Passing the Earn2Trade Gauntlet: What Comes Next?

After weeks of disciplined trading, you’ve finally done it—you’ve passed the Earn2Trade Gauntlet. But what actually happens after that last trade is logged and your stats are locked in? For many traders, this is where the real journey begins. Understanding the next steps after passing your challenge will help you transition smoothly from evaluation to live trading, and avoid unnecessary delays or mistakes during the funded account process.

Step 1: Final Account Review and Confirmation

Once you meet all the Gauntlet or Gauntlet Mini requirements—including hitting your profit target, maintaining minimum trading days, and avoiding rule violations—Earn2Trade initiates a manual review of your account. This final step ensures you didn’t breach any rules that could disqualify you, such as holding trades outside of permitted times or exceeding the drawdown limits.

The review process typically takes 1–2 business days, though it can be quicker depending on demand. During this time, you should avoid opening any new trades to prevent triggering a violation before the challenge is closed.

Step 2: Funded Offer and Paperwork

If your account passes review, Earn2Trade sends you an email congratulating you and outlining your funded trading offer. The offer comes from their partner prop firm, Helios Trading Partners. This email will include a funding agreement, terms of engagement, and instructions for your next steps.

You’ll be asked to complete:

• A digital agreement with Helios
• Tax documentation (such as W-9 or W-8BEN depending on your country)
• Identity verification, usually with a government-issued ID

Be sure to read everything carefully. Funded trading terms differ from the Gauntlet rules, particularly around drawdowns, payout structure, and holding positions overnight.

Step 3: Selecting Your Live Account Parameters

Once your documents are verified, you’ll be given access to select your account type, typically mirroring your evaluation size (e.g., $50K, $100K). You may also choose between different trailing drawdown or static drawdown styles based on the offer available at that time.

Some options may include:

• $50K account with trailing drawdown
• $100K account with static drawdown
• Micro account variant for low-risk traders

Your performance during the challenge may affect these options. A trader who passed with strong consistency and risk control may be eligible for faster scaling or more favorable terms.

Step 4: Platform Setup and Logins

After accepting your funded account, you’ll receive your trading platform credentials. Most Earn2Trade-funded accounts operate through Rithmic, a powerful data and execution provider for futures traders.

You’ll receive:

• Your Rithmic login credentials
• Brokerage login information
• Download links or installation guides for the trading platform
• Guidelines on how to connect your account and begin live trading

If you used a simulator like NinjaTrader or TradingView during the Gauntlet, you may be able to use the same interface for your funded account—just ensure compatibility with Rithmic.

Step 5: Live Trading Begins

This is the moment you’ve worked for. You’re now trading real money with real drawdowns and the potential for real profits. However, success in the funded phase requires a slightly different mindset:

• Focus on capital preservation
• Stick to smaller lot sizes than during the evaluation
• Avoid trading every day—only take high-quality setups
• Journal trades meticulously to identify patterns and adjust quickly

This is not the time to get overconfident. Many traders blow their funded accounts in the first month by pushing for big returns instead of building a base of steady consistency.

Payout Structure and Profit Splits

In the funded phase, you begin earning a share of your profits. While the exact payout schedule varies depending on the offer, Earn2Trade and Helios generally operate under the following model:

• First payout eligibility: After 30 days of live trading
• Typical profit split: 80/20 in your favor
• Minimum payout threshold: Often $100–$200

It’s important to note that during the first month, many funded traders choose not to withdraw any profits. This gives them a safety buffer above the trailing drawdown and helps secure long-term trading freedom.

Scaling Plan for Account Growth

If you show consistent performance, Earn2Trade offers scaling opportunities. This means:

• Higher buying power and increased lot size permissions
• Reduced drawdown restrictions
• Faster payout cycles or larger withdrawal thresholds

Some traders can scale from $50K to $150K+ funded accounts if they maintain discipline and prove long-term profitability. Earn2Trade tracks your metrics and communicates directly if you qualify for scaling tiers.

Journaling and Continued Evaluation

The best traders treat the funded phase like a continuous evaluation. Your edge must be sharpened every day. Journaling remains essential during this time, and using structured logs like the Prop Firm Press Journal Sheets can make all the difference.

Track your entries, risk per trade, market context, and emotional state. The goal isn’t just to avoid mistakes—but to replicate strengths and identify micro-patterns that lead to profitable trades.

How to Avoid Common Pitfalls After Passing

Passing a challenge feels like the finish line, but in reality, it’s the starting line of professional trading. Avoid the most common mistakes traders make after getting funded:

• Overtrading with larger size
• Failing to adjust from evaluation rules to live rules
• Withdrawing profits too early
• Not taking breaks between sessions

Every decision now has consequences. By slowing down and treating each trade like capital is truly at risk, you give yourself the best odds of maintaining your funded status and earning real income.

What If You Lose Your Funded Account?

Yes, it happens. Even strong traders sometimes break a rule or slip into a drawdown that terminates their account. If this occurs, you can either:

• Purchase a reset challenge and start again
• Switch to a different firm if you want new terms
• Reassess your strategy and rebuild with journal data

Some firms offer discounts for returning traders. Others allow fast-track re-entries if your performance was strong overall but ended in a minor violation. Passing once proves you can do it again.

Use the setback as fuel—not failure.

The Funded Phase Is a New Beginning

Traders who approach funded accounts with long-term vision, daily structure, and relentless discipline are the ones who succeed. Passing the Earn2Trade Gauntlet is an important milestone, but what you do afterward defines your real trading career.

Use the skills that got you this far—rule-following, patience, and smart risk—and you’ll thrive in your new role as a funded futures trader.