Prop firm rules operate as one connected system. Profit targets, Daily Loss Limits, Maximum Loss Limits, minimum trading days, consistency conditions, execution restrictions and payout requirements all apply to the same account path. Reaching a target does not cancel another rule. At AIFO, the current programme set is Instant, 1-Step, 2-Step and Sprint, and each programme must be checked separately.
This page is the rule-education hub. Use it to identify which rule controls a trading decision, then use the AIFO Trading Rules, relevant programme information and the account Dashboard for the governing values.
Last rule review: . The current AIFO figures below follow the latest approved audit rule set. Accounts purchased before 1 September 2026 use the parameters displayed on their Dashboard.
Choose the Rule You Need to Check
| Rule area | What it controls | Detailed guide |
|---|---|---|
| Daily and Maximum Loss | Daily account room, lifecycle loss floor and static or trailing behaviour | Daily, maximum and trailing drawdown rules |
| Daily reset | When the daily calculation moves to the next account day | Daily Loss reset time |
| Trading days | How many trading days must be completed before progression | Minimum trading days versus profitable days |
| Consistency | Whether profit-distribution requirements apply to the selected programme | Consistency and profit-concentration rules |
| Expert Advisors | Which programmes permit compliant automated trading | EA and trading-robot rules |
| News trading | Event-window orders, volatility and programme restrictions | News trading during high-impact events |
| Overnight and weekend holding | Cross-day exposure, gaps, swaps and account-specific permissions | Overnight and weekend holding rules |
| First payout | Minimum amount, payout timing, KYC and review | First payout rules |
| Payout denial | Why positive profit may still be ineligible | Why prop firm payouts get denied |
Current AIFO Programme Rule Matrix
| Programme | Target or access model | Loss limits | Time or trading-day rule | Consistency or concentration | Payout summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | One simulated evaluation phase; 10% profit target | 3% Daily Loss Limit; 6% Static Maximum Loss Limit | At least 2 trading days | No Consistency Score requirement | 80% default profit split, up to 95%; $100 minimum; standard 14-day cycle |
| 2-Step | Two simulated evaluation phases; 8% Phase 1 target and 5% Phase 2 target | 5% Daily Loss Limit; 10% Static Maximum Loss Limit | At least 3 trading days before progression | No Consistency Score requirement | 80% default profit split, up to 95%; $100 minimum; standard 14-day cycle |
| Instant | Immediate access without a traditional evaluation target | 3% Daily Loss Limit; 5% HWM-based Trailing Maximum Loss; floating loss must not exceed 2% of initial balance | No traditional evaluation phase | Maximum single-day profit must be below 20% of total payout-period profit | $100 minimum; retain 2% of initial balance as profit buffer to continue; full payout closes account |
| Sprint | 24-hour challenge; 3% target; one payout only | 2% Static Maximum Loss; total floating loss must not exceed 1% of initial balance | First trade within 48 hours starts countdown and selects the only permitted instrument; one open position at a time | Largest single-trade profit must be below 20% of total profit | 90% at net profit of at least 3% and below 6%; 95% early payout at closed net profit of at least 6% |
All AIFO programmes use simulated trading with virtual funds. The rules differ by programme, so no row in this table should be copied to another account type.
Profit Targets Control Progression
A profit target is an account objective, not permission to ignore the loss rules. The trader must reach the target while every applicable requirement remains satisfied.
- 1-Step: reach 10% in one evaluation phase.
- 2-Step: reach 8% in Phase 1, then 5% in Phase 2.
- Instant: no traditional evaluation target applies in the current rule set.
- Sprint: reach 3% within the 24-hour challenge under all applicable Sprint rules.
A trader who is close to a target should not increase risk merely to finish faster. The loss limits remain active, and a breach prevents successful progression even if the account later returns to profit.
Daily Loss Limits Control the Trading Day
The Daily Loss Limit is a hard account boundary. It should not become the trader’s planned daily risk. A personal daily stop should sit inside the programme limit and leave room for execution costs and unexpected movement.
| Programme | Daily Loss Limit | Additional intraday boundary |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | 3% | Apply the separate 6% Static Maximum Loss Limit |
| 2-Step | 5% | Apply the separate 10% Static Maximum Loss Limit |
| Instant | 3% | Floating loss must not exceed 2% of initial balance |
| Sprint | Use the Sprint-specific account rules | Total floating loss must not exceed 1% of initial balance |
Use the AIFO Daily Loss Limit FAQ and the AIFO server-time FAQ for the applicable calculation and account clock.
Maximum Loss Limits Control the Account Lifecycle
A Maximum Loss Limit defines the account’s wider loss floor. The calculation can be static or trailing:
- 1-Step: 6% Static Maximum Loss Limit, calculated from initial account size.
- 2-Step: 10% Static Maximum Loss Limit, calculated from initial account size.
- Instant: 5% Trailing Maximum Loss Limit based on highest historical equity. It never decreases and is capped at the initial account balance.
- Sprint: 2% Static Maximum Loss Limit. Equity must remain above 98% of initial balance.
If the rule says balance or equity must not reach a boundary, touching that boundary is not a safe margin. The trader should stop before the firm level. Read the AIFO Maximum Loss Limit FAQ before calculating position size.
Minimum Trading Days Are Programme-Specific
The current audit confirms at least 2 trading days for 1-Step and at least 3 trading days for 2-Step before progression. The approved rules do not add a separate profitable-day or minimum-profit-per-day requirement to those statements.
Instant has no traditional evaluation phase. Sprint uses its own 24-hour countdown, first-trade and one-position rules instead of the 1-Step or 2-Step minimum-day requirement.
Do not replace “trading days” with “profitable days” unless the selected programme explicitly defines that condition.
Consistency Rules Must Not Be Generalised
AIFO does not apply one universal Consistency Score to every programme.
| Programme | Current requirement | Trader action |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step funded account | No Consistency Score requirement | Follow the applicable risk and payout rules |
| 2-Step funded account | No Consistency Score requirement | Follow the applicable risk and payout rules |
| Instant | Maximum single-day profit must be below 20% of total profit within the payout period | Track highest-profit day divided by total payout-period profit |
| Sprint | Largest single-trade profit must be below 20% of total profit | Track the largest closed-trade profit against total profit |
For Instant, exactly 20% does not satisfy a requirement that says below 20%. For Sprint, the unit is the largest single trade rather than the highest-profit day. These tests must not be merged.
Read the AIFO consistency FAQ for the account-specific framework.
EA Eligibility Is Programme-Specific
The current AIFO rule permits Expert Advisors only on 1-Step and 2-Step Challenge accounts and on the corresponding simulated funded accounts after passing.
This does not make every automated strategy acceptable. The EA must still comply with the applicable trading and account-conduct rules. Instant and Sprint are not included in the approved EA eligibility list.
Check the selected programme and the current EA policy before deployment. Do not infer permission from platform compatibility.
Execution and Holding Rules Affect the Trading Path
A target and a loss limit do not describe every permitted method. Traders must also review:
- restricted trading and violation rules;
- account ownership and third-party access;
- EA eligibility and automation restrictions;
- news-event trading conditions;
- overnight and weekend holding;
- copying, shared tools and prohibited execution methods;
- programme-specific position and instrument limits.
A platform accepting an order does not prove the method is permitted. The account history may still be reviewed against the written rules.
Sprint Has a Separate Rule Stack
Sprint should not inherit the rules of 1-Step, 2-Step or Instant. Its approved rule stack includes:
- a 24-hour challenge and 3% profit target;
- a 2% Static Maximum Loss Limit;
- total floating loss not exceeding 1% of initial balance;
- the first trade placed within 48 hours of purchase;
- the first trade starts the countdown and determines the only permitted instrument;
- only one open position at a time;
- largest single-trade profit below 20% of total profit;
- one payout followed by permanent account closure.
At the end of the challenge, closed net profit of at least 3% and below 6% can qualify for a 90% one-time profit split. Closed net profit of at least 6% can qualify for early payout with a 95% split. The request must be submitted within 30 days after settlement. Processing is within one business day, excluding additional compliance review.
Sprint does not support the standard refund after trading access and is excluded from the add-on promotion described in the current audit.
Payout Checks Begin Before the Payout Request
Payout readiness depends on the selected programme. A trader should confirm the minimum amount, profit split, cycle or request window, applicable consistency test, buffer requirement, account status and KYC.
| Programme | Core payout checks | Buffer rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Step | 80% default split, up to 95%; $100 minimum; standard 14-day cycle; no Consistency Score | No 2% buffer stated in the programme-specific rule |
| 2-Step | 80% default split, up to 95%; $100 minimum; standard 14-day cycle; no Consistency Score | No 2% buffer stated in the programme-specific rule |
| Instant | $100 minimum; best day below 20%; applicable risk, KYC and account-status checks | Retain 2% of initial balance to continue; full payout closes account |
| Sprint | One payout; 90% or 95% depending on closed net profit; request within 30 days | No Instant buffer should be added |
General AIFO payout requests have a $100 minimum and a $10,000 maximum per request and are usually processed within 1–3 business days. Programme-specific rules can define a different route, as Sprint does. Additional compliance or account review can extend processing.
Use the AIFO payout process and prop firm payout guide before requesting withdrawal.
How Rules Interact
| Situation | Rules involved | Correct response |
|---|---|---|
| Near the profit target | Target, Daily Loss and Maximum Loss | Keep normal risk rather than increasing size to finish |
| Instant account reaches a new equity high | HWM and 5% Trailing Maximum Loss | Recalculate the current loss floor |
| One strong Instant day dominates profit | Best-day-below-20% rule | Recalculate payout-period concentration before requesting payout |
| Planning an Instant payout | Minimum payout, best-day rule and 2% buffer | Calculate the retained balance and post-payout risk room |
| Using an EA | Programme eligibility and restricted trading | Use it only on an eligible 1-Step or 2-Step route and remain compliant |
| Opening the first Sprint trade | 48-hour activation, instrument selection and 24-hour countdown | Confirm the instrument and plan before opening the trade |
Rule Checklist Before Day One
- Confirm the exact programme and Dashboard parameters.
- Write down every target and progression requirement.
- Record the Daily Loss and Maximum Loss rules separately.
- Identify whether Maximum Loss is static or trailing.
- Record any floating-loss or one-position restriction.
- Confirm whether a consistency or concentration rule applies.
- Confirm EA, news and holding permissions for the selected programme.
- Set personal risk limits inside every firm boundary.
- Record the payout minimum, timing, split and buffer rule.
- Save the rule version and relevant support clarification.
The challenge checklist before day one, risk-per-trade guide and risk-management guide can help turn the written rules into a trading plan.
Final Takeaway
A prop firm account is evaluated through its complete path. The target, loss limits, minimum days, trading method, consistency conditions and payout rules remain connected from the first trade to the final review.
For AIFO, treat Instant, 1-Step, 2-Step and Sprint as separate programmes. Apply only the rule confirmed for the selected account. In particular, do not add a consistency score to 1-Step or 2-Step, do not apply the Instant 2% payout buffer universally, and do not assume EA eligibility outside 1-Step and 2-Step.
FAQ
Prop firm challenge rules define the complete account path, including profit targets, Daily Loss Limits, Maximum Loss Limits, minimum trading days, permitted trading methods, consistency requirements and payout checks. A trader must satisfy every applicable rule, not only reach the profit target.
The current AIFO programme set is Instant, 1-Step, 2-Step and Sprint. All operate in a simulated trading environment using virtual funds, and each programme has its own risk, progression, consistency and payout rules.
AIFO 1-Step has a 10% profit target, 3% Daily Loss Limit, 6% Static Maximum Loss Limit and at least 2 trading days. Its corresponding simulated funded account has no Consistency Score requirement, starts with an 80% profit split and has a $100 minimum payout with a standard 14-day cycle.
AIFO 2-Step has an 8% Phase 1 target, 5% Phase 2 target, 5% Daily Loss Limit, 10% Static Maximum Loss Limit and at least 3 trading days before progression. Its corresponding simulated funded account has no Consistency Score requirement.
No. AIFO 1-Step and 2-Step funded accounts have no Consistency Score requirement. Instant requires the maximum single-day profit to remain below 20% of total payout-period profit. Sprint requires the largest single-trade profit to remain below 20% of total profit.
No. The current rule permits Expert Advisors only on 1-Step and 2-Step Challenge accounts and on the corresponding simulated funded accounts after passing. Instant and Sprint are not included in the approved EA eligibility list.
No. The mandatory 2% retained profit buffer applies to Instant Accounts. It should not be added to 1-Step, 2-Step or Sprint without an approved programme-specific rule. A full Instant payout including the buffer permanently closes the account.
Traders should check the current AIFO Trading Rules, the relevant programme information, the account-specific FAQ and their Dashboard before trading. For accounts purchased before 1 September 2026, the challenge parameters displayed on the Dashboard apply.
