City Traders Imperium Review 2026: The London Standard

City Traders Imperium (CTI) feels different from other prop firms. Because it is. Founded by Daniel Martin and Martin Najat, CTI started as a physical trading floor in London. They don't sell "Challenges" to churn beginners; they sell "Funding" to back traders.

In 2026, CTI remains the #1 Choice for Direct Funding. If you have the capital (~£1000+) and don't want to waste time on a demo test, you can buy a live account immediately.

The Programs

CTI offers three distinct paths.

1. Direct Funding (The Flagship)

• Cost: Higher entry (e.g., £1,000+).
• Result: You get a live funded account day 1.
• Rules: Very strict absolute drawdown (5%).
• Scaling: They mandate you to scale. You play the long game.

2. Day Trading Challenge

• Cost: Standard (e.g., £100).
• Uniqueness: 1 Year Time Limit.
• Unlike others who were "30 days" and are now "Unlimited", CTI always offered 12 months. They understand that a good trade might take 3 weeks to set up.

3. The Academy

CTI's education is "Bank Tier". Mentorship programs often cost £2,000+ but include direct access to their psychology coaches.

The Drawdown: Absolute vs Relative

CTI uses Absolute Drawdown on many accounts.

• Explanation: If you have a $10,000 account and the drawdown is 5%, your hard stop is $9,500.
• The Catch: If you profit $500 (Balance $10,500), your hard stop is still $9,500. It doesn't trail up. This is BETTER than relative drawdown.

Why Traders Fail at CTI

The 5% Absolute Drawdown is tight. On a $10k account, you only have $500 of room. If you open a 1.0 lot on Gold, you can blow the account in 10 minutes. CTI expects you to risk 0.5% per trade. If you are a "Full Margin" gambler, CTI is not for you.

Verdict

City Traders Imperium is for the Professional Adult. If you want to be treated like a partner and not a customer, pay the premium and join CTI.

Rating: 4.8/5 stars. The Professional's Choice.