The Securities and Exchange Commission under Trump-appointed chairman Paul Atkins abandoned civil enforcement cases seeking tens of millions in restitution from Devon Archer, Trevor Milton, and Carlos Watson—all convicted fraudsters pardoned or given clemency by Trump. The SEC filed joint …
Paul AtkinsDevon ArcherTrevor MiltonCarlos WatsonSEC+1 morecorruptioninstitutional-captureregulatory-captureimpunityfraud+1 more
The Trump administration released a 166-page digital assets report recommending federal regulatory clarity for cryptocurrency markets, aimed at positioning the United States as the global leader in digital financial technology. The report calls for congressional action to provide CFTC authority over …
Donald TrumpScott BessentDavid SacksTreasury DepartmentCFTC+1 morecryptoregulatory-capturefinancial-technologyexecutive-policy
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration is seeking to loosen SEC regulations on Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) and confidential reporting requirements, representing a significant deregulatory push that could impact investor protections and …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationDepartment of Government Efficiency (DOGE)SECregulatory-capturefinancial-regulationspac-rulestrump-administration
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. filed a 19b-4 form with the NYSE to list a spot Bitcoin ETF, marking a significant expansion into cryptocurrency financial products. The ETF, part of a broader strategy to leverage Trump’s media platform for financial offerings, represents an innovative …
Donald TrumpTrump Media & Technology GroupYorkville America DigitalForis DAX Trust CompanyNYSE Arca+1 morecryptomedia-controletftrump-mediafinancial-services+1 more
The Trump administration has effectively stalled or dropped over 40 regulatory cases against Elon Musk’s companies, totaling potential fines exceeding $2.3 billion. This pattern suggests a systemic approach to regulatory capture, with multiple federal agencies seemingly protecting Musk’s …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationElon MuskSECregulatory-capturegovernment-contractstech-industryadministrative-state
SEC offered $50,000 buyouts to staff members while they were investigating Elon Musk, creating pressure to leave during active enforcement actions against the DOGE co-director’s companies. Lead attorney Robin Andrews resigned April 2025, calling it “heartbreaking” amid concerns …
SEC put fraud case against crypto mogul Justin Sun on hold after he invested $75 million in Trump’s World Liberty Financial project. Original lawsuit charged Sun with selling unregistered securities and market manipulation of Tronix token. Trump family reportedly earned up to $56 million (75% …
SECJustin SunWorld Liberty Financialcryptoenforcement-droppedforeign-influencequid-pro-quo
The SEC moved to pause its civil fraud case against cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, a key adviser to Trump’s World Liberty Financial, signaling a potential negotiated resolution. Sun, who invested at least $75 million in Trump-linked crypto assets, appears to have secured a temporary …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationJustin SunSECcryptocorruptionregulatory-capturegovernment-contractssec+1 more
The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance announced that meme coins, including Trump’s $TRUMP token, are classified as ‘collectibles’ and not subject to federal securities laws, creating a significant regulatory precedent in cryptocurrency classification.
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSECSEC Division of Corporation Financecryptoregulatory-capturefinancial-innovationtrump-tokens
The SEC agreed to drop its two-year lawsuit against Coinbase, marking a potential shift in the regulatory agency’s approach to cryptocurrency exchanges. Initially filed in June 2023, the lawsuit accused Coinbase of operating an unregistered securities exchange. The dismissal came after …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationGary GenslerSECCoinbase Global Inc.cryptoregulatory-capturejustice-weaponizationsecfinancial-regulation
After crypto company Consensys donated $100,000 to President Trump’s inaugural fund, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dropped a case pending against the firm.
ConsensysDonald TrumpSECcorruptionconsensysseccryptoregulatory-capture+2 more
Trump signed executive order “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies” requiring independent agencies like FTC, SEC, and FCC to submit regulations for White House review, effectively ending 90 years of agency independence and bringing them under direct presidential control.
Donald TrumpFTCSECFCCCFPB+1 moreindependent-agenciesexecutive-orderpolitical-controlagency-capture
Trump implements 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, 10% on China effective February 4, 2025, with plans for universal 10% tariffs. Senate Democrats later call for SEC investigation after Trump posts “GREAT TIME TO BUY” before announcing tariff pause in April, raising his net worth by $415 …
Donald TrumpTrump AdministrationSenate DemocratsChuck SchumerElizabeth Warren+2 moretariffsmarket-manipulationinsider-tradingsecond-administrationregulatory-capture
Chinese-born crypto billionaire Justin Sun invested $75 million in World Liberty Financial (WLF) through staged investments, simultaneously facing SEC fraud investigations. The investment coincided with the SEC pausing legal proceedings against Sun, raising questions about potential political …
Justin SunWorld Liberty FinancialSECDonald TrumpSenator Richard Blumenthal+1 moreforeign-influencecryptosec-investigationworld-liberty-financialchina+2 more
In November 2024, the cryptocurrency industry accelerated its self-regulatory efforts in response to intensifying global regulatory pressures. Following the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and the Financial Stability Board’s global framework, crypto firms began …
Cryptocurrency Industry ConsortiumFinancial Stability BoardEuropean Securities and Markets AuthoritySECCFTCcryptoregulatory-capturefinancial-technologyself-regulationcompliance
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced settled fraud charges against Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) for material misrepresentations to investors about merger discussions with Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG). The SEC found that individuals who would later become …
Securities and Exchange CommissionDigital World Acquisition CorpTrump Media & Technology GroupSECsec-chargesdwacsecurities-fraudtrump-mediaspac-fraud+1 more
Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) terminated CEO Patrick Orlando’s employment, citing “unprecedented headwinds” that necessitated a leadership change. The board appointed Eric Swider as interim CEO after investigations by the SEC and federal prosecutors into potential …
Patrick OrlandoDigital World Acquisition CorpDWACTrump Media & Technology GroupSEC+1 moredwacpatrick-orlandotruth-socialspac-fraudsec-investigation+2 more
Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), a special purpose acquisition company, announced its agreement to merge with Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (TMTG), bringing Trump’s Truth Social platform public. The announcement triggered massive trading volume and price volatility, with DWAC …
Donald TrumpDigital World Acquisition CorpTrump Media & Technology GroupSECBruce Garelick+1 morespac-fraudtruth-socialdwacregulatory-capturetrump-media+1 more
The SEC establishes the Consolidated Supervised Entities (CSE) program under Chair William Donaldson, eliminating the 12-to-1 leverage limit that had constrained broker-dealers and investment banks since 1975. The program allows firms with over $15 billion in assets—Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, …
SECWilliam DonaldsonBear StearnsLehman BrothersMerrill Lynch+3 moresec-deregulationinvestment-bank-leveragecse-programsystemic-riskself-regulation+1 more
On October 22, 2001, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced it was formally investigating Enron’s suspicious dealings with partnerships controlled by CFO Andrew Fastow, characterizing them as “some of the most opaque transactions with insiders ever seen.” Enron’s …
Hours after CFTC Chair Brooksley Born issues a “Concept Release” requesting public comment on regulating the 9 trillion over-the-counter derivatives market, Fed Chair Alan Greenspan, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, and SEC Chair Arthur Levitt issue an unprecedented joint statement …
Brooksley BornAlan GreenspanRobert RubinArthur LevittCFTC+3 morederivatives-regulationregulatory-suppressionbrooksley-borngreenspanrubin+2 more