Can I use an EA (Expert Advisor) or a trading bot on FTMO?
Allowed, with limitsYes, at every stage. FTMO lists algorithmic trading and EAs among the styles it doesn't restrict, within its server limits: 200 orders at a time and 2,000 positions a day. If an EA overloads a server, FTMO may alert you and ask you to change it, and more than 2,000 server requests a day is a forbidden practice in its own right. A third-party EA that other traders also run can push the same strategy past FTMO's $400,000 maximum allocation.
“we have no reason for limiting or restricting your trading strategy, whether it’s discretionary trading, algorithmic trading or EAs”
Does FTMO allow AI trading?
Allowed, with limitsAI isn't banned as such. FTMO's Forbidden Trading Practices ban software or AI only where it might manipulate, abuse or give an unfair advantage, the same test as any other tool. An AI that places ordinary trades falls under the EA rules and limits.
“use any software, artificial intelligence, ultra-high-speed tools, or mass data entry that might manipulate, abuse, or give you an unfair advantage”
Can I copy trade on FTMO (signals, a copy-trading service)?
Allowed, with limitsFTMO names copy trading only in its allocation cap: accounts trading identically or near-identically, copied from the same signal group or copy-trading service, count together, and past $400,000 of combined capital (before scaling, more with the Premium Programme) FTMO may suspend them. Separately, nobody else may trade your account for you or in coordination with you, so ask FTMO before letting a copy service place trades on it.
“including trades copied from or based on the same third-party source (such as signal groups or copy-trading services), and the total fictitious capital exceeds the following limits, FTMO reserves the right to suspend the affected accounts”
Can I copy trades between my own FTMO accounts?
Allowed, with limitsWithin the $400,000 total across all your accounts and products, before any scaling and more with the Premium Programme (€320,000, £280,000 in those currencies). Copying the same trades to every account is fine there. Opposite positions across connected accounts are not: see hedging across accounts.
“At any given time, the total capital allocation across all accounts and products is limited to $400,000 per trader or strategy (prior to any scaling).”
Can I hedge on FTMO (opposite positions in one account)?
Allowed, with limitsOpposite positions on one account are the exception FTMO's manipulation rule allows. But hedging or opposite positions used to spread profit over days to get round the Best Day or Consistency rule is forbidden: on the 1-Step and the Instant Account that is exactly what the 50% and 30% rules watch.
“simultaneously entering into opposite positions (with the exception of entering into such positions on a single simulated account)”
Can I hedge across two FTMO accounts, or with another firm?
Not allowedNo. Opposite positions held together across connected accounts, accounts at other firms, or with other people are a forbidden practice at every stage.
“perform, alone or in concert with other persons — including between connected accounts, accounts held with various operators/providers, or accounts held with other members of the Program Group — simulated trades or combinations of trades for manipulative purposes”
Does FTMO allow martingale or grid trading?
Not named by FTMOFTMO's pages don't name martingale or grids. Its risk-management rules do cover what they do: no positions substantially larger than your others, and no repeated trading that piles up risk per trade idea in one symbol or correlated symbols. A grid that adds size as price moves against it runs into those.
“undertaking repeated simulated trading activity that results in higher Risk per Trade Idea, thereby exposing your simulated account to cumulative exposure in a specific symbol or correlated symbols”
Can I scalp on FTMO?
AllowedYes. FTMO says your trading style is up to you. Its Forbidden Trading Practices still ban exploiting errors or delays in its prices and feed, and ultra-high-speed tools that might give an unfair advantage.
“Your trading style is up to you.”
Can I trade the news on FTMO?
Allowed, with limitsNot in the window. No order may fill on a targeted symbol from 2 minutes before to 2 minutes after a restricted release, Stop Loss and Take Profit included. A position opened earlier may stay open, and other symbols trade freely.
The answer depends on the account: pick another above to compare.
“FTMO restricts order execution for 2 minutes before and 2 minutes after selected news releases for all accounts, excluding the exceptions mentioned below.”
Can I hold trades over the weekend on FTMO?
Not allowedNo. Close every position before any market break longer than 2 hours, the weekend included. Breaking this can end the account.
The answer depends on the account: pick another above to compare.
“FTMO restricts holding positions through market breaks longer than 2 hours for all accounts, excluding the exceptions mentioned below. You must close all open positions before the break begins.”
Can I hold trades overnight on FTMO?
Allowed, with limitsYes, unless the market closes for more than 2 hours overnight (overnight for equities, for example). The limit is the length of the break, not the night.
The answer depends on the account: pick another above to compare.
“FTMO restricts holding positions through market breaks longer than 2 hours for all accounts, excluding the exceptions mentioned below.”
Can I open a trade just before the weekend close on FTMO?
Not allowedNot in the last 2 hours. Opening a trade 2 hours or less before a market closes for 2 hours or more counts as gap trading, forbidden at every stage, Swing and the evaluation included. Holding a trade opened earlier is a separate rule (see the weekend).
“two hours or less before a relevant financial market is closed for at least two hours”
Can I trade crypto or anything else on the weekend with FTMO?
AllowedYes, whenever the symbol's market is open. FTMO puts no restriction on trading at weekends; check the symbol's hours on its Symbols page.
“We do not have any restrictions on executing trades on weekends.”
Can I trade without a stop loss on FTMO?
AllowedNo stop loss is required, though FTMO advises one. The daily and maximum loss limits still count your open losses.
“We do not require you to use a Stop-loss”
Can I use a VPN or VPS with FTMO?
Allowed, with limitsYes, with one exception: don't set your location to the United States on MetaTrader, cTrader or TradingView, and don't log in to MetaTrader or cTrader from the US while travelling there.
“The use of VPN/VPS is also generally allowed.”
How many FTMO accounts can I have?
Allowed, with limitsAs many as fit in $400,000 of total capital across all accounts and products, before scaling; the Premium Programme raises that cap. Only one FTMO Instant Account can be active at a time.
“The number of active FTMO Instant Account products is limited to one.”
Can I merge FTMO accounts?
Allowed, with limitsYes, on request, if the accounts have no trades, share a base currency and come from the same product. A merge can't be undone.
The answer depends on the account: pick another above to compare.
“Only FTMO Accounts can be merged.”
Can someone else trade my FTMO account?
Not allowedNo. The account is for your personal use only. Account management or passing services, paid or not, break this at every stage.
“You must not allow any third party to access or otherwise use your FTMO Account or your FTMO Challenge/Verification account”