Early Life
Jeffrey Steven Yass was born in July 1958 in Queens, New York City, to a middle-class Jewish family. He attended public schools in Queens and graduated from Bayside High School in 1975. Yass earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Economics from Binghamton University. He also pursued graduate studies in Economics at New York University but did not complete the program.
Rise to Success
In the 1970s, Yass, along with five fellow students, became friends. In 1987, they co-founded Susquehanna International Group (SIG). SIG became the largest trader of liquid stocks in the U.S.. Before his success in finance, Yass worked as a professional gambler. Billionaire trader Israel Englander sponsored Yass for a seat on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and SIG was initially run from an office at the Exchange.
Key Business Strategies
Yass, using probability-based models and quantitative analysis, revolutionized options trading by applying principles of game theory and risk management. Under Yass's leadership, Susquehanna expanded beyond options trading into private equity, venture capital, and cryptocurrency investments. Susquehanna's success was based on two key pillars: hardcore risk management policies and the ability to adjust to changing market scenarios.
Philanthropy
Jeff Yass and his wife, Janine, are supporters of school choice and have donated tens of millions of dollars to the cause. In November 2021, he donated $5 million to the School Freedom Fund. In November 2025, Yass donated $100 million to the University of Austin. During the 2024 US election cycle, he donated approximately $100 million to Republican groups and campaigns.