City Traders Imperium Review 2026
UK prop firm founded in 2018 with scaling up to $4M and on-demand payouts.
★ 4.2/5 on Trustpilot (1,675 reviews)Overview
City Traders Imperium, CTI for short, is one of the oldest prop firms still operating. Founded in 2018 in the UK, it has survived multiple waves of prop firm collapses and industry drama, which honestly says something about their business model. With over 1,675 Trustpilot reviews at 4.2/5, they have a decent track record, though that rating sits a notch below competitors like FTMO (4.7) or Funded Trading Plus (4.7). The evaluation runs in two phases: 10% profit target in Phase 1, then 5% in Phase 2, with 10% max drawdown and 4% daily drawdown. You need at least 3 trading days, and there's no time limit. That Phase 1 target of 10% is slightly tougher than the 8% you'll see at most other firms, so keep that in mind. What genuinely sets CTI apart is their integrated educational program. This isn't some throwaway ebook. They offer real training content, making it a decent pick for intermediate traders who want to develop their skills alongside the challenge. They also run a free monthly trading competition, which is a nice no-risk way to test yourself. Scaling up to $4 million is impressive, and the profit split can reach 100%, putting CTI among the most generous offers out there. Payouts are on-demand rather than on a fixed schedule, which most traders prefer. The downside? Leverage is capped at 1:30, which will frustrate forex traders used to 1:100. And CTI no longer accepts US-based traders, which significantly narrows their potential user base. Platform options are MT5 and cTrader. Functional but limited compared to firms offering DXtrade or TradingView integration. There have been some complaints about payout denials in online reviews, which is worth keeping an eye on. But overall, CTI remains a credible option, especially for European traders who want a firm with real history and genuine educational support. Pricing is reasonable at $529 for an 80K account, right in line with market standards.
Pros
- Scaling up to $4M in capital
- Profit split up to 100%
- On-demand payouts
- Educational program included
- Free monthly competition
- Solid track record (since 2018)
Cons
- Limited leverage (1:30)
- No longer accepts US traders
- Some payout denial complaints
- Limited platforms
Pricing
Trading Rules
10% (Phase 1) / 5% (Phase 2)
4%
10%
3
Illimité
No
Platforms & Instruments
Our Verdict
CTI is one of the few prop firms that can genuinely claim a 7+ year track record. The educational program is a real differentiator if you're still developing your trading skills, and scaling up to $4M gives plenty of room to grow. The 100% profit split ceiling is excellent. On the flip side, the 1:30 leverage is a genuine limitation for forex scalpers, and the occasional payout complaints deserve attention. If you're a European trader who values education, stability, and a proven firm over aggressive conditions and flashy marketing, CTI is a solid bet.