BRAEDEN ANDERSON
Hi, I’m Braeden.
I'm a partner at Gesmer Updegrove LLP, where I lead the Securities Enforcement and Digital Assets practice areas. I’ve served as Assistant General Counsel at Robinhood, practiced at Kirkland & Ellis and Sidley Austin, and represented clients in high-stakes matters before the SEC, DOJ, FINRA, and state regulators.
I write and make content for people who don’t have time to guess: founders, lawyers, regulators, and smart operators who know better than to rely on Google or the AI answer without context.
I've been recognized by U.S. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Financial Services and Securities Regulation, and listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America for contributions to law and public service.
Enjoy the content. I hope you find what you’re looking for. And if you want to talk something through, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to hear from you. It’s really cool when readers become clients.
MILLIONS OF IMPRESSIONS
20,000+ NEWSLETTER READERS
160,000+ SUBSCRIBERS ON YOUTUBE
Looking for something specific?
The full Anderson Insights archive is now searchable. Use the search bar to find past content by topic, agency, or keyword. Try searching: “SEC v. Jarkesy,” “ATS regulation,” “custody” or “digital assets”
Broker-Dealer Fined $3M for Trading Supervision Failures
In a recent settlement with FINRA, a major broker-dealer agreed to pay over $3 million in monetary sanctions due to supervisory failures related to short-term trading recommendations. These trading activities, which spanned a two-year period from January 2017 to December 2018, resulted in client losses while generating significant profits for the firm.
Massachusetts Investment Advisor Fined for Undisclosed WeChat Communications
In a recent enforcement action, a Massachusetts-based investment advisor has been sanctioned by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) for conducting business communications through an unapproved messaging platform, in violation of recordkeeping rules. The advisor, formerly associated with a major brokerage firm, was found to have used WeChat, a Chinese social media application, to interact with clients without the firm's approval or proper documentation.
Former Broker Fined for Alleged Stock Hype in Client Emails: A Cautionary Tale for Advisors
On August 28, 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) announced the suspension and fining of Richard Joseph Jackson, a former broker, for allegedly engaging in misleading communications with clients regarding stock performance. This case underscores the critical importance of compliance with FINRA’s communication rules, particularly for financial professionals responsible for advising clients.
FINRA’s Landmark Action on Social Media Influencer Programs
In a significant development, FINRA has imposed an $850,000 fine on a financial services firm for violations related to its use of social media influencers. This marks the first enforcement action by FINRA concerning a firm's supervision of social media influencer activities.