On May 19, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed significant amendments to the public company reporting framework that would simplify the current filer status regime and substantially expand the availability of scaled disclosure accommodations. The current framework requires companies to annually reevaluate their filer status (large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, non-accelerated filer) and
SEC Proposes Transformative Offering Reform: Significant Implications for Operating Companies, Registered Closed-End Funds, BDCs, and Other Products
On May 19, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a sweeping set of rule and form amendments intended to modernize and simplify the registered securities offering process for public companies, registered closed-end funds (RCEFs), business development companies (BDCs), and other products. The proposal, if adopted, would be the most significant update to the
SEC Proposes Optional Semi-Annual Reporting Regime
On May 5, 2026, the SEC proposed to permit public companies to file semiannual reports instead of quarterly reports. If adopted, companies subject to Exchange Act Section 13(a) or 15(d) that currently file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q could elect to file one semiannual report on new Form 10-S and one annual report on Form
SEC Issues Exemptive Relief for Tender Offers for Equity Securities
On April 16, 2026, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance issued an exemptive order permitting certain tender offers for equity securities to remain open for as few as 10 business days rather than the current 20-business-day minimum under Exchange Act Rules 13e-4(f)(1)(i) and 14e-1(a). The Division said the relief is intended to address market inefficiencies
SEC Adopts Final Rules Implementing the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act and Announces Exempted Jurisdictions
In our February 20, 2026 client alert titled “New Reporting Obligations for Directors and Officers of Foreign Private Issuers,” we outlined the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act (HFIAA) and the new reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act for the officers and directors of foreign private issuers (“FPIs”) registered with the
New Reporting Obligations for Directors and Officers of Foreign Private Issuers
On December 18, 2025, President Trump signed into law the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act (the “HFIAA”), which will terminate an exemption that long enabled directors and officers of foreign private issuers (“FPIs”) to avoid certain insider reporting obligations under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Corp Fin Allows “Auto-Voting” for Retail Shareholders
On September 15, 2025, the Staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission said that it will not recommend enforcement action if Exxon Mobil Corporation implements its proposed Retail Voting Program. See the no-action letter available here. Exxon’s proposed program would allow its retail shareholders to set standing voting
Nasdaq Proposes to Allow Trading of Tokenized Securities
On September 8, 2025, the Nasdaq Stock Market submitted a proposed rule change to the Securities and Exchange Commission that, if implemented, would allow for the trading and settlement of tokenized securities. Nasdaq points out that even traditional securities are traded in electronic format, and that it should not be a stretch to allow settlement using
SEC Releases Unsurprising But Ambitious Spring 2025 Regulatory Agenda
- Crypto assets:
SEC Proposes Extensive New Rules Applicable to SPACs and de-SPAC Transactions
On March 30, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) proposed a set of rules and amendments governing special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) that will, if adopted, impose significant new regulatory hurdles for SPAC-related transactions, as well as expand potential bases for liability. The SEC states that the new rules are intended to increase