Jeff Yass

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 then pursued a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and economics from Binghamton University. He later undertook graduate studies in economics at New York University, although he did not complete the program.

Rise to Success

Yass's career began with an interest in high-stakes decision-making, which he initially explored at the poker tables, and horse betting. In the early 1980s, Yass co-founded Susquehanna International Group (SIG) with five friends from Binghamton University. With the backing of billionaire trader Israel Englander, Yass entered the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. SIG evolved into a leading trading firm, specializing in rapid-fire, computer-driven trades in options and other securities. The firm is known for its innovative approach to training, including using poker tournaments to sharpen traders' skills.

Key Business Strategies

Susquehanna International Group's success is attributed to its expertise in options trading and market making. Yass's approach incorporates game theory and probability, drawing parallels between poker and financial markets. The firm has invested in a variety of private companies globally, including TikTok parent ByteDance, which is its most valuable holding.

Philanthropy

Jeff Yass, along with his wife Janine, is a supporter of school choice, donating tens of millions of dollars to education reform efforts.