Can you trade stocks on Topstep?

Can you trade stocks on Topstep?

Can you trade stocks on Topstep? If you need a short, plain answer up front: no — Topstep is built to evaluate and fund futures traders and does not permit trading U.S. equities (individual stocks) inside its Trading Combine® or Funded Accounts®. This article explains exactly what is allowed, what is prohibited, why Topstep focuses on futures, the operational rules that matter if you expected to trade stocks, practical alternatives, and quick FAQs to clear up common doubts.

Note: The phrase "can you trade stocks on Topstep" appears throughout this guide so searchers find this page quickly and clearly. If your goal is to learn or get funded for futures, Topstep is directly relevant; if you want to trade stocks, read the alternatives section to decide where to open an account and why some traders choose futures instead.

Short answer

Topstep is focused on exchange‑listed futures (including micro futures) and does not permit trading of U.S. stocks, spot cryptocurrencies, options, CFDs, or retail forex inside the Trading Combine® or Funded Accounts®.

What Topstep does allow (Allowed instruments)

Topstep’s programs are designed as a futures evaluation and funding pathway. That means the platform and its Trading Combine® and Funded Accounts® accept only exchange‑listed futures contracts and related micro contracts. Key allowed products include major CME/COMEX/NYMEX/CBOT futures and micro futures. Examples of permitted instruments are:

• E‑mini and Micro E‑mini equity index futures (for example, E‑mini S&P 500 and Micro E‑mini S&P)
• Energy futures (Crude Oil, Natural Gas)
• Metals (Gold, Silver futures)
• Interest‑rate futures (Treasuries)
• Agricultural futures (Corn, Soybeans, Wheat and related contracts)
• FX futures (exchange‑listed currency futures such as 6E — Euro futures, 6B — British Pound futures, etc.)
• Crypto futures listed on regulated futures exchanges: Micro Bitcoin (MBT) and Micro Ether (MET) are permitted as futures products, not spot crypto or exchange wallets

Topstep treats Micro Bitcoin (MBT) and Micro Ether (MET) as futures contracts traded on regulated futures markets — that distinction is important: these are not spot crypto trading on a wallet or exchange, but exchange‑listed micro futures contracts with futures specifications.

Major allowed contracts you will commonly see in Trading Combine® setups include E‑mini S&P 500 (ES), Micro E‑mini S&P (MES), Crude Oil (CL), Gold (GC), Micro Bitcoin (MBT), Micro Ether (MET), FX futures (6E, 6B and others), interest‑rate futures and a range of agricultural futures. Product availability can change over time, and Topstep publishes a live allowed products list in its Help Center.

Topstep policy language (explicit prohibitions)

Topstep’s published policy and Help Center language explicitly states that stocks, options, retail forex, spot cryptocurrency, and CFDs are not permitted in its Trading Combine® or Funded Accounts®. In short, Topstep evaluates traders on their futures performance using simulated or cleared futures executions — it is not a multi‑asset brokerage for equities or retail crypto wallets.

As a practical interpretation, this means:

• You cannot place orders for individual U.S. stocks (for example, single‑name equity shares) inside the Trading Combine® or Funded Accounts®.
• Options trading (equity options, index options, or option strategies) is not permitted in Topstep’s evaluation programs.
• Spot cryptocurrency trading or crypto wallets/exchanges are not part of Topstep’s platform; only exchange‑listed crypto futures (where supported) are allowed.
• CFDs (contracts for difference) and retail forex platforms are outside Topstep’s permitted instrument set.

This policy is consistent with Topstep’s core mission: to evaluate traders’ performance specifically in futures markets using exchange‑based price discovery and standardized contract rules.

Why Topstep focuses on futures (rationale)

Understanding why Topstep restricts instruments helps explain whether the platform matches your trading objectives. Key reasons Topstep emphasizes futures are:

• Centralized price discovery and regulated exchanges: Futures are traded on centralized futures exchanges with standardized contracts, transparent rules, and consolidated trade reporting. That makes it simpler to evaluate trader performance consistently.

• 24‑hour market access for many contracts: Major futures contracts (including equity index futures, FX futures, and crypto futures) have extended trading windows and often trade nearly 24 hours on electronic platforms, which suits a funded trading evaluation that needs continuous market access.

• Micro and micro‑e‑mini contracts lower capital barriers: Micro futures contracts (for example, Micro E‑mini S&P, MBT, MET) allow traders to risk smaller notional amounts while using the same structure as full‑sized futures — enabling lower account sizes for meaningful futures exposure.

• No Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule for futures: The U.S. PDT rule applies to margin equity accounts and can restrict traders under $25,000 who day‑trade stocks. Futures accounts are not subject to PDT in the same way, which makes futures attractive for smaller funded programs.

• Leverage and margin mechanics tailored to evaluation: Futures margin and leverage operate differently from equities margin and options. Topstep’s risk and drawdown rules are designed around futures margin behavior and standardized contract specifications.

• Educational focus and product consistency: Topstep’s coaching and evaluation content is structured around futures strategies and risk management; offering multiple asset classes would complicate the evaluation rubric and comparability across traders.

These rationales explain why Topstep is not designed for stock trading evaluation and funding. If you were asking "can you trade stocks on Topstep" because you prefer equities, the platform’s design and rules will likely not match your needs.

Trading rules and constraints that matter if you expected to trade stocks

If you came to Topstep asking "can you trade stocks on Topstep" because you want to practice stock strategies, it is important to understand key rules that shape the trading environment and would constrain equity-style approaches even if equities were allowed.

• Day trading/flat‑by‑cutoff requirement: Topstep’s Trading Combine® and Funded Accounts® are structured for intraday trading. Traders are typically required to be flat (no open positions) by the daily cutoff time. This rule enforces a day‑trading evaluation rather than a multi‑day swing approach.

• Daily close time and session boundaries: Many allowed futures are tied to exchange session hours. The Trading Combine® enforces close‑by times that align with exchange sessions (for example, daily settlement times) so trades and risk are evaluated on a consistent daily basis.

• Position size and contract limits: The program defines maximum contract sizes per symbol for the Combine® and Funded Accounts®. These limits are set to control risk and ensure participants trade within the program’s intended exposure ranges.

• Drawdown and profit target rules: Topstep uses objective profit targets and drawdown thresholds to determine successful evaluation. If you were planning stock trades with different volatility profiles, these metrics may not map well to equities strategies.

• Product availability and exchange hours: Allowed products are only available during their exchange‑listed hours. If you’re used to equities trading during regular U.S. session hours, realize that futures often have extended or overnight liquidity but also unique session boundaries.

• Execution and platform differences: The Combine® is a simulated or controlled environment intended to mimic live futures execution on exchanges. You will not have equity‑type order types, corporate actions processing, or dividend handling that accompany stock ownership.

These constraints mean that even if Topstep allowed stocks, the evaluation rules would force you into a futures‑style day‑trading workflow. For most equity traders the rules and account mechanics are not a fit.

If you want to trade stocks — alternatives and practical considerations

If your primary goal is to trade stocks, ask yourself whether you want:

• To trade U.S. equities as an independent retail trader;
• To pursue funded equity trading through a prop firm that supports stocks; or
• To run equities alongside futures by using separate accounts.

Practical options if you want to trade stocks instead of futures include:

• Open a retail equity brokerage account: Use a regulated retail broker for U.S. equities where you can trade individual stocks, ETFs, and (if you choose) options. Retail brokers support equity ownership, extended hours trading (if available), corporate action handling, and typical equity order types.

• Look for equity‑focused funded programs: Some proprietary firms and funding programs specialize in equities and allow traders to be evaluated on stock strategies. Research the firm’s allowed instruments, evaluation rules, and risk controls before applying.

• Run separate accounts: It’s common for traders to run multiple accounts — use Topstep for futures funding and a retail broker for stocks. This approach lets you pursue both markets while keeping evaluation and risk rules separate.

• Be mindful of the Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule: If you plan to trade stocks actively in the U.S., the PDT rule can restrict accounts under $25,000 that execute four or more day trades within five business days. Many traders choose futures to avoid PDT constraints or maintain larger equity account balances.

• Consider derivatives or options via appropriate venues: If your strategies rely on options, use a broker or platform that supports options trading under regulated options rules (Topstep does not permit options in its programs).

If you are evaluating where to learn or get funded, match your training and funding choices to your target market: if your goal is equities, choose stock‑oriented education and brokers; if your goal is futures funding, Topstep is an appropriate path.

Frequently asked questions (short QA)

Q: Can I trade individual stocks on Topstep?

A: No. Topstep’s Trading Combine® and Funded Accounts® do not permit trading individual U.S. stocks or equity shares.

Q: Can I trade options or stock options in Topstep?

A: No. Topstep’s programs restrict options trading; the evaluation is futures‑focused.

Q: Can I trade crypto on Topstep?

A: Only as exchange‑listed crypto futures where Topstep permits them (for example, Micro Bitcoin (MBT) and Micro Ether (MET)). Spot crypto wallets or exchange spot trading is not available within the Trading Combine® or Funded Accounts®.

Q: Can I use Topstep while also trading stocks elsewhere?

A: Yes. You can run separate brokerage accounts for equities while using Topstep for futures, provided you follow Topstep’s Trading Combine® and Funded Account® rules.

Q: I keep asking myself "can you trade stocks on Topstep" — what’s the shortest reality check?

A: Topstep is for futures. If you want to trade stocks, use a retail equity broker or an equity‑focused funded program.

How this affects traders deciding where to learn or get funded

Choosing the right path depends on your market preference and career aims. If you plan to be a funded trader, consider these decision points:

• Target market alignment: If your objective is to become a funded futures trader, Topstep provides tailored evaluation, coaching, and a path to capital that matches futures market mechanics. If your objective is to trade stocks professionally, pursue equity‑focused training or prop firms that fund equity trading.

• Instrument mechanics and strategy fit: Your strategies should match the instrument. Mean‑reversion and intraday scalping strategies translate differently between futures and stocks because of contract size, tick value, liquidity distribution, and market hours.

• Regulatory and account constraints: If you are undercapitalized for equities and want to day‑trade frequently, consider that the PDT rule can be restrictive; futures offer an alternative without the same PDT limits.

• Capital allocation: Micro futures enable smaller accounts to participate in futures markets with reduced notional exposure. For traders who want smaller ticket sizes with standardized contracts, Topstep’s micro futures focus can be appealing.

• Long‑term ambitions: If you intend to build a stock‑trading business (dividend capture, swing trades, buy‑and‑hold), a retail equity account is needed for share ownership and corporate action handling. Topstep is not designed for position trading across corporate events.

Match the evaluation program to the instruments you will trade in your long‑term career. If you expect the question "can you trade stocks on Topstep" to define your decision, answer that Topstep won’t support stocks and choose the alternative that suits your plan.

Sources and further reading

Below are the official Topstep resources and topic pages you can consult to verify allowed instruments, hours, and policy statements. Search for these titles in Topstep’s Help Center and blog for the most current product list and policy language:

• Topstep Help Center — "When and what products can I trade?"
• Topstep product pages and TopstepX allowed products lists
• Topstep blog — "Futures vs Stocks & Options — The Coach’s Playbook"
• Topstep policy and program terms that include the statement: "Trading of Stocks, Options, Forex, Cryptocurrency and CFD’s are not permitted nor available in our program or platforms."

As of 2024-06-01, according to Topstep Help Center materials, Topstep’s allowed instruments list and explicit prohibitions were published in its product and program documentation. Always verify the live product list in Topstep’s Help Center for the latest contract availability and session hours.

Practical checklist if you arrived asking "can you trade stocks on Topstep"

• If your goal is stocks, do not enroll expecting to trade equities — open a dedicated retail equity account or look for an equity‑funded program.
• If you want to practice short‑term, intraday setups without PDT constraints, consider futures (Topstep) or ensure your equity account meets PDT minimums.
• If you want exposure to digital assets but not spot wallets, check whether Topstep currently supports crypto futures like MBT/MET; otherwise, use a regulated spot exchange or custody solution outside Topstep (for spot crypto, consider Bitget Wallet and Bitget exchange services for spot trading and custody).
• If you plan to run both markets, keep separate accounts and separate risk rules for each.

How to proceed next (actions and recommendations)

If you still wonder "can you trade stocks on Topstep" and want a clear next step:

• Decide which market you want to trade (stocks or futures). If you choose stocks, research a retail broker that supports U.S. equities and review PDT rules.
• If you choose futures and want funding, review Topstep’s Trading Combine® rules, allowed symbols list, margin and contract size limits, and sign up for the Combine® if it fits your plan.
• If you want to trade crypto spot, consider Bitget’s spot trading and Bitget Wallet for custody and spot liquidity (Bitget is recommended here for Web3 wallet support and spot trading services).

Want to compare markets quickly?

• Futures (Topstep): Exchange‑listed, standardized, micro contracts available, day‑trader friendly, no PDT.
• Stocks (retail broker): Equity ownership, dividend/corporate action handling, PDT applies to small accounts.

Explore Topstep’s Help Center for the latest allowed products if you plan a futures evaluation, and use a retail broker or equity funding firm for stocks.

Final notes and brand guidance

If your primary question is "can you trade stocks on Topstep" the definitive and succinct answer is: Topstep does not allow stock trading in its programs — it is a futures‑only evaluation and funding pathway. If you need spot crypto or spot equities, you will need separate services and accounts; for spot crypto and Web3 wallet needs, Bitget Wallet and Bitget exchange services are recommended within this guide for custody and spot trading use cases.

Further exploration: search Topstep Help Center entries titled "When and what products can I trade?" and Topstep’s product pages for the current contract list. If you want help comparing futures vs stocks for your trading goals, consider reviewing Topstep educational pieces and Bitget learning resources for spot and derivatives markets.

Further reading and verification: consult Topstep’s official Help Center and program terms for the latest policy statements. Remember to confirm product availability and session hours before you enroll, as exchanges and allowed contracts can change over time.

If you’d like, I can summarize Topstep’s allowed contract list into a printable checklist, compare PDT impact quantitatively for typical account sizes, or outline steps to open a retail equity account while pursuing a futures evaluation with Topstep. Just tell me which comparison or checklist you need next.