Smart Prop Trader: Closed since 29 Dec 2024
Smart Prop Trader was an Austin, Texas based forex/CFD prop firm founded by trader and YouTuber Blake Olson, which publicly launched its evaluation programs in December 2022. On 27-28 November 2024 it announced on social media that it had stopped onboarding new traders and would wind down operations by 29 December 2024, hinting at an unspecified new venture. Existing traders could keep trading and request payouts until the cut-off, accounts bought in November 2024 that were at break-even or better could claim a full refund, and remaining accounts in good standing were promised individual follow-up. No relaunch has followed: the smartproptrader.com domain now redirects to SmartProfit FX, a separate Eightcap introducing-broker site, and no longer sells challenges.
Key facts
- Status
- Closed
- Founded
- Dec 2022
- Stopped trading
- 29 Dec 2024
- Former website
- smartproptrader.com
- Trustpilot
- 4.3 · 2,507 reviews
What happened: timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 2022 | Launch press release from Austin, Texas announcing challenges, verification and funded accounts | newsfilecorp.com |
| 6 Jan 2023 | Second press release presenting founder and CEO Blake Olson and funding of up to $400,000 | newsfilecorp.com |
| 27 Nov 2024 | Firm stops onboarding new traders and announces the wind-down on social media | fastbull.com |
| 28 Nov 2024 | Trade press reports the closure, with 29 December 2024 as the final operating date and refunds for November buyers at break-even or better | financemagnates.com |
| 29 Dec 2024 | Announced final day of operations | fxprop.com |
| 29 Sep 2026 | smartproptrader.com redirects (302) to smartprofitfx.com, an Eightcap introducing-broker site operated by Smart Profit FX LLC; no prop challenges on offer | smartprofitfx.com |
What about trader payouts?
The firm said it would keep processing payouts normally until 29 December 2024, fully refund accounts bought in November 2024 that were at break-even or in profit, and contact remaining accounts in good standing individually. Nothing public confirms how completely this was done; the few Trustpilot reviews posted after the closure (to May 2025) are 1-star complaints about account bans, denied payouts and unresponsive support.
If you are owed money by a closed firm, keep your account statements, payout requests and correspondence, check whether the firm's terms name a legal entity and jurisdiction, and follow official announcements rather than third-party “recovery” services, which are a common scam.
Active alternatives to Smart Prop Trader
| # | Firm | Score | From | Per $10K | Payouts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  The5ers | 4.4 | $22 | $65.80 | Bi-weekly | Visit |
| 2 |  FundedNext | 4.3 | $32.99 | $65.99 | Weekly | Visit |
| 3 |  FTMO | 4.3 | €79 | €72.40 | Bi-weekly | Visit |
| 4 |  FundingPips | 4.2 | $33 | $69.80 | Weekly | Visit |
| 5 |  Fintokei | 4.2 | $44 | $72 | Bi-weekly | Visit |
| 6 |  Hola Prime | 4.1 | $39 | $71.60 | Bi-weekly | Visit |
| 7 |  Funded Trading Plus | 4.1 | $4 | $69.80 | Daily | Visit |
| 8 |  Ment Funding | 4.0 | $250 | $86 | Daily | Visit |
Active forex firms without open warnings, ranked by our score. See also the most established prop firms and how to check a firm before you pay.
FAQ
Is Smart Prop Trader still operating?
No. As of September 29, 2026 its status in our records is: closed (since 29 Dec 2024). Smart Prop Trader was an Austin, Texas based forex/CFD prop firm founded by trader and YouTuber Blake Olson, which publicly launched its evaluation programs in December 2022.
Did Smart Prop Trader pay its traders?
The firm said it would keep processing payouts normally until 29 December 2024, fully refund accounts bought in November 2024 that were at break-even or in profit, and contact remaining accounts in good standing individually. Nothing public confirms how completely this was done; the few Trustpilot reviews posted after the closure (to May 2025) are 1-star complaints about account bans, denied payouts and unresponsive support.
What are the best alternatives to Smart Prop Trader?
Active forex firms with the highest scores in our data: The5ers, FundedNext, FTMO.
Sources
- smartproptrader.com/: current site status (302 redirect to smartprofitfx.com)
- smartprofitfx.com/: what the domain now points to (Eightcap IB site, Smart Profit FX LLC)
- www.newsfilecorp.com/release/149017/Smart-Prop-Trader-Launches-Its-Services-With: launch date (Dec 2022), Austin TX location
- www.newsfilecorp.com/release/150492/Smart-Prop-Trader-Launched-by-Entrepreneur-B: founder/CEO, launch context
- www.financemagnates.com/forex/another-prop-firm-announces-closure-in-year-that-s: closure announcement, dates, refund terms
- www.fastbull.com/brokersview/news/prop-firm-smart-prop-trader-to-cease-operation: onboarding stop date, payout/refund terms
- fxprop.com/news/prop-firm-smart-prop-trader-sets-december-exit-date/: final operating date
- www.wikifx.com/en/newsdetail/202411299034929215.html: corroboration of closure terms
- uk.trustpilot.com/review/smartproptrader.com: TrustScore, review count, post-closure reviews
Checked September 29, 2026. Found newer information? Tell us. See all closed prop firms.