Who is behind each firm
E8 Markets Perpetuals is a well-established name in the industry, led by its CEO Dylan Elchami and operating from its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. The firm is part of a broader ecosystem that has transitioned towards perpetual markets, leveraging its own infrastructure. On the other side, Upscale is a very recent entrant, operated by Innovix Ltd and based in the Seychelles. While E8 Markets provides a clear corporate structure and a visible leadership figure, Upscale operates through an offshore entity, which is a common practice for firms focusing heavily on crypto-integrated trading environments.
How long they have been around
The difference in longevity between these two entities is significant. E8 Markets was founded in 2021, giving it several years of operational history through various market cycles and industry shifts. This history is reflected in a substantial volume of public feedback, with approximately 3,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Upscale, however, is a newcomer founded in March 2025. Its track record is currently minimal, with only 13 reviews at the time of data collection and a Trustpilot status marked as blocked, which indicates that the platform's presence in the public eye is still in its very early and unverified stages.
What they promise and what backs it
E8 Markets promises a highly competitive entry point and flexible risk parameters. Its Pro Perpetual plan offers a $5,000 account for as little as $32, backed by a 2021 foundation and a proven ability to process high volumes of traders. They allow news trading and offer both dynamic and static drawdown options, suggesting a firm that understands different trader profiles. Upscale’s promises are more expensive and come with more complex conditions; their $5,000 "Basic RWA" account starts at $59. While they offer an 80% to 90% profit split, similar to E8, their backing is almost entirely based on their new proprietary technology rather than a long history of payouts. Upscale also introduces "Turbo" accounts with trailing drawdowns, a more aggressive risk rule that requires a higher level of trader skill and is often used by newer firms to manage their own risk exposure.
How they handle your money
E8 Markets demonstrates operational maturity through its payout diversity and speed. Traders can receive their earnings via Transfer, Crypto, Rise, or Plane, with frequencies as fast as every three days or even daily for Pro accounts. This variety of "financial exits" is a strong sign of a firm with established banking and payment relationships. Upscale handles money almost exclusively through the crypto ecosystem for payouts, requiring a 14-day waiting period and at least five profitable days before a withdrawal can be requested. Regarding platforms, E8 utilizes its proprietary E8 Terminal, powered by Hyperliquid, while Upscale offers a proprietary terminal with TradingView charts, also accessible via Telegram, reflecting a more modern, albeit less tested, approach to trading access.
Operational maturity
The operational maturity of E8 Markets is evident in its US-based headquarters and its acceptance of diverse payment methods like Cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, alongside Crypto. This indicates a high level of regulatory and financial compliance. Upscale, being based in the Seychelles and primarily focused on crypto for both payments and payouts, suggests a leaner, more decentralized operation. While E8 has a large, established community of reviewers, Upscale is still building its reputation. The geographical and administrative differences between a Texas-based firm and a Seychelles-based entity are fundamental for traders who prioritize legal jurisdiction and long-term institutional stability.
What the record does and does not tell you
The available data allows us to see a clear contrast between an industry veteran and a brand-new challenger. E8 Markets' record shows a firm that has scaled its operations and diversified its payout methods over years. Upscale’s record shows a firm that is just beginning its journey, offering modern integrations like Telegram trading but without the benefit of a long-term reputation. However, a track record is not a guarantee of future solvency; it only describes past behavior and current infrastructure. While E8 has more public data to analyze, Upscale represents the newest wave of "perpetual" firms, and its true reliability will only be proven as it moves past its launch phase.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is more affordable for a trader starting with a $5,000 account, E8 Markets or Upscale?
E8 Markets is significantly more affordable for a $5,000 starting size. Their Pro Perpetual plan costs $32, and their One Perpetual plan is $48. In contrast, the cheapest $5,000 option at Upscale is the Basic RWA account at $59, while their Accelerated All plan for the same size goes up to $99.
Between E8 Markets and Upscale, which firm provides faster access to profits?
E8 Markets offers much faster access to earnings. On their E8 Pro Perpetual accounts, payouts can be requested daily, and on E8 One Perpetual, the first payout is available after just 3 days. Upscale requires a much longer commitment, as the first payout request can only be made 14 calendar days after account activation, provided the trader has met the 5 profitable days requirement.
Do E8 Markets and Upscale allow news trading during their evaluation and performance phases?
Both firms allow news trading, but with different restrictions. E8 Markets allows it freely in E8 Pro and during the E8 One evaluation, but prohibits opening or closing trades 5 minutes around high-impact news in E8 One performance accounts. Upscale allows news trading but switches certain assets like US stocks and Forex to "close-only" mode 5 minutes before and after major US macro releases.
Which firm offers more diverse payment and payout methods, E8 Markets or Upscale?
E8 Markets offers a more diverse range of financial options. For payments, they accept Cards, Crypto, Google Pay, and Apple Pay, and for payouts, they support Transfer, Crypto, Rise, and Plane. Upscale is more limited, accepting Cards, Apple/Google Pay, and Crypto for payments, but restricting payouts exclusively to Crypto (USDT via TON, Base, or BSC).
