Topstep vs Crypto Fund Trader – Elite Prop Firms Comparison

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Introduction

Topstep and Crypto Fund Trader occupy very different corners of the prop trading world. Topstep, founded in 2012 in Chicago by Michael Patak, is the original name in futures-based prop trading. It operates exclusively on CME Group markets, has paid out more than $1 billion to funded traders, and carries a 3.4/5 Trustpilot rating from over 13,800 reviews. Its single-phase Trading Combine® targets futures traders who want the deepest community and the 100% first-$10K profit structure. Crypto Fund Trader, established in 2021 by SWISS RLCRATES AG in Zug, Switzerland, was purpose-built for a different audience: traders who want access to 556+ cryptocurrency instruments alongside forex, indices, commodities, and stocks. With three evaluation paths – 2-Phase, 1-Phase, and Instant – and platforms including Match-Trader, MetaTrader 5, and Bybit, CFT offers multi-asset flexibility that Topstep does not. Where Topstep provides institutional futures depth on a single proprietary platform (TopstepX), CFT provides breadth across 720+ instruments and genuine platform choice. Topstep’s Trustpilot profile is long-established; CFT’s rating is currently unavailable after Trustpilot flagged the listing for a guidelines breach in April 2026. Both firms pay no attention to time limits – all CFT evaluations and the Topstep Trading Combine® are open-ended.

FeatureTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
Topstep Crypto Fund Trader
Founded20122021
Profit Split90% trader share; first-$10,000 lifetime-profit exception for traders who joined the new dashboard before Jan 12, 2026
Maximum Account Size$150,000$300,000
Evaluation Phases11-Phase, 2-Phase, Instant, Break and Ascend; availability varies
Trustpilot Rating3.4
Expert Grade98.5
ProgramTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
Entry Level ProgramYes2-Phase Challenge
Advanced Program1-Phase Challenge
Scaling OptionsNoInstant doubles at 10% profit; published ceiling $1.28M
Demo AccountNoYes
CriteriaTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
Profit Target
Maximum DrawdownTrailing MLL: $2,000-$4,500
Minimum Trading DaysTrading Combine can pass in as few as 2 days, subject to 55% consistency; funded payout paths have separate day requirementsStandard evaluations 0; Break cards 1; older evaluation page conflicts at 5
News TradingYesStandard allowed; Ascend restricts new/increased risk ±2 minutes around high-impact news/openings
Daily Loss Limit
Drawdown Type
Maximum Contracts
OptionTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
Crypto $2.5K Account
Crypto $5K Account
Crypto $10K Account
Crypto $25K Account
Crypto $50K Account
Crypto $100K Account
Crypto $200K Account
Futures $50K Account
Futures $100K Account
Futures $150K Account
Refund Policy14-day money-back guarantee if no positions opened
Coupons / DiscountTopstep discountCrypto Fund Trader discount
FeatureTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
Trading PlatformsTopstepX; Quantower connectivity for Trading Combine and Express Funded accountsMatch-Trader, MetaTrader 5
ForexCurrency futures, not spot ForexYes
StocksNoYes
IndicesYesYes
CommoditiesYesYes
CryptocurrenciesNoYes
BondsYes
EA/Algo TradingYesPermitted with restrictions; HFT, tick scalping and arbitrage prohibited
FeatureTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
Payout Terms$125 minimum; eligibility by funded-account path, not a bi-weekly schedule. XFA Standard: 5 winning days of $150+; XFA Consistency: 3 trading days and 40% consistency. Balance limits, account caps and method availability apply.Standard: 15 traded days or 30 calendar days; weekly add-on 7 traded days; special models differ; up to 48 business hours review
See all prop firm payouts →
Key ElementTopstepCrypto Fund Trader
StrengthsTrading Combine has no maximum completion deadline while the subscription remains active; automated strategies permitted subject to rules; 90% current trader share; Standard or Consistency Express payout paths. Daily-loss-limit arrangements vary.Crypto-focused platform choices; static 2-Phase option; no standard evaluation deadline; bank/crypto rewards
WeaknessesRecurring Combine subscription; $149 XFA activation on Standard pricing path; futures-only; end-of-day trailing MLL can be breached intraday on unrealised lossesProfit caps; reward discretion; trailing 1-Phase loss limit; model-specific rules and paid add-ons
Best ForSerious futures traders seeking established firm with forgiving evaluationCrypto-focused traders who match their strategy to platform, leverage and reward requirements

 

Conclusion and Final Recommendation

Choose Topstep if you want a cheaper entry, from USD 49. Choose Crypto Fund Trader if a larger funded ceiling at $300K, a demo account to test the platform first and coverage of stocks and cryptocurrencies that the other does not offer matter more to you. Neither firm is better in the abstract. The right choice depends on your strategy, your budget and the instruments you trade, so read both full reviews before you commit. Verify current rules and pricing on each firm’s own site before purchasing.

Frequently asked questions

How We Compared Topstep and Crypto Fund Trader

Both firms carry a JoinProp Rating out of 10, scored on the same nine weighted factors, led by payout reliability at 20%, then fee structure, drawdown rules and profit split at 15% each. The scores come from our own firm reviews, built from each firm’s current terms rather than its marketing pages and re-checked at least every 90 days. Affiliate relationships have no effect on any rating, and ratings are never sold. The tables above are the evidence behind those scores. Read our full ranking methodology.

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