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How Did Thomas Peterffy Beat a Ban on Floor Computers? · Founders

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#402 Thomas Peterffy: The $80 Billion Founder Who Automates Everything

I didn’t know who Thomas Peterffy was. I was shocked to learn that he is 81 years old, worth $80 billion dollars, and has built his $120 billion company, Interactive Brokers, into one of the most efficient companies in the world. I discovered Peterffy by reading this incredible profile about him. I couldn’t put it down. That’s what this episode is about…

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Notes

  1. Why Did Thomas Peterffy Think He Could Trade? at 12:40

    David Senra says Thomas Peterffy realized that if Jarecki could figure markets out, so could he. Full answer

  2. What Bet Put Melvin van Peebles on the Trading Floor? at 17:44

    David Senra, reading a profile of Thomas Peterffy, says a $10,000 bet from film producer Aaron Russo put filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles on the trading floor for… Full answer

  3. How Did Thomas Peterffy Beat a Ban on Floor Computers? at 20:02

    David Senra, reading a profile of Thomas Peterffy, says Peterffy beat a ban on floor computers by turning prices into colors traders could read from 30 feet… Full answer

  4. How Did Thomas Peterffy Automate Trades With Metal Fingers? at 23:31

    David Senra says Thomas Peterffy automated trades with metal fingers after Nasdaq ordered every trade to be typed on a keyboard. Full answer

  5. Why Does Interactive Brokers Automate Everything? at 29:26

    David Senra, reading a profile of Thomas Peterffy, says Interactive Brokers automates everything so it can charge fees so low that rivals no longer try to… Full answer

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