Thomas Peterffy Biography
Thomas Peterffy was born in Budapest in 1944, emigrated to the US in 1965 and became a computer programmer before building Interactive Brokers 23.
Full nameThomas Peterffy (born Tamás Péterffy)
NationalityUnited States
Known forFounder and chairman of Interactive Brokers
Born in Budapest
Tamás Péterffy was born on 30 September 1944 in Budapest, the son of Mária Péchy and Ferenc Péterffy. He was born in a hospital basement during a Soviet air raid, and his family belonged to an impoverished aristocracy 36.
Emigration
He emigrated to the United States in 1965. He worked as an architectural draftsman and then became a computer programmer 27.
Education
Forbes records that he attended New York University and did not graduate 12.
Becoming an electronic trader
He built early computer models for pricing options and developed what Wikipedia calls the first electronic trading platform for securities 1.
Frequently asked questions
In Budapest, Hungary, on 30 September 1944.
In 1965.
He attended New York University but did not graduate.
Sources✓ Verified 14 Nov 2026
1 Wikipedia, Thomas Peterffy, 1 Jan 1970, Birth, NYU
2 Telltales, Founder stories: Interactive Brokers, 1 Jan 1970, Birth circumstances
Report a correction