Overview
On a Gladiator Futures (Light or Forge Payout Account), Benchmark 1 is a compliance and KYC review checkpoint rather than a cash-paying milestone. When Benchmark 1 is recorded, the firm runs a full compliance and identity review before the account moves into the automatic simulated payout phase (Benchmarks 2–7 on Gladiator Light); (Benchmarks 2–6 on Gladiator Forge);
Benchmark 1 is designed to catch issues early, before any funds are committed. It is a normal, expected part of the Gladiator Futures (Payout Account) lifecycle.
Note: This article describes the Benchmark 1 checkpoint on Gladiator Futures (Light and Forge) Payout Accounts. Gladiator Sprint accounts do not use a benchmark ladder and therefore do not have a Benchmark 1 checkpoint. The equivalent compliance and KYC review on a Sprint account happens when the trader passes the Sprint Evaluation and before the Sprint PTSA account is created, and again at each payout request. See “How this applies to Sprint accounts” below.
What happens when Benchmark 1 is recorded
1. Benchmark 1 recorded. The system confirms that the Benchmark 1 profit target has been reached, the qualifying-day requirement is satisfied, and the account is inside its risk rules.
2. Compliance team review begins. The compliance team reviews trading behavior on the account up to Benchmark 1.
3. KYC re-verification. Identity documents are checked against the current KYC record. If KYC has expired, is close to expiring etc. the trader may be asked to resubmit documents.
4. Flag resolution. Any open flags (for example, a pending hedging flag or a coordinated-trading flag) must be resolved before Benchmark 2 is eligible to be earned.
5. Once B1 has been achieved, the trader can continue trading towards Benchmark 2, where the automatic simulated payout phase begins.
Is there a payout at Benchmark 1?
No. Benchmark 1 does not pay out. Its only purpose is to gate the account into the automatic simulated payout phase by ensuring KYC, identity, and trading behavior are all in order.
What does the compliance team look at?
KYC documents and identity match
Trading pattern and risk discipline to date
Drawdown and MAE behavior
Daily Loss Limit behavior (Gladiator Forge accounts)
Any active or recently resolved flags
Account activity (inactivity, login patterns, platform patterns)
Any evidence of prohibited practices (hedging, coordinated trading, account sharing)
How long does the review take?
Most Benchmark 1 reviews are completed within a few business days. If the trader's KYC is current, trading history is clean, and there are no open flags, the review is often complete in under 72 hours.
More time may be needed if:
KYC needs to be refreshed
The trader must submit supporting documents
A flag appeal is in progress
The account shows unusual patterns that need additional review
What traders can do to move through Benchmark 1 quickly
Keep KYC current. Check your dashboard for any expiring documents before you approach Benchmark 1.
Resolve any open flags. Respond to any compliance email from your registered email address within the stated window.
Maintain consistent trading behavior. Don't concentrate all profit on one or two big trades immediately before Benchmark 1.
Stay inside drawdown and MAE limits. MAE Warnings cannot be appealed. On Gladiator Forge accounts, a single MAE breach (instant fail) or Daily Loss Limit breach fails the account immediately.
Avoid any prohibited practice. Coordinated trading, account sharing, and hedging between accounts in the same profile are disqualifying.
What happens after Benchmark 1 is approved
Once the Benchmark 1 review is complete and the account is cleared, the account enters the automatic simulated payout phase:
Gladiator Light:
Benchmark 2: $125 (25K-class) or $250 (50K-class), paid within 72 hours of the Benchmark being recorded and compliance approval.
Benchmarks 3–7: each pays out on the same 72-hour cadence.
Benchmark 8: triggers an automatic transition review into Real Prop under the Real Prop Trading Agreement (RPTA).
Gladiator Forge:
Benchmark 2: $1,000 (25K-class) or $1,500 (50K-class), paid within 72 hours of the Benchmark being recorded and compliance approval.
Benchmarks 3–6: each pays out on the same 72-hour cadence.
Benchmark 7: triggers an automatic transition review into Real Prop under the Real Prop Trading Agreement (RPTA).
What happens if Benchmark 1 is not approved
If compliance identifies a violation that cannot be resolved, the account may be suspended, flagged, or failed depending on severity. The account's fate is governed by the normal compliance and account-failure rules. Traders can appeal through the standard flag-appeal process described in What Is the Compliance Review Process at PropShopTrader?.
How this applies to Sprint accounts
Gladiator Sprint is a separate, futures-only, day-trading-only payout product offered in 25K and 50K sizes. Sprint accounts do not use a benchmark ladder, so there is no Benchmark 1 checkpoint. Instead, the equivalent compliance and KYC review happens at two points:
1. At the Evaluation-to-PTSA transition. When a trader passes the Sprint Evaluation, a contract is sent for signature. Identity and KYC verification, along with a review of trading behavior during the Evaluation, take place before the Sprint PTSA account is created. The PTSA account is only created after the contract is signed.
2. At each payout request. In the Sprint PTSA phase, payouts are requested manually once eligibility is met. Each payout request is reviewed individually for consistency and compliance. If the account fails during a payout review (even after the payout was requested), the payout is denied.
To move through these Sprint reviews quickly, traders should follow the same guidance above: keep KYC current, resolve any open flags, maintain consistent trading behavior, stay inside the Sprint risk limits, and avoid any prohibited practice. For the full Sprint risk parameters, payout structure, and PTSA rules, see How Gladiator Sprint Accounts Work.
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