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.
SEC Fines Six Major Credit Rating Agencies for Recordkeeping Failures
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed fines totaling $49 million on six major credit rating agencies for their failure to maintain and preserve electronic communications as required under federal securities laws. This action underscores the SEC's commitment to enforcing compliance with regulatory obligations that are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the financial markets.
SEC Targets OpenSea: The Potential Implications for the NFT Market
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently issued a Wells notice to OpenSea, the most prominent marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), signaling a potential lawsuit for securities law violations. This move marks a significant development in the SEC's ongoing scrutiny of the digital assets space, particularly as it relates to the burgeoning NFT market.
Court Denies SEC’s Request for Disgorgement in Ripple Case: Implications for Crypto Enforcement
In a notable development for the cryptocurrency regulatory landscape, a federal court has recently denied the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) request for disgorgement of profits in its case against Ripple Labs. This ruling, issued by Judge Analisa Torres of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on August 7, 2024, marks a significant setback for the SEC’s efforts to impose substantial financial penalties in crypto cases primarily based on registration violations.
SEC Issues $24 Million in Whistleblower Awards: A Testament to the Power of Insider Cooperation
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to underscore the vital role that whistleblowers play in the enforcement of securities laws. On August 26, 2024, the SEC announced awards totaling more than $24 million to two whistleblowers whose information and assistance were instrumental in leading to successful enforcement actions, both by the SEC and another federal agency. This development is a compelling reminder of the significant public service provided by whistleblowers and the robust framework established to protect and reward them.
SEC Charges Abra with Unregistered Offers and Sales of Crypto Asset Securities
The SEC's recent enforcement action against Plutus Lending LLC, doing business as Abra, underscores the agency's unwavering commitment to ensuring that crypto asset offerings and sales comply with federal securities laws. The charges filed today highlight significant regulatory issues surrounding the unregistered offers and sales of crypto asset securities, specifically through Abra's retail crypto asset lending product, Abra Earn.