WELCOME
Securities Law Blog
Use the search or alphabetical categories to locate information on any and all schedules, rules, legislation or updates to corporate and securities laws. Laura Anthony, Esq. has been publishing weekly articles for the past 600 weeks. If you need assistance or have questions, please reach out to Laura Anthony, Esquire, Founding Partner of Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC using any of the contact forms on this site or visit the firm website for further information.Â
RECENT POSTS
NASDAQ Proposes Amendment To Liquidity Listing Standard
On December 12, 2024, Nasdaq proposed an amendment to its liquidity listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market and Nasdaq Global Market such that the market value of unrestricted publicly held shares requirement could only be satisfied from the proceeds of the initial public offering. That is, Nasdaq would no longer count shares registered for re-sale by existing shareholders towards satisfying this listing standard. Nasdaq is also proposing to make similar changes affecting companies the uplist onto the Nasdaq from OTC Markets.
Court Issues Nationwide Injunction on Corporate Transparency Act
On December 3, 2024, in what was not at all surprising, a Texas court issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement and staying the compliance date of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).  The Court found that the CTA is unconstitutional as outside of Congress’s power.
Registration Statement Undertakings
Every four years we go through a regulatory dead zone as the SEC prepares for a change in administration with new priorities, new interpretations, and a whole new rulemaking agenda, including the potential unwinding of the prior administration’s rules. While waiting for the significant changes to come, I’ll continue to dive into the endless detailed topics of disclosure and other requirements of the federal securities laws. This week I’ll cover the ongoing requirements associated with an effective registration statement – known as “Undertakings.”
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
Last week, I wrote about shareholder meeting timelines, which included a brief discussion as to how a company can increase, or decrease, a meeting timeline by delivering proxy materials by making them available on the internet – see HERE. This week I am going to drill down on Rule 14a-16 including disclosure obligation and technical requirements for utilizing “Internet Availability of Proxy Materials.”
Court Overrules Nasdaq Board Diversity Rule
The court has come to the rescue once again! On December 11, 2024, the 5th Circuit held that the SEC exceeded its authority in approving Nasdaq’s board diversity rule finding the rule was far removed from the purposes of the Securities Exchange Act’s regulatory regime. Rumor has it that the Nasdaq does not intend to appeal, meaning the board diversity rule may be DOA.
Court Strikes Down Recent Changes To Definition Of A Dealer
In a big win for hedge funds and the crypto industry, on November 21, 2024, a Texas federal judge overturned the recent SEC rule that expanded the definition of “dealer” under the Exchange Act. For a review of the final rule see HERE.
Understanding the Shareholder Meeting Timeline
Proxy season is fast approaching. Whether it is for an annual meeting or special shareholder meeting, clients are always asking how quickly they can schedule a shareholder meeting, or where action is taken by consent, how quickly the company can effectuate such consented upon action. The answer depends on several factors, including whether the meeting is a special or annual meeting, if annual, whether there are any “non-routine” items on the agenda, and whether the company intends to mail out all proxy materials or just a notice of internet availability of such materials. Although I have written about the proxy rules many times, this is the first blog where I drill down and focus on the timeline.
Introducing The OTCID
OTC Markets has announced the launch of a new market tier. Effective July 2025, Pink Current will become the OTCID, a basic reporting market requiring companies to meet minimal current information disclosures and provide management certifications. OTC Markets will still maintain the Pink Limited and Expert Market tiers for companies that do not qualify for the OTCID. OTC Markets has not yet published all of the requirements for the OTCID, but I suspect they will be similar to the existing Pink Current, with the addition of the management certifications.
Related Party Transactions – Foreign Private Issuers
Related Party Transactions – Domestic Companies
Terminating Reporting Obligations In An Abandoned IPO
NYSE Approves Change To Delist Companies That Change Primary Business
Supreme Court Strikes Down Chevron Deference
Commissioner Uyeda’s Statement On Dealer Litigation
NASDAQ Amends Rule 5210 – Listing Prerequisites
The SEC’S Spring 2024 Flex Regulatory Agenda
Market Makers Rely on Due Diligence in Reverse Mergers
OTCBB Reporting Requirements Enable Successful Reverse Mergers
Examination of Rule 144 and Potential Interpretations
Categories
Never miss an Update
Get our Weekly news, articles and resources.
