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 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.
President Trump Launched a Memecoin: Much Ado About Nothing?
The launch of President Donald Trump’s $TRUMP cryptocurrency token has sparked controversy, with critics framing it as a regulatory and ethical quagmire. However, when analyzed through established legal frameworks, these attacks seem more like political theater than substantive concerns. While $TRUMP has undoubtedly captured headlines and stirred debate, the reality is that this token likely does not meet the legal definition of a security. Without significant changes to how it is marketed or managed, critics’ arguments appear to lack the necessary substance to stick.
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.
Where TikTok Goes Next: Navigating the Uncertainty of a Landmark Ban
The Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling with profound implications for technology, geopolitics, and the digital economy. By unanimously upholding the "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act" (PAFACAA), the Court has set the stage for a legal and operational reckoning for TikTok, its Chinese parent company ByteDance, and the tech giants facilitating its presence in the U.S. market. For businesses and legal practitioners, this case illustrates the complexities of navigating an increasingly fragmented regulatory landscape.