Jeff Yass

Jeff Yass, the billionaire investor and co-founder of the financial powerhouse Susquehanna International Group (SIG), is known for his expertise in options trading and quantitative investing. He has built a fortune that places him among the wealthiest individuals in the United States. Beyond trading, his financial success is also tied to strategic investments in cutting-edge companies and his involvement in political donations and philanthropy.

In this article, we will explore the factors that contribute to Jeff Yass’s net worth. From his role in revolutionizing financial trading to his ventures in education reform and political funding, we’ll uncover how his wealth continues to grow and influence various sectors.

What Is Jeff Yass's Net Worth?

As of February 2025, Jeff Yass's net worth is estimated to be $49.6 billion.

Jeff Yass's net worth has seen remarkable growth, rising from $12 billion in 2021 to $28.5 billion by 2023, making him the 48th richest person globally at the time.  By September 2024, Yass was ranked as the 29th richest individual in the world by Forbes and the wealthiest resident of Pennsylvania. Let's take a detailed look at how he earned this wealth.

Yass’s journey to wealth is as fascinating as his numbers. Before founding SIG, he spent the 1970s and early 1980s as a professional gambler, earning money through poker and horse betting. His sharp analytical skills and risk-taking mindset later propelled him into the world of trading and investments.

The majority of Yass’s fortune comes from his role at Susquehanna International Group (SIG), one of the largest traders of listed stock options in the U.S., handling a significant share of the market-making volume in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). As of March 2023, Yass owns 51% of SIG, which generates an estimated annual revenue of $5.5 billion because of its high-frequency trading strategies.

Another key contributor to Yass’s immense wealth is his investment in ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. SIG owns approximately 15% of ByteDance, and Yass’s personal share is estimated at 7%, worth around $21 billion, based on a 2020 Wall Street Journal report.

What Is Jeff Yass's Claim To Fame?

Jeff Yass was featured as one of the 76 Revolutionary Minds in Philadelphia magazine. Here’s what makes him famous and stand out:

• Co-Founder of Susquehanna International Group (SIG): Yass co-founded Susquehanna International Group (SIG) in 1987, which has grown into one of the largest trading firms in the U.S. and a global powerhouse in listed stock options trading. SIG commands nearly 10% of the market-making volume in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and operates in 50 countries. Under his leadership, SIG has become one of the largest privately held financial companies in the world, with 14 offices globally as of 2022.
• Yass Prize: The billionaire and his wife, Janine, are champions of education reform through the Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) Education. In 2022, the Arizona Autism Charter Schools won the $1 million grand prize for using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to support students with autism. By 2023, the Yass Prize initiative had distributed nearly $20 million to educational organizations, furthering its mission of transformative education. More Philanthropic activities are described in detail in the section below.
• Innovative Tax Strategies: Yass has also gained attention for his tax-saving strategies, reportedly saving over $1 billion in taxes over six years by using innovative and aggressive trading techniques. While these strategies are legal, they have drawn the scrutiny of the IRS and sparked debates about tax policies for high-net-worth individuals.

What Businesses Does Jeff Yass Own or Is He Involved In?

Billionaire investor and co-founder of Susquehanna International Group (SIG) has built an impressive and diverse business portfolio spanning finance, technology, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency. His ventures showcase his innovative approach to investing and his ability to identify high-growth opportunities. Let’s look into the businesses and investments he is involved in:

• Susquehanna International Group (SIG): At the heart of Jeff Yass’s empire is Susquehanna International Group (SIG), which he co-founded in 1987 with college friends. As of 2023, he owns around 51% of the company. Currently, SIG is one of the largest privately-held financial companies in the world, employing over 3,000 people across 17+ global locations with an estimated $5.5 billion annual revenue and a high EBITDA margin of about 70%. Initially focused on options trading and market making, SIG has expanded into equities, fixed income, futures, commodities, and derivatives, making it a leader in quantitative trading. 
• ByteDance (TikTok): His most notable investment is in ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. SIG holds 15% of ByteDance, and Yass’s personal share is estimated at 7%, valued at around $21 billion, according to a 2020 Wall Street Journal report. This investment is a cornerstone of his fortune.
• Cryptocurrency Investments: Yass has also made bold moves in the cryptocurrency market, with SIG significantly increasing its stake in Coinbase Global (COIN) to approximately 877,400 shares, a 17-fold growth in the past year. Additionally, SIG’s position in MicroStrategy (MSTR) has grown from 2.2 million shares to 3.8 million shares, reflecting his confidence in the future of crypto.
• Investments: The Billionaire is heavily involved in the AI sector. He recently increased its stake in Broadcom (AVGO) by 73%, showing a strong interest in companies supporting AI infrastructure. While reducing SIG’s stake in Nvidia (NVDA) by 73%, he shifted focus to other prominent AI companies, including a reduction in Palantir holdings by 61%.

How Does Jeff Yass Spend His Millions?

Unlike many billionaires who indulge in extravagant personal luxuries, Jeff Yass directs much of his wealth toward political contributions and philanthropy. 

Since 2017, Jeff Yass has contributed over $75 million through a network of political action committees (PACs) that support Republican candidates. There is a steady rise in donations, starting with $5 million in 2016 and growing to around $30 million in 2020. His notable political contributions include $13 million in 2023, largely supporting Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday, and $6 million to Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2024. 

In the 2024 election cycle, Yass became the largest single donor, contributing more than $46 million to conservative campaigns and PACs.

Yass also engages in various philanthropic activities, which are discussed in detail below. Interestingly, there is limited public information about Jeff Yass's personal luxury spending or extravagant purchases. This lack of information could suggest that Yass maintains a relatively low profile when it comes to personal luxury spending.

How Many Real Estate Properties Does Jeff Yass Own?

Jeff Yass has a collection of real estate holdings that includes his residence. Let's take a detailed look at the professional gambler’s real estate:

• East Hampton Residence: Yass's personal retreat is located in the exclusive Georgica Association beach neighborhood in East Hampton, New York. With a purchase price of $12.5 million and year of purchase as 2005. The ownership was held through an LLC for privacy. This property is described as being in a "bucolic and understated" area, emphasizing his preference for privacy and discretion.

How Big Is Jeff Yass's Car Collection?

When it comes to Jeff Yass's car collection, there isn’t much information available. There are no specific mentions of the types or number of cars he owns.

What Are Jeff Yass's Charitable Contributions?

Jeff Yass is not just a billionaire investor — he’s also a significant contributor to causes that align with his values, particularly in education and libertarian principles. Through his charitable foundations and donations, he channels millions of dollars to influence education policy, legal reform, and conservative causes. Let’s look into the details of his notable contributions.

• Students First PAC: Since 2010, Yass has contributed $41.7 million to the Students First PAC, a political action committee he founded. This organization is dedicated to supporting candidates who champion educational choice, such as charter schools and alternatives to traditional public schools.
• Commonwealth Children's Choice Fund and Commonwealth Leaders Fund: These two interconnected PACs, which are closely tied to Students First, have received at least $30.25 million since 2018. Together, they focus on promoting candidates who advocate for alternatives to public education. Interestingly, these contributions represent 78% of Students First’s spending during that time.
• Philadelphia Schools Partnership: In 2019, the Susquehanna Foundation - an organization associated with Yass - made its largest grant of $3.3 million to the Philadelphia Schools Partnership. This nonprofit supports a mix of public, charter, and Catholic schools in Philadelphia.
• Mastery Charter Schools Foundation: Another significant education-focused grant was made in 2019, with $1.2 million donated to the Mastery Charter Schools Foundation. This nonprofit is affiliated with 24 charter schools in Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey, and works to provide students with access to high-quality education in underserved communities.
• The Yass Prize Initiative: The Co-Founder of SIG Group also founded the Yass Prize, an initiative under the Center for Education Reform. While the specific amounts of his donations are not publicly disclosed, this prize seeks to reward and support organizations that adopt innovative and transformational approaches to education. The initiative focuses on STOP principles: Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education, aiming to inspire groundbreaking ideas in learning for the 21st century.

Yass has also made contributions to other meaningful causes. For example, he donated $1 million to support a school for children with autism. His political donations, while not strictly charitable, often align with his philanthropic goals. For instance, he donated $10 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which supports Republican candidates for the House of Representatives. 

What's Next For Jeff Yass?

Jeff Yass is set to expand his influence in several key areas, particularly in education reform through the Yass Foundation and the Yass Prize initiative, where he actively supports innovative educational models.

Additionally, his firm, Susquehanna International Group (SIG), has increased its investments in companies like Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Micron Technology, signaling a focus on AI-driven systems and critical infrastructure. The launch of the website "All Eyes on Yass" shows growing public interest in tracking his political spending and influence.

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