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HomeCrypto Prop FirmsCity Traders Imperium
City Traders Imperium

City Traders Imperium

Crypto Supported
UAE Founded 2023 Multiple pairs

Award-winning prop firm est. 2018 (8 years paying out). Up to $4M scaling, 100% profit share. 4 programs (1-Step, 2-Step, Instant, Direct). 28K+ member community. 4.8/5 Trustpilot. UAE HQ. News trading allowed. Free trial available.

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Key Stats

Max Leverage

Variable

Max Account

$100,000 (Challenge), $80,000 (Instant/Direct); scales up to $4,000,000

Profit Split

Up to 100%

Payout Speed

First withdrawal in 5-7 days; weekly (VIP Bronze), anytime (VIP Silver)

Crypto Pairs

Multiple

Execution

Simulated (Match-Trader platform)

Overview

City Traders Imperium (CTI) is a proprietary trading firm that proudly brands itself as "The Prop Firm That's Paid Out Traders For 8 Years." Founded in 2018, CTI is one of the longest-established prop firms in the industry, with a proven track record of paying out traders consistently for nearly a decade. The firm offers scaling up to $4 million, up to 100% profit share, and a community of 28,000+ members in its CTI Academy.

CTI has earned a 4.8/5 "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot and has won multiple prestigious awards in 2025, including Top Choice for Traders (The Trusted Prop), Best Match-Trader Prop Firm (Prop Firms), Best UAE Prop Firm (International Business Magazine), and Most Trusted Prop Firm (Funded Trading Awards). The firm is headquartered in the UAE and has built a reputation for trader-friendly rules, fast payouts, and comprehensive education.

What sets CTI apart is its commitment to trader development and community. The firm provides access to CTI Academy with all funding programs, offering 1:1 and group performance coaching, trader discussions, and payout proof. The CTI VIP Program rewards loyal traders with escalating benefits — Bronze Traders get weekly payouts, monthly 1:1 coaching, and free merchandise, while Silver Traders unlock anytime payouts and priority processing.

CTI offers four main funding programs: the 1-Step Challenge (fastest, from $29), the 2-Step Challenge (most popular, from $39), Instant Funding (skip the challenge, from $79), and Instant Pro / Direct Funding (elite, from $229). All programs feature up to 100% profit share, news trading allowed, and fast first withdrawals (5-7 days). The firm also offers a Free Trial with no card required, allowing traders to test the platform before committing.

Features & Offerings

Funding Programs

CTI offers four funding programs designed to match every trader's experience level, budget, and preference — from fast 1-step evaluations to direct funding with no challenge.

1. 1-Step Challenge (Fastest)

A single-phase evaluation for traders who want the fastest path to funding. No daily drawdown limit, news trading allowed, and up to 100% profit share.

Account SizeProfit Target (8%)Max Drawdown (5%)Price
$2,500$200$125$29
$5,000$400$250$49
$10,000$800$500$79
$25,000$2,000$1,250$159
$50,000$4,000$2,500$299
$100,000$8,000$5,000$449

Key Rules: Single phase, no max daily drawdown, news trading allowed, up to 100% profit share, 3 min profitable days, first withdrawal in 7 days.

2. 2-Step Challenge (Most Popular)

The traditional two-phase evaluation. Balanced targets with both max drawdown and daily drawdown limits for structured risk management.

Account SizeTarget P1 (10%)Target P2 (5%)Max DD (10%)Daily DD (5%)Price
$2,500$250$125$250$125$39
$5,000$500$250$500$250$59
$10,000$1,000$500$1,000$500$99
$25,000$2,500$1,250$2,500$1,250$199
$50,000$5,000$2,500$5,000$2,500$329
$100,000$10,000$5,000$10,000$5,000$549

Key Rules: Two phases, 10% target P1 / 5% target P2, 10% max drawdown, 5% daily drawdown, news trading allowed, up to 100% profit share, 3 min profitable days, first withdrawal in 7 days.

3. Instant Funding (Skip Challenge)

Skip the evaluation and go straight to a funded account. No profit target to pass — just a target to scale. No daily drawdown, no minimum profitable days.

Account SizeTarget To Scale (5%)Max Drawdown (3%)Price
$2,500$125$75$79
$5,000$250$150$139
$10,000$500$300$259
$20,000$1,000$600$449
$40,000$2,000$1,200$849
$80,000$4,000$2,400$1,599

Key Rules: No evaluation, 5% target to scale (not to pass), 3% max drawdown, no daily drawdown, news trading allowed, up to 100% profit share, no min profitable days, first withdrawal in 5 days.

4. Instant Pro / Direct Funding (Elite)

Direct funding for elite traders — skip the challenge with higher drawdown limits and larger account sizes. The premium option for experienced traders.

Account SizeProfit Target (10%)Max Drawdown (6%)Price
$5,000$500$300$229
$10,000$1,000$600$399
$20,000$2,000$1,200$999
$40,000$4,000$2,400$1,999
$80,000$8,000$4,800$3,999

Key Rules: Direct funding, 10% profit target, 6% max drawdown, no daily drawdown, news trading allowed, up to 100% profit share, no min profitable days, first withdrawal in 5 days.

CTI VIP Program

CTI rewards loyal traders through its VIP Program with escalating benefits:

TierBenefits
Bronze TraderWeekly payouts unlocked, One 1-to-1 coaching session per month, Free CTI merchandise
Silver TraderAnytime payouts unlocked, Priority payouts

CTI Academy (Included With All Programs)

All funding programs include access to CTI Academy, the firm's comprehensive trader education and community platform:

  • Performance Coaching: 1:1 and group coaching sessions
  • CTI Academy Access: Full educational content library
  • Trader Discussions: Community of 28,000+ members
  • Payout Proof: Transparent record of trader payouts

Key Features

FeatureDetails
Max Scaling$4,000,000
Profit ShareUp to 100%
Founded2018 (8 years paying out)
Program Types4 (1-Step, 2-Step, Instant, Direct)
Account Sizes$2,500 – $100,000 (Instant up to $80K)
Starting PriceFrom $29 (1-Step)
News TradingAllowed (all programs)
Min Profitable Days3 (Challenge), 0 (Instant/Direct)
First Withdrawal5-7 days
Max Daily DrawdownNone (1-Step, Instant, Direct), 5% (2-Step)
Trustpilot Rating4.8/5 (Excellent)
Community28,000+ members
HQUAE

Payout Structure

  • Profit Share: Up to 100% on all programs
  • First Withdrawal: 7 days (Challenge programs), 5 days (Instant & Direct)
  • VIP Bronze: Weekly payouts unlocked
  • VIP Silver: Anytime payouts unlocked + priority processing
  • Scaling: Up to $4M

Payment Options

CTI accepts multiple payment methods: VISA, Google Pay, PayPal, BTC/Crypto, and Bank Transfer.

Free Trial

CTI offers a Free Trial with no card required, allowing traders to test the platform and experience before committing to a challenge purchase.

Awards (2025)

  • Top Choice for Traders — The Trusted Prop, 2025
  • Best Match-Trader Prop Firm — Prop Firms, 2025
  • Best UAE Prop Firm — International Business Magazine, 2025
  • Most Trusted Prop Firm — Funded Trading Awards, 2025

Notable Payouts

TraderCountryAmount
TrevorUnited States$17,400.00
NicoUnited Kingdom$19,650.00
ArnontThailand$21,384.40
NirajIndia$22,636.35
RyanNetherlands$30,635.30

Pros

  • ✓8 years of paying out traders — one of the longest track records in the industry (founded 2018)
  • ✓Up to $4 million scaling — among the highest scaling ceilings available
  • ✓Up to 100% profit share on all programs — traders keep all profits
  • ✓4.8/5 Excellent rating on Trustpilot — strong community trust
  • ✓28,000+ member community in CTI Academy — active trader network
  • ✓Four award wins in 2025 including Most Trusted Prop Firm and Best UAE Prop Firm
  • ✓1-Step Challenge from just $29 — very affordable entry point
  • ✓No daily drawdown on 1-Step, Instant, and Direct programs — flexible risk management
  • ✓News trading allowed on all programs — no news trading restrictions
  • ✓Fast first withdrawals — 5 days (Instant/Direct), 7 days (Challenge)
  • ✓Free Trial available with no card required — test before buying
  • ✓CTI Academy included with all programs — 1:1 and group coaching, education
  • ✓CTI VIP Program with escalating benefits — weekly/anytime payouts, coaching, merchandise
  • ✓Multiple payment options including crypto (BTC) and bank transfer
  • ✓Instant Funding available — skip the challenge and go straight to funded
  • ✓Direct Funding (Instant Pro) for elite traders with higher drawdown limits
  • ✓Transparent payout proof with real trader payout certificates displayed
  • ✓UAE-headquartered with international regulatory recognition

Cons

  • ✕Max account size $100,000 for Challenge programs — lower than some competitors offering $400K+
  • ✕Instant Funding max account size $80,000 — lower than Challenge programs
  • ✕Direct Funding max account size $80,000 — limited for elite tier
  • ✕2-Step Challenge has 5% daily drawdown — tighter than 1-Step (no daily limit)
  • ✕2-Step Challenge has 10% max drawdown — standard but not the most generous
  • ✕Instant Funding has only 3% max drawdown — tight for a no-evaluation program
  • ✕Direct Funding is expensive — up to $3,999 for $80K account
  • ✕Min profitable days required (3) on Challenge programs — not zero
  • ✕First withdrawal takes 5-7 days — not instant
  • ✕VIP Program (weekly/anytime payouts) requires reaching Bronze/Silver tier — not default
  • ✕Profit target on Instant Funding is to scale (5%), not to pass — can be confusing
  • ✕Limited information on crypto-specific trading pairs and leverage
  • ✕Platform details (MT4/MT5/Match-Trader/TradeLocker) not prominently featured on homepage
  • ✕No explicit mention of weekend holding or EA policies on homepage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is City Traders Imperium (CTI)?

City Traders Imperium (CTI) is a proprietary trading firm founded in 2018 that has been paying out traders for 8 years. The firm offers scaling up to $4 million, up to 100% profit share, and a community of 28,000+ members. CTI is headquartered in the UAE and has won multiple awards in 2025 including Most Trusted Prop Firm (Funded Trading Awards), Best UAE Prop Firm (International Business Magazine), Top Choice for Traders (The Trusted Prop), and Best Match-Trader Prop Firm (Prop Firms). The firm holds a 4.8/5 Excellent rating on Trustpilot.

What programs does CTI offer?

CTI offers four funding programs: (1) 1-Step Challenge — single phase, from $29, 8% profit target, 5% max drawdown, no daily drawdown; (2) 2-Step Challenge — two phases, from $39, 10% target P1 / 5% target P2, 10% max drawdown, 5% daily drawdown; (3) Instant Funding — skip the challenge, from $79, 5% target to scale, 3% max drawdown, no daily drawdown; (4) Instant Pro / Direct Funding — elite direct funding, from $229, 10% profit target, 6% max drawdown. All programs offer up to 100% profit share and allow news trading.

What is the maximum account size at CTI?

CTI offers account sizes up to $100,000 for the 1-Step and 2-Step Challenge programs. Instant Funding goes up to $80,000, and Direct Funding (Instant Pro) also goes up to $80,000. However, CTI offers scaling up to $4 million for consistently profitable traders, allowing funded traders to grow their accounts significantly over time.

What is the profit share at CTI?

CTI offers up to 100% profit share on all funding programs. This means traders can keep 100% of their profits, which is among the most generous profit split structures in the prop firm industry. The exact profit share may vary based on the program and VIP tier.

How do payouts work at CTI?

CTI offers fast payouts with first withdrawal available in 7 days for Challenge programs and 5 days for Instant and Direct Funding programs. The CTI VIP Program unlocks faster payouts: Bronze Traders get weekly payouts, and Silver Traders get anytime payouts with priority processing. CTI has a proven track record of paying out traders for 8 years, with notable payouts including $30,635 to a trader in the Netherlands.

Does CTI offer Instant Funding?

Yes. CTI's Instant Funding program allows traders to skip the challenge and go straight to a funded account. Account sizes range from $2,500 to $80,000 with prices from $79 to $1,599. The program has a 5% profit target to scale (not to pass), 3% max drawdown, no daily drawdown, no minimum profitable days, and first withdrawal in 5 days.

What is the CTI VIP Program?

The CTI VIP Program rewards loyal traders with escalating benefits. Bronze Traders unlock weekly payouts, one 1-to-1 coaching session per month, and free CTI merchandise. Silver Traders unlock anytime payouts and priority payouts. The VIP Program is designed to reward traders who consistently perform and stay with CTI long-term.

What is CTI Academy?

CTI Academy is the firm's comprehensive trader education and community platform, included with all funding programs. It offers 1:1 and group performance coaching, full educational content access, trader discussions, and payout proof. The community has 28,000+ members, making it one of the larger prop firm trading communities.

Is news trading allowed at CTI?

Yes, news trading is allowed on all CTI funding programs. This gives traders the flexibility to trade during high-impact news events without restrictions, which is a significant advantage for news traders and those who trade around economic data releases.

Does CTI have a daily drawdown limit?

It depends on the program. The 1-Step Challenge, Instant Funding, and Direct Funding programs have no daily drawdown limit (marked as '–'). Only the 2-Step Challenge has a 5% daily drawdown limit. All programs have a max drawdown limit: 5% (1-Step), 10% (2-Step), 3% (Instant), and 6% (Direct).

What payment methods does CTI accept?

CTI accepts multiple payment methods including VISA, Google Pay, PayPal, BTC (Bitcoin) and other cryptocurrencies, and Bank Transfer. This variety makes it accessible to traders globally, including those who prefer crypto payments.

Does CTI offer a free trial?

Yes, CTI offers a Free Trial with no card required. Traders can test the platform and experience the CTI ecosystem before committing to a challenge purchase. This is a risk-free way to evaluate if CTI is the right fit for your trading style.

How long has CTI been operating?

CTI was founded in 2018 and has been paying out traders for 8 years as of 2026. This makes it one of the longest-established prop firms in the industry, with a proven track record that predates the 2020-2023 prop firm boom. The firm's longevity is a significant trust signal in an industry where many firms have come and gone.

What is the minimum profitable days requirement at CTI?

Challenge programs (1-Step and 2-Step) require a minimum of 3 profitable days before you can request a withdrawal. Instant Funding and Direct Funding programs have no minimum profitable days requirement (marked as '–'), allowing traders to withdraw as soon as the first withdrawal window opens (5 days).

What awards has CTI won?

CTI has won four awards in 2025: Top Choice for Traders (The Trusted Prop), Best Match-Trader Prop Firm (Prop Firms), Best UAE Prop Firm (International Business Magazine), and Most Trusted Prop Firm (Funded Trading Awards). These awards recognize CTI's commitment to trader success, trust, and its position as a leading UAE-based prop firm.

Quick Facts

HeadquartersUAE
Founded2023
Crypto FocusCrypto Supported
Crypto PairsMultiple
Max LeverageVariable
Max Account$100,000 (Challenge), $80,000 (Instant/Direct); scales up to $4,000,000
Profit SplitUp to 100%
ExecutionSimulated (Match-Trader platform)
Payout SpeedFirst withdrawal in 5-7 days; weekly (VIP Bronze), anytime (VIP Silver)
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