Account Restricted to Closing Trades Only (Liquidation-Only)
Last updated: November 6, 2026
If your account is restricted to closing trades, sometimes called liquidation-only, you can still sell or close the positions you hold and cancel open orders. New orders that would open a position or add to one are rejected. The restriction stays in place until the reason for it is resolved and our team removes it.
What you can and can't do
You can sell shares you own, close option positions, and buy to cover a short position.
You can cancel open orders.
Orders that would open a new position or add to an existing one are rejected.
Depending on the reason for the restriction, withdrawals may also be limited.
The restriction doesn't sell your positions by itself. Separately, positions may be sold if your account doesn't meet its margin requirements. See 📄 Account Type and Margin .
Why an account is restricted
Common reasons are:
A margin deficit or margin call that hasn't been met.
Repeatedly not meeting intraday margin deficits on time, which can lead to a 90-day restriction under FINRA's intraday margin rules. See 📄 Pattern Day Trading (PDT) Rule Removed: Intraday Margin Rules .
A deposit that your bank returned. See 📄 Returned or Failed Deposits .
A review of your account.
How to get the restriction lifted
Contact Support about the restriction on your account. See 📄 How to Contact Clear Street Support .
Resolve the reason:
Margin deficit: deposit funds, or reduce or close positions, until the deficit is met.
Returned deposit: deposit at least the full amount of the returned deposit, and wait for it to clear.
Account review: Support will tell you if anything is needed from you.
Once the reason is resolved, let Support know so the team can review your account and remove the restriction.
How long it lasts
There's no set length. The restriction lasts until the reason is resolved and our team removes it. A 90-day restriction under FINRA's intraday margin rules follows the timing in the PDT article linked above.