API Trading is a paid option that opens up programmatic trading on a specific challenge: connecting a trading bot, your own scripts or analytics tooling.
Eligibility and cost
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum account notional | $10,000 — the option is unavailable on $1,000 and $5,000 accounts |
| Cost | 15% of the base challenge price |
| Challenge phase | can be bought until the account moves to the funded stage |
| Demo account | the option is activated free of charge when the challenge is created |
The base price is the price of the challenge itself, before any additional options, discounts, promo codes or bonuses. A discount on the challenge does not affect the cost of the option: options are always paid for in full.
When it can be bought
The option is selected at checkout and added to the order total. After payment the challenge is immediately marked API-enabled and the additional rules start applying to it.
The option can be added to a challenge that is already running, provided all of the following hold:
- the challenge is active;
- the challenge is not on the funded stage;
- the account notional is $10,000 or higher;
- the option has not already been activated on this account.
If any condition is not met, the platform shows the reason it is unavailable.
What comes with the option
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Request rate limit | exceeding it returns an error and the request is not executed |
| 60-second profit adjustment | A profitable close made less than 60 seconds after the position was opened or increased is not counted |
| 30% rule | The single most profitable day must not account for 30% or more of total profit — a condition for passing each stage and for payout eligibility |
The mechanics of both rules are described on the Challenge & Trading Rules page.
How it appears in the interface
The account card shows an API icon among the connected options, along with a "Max profit day" block displaying the current figure for the 30% rule — exactly as on Turbo accounts.
If the 60-second adjustment was applied to a close or a partial close, the position history shows the counted result as 0 USD. Hovering on desktop or tapping on mobile brings up an explanation with the reason and the original profit figure. Position and account totals use the adjusted value only.
Who it suits
The option is for traders working algorithmically: connecting a bot, automating entries and exits, or collecting trading telemetry with their own tools.
If you trade manually and have no plans to connect programmatic tools, there is no reason to buy it: you will not use the API access, but the restrictions on the account will still be there.