A Qualified Eligible Participant (QEP) is an individual who meets the requirements to trade in different investment funds, such as futures and hedge funds. In order to become a qualified eligible participant, an individual must meet certain criteria set forth by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).The CFTC has established two tiers of qualification for individuals seeking to participate in commodity trading: Tier 1 and Tier 2. In order to qualify for Tier 1 status, an individual must have:
A net worth of over $10 million;
Investment experience; or
Meet other specific qualifications set forth by the CFTC.
Tier 2 status requires a net worth of over $5 million.
Individuals who are not qualified eligible participants may still be able to trade commodity interests through another party that qualifies as a registered entity with the CFTC.