City Traders Imperium (CTI) is a forex and CFD prop trading firm that funds traders on MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader, with accounts from $2,500 to $100,000 and scaling up to $4,000,000 across two accounts. Founded in 2018, CTI sells four programs, from $29 for a 1-Step Challenge, with a profit share of up to 100% (checked on 10 Oct 2026). Its site also lists calculators, an MT5 Trade Manager and CTI Academy courses for funded traders.
Key Highlights:
- Funding Programs: Accounts from $2,500 to $100,000, scaling up to $4,000,000 across two accounts.
- Profit Sharing: 80% on the challenges, 70% on Direct Funding and 50% while an Instant Funding account is below full size, rising to 100% through the VIP program.
- Evaluation Options: 2-Step Challenge (no time limit, 5% daily drawdown), 1-Step Challenge (one phase, all EAs allowed), and Instant Funding or Direct Funding (straight to funded, no daily drawdown).
- Trading Flexibility: Allows news, overnight and weekend trading.
Quick Comparison:
| Program | Max drawdown | Daily drawdown | EAs | First payout | Profit share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Step Challenge | 5% trailing | None | All EAs, including third-party | 7 days | 80% to 100% |
| 2-Step Challenge | 10% static | 5% | Personal EAs only | 7 days | 80% to 100% |
| Instant Funding | 6% static | None | Personal EAs only | 5 days once fully funded | 50%, then 70% to 100% once fully funded |
| Direct Funding | 6% static | None | Personal EAs only | On demand from day 5 | 70% to 100% |
Rules are from CTI’s program pages (checked on 10 Oct 2026). CTI’s programs cater to traders of all levels, offering tools, scaling opportunities, and payouts CTI says it pays within 24 hours. For beginners and experienced traders, CTI provides diverse options to grow your account.
Evaluation Programs and Account Types
CTI's funding programs are designed to support traders with limited capital, offering options that suit different trading preferences - from standard methods to faster funding routes.
Classic Programs
- 2-Step Challenge: Hit 10% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2 with no time limit, inside a 10% static drawdown and a 5% daily drawdown.
- 1-Step Challenge: One phase with an 8% target and a 5% trailing drawdown, no daily drawdown and the lowest entry cost. Third-party EAs and Martingale are allowed.
Accelerated Funding Options
- Instant Funding: Funded from day one on 50% of the chosen account size, with a 6% static drawdown and no daily drawdown. Hit 10% and the account doubles to full size, with a 70% profit share and a first payout 5 days after that.
- Direct Funding: Funded from day one on the full account size, with a 70% profit share and payouts on demand from day 5.
| Program Feature | 2-Step | 1-Step | Instant Funding | Direct Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Drawdown | 5% | None | None | None |
| EA Support | Personal EAs only | All EAs | Personal EAs only | Personal EAs only |
| First Payout | 7 days | 7 days | 5 days once fully funded | On demand from day 5 |
VIP Advancement Structure
Once traders secure funding, CTI provides additional incentives through its VIP program. At the Bronze level, traders earn a 90% profit share with weekly payouts. Silver traders get a 100% profit share and anytime payouts, and Gold adds a potential monthly salary for one year.
Scaling Opportunities
CTI scales accounts that hit profit targets. Instant Funding and Direct Funding accounts move up a size at each 10% milestone, for example from $5,000 to $10,000, up to $2,000,000 per account and $4,000,000 across two. The 1-Step and 2-Step Challenges scale up to $200,000 per account and $400,000 in total.
To help traders succeed, CTI provides calculators, an MT5 Trade Manager and CTI Academy courses, which come with every program.
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Trading Requirements and Technical Specs
CTI provides trading options with clear risk limits, offering traders a balance between freedom and disciplined risk management. These features are designed to fit the company's funding programs.
Trading Parameters
CTI uses a balance-based drawdown on every program, so drawdown is measured from the account balance, not equity. Instant Funding and Direct Funding use a 6% static drawdown with no daily limit.
| Trading Aspect | Specification | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Drawdown Type | Balance-based | Improved risk control |
| Position Holding | Allowed overnight and over weekends | Greater flexibility |
| News Trading | Allowed | Enables event-driven strategies |
| Automation | All EAs on the 1-Step; personal EAs on the other programs | Facilitates strategy automation |
These features reflect CTI's focus on managing risks effectively.
Risk Management Framework
CTI’s risk settings vary depending on the program. The 2-Step Challenge allows up to a 10% static drawdown, the 1-Step a 5% trailing drawdown, and Instant Funding and Direct Funding a 6% static drawdown. This setup enables traders to:
- Open larger positions in favorable market conditions.
- Keep trades active during major events.
- Use diverse risk strategies to suit individual preferences.
Instrument Coverage
CTI lists 53 tradable instruments on MT5 and Match-Trader, including:
- Forex majors and crosses
- Indices
- Commodities
- Crypto
Account scaling goes up to $400,000 on the 1-Step and 2-Step Challenges and $4,000,000 on Instant Funding and Direct Funding.
Performance Monitoring
CTI equips traders with tools designed to enhance their performance, including:
- An integrated account matrix and trading journal
- Risk management calculators
- A real-time economic calendar
- Personal wallet management
- A direct payout system
These resources cater to both manual and automated trading styles, ensuring professional fund management standards are upheld.
Cost Structure and Scaling Options
CTI offers a variety of funding programs, each with its own pricing and growth options for different trader needs.
Program Fee Structure
CTI prices each program by account size, with a one-time fee (checked on 10 Oct 2026):
| Program Type | Account Range | Fees | Starting Profit Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Step Challenge | $2,500 to $100,000 | $29 to $449 | 80% |
| 2-Step Challenge | $2,500 to $100,000 | $39 to $549 | 80% |
| Instant Funding | $2,500 to $80,000 | $79 to $1,599 | 50%, then 70% once fully funded |
| Direct Funding | $5,000 to $80,000 | $229 to $3,999 | 70% |
Scaling Options
CTI rewards consistent performance with a scaling system tied to 10% profit milestones. Here’s how it works:
| Program | How it scales | Max per Account | Max Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Funding | Starts at 50% of the account size; a 10% gain doubles it to full size, and each further 10% milestone unlocks a larger size | $2,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Direct Funding | Each 10% target moves the account to the next size, for example $5,000 to $10,000 | $2,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
| 1-Step and 2-Step Challenges | Funded accounts scale up to the caps shown | $200,000 | $400,000 |
This approach not only grows account balances but also improves profit share rewards over time.
VIP Program Benefits
CTI's VIP tiers offer enhanced profit-sharing and exclusive perks:
- Bronze: 90% profit share
- Silver: 100% profit share
- Gold: Includes all Silver benefits plus a potential monthly salary for one year
These tiers are designed to reward top-performing traders with additional incentives.
Hosting MT5 on a VPS
CTI does not sell VPS hosting. If you run Expert Advisors on a CTI account, you can host MT5 on a QuantVPS MetaTrader VPS plan so the platform keeps running when your own computer is off. QuantVPS sizes its plans by chart load (checked on 10 Oct 2026):
| QuantVPS plan | Price | Chart and strategy guidance |
|---|---|---|
| VPS Lite | $59.99/month | 1 to 3 charts or strategies |
| VPS Pro | $99.99/month | 3 to 5 charts or strategies |
| VPS Ultra | $189.99/month | 5 to 10 charts or strategies |
Every VPS plan includes automatic off-site backups, always-on DDoS protection with advanced filtering and reserved CPU and memory.
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Capital Efficiency
CTI's structured scaling system ensures steady capital growth. By tying profit targets to account size and offering improved profit shares, traders can grow their accounts efficiently while maximizing returns.
Platform Support and Technical Features
City Traders Imperium (CTI) provides funded traders with access to two powerful trading platforms: MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and Match Trader. These platforms cater to a variety of trading styles, making them versatile options for traders at all levels.
MetaTrader 5 Integration
MT5 is CTI’s main platform, offering a wide range of tools for forex and CFD trading:
| Feature Category | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Trading Tools | Multiple order types, depth of market |
| Analysis | Advanced technical indicators, multiple timeframes, economic calendar |
| Accessibility | Available on Windows, Mac, WebTrader, and iOS/Android apps |
| Performance | Real-time quotes and automated trading with Expert Advisors |
Match Trader Platform
Match Trader is designed for simplicity and speed, offering a user-friendly interface for efficient trading:
- Web-based access - no installation required
- Mobile compatibility for iOS and Android
- Clean, intuitive design for quick order entry
- Core tools for technical analysis and basic order types
Both platforms work on the web and on mobile, and MT5 can also run on a VPS you rent if you use Expert Advisors.
Platform Security Features
Both MT5 and Match Trader come with strong security protocols to protect traders:
- Automated backups with regular system snapshots
- 24/7 server monitoring for quick issue resolution
- Stability measures to minimize disruptions
CTI says more than 100,000 traders in 178+ countries have used its programs.
Key Benefits and Limitations
After analyzing CTI's evaluation and technical frameworks, here’s a breakdown of its main benefits and limitations.
Key Benefits
The table below outlines some of CTI's standout advantages:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Potential | Scaling up to $4,000,000 across two accounts, with profit share reaching 100%. |
| Trading Freedom | Allows news trading, and the 1-Step Challenge allows third-party EAs. |
| Payout Efficiency | CTI says payouts are paid within 24 hours, with a first payout in as little as 5 days. |
| Community & Support | Runs a Discord community and CTI Academy courses for every program. |
| Platform Options | MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader. |
Additional Tools
CTI equips traders with a range of helpful tools, such as a performance tracking dashboard, trading journal, risk management calculators, and weekly market sentiment reports. These resources aim to enhance trading efficiency and decision-making.
Customer Feedback
CTI has received positive feedback for its support and trading tools, with many users highlighting the platform's comprehensive approach to trader success.
Limitations
Despite its strengths, CTI does have some drawbacks:
| Limitation | Impact |
|---|---|
| Platform Restrictions | Currently limited to MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader. |
| No Futures | CTI lists forex, indices, commodities and crypto, with no futures program. |
| Instant Funding Start | Instant Funding accounts start at 50% of the chosen size with a 50% profit share until the first 10% milestone. |
| Scaling Requirements | Account growth requires hitting each 10% milestone within the drawdown limits. |
Conclusion
City Traders Imperium (CTI) provides a funding structure designed to meet the needs of traders with varying experience levels, offering flexible account sizes and room for growth.
With its strong operational setup, CTI also offers favorable trading conditions and a modern technological backbone. Features like MetaTrader 5 integration and support for news trading highlight its focus on delivering a professional trading experience.
CTI combines accessible funding, tools, and a supportive community to create an appealing option for forex traders. Its detailed dashboard and risk management tools further emphasize its dedication to helping traders grow sustainably.
CTI also offers competitively priced evaluation programs and strong trader support. Quick payout processing and profit-sharing arrangements make it attractive to both new and experienced traders.
These features position CTI as a strong choice for those looking to advance their trading skills and achieve long-term success in forex trading.
