Earn2Trade Updates Gauntlet Mini with Faster Path to Funding in 2026
Dr. Algo
Prop Deal Intelligence Hub
Earn2Trade has revised its Gauntlet Mini evaluation program for 2026, reducing minimum trading days and adding more account size options to accelerate the path to funded trading.
Earn2Trade Updates Gauntlet Mini with Faster Path to Funding in 2026
Earn2Trade, the prop firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of trading education and funded account access, has released a significant update to its Gauntlet Mini evaluation program for 2026. The changes respond to competitive pressure from Apex Trader Funding and Topstep by reducing friction and accelerating the path to a funded account.
Ask Propfirm has analyzed the updated Gauntlet Mini specifications in detail.
What Changed in the 2026 Gauntlet Mini
Previous vs. Updated Specifications
| Feature | Old Gauntlet Mini | New Gauntlet Mini (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum trading days | 15 | 10 |
| Profit target ($25K account) | $1,500 | $1,250 |
| Daily loss limit ($25K) | $500 | $500 |
| Max loss limit ($25K) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Account sizes | $25K, $50K | $10K, $25K, $50K, $100K |
| Monthly fee | $149 | $129 |
| Consistency rule | Yes | Yes (unchanged) |
| Education requirement | Yes (for new traders) | Optional |
| Funded profit split | 80% | 85% |
Key improvements: reduced minimum trading days (15 → 10), lower profit target, new $10K micro account and $100K large account options, and a 5% increase in funded profit split.
The New $10K Micro Account
The introduction of a $10,000 evaluation account is the most strategically significant change. At $49/month, it positions the Gauntlet Mini as accessible to traders with limited capital:
- Target audience: Newer traders who want to test prop firm evaluation before committing to larger account sizes
- Trading instruments: All CME instruments, including Micro E-mini contracts (MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K)
- Maximum position size: 2 Micro contracts simultaneously
The Micro E-mini contracts are ideal for $10K evaluations — they provide full ES/NQ exposure at 1/10th the notional value.
Earn2Trade's Educational Differentiation
Unlike most prop firms, Earn2Trade maintains an optional but integrated educational component called The Trader Career Path — a structured curriculum designed to teach futures trading fundamentals alongside the evaluation process.
This remains a genuine differentiator:
| Feature | Earn2Trade | Pure Prop Firms (e.g., Apex) |
|---|---|---|
| Structured trading curriculum | Yes (TCP program) | No |
| Mentorship availability | Yes (paid add-on) | Rarely |
| Community forums | Yes (educational focus) | Varies |
| Evaluation-only option | Yes (Gauntlet Mini standalone) | Yes (primary model) |
For traders who value structured learning alongside evaluation, Earn2Trade's model remains unique in the futures space.
Competitive Context
The Gauntlet Mini update is a direct response to competitive pressure:
- Apex's $7 evaluations (flash sale pricing) drew Earn2Trade traders away with aggressively low entry costs
- Topstep's new 5-day minimum undercut Earn2Trade's previous 15-day requirement significantly
- My Funded Futures launched with no minimum day requirements, attracting momentum traders
The 2026 update closes most of these gaps, though Earn2Trade's consistency rule (no single day exceeding 30% of total profits) remains a limiting factor for high-velocity traders.
Gauntlet Mini vs. Gauntlet (Standard)
Earn2Trade also offers the full Gauntlet program for traders seeking larger account sizes:
| Program | Max Account | Min Days | Profit Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauntlet Mini (new) | $100K | 10 | 85% |
| Gauntlet (standard) | $200K | 15 | 85% |
Dr. Algo's Take
Earn2Trade's 2026 update closes the competitive gap with Apex and Topstep meaningfully. The $10K micro account and reduced minimums make Gauntlet Mini relevant to a broader trader base. The educational component remains a real differentiator for newer traders who want structure alongside evaluation.
Compare Earn2Trade against Apex Trader Funding and Topstep (topstep.com) in our futures prop firms hub at Ask Propfirm.