Futures markets only (no forex, crypto, or indices)
Profit Split
50% starting, up to 90% maximum
Account Currency
USD (beneficial for Turkish traders)
Regulatory Status
No restrictions under Turkish law
Trust Rating
4.4/5 (14,000 reviews)
Topstep accepts Turkish traders without any geographical restrictions, making it one of the accessible proprietary trading firms for residents of Turkey. As a Chicago-based firm specializing in futures trading, Topstep operates its evaluation program globally, and Turkish traders can participate in the same conditions as traders from other accepted countries.
What sets Topstep apart for Turkish traders is their focus exclusively on futures markets. Unlike many prop firms that offer forex, indices, and crypto trading, Topstep concentrates solely on futures contracts. This specialization means you'll be trading instruments like E-mini S&P 500, crude oil, gold, treasury bonds, and other major futures markets on exchanges like CME and CBOT.
For Turkish traders, this futures-only approach has practical advantages. Given Turkey's economic volatility and the Turkish Lira's depreciation against major currencies, trading USD-denominated futures contracts provides natural currency diversification. Your trading account and profits will be in USD, helping protect your capital from TRY fluctuations that have significantly impacted Turkish investors in recent years.
Topstep's evaluation process works through a tiered system where you start with a smaller account size and progress based on your trading performance. The profit split begins at 50% and can increase to 90% as you prove consistent profitability. This progressive structure benefits Turkish traders who may be starting with limited capital, as you can access larger trading accounts based on skill rather than initial investment size.
From a regulatory perspective, Turkish traders face no legal obstacles when participating in Topstep's program. While Turkey's Capital Markets Board (CMB/SPK) regulates domestic financial markets, foreign prop trading challenges fall outside their jurisdiction. This means you can legally participate in Topstep's evaluation without conflicting with Turkish financial regulations.
To sign up from Turkey, you'll follow the standard registration process on Topstep's website. You'll need to provide identification documents and complete their trader assessment. Payment for the evaluation fee can typically be made through international payment methods, and given Turkish traders' familiarity with alternative payment solutions due to banking restrictions, this process should be straightforward.
One important consideration for Turkish traders is the timing aspect. Topstep focuses on US futures markets, which operate primarily during US trading hours. The time difference means major market activity occurs during Turkish afternoon and evening hours. This can actually work in your favor if you have daytime commitments, as you can focus on trading during US market hours in the evening.
However, be aware that Topstep doesn't allow Expert Advisors or automated trading bots. If you're accustomed to algorithmic trading strategies popular among Turkish retail traders, you'll need to adapt to manual trading approaches. This requirement emphasizes developing genuine trading skills rather than relying on automated systems.
The firm's trust score of 4.4 based on 14,000 reviews indicates generally positive trader experiences, though like any evaluation program, success depends heavily on your trading discipline and risk management skills. Turkish traders should be particularly mindful of the daily and total loss limits, as the leverage available in futures trading can amplify both profits and losses quickly.
Given Turkey's challenging economic environment, many Turkish traders view prop trading as an opportunity to earn in stable currencies while developing professional trading skills. Topstep's focus on futures markets aligns well with this goal, as futures trading is considered more institutional and regulated compared to some other markets.
Before starting, ensure you have a reliable internet connection and understand that while Topstep accepts Turkish traders, customer support and educational materials are primarily in English. Familiarize yourself with futures market mechanics if you're coming from forex or stock trading backgrounds, as futures have unique characteristics like margin requirements and contract specifications.
Overall, Topstep represents a legitimate opportunity for Turkish traders seeking to access professional futures markets with institutional capital, provided you can meet their evaluation criteria and trading requirements.
When should Turkey traders trade?
Turkey's UTC+3 timezone provides excellent access to major trading sessions. The London session opens at 10:00 Istanbul time, overlapping with normal business hours and offering high volatility in EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and European indices. The New York session begins at 16:30, creating the prime London-New York overlap from 16:30-19:00 when EUR/USD and GBP/USD see maximum movement. Tokyo session runs 03:00-12:00 Istanbul time, requiring early morning trading for USD/JPY activity. Sydney session (00:00-09:00) is impractical for most Turkish traders. The afternoon London-NY overlap aligns perfectly with Turkish evening hours, making it ideal for active day trading. Overnight positions work well given the timezone gap to major Asian sessions.
How do Turkey traders pay for Topstep?
Turkish traders can fund Topstep accounts through international payment methods since direct TRY payments aren't accepted. Wise (formerly TransferWise) typically offers the smoothest experience with competitive USD conversion rates and fast processing. International debit/credit cards work reliably but may incur foreign transaction fees from your Turkish bank. Skrill and other e-wallets are supported and often provide faster withdrawals than traditional banking. Avoid local bank wire transfers as they're slow and expensive for international recipients. Cryptocurrency options like USDT provide quick funding but require USD conversion. All payouts are processed in USD, requiring conversion back to TRY through your chosen method.
What are the best alternatives to Topstep in Turkey?