Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a US government agency responsible for protecting investors from misconduct, promoting fairness and efficiency in the securities markets, and facilitating capital formation. It was founded to help the country respond to the Great Depression and engages in rulemaking through a transparent process guided by the Administrative Procedure Act. The SEC provides resources to investors at Investor.gov, including financial tools, investing FAQs, and tips to avoid investment fraud.