Live Updates

SEC Approves Amendment to NMS Plan to Further Reduce the Costs of the Consolidated Audit Trail

The Securities and Exchange Commission today approved an amendment to the National Market System Plan governing the Consolidated Audit Trail (โ€œCATโ€) and provided exemptive relief from certain requirements of Rule 17a-1 under the Securities Exchange Actโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Guidance critical

CFTC Staff Issues FAQs Concerning Registrant and Registered Entity Activities Relating to Crypto Assets and Blockchain Technologies

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC issued FAQs on March 20, 2026, providing clarification on how registered entities and market participants should handle crypto assets and blockchain technologies in their operations, building directly on the agency's tokenized collateral guidance and no-action relief issued in late 2025 and early 2026. This guidance is critical because it operationalizes the SEC-CFTC joint interpretation issued just three days earlier (March 17, 2026), which established a binding regulatory framework classifying 16 crypto assets as digital commodities and clarifying the treatment of non-security crypto assets under federal law.

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Information Notice 3/17/26

Information Notice 3/17/26

AI Analysis

This FINRA Information Notice announces an SEC-mandated increase in the Section 31 fee rate from $0.00 to $20.60 per million dollars of specified securities transactions, effective April 4, 2026, reversing a prior zero-rate period. It matters because FINRA member firms will face renewed fee assessments on exchange and OTC trades, requiring immediate systems updates and budgeting adjustments ahead of the short implementation timeline. https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/information-notice-20260317[original notice]

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SEC Clarifies the Application of Federal Securities Laws to Crypto Assets

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today issued an interpretation clarifying how the federal securities laws apply to certain crypto assets and transactions involving crypto assets. This is a major step in the Commissionโ€™s efforts to provideโ€ฆ

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SEC Publishes Data on Public and Private Offerings, Municipal Advisors, Transfer Agents, and Securities-Based Swap Dealers

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA) published a new report on security based swap dealers (SBSDs) and updated statistics and data visualizations on initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on registeredโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ SEC Consultation high

SEC Proposes Amendments to Exchange Act Rule 15c2-11

The Securities and Exchange Commission today proposed amendments to Exchange Act Rule 15c2-11, which sets out certain information gathering and review requirements for broker-dealers that publish quotations for, or maintain a continuous quoted market inโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

The SEC is proposing amendments to Exchange Act Rule 15c2-11, which governs broker-dealer quotation requirements in OTC markets outside national securities exchanges, aiming to update information review standards for enhanced investor protection. This matters for compliance professionals as it could impose stricter due diligence on broker-dealers quoting OTC securities, building on 2020 amendments amid ongoing fixed income implementation challenges, potentially reducing fraud in retail-heavy OTC markets. https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026-28-sec-proposes-amendments-exchange-act-rule-15c2-11

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SEC Announces Enforcement Division Director Judge Margaret A. Ryan Has Resigned From Agency

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Judge Margaret A. Ryan has resigned from her role as Director of the Division of Enforcement. Principal Deputy Director Sam Waldon has been named Acting Director of the Division, effective Marchโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

Judge Margaret A. Ryan, who assumed the role of SEC Enforcement Division Director in August 2025 and signaled a significant recalibration of enforcement priorities toward fraud and market integrity while reducing enforcement actions for technical violations, has resigned from the agency. Principal Deputy Director Sam Waldon has been named Acting Director, creating immediate uncertainty regarding continuity of the enforcement approach that was just articulated in February 2026 and may signal a shift in the SEC's enforcement trajectory going forward.

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Enforcement medium

CFTC Secures Judgement Against New York Companies to Pay Over $2.4 Million in Restitution, Penalties for Forex Fraud

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC secured a default judgment on March 13, 2026, against New York-based Safety Capital Management Inc. and GNS Capital Inc. (d/b/a ForexnPower) for retail forex fraud, fraud as commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs), and related violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), ordering over $2.4 million in restitution and penalties. This enforcement action underscores the CFTC's aggressive pursuit of fraud targeting vulnerable retail investors, with permanent injunctions against future violations, serving as a stark reminder for firms in forex, CPO, and CTA spaces to prioritize robust compliance programs.

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Consultation high

CFTC Seeks Public Comment on Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Relating to Prediction Markets

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC has issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comments on potential amendments or new regulations for event contracts in prediction markets, focusing on statutory compliance, public interest prohibitions, and cost-benefit analysis. This matters for compliance professionals as it signals heightened CFTC scrutiny and forthcoming rules that could reshape prediction market operations, amid jurisdictional disputes and enforcement priorities. (https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9194-26)

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SEC Investor Advisory Committee to Host March 12 Meeting

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Investor Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting at the SEC Headquarters in Washington D.C. on March 12 at 10 a.m. ET to discuss public company disclosure reform, fund proxy voting, and a potentialโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Roundtable on Options Market Structure Reform

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that it will host a roundtable on April 16, 2026, to discuss listed options market structure, including facilitating competition in a quote driven market, evaluating the customer experience, andโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Enforcement medium

CFTC Chairman Selig Announces David I. Miller as Director of Enforcement

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC announced on March 2, 2026, the appointment of David I. Miller, a former federal prosecutor and white-collar defense attorney, as Director of Enforcement, replacing acting director Paul Hayeck. This leadership change signals a potential shift toward stricter enforcement against fraud, market manipulation, and abusive trading practices, particularly in commodities and digital assets, while emphasizing the division's core policing role over policy-making. Compliance professionals should monitor this for evolving enforcement priorities, as Miller's prosecutorial background and digital asset experience may intensify scrutiny on high-risk activities.

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ FINRA regulatory_notice medium

Regulatory Notice 26-06

FINRA publishes Notices to provide firms with timely information on a variety of issues.ย  To obtain a Notice published prior to 1995, please contact FINRA MediaSource at (240) 386-4200.

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SEC Adopts Final Rules for the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act

The Securities and Exchange Commission today adopted final rule and form amendments to reflect the requirements of the recently enacted Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act (HFIA), which will increase transparency into the holdings and transactionsโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

The SEC adopted final rules on February 27, 2026, implementing the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act (HFIA), which extends Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting requirements to directors and officers of foreign private issuers (FPIs) with Exchange Act Section 12-registered equity securities, effective March 18, 2026. This aligns FPI insiders' disclosure obligations with those of U.S. domestic issuers, enhancing market transparency while exempting >10% holders from reporting. Compliance professionals must prioritize preparation as the deadline approaches in two weeks from today (March 3, 2026).

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SEC, FSA Hold Spring Financial Regulatory Dialogue

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Services Agency of Japan (FSA) convened the Spring SEC-FSA Financial Regulatory Dialogue in Tokyo on Feb. 27, 2026.The SECโ€“FSA Dialogue builds upon longstanding efforts between the twoโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Roundtable on Private Markets Valuation As Retail Investor Access Accelerates

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced it will hold a roundtable on March 4 to discuss private market valuations and responsible retailization.The roundtable will be hosted by the Division of Investment Management from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ETโ€ฆ

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Crypto Exchange

CFTC Enforcement Division Issues Prediction Markets Advisory

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC Enforcement Division issued an advisory on February 25, 2026, detailing two enforcement cases involving illegal trading on prediction markets (event contracts) traded on KalshiEX, a Designated Contract Market. The advisory clarifies that the CFTC maintains full enforcement authority over prediction markets and will prosecute violations including insider trading, market manipulation, and fraudโ€”establishing critical compliance expectations for platforms and traders in this emerging asset class.

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SECโ€™s Division of Enforcement Announces Updates to Enforcement Manual

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Division of Enforcement today announced significant updates to its Enforcement Manual. These updates underscore the Commissionโ€™s ongoing commitment to fairness, transparency, and efficiency in the investigationsโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

The SEC's Division of Enforcement announced updates to its Enforcement Manual on February 24, 2026, focusing on enhancing fairness, transparency, and efficiency in investigations through standardized procedures like the Wells process and settlement considerations. These changes, the first major revisions since 2017, introduce uniform timelines and best practices to streamline resolutions and improve dialogue with investigated parties. Compliance professionals should prioritize this as it directly affects how firms respond to SEC inquiries, potentially accelerating outcomes and reducing uncertainties in enforcement actions.

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SEC Announces 45th Annual Small Business Forum to Improve Capital-Raising Policy

The Securities and Exchange Commission will host the agencyโ€™s 45th Annual Government Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation at SEC headquarters in Washington, D.C., on March 9 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET. The event will be webcast live. โ€ฆ

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SEC Publishes Data on Exchange Traded Funds and Fund Mergers; Updated Statistics on Municipal Advisors, Transfer Agents, and Security-Based Swap Dealers

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA) has published two new reports on exchange traded funds and fund mergers, and updated statistics and data visualizations on municipal advisors, transfer agents, andโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Consultation medium

CFTC Withdraws Event Contracts Rule Proposal and Staff Sports Event Contracts Advisory

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC has withdrawn its 2024 proposed rulemaking on "Event Contracts" (which sought to prohibit political event contracts) and the 2025 Staff Advisory (No. 25-36) on sports event contracts, signaling a policy shift under new Chairman Michael S. Selig toward promoting innovation via new rulemaking. This matters because it removes prior restrictive guidance, reduces immediate compliance burdens on prediction market operators, and opens the door for lawful event contracts while hinting at CFTC asserting exclusive jurisdiction over these derivatives.

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SEC Appoints New Chairman and Board Members to PCAOB

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the appointment of Demetrios (Jim) Logothetis, as Chairman, and Mark Calabria, Kyle Hauptman, and Steven Laughton, as Board members, of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). Georgeโ€ฆ

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SEC Charges ADM and Three Former Executives with Accounting and Disclosure Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed settled charges against Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) and its former executives, Vince Macciocchi and Ray Young, and a litigated action against its former executive Vikram Luthar, for โ€ฆ

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SEC and CFTC Reschedule Joint Event on Harmonization, U.S. Financial Leadership in the Crypto Era

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul S. Atkins and Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael S. Selig will hold a joint event, previously scheduled for Jan. 27, now rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at CFTCโ€ฆ

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Information Notice - 1/3/25

Information Notice - 1/3/25

AI Analysis

FINRA issued an Information Notice on January 3, 2025, modifying the Contrary Exercise Advice (CEA) cut-off time for options expiring on January 9, 2025, from the standard 5:30 p.m. ET to 10:00 a.m. ET due to the National Day of Mourning. This time-sensitive directive required immediate operational adjustments for all broker-dealers and clearing members handling options exercise instructions on that specific date.

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Information Notice - 4/24/25

Information Notice - 4/24/25

AI Analysis

This FINRA Information Notice announces the SEC's reduction of the Section 31 fee rate to $0.00 per million dollars in specified securities transactions, effective May 14, 2025, following the SEC's Fee Rate Advisory for Fiscal Year 2025. It matters because it eliminates these transaction fees for FINRA member firms for the remainder of FY 2025 (and potentially beyond until FY 2026 appropriations), reducing costs and simplifying billing processes amid the SEC's over-collection of its appropriation target.[https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/information-notice-20250424]

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Information Notice - 6/26/25

Information Notice - 6/26/25

AI Analysis

This FINRA Information Notice announces the termination of **Prospective CAT Cost Recovery Fee 2025-1** effective July 1, 2025, with **Prospective CAT Cost Recovery Fee 2025-2** taking effect for transactions in eligible securities by FINRA member CAT executing brokers. It matters because firms must transition billing and payment processes seamlessly to avoid disruptions in CAT cost recovery compliance under FINRA Rule 6897(b)(1)(D).

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Information Notice - 8/14/25

Information Notice - 8/14/25

AI Analysis

This FINRA Information Notice dated August 14, 2025, reminds registered persons and firms of annual continuing education (CE) requirements under FINRA Rule 1240, including 2025 Regulatory Element completion by December 31, 2025, and resources for Firm Element plans via the FLEX catalog. It matters because non-compliance triggers automatic CE inactive status, halting registered activities, with today's date (January 25, 2026) indicating the deadline has passed, requiring immediate remediation for affected individuals.[https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/information-notice-20250814]

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Information Notice - 10/21/25

Information Notice - 10/21/25

AI Analysis

FINRA's Information Notice dated October 21, 2025, reminds member firms of NSCC's amendment to Rule 50, effective October 17, 2025, which removes the "Settle Prep Day" from the ACATS process, shortening full customer account transfers to 3-4 business days. This matters because it aligns with FINRA Rule 11870's requirements to expedite transfers, enhances operational efficiency, reduces risk, and improves client experience amid broader industry shifts like T+1 settlement.[original notice]

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Information Notice - 11/7/25

Information Notice - 11/7/25

AI Analysis

FINRA's Information Notice 11/7/25 publishes a **2026 Filing Schedule** on its website to guide clearing firms on accurate submission dates for extensions of time under Federal Reserve Regulation T, SEA Rule 15c3-3, and FINRA Rule 4210, accounting for holidays and business days. This matters because the automated REX system rejects incorrect dates, forcing resubmissions that delay compliance and risk regulatory violations amid shortened settlement cycles.

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Information Notice 11/10/25

Information Notice 11/10/25

AI Analysis

FINRA Information Notice 11/10/25 provides due dates for 2026 and Q1 2027 filings of Annual Reports, FOCUS Reports, Form Custody, and various supplemental schedules under SEA Rule 17a-5 and FINRA Rule 4524. It matters because it ensures timely electronic submissions via FINRA Gateway, incorporates SEC amendments for EDGAR PDF filings (with future Interactive Data requirements), and highlights a 30-day extension option for qualifying smaller firms, helping prevent compliance failures amid federal holidays. https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/information-notice-20251110

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Information Notice 11/14/25

Information Notice 11/14/25

AI Analysis

FINRA Information Notice 11/14/25 summarizes SEC amendments to SEA Rule 17a-5 mandating electronic filing of broker-dealer annual reports, supplemental reports, and Form 17-H on EDGAR in PDF format, alongside FOCUS Report updates including electronic signatures and elimination of notarization. These changes modernize submissions, eliminate paper filings to the SEC, and impose new interactive data requirements with phased compliance, requiring broker-dealers to secure EDGAR access and adapt processes promptly to avoid disruptions.[https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/notices/information-notice-20251114]

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Information Notice 11/17/25

Information Notice 11/17/25

AI Analysis

FINRA Information Notice 11/17/25 reminds member firms of a modified exercise cut-off time for standardized equity options expiring on November 28, 2025, due to national options exchanges closing early at 1:00 p.m. ET on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This adjustment shifts the deadline for option holders' final exercise decisions from 5:30 p.m. ET to 2:30 p.m. ET under FINRA Rule 2360(b)(23)(A)(viii). It matters for compliance as firms must enforce this deadline to avoid regulatory violations, protect client positions, and manage operational risks during a holiday-shortened trading day.

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SEC and CFTC to Hold Joint Event on Harmonization, U.S. Financial Leadership in the Crypto Era

Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Paul S. Atkins and Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman Michael S. Selig will hold a joint event on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at CFTC headquarters to discuss harmonization between theโ€ฆ

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SEC Small Business Advisory Committee to Continue Discussion on Regulatory Framework for Finders and Begin Exploring the Private Secondary Market

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee announced that it will hold a public meeting at the SEC Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. The meeting will also beโ€ฆ

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SEC Seeks Candidates for Membership on the Investor Advisory Committee

The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking candidates for appointment as members of the SECโ€™s Investor Advisory Committee, established pursuant to Section 39 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to help protect investors and improve securitiesโ€ฆ

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SEC Seeks Candidates for Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee

The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking candidates to fill a limited number of vacancies on the agencyโ€™s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, which provides advice and recommendations to the Commission on rules, regulations, andโ€ฆ

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Division of Corporation Finance Names Senior Staff

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the senior team from the Division of Corporation Finance responsible for advising division Director James Moloney on all matters the division has before the Commission. These include rulemakingโ€ฆ

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Christina M. Thomas to Rejoin the Division of Corporation Finance as Deputy Director

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Christina M. Thomas will rejoin the Division of Corporation Finance in February as deputy director and chief advisor on disclosure, policy, and rulemaking.โ€œChristina brings her deep technicalโ€ฆ

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Keith E. Cassidy Named Director of the Division of Examinations

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Keith E. Cassidy has been appointed Director of the Division of Examinations. Mr. Cassidy has served as Acting Director since May 2024 and previously was the divisionโ€™s Deputy Director, Actingโ€ฆ

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CFTC Enforcement Updates

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC announced three major enforcement actions on January 16, 2026, resolving cases involving **market manipulation (spoofing), misappropriation of confidential information, and unregistered commodity pool operations**. These cases demonstrate the CFTC's continued enforcement focus on fraudulent trading practices and registration violations, with combined penalties exceeding $685,000 and criminal sentences totaling over six years in prison.

Action Required

The CFTC has announced enforcement updates, including civil monetary penalties and trading bans for spoofing in precious metals futures markets and misappropriating confidential information. These updates highlight the importance of compliance with CFTC regulations. Firms must ensure they are registered and comply with anti-spoofing and anti-fraud regulations.

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J. Russell McGranahan Named SEC General Counsel

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that J. Russell โ€œRustyโ€ McGranahan has been named SEC General Counsel. As the SECโ€™s chief legal officer, Mr. McGranahan will oversee the provision of legal expertise and advice to the Office of theโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ SEC Enforcement medium

Paul Tzur and David Morrell Named Deputy Directors of the Division of Enforcement

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Paul H. Tzur and David M. Morrell have been named as Deputy Directors of the Division of Enforcement. Mr. Tzur joined the Commission on January 6, 2026, as the Deputy Director overseeing theโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

The SEC announced on January 12, 2026, the appointment of Paul H. Tzur and David M. Morrell as Deputy Directors of the Division of Enforcement, with Tzur joining on January 6, 2026, to oversee key operations. This personnel change is part of a broader reorganization replacing Regional Directors with Deputy Directors for more centralized oversight of investigations. It matters for compliance teams as it signals greater consistency in enforcement approaches, potentially affecting investigation timelines, Wells process strategies, and settlement negotiations across SEC-regulated entities.

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SEC to Host Hybrid Event on Regulation S-P for Small Firms

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced it will hold its third and final outreach event to help firms comply with amendments to Regulation S-P. The event, which is focused on small firms, is open to in-person or virtual attendance, and isโ€ฆ

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SEC Publishes Staff Report on Capital-Raising Dynamics

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation today published and delivered to Congress its 2025 staff report that serves as a comprehensive and data-rich resource on capital-raising dynamicsโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ SEC Enforcement medium

SEC Proposes Amendments to the Small Entity Definitions for Investment Companies and Investment Advisers for Purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Securities and Exchange Commission today proposed amendments to the rules that define which registered investment companies, investment advisers, and business development companies qualify as small entities for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibilityโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

The SEC proposed amendments on January 7, 2026, to expand the definitions of "small entities" under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) for registered investment advisers (RIAs), investment companies, and business development companies by significantly raising asset thresholds last updated in 1998. This would increase the number of qualifying small entities, enabling the SEC to better assess regulatory impacts and potentially provide tailored relief like extended compliance timelines during rulemaking. It matters because it could indirectly reduce compliance burdens for mid-sized firms by influencing future SEC rules to minimize disproportionate effects on smaller players.

Asset Manager

Deputy Director of Enforcement Nekia Hackworth Jones Concludes Her Tenure at the SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Nekia Hackworth Jones, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Southeast), concluded her tenure with the agency on December 26, 2025.โ€œI am thankful to Nekia for answering the call toโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

This SEC press release announces the departure of Nekia Hackworth Jones, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Southeast), who concluded her tenure on December 26, 2025, after overseeing enforcement investigations and litigations across Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Miami offices. It matters to compliance professionals as personnel changes in SEC Enforcement leadership can signal potential shifts in enforcement priorities, investigation focus, or regional scrutiny intensity in the Southeast U.S.

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SEC Announces Retirement of Division of Corporation Finance Deputy Director Cicely LaMothe

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Cicely LaMothe, Deputy Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, has retired from the agency.โ€œCicely has gone above and beyond the call of duty over the past twenty-four years to serveโ€ฆ

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SEC Charges Three Purported Crypto Asset Trading Platforms and Four Investment Clubs with Scheme That Targeted Retail Investors on Social Media

The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed charges against purported crypto asset trading platforms Morocoin Tech Corp., Berge Blockchain Technology Co. Ltd., and Cirkor Inc. and investment clubs AI Wealth Inc., Lane Wealth Inc., AI Investmentโ€ฆ

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CFTC Approves Final Rule to Revise Swap Dealer Business Conduct and Swap Documentation Requirements

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC approved a final rule on December 18, 2025, that codifies existing staff no-action positions and eliminates duplicative business conduct and documentation requirements for swap dealers and major swap participants. This rule resolves over a decade of regulatory uncertainty, reduces operational costs, and harmonizes CFTC requirements with SEC and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board standards.

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Joshua T. White Named SEC Chief Economist

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that financial economist and academic scholar Dr. Joshua T. White will return to the agency beginning the week of Jan. 5, 2026, to serve as its Chief Economist and Director of the Division ofโ€ฆ

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SEC Office of the Investor Advocate Delivers to Congress Report on Activities for Fiscal Year 2025

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Office of the Investor Advocate today delivered its Report on Activities for the Fiscal Year 2025 to Congress, highlighting the initiatives and work of the office during the fiscal year.The report includes:Anโ€ฆ

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SEC Charges Canadian Citizen With Fraud Schemes That Targeted Retail Investors on Discord

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Canadian citizen Nathan Gauvin and three entities he controlsโ€”Blackridge, LLC, Gray Digital Capital Management USA, LLC, and Gray Digital Technologies, LLCโ€”with orchestrating two fraudulent securitiesโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Agenda and Panelists for Roundtable on Rule 611 of Regulation NMS

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the agenda and panelists for its Dec. 16, 2025, roundtable on Rule 611 of Regulation NMS and other associated rules and regulatory requirements.The roundtable will be held at the University of Austinโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Departure of OIEA Director Lori J. Schock

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Lori J. Schock, who has served as the Director of the Office of Investor Education and Assistance (OIEA) since 2009, will retire from the agency at the end of December.โ€œI have known Lori forโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Agenda and Panelists for Roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Crypto Task Force has announced the agenda and panelists for its rescheduled Roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy.โ€œNew technologies give us a fresh opportunity to recalibrate financial surveillanceโ€ฆ

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SEC to Host Webinar for Transfer Agents on Regulation S-P

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced it will hold the second in its series of compliance outreach events regarding the 2024 adoption of amendments to Regulation S-P. The event, for transfer agents, is a webinar scheduled for December 17โ€ฆ

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Cristina Martin Firvida to Conclude Tenure as Investor Advocate

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Cristina Martin Firvida, who has served as the Director of the Office of the Investor Advocate since January 2023, will conclude her tenure with the agency at the end of January 2026. Asโ€ฆ

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SEC Investor Advisory Committee to Host Dec. 4 Meeting on Regulatory Changes in Corporate Governance, the Tokenization of Equity Securities

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Investor Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Dec. 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET. The meeting will be webcast on the SEC website.The committee will host two panels:Regulatory Changes in Corporateโ€ฆ

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CFTC Charges Two Men, their Unregistered Commodity Pool with Futures Fraud, Registration Violations

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC filed a civil enforcement action on November 21, 2025, against Brian Mitchell, Kevin Mack Jr., and their unregistered entity Young Pros Investment Group LLC (YPIG) for fraudulently soliciting ~$1 million from 33 pool participants to trade commodity futures, using misrepresentations, Ponzi payments, false statements, and registration violations, including Mitchell's breach of a prior 2021 CFTC order. This case underscores the CFTC's aggressive enforcement against unregistered commodity pools and fraud, seeking restitution, disgorgement, penalties, trading bans, and injunctions under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). Compliance teams must prioritize registration checks and fraud prevention to avoid similar actions, as it highlights personal liability for controlling persons.

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SEC Announces New Date and Time for Roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Crypto Task Force has rescheduled its Financial Surveillance and Privacy Roundtable, previously scheduled for October, to Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.โ€œI am looking forward to getting this event back on the calendarโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Roundtable on Rule 611 of Regulation NMS at the University of Austin

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that it will hold a roundtable on Dec. 16, 2025, to discuss Rule 611 of Regulation NMS and other, associated rules and regulatory requirements. This roundtable is a follow-up to the SECโ€™s Sept. 18,โ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Enforcement medium

CFTC, 30 State Regulators Obtain Over $51 Million in Sanctions, Restitution for Victims in California Precious Metals Fraud

The CFTC today announced the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered a final judgement against Safeguard Metals LLC and Jeffrey Ikahn (aka Jeffrey Santulan and Jeffrey Hill) ordering them to pay $25.6 million in restitution to victims and a $25.6 million civil monetary penalty for operating a nationwide, precious metals fraud. Released: 11/20/2025

AI Analysis

The CFTC, alongside 30 state regulators, secured a final judgment on November 20, 2025, against Safeguard Metals LLC and Jeffrey Ikahn, imposing $25.6 million in restitution to victims and a $25.6 million civil monetary penalty for a nationwide precious metals fraud scheme from October 2017 to July 2021 that defrauded over 450 elderly investors of more than $52 million. This enforcement action, resolving a February 2022 complaint, highlights coordinated federal-state-SEC efforts to combat commodity fraud and underscores personal liability for controlling persons under CEA Section 6(c)(1) and Regulation 180.1(a). It matters for compliance as it reinforces aggressive penalties for misrepresentations, overcharges, and targeting vulnerable populations, with offsets across parallel SEC proceedings.

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SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2026 Priorities

The Securities and Exchange Commissionโ€™s Division of Examinations today released its 2026 examination priorities. The Division publishes its annual examination priorities to provide transparency to registrants and investors about the topics that theโ€ฆ

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Deputy Director of Enforcement Antonia M. Apps to Conclude Her Tenure at the SEC

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Antonia M. Apps, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Northeast), will conclude her tenure with the agency effective Dec. 1, 2025. โ€œI thank Antonia for her steadfast leadership inโ€ฆ

AI Analysis

This SEC press release announces the departure of Antonia M. Apps, Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement (Northeast), effective December 1, 2025. It signals ongoing leadership transitions within the restructured Enforcement Division under new SEC Chair Paul Atkins, which may influence enforcement priorities, transparency, and regional consistency, requiring firms to adapt compliance strategies amid a "return to basics" approach focused on core investor protection.

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SEC Issues Exemptive Order Regarding Compliance with Certain Rules Under Regulation NMS

The Securities and Exchange Commission today issued an order granting temporary exemptive relief from certain compliance dates adopted under Regulation NMS: Minimum Pricing Increments, Access Fees and Transparency of Better Priced Orders as follows:โ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Departure of Director of Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation Stacey Bowers

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Stacey Bowers, who has served as the Director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, will depart the agency effective October 17, 2025. She has served as Directorโ€ฆ

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SEC Continues Efforts to Assist Market Participants During Implementation of Treasury Clearing Rules

The Securities and Exchange Commission today enhanced its efforts to assist broker-dealers and other market participants on the path to central clearing of U.S. Treasury securities, developing a one-stop webpage that puts the latest status updates, staffโ€ฆ

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SEC Issues Order to Reduce Operating Costs of Consolidated Audit Trail

The Securities and Exchange Commission today issued an order granting conditional exemptive relief related to certain requirements of the National Market System Plan governing the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT NMS Plan), Rule 613 of Regulation NMS, andโ€ฆ

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SEC Seeks Public Comment to Improve Rules on Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities and Asset-Backed Securities

The Securities and Exchange Commission today published a concept release soliciting public comment on how to improve current SEC rules governing residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and certain aspects of asset-backed securities (ABS) generallyโ€ฆ

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SEC Announces Departure of Chief Operating Officer Ken Johnson

The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Ken Johnson, who has been serving as Chief Operating Officer (COO) since December 2017, will retire from the agency in December. โ€œKen has been an integral leader at the SEC for more than twoโ€ฆ

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๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ CFTC Enforcement medium

CFTC Sanctions Trading Firm $212,500 for Wash Sales

No description available.

AI Analysis

The CFTC issued an order on September 17, 2025, sanctioning Shinhan Securities Co. Ltd. with a $212,500 civil monetary penalty for engaging in wash sales and non-competitive transactions on NYMEX, involving near-simultaneous bids and offers for the same futures contracts under the same beneficial owner to avoid risk and price competition. This enforcement action underscores the CFTC's ongoing focus on market manipulation practices that undermine open and competitive trading, serving as a reminder for firms to enhance trade surveillance and compliance programs. Compliance professionals should note this as evidence of active CFTC scrutiny on wash trading violations under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).

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