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.
Sen. Lummis Urges Second Circuit to Curb SEC’s Crypto Overreach
Senator Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., has thrown her support behind Coinbase Inc. in its legal battle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), urging the Second Circuit to clarify the limits of the SEC’s authority in regulating digital assets. In an amicus brief filed Friday, Lummis argued that the SEC’s enforcement actions against crypto intermediaries, including Coinbase, undermine congressional efforts to establish a clear regulatory framework for the digital asset industry.
Palo Alto Networks Insider Trading Case: Ninth Circuit Orders Resentencing
The Ninth Circuit has upheld securities fraud convictions against Sivannarayana Barama, a former Palo Alto Networks engineer who profited $7 million through insider trading. However, the court remanded the case for resentencing, ruling that the district court improperly used Barama’s trading gains as a proxy for the company’s loss without determining an actual loss.
KuCoin’s $297M Settlement Marks a Turning Point in Crypto Compliance
Crypto exchange KuCoin has agreed to pay $297 million and pled guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, following allegations of widespread anti-money laundering (AML) failures and the facilitation of over $5 billion in illicit transactions. This significant development underscores the growing scrutiny of cryptocurrency platforms by U.S. regulators and law enforcement.
Business Advisers Defeat SEC Allegations of Penny Stock Fraud
In a notable ruling, a Boston federal judge rejected the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) allegations that Roger Bendelac, a business adviser, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Capellini, participated in a $2.3 million penny stock fraud scheme. The decision followed a four-day bench trial in October and highlights the complexities of securities enforcement cases, where the evidence often lies in the fine details.
Factors U.S. District Judge with Weigh in Sentencing Former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez This Week
When U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein sentences former U.S. Senator Robert Menendez this week on federal bribery and corruption charges, he will weigh a complex mixture of factors, balancing a lifetime of public service against the gravity of the crimes. Menendez, who once donned a bulletproof vest to fight corruption in New Jersey, now faces sentencing for accepting bribes in the form of gold bars, cash, and luxury goods in exchange for political favors.