SmartFi

Crypto trading and lending platform with 0% Smart Swap fees, now under Chapter 11 administration

Exchange United States Oct 21

Visit smartfi.com

1.9/ 5

Our score

Weak

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Maker fee 0.5%

Taker fee 0.5%

Accepts US customers Yes

What is SmartFi?

SmartFi is a cryptocurrency platform for trading and lending, operated as a DBA of Power Block Coin LLC. Its products include SmartTRADE, SmartWALLET and the SMTF utility token. The platform operates under Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee administration, which has left token withdrawals restricted.

Company and founders

Power Block Coin LLC operates from Orem, United States. SmartFi was co-founded by Aaron Tilton, its co-founder and CEO, and Tom Retson, its co-founder and COO. Tilton is also CEO and chairman of the board of Blue Castle Holdings, Inc. Retson spent 23 years with GE Nuclear Energy. The platform issued SMTF, a native token indexed to its loan portfolio.

Products and mechanics

SmartTRADE lets account holders trade and swap supported digital assets. SmartWALLET holds and transfers supported cryptocurrencies. SmartFi also offered lending and earning products tied to its platform and token model. The SMTF token was previously offered with a 100% buyback guarantee, while its withdrawals were suspended during the platform's liquidity distress.

Fees and access

Order-book maker and taker fees are each 0.5%. Smart Swap and SmartTRADE conversions carry a 0% fee. Deposits carry a 0% fee, while withdrawals are charged the network minimum transaction fee. SmartFi is listed for the United States under Chapter 11 trustee administration. Its registration is a FinCEN Money Services Business, number 31000178271453.

Track record and risks

Power Block Coin LLC, doing business as SmartFi, filed for Chapter 11 on June 20, 2024, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah. An independent Chapter 11 trustee was appointed in March 2026. In June 2024, SmartFi suspended SMTF and BBB withdrawals amid liquidity distress and proceedings involving about $200 million in unsecured claims.

The bankruptcy creates counterparty and withdrawal-freeze risk for users holding assets on the platform. The restricted SMTF and BBB withdrawals also affect liquidity. SmartFi's lending model adds exposure to borrowers and the platform's loan portfolio, while the SMTF token creates additional token and buyback risk. The 0.5% order-book fee is separate from the 0% Smart Swap fee.

Founders

Aaron J. TiltonCo-Founder

Tom RetsonCo-Founder

Best for:US crypto holders reviewing legacy accountsSmartTRADE conversion usersSMTF token holdersCrypto lending users

Pros and cons

Pros

0% fee for Smart Swap and SmartTRADE conversions
0% deposit fee
FinCEN MSB registration number 31000178271453
Offers trading, wallet and lending products in one platform

Cons

Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings began on June 20, 2024
SMTF and BBB withdrawals are restricted
About $200 million in unsecured claims are involved
0.5% maker and taker fees apply to order-book trades
Lending products add borrower and platform counterparty exposure
SMTF liquidity depends on the platform's loan portfolio

Our review

1.9/5

Weak

SmartFi offers zero-fee swaps and flat order book trading, but it is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy with restricted withdrawals on native assets.

Fees2.5

Security & trust1.0

Asset selection2.0

Ease of use2.5

Support2.0

SmartFi is a US-based cryptocurrency exchange and lending platform run by Power Block Coin LLC, based in Orem, Utah. Founded by Aaron Tilton and Tom Retson, the platform launched as a centralized portal providing spot conversions, order book trading, and interest-bearing loan products backed by its proprietary SMTF token. The operating company holds a FinCEN Money Services Business registration (#31000178271453).

Trading on the venue is split between two interfaces: Smart Swap (part of SmartTRADE), which charges a 0% trading fee, and an order book market carrying a flat 0.5% maker and 0.5% taker fee. Deposits carry no platform fees, and withdrawals require standard network transfer fees. While the cost schedule for instant swaps is straightforward, the flat 0.5% order book fee is higher than standard retail spot tiers found across major centralized exchanges.

The platform faces severe structural insolvency and legal challenges. In June 2024, Power Block Coin LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah facing roughly $200 million in unsecured claims, followed by the appointment of an independent trustee in March 2026. During this period, the venue suspended user withdrawals for SMTF and BBB balances due to liquidity distress. Custody is entirely centralized, and there is no public proof of reserves or active insurance fund protecting balances.

SmartFi is unsuitable for active spot traders or general crypto custody given its insolvency proceedings and halted native withdrawals. Anyone seeking active spot execution or transparent custodial backing should use a fully solvent, capitalized exchange with verifiable reserve reporting.

Listings are researched and drafted with AI assistance from public sources, then checked for accuracy and readability. Spot an error? Tell us. Editorial policy.

Sources (1)

SmartFi website

Specs

Markets	Spot · unverified
Maker fee	0.5% · unverified
Taker fee	0.5% · unverified
Accepts US customers	Yes · unverified
Licenses & registrations	FinCEN MSB (US) · unverified
Earn / savings products	Yes · unverified

Not disclosed by the provider: Coins listed, Fiat deposit methods, KYC required, Proof of reserves, Staking / earn, Mobile app, Security features, Futures & perpetuals, Max leverage (x), Copy trading, P2P market, User protection fund, Referral program.

Data from the provider's website and public sources. Fees and availability change; confirm on the official site before you sign up.

Key features

SmartTRADE conversions

SmartTRADE supports buying, selling and swapping supported digital assets, with a 0% SmartTRADE fee.

Order-book trading

The exchange charges a 0.5% maker fee and a 0.5% taker fee for order-book trades.

SmartWALLET storage

SmartWALLET lets users hold, deposit and transfer supported cryptocurrencies.

Crypto lending

SmartFi offers lending and earning products connected to its platform and loan portfolio.

SMTF token

SMTF is SmartFi's native utility token, indexed to the platform's loan portfolio.

Crypto deposits

Deposits carry a 0% fee, while withdrawals carry the network minimum transaction fee.

Inside SmartFi

SmartTRADE

The platform's trading portal allowing users to execute zero-fee spot swaps and trade on standard order books.

SmartWALLET

A centralized digital asset wallet used to deposit, hold, and transfer supported cryptocurrencies on the platform.

SMTF Token

The native platform asset designed to reflect portfolio lending activity, currently subject to withdrawal restrictions.

SmartFi screenshots

An acquisition landing page for the SmartFi.com domain displays contact information and domain attributes · Oct 21, 2026

User reviews

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FAQ

Who founded SmartFi?

SmartFi was co-founded by Aaron Tilton, who serves as CEO, and Tom Retson, who serves as COO. The platform is operated by Power Block Coin LLC.

What trading fees does SmartFi charge?

SmartFi charges a 0% fee on Smart Swap trades and a flat 0.5% maker and taker fee on order book trades. Crypto deposits are free, while withdrawals require the network transaction fee.

Is SmartFi operating under bankruptcy?

Power Block Coin LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the District of Utah on June 20, 2024. An independent Chapter 11 trustee was appointed to oversee the entity in March 2026.

Can users withdraw their funds from SmartFi?

SmartFi suspended withdrawals for SMTF and BBB balances in June 2024 amid liquidity distress and bankruptcy proceedings. Availability of other balance redemptions remains subject to trustee and court administration.

Does SmartFi have a native cryptocurrency token?

SmartFi created the SMTF utility token, which was designed to index the platform's lending portfolio. The token previously featured a buyback mechanism before the company's bankruptcy filing.