Apex Trader Funding was founded in 2021 and is headquartered at 2028 E. Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78741. The firm describes itself as an evaluation-based futures prop firm. Traders pass a paid evaluation and, if successful, transition to a simulated funded Performance Account (PA) where they can earn cash rewards.
The program focuses exclusively on futures. All trading activity, including the PA stage, takes place in a simulated environment using virtual funds. No real capital is at risk and no live market execution occurs at the PA stage. Apex does state that traders demonstrating sustained performance may be considered for a live trading invitation, but this is discretionary and separate from the standard PA program.
The firm operates globally and states that traders from over 100 countries can participate, subject to a restricted country list. According to Apex’s own published statements, it has paid out more than any other futures funding evaluation firm since its launch, and its community spans tens of thousands of members across more than 150 countries.
Apex offers two distinct product lines for new accounts, both launched as part of a platform overhaul effective March 1, 2026: the EOD Trail and the Intraday Trail. Legacy accounts purchased before that date remain active under their original rules and are not covered in this review.
Apex Trader Funding does not hold regulatory registrations as a broker-dealer, futures commission merchant, or financial advisor. Reward payouts are described as discretionary and subject to eligibility, compliance, and applicable tax laws.
Account Types & Pricing
Apex offers 2 product lines across 3 platform options (Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts), each in 4 account sizes. The drawdown type (EOD or Intraday) is determined at purchase and cannot be changed. Platform cannot be converted after purchase.
Rules differ across the two account lines. See the tables below.
EOD Trail Accounts
The EOD Trail uses an end-of-day trailing drawdown during both the evaluation and funded stages. A Daily Loss Limit applies in both stages. There is no intraday trailing drawdown.
| Account Size | Evaluation Fee (One-Time) | Activation Fee (One-Time) | Reset Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25k | $299 | $109 | N/A |
| 50k | $349 | $119 | N/A |
| 100k | $599 | $139 | N/A |
| 150k | $799 | $159 | N/A |
The evaluation fee is a one-time payment for 30 calendar days of access. There is no recurring billing and no cancellation required. The activation fee is a separate one-time payment due at the evaluation-to-PA transition. There are no reset fees. A failed evaluation cannot be reset. Purchasing a new evaluation is the only way to try again.
NinjaTrader platform access (valued at $75) and real-time data (valued at $55) are included at no additional charge across all account sizes and platforms.
Intraday Trail Accounts
The Intraday Trail uses a real-time intraday trailing drawdown during both the evaluation and funded stages. There is no Daily Loss Limit during the evaluation. A Daily Loss Limit applies during the PA stage.
| Account Size | Evaluation Fee (One-Time) | Activation Fee (One-Time) | Reset Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25k | $199 | $89 | N/A |
| 50k | $249 | $69 | N/A |
| 100k | $399 | $119 | N/A |
| 150k | $599 | $139 | N/A |
Pricing, included features, and fee structure are identical across all 3 platform options (Rithmic, Tradovate, WealthCharts) within each product line.
Evaluation Rules
Both product lines share the same evaluation structure: 1 stage, 30 calendar days, no minimum trading days, no consistency rule. Pass requirements, drawdown mechanics, and the presence or absence of a Daily Loss Limit differ between the two lines.
Profit Target
Profit targets are identical across both the EOD Trail and Intraday Trail lines.
| Account Size | Profit Target |
|---|---|
| 25k | $1,500 |
| 50k | $3,000 |
| 100k | $6,000 |
| 150k | $9,000 |
Profit targets are expressed as dollar amounts. There is no minimum trading day requirement. You can pass in a single trading day as long as the profit target is reached and no rules are violated.
Drawdown Rules (Evaluation)
Rules differ across the two account lines.
Trailing Drawdown Values
Both lines use the same maximum drawdown dollar amounts.
| Account Size | Max Drawdown |
|---|---|
| 25k | $1,000 |
| 50k | $2,000 |
| 100k | $3,000 |
| 150k | $4,000 |
On EOD Trail accounts, the drawdown level trails the highest end-of-day account balance. On Intraday Trail accounts, it trails the highest intraday balance (Peak Balance), including unrealized gains, in real time.
Daily Loss Limit
The Daily Loss Limit (DLL) applies only to EOD Trail evaluations. There is no DLL on Intraday Trail evaluations.
| Account Size | Daily Loss Limit (EOD Trail only) |
|---|---|
| 25k | $500 |
| 50k | $1,000 |
| 100k | $1,500 |
| 150k | $2,000 |
The DLL is a fixed intraday ceiling. If your net intraday loss (including open positions) reaches the DLL at any point during the session, all open positions are automatically liquidated and trading is paused for the remainder of that session. The account remains active. The DLL resets at 6 PM ET each day. Hitting the DLL does not fail the evaluation.
Drawdown Calculation Method
EOD Trail: EOD trailing. The drawdown level is calculated once per day at market close (4:59:59 PM ET) based on the closing account balance. It trails the highest achieved EOD balance and never moves downward. Once calculated, the threshold is fixed for the next trading session but is enforced in real time throughout that session. If the account balance touches or falls below the EOD Threshold at any point during the trading session, all positions are liquidated and the evaluation fails immediately.
Intraday Trail: Intraday trailing. The drawdown level follows the account’s highest intraday balance (Peak Balance) in real time throughout the session, including unrealized gains. As the balance rises to a new high, the threshold moves up immediately. It never moves downward. If the account balance touches or falls below the Intraday Trailing Threshold at any moment, all positions are liquidated and the evaluation fails immediately.
Drawdown Lock
Both lines share the same lock behavior, though the trigger differs by platform.
For Rithmic and WealthCharts evaluations on both lines: the trailing stops and the threshold becomes fixed when it reaches an amount equal to the profit target balance. For example, on a $50k account with a $3,000 profit target, the threshold locks at $53,000. This occurs when the highest balance reaches $55,000 ($53,000 + $2,000 drawdown). From that point onward the threshold remains fixed at $53,000.
For Tradovate evaluations on both lines: the drawdown trails indefinitely with the peak balance and does not lock at any fixed level.
Consistency Rule (Evaluation)
No consistency rule applies during the evaluation stage on either the EOD Trail or the Intraday Trail. Traders can pass in any pattern of trading days without restriction on how profit is distributed across days.
Minimum Trading Days
No minimum trading days are required on either account line. You may pass as soon as the profit target is reached, provided all other rules are respected.
Time Limit
Both lines have a 30-calendar-day access period from the date of purchase. The 30 days run continuously, including weekends and holidays. At the end of the 30-day period, the evaluation expires automatically at 11:59 PM ET. There are no extensions.
Position Size & Contract Limits
Contract limits are identical for both EOD Trail and Intraday Trail evaluations. The maximum position size is fixed throughout the evaluation and does not change based on balance or performance.
| Account Size | Max Contracts (Standard) | Max Micro Contracts |
|---|---|---|
| 25k | 4 | 40 |
| 50k | 6 | 60 |
| 100k | 8 | 80 |
| 150k | 12 | 120 |
10 micro contracts equal 1 standard contract. The limit applies to all open positions combined across all instruments. Attempting to exceed the limit results in automatic order rejection; it does not fail the account.
Activation Fee
The activation fee is a one-time payment due at the evaluation-to-PA transition. It’s not a subscription and does not renew. Rules differ across the two product lines.
| Account Size | EOD Trail Activation Fee | Intraday Trail Activation Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 25k | $109 | $89 |
| 50k | $119 | $69 |
| 100k | $139 | $119 |
| 150k | $159 | $139 |
Once the evaluation is marked as Passed (after market close, 6 PM ET), you have 7 calendar days to pay the activation fee. If the activation window expires, the opportunity cannot be reinstated. A new evaluation must be passed.
Funded Account Rules
The funded stage at Apex is a simulated Performance Account (PA). No real capital is deployed. Traders earn cash rewards based on simulated profits, subject to the payout rules below.
Drawdown Rules (Funded)
Trailing Drawdown Values
The maximum drawdown dollar amounts match the evaluation stage for both lines. The trailing behavior differs by account line and locks at a lower level than the evaluation stage.
| Account Size | Max Drawdown |
|---|---|
| 25k | $1,000 |
| 50k | $2,000 |
| 100k | $3,000 |
| 150k | $4,000 |
On EOD Trail PAs, the threshold trails the highest EOD balance. On Intraday Trail PAs, it trails the highest intraday balance including unrealized gains in real time. If the threshold is reached at any time, all positions are liquidated and the PA is permanently closed.
Daily Loss Limit
A Daily Loss Limit applies during the PA stage on both account lines. In the PA, the DLL is not fixed; it scales with account balance through the tier system. Hitting the DLL in the PA pauses trading for the remainder of the session; it does not close the PA.
The DLL and tier levels are set daily based on the end-of-day closing balance from the prior session.
$25k Performance Account
| Profit Range | Max Contracts | Daily Loss Limit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $999 | 1 | $500 | Level 1 |
| $1,000 – $1,999 | 2 | $500 | Level 2 |
| $2,000 & Up | 2 | $1,250 | Level 3 |
$50k Performance Account
| Profit Range | Max Contracts | Daily Loss Limit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $1,499 | 2 | $1,000 | Level 1 |
| $1,500 – $2,999 | 3 | $1,000 | Level 2 |
| $3,000 – $5,999 | 4 | $2,000 | Level 3 |
| $6,000 & Up | 4 | $3,000 | Level 4 |
$100k Performance Account
| Profit Range | Max Contracts | Daily Loss Limit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $1,999 | 3 | $1,750 | Level 1 |
| $2,000 – $2,999 | 4 | $1,750 | Level 2 |
| $3,000 – $4,999 | 5 | $1,750 | Level 3 |
| $5,000 – $9,999 | 6 | $2,500 | Level 4 |
| $10,000 & Up | 6 | $3,500 | Level 5 |
$150k Performance Account
| Profit Range | Max Contracts | Daily Loss Limit | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $1,999 | 4 | $2,500 | Level 1 |
| $2,000 – $2,999 | 5 | $2,500 | Level 2 |
| $3,000 – $4,999 | 7 | $2,500 | Level 3 |
| $5,000 – $9,999 | 10 | $3,000 | Level 4 |
| $10,000 & Up | 10 | $4,000 | Level 5 |
Tier levels are updated once per day before the trading session opens, based on the closing balance at 4:59:59 PM ET. Tiers can move both up and down. If the balance drops below the Level 1 threshold, the account remains at Level 1. The DLL and position limits don’t decrease below Level 1.
Drawdown Calculation Method
EOD Trail PA: EOD trailing. The threshold is calculated once per day at market close, trails the highest EOD balance, and is enforced in real time throughout the next session. This is the same method as the evaluation stage.
Intraday Trail PA: Intraday trailing. The threshold trails the highest intraday balance in real time including unrealized gains. This is the same method as the evaluation stage.
Drawdown Lock
On both PA lines, the trailing stops once the threshold reaches Starting Balance + $100. For example, on a $50k PA this lock level is $50,100. This is reached when the highest balance (whether realized or unrealized) reaches $52,100 (Starting Balance + Max Drawdown + $100). From that point the threshold is permanently fixed at $50,100.
If the account balance ever touches or falls below the locked (or still-trailing) threshold at any time, the PA is permanently closed. There is no reinstatement. A new evaluation must be passed to obtain another PA.
Consistency Rule (Funded)
The 50% consistency requirement applies to payout eligibility on both PA lines. No single profitable trading day may account for 50% or more of total net profit accumulated since the last approved payout (or since account inception if no payout has been taken).
If the consistency percentage is at or above 50%, the payout request option is not available. The account remains active and you may continue trading until the percentage falls below 50%. Reaching the 50% threshold does not fail or close the account.
The consistency calculation resets after each approved payout. All profits and losses since the last approved payout are included in the calculation. Losing days reduce your net profit and can push the percentage back above 50% even after meeting it.
Position Size & Contract Limits (Funded)
Position size in the PA is not fixed. It scales with account balance through the tier system described in Drawdown Rules (Funded) above. The same tier tables define both max contracts and DLL per level. Tiers are assigned daily at market close and don’t change during the session. Exceeding the position limit results in automatic order rejection without account penalty.
Profit Split
The profit split is 100% to the trader on both PA lines. Apex takes no portion of approved payouts.
Payout Rules
Rules differ between the EOD Trail and Intraday Trail PAs on the minimum daily profit requirement. All other payout parameters are the same across both lines.
First Payout Requirements
To request a payout for the first time, the PA must meet all of the following simultaneously:
- At least 5 qualifying trading days completed (a qualifying day must meet the minimum daily profit for the account type and size)
- 50% consistency requirement satisfied (see Consistency Rule above)
- Account balance at or above the minimum balance to request (Safety Net + $500 minimum payout)
- No rule violations on the account
The minimum daily profit required per qualifying day differs by account line:
EOD Trail
| Account Size | Min Daily Profit (per qualifying day) |
|---|---|
| 25k | $100 |
| 50k | $250 |
| 100k | $300 |
| 150k | $350 |
Intraday Trail
| Account Size | Min Daily Profit (per qualifying day) |
|---|---|
| 25k | $100 |
| 50k | $200 |
| 100k | $250 |
| 150k | $300 |
The 5 qualifying days don’t need to be consecutive. There is no time limit to complete them.
Subsequent Payout Requirements
The requirements for subsequent payouts are the same as the first payout. The 5 qualifying trading days count resets and begins again from the day after each approved payout request. The consistency calculation also resets after each approved payout, tracking only profits earned after that date.
Payout Frequency
Payouts can be requested every 5 qualifying trading days, enabling up to weekly payouts for active traders. There is no fixed calendar schedule; eligibility is based on qualifying day count and the other requirements above.
Payout Buffer
The Safety Net is calculated as the maximum drawdown amount plus $100. It must be maintained for the lifetime of the PA. Only profit above the Safety Net is eligible for payout requests.
| Account Size | Safety Net | Min Balance to Request Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 25k | $26,100 | $26,600 |
| 50k | $52,100 | $52,600 |
| 100k | $103,100 | $103,600 |
| 150k | $154,100 | $154,600 |
The minimum balance to request already accounts for the Safety Net and the $500 minimum payout. If the balance falls below the minimum after submitting a request, the request is denied automatically. The account remains active. The Safety Net does not change or disappear after the first payout.
Daily Progression Rule
No daily progression rule applies to either PA line. The payout rules do not require that a minimum percentage of each payout comes from profits generated after the previous payout. The only profit-based condition for subsequent payouts is that the 5-day qualifying day count and 50% consistency requirement must be met using profits earned after the last approved payout.
Payout Caps & Limits
Each PA is capped at a maximum of 6 approved payouts. After the 6th payout, the account’s payout cycle is complete. A new evaluation must be passed to obtain another PA.
The minimum payout per request is $500 for all account sizes and lines.
Maximum payout per request increases with each successive payout. Rules differ between EOD Trail and Intraday Trail.
EOD Trail: Maximum Payout Per Request
| Payout # | $25k | $50k | $100k | $150k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| 2 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| 3 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| 4 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| 5 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 6 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
Intraday Trail: Maximum Payout Per Request
| Payout # | $25k | $50k | $100k | $150k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $2,500 |
| 2 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 |
| 3 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| 4 | $1,000 | $2,500 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| 5 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| 6 | $1,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
You may continue trading immediately after submitting a payout request. There is no waiting period. Trade as if the requested amount has already been removed from your balance. If the balance drops below the minimum threshold before the request is approved, it will be denied automatically.
Scaling Plan
Position size in the PA scales with account balance through the tier system. Tiers are assigned daily at market close based on the end-of-day balance and apply to the full next trading session. Position limits don’t change during the session.
The tier tables for all 4 account sizes are included in the Drawdown Rules (Funded) section above under Daily Loss Limit. The same tables define both max contracts and DLL per tier.
Both PA lines (EOD and Intraday) use the same scaling tier tables.
On a $50k PA, the scaling progression works as follows. The account starts at Level 1 (2 contracts, $1,000 DLL). Once end-of-day balance reaches $51,500, it moves to Level 2 (3 contracts, $1,000 DLL). At $53,000, it moves to Level 3 (4 contracts, $2,000 DLL). Once at $56,000 or above, it reaches Level 4 (4 contracts, $3,000 DLL), the maximum tier for this account size. Tiers can also decrease if the balance drops below a threshold at day close.
Micro contracts follow the same scaling structure. 10 micro contracts equal 1 standard contract, and the position limit applies to combined exposure across all instruments.
Live Account Pathway
Apex describes a potential live trading step beyond the simulated PA. According to the firm’s own published statements, traders who demonstrate strong risk management and long-term consistency in their PA may be contacted by Apex to participate in a live trading program. In that stage, trades would be mirrored from the simulated PA into a live account via API, and once live consistency is confirmed, the trader moves into direct live market participation.
The selection process is discretionary. There are no published criteria, thresholds, or timelines for live invitations. Apex’s support documentation states explicitly that the help desk has no further information on this process and that traders will be contacted if and when considered. Do not submit support tickets about live account eligibility.
Trading Rules & Restrictions
Permitted Instruments
Apex supports trading across the following futures categories: equity futures, currency futures, agricultural futures, energy futures, metal futures, micro futures, and select EUREX instruments.
Notable restrictions: COMEX metals (Gold, Silver, Copper, Platinum, Palladium, E-mini Silver, E-mini Gold) are temporarily unavailable. Certain EUREX instruments are only available on the Tradovate platform.
A full list of tradeable symbols, tick sizes, and point values (including the complete equity, currency, agricultural, energy, micro, and EUREX instrument tables) is available on the Apex homepage.
Trading Hours & Overnight Policy
The trading day resets at 6 PM ET. Traders must close all open positions before market close. Holding open positions through market close is explicitly prohibited and will result in account consequences.
Trading is permitted on holidays as long as the market is open, including shortened sessions. All account rules and risk limits remain in effect on holidays with no exemptions.
Specific open and close times per instrument vary. Traders should refer to the CME holiday schedule and Apex’s status page for session-specific hours.
News Trading Policy
Trading during news events is permitted. Normal trading strategies can be executed around news releases. What is prohibited is using “news trading” strategies specifically designed to chase the market or bracket both sides of a news event in an attempt to profit from the outcome regardless of direction. These strategies are treated as prohibited practices and may result in account closure.
This policy applies across both the evaluation and PA stages.
Expert Advisors & Copy Trading
Automation and EAs: Automated trading systems, bots, algorithmic strategies, and Expert Advisors are prohibited. Rewards are intended to recognize human traders actively participating in the trading process, not automated systems executing preprogrammed logic.
Copy trading across your own accounts: Copying trades across multiple PAs held under your own name or business entity is permitted. The hedging rule still applies: all accounts must trade in the same direction and not hedge against correlated assets. The maximum of 20 active PAs across the household still applies.
Platform-level trade copiers: The Tradovate Group Copier feature (a built-in trade copier within the Tradovate platform) is available and can be used to copy trades across your own accounts simultaneously. WealthCharts also includes a built-in trade copier. Both are for use across accounts owned by the same trader.
Copying from or to other traders: Sharing trading signals with, or copying from, other traders is prohibited. Sharing MAC addresses, computers, IPs, credit cards, or trade copying with other traders is explicitly forbidden and results in account closure and forfeiture of funds.
Prohibited Practices
Apex’s prohibited practices list covers the following activities, each of which can result in account closure and forfeiture:
Trading without stop losses or defined risk management. High-risk strategies with disproportionate stop-to-target ratios. Using the trailing threshold as a stop loss. Hedging (holding simultaneous long and short positions on the same or correlated instruments). Non-directional bracket trading where orders are left open on both sides of the market. High Frequency Trading or any exploitation of the simulated environment. Automation and algorithmic trading. Stockpiling evaluation accounts to cycle through and blow up intentionally. Account and credential sharing. Using VPNs, proxies, or anonymizing tools to misrepresent location or identity. Submitting false or misleading identity or financial information. Creating multiple user accounts. Any trading that fails to demonstrate consistent, sustainable performance aligned with professional standards.
Evaluations must be completed using independent, directional trading. You may not pass evaluations by hedging them against each other across accounts.
Additional Rules
Inactivity Policy
Performance Accounts require at least 2 qualifying trading days (net profit of $50 or more per day) within every rolling 30-calendar-day period to remain active. After 15 consecutive days of inactivity, the account moves to a dormant phase. If 30 consecutive calendar days pass without meeting the activity threshold, the account is permanently closed due to inactivity. Any accumulated rewards or payout eligibility are forfeited. Closed accounts cannot be reinstated.
Maximum Account Limit
The total limit is 20 active PAs across all people in the same household, business entities, and connected accounts, regardless of platform or account size. Exceeding 20 active PAs results in ineligibility for payouts and may result in closure of all accounts and a permanent ban. There is no limit on evaluation accounts.
Eligibility Requirements
Traders must be 18 years of age or older. Only one personal user account is permitted per individual, plus one business user account for eligible entities. Account sharing and multiple user accounts are prohibited. All purchases must be made using a card registered in the trader’s own name.
Trading Platforms
Available Platforms
Apex supports 3 platforms: Rithmic, Tradovate, and WealthCharts. The platform is selected at purchase and cannot be changed after the fact. A new evaluation must be purchased to switch platforms.
Rithmic is a high-speed, technology-focused data and routing infrastructure. It’s compatible with NinjaTrader and a range of third-party platforms including ATAS, BookMap, EdgePro X, Finamark, Jigsaw, Motivewave, Quantower, Sierra Chart, and Volfix, among others. Rithmic is not natively compatible with Mac OS. A Windows virtual machine is required to run it on Mac.
Tradovate is a cloud-based, all-in-one platform accessible via desktop, web, and mobile. It includes built-in charting and order management. Bracket orders (ATMs) require NinjaTrader when using Tradovate’s group copy feature. The Group Copier is only available from within the Tradovate platform, not via TradingView. Note that the EOD drawdown lock behavior differs on Tradovate evaluations: the threshold trails indefinitely rather than locking at the profit target balance, as described in the drawdown lock sections above.
WealthCharts is a platform with a built-in trade copier, market scanning tools, and educational resources including live platform support sessions and WealthChartsTV.
NinjaTrader platform access and real-time data are included at no additional charge with all Apex accounts, regardless of primary platform selection.
Data Feeds & Connectivity
Real-time market data is included with all Apex accounts. Additional data add-ons such as market depth are available as optional paid extras and are non-refundable. Traders classified as “professional” may be subject to additional exchange fees, at minimum $115 per month for CME professional data.
Platform-specific commissions and available instruments vary by platform. Full instrument and commission details for each platform are documented in the Apex help center under the respective platform sections.
Billing & Account Management
Subscription Model
New Apex evaluations use a one-time fee model. When you purchase an evaluation, you pay once for 30 calendar days of access. There is no recurring billing, no subscription, and nothing to cancel. The evaluation expires automatically at 11:59 PM ET on Day 30. If you don’t pass in time, you purchase a fresh evaluation. There’s no rollover of balance or progress.
The PA Activation Fee is likewise a one-time payment, not a subscription. It doesn’t renew and there’s no monthly charge associated with holding a PA. The PA remains active as long as you continue trading within the activity requirements and don’t breach the drawdown threshold.
Apex does not issue refunds of any kind: not for evaluation fees, activation fees, or add-on purchases. If you select the wrong plan or platform, the only option is to purchase the correct one separately. There are no exceptions.
Resets
There are no resets on new Apex evaluation accounts. If a drawdown breach occurs or the 30-day access period expires before reaching the profit target, the evaluation is permanently closed. The only path forward is to purchase a new evaluation at the full one-time price.
Payouts & Withdrawals
This section covers how funds are transferred out once payout eligibility is established. Payout qualification rules (minimum trading days, minimum daily profit, consistency requirements, safety net, caps, and frequency) are covered in the Funded Account Rules section above.
Payment Methods
US-based traders receive payouts via ACH direct deposit to a US-based bank account. The ACH routing number (not a wire transfer number) must be entered correctly to avoid delays.
International traders receive payouts through Plane, Apex’s global payment partner. After the first payout request is approved, an email invitation from Plane is sent to link a local bank account. The bank account must be in the same country as the trader’s declared residency. Requests using a bank account from a different country will be rejected.
Processing Times
Apex reviews payout requests within 2 business days of submission. If approved, funds are sent within 3–4 business days. The receiving bank or payment provider then processes the deposit, typically within 3–7 business days. Total time from request to funds received is typically 5–11 business days.
US users receive funds by ACH direct deposit. International users receive funds through Plane, with timing dependent on the local bank.
If the Apex dashboard shows “PAID” but funds haven’t arrived, traders are advised to allow up to 7 more business days before contacting their bank or Plane.
Tax & Eligibility Requirements
US traders: Apex issues Form 1099-NEC to US taxpayers who received PA payouts or referral fees during the prior tax year. Forms are issued toward the end of January each tax year via TaxBandits. Apex does not create, store, or directly send 1099 forms. They are accessed through the TaxBandits portal.
International traders: Apex does not issue US tax forms to non-US users. International traders are responsible for reporting Apex income under the laws of their own country.
Restricted Countries
A restricted country list governs payout eligibility. Traders in restricted countries cannot request payouts or purchase new accounts. The full restricted country list includes Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine (State of), Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Réunion, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye (Turkey), Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Traders originally from a restricted country but residing and working in a non-restricted country may still be eligible, provided they hold a valid government-issued ID from a non-restricted country and their primary residence, mailing address, and bank account are all based in a non-restricted country.