Payout Buffer Explained

A payout buffer is profit that must remain in the account before withdrawal. It protects the firm and leaves risk cushion above drawdown, but it can delay the first realistic payout.

Always verify the current wording on the firm’s official rule page. Small wording differences can materially change risk.

Why it matters

• You may technically be profitable but not eligible to withdraw yet.
• Withdrawing too much may reset or tighten account limits.
• The required buffer can depend on account size or drawdown amount.
• Always check examples in the official payout rules.

How to compare firms

Write down the rule in plain English, then ask: would my normal strategy break this rule during a normal losing day, a normal winning day, or a high-volatility session? If yes, that firm may be a poor fit even if the headline price is attractive.