The SEC announced the latest charges in a series of cases involving microcap companies, officers and promoters arising out of a joint law enforcement investigation to unearth penny stock schemes. The SEC charged five penny stock promoters with conducting various manipulation schemes involving undisclosed payments to induce purchases of a microcap stock to generate the false appearance of market interest. See: SEC Complaint - Altomare ; SEC Complaint - Berkowitz ; SEC Complaint - Brown ; SEC Complaint - McKnight and Bauer ; SEC Complaint - Urban AG and Ray and Clark . Related news: FINRA Brings
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The SEC announced suspensions in trading for nine different penny stocks as part of an ongoing enforcement initiative to target fraudulent conduct and abusive trading in securities issued by microcap companies. See: SEC Order ; SEC Press Release .
The SEC suspended trading in 128 inactive penny stock companies to ensure that they don't become sources for pump-and-dump schemes. According to the SEC, the trading suspensions are the latest in a microcap fraud-fighting initiative known as "Operation Shell-Expel," which utilizes technology to scour the over-the-counter marketplace and identify dormant companies ripe for abuse. The SEC explained that once a stock has been suspended from trading, it cannot be relisted unless the company provides updated financial information to prove that it's actually operational. Additionally, it is
SEC Chair Jay Clayton articulated narrowly focused regulatory goals for inclusion in the federal government's Unified Agenda.
The SEC suspended trading in three companies due to concerns about the accuracy of information they provided regarding acquisitions of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.