The 5%ers cTrader: US Trader Access Since September 2025

The 5%ers added cTrader as a trading platform on September 1, 2025, unlocking something more significant than a platform upgrade: direct access for US traders to a major CFD prop firm for the first time. As of May 2026, cTrader is available across The 5%ers' four CFD programs as a supplement to the existing MT5 Hedge platform, and it is the only platform US residents can use for those programs. MT5 Hedge remains available for non-US traders. The Futures track on Black Arrow is separate and is not part of this change.

The September 2025 launch was not driven by platform preference. It was driven by a MetaQuotes restriction that had blocked US traders from MT5-based prop firms for years. cTrader, built by Spotware, has no equivalent restriction. CEO Saul Lokier's September 1 PRNewswire announcement framed the addition as a choice for advanced traders rather than a workaround for US eligibility, but the operational reality is clear: the cTrader integration was the prerequisite for everything that followed on September 18, when The 5%ers formally announced US trader access.

This article covers what the cTrader integration means at a practical level: why the platform was added, what it covers versus MT5 Hedge, how the US expansion works, and who should choose cTrader. For the full platform comparison including Black Arrow and the Futures track, see The 5%ers Platforms overview.

Why The 5%ers Added cTrader in September 2025

The 5%ers ran exclusively on MT5 Hedge from its founding in 2016 through mid-2025. MT5 Hedge is MetaTrader 5 in hedging configuration, allowing simultaneous long and short positions on the same instrument. It is the standard platform for CFD prop firms globally and worked well for The 5%ers' non-US trader base for nearly a decade.

The problem was geographic. MetaQuotes, the company behind MT4 and MT5, restricted US-based and US-serving prop firms from onboarding US residents through a series of enforcement actions in 2023 and 2024. Firms that ran only MT5 faced a binary choice: exit the US market entirely or find an alternative platform. Some chose the first path. The 5%ers chose the second.

Spotware's cTrader is the practical alternative. cTrader is a competing CFD platform with no equivalent MetaQuotes-style US restriction. Adding cTrader allowed The 5%ers to keep MT5 Hedge for the majority of its global trader base while opening a separate, US-eligible route through cTrader.

CEO Saul Lokier's PRNewswire announcement on September 1, 2025 framed the move in terms of platform quality rather than US eligibility: cTrader as the "premier platform for advanced traders," with what Lokier described as institutional-grade depth-of-market data and superior execution. The framing was commercially sensible — cTrader is genuinely a competitive platform, not just a workaround. But traders reading between the lines understand what the timing meant: the September 1 cTrader launch was the technical prerequisite for the September 18 US trader announcement.

The firm presented cTrader as "a supplement, not a replacement." MT5 Hedge was not deprecated, removed, or replaced. Non-US traders continue to use MT5 Hedge exactly as before. The cTrader addition created a new option for traders who wanted it and a new entry point for traders who had no other option.

cTrader vs MT5 at The 5%ers

As of May 2026, both platforms support The 5%ers' four CFD programs with the same underlying rules, same drawdown structures, and same asset classes per program. The differences between cTrader and MT5 Hedge at The 5%ers are primarily in interface design, order tooling, and the ecosystem each platform brings.

Neither platform is objectively superior for all traders. The choice breaks down by workflow and geography.

MT5 Hedge has the larger indicator and EA library, which matters for traders running custom algorithmic strategies or using existing MT5 EAs from other platforms. MT5's Hedge mode is central to strategies that hold opposing positions simultaneously. The platform is also more familiar to traders coming from FTMO, FundedNext, or any of the major CFD prop firms that have used MT5 for years. Switching platforms introduces friction when there is no functional reason to do so.

cTrader has the cleaner chart interface, which traders find more intuitive for manual discretionary trading. Its depth-of-market panel is visually integrated and accessible without navigating additional menus. cTrader's cAlgo environment lets algorithmic traders build bots in C# rather than MetaQuotes' proprietary MQL5 language, which appeals to developers already working in .NET ecosystems. The copy-trading tools built into cTrader are more polished than third-party MT5 alternatives.

For US traders, the comparison is academic. MT5 is not available. cTrader is the only CFD platform path at The 5%ers.

How US Traders Access The 5%ers via cTrader

The 5%ers formally announced US trader access on September 18, 2025, seventeen days after the cTrader launch. The announcement was covered by aijourn.com and quoted both CEO Saul Lokier and founder Gil Ben Hur, presenting the expansion as an industry-leading move that filled a significant gap in the firm's global footprint.

As of May 2026, US residents can access every CFD program at The 5%ers through cTrader:

• Hyper Growth (1-step, $5K–$20K, 3% pause, scales to $4M)
• Pro Growth (1-step, $5K–$20K, 3% terminate, 75% starting split, introduced in 2026)
• High Stakes (2-step, $2.5K–$100K, 1:100 leverage, 80% split on funded)
• Bootcamp (3-step, starting from $20K, mandatory stop-loss, scales to $4M)

The Futures track on Black Arrow is also available to US traders and is not contingent on cTrader. US residents choosing between CFD programs and the Futures track have two separate platform paths: cTrader for any CFD program, Black Arrow for Futures Basecamp or Futures Rebate.

One important correction to note: at least one third-party prop firm review site still lists the United States as a restricted country at The 5%ers as of early 2026. That listing is outdated. The firm's official help center restricted-countries page does not include the United States, and the September 2025 expansion announcement is the canonical record. The actual restricted list covers approximately 34 sanctioned or high-risk jurisdictions, including Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, and others. The US is not on that list and has not been since September 18, 2025.

For US traders who are new to cTrader, the setup flow at The 5%ers works like any cTrader-enabled prop firm: purchase the program on the firm's website, receive server name and login credentials in the trader hub, download the cTrader client from Spotware's site or via The 5%ers' linked installer, connect using the provided credentials, and begin trading. cTrader offers a web-based client in addition to desktop applications for Windows and macOS, with full iOS and Android mobile support. Mac users get a natively supported experience without requiring workarounds. The 5%ers has not published its specific server name or login URL on public-facing pages, so traders should obtain those details from the trader hub post-activation.

> Sign up at the5ers.com/?afmc=199w and use code 7QHKBHSAQV at checkout for the PTV reader discount. The link covers all four CFD programs and the Futures track.

Asset Classes and Programs Available on cTrader

cTrader at The 5%ers does not change which assets you can trade. The asset universe is determined by program, not by platform. What cTrader does is provide an alternative way to access that universe — and for US traders, the only way to access it on CFD programs.

Here is how assets map to cTrader-eligible programs as of May 2026:

Three points are worth highlighting for traders choosing between programs on cTrader.

Crypto CFD availability is program-specific. Hyper Growth, Pro Growth, and High Stakes all list Crypto in their asset specifications. Bootcamp does not list Crypto and omits it from its official program page. US traders who want to trade Crypto CFDs on cTrader at The 5%ers should choose Hyper Growth, Pro Growth, or High Stakes. Bootcamp on cTrader does not cover it.

Oil is exclusive to High Stakes among the CFD programs. The High Stakes official asset list is verbatim: "Assets available: FX, Metals, Indices Oil and Crypto." The other CFD programs do not list Oil explicitly. Energy-focused CFD traders on cTrader should route to High Stakes.

The Futures track is not on cTrader. The 5%ers Futures Basecamp and Futures Rebate programs run on Black Arrow only. There is no cTrader path to futures trading at The 5%ers. US traders interested in futures use Black Arrow, which is also US-eligible. The two tracks are operationally separate: different platforms, different accounts, different rules, different payout cycles.

Leverage on cTrader follows the same program-level rules as MT5 Hedge. Hyper Growth and Bootcamp offer 1:30 on Forex. High Stakes offers up to 1:100 on Forex. Pro Growth specifies 1:30 Forex, 1:25 Indices and Metals, 1:1.5 Commodities, and 1:0.60 Crypto. The platform does not determine leverage; the program does.

cTrader Setup at The 5%ers

Setting up cTrader for a The 5%ers account follows a straightforward flow once the program is purchased. The sequence is the same for US traders and non-US traders choosing cTrader as their preferred platform.

Step 1: Choose your program and select cTrader at activation. At the program purchase or account activation stage in the trader hub, select cTrader as the platform. The alternative is MT5 Hedge (not available to US residents). The selection determines which server and credentials the firm issues.

Step 2: Receive credentials from the trader hub. After activation, the trader hub displays the server name, account login number, and initial password for the cTrader connection. These are firm-specific and are not the same as a retail cTrader broker connection. The specific server name and login URL are not published on The 5%ers' public website; retrieve them from the hub post-activation.

Step 3: Install cTrader. Download the cTrader desktop client from Spotware's official site at ctrader.com or via The 5%ers' linked installer. The desktop client is available for Windows and macOS. A web-based client is available directly via browser. Mobile apps for iOS and Android are available via the App Store and Google Play.

Step 4: Connect to The 5%ers' server. Open cTrader, navigate to the account connection settings, and enter The 5%ers' server name and your login credentials. The connection defaults to The 5%ers' simulated trading environment, which is the standard for all evaluation and funded prop firm accounts regardless of platform.

Step 5: Verify assets and begin trading. Once connected, the Market Watch panel will display the instruments available for your program. Confirm the asset list matches what your program specifies before placing trades. The same The 5%ers rules apply on cTrader as on MT5 Hedge: news trading restrictions by program, overnight and weekend holding policies, EA and automated trading rules, and the inactivity policy (30 consecutive days without trading closes the account).

For traders using cTrader at other prop firms, the setup is structurally identical to what they have done before. The only firm-specific inputs are the server name and the program-specific rules enforced by The 5%ers. The cTrader interface itself is the same Spotware product.

Who Should Choose cTrader vs MT5 at The 5%ers

The cTrader vs MT5 decision at The 5%ers is primarily a function of trader geography and existing platform habits.

US-based traders have no choice. cTrader is the only CFD platform available to US residents at The 5%ers. If you are a US trader evaluating Hyper Growth, Pro Growth, High Stakes, or Bootcamp, you will be on cTrader. The decision reduces to which program to buy, not which platform to use.

Non-US traders already on MT5 should stay on MT5. If you have existing MT5 EAs, template setups, or years of workflow built on MetaTrader, switching to cTrader for no functional benefit adds friction without adding value. MT5 Hedge continues to run all four CFD programs with full support. The 5%ers has not deprecated or restricted MT5 for non-US traders.

Non-US traders who prefer cTrader's interface should use cTrader. If you are coming from another firm that uses cTrader (FTMO, FundedNext, or others) and prefer cTrader's chart engine and depth-of-market visualization, the September 2025 addition means you can now bring that preference to The 5%ers' programs. There is no rule or fee differential that penalizes the cTrader choice for non-US traders.

Algorithmic traders using cBots or C# should use cTrader. The cAlgo environment in cTrader is built on C# and .NET, which some developers find more accessible than MetaQuotes' proprietary MQL5 language. If your automation workflow is built on cTrader, the September 2025 integration means your bots can run at The 5%ers without a platform rewrite. The same algorithmic trading rules apply on cTrader as on MT5: EAs and cBots are permitted; tick scalping, HFT, latency arbitrage, reverse arbitrage, hedge arbitrage, and emulator-based bots are explicitly banned.

Futures traders use Black Arrow, not cTrader. If you are interested in The 5%ers' Futures Basecamp or Futures Rebate programs, platform selection is not a decision point. Black Arrow is the only Futures platform. cTrader is irrelevant for the Futures track.

The practical recommendation matrix:

How cTrader Fits The 5%ers' Three-Platform Strategy

The September 2025 cTrader addition was the second major platform event in The 5%ers' history. The first was the February 2026 launch of Black Arrow for the Futures track. Taken together, the two additions repositioned The 5%ers from a single-platform CFD firm (MT5 Hedge) to a three-platform operation covering CFD traders globally, US CFD traders specifically, and futures traders separately.

The structural logic is clean. MT5 Hedge serves the established non-US CFD trader base without disruption. cTrader opens the US market and provides a modern alternative for any non-US trader who prefers it. Black Arrow handles the new Futures product line in beta. No platform has been removed. Each addition has been additive.

For traders evaluating The 5%ers against FTMO, FundedNext, or MyFundedFX on the CFD side, the platform comparison as of May 2026 looks like this:

The 5%ers is among a small group of legacy CFD prop firms that have fully resolved the US trader access question via cTrader. FTMO and others have cTrader but have not made explicit US trader expansion announcements of the same kind The 5%ers made in September 2025. US traders looking for a CFD prop firm with transparent US eligibility confirmation, a 4.9-rated Trustpilot record across 22,000 or more reviews, and a verified payout history spanning 262,000 funded traders have a limited set of options. The 5%ers via cTrader is one of them.

One limitation is worth flagging clearly. The 5%ers has not published a per-program cTrader availability matrix on its public website as of May 2026. The September 2025 announcement said cTrader was added "across CFD programs" without listing each program by name. The four CFD programs are Hyper Growth, Pro Growth, High Stakes, and Bootcamp. The reasonable interpretation is that all four support cTrader, and the P1 platforms overview article treats it that way, but the firm has not formally confirmed per-program availability on a public page. Verify in the trader hub at activation if the specific program-platform combination matters for your workflow.

The bottom line

The 5%ers cTrader is the platform that opened the US market for the firm and provided a modern alternative for non-US traders who prefer Spotware's interface over MetaTrader. The September 1, 2025 announcement and the September 18, 2025 US expansion are linked events: cTrader was the technical solution that made US access possible, because MT5 Hedge is not available to US-based prop firm clients under MetaQuotes' current restrictions.

For US traders, cTrader is not a choice at The 5%ers. It is the only CFD platform available. All four CFD programs (Hyper Growth, Pro Growth, High Stakes, Bootcamp) are accessible through cTrader for US residents, and the Futures track on Black Arrow is separately available for traders who want futures exposure.

For non-US traders, cTrader is a genuine option that runs the same programs with the same rules and the same asset classes as MT5 Hedge. Traders with established MT5 workflows have no reason to switch. Traders who prefer cTrader's interface or who already use it at another firm have a fully supported path at The 5%ers since September 2025.

Traders who need a Tradovate, NinjaTrader 8, or Rithmic path should look at Apex Trader Funding, Topstep, or Tradeify. Traders who want The 5%ers' CFD programs on a fully-supported platform that works in the US and offers strong tool depth for discretionary and algorithmic trading should start with cTrader at the5ers.com/?afmc=199w using code 7QHKBHSAQV at checkout for the PTV reader discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can US traders use The 5%ers?

Yes. The 5%ers opened to US traders on September 18, 2025 via the cTrader platform. Prior to that date, the firm ran on MT5 Hedge, which MetaQuotes does not make available to US-based prop firms. US traders can access all four CFD programs (Hyper Growth, Pro Growth, High Stakes, Bootcamp) through cTrader, and the Futures track on Black Arrow is also US-eligible. One outdated third-party listing still flags USA as restricted; the firm's official help center and the September 2025 press release contradict that.

When did The 5%ers add cTrader?

The 5%ers officially added cTrader on September 1, 2025. CEO Saul Lokier announced the addition via a PRNewswire press release, framing cTrader as a "premier platform for advanced traders" and describing the move as supplementing MT5 Hedge rather than replacing it. The US trader expansion followed on September 18, 2025.

Is cTrader replacing MT5 Hedge at The 5%ers?

No. The 5%ers framed the September 1, 2025 cTrader launch as a supplement, not a replacement. MT5 Hedge remains the primary CFD platform for all four programs. Non-US traders can continue using MT5 Hedge without switching. cTrader is the only option for US-based traders on CFD programs and for any trader who prefers cTrader's interface over MT5.

Which The 5%ers programs support cTrader?

The September 2025 announcement stated cTrader was added across the firm's CFD programs. The 5%ers did not name each program individually. The four CFD programs at the firm are Hyper Growth (1-step), Pro Growth (1-step), High Stakes (2-step), and Bootcamp (3-step). The Futures Basecamp and Futures Rebate programs run only on Black Arrow and are not accessible through cTrader.

Why did The 5%ers add cTrader instead of staying on MT5?

MetaQuotes, the company behind MT5, does not allow US-based or US-serving prop firms to onboard US residents on its platform. cTrader, built by Spotware, has no equivalent restriction. Adding cTrader let The 5%ers serve US traders without removing MT5 for non-US traders who prefer it. CEO Saul Lokier also cited institutional-grade execution and depth-of-market tools as additional reasons.

How is cTrader different from MT5 at The 5%ers?

Both platforms support The 5%ers' four CFD programs and the same asset classes. The differences are in interface and tool design. cTrader offers a modern chart engine, integrated depth-of-market visualization, and a cleaner order entry flow. MT5 Hedge has a larger EA and indicator library, uses hedge mode to allow simultaneous long/short positions, and is the more established platform in the forex/CFD space. Traders already set up on MT5 have no functional reason to switch; US traders have no functional choice.

Does Bootcamp support cTrader at The 5%ers?

The September 2025 announcement said cTrader was added across CFD programs without naming each individually. Bootcamp is a CFD program, which makes cTrader logically available on it. However, The 5%ers has not published a per-program platform matrix on its public pages as of May 2026. Verify on the trader hub at account activation if the platform choice matters for Bootcamp specifically.

Can I use cTrader for the Futures track at The 5%ers?

No. The Futures track at The 5%ers runs on Black Arrow, a separate proprietary platform. Black Arrow handles both Futures Basecamp and Futures Rebate programs. cTrader is exclusively a CFD platform option at The 5%ers. There is no cTrader path to the Futures programs.

What assets can I trade on cTrader at The 5%ers?

cTrader at The 5%ers gives access to the same assets as MT5 Hedge on each CFD program. Hyper Growth covers Forex, Metals, Indices, and Crypto. Pro Growth covers the same assets. High Stakes covers Forex, Metals, Indices, Oil, and Crypto. Bootcamp covers Forex, Metals, and Indices with no Crypto listed. The platform does not change the asset universe; the program determines which markets are available.

Is MT5 available to US traders at The 5%ers?

No. US traders cannot use MT5 Hedge at The 5%ers. MetaQuotes does not service US-based prop firms or onboard US residents on its MT5 platform. cTrader is the only CFD platform available to US residents at The 5%ers as of May 2026.

Can I switch from MT5 to cTrader mid-account at The 5%ers?

The 5%ers does not publish a "platform locked at purchase" policy like some futures-only competitors. CFD traders can typically choose MT5 Hedge or cTrader at program activation and may be able to request a switch via the trader hub. Verify with The 5%ers support before assuming a mid-account platform change is available.

Does The 5%ers charge differently for cTrader vs MT5?

The 5%ers has not published separate pricing for cTrader versus MT5 on its program pages as of May 2026. Program entry fees are listed by program, not by platform choice. Whether commission or spread structures differ between the two platforms is not disclosed on the public pages. Verify the execution cost structure within the trader hub after account activation.