The Futures Desk Challenges
The Futures Desk runs 1 Step challenges with relative balance drawdown. Account sizes range from $25K to $150K, with evaluation fees from $96–$568. Trading runs on NinjaTrader, Tradovate, Quantower, TradingView.
The Futures Desk challenge types and pricing
8 active The Futures Desk challenges across 1 step tiers. Filter by account size and program type to find the right fit.
Challenges 8
| Account Size | Steps | Profit Target | Daily Loss | Max Loss | Profit Split | Payout Freq. | Loyalty Pts | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25K | 1 Step | 7% | 1.6% | 4% | 80% | Daily |  192 | |
| $25K | 1 Step | 8% | 1.6% | 4% | 80% | Daily | 320 | |
| $50K | 1 Step | 8% | 1.6% | 4% | 80% | Daily | 488 | |
| $50K | 1 Step | 7% | 1.6% | 4% | 80% | Daily | 288 | |
| $100K | 1 Step | 5.2% | 1.2% | 3% | 80% | Daily | 384 | |
| $150K | 1 Step | 5.2% | 1.2% | 3% | 80% | Daily | 672 | |
| $100K | 1 Step | 6% | 1.2% | 3% | 80% | Daily | 648 | |
| $150K | 1 Step | 6% | 1.2% | 3% | 80% | Daily | 1,136 |
1923204882883846726481,136Key trading rules
The rules that shape every The Futures Desk evaluation, condensed to one line per item.
Fee refund policy
The Futures Desk does not refund the challenge fee. Treat the evaluation cost as a one-time purchase.
Why traders fail The Futures Desk challenges
The most common failure causes are tied directly to The Futures Desk's rule set — here are the ones to plan around before paying for an evaluation.
- 1
Breaching the relative balance drawdown
The Futures Desk's drawdown is relative balance, which means the limit moves up as the account grows. Traders who size positions for the starting balance often blow through the limit after a profitable run-up.
Tip: Recalculate your max risk per trade against the current trailing limit, not the starting balance.
- 2
Not meeting the minimum trading days
The Futures Desk requires at least 5 trading days on the evaluation. Hitting the profit target faster doesn't fast-track you — the day count gates the pass.
Tip: Plan for the day count from day 1. Place at least one position-managed trade per required day, even if you're already in profit.
- 3
Holding positions over the weekend
The Futures Desk does not allow weekend exposure. A position that drifts past Friday's close can void the account regardless of P&L.
Tip: Set a hard alarm 30 minutes before your platform's weekly close — flatten everything before market shutdown.
Who The Futures Desk fits
Good fit if you trade like this:
- News-event traders — no restrictions on trading high-impact releases.
- Algorithmic and EA traders — automation is permitted.
- Traders who build profit unevenly — there is no consistency rule to penalize a standout day.
- Traders who prefer a single-phase evaluation over a longer 2-step process.
Look elsewhere if any of these apply:
- Swing traders — all positions must be flat by Friday close.
Want to see how real traders rate The Futures Desk's rule set?
Read The Futures Desk reviewsThe Futures Desk challenge FAQ
Quick answers to the questions traders ask before paying for a The Futures Desk evaluation.
Still have questions?
See the full The Futures Desk FAQ, rules, and payout policy on the main profile.