By Alex Firdaus | FundedTrading.com | Published: Dec 2025 | Data checked: July 12, 2026
City Traders Imperium Review 2026
CTI is the best-fit prop firm for swing traders who want no time limits, balance-based drawdown on the 2-Step, and a long-term scaling path to $4 million. It has paid traders since 2018, holds over 1,700 Trustpilot reviews at 4.3 out of 5, and won FundedTrading’s Most Trusted Prop Firm 2025 award. The trade-off is low 1:30 leverage and a $1,000/month crypto payout cap that frustrates larger accounts.
Use code FT15 for 15% off (all programs except Instant Funding Pro). Use FT10 for 10% off Instant Funding Pro.
Table of Contents
FundedTrading Award: Most Trusted Prop Firm 2025
FundedTrading voted City Traders Imperium the Most Trusted Prop Firm of 2025. CTI earned the award through a seven-year payout record, a publicly listed leadership team, and a 4.3 Trustpilot score across over 1,700 verified reviews. No other firm in our 2025 review cycle matched CTI on longevity combined with verifiable payout consistency.
The prop trading industry had a rough 2024 and 2025. Several mid-tier firms paused payouts or shut down entirely after payment processor exits and bank de-risking events disrupted the sector. CTI operated through all of it without a payout pause. That track record, not marketing, is what the award is based on.
We also noted something specific in the Trustpilot data: traders name individual support staff. Daniel and Mahmoud get mentioned repeatedly across unrelated reviews. That is a signal of genuine human infrastructure, not an automated support queue.
What is City Traders Imperium?
City Traders Imperium (CTI) is a prop firm that has funded traders since 2018. The skill assessment and funding programs run through City Traders Imperium Limited (Comoros Union, company number 15969), with an operating address in San José, Costa Rica. The CTI Academy runs through a separate entity, CTI FZCO (company number DSO-FZCO-21340), registered at Dubai Silicon Oasis, Building A1, Dubai, UAE. The firm was co-founded by Daniel Martin and Martin Najat.
CTI offers four funding paths: 1-Step Challenge, 2-Step Challenge, Instant Funding, and Instant Funding PRO. Account sizes run from $2,500 to $100,000. The scaling plan goes to $4 million in allocated capital.
Challenge Types and Pricing
As of July 2026, CTI offers four funding models. All challenge fees are refunded with the first payout for challenge accounts. There are no time limits on any CTI program. Take as long as you need to hit the profit target.
1-Step Challenge
One phase. Hit the profit target while staying inside the drawdown limits, then get funded. No daily drawdown on this model. The drawdown on the 1-Step is a 5% trailing type. The floor rises as your balance grows.
| Account | Price | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Daily DD | Min Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $29 | 8% ($200) | 5% trailing ($125) | None | 3 |
| $5,000 | $49 | 8% ($400) | 5% trailing ($250) | None | 3 |
| $10,000 | $79 | 8% ($800) | 5% trailing ($500) | None | 3 |
| $25,000 | $159 | 8% ($2,000) | 5% trailing ($1,250) | None | 3 |
| $50,000 | $299 | 8% ($4,000) | 5% trailing ($2,500) | None | 3 |
| $100,000 | $589 | 8% ($8,000) | 5% trailing ($5,000) | None | 3 |
2-Step Challenge
Two phases. Hit 10% in Phase 1, then 5% in Phase 2. Both phases share the same drawdown limits. This is the balance-based model. Drawdown is calculated from your starting balance, not from peak equity. A strong run on Monday does not shrink your room to trade on Tuesday.
| Account | Price | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Max Loss | Daily DD | Min Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $39 | 10% ($250) | 5% ($125) | 10% ($250) | 5% ($125) | 3 per phase |
| $5,000 | $59 | 10% ($500) | 5% ($250) | 10% ($500) | 5% ($250) | 3 per phase |
| $10,000 | $99 | 10% ($1,000) | 5% ($500) | 10% ($1,000) | 5% ($500) | 3 per phase |
| $25,000 | $199 | 10% ($2,500) | 5% ($1,250) | 10% ($2,500) | 5% ($1,250) | 3 per phase |
| $50,000 | $329 | 10% ($5,000) | 5% ($2,500) | 10% ($5,000) | 5% ($2,500) | 3 per phase |
| $100,000 | $549 | 10% ($10,000) | 5% ($5,000) | 10% ($10,000) | 5% ($5,000) | 3 per phase |
Instant Funding
No evaluation. You start trading immediately on a funded account. CTI uses a two-balance model: you buy at the starting balance and CTI matches it, doubling your capital on day one. A $79 purchase gives you a starting balance of $1,250 that becomes $2,500 fully funded. Every time you hit a 10% profit target, the account doubles again: $2,500 becomes $5,000, then $10,000, up toward $2 million on that path.
| Purchase | Price | Starting Balance | Fully Funded | Max Drawdown | Daily DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5K Instant | $79 | $1,250 | $2,500 | 6% static | None |
| 5K Instant | $139 | $2,500 | $5,000 | 6% static | None |
| 10K Instant | $259 | $5,000 | $10,000 | 6% static | None |
| 20K Instant | $449 | $10,000 | $20,000 | 6% static | None |
| 40K Instant | $849 | $20,000 | $40,000 | 6% static | None |
| 80K Instant | $1,599 | $40,000 | $80,000 | 6% static | None |
Profit split progression on Instant Funding: 50% after completing Level 1, 70% at Level 2, 80% at Level 3. VIP progression unlocks 90% (Bronze) and 100% (Silver). All accounts start on a monthly payout cycle. Bronze VIP upgrades to weekly. Silver VIP unlocks on-demand withdrawals. No daily drawdown applies. Only the 6% static max drawdown.
Instant Funding PRO
Same no-evaluation model but the starting balance equals the fully funded amount from day one. You are not buying at half-size. PRO also enters at Level 2 of the funded ladder (70% profit split from the first payout, skipping the 50% Level 1 entry). Sizes: $5K, $10K, $20K, $40K, $80K. Pricing runs from $229 to $3,999. The $4 million maximum scaling target applies to this path.
Drawdown Rules Explained
CTI uses three different drawdown approaches across its account types. Most reviews treat them all the same. They are not.
Full Trading Rules
| Rule | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| News trading | Allowed | News bracketing bots and automated news-scalping EAs are banned. Manual news trading is permitted. |
| Weekend holding | Allowed | No forced close before market close on Friday. |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | Conditional | Allowed only if you own the source code. Third-party or commercial EAs (including rented robots) are prohibited. |
| Copy trading | Prohibited | Cross-account copying is banned. CTI’s compliance team monitors for trade similarity across accounts. This includes copying from your own personal account to a CTI account. |
| Martingale | Prohibited | Doubling down on losing trades is prohibited. CTI’s risk team flags progressive position sizing patterns. |
| Latency arbitrage | Prohibited | Exploiting price feed delays between platforms is considered manipulation. |
| One-sided betting | Flagged | Consistently trading one direction on the same instrument across all trades can trigger a compliance review. CTI has closed accounts for persistent EURUSD short-only strategies. If your edge is directional, test on a small account first. |
| VPN/VPS | Conditional | Allowed, but your IP region must match the country you registered with. A static IP is preferred and can be whitelisted. Region changes require documented proof. |
| Group hedging | Prohibited | Coordinating positions across multiple traders or accounts to hedge risk is treated as manipulation. |
| Scalping | Allowed | No minimum hold time stated on the official site. |
| Time limit | None | All CTI programs have no time limit to hit profit targets. |
Platforms
CTI offers MetaTrader 5 and Match Trader. Both are available on desktop, web browser, and mobile (iOS and Android). MT5 is the primary platform. Match Trader is available as an alternative, particularly for traders in jurisdictions where MT5 has restrictions, including some US-based traders.
CTI’s dashboard also includes an Account Metrix tool, risk calculator, and affiliate portal regardless of which platform you trade on. These are built into the trader account. No separate subscription needed.
Payouts and the VIP Program
Standard Payout Schedule
All CTI accounts start on a monthly payout cycle. CTI’s own payout guide confirms the progression: standard accounts pay monthly, Bronze VIP upgrades to weekly, and Silver VIP unlocks on-demand withdrawals. The first payout is available after meeting the minimum profit and trading-day conditions. Multiple Trustpilot traders report first payouts processing within 14 days of meeting those requirements.
Withdrawal methods: bank transfer or crypto. Challenge fee refunds are subject to CTI’s Refund Policy. Check citytradersimperium.com/fee-refund-policy/ before purchasing if the refund is a factor in your decision. Crypto withdrawals are capped at $1,000 per month. This is a recurring frustration in trader reviews for accounts with larger balances.
The VIP Program: Bronze, Silver, and Gold
CTI’s VIP program upgrades your profit split and payout frequency based on sustained performance. The three tiers have specific, published conditions with no ambiguity.
| Tier | Profit Split | Payout Frequency | Key Conditions | Extra Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 90% | Weekly | Active account with no failures in 4 months. At least 4 payouts processed at 4% profit per reward. | VIP support access, 1-on-1 coaching session, 30% discount on future purchases |
| Silver | 100% | On demand (any time) | Bronze for 4 months. 4 more payouts at 3% profit each. Must reach max allocation. | Free in-person coaching, CTI merchandise delivered, all Bronze perks |
| Gold | 100% | On demand | Silver for 4 months. 4 more payouts at 2% profit each. | Potential 1-year monthly salary, institutional trading conditions, custom funding terms |
The Gold tier salary is the unique feature no other prop firm in this price range offers. It is described as a “potential” monthly salary. It is not guaranteed . and is subject to Gold conditions being maintained and subject to ongoing review. It effectively converts a funded trader role into a salaried position for CTI’s top performers.
Scaling Plan
Funded accounts scale in 50% balance increments each time you hit the profit target. A $100,000 funded account scales to $150,000, then to $200,000, then continues up. The ceiling, per CTI’s official comparison table, is $4 million in allocated capital. Profit share stays at 80%–100% across all scaling levels depending on VIP tier.
CTI Academy
Every CTI challenge purchase includes free access to the CTI Academy. This is not a PDF or a YouTube playlist. The Academy runs as a separate platform at academy.citytradersimperium.com and includes structured courses.
Flagship courses include Bank Level Trading (BLT) and the Trading Psychology Blueprint. The Academy is run by Daniel Martin, who is frequently cited in Trustpilot success stories for helping traders with psychological blockers: over-trading, revenge trading, and consistency issues. The platform also runs a free trial account that does not require a purchase to access, which is worth doing before you commit to a paid challenge.
The Academy is a genuine differentiator. Most prop firms do not invest in post-purchase education. CTI includes it because the firm’s model depends on traders staying funded long-term, not failing and buying again. That incentive alignment is visible in the product.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Operational since 2018. Longest track record among mid-tier prop firms
- Won FundedTrading Most Trusted Prop Firm 2025
- 2-Step uses balance-based drawdown. Open profits do not shrink your buffer
- No time limit on any challenge type
- News trading and weekend holding both allowed
- CTI Academy included free with every purchase
- VIP program has a monthly salary tier for Gold-level traders
- Challenge fee refunded on first payout
- 1-Step starts at $29. Lowest entry point in the lineup
- Named, responsive human support (Discord and live chat)
Cons
- Leverage capped at 1:30. Incompatible with high-leverage strategies
- Crypto withdrawal limit of $1,000/month frustrates traders on larger accounts
- 1-Step trailing drawdown catches traders who run up balance then give it back
- EA rule requires source code ownership. Commercial EAs are banned
- One-sided directional strategies have triggered account closures in 2025–2026
- Instant Funding profit split starts at 50% (Level 1), not 80%
- VIP tier progression takes a minimum of 12 months to reach Gold
City Traders Imperium Discount Codes
FT15: 15% Off All Programs (Except Instant Funding Pro)
Use code FT15 at checkout for 15% off the 1-Step Challenge, 2-Step Challenge, and standard Instant Funding accounts.
Offer: 15% discount on 1-Step, 2-Step, and Instant Funding. Does not apply to Instant Funding Pro.
FT10: 10% Off Instant Funding Pro Only
Use code FT10 at checkout for 10% off the Instant Funding Pro program.
Offer: 10% discount on Instant Funding Pro accounts only. Use FT15 for all other programs.
You can only apply one code at checkout. Use FT15 for everything except Instant Funding Pro. Use FT10 for Instant Funding Pro only.
Is City Traders Imperium Legit?
Yes. CTI has paid traders consistently since 2018. The firm holds over 1,700 reviews on Trustpilot with a 4.3 out of 5 score as of July 2026. When negative reviews appear, CTI publishes its evidence in the reply: trade data, payout records, and compliance findings. That public accountability is not common in this industry.
The legal entity for skill assessment programs is City Traders Imperium Limited, registered in the Comoros Union (company number 15969) with an operating address in San José, Costa Rica. The Academy operates through a separate entity, CTI FZCO (company number DSO-FZCO-21340), at Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE. Both entities are publicly listed in the legal footer at citytradersimperium.com.
CTI is not a broker and does not manage client funds. It is a simulated trading skill assessment company that awards performance-based payouts. Prop firms in this model do not require FCA, ASIC, or CySEC regulation and the absence of a financial license is not a red flag. It is standard for the category.
The main risk factors to know: payout denials have occurred when CTI’s risk team flagged copy trading between accounts, one-sided directional strategies, or “gambling” behavior (stop loss exceeding 5–6% of balance in a single trade). CTI publishes its conduct policy and terms publicly at citytradersimperium.com. Read both before you buy a large account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City Traders Imperium legit?
Yes. CTI has been paying traders since 2018 with a documented payout history. It holds a 4.3 out of 5 Trustpilot score across over 1,700 reviews as of July 2026 and won FundedTrading’s Most Trusted Prop Firm 2025 award. The legal entity (City Traders Imperium Limited) is publicly registered in the Comoros Union. The Academy runs through CTI FZCO in Dubai, UAE.
How does the CTI drawdown work?
It depends on the account type. The 1-Step Challenge uses a 5% trailing drawdown with no daily limit. The floor rises as your balance grows and never comes back down. The 2-Step uses a 10% balance-based max loss limit and a 5% daily loss limit, both calculated from starting balance. Instant Funding and Instant Funding PRO use a 6% static max drawdown with no daily drawdown and no trailing drawdown.
How does CTI payout work?
All CTI accounts start on a monthly payout cycle. Bronze VIP upgrades to weekly payouts. Silver VIP unlocks on-demand withdrawals. First payout is available after meeting the minimum profit and trading-day conditions. Traders report first payouts within 14 days of qualifying. Crypto withdrawals are capped at $1,000 per month. Bank transfer does not have the same cap. Challenge fee refunds are subject to CTI’s Refund Policy at citytradersimperium.com.
What platforms does CTI use?
MetaTrader 5 and Match Trader. Both are available on desktop, web, and mobile. MT5 is the primary platform. Match Trader is available for traders in regions where MT5 has access restrictions. CTI’s trading server is based in London, so a London-based VPS is recommended for low latency.
What is the CTI VIP program?
A three-tier performance program. Bronze requires 4 months active with no account failures and 4 payouts at 4% profit each, and grants 90% split, weekly payouts, and a 30% discount on future purchases. Silver requires 4 more months at Bronze with 4 more payouts at 3% each, and grants 100% split and on-demand withdrawals. Gold requires 4 months at Silver with 4 payouts at 2% each, and unlocks a potential one-year monthly salary and institutional trading conditions.
Can I use EAs on CTI?
Yes, but only if you own the source code of the EA. Third-party or rented commercial EAs are prohibited. Martingale, latency arbitrage, and high-frequency news-scalping bots are also banned. If you use a custom-built EA and own the code, contact CTI support before starting to confirm it complies with their conduct policy.
What are the CTI discount codes?
FundedTrading has two verified codes. FT15 gives 15% off the 1-Step Challenge, 2-Step Challenge, and standard Instant Funding. FT10 gives 10% off Instant Funding Pro only. You can only apply one code at checkout, so pick the one that matches your chosen program.
What is the CTI “one-sided betting” rule?
CTI prohibits strategies where a trader consistently trades only one direction on the same instrument across all or most of their trades. At least two documented cases in 2025-2026 involved traders who only shorted EURUSD across all positions. CTI’s risk team flagged this as rule-breaking rather than a trading strategy. If your edge is consistently directional on a single instrument, test on a small account first and confirm with CTI support that your approach is acceptable.
Ready to Try City Traders Imperium?
CTI is the prop firm with the longest payout track record in the mid-tier space. Use FT15 for 15% off challenge accounts, or FT10 for 10% off Instant Funding Pro.
Start at City Traders Imperium →