CFTC Issues Its Largest Award to A Single Whistleblower

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that it has awarded approximately $200 million to a whistleblower whose information significantly contributed to an already open investigation and led to a successful enforcement action, as well as to the success of two related actions by a US federal regulator and a foreign one.

As detailed in the regulator's announcement, the whistleblower’s specific, credible, and timely original information led the CFTC to important, direct evidence of wrongdoing.

In order to qualify for an award, a whistleblower must demonstrate that there is a “meaningful nexus” between the information provided and the CFTC’s ability to successfully complete its investigation, and to either obtain a settlement or prevail in a litigated proceeding. The commission determined that the whistleblower met this standard.

The whistleblower’s claim in connection with a third related action by a state regulator was denied because the whistleblower’s information was never shared with the state regulator.

With this award, the CFTC has granted whistleblower awards associated with enforcement actions that have resulted in monetary sanctions totaling more than $3 billion.

Earlier this year, CFTC has announced an award of approximately $3 million to a whistleblower​ who provided specific, credible, and timely tip leading the CFTC to open an investigation and ultimately bring a successful enforcement action.