A pioneer in modernizing derivatives trading, Donald R. Wilson, Jr, founded principal trading firm DRW in 1992. Three decades later, DRW employs over 2,000 employees globally and utilizes diverse trading strategies to take risk and provide liquidity in a wide range of markets, including derivatives, fixed income, FX, commodities and equities.
While known as a highly visible and active trader at the firm, Wilson also has established a legacy as a visionary innovator who champions ideas that revolutionize free markets. Under his leadership, DRW has expanded to include subsidiaries such as Cumberland, which offers institutional-scale liquidity in cryptocurrencies, and Artemeter, which provides carbon financing services. Wilson also co-founded and has invested in market-centric initiatives, including Digital Asset, Eris Innovations, Climate Vault, ErisX and Silicon Data.
Wilson is a noted advocate for policies that promote fairness and transparency in capital markets. He co-founded the FIA Principal Traders Group (FIA PTG) in 2010, which represents the interests of firms like DRW that serve as vital sources of market liquidity. He frequently is invited to share his insights at major conferences hosted by FIA, the Chicago Fed and the Milken Institute, and he also serves as a trustee at the University of Chicago.
Beyond his professional achievements, Wilson is an accomplished competitive sailor, having won North American Championships in three different classes, multiple M32 World Championships and the 2024 Melges 24 World Championship.
