Position Limit Adjustments
Markets get wild sometimes. Expanding price limits. Velocity Logic halts. Historic ranges in minutes. When that happens, even experienced Traders can get caught on the wrong side fast — and fast losses can end a trading career before it really starts.
During extreme volatility, we may temporarily tighten position limits on affected products. We're talking about conditions like:
Expanding price limits
Velocity Logic halts
Historic price ranges
Rapid, sustained price movement
This isn't punishment. It's protection — guardrails to keep you in the game when the market is doing something it's never done before. Our job is to help you trade another day.
How Position Limits Are Adjusted
When a product is deemed high-risk due to volatility, we may implement one or both of the following adjustments:
Micro Contract Limits
Mini Contract Restrictions
Trading on mini-sized contracts or larger may be temporarily halted for affected products
Current Restrictions
👉 Restrictions below are organized by account size: 50K/100K/150K
| Trading Combine, Express Funded Account, Pro Account | Live Funded Account |
Energies Restriction | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9 Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9 Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9 Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 30/60/90 E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 | RBOB Gasoline (RB) = 3/6/9 Heating Oil (HO) = 3/6/9 Crude Oil (CL) = 3/6/9 Micro Crude Oil (MCL) = 3/6/9 E-Mini Crude Oil (QM) = 3/6/9 |
Metals Restriction | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9 Micro Gold (MGC) = 30/60/90 Silver (SI) = 0 Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6 Copper (HG) = 0 Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6 Platinum (PL) = 0 | Gold (GC) = 3/6/9 Micro Gold (MGC) = 5/10/15 Silver (SI) = 0 Micro Silver (SIL) = 2/4/6 Copper (HG) = 0 Micro Copper (MHG) = 2/4/6 Platinum (PL) = 0 |
⚠️ Please note: For Express Funded Accounts, position limits for restricted products have a ceiling of the contracts listed above (CL = 3/6/9, for example).
However, a trader's actual limit may be lower depending on their current account balance, as the Scaling Plan applies independently. Learn more below. 👇
Example of the Scaling Plan for restricted symbols on the 3/6/9 plan
Symbols this applies to:
Crude Oil (CL)
E-Mini Crude Oil (QM)
Micro Crude Oil (MCL)
Heating Oil (HO)
RBOB Gasoline (RB)
Gold (GC)
Micro Gold (MGC)
150K Express Funded Account
Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
$1,500 balance = 2 contracts
$2,000 balance = 3 contracts
$3,000 balance = 6 contracts
$4,500 balance = 9 contracts
100K Express Funded Account
Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
$1,500 balance = 2 contracts
$2,000 balance = 3 contracts
$3,000 balance = 6 contracts
50K Express Funded Account
Below $1500 balance = 1 contract
$1,500 balance = 1 contract
$2,000 balance = 3 contracts
When Do These Restrictions Apply?
Position limit adjustments are:
Temporary: Restrictions remain in place only while volatility levels are elevated
Product-specific: Only products experiencing extreme volatility are affected
Actively monitored: Our Risk Team continuously evaluates market conditions to determine when normal limits can be reinstated
What You Can Still Do
Continue trading with adjusted position sizes in affected products
Trade other products with standard position limits
Focus on risk management and strategic opportunities
Use this time to refine your trading plan and review your strategy
Understanding Market Volatility
Historic volatility means historic losses can happen faster than normal. When markets move unpredictably:
Slippage increases
Risk management becomes more challenging
Even well-planned trades can move against you quickly
These temporary adjustments give you the opportunity to participate in volatile markets while managing your risk appropriately.
How You'll Be Notified
When position limits are adjusted, you'll receive notification through:
Email communication
Dashboard banners
Social media updates (@AskTopstep on X)
We'll also notify you when restrictions are lifted and normal position limits are reinstated.
Have Questions?
Our Trader Support Team is here to help. If you have questions about current position limits or how these adjustments affect your trading, please contact support.
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