Daily · Terrorist Sanctions & US Trading Updates · August 19, 2026

Updated Swiss terror sanctions

FINMA has updated its list of sanctioned individuals, companies, and organisations associated with ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Kaida, effective immediately. For businesses, this means that screening protocols must be updated to ensure no transactions or partnerships are maintained with these newly listed parties. Our read: Companies with Swiss exposure should conduct a fresh audit of their current counterparty lists to avoid potential regulatory penalties.

Shifts in US exchange and trading rules

The SEC has implemented two immediate rule changes affecting trading halts on the Nasdaq Stock Market and Nasdaq PHLX. These changes alter the mechanisms used to pause trading, which can impact the timing of trade executions and market liquidity during periods of high volatility.

Simultaneously, the Cboe BZX Exchange has proposed the listing and trading of 3x leveraged ETFs—funds that use debt to amplify daily returns—covering gold, silver, crude oil, natural gas, and the digital assets Bitcoin and Ether. If this proposal is approved, it would introduce highly volatile, high-reward investment products into the US market, providing new tools for speculation and hedging. Our read: The inclusion of Bitcoin and Ether in this proposal signals a further institutionalization of crypto-linked products in regulated US markets.

Finally, the SEC is extending its review period for a proposed change by the Texas Stock Exchange regarding the continued listing standards for beneficial holders (the actual owners) of ETF shares. This designation of a longer action period means the timeline for modifying how these shares are maintained on the exchange is now extended, delaying any immediate changes to listing requirements for these funds.

This overview is informational, not legal or compliance advice. Consult your lawyer or compliance specialist on specific decisions.

Sources

This overview is based on official regulator publications for the period:

CH (1)

EU (1)

UK (1)

US (6)