City Traders Imperium Overview
Everything you need to know at a glance.
City Traders Imperium (CTI) is a forex prop firm founded in 2018 — one of the longest-running names in the industry — now operated by City Traders Imperium Limited, registered in the Comoros Union (company #15969, License L15969/CTI). Its lineup spans four programs — 1-Step, 2-Step, Instant Funding, and Instant Funding Pro — with balance-based drawdown, no time limits, and profit splits that start at 80% and climb to 100% via scaling milestones, up to a $4,000,000 ceiling.
CTI stands out on choice. The 1-Step Challenge is the cheapest way in — from just $29 — with an 8% target, a 5% balance-based max drawdown and no daily drawdown. The 2-Step Challenge trades a second phase for double the drawdown room (10% max, 5% daily). Instant Funding skips the evaluation with a distinctive half-start: you begin on 50% of the balance and scale to the full account at +10%. Instant Funding Pro hands you the full balance from day 1. Every plan includes the free CTI Academy, and a free trial is available with no payment details.
The 30-second verdict
Want the cheapest way in? Go 1-Step (from $29). Want more drawdown room? Go 2-Step (10% max vs 5%). Want funding today? Go Instant (half-start, lowest instant pricing) or Instant Pro (full balance from day 1). Across the board CTI allows news trading and weekend holding, sets no time limits, uses balance-based drawdown, and scales funded traders up to $200K per account on the 1-/2-Step and $2M per account on the Instant programs, with a split rising from 80% to 100%. No promo code is currently active (SINCE2018 expired 30 September 2026), so the prices shown are list prices.
City Traders Imperium gives forex traders a rare combination — a $29 entry point, evaluation and instant paths side by side, no time limits, and a scaling plan that runs all the way to $4 million at up to a 100% split.
— Jered Klima, Editor in Chief
How we scored it
Our scoring breakdown
CTI scores highest on pricing, longevity (operating since 2018), and the breadth of its lineup — evaluation and instant paths side by side with scaling to $4M. Several payout and platform details are still being verified, which keeps it shy of a perfect mark.
💰 Pricing & Value4.8
📊 Profit Split4.6
⚡ Payout Speed4.2
📜 Trading Rules4.5
🛠 Platforms & Tools3.8
🤝 Customer Support4.3
Account Types
Eval + Instant
4 forex programs
Days to Payout
7 Days / Instant
1st payout · then anytime
Max Accounts
2 × $100K
or equivalent · $200K/acct
Account Sizes
$2.5K–$100K
By program
Drawdown
Balance-Based
No trailing on Instant
Consistency
None Stated
Not required to pass · 3 min profitable days
Platforms
Allowed
Forex
News Trading
Weekend Holding
No Time Limits
Balance-Based Drawdown
Scaling to $4M
Watch Outs
MT5 · Match Trader
Instant Starts at 50% Balance
What we love
10 pros
- Operating since 2018 — one of the longest-running forex prop firms
- Entry from just $29 (1-Step $2.5K)
- Profit split from 80% rising to 100% via milestones
- Scaling plan up to $4,000,000
- Balance-based drawdown — never trailing on Instant programs
- No daily drawdown on the 1-Step and both Instant programs
- News trading and weekend holding allowed; no time limits
- Instant funding two ways — half-start or full balance from day 1
- Free CTI Academy with every plan + free trial (no payment details)
- First payout after 7 days, then anytime; instant payouts on Instant
Watch out for
5 cons
- Registered in the Comoros (offshore) — formerly presented as UK-based
- Platforms: MT5 (non-USA) & Match Trader with TradingView (USA)
- Instant Funding starts you on only 50% of the account balance
- Instant Funding Pro is the priciest route (from $229 at $5K)
- Payouts: min $100 · bank or crypto · first after 7 days (Instant 5)
Comparison
City Traders Imperium vs. popular alternatives
How City Traders Imperium stacks up against Topstep and Alpha Futures. Note: CTI is a forex firm, while both comparison firms trade futures.
| Metric | City Traders Imperium | Topstep | Alpha Futures |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50K Challenge Fee | $29 | $165$85 | $79$59 |
| Reward / Profit Split | 80% – 100% | 90% (100% first $10K) | 90% / 10% |
| Days to Payout | 7 days, then anytime | 5 days | 5 days |
| Drawdown Type | EOD Trailing | EOD Trailing | EOD Trailing |
| Max Funded Accounts | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Daily Payout Option | Instant (Instant programs) | No | No |
| CPF Score | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.9 |
💡 Bottom line: City Traders Imperium is the forex option here — Topstep and Alpha Futures both trade futures, so this is a cross-market comparison. CTI wins on entry price ($29), split ceiling (up to 100%), scaling ($4M) and time freedom (no time limits, news and weekends allowed). Topstep counters with a 100%-first-$10K threshold and brand recognition; Alpha Futures brings a 90/10 split on futures. If you trade FX and want a firm that has been around since 2018 with instant-funding options, CTI is the natural pick of the three.
Accounts
Compare all account types and sizes to find the perfect fit for your trading goals.
← Back to all account types
View Full Payout Rules ⧉
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›
🎯
1-Step Challenge
Lowest Entry
1-Step Challenge • No Consistency Rule • No Daily Loss Limit
🏷️
One Time Fee
$99.99
No monthly costs.
📊
Profit Split
80%
Your share of profits.
🎯
Profit Target
$1,500
Single step to funding.
📉
Max Loss
$1,000
EOD trailing limit.
💵
Payouts
From 3 Days
How often you withdraw.
👥
Max Accounts
5 Funded
Run at once.
Account Overview
Key rules, payouts, and platforms at a glance.
🎯 Evaluation
Profit Target$1,500
Daily Loss Limit$600
Max Loss (Trailing)$1,000 EOD
Min Trading Days1 day
ConsistencyNone
📈 Trading
Max Contracts2 Minis (10 Micros)
InstrumentsForex
Overnight Holding Not Allowed
News Trading Allowed
Copy Trading Allowed
💰 Funded
Profit Target$1,500 profit
Daily Loss Limit$600
Max Loss (Trailing)$1,000 EOD
Min Trading DaysNo Benchmark Days
Consistency (Funded)40%
📊 Scaling Plan
ScalingMilestones to $4M
Starting BalanceFull account
Scaling Ceiling$4,000,000
Scaling Triggers10% per milestone
Milestone Steps$100K → $112.5K → $125K → $150K → $175K → $200K
💵 Payouts
Profit Split80% / 20%
First Payout$1,500 profit
Subsequent$1,000 profit
FrequencyFrom 3 days
Consistency (Funded)40%
👥 Account
Max Accounts5 Funded
Account ResetAvailable
One Time Fee$29
Activation FeeNone
About 1-Step Challenge
The 1-Step Challenge is CTI’s lowest-cost route to a funded forex account — a single evaluation phase with an 8% profit target, a 5% balance-based maximum drawdown, and no daily drawdown at all. There is no time limit; you need a minimum of 3 profitable days. Entry starts at just $29 for the $2.5K account, and funded traders keep 80% rising to 100% of profits via scaling milestones.
- Single evaluation phase — 8% target
- No daily drawdown
- 5% balance-based max drawdown
- No time limit · 3 min profitable days
- Entry from $29 ($2.5K)
Best For
- Traders who want the cheapest entry ($29)
- Swing traders who dislike daily drawdown limits
- Traders who want a single evaluation phase
Not Ideal For
- Traders who want instant funding (see Instant / Instant Pro)
- Those who prefer lower per-phase targets (see 2-Step)
- Anyone needing a $20K/$40K/$80K size
Trading Rules & Restrictions
Important rules to follow while trading your evaluation.
Risk Management
Drawdown TypeEOD Trailing
Daily Loss LimitNone
Max Loss (EOD)$1,000
Consistency RuleNone
Max Contracts2 Minis (10 Micros)
Trading Permissions
News TradingAllowed
Overnight / WeekendNot Allowed
Copy TradingAllowed
EA / AlgosAllowed (rules apply)
Dollar-Cost AveragingAllowed
High-Risk / GamblingNot Allowed
Trading Restrictions
High-Frequency TradingProhibited
Tick ScalpingProhibited
Latency ArbitrageProhibited
Reverse ArbitrageProhibited
Market Data AbuseProhibited
VPN / VPS UsageAllowed
Account Rules
Max Accounts5 Funded
Account ResetAvailable
Payout FrequencyFrom 3 days
Reward MethodsBank, Crypto
Activation FeeNone
Scaling PlanNone
These rules are designed to ensure a fair trading environment for all traders. Breaking any of these rules may result in account restrictions or termination.
Payouts & Withdrawals
How and when you get paid.
Payout Overview
Fast, consistent, and flexible payouts.
Reward Share80%
First Payout Threshold$1,500
Subsequent Payouts$1,000
Max Payout Per Request$1,000
Payout FrequencyFrom 3 days
Reward MethodsBank, Crypto
24-hour reward promise
Approved rewards are disbursed within 24 hours — or City Traders Imperium pays you $1,000 extra.
How Payouts Work
Simple, transparent, and trader-first.
Fast Rewards
Approved Performance Rewards are typically disbursed within 24 hours (average around 5 hours). If a reward is late, City Traders Imperium adds $1,000 on top.
Payout Methods
Choose your preferred payout method.
Bank Transfer Popular
Direct to your bank account.
Crypto
Fast global stablecoin payouts.
Scaling Plan
Learn how contract scaling works on Select accounts after you get funded.
Product FAQ
Common questions about this account program.
Rules & Policies
Important rules to know before you trade.
Trading Permissions
What you can do
News Trading ⓘ
Allowed
EA / Algo Trading ⓘ
Allowed
1-Step: any 3rd-party EA · 2-Step/Instant/Pro: own EA + source code on request · no HFT/arbitrage/price-feed bots
Copy Trading ⓘ
Allowed
Across your own accounts
Overnight / Weekend Holding ⓘ
Not Allowed
Flat before the daily close
High-Risk / Gambling ⓘ
Not Allowed
Account & Risk Rules
Account protection and risk parameters
Drawdown Type ⓘ
EOD Trailing
Balance-based; no trailing on Instant programs
Daily Loss Limit ⓘ
2-Step Only
5% daily on 2-Step; none on 1-Step & Instant programs
Max Drawdown ⓘ
See Sizes
5% (1-Step) · 10% (2-Step) · 6% (Instant programs)
Consistency Rule ⓘ
None Stated
Not required to pass (20% CS only to scale Instant/Pro) · evals need 3 min profitable days
Max Scaling ⓘ
$4M
1-/2-Step to $200K/acct · Instant to $2M/acct · up to 2 × $100K (or 2 × $80K Instant)
Payout Rules
Payout requirements and structure
Minimum Reward ⓘ
$250 – $500
By model and size
First Payout ⓘ
7 Days
Then anytime · instant on Instant programs
Reward Share ⓘ
80% – 100%
Rises via scaling milestones
Payout Frequency ⓘ
Anytime
Instant payouts on Instant programs
Processing Time ⓘ
~24 Hours
First after 7 days (Instant 5); internal transfer ≤2 biz days then withdrawal within 1 biz day
Account Operations
Account management and flexibility
Instant Funding ⓘ
Yes
Instant (half-start) & Instant Pro (full balance)
Weekend Holding ⓘ
Not Allowed
Positions must be closed before the daily close
News Trading ⓘ
Allowed
No news restrictions
Account Reset ⓘ
Available
Unlimited 15% reset discount (Instant Pro 10%)
Half-Start (Instant) ⓘ
50% → Full
Instant starts at 50% of balance, full at +10%; Pro starts full
Other Policies
Additional important policies
Scaling Plan ⓘ
None
Contract limits fixed by size
Consistency Rule ⓘ
40%
Where it applies (see above)
Min Trading Days ⓘ
None
No minimum to pass a Challenge
One Time Fee ⓘ
$29 – $3,999
One-time · no separate activation fee
Tradable Products ⓘ
Forex
Forex, Commodities (Gold/Silver/Oil), Indices & Crypto — all programs
These rules are subject to change at any time. Please review the full rulebook before purchasing an account.
Payouts & Withdrawals
How City Traders Imperium pays its traders — eligibility, processing, and timing (CTI help center, 2026-07-07).
1-Step Challenge
Lowest Entry
80–100% split · 1st payout after 7 days
$2.5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$10K
No per-size cap (% model)
$25K
No per-size cap (% model)
$50K
No per-size cap (% model)
$100K
No per-size cap (% model)
Profit Split
80% – 100% (via milestones)
Min Payout
$100 minimum (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Max Payout
N/A — forex % model (no per-size cap) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Consistency (Funded)
Not required to pass; not used for scaling (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Daily Drawdown
None
Payout Timing
First after 7 days, then anytime
Processing
Internal transfer ≤2 biz days; withdrawal within 1 biz day; bank +1–14 days (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Payout Methods
Bank transfer or crypto (BTC/ETH/USDT/USDC) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
2-Step Challenge
Classic Route
80–100% split · 1st payout after 7 days
$2.5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$10K
No per-size cap (% model)
$25K
No per-size cap (% model)
$50K
No per-size cap (% model)
$100K
No per-size cap (% model)
Profit Split
80% – 100% (via milestones)
Min Payout
$100 minimum (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Max Payout
N/A — forex % model (no per-size cap) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Consistency (Funded)
Not required to pass; not used for scaling (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Daily Drawdown
5% daily
Payout Timing
First after 7 days, then anytime
Processing
Internal transfer ≤2 biz days; withdrawal within 1 biz day; bank +1–14 days (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Payout Methods
Bank transfer or crypto (BTC/ETH/USDT/USDC) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Instant Funding
Instant · Half-Start
Up to 100% · first payout after 5 profitable days
$2.5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$10K
No per-size cap (% model)
$20K
No per-size cap (% model)
$40K
No per-size cap (% model)
$80K
No per-size cap (% model)
Profit Split
Up to 100%
Min Payout
$100 minimum (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Max Payout
N/A — forex % model (no per-size cap) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Consistency (Funded)
Not to pass; 20% CS to scale (L2+) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Daily Drawdown
None
Payout Timing
1st after 5 profitable days; then bi-weekly (weekly Bronze / anytime Silver)
Processing
Internal transfer ≤2 biz days; withdrawal within 1 biz day; bank +1–14 days (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Payout Methods
Bank transfer or crypto (BTC/ETH/USDT/USDC) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Instant Funding Pro
Instant · Full Balance
Up to 100% · first payout after 5 profitable days
$5K
No per-size cap (% model)
$10K
No per-size cap (% model)
$20K
No per-size cap (% model)
$40K
No per-size cap (% model)
$80K
No per-size cap (% model)
Profit Split
Up to 100%
Min Payout
$100 minimum (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Max Payout
N/A — forex % model (no per-size cap) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Consistency (Funded)
Not to pass; 20% CS to scale (L1+) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Daily Drawdown
None
Payout Timing
1st after 5 profitable days; then bi-weekly (weekly Bronze / anytime Silver)
Processing
Internal transfer ≤2 biz days; withdrawal within 1 biz day; bank +1–14 days (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Payout Methods
Bank transfer or crypto (BTC/ETH/USDT/USDC) (CTI help center, 2026-07-07)
Track record: City Traders Imperium has funded forex traders since 2018 — one of the longest-running firms in the space, scaling accounts up to $2M each ($4M total).
Get Funded →
Trading Platforms
City Traders Imperium runs two platforms: MetaTrader 5 (CTI-owned MetaQuotes license) for non-USA traders and Match Trader (with TradingView) for USA traders — both on CTI-owned servers.
Automation note: ‹VERIFY automation / EA policy for City Traders Imperium — not captured›.
Trader Reviews
City Traders Imperium holds a 4.3 / 5 rating on Trustpilot from 1,701 reviews (captured 2026-07-07).
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★★★★★
4.3 / 5 · 1,701 reviews
Individual reviews not yet captured
City Traders Imperium advertises "Rated Excellent on Trustpilot & Google", but the actual scores, review counts and individual verified reviews have not been captured for this page yet — ‹VERIFY before publish).