NYS Markets is a CFD prop firm offering 2-step, 1-step, and instant funded accounts with sizes from $5,000 to $150,000. Entry fees start from $36 on the 2-step programme. The profit split begins at 80% and scales to 100% with consistent payout history. Payouts are processed within 24 hours via crypto or bank transfer on a 14-day cycle for standard accounts.
Rating Breakdown
Pros
- Entry fees from $36 on the 2-step programme
- Profit split scales from 80% up to 100% with performance
- Payouts processed within 24 hours of approval
- Both MT5 and MatchTrader platform options
- Expert Advisors permitted (latency arbitrage excluded)
- Overnight and weekend holding allowed on all programmes
- News trading permitted during the evaluation phase
- 14-day payout cycle on standard funded accounts
- Spin to Win loyalty programme for account credits and free accounts
- 1:100 leverage available on the 2-step programme
Cons
- No MT4, DXtrade, or TradingView support
- Instant funded accounts locked at 80% split
- News trading restricted within 10 minutes of events on live accounts
- Instant accounts on a 30-day payout cycle only
- Relatively small review count (106 Trustpilot reviews)
- Some traders report account suspensions without clear explanation
- Maximum account size of $150,000 is below many competitors
- No publicly confirmed scaling plan beyond profit split increases
Account Plans and Pricing
2-Step Challenge Rules
| Evaluation type | Two-step (Phase 1 + Phase 2) |
| Phase 1 profit target | 8% |
| Phase 2 profit target | 5% |
| Time limit | Not publicly disclosed |
| Min. trading days | 3 days per phase (1 trade minimum per day) |
| Max drawdown | 10% static |
| Daily loss limit | 5% |
| Consistency rule | Not publicly disclosed |
| Leverage | 1:100 |
| News trading | Allowed during evaluation |
| Fee refund | Not publicly disclosed |
1-Step Challenge Rules
| Evaluation type | One-step |
| Profit target | 10% |
| Time limit | Not publicly disclosed |
| Min. trading days | 3 days (1 trade minimum per day) |
| Max drawdown | 6% static |
| Daily loss limit | 3% |
| Consistency rule | Not publicly disclosed |
| Leverage | 1:30 |
| News trading | Allowed during evaluation |
| Fee refund | Not publicly disclosed |
Instant Funded Rules
| Evaluation type | None — funded from day one |
| Profit target | N/A |
| Max drawdown | 5% trailing |
| Daily loss limit | 3% |
| Leverage | 1:50 |
| News trading | Restricted within 10 minutes of major news events |
| Profit split | 80% (fixed, does not scale) |
| Payout cycle | Every 30 days |
Payouts
| First payout | After first funded trade (standard accounts) |
| Default cycle | Every 14 days (standard) / every 30 days (Instant) |
| Profit split | 80% starting; 90% after 3 payouts; up to 100% with consistent performance |
| Instant account split | 80% fixed |
| Minimum payout | $100 |
| Processing time | Within 24 hours of approval |
| Payment methods | Crypto and bank transfer |
| KYC required | Yes, before first payout |
| Verified total paid | Not publicly disclosed |
Trading Conditions
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 (MT5), MatchTrader |
| Instruments | Forex, indices, metals, energies, cryptocurrencies |
| Instrument count | Not publicly disclosed |
| Max leverage (2-step) | 1:100 |
| Max leverage (1-step) | 1:30 |
| Max leverage (Instant) | 1:50 |
| News trading (evaluation) | Allowed |
| News trading (live/Instant) | Restricted within 10 minutes of major events (5 min before, 5 min after) |
| Overnight / weekend holding | Allowed on all programmes |
| Expert Advisors | Permitted (latency arbitrage and HFT exploits prohibited) |
| Copy trading | Not publicly disclosed |
| Scaling plan | Profit split increase based on payout history and performance |
Our Verdict
NYS Markets sits in the mid-tier of the CFD prop firm space. Its biggest draw is pricing: a $5,000 2-step challenge from $36 is one of the lowest entry points you will find. That makes it accessible for traders who want to test a firm without a large upfront commitment, and the refundable-fee model on standard accounts gives some cushion.
The profit split structure is a genuine positive. Starting at 80% and scaling to 100% with consistent payouts is a better proposition than firms that cap at 80% and leave it there. The 14-day payout cycle on standard accounts is also competitive. The 24-hour processing claim is supported by Trustpilot feedback, with most traders reporting fast approval and payment.
Platform choice is the most significant limitation. MT5 and MatchTrader cover the basics, but traders who rely on MT4, DXtrade, or TradingView will need to adapt or look elsewhere. The instrument list covers forex, indices, metals, energies, and crypto, but NYS Markets does not publish a specific instrument count, which makes direct comparison harder.
The Instant funded route has a fixed 80% split and a 30-day payout cycle, which is less attractive than the standard account scaling path. Traders choosing Instant funding give up meaningful upside compared to running through the 2-step challenge. The tighter drawdown on 1-step and Instant accounts (3% daily, 5-6% max) also limits trading room on these programmes.
News trading is allowed during evaluation but restricted on live and Instant accounts within a 10-minute window around major releases. This is worth flagging for news traders planning their strategy. The 3-day minimum trading requirement per phase is low by industry standards, which is a practical advantage for traders who do not want to stretch out their evaluation. Check our consistency calculator if you want to map your daily returns against the minimum day requirements before going live.
Overall, NYS Markets is a reasonable choice for budget-conscious traders who trade standard forex and indices on MT5. It is not the most feature-rich firm available, and the relatively small Trustpilot review base (106 reviews) makes it harder to draw firm conclusions about long-term payout reliability. Worth considering at the entry level, but traders with larger capital or platform-specific needs will likely find better options elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NYS Markets a legitimate prop firm?
NYS Markets has over 106 reviews on Trustpilot with a 4.5 out of 5 rating. The majority of traders report positive experiences including fast payouts within 24 hours and responsive support. A minority of reviews flag account suspension issues without clear explanation. Like all prop firms, NYS Markets is not regulated by a financial authority, which is standard for the industry.
What challenge types does NYS Markets offer?
NYS Markets offers three programmes: 2-Step (two-phase evaluation with 8% then 5% targets, 1:100 leverage, entry from $36), 1-Step (single 10% target, 1:30 leverage, entry from $59), and Instant Funded (no evaluation, 80% split fixed, 1:50 leverage, entry from $69). Account sizes run from $5,000 to $150,000.
What is the NYS Markets drawdown rule?
Drawdown limits vary by programme. The 2-Step has a 10% static max drawdown and a 5% daily loss limit. The 1-Step uses a 6% static max drawdown with a 3% daily loss limit. The Instant account uses a 5% trailing drawdown with a 3% daily loss limit — the trailing model means the floor moves up with your equity peak, which is stricter in practice than a static rule.
What platforms does NYS Markets support?
NYS Markets supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and MatchTrader. MT4, DXtrade, and TradingView are not available. MatchTrader is a web-based and desktop platform used by a growing number of prop firms as a modern alternative to MT5, with similar order types and charting functionality.
Does NYS Markets have a discount or coupon code?
No fixed public coupon code for NYS Markets has been confirmed at the time of this review. NYS Markets runs a Spin to Win loyalty wheel where traders earn spins per account purchase for chances at a free $100,000 account or account credits. Check the NYS Markets website directly for any active promotions or flash sales.
Ready to try NYS Markets?
2-Step from $36. MT5 and MatchTrader. Profit split scales to 100%. Payouts within 24 hours.
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