Regulatory Investigation Rules

Definition ∞ Regulatory investigation rules are the established procedures and guidelines that government agencies must follow when conducting inquiries into potential violations of laws or regulations. These rules dictate how evidence is collected, witnesses are interviewed, and subpoenas are issued. They ensure that investigations are conducted fairly, legally, and consistently. Adherence to these rules is essential for the validity of any subsequent enforcement action.
Context ∞ For entities operating in the digital asset sector, understanding regulatory investigation rules is critical, as agencies like the SEC or CFTC increasingly scrutinize crypto activities. These rules define the scope of information requests and the rights of investigated parties. Current discussions often involve the application of traditional investigative powers to decentralized organizations and the challenges of obtaining data from pseudonymous blockchain transactions.