The Securities and Exchange Commission, together with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), extended the compliance date for the amendments to Form PF that were adopted on Feb. 8, 2024. The compliance date for these amendments, which was originally March 12, 2025, has been extended to June 12, 2025. Form […]
Compliance
Advisers Settle SEC Charges for Acting as Unregistered Brokers
SEC Takes Action Against VCP Financial and Investment Advisers for Regulatory Violations Investment Advisers Caught Selling Pre-IPO Investments Without Proper Registration The SEC has announced settled charges against three investment adviser representatives—Tamir Shabat, Danny Z. Spiegel, and Joseph J. Orlando, Jr.—for operating as unregistered brokers while selling membership interests in […]
An SEC Subpoena, FINRA OTR. 2025 Update.
By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Understanding the implications of an SEC subpoena is crucial for those involved in securities law. WHILE BROKERS OFTEN BECOME upset or even angry when they are named in customer arbitration; nothing strikes fear in the hearts of licensed individuals as much as receiving an […]
What Happens If I Ignore an SEC Subpoena?
Anyone who follows our blog or website knows one thing. The SEC Enforcement Division is getting tougher on financial firms. They are also getting tougher on investors and issuers. When you are served with an SEC subpoena, you know that they are not fun to deal with. But you must deal […]
SEC Division of Examinations Announces 2025 Priorities
2025 SEC Examination Priorities: A Comprehensive Overview for Investors and Registrants The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has unveiled its examination priorities for 2025, setting the agenda for monitoring compliance and mitigating risks in U.S. capital markets. This annual update informs investors, registrants, and financial institutions about the key focus […]
SEC Adopts Rule to Update Definition of Qualifying Venture Capital Funds
SEC Adopts New Rule Increasing Threshold for Venture Capital Funds The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted a new rule that updates the dollar threshold for a fund to qualify as a “qualifying venture capital fund” under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This rule raises the threshold to […]
Twenty-Six Firms to Pay More Than $390 Million Combined to Settle SEC’s Charges for Widespread Recordkeeping Failures
On August 14, 2024 the SEC announced settlements with 26 broker-dealers, investment advisers, and dual registrants for failures in maintaining and preserving electronic communications. Mark Astarita, a securities defense attorney with Sallah Astarita & Cox, LLC, commented, “We have been telling firms for over a year to review their policies […]
SEC Proposes Joint Data Standards Under the Financial Data Transparency Act of 2022
Streamlining Financial Data: SEC Proposes Joint Data Standards In a significant step towards enhancing financial data transparency, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed joint data standards under the Financial Data Transparency Act of 2022. This move aims to establish technical standards for data submitted to various financial regulatory […]
SEC Charges Founder of Social Media Company “IRL” with $170 Million Fraud
SEC Charges Abraham Shafi with Fraudulent Activities at Get Together Inc. The SEC’s Allegations Against Abraham Shafi The SEC has charged Abraham Shafi, the founder and former CEO of Get Together Inc., a social media startup known as “IRL.” Shafi is accused of defrauding investors by making false and misleading […]
SEC Small Business Advisory Committee to Explore Recent Changes to U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Investment Company Program
The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee today released the agenda for its meeting on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, which will include an exploration of recent changes to the U.S. Small Business… SEC Press Release