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.
Opinion: U.S. Congress Must Establish a Clear Regulatory Framework for Crypto Assets to Maintain Western Leadership in Financial Innovation
By now, we all know that cryptographic blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the transfer of value over the internet—quickly, inexpensively, and without intermediaries. With mass-adoption, a blockchain-powered immutable public ledger of transactions could reshape financial systems globally. Yet, like any transformative technology, its long-term success hinges on legal and regulatory clarity. It is time for Congress to establish a comprehensive, sensible framework for regulating crypto assets.
Recent SEC Enforcement Action Highlights the Importance of Robust MNPI Policies in CLO Trading
In a significant enforcement action, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sanctioned a private fund manager for failing to implement adequate policies and procedures to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information (MNPI) while trading securities issued by collateralized loan obligation vehicles (CLOs). This case underscores the SEC’s focus on credit managers and emphasizes the importance of strong compliance frameworks for preventing MNPI violations in CLO trading.
DOJ and SEC Crack Down on Market Manipulation: Enforcement Actions Against Short Sellers Signal Increased Scrutiny
In a decisive move against market manipulation, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have launched parallel enforcement actions targeting prominent activist short seller Andrew Left and his firm, Citron Capital LLC. These actions underscore the increased scrutiny short sellers face and highlight the enduring prevalence of "short-and-distort" campaigns—where short sellers spread false or misleading information to drive down a company's stock price for financial gain.
FINRA Prevails in Broker’s Post-Jarkesy Challenge to Disciplinary Hearing
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) recently scored a legal victory after a federal judge in Philadelphia dismissed a broker’s challenge to a FINRA disciplinary proceeding, which was based on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Jarkesy decision. This decision provides some relief for both FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as they face increased scrutiny following the Supreme Court's ruling on administrative law judges.
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.