Jane Street Snatches Wall Street Crown With Record-Breaking Haul

Jane Street Group reeled in a Wall Street record $39.6 billion of trading revenue last year, capping a stunning ascent to the peak of the industry.

The firm flew past global investment banks after reaping $15.5 billion in the year’s final quarter, according to people with knowledge of the results, who asked not to be named discussing confidential figures. With only 3,500 employees, it beat nearest rival JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 11% during the year.

Jane Street’s profits are being lifted by surging valuations of its stakes in privately held companies, while the firm’s main business matching buyers and ...