City Traders Imperium (CTI) is an established prop firm founded in 2018 that focuses on structured funding models rather than aggressive growth. You can choose between One Step and Two Step challenges or Instant Funding programs, all of which run on simulated accounts with no time limits and balance-based drawdown rules. Scaling is available, but meaningful growth mainly applies to Instant Funding accounts rather than evaluation challenges.
Compared to newer prop firms, CTI is more restrictive – account sizes are smaller, leverage is low across all account types, and market coverage is limited, with no stocks and fewer instruments than competitors like DNA Funded or Blueberry Funded. Profit splits can reach 100%, but they start lower on Instant Funding and only improve after hitting multiple profit milestones, which slows early earnings.
CTI is best suited to traders who prefer slower progression, strict risk controls, and long-term consistency over flexibility or fast payouts. If you’re looking for higher leverage, larger starting capital, or broader markets, there are stronger options available in 2026.
City Traders Imperium offers four routes to funding: a One Step challenge, a Two Step challenge, and two Instant Funding models. All challenges and funded accounts operate on simulated accounts, use balance-based drawdown, and have no maximum time limits.
| Account Type | Evaluation Steps | Account Sizes | Time Limit | Drawdown Model | Profit Split | Scaling Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Step Challenge | One phase | $2,500 – $100,000 | No limit | Balance-based (static) | 80%–100% | Up to $200K per account |
| Two Step Challenge | Two phases | $2,500 – $100,000 | No limit | Balance-based (static) | 80%–100% | Up to $200K per account |
| Instant Funding | No evaluation | $2,500 – $80,000 | No limit | Balance-based (static) | Up to 100% (scales) | Up to $2M per account |
| Instant Funding Pro | No evaluation | $5,000 – $80,000 | No limit | Balance-based (static) | Up to 100% (scales) | Up to $2M per account |
The One Step Challenge is CTI’s simplest evaluation, requiring you to reach a single profit target while staying within defined drawdown limits.
You must achieve a 10% profit target with no time limit, using a balance-based (static) drawdown model. Both a maximum daily drawdown and a maximum overall drawdown apply, and breaching either results in account failure.
While CTI markets scaling across its programs, One Step accounts are effectively capped at $200,000 per account. This means the widely promoted $4 million scaling potential does not apply to this challenge type.
| Account Size | One-Time Fee | Profit Target ($) | Max Daily Drawdown ($) | Max Overall Drawdown ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $49 | $250 | $125 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $59 | $500 | $250 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $99 | $1,000 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $179 | $2,500 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $329 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $519 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
The Two Step Challenge follows a more traditional evaluation structure, split across two phases with smaller profit targets.
In Phase One, you must reach a 10% profit target, followed by 5% in Phase Two, while remaining within the same balance-based drawdown limits. There is no time limit, and CTI requires a minimum number of profitable trading days in each phase.
Like the One Step Challenge, Two Step accounts are subject to an effective scaling cap of $200,000 per account, making this route more suitable for traders focused on passing an evaluation rather than long-term capital growth.
| Account Size | One-Time Fee | Phase 1 Target ($) | Phase 2 Target ($) | Max Daily Drawdown ($) | Max Overall Drawdown ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $39 | $250 | $125 | $125 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $59 | $500 | $250 | $250 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $99 | $1,000 | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $179 | $2,500 | $1,250 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $329 | $5,000 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $519 | $10,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Instant Funding
Instant Funding allows you to skip the evaluation process and start trading on a simulated funded account immediately.
Each time you reach a 10% profit milestone, the account balance doubles, allowing you to scale progressively up to $2 million per account and $4 million across multiple accounts.
Profit share starts lower than evaluation-based programs and increases as you scale, reaching up to 100% at higher funding levels. While Instant Funding offers more freedom, including news trading and weekend holding, the early-stage profit split is notably lower than most competing instant funding firms.
| Account Size | One-Time Fee | Starting Balance | Fully Funded Level | Profit Target to Scale ($) | Max Drawdown ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $89 | $1,250 | $2,500 | $250 | $150 |
| $5,000 | $249 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $500 | $300 |
| $10,000 | $449 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $1,000 | $600 |
| $20,000 | $849 | $10,000 | $20,000 | $2,000 | $1,200 |
| $40,000 | $1,499 | $20,000 | $40,000 | $4,000 | $2,400 |
| $80,000 | $2,399 | $40,000 | $80,000 | $8,000 | $4,800 |
Instant Funding Pro
Instant Funding Pro is a higher-cost version of the standard Instant Funding model designed to accelerate access to larger capital.
You start at a higher funding level but operate under the same 10% scaling milestones. Profit share still begins at the lower tier and improves only as you progress through the scaling structure.
While this model shortens the path to larger account sizes, it does not materially improve early earning potential compared to standard Instant Funding.
| Account Size | One-Time Fee | Fully Funded Level | Profit Target to Scale ($) | Max Drawdown ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $329 | $5,000 | $500 | $300 |
| $10,000 | $599 | $10,000 | $1,000 | $600 |
| $20,000 | $1,199 | $20,000 | $2,000 | $1,200 |
| $40,000 | $2,399 | $40,000 | $4,000 | $2,400 |
| $80,000 | $4,799 | $80,000 | $8,000 | $4,800 |
CTI’s Golden Trader Program rewards long-term consistency rather than short-term performance. It is divided into Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.
While the structure is transparent, the qualification requirements are demanding, and most traders will not reach the higher tiers.
Scaling depends heavily on the prop account type you choose. One Step and Two Step Challenges scale incrementally but are effectively capped at $200,000 per account. But Instant Funding and Instant Funding Pro allow balance doubling at every 10% profit milestone, with a maximum of $2 million per account and $4 million in total funding.
Profit splits improve as you scale, particularly on Instant Funding accounts, but meaningful increases require sustained performance over multiple levels.
Verdict on Challenges
CTI offers flexibility through multiple funding routes, but each comes with clear trade-offs. Evaluation challenges limit long-term scaling, while Instant Funding provides higher capital potential at the cost of lower early profit splits. Balance-based drawdown and unlimited time limits improve flexibility, but leverage and earning potential remain conservative compared to top-tier competitors.
This mix explains why CTI scores 8/10 for challenges, varied and structured, but constrained in ways that matter once you look beyond the surface.
CTI’s spreads are reasonable but not the tightest you’ll find. EUR/USD averages around 0.3 pips, which is fine for most strategies, but it isn’t consistently lower than other top prop firms.
The bigger issue is that CTI doesn’t publish much detail beyond the majors, so if you trade indices, commodities, or cross pairs, you’re left guessing what your real costs will look like until you’re in the account.
Execution is handled through Broctagon, a CySEC regulated liquidity provider. That setup gives you access to institutional grade liquidity rather than a forex broker feed.
Commission fees are straightforward and competitive, especially for commodities and forex trading where roundturn commission is $5 per lot, well below the industry average of $7.
Indices are cheaper at $0.50 per lot, and crypto is commission free.
| Asset Class | Commission Fee (Per Side) | Commission Fee (Roundturn) |
|---|---|---|
| Forex | $2.50 per lot | $5 per lot |
| Commodities | $2.50 per lot | $5 per lot |
| Indices | $0.25 per lot | $0.50 per lot |
| Crypto | Zero commission | Zero commission |
Verdict on Spreads
Overall, costs for forex and indices are competitive, and if you’re mostly focused on majors, the setup works well. If you trade a broader range of markets, it’s harder to judge whether CTI offers good value compared to other firms.
CTI gives access to 50 instruments in total, split between 28 forex pairs, 13 indices, 3 commodities, and 6 cryptocurrencies. The coverage is okay but the real issue is leverage, which is far lower than you’ll find at the majority of prop firms.
On CTI’s One Step and Two Step challenge accounts, forex leverage is capped at 1:30, which is similar to what you’d see with regulated retail brokers. Indices and commodities are more restricted at 1:10, while crypto leverage remains fixed at 1:2.
Leverage becomes more restrictive on Instant Funding accounts. Forex, indices, and commodities are all limited to 1:10, with crypto still capped at 1:2. This conservative leverage structure reduces exposure but also limits flexibility, particularly if you rely on position sizing rather than tight stop placement.
| Asset Class | Number of Markets | Leverage (1-Step & 2-Step) | Leverage (No Evaluation) | Examples of Symbols |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Pairs | 28 | 1:30 | 1:10 | EUR/USD, GBP/JPY, USD/CAD |
| Commodities | 3 | 1:10 | 1:10 | XAU/USD, XAG/USD, XTI/USD |
| Indices | 13 | 1:10 | 1:10 | US30, UK100, DE40 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 6 | 1:2 | 1:2 | BTC/USD, ETH/USD, ADA/USD |
Compared to firms like FundedNext, which offers up to 1:100 leverage, or DNA Funded and Blueberry Funded, which both provide up to 1:50 on two step challenges, CTI’s leverage is clearly on the lower end and will feel restrictive if you trade more aggressively.
Verdict on Markets
CTI offers an average product range with forex, indices, commodities, and a few cryptos, but no stocks or broader coverage. The biggest issue is leverage, capped at 1:30 on challenges and only 1:10 on instant funding, which is well below most firms. Therefore, minimal markets and low leverage means they only earnt a 7/10 score for markets.
CTI now offers two platforms: MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and MatchTrader but what you can use depends on where you live. MT5 is available to traders outside the US, while US clients are limited to MatchTrader.
MT5 is the natural upgrade from MT4, with more timeframes, extra indicators, depth of market, and an integrated economic calendar. It supports automated trading and gives you the flexibility to run advanced strategies, whether you’re on desktop, web, or mobile. For most experienced traders outside the US, MT5 will feel like the obvious choice.
Match Trader is the alternative for US traders and has fewer features than MT5, but it covers the basics well. You still get multiple order types, solid charting, and mobile or web access, so it works fine if you’re looking for an easy-to-use setup without the complexity of MT5.
Verdict of Trading Platforms
The split between MT5 and Match Trader isn’t ideal, as US traders miss out on the more advanced platform. Still, having both options does give CTI coverage across regions, and while MT5 is the stronger of the two, Match Trader holds up as a functional alternative.
City Traders Imperium (CTI) offers flexible payment options for challenge fees and profit payouts, including bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, and credit/debit cards. However, the minimum withdrawal is relatively high, and the withdrawal methods differ from the options available for paying fees.
City Traders Imperium (CTI) offers multiple payment methods for the one-time audition fee, including credit cards, debit cards, cryptocurrencies, and bank wire transfers. The fee range depends on the evaluation process and funding level selected, ranging from $39 to $4,799.
The cryptos available for fee payments are:
It is worth noting, to pay via bank transfer, you’ll need to contact support and request an invoice, providing details of the funding program and preferred payment method.
City Traders Imperium does not offer refunds once trading activity has started on an account. The one-time access fee may only be eligible for a refund if the account remains completely inactive and a request is made within seven days of purchase, in line with CTI’s refund policy. Fees for Instant Funding programs are non-refundable once access has been granted.
You’ll face a minimum profit withdrawal of $100, yet CTI makes the profit payouts relatively straight-forward through their centralized Dashboard Wallet. Once you reach your profit targets, you can transfer your earnings from the trading account to your Wallet for withdrawal. Payment methods for withdrawals include bank transfers and cryptocurrency wallets.
Fully funded traders who meet CTI’s salary criteria receive monthly payments based on their account size. These salary payments are separate from profit payouts and are available only to traders who have completed the evaluation phase. Salary payments are deposited directly into the trader’s bank or crypto wallet.
Verdict on Payments and Payouts
Profit payouts are efficient, with straightforward withdrawal processes via bank transfer or cryptocurrency. The addition of funded trader salaries further rewards consistent performance.
City Traders Imperium focuses on supporting traders through dedicated customer service and comprehensive educational programs. Below we’ll look at the various support options available and the educational resources designed to enhance prop trading skills and knowledge.
City Traders Imperium provides customer support through various channels, including live chat, email, and a comprehensive FAQ section, which is managed by an interactive chat bot. While helpful for basic queries, the chat bot is less advanced compared to AI bots used by prop firms like IC Funded or FundedNext, which may offer more dynamic responses.
City Traders Imperium offers a wide range of educational resources to help traders at all skill levels:
City Traders Imperium complements these resources with ongoing courses and webinars, diving into specific trading strategies and market analyses, equipping traders with the knowledge to succeed in professional trading environments.
Verdict on Support
CTI provides comprehensive support through live chat, email, and an FAQ section. The active Discord community and educational resources enhance the overall trader experience.
City Traders Imperium (CTI), established in 2018 and based in Dubai, has quickly built a reputation for creating a solid prop trading community with generally favorable feedback from clients.
While we consider CTI a well-established and trusted prop firm, it is important to note that CTI is not a brokerage service but a proprietary trading firm. They partner with a CySEC regulated broker and liquidity provider, Broctagon, to ensure high-quality trading conditions and regulatory compliance, enhancing the security and reliability of their trading environment.
CTI maintains an excellent TrustPilot score of 4.4 out of 5. Customer reviews frequently praise the platform for its comprehensive support and prop trading tools. However, there are occasional critiques regarding server reliability during volatile market conditions, which the company actively addresses in its responses, highlighting their commitment to continuous improvement.
The community engagement at CTI is extensive and active, shown by their over 24K Discord members, including over 700 funded traders. CTI’s discord channel provides valuable trading information and client support, as well as announcements around promotions and giveaways.
On social media, CTI has a significant presence with 21.8k followers on Twitter/X, 4.6k on Facebook, and over 21.5k on Instagram. These platforms are utilized not just for announcements and support but also for sharing success stories and educational content, which helps maintain a connected and informed community.
Verdict on Trust and Community
CTI’s strong TrustPilot score (4.4/5) and partnerships with CySEC-regulated liquidity providers establish it as a reliable and secure prop trading firm.
City Traders Imperium sees around 9,900 Google searches each month, ranking it as the 30th most searched prop firm in 2025. It also received 189,390 global visits in March 2025, placing it 26th for website traffic among the prop firms we track.
Since launching in 2018, CTI says it has funded over 36,000 prop traders and allocated more than $367 million in capital, making it one of the most established names in the prop trading industry.
Search interest is highest in the United States and India, followed by the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Nigeria, showing where CTI has its largest trading communities.
| Country | Q1 2025 Monthly Searches |
|---|---|
| United States | 880 |
| India | 880 |
| United Kingdom | 720 |
| South Africa | 390 |
| Nigeria | 390 |
| Pakistan | 260 |
| Vietnam | 260 |
| Canada | 210 |
| Indonesia | 210 |
| Germany | 170 |
| Malaysia | 170 |
| Kenya | 170 |
| France | 170 |
| Australia | 140 |
| Brazil | 110 |
| Italy | 110 |
| Spain | 90 |
| Singapore | 90 |
| Netherlands | 90 |
| Philippines | 90 |
| Poland | 50 |
| Uzbekistan | 40 |
| Austria | 30 |
| Cyprus | 20 |
| Hong Kong | 20 |
  United States
|
880 1st
|
  India
|
880 2nd
|
  United Kingdom
|
720 3rd
|
  South Africa
|
390 4th
|
  Nigeria
|
390 5th
|
  Pakistan
|
260 6th
|
  Vietnam
|
260 7th
|
  Canada
|
210 8th
|
  Indonesia
|
210 9th
|
  Germany
|
170 10th
|
Getting started with City Traders Imperium (CTI) is straightforward. Follow these steps:
City Traders Imperium is a viable option if you want multiple routes to funding, including One Step, Two Step, and Instant Funding programs, all with no time limits and balance-based drawdown rules. You trade on simulated funded accounts and can scale capital by hitting fixed profit milestones, with profit splits that increase over time and can reach 100% under the VIP structure.
That said, account sizes, leverage, and market coverage are more limited than many competitors, so CTI makes more sense if you prioritise clear rules and long-term progression over higher risk or aggressive exposure.
City Traders Imperium prop challenges work by requiring you to hit profit targets while staying within fixed drawdown rules, with no time limits to pass. You can choose a One Step Challenge with a single target, a Two Step Challenge that splits the evaluation into two phases, or skip evaluations entirely with Instant Funding and Instant Funding Pro, where you trade on a simulated funded account immediately and scale as you hit profit milestones.
Yes, City Traders Imperium is a prop firm accepting US clients, but you’ll be limited to using the MatchTrader platform instead of MT5. If you’re based outside the US, you can access MT5, while US-based traders still have full access to CTI’s challenge programs, Instant Funding models, payouts, and scaling plans through MatchTrader.
Your profit share at CTI depends on the program you choose and how consistently you perform, starting lower and increasing as you scale. On challenge-funded accounts, you typically earn 80% and can increase up to 100%, while Instant Funding starts at 50%, then increases to 70%–100% as you progress through profit milestones and VIP levels. If you trade consistently, you can also qualify for CTI’s VIP Program, which unlocks higher profit shares, faster payouts, and potential monthly salary payments.
Proprietary trading firms give you access to funded trading accounts so you can trade financial markets without risking your own capital. Instead of depositing money, you pay a one-time access fee and trade on a simulated account, keeping a percentage of the profits you generate as long as you follow the firm’s rules on risk, drawdown, and consistency.