AquaFutures is known for its practical choices, with two different 1-Step and Instant plans available. Some options offer a flexible trading experience, while others provide cheaper access to funding. One of those options includes a 100% profit split.
This Aqua Futures review goes through the different choices and their rules to help you decide if this is the futures prop firm for your money. It will also discuss the payout requirement and the rules to watch for.
Aqua Futures at a Glance
Beginner 1-Step
| 25K | 50K | 100K | 150K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | $1,500 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Max Drawdown Limit | $1000 | $2500 | $3500 | $5000 |
| Drawdown Type | EOD | EOD | EOD | EOD |
| Max Contracts | 1 contracts | 3 contracts | 6 contracts | 9 contracts |
| Daily loss limit | $600 | $1,250 | $2,500 | $3,750 |
| Reset Fee | $45 | $80 | $150 | $22 |
| Consistency Rating | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Profit Split | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Standard 1-Step
| 25K | 50K | 100K | 150K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | $1,250 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
| Max Drawdown Limit | $1000 | $2500 | $3500 | $5000 |
| Drawdown Type | EOD | EOD | EOD | EOD |
| Max Contracts | 2 contracts | 4 contracts | 6 contracts | 10 contracts |
| Daily loss limit | None | None | None | None |
| Reset Fee | $75 | $110 | $170 | $220 |
| Consistency Rating | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Profit Split | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Standard Instant
| 50K | 100K | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Drawdown Limit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Drawdown Type | EOD | EOD |
| Max Contracts | 3 contracts | 6 contracts |
| Daily loss limit | $1,250 | 2,500 |
| Consistency Rating | 20% | 20% |
| Profit Split | 100% | 100% |
Pro Instant
| 50K | 100K | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Drawdown Limit | $2500 | $3500 |
| Drawdown Type | Trailing | Trailing |
| Max Contracts | 3 contracts | 6 contracts |
| Daily loss limit | None | None |
| Consistency Rating | 15% | 15% |
| Profit Split | 100% | 100% |
Aqua Futures Accounts
- Beginner 1-Step: The beginner plan is an affordable option with a slightly higher requirement to pass the evaluation and its payout requirements.
- Standard 1-Step: With a slightly higher price, the Standard plan does not have a daily loss limit and offers more contracts available. It also lets you go through the evaluation without following a consistency rule.
- Standard Instant: The Standard Instant follows the common instant-funded plan as other futures prop firms. This includes a stricter consistency percentage and a daily loss limit.
- Pro Instant: The Pro version is an affordable instant-funded plan option that also does not have a daily loss limit. In exchange, it has a very strict consistency percentage of 15%.
Aqua Futures Evaluation
For the 1-Step plans, you need to clear the evaluation phase once by hitting the profit target for your accounts while avoiding the drawdown. When going through the evaluation, below are notable rules to bring up:
- Consistency Rule: The Beginner 1-Step account requires you to have a consistency percentage of 40% before you can pass the evaluation. On the other hand, this is not a requirement for Standard 1-Step account traders.
- No Minimum Trading Days: Both the Beginner and Standard 1-Step accounts do not have a minimum trading day requirement. This lets you complete the evaluation faster than in other futures prop firms.
- Reset: If you breach your account during the evaluation phase, you can reset the account. The fees are significantly lower than the non-discounted cost of both the Beginner and Standard accounts. Some resets cost the same or less than the discounted price of an account.
- Zero Activation Fees: Upon passing the evaluation, you can move to the funded phase without paying for the activation fee.
- EOD Drawdown: The losing balance is calculated at the end of the day instead of real time with this drawdown rule.
Aqua Futures Funded Phase
Passing the evaluation with the 1-Step Plans, or purchasing either Instant plans, will start you with the funded phase. Note the following rules during this phase.
100% Profit Split
All funded accounts, except for the Standard 1-Step plan, enjoy a 100% profit split. The limit to this perk is up to $15,000 of gains. After a total payout of $15,000, the profit split turns to 90% for all lifetime withdrawals. It should be noted that 90% is slightly higher from the standard 80% profit cut.
EOD and Intraday Drawdown
The 1-Step and the Instant Standard accounts follow the EOD drawdown rule. Your losses only hit the maximum loss limit at the end of the day with the EOD rule. This provides more flexibility in your positions. However, the Instant Pro follows an intraday drawdown rule where your losses are counted in real-time.
Daily Loss Limit
Both the Beginner 1-Step and Standard Instant have a daily loss limit, which is the amount you can lose in a single trading day. The site specifies that the Beginner account is a soft breach DLL. Hitting it will lock your account for the rest of the trading session.
Note that the Standard Instant is not a soft breach according to traders. There are reports that their account has been locked upon hitting the DLL, indicating that it is a hard breach policy. Aqua Futures had acknowledged that their DLL is indeed a hard breach once when they responded to one of the traders who reported this incident.
Scalping
While scalping is allowed, there is a strict period on how long a position is open to discourage microscalping. According to Aqua Futures’ support, microscalped positions last for two minutes or less. Traders can only do microscalped positions for 50% of their total trades. Exceeding the total of allowed microscalping trades will nullify profits you made from them. However, losses from exceeded microscalped positions are not reversed.
Scaling Plan
All accounts during the funded phase follow a scaling plan that determines the maximum number of mini and micro contracts you can control. When you reach a specific profit balance on your account at the end of the day, your account reaches a tier that lets you control several contracts.
Below are the scaling tiers for the Beginner 1-Step and Instant Plans:
Beginner Funded Accounts
| 25k | 50k | 100K | 150K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below $1.000 | 1 mini – 10 micros | 1 mini – 10 micros | 2 minis – 20 micros | 2 minis – 20 micros |
| $1,000 – $2,000 | – | 2 minis – 20 micros | 3 minis – 30 micros | 3 minis – 30 micros |
| $2,000 – $4,000 | – | 3 minis – 30 micros | 4 minis – 40 micros | 4 minis – 4 micros |
| $4,000 – $6,000 | – | – | 6 mins – 60 micros | 6 minis – 60 micros |
| Above $6.000 | – | – | – | 9 minis – 90 micros |
Instant Funded Accounts
| $50,000 Instant | $100,000 Instant | |
|---|---|---|
| Below $1.000 | 1 minis – 10 micros | 2 minis – 20 micros |
| $1,000 – $2,000 | 2 minis – 20 micros | 3 minis – 30 micros |
| $2,000 – $4,000 | 3 minis – 30 micros | 4 minis – 40 micros |
| $4,000 – $6,000 | – | 6 mins – 60 micros |
| Above $6.000 | – | – |
Note that losses are also counted at the end of the day. If it lowers the profit balance on your account, you are moved back to a lower tier.
Algorithm Trading
Algorithm trading is restricted in Aqua Futures. You are not allowed to use a hands-off bot software that automatically monitors and executes your trades. However, semi-automated trading is allowed. This involves the use of an algorithm that identifies potential profit opportunities with the market data. Traders can use the data to set their entries, exits, and stops manually.
CME Price Limits
The CME sets daily price limits to control extreme volatility in futures markets. If a market moves too far up or down in a single day, trading on that asset can stop once it reaches the exchange’s limit. Many prop firms add an extra safety rule by not allowing traders to place trades when the market is within 2% of that limit. This means the market may still be open and moving, but a prop trader’s account cannot be used to trade that instrument once it gets too close to the limit.
The price limit varies for different instruments. You can see the limits of a specific futures market you are targeting on this CME page.
News Trading
News trading is restricted at Aqua Futures during the evaluation and funding phase. You cannot open or hold a position two minutes before and after a Tier 1 news release. This news includes FOMC meetings and employment reports. You are allowed to make trades during other news releases.
Payout Rules and Requirements
The most important aspect of this Aqua Futures Review is a breakdown of their payout requirements. You are required to meet the following before you can qualify for a payout:
- Minimum winning days
- Consistency rule
- Buffer zone amount
Minimum Winning Days
1-Step accounts are required to complete a minimum of 5 winning days, while Instant accounts require 7 days. A winning day involves making a minimum profit amount specific to your account size:
1-Step Plans
- 25K-$120
- 50K-$200
- 100K-$360
- 150K-$580
Instant Plans
- 50K-$100
- 100K-$200
Consistency Rule
The consistency rule requires a single day to not exceed a specific percentage of your total gains. Both the Beginner and Standard 1-Step accounts require a consistency percentage of 40% to qualify for the payout, while the Instant Funded requires 20% and the Instant Funded Pro requires 15%.
Buffer Amount
The buffer rule requires you to have a minimum profit balance on top of the initial balance. Profits made above the buffer zone are eligible for a payout. This rule is a risk management tool for traders to avoid hitting the maximum loss limit.
If you withdraw below the buffer zone, your max drawdown goes back to your initial balance +$100. You can still make trades without the trailing drawdown.
Below are the buffer requirements for specific account sizes:
- $25K: $26,100
- $50K: $52,100
- $100K: $103,100
- $150k: $154,600
Maximum Reward Cap
All accounts have a payout cap or the maximum amount you can take out of your account. The limit depends on the account size and plan:
Basic 1-Step
- 25K-$750
- 50K-$1,500
- 100K-$3,000
- 150K-$4,500
Standard 1-Step
- 25K-$850
- 50K-$1,500
- 100K-$2,000
- 150K-$3,000
Instant Standard and Pro
- 50K-$2,000
- 100K-$4,000
Payout Cycle and On-Demand Payout
Basic 1-Step account holders follow a payout cycle where you can only request to withdraw your gains once every 7 days. Even if you have completed five winning days, have a consistency percentage of 40% or less, and have the right buffer amount, you can only request one payout every 7 days.
The Standard 1-Step and all Instant accounts have an on-demand payout. As long as you complete all requirements, you can request a payout anytime. In these accounts’ case, the consistency percentage and winning days requirement act as the payout cycle.
DeepCharts Platform
DeepCharts is the main trading platform of Aqua Futures. Without an alternative trading platform to choose from, like TradingView, this is a major drawback for traders. Useful tools that let you monitor average crossovers, trendlines, Bollinger Bands, and other price aspects are behind a premium paywall. Other platforms offer these tools for free.
Those who are used to TradingView or similar will find the lack of an alternative platform a major drawback. You need to pay a premium to do strategies that require analysis of the market, such as overflow trading.
Who Are The Accounts For
With four different options, the specific perks of each Aqua Futures account benefit specific traders. Below is a discussion on all 1-Step and Instant plans.
Beginner 1-Step
The beginner option of the evaluation account is the cheaper option. This is a good choice for traders looking to control multiple accounts with the aim of maximizing their sized positions on a budget. Even its reset fees are cheaper than the Standard 1-Step mode’s reset.
The drawback of this 1-Step plan is the addition of a daily loss limit during the evaluation and funding phase. You also need to follow a consistency rule during the evaluation phase with the Beginner 1-Step account.
Most trading strategies is usable with the Beginner account thanks to its EOD drawdown and consistency percentage.
Standard 1-Step
The Standard 1-Step Plan lets you enjoy most of the Aqua Futures perks for a slightly higher price tag. For example, there are no daily loss limits, and you can control more contracts once you reach the highest tier of Aqua Futures’ scaling plan.
In addition, the on-demand payout perk and the minimum 5 winning issues requirement allow profitable traders to withdraw their gains once a week. However, the drawback of the Standard plan, as well as the Beginner plan, is the minimum winning day requirement. This minimum is much higher than the amount Instant Plan holders need to meet. Another downside is that the 100% profit cut is not available.
Standard is more suited for day traders and scalpers. Just like the Beginner, the EOD drawdown and 40% consistency percentage let you be more lenient with your trades’ stops and exits.
Standard Instant
This Instant model moves you to the funded phase immediately without going through the evaluation. Because of this, trading is highly restricted for account holders with a lower consistency percentage of 20% and a daily loss limit. You also need to complete 7 winning days instead of 5 with the Instant plan.
Note that the Standard model is one of the less forgiving instant-funding plans among other futures prop firms models due to its DLL hard breach policy. This rule requires you to use tighter stops and shorter exits.
There are two notable advantages to this Instant account. The Standard still has a slightly higher consistency percentage. In addition, the minimum profit to meet the winning day amount is much lower than the 1-Step Plans’ rule.
Pro Instant
True to its name, the Pro Instant model is for seasoned traders. It has a stricter consistency percentage of 15% and has an intraday drawdown rule. Both of these rules require tight stops and fast exits.
The benefit of the Pro Instant is its relatively affordable price, which is lower than the Standard plan. For example, the 50K Pro costs $572 while the Standard costs $615. It’s a significant perk for traders looking to control several instant-funded accounts. In addition, the Pro Instant does not have a daily loss limit, removing any blockage for some traders.
Final Word: Aqua Futures Review
Aqua Futures offers a 100% profit split on the first $15,000 in withdrawals, except for the Standard 1-Step account. After reaching that lifetime withdrawal amount, traders still receive a generous 90% profit split across all eligible accounts.
That major perk is the EOD drawdowns on both 1-Step plans and the Standard Instant account, which gives traders more flexibility than real-time trailing drawdowns. The evaluation phase is also more accessible, with no minimum trading days, affordable reset fees and no activation fee when moving into the funded stage.
However, Aqua Futures’ Instant models come with stricter trade-offs. Traders must choose between the Standard Instant account, which may involve a hard-breach daily loss limit, or the Pro Instant account, which has a very tight 15% consistency rule.
FAQ
Which Aqua Futures account is best for scalpers?
Scalping is a highly risky practice, which makes the Standard 1-Step suitable for this trading style. This is because the EOD drawdown and absence of a daily loss limit give you more room to manage your entries and exits.
Does Aqua Futures allow news trading?
Aqua Futures does not allow news trading on Tier 1 events for any account. Specifically, you cannot open or hold positions two minutes before or after Tier 1 news releases, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What type of semi-automated trading software can you use?
You can use hot keys on the trading platform, which can toggle alerts when a market condition occurs. In addition, Aqua Futures allows software that copies trades from one of your accounts and applies them to the other accounts you control.