Auto-liquidation is the process by which NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC automatically closes the open positions in your Slay Markets account when the account breaches a risk threshold, to prevent your balance from going negative. It is triggered by one of four events: a maintenance margin breach (your Net Liquidation Value falls below the maintenance margin required for your open positions) or a daily loss limit breach (your total session loss exceeds the dollar limit you set in Risk Settings). When auto-liquidation runs, positions are closed largest first, and a liquidation fee of $25 (first violation) or $50 (each subsequent violation) applies on top of standard commissions and exchange fees. A separate margin call fee of $50 per occurrence is charged when a margin call event is triggered before liquidation.
Auto-liquidation can happen in seconds during fast market conditions, and the platform display may lag behind the server-side calculation. Slay Markets recommends keeping a cash buffer of at least 25% to 50% above the required maintenance margin at all times so your account is not auto-liquidated on a brief move against you.
Tradeify Brokerage LLC d/b/a Slay Markets is an Introducing Broker registered with the CFTC and an NFA Member (NFA ID 0575972), guaranteed by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC. Tradeify Brokerage LLC d/b/a Slay Markets does not accept or hold customer funds; all customer accounts are carried and maintained by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC (NFA ID 0309379), which performs auto-liquidation.
What triggers a maintenance margin auto-liquidation on Slay Markets?
A maintenance margin breach triggers auto-liquidation on your Slay Markets account when your Net Liquidation Value (NLV) — your cash balance plus or minus all unrealized gains and losses on open positions — falls below the maintenance margin required to hold your open positions. When this happens, NinjaTrader Clearing closes positions until your account is back above the maintenance threshold. A maintenance margin breach is position-based, not a daily limit, so it does not reset at any scheduled time: the breach is resolved the moment your NLV is restored above the required margin, whether by liquidation or by adding funds. A margin call fee of $50 per occurrence is charged when a margin call event is triggered before liquidation.
Trigger | What happens | Does it reset? |
Maintenance margin breach | NLV falls below the maintenance margin required for open positions; positions are closed until the account is back above the threshold | No — it is position-based, not a daily limit; it clears when NLV is restored above the required margin |
Daily loss limit breach | Total session loss exceeds the dollar limit you set in Risk Settings. The account enters liquidate-only mode — no positions are closed for you. | Yes — the limit resets at the start of each new session at 6:00 PM ET |
Pre-delivery prohibition | You hold a physically-settled futures contract on the business day preceding the earlier of the Last Trade Date or First Notice Date. | Lifts after the prohibition period passes. Roll or close beforehand to avoid it. |
Admin restriction | A compliance hold, risk review, or account event restricts the account. | Contact support@slaymarkets.com to resolve. |
What triggers a daily loss limit auto-liquidation, and when does it reset?
A daily loss limit breach triggers liquidate-only mode on your Slay Markets account when your total session loss exceeds the dollar amount you set in Account Dashboard > Risk Settings. The daily loss limit is optional and self-set, so it only takes effect if you have set one. When you reach it, the account enters liquidate-only mode for the remainder of the session: you can close open positions but cannot place new entry orders.
The daily loss limit resets at 6:00 PM ET at the start of each new trading session, and the prior session's liquidate-only restriction lifts automatically at that time. If you contact support to confirm the lift time, email support@slaymarkets.com.
In what order does Slay Markets auto-liquidation close positions?
When auto-liquidation runs on your Slay Markets account, NinjaTrader Clearing's risk system closes your positions from largest to smallest by size. The entire open position may be liquidated and closed — not only the amount needed to bring your Net Liquidation Value (NLV) back above the maintenance threshold. The liquidation order is not configurable, so you cannot choose which position is closed first.
Notification is sent after the fact. An email notification is sent after the violation occurs — not before. Advance notice is not guaranteed, so do not wait for a warning before acting on a margin shortfall.
What fees apply to a Slay Markets auto-liquidation?
A Slay Markets auto-liquidation carries three kinds of charges. First, a margin call fee of $50 per occurrence is charged each time a margin call event is triggered on the account (this happens before liquidation). Second, a liquidation fee of $25 applies for the first violation and $50 for each subsequent violation. Third, because auto-liquidation trades are executed at market price, standard commissions, exchange fees, and the clearing fee apply to each contract closed, in addition to the liquidation fee. The fees are summarized below.
Event | Fee |
Margin call fee (triggered before liquidation) | $50 per occurrence |
Liquidation fee — 1st violation | $25 |
Liquidation fee — 2nd and subsequent violations | $50 |
Commissions, exchange fees, and clearing fee on liquidated contracts | Standard rates per contract closed (in addition to the liquidation fee) |
What is liquidate-only mode on Slay Markets?
When auto-liquidation is triggered, your Slay Markets account enters liquidate-only mode. In liquidate-only mode:
You can close existing positions at any time.
You cannot open new positions.
For a daily loss limit breach, the restriction lifts automatically at the next session reset at 6:00 PM ET.
For a maintenance margin breach, the restriction clears as soon as your Net Liquidation Value is back above the required maintenance margin; there is no scheduled reset time.
Contact support@slaymarkets.com if the restriction was unexpected or if you need to confirm the lift time.
How do I avoid auto-liquidation on Slay Markets?
To reduce the chance of auto-liquidation on your Slay Markets account, manage your margin risk with these practices:
Keep at least 25–50% more than the minimum required maintenance margin in your account at all times.
Set a daily loss limit in Account Dashboard > Risk Settings so your account is moved to liquidate-only mode before your losses can reach a margin call.
Monitor your Net Liquidation Value (NLV) actively during trading sessions, especially around major economic announcements.
Use micro contracts (MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K) to reduce per-contract margin exposure.
Frequently asked questions about Slay Markets auto-liquidation
Q: Can I dispute a Slay Markets auto-liquidation?
A: Yes. Submit your dispute to support@slaymarkets.com within 2 business days of the event, including the date, time, and affected positions. The Trade Desk reviews every auto-liquidation dispute, but a reversal should not be expected because auto-liquidation is an automated risk action performed by the clearing firm.
Q: What if the auto-liquidation made my loss worse than if I had closed manually?
A: Auto-liquidation trades execute at the market price available at the moment they run, so in fast markets the realized result can differ from a manual close. The Trade Desk reviews cases where the liquidation execution itself is disputed if you submit the date, time, and affected positions to support@slaymarkets.com within 2 business days, but a price reversal should not be expected. Keeping a 25–50% margin buffer is the most effective way to avoid being liquidated on a brief move.
Q: Are there fees on the auto-liquidation trades themselves?
A: Yes. Standard commissions, exchange fees, and the clearing fee apply to each contract closed by auto-liquidation, plus the liquidation fee of $25 for the first violation and $50 for each subsequent violation, and a separate $50 margin call fee per occurrence when a margin call event is triggered before liquidation.
Q: Does a maintenance margin breach reset like the daily loss limit does?
A: No. A maintenance margin breach is position-based, not a daily limit, so it has no scheduled reset time; it clears the moment your Net Liquidation Value is back above the required maintenance margin. By contrast, a daily loss limit breach resets at the start of each new session at 6:00 PM ET.
Slay Markets auto-liquidation at a glance
Slay Markets auto-liquidation is performed by NinjaTrader Clearing. Positions are closed only on a maintenance margin breach; a daily loss limit breach places the account in liquidate-only mode without closing anything for you. A pre-delivery prohibition or an admin restriction can also restrict the account. Positions are closed largest first. A maintenance margin breach has no scheduled reset and clears when your Net Liquidation Value is back above the required margin, while a daily loss limit breach resets at the start of each new session at 6:00 PM ET. A liquidation fee of $25 (first violation) or $50 (subsequent) applies, plus a separate $50 margin call fee per occurrence and standard commissions and exchange fees on each contract closed. Keeping a 25–50% margin buffer and setting a daily loss limit are the best ways to avoid it.
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Tradeify Brokerage LLC d/b/a Slay Markets is an Introducing Broker registered with the CFTC and an NFA Member (NFA ID 0575972), guaranteed by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC. Tradeify Brokerage LLC d/b/a Slay Markets does not accept or hold customer funds; all customer accounts are carried and maintained by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC (NFA ID 0309379).