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Home | CTI Blog | Prop Trading | The Smart Way to Pick Your CTI Program: 1-Step vs 2-Step vs Instant

The Smart Way to Pick Your CTI Program: 1-Step vs 2-Step vs Instant

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By Martin Najat
December 12, 2025
11:00 am
Prop Trading

Reading Time: 9 minutes

Optimize Your CTI Funding: 1‑Step, 2‑Step, or Instant Which Path Fits Your Trading Style?

Choosing the right City Traders Imperium funding program comes down to your goals, risk tolerance, and how quickly you want to access payouts.

➔ Want the lowest target & no daily DD?

Go for 1-Step. 8% profit target, 5% trailing drawdown (MTD), and unlimited time to pass.

➔ Prefer classic structure & static risk?

Choose 2-Step. 10% then 5% targets, 5% Daily (MDD) + 10% Static (MAD) drawdown, unlimited time.

Both Challenge Types require 7 profitable trading days and≥2%/$100 for the first payout, followed by monthly payouts.

➔ Need live capital now & higher caps?

Pick Instant or Instant Pro. 6% Static drawdown, scale up to $2M/account ($4M total).

Instant: first payout after 10%, then bi-weekly.

Instant Pro: on-demand payouts (bi-weekly thereafter). Both require 5 PTDs & ≥2%/$100 for the first payout

All funding programs can switch to Weekly Payouts once the trader is qualified for the Bronze Tier & 90% Profit Share in the CTI VIP Program, and Daily Payouts with 100% Profit Share on the Silver Tier.

Why This Matters

Your payout cadence shapes your cash flow.

Knowing exactly when you can request payouts prevents surprises and helps you plan like a business, whether that means monthly (Challenges) or bi-weekly/on-demand (Instant).

Your risk management affects account longevity.

Trailing, daily, or static drawdowns are calculated differently. Choosing the right model for your trading style can mean the difference between consistency and early failure.

Your strategy deserves complete flexibility.

All CTI programs allow news, overnight, and weekend trading, as well as the use of EAs and algorithmic systems. That means your choice comes down to risk and payout structure, not restrictions.

How the Programs Work

Each CTI funding path is built for a different type of trader, from steady evaluators to those who want live capital immediately.

1-Step Challenge

This is our single-stage evaluation with the fewest restrictions. One phase, one target, get funded.

The rules:

You’re working with a 5% balance-based trailing drawdown (MTD). No daily drawdown limit. Take as long as you need. There’s no time limit.

What you need to pass:

Hit an 8% profit target and log 3 profitable trading days (PTDs).

A major distinction between the 1-Step program and the other funding programs is that the 1-Step allows you to use any Expert Advisor, whether it’s your own or a third-party EA purchased from the marketplace. In contrast, the other funding programs require you to use only EAs that you personally own.

Another key advantage of the 1-Step program is that it allows the use of higher-risk strategies, such as martingale or grid trading.

What happens when you pass:

You start funded with an 80% profit share. Hit VIP Bronze, and that jumps to 90% with weekly payouts. Make it to VIP Silver, and you get 100% profit share with on-demand payouts.

This model is ideal for traders who want to use EAs without stressing over which types are allowed. It also offers the lowest profit target of all the programs and comes with no daily drawdown requirement.

2-Step Challenge

Ideal for traders who like clear structure, phase-by-phase progress, and static risk limits.

The rules:

You get both a 5% daily drawdown (MDD) and a 10% static drawdown (MAD). The daily resets each morning, while the static is fixed from your starting balance. Again, unlimited time to complete both phases.

What you need to pass:

Phase 1 needs 10% profit, Phase 2 needs 5% profit. Each phase requires 3 profitable days. Same freedom as 1-step with news trading, overnight holds, weekends, all good.

What happens when you pass:

Again, it’s the same as 1-Step: you start at 80% and can work your way up through the VIP tiers to 90% or 100%.

The 2-Step Challenge is ideal for traders who prefer the Classic, 2-phase evaluation. It offers a larger overall drawdown than the other programs, but it does include a daily drawdown limit.

If you don’t mind proving yourself twice, this is your path.

It’s the classic prop firm route: straightforward, and plenty of room to work with those daily resets.

Instant Funding and Instant Pro

Skip the evaluation. Trade real capital from day one.

The rules:

Just a 6% static drawdown. That’s it. You’re trading live capital from day one with no time pressure.

How payouts work:

With regular Instant Funding, your first payout comes after you hit 10% profit. With Instant Pro, you can request payouts on demand right away.

Both options require you to have 5 profitable days and at least a 2%/$100 profit when you request a payout. After your first withdrawal, you’re on a bi-weekly schedule (mid-month around the 14th/15th, and the last two days of the month).

Profit splits (Instant):

You start at 50% at Level 1, move to 70% at Level 2, then 80% from Level 3 onward. VIP Bronze gets you 90% with weekly payouts, and VIP Silver gets you 100% with on-demand access.

Profit splits (Instant Pro):

You start right away at 70% at Level 2, then 80% from Level 3 onward. VIP Bronze gets you 90% with weekly payouts, and VIP Silver gets you 100% with on-demand access.

This is for traders who are done with evaluations and want to start making money now. If you’re consistent enough to handle live capital from day one and you’re eyeing that $4M scaling potential, Instant gets you in the game immediately.

Pro takes it further with on-demand payouts, so you’re in control of your cash flow from the start.

The Economics: What You Actually Keep

Let’s talk money. Here’s what you’re paying and what you’re keeping.

Let’s make this concrete with some examples (keep in mind commissions and spreads will reduce these numbers):

1-Step or 2-Step Example
If you’re funded with $100,000 and make +5% ($5,000):

- 80% split → $4,000 take-home

Instant Example (Level 1)

- Funded with $40,000, make +5% ($2,000) → 50% split = $1,000.

Instant Pro Example (Level 2)

- Funded with $80,000, make +5% ($4,000) → 70% split = $2,800.

Instant Level 3 Example

- Same $80,000, +5% → 80% split = $3,200.

Even with trading costs, consistent performance and higher-level profit splits quickly outpace the initial funding fee, especially once VIP tiers kick in.

Running Your Funded Account: Operations & Compliance

Once you’re funded, the focus shifts from passing rules to running your account like a professional trading operation. We keep the process simple on our end, but there are a few essentials you should be aware of.

✔ Payout Processing

CTI aims to process payouts within 24 hours of your request. But be realistic. Bank wires typically take 2–5 business days to actually hit your account. E-wallets and crypto are usually Instant.

✔ Profitable Trading Day (PTD) Definition

What counts as a Profitable Trading Day? When you end the day with at least 0.5% of your initial balance in net profit. If you finish below that threshold, it won’t count toward your PTD total.

✔ KYC Verification

Identity verification is required when you get funded. For evaluation models (1-Step & 2-Step): KYC is completed once you pass the challenge. For Instant Funding and Pro, it’s required once you reach your first payout milestone or request your first withdrawal.

Find the KYC verification requirements here

✔ Stop-Loss Rule

You must set a stop-loss within 60 seconds of opening any position. “Stealth” stop-losses aren’t permitted. If you don’t set a stop-loss within the time frame, your position will be automatically closed after a minute, and considered a soft breach.

✔ Devices, VPNs, and Travel

You can use up to 2 devices. VPNs and VPS are allowed. But if you’re traveling, you can just let support of your plans, so your account doesn’t get flagged if your IP shows a trading activity from a different country than the one you usually trade from.

✔ Supported Platforms

CTI offers two professional platforms, optimised for different regions and trading needs.

MT5 – For Non-USA Traders

CTI operates its own licensed MetaTrader 5 servers, ensuring faster execution, higher stability, and lower trading fees. MT5 remains the industry standard for advanced analytics, order management, and automation.

MatchTrader – For USA Traders

A modern, intuitive platform built for compliance and ease of use in the United States. Includes native TradingView integration, allowing traders to use familiar TradingView charts directly within the MatchTrader interface.

VIP Perks: How to Level up Your Profit Share

The VIP program is where things get really interesting.

VIP Bronze Level:

Jump to a 90% profit share and unlock weekly payouts, which means faster iteration on your strategy and quicker access to your earnings. You also get a one-on-one coaching session to fine-tune your approach and VIP support for faster answers when you need them.

VIP Silver Level:

Keep 100% of your profits – every single dollar you make is yours. Add on-demand payouts, so you control your cash flow completely, plus monthly coaching to keep improving your edge. You’ll also get a physical badge and merch as recognition of your elite status.

VIP Gold Level:

This is where CTI becomes a trustworthy trading partner. You get the possibility of a 12-month guaranteed salary on top of your trading profits, which removes income pressure and lets you trade your best. You’ll also get institutional-level trading conditions and custom funding arrangements.

The progression makes sense:

Bronze gets you paid more often so you can reinvest or adjust faster. Silver maximises your retained profit. Gold removes financial stress entirely so you can focus purely on performance.

Addressing the Common Worries

Let’s tackle the concerns we hear most often:

“That trailing drawdown is going to wreck me after I withdraw.”

Fair concern. Here’s how it works for 1-Step: Your stop-out level equals (High-water mark minus last withdrawal) minus (Initial balance times 5%).

Example: You start with $100k, grow it to $105k, withdraw $4k. Your new stop-out is $96k. The math is: ($105k – $4k) – ($100k × 0.05) = $96k. (not $101k).

Plan your withdrawal sizes accordingly, and you’ll be fine.

“Daily loss limits scare me.”

The 2-Step daily drawdown is 5% of your initial balance, measured against your balance at the start of each day. It resets daily. So if you have a bad Monday, Tuesday is a fresh start.

“Instant Funding profit shares seem worse.”

At the early levels (50-70%), yes, you’re keeping less. But consider this: you’re trading real capital immediately, you can scale up to $4M total across accounts, and you get live market experience from day one.

“Can I actually trade news, use EAs, and hold over weekends?”

Yes. All programs allow news trading, holding positions overnight and over weekends, and using EAs.

Scaling: How Big Can You Grow?

Scaling is where traders turn consistency into capital. Every CTI program has a clear path for growth. The better you perform, the more funding you unlock.

Challenge Programs (1-Step and 2-Step)

Scaling happens when you make 10% profit over 4 months, with 2 of those 4 months profitable, and you end the period in the black.

You add 50% of your original account size each time, up to $100k. After that, increments go: $112.5k → $125k → $150k → $175k → $200k.

Maximum per account: $200k. Maximum across all accounts combined: $400k.

Instant Funding programs

Every time you achieve 10% profit (with a 20% Consistency Score), your account doubles. A $20k account becomes $40k, then $80k, then $160k, and so on.

Maximum per account: $2M. Maximum across all accounts combined: $4M.

VIP Multiplies Everything

Remember, VIP tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold) increase both your profit share and payout frequency. So as you scale up your account size, you’re also potentially scaling up your profit percentage. That’s how you really maximize earnings.

Which Program Fits You Best?

Different traders need different setups. Here’s how to think about it:

- You’re a Beginner or someone who uses 3rd party EAs: Go 1-Step or Instant Pro.
- You’re a swing or position trader: You need to hold positions overnight and over weekends. Good news, all programs allow this. Your choice comes down to preferred risk model and scaling caps. If you want massive scale, consider Instant/Pro.
- You clearly prefer defined risk parameters: You want the biggest drawdown available to give you more room for your trading. Pick 2-Step.
- You’re hungry for capital: You want to trade real money immediately and scale as high as possible. Go Instant or Instant Pro.
- You’re aiming for VIP status: You want weekly or on-demand payouts and that 100% profit share. Any program works, just focus on hitting VIP tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold). The perks apply across all CTI accounts.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Which program gets me paid fastest?

Instant Pro – on-demand payouts. Regular Instant Funding pays after you hit 10%. Challenge programs pay on demand after 7 profitable days and at least 2%/$100. After your first payout, each program follows its own schedule (monthly for Challenges, bi-weekly for Instant).

Do I have a time limit to pass?

No. All programs have unlimited time.

What are the drawdown rules again?

1-Step: 5% trailing (MTD, balance-based). 2-Step: 5% daily plus 10% static. Instant/Pro: 6% static.

How do I get a Profitable Trading Day?

Close at least 0.5% profit based on your initial balance. So on a $100k account, you need $500 in closed profit.

What's the payout schedule after my first withdrawal?

Challenge programs: Monthly (last 5 days of each calendar month).
Instant programs: Bi-weekly (around 14th/15th and the last two days of the month).

Can I use EAs, martingale, trade news, and hold over weekends?

Yes you can use all of the above on all the CTI Funding Programs. When do I need to complete KYC?

After you pass (Challenges) or hit a milestone/first payout (Instant/Pro).

How fast do payouts process?

We aim for 24-hour processing. Bank wires take 2–5 business days to arrive. E-wallets and crypto are typically Instant.

Program Comparison at a Glance

Here’s everything side by side:

Feature	1-Step	2-Step	Instant/Pro
Structure	1 evaluation phase	2 evaluation phases	No evaluation (live from day one)
Profit Target(s)	+8%	10% → 5%	+10% per level
Drawdown Rules	5% MTD (Trailing)	5% MDD + 10% MAD	6% Static
Daily DD?	No	Yes (5%)	No
First Payout Gate	7 PTDs & ≥2%/$100	Same as 1-Step	Instant +10% + 5 PTDs; Pro On-Demand + 5 PTDs (≥ 2% / $100)
Ongoing Cadence	Monthly	Monthly	Bi-weekly
Profit Share	80% → 90–100% VIP	80% → 90–100% VIP	50–80% → 90–100% VIP
Scaling Cap	$400k total	$400k total	$4M total
Time Limit	Unlimited	Unlimited	N/A

Quick Reference:

- MTD = Maximum Trailing Drawdown.
- MDD = Maximum Daily Drawdown.
- MAD = Maximum Absolute Drawdown.
- PTD = Profitable Trading Day

Your Next Move

By now, you should have a pretty clear picture of which program fits your trading style. Maybe you’re drawn to the simplicity of 1-Step, the structure of 2-Step, or the immediate action of Instant Funding.

Whatever you choose, remember that all three paths can get you to the same place: a profitable, scalable trading career with CTI.

Ready to make your choice? Here’s where to go next:

- Compare all programs side-by-side to see rules, payouts, and leverage in one place.
- Start a Challenge if you’re going with 1-Step or 2-Step.
- Go Instant if you want to trade live capital today.

GET FUNDED NOW
AND BECOME A CTI TRADER

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Martin Najat is the Co-Founder of City Traders Imperium, a global proprietary trading firm dedicated to empowering traders through capital, education, and innovative fintech solutions. With a strong background in financial technology, Martin has been instrumental in integrating smart, scalable systems that support trader performance and risk management. His vision for a trader-first ecosystem has helped CTI scale globally, reshaping the landscape of modern prop trading.

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Optimize Your CTI Funding: 1‑Step, 2‑Step, or Instant Which Path Fits Your Trading Style?

Why This Matters

How the Programs Work

1-Step Challenge

2-Step Challenge

Instant Funding and Instant Pro

The Economics: What You Actually Keep

Running Your Funded Account: Operations & Compliance

✔ Payout Processing

✔ Profitable Trading Day (PTD) Definition

✔ KYC Verification

✔ Stop-Loss Rule

✔ Devices, VPNs, and Travel

✔ Supported Platforms

VIP Perks: How to Level up Your Profit Share

Addressing the Common Worries

Scaling: How Big Can You Grow?

Challenge Programs (1-Step and 2-Step)

Instant Funding programs

VIP Multiplies Everything

Which Program Fits You Best?

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Which program gets me paid fastest?

Do I have a time limit to pass?

What are the drawdown rules again?

How do I get a Profitable Trading Day?

What's the payout schedule after my first withdrawal?

Can I use EAs, martingale, trade news, and hold over weekends?

How fast do payouts process?

Program Comparison at a Glance

Your Next Move

GET FUNDED NOW AND BECOME A CTI TRADER

Martin Najat

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No Evaluation Prop Firms | City Traders Imperium

Weekly Market Sentiment – 25 January 2026

Instant Funding Prop Firms Explained | City Traders Imperium

Weekly Market Sentiment – 18 January 2026

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