2026-05-21

SEC and NFA Announce Memorandum of Understanding to Further Harmonize Regulatory Coordination

The Securities and Exchange Commission and National Futures Association have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance their regulatory cooperation, coordination, and information sharing. The agreement establishes periodic staff meetings and expands information exchange on emerging risks, examination planning, and financial market conditions to promote compliance with derivatives and securities laws. By streamlining oversight and minimizing duplicative efforts, the framework aims to provide businesses with a predictable compliance path while maintaining high-quality investor protections and market integrity.

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United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

2026-47

Washington D.C., May 21, 2026 —

The Securities and Exchange Commission and National Futures Association (NFA) today announced that they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance their cooperation, coordination, and information sharing in areas of common regulatory interest. The MOU will enhance SEC and NFA staff’s ability to share information on matters of mutual regulatory interest such as emerging risks, examination planning, and financial markets’ conditions. The MOU will also provide for periodic meetings between staff. This improved coordination will further enhance the SEC and NFA’s ability to promote compliance with derivatives and securities laws, maintain the highest level of oversight quality, and minimize duplicative efforts. “Regulatory bodies working together should not be a novel concept. It should be the norm. Coordination between regulatory organizations provides businesses a predictable, straightforward path to compliance and comprehensive protections for investors that build trust in our markets,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “This memorandum is another step in furthering the SEC’s efforts to streamline cooperation with other regulatory organizations and alleviate the potential for duplicative or conflicting oversight.” "We look forward to continuing our coordination efforts with the SEC under this formal framework," said NFA President and CEO Thomas W. Sexton. "We believe this memorandum represents an important milestone for NFA and will allow us to further foster our mission of protecting customers and ensuring market integrity."

Last Reviewed or Updated: May 21, 2026

Resources

Memorandum of Understanding