FINRA Regulated Brokerage

Definition ∞ A FINRA Regulated Brokerage is a financial firm that operates under the oversight and rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. FINRA is a private corporation that acts as a self-regulatory organization for broker-dealers in the United States. Such brokerages must adhere to strict standards regarding investor protection, market fairness, and operational transparency. Compliance ensures that firms operate ethically and responsibly within the securities industry.
Context ∞ The concept of a FINRA Regulated Brokerage is increasingly relevant in crypto news as traditional financial institutions consider offering digital asset services. Discussions often center on how existing FINRA rules might apply to cryptocurrency trading and custody, given the novel nature of these assets. A critical future development involves FINRA potentially issuing specific guidance or creating new regulatory categories for firms dealing exclusively with digital assets. Operating under such regulation would lend significant credibility and trust to crypto-related services.