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.
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.