Jeff Yass
Jeff Yass | Founder, Susquehanna International Group | $27.6B as of 6/29/24
Jeff Yass is an American billionaire and the co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, a global quantitative trading firm. He is known for his expertise in options trading and poker, and he is a significant political donor, particularly in libertarian and conservative circles.
Personal Information:
Full Name: Jeffrey S. Yass
Date of Birth: November 12, 1956
Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Zodiac: Scorpio
Marital Status and Family: Married to Janine Yass; they have four children.
Background and Early Life:
Family Background: Grew up in a Jewish family in Queens, New York. His father was a small businessman.
Ancestry: Eastern European Jewish descent.
Early Influences: His father’s entrepreneurial spirit and his own interests in mathematics and gambling, particularly poker.
Has been influenced by: Milton Friedman (economist), Edward Thorp (mathematician and author).
Books that impacted the most: "Beat the Dealer" by Edward Thorp, "Free to Choose" by Milton Friedman.
Educational Background:
Undergraduate Education: Attended Binghamton University and then transferred to and graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a degree in Mathematics and Economics.
Postgraduate Education: None formally documented.
Professional Career:
Current Occupation: Co-founder and Managing Director of Susquehanna International Group (SIG).
Career History: Founded SIG in 1987 with several college friends. Prior to SIG, he worked in various financial roles, including options trading on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
Career Milestones:
Key Achievements:
Building SIG into one of the largest and most influential trading firms in the world.
Implementing poker strategies in trading operations.
Innovations and Contributions:
Pioneering the use of game theory and poker strategies in options trading.
Advocating for market efficiency and libertarian economic policies.
Industry Impact:
Significant influence on quantitative trading and options markets.
Active in promoting charter schools and school choice through various donations and initiatives.
Net Worth and Assets:
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $12 billion (as of 2023).
Key Assets: Majority stake in Susquehanna International Group, various real estate holdings.
Investments: Diverse portfolio including technology, real estate, and startups.
Stock Records: Not publicly disclosed in detail.
Business Interests:
Primary Business: Susquehanna International Group.
Known current and past Board of Directors positions: Various roles within SIG-affiliated companies.
Other Ventures: Investments in startups and private companies, including positions in financial and tech sectors.
Leadership Style and Business Philosophy:
Leadership Approach: Analytical, data-driven, and strategic, often using principles from game theory.
Business Philosophy: Emphasis on market efficiency, risk management, and leveraging quantitative methods.
Philanthropy and Social Contributions:
Charitable Donations: Significant donations to educational causes, particularly in promoting school choice and charter schools.
In December 2001, following the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, he announced a donation to the charitable fund established by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to assist the victims. He has supported Save the Children, "Spirit of Golf Foundation", People's Emergency Center Families First building, and the Franklin Institute's Franklin Family Funfest Committee.
Jeff and Janine Yass founded the Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to recognize and support innovative, non-traditional education models. In 2022, the Yass Prize awarded over $20 million, including a $1 million grand prize to the Arizona Autism Charter Schools for their individualized learning programs.
Foundations and Initiatives: Janine and Jeffrey Yass Foundation for Education.
Philanthropic Goals: To reform and improve education systems through market-based solutions.
Environmental Stewardship: Not prominently involved.
CSR: Focuses on education reform and political advocacy.
Lifestyle and Interests:
Main Residence: Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
Personal Values: Libertarian principles, educational reform, and market efficiency.
Hobbies and Interests: Poker, horse racing, and philanthropy.
Social Circles: Includes other prominent libertarians and financial figures in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.
Membership in private clubs and social organizations: Information not widely publicized.
Associates:
Business Connections:
Arthur Dantchik: Co-founder of SIG.
Joel Greenberg: Co-founder of SIG.
Scott Sheridan: Co-founder of Thinkorswim, a company SIG invested in.
Personal Connections:
Milton Friedman: Economist and mentor.
Edward Thorp: Mathematician and inspiration for trading strategies.
Israel Englander: American hedge fund manager, founder of Millennium Management, a highly successful and influential multi-strategy hedge fund. He sponsored Yass for a seat on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, and SIG was initially run from an office at the Exchange.
Donald Trump: 45th President of the United States (2017-2021), businessman, and television personality, known for his real estate empire and the reality TV show “The Apprentice.”
Rand Paul: American politician and physician, serving as the junior United States Senator from Kentucky since 2011, known for his libertarian-leaning views.
Bill McSwain: Former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, known for his work on public corruption and violent crime cases.
Betsy DeVos: American businesswoman and education advocate, served as the 11th United States Secretary of Education from 2017 to 2021, known for her support of school choice and charter schools.
Political and Social Influence:
Political Affiliations: Libertarian.
Yass has contributed significant sums to political efforts. In 2015, Yass donated $2.3 million to a super PAC supporting Rand Paul's presidential candidacy. He and his wife contributed just over $5 million in 2016. In 2018 he donated $3.8 million to the Club for Growth, and $20.7 million in 2020. In the 2020 election cycle, Yass was one of the ten largest political donors in the United States donating $25.3 million, all to Republican candidates including 47 lawmakers who sought to overturn the 2020 US presidential election. During the 2022 primary elections, Yass spent at least $18 million, including contributions in support of Republican Bill McSwain, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania. While primarily donating to Republicans, he also donated $1 million to the Moderate PAC which was set up to support Democratic incumbents against progressive primary challengers during the 2024 election cycle. During 2024 he has donated $46 million to Republican causes as of March 2024.
Yass and his wife strongly support school choice, with Janine Yass writing a 2017 opinion piece for The Washington Examiner in support of then-incoming Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos's views at school choice and the couple writing an op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2023 advocating for parental school choice in Pennsylvania. In November 2021, he donated $5 million to the School Freedom Fund, a PAC that runs ads for Republican candidates running in the 2022 election cycle nationwide. From 2010 to 2022, Yass contributed $41.7 million to Students First political action committee; Yass co-founded the PAC, which supports the school choice movement.
In September 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that Yass, an investor in TikTok's parent firm ByteDance, is a major donor to US politicians who have opposed restrictions on TikTok. After Yass and Trump met in March 2024 at a Club for Growth event, Trump went from supporting a ban on TikTok to opposing a ban. At the same time Yass's SIG bought a substantial share in Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), which it had been acquiring since 2021, providing Trump with a massive influx of money at a time when he faced mounting legal expenses. DWAC merged in 2024 with Trump Media, the company that launched Truth Social in 2022. A subsequent article by The Philadelphia Inquirer explained that as a market-maker, SIG also shorted the stock, per common market-maker practice, and did not hold an economic position in Trump Media but profited by managing trades in shares and derivatives. According to SIG filings with the SEC, the company sold its shares and liquidated the shorts after the merged company began trading as Trump Media.
In March 2021, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Jeff Yass and Arthur Dantchik were behind a large portion of the donations to the Kohelet Policy Forum in Israel. Also according to Haaretz, Yass is a major supporter of Israeli right-wing think tanks. In April 2024, The Guardian reported that Jeff Yass donated $16 million to anti-Muslim and pro-Israel groups.
Advocacy: Strong advocate for school choice and charter schools.
Significant Political Statements: Significant donor to libertarian and conservative political causes.
Future Plans and Projects:
Upcoming Ventures: Continued focus on educational reform and expansion of SIG’s influence in global markets.
Forecasts: Expected to remain a key figure in finance and political advocacy for educational reform.
Legacy: Known for innovative trading strategies, philanthropy in education, and political influence.
Available Data on Possessions:
Yachts: No specific information available.
Private Jets: Known to use private jets, specific models not widely disclosed.
Cars: Information not widely available.
Art: Known to collect art, but specific pieces not widely disclosed.
Real Estate and Residences: Significant real estate holdings in Pennsylvania.
Collectables: Information not widely available.
Expensive Accessories: Known for luxury lifestyle, specifics not widely disclosed.
Public Persona and Influence:
Media Presence: Limited public appearances; more influential behind the scenes.
Public Speaking: Rarely makes public speeches.
Public Appearances:
Attendance at financial conferences.
Speaking at educational reform events.
Recognition and Awards: Not widely documented.
Future Plans and Projects:
Upcoming Ventures: Continued influence in education reform and financial markets.
Forecasts: Expected to maintain significant impact through SIG and philanthropic efforts.
Legacy: Innovation in trading strategies and significant contributions to educational reform.
Political and Social Influence:
Political Affiliations: Libertarian.
Advocacy: Educational reform and market-based solutions.
Significant political statements: Advocacy for school choice and limited government intervention.
Other information:
Unique Contributions: Pioneering the application of game theory in finance.
Media Search Results for Jeff Yass
Biographical Books
No records found.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Controversies: Jeff Yass, co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, has been a significant donor to conservative political causes, which has sparked considerable debate and criticism. His political donations, including substantial contributions to GOP candidates and PACs, have drawn scrutiny regarding the influence of wealthy individuals on the political landscape (Wikipedia) (THE ROBUST TRADER).
Legal Issues: Yass has not been directly involved in major legal issues, but his firm has faced regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges over its business practices. One notable issue was the strategic tax planning used by Yass, which has been criticized for potentially exploiting loopholes to minimize tax liabilities (ProPublica).
Scandals: There have been no major personal scandals involving Yass. His professional conduct has generally stayed within the bounds of legal and ethical standards, although his aggressive tax strategies have raised ethical questions (ProPublica).
Allegations: Allegations against Yass typically revolve around his firm's tax strategies and political donations. Critics argue that his tax practices, while legal, are ethically questionable and contribute to broader issues of economic inequality (ProPublica).
Criticisms: Yass has faced criticism for his significant financial support for school choice initiatives and conservative political candidates. These actions have led to debates about the impact of such funding on public education and the political system (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Public Conflicts: Yass's political activities have put him at odds with various public figures and organizations that oppose his views on school choice and conservative politics. These conflicts are primarily ideological and revolve around differing views on education policy and economic management (ProPublica).
Curious Information
Little-known Biography Facts: Jeff Yass was born in 1958 and developed an early interest in trading and probability through horse racing. He later moved to Las Vegas to play poker professionally before founding Susquehanna International Group in 1987 (ProPublica).
Unusual Experience: Yass's approach to trading is heavily influenced by his background in poker and probability. He has emphasized the importance of technical analysis and risk management in his trading philosophy, making decisions based on probabilistic outcomes rather than intuition (THE ROBUST TRADER) (ProPublica).
Gossip and Rumors: Yass maintains a low profile, which helps minimize gossip and rumors. Most public discourse about him focuses on his business strategies and political donations rather than personal matters (ProPublica).
Mentions in Conspiracy Theories: There are no significant conspiracy theories involving Jeff Yass. Most discussions about him are grounded in his substantial influence in the financial and political spheres due to his wealth and strategic investments (ProPublica).
Psycho-Emotional Profile of Jeff Yass
Emotional State and Mood
Jeff Yass, co-founder of Susquehanna International Group and a significant political donor, often exhibits a calm and calculated demeanor. Public accounts of his interactions suggest a stable and controlled emotional state, crucial for navigating the high-stakes world of financial trading and political donations. His predominant emotions appear to be confidence and determination, reflecting his methodical approach to business and investment strategies.
Personality Traits
Yass displays traits of conscientiousness and introversion. His meticulous and strategic management style at Susquehanna International Group highlights his conscientiousness. Despite his significant influence, Yass tends to keep a low public profile, which aligns with introverted tendencies. His temperament can be described as resilient and strategic, essential for maintaining a leading position in the competitive trading industry (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Stress Levels and Coping Mechanisms
Given his leadership role and the pressures associated with high-stakes trading, Yass likely experiences considerable stress. However, his success indicates effective stress management techniques. Yass appears to cope through strategic problem-solving and leveraging a strong support network within his firm. His ability to navigate complex financial landscapes and political controversies demonstrates robust coping mechanisms (ProPublica).
Self-Esteem and Self-Concept
Yass’s self-esteem is likely high, reinforced by his substantial achievements in finance and his influence in political circles. He views himself as a capable and influential figure, which is evident in his confident business decisions and substantial political donations. His self-concept is closely tied to his identity as a successful trader and a major political donor (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Interpersonal Relationships
Yass maintains strong professional relationships within Susquehanna International Group and among political allies. His leadership style fosters loyalty and respect among his team members. Despite his private nature, Yass's network of business associates and political contacts provides significant social support, enhancing his social functioning (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Behavioral Patterns
Yass exhibits consistent, goal-oriented behaviors. His trading strategies and political donations show a pattern of calculated risk-taking and disciplined decision-making. He is known for his meticulous and methodical approach to both trading and philanthropy, indicating a structured lifestyle. There are no public indications of maladaptive behaviors, suggesting a balanced and well-regulated approach to life and work (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Psychological Well-being
Overall, Yass’s psychological well-being appears strong. His successful career and active political engagement contribute to high life satisfaction. There are no public signs of significant mental health issues, indicating a healthy psychological state and a positive outlook on life (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Cognitive Functioning
Yass’s cognitive abilities are evident in his strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. His ability to manage complex trading strategies and navigate political landscapes showcases strong memory, attention, and analytical skills. He is adept at understanding and exploiting intricate financial systems, reflecting sharp cognitive functioning (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Past Experiences and Trauma
Yass's experiences, including his rise in the financial world and his substantial political influence, have shaped his resilient and strategic nature. These experiences have contributed to his robust coping mechanisms and focus on long-term success. His ability to overcome challenges in both finance and politics highlights his resilience (ProPublica) (ProPublica).
Motivations and Goals
Yass is driven by a desire to excel in trading and influence political outcomes. His personal goals include expanding his financial success and advancing his political beliefs through substantial donations. Both intrinsic motivations, such as personal satisfaction from achievements, and extrinsic motivators, like financial success and political influence, drive his actions (Wikipedia) (ProPublica).
Physical Health and Its Impact
There is limited public information on Yass’s physical health, but his active involvement in professional and political activities suggests he maintains good physical well-being. His physical health likely supports his ability to manage his responsibilities effectively, contributing to his overall psychological resilience (Wikipedia).
Conclusion
Jeff Yass’s psycho-emotional profile portrays him as a resilient, conscientious, and strategic leader. His strong self-concept, effective stress management, and robust psychological well-being enable his continuous success in finance and politics. His personality traits, cognitive abilities, and motivations align to create a profile of a highly driven and impactful figure in both sectors.
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