Profit Split Structure
Smart Trader Funds offers different profit splits depending on which programme you pass. The split determines how much of your simulated trading profits you keep.
| Programme | Starting Split | Scaled Split |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Track (1-Phase) | 70% | 70% |
| Regular (2-Phase) | 80% | Up to 90% |
| Pro (2-Phase Swing) | 80% | Up to 90% |
The Fast Track programme locks you at a 70% split with no scaling. This is lower than most competitors — FTMO starts at 80% and scales to 90%, while FundedNext offers up to 95%. The Regular and Pro programmes start at 80% and can reach 90% through the scaling plan, which is more competitive.
When Can You Request a Payout?
Your first payout becomes available 14 days after your funded account is activated. After that, you can request payouts every two weeks (bi-weekly). This is faster than monthly payout schedules but slower than firms like FundedNext, which guarantees 24-hour payout processing.
Requirements Before Requesting
- All open positions must be closed — you cannot request a payout with trades running
- Your account must meet the 45% consistency rule — no single trading day can account for more than 45% of your total profits
- You must have traded for at least the minimum number of trading days required by your programme
- Your account must be in profit after the platform's share is deducted
Payout Methods
Smart Trader Funds processes payouts through two main channels:
- Rise (bank transfer platform) — the primary payout method. Rise charges a processing fee of up to 3%, which is deducted from your payout. Processing takes 3-7 business days depending on your bank and country.
- Cryptocurrency — available for traders who prefer crypto. User reports suggest crypto payouts are processed faster than Rise, often within 24-48 hours. Specific supported coins are not publicly documented — check with support.
The 3% Rise fee is worth noting. On a $1,000 payout, you lose $30 to processing. Over multiple payouts, this adds up. Firms like FTMO process payouts through Deel with lower fees, and some competitors offer zero-fee crypto payouts.
Payout Process Step by Step
- Close all open positions on your funded account
- Log into the Smart Trader Funds dashboard
- Navigate to the payout section
- Verify your account meets all requirements (consistency rule, minimum days, profit threshold)
- Select your preferred payout method (Rise or crypto)
- Submit the payout request
- Wait for processing — Rise takes 3-7 business days, crypto is typically faster
- Confirm receipt and check the amount matches after fees
Challenge Fee Refund Policy
Smart Trader Funds does not refund challenge fees. Unlike FTMO, which refunds your evaluation fee with your first profit split, STF treats the challenge fee as a non-refundable purchase. This means your first payout needs to cover the challenge fee cost before you are genuinely in profit.
For a $99 challenge fee on a $10,000 account, you would need to earn at least $142 in trading profits (at a 70% split) just to break even on the fee.
Scaling Plan
Smart Trader Funds offers a scaling plan for Regular and Pro accounts. By meeting performance targets consistently, your account balance can scale up to $400,000. The profit split can increase from 80% to 90% as you scale.
Specific scaling milestones and the number of profitable cycles required are outlined in the dashboard once you have a funded account.
Common Payout Issues
Based on user feedback, here are the most reported payout-related issues:
- Consistency rule violations — the 45% rule catches many traders. If one big winning day accounts for more than 45% of your total profit, your payout may be delayed or denied until you meet the requirement.
- Open positions at payout time — forgetting to close all trades before requesting is a common mistake. The system will reject the request.
- Rise platform fees — some traders report being surprised by the up to 3% processing fee, which is not always prominently displayed.
- Processing delays — while bi-weekly payouts are the stated schedule, some users report delays beyond the expected window.
Final Thoughts
Smart Trader Funds' payout system is functional but not best-in-class. The 70% Fast Track split is below industry average, the 3% Rise fee eats into profits, and the lack of challenge fee refunds means you start at a small deficit.
The bi-weekly payout schedule is reasonable, and the addition of crypto payouts provides a faster alternative to bank transfers. If you are comparing payout terms, FTMO offers better splits with fee refunds, and FundedNext offers faster processing with higher splits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I get paid from Smart Trader Funds?
After your first payout at 14 days, you can request payouts every two weeks (bi-weekly). All positions must be closed and the consistency rule must be met before requesting.
Does Smart Trader Funds refund the challenge fee?
No. Unlike FTMO, Smart Trader Funds does not refund evaluation fees. The challenge fee is a non-refundable purchase regardless of whether you pass or fail.
What is the consistency rule at Smart Trader Funds?
No single trading day can account for more than 45% of your total profits. This prevents traders from relying on one lucky trade to pass the challenge or request a payout.
How long do Smart Trader Funds payouts take?
Rise (bank transfer) payouts take 3-7 business days. Crypto payouts are typically faster, often within 24-48 hours based on user reports.