FINRA Proposes Scrapping $25,000 Day-Trading Floor

FINRA has filed a rule proposal to eliminate the $25,000 minimum equity threshold required for pattern day traders, replacing it with real-time risk calculations. The shift, if approved by the SEC, would allow smaller accounts to trade intraday without hitting that barrier—though new margin rules would still constrain leverage. Brokers will need 12–18 months to overhaul systems for continuous risk monitoring.