First Time Deposit (FTD) is the first transfer of real money a referred client makes into their new live brokerage account. It is the milestone that converts a registered lead into a funded, active client and, for most partner programs, the event that unlocks a CPA payout.
FTD is the single most important conversion event in the affiliate funnel because it separates intent from action. A registration costs a client nothing and proves nothing; an FTD means they moved their own money and are ready to trade. Brokers therefore anchor almost every CPA agreement to it, defining a qualifying threshold the deposit must clear before any commission is considered earned.
Key takeaways
FTD converts a lead into a funded client and usually triggers CPA eligibility.
A deposit below the qualifying minimum does not count as a valid FTD.
An FTD alone rarely pays; a volume gate typically follows.
FTD conversion rate by source is your cleanest traffic-quality signal.
Under hybrid deals, the FTD also starts the lifetime revenue-share stream.
The threshold is where partners get caught out. A broker might advertise a $600 CPA but require a minimum qualifying FTD of $250, so a client who funds only $50 registers as a deposit yet fails to trigger the payout. Suppose you refer 100 leads, 30 make any deposit, but only 18 clear the $250 minimum: your true FTD-to-CPA conversion is 18%, not 30%. Reading the fine print on the qualifying amount is essential to forecasting revenue.
FTD conversion rate is also your cleanest quality signal. If plenty of leads register but few deposit, your marketing is attracting curiosity rather than commitment, and no amount of extra traffic fixes a broken funnel. Partners track FTD rate by source to tell genuine trader intent from tyre-kickers before they scale spend.
How it works
When a referred client funds their account for the first time, the broker's system records the amount and timestamp and attributes it to the partner via the tracking link or IB code used at sign-up. The platform then checks the deposit against the offer's qualifying rules: a minimum FTD amount, and often a subsequent minimum traded volume, before the CPA is marked eligible.
Because of that second gate, an FTD rarely releases commission on its own. A typical flow is deposit recorded, qualifying threshold checked, a hold or verification window applied to screen for fraud and early withdrawal, and only then the CPA credited. Under a hybrid deal, the FTD also opens the ongoing revenue-share stream that pays out as the client trades over their lifetime.
1
Lead registers
A referred user opens a live account through your tracking link or IB code, attributing them to you.
2
Client makes the FTD
The client transfers real funds for the first time; the broker records the amount and timestamp.
3
Qualifying threshold check
The system confirms the deposit meets the minimum FTD amount defined in your agreement.
4
Volume / activity gate
Most CPA deals also require a minimum traded lot volume before the commission is released.
5
CPA credited
After any hold or fraud-screening window, the payout is confirmed and appears in your dashboard.
Why it matters for partnership: FTD is the trigger for nearly every CPA payout, so it is the metric partners live or die by. Tracking FTD conversion by source shows whether your traffic is serious traders or window-shoppers, letting you scale winning channels and kill the ones that only produce empty registrations.
Formula
FTD Conversion Rate = Qualified First Deposits / Total Registrations × 100
Real World Example
An affiliate on the IC Markets partner program drives 200 registrations in a month against a $200 minimum qualifying FTD. Of those, 44 fund their accounts but only 31 deposit at least $200. At a $400 CPA the partner earns $12,400 on 31 qualified FTDs, not the $17,600 they would have projected from all 44 deposits, showing why the qualifying threshold governs the real payout.
Registration vs FTD vs qualified FTD
Stage
What it means
Pays commission?
Registration
Lead opens an account, no money
No
Any deposit
Client funds below the minimum
No
Qualified FTD
Deposit meets the offer minimum
Triggers CPA (subject to volume gate)
Pro Tip
If leads register but stall before depositing, trigger an automated follow-up sequence highlighting the broker's deposit bonus and low minimum to nudge them past their FTD while intent is still fresh.
Common Pitfalls
Assuming any FTD instantly releases a CPA payout, when most agreements also require the client to clear a minimum traded volume first, leaving your commission pending far longer than expected.
FAQ
What counts as a First Time Deposit?
The first real-money transfer into a client's live account. For commission purposes it only counts if it meets the offer's minimum qualifying amount, so a token deposit below that threshold does not trigger a payout.
Does an FTD immediately trigger my CPA?
Usually not on its own. Most agreements pair the FTD with a minimum traded-volume requirement and a short hold window before the commission is confirmed and released.
What is a typical minimum FTD?
It varies by broker and offer, commonly $100 to $250. Always read the qualifying amount in your agreement, because it directly governs which deposits actually pay you.
How do I improve my FTD conversion rate?
Qualify traffic better before the click, set accurate expectations, and follow up registrations with reminders about low minimums and deposit bonuses. Track the rate by source so you scale channels that produce real depositors.
What is the difference between a lead and an FTD?
A lead has registered but put in no money, so proves only curiosity. An FTD has funded the account, proving commitment, which is why brokers reward the FTD, not the registration.
Can an FTD be reversed?
Yes. If a client withdraws quickly, is flagged for fraud, or fails the qualifying rules on review, the broker can claw back the associated CPA within the agreed reversal window.
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