The Evaluation and SIM Funded Accounts at BrightFunded Futures are simulated. You trade simulated funds on real-time CME market data. What is real is your payout: when you build a balance on your SIM Funded Account, you can request payouts, paid in USDC. The one exception is the Live account of the Prime Program, which trades real CME capital and is earned by traders who reach the thresholds.
What is simulated and what is real
Topic | How it works |
Trading accounts | Simulated, in the Evaluation and in SIM Funded. A Live account (Prime Program) is not simulated. |
Market data | Real-time CME market data |
Order execution | Simulated, using the real-time CME market data, in the Evaluation and in SIM Funded |
Capital you trade with | Simulated funds in the Evaluation and in SIM Funded. A Live account trades real CME capital and starts at $0. |
What you pay | A one-time fee when you buy an Evaluation. There is no activation fee and no monthly subscription. |
Your payouts | Paid in USDC, from the balance you generate on your SIM Funded Account |
How the simulated environment works
1. The Evaluation
You trade a simulated account and try to reach the profit target of 6% of the account without breaking the rules. There is one phase and no time limit.
2. The SIM Funded Account
After you pass, your KYC must be approved and you sign the Futures contract. Your SIM Funded Account then activates on the same account number, with the balance back at the starting balance and all metrics starting from zero. It is still a simulated account, and you can request payouts from the balance you generate.
3. A reset, if you need one
If an account is breached, you can reset it. You have a limited time to do it, and the time left is shown on your dashboard. The reset brings the same account back to a Challenge, with the balance and all metrics starting from zero.
4. The Live account, if you earn it
Once you reach one threshold (5 payouts on one account, 10 payouts across all your accounts, or 20% profit on one account), you become eligible for the Prime Program. Our Risk team decides, and then you choose to Go Live or Cash out. A Live account is not simulated: it trades real CME capital and starts at $0. Read What is the Prime Program? for all the details.
One account number from start to finish
You get one account number per purchase, and you keep it through every stage:
Evaluation
SIM Funded
Any reset
Your dashboard shows a new card for each stage, but the account number stays the same.
The rules are the same on every platform
Simulated does not mean relaxed. The same rules protect every account, whichever platform you use.
The Max Loss Limit (MLL) is the only loss rule. There is no daily loss limit.
News trading is allowed.
Hedging is not allowed.
All open positions close automatically at 4:45 PM ET, Monday to Friday. Auto close is never a breach.
You cannot hold positions overnight or over the weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Do I trade with real capital?
Not in the Evaluation or in SIM Funded. Those accounts are simulated: you trade simulated funds on real-time CME market data. A Live account from the Prime Program is the exception: it trades real CME capital, starts at $0 and is earned by traders who reach the thresholds.
Are the payouts real?
Yes. The accounts are simulated, but the payouts are paid to you in USDC, from the balance you generate on your SIM Funded Account.
Is the market data real?
Yes. The data is real-time CME market data, and execution is simulated.
Do I get a new account number when I pass?
No. You keep the same account number in the Evaluation, in SIM Funded and after a reset.
Who operates BrightFunded Futures?
BrightFunded LLC (Wyoming, USA). It is separate from our CFD business.
Where to go next
What is BrightFunded Futures?
What is the Prime Program?
Platforms: NinjaTrader, Tradovate and TradingView
How to read your dashboard