Scalping
Both firms allow scalping, but they apply different structural constraints that affect high-frequency traders.
- E8 Markets Perpetuals: Scalping is permitted, but there is a specific rule: you cannot hold more than 50% of your trades for less than one minute. This forces a degree of moderation. The E8 Terminal is designed for this environment, and the 15:1 leverage on Bitcoin and Ethereum provides significant buying power for small price movements.
- Hypernova: There are no specific time-duration restrictions for trades, making it more flexible for pure scalpers. However, risk is managed through per-symbol leverage and notional position-size caps. The drawdown is enforced in real-time on equity, meaning open positions can trigger a breach instantly during high volatility.
- Costs and Payouts: E8 charges commissions of 0.015% maker / 0.045% taker for crypto. Hypernova’s crypto commissions range from 0.01% to 0.04%. Hypernova’s "settlement in seconds" payout system is a major advantage for scalpers looking to realize profits daily.
News Trading
The ability to trade high-impact economic events or crypto-specific volatility varies by the specific account type chosen.
- E8 Markets Perpetuals: On the "Pro Perpetual" plan, news trading is fully allowed in both evaluation and performance stages. However, on the "One Perpetual" performance account, opening or closing trades within five minutes of high-impact news is strictly prohibited.
- Hypernova: News trading is permitted across all accounts. Since the daily drawdown is recalculated at 00:00 UTC based on the balance at that time, traders must be careful with positions held across the daily reset during volatile news cycles.
- Risk: E8's static drawdown on the Pro plan (8%) provides a safer buffer for news traders compared to the tighter 3% maximum drawdown on Hypernova’s Precision plan.
Automated Trading (EA)
Traders using bots will find a stark contrast in "off-the-shelf" vs. custom software policies.
- E8 Markets Perpetuals: Allows the use of Expert Advisors (EAs). The main restriction is that multiple users cannot utilize the same EA, and High-Frequency Trading (HFT) strategies are prohibited. It is a more open environment for commercial or retail bots.
- Hypernova: Only allows self-built bots and strategies. The use of third-party signals or "off-the-shelf" evaluation-passing EAs is strictly prohibited and results in account closure. It is a platform for developers, not for those buying bot licenses.
- Interactions: Both firms allow 24/7 trading, which is ideal for EAs that don't need to be turned off during weekends.
Copy Trading
This style is treated as a major risk factor by one firm and an allowed tool by the other.
- E8 Markets Perpetuals: Explicitly allows copy trading, making it suitable for traders who manage multiple accounts or follow external signal providers, provided the prohibited strategies (like hedging across accounts) are avoided.
- Hypernova: Prohibits copy trading and third-party signals entirely. This firm requires every trade to be the result of the account holder's own manual or self-programmed execution.
- Alternative: If you wish to use external signals at Hypernova, you cannot; you would have to manually replicate the trades, which carries execution risk.
Swing Trading and Weekend Holding
Since both firms focus on "Perpetual" markets, the traditional "weekend gap" risk is largely mitigated.
- Rules: Both firms allow holding positions over the weekend because crypto and perpetual markets are available 24/7.
- E8 Markets Perpetuals: No minimum trading days are required, but you must place at least one trade every 60 days to avoid inactivity.
- Hypernova: Positions can stay open indefinitely, subject to an inactivity rule that freezes the account after 3 months without trades.
- Costs: Hypernova applies hourly funding rates on open positions (based on Hyperliquid rates), which acts as a carrying cost for swing traders. E8 does not specify a swap-free environment but focuses on commission-based costs.
Hedging
- E8 Markets Perpetuals: Hedging is generally not allowed according to the rules provided.
- Hypernova: Allows hedging within the same account if "hedge mode" is used. However, hedging across different Hypernova accounts or against accounts in other firms is strictly prohibited.
If you trade like this
- If you use commercial EAs or Copy Trading: E8 Markets Perpetuals is the only viable choice, as Hypernova prohibits both.
- If you are a developer with a self-built bot: Hypernova offers a cheaper entry point and faster payouts (settlement in seconds) without the 50% scalping time rule.
- If you want the highest profit split (up to 100%): E8 Markets Perpetuals (Pro plan) is superior to Hypernova’s fixed 80%.
- If you are a News Trader: Hypernova or the E8 Pro Perpetual plan are the suitable options; avoid the E8 One Perpetual performance account.
- If you want a refundable fee: E8 Markets Perpetuals (Pro plan) offers refunds, while Hypernova does not.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to start a $100,000 evaluation, E8 Markets or Hypernova?
Hypernova is significantly cheaper for this size. A $100,000 "Precision" account at Hypernova costs $400, whereas the same size at E8 Markets Perpetuals costs $488 for either the One or Pro plans. Even the most expensive $100k plan at Hypernova (Standard) is $1,350, but for those seeking the lowest entry price, Hypernova’s $400 option is the leader.
Between E8 Markets and Hypernova, which one pays out faster?
Hypernova offers faster payouts. While E8 Markets Perpetuals allows daily payout requests on the Pro plan and on-demand payouts for the One plan after an initial 3-day wait, Hypernova provides 24/7 on-demand payouts with "settlement in seconds" once positions are closed. Additionally, Hypernova sponsors the gas fees for USDC payouts on Arbitrum.
Which firm has more restrictive rules for scalping, E8 Markets or Hypernova?
E8 Markets is more restrictive because it enforces a "50% rule," where no more than half of your trades can be held for less than one minute. Hypernova does not have a minimum hold time rule, though it does monitor risk through real-time equity drawdown and per-symbol leverage caps.
Does E8 Markets or Hypernova provide a more flexible drawdown for traders?
E8 Markets offers more flexibility by providing two distinct types: a 6% dynamic drawdown on the One Perpetual and an 8% static drawdown on the Pro Perpetual. Hypernova only uses a static floor based on the starting balance. For traders who prefer a buffer that doesn't move up with their balance, the 8% static drawdown at E8 Markets is the most generous option.
