The CFTC released its enforcement results for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2017, which revealed the agency brought 49 enforcement actions, down 28% from the 68 it brought the previous year. The CFTC's total fines - including restitution, disgorgement and penalties - totaled nearly $413 million, down from $1.29 billion in 2016, when the agency reached several high-profile settlements with large financial institutions. In the report, the CFTC also highlighted the implementation of measures designed to "increase the effectiveness and strength" of its enforcement program, including additional rules and procedures that were put in place to better protect whistleblowers and to further incentivize whistleblowers to come forward. Finally, the CFTC outlined the realignment of its market surveillance unit under the Division of Enforcement and the division's newly issued cooperation advisories, which it said will strengthen enforcement activities going forward and protect both investors and derivatives markets alike.
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