The Trading Pit has received numerous reviews comparing it to other prominent scams. This post is to alert others about the dangers of investing with a prop firm like The Trading Pit. It is run by Thomas Heyden.
I want people to be aware of just how dangerous Thomas’ company is.
About Thomas Heyden, CEO of The Trading Pit
Thomas Heyden, a successful graduate of Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, is the Chief Executive Officer of The Trading Pit. Heyden received his education in finance, insurance, and capital market theory from the university. He is a trained financial analyst who has worked for multinational investment firms and German banks. He has also worked for German banks.
Several investment funds that Thomas has established and managed for his own regulated firm have been founded by Thomas. Additionally, in 2009, he was honoured with the German Fund Award for his investment fund.
In addition to his work in the trading and investment management industries, he was also responsible for hedging the risks associated with commodity prices for major German firms and the largest public transportation providers in Europe. It is highly attractive for medium-sized enterprises in Germany to have him as a speaker because he is knowledgeable about commodity prices and foreign exchange issues.
We hope that this series and our website have been helpful to anyone who is attempting to learn about the Prop Firm Industry or who is just beginning to learn about it. In conclusion, we also have reviews that we have created for a variety of businesses that are authentic prop companies. Now, before engaging in trading with any prop firm, you should read its review.
We have also compiled a review for The Trading Pit, and if you are interested in purchasing it, you can receive a cashback bonus of 15% by using our Cashback Link instead.
Examples of Complaints Against Thomas Heyden and His Firm:
#1. I have been familiar with this fund for a considerable amount of time, and I have already made several earnings from it. However, the most recent time, after two months of hard trading, I was able to pass round 2 and was about to wait for the funded account to come back. However, I received an unreasonable risk mail, and my account was blocked without any cause or evidence. This happened without any explanation. Having to go through this is a dreadful experience, and I hope that nobody does it.
#2. To confirm the scam,
Following my successful completion of the challenge, they decided to block my account due to the fact that my trading approach is comparable to that of other guys.
However, they did not provide me with a refund.
#3. What’s up, guys? This is Bin He. Due to the fact that I was formerly the top trader on the TTP trading leaderboard for the week of March 7th, it is possible that some of the guys have really seen me before. A profit of up to $40,000 was made by me on that particular day. Nevertheless, on March 7th, I received an unexpected email from TTP in which it stated that I had broken the regulations and that my account had been shut down.
I appealed the decision for several days, and during that time I made multiple requests for documentation; nevertheless, TTP never supplied any evidence of my infringement. They have the ability to terminate my trading account and prevent me from accessing my TTP account just on the basis that they have reason to believe that I have violated the rules.
The account is plainly being disabled in an effort to avoid making substantial payments, but no evidence is being provided to support this claim. Fraud and a lack of credibility are both on display here. I ask that you refrain from engaging with the garbage that is TTP.
#4. Why is this firm so ridiculous?
They have disabled my account, as well as the accounts of most likely a large number of other people who have purchased The Gold Reaper EA from the MQL5 forum and make use of the programmable options.
Copying of trades was cited as the explanation for the situation.
This is nothing more than a deception, and they are only concerned with ensuring the success of their clients.
Different users that use the same EA with the same parameters in XAUUSD should likewise receive the same trades. This is the only reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from this.
Despite the fact that there are screens of the operating EA, the support cannot be convinced of the truth.
If you could tell me how many users are still being impacted by this, that would be really interesting to me.
#5. What is the title of your review?
If you make seven percent and still require one trade, and on this deal you breach the rule, they will terminate your account. There is a possibility that this will be a soft breach rather than a hard breach. This company has constructed a high target and a set of strict rules for passing the test and getting the payout.
Nevertheless, with regard to the scale, it is beneficial, but it is difficult for traders to pass this!
Avoid squandering your time!
Also, if you are a decent organisation, why do you not have any policies that allow for a soft breach?
And make an effort to avoid putting a high percentage in order to receive the payout, as traders want a percentage and a payout on demand. We do not want this scale and a hard percentage for passing, as well as a harsh rule that does not allow for soft breaches.
#6. When they modified the drawdown % for EXISTING CLIENTS throughout their struggles, I found that this company’s trustworthiness had completely deteriorated to the point that it was no longer credible.
The Trading Pit is not something that I would recommend to anyone at all.
Red Flags in Thomas Heyden’s The Trading Pit Prop Firm
Prop trading (proprietary trading) firms offer traders the opportunity to use the firm’s capital to trade in exchange for a share of the profits. While this model can be a great opportunity for skilled and disciplined traders, it also opens the door to shady practices, especially among newer or lesser-known firms. One such firm that has drawn increasing scrutiny is The Trading Pit, associated with Thomas Heyden. While the firm presents itself as a modern and ambitious prop trading platform, numerous red flags have emerged that raise questions about its practices, transparency, and trustworthiness.
1. Lack of Transparency in Leadership and Structure
One of the biggest red flags with The Trading Pit is the unclear corporate structure and leadership. Thomas Heyden is frequently mentioned as a key figure or founder, but beyond sparse marketing appearances, there’s little public information about his professional background, trading track record, or managerial history in finance.
For a firm that expects traders to entrust their skills—and sometimes, their money—there’s a surprising lack of detail about who runs the company, how it’s funded, and how decisions are made. Unlike reputable prop firms that disclose their leadership team, investor backing, and operational jurisdiction, The Trading Pit provides very little corporate transparency.
2. Overly Complex Evaluation Structure
Another concern lies in the firm’s evaluation or “challenge” phase. Reputable prop firms have clear guidelines for traders—often including profit targets, drawdown limits, and timeframes. However, traders working with The Trading Pit report confusing and layered evaluation processes with vague terms, inconsistent enforcement, and unclear pass/fail criteria.
Some reviewers have noted that they were disqualified even after meeting all the objectives, based on newly introduced rules or “hidden” clauses in the fine print. A good prop firm wants its traders to succeed; when firms seem to make it harder for traders to qualify, it raises suspicion that they profit more from failed attempts than from funded traders.
3. Excessive Focus on Upsells and Affiliates
A legitimate prop firm should focus on developing strong traders. The Trading Pit, however, appears heavily invested in aggressive marketing, affiliate recruitment, and cross-promotions—often with influencers or content creators who don’t show any verifiable trading history themselves.
Their marketing strategy seems aimed more at bringing in volume (i.e., more applicants paying for challenges) rather than quality traders. Some users also report being redirected toward services like paid education or platform partnerships, further indicating that the business model may rely more on selling services than actual trading profits.
4. Lack of Verified Trader Success Stories
Many of the most respected prop firms—such as FTMO, TopStep, or MyForexFunds (before regulatory issues)—have verifiable trader testimonials, live performance dashboards, or community spotlights. In contrast, The Trading Pit has very few publicly shared success stories or verified payout proofs.
While there are occasional social media posts from supposed “funded traders,” they often lack real trading metrics, verified MyFXBook accounts, or screenshots of consistent profits. This absence of authentic, long-term success stories casts doubt on the firm’s ability—or willingness—to support skilled traders.
5. Shaky Payout Reputation
Perhaps the most critical concern for any trader is getting paid. Several user reviews and complaints related to The Trading Pit point to payout delays, lack of communication when requesting withdrawals, and in some cases, full denial of profit splits after reaching funded status.
Some traders have reported that after achieving payout eligibility, they were suddenly flagged for minor “rule violations” they weren’t aware of, disqualifying them from their profits. The lack of a transparent, consistent, and timely payout process is a major red flag that should not be overlooked.
6. Ambiguity Around Jurisdiction and Legal Recourse
Unlike established firms that are registered in clear jurisdictions (e.g., EU-regulated or based in countries with solid consumer protection laws), The Trading Pit’s legal setup is harder to pin down. Without clarity on where the company is officially based, traders face difficulty if they need to pursue legal or arbitration channels for disputes.
Furthermore, customer support is often cited as unresponsive or evasive, leaving traders without clear answers when problems arise. Any financial entity that avoids regulatory oversight or fails to offer legal transparency should be approached with extreme caution.
7. Inconsistencies in Terms and Conditions
Traders have flagged changes in The Trading Pit’s terms and conditions without advance notice. This includes updates to rules around max drawdown, position sizing, and trading styles (e.g., scalping restrictions). These sudden changes, especially when not properly communicated, can be used to disqualify traders unfairly or change the outcome of a challenge.
Such unpredictability erodes trust. Prop trading firms should maintain stable and communicated rules, with change logs or email updates. Firms that shift rules mid-challenge put traders at a significant disadvantage.
Final Thoughts
The prop trading space is growing rapidly, and with it, so are the number of firms trying to profit from the influx of eager traders. While The Trading Pit, linked to Thomas Heyden, markets itself as a gateway to professional trading, the number of red flags is difficult to ignore.
From lack of leadership transparency and complex challenge rules to questionable payout practices and weak legal clarity, there are numerous signs that suggest traders should proceed with caution. Those considering a prop firm should do thorough research, read real user reviews, ask direct questions, and demand transparency.
