CFTC ends decades-old no-deny gag settlements, immediately freeing defendants and aligning with SEC

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has rescinded its long‑standing no‑deny settlement rule and abolished a 1998 gag restriction that limited settled parties from publicly defending themselves; the agency said the rule will be abolished immediately upon publication in the Federal Register ^{[1] [2]}.

The change follows a similar move by the Securities and Exchange Commission in May and, according to reporting, gives defendants more room to dispute agency claims in enforcement cases in 2026 ^[2].

Industry outlets noted the policy shift alters how companies and individuals may resolve CFTC enforcement actions and characterized the decision as part of a broader change in enforcement practice ^{[3] [4]}.

The repeal of the no‑deny/gag rule marks a procedural shift for the CFTC that will affect settlement negotiations and public statements by settled parties, with immediate effect upon Federal Register publication ^{[1] [2] [3]}.