Week of August 10 - 16, 2026

🗓️  August 10, 2026

• SEC Charges Private Fund Adviser Adit Ventures Management, Its CEO and Affiliated General Partners in Alleged Fraud. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission charged New York-based investment adviser Adit Ventures Management LLC, its CEO Eric Munson, and three affiliated general partners for allegedly defrauding investors in pre-IPO shares like SpaceX and Klarna. From at least April 2019 through December 2024, the defendants used false claims to solicit investments and misappropriated client assets, including taking unsecured loans and charging millions in undisclosed fees. They allegedly violated fiduciary duties by buying pre-IPO shares at higher prices and improperly pledging client assets as collateral for a $10 million line of credit. The complaint charges violations of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, with the defendants consenting to a judgment and disgorgement without admitting the allegations. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Files Settled Action as to Nevada Resident in Alleged Manipulative Spoofing Scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed settled charges against Frank M. Cerisano Jr. for allegedly conducting a manipulative stock trading scheme known as spoofing over four years, generating approximately $1,115,672 in ill-gotten gains. Cerisano’s scheme involved placing non-bona fide “spoof” orders to artificially move stock prices and then executing orders on the opposite side to profit, before canceling the spoof orders. Despite being warned and having his account closed by a broker-dealer, Cerisano continued his scheme using multiple accounts. Without admitting the allegations, Cerisano consented to a final judgment enjoining him from future violations and ordering him to pay disgorgement, interest, and a civil penalty, along with a five-year prohibition from trading in brokerage accounts. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Charges Private Fund Adviser Adit Ventures Management, its CEO and Affiliated General Partners in Alleged Fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged New York-based Adit Ventures Management LLC, its CEO Eric Munson, and three affiliated general partners with allegedly defrauding investors by misappropriating client funds and charging millions in undisclosed fees related to pre-IPO shares like SpaceX and Klarna. From at least April 2019 through December 2024, the defendants used false claims to solicit investments, took unsecured loans from funds, and overcharged clients in unauthorized fees, while also pledging client assets as collateral for a $10 million line of credit. The defendants consented to a judgment without admitting the allegations, agreeing to pay disgorgement with prejudgment interest and a civil penalty, with Munson facing a potential associational bar for three years. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Obtains Final Judgment Against Unregistered Broker Charged In Fraudulent Offering Scheme. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered a final judgment against James Brian Blaylock for his involvement in a fraudulent offering of unregistered securities. Between May 2017 and March 2021, Blaylock and others raised over $20 million from investors for a Belizean farm, with Blaylock managing a center for cold calling investors despite not being registered as a broker or dealer. The Court found Blaylock in violation of federal securities laws, permanently enjoined him from further violations, and ordered him to pay a $100,000 civil penalty. 🔗 Read more
• Chairman Selig Announces Inaugural CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee Meeting on August 20 in Washington. Washington - Chairman Michael S. Selig announced that the Innovation Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting at 1 p.m. EST on August 20 in Washington. The committee, consisting of American innovators and entrepreneurs, will advise the Commission on complex issues at the intersection of technology, law, policy, and finance, ensuring regulations keep pace with innovation. The meeting will be livestreamed on CFTC.gov, with dial-in information provided for various locations. 🔗 Read more
• FDIC Announces New Review Process for Deposit Insurance Applications. Washington - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has announced a new two-phase process to review new deposit insurance applications, aiming to encourage new bank formation, speed up the review process, and improve efficiency. This approach provides applicants with contingent authorization within 120 days and approval within 12 months after submitting additional information, offering clarity before significant resources are invested. The FDIC will coordinate with chartering authorities to streamline the process, aligning with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and remains committed to a transparent and timely application process. 🔗 Read more
• AUSTRAC orders Cryptolink’s crypto ATMs offline. AUSTRAC has suspended Cryptolink Pty Ltd’s registration for three months due to concerns about its compliance with AML/CTF obligations, affecting its 96 cryptocurrency automatic teller machines (CATMs) across Australia. Despite meeting conditions in an enforceable undertaking, Cryptolink failed to submit required reports and respond to AUSTRAC’s requests, leading to the suspension. AUSTRAC will monitor Cryptolink’s compliance and continue to oversee the cryptocurrency sector for serious risks or non-compliance. 🔗 Read more
• Commission supports police action targeting illegal gambling activity. The Gambling Commission supported South Yorkshire Police in a coordinated operation targeting illegal gambling and suspected organized criminal activity in Sheffield and Doncaster on 4 and 5 August. The operation, part of Operation Duxford and Operation Snaresbrook, resulted in the discovery of sixteen illegal betting terminals, cash, and gold, and the arrest of three people. The Commission emphasized that illegal gambling isn’t a victimless crime and will continue to work with partners to disrupt such operations. 🔗 Read more

🗓️  August 11, 2026

• SEC Files Settled Action as to Texas Resident Charged with Insider Trading. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed settled insider trading charges against Benjamin Tesfaye for illegally trading Calliditas Therapeutics AB securities before Asahi Kasei Corp.’s tender offer announcement on May 28, 2024. Tesfaye allegedly misappropriated nonpublic information from his partner, leading to a 70% increase in Calliditas shares and $18,668 in illicit profits, which he liquidated. Without admitting the allegations, Tesfaye consented to a final judgment requiring him to pay $18,668 in disgorgement, $2,168 in prejudgment interest, and a $18,668 civil penalty. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Charges Company and its CEO in Alleged $425 Million Ponzi Scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against Goliath Ventures, Inc. and its CEO, Christopher A. Delgado, for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme that raised at least $425 million from over 1,300 investors between January 2023 and January 2026. Delgado misappropriated at least $51 million for personal use and used new investor funds to pay returns to earlier investors. The scheme collapsed by November 2025 when Goliath could no longer attract new funds. Delgado has agreed to a settlement that includes a permanent injunction and disgorgement, while the SEC seeks injunctions and disgorgement against Goliath. 🔗 Read more
• CFTC Charges Goliath Ventures Inc. and CEO with $400 Million Fraud Scheme. Washington - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission filed a complaint against Goliath Ventures, Inc. and CEO Christopher Delgado, alleging they ran a Ponzi scheme involving crypto asset trading, misappropriating approximately $397 million from around 1,600 customers. The CFTC seeks restitution, disgorgement, civil penalties, trading bans, and a permanent injunction. Delgado pleaded guilty to federal charges in June 2026, and the SEC filed a civil action against him and Goliath on August 11, 2026. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Charges Public Company and Officers in Alleged Fraudulent Scheme to Overstate Revenue. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against Netcapital Inc. and five affiliated individuals for allegedly engaging in a fraudulent scheme to overstate the company’s revenue by nearly $14 million through sham consulting agreements, raising over $25 million from investors. The defendants include John Fanning, Coreen Kraysler, Martin Kay, Paul Riss, and Cecilia Lenk, with charges ranging from violating anti-fraud provisions to aiding and abetting violations. The SEC seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement, officer-and-director bars, and civil monetary penalties against all defendants. Lenk has consented to a final judgment without admitting the allegations, subject to court approval. 🔗 Read more
• CFTC Exercises Emergency Authority to Ensure Market Stability. Washington - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) exercised its emergency authority to ensure KalshiEX, LLC continues operating under the Commodity Exchange Act’s Core Principles after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the exchange’s nationwide event contracts and demanding over $36 billion in damages. The CFTC, tasked with maintaining a uniform national market in derivatives, argues that state gaming laws should not regulate interstate financial markets, and it has taken legal action against several states to protect its jurisdiction. Chairman Michael S. Selig emphasized that Congress intended for derivatives exchanges to operate across state lines without state interference, and the CFTC is committed to ensuring market order and resilience. 🔗 Read more

🗓️  August 12, 2026

• CFTC Releases Advisory on Self-Certification of Incentive Programs for Prediction Markets. Washington - The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Market Oversight issued an advisory to designated contract markets about their regulatory obligations when submitting self-certifications for various programs under CFTC Regulations 40.5 and 40.6. The advisory highlights concerns about procedural or substantive deficiencies in incentive-program rule filings, particularly for event contract products, which can hinder the staff’s ability to evaluate program compliance. It outlines expectations for procedural and substantive content in submissions, including initial program submissions, amendments, and submission procedures. 🔗 Read more

🗓️  August 13, 2026

• Federal Reserve Board issues enforcement action with former employee of Regions Bank. The Federal Reserve Board announced an enforcement action against Elazia Jones, a former employee of Regions Bank, for check fraud. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Charges Toms River Trio in Connection with Alleged $47 Million Fraud Targeting Orthodox Jewish Communities. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission charged three Toms River, New Jersey residents for their roles in an affinity investment fraud that raised approximately $47 million from over 87 investors, primarily from Orthodox Jewish communities in New Jersey and New York. Leor Moshe, the scheme’s orchestrator, allegedly misappropriated more than $11 million for personal use and used over $850,000 for Ponzi-like payments, while Jacob Goldman and Isaac Odes recruited investors and facilitated fund collection. The scheme resulted in losses of more than $25 million for investors across several states. The SEC’s complaint seeks various penalties and injunctions against the defendants, and a parallel criminal action has been announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. 🔗 Read more
• SEC Charges Toms River Trio in Connection with Alleged $47 Million Fraud Targeting Orthodox Jewish Communities. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged three Toms River residents for an affinity investment fraud that raised approximately $47 million from over 87 investors, primarily from Orthodox Jewish communities in New Jersey and New York. Leor Moshe, the scheme’s orchestrator, allegedly misappropriated more than $11 million for personal use and used over $850,000 for Ponzi-like payments, while Jacob Goldman and Isaac Odes recruited investors, soliciting more than $23 million from at least 25 investors. Investors from several states lost more than $25 million, and the SEC seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement, and civil penalties, with parallel criminal charges announced against Moshe. 🔗 Read more
• Chairman Selig Announces Agenda for August 20 Innovation Advisory Committee Meeting in Washington. Washington - Chairman Michael S. Selig has released the agenda for the inaugural meeting of the Innovation Advisory Committee on August 20, focusing on the regulation of crypto assets, artificial intelligence, and prediction markets. The meeting will be live-streamed on CFTC.gov, and the public can submit comments by August 27. The views expressed by the Advisory Committees do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission or the U.S. government. 🔗 Read more
• EIOPA elects Stavros Konstantas of the Bank of Greece to its Management Board. The Board of Supervisors of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has elected Stavros Konstantas to its Management Board, replacing Ante Žigman. Mr. Konstantas, Director of Occupational and Private Insurance Supervision at the Bank of Greece, will begin his two and a half year term today, 13 August 2026, with the possibility of an extension. 🔗 Read more

🗓️  August 14, 2026

• SEC Charges Boiler Room Operator and Three Entities with Defrauding Retail Investors in $74 Million Pre-IPO Investment Scam. Washington D.C. - The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Andrew Spaventa and three entities he owned with fraud related to unregistered securities offerings of private funds, raising over $74 million from more than 800 retail investors between December 2020 and June 2025. Spaventa and his entities used over 100 sales agents to employ high-pressure tactics, falsely claiming no upfront fees or fees of at most 12.5%, while investors actually paid prices approximately 46% higher than Spaventa’s purchase costs. The defendants collected about $23 million in upfront fees, with over $12 million going to sales agents and approximately $4 million to Spaventa personally. The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, prejudgment interest, and civil penalties, along with conduct-based injunctions against Spaventa. 🔗 Read more
• ESMA confirms go-live for weekly commodity derivatives position reporting. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has announced that the new weekly commodity derivatives position reporting framework will be implemented on 3 September 2026. Market participants must submit weekly position reports according to the updated requirements, technical specifications, and validation rules of XML schema version v2.0. Additional time has been allocated for technical and operational preparations, and updated technical documentation is now available to assist market participants. 🔗 Read more