The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforced a record $4.9 billion in penalties during fiscal year 2023. Chairman Gary Gensler testified before the House Financial Services Committee that the SEC filed 784 enforcement actions and obtained $4.9 billion in penalties. Approximately $930 million of the penalties were returned to harmed investors. Enforcement is a central part of the SEC's mission to protect investors. The SEC's enforcement actions cover a wide range of financial misconduct, including securities fraud, insider trading, and accounting fraud. The SEC also works to return money to investors who have been harmed by financial misconduct.