Trade Idea definition
How trades are grouped into trade ideas for risk analysis and the 60-minute rule
ℹ️ This definition applies to simulated funded accounts created before 9 March 2026 or for traders operating under probation measures. For accounts created on or after that date, the Pip Protector: Max Risk (Version 2) uses a similar concept — refer to that article for the current rules.
A trade idea is a group of trades that are treated as a single decision for performance evaluation and risk analysis. This definition is used in multiple rules and policies, including the Maximum Risk per Trade Idea rule, which limits how much risk you can take on a single trade idea, even if it includes multiple entries and exits.
What counts as a trade idea?
If you are trading the same symbol and there is no gap of more than 60 minutes (while the market is open) between trades, it is considered one trade idea. Specifically, positions are grouped into the same trade idea when they meet both of the following conditions:
They are opened on the same symbol (e.g. XAUUSD)
Positions overlap in time, or there is a gap of less than one hour between closing one position and opening the next
This means closing a position and reopening on the same symbol within the next hour still counts as the same trade idea, regardless of direction. Splitting one large position into smaller entries (e.g. three separate 0.5 lot trades entered at the same time) also counts as one trade idea.
What starts a new trade idea?
To start a fresh trade idea, you can either open trades on a different instrument or wait more than 60 minutes after closing all positions on that symbol before opening a new one.
Examples
Example 1 — Overlapping positions
Result: One trade idea. Although there is a ten-hour gap between entries, the first position was still open when the second was placed — the positions overlap on the same symbol.
Example 2 — Re-entering within one hour
Result: One trade idea. The second position was opened less than one hour after the first was closed, on the same symbol. The change in direction does not matter.