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Alpha Capital News Trading Rule
The Simple Answer
News trading is allowed during all evaluation phases at Alpha Capital. On funded accounts, restrictions apply depending on the account type. Most funded accounts enforce a 5-minute window, while the Alpha Pro 8%/10% accounts have a stricter 2-minute window. The Alpha Swing account is the only funded account where news trading remains allowed, subject to a minimum trade duration condition.
Below is a breakdown of how the Alpha Capital news trading rules apply across different account types and stages.
| Challenge Type | Evaluation Phase | Funded Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Step (Alpha One) | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| 2 Step (Alpha Pro 6%) | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| 2 Step (Alpha Pro 8%/10%) | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| 3 Step (Alpha Three) | Allowed | Not Allowed |
| Swing (Alpha Swing) | Allowed | Allowed |
Breakdown by Account Type
1 Step (Alpha One)
News trading is fully allowed during the evaluation phase. On the funded account, no trades may be opened or closed within 5 minutes before or after a high-impact news event. If a stop gain or take profit is triggered within this window, it is classified as a soft breach and any profits from that trade will not be eligible for a performance fee.
2 Step (Alpha Pro 6%)
News trading is fully allowed during both evaluation phases. On the funded account, the same 5-minute restriction applies. Trades opened more than 5 minutes before the news event may be held through the release. Violations are treated as soft breaches, meaning profits are forfeited but the account remains active.
2 Step (Alpha Pro 8%/10%)
News trading is fully allowed during both evaluation phases. On the funded account, a stricter 2-minute window applies. No trades may be opened or closed within 2 minutes before or after a high-impact news event or the full duration of a speech or conference. Violations are classified as soft breaches and profits from those trades will not be eligible for a performance fee.
3 Step (Alpha Three)
News trading is fully allowed during all three evaluation phases. On the funded account, the 5-minute restriction applies. Trades opened more than 5 minutes before the news event may remain open through the release. Soft breach rules apply for violations.
Swing (Alpha Swing)
News trading is allowed in both the evaluation and funded phase. However, any trade initiated within 2 minutes before or after a news release must remain open for more than 2 minutes to be considered valid. Swing accounts are also subject to Alpha Capital’s gambling policy.
Warning System for News Rule Violations
Alpha Capital does not use a progressive warning system for news trading violations. Violations on funded accounts are classified as soft breaches. This means the account remains active but any profits generated from trades that fall within the restricted news window are not eligible for a performance fee. Losses incurred during news trading remain the trader’s responsibility and will not be removed.
Final Comments
Alpha Capital has one of the more nuanced news trading policies among prop firms. Evaluation phases across all account types are unrestricted, giving traders full flexibility during the assessment stage. On funded accounts, the key difference to note is that the Alpha Pro 8%/10% accounts enforce a tighter 2-minute window compared to the 5-minute window on all other funded accounts. The Alpha Swing account stands out as the only funded account where news trading remains permitted, provided the trade duration condition is met. Violations across all funded accounts are treated as soft breaches rather than hard account closures, which is a more forgiving approach than many other firms.
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FAQ
Is news trading allowed at Alpha Capital?
It depends on the account type and phase. News trading is fully allowed during all evaluation phases. On funded accounts, restrictions apply based on the specific account type.
What is the restricted window on funded accounts?
The Alpha Pro 8%/10% funded accounts enforce a 2-minute window before and after a news release. The Alpha One, Alpha Pro 6%, and Alpha Three funded accounts enforce a 5-minute window. The Alpha Swing account has no restricted window but requires trades initiated near a release to remain open for more than 2 minutes.
What happens if I violate the news trading rule on a funded account?
Violations are classified as soft breaches. The account remains active but profits from trades that fall within the restricted window are not eligible for a performance fee.
Can I hold trades through a news release on a funded account?
Yes, provided the trade was opened before the restricted window began. On the Alpha Pro 8%/10% accounts, the trade must have been opened more than 2 minutes before the event. On all other funded accounts, the trade must have been opened more than 5 minutes before the event.
Is the Alpha Swing account subject to the same news trading rules?
No. The Alpha Swing account allows news trading in both evaluation and funded phases. Any trade opened within 2 minutes of a news release must remain open for more than 2 minutes to be considered valid.