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.
Navigating FINRA’s Updated Policy on Recording Calls and Meetings
FINRA has issued Regulatory Notice 24-10, reminding members of its longstanding policy prohibiting the recording of conversations between FINRA staff and member firm personnel during oversight-related calls or meetings. This policy extends to both audio and video recordings and includes all related technologies. The Notice underscores the continued relevance of this policy amidst technological advancements that facilitate recording and transcription.
Understanding FINRA's Membership Application Program: A Guide to Joining the Broker-Dealer Industry
In the world of securities trading, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) plays a crucial role in maintaining market integrity and protecting investors. One of the key components of this oversight is FINRA’s Membership Application Program (MAP). Here, we delve into what MAP entails, the process firms must go through to gain membership, and the role it plays in safeguarding the industry.
FINRA Provides Update on Member Firms’ Crypto Asset Activities
As part of its regulatory mandate to safeguard investors and uphold market integrity, FINRA is addressing the evolving landscape of crypto asset activities conducted by its member firms. Crypto assets—commonly referred to as digital assets—encompass a range of items issued or transferred using blockchain technology. These include virtual currencies, coins, and tokens, which may or may not qualify as “securities” under federal laws.
Regulatory Notice 24-11: Updated Interpretations of FINRA’s Margin Rule
FINRA has announced an important update to the set of interpretations for its Margin Rule, FINRA Rule 4210. These updated interpretations, now effective, are available on the FINRA website. To help member firms navigate these changes, FINRA has also released a comprehensive guide. This guide includes a text comparison with the previous interpretations, published on October 27, 2021, and provides additional information about the updates.