Updated:
DRW Trading Group
DRW Trading Group is the single-family office of founder Don Wilson, managing over $10B from proprietary trading, private credit, and direct investments.
DRW Trading Group
DRW Trading Group was founded in 1992 by Don Wilson, a former floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Wilson used his own trading profits to launch the firm, which remains privately held and wholly owned by him and his family. The firm's headquarters is in Chicago, with additional offices in New York, London, Singapore, and San Francisco. The firm's investment strategy spans multiple asset classes: proprietary trading in futures, options, and currencies; private equity investments in technology and financial services companies; and a growing private credit platform that provides loans to mid-market businesses. DRW also invests in real estate and infrastructure through direct ownership and partnerships. Confirmed investments include the acquisition of data center operator CloudHQ and a stake in cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (per Bloomberg, 2021). Geographically, DRW invests across North America, Europe, and Asia. DRW employs over 1,400 people globally, making it one of the larger single-family offices by headcount. The firm's private equity team, led by Rob Creamer, and its private credit team, led by Mike Kelly, operate as distinct units within the family office. DRW has no external limited partners — all capital comes from Wilson's personal fortune. In May 2024, DRW expanded its London office with a focus on European private investments (per Financial News, May 2024). What distinguishes DRW from most family offices is its origin as a proprietary trading firm. The firm's market-making business provides a continuous stream of market intelligence and deal flow that informs its private investment decisions. This hybrid structure — combining high-frequency trading with long-duration capital — is rare, and Wilson remains the sole decision-maker on major capital commitments.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
1992
AUM
Over $10 billion (Altss estimate)
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Chicago
Corporate office
Chicago, IL, United States
Additional offices
New York, NY, United States · San Francisco, CA, United States · London, England, United Kingdom · Singapore, Singapore
Principals
Don Wilson
Founder and CEO
Rob Creamer
Head of Private Equity
Mike Kelly
Head of Private Credit
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at DRW Trading Group?
Don Wilson, the founder and sole owner, makes all final investment decisions. The firm's private equity team is led by Rob Creamer, and its private credit team is led by Mike Kelly. Wilson has the ultimate authority over capital allocation, per the firm's structure as a single-family office.
How does DRW source proprietary deal flow?
DRW's proprietary trading business generates extensive market intelligence and relationships across financial markets, which it channels into its private investment teams. The firm also sources deals through its network of portfolio companies and direct outreach to mid-market businesses seeking credit or equity partners, per public reports.
Is DRW structured as a single family office or does it operate more like a hedge fund?
DRW is a hybrid: it is legally a single-family office owned by Don Wilson, but it operates a proprietary trading business that functions like a hedge fund or market-making firm. The private investment arm manages long-duration capital separately from the trading desk, but both are funded entirely by Wilson's personal wealth.
Does DRW participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
DRW primarily makes direct investments in companies, real estate, and infrastructure. It also provides private credit through its lending platform. The firm rarely commits to external fund vehicles, as all capital comes from Don Wilson's personal fortune and is deployed through its internal teams.
What investment stages does DRW typically target?
DRW's private equity team targets growth-stage technology and financial services companies, typically making minority and majority investments. Its private credit platform focuses on lending to mid-market businesses. The firm also invests in data center infrastructure and real estate, often taking operational control in those assets.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The wealth originates from Don Wilson's trading profits accumulated since founding DRW in 1992. The firm has never raised external capital and remains entirely funded by Wilson's personal fortune, making it a single-family office in the traditional sense. The trading business itself generates ongoing income that is reinvested into the firm's private investments.
Does DRW maintain philanthropic structures?
Don Wilson and his family operate the Wilson Foundation, a separate philanthropic entity focused on education, veterans' causes, and Jewish community organizations. The foundation is distinct from DRW Trading Group and makes grants independently, per public filings.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: