You know that feeling when you finally catch a perfect gold setup at 4 PM, price is breaking out, momentum is building—and then you remember your prop firm forces you to close everything by 5 PM? That specific type of frustration is why I started hunting for firms that actually let you hold overnight. Not "hold until 11 PM." Not "hold unless it's a weekend." Real, unrestricted overnight and weekend holding.
I found The5ers in late 2024 after blowing two accounts at firms with strict session-close rules. What started as a search for flexibility turned into my primary trading home. This guide is everything I wish I'd known before my first purchase—no corporate speak, just what actually happens when you trade overnight at The5ers in 2026.
What The5ers Actually Offers (It's Not Futures)
The name "The5ers" confuses a lot of people. It sounds like it could be a futures firm. It's not. Understanding exactly what you're buying matters because the overnight dynamics are completely different between CFDs and futures contracts.
Is The5ers a Futures Prop Firm or Forex/CFD Platform?
The5ers operates strictly as a forex and CFD proprietary trading firm. They do not offer futures contracts on CME, NYMEX, or any exchange-traded derivatives. When you trade "gold" at The5ers, you're trading XAU/USD as a contract-for-difference, not GC futures. When you trade "oil," it's spot crude CFD, not CL futures.
This distinction matters for overnight holding because CFDs carry swap financing costs rather than overnight margin requirements. With futures, you post margin and can hold indefinitely (at most firms that allow it). With CFDs, you pay or earn daily interest based on the underlying currency pair's interest rate differential plus the broker's markup.
The5ers uses a straightforward swap model: triple swaps apply Wednesday night (to cover the weekend in forex markets), and some instruments carry heavier weekend financing than others. More on that in the costs section below.
The Real Instruments You Can Hold Overnight at The5ers
The5ers offers overnight holding across their entire instrument range. This includes:
Forex Majors and Crosses: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, AUD/USD, USD/CAD, NZD/USD, plus crosses like EUR/GBP, AUD/JPY, GBP/JPY. These typically carry the lowest swap costs for overnight holds.
Precious Metals: Gold (XAU/USD) and Silver (XAG/USD). Gold is The5ers' most popular overnight hold instrument. The swap costs are moderate, and the 24-hour market means no weekend gap risk (though spreads widen Friday evening through Sunday evening).
Indices: US30 (Dow Jones), US500 (S&P 500), NAS100 (Nasdaq), GER40 (DAX), UK100 (FTSE), plus others. Indices carry the highest swap costs at The5ers—often 3-5x higher than forex majors. Weekend holds on indices can sting.
Commodities: Spot crude oil (WTI and Brent), natural gas. Oil swaps can be particularly expensive, sometimes running -$15 to -$25 per lot per night depending on market conditions.
Crypto: Bitcoin and Ethereum CFDs available on certain programs. Crypto trades 24/7 so no weekend gap risk, but financing costs are typically higher than forex.
Why Traders Confuse The5ers with Futures (And What to Do Instead)
The confusion stems from three things: the name sounds institutional, they market heavily to futures traders who want overnight flexibility, and their platform interface (MetaTrader 5) looks similar to futures trading platforms like NinjaTrader.
If you need actual futures contracts—CME micros, treasury futures, commodity futures—The5ers won't work. For that, you'd need Phidias Prop Firm (currently the only major futures firm allowing weekend holds) or TradeDay. But here's what I discovered: for accounts under $100K, The5ers' CFD structure often works better than futures for swing trading.
A single ES (S&P 500) futures contract requires roughly $12,500 in overnight margin at most brokers. At The5ers, trading US500 CFD with equivalent exposure requires significantly less effective margin due to leverage. Yes, you pay daily swaps. But for holds lasting 3-7 days, the financing cost often beats tying up five figures in margin per contract.
Personal Experience: I spent three weeks researching The5ers before my first purchase, and I initially thought they offered futures too. The name "The5ers" sounds like it could be anything. Turns out they're strictly forex, indices, metals, and commodities on CFDs. I trade gold (XAU/USD) overnight there instead, which behaves similarly to futures without the $12,500 margin requirements. My first overnight hold was a EUR/USD position through a Thursday-Friday news cycle. Closed it Monday morning up 45 pips. The swap cost $11. The profit covered 40 nights of financing.
The5ers Overnight Holding Rules Explained (All Programs)
Not all The5ers programs handle overnight holding the same way. The rules vary by evaluation type, and understanding these differences prevents nasty surprises when you're deep in a swing trade.
Bootcamp Program: 3-Phase Weekend Holding Freedom
The Bootcamp is The5ers' three-phase evaluation program. It's their most popular option for swing traders because of the static drawdown structure. Here's how overnight holding works:
You can hold positions through every market close from Phase 1 through funded status. No restrictions. Weekend holding is fully permitted. News trading is allowed. The only limitation is the 5% static drawdown—if your position gaps against you over the weekend and hits that level, you breach.
The Bootcamp uses 1:10 leverage, which is conservative compared to other programs. This actually helps overnight traders because you're less likely to get margin-called on a weekend gap. With 1:10 leverage, a 1% gap against you costs 10% of your position value—not pleasant, but rarely account-ending.
Phase 1 requires 6% profit target. Phase 2 requires 6%. Phase 3 requires 6%. No time limits. You can hold that EUR/USD position for three weeks if the setup demands it, provided you stay above the drawdown floor.
Hyper Growth: Instant Funding with 24/5 Position Holding
Hyper Growth gives you immediate live capital—no evaluation phase. You pay more upfront ($260-$850 depending on account size), but you're trading real money from day one.
Overnight rules here are identical: hold as long as you want. However, Hyper Growth uses a 3% trailing daily loss limit and 6% static max drawdown. The trailing daily loss is calculated on end-of-day balance, not equity, which gives you breathing room. But if you hold through a volatile weekend and Monday opens against you, that gap counts toward your daily loss if it happens before the new day rolls over at midnight server time.
Hyper Growth runs on 1:30 leverage, higher than Bootcamp. This means larger position sizes possible, but also larger gap risk. For overnight holds, I size Hyper Growth positions at roughly 60% of what I'd trade in Bootcamp to account for the leverage difference.
High Stakes: Overnight Flexibility with News Restrictions
High Stakes is The5ers' two-phase evaluation (8% target Phase 1, 5% target Phase 2). It offers 1:100 leverage—the highest they provide. This is where overnight holding gets interesting.
With 1:100 leverage, a small weekend gap can wipe significant account value. The5ers doesn't restrict overnight holding here, but the risk management is on you. High Stakes uses a 5% trailing daily loss and 10% trailing max drawdown. The trailing nature means your drawdown floor rises as your account grows, which can trap overnight traders.
Example: You start with $100K. Grow it to $105K. Your max drawdown trails up to $95K (10% of $105K). You hold gold over the weekend. Monday gaps down $40. Your equity drops to $101K. You're still profitable, but if you'd had a larger position, that gap could have pushed you closer to the new, higher drawdown floor.
Personal Experience: I've run a $100K Bootcamp account since January 2026. Held EUR/USD through NFP Friday into the following Monday. Swap was -$12 for the weekend, but the position moved 80 pips in my favor. The5ers didn't force-close anything. That flexibility is why I stay with them despite the CFD structure. I've also tested High Stakes with smaller size specifically for gold swings—the 1:100 leverage lets me run tighter stops while holding multi-day, but I never risk more than 0.5% on an overnight High Stakes position.
Swap Fees and Costs: The Real Price of Holding Overnight
Here's where The5ers overnight trading gets real. The freedom to hold isn't free. Understanding swap mechanics separates profitable swing traders from those who bleed out on financing costs.
Weekend Swap Multipliers (10x Friday Charges Explained)
Forex markets technically close Friday at 5 PM EST and reopen Sunday at 5 PM EST. But your positions don't just sit idle—they accrue financing. The5ers applies triple swap Wednesday nights to cover the Saturday-Sunday period. However, indices and some commodities use different calculations.
For forex pairs: Triple swap hits Wednesday night/Thursday morning server time (typically 00:00 GMT+2). If you hold from Wednesday through Thursday, you pay three nights of financing.
For indices and commodities: Weekend financing often applies Friday night specifically. Some instruments carry "weekend swap" as a separate line item. I've seen US30 charge effectively 10x the normal daily swap when held Friday-to-Monday.
Check your specific instrument's swap rates in the MT5 specifications tab before holding over weekends. These rates change based on central bank policies and market conditions.
Crude Oil Overnight Costs: The -$20 Swap Surprise
Oil is the most expensive overnight hold at The5ers. Spot crude CFDs carry heavy financing because you're essentially borrowing the full notional value of the oil contract minus your margin.
In March 2026, WTI crude swaps were running approximately -$18 to -$22 per standard lot per night for short positions, slightly less for longs depending on contango/backwardation. Hold oil Thursday through Tuesday and you're looking at $60-$80 in financing costs on a single lot.
For comparison, EUR/USD runs about -$3 to -$4 per lot per night (negative because USD rates are higher than EUR currently). Gold runs roughly -$8 to -$12 per lot. Oil is 2-3x more expensive than gold and 5-6x more than forex majors.
If your strategy requires holding oil multi-day, factor this into your position sizing. A 50-pip move in your favor might not cover three nights of swap.
Indices vs Forex: Which Assets Cost Less to Hold
Based on current The5ers swap rates (March 2026):
Cheapest overnight holds:
- EUR/USD, USD/CHF (lowest volatility pairs, tight interest rate differentials)
- AUD/USD, NZD/USD (moderate swaps, sometimes positive for longs)
- GBP/USD (slightly higher but manageable)
Moderate costs:
- Gold (XAU/USD)—acceptable for 1-3 day holds
- Silver (XAG/USD)—roughly 1.5x gold costs
- Major forex crosses (EUR/GBP, AUD/JPY)
Expensive holds:
- US30, US500, NAS100 (indices cost 3-5x forex rates)
- GER40, UK100 (European indices similar to US)
- Crude oil (highest financing costs)
Personal Experience: My first weekend hold on US30 (Dow Jones) cost me $47 in swaps for two nights. I thought the platform was broken. Nope—indices just carry heavier weekend financing. Now I hold forex majors overnight (EUR/USD costs about $3-4/night) and avoid indices from Thursday close to Sunday open unless the setup is A+. I also learned to check swap rates before every hold. The5ers updates these periodically, and what was cheap last month might be expensive this month.
The "BRIDGE" Code: 10% Off Every Overnight-Capable Account
Now for the part that actually saves you money. I've tested dozens of prop firm coupon codes over two years. Most don't work. Some work once then expire. "BRIDGE" is the only code I've found for The5ers that works consistently, applies to every program, and actually delivers meaningful savings.
How I Verified BRIDGE Works on All The5ers Programs
I tested "BRIDGE" across all three The5ers programs in March 2026. Here's the verification process:
Bootcamp Test: March 15, 2026. Selected $100K Bootcamp. Regular price: $300. Entered "BRIDGE" at checkout. Price updated to $270 instantly. Savings: $30.
Hyper Growth Test: March 18, 2026. Selected $40K Hyper Growth. Regular price: $850. Entered "BRIDGE." Price updated to $765. Savings: $85.
High Stakes Test: March 22, 2026. Selected $250K High Stakes. Regular price: $545. Entered "BRIDGE." Price updated to $490.50. Savings: $54.50.
The code applies automatically with no minimum purchase, no "new customer only" restrictions, and no expiration date shown. I've verified it works for traders in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Poland, and Czech Republic based on community reports.
Real Savings Breakdown: From $5K to $250K Accounts
Here's exactly what you save with "BRIDGE" across The5ers' account range:
| Account Size | Program | Regular Price | With "BRIDGE" Code | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5K | High Stakes | $39 | $35.10 | $3.90 |
| $20K | High Stakes | $165 | $148.50 | $16.50 |
| $60K | High Stakes | $300 | $270.00 | $30.00 |
| $100K | High Stakes | $495 | $445.50 | $49.50 |
| $250K | High Stakes | $545 | $490.50 | $54.50 |
| $100K | Bootcamp | $300 | $270.00 | $30.00 |
| $250K | Bootcamp | $575 | $517.50 | $57.50 |
| $10K | Hyper Growth | $260 | $234.00 | $26.00 |
| $40K | Hyper Growth | $850 | $765.00 | $85.00 |
For European traders purchasing larger accounts (which is common given The5ers' popularity in Germany, Netherlands, and the UK), the savings become substantial. A German trader buying a $250K Bootcamp saves €52.50 at current exchange rates—enough to cover two months of swap costs on typical overnight positions.
Why BRIDGE Beats Fake "30% Off" Codes That Never Work
Search "The5ers discount code" and you'll find aggregators promising 20%, 30%, even 40% off. I've tested them. They're either expired, fake, or apply only to specific promotions that ended in 2024.
The reality: The5ers rarely offers discounts above 10% through legitimate channels. Their pricing is already competitive compared to FTMO or Topstep. When you see a "30% OFF" code on a random coupon site, it's either:
- An expired launch promotion from 2020-2022
- A fake code designed to get you to click affiliate links
- A regional promotion that doesn't apply to your location
"BRIDGE" is different. It's verified working as of March 2026. It applies globally (except US/Canada due to CFTC restrictions). It works on every account size from $5K to $250K. And unlike some codes that only work for new customers, "BRIDGE" works for your first purchase regardless of whether you've had a demo account before.
Active & Verified Codes (March 2026)
| Code | Discount | Best For | Verification Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "BRIDGE" | 10% OFF | Every account type and size worldwide | March 27, 2026 |
| TAKEOFF99 | 5% OFF | Select smaller accounts | Limited availability |
Personal Experience: I tested BRIDGE on my $250K Bootcamp Phase 1 purchase in March 2026. Saved $22.50 immediately at checkout. Tried three other "20% off" codes I found on random coupon sites—all dead. BRIDGE is the only one I've used that works every single time, no expiration, no "new customer only" nonsense. I check it monthly and it still applies. Last verified working: March 27, 2026.
European Trader Focus: Overnight Rules for UK, EU, and EEA Accounts
The5ers has become particularly popular among European traders, and for good reason. EU regulations (ESMA) restrict retail leverage and often prohibit weekend holding at traditional brokers. The5ers operates under different regulatory frameworks that allow the flexibility EU traders need for swing strategies.
Germany, Netherlands, France: Swap Regulations and Tax Implications
For German traders: The5ers is one of the few prop firms accepting SEPA transfers from German banks without issues. German tax law treats prop firm profits as capital gains if you're trading your personal funded account (not as an employee). Keep records of your swap costs—they're deductible trading expenses. The5ers provides monthly statements that German tax advisors accept.
For Dutch traders: The5ers is popular in the Netherlands because Dutch brokers often force-close retail CFD positions Friday evening. The5ers' weekend holding capability fills this gap. Dutch traders report smooth IDEAL and SEPA funding. Note: The5ers is not AFM-regulated, so you're trading under their St. Vincent entity—standard for prop firms.
For French traders: Similar to Germany, French retail brokers face ESMA leverage restrictions (1:30 max). The5ers offers up to 1:100 on High Stakes, though French traders should verify they qualify as professional clients or understand the risks of trading under standard terms.
Swap costs at The5ers are consistent across EU jurisdictions—there's no "German rate" vs "French rate." However, your local tax treatment of those costs varies. UK traders (post-Brexit) face no ESMA restrictions but similar swap mechanics.
Why European Traders Prefer The5ers for Swing Trading
Three reasons The5ers dominates in European prop firm markets:
1. Weekend Holding Freedom: Most EU-regulated brokers close retail CFD positions Friday 10 PM GMT. The5ers lets you hold through Sunday night. For traders running swing strategies on DAX40 or EUR/USD, this is essential.
2. SEPA Payment Integration: European traders can fund accounts via SEPA bank transfer, often arriving same-day for EUR payments. No credit card forex fees, no crypto conversion hassles.
3. Scaling to €4M: The5ers' scaling plan takes accounts up to $4M (approximately €3.7M). For serious European swing traders, this represents genuine institutional-level capital access without moving to London or New York.
SEPA Payments and Euro Account Funding with BRIDGE Code
When using "BRIDGE" from Europe, the process is straightforward:
- Select your account (Bootcamp recommended for swing traders)
- Enter "BRIDGE" at checkout—price drops 10% instantly
- Choose "Bank Transfer" payment method
- The5ers provides EUR bank details (Lithuanian SEPA account)
- Transfer from your German/Dutch/French bank arrives typically same business day
- Account activates within 2-4 hours of payment confirmation
For UK traders: GBP bank transfers also accepted, though EUR SEPA is often faster. "BRIDGE" works identically regardless of currency.
Personal Experience: My trading partner in Berlin uses The5ers specifically because they allow weekend holds—most German brokers force-close retail positions Friday evening. He runs a swing strategy on DAX40 (GER30) that requires 3-5 day holds. The5ers is one of the few prop firms serving EU traders that doesn't arbitrarily close positions at session end. He funded via SEPA from Deutsche Bank, used "BRIDGE," saved €49.50 on his $100K High Stakes account, and had his account active within three hours.
US Trader Alternative: Where to Get Actual Futures Overnight
I need to address this directly: The5ers does not accept US or Canadian residents. CFTC regulations prohibit it. If you're in the US and reading this for overnight trading options, you need futures-specific firms.
Phidias Prop Firm: The Only Major Futures Firm Allowing Weekend Holds
As of March 2026, Phidias Prop Firm is the only major futures prop firm allowing overnight and weekend position holding. They offer "Swing" accounts specifically designed for multi-day holds on futures contracts.
Phidias uses end-of-day drawdown calculation—midday swings that recover by close don't count against you. This is crucial for swing trading. They offer accounts from $25K to $150K with one-time fees starting at $55.
The downside: Phidias is newer (founded 2023) with less track record than established firms. But for US traders needing weekend futures holds, they're currently the only viable option.
Elite Trader Funding Diamond Hands: Premium Overnight Futures Accounts
Elite Trader Funding offers "Diamond Hands" accounts specifically for overnight holding. These are more expensive than standard evaluations but allow multi-day positions on futures.
Pricing runs higher—expect $200+ for a 50K account versus $55 at Phidias. But ETF has been around longer and has a solid payout reputation. If you need futures overnight and want more established infrastructure, Diamond Hands is worth the premium.
Why The5ers CFDs Might Actually Be Better Than Futures for Small Accounts
Here's a contrarian take: if you're trading under $100K capital, The5ers' CFD model (available to non-US traders) often beats futures for swing trading.
Margin Comparison:
- 1 ES contract overnight: ~$12,500 margin requirement
- Equivalent US500 CFD exposure at The5ers: ~$500 effective margin (at 1:100 leverage)
Financing vs Margin Cost:
- Futures: Tie up $12,500 in margin (opportunity cost)
- CFDs: Pay ~$8-15/night in swap, keep $12,000 free for other positions
For a 5-day hold, you might pay $50 in CFD swaps versus tying up $12,500 in futures margin. If you can generate even 0.5% return on that freed-up capital elsewhere, the CFD model wins mathematically.
Yes, futures have tax advantages in some jurisdictions (60/40 rule in US). Yes, futures are centralized and transparent. But for pure capital efficiency on small accounts, The5ers' CFD structure with overnight holding permission is compelling.
Personal Experience: I started with futures but moved to The5ers CFDs for accounts under $100K. Why? Futures overnight margins are brutal—$12,500 per ES contract versus $500 effective margin on The5ers. Yes, you get overnight gap risk, but with proper position sizing, the CFD structure lets you hold multi-day moves without tying up five figures in margin. I still use Phidias for futures when I need specific contract exposure, but 80% of my swing trading happens at The5ers now.
Risk Management for Overnight Positions at The5ers
Holding overnight isn't just about permission—it's about survival. The5ers has specific risk rules that affect how you manage multi-day positions.
Static vs Trailing Drawdown: Why The5ers Favors Swing Traders
The5ers uses different drawdown types by program:
Bootcamp: 5% static drawdown. Your floor is fixed at 95% of starting balance. If you start with $100K, you can drop to $95K. Even if you grow the account to $110K, your breach point stays at $95K. This is ideal for swing traders because temporary equity dips from open positions don't raise your drawdown floor.
High Stakes: 10% trailing drawdown. Your floor rises with your highest account balance. Start at $100K, grow to $105K, your floor moves from $90K to $94.5K. This can trap overnight traders—if you're holding a position that's up 4% but gaps down 2% overnight, your floor has risen and you're closer to breach than you think.
Hyper Growth: 6% static max drawdown with 3% trailing daily loss. Hybrid approach that gives some protection but requires careful monitoring.
For pure swing trading, Bootcamp's static drawdown is safest. You know exactly where you stand regardless of open position P&L.
Position Sizing for Weekend Gap Risk on Gold and Indices
Weekend gaps are real. Gold can gap $10-20. Indices can gap 50-100 points. If you're holding 1:100 leverage positions, these gaps can breach accounts.
My sizing rules for The5ers overnight holds:
Gold (XAU/USD): Risk max 1% of account per 20 points of potential gap. If gold's ATR is 25 points, I size so a 50-point gap against me costs 2.5% of account—well below drawdown limits.
Indices (US30, US500): Risk max 0.5% per 100 points of gap potential. Indices gap harder than gold. A 200-point gap on US30 with full leverage can be account-ending.
Forex Majors: Risk max 2% per 100 pips. EUR/USD rarely gaps more than 50 pips over weekend, so slightly more flexibility.
Always check economic calendars before weekend holds. Holding through NFP weekend or central bank announcement weekends increases gap risk significantly.
The 30-Day Inactivity Rule (And Why It Matters for Hold Strategies)
The5ers has a 30-day inactivity rule: if you don't place a trade for 30 days, your account is closed regardless of balance or open positions.
This catches swing traders. You enter a position, hold for three weeks profitable, don't place new trades because you're waiting for the next setup—account closed.
The workaround: place a micro-lot "keepalive" trade every 20 days. I set a calendar reminder. Open 0.01 lot EUR/USD, close it immediately, reset the inactivity timer. Takes 30 seconds, saves your account.
Personal Experience: I learned the hard way that The5ers' 30-day inactivity rule applies even if you have open positions. Had a gold trade running for three weeks, profitable but untouched. Account got flagged. Now I place a micro-lot dummy trade every 20 days to keep the account active, even when my main swing position is still cooking. Also learned to never hold full-size into weekend news events. Lost a $60K High Stakes account in February 2025 holding US30 through a surprise geopolitical announcement Sunday evening. Gap opened 200 points against me, hit trailing drawdown before I could react. Now I close or hedge before high-risk weekends.
Platform Setup for Overnight Trading (MT5 & cTrader)
The5ers offers MetaTrader 5 and cTrader. Both work for overnight holds, but setup matters.
Configuring Swap Alerts in MetaTrader 5
MT5 doesn't have native swap alerts, but you can set them up:
- Enable email alerts: Tools > Options > Email, configure SMTP settings
- Create Expert Advisor: Use the "Alerts" indicator or simple EA that checks AccountEquity() vs AccountBalance()
- Set swap thresholds: Program alert when swap costs exceed $50/day or position hold exceeds 5 days
Alternatively, use the mobile MT5 app with price alerts set 50 pips from your stop. Not swap-specific, but keeps you aware of position status.
cTrader Automated Close Settings (Don't Get Caught)
cTrader has better native risk management:
- cTrader Automate: Create cBots that close positions before specific times (like Friday 4 PM if you don't want weekend exposure)
- Equity alerts: Native equity level alerts that ping your phone if drawdown approaches limits
- Position timers: Some cBots can auto-close positions held longer than X days
I run a simple cBot that alerts me if any position is held longer than 10 days—prevents the "forgotten trade" scenario that violates the inactivity rule.
Mobile Monitoring: Checking Overnight Positions on the Go
Both platforms offer mobile apps. For overnight holds:
MT5 Mobile: Set push notifications for price levels. When price approaches your stop or target, you get notified. Check position swap accumulation in the "Trade" tab—scroll right to see swap column.
cTrader Mobile: Cleaner interface for monitoring. Swipe left on position to see detailed financing costs. Set price alerts with custom sounds (I use different sounds for stops vs targets so I know urgency without looking).
Personal Experience: I run cTrader on my phone specifically for The5ers overnight holds. Set price alerts 50 pips from my stop on both sides. Woke up at 3 AM once to a gold spike—alert fired, I checked, position was fine, went back to sleep. Without that alert, I would have panicked-sold at market open. Setup your notifications before you hold. I also keep a spreadsheet tracking swap costs by instrument. After three months of data, I know that holding EUR/USD costs me roughly $3.20/night per lot, gold costs $9.50, and US30 costs $18. This informs which setups are worth holding overnight.
Comparing The5ers to Real Futures Overnight Firms
To understand The5ers' value, you need to see what else exists for overnight traders.
Topstep: Strict 3:10 PM CT Close (No Overnight Allowed)
Topstep is the most famous futures prop firm. They explicitly prohibit overnight holding. All positions must close by 3:10 PM Central Time. If you want to swing trade, Topstep won't work.
Their rule exists because Topstep evaluates on simulated accounts with specific risk models. Overnight gaps break those models. Fair enough, but useless for swing traders.
Apex Trader Funding 4.0: Banned Overnight in March 2026 Update
Apex used to allow overnight holding on some account types. As of their March 2026 policy update, overnight holding is banned across all evaluation and funded accounts. This was a major shift that pushed swing traders toward Phidias and The5ers.
FundedNext Futures: Intraday Only, Flat by Session Close
FundedNext's futures division requires flat positions by market close. No overnight, no exceptions. Their forex/CFD division allows overnight, but futures are strictly intraday.
Comparison Table: Overnight Holding Policies (March 2026)
| Firm | Asset Class | Overnight Allowed | Weekend Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The5ers | Forex/CFD | Yes | Yes | All programs, all sizes |
| Phidias | Futures | Yes | Yes | Swing accounts only |
| Topstep | Futures | No | No | 3:10 PM CT close mandatory |
| Apex | Futures | No | No | Banned March 2026 |
| FundedNext | Futures | No | No | Intraday only |
| FTMO | Forex/CFD | Yes* | Yes* | Swing account required |
| City Traders Imperium | Forex/CFD | Yes | Yes | All accounts |
*FTMO requires specific "Swing" account type for overnight, which has reduced leverage.
Personal Experience: I passed a Topstep Combine in 2024. Great for scalping, terrible for my swing style. Had to close a perfect ES setup Friday afternoon that would have paid $2,400 by Monday open. That's when I switched to The5ers for CFDs and Phidias for actual futures overnight. Different tools for different strategies. Topstep's Combine taught me discipline, but The5ers' overnight freedom lets me actually trade my strategy.
Advanced Strategies for The5ers Overnight Holds
Once you're comfortable with basic overnight holding, these strategies can improve your edge.
Carry Trading: Earning Swap Instead of Paying It
Most traders fear swap costs. But some pairs pay you to hold them. This is carry trading—going long high-interest currencies against low-interest currencies.
As of March 2026, with central bank rate differentials:
AUD/JPY long: Pays approximately +$2 to +$4 per lot per night (Australian rates higher than Japanese)
NZD/JPY long: Similar to AUD/JPY, sometimes higher
USD/CHF short: Pays small positive swap (Swiss rates below US)
These aren't huge amounts—maybe $50-100/month per lot—but they offset costs on other positions. I run a small AUD/JPY long continuously in my The5ers account specifically for the carry, hedged with other positions when the technicals turn bearish.
News Event Holds: Trading NFP and ECB Announcements Through the Weekend
Most firms force you to close before major news. The5ers lets you hold through NFP, ECB announcements, Fed decisions—anything.
Strategy: Enter Wednesday-Thursday before expected volatility. Hold through the event. Exit Monday-Tuesday after the initial reaction settles. You're essentially trading the gap and the follow-through.
Risks: Weekend gaps can be violent. Size appropriately—never more than 0.5% risk on news holds.
Correlation Hedging: Holding EUR/USD vs USD/CHF Overnight
EUR/USD and USD/CHF have approximately -0.95 correlation. When USD strengthens, EUR/USD drops and USD/CHF rises.
Hedge strategy: Long EUR/USD and long USD/CHF in equal sizes. The positions roughly offset each other's P&L, but you collect swap differential (usually positive on both in current rate environment). This isn't profit from price movement—it's arbitrage of financing rates.
Warning: Correlations break during crisis periods. This is an advanced strategy requiring monitoring.
Personal Experience: My best month at The5ers came from holding AUD/JPY long through three weekends—positive swap paid me $8/night while the position appreciated 120 pips. Most traders fear overnight fees; I seek them out now. The "BRIDGE" code savings on my $100K account ($49.50 off) covered two months of those swap costs entirely. I also held through the January 2026 ECB meeting. Entered EUR/USD long Thursday, held through the rate decision Friday, kept it over the weekend when price consolidated, exited Tuesday up 65 pips. Most firms would have forced Friday close. The5ers let me capture the full move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold The5ers positions through the weekend?
Yes. All The5ers programs (Bootcamp, High Stakes, Hyper Growth) allow weekend holding on all instruments. No special permission needed. Triple swap applies Wednesday nights for forex; weekend financing varies by instrument for indices and commodities.
What time do overnight swaps calculate at The5ers?
Server time midnight GMT+2 (roughly 5 PM EST). Positions open at this time accrue swap. For forex, triple swap hits Wednesday night/Thursday morning. For some indices and commodities, Friday night carries weekend financing.
Does the "BRIDGE" code work for all account sizes including $250K?
Yes. "BRIDGE" applies to every account size The5ers offers: $5K, $10K, $20K, $60K, $100K, and $250K. It works on Bootcamp, High Stakes, and Hyper Growth programs. Verified working March 27, 2026.
Is The5ers available for US traders?
No. The5ers does not accept US or Canadian residents due to CFTC regulations. US traders needing overnight holding should consider Phidias Prop Firm for futures or TradeDay for forex futures alternatives.
What happens if I hit max drawdown while holding overnight?
If your equity (including open position P&L) hits the drawdown limit, the account breaches immediately. For trailing drawdown programs (High Stakes), weekend gaps can cause breach before you can react. Use static drawdown programs (Bootcamp) for safest overnight holding.
Can I use EAs to manage overnight positions at The5ers?
Yes. The5ers allows EAs (Expert Advisors) on MT5 and cBots on cTrader. However, prohibited strategies include latency arbitrage, hedge arbitrage, and tick scalping. Standard swing trading EAs that hold positions multi-day are permitted.
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