FINRA Recaps October Disciplinary Actions

On September 30, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued two rule proposals and five notices aimed at expanding investors’ access to private markets. The package would add ways to qualify as an accredited investor, including passing a new exam administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), broaden performance-based compensation and modernize regulated funds, including interval funds and business development companies (BDCs).

The SEC and CFTC have issued coordinated regulatory relief measures that significantly advance crypto-based trading infrastructure in US markets, bypassing Congressional gridlock on the CLARITY Act. These orders establish new frameworks for tokenized securities venues and passive software providers, potentially reshaping how digital assets are traded and accessed in regulated markets.

Moore & Van Allen's Derivatives & Trading team provides comprehensive analysis of recent CFTC and SEC enforcement actions, proposed regulations on crypto assets...

The SEC has approved new NYSE and NYSE American listing rules establishing a $0.25 minimum trading price, effective July 1, 2027. A single closing price below this threshold triggers immediate trading suspension and delisting proceedings with no cure period. Companies trading at low share prices must act now during the transition period to implement reverse stock splits and establish monitoring procedures before this hard floor takes effect.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has proposed Regulation Crypto Assets, introducing two new exemptions from registration requirements and a safe harbor provision for investment contracts involving crypto assets. How will these tailored frameworks—the Startup Exemption for offerings up to $5M and the Fundraising Exemption for larger capital raises—reshape the regulatory landscape for digital asset issuers while preserving investor protections?

The Health Resources and Services Administration has announced a revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program for drugs subject to Medicare's Maximum Fair Price, expanding eligibility to manufacturers with selected drugs for 2026 and 2027. The program introduces new data requirements, dispute resolution mechanisms, and stricter compliance monitoring while addressing stakeholder concerns about administrative burden and program integrity.

Medicare Advantage faces unprecedented regulatory scrutiny as federal agencies deploy aggressive audit strategies, Congress investigates alleged fraud schemes, and courts challenge CMS's authority over payment structures.

On May 29, 2026, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) took a series of coordinated actions to establish a domestic regulatory framework for perpetual contracts on digital commodities.

The CFTC continues its regulatory evolution with significant developments in June 2026, including the rescission of its longstanding no-deny settlement policy, proposed amendments to whistleblower protections, and joint harmonization efforts with the SEC on data reporting and portfolio margining. The agency also advances its oversight of prediction markets while CME Group challenges the CFTC's characterization of cryptocurrency perpetual futures contracts.

Lowenstein Sandler achieves groundbreaking SEC no-action relief enabling zero cash balance brokerage accounts, while global regulators advance digital asset infrastructure and issue new guidance on AI supervision and prediction market contracts. How are these developments reshaping the intersection of traditional finance, emerging technology, and regulatory oversight?

FinCEN notified U.S. financial institutions that the Financial Action Task Force ("FATF") updated the list of jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in combating anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism ("AML/CFT").

The Health Resources and Services Administration has announced a revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program for drugs subject to Medicare's Maximum Fair Price, expanding eligibility to manufacturers with selected drugs for 2026 and 2027. The program introduces new data requirements, dispute resolution mechanisms, and stricter compliance monitoring while addressing stakeholder concerns about administrative burden and program integrity.

Landlords of rent stabilized buildings in New York City have filed a lawsuit challenging the rent freeze passed by the Rent Guidelines Board, questioning the Board's independence and data integrity. With operating costs rising 31% over five years while the Board voted 7-1 for a freeze affecting 1 million apartments, the case raises critical questions about the balance between tenant protection and landlord viability.

The Surface Transportation Board has lifted its abeyance and established a procedural roadmap for the Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger proceeding, marking the official start...

The Treasury Department and IRS have proposed new regulations that would establish an explicit racial nondiscrimination requirement for private schools seeking federal tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3). These proposed rules go beyond existing law by prohibiting all forms of racial discrimination in education regardless of intent, legality, or purpose, potentially affecting admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered initiatives.

On February 25, 2026, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC") issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the "NPRM") to implement the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (the "GENIUS Act").

The SEC has issued a groundbreaking Innovation Exemption order that creates a five-year regulatory framework for trading tokenized versions of major U.S. exchange-listed stocks. This temporary relief exempts certain digital asset venues and liquidity providers from traditional securities regulations, establishing permissioned environments for on-chain secondary markets while maintaining investor protections.

This September 2026 edition of Quorum examines critical developments in corporate governance, M&A transactions, and securities regulation, including Delaware Court decisions on strategic investor rights and control group standards, new SEC guidance on beneficial ownership reporting, and Supreme Court rulings on disgorgement remedies. The newsletter also analyzes FTC perspectives on vertical mergers in defense sectors and provides comprehensive updates on the SEC's 2026 regulatory agenda under Chairman Atkin

California's Air Resources Board has released comprehensive guidance for entities preparing their first greenhouse gas emissions reports under SB 253, introducing a voluntary reporting platform and clarifying expectations for the November 2026 deadline. The guidance addresses critical questions about data collection requirements, assurance standards, and enforcement discretion for companies that weren't tracking emissions as of December 2024. Understanding these reporting parameters and submission options w

The Federal Trade Commission closed its investigation of IonQ's acquisition of SkyWater Technology after the Commission's two sitting members divided over whether the transaction warranted a negotiated behavioral consent order. These detailed statements reveal how each Commissioner analyzes vertical transactions and their claimed benefits, offering critical insights for parties planning vertical transactions in defense and national-security sectors.