Clear rules for funded crypto traders.
Follow the drawdown, risk, and payout rules below to keep your account eligible and your capital allocation active.
1.1 Overview
PropDAO is a decentralized simulated proprietary trading platform built to identify and reward consistently profitable traders. Through our evaluation programs, traders demonstrate their ability to generate returns while managing risk in a realistic simulated trading environment before becoming eligible for performance-based payouts.
All trading activity takes place on the PropDAO Terminal, where supported assets, execution data, account metrics, and risk limits are tracked in one platform.
Upon successfully completing an evaluation, traders may qualify for a Simulated Funded Account and receive a share of their simulated profits in accordance with the PropDAO Payout Policy.
This Rulebook governs all PropDAO Evaluation Accounts, Simulated Funded Accounts, and any future challenge programs. By purchasing an evaluation, connecting a wallet, or using the Platform, you agree to comply with this Rulebook, the Terms of Service, the Privacy Policy, and all other applicable PropDAO policies.
1.2 Account Sizes
PropDAO offers multiple evaluation account sizes. Each account size has its own starting balance, challenge price, profit target, drawdown limits, and maximum leverage rules.
Traders should select an account size that matches their strategy, risk tolerance, and expected position sizing. Larger accounts provide more simulated capital but require the same disciplined risk management as smaller accounts.
Minimum trading day requirements also vary by account type: Standard accounts require 5 trading days at 0.5% each, while Pro accounts require 3 trading days at 0.5% each.
1.3 How to Start
Select your account size, complete the checkout process, and receive access to your simulated evaluation account.
Trade within the evaluation rules and work toward the required profit target while remaining within the maximum drawdown limits. There are no minimum trading days and no time limits.
If you reach the profit target without violating any account rules, you automatically qualify for a Simulated Funded Account. If your account reaches the maximum drawdown or otherwise breaches the evaluation rules, the evaluation ends and the evaluation fee is non-refundable. You may purchase a new evaluation to try again.
Once funded, there is no profit target. Continue trading within the funded account rules and become eligible to request payouts based on your simulated trading performance in accordance with the PropDAO Payout Policy.
1.4 Definitions
The total account value based on closed realized P&L only. Does not include open positions.
The real-time account value including both closed P&L and the unrealized P&L of all open positions. Equity = Balance + Unrealized P&L.
A fixed absolute floor set permanently below your initial account balance. It is 4% on all accounts except the $200K accounts, where it is 3%.
The automatic closure of all open positions and permanent termination of the account. Cannot be recovered, reset, or appealed.
The account growth required to pass the evaluation, expressed as a percentage of the starting balance. Applies to the evaluation stage only.
A day where the account generates at least 0.5% profit based on the initial account balance.
2.1 Total Loss Limit
A loss limit is the maximum amount an account can lose before it is considered breached. PropDAO uses a total loss limit to define the minimum permitted equity on an account.
If account equity reaches or falls below the total loss limit, the account is breached. A breach results in the automatic closure of all open positions and permanent termination of the account.
PropDAO does not use a daily loss limit. Traders are not restricted by a separate intraday loss floor, but the total loss limit must be respected at all times.
PropDAO does not apply a separate daily loss limit. Your account is measured against the total loss limit only.
2.2 EOD vs Trailing Drawdown
PropDAO uses EOD drawdown, not trailing drawdown. EOD means the loss floor is checked against the account at the end of the trading day and does not chase every intraday high-water mark.
Trailing drawdown is stricter because the loss floor can move upward as unrealized or realized profits increase. A trader can be profitable and still create a higher breach level after an intraday peak. PropDAO keeps the rule simpler: respect the total loss limit, with no daily loss limit and no intraday trailing floor.
Best for traders who want a clear risk floor and room for normal intraday volatility.
Common in some prop-firm models, but it can punish temporary profit spikes and make risk harder to track.
2.3 Profit Target
The profit target is based on balance, meaning closed P&L only. You must close trades to realize the profit.
Once your balance reaches or exceeds the target, the step or evaluation is automatically passed.
There is no time limit to reach the profit target on either step.
There is no minimum number of trading days. You can pass in a single trade.
3.1 Funded Stage
After passing the evaluation, the trader becomes eligible for a Simulated Funded Account. This is the stage where simulated profits may become eligible for payout review.
There is no profit target in the funded stage. The goal is to continue trading consistently while staying within the account's loss limit, approved-market rules, leverage limits, and conduct requirements.
The account balance and equity continue to be monitored in real time. If the account breaches its loss limit or violates a trading rule, funded status can be removed and open positions may be closed.
Payout requests are based on simulated funded-stage profits. Every payout request is reviewed for rule compliance before approval and processing.
3.2 Payouts
Normal accounts keep 80% of all profits generated on the funded account, while PropDAO retains 20%. Pro accounts keep 90% of all profits, while PropDAO retains 10%.
Payout requests are on-demand, with no minimum waiting period, no limit on request count, and a $20 minimum payout amount. Approved payouts are processed in minutes in on-chain USDC.
Pro payout = (Current Balance - Starting Balance) x 0.90
Drawdown limits reset accordingly after the full profit sweep. No partial withdrawals.
All positions must be closed before requesting a payout.
Full profit sweep only. Partial withdrawals are not available.
Payouts are not available on evaluation or breached accounts.
4.1 Assets & Leverage
Traders may only trade assets listed on the PropDAO Assets page. The supported market list includes crypto, stable, equity, index, and metal instruments.
Each asset has its own maximum leverage limit. The allowed leverage is shown per market and must be followed at all times.
View Assets4.2 What Is Not Restricted
PropDAO keeps the rulebook focused on drawdown, leverage, approved assets, and payout requirements. These common prop-firm restrictions do not apply.
No cap on single-day profit as a percentage of total profit.
There is no daily loss limit. Only the total account loss limit applies.
Take as long as you need to pass the evaluation.
There is no maximum on how much you can earn.
Trade during any market event.
Hold positions over weekends. Crypto markets are 24/7.
No maximum position size rule beyond leverage limits.
Stop-losses are not required, though they are recommended.
The drawdown rules are the only risk guardrails.
Scalping, swing trading, grid trading, and other strategy types are permitted.
Automated trading is permitted.
Copy trading is permitted, including between your own PropDAO accounts.
4.3 Prohibited Conduct
Bug exploiting is prohibited. Traders may not use platform errors, pricing mistakes, execution issues, display bugs, or accounting bugs to create artificial profit or avoid normal risk controls.
Latency arbitrage is also prohibited. Strategies that exploit delayed quotes, delayed execution, stale prices, or feed timing differences are not allowed and may result in account breach, payout denial, or removal from the platform.
Positions must be held for at least 1 second before a manual close. User-initiated executions must be spaced at least 0.5 seconds apart.
4.4 No KYC
PropDAO does not require KYC to purchase an evaluation, trade an evaluation account, qualify for a simulated funded account, or request eligible payouts.
Accounts are connected through the platform flow without identity document uploads or manual identity verification. Traders are still responsible for complying with their local laws and any wallet, exchange, tax, or on-chain requirements that apply to them.
4.5 Fees
Each evaluation has a one-time evaluation fee paid at purchase. The evaluation fee gives access to the selected simulated account size and is separate from trading fees.
Trading fees apply only when opening a position. There is no closing fee. Opening fees scale by leverage from 0.12% at 1x up to 0.16% at 5x.
Trading fees are charged on position open only. Closing a position does not add a separate trading fee.