day trading stocks, forex, or futures markets. How much money you need depends on the style of trading that you wish to do, where you trade, and the market you trade (stocks, forex or futures). Day Trading Requirements in the US and Abroad for Stock Traders. To day trade US stocks, you need to maintain an account balance of $25,000 or more. Pros and Cons of Day Trading Versus Long-Term Investing Oct 21, 2018 · Day trading and investing for the long term are both viable forms of securities trading, and many traders opt to do both. Day trading involves making trades that last for seconds or minutes, taking advantage of short-term fluctuations in an asset's price. With day trading, all positions are opened and closed within the same day.