Day one
The entry experience differs primarily in the "speed to market" versus "cost of entry" trade-off.
- Entry Costs: Hypernova is significantly more accessible for small accounts. Its "Precision" 100K challenge costs $400, while Iceberg’s 1-Step Unlimited 100K is priced at $857. For those starting very small, Hypernova offers a $5,000 account for just $25.
- The Instant Path: Iceberg provides an "Instant Funding" model where you skip the evaluation entirely. A $25,000 funded account costs $767 upfront. Hypernova does not offer direct funding; every trader must pass a one-step evaluation.
- Bureaucracy: This is a major differentiator. Hypernova requires a Sumsub KYC process and a wallet-signed agreement before activating a funded account. Iceberg, conversely, requires no KYC, allowing for immediate, pseudo-anonymous trading.
- Platforms and Assets: Both use proprietary trading terminals. While both are crypto-centric, they offer a wide range of simulated assets including Forex, Commodities, and Indices.
The first months
Once funded, the focus shifts to maintaining the account and securing the first withdrawals.
- Risk Rules: Both firms use a static maximum drawdown (it does not trail your profits), which is the most trader-friendly model. Hypernova’s drawdown ranges from 3% (Precision) to 7% (Standard). Iceberg maintains a 6% static floor. Both calculate daily drawdown at 00:00 UTC based on the balance at that time.
- Trading Styles: Both are flexible. News trading and weekend holding are permitted on both platforms. However, Hypernova is stricter regarding EAs: you must use self-built strategies, whereas Iceberg allows copying between your own accounts but prohibits copying from other users.
- Payout Mechanics: Hypernova offers a superior early-stage payout experience with "on-demand" withdrawals 24/7 and no waiting period. Iceberg’s "Instant" accounts require a 120-hour wait after the first trade and between subsequent payouts, though its "Unlimited" accounts are also on-demand. Both settle in USDC via Arbitrum.
The first year
For a trader who survives the first few months, the focus turns to loyalty and account management.
- Scaling Programs: Hypernova has announced a scaling program, but it is currently not available (the "Nova Score" is purely informational during the beta phase). Iceberg does not have a traditional automated scaling plan (e.g., "increase balance by 25% every 4 months"), but it rewards activity through "Ice Points" which grant discounts of up to 10% on future purchases.
- Profit Sharing: Both firms start and stay at an 80% profit split. There is no evidence in the current data that this percentage increases over time for either firm.
- Account Longevity: Iceberg’s "Instant" accounts have a built-in expiration: they expire 90 days after activation regardless of trading activity. Hypernova accounts do not expire as long as you place at least one trade every 3 months.
The ceiling
The "ceiling" represents the maximum capital a single trader can manage across all accounts.
- Hypernova's Limit: The maximum allocation is $300,000. Traders can run up to two assessments simultaneously. This $300k limit is the hard cap for combined evaluation and funded capital.
- Iceberg's Limit: The ceiling is segmented. You can manage up to $200,000 in "Unlimited" funded capital plus an additional $50,000 in "Instant" accounts. This creates a total potential ceiling of $250,000.
- Capital Growth: Because Hypernova’s scaling program is not yet active, the only way to "scale" at either firm currently is to purchase additional challenges until reaching the respective $300k or $250k limits.
Room to grow
Hypernova offers a higher absolute capital ceiling ($300,000 vs $250,000) and much cheaper entry points for those willing to pass an evaluation. It is the better choice for a professional trader who doesn't mind KYC in exchange for higher limits and lower fees.
Iceberg is positioned for those who value privacy and speed. The lack of KYC and the availability of instant funding make it a "short-circuit" to the markets, though you pay a premium in fees and face a lower total capital cap. The 90-day expiration on its Instant accounts makes it a tool for short-term campaigns rather than a multi-year "home" for an account.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is cheaper to get a 100K account, Hypernova or Iceberg?
Hypernova is significantly cheaper. Its 100K "Precision" challenge costs $400, and its "Standard" challenge costs $1,350. In comparison, Iceberg's 1-Step "Unlimited" 100K challenge costs $857. Hypernova also offers the lowest entry point of both firms with a 5K account for just $25.
Does Hypernova or Iceberg offer a faster payout process?
Hypernova is faster for the majority of users, offering on-demand payouts 24/7 with no waiting period. Iceberg only offers on-demand payouts for its "Unlimited" accounts; its "Instant Funding" accounts require a 120-hour (5-day) waiting period between the first trade and the request, as well as between subsequent payouts.
Between Hypernova and Iceberg, which one requires KYC for traders?
Hypernova requires a full identity verification (KYC) via Sumsub before a trader can activate a funded account. Iceberg, on the other hand, does not require KYC, making it the preferred choice for traders seeking a more private or anonymous relationship with the firm.
Which firm allows for a higher total capital allocation, Hypernova or Iceberg?
Hypernova allows for a higher total allocation of $300,000 across assessments and funded accounts. Iceberg has a lower combined ceiling of $250,000, which is split into a $200,000 limit for "Unlimited" funded accounts and a $50,000 limit for "Instant" accounts.
