Registration & Licensing
Broker-Dealer vs RIA
Which registration path for your trading platform? Compare requirements, costs, and business implications.
Investment Adviser Registration
SEC and state registration requirements for platforms providing investment advice.
CTA/CPO Registration
Commodity Trading Advisor and Commodity Pool Operator requirements for futures and derivatives.
Introducing Broker Agreements
IB-FCM relationships, NFA Rule 2-36, commission splits, guaranteed vs non-guaranteed IBs, and compliance requirements.
State Money Transmitter
State-by-state licensing requirements for platforms handling customer funds.
FinCEN & AML Compliance
MSB registration, AML program requirements, and SAR filing obligations.
Jurisdiction & Structure
SEC vs CFTC Jurisdiction
Understanding which regulator has authority over your products and how to navigate overlapping jurisdiction.
Hybrid Regulatory Strategies
Structuring platforms that span multiple regulatory regimes without triggering violations.
Custodial vs Non-Custodial
How custody models affect regulatory requirements and which approach fits your platform.
DAO Legal Structure
Legal entity options for DAOs, liability considerations, and regulatory compliance strategies.
Cross-Border Marketing
Navigate reverse solicitation, MiFID II passporting, and international marketing restrictions.
Best Execution Obligations
FINRA 5310 requirements, RIA duties, and algorithmic trading execution standards.
Swap Dealer Registration
De minimis thresholds, CFTC registration requirements, and structuring strategies.
Crypto & Digital Assets
Howey Test & Utility Tokens
When tokens become securities under SEC analysis and how to structure utility tokens.
Cryptocurrency Futures & CFTC
CFTC jurisdiction over crypto derivatives, registration requirements, and compliance frameworks.
Stablecoin Regulation
Federal and state regulatory frameworks for stablecoin issuers and platforms.
NFT Securities Law
When NFTs cross into securities territory and how to structure compliant NFT offerings.
DEX Regulatory Status
Legal analysis of decentralized exchange models and regulatory exposure for operators.
Smart Contract Securities
Security token regulations, compliant issuance, and smart contract audit requirements.
Cross-Border Token Offerings
Multi-jurisdictional token classification, Reg D/S interplay, MiCA, and offshore structuring.
Blockchain Trading License
ATS registration, BitLicense, state licensing matrix, and federal vs state strategies.
International
UK FCA Registration
FCA authorization, SM&CR regime, CASS rules, and post-Brexit passporting for trading platforms.
EU MiFID II Requirements
MiFID II/MiFIR framework, IFD/IFR categories, best execution, and third-country access.
AI & Technology
AI & Fiduciary Duty
How AI-powered trading recommendations interact with fiduciary obligations and disclosure requirements.
AI Trading Model IP
Copyright, patents, and trade secrets for AI-generated trading models and strategies.
Compliance & Documentation
SEC No-Action Letters
How to obtain SEC guidance on novel business models and what no-action relief provides.
Terms of Service
Essential provisions for trading platform user agreements and risk disclosures.
Privacy Requirements
GLBA, state privacy laws, and data protection requirements for financial platforms.
Social Media Marketing
Investment advice risks on social media, finfluencer rules, and platform-specific compliance.
Broker API Terms Review
Complete checklist for reviewing broker API agreements: liability, data ownership, termination, and SLAs.
Strategic Playbooks
Fundraising Compliance Playbook
Navigate Reg D, Reg A+, and Reg CF for trading platform capital raises.
SEC Examination Playbook
Prepare for, respond to, and survive SEC examinations of your trading platform.
Platform Pivot Roadmap
Regulatory considerations when changing business models, products, or target markets.
International Expansion Playbook
Step-by-step guide to expanding your US trading platform to international markets.
Token Launch Playbook
Complete guide to compliant token offerings: Howey analysis, exemptions, and enforcement risks.
Planning Tools
Regulatory Budget Calculator
Estimate costs for registration, compliance, and ongoing regulatory obligations.
Section 475(f) Election
Mark-to-market election for traders: requirements, benefits, and filing procedures.
FinCEN & AML Compliance
Money Services Business Registration
MSB registration requirements, state licensing, and exemption analysis for trading platforms.
FinCEN AML Program Requirements
Anti-money laundering program components, compliance officer designation, and training requirements.
Customer Identification Program (KYC)
CIP requirements, identity verification standards, and third-party KYC provider integration.
Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR)
SAR filing requirements, red flags for trading platforms, and FinCEN 314(a) obligations.
Currency Transaction Reporting (CTR)
CTR thresholds, aggregation rules, and structured transaction detection.
FinCEN Travel Rule for Crypto
Travel rule requirements for crypto asset transfers and VASP compliance.
OFAC Sanctions Screening
Sanctions screening requirements, SDN list integration, and blocking procedures.
Bank Secrecy Act Recordkeeping
BSA recordkeeping requirements, retention periods, and audit preparation.
FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Reporting (BOI)
CTA beneficial ownership information reporting requirements and filing procedures.
AML Compliance Officer Designation
CCO requirements, qualifications, responsibilities, and liability considerations.
Contracts & Templates
Trading Platform Terms of Service Template
Complete TOS template with regulatory disclaimers, liability limitations, and user obligations.
API License Agreement: Trading Data
Data licensing agreements for trading signals, market data, and API access.
Open Source Licensing: Trading Algorithms
GPL, MIT, Apache licenses for algorithmic trading code and open-source strategy libraries.
Trade Secret Protection: Proprietary Strategies
NDAs, employee agreements, and trade secret preservation for algorithmic strategies.
User-Generated Content Liability
Section 230 immunity, DMCA safe harbors, and UGC moderation for trading platforms.
Data Privacy: GDPR/CCPA for Trading Platforms
Privacy law compliance for US and EU users, consent mechanisms, and data subject rights.
Insurance Requirements for Trading Platforms
E&O insurance, cyber liability, fidelity bonds, and insurance requirements for RIAs/BDs.
Founder Equity Agreements: Fintech
Co-founder vesting, equity splits, and regulatory considerations for fintech startups.
International Markets
Singapore MAS Licensing Guide
MAS CMS license types, exemptions, and requirements for trading platform operators.
Cayman Islands Fund Formation
Cayman fund structures, CIMA registration, and offshore hedge fund compliance.
Canada CSA Registration
Canadian Securities Administrators registration, dealer vs adviser, and provincial requirements.
Australia ASIC AFSL Requirements
Australian Financial Services License requirements for trading platforms and robo-advisers.
Launch Resources
Launch Checklist: Algorithmic Trading Platform
Pre-launch compliance checklist covering registration, infrastructure, and legal documentation.
Broker Partnership Negotiation Guide
Negotiating API access, commission splits, clearing arrangements, and service level agreements.
First 100 Users Legal Checklist
Compliance priorities when onboarding your first users: disclosures, consents, and monitoring.
Platform Shutdown / Wind-Down Guide
Legal obligations when shutting down a trading platform: user notifications, data deletion, and regulatory reporting.
SEC RIA Registration Kit
Step-by-step RIA registration guide with Form ADV templates and compliance program starter kit.
CFTC CTA Startup Kit
CTA/CPO registration templates, NFA membership procedures, and disclosure document builder.
Crypto Reference
SAFT: Simple Agreement for Future Tokens
SAFT vs SAFE comparison, SEC treatment, network launch triggers, token delivery mechanics, investor protections, and tax implications.
SEC Crypto Enforcement Actions Database
Searchable database of SEC crypto enforcement actions with key takeaways and settlement terms.
Token Distribution Compliance Strategies
Airdrops, staking rewards, liquidity mining, and other token distribution mechanisms.