Ken Griffin

Biography

Griffin began trading convertible bonds at Harvard, famously installing a satellite dish on his dorm roof for real-time prices. He founded Citadel in 1990; it grew into one of the most profitable hedge funds in history, while its sister firm Citadel Securities became one of the largest market makers in US equities. In 2022 he moved Citadel's headquarters from Chicago to Miami.

American hedge fund manager who started trading from his Harvard dorm room and founded Citadel in 1990, building it and Citadel Securities into market giants.

Known for

Founding Citadel, one of the world's most successful hedge funds.

Notable works & defining projects

• Citadel
• Citadel Securities
• Griffin Catalyst (philanthropy)

Notable achievements

• Founded Citadel (1990), among the most profitable hedge funds ever
• Built Citadel Securities into a dominant US equity market maker
• Paid $43.2 million in 2021 for a first printing of the US Constitution — a record for a book or document

Timeline

1. 1990Founded Citadel in Chicago
2. 2021Bought a first printing of the US Constitution for $43.2 million
3. 2022Moved Citadel's headquarters to Miami

Did you know?

• He traded from his Harvard dorm and had a satellite dish installed on the roof for live market data
• His 2021 Constitution purchase outbid a crypto collective that had raised over $40 million for the auction