On April 10, 2026, popular futures trader @RyansTrading posted a video showing a risky trading strategy that resulted in a fast +$8,000 gain on multiple Topstep XFAs (funded accounts) executed in just 5 seconds around the CPI data release.
In follow-up comments, the influencer noted he trades every major news event, admitted to blowing 5 funded accounts the previous month, but highlighted strong months like +$20k in February. He framed it as a calculated risk he’s willing to take. Topstep CEO and founder Michael Patak replied directly: “Heads up — This is not responsible trading,” said Patak. Later in the same thread on X, Patak added: “Risk will reach out. Anyone pushing aggressive news trading is leading folks down the wrong path. We will be sharing stats on failure rate of yolo news traders. It is also not a strategy that works in live as well as in sim. Slim down news trading trade small or best not at all.”
The influencer in question responded asking if it was against the rules or simply irresponsible, saying he didn’t want to lose his Topstep relationship. He later joked he’d stick to EMA and MNQ trades instead. What “Risk Will Reach Out” Likely MeansTopstep (like many futures prop firms) monitors large, high-volatility trades — especially around scheduled news like CPI, NFP, or FOMC. When the risk team reaches out, it typically means:
Risky Trading Strategy Could Lead to:
- A review of the trade(s) for rule compliance
- Potential questions about consistency, risk management, or overall account behavior
- In some cases, temporary restrictions, parameter adjustments, or (in extreme/repeated cases) account action
Patak’s public comments make it clear Topstep views “yolo-style” aggressive news trading as statistically dangerous and not sustainable long-term — even if it produces occasional big wins.
Why This Matters for Prop Traders Right Now
- News trading rules vary widely across firms. Some ban trading during or immediately before/after high-impact releases. Others allow it but heavily monitor drawdown and consistency.
- Topstep has long emphasized responsible risk management and consistency over home-run trades. This exchange reinforces that stance publicly.
- Patak announced they will share internal stats on news-trading failure rates — that data could be eye-opening when released.
Bottom Line for Traders
If you’re in a Topstep evaluation or funded account (or any prop firm with similar risk oversight), aggressive news-event scalping carries real risk — not just of blowing the account on a bad move, but of drawing unwanted attention from the risk team even on winning trades. Many experienced traders treat major news like CPI as “no-trade” zones or size down dramatically. Others build specific, rule-compliant news strategies with strict stops and tiny position sizes.Have you adjusted your approach to news trading after seeing this exchange? Or run into similar risk-team conversations yourself? Drop your experience in the comments (anonymously if you prefer) — we’ll keep tracking how firms are enforcing these boundaries in 2026.
