Defending Main Street
Protecting Consumers, Investors, Retirees and Markets from the Predators
Financial Reform and Stability
Preventing Financial Crashes and Economic Collapse While Protecting Your Pocketbook, Our Shared Prosperity and America’s Limited Resources
Accountability
Returning the Law to Wall Street While Watching the Watchdogs, Defending Democracy, Transparency and Open Government
Advocacy and Outreach
Supporting the productive economy, creating wealth and broad-based prosperity while reducing systemic threats, inequality and economic insecurity
“Dennis Kelleher and his team at Better Markets have consistently pushed for financial reform that will help protect the U.S. economy from another financial crash. They are strong partners in the fight to level the playing field for middle-class families and have been persistent fighters for the American people, their jobs, savings and retirements.”
“Better Markets has served as a valuable and important voice pushing for fairness in our financial system.”
“Dennis Kelleher over at Better Markets, a huge presence in Washington, DC. A nonprofit, of course, established to make finance and government serve society a little bit better.”
“Dennis Kelleher [is] one of the most powerful lobbyists on financial regulatory reform.”
“It's more important than ever that consumers and taxpayers have strong advocates like Dennis and Better Markets to stand up for ordinary Americans.”
“Kelleher, a former attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, has become well-known for his critique of both Wall Street banks and regulators who he has often accused of failing to hold the banks accountable for wrongdoing.”
“Dennis is one of the most plugged in and important names here in Washington as the founder and leader of the investor advocacy group Better Markets. His views can not only drive fear into the heart of Wall Street, but they are also driving the conversation on Capitol Hill, especially on the most pressing topics concerning market abuse, risk and the integrity of the financial system.”
Shaping the news, amplifying the public’s voice and analyzing new policies so Main Street doesn’t get left behind.
Comment
Letters
Better Markets filed more than 450 Comment Letters at the financial regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations.
Rule
Citations
Better Markets was cited over 170 times in final rules, showcasing the impact our subject matter experts make on the rulemaking process.
Court
Filings
Better Markets argues for strong regulation, effective remedies for investors, and a rulemaking process that complies with the law.
Print
Articles
Better Markets subject matter experts are continually sought after to amplify the public’s voice and to analyze new policies so Main Street doesn’t get left behind.
Our President & CEO @DennisKelleher talked with @jolingkent @CBSNews about the possible insider trading of national security information in unregulated prediction markets.
"This isn't a case of light-touch regulation — it's a case of no-touch regulation." @DennisKelleher spoke with @CBSNews about the CFTC's lack of oversight of prediction markets.
Prediction market user made $436,000 betting on Maduro capture
A prediction market user won big after wagering $32,000 that the U.S. would capture former Venezuelan President Nico...
www.cbsnews.com
Did you know? Better Markets celebrated 15 Years of Impact in 2025! We're grateful to everyone who supported us on this journey, and we're heading into 2026 refreshed and ready to continue fighting for an economy that works for everyone. Happy New Year!
Veterans, service members, and their families deserve financial security—not predatory practices. In 2024, service members and their families lost $584M to fraud—a 25% increase from the year before. In 2025, Better Markets fought back. It's not too late to help us start out
We applaud today’s appeal court rejection of the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to kill the CFPB, the most successful consumer protection agency in the history of the United States.
Big Court Victory for CFPB and Main Street Americans | Better Markets
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis Kelleher, Co-Founder, President & CEO of Better Markets, issued the following statement on the...
bettermarkets.org
.@LaMonicaBuzz of @barronsonline takes a look at potential conflicts of interest with #Trump and his business interests. @DennisKelleher explains "This is not a blind trust with an independent trustee, where people can have confidence that the conflicts of interest are in fact
ICYMI: In October, Mark Blyth, Brown University political economist and author of Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers, and Jared Bernstein, former Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and Deborah Solomon, Economics Editor for the New York Times, joined us
ICYMI: In September, we gathered leading minds from our Better Markets Academic Advisory Board for our first annual State of Economic and Financial Policymaking conference. Watch here:
State of Economic & Financial Policymaking Conference | Better Markets
The Better Markets Academic Advisory Board (BMAAB) held its first annual conference on September 19th, 2025. The day...
bettermarkets.org
An economy that works only for Wall Street is an economy that’s broken. Better Markets is fighting for policies that protect hardworking Americans. Support our work:
Donate | Better Markets
Help Better Markets fight for the public interest in our financial markets, protecting Main Street from Wall Street ...
bettermarkets.org
"The OCC has chosen an arbitrary threshold for heightened expectations without justification and despite the evidence from the 2023 bank turmoil that banks far below $700 billion in assets pose a systemic risk,” - Phillip Basil, Dir. Econ Growth and Financial Stability on today's
A new FDIC/OCC proposal to define “unsafe and unsound practices” for the supervisory process stands to gut bank supervision.
Proposal from FDIC and OCC Would Completely Destroy Bank Supervision | Better Markets
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Phillip Basil, Director of Economic Growth and Financial Stability at Better Markets, issued the f...
bettermarkets.org
"Congress never intended the derivatives markets to become a safe haven for sports books seeking immunity from state regulation, nor did it intend to preempt or nullify state laws applicable to gaming." - Steve Hall, Legal Director and Securities Specialist. Our recently-filed
The SEC has spent the last year demolishing investor protection. Once known as the investor’s advocate, it is now the financial industry’s advocate. Read our new fact sheet:
The SEC is Now the Shareholder Exploitation Commission | Better Markets
Introduction At the beginning of the year, we questioned whether a Trump administration filled with wealthy individual...
bettermarkets.org
The OCC's plan to eliminate the recovery planning process ensures all large banks will be unprepared, making failures under stress much more likely. Read more in our comment letter to the OCC:
The OCC’s Proposal to Eliminate Recovery Planning Would Make Large Bank Failure More Likely |...
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Phillip Basil, Director of Economic Growth and Financial Stability at Better Markets, issued the f...
bettermarkets.org
The CFPB's proposal to weaken the Equal Credit Opportunity Act will enable discrimination, harm underserved borrowers, and undermine economic growth. Read our statement:
Trump Administration’s CFPB Proposal to Gut Fair Lending Must Be Rejected | Better Markets
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Amanda Fischer, COO and Policy Director of Better Markets, released the following statement today ...
bettermarkets.org
"This administration is gutting the FSOC and turning it into a vehicle for recklessly pursuing a deregulatory agenda that will only result in the type of bubble growth that inevitably leads to more financial crashes and needless economic harm,” @DennisKelleher told @nytimes.
Simon Johnson, co-chair of the Better Markets Academic Advisory Board, is testifying in front of the @USHouseFSC on the importance of bank capital. Watch now:
Happening now: Benjamin Schiffrin, our Director of Securities Policy, testifies before the @HouseAgDems @HouseAgGOP on reauthorizing the CFTC. Watch the hearing and learn more about the importance of the CFTC:
Better Markets Director of Securities Policy Testifies Before Congress on CFTC Reauthorization |...
On December 11, 2025, Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy, testifies before the U.S. House of Representa...
bettermarkets.org
Penny stocks are regulated to protect retail investors against abusive and fraudulent sales practices prevalent in the penny stock market. We need a similar legislative and regulatory response for meme coins.
Meme Coins are Like Penny Stocks. We Must Regulate Them That Way. | Better Markets
Introduction In August, Kanye West launched a meme coin—a type of crypto asset inspired by a celebrity or intern...
bettermarkets.org
Read our new Substack: The Fed Needs to Answer a Big Question About Its Balance Sheet https://bettermarkets.substack.com/p/the-fed-needs-to-answer-a-big-question
"Acting Chair Pham has not officially confirmed the reports that she will join crypto company MoonPay as chief legal officer and chief administrative officer when she leaves the CFTC – and the CFTC’s nonanswer when asked suggests she will – but regardless she is already acting as
The SEC’s decision to extend compliance dates for short selling and securities lending disclosure rules by two years effectively undermines investor protection and transparency, leaving markets vulnerable to future disruptions. Read our full statement:
SEC Harms Investors and Undermines Rule of Law In De Facto Killing Short Selling Disclosure Rule |...
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Dennis Kelleher, President, Co-founder, and CEO for Better Markets, issued the following statement in ...
bettermarkets.org
The CFTC's announcement that spot crypto products can now trade on CFTC-registered exchanges does not provide any regulatory clarity, only more confusion. Read our statement:
CFTC Endangers Investors By Allowing Spot Crypto Trading Without Clear Rules | Better Markets
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Benjamin Schiffrin, Director of Securities Policy for Better Markets, issued the following statement in...
bettermarkets.org
This morning, SEC Chair Paul Atkins claimed that he was going to "make IPOs great again," but his deregulatory agenda promises the opposite. Our recent analyses show why. 🧵
On this #GivingTuesday help us un-rig the economy so that it works for you. https://bettermarkets.org/donate/
At tomorrow’s hearing, lawmakers should hold banking regulators accountable for rapidly implementing a sweeping agenda that satisfies the wish list of the largest banks at the expense of community banks and financial stability.
Key Questions Congress Should Ask the Banking Regulators | Better Markets
Since January the Trump Administration’s heads of banking policy have wasted no time in taking unprecedented steps ...
bettermarkets.org
We’re fighting for a better, fairer economy--one that provides more opportunity and security for all. Check out our latest happenings in our November issue of the Better Markets Beat.
Phillip Basil, Director of Economic Growth and Financial Stability, stated today new banking agency actions on capital requirements "worsen the already grossly unlevel playing field faced by community banks."
Today’s Capital Requirement Proposals from Banking Agencies Prove They Prioritize Large Banks over...
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Phillip Basil, Director of Economic Growth and Financial Stability at Better Markets, issued the f...
bettermarkets.org
Read our new Substack: Banking is at a Crossroads, and Policymakers Must Choose the Right Way Forward https://bettermarkets.substack.com/p/banking-is-at-a-crossroads-and-policymakers
Important reporting from @kevinwack @AmerBanker on the @federalreserve's secret dealmaking in 2023.
Fed traded fast merger for 2023 private equity rescue
The Federal Reserve played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the sale of PacWest Bancorp, providing an enticeme...
www.americanbanker.com
For media inquiries, please contact [email protected] or 202-618-6433.
To sign up for our email newsletter, please visit this page.
"* (Required)" indicates required fields
please contact [email protected] or 202-618-6433.
Help us fight for the public interest in our financial markets, protecting Main Street from Wall Street and avoiding another costly financial collapse and economic crisis, by making a donation today.
;
