Tom Sosnoff: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Tom Sosnoff’s Profile Summary

Company	tastylive, Inc.
Position	Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO) of Tastytrade, Inc.
Source of wealth	Profits from the sale of Thinkorswim to TD Ameritrade, founding and scaling Tastytrade, performance as a market maker at CBOE
Also known as	TV show host, investor, educator.
Age	69
Education	State University of New York at Albany – Bachelor's degree in Political Science
Citizenship	United States
Residence	Chicago, USA
Family	Tom Sosnoff has two children: a daughter, Case Sosnoff, and a son whose name remains private.
Website, Social Media	https://tastytrade.com/

Biography

Tom Sosnoff, born in 1957, is an influential figure in the fintech and trading world, known for his entrepreneurial ventures in the financial industry. A native of New York, he graduated with a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany. Early in his career, Sosnoff worked as a market maker at the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), where he gained invaluable experience in trading. In 1999, he co-founded Thinkorswim, an options trading platform for retail investors, which grew rapidly and was acquired by TD Ameritrade in 2009 for $750 million. After the success of Thinkorswim, Sosnoff went on to launch Tastytrade in 2011, a platform blending financial education with trading tools, focusing on options. Tastytrade has grown into a major player in the trading community, with a unique approach to financial education through engaging content. In 2021, the company was acquired by IG Group for $1 billion, marking yet another milestone in Sosnoff's career as a leading entrepreneur in the fintech space

How did Tom Sosnoff make money?

Tom Sosnoff makes money in the following areas:

Profits from the sale of Thinkorswim to TD Ameritrade, founding and scaling Tastytrade, performance as a market maker at CBOE
What is Tom Sosnoff net worth?

As of 2026, Tom Sosnoff’s net worth is estimated to be $120M.

What is Tom Sosnoff also known as?

Tom Sosnoff is well-known for hosting financial news and trading shows, including on tastylive (formerly Tastytrade), where he combines financial education with humor to make complex topics more accessible. He is also an active investor, having founded several successful companies like Thinkorswim and Tastytrade. Additionally, Sosnoff is an educator, dedicated to helping individuals understand options trading through his content-rich platforms and media appearances

Prominent achievements

Tom Sosnoff co-founded Thinkorswim, which was sold to TD Ameritrade for $750 million, and later founded Tastytrade, which was acquired by IG Group for $1 billion. He was recognized with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest Award in 2014 for his contributions to the financial industry, and he remains a prominent figure in fintech and options trading

Trading Strategy

Tom Sosnoff focuses on high-probability options strategies, selling premium through short strangles, iron condors, and vertical spreads. His edge comes from implied volatility mean reversion and managing winners early. Sosnoff avoids forecasting and instead relies on mechanical entries with statistical probabilities. He advocates small, diversified trades across uncorrelated underlyings, with fast trade turnover and strict risk caps per trade, often adjusting deltas and rolling positions to stay active.

What are Tom Sosnoff’s key insights?

Tom Sosnoff’s business philosophy centers around empowering retail traders through education and making complex financial strategies, such as options trading, accessible to individuals. He emphasizes do-it-yourself investing, encouraging people to take control of their financial decisions without relying solely on money managers. Sosnoff is known for his unconventional and sometimes contrarian trading strategies, always focusing on long-term growth and minimizing risk

Personal life

Tom Sosnoff was previously married, though the identity of his ex-wife has not been publicly disclosed. He shares two children with her: Case Sosnoff, his daughter, who works as the Chief Compliance Officer at Tastyworks, and a son, whose name and details remain private. Case is more visible in the public eye, and she often shares her admiration for her father on social media

Useful insights

Essential books for stock and Forex traders

These essential books provide traders with timeless strategies and practical knowledge to build a strong foundation in stock and Forex markets, and enhance trading success.

Alexander Elder - "Trading for a Living"
- Summary:
  
  Elder’s book is a comprehensive guide that covers the mental, technical, and risk management aspects of trading. It combines psychological discipline, effective trading strategies, and money management techniques to help traders build a sustainable career.
- Why read it:
  
  It is a great starting point for beginners and a valuable resource for experienced traders who want to refine their approach. Elder's focus on the psychology of trading is particularly useful for developing discipline and avoiding common emotional pitfalls.
Jack D. Schwager - "Market Wizards"
- Summary:
  
  In this classic work, Schwager interviews some of the world’s most successful traders, uncovering their strategies, mindsets, and trading philosophies. The book provides a rare glimpse into the minds of top traders across various markets, including stocks, Forex, and futures.
- Why read it:
  
  Learning directly from legendary traders can help you adopt proven strategies and avoid costly mistakes. The interviews offer timeless insights that can benefit both novice and seasoned traders.