Securities Docket Weekly Update - April 11
Here are the top stories in securities enforcement and regulation for the week ending April 11, 2025. From viral market misinformation to a new SEC Chair, let’s get into it. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates! 👊🏽🇺🇸
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 29
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 29, 2025. Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates!
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 21
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 21, 2025. Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates!
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 14
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 14, 2025. Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates!
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 7
Securities Docket Weekly Update - March 7, 2025. Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates!
Securities Docket Weekly Update - Feb 28
Securities Docket Weekly Update - Feb 28, 2025. Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates!
Securities Docket Weekly Update - Feb 21
Securities Docket Weekly Update - Feb 21, 2025. Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates! 👊🏽🇺🇸
Securities Docket Weekly Update - Feb 14
Securities Docket Weekly Update Feb 14, 2025 - Join me as I break down the top securities enforcement and regulatory developments shaping the industry this week! Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates!
Harvard vs. Trump: Federal Funding, Free Speech, and the Fight for Academic Autonomy
A high-stakes legal and political confrontation is unfolding between Harvard University and the Trump administration. At its core lies a dispute over federal research funding, the right of private universities to operate independently, and the administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism on campuses. The conflict raises profound questions about constitutional law, academic freedom, and the extent of executive power over institutions of higher learning.
SEC’s April 2025 Crypto Guidance Flop
On April 10, 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance (CorpFin) released a detailed statement outlining disclosure expectations for offerings and registrations of securities in the crypto asset markets. While the framework is thorough, well-organized, and undeniably helpful to lawyers and compliance professionals, it suffers from a familiar and recurring issue in the Commission’s approach to crypto: it does not say who the rules apply to.
Paul Atkins Confirmed as SEC Chair Amid Rising Pressure to Act on Chinese Companies
On April 10, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Paul Atkins as the next Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a narrow 52-44 vote. During his confirmation process, Atkins faced tough questions about the agency’s recent reversals in crypto enforcement and the influence of the Trump administration on its priorities. But the most pointed pressure came from lawmakers demanding stronger action against Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges.
Courts, Not Regulators, May Shape Crypto Law — But That’s Not Necessarily a Bad Thing
As the SEC retreats from its aggressive crypto enforcement posture under former Chair Gary Gensler, observers have speculated that courts will now become the primary venue for resolving disputes over how federal securities laws apply to digital assets. But despite the headlines suggesting a flood of new litigation, we at Anderson P.C. are not convinced that such a surge is inevitable—or even problematic.
Par for the Course - Senator Warren Urges Review of Trump SEC’s Crypto Retreat
To many familiar with Senator Warren’s long-standing focus on financial regulation and institutional accountability, this move is unsurprising. She has consistently taken a hardline stance against what she views as industry capture and lax enforcement. Whether this particular request leads to meaningful action from the OIG remains to be seen. Such inquiries can take months or years, and the bar for proving undue influence is high.
DOJ Bans Lawyers from ABA Events
In a move that has stirred unease across the legal community, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that its attorneys are prohibited from attending or participating in events organized by the American Bar Association (ABA). The decision, laid out in a memo from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, cited concerns that the ABA has engaged in “activist causes,” including litigation aimed at blocking Trump administration policies on foreign aid.
Markets React to Fake News on Tariffs: A Cautionary Tale for Traders
On April 8, 2025, U.S. financial markets experienced a whiplash moment after an unverified social media report falsely claimed the Trump administration was preparing a 90-day suspension of tariffs. The news—initially published by pseudonymous Twitter personality “Walter Bloomberg” and subsequently picked up by credible outlets including CNBC and Reuters—set off an immediate and massive rally in equity markets. The rally added trillions of dollars in paper value in a matter of minutes.
Conducting a Tokenized Offering Under Reg A
While there are multiple frameworks available to launch and distribute tokens—including those designed to avoid classification as securities—many of our clients elect to offer tokens as securities for strategic reasons. This can include unlocking broader investor participation, enabling secondary market liquidity, or building long-term institutional trust. Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) are the two primary exemptions that allow for the public issuance of security tokens under U.S. law.
CFPB’s Overreach: Applying Regulation E to Unhosted Wallets is Legally and Technologically Unsound
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently issued a proposed interpretive rule that aims to expand the scope of Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E to include unhosted blockchain wallets such as MetaMask.
SEC Enforcement Lawyers Face Fallout as Crypto Industry Pushes Back
The ongoing battle between the SEC and the cryptocurrency industry has taken a new turn—not just in regulatory policy, but in the professional reputations of SEC enforcement attorneys. With the agency facing court setbacks and political shifts, some former SEC lawyers are struggling to find opportunities in private practice, particularly at firms engaged in crypto-related work. This dynamic raises fair questions on both sides—is this an unfair punishment for regulators who were doing their jobs, or is it a natural consequence of overzealous enforcement that left a lasting impact on the industry?
Big Law and the Trump Administration
The Trump administration’s latest actions targeting Paul Weiss and other major law firms have sparked debate over the future of Big Law. While these developments are significant, it’s important to take a measured view—this is disruptive but not existential for the industry.
Acting SEC Chair Reshapes the Agency Ahead of Trump’s Pick
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is undergoing a profound transformation as its acting leadership reshapes the agency ahead of the confirmation of President Trump’s nominee, Paul Atkins. These sweeping changes include staffing reductions, leadership shake-ups, and a recalibration of enforcement priorities, raising questions about the future of securities regulation in the United States.