The CFTC’s Division of Enforcement has issued a significant new policy on cooperation that reshapes how self-reporting, cooperation, and remediation will affect enforcement outcomes. The May 19, 2026 Staff Advisory replaces prior guidance and, for the first time, creates a defined framework for when the Division may decline to recommend an enforcement action altogether.

The policy establishes detailed criteria for declinations, including prompt voluntary self-reporting, full cooperation, timely remediation, and restitution or disgorgement, while also introducing structured penalty reduction tiers of up to 75% for parties that cooperate even if they do not qualify for a declination. At the same time, the guidance raises the stakes on timing, requiring parties to report misconduct “at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The new internal guidance provides important insight into how the Division intends to exercise prosecutorial discretion and will have significant implications for firms evaluating potential misconduct, internal investigations, and disclosure decisions. Read the full Sidley post for a detailed analysis of the policy’s requirements, cooperation credit framework, and practical considerations for market participants. The CFTC press release can be found here.

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