SurgeTrader: Closed since 24 May 2024
SurgeTrader was a Naples, Florida prop trading firm run by SurgeTrader, LLC and backed by Valo Holdings Group; it launched its funded-account 'Audition' in September 2021 with CFD access to FX, indices, metals, equities and crypto. After the early-2024 MetaQuotes crackdown on prop firms it moved traders to the Match-Trader platform, but Match-Trade Technologies terminated its licence (notice of 5 April 2024, cited as unmet contractual obligations), and SurgeTrader paused new Auditions in May 2024. On 24 May 2024 the firm announced it had closed and ceased all operations. The brand has not relaunched: as of 2026-09-29 surgetrader.com redirects to a GoDaddy 'domain for sale' page.
Key facts
- Status
- Closed
- Founded
- Sep 2021
- Stopped trading
- 24 May 2024
- Company
- SurgeTrader, LLC (United States (Florida))
- Former website
- surgetrader.com
- Trustpilot
- 3.8 · 1,246 reviews
What happened: timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 2021 | SurgeTrader LLC starts business in Naples, Florida (BBB business-start date) | bbb.org |
| 22 Sep 2021 | Press release announces the launch of SurgeTrader's funded account programme (10% Audition target, 75% split, up to $1M capital), backed by Valo Holdings Group | finance.yahoo.com |
| 5 Apr 2024 | Match-Trade Technologies sends SurgeTrader a licence termination notice, originally effective 30 June 2024 | financemagnates.com |
| 20 May 2024 | Termination becomes public; SurgeTrader calls it unwarranted and suspends new Auditions pending a resolution or a new platform | financemagnates.com |
| 24 May 2024 | SurgeTrader announces it has closed and ceased all operations after failing to resolve the platform termination | financemagnates.com |
| 29 Sep 2026 | surgetrader.com returns a 302 redirect to a GoDaddy page listing the domain for sale | surgetrader.com |
What about trader payouts?
No official refund or payout-settlement programme was published with the closure notice, and news coverage reported limited communication with customers. Trustpilot reviews posted after the shutdown describe unpaid withdrawals and refused refund requests; no regulator or court outcome was found.
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 SurgeTrader
| # | 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 SurgeTrader still operating?
No. As of September 29, 2026 its status in our records is: closed (since 24 May 2024). SurgeTrader was a Naples, Florida prop trading firm run by SurgeTrader, LLC and backed by Valo Holdings Group; it launched its funded-account 'Audition' in September 2021 with CFD access to FX, indices, metals, equities and crypto.
Did SurgeTrader pay its traders?
No official refund or payout-settlement programme was published with the closure notice, and news coverage reported limited communication with customers. Trustpilot reviews posted after the shutdown describe unpaid withdrawals and refused refund requests; no regulator or court outcome was found.
What are the best alternatives to SurgeTrader?
Active forex firms with the highest scores in our data: The5ers, FundedNext, FTMO.
Sources
- surgetrader.com/: current site status (302 redirect to GoDaddy domain-for-sale page)
- forsale.godaddy.com/forsale/surgetrader.com: confirms domain is listed for sale
- www.financemagnates.com/forex/prop-firm-surgetrader-shuts-down-a-week-after-losi: closure date and closure notice, Florida base, prior MetaTrader-to-Match-Trader move
- www.financemagnates.com/forex/exclusive-match-trader-terminates-prop-firm-surget: Match-Trader termination notice dates, SurgeTrader response, suspension of new Auditions
- fxnewsgroup.com/forex-news/retail-forex/exclusive-prop-firm-surgetrader-closes/: closure confirmation, founding year 2021, Naples FL, Valo Holdings Group backing
- finance.yahoo.com/news/prop-trading-firm-surgetrader-launches-120000440.html: launch press release (Sept 2021), SurgeTrader, LLC name, markets, original programme terms
- www.bbb.org/us/fl/naples/profile/investment-advisory-services/surgetrader-llc-06: legal name SurgeTrader LLC, business start date, Naples address
- search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResultDetail?inquirytype=Entit: Florida registration record of SURGETRADER, LLC (foreign LLC, doc. M21000011506); page itself could not be fetched
- www.wikifx.com/en/newsdetail/202405275044274438.html: closure confirmation, limited customer communication
- www.trustpilot.com/review/www.surgetrader.com: Trustpilot score and review count, post-closure complaints about withdrawals and refunds
Checked September 29, 2026. Found newer information? Tell us. See all closed prop firms.