FTMO Swing vs Regular Account: Complete Rules, Leverage & Weekend Holding Comparison
The key difference between FTMO Regular and FTMO Swing is restriction freedom: FTMO Regular offers higher leverage (1:100) but bans holding trades over the weekend and trading within 2 minutes of Tier-1 news. FTMO Swing permits weekend holding and news trading without restrictions, but caps leverage at 1:30.
Choosing the wrong FTMO account type leads to disqualification or rule breaches. Day traders who hold positions through Friday close on a Regular account forfeit funded status, while Swing traders on 1:30 leverage require tighter margin management. This definitive guide compares both models side-by-side with lot-size adjustments.
2026 BENCHMARK & COMPARISON DATA MATRIX
| Feature / Rule | FTMO Regular (Classic) | FTMO Swing Account | Best Suited Trader Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Available Leverage | 1:100 (Forex) / 1:30 (Metals) | 1:30 (Forex) / 1:10 (Metals) | Regular: Day Traders | Swing: Multi-Day |
| Weekend Holding | Strictly Prohibited (Close by Fri 21:00) | 100% Permitted (No Closure Needed) | Swing: Position & Macro Traders |
| News Trading (Tier-1 Events) | Banned ±2 mins before/after release | 100% Permitted with Zero Penalty | Swing: Fundamental & Catalyst Traders |
| Profit Target (Step 1 / 2) | 10% Phase 1 / 5% Phase 2 | 10% Phase 1 / 5% Phase 2 | Identical Target Milestones |
| Maximum Daily Drawdown | 5% Midnight Balance / Equity | 5% Midnight Balance / Equity | Identical Daily Safety Floor |
| Maximum Total Loss | 10% Hard Initial Capital Floor | 10% Hard Initial Capital Floor | Identical Total Protection |
Why 1:30 Leverage Requires Smaller Lot Sizes on Swing
On an FTMO Swing account with 1:30 leverage, opening 1.0 lot of EUR/USD ($100,000) requires $3,333 in margin collateral compared to only $1,000 on Regular (1:100). Opening multiple simultaneous trades can exhaust free margin and prevent adding new setups.
The Friday 21:00 CE(S)T Automatic Liquidation Trap
On Regular accounts, open trades must be closed at least 2 hours before market closure on Friday. Leaving trades open triggers automated account termination. TradeCoreHub's Prop Shield includes an automated Friday market closure alert.
Calculate FTMO Daily Drawdown & Permissible Lots
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & EXPERT CLARIFICATIONS
Can I switch from FTMO Regular to FTMO Swing after passing?
Yes. Before signing the FTMO Trader contract for the funded account, FTMO allows you to select either Regular or Swing mode.