On February 6, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted Rules 3a5-4 and 3a44-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), which significantly expand the definitions of “dealer” and “government...more
As lawyer, I pride myself of my ability to wordsmith; like most lawyers, I cannot resist marking up a draft even if it is only just stylistic changes. But sometimes, there is just no way to improve on someone else’s words....more
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or "Commission") has adopted new rules that further define the phrase "part of a regular business" for purposes of determining whether a person is a "dealer" or "government...more
The SEC’s ambiguous rule could have a chilling effect both on decentralized finance and on the provision of liquidity to centralized crypto exchanges. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a new rule on...more
On February 6, 2024, by a vote of 3-2 along party lines, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC or the Commission) adopted Rules 3a5-4 and 3a44-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), which...more
SEC defines the phrase “as part of a regular business” to capture private funds and other market participants that take on liquidity-providing roles. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new rules that...more
On Feb. 6, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced two new rules that expanded the definition of “dealer” and “government securities dealer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). These...more
High-frequency traders, private funds, decentralized exchange automated market makers, and even state pension plans should consider whether the expanded dealer definition triggers the need to register as a securities dealer...more
Proposed Rules Could Require Dealer Registration by Certain Principal Trading Firms, Private Funds, Investment Advisers and Other Market Participants - On March 28, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)...more
On October 8, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") voted to propose a new limited conditional exemption from broker registration requirements for "finders." The SEC's press release is accessible here....more
Some virtual currency units and positions are treated as commodities by the CFTC and US courts. The IRS has told taxpayers that it views convertible virtual currency as property, not foreign currency, for federal tax...more
While securities regulators on both sides of the border have provided some relief to dealers and advisors, the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) have not extended...more
The National Futures Association (NFA) adopted on October 23, 2015 an “Interpretive Notice to NFA Compliance Rules 2-9, 2-36, and 2-49: Information Systems Security Programs” (Notice). The Notice requires each NFA Member to...more
The SEC’s order provides significant guidance on how the SEC staff will scrutinize the propriety of payments made pursuant to commonly occurring agreements between mutual funds and their service providers and with respect to...more
Charles Schwab Fined US $2 Million by FINRA for Net Capital Deficiencies: Charles Schwab & Co. agreed to pay US $2 million to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to resolve allegations that it had net capital...more
This Glossary is designed to provide law students taking Securities Regulation with a tool that will assist them in learning the basic language of securities law and achieve a working knowledge of the fundamental principles...more
On February 16, 2015, the Texas State Securities Board voted to formally adopt their proposed Rule 139.27, which provides an exemption from dealer registration for intermediaries providing services solely in connection with...more
Why it matters - The $20 million civil money penalty assessed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) against Oppenheimer & Co. is intended to send several strong messages to all types of financial services...more