Who is primarily responsible for enforcing securities laws?

The primary responsibility for enforcing securities laws lies with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC is a federal agency established to regulate the securities industry and protect investors. Its mission includes ensuring that the securities markets operate fairly and efficiently, facilitating capital formation, and maintaining investor confidence.

The SEC has the authority to create and enforce rules that govern securities transactions, oversee the registration of securities offerings, and impose penalties for violations of securities laws. This includes investigating fraudulent activities, insider trading, and other misconduct that can harm investors and the integrity of the financial markets.

While other entities, such as the Federal Reserve, focus on monetary policy and economic stability, the National Association of Securities Dealers (now part of FINRA) plays a role in self-regulatory activities, and the U.S. Department of Justice can bring criminal charges related to securities violations, none have the comprehensive jurisdiction and specific focus on securities laws that the SEC possesses. This makes the SEC the primary enforcer of securities laws in the United States.