Securities Enforcement. Corporate Investigations. Financial Regulation.
Independent analysis of the laws, regulations, investigations, and enforcement actions shaping modern financial markets.
BRAEDEN ANDERSON
Braeden is one of the top securities lawyers in the country and was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the Financial Services Regulation Law and Securities Regulation categories. This honor is awarded to only the top 2% of attorneys in the United States and is based on a comprehensive peer-review survey.
Braeden helped lead Gesmer Updegrove to recognition in The Legal 500 United States for Corporate Investigations & White Collar Crime, Tier 3, and Finance: Fintech, Tier 4.
Braeden is active in the U.S. securities enforcement community through Securities Docket, where he has served on the 2025 and 2026 Advisory Boards and contributed video commentary through the Weekly Update.
Braeden was named the #1 United States author in FinTech in Mondaq’s Spring 2025 Thought Leadership Awards, reflecting the national reach and influence of his writing on fintech, securities regulation, and digital asset policy.
Business Advisers Defeat SEC Allegations of Penny Stock Fraud
In a notable ruling, a Boston federal judge rejected the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) allegations that Roger Bendelac, a business adviser, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Capellini, participated in a $2.3 million penny stock fraud scheme. The decision followed a four-day bench trial in October and highlights the complexities of securities enforcement cases, where the evidence often lies in the fine details.
Factors U.S. District Judge with Weigh in Sentencing Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez This Week
When U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein sentences former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez this week on federal bribery and corruption charges, he will weigh a complex mixture of factors, balancing a lifetime of public service against the gravity of the crimes. Menendez, who once donned a bulletproof vest to fight corruption in New Jersey, now faces sentencing for accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and luxury goods in exchange for political favors.
SEC Withdraws Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121
On January 23, 2025, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 122, formally withdrawing the controversial SAB 121. The previous guidance, introduced under the leadership of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, required public companies, including banks, to record customers’ cryptocurrency holdings on their own balance sheets. This requirement was intended to provide added investor protections during bankruptcies but faced criticism for its potentially burdensome implications for institutions handling digital assets.
SEC Announces Formation of Crypto Task Force 2.0
Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the launch of a dedicated Crypto Task Force aimed at establishing a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets. Commissioner Hester Peirce will chair the task force, supported by Richard Gabbert as Chief of Staff and Taylor Asher as Chief Policy Advisor.
Trump’s SEC Leadership: A New Chapter for Cryptocurrency Regulation?
As the nation prepares for a change in leadership, the cryptocurrency industry is abuzz with speculation about the potential regulatory shift under the incoming Trump administration. With Hester Peirce and Mark Uyeda poised to take on pivotal roles at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it appears a crypto-friendly overhaul may be on the horizon. Sources close to the matter suggest that these changes could begin as early as next week.