The trading world is filled with challenges, but few offer the structured opportunity that Optimal Traders does. Their 2-Step Challenge is designed to test traders' skills and discipline while providing a clear pathway to scaling up and earning substantial profits. Understanding the details and rules of this challenge is crucial for success. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just starting, this guide will help you navigate the intricacies of the Optimal Traders 2-Step Challenge.

What is the 2-Step Challenge?

The 2-Step Challenge by Optimal Traders is a rigorous trading assessment that evaluates traders' ability to manage risk and achieve profit targets. The challenge is divided into two stages, each with specific profit goals and risk parameters. The main purpose of the challenge is to identify traders who can consistently profit while managing their risk effectively. Successful completion of the challenge opens the door to trading larger capital amounts, with the potential for significant financial rewards.

Benefits for Traders:

• Access to Larger Capital: Successfully passing the challenge grants traders access to accounts with up to $400,000 in capital.

• Scaling Opportunities: Traders who perform well can scale their accounts further, increasing their earning potential.

   

Pricing Structure

Optimal Traders offers a range of account sizes to cater to different traders' needs and risk appetites. The pricing for these accounts is structured as follows:

• $5,000 Account: $59
• $10,000 Account: $99
• $25,000 Account: $159
• $50,000 Account: $329
• $100,000 Account: $509
• $200,000 Account: $959

Discount Opportunities: By using the coupon code "TRUSTED," traders can receive a 15% discount on the challenge fee. This makes the challenge more accessible to a broader range of traders.

Profit Targets and Drawdown Rules

To pass the 2-Step Challenge, traders must meet specific profit targets while adhering to strict drawdown rules.

Stage 1:

• Profit Target: 8%
• Daily Drawdown: 5%
• Max Drawdown: 10%
• No Minimum Trading Days

• No Time Limit

   

Stage 2:

• Profit Target: 4%
• Daily Drawdown: 5%
• Max Drawdown: 10%
• No Minimum Trading Days

• No Time Limit

   

Balance-Based Drawdown: Drawdown is calculated based on the account balance or equity, whichever is higher at the end of the day. This rule ensures that traders cannot risk more than the allowed percentage, protecting the account from excessive losses.

Trading Period and Leverage

One of the most attractive features of the Optimal Traders 2-Step Challenge is the unlimited trading period. Unlike other challenges that impose strict deadlines, traders can take as much time as they need to meet the profit targets.

Leverage: The leverage on simulation accounts is set at 1:33. This conservative leverage level encourages traders to focus on strategy and risk management rather than relying on high leverage to amplify profits.

Scaling Rules

Once traders hit the 4% profit target in the challenge, they not only receive their payout but also qualify for scaling up their account. Scaling allows traders to increase their account size, which can significantly enhance their earning potential.

Benefits of Scaling:

• Increased Capital: As traders scale up, they gain access to more capital, allowing them to take larger positions in the market.

• Greater Profit Potential: With more capital, the potential for profit increases, making scaling a key goal for serious traders.

   

Profit Splits

The Optimal Traders program offers an 80% profit split for traders who successfully complete the 2-Step Challenge. This means that traders keep 80% of the profits they generate, while the remaining 20% goes to the firm. Payouts are processed within three business days of approval, ensuring that traders receive their earnings promptly.

Allowed and Restricted Trading Strategies

Allowed Strategies:

• Expert Advisors (EA): Traders are allowed to use EAs, but they must adhere to specific rules to ensure that their trading is not based on mass market strategies.

• Manual Trading: Manual trading is fully supported, allowing traders to execute their strategies based on their analysis and decision-making.

   

Restricted Strategies:

• Martingale: This high-risk strategy is prohibited due to its potential to amplify losses.
• Grid Trading: Stacking multiple positions as the market moves against the trader is not allowed.

• High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Only permitted in the 1-Step ALGO Evaluation phase.

   

News Trading and Weekend Holding

Optimal Traders allows news trading and weekend holding, recognizing that these strategies can be part of a comprehensive trading plan.

News Trading: While news trading is allowed, traders are advised to be cautious due to the potential for slippage and increased spreads during volatile market conditions.

Weekend Holding: Traders can hold positions over the weekend, but they must be aware of the risks associated with market gaps and spread widening.

Copy Trading and Account Management Restrictions

Optimal Traders has strict rules against account management and copy trading. Traders must use their own strategies and avoid copying others’ trades. Additionally, traders must use a unique IP address and device when accessing their accounts. Any deviation from these rules can result in account termination.

Inactivity and Account Suspension

To keep an account active, traders must place at least one trade within 90 days. Accounts with no activity after this period will be deactivated, and the account balance may be forfeited.

Payout Process and Trading During Review

When a trader requests a payout, trading is temporarily suspended to allow the risk team to review the account. Once the review is complete and the payout is approved, trading can resume. This process ensures that traders' performance is accurately assessed before any funds are released.

High-Frequency Trading (HFT)

High-frequency trading (HFT) is restricted in the Optimal Traders program due to its potential to disrupt markets. HFT involves executing a large number of trades within milliseconds, often leading to market manipulation and excessive volatility. Optimal Traders aims to maintain a fair and stable trading environment, which is why HFT is only allowed in specific evaluation phases.

Grid Trading and Martingale

Grid Trading: Grid trading involves placing orders above and below a set price, creating a grid of trades that can lead to significant losses if the market moves against the trader. This strategy is not permitted in the 2-Step Challenge.

Martingale: Martingale strategies, which involve increasing the lot size after each loss, are also prohibited. This approach can quickly deplete an account’s balance if the market continues to move against the trader.

Conclusion

The Optimal Traders 2-Step Challenge offers a robust and fair opportunity for traders to prove their skills and earn substantial profits. By understanding and adhering to the challenge's rules, traders can maximize their chances of success and potentially scale up to manage larger accounts. The challenge is not just about meeting profit targets but also about demonstrating consistent, disciplined trading practices. If you're ready to take your trading to the next level, the Optimal Traders 2-Step Challenge is an excellent place to start.