City Traders imperium – Firm Review
- Global elite trading firm expertise
- Flexible account growth without restrictions
- Fast payouts with minimal delays
- Permanent professional trading career opportunity
- Expert guidance for market success
Firm Overview
City Traders Imperium (CTI) was founded in 2018 by Daniel Martin and Martin Najat — former head traders with a vision to build a global prop firm with a genuine educational backbone. CTI’s registered entity is CTI FZCO, a limited company registered in the United Arab Emirates, though it operates with UK roots and was originally based in London. CEO Daniel Martin brings over 20 years of professional trading experience across indices, commodities, forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. CTI now serves over 40,000 traders and has built a strong reputation in the prop firm industry, winning the Best Match-Trader Prop Firm award in 2025. Unlike most prop firms that focus solely on evaluation, CTI emphasizes trader development through education, risk management tools, and regular community challenges including its Funded Traders World Cup. Trustpilot: 4.5/5 from 1,100+ reviews.
Programs
| Program | Steps | Profit Target | Max Drawdown | Daily DD | Starting From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Step Challenge | 1 | 10% | 6% (static) | 4% | $2,500 |
| 2-Step Challenge | 2 | Phase 1: varies | 6% (static) | Rules apply | $5,000 |
| Instant Funding | None | None | No daily DD limit | None | $5,000 |
All programs: No time limits. Accounts scale from $2,500 to $2,000,000 per account, with a maximum of $4,000,000 total across all accounts. Scaling triggered on 10% profit milestones.
Scaling
- Every 10% profit milestone triggers an account balance increase
- Maximum: $2,000,000 per account; $4,000,000 across all accounts
- Top performers can receive a fixed monthly salary while trading firm capital
Trading Rules
- News trading: Fully allowed with no restrictions
- Overnight holding: Allowed
- Weekend holding: Allowed
- EAs (Expert Advisors): Allowed — personal and third-party EAs permitted
- Martingale: Prohibited
- HFT and arbitrage: Prohibited
- Copy trading: Allowed from your own personal live account or your own other CTI accounts; third-party copy trading is prohibited
- Scalping: Allowed
- Stop-loss: No mandatory stop-loss requirement
- IP consistency: Strict KYC — IP address must match across phases; legitimate changes (travel) require documentation
Company Information
- Founded: 2018
- Legal entity: CTI FZCO (UAE)
- Co-founders: Daniel Martin (CEO) and Martin Najat
- Traders: 40,000+
- Trustpilot: 4.5/5 from 1,100+ reviews
- Award: Best Match-Trader Prop Firm, 2025
- Platforms: MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Match Trader
- Markets: Forex, indices, metals, energies, commodities (NO crypto)
- Spreads: EUR/USD avg 0.1 pips; $5 per lot commission on forex and commodities; $0.50 per lot on indices
- Payout: Available after 7+ profitable trading days and minimum 2% net profit or $100; fast processing (under 24 hours)
Payout Structure
- Starting profit split: 70–80% depending on program
- Maximum profit split: 100% (VIP progression tier)
- Payout eligibility: After at least 7 profitable trading days and minimum 2% net profit (or $100)
- Processing time: Less than 24 hours from request
- Note: Some users report a $1,000/month withdrawal limit — verify current terms on the CTI website
Why Choose City Traders Imperium?
CTI is one of the most established UK-rooted prop firms, having been funding traders since 2018. It stands out for its completely unrestricted news trading, up to 100% profit split at the top tier, and the rare option to earn a monthly salary as an elite funded trader. The combination of MT5 and Match Trader platforms, fast payouts, and genuine educational support make CTI an excellent choice for disciplined professional traders who value flexibility over low fees. The main drawbacks are the 70% starting split and the prohibition on crypto.
Key Features at a Glance
- UK-based proprietary trading firm founded in 2018, fully regulated environment
- Two pathways: standard Evaluation Program and instant Direct Funding accounts
- Account sizes from $10,000 up to $200,000 funded capital
- Starting profit split of 70%, scaling up to 80–85% through performance milestones
- Platforms: MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and Match Trader supported
- Trade Forex, global indices, and commodities — no cryptocurrency pairs
- Monthly salary option available for elite-tier funded traders
- CTI Academy: in-house educational resources including live trading sessions and mentorship
- Bi-weekly payouts available for advanced-tier accounts; monthly for standard funded accounts
- No overnight or weekend holding restrictions — positions can be held freely
Account Sizes & Pricing
City Traders Imperium offers a range of account sizes across both the Evaluation Program and the Direct Funding pathway.
| Account Size | Evaluation Fee | Direct Funding Fee | Profit Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $119 | $219 | 70% |
| $25,000 | $199 | $359 | 70% |
| $50,000 | $299 | $549 | 70% |
| $100,000 | $499 | $899 | 70% |
| $200,000 | $849 | N/A | 70% |
Trading Platforms
City Traders Imperium supports two professional-grade trading platforms, giving traders the flexibility to work in the environment they are most comfortable with.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
MT5 is the industry standard for retail and professional traders alike. CTI’s MT5 environment provides access to the full suite of built-in technical indicators, Expert Advisors (EAs), and one-click execution. The platform supports hedging and netting account modes and is available on desktop, web browser, and mobile devices.
Match Trader
Match Trader is a modern web-based platform built specifically for prop firm trading. It offers a clean, intuitive interface with fast order execution and full risk management controls. Accessible via any web browser without a download, it includes real-time account metrics such as daily drawdown, equity curve, and current profit split status.
Financial Markets
City Traders Imperium focuses on traditional financial instruments and deliberately excludes cryptocurrency pairs.
- Forex: 40+ major, minor, and exotic currency pairs including EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, AUD/USD, and NZD/CAD
- Indices: US30, SPX500, NAS100, UK100, GER40, FRA40, and other global stock indices
- Commodities: Gold (XAU/USD), Silver (XAG/USD), and crude oil contracts (WTI, Brent)
- No Cryptocurrency: Crypto pairs are explicitly prohibited across all account types
Challenge Specifications
The City Traders Imperium Evaluation Program is a two-phase challenge requiring traders to meet a profit target while staying within drawdown limits.
| Rule | Phase 1 (Evaluation) | Phase 2 (Verification) | Funded Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit Target | 10% | 5% | N/A |
| Max Daily Drawdown | 4% of balance | 4% of balance | 4% of balance |
| Max Overall Drawdown | 10% of balance | 10% of balance | 10% of balance |
| Min Trading Days | 5 days | 5 days | No minimum |
| Max Trading Days | Unlimited | Unlimited | N/A |
| Overnight Holding | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| Weekend Holding | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| News Trading | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
| EA/Algo Trading | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Trading Commissions & Spreads
City Traders Imperium charges commissions on a per-lot basis. The commission structure varies by platform and account type.
| Instrument | Commission (per lot, per side) | Typical Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Majors (e.g. EUR/USD) | $3.50 per side | 0.0–0.2 pips (raw) |
| Forex Minors & Exotics | $3.50 per side | 0.5–2.0 pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | $3.50 per side | 0.15–0.35 pips |
| Silver (XAG/USD) | $3.50 per side | 0.20–0.50 pips |
| US Indices (US30, NAS100) | $3.50 per side | 0.50–1.50 points |
| European Indices | $3.50 per side | 0.80–2.00 points |
Note: Always verify current fees directly on the City Traders Imperium website.
Prohibited Activities & Intellectual Property Rules
City Traders Imperium maintains a strict trading conduct policy to preserve the integrity of its risk management systems.
- Cryptocurrency trading: All crypto pairs are banned across evaluation and funded accounts
- Account sharing or group trading: Multiple traders placing identical trades across different CTI accounts simultaneously is strictly prohibited
- Tick scalping / HFT: Strategies that exploit data latency or tick manipulation are not permitted
- IP and brand usage: Traders may not use the City Traders Imperium name, logo, or branding for personal promotion without written consent
- Results sharing: Sharing funded account credentials or passing evaluation accounts to third parties is a terminable violation
Unique Features
City Traders Imperium differentiates itself from the average prop firm through several standout programs that go beyond simply offering funded accounts.
Direct Funding — No Evaluation Required
One of CTI’s most compelling offerings is its Direct Funding pathway. Instead of completing a two-phase challenge, traders can purchase a fully funded account immediately. The cost is higher than the standard evaluation fee, but it eliminates the challenge phase entirely — ideal for experienced traders who want to start trading firm capital right away.
Elite Trader Monthly Salary Program
Top-performing funded traders at City Traders Imperium have the opportunity to be placed on a monthly salary arrangement. Rather than relying exclusively on profit splits, qualifying elite traders receive a stable monthly income in addition to their performance-based earnings.
CTI Academy & Educational Ecosystem
City Traders Imperium operates the CTI Academy, an in-house educational platform providing live trading sessions, recorded courses, and mentorship from professional traders on staff. The academy covers technical analysis, risk management, trader psychology, and CTI-specific rule compliance — a rare and valuable offering in the prop firm space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get funded?
City Traders Imperium has no maximum time limit on the evaluation phases. You must complete a minimum of 5 trading days in each phase, and once both phases are passed, account verification and funding typically takes 1–3 business days. Direct Funding accounts are activated within 24 hours of purchase.
Can I hold positions over the weekend?
Yes. City Traders Imperium explicitly permits overnight and weekend holding across all account types — both during the evaluation phases and on funded accounts. This is a notable advantage for swing traders who prefer to hold trades through weekly transitions.
What happens if I break a rule?
Breaching a rule — most commonly the daily drawdown limit of 4% or the maximum overall drawdown of 10% — results in immediate account termination. For evaluation accounts you will need to restart the challenge at a discounted reset fee. For funded accounts, the account is closed and you must re-enter the evaluation process.
Can I trade news events?
Yes, news trading is permitted at City Traders Imperium. There are no restrictions on trading during high-impact economic events such as NFP, CPI, or central bank rate decisions. However, spreads and slippage can widen significantly during these windows, which can affect drawdown calculations.
How often can I withdraw profits?
Funded account holders can request payouts on a monthly basis by default. Higher-tier and elite accounts may qualify for bi-weekly payouts. Payments are typically processed within 1–5 business days of request approval.
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