FINRA Enforcement Cases Fell in 2025, While Settlement Volume Rose
One case against Robinhood was responsible for year-over-year gains in settlements.
Regulation
Lawmakers Clash Over Tokenization as Congress Weighs Regulations
Wednesday’s hearing came as the Clarity Act has hit a snag in the Senate.
SEC Enforcement Division Director Steps Down
Margaret Ryan is succeeded by Sam Waldon, who has returned to the role of acting director.
SEC’s Arbitration Shift Still Sparks Fears Over US Stock Valuations
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s September 2025 policy shift on mandatory arbitration clauses has not gained in popularity.
Vanguard Settles States’ Coal Stock Manipulation Complaint for $29.5M
The case, filed by 11 state attorneys general, also named BlackRock and State Street, and those managers have not settled to date.
Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Bar Institutional Investors From Buying Single-Family Homes
The legislation came on the same day President Donald Trump, in his State of the Union speech, said: ‘We want homes for people, not corporations.’
Markets Welcome Supreme Court Decision Striking Down Tariff Authority
The court dealt a blow to President Donald Trump’s economic agenda, with markets largely reacting positively.
SEC Proposes Easing Fund Reporting Requirements, Extends Compliance Deadlines
The changes would reduce ‘reporting burdens,’ according to the agency.
NYC Pension Funds Sue AT&T Over Blocked Diversity Disclosure Proposal
Four funds seek court order to force vote on workforce demographics report at 2026 annual meeting.
GOP Lawmakers Launch Probe of CalPERS $330M Pension Fund Loss
The House members are questioning whether the nation’s largest public pension system violated the ‘exclusive benefit’ rule by prioritizing ESG investments.
SEC’s Atkins Backs Digital Clarity Act at Senate Banking Hearing
According to the chair, the joint SEC-CFTC ‘Project Crypto’ will provide a regulatory bridge with token taxonomy while legislation is pending.
Senate Committee Advances Digital Asset Market Structure Bill in Party-Line Vote
Democratic opposition appears likely to hold up the legislation as it moves forward.
Iowa Proposes Tax on In-State Universities’ Endowments
Tax revenue would flow into a state treasurer-administered fund to provide tuition grants.
DOL Amicus Brief Sides With Lockheed in PRT Complaint
The department stated that the plaintiffs lack standing and insisted that litigation negatively effects defined benefit plans.
SEC’s Lone Democrat, Caroline Crenshaw, Departs
Her exit leaves the five-member panel with only three commissioners, all Republicans.