30 Minutes First Time)

1. Request payout from Lucid
2. Receive WorkMarket setup email
3. Create WorkMarket account
4. Complete profile (name, address, tax info)
5. Add bank account or PayPal
6. Verify identity (ID upload—passport, driver's license, etc.)
7. Approve payout

First-time setup takes longer. After initial verification, future payouts are much faster.

When WorkMarket Makes Sense

Use bank transfer if:

• You're in a country with modern banking (UK, EU, Australia, Canada)
• You want direct deposits without PayPal fees
• Your bank doesn't charge high incoming wire fees

Use PayPal if:

• You're in a country with slow/expensive banking (parts of Latin America, Africa, Asia)
• Traditional wires take 5-7 days and cost $30-$50
• You already use PayPal regularly
• You want funds available to spend immediately via PayPal debit card

Cryptocurrency Payouts (NEW - October 2025)

This is the biggest update. Lucid officially launched crypto payouts—but with a specific, controlled approach.

What's Live

✅ Crypto withdrawals for international traders
✅ Supported currencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDT (Tether)
✅ Manual wallet funding (Lucid loads crypto conservatively)
✅ Case-by-case processing after payout approval

What's NOT Available

❌ No crypto for US traders (Plaid remains your option)
❌ Not always instant (depends on wallet funding status)

How Crypto Payouts Work

Lucid's crypto implementation prioritizes compliance and capital protection over speed.

The process:

1. Request payout through normal channels
2. Lucid reviews and approves (standard payout review)
3. If crypto wallet is funded: Payout sent immediately
4. If wallet needs reloading: 1-2 business days after approval

Why the delay sometimes? Lucid doesn't keep massive crypto reserves sitting in exchange wallets. They fund wallets conservatively to reduce exposure to exchange risk, wallet vulnerabilities, and regulatory scrutiny.

This is slower than some traders expect—but it's also more sustainable than firms that rushed crypto adoption and ran into compliance or liquidity issues.

Enhanced KYC for Crypto

Crypto withdrawals trigger stricter compliance checks:

• Additional identity verification may be required
• Payout reviews may take longer than standard fiat methods
• Extra documentation requests should be expected

Regulatory compliance around crypto is significantly stricter in many jurisdictions. Lucid opted to meet those requirements rather than push boundaries.

Important: Lucid's team has made it clear they have zero tolerance for pressure to move faster at the expense of compliance. Expect enhanced scrutiny—it's part of the tradeoff for crypto access.

Why US Traders Can't Use Crypto Payouts

US-based traders are excluded from crypto withdrawals—and this likely won't change soon.

Why?

• US crypto regulations are fragmented and aggressive
• Banking relationships are easier to maintain with fiat rails
• Plaid instant payouts are already competitive with crypto speed

For US traders, nothing changes. Plaid remains your fastest option.

Crypto Payout Pros & Cons

Pros:✅ Faster than traditional international wires (when instant)
✅ Lower fees than wire transfers (typically)
✅ Hold funds in crypto if desired
✅ Greater privacy than bank transfers
✅ Good option for countries with restricted banking

Cons:❌ Not always instant (1-2 day delays possible)
❌ Enhanced KYC requirements
❌ Volatility risk (non-stablecoins like BTC/ETH)
❌ Tax complexity (crypto withdrawals create taxable events)
❌ Requires crypto wallet setup
❌ Not available to US traders

Choosing the Right Payout Method

If You're US-Based:

Use Plaid for speed. Instant to same-day (typically 2-4 hours) beats everything else.

Use WorkMarket only if:

• You can't/won't connect bank credentials to Plaid
• You prefer PayPal
• You experience Plaid verification issues with your bank

If You're International:

You have two options: WorkMarket or Crypto.

Use Crypto if:

• You're comfortable with KYC requirements
• You can tolerate potential 1-2 day delays (when wallet needs reloading)
• You want lower fees than wire transfers
• Your country has slow/expensive traditional banking
• You're fine holding crypto or converting it yourself

Use WorkMarket Bank Transfer if:

• You're in a country with modern banking (UK, EU, Australia, Canada)
• You want direct deposits without crypto complexity
• Your bank doesn't charge high incoming wire fees
• You prefer fiat stability over crypto volatility

Use WorkMarket PayPal if:

• You're in a country with slow/expensive traditional wires
• Traditional banking takes 5-7 days and costs $30-$50
• You already use PayPal regularly
• You want funds available to spend via PayPal card

Fee Comparison: What You'll Actually Pay

Understanding total cost matters. A $1,000 payout might net you anywhere from $950 to $995 depending on method and fees.

Plaid (US Only)

• Lucid fee: $0
• Plaid fee: $0
• Bank fee: $0 (typically)
• Net on $1,000: $1,000

WorkMarket → US Bank

• Lucid fee: $0
• WorkMarket fee: $0
• Bank fee: $0-$10 (varies)
• Net on $1,000: $990-$1,000

WorkMarket → International Bank

• Lucid fee: $0
• WorkMarket fee: $0
• Intermediary bank fees: $10-$25
• Currency conversion: ~1-2%
• Net on $1,000: $950-$980

WorkMarket → PayPal → Bank

• Lucid fee: $0
• WorkMarket fee: $0
• PayPal withdrawal fee: 1-3% (country-dependent)
• PayPal currency conversion: 3-4% above spot
• Net on $1,000: $930-$970

Crypto (International)

• Lucid fee: $0
• Blockchain network fee: $1-$20 (depends on congestion and currency)
• Exchange conversion fee (if cashing out): 0.5-1%
• Net on $1,000: $975-$995 (if using stablecoins like USDT)

The takeaway: Plaid is cleanest (no fees). For international traders, crypto or bank transfer typically beat PayPal on total cost.

Common Payout Issues (And How to Fix Them)

Issue #1: Plaid Connection Failures

Why it happens: Some banks require 1-2 day micro-deposit verification instead of instant.

The fix: If your bank isn't offering instant verification, you'll receive two small deposits (under $1 each) within 1-2 business days. Log into your bank, check the exact amounts, then verify in Lucid dashboard.

If your bank isn't listed in Plaid at all, use WorkMarket instead.

Issue #2: WorkMarket Identity Verification Delays

Why it happens: Automatic identity verification fails, triggering manual review (adds 1-3 business days).

The fix:

• Upload clear, high-quality ID documents (passport or driver's license)
• Ensure your legal name matches exactly across Lucid, WorkMarket, and your ID
• Use a well-lit, in-focus photo with all four corners of ID visible
• Avoid blurry screenshots

Issue #3: PayPal Account Limitations

Why it happens: PayPal occasionally flags accounts receiving business payments, especially new accounts or accounts with limited history.

The fix:

• Verify your PayPal account with ID and linked bank before requesting first payout
• Use a Business PayPal account instead of Personal (works better for recurring payouts)
• If your account gets limited, contact PayPal support with proof you're receiving prop trading payouts

Issue #4: International Bank Transfer Rejections

Why it happens: Incorrect SWIFT/IBAN codes, incomplete bank addresses, or name mismatches.

The fix:

• Double-check SWIFT/IBAN codes (one wrong character = rejection)
• Provide complete bank address (street, city, postal code, country)
• Ensure beneficiary name matches your Lucid account name exactly
• Contact your bank for exact wire instructions (they'll give you a template)

Issue #5: Crypto Payout Delays

Why it happens: Lucid's crypto wallet needs reloading, or enhanced KYC review is triggered.

The fix: This is by design—not a bug. If you need guaranteed instant withdrawals, use WorkMarket bank transfer instead. Crypto payouts prioritize compliance over speed.

If KYC is requested, provide documents quickly to avoid further delays.

Payout Processing Timeline (Summary)

MethodProcessing TimeBest ForPlaid (US)1-4 hours (same day)US traders wanting speed

‍WorkMarket → US Bank1-2 business daysUS traders who can't use Plaid

‍WorkMarket → Intl Bank2-4 business daysInternational traders, modern banking countries

‍WorkMarket → PayPal2-3 business days (to PayPal)Countries with slow/expensive wires

‍Crypto (Intl) Immediate or 1-2 business daysInternational traders comfortable with KYC/delays

Strategic Considerations: Speed vs Cost vs Convenience

Prioritize Speed

Best: Plaid (US only)
Second best: Crypto (when instant)
Avoid: WorkMarket → PayPal → Bank (slowest multi-step process)

Prioritize Low Fees

Best: Plaid (zero fees)
Second best: Crypto with stablecoins (minimal fees)
Avoid: WorkMarket → PayPal (highest total fees due to withdrawal + conversion)

Prioritize Convenience

Best: Plaid (one-time setup, then automatic)
Second best: WorkMarket → Bank (direct deposits)
Avoid: Crypto (requires wallet management, conversion if cashing out)

Setup Checklist: Do This Before Your First Payout

✅ If US-based: Set up Plaid in your Lucid dashboard now (takes 5-10 minutes)
✅ If international: Set up WorkMarket account and choose bank or PayPal
✅ If using crypto: Prepare your wallet address and complete KYC in advance
✅ Verify identity: Upload clear ID documents to avoid delays
✅ Double-check names: Ensure legal name matches across Lucid, payout method, and ID
✅ Test with small payout: Request minimum withdrawal first to verify everything works

Pro tip: Set up your payout method before hitting your profit target. Don't wait until you're ready to withdraw—you'll just add unnecessary delays.

My Take on Lucid's Payout Options

After pulling multiple payouts using different methods, here's what actually matters:

For US traders: Plaid is a no-brainer. I've had funds in my account in under 2 hours multiple times. It just works.

For international traders: The new crypto option fills a real gap, especially for countries where traditional wires take 5-7 days and cost $30-$50. Yes, it's not always instant—but when it is, it beats everything else. When it's not, you're still looking at 1-2 days, which is competitive with WorkMarket bank transfers.

WorkMarket (bank or PayPal) remains solid for traders who want fiat stability or can't/won't deal with crypto KYC requirements.

The key insight: Lucid's crypto rollout prioritizes compliance and firm stability over instant gratification. That frustrates some traders—but in a space where prop firms collapse regularly, boring and compliant is actually reassuring.

Bottom Line

Lucid offers three withdrawal paths:

1. Plaid for US traders (fastest)
2. WorkMarket for global access (bank or PayPal)
3. Crypto for international traders (new, compliance-first)

US traders should use Plaid—instant to same-day beats everything. International traders should compare crypto (potentially instant, enhanced KYC) versus WorkMarket bank transfer (2-4 days, stable fiat) based on local banking infrastructure, fees, and comfort with crypto.

Set up your preferred method before requesting your first payout. Factor processing times, fees, and currency conversion into your withdrawal strategy.