Carson Block
Carson Block is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Muddy Waters Research, a leading activist investment firm known for its investigative, research-driven approach to identifying corporate fraud and overvalued companies. A high-profile investor and short seller, Block has gained international recognition for exposing financial irregularities and shorting problematic companies for profit. He is best known for his high-impact report on Sino-Forest, which exposed accounting discrepancies and led hedge fund billionaire John Paulson to incur significant losses before exiting the stock. Before launching Muddy Waters, Block practiced law in Shanghai with the international law firm Jones Day, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and foreign direct investment in China.
Carson Block Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and Chief Investment Officer
Academic History
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J.D., Law
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B.S., Business
Carson Block is one of the most prominent figures in short selling and corporate fraud investigations.
He is widely recognized for exposing fraudulent accounting practices across companies in China, Europe, Canada, and the United States.
Block rose to global prominence in 2011 with his report on Sino-Forest Corp., which overstated its timber holdings, causing the stock to plummet 78% in just days.
EARLY CAREER
Block began his professional journey in investment banking before moving to China, where he launched a self-storage business targeting high-end consumers.
He later co-founded Zer0es TV, an internet video channel dedicated to educating investors on short-selling strategies and financial market mechanics.
In 2011, Bloomberg Markets recognized him as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Global Finance.
He is featured in Richard Teitelbaum’s book, The Most Dangerous Trade: How Short Sellers Uncover Fraud, Keep Markets Honest, and Make and Lose Billions, and co-authored Doing Business in China for Dummies, a guide for navigating business in China.
MEDIA PRESENCE
Carson frequently appears as a commentator on Bloomberg TV, CNBC, and BBC, providing insights on market transparency and corporate governance.
His writing has appeared in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and The New York Times.
He has also been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Reuters, Yahoo! Finance, Barron's, Fox Business, The Economist, Institutional Investor, MarketWatch, and Real Vision.