Who is behind each firm
City Traders Imperium (CTI) is led by Daniel Martin and Martin Najat, operating from the Algaroud Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Their leadership has established a brand that focuses heavily on trader development and long-term scaling, positioning themselves as a firm for those looking for a professional career. On the other hand, Orion Funded is led by David Viota, also based in Dubai at the Silicon Oasis Digital Park. While both firms share a geographical base in the UAE, Orion Funded represents a more modern, aggressive approach to the market, often associated with the newer wave of Spanish-led prop firms that prioritize high-volume engagement and rapid growth.
How long they have been around
The gap in experience between these two entities is significant. City Traders Imperium was founded in 2018, making it a veteran in the prop trading industry that has survived multiple market cycles and regulatory shifts. This longevity provides a layer of historical reliability. Orion Funded is a much younger competitor, established in 2023. Despite its recent arrival, Orion has managed to accumulate over 1,878 reviews on Trustpilot, slightly surpassing CTI’s 1,600 reviews. This suggests that while CTI has the "seniority," Orion has achieved a very high level of operational activity and marketing reach in a much shorter timeframe.
What they promise and what backs it
City Traders Imperium promises a structured path to professional trading with a scaling plan that can reach $2 million. Their rules are strict but transparent: for instance, they require a mandatory stop loss (treated as a soft breach), which reflects their 2018-rooted philosophy of risk management. Their pricing for a $25,000 1-Step challenge is $159. Orion Funded offers a more diverse and accessible range of entry points, such as the "Orion Nova" model, which allows a $100,000 challenge for an initial fee of just $7, followed by a $669 activation fee upon passing. Orion’s promises are backed by a very active community and a 48-hour payout guarantee, though their rules on news trading (prohibited 2 minutes before and after on most accounts) and the "Best Day" consistency rule on Nova/Zero accounts show they manage risk by limiting windfall profits from single events.
How they handle your money
When it comes to payouts and financial logistics, Orion Funded offers a 14-day cycle with no initial waiting period, bolstered by a guarantee: if they don't process the payout within 48 hours, they offer a 100% profit split. They use Crypto and Wise for payouts. City Traders Imperium follows a more traditional, tiered approach. For their 1-Step and 2-Step evaluations, the first payout requires at least 7 profitable trading days and a 2% net profit. Subsequent payouts are monthly. CTI uses Bank Transfers and Crypto. Both firms provide MetaTrader 5 and Match-Trader, showing a similar level of technical maturity regarding platform availability, ensuring traders have access to industry-standard tools.
Operational maturity
The maturity of City Traders Imperium is evidenced by its complex VIP programs (Bronze, Silver, Gold), which offer perks like monthly salaries and 100% profit splits for those who prove consistency over many months. This indicates a deeply integrated business model. Orion Funded shows its maturity through logistical efficiency and a wider range of products, including 1, 2, and 3-step evaluations. While CTI acts as its own broker, Orion utilizes OGM International LTD. The fact that both firms support multiple payment methods, including cards and transfers, and operate from established business hubs in Dubai, signals that both have the necessary infrastructure to handle international transactions and large volumes of traders.
What the record does and does not tell you
This comparison highlights the difference between a "legacy" firm and a "high-growth" newcomer. CTI’s record since 2018 speaks to its ability to honor its commitments over years, while Orion’s high review count since 2023 speaks to its current popularity and fast execution. However, these figures do not guarantee future solvency or performance. A high number of reviews can reflect a good user experience or simply a very effective marketing campaign. Similarly, being founded in 2018 does not mean a firm is immune to changes in the industry. Traders should weigh CTI’s conservative, time-tested rules against Orion’s faster payout guarantees and flexible entry costs.
Frequently asked questions
Which firm is more affordable for a $100,000 account, City Traders Imperium or Orion Funded?
If you look at the total cost to reach a funded status, Orion Funded's Nova challenge is unique, charging only $7 upfront, but it requires a $669 activation fee once you pass, totaling $676. In contrast, City Traders Imperium offers a $100,000 2-Step challenge for a single payment of $549. Therefore, for a standard evaluation, City Traders Imperium is cheaper, while Orion Funded offers a lower barrier to entry for the initial test phase.
Between City Traders Imperium and Orion Funded, which firm has a faster payout system?
Orion Funded is significantly faster, offering payouts every 14 days with no initial waiting period and a 48-hour processing guarantee. City Traders Imperium requires a minimum of 7 profitable trading days and a 2% profit for the first payout on its evaluation accounts, and subsequent payouts are generally processed monthly or bi-weekly depending on the program level.
Does City Traders Imperium or Orion Funded have stricter rules regarding Stop Losses and News Trading?
City Traders Imperium is stricter regarding individual trade management, as it requires a mandatory stop loss on all trades (a soft breach if forgotten). However, it is more relaxed with news trading, which is generally allowed. Orion Funded does not mandate stop losses but imposes strict news trading restrictions on its Nova, Standard, and Select accounts, prohibiting trades 2 minutes before and after high-impact events on funded accounts.
Which firm offers a better profit split for successful traders, City Traders Imperium or Orion Funded?
Both firms start with a standard 80% profit split on most evaluation accounts. However, City Traders Imperium has a more extensive scaling potential through its VIP Silver level, where traders can reach a 100% profit split. Orion Funded allows for a 90% profit split after meeting the requirements of its scaling plan, but it does not currently offer a standard path to keep 100% of the profits like CTI does.
