SEC defines the phrase “as part of a regular business” to capture private funds and other market participants that take on liquidity-providing roles.

By Marlon Q. Paz, Stephen P. Wink, Naim Culhaci, and Jessmine Lee

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new rules that expand the definition of “dealer” and “government securities dealer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), requiring registration by market participants that take on significant liquidity-providing roles. The February 6

The new rule establishes criteria for firms to elect “non-branch” designation for a private residence where an associated person engages in specified supervisory activities.

By Marlon Q. Paz, Naim Culhaci, Donald Thompson, and Jessmine Lee

On January 23, 2024, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued Regulatory Notice 24-02 (Reg. Notice 24-02), announcing guidance and effective dates on two recently approved supplementary materials under FINRA Rule 3110:

  1. FINRA Rule 3110.19, enabling firms to

Regulation SE, the last of the Title VII Dodd-Frank rulemakings, will become effective on February 13, 2024.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a significant step in enhancing the regulatory landscape of the financial markets by adopting new Regulation SE (17 CFR 242.800 through 242.835) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The final rules establish a comprehensive framework for the registration and oversight of security-based swap execution facilities (SBSEFs) in compliance with Title VII of

The proposed amendment seeks to modify the existing framework of FINRA Rule 2210 to accommodate the use of certain projections and targeted returns.

By Stephen P. Wink, Marlon Paz, Gail Neely, Naim Culhaci, Matthew Lee, and Deric Behar

On November 13, 2023, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) filed a proposed rule change with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to amend FINRA Rule 2210. If adopted, the amendment would permit FINRA-regulated firms to include certain performance projections or targeted returns with respect to a security or asset allocation or other investment strategy in their communications with certain recipients.

The priorities highlight emerging and core risk areas for investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other entities, including cybersecurity and crypto assets.

By Laura Ferrell, Aaron Gilbride, Marlon Q. Paz, Jamie Lynn Walter, Stephen P. Wink, Naim Culhaci, and Deric Behar

On October 16, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Examinations (the Division) published its annual examination priorities for 2024 (2024 Priorities), which focus on “certain practices, products, and services that [the Division] believes present potentially heightened risks to investors or the integrity of the U.S. capital markets.” The Division will prioritize areas that pose emerging risks to investors or the markets, as well as examinations of core and perennial risk areas. The 2024 Priorities include certain of these focus areas, but are not an exhaustive list.

The 2024 Priorities are primarily organized by entity, with just four thematic topics broken out separately as applicable to a wide range of market participants: (1) information security and operational resiliency; (2) crypto assets and emerging financial technology; (3) regulation systems compliance and integrity; and (4) anti-money laundering. Notably, ESG was not specifically identified as a priority in adviser reviews for the first time in years.

The Division will continue to prioritize examinations of advisers and investment companies that have never been examined, including new registrants, as well as those that have not been examined for a number of years.

The amendments aim to modernize the Names Rule and promote investor protection objectives by ensuring that a fund’s portfolio of holdings aligns with its name.

By Laura N. Ferrell, Sarah E. Fortt, Betty M. Huber, Paul A. Davies, Nicola Higgs, Anne Mainwaring, Karmpreet (Preeti) Grewal, Austin J. Pierce, and Deric Behar

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted amendments to Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act governing naming conventions for

SFC proposes guidelines for intermediaries conducting and receiving market soundings in securities and capital market transactions.

By Simon Hawkins and Adrian Fong

On 11 October 2023, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a consultation paper (Consultation Paper) proposing new “Guidelines for Market Soundings” (Guidelines) for Hong Kong intermediaries conducting market soundings for securities and capital market transactions (such as private placements and block trades). Market participants will welcome this development, as the absence of specific guidance on market soundings has caused some inconsistencies in market practice, as the SFC noted following its thematic review of market soundings in 2022. 

SFC-licensed intermediaries should review the Guidelines and consider whether and to what extent their existing market sounding procedures should be adjusted to comply with the Guidelines.

The ruling confirms that courts will consider substance over form when assessing collective investment scheme arrangements and exemptions under securities law.

By Simon Hawkins and Adrian Fong

On 2 August 2023, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal handed down judgment in the case of 律政司司長 (Secretary of Justice) v. IPFUND Asset Management Limited [2023] HKCA 925 (Judgment), a case which has been the subject of litigation since 2014. The court considered the issue of whether certain commercial property investment arrangements marketed and operated by the defendants constituted “collective investment schemes” (CIS) and “securities” under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO).

The Judgment provides additional guidance on the factors to be considered when assessing whether arrangements constitute CIS under the SFO, and how an exemption from the definition of “securities” should be interpreted.

The amendments have a substantial impact on private fund managers.

By Laura N. Ferrell, Aaron Gilbride, Michael Milazzo, Jamie Lynn Walter, Mike Hart-Slattery, and Haley Hohensee

On August 23, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted a final rule package (each a Rule, and together, the Rules) that modifies the regulation of private fund advisers under the US Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act).

Among other things, the Rules require

The HKMA and the SFC permit relaxation of suitability and other regulatory requirements while dealing with high-net-worth and experienced investors.

By Simon Hawkins and Adrian Fong

On 28 July 2023, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued a joint circular (Joint Circular) outlining a new streamlined approach for compliance with the suitability and related obligations when dealing with sophisticated professional investors, alongside guidance and FAQ on how to apply the new approach.