The Securities and Exchange Commission today provided its enforcement results for the past fiscal year which ended September 30. Throughout the fiscal year, the SEC’s Division of Enforcement remained focused on its fundamental responsibility: protecting investors, holding wrongdoers accountable. Safeguarding the integrity of the U.S. capital markets.
Key details of the case
The Division is also continuing to modernize its organization, processes. Technology, and launched several new initiatives in 2026 that will ensure the Division’s effectiveness in the years to come. Enforcement actions filed in fiscal year 2026 demonstrate the Division’s continued commitment to rigorous, effective enforcement that focuses on serious and consequential violations of the federal securities laws—including fraud, market manipulation, insider trading, failures and misconduct by gatekeepers.
Moreover, violations that compromise the integrity of disclosures and financial reporting. The cases emphasize the nature and severity of misconduct, magnitude of investor harm, and pursuit of meaningful remedies. Two-thirds of all standalone enforcement actions filed in fiscal year 2026 included charges against at least one individual, reflecting the Division’s continued commitment to maximizing deterrence and holding wrongdoers accountable. .
In fiscal year 2026, the Commission filed 348 enforcement actions, including 235 standalone actions and 113 “follow-on” administrative proceedings that sought to bar or suspend individuals from participating in certain securities markets activities based on criminal convictions, civil injunctions. Other qualifying orders. The Commission also instituted 13 trading suspensions in response to suspected manipulation involving the securities of Asia-based issuers.
Enforcement actions and official statements
In addition, the Commission obtained orders for monetary relief totaling $1.095 billion, comprised of $752 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and $343 million in civil penalties, with $235 million of the disgorgement ordered deemed satisfied by a court in a separate non-SEC action. The SEC also returned approximately $731 million to more than 250,000 harmed investors. “The success of the SEC’s enforcement program is ultimately measured by how effectively it advances the SEC’s mission, protects investors, holds wrongdoers accountable.
Strengthens confidence in our markets,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. “Enforcement actions and financial remedies are important measures of activity, but they are not the only or most telling measures. Our responsibility is to apply the law fairly and consistently and ensure that our enforcement efforts advance the Commission’s mission. For complete details, refer to the official SEC press release.
Consequently, i commend the staff for their dedication to an effective, disciplined enforcement program that serves the investing public.”. “Our focus is on conducting rigorous investigations, pursuing consequential misconduct. Achieving meaningful outcomes for investors,” said David Woodcock, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.
Notably, “During the fiscal year, we reviewed our investigative docket, strengthened our investigative capabilities. Launched several new initiatives that will position the Division even more strongly for the future. These efforts have resulted in an enforcement program that is more focused, effective. For related coverage, see DOJ withdraws 1987 antitrust review letter issued to proxy advisory firm ISS.
Specifically, prepared to address both longstanding and emerging threats to our markets.”. Positioning the Division of Enforcement for the Future. In fiscal year 2026, the Division worked to modernize its organization and processes to increase its investigative and litigation capacity, address evolving market risks.
Subsequently, deliver more timely, impactful outcomes to ensure the Division’s effectiveness in the years to come. The Division also invested in its leadership ranks with a new leadership training program for supervisors. And with targeted hiring across key skill areas, the Division hired attorneys, accountants, technologists. For related coverage, see Instacart Agrees to $5 Million Settlement Over Alleged Discrimination Against U.S. Workers.
Data specialists to deepen the Division’s bench expertise and accelerate its critical investigative work. In fiscal year 2026, the Division made significant organizational enhancements. The Division formed the Retail Fraud Working Group (RFWG) to strengthen its ability to identify and address fraudulent schemes—including Ponzi schemes and offering frauds, impersonation scams, broker-dealer misconduct, false and fraudulent filings.
Market manipulation schemes—and other misconduct that pose significant risks to everyday investors. Drawing on the expertise of attorneys across the Division, the RFWG employs targeted, data-driven strategies, including Super Intelligence (SI) and the analysis of information from multiple regulatory and law enforcement sources, to uncover potential violations and generate investigative leads for referral throughout the Division. In fiscal year 2026, the RFWG reviewed numerous tips and complaints, generated referrals involving suspected fraud and other violations affecting retail investors.
Furthermore, undertook extensive outreach involving other regulators, industry participants, and investors. Already, more than a dozen new investigations have resulted from the RFWG’s efforts. In addition, the Division expanded its capacity to address complex accounting and financial reporting fraud schemes as well as other misconduct involving accountants and auditors with a new Financial Reporting and Accounting Unit (FRAU).
Investigation and prosecution details
FRAU combines the skills of attorneys and accountants with deep expertise in accounting standards, issuer disclosures, internal accounting controls, books and records requirements. Auditor responsibilities. This concentration of expertise strengthens the Division’s ability to detect patterns of financial misconduct, promotes a disciplined and consistent approach to evaluating potential violations. Ensures technically rigorous enforcement recommendations.