The short answer
Progressive capital access means each payout has a cap based on your program, account size and payout number. Some early tiers increase; the final tier continues on later payouts.
On Vanguard, each request also requires 6% profit, a 20% Best Day limit and the remaining payout conditions. There is no minimum trading-day requirement.
What progressive capital access is
The payout cap limits the amount available on one request. It is separate from your profit split, eligibility requirements and drawdown buffer. Profit above the cap remains in the account, subject to the rules for later requests.
The Vanguard numbers
Use Futures payout structure for the full table. On a $50K Vanguard account, the caps are $750 for payout 1, $1,000 for payouts 2–3, and $1,500 from payout 4 onward. Other sizes follow their own table rows.
How the cap grows over time
An approved payout advances your payout number. It may unlock a higher cap, but not every step increases it, and the final cap remains in place. There is no automatic unlimited tier.
What you still need to qualify for a payout
Vanguard requires at least 6% profit for the payout period, a Best Day ratio no higher than 20%, all positions closed and a minimum $50 request. Verification, the Trader Agreement and all account rules also apply. See payout conditions.
A worked example
A $50K Vanguard account needs $3,000 profit to satisfy the 6% requirement. Even when all eligibility conditions are met, the first payout is capped at $750. The second and third are capped at $1,000; the fourth and later at $1,500. A cap is not a promise that you qualify for that amount.
How this differs from Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt Classic and Horizon also have payout caps. Their listed schedule increases at payout 4 and then continues at that tier. Their profit and qualifying-day requirements differ from Vanguard; see the cap tables and payout conditions.
Common questions
Does progressive access apply to Thunderbolt?
The per-payout cap step-up applies to both programs: the full tables are in the Futures payout structure article. What is Vanguard-specific is the 6% profit requirement before each payout, because Vanguard is instant funded with no evaluation.
When is my first Vanguard payout?
As soon as you have at least 6% profit since funding and also meet the Best Day, closed-positions and $50 minimum conditions. There is no minimum number of trading days.
How fast does the accessible share grow?
It follows the tier schedule for your size. Some payouts share a cap, and the final cap continues on later requests.
Does taking a payout ever fail my account?
No. Progressive access and the Best Day rule only limit or delay what you can withdraw. They do not breach the account. Your account rules are what govern breaches: the trailing drawdown, the daily drawdown, and the 1.5% Max Trade Loss (a hard rule that terminates the account automatically if a single trade exceeds it).
Still not sure?
If you are unsure where you sit on the progressive schedule or whether you qualify for your next payout, reach out through the in-app chat or the help center and we will walk through your account with you.