A trader passes an evaluation at 0.5% risk, gets funded, produces two good cycles, and then reasons that the process is proven and the risk can go up. The account is usually gone within a month.
Why sizing up breaks accounts
Doubling risk per trade halves the number of consecutive losses you survive. Your strategy's worst losing streak did not change — only your ability to sit through it did.
| Risk per trade | Losses survivable on an 8% max loss |
|---|---|
| 0.5% | 16 |
| 1% | 8 |
| 2% | 4 |
| 3% | 2 — one ordinary bad week |
The safe way to grow exposure
Grow the account, not the percentage
A larger account at the same 0.5% risk gives you more dollars per trade with identical breach probability. This is the whole point of scaling plans and of buying a bigger size.
If you must raise the percentage, do it once and stop
0.5% to 1% is defensible after several consistent cycles. 1% to 2% is not, at any level of confidence.
Re-test the streak maths after every change
New risk percentage, same worst losing streak. Confirm the account still survives it before the next trade.
Withdrawals and buffer
Withdrawing your entire gain each cycle resets your buffer to the starting balance. If you are trying to scale, leave part of the gain in — a larger buffer against the maximum loss is what lets a bigger position sit through a normal drawdown.
Add size for $9.99
A second, larger account costs the same entry payment as your first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I scale a funded trading account safely?
Increase the account size rather than the risk percentage. A larger account at the same 0.5% risk gives more dollars per trade with identical breach probability, whereas doubling risk halves the losing streak you can survive.
Should I withdraw all my profit each cycle?
Not if you are trying to scale. Withdrawing everything resets your buffer to the starting balance, so the next drawdown starts from the floor. Many consistent traders withdraw around half.
FundedAxe evaluations and funded accounts are simulated. Traders do not trade real client capital; rewards are paid on simulated performance under the terms of the FundedAxe trader agreement.