The **Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)** is a U.S. federal regulatory agency established in 1934 to restore public confidence in the capital markets after the 1929 stock market crash. Its core mission is threefold: **protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation**[2][4][6]. The SEC enforces federal securities laws and regulates key market participants, including securities exchanges, brokers, dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds. It requires companies offering securities to the public to disclose truthful and comprehensive information about their business and investment risks. It also oversees market intermediaries to prevent fraud, insider trading, and market manipulation[1][3][6]. Over time, the SEC’s role has evolved to address changing market dynamics and technological advances. It now provides investor education, facilitates capital formation especially for small businesses and fintech firms through initiatives like the Capital Raising Hub and FinHub, and actively engages in rulemaking with public input[1][6]. The SEC is led by five presidentially appointed commissioners and operates multiple divisions and offices, including a dedicated Division of Enforcement responsible for investigating violations, pursuing administrative actions, and litigating cases in federal courts[3]. It also supports whistleblowers who report fraudulent activities[1]. Notable achievements include developing comprehensive regulatory frameworks such as the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pioneering investor protection laws, and adapting regulations to new challenges like digital asset markets. The SEC's enforcement actions and policy leadership have been crucial in maintaining market integrity and investor trust in U.S. financial markets[2][7]. Currently headquartered in Washington, D.C., the SEC continues to be a pivotal institution in U.S. financial regulation, balancing innovation with investor protection to uphold the stability and efficiency of the capital markets[5][6]. Its commitment to transparency, fairness, and accountability makes it a key player for business and technology news audiences interested in market oversight an