Prop firm minimum holding times and what they do to scalpers
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2026 8:12 pm
Funded account programmes appeal to scalpers who want more capital. Their rules, though, often include restrictions that cut across typical scalping styles.
Some firms ban trades shorter than a set time, such as 30 or 60 seconds. Profits from trades below the limit may not count or can lead to account closure. Others limit the number of trades or restrict certain methods like high-frequency strategies or latency exploitation.
Rules vary a lot and change over time. Reading the terms in full before paying for an evaluation is essential. Screenshots of the rules at the time of purchase help in case of disputes.
Testing the strategy's trade duration distribution against the rule helps. If a large share of trades is under the minimum, the strategy needs adjusting, or another provider is needed.
Also check how the firm handles execution. Some run simulated accounts with their own pricing, so fills may differ from real markets.
Some firms also state that trades during certain windows will not count towards the profit target, even if they are legal. Keeping a note of every such clause, with a screenshot, avoids arguments about what was agreed when the evaluation started.
Which restrictions have you run into with funded programmes?
Some firms ban trades shorter than a set time, such as 30 or 60 seconds. Profits from trades below the limit may not count or can lead to account closure. Others limit the number of trades or restrict certain methods like high-frequency strategies or latency exploitation.
Rules vary a lot and change over time. Reading the terms in full before paying for an evaluation is essential. Screenshots of the rules at the time of purchase help in case of disputes.
Testing the strategy's trade duration distribution against the rule helps. If a large share of trades is under the minimum, the strategy needs adjusting, or another provider is needed.
Also check how the firm handles execution. Some run simulated accounts with their own pricing, so fills may differ from real markets.
Some firms also state that trades during certain windows will not count towards the profit target, even if they are legal. Keeping a note of every such clause, with a screenshot, avoids arguments about what was agreed when the evaluation started.
Which restrictions have you run into with funded programmes?