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.
FINRA Proposes Rules to Implement New Securities Lending and Transparency Engine (SLATE™)
On May 1, 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) proposed a new Rule 6500 Series to implement its Securities Lending and Transparency Engine (SLATE™). The new rule series is mandated by Rule 10c-1a under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), which was adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 13, 2023.
DOJ Announces New Pilot Program for Voluntary Self-Disclosures: What You Need to Know
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has introduced a new pilot program aimed at incentivizing individuals involved in corporate wrongdoing to voluntarily disclose information. This initiative, highlighted by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, underscores the DOJ’s commitment to enhancing accountability and uncovering hidden corporate misconduct.
California Law Firm Settles False Claims Act Allegations Over Misuse of PPP Loan Funds
On August 15, 2024, a California-based law firm, along with senior managers, agreed to a settlement totaling $274,000 to resolve allegations of False Claims Act violations related to the misuse of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds.
New Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program: A Game Changer for Corporate Accountability
On August 1, 2024, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri unveiled a significant new initiative: the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program. This program represents a strategic enhancement to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) enforcement capabilities and aims to fortify corporate accountability across multiple sectors.
Activist Short Seller Indicted for $16M Market Manipulation Scheme
On July 26, 2024, a federal grand jury in the Central District of California returned an indictment charging Andrew Left, a well-known activist short seller, with multiple counts of securities fraud. The indictment alleges that Left orchestrated a sophisticated market manipulation scheme that generated at least $16 million in illicit profits.