U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
United States
The SEC filed 456 enforcement actions in fiscal 2025 and reported orders for $17.9 billion in monetary relief, while emphasizing that headline totals included unusually large and historically treated items SEC, 7 Apr 2026.
About
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an independent federal agency responsible for regulating securities markets in the United States. Established in 1934 following major securities-law reforms, it is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and led by commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The SEC's mandate is to protect investors, maintain fair and orderly markets, and facilitate capital formation. It administers federal securities laws, requires public companies to disclose financial and other information, oversees exchanges, brokers, investment advisers, and funds, and brings civil enforcement actions for violations such as disclosure failures and market manipulation. It refers potential criminal matters to the Department of Justice and coordinates with other domestic and international regulators.
By the Factrail desk · Method: how we source and score · Last reviewed