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BRAEDEN ANDERSON

Welcome to Anderson Insights.

We provide authoritative analysis on securities and commodities regulation, SEC and FINRA enforcement, and legal developments affecting crypto, digital assets, fintech, and financial services, authored by Braeden Anderson.

Please enjoy our legal writings. If you want to talk anything through, send Braeden an email.

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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”

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Regulatory Compliance in a Whistleblower-Focused Era: How Companies Can Stay Ahead

With regulators intensifying scrutiny, companies today face growing pressure to strengthen their compliance programs, especially in an environment where whistleblower activity is on the rise. Both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have sharpened their focus on what they expect from businesses when it comes to managing risk, ensuring ethical behavior, and maintaining transparent operations.

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SEC Updates Dollar Threshold for Qualifying Venture Capital Funds: What It Means for the Industry

On August 22, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a new rule that updates the dollar threshold for a fund to be considered a "qualifying venture capital fund" under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The rule raises the threshold from $10 million to $12 million in aggregate capital contributions and uncalled committed capital, reflecting inflation adjustments mandated by the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.

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The Aftermath of PFAR’s Demise: Navigating Private Equity Compliance in a New Regulatory Landscape

The recent vacating of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Private Fund Adviser Rules (PFAR) by the Fifth Circuit Court has sent ripples through the private equity (PE) industry. What was initially viewed as a burdensome regulatory overhaul for PE firms is now seen as a moment of reprieve, but also a pivotal point that raises larger questions about the future of SEC oversight. While many private equity firms are breathing a sigh of relief, this regulatory pause is unlikely to signal the end of increased scrutiny from the SEC. In fact, firms may need to prepare for a more nuanced and evolving approach to compliance in the wake of PFAR’s collapse.

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Braeden Anderson

K. Braeden Anderson serves as a Partner at Gesmer Updegrove LLP, where he leads the firm’s Blockchain & Digital Assets and Securities Enforcement & Investigations practices. He also chairs Mackrell International’s Blockchain & Digital Assets Group and its Securities Enforcement & Investigations Group.

Named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America (2025) for Financial Services Regulation Law and Securities Regulation, Mr. Anderson has built a national reputation as a securities regulatory and enforcement attorney operating at the intersection of traditional finance and emerging technologies. His practice focuses on advising financial institutions, fintech companies, investment advisers (including robo-advisors), broker-dealers, trading platforms, and digital asset companies in complex regulatory, enforcement, and compliance matters before the SEC, CFTC, FINRA, DOJ, and state regulators.

Within the digital asset and blockchain space, Mr. Anderson regularly counsels clients on issues involving market structure, tokenization, robo-advisor and broker-dealer registration, custody frameworks, AML and KYC obligations, and secondary trading considerations for regulated assets. His work spans both established financial institutions and early-stage ventures, helping clients operate within rapidly evolving regulatory environments with precision and strategic clarity.

Mr. Anderson also represents professional athletes and sports organizations in connection with regulatory and investigative matters requiring careful handling and discretion.

Prior to joining Gesmer, Mr. Anderson founded a Washington, D.C.-based law firm. He previously served as Assistant General Counsel at Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD), where he advised on significant regulatory and enforcement matters. Earlier in his career, he practiced at Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Sidley Austin LLP in New York and Washington, D.C., representing clients in matters involving major federal enforcement authorities and providing regulatory advice on complex financial matters.

Mr. Anderson is an active contributor to the national conversation on securities and digital asset regulation. He publishes a widely followed weekly newsletter that has reached millions of legal and financial professionals and produces video content on YouTube for an audience of over 160,000 subscribers. He is also the editor of this legal publication, Anderson Insights, where he provides in-depth analysis for regulators, in-house counsel, and compliance professionals.

Mr. Anderson is also the creator of The Long Game with Braeden Anderson, a new digital series on YouTube exploring the intersection of golf, discipline, and high-performance thinking, featuring match-play conversations with legal executives and business leaders.

He was recently recognized as the most-read fintech thought leader in the United States in Mondaq’s Spring 2025 Thought Leadership Awards.