Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links — at no extra cost to you. It never affects our reviews or the public Trust Score.
Quick Answer: Stop hunts are a reality in forex. They happen when the market hits your stop loss before reversing. Knowing which sessions and pairs are prone to stop hunts helps you avoid unnecessary losses. This guide is for US traders looking to protect their capital with prop firms like FTMO and Apex.
| Market | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| US indices | S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones | NYSE / NASDAQ |
| Regulator | CFTC (futures) / SEC (securities) | Official |
| Prop firm model | Funded evaluations with profit split 70-95% | Vendor terms |
| Verification | Updated regularly | PropFirmDiscountApp |
| Best deal today | Code DISCOUNTAPP — up to 90% off | Updated regularly |
The London session is the most aggressive. It overlaps with New York from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST. During this window, major banks and algorithms push price to trigger stops. The Asian session is slower, but still sees hunts on yen pairs. Stick to high liquidity times to avoid being targeted.
EUR/USD and GBP/USD are the biggest targets. They have tight spreads and high volume. The market makers know where retail stops sit. They push price just past support or resistance. USD/JPY and AUD/USD also see hunts during their respective sessions. Avoid placing stops at obvious round numbers like 1.2000.
Use wider stops or place them behind swing points. For example, on EUR/USD, set your stop 15-20 pips beyond a recent high or low. Avoid stops at exact levels like 1.1000. Some traders use ATR-based stops. On a 50K FTMO account, a 20-pip stop on EUR/USD costs about $200. That is a reasonable risk.
FTMO is solid. Their max drawdown rules let you breathe. Apex has good deals for futures but has strict drawdown limits. FTMO's 50K account costs $345 with code 'USA20'. Original price is $430. You save $85. Topstep uses a trailing max loss, which helps avoid deep stops. FundedNext has a smooth process but slower withdrawals. The5ers is worth it for small accounts.
The first hour of New York session is dangerous. Wait 30 minutes before entering. The London close at 11:00 AM EST often sees fake breakouts. The Asian session is quieter but has false moves on USD/JPY. Use limit orders instead of market orders. Here are tips: 1) Set stops at uneven numbers like 1.1025, not 1.1000. 2) Use a buffer of 5 pips. 3) Check news before trading. 4) Trade only during high volume. 5) Use trailing stops after 50 pips profit.
| prop firm | account size | cost with code | original cost | my opinion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ftmo | 50k | $345 | $430 | solid and reliable |
| apex | 50k | $79 | $99 | good deal but strict drawdown |
| topstep | 50k | $165 | $200 | smooth process for futures |
| fundednext | 50k | $319 | $399 | worth the wait |
| the5ers | 50k | $250 | $300 | good for small accounts |
| e8 markets | 50k | $299 | $375 | decent but slow support |
It is when price moves sharply to hit your stop loss before reversing, often done by big players to trigger retail orders.
London session because of high volatility and bank activity.
FTMO because of clear rules and a 90% refund for first failure.
$345 with code 'USA20', saving $85 from $430.
No, low liquidity increases the chance of stop hunts and slippage.
Stop hunts are part of trading, but you can avoid them by choosing the right sessions and pairs. Use FTMO or Apex for solid support. Set stops wisely with a buffer. Click here to get a 50K account with code 'USA20' for $345 instead of $430. Save money and trade smarter.
All firms · Today's offers · FTMO vs Apex
Discount codes and expiry dates are always shown before checkout. See how we rank firms on our methodology page.
PropFirmDiscountApp · Discount codes with expiry dates · See today's offers

Risk warning: Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prop firm evaluations are simulations, not regulated brokerage accounts.