A complete E8 Futures review covering Signature and Zero plans, prices, end-of-day drawdown, consistency rules, payout caps, the 4-payout limit and how to save with code KAGE.
E8 Futures is worth a look if you want a one-step futures evaluation with an end-of-day drawdown and no activation fee. Its futures program offers two routes: E8 Signature and E8 Zero, with Zero available in Starter and MAX versions.
The main appeal is the choice. Signature is the lower-cost route and can be passed in a single day. Zero costs more, but once funded it allows daily payouts with very few restrictions. This review explains both plans first, then the drawdown, consistency rules, payouts and trading rules.
Quick answer: E8 Futures offers two one-step futures evaluations. Signature starts at $90 with code KAGE and can be passed in one day. Zero MAX starts at $149 with code KAGE, takes at least three days, and pays out daily once funded. Both have no activation fee, an end-of-day drawdown and four payouts per account.
What is E8 Futures?
E8 Futures is the CME futures program from E8 Markets, a prop firm operating since 2021. Traders buy a one-step evaluation and, after passing, receive a funded account of the same size. Payouts are processed through Rise or WorkMarket.
As with most futures prop firms, funded accounts are simulated. This review assesses E8's published rules and prices as of October 20, 2026.
1. E8 Signature evaluation
The Signature evaluation has a 6% profit target, no minimum trading days, no consistency rule and no daily loss limit. It can be passed in one day.
Account size | Profit target | Maximum loss allowance | Listed fee | With code KAGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$25,000 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $120 | $90 |
$50,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 | $170 | $128 |
$100,000 | $6,000 | $3,000 | $280 | $210 |
$150,000 | $9,000 | $4,000* | $450 | $338 |
*$150K Signature accounts bought before October 1, 2026 keep the previous $4,500 allowance.
This is the most accessible starting point at E8. The trade-off comes after funding, where Signature applies its rules to payouts instead of the evaluation.
Once funded, a Signature account has an 80% profit split, a 35% best day rule at the time of each payout request, and a 2% daily pause. The pause stops trading for the rest of the day without failing the account. Traders also need five profitable days of at least 0.3% between payouts, and must keep a buffer equal to the drawdown in the account before requesting.
2. E8 Zero evaluation
The Zero evaluation has a 40% best day rule, so no single day can make up more than 40% of total profit. In practice, the fastest possible pass is three trading days.
Account size | Profit target | Maximum loss allowance | Listed fee (MAX) | With code KAGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$25,000 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $228 | $149 |
$50,000 | $3,000 | $1,500 | $328 | $214 |
$100,000 | $6,500 | $3,000 | $588 | $383 |
$150,000 (Starter only) | $9,000 | $3,990 | $438 | $285 |
$200,000 (MAX only) | $13,500 | $6,000 | $1,088 | $708 |
The higher fee pays for the funded stage. Once funded, Zero has no consistency rule, no daily loss limit and no minimum profitable days. Traders can request a payout every day from $100, and are eligible for an 80% or 100% profit split.
It suits traders who already trade consistently and want frequent access to their profits.
What is the difference between Zero Starter and MAX?
Starter and MAX follow identical rules. The difference is the maximum amount you can withdraw per payout.
Account size | Starter payout cap | MAX payout cap |
|---|---|---|
$25,000 | $600 | $1,500 |
$50,000 | $1,000 | $3,000 |
$100,000 | $1,600 | $5,000 |
$150,000 | $1,995 | No 150K on MAX |
$200,000 | No 200K on Starter | $7,000 |
Starter is the lower-cost option. MAX is better value for traders who regularly make more than the Starter cap in a payout cycle.
How does E8 Futures drawdown work?
E8 uses an end-of-day dynamic drawdown on both plans. The floor only updates at the market close, based on the highest closing balance, so intraday swings do not move it. Once the floor reaches the starting balance, it stays there permanently.
Account | Maximum loss allowance | Starting floor | Locks at |
|---|---|---|---|
$50K Signature | $2,000 | $48,000 | $50,000 |
$100K Signature | $3,000 | $97,000 | $100,000 |
$50K Zero | $1,500 | $48,500 | $50,000 |
$100K Zero | $3,000 | $97,000 | $100,000 |
For example, if a $50K Signature account closes a day at $52,000, the floor moves to $50,000 and does not move again. That creates more room above a fixed threshold as the account grows.
Closing below the floor fails the account on both plans.
Where do the consistency rules apply?
Both plans use a best day rule, but at different stages.
Plan | Consistency rule | Applies during |
|---|---|---|
Signature | 35% best day | Funded account, at each payout request |
Zero | 40% best day | Evaluation only |
On both plans, exceeding the limit does not fail the account. It delays passing or the payout until the largest day falls below the limit.
E8 Futures payouts: how do they work?
E8 allows four payouts per account for accounts bought on or after October 1, 2026. After the fourth payout, the account closes and E8 issues a free evaluation of the same size. Earlier accounts keep a limit of five.
Plan | Trader profit split | Payout frequency |
|---|---|---|
Signature | 80% | After five profitable days |
Zero | 80% or 100% | Daily, from $100 |
Signature has a buffer. Before your first payout, you need profit in the account equal to your drawdown. That's $1,000 on a 25K, $2,000 on a 50K, $3,000 on a 100K and $4,000 on a 150K. That buffer stays in the account, and you can only withdraw profit above it. For example, a 50K Signature at $53,500 can request $1,500, and you keep 80% of that ($1,200).
Zero has no buffer. Once you have $100 in profit, you can request it. Each payout can only come from profit made since your last request. Any profit you leave in the account stays as extra drawdown room and can't be withdrawn later. After your first payout, your loss limit locks at your starting balance.
For example, a $100K Zero MAX account that makes $7,000 in one cycle can withdraw the $5,000 cap. The remaining $2,000 stays in the account. Because a small payout uses one of the four slots in the same way as a large one, it usually makes sense to let each cycle build before requesting.
Trading rules and hours
Rule | Signature | Zero |
|---|---|---|
Overnight holding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Trading hours | Closed before the daily close | 17:15 to 15:10 CT |
News trading | Allowed | Allowed |
Automated trading | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Maximum trades per day | 300 | 300 |
Inactivity limit | 60 days | 7 days |
Time limit to pass | None | None |
At least 50% of profit must come from trades held for 10 seconds or longer. Traders must use the front-month contract and cannot hedge across accounts. Copy trading between a trader's own E8 accounts is allowed.
These rules suit intraday traders who trade manually and close positions before the end of the session.
Which E8 plan is cheapest to get funded?
The listed fee is only part of the cost. A more useful comparison is what each plan costs per $1,000 of profit target, using the code KAGE price.
Plan (50K) | Price with KAGE | Profit target | Cost per $1,000 of target | Fastest pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Signature | $128 | $3,000 | $43 | 1 day |
Zero MAX | $214 | $3,000 | $71 | 3 days |
On a 50K account, Signature costs less per $1,000 of target and can be passed faster. Zero’s higher price pays for the funded stage: daily payouts from $100, no buffer and no funded consistency rule.
If you mainly want to get funded cheaply, Signature is the better entry. If you want to get paid often from day one, Zero is worth the extra cost, and you can also pick the 100% profit split at checkout.
Final verdict: is E8 Futures worth considering?
E8 Futures offers a useful choice between two clearly different plans, both with no activation fee and an end-of-day drawdown that locks at the starting balance.
Signature keeps the entry cost low and can be passed in a day, with its rules applied at the payout stage. Zero takes longer to pass, but offers daily payouts, no funded consistency rule and up to a 100% split. Signature is for getting funded at a lower cost, Zero is for frequent payouts once funded. To see how E8 compares with Apex, Lucid and Tradeify on price and rules, use the Prop Firm Genie comparison page.
E8 Futures is worth shortlisting if you’re an intraday futures trader and are comfortable planning around the payout caps and the four-payout limit.
E8 Futures discount code: KAGE
Code KAGE applies E8's best available discount at checkout on Signature and Zero accounts. As of October 20, 2026, that's 25% off Signature and 35% off Zero Starter, running until October 25.
- Open the E8 Futures discount link
- Choose Signature, Zero Starter or Zero MAX and your account size
- Enter KAGE in the coupon field at checkout
The discount is applied before payment, and there is no activation fee to pay after you pass.