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.
Should the SEC and CFTC Merge? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Long-Standing Debate
The longstanding debate over merging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has gained fresh urgency after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have reignited the conversation. While advocates argue a merger could simplify crypto regulation and bolster systemic risk management, critics warn of operational disruptions and political resistance. This article revisits the history of the merger debate, its modern relevance, and its implications for the future of U.S. financial regulation.
Trump to Meet Privately With Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong: What It Means for Crypto Regulation
President-elect Donald Trump is set to meet privately with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong on Monday, marking a significant moment for the cryptocurrency industry. According to sources familiar with the matter, the meeting is expected to focus on key personnel appointments for Trump’s second administration, potentially signaling a major shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets.
A Second Trump Administration: Implications for the Securities Industry
With Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House confirmed on November 6, 2024, the financial industry is preparing for sweeping regulatory changes. From the banking sector to private funds, stakeholders are crafting detailed wish lists, hoping to shape the new administration’s economic and regulatory agenda. Trump’s victory is set to usher in a more business-friendly environment, with Wall Street and asset managers eagerly anticipating reforms.
Trump Hints at Recess Appointment for SEC Chair as Bitcoin Nears $90,000
The recent election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States has sent shockwaves through the financial world, with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies experiencing an unprecedented rally. Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, hit a record high of nearly $90,000, buoyed by expectations of a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under Trump’s leadership. The surge comes as Trump hints at making sweeping changes to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including replacing Chair Gary Gensler through a controversial recess appointment.