Securities Enforcement. Investigations. Regulation.
Independent analysis of the laws, regulations, investigations, and enforcement actions shaping modern financial markets.
BRAEDEN ANDERSON
RECOGNITION AND LEADERSHIP
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.
FINRA Update on Crypto Asset Activities
On August 14, 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued an important update regarding its ongoing efforts to engage with its members on the subject of crypto asset activities. Referred to as "crypto assets," these are defined by FINRA as assets issued or transferred using distributed ledger or blockchain technology. These assets include virtual currencies, coins, and tokens, which may or may not meet the definition of "securities" under federal securities laws.
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.
2024 Mid-Year Review: SEC Enforcement regarding Crypto Assets
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been highly active in 2024, particularly in the enforcement of regulations within the crypto asset space. As the digital asset market continues to evolve, so too does the regulatory landscape. The SEC’s actions reflect its commitment to protecting investors and maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, even in the rapidly changing world of cryptocurrencies.