SEC Roundup

Why is the SEC suddenly facing a historic wave of lawsuits? Professor Amanda Rose joins us to discuss the "rational actor" shift in securities defense. From Supreme Court wins to the rise of pro-bono advocacy, discover why market participants are finally fighting back against the agency’s long-standing regulatory levers.

Is the SEC finally opening up? Co-hosts Nick Morgan and Tom Zaccaro welcome former SEC Associate Director Lori Echavarria to break down the first major update to the SEC Enforcement Manual in nearly ten years. From expanded Wells response times to the return of simultaneous settlement waivers, discover how these "user manual" changes signal a new era for 2026 investigations.

Is the SEC entering its "Moneyball" era? Co-hosts Nick Morgan and Tom Zaccaro sit down with Stan Yakoff, founder of RegLabs.ai, to discuss the infiltration of AI at the Commission. From the risk of "AI investigative slop" to the RegLab’s tools that help you stay ahead of compliance requirements, this episode explores the high-tech future of compliance, enforcement, and the dangerous future of AI-enabled regulators.

Host Nick Morgan and an expert panel break down the four most consequential SEC and financial cases of 2026. From the "Shadow Trading" appeal in the Ninth Circuit to a Supreme Court showdown over $5 billion in stuck funds, learn how these rulings will impact investors, crypto platforms, and the future of enforcement.

How does the SEC decide on civil penalties? According to our guests, it’s more arbitrary than you think. Former SEC attorney David Slovick and Vanderbilt law professor Phil Lieberman join to unpack their eye-opening research on inconsistent fines, flawed incentives, and what real reform could look like.

The SEC wants the Supreme Court to approve a powerful enforcement tool—even when there’s no investor harm. In this episode, Nick Morgan and Thomas Zaccaro are joined by Kari Axel to unpack what this means for innovation, fairness, and the future of securities enforcement.

The SEC’s attempt at a major cybersecurity enforcement precedent against SolarWinds failed spectacularly. CISO Tim Brown and his lawyers detail the landmark legal win that secured an abrupt, complete dismissal of the case.

Why did SEC enforcement activity suddenly drop off a cliff? Nick and Tom host two former SEC economists, now with the Brattle Group, who crunched the numbers and uncovered a "dramatic decline" in cases that points to a seismic shift in policy under the new Atkins administration.

What's it like to get a permanent "scarlet letter" from the PCAOB? Tom Zaccaro and Nick Morgan host four professors whose new paper, based on candid interviews with former staff and sanctioned auditors, reveals a "punitive" system. They expose how a "numbers game" incentive structure is failing to protect investors and disproportionately targets small firms.

Are quarterly earnings reports driving companies away from U.S. markets? Harvard’s Hal Scott thinks it's time for reform—on reporting, arbitration, and more.

Is FINRA protecting day traders and new investors—or setting them up to fail? Ross Cameron, the founder of Warrior Trading, joins Tom and Nick to explain why the $25K PDT rule backfires, how it pushes new traders into riskier waters, and what smart reform could look like.Click the link to help ICAN advocate for swift action on PDT Reform: https://www.icanlaw.org/pdt-reform-signup

Howard Lindzon, CEO of Stocktwits, joins Nick Morgan and Jennifer Schulp to discuss the rise of meme stocks and the enduring power of retail investors. What does the movement reveal about market behavior — and how should regulators respond?

Miles Jennings, General Counsel at Andreessen Horowitz, joins Nick Morgan and Rodrigo Cerra to discuss a bold new proposal submitted to the SEC—a safe harbor that could finally bring clarity to crypto entrepreneurs navigating outdated broker-dealer rules.

The SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) just suffered a major legal blow. ICAN’s Nick Morgan is joined by Jennifer Schulp—frequent SEC Roundup co-host and Cato Institute financial regulation expert—along with ASA CEO Chris Iacovella, to unpack the 11th Circuit’s rebuke of the CAT’s funding model and what it means for investor privacy, surveillance, and SEC overreach.

Despite three Supreme Court rulings questioning its administrative power—and a new Commission leadership in place—the SEC’s Enforcement Division went to federal court without even informing the Commission. Russ Ryan returns to expose this unauthorized action, what it means for due process, and why internal oversight at the SEC may be more broken than ever.

What if the SEC could take millions—even when no one lost a dime? Appellate expert Igor Timofeyev joins co-hosts Nick Morgan and Tom Zaccaro to break down a key Supreme Court petition and a growing court split over disgorgement. The outcome could reshape SEC enforcement for years to come.

Former SEC Commissioner Troy Paredes and Cooley special counsel Rodrigo Seira join ICAN’s Nick Morgan to discuss the SEC’s evolving approach to regulating crypto. Hear how the agency is shifting from enforcement to engagement—and why a principles-based strategy could finally deliver real crypto clarity.

Dr. Thomas Powell joins ICAN co-founder Nick Morgan and Mark Hiraide to share how a 2021 SEC settlement turned into a years-long professional purgatory. They discuss the reality of SEC industry bars, the collateral damage they cause, and the constitutional issues raised by “neither admit nor deny” settlements. Powell’s case, now in the Ninth Circuit, could have major implications for how the SEC handles administrative sanctions.

The SEC’s dealer rule was struck down in federal court, and the agency has withdrawn its appeal (and apparently backed off of other ongoing litigation)—but the legal battle over the definition of a securities dealer isn’t over. ICAN co-founder Nick Morgan speaks with Daniel Austin and Suzan Rose from the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) about how the SEC has used litigation to expand dealer obligations, what recent court decisions mean for the industry, and what could come next. Tune in for expert insights on this evolving regulatory fight.

The American Securities Association (ASA) is challenging the constitutionality of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) in the 11th Circuit. ICAN co-founder Nick Morgan and guest host Sarah Concannon talk with ASA CEO Chris Iacovella about the lawsuit, its implications for self-regulatory organizations, and the SEC’s push for faster trade reporting. Tune in for expert insights on this high-stakes legal battle.