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 …
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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 CFTC…
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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 the…
BankBroker DealerCrypto Exchange The Securities and Exchange Commission’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 be…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today approved the 2026 budget for the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the related accounting support fee.The 2026 PCAOB budget totals $362.1 million. The 2026 budget reflects a 9.4% ($37.6…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking candidates for appointment as members of the SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee, established pursuant to Section 39 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to help protect investors and improve securities…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking candidates to fill a limited number of vacancies on the agency’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, which provides advice and recommendations to the Commission on rules, regulations, and…
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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 rulemaking…
BankBroker DealerWealth Manager 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.“Christina brings her deep technical…
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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 division’s Deputy Director, Acting…
BankBroker DealerAsset Manager The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that J. Russell “Rusty” McGranahan has been named SEC General Counsel. As the SEC’s chief legal officer, Mr. McGranahan will oversee the provision of legal expertise and advice to the Office of the…
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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 the…
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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What Changed
This announcement reflects structural reforms rather than new substantive regulations:
Replacement of Regional Directors with Deputy Directors, centralizing reporting from local offices (e.g., Boston, Fort Worth, Atlanta) and specialized units directly to headquarters-led Deputy Directors.
Enhanced supervision of enforcement decisions, aiming for consistency and reduced regional variations in handling investigations.
Complements parallel Wells process reforms under Chairman Paul Atkins, includin
What You Need To Do
- Review and update internal protocols for SEC investigations to align with centralized reporting structures, anticipating uniform standards across regions
- Train legal/compliance staff on refined Wells process (e
- Monitor upcoming SEC communications for Enforcement Director Judge Margaret Ryan's guidance on fraud-focused priorities
- Assess current or potential matters for earlier engagement with Deputy Directors on case theories and resolutions
Key Dates
January 6, 2026 - Paul H. Tzur joins SEC as Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement.[User Query]
January 12, 2026 - SEC announces appointments of Paul Tzur and David Morrell as Deputy Directors.[User Query]
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Medium. This matters due to its role in ongoing SEC transition under Chairman Atkins and Director Ryan, promising more predictable enforcement but requiring adaptation to centralized decision-making and Wells enhancements. While not imposing immediate obligations, it could accelerate case r
Asset ManagerBroker DealerHedge Fund 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 is…
Asset ManagerBroker DealerWealth Manager The Securities and Exchange Commission’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 dynamics…
Asset ManagerBroker DealerWealth Manager 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 Flexibility…
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.
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What Changed
Raise the RAUM threshold for RIAs to qualify as small entities from $25 million to $1 billion, with conforming changes for control affiliates.
Increase the net asset threshold for investment companies from $50 million to $10 billion.
Update aggregation of related funds from "group of related investment companies" to "family of investment companies" as defined in Form N-CEN for easier identification.
Introduce inflation adjustments to thresholds every 10 years via SEC order, without formal rulema
What You Need To Do
- Submit public comments by the deadline to influence thresholds, alternatives (e
- Monitor Federal Register for exact publication and comment instructions; review proposed rule and fact sheet on SEC site (https://www
- Assess internal status
- No immediate compliance changes, as this affects SEC rulemaking process only; prepare for potential indirect impacts via future rules
Key Dates
January 7, 2026 - SEC issues proposal and press release.
60 days after Federal Register publication - Public comment period closes (publication expected shortly after January 7; exact date TBD, likely March 2026 based on estimates).
No stated adoption date - Typically at least one year post-comment period under normal processes.
Every 10 years post-adoption - Inflation adjustments to thresholds via SEC order.
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Medium. This proposal does not impose direct new requirements or alter existing obligations—it's procedural for SEC's RFA analyses during rulemaking. However, adoption could lead to meaningful indirect benefits for mid-sized RIAs and funds, such as longer compliance phases or reduced burden
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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.“I am thankful to Nekia for answering the call to…
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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What Changed
There are no main regulatory changes, new requirements, or policy updates in this announcement; it is solely a personnel departure notice with no substantive regulatory implications.
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What You Need To Do
- related delays and monitor for successor announcements via https://www
Key Dates
December 26, 2025 - Nekia Hackworth Jones concludes her tenure at the SEC.
December 29, 2025 - SEC issues press release announcing the departure.
Compliance Impact
Urgency: low - This is a routine leadership transition with no immediate regulatory or enforcement changes; it matters peripherally for firms anticipating shifts in SEC Enforcement priorities under new leadership, but lacks direct compliance obligations.
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The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Cicely LaMothe, Deputy Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, has retired from the agency.“Cicely has gone above and beyond the call of duty over the past twenty-four years to serve…
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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 Investment…
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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 of…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’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:An…
Asset ManagerBroker DealerCrypto Exchange The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Canadian citizen Nathan Gauvin and three entities he controls—Blackridge, LLC, Gray Digital Capital Management USA, LLC, and Gray Digital Technologies, LLC—with orchestrating two fraudulent securities…
Broker DealerCrypto Exchange
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 Austin…
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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.“I have known Lori for…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force has announced the agenda and panelists for its rescheduled Roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy.“New technologies give us a fresh opportunity to recalibrate financial surveillance…
BankBroker DealerCrypto Exchange 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 17…
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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. As…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’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 Corporate…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Crypto Task Force has rescheduled its Financial Surveillance and Privacy Roundtable, previously scheduled for October, to Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.“I am looking forward to getting this event back on the calendar…
BankBroker DealerCrypto Exchange 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 SEC’s Sept. 18,…
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The Securities and Exchange Commission’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 the…
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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. “I thank Antonia for her steadfast leadership in…
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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What Changed
This announcement itself introduces no new regulatory changes or requirements; it is a personnel update. However, it occurs amid broader Enforcement Division restructuring, including:
Consolidation from one Deputy Director to four (three regional: Northeast, Southeast, West; one for specialized units), reducing reporting lines for a more unified nationwide enforcement program.
Rescission in March 2025 of delegated authority for the Enforcement Director to issue formal orders of investigation, no
What You Need To Do
- Review ongoing Northeast Regional Office investigations for potential leadership changes and engage early with new deputies on cooperation opportunities
- Enhance internal self-reporting and remediation protocols to align with Enforcement's stated rewards for cooperation and robust Wells processes
- Update compliance training on restructured reporting lines and Commission-authorized formal orders, ensuring defenses stick to established securities laws rather than novel theories
- Monitor SEC staff directory for replacement announcements, such as potential roles for Samuel Waldon or others in the Northeast
Key Dates
December 1, 2025 - Antonia M. Apps concludes her tenure as Deputy Director of Enforcement (Northeast).[User Query]
December 26, 2025 - Nekia Hackworth Jones concluded her tenure as Deputy Director of Enforcement (Southeast).
March 2025 - SEC rescinded delegation of formal order authority to Enforcement Director.
April 2025 - Nekia Hackworth Jones appointed Deputy Director (Southeast).
September 2, 2025 - Margaret A. Ryan appointed Director of Enforcement.
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Low - This is a routine personnel change with no immediate regulatory shifts or deadlines post-December 1, 2025. It matters indirectly as part of 2025's Enforcement Division overhaul (15% headcount reduction, regional consolidation), likely leading to prioritized, transparent enforcement on
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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:…
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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 Director…
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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, staff…
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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, and…
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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) generally…
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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. “Ken has been an integral leader at the SEC for more than two…
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