Pattern Day Trader Rule Change | What is the New PDT Rule?

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - June 9, 2026 - PRLog -- FINRA has replaced the Pattern Day Trading (PDT) rule with new intraday margin standards under amended Rule 4210. After nearly 25 years, the $25,000 minimum equity requirement, the day trade count limit, and the PDT designation have all been removed.

Members that need more time may phase in the new standards over 18 months, until October 20, 2027.

What the Old PDT Rule Required

The former rule, approved by the SEC in February 2001 and effective from September 28, 2001, required anyone day trading US stocks in a margin account to hold at least $25,000 at the end of each session. A day trade was defined as buying and selling the same security on the same day.

Traders below the threshold were capped at three day trades in a rolling five business day period. Crossing four or more could flag the account, restrict it to closing positions only, and trigger a freeze of up to 90 days.

What the New PDT Rule Changes

Under the new framework, margin is calculated on real-time risk and exposure rather than trade frequency. Key points include:

• The $25,000 minimum is removed, and the PDT designation no longer exists.
• The margin account minimum is now $2,000. Below that, deposited funds can be used but no margin is granted.
• Brokers assess intraday margin deficits either through real-time monitoring or a single end of day calculation.
• Buying power is now dynamic and broker-set, calculated from volatility and position risk rather than a flat 4:1 multiplier.
• The redesigned 90-day restriction limits new short positions or debit balances. It applies only if a trader repeatedly fails to satisfy intraday margin deficits and does not cure one by the fifth business day. Deficits below 5% of account equity or $1,000 do not count.

What This Means for Traders

Active trading is now accessible with far less capital. With as little as $2,000, traders can open a margin account and trade without a cap on day trades, including scalping, zero day to expiration options, and intraday momentum setups.

Some limits remain. Cash account settlement stays at T+1, the rule never applied to IRAs, and brokers may set their own minimums above $2,000.

Existing PDT flags should be reset under the new rules.

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