Financial market regulators continue to address various regulatory issues arising from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis by, for example, granting exemptive relief, issuing temporary orders, and publishing guidance. As a resource to market participants, we have compiled (and will update regularly) all such actions taken by the SEC, CFTC, FINRA, NFA, FCA, and ESMA (as well as certain relevant actions taken by other regulators worldwide, including exchanges, national regulators and other governmental organizations).The listings below are organized by regulator; however, you may find it more useful to sort these regulatory actions based upon your business type, by selecting one of the links set forth at the bottom of the page.

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Regulatory Actions and Developments
(sorted by regulator):

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

  • Most Recent Development: May 28, 2020
    Further Extension of Relief for Margin Requirements for Uncleared Swaps.  The CFTC voted to approve an interim final rule which contains a one-year deferral of the compliance date, from September 1, 2020 to September 1, 2021, by which certain swap entities must post and collect initial margin with counterparties that are swap dealers, major swap participants, or financial end users with material swaps exposure. 

    For the full list of the CFTC's COVID-19 related actions click here 

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

  • Most Recent Development: September 30, 2020
    NEW  FCA Updates Statement on Firms’ Complaint Handling during COVID-19. The FCA updated its statement, originally published on May 1, 2020, instructing firms on how to handle complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCA stressed that firms have had sufficient time to adjust to new ways of working caused by the pandemic and emphasized that a failure to comply with any FCA complaint handling requirements should only arise under exceptional circumstances. If a firm is facing difficulties complying with the requirements, it should inform its supervisory contact and notify the FCA of the steps being taken to manage and respond to its non-compliance. The FCA intends to review the statement again by the end of April 2021.

    For the full list of FCA's COVID-19 related actions click here  

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)

  • Most Recent Development: September 17, 2020
    ESMA Renews Reporting Requirement of Net Short Position Holders. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), renewed its decision to temporarily require holders of net short positions in shares traded on a European Union (EU) regulated market to report to relevant EU financial regulators positions reaching or exceeding a reduced threshold of 0.1% (instead of the usual threshold of 0.2%).The measure takes effect from September 18, 2020, and expires December 18, 2020. Net short positions crossing the 0.1% threshold on December 18 are to be disclosed to the relevant EU financial regulators no later than 15:30 CET on December 19, 2020.

    For the full list of the ESMA's COVID-19 related actions click here 

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

National Futures Association (NFA)

  • Most Recent Development: September 15, 2020
    Recordkeeping Relief.  Consistent with CFTC Letter No. 20-26, NFA has extended through January 15, 2021 relief previously granted to futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, swap dealers and forex dealers relating to timestamping and oral communications recordkeeping requirements.

    For the full list of the NFA's COVID-19 related actions click here 

Other Regulatory

  • Most Recent Development: August 26, 2020
    PRA Clarifies COVID-19 IFRS 9 and Capital Requirements, as Deferrals End. The FCA published draft updated guidance for firms in relation to mortgage payment deferrals. Upon the end of the existing Covid-19 specific deferrals, if borrowers cannot resume payments in full immediately, tailored forbearance arrangements provided in accordance with the draft updated guidance should be considered. Tailored forbearance arrangements within the UK are likely to be as good an indicator of significant increase in credit risk, credit impairments or defaults as forbearance was prior to the pandemic.

    For the full list of the Other Regulatory COVID-19 related actions click here 

Regulatory Actions and Development by Client Type
(Click on client type to access all relevant regulatory actions)

US Centric:

Alternative Trading System

Insured Depository Institution

Broker-Dealer

Introducing Broker

Clearing Agency

Investment Adviser

Clearing Member

Investment Company

CPO

Municipal Adviser

CTA

National Securities Exchange

Crypto Trader

Private Fund/Hedge Fund

DCM/SEF

Proprietary Trader

DCO

Retail Forex Dealer

FCM

Single Dealer Platform

Floor Broker

Swap Dealer

Foreign Broker

Transfer Agent


EU/UK Centric:

EU/UK AIFs

EU/UK Proprietary Trading Firms

EU/UK CCPs

EU/UK Trade Repositories

EU/UK Credit Institutions

EU/UK Trading Venues

EU/UK Fund Managers

EU/UK UCITS

EU/UK Investment Firms