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Comparison · Forex

Detailed Comparison: FXIFY vs City Traders Imperium (2025)

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1. Business Infrastructure and Reliability

  • Corporate Presence: FXIFY is based in London, UK, and was founded in 2023. City Traders Imperium (CTI) is headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and has a longer track record, having been founded in 2018.
  • Brokerage and Technology: FXIFY utilizes FXPIG as its primary broker, offering a wide range of platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, DXTrade, and TradingView. CTI operates through its own internal brokerage environment and limits platform choices to MetaTrader 5 and MatchTrader.
  • Global Access: FXIFY has a significantly longer list of banned countries (over 30), including Russia and several African nations. CTI is more accessible globally, with only a few restricted jurisdictions like Cuba, Iran, and North Korea.

2. Evaluation Models and Program Variety

  • Step Structures: FXIFY offers 1-Phase, 2-Phase, 3-Phase, and Instant Funding. CTI offers 1-Step, 2-Step, and two types of Instant Funding (Standard and Pro).
  • Unique Programs: FXIFY features the Lightning Plan, a high-speed hybrid challenge with a 7-day limit to hit the target. CTI offers Instant Funding Pro, which is a high-cost, high-reward direct funding model designed for professional-level capital management.
  • Phase Complexity: FXIFY’s 3-Phase program is designed for lower entry costs with higher resilience, while CTI’s 1-Step and 2-Step models are traditional but include strict "Profitable Trading Day" requirements (0.5% or more profit) to qualify for payouts.

3. Drawdown and Risk Management

  • Drawdown Types: Both firms use a mix of static and trailing drawdowns. FXIFY uses Static Drawdown for its 2-Phase Classic and 3-Phase accounts, while the 1-Phase and Instant accounts use Trailing Drawdown. CTI uses Static Drawdown for 2-Step and Instant, but Trailing for its 1-Step evaluation.
  • Daily Drawdown Calculation: Both companies calculate daily drawdown based on Balance, which is generally more favorable for traders than equity-based calculations as it allows for floating profits without tightening the drawdown limit for the day.
  • Loss Limits: FXIFY’s 1-Phase challenge offers a 6% max drawdown. CTI’s 1-Step is tighter at 5%. For 2-Phase programs, both offer a competitive 10% maximum drawdown.

4. Trading Rules and Restrictions

  • Stop Loss Requirements: FXIFY does not require a Stop Loss except in the Lightning Plan. CTI has a mandatory Stop Loss rule across all programs; failing to set one results in the system automatically closing the trade after 1 minute (soft breach).
  • News Trading: FXIFY allows news trading on most accounts, but restricts it (5 minutes before/after) on Lightning and Instant Funding. CTI allows news trading without specific time restrictions but prohibits "gambling" or high-leverage bets on news.
  • Expert Advisors (EAs): Both allow EAs, but with caveats. FXIFY prohibits them in Lightning and Instant plans. CTI allows them but prohibits 3rd-party EAs on most accounts except the 1-Step Challenge to prevent herd trading.
  • Consistency Rules: FXIFY applies a 30% consistency rule only to the Lightning Plan. CTI uses a Consistency Score for scaling Instant Funding accounts, measuring the stability of P/L rather than just the total amount.

5. Payouts and Profit Sharing

  • Profit Split: FXIFY starts at 80% and can be upgraded to 90% via a paid add-on. CTI starts at 80% for evaluations but features a VIP loyalty program where traders can reach 100% profit split.
  • Payout Frequency: FXIFY offers the first payout on demand for evaluation accounts, then every 30 days (reducible to 14 with add-ons). CTI requires at least 7 profitable trading days for the first payout on 1-Step/2-Step accounts and has specific monthly or bi-weekly windows thereafter.
  • Minimum Withdrawal: FXIFY sets a clear $50 minimum. CTI’s minimum depends on reaching at least 2% net profit or $100.

6. Scaling and Long-Term Career Path

  • Capital Growth: FXIFY allows scaling up to $4,000,000 based on hitting a 10% target over 3 months. CTI offers a more structured "career" path via their VIP levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
  • VIP Perks at CTI: CTI is unique in offering a guaranteed monthly salary for Gold-level traders, along with physical badges, coaching, and 100% profit splits.
  • Max Allocation: FXIFY permits a maximum initial allocation of $805,000. CTI limits evaluation-based allocation to $200,000 but allows Instant accounts to scale up to $2,000,000 each.

7. Comparison Summary: Which one to choose?

  • Choose FXIFY if: You want more platform flexibility (TradingView/DXTrade), higher initial allocation limits, or if you prefer a 3-Phase structure for lower risk. It is also the better choice for traders who do not want to be forced to use a Stop Loss.
  • Choose City Traders Imperium if: You are looking for a long-term career with institutional perks like a monthly salary and 100% profit split. It is ideal for disciplined traders who already use Stop Losses and value the stability of a firm that has been operating since 2018.
Field by field

City Traders Imperium and FXIFY, side by side

Rules, plans, platforms, leverage, commissions and payouts of both, with the option to see only what differs.

Head to head

59 differences

Headquarters

Algaroud Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

1-13(A), First Floor, Paragon, Jalan Tun Mustapha, 87009 Labuan

CEO

Daniel Martin and Martin Najat

Peter Brown y David Bhidey

Country

United Arab Emirates

Malaysia

Foundation

2018

2023

Banned Countries
Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Vietnam
Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Vietnam, Belarus, Burundi, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Libya, Sudan, Cuba, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Palestine, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Congo Republic, Crimea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Papua New Guinea, South Sudan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Algeria, Russia, Kenya, Ghana, Haiti
Assets
Forex, Commodities, Indices, Crypto
Forex, Indices, Commodities, Stocks
Brokers
City Traders Imperium
FXPIG
Refund
Yes
  • 1-Step, 2 Step: 100% of your sign-up fee refunded when you hit 10% profit target on funded account
  • Instant Funding: 50% of your sign-up fee refunded when you hit 10% profit target on funded account at level 2
  • Instant Funding Pro: No refund
Limited

1, 2 and 3 Phase purchase fees can be reimbursed with the first payout on request. 2 Phase Pro does not include a fee refund alongside withdrawals.

Platforms
Metatrader 5, MatchTrader
Metatrader 4, Metatrader 5, DXTrade, Tradingview
Demo Account
No data
Metatrader 4 All-In
ID12007232PasswordzuPt1OOServerFXPIG-Demo
Metatrader 4 Raw
ID625908Password!o5iCgMrServerFXPIG-DEMO
Metatrader 5 All-In
ID2100170634Password!llo7nWiServerFXPIG-Server
Metatrader 5 Raw
ID2100139002Password+yTuU6RzServerFXPIG-Server
Payout Methods
Transfer, Crypto
Rise, Transfer, Crypto
Payment Methods
Card, Crypto, Transfer
Card, Crypto
Payout Frequency

1-Step, 2-Step

  • 1st payout after at least 7 Profitable (0.5% or more) Trading Days and a Minimum of 2% net profit or $100 (whichever is higher).
  • After your 1st payout, you can request any subsequent payouts Monthly, during the last 5 days of each month.

Instant

  • You can request the 50% profit share from Level 1 when the 10% profit target is achieved on Level 2.
  • You can request the second payout on Demand anytime once you have at least 5 profitable trading days and a minimum of 2% net profit or $100 (whichever is higher).
  • After the 1st payout, you can request any subsequent payouts Bi-Weekly, on the 14th/15th & the last 2 days of each month.
  • 1, 2 and 3 Phase: first payout on demand after the minimum trading days; then monthly, or bi-weekly with add-on.
  • 2 Phase Classic: 14 or 30 days depending on payout configuration.
  • 2 Phase Pro: withdrawals every 10 days after meeting the payout criteria.
  • Instant Funding: instant/regular payout structure according to the instant account rules.
  • Lightning: first payout criteria are plan-specific, then every 14 days.
Maximum Withdrawal
No data

Plan-specific. 2 Phase Pro caps the first two withdrawals at 5% of initial balance or $8,000, then has no cap.

Minimum Withdrawal
No data

$50

Forex
30:1

Standard leverage is 30:1. Eligible traders can increase leverage to 50:1 at checkout for FX.

Metals
10:1

Gold and metals follow the 30:1 standard structure, with eligible checkout upgrade to 50:1 for Gold and Silver. 2 Phase Pro lists Forex & Gold at 30:1.

Energies
10:1

Oil leverage is 5:1 on 2 Phase Pro.

Indices
10:1

Indices leverage is 10:1 on 2 Phase Pro.

Crypto
2:1
No data
Stocks
No data

Stocks leverage is 2:1 on 2 Phase Pro.

Forex
5 / lot
0
Metals
5 / lot
0
Energies
0.05 / lot
No data
Indices
0.5 / lot
0
Crypto
0 / lot
No data
Stocks
No data
0
Commission-Free Option
No data
Yes

All-In feed is commission-free for FX, metals and indices; stock CFDs carry 0.35% round-turn. Raw feed has tighter spreads and $6/lot on FX, indices and metals.

Swap Free
Yes
No
Account Reset

You can reset your challenge with an unlimited 15% discount (1-Step, 2-Step, Instant Funding) or 10% (Instant Funding Pro)

Plan-specific. 2 Phase Pro does not offer resets or retries; traders must purchase another challenge.

Add-ons
No
Limited

Eligible accounts can use checkout customizations such as increased leverage, increased performance split, bi-weekly payouts and Performance Protect. 2 Phase Pro has no add-ons.

Instant
Yes
Yes
One Step
Yes
Yes

One Phase and Lightning are one-step style programs.

Account scaling
Yes

1-Step, 2-Step

  • You must achieve at least a +10% profit overall in the last 4 months. (Withdrawals don't affect this target).
  • Be profitable in at least 2 out of those 4 months.
  • Your account must have a positive balance (in profit) at the time of scaling.
  • Balance increases by +50% of its original balance, up to $100,000, and then $25,000 up to $200,000

Instant

  • You must achieve a 10% net profit of the initial account balance. (Withdrawals don't affect this target).
  • 20% Consistency Score.
  • Your account balance doubles until you reach the $2 million per account.
Limited

Scaling is available on eligible standard programs, but Instant Funding, Lightning and 2 Phase Pro are excluded.

Two Steps
Yes
Yes
  • Two Phase Classic: static drawdown
  • Two Phase Standard: trailing drawdown
  • Two Phase Pro: static drawdown, no add-ons and no scaling
Max Drawdown
  • 2-Step, Instant: Static
  • 1-Step: Trailing
  • 1 Phase: trailing drawdown that locks at starting balance.
  • 2 Phase Classic and 3 Phase: static drawdown.
  • 2 Phase Standard: trailing drawdown.
  • 2 Phase Pro: static 8% drawdown based on initial balance.
  • Lightning: plan-specific drawdown rules.
Profit Split
  • 1-Step, 2-Step: 80% (base value), 90% (Bronze Level), 100% (Silver Level)
  • Instant Funding: starts at 50% (Level 1)
  • Instant Funding Pro: starts at 70% (Level 2)
  • Instant scaling: 80% (Level 3), 90% (Bronze Level), 100% (Silver Level)

Up to 90% on most eligible accounts through add-ons. Two Phase Classic page shows up to 100%. Educational Course and some special programs may differ.

Free Trial
Yes
No
Profit After Breach
No data

Performance Protect is an optional add-on on eligible accounts. It allows traders with remaining gains to request a payout after a drawdown breach, based on the agreed performance split. It is not available on 2 Phase Pro.

Daily Drawdown

Balance-based

Daily loss is generally calculated from the previous day's 5 PM EST balance. 2 Phase Pro uses a 4% daily drawdown and treats a daily loss breach as a hard breach.

Three Steps
No
Yes
Max Allocation
  • 1-Step: $200,000
  • 2-Step: $200,000
  • Instant: $80,000

Up to $800,000 on standard FXIFY accounts. 2 Phase Pro has a separate maximum allocation of $785,000, one active account per account size.

Merge Accounts
No
No
Maximum Trading Days

Unlimited

Most programs have unlimited time. Lightning has a short challenge window. 2 Phase Pro has no specific time window to complete the profit targets.

Minimum Trading Days
No data
  • 1 Phase: 5 days
  • 2 Phase Classic: 4 days
  • 2 Phase Pro: 3 days to pass; 10 trading days to request payout
  • 3 Phase: 5 days
  • Instant Lite: 10 days
  • Lightning: 3 days
Points Reward Program

Loyalty Program. Complete daily and weekly quests to earn points, unlock discounts, and win cash prizes or even free funded accounts.

No data
Monthly Competition
No data
Yes
Minimum Profitable Days
  • 1-Step, 2-Step: 3 days on evaluation phase, 7 days on funded phase
  • Instant: 5 days for payout On Demand

Plan-specific. Instant Lite has 5 minimum profitable days. 2 Phase Pro trading days require at least 0.5% profit based on initial balance.

Expert Advisor (EA)
Yes
Limited

EAs are allowed on standard accounts and 2 Phase Pro. Lightning, Instant and Educational Course accounts have restrictions.

VPN
Yes
No
Hedging
No
Yes
Requires Stop Loss
Yes

Not using a stop loss is treated as a soft breach. Your account won’t be closed, but the system will automatically exit the trade after 1 minute if no stop loss has been set.

Limited

Lightning requires stop loss. Other plans are plan-specific.

Scalping
Yes
Yes
Stacking / Layering (DCA)
No
Yes
Martingale
No
No data
Maximum Risk Limit
No data
No
Copy Trading
No
Limited

Copy trading can be allowed on eligible accounts with proof of the master account, but it is not allowed on 2 Phase Pro or Lightning.

News Trading
Yes
Limited

Most standard accounts allow news trading. Lightning has restrictions around major news. 2 Phase Pro allows news trading.

Inactivity Rule

30 days

60 calendar days without trading can trigger inactivity breach on relevant accounts, including 2 Phase Pro.

Consistency Rule
No
Limited

Consistency rules are plan-specific. Lightning and Instant Lite include consistency requirements; 2 Phase Pro uses a trading-day qualification rule of 0.5% profit on initial balance.

Hold Weekend
Yes
Limited

Standard evaluation accounts generally allow weekend holding. Instant Funding accounts have restrictions. 2 Phase Pro allows weekend holding.

Prohibited Strategies
  • Exploit Price Inefficiencies / Price Feed Errors
  • Group Hedging / Hedging / Group Trading / Copy Trading
  • Account Sharing / Reselling of Account / Account Management
  • One-Sided Bets
  • Gamble to Pass / Over-Leveraging
  • Using 3rd-Party EAs (Excluding the 1-Step Challenge)
  • Bracketing Strategies
  • Martingale Trading Style (Excluding the 1-Step Challenge)
  • Grid Trading
  • High-Frequency Trading (HFT)
  • Reverse and group hedging
  • Account management
  • Latency arbitrage
  • Order book spamming
  • Herd trading and collusion
  • Exploiting bugs and glitches
  • High leverage news trading
  • Statistical arbitrage
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