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18th Street Trading Joins PFC Rising Stars: Bringing an Institutional Standard to Futures Prop Firm Trading

RoscoPublished 6 September 2026Last updated 11 October 2026

18th Street Trading Joins PFC Rising Stars: Bringing an Institutional Standard to Futures Prop Firm Trading

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18th Street Trading was built to bring an institutional standard to the futures prop firm space. Its progression model draws inspiration from traditional proprietary trading environments, where access to greater capital and responsibility is earned through demonstrated performance, consistency, risk management, and trust rather than simply purchased. That philosophical foundation isn't marketing decoration — it's central to how founder Jay R. Pocius designed the firm and how 18th Street differentiates itself from the broader retail futures prop firm space.

Today we're announcing that 18th Street Trading joins PFC Rising Stars, PFC's editorial recognition programme for newer prop firms. 18th Street's approach: four plan sizes ($25K, $50K, $100K and $150K), all open to buy and all starting at Phase 1; four phases under the same rules, each paid on completion; and a Live account with a 90% profit split for traders who complete all four.

This launch coverage explains what 18th Street offers, how its positioning differs, and how the firm compares to other futures prop firm operators, with framework-based matching to the trader profiles its approach suits.

For related coverage of the broader futures prop firm landscape, see our Traders Launch and Tradeify firm pages.

TL;DR – 18th Street Trading at a Glance

Core positioning: "Institutional Standard. Professional Traders." A futures prop firm built for disciplined traders seeking to establish a professional record.

Corporate details:

Legal entity: 18th Street Trading, LLC
Location: 732 S 6th St, Ste R, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Founder: Jay R. Pocius
Naming heritage: Chicago's South Loop (intersection of S Prairie Avenue and E 18th Street)
Structure: Affiliate of Prop Account, LLC (assessments provided by and fees paid to Prop Account, LLC; Trader Agreement with Prop Account LC)
Billing appears as: dashboardanalytix.com

Plans and progression — every size starts at Phase 1:

Plan sizes: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000, all open to buy (one-time fee $265 / $525 / $1,000 / $1,595)
Phases 1–4 (Trader Candidate, Qualified Trader, Professional Trader, Institutional Trader): the same 9% target, 5% end-of-day trailing loss and 25% consistency rule, each phase paid on completion
Capital Partner: a Live account on the exchange, with 90% of profits to the trader

Plans come in four sizes, $25K, $50K, $100K and $150K, all open to buy, and every size starts at Phase 1.

Plan specifications (trade18th.com/qualification.html, checked 11 Oct 2026):

Targets and risk (the same percentages at every plan size):

Profit target: 9% per phase ($2,250 / $4,500 / $9,000 / $13,500 by plan size)
Maximum trailing loss: 5%, end of day ($1,250 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $7,500); locks at the starting balance after a 5% gain
Daily loss limit: None
Consistency requirement: 25% (best day ÷ total profit in the phase)
Contract limit (standard / micro): 1/10, 3/30, 6/60 or 9/90 by plan size
Fewest days to complete a phase: 4 (set by the consistency rule)
Time limit: 60 days per phase, from first trade
Positions overnight or weekend: Not permitted

Trading environment:

Phases 1–4 simulated with notional capital; the Live account executes on the exchange
Trading window: Globex hours (1700 CST → 1555 CST next day)
Daily position close: 1555 CST (auto-flatten)
Contract month: Front month only
Exchanges: CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT
Holding through news: Permitted
New entries at red-folder releases: Not within ±3 minutes
Automated strategies: your own strategies only (purchased or third-party strategies are prohibited)

Fees:

One-time plan fee: $265 ($25K), $525 ($50K), $1,000 ($100K) or $1,595 ($150K)
Same price on every platform (Rithmic, DXFutures, Volumetrica, Tickblaze)
Activation or phase fees: none
Market data and platform fees: included through Phase 4; $62/month deducted from the Live account balance
No monthly or recurring charges

Payouts and the Live account:

Phase payouts: a fixed amount on completing each phase, e.g. $1,000 / $1,500 / $1,500 / $3,000 on the $50K plan ($7,000 across four phases)
Live account: $3,000 to $18,000 by plan size, real capital, with a fixed maximum loss of 50%
Live profit split: 90% to the trader
Live withdrawals: the first on demand, then every 30 days
Payout methods: crypto, Rise or store credit; crypto payouts usually within 24 hours, Monday to Friday

Distinctive features:

Institutional-standard progression philosophy
Four plan sizes, all starting at Phase 1
No phase can be skipped or bought
A fixed payout for every completed phase
End-of-Day trailing loss (trader-friendly)
No daily loss limit
Own automated strategies permitted
Full disclosure of specifications before payment

The Institutional-Standard Philosophy

Understanding 18th Street Trading requires understanding the philosophical foundation that shapes every structural decision. This isn't a futures prop firm that happens to have a progression system — it's a firm built around a specific philosophy about how proprietary trading relationships should develop over time.

The Core Philosophical Foundation

The firm's own description: "18th Street Trading is a futures proprietary trading firm built for disciplined traders seeking to establish a professional record, earn greater responsibility, and progress through demonstrated consistency over time."

This positioning differs from much of the retail futures prop firm space, where:

Larger accounts, higher tiers or faster routes to funding are often sold as upgrades
Progression is often automatic based on numeric thresholds (X payouts unlocks Y account size)
Commercial considerations can take priority over trader development
Firm value is measured in accounts sold rather than traders developed

18th Street explicitly rejects this model. From the founder's letter on the firm's website:

"Trading has taught me that a single day, trade, or payout tells you very little about a trader. What matters is what can be demonstrated repeatedly: discipline under pressure, respect for risk, sound judgment, and the consistency to follow a process when doing so is difficult."

The value framework, per the firm's own positioning:

"We believe the value of a firm is measured by the quality of the traders it develops and the professional relationships it builds over time, not by how many accounts it can sell."

How Traditional Proprietary Trading Actually Works

Understanding why the institutional-standard positioning matters requires understanding how traditional proprietary trading environments actually structure trader development.

At institutional proprietary trading firms:

Every trader starts small — typically with limited capital regardless of prior experience
Capital increases are earned, not purchased — traders demonstrate capability before receiving more responsibility
Progression involves qualitative review, not just numeric thresholds — senior traders and risk managers assess whether traders deserve larger allocations
Relationships develop over time — trust between trader and firm builds through sustained performance
Larger allocations carry proportionally larger responsibility — not just larger position sizes but genuine capital stewardship
Not everyone progresses — some traders remain at foundational levels indefinitely if their record doesn't warrant advancement

18th Street's model translates this framework to retail futures prop firm context:

Every plan size starts at Phase 1 — a $25K trader and a $150K trader are measured against the same standard
No phase can be skipped or bought — the Live account is reached only by completing all four phases
Published rules, applied the same way — per the founder, the rules "are the same at every plan size, and they are applied the same way to every trader"
Progression reflects repeated performance — the 25% consistency rule means one exceptional day can't complete a phase
Not everyone progresses — per the firm, "No outcome is guaranteed"

Why This Matters for the Futures Prop Firm Space

Much of the futures prop firm space uses commercial models built around trader acquisition. Common industry patterns:

Larger accounts or faster routes to funding sold as upgrades for a higher price
Progression through numeric thresholds (X payouts → Y account size)
Sales-driven growth prioritising account volume
Trader-firm relationship transactional rather than developmental

18th Street's approach represents deliberate positioning against these patterns. As founder Jay Pocius articulates:

"My responsibility is to protect that standard as the firm grows. The rules are published in full, they are the same at every plan size, and they are applied the same way to every trader. No one advances by paying more, and no one is held back by anything other than the standard itself."

Practical implication: 18th Street doesn't compete on promotional volume or sell upgrades. Traders who want discounted evaluations, resets or ways to skip a phase will find better fits elsewhere. Traders who want one published standard applied at every plan size may find 18th Street's approach distinctive.

The Standard: Five Principles Behind the Firm

18th Street's philosophy translates to five explicit principles that shape every structural decision.

Principle 1: Risk Management Before Profitability

"Professional trading begins with how risk is managed, not how much is made."

Per the firm's positioning:

"Protect the account before pursuing the opportunity. Position size is decided ahead of the trade, not adjusted to reach a target that is nearly in range."

Structural implementation: The 5% end-of-day trailing loss, which locks at the starting balance once the account closes 5% up, reinforces risk-first thinking. No daily loss limit means traders self-manage within that trailing loss.

Principle 2: Consistency Over Aggression

"A professional record is built across trading sessions, not through isolated outcomes. One exceptional day tells the firm very little."

Structural implementation: The 25% consistency requirement (best day no more than 25% of total profit in the phase) stops a single session from carrying a phase, and means a phase can't be completed in fewer than four days.

Principle 3: Process Over Emotion

"Decisions should remain disciplined whether the previous trade produced a gain or a loss. The method does not change with the last result."

Structural implementation: Each phase allows 60 days from the first trade, which the firm describes as "ample for traders who do not rush". The timer can't be paused or extended.

Principle 4: Judgment Over Activity

"Not every market requires a trade. Knowing when not to participate is part of the profession, and it is one of the clearest signals of a mature operator."

Structural implementation: Your own automated strategies are permitted, but the firm values selective participation. An executed trade is required at least every 14 days, but nothing rewards excessive activity.

Principle 5: Responsibility Is Earned

"Greater opportunity follows demonstrated consistency, sound risk management, and professional conduct over time. Every step up is earned. None of them can be bought."

Structural implementation: No phase can be skipped, and the Live account is reached only through all four phases. The plan size sets the scale, not the route.

Plan Sizes: Four Sizes, One Standard

Every relationship with 18th Street begins with the same qualification.

Why Every Size Starts at Phase 1

"What cannot be bought is advancement. No phase can be skipped, and the Live account is reached only by completing all four. That is deliberate: greater opportunity should follow demonstrated performance, not purchasing power."

Per the firm's own positioning:

"Choose the plan size that fits how you trade: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000. The size sets the scale. It does not change the standard."

Many futures prop firms let traders buy larger accounts or faster routes to funding. 18th Street also sells four sizes, but the size only sets the dollar scale: every trader starts at Phase 1 and meets the same percentage rules. What can't be bought is advancement.

Plan Specifications

Specifications from the firm's qualification page (trade18th.com/qualification.html, checked 11 Oct 2026). Dollar figures are for the $50,000 plan:

Account and target:

Plan sizes: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 or $150,000
Environment: Phases 1–4 simulated with notional capital; Live account on the exchange
Profit target: 9% per phase ($4,500)
Recurring or subscription charges: None
Plan fee (one-time): $525, the same on every platform
Activation or phase fees: None
Market data and platform fees: included through Phase 4

Risk parameters:

Maximum trailing loss: 5% ($2,500)
Trailing loss calculation: end of day; locks at the starting balance after a 5% gain
Daily loss limit: None
Consistency requirement: 25% (best day ÷ total profit)
Contract limit: 3 standard contracts / 30 micro contracts

Trading structure:

Fewest days to complete a phase: 4
Time limit: 60 days per phase, from first trade
Positions held overnight: Not permitted
Positions held over weekend: Not permitted
Trading window (Globex): 1700 CST → 1555 CST next day
Regular trading hours (reference): 0830 – 1500 CST
Daily position close: 1555 CST (auto-flatten)

Rules and permissions:

Holding positions through news: Permitted
New entries at red-folder releases: Not within ±3 minutes
Automated strategies: your own strategies only
Contract month: Front month only
Exchanges: CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT

The Trailing Loss Mechanic Explained

The 5% trailing loss sits below the account's highest end-of-day balance. It follows the account upward, never moves back down, and locks at the starting balance once the account closes 5% above it.

Example ($50,000 plan, per the firm):

Start: $50,000 → breach at $47,500
Close $51,000: breach at $48,500
Close $52,500: breach at $50,000 (locks at starting balance)
Close $54,000: breach at $50,000 (stays locked)

Once the threshold reaches the starting balance it stays there, giving the account a fixed floor. Each new phase then starts from a fresh balance.

The Consistency Requirement Explained

Your best single trading day must be no more than 25% of total profit in the phase.

Examples ($50,000 plan, target $4,500, per the firm):

$1,125 × 4 days = 25% ✓ (meets the standard)
$1,800 + $900 × 3 = 40% ✗ (reaching $7,200 total, with the best day unchanged, brings it back to 25%)

Practical implication: it isn't a breach rule. The account stays open, and you keep trading until the ratio is back within 25%. A phase is complete only when both the profit target and the consistency rule are met.

For comprehensive coverage of consistency rules across the industry, see complete guide to prop firm consistency rules.

Phase Payouts and the Live Account

Instead of a profit split on a simulated funded account, 18th Street pays a fixed amount for each completed phase, then offers a Live account to traders who complete all four.

Phase Payouts

Payouts by plan ($25K / $50K / $100K / $150K): Phase 1 $500 / $1,000 / $2,000 / $3,000; Phases 2 and 3 $750 / $1,500 / $3,000 / $4,500 each; Phase 4 $1,500 / $3,000 / $6,000 / $9,000.

Across all four phases: $3,500 / $7,000 / $14,000 / $21,000. Per the firm, the Phase 1 payout is greater than the plan fee at every size.

Per the firm's positioning:

"Phase payouts are fixed amounts, paid on completing each phase. Profit beyond the target does not increase the payout."

The payout must be requested and completed before the next phase begins, and each new phase starts with a fresh balance. KYC and the Trader Agreement are completed before the first payout request.

Payment methods:

Crypto (USDC, ETH or BTC to your own wallet)
Rise (crypto-to-fiat, then to your bank account)
Store credit toward a new 18th Street plan

The Live Account (Capital Partner)

Live account size: $3,000 / $6,000 / $12,000 / $18,000 by plan size — real capital, and smaller than the plan size
Maximum loss: fixed at 50% of the live starting balance (not trailing)
Profit split: 90% to the trader, with no profit target, consistency rule or time limit
Withdrawals: the first on demand, then once every 30 days; platform and data fees ($62/month on Rithmic) are deducted from the balance

Per the firm's positioning:

"Capital Partner is not a tier. It is where simulated performance becomes live trading."

Terms Traders Should Understand

18th Street explicitly discloses conditions traders sometimes find out about only after purchasing elsewhere:

Environment: Phases 1–4 are simulated with notional capital, and phase payouts are real and payable. The Live account executes on the exchange.

Platforms: Choose one of four at signup — DXFutures (web and iOS), Volumetrica Deepcharts, Rithmic (R|Trader Pro and ATAS) or Tickblaze. The plan fee is the same on all four. The Live account runs on Rithmic. NinjaTrader is not currently available.

Market data: CME attestation required. Non-Professional status only — professional subscribers cannot be supported.

Inactivity: An executed trade is required at least every 14 days in Phases 1–4 and every 7 days on the Live account. Missing it closes the account, and the timer can't be paused, including for travel.

Resets: Not available. A breached or expired account is replaced by buying a new plan and starting again at Phase 1.

Eligibility: 18 years or older. Traders in OFAC-listed jurisdictions cannot participate.

Billing: Charges appear on statements as dashboardanalytix.com.

Tax: Funded traders are treated as independent contractors and are responsible for taxes on their gains.

Accounts: One active account per plan size, up to $325,000 combined.

The Progression Model: Four Phases, Then Live

The progression structure translates the institutional-standard philosophy into concrete pathway.

Phase 1: Trader Candidate (every plan size)

The starting point for every trader, whichever of the four plan sizes they choose. Meet the 9% target within the 5% trailing loss and the 25% consistency rule, inside 60 days, and the first payout follows.

Per the firm, no phase can be skipped and advancement can't be bought, whatever a trader's prior track record.

Phases 2 and 3: Qualified Trader and Professional Trader

The same standard, met again from a fresh balance each time. Nothing is relaxed because the previous phase went well.

Each completed phase pays a fixed amount: on the $50,000 plan, $1,500 for Phase 2 and $1,500 for Phase 3.

Phase 4: Institutional Trader

The final simulated phase, and its largest payout: double the phase before it ($3,000 on the $50,000 plan).

Key points:

Same rules as Phases 1–3
Open at every plan size — it's a phase, not an invitation-only account
KYC and the Trader Agreement must already be complete
Completing it moves the account to live execution on the exchange

Per the founder: "No one advances by paying more, and no one is held back by anything other than the standard itself."

Capital Partner: The Live Account

The firm's highest designation: a Live account with pricing and execution directly from the exchange.

No profit target, no consistency requirement and no time limit. The maximum loss is fixed at 50% of the live starting balance, and the trader keeps 90% of profits. Live account sizes run from $3,000 ($25K plan) to $18,000 ($150K plan).

What This Progression Model Says Structurally

The structure itself embodies the institutional-standard philosophy:

Every plan size starts at Phase 1, so the plan size sets the scale, not the route
No phase can be skipped, so larger payouts reflect repeated performance
Published rules applied the same way to every trader, with no discretionary adjustments
No automatic advancement prevents progression from becoming transactional
A fixed payout at each phase rewards meeting the standard, not exceeding the target

Per the firm: "Every phase can be completed. None of them can be skipped."

How 18th Street Compares to Other Futures Prop Firms

Understanding 18th Street's positioning against established competitors helps traders evaluate whether the firm suits their approach.

18th Street vs Established Futures Prop Firm Models

Many established futures prop firms offer a wide range of account sizes, often with paid upgrades, resets or add-ons. 18th Street also sells four sizes ($25K to $150K), but every size starts at Phase 1, there are no resets or phase fees, and the Live account is reached only by completing all four phases under the same rules.

The trade-off is meaningful:

Typical model: a wide choice of account sizes, frequent promotions and resets, and profit splits on simulated funded accounts
18th Street model: one standard at every size, fixed phase payouts, no resets, and a smaller Live account with a 90% split

Neither model is universally better — they serve different trader philosophies.

18th Street vs PFC Futures Roster

Traders Launch: buffer-locked drawdown and a choice of trading session and profit split at signup. 18th Street instead uses one standard across four phases with fixed payouts.

Tradeify: one-time pricing, three account tracks (Growth, Select, Lightning) and Tradeify Elite, its live-capital stage, after 3 approved payouts. 18th Street's Live account comes after four paid phases.

18th Street's Distinctive Positioning

Within the futures prop firm landscape, 18th Street's positioning stands out in these ways:

Every plan size starts at the same Phase 1, under the same percentage rules
Fixed payouts for each completed phase, rather than a split on a simulated funded account
No resets, activation fees or phase fees
Explicit institutional-standard philosophy — not just marketing language but structural implementation
Rules published in full before payment

For traders whose priorities align with this positioning, 18th Street offers something different. For traders wanting resets, discounts or faster routes to funding, other firms serve those priorities better.

Who 18th Street Trading Suits

Framework-based matching to specific trader profiles.

You're Probably an 18th Street Trader If You:

Approach trading as a genuine profession — value earned progression over purchasing convenience
Value institutional-standard philosophy — believe capital and responsibility should be earned through demonstrated performance
Have patience — 60 days per phase, and four phases to reach the Live account
Value one published standard — the same rules at every plan size, with no discretionary adjustments
Trade with disciplined process — the 25% consistency requirement and 5% EOD trailing loss suit distributed, disciplined trading
Want no daily loss limit — 18th Street operates without DLL, providing intraday flexibility within meaningful trailing loss
Trade your own automated strategies — self-developed strategies are permitted; third-party ones aren't
Prefer full disclosure before payment — 18th Street publishes its specifications on its qualification page
Value long-term firm-trader relationship — firm explicitly built for long-term development, not transactional relationships
Trade CME family futures — CME, COMEX, NYMEX, CBOT exchanges supported

You Might Prefer Other Futures Prop Firms If You:

Want a large live account quickly — the Live account is $3,000 to $18,000 and is reached only after four phases
Want a profit split on simulated funded accounts — 18th Street pays fixed phase payouts instead
Want NinjaTrader support — 18th Street doesn't currently offer NinjaTrader
Want to run many accounts — 18th Street allows one active account per size, up to $325,000 combined
Want resets — 18th Street doesn't offer them
Want frequent withdrawals once live — after the first, Live withdrawals are once every 30 days
Trade session flexibility — Traders Launch's choose-your-session at signup offers different flexibility

For related coverage on futures prop firm selection framework, see key futures prop firm rules to compare.

Why 18th Street Joins PFC Rising Stars

PFC's Rising Stars programme highlights newer prop firms worth a look. 18th Street Trading's inclusion reflects our editorial assessment of the firm's positioning:

Philosophy built into the product: one standard at every plan size, four phases that can't be skipped, fixed phase payouts and published rules.

Founder accountability: In his founder's letter, Jay Pocius commits to rules that "are the same at every plan size" and "applied the same way to every trader".

Full disclosure positioning: 18th Street publishes its specifications, fees and Live account terms on its qualification page before payment. This transparency aligns with PFC's Rising Stars framework.

Long-term orientation: The firm says it is "building 18th Street for the long term, and for traders who approach their profession the same way".

Different from many competitors: 18th Street doesn't compete on discounts or account upgrades, but on one consistent standard.

For PFC readers, this Rising Star recognition provides specific editorial signal: 18th Street represents distinctive positioning worth evaluating for traders whose priorities align with the institutional-standard approach.

For related coverage of the PFC Rising Stars programme and prior graduates, see ICFunded vs Pipster vs HyperTicks: Rising Stars comparison.

Practical Guidance for Traders Considering 18th Street

Some practical recommendations for retail traders evaluating 18th Street Trading:

Understand what you're buying into. 18th Street isn't offering discounts, resets or ways to skip a phase. It offers four plan sizes under one standard, fixed phase payouts and a small Live account at the end. If that suits you, 18th Street is worth a look. If you want resets or faster routes, other firms serve that better.
Verify current specifications directly. All 18th Street specifications are published at trade18th.com/qualification.html — full disclosure before payment is core to their positioning. Verify current pricing, rules, and specific product features before purchasing.
Match platform choice to your workflow. Four platforms (DXFutures, Volumetrica, Rithmic, Tickblaze) at the same plan fee. The Live account runs on Rithmic.
Understand progression realistically. Every plan size starts at Phase 1, and reaching the Live account means completing all four phases, each within 60 days. Progression isn't guaranteed.
Approach as long-term relationship, not transactional purchase. 18th Street's philosophy explicitly emphasises long-term firm-trader development. Traders approaching this as one-off account purchase may miss the philosophical value 18th Street's model provides.
Understand the no-DLL structural implication. No daily loss limit provides intraday flexibility but requires self-management within the meaningful trailing loss. Traders who benefit from external DLL constraints may find this structural absence challenging.
Consider the EOD trailing loss and starting-balance lock. The 5% trailing loss is end of day and locks at the starting balance after a 5% gain, which suits disciplined traders more than aggressive ones.
Recognise the tax and independent contractor structure. Funded traders are treated as independent contractors with tax responsibility for gains. Understand tax implications relative to your jurisdiction.
Know the Live account terms. The Live account is smaller than the plan ($3,000–$18,000), has a fixed 50% maximum loss, and has $62/month platform and data fees deducted from the balance.

For firm evaluation framework applicable to any prop firm, see complete guide to checking if a prop firm is legit.

Final Thoughts

18th Street Trading takes a distinctive position in the futures prop firm space: a firm built around the idea that greater opportunity should follow demonstrated performance, not purchasing power. Traders choose a plan size, but every size starts at Phase 1 and must meet the same standard four times before reaching a Live account.

The honest editorial framing: 18th Street isn't for every trader. Traders wanting resets, discounted pricing, a large live account quickly, or a profit split on simulated funded accounts will find better fits at other firms. Traders who approach prop trading as a profession and want one published standard may find 18th Street's approach a good fit.

Founder Jay Pocius's positioning captures the philosophical foundation: "If you are looking for shortcuts, 18th Street will not be for you. If you approach trading as a profession and believe opportunity should be earned through the quality of your work, this firm was built with you in mind."

For traders considering 18th Street, evaluate the firm on its merits: full specifications published, four phases with fixed payouts, and a Live account with a 90% split.

For ongoing coverage of 18th Street Trading development, PFC Rising Stars programme updates, and futures prop firm industry evolution, follow @PFCFutures. For general prop firm coverage across CFD and futures categories, follow @propfirmscmpd as well.

The standard is the same at every plan size. Every phase is earned. And 18th Street Trading joins PFC Rising Stars as a firm worth evaluating for futures traders who want earned progression rather than purchased access.

FAQs – 18th Street Trading Rising Star Launch

What is 18th Street Trading?

18th Street Trading is a futures proprietary trading firm built for disciplined traders seeking to establish a professional record. Founded by Jay R. Pocius and based in Las Vegas, Nevada (its name comes from Chicago's South Loop), it is an affiliate of Prop Account, LLC. Traders choose a $25K, $50K, $100K or $150K plan, and every size starts at Phase 1.

What does 18th Street Trading's progression model look like?

Four phases, then Live. Choose a $25K, $50K, $100K or $150K plan; all four sizes are open to buy and every size begins at Phase 1. Each phase has the same 9% target, 5% end-of-day trailing loss and 25% consistency rule within 60 days, and pays a fixed amount on completion. After Phase 4, the account becomes a Capital Partner Live account with a 90% profit split. No phase can be skipped.

What plan sizes does 18th Street offer?

Four: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and $150,000, all open to buy, with one-time fees of $265, $525, $1,000 and $1,595. The size sets the dollar scale (target, trailing loss, contract limit and payouts). The rules are the same at every size, and every size starts at Phase 1.

What are the 18th Street plan specifications?

The same at every size: 9% profit target per phase, 5% end-of-day trailing loss (locks at the starting balance after a 5% gain), 25% consistency rule, at least 4 days per phase, a 60-day time limit per phase, no daily loss limit, no activation or phase fees, and no overnight or weekend positions. Contract limits are 1/10, 3/30, 6/60 and 9/90 standard/micro by plan size.

How much does 18th Street pay?

Phase payouts are fixed: on the $50,000 plan, $1,000, $1,500, $1,500 and $3,000 ($7,000 across four phases). In total that's $3,500 on $25K, $14,000 on $100K and $21,000 on $150K. The Live account then pays 90% of profits.

How do payouts work at 18th Street?

Complete a phase, then request its payout (KYC and the Trader Agreement come first). The payout is completed before the next phase starts from a fresh balance. Payouts go by crypto, Rise or store credit, with crypto payouts usually within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. On the Live account, the first withdrawal is on demand, then once every 30 days.

What platforms does 18th Street support?

Four: DXFutures (web and iOS), Volumetrica Deepcharts, Rithmic (R|Trader Pro and ATAS) and Tickblaze. The plan fee is the same on every platform, and the Live account runs on Rithmic. NinjaTrader is not currently available.

Does 18th Street allow automated strategies?

Yes, if the strategy is your own. Self-developed automated strategies are permitted, provided they follow every other rule. Purchased, third-party or off-the-shelf strategies are prohibited. Copy trading between your own accounts is permitted. For more, see our EA trading at prop firms complete guide.

What is the consistency requirement at 18th Street?

A 25% best-day rule: your best single trading day must be no more than 25% of total profit in the phase. It's not a breach rule, but it must be met to complete a phase. Example ($50K, target $4,500): $1,125 × 4 days = 25% meets it; $1,800 + $900 × 3 = 40% doesn't. Keep trading until the ratio is back within 25%.

Does 18th Street have a daily loss limit?

No — 18th Street operates without a daily loss limit. The 5% end-of-day trailing loss is the main boundary, so traders need to self-manage within it.

What exchanges and instruments does 18th Street support?

CME, COMEX, NYMEX and CBOT, front month only. Contract limits run from 1 standard / 10 micro ($25K) to 9 / 90 ($150K). CME attestation is required, and only Non-Professional status is supported.

Can I hold positions overnight at 18th Street?

No — positions cannot be held overnight or over weekend. Daily position close at 1555 CST (auto-flatten). Trading window Globex hours: 1700 CST → 1555 CST next day. Regular trading hours 0830-1500 CST for reference. Day trading structure typical of futures prop firms.

How does 18th Street differ from other established futures firms?

Many established futures firms offer a wide range of account sizes with resets, promotions and profit splits on simulated funded accounts. 18th Street offers four sizes ($25K to $150K), all starting at Phase 1, with fixed phase payouts, no resets and a Live account after four phases. Neither model is universally better — they serve different trader preferences.

Is 18th Street legitimate?

18th Street Trading, LLC is based at 732 S 6th St, Ste R, Las Vegas, NV 89101, and is an affiliate of Prop Account, LLC, which provides the assessments and receives the fees. Phases 1–4 are simulated with notional capital, phase payouts are real, and the Live account trades on the exchange. Full specifications are published on its website. As with any prop firm, check reviews and terms yourself before buying.

Who is Jay Pocius?

Jay R. Pocius is the founder of 18th Street Trading. He's originally from Chicago's South Loop, and the intersection of South Prairie Avenue and East 18th Street gave the firm its name. In his founder's letter, he commits to rules that are "published in full", "the same at every plan size" and "applied the same way to every trader", and writes that "no one advances by paying more".

Where can I find current 18th Street Trading details?

trade18th.com is the authoritative source for current 18th Street Trading details. Plan specifications: trade18th.com/qualification.html. Progression and phase payouts: trade18th.com/progression.html. FAQs: trade18th.com/faq.html. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/trade18th.

Where can I follow ongoing 18th Street Trading coverage?

Follow @PFCFutures for PFC's ongoing coverage of 18th Street Trading development, PFC Rising Stars programme updates, and futures prop firm industry evolution. Follow @propfirmscmpd for main-brand PFC coverage across CFD prop firms and general industry developments.

Last updated: 11 October 2026. 18th Street Trading specifications and progression structure checked against trade18th.com on 11 October 2026 — always verify current details directly before purchasing.

Editorial disclosure: PFC operates commercial partnerships with prop firms across the platform including 18th Street Trading via the PFC Rising Stars programme. This launch coverage reflects our editorial analysis of 18th Street's structural positioning and institutional-standard philosophy based on verified data from trade18th.com. Framework-based analysis applies universally rather than favouring specific partner firms.

At 18th Street Trading, Phases 1–4 operate in a simulated environment with notional capital and phase payouts are real and payable; the Live account executes on the exchange. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not investment advice.

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