Execution around a high-impact release is not a fair test of a strategy for either side - spreads widen, fills move, and a result can turn on latency rather than judgement. Removing the profit from that window is a narrower response than closing an account, which is why the published rule is written that way.
Trading rules
News trading,and the funded-account window.
News trading is permitted during an evaluation. On a simulated funded account the published restriction applies: profits from trades opened or closed within three minutes before or after a high-impact release may be removed. Instant starts at the funded stage, so that window applies from your first trade rather than later.
The rule
Can I trade the news?
Percentages are what the industry publishes. These are the same rules in dollars, worked on a $100,000 simulated account, so there is nothing left to convert.
- During an evaluation
- Permitted
1 Step and 2 Step phases.
- On a funded account
- Restricted window
Three minutes before and three minutes after a relevant high-impact release.
- Consequence
- Profits may be removed
The published rule removes the profit rather than automatically closing the account.
- Instant
- Funded from day one
The funded-account news rule applies from the start, with no evaluation stage before it.
- Spreads around releases
- Widen
Widening, slippage and gaps are trading conditions, not exemptions from a breach.
Plan applicability
Which programmesthis rule applies to
Our three programmes do not share one rulebook. This table is the part of the page to read before you buy.
- InstantApplies
Funded rule from day one
Because Instant begins at the funded stage, there is no evaluation period during which news trading is unrestricted.
- 1 StepApplies in part
Free in evaluation, restricted when funded
News trading is permitted while you work toward the 10% target. Once funded, the three-minute window applies.
- 2 StepApplies in part
Free in both phases, restricted when funded
Same structure: unrestricted during the evaluation, restricted on the funded account.
Why it exists
The reasoning,stated plainly
Worked example
The same rule,as a number
A $100,000 simulated account, because that is the size most people are deciding about.
A release on a funded account
The window is six minutes wide in total, centred on the release.
- 13:27
- Position opened
Inside the three minutes before. The window applies.
- 13:30
- Release
- 13:33
- Window closes
- Trade result
- +$900
Profit from that trade may be removed under the published rule.
Opening at 13:24 and closing at 13:26 would sit outside the window, but would also be inside the two-minute minimum hold if opened later than 13:25. The two rules interact, and both are checked.
Commonly misread
What tradersget wrong here
Every item below has cost somebody an account. They are published for that reason rather than for completeness.
“News trading is banned”
It is not. It is unrestricted during an evaluation and restricted to a window on a funded account.
“The restriction only applies to the release I traded”
It applies to relevant high-impact events. An economic calendar before the session is the practical answer.
“A wide spread during news excuses a breach”
It does not. Widening and slippage are conditions you are trading in, and a breach stands.
The full cluster
Every questionabout this rule
The answers our support team works from, each on its own page.
Can I trade during news events?
News trading rules can vary by program or account stage - always check the rules attached to your specific account before trading around major announcements.
What happens if spreads widen during news?
Spread widening, slippage and rapid price movements form part of market conditions.
Does slippage excuse a breach?
No. Traders are responsible for managing their position sizing with enough room for changing market conditions.
Are Funded Account rules different from Evaluation rules?
Some conditions may differ depending on the program.
Related rules
The rulesthat sit next to this one
Does slippage excuse a breach?
Slippage, spread widening and weekend gaps are trading conditions, not exemptions. A breach caused by a fill you did not want still stands.
Can I scalp?
Scalping is allowed on every GFN programme, with one condition: each trade must stay open for at least 2 minutes. Latency exploitation is prohibited.
When can I trade?
Trading hours follow the instrument and its liquidity, not a GFN schedule. Holidays move opens and closes, and the daily reset is set in the dashboard.
Instant: the full rule sheet
Every objective on the Instant programme, in dollars, at all six account sizes.
1 Step: the full rule sheet
Every objective on the 1 Step programme, in dollars, at all six account sizes.
2 Step: the full rule sheet
Every objective on the 2 Step programme, in dollars, at all six account sizes.
Ready when you are
Your capital stays yours.The risk is ours.
One evaluation fee, no time limits and up to 90% of simulated profits. Pick an account size and your credentials arrive by email within minutes.
No subscriptions or hidden fees
Payouts every 14 days
$400,000 max total allocation