CFTC plans to reduce fines, sending new signals of relaxed regulation

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will formally assess the level of cooperation or self-reporting methods of companies or individuals accused of misconduct before imposing fines, in the latest signal that the derivatives regulator is changing its enforcement approach. CFTC Acting Chair Caroline Pham stated that the new advisory opinion aims to create "meaningful incentives" for companies to proactively raise issues and resolve cases more quickly with reasonable penalties. Pham also indicated that this measure shows the agency's compliance with an executive order from the Trump administration to repeal regulations deemed by the White House as overly "burdensome".