By Jim Toes, President & CEO, STA
Resources like time and money, the twin currencies of life, are finite, so every choice—whether spending a single dollar or an hour of your day—forces individuals to prioritize and weigh what truly matters against what doesn’t.
For institutions it’s about deciding where to direct budget and staff hours to maximize operational performance and innovation. On June 12, 2025 the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under its new Chairman announced plans to withdraw 14 proposed rules*, all issued between March 2022 and November 2023.
Registration is now open for STA’s 92nd Annual Market Structure Conference! Featuring a Keynote Address from SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, join us October 15-17 at the JW Marriott Washington DC as we explore the forces reshaping, and redefining, our industry.
Click the link below to visit our new conference website! Here, you can register for the conference and book your hotel room, find the latest updates on the conference Agenda and Speakers, see our list of Sponsors, and more!
STA Women in Finance
Women in Finance Mentorship Program
Thank you to all who participated in our pilot STA Women in Finance Mentorship Program – an outstanding day of professional development for the industry’s next generation.
Thank you to Liquidnet and Virtu Financial for sponsoring the event, as well as the hard work from our WIF Chair and Vice Chair Christine Lee and Laura Delaney.
Taking Stock
To the 2025 Intern Class: It’s An Art, Not a Science
By Jim Toes, President & CEO, STA
Now that summer is upon us, we’d like to wish a warm welcome to all of the interns who are kickstarting their careers over the next few months. As members of a fast-paced industry keen on constant evolution and modernity, referencing the “apprenticeship model” might seem odd. However, this model continues to serve as a cornerstone for nurturing talent and passing on crucial skills. This approach ensures that knowledge, techniques, and insights developed over years of experience are not only preserved, but actively transferred to the next generation.
STA Open Call
Autism Science Foundation: 2025 STA Charity of Choice
The latest CDC data shows that 1 in 31 American children are diagnosed with autism. The Autism Science Foundation (ASF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people with autism and their families by funding scientific research to understand the causes of autism and to develop better treatments. Alison Singer, Founder and President of the Autism Science Foundation, discusses advancements in treating children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and explains the importance of early detection and personalized treatment. Watch here
Upcoming Affiliate Events
July 10: Dallas STA Topgolf Event
Topgolf
Dallas, TX
Details here
July 16-17: MSDA 2025 Summer Conference
The Hotel Landing
Wayzata, MN
Details here
July 22: STANY Emerging Leaders Summer Bash
TSquared Social
New York, NY
Details here
August 7-8: STA Wisconsin Annual Conference & Golf Outing
Milwaukee Athletic Club and The Bog
Milwaukee, WI
Details here
STA in the News
Traders Magazine: SEC Rule-Proposal Withdrawal Signals Regulatory Reset
In a decisive shift away from the expansive regulatory agenda of former Chair Gary Gensler, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on June 12 its withdrawal of 14 proposed rulemakings. According to Jim Toes, President & CEO, STA, the SEC has freed up agency resources for more targeted, practical regulatory efforts. “It also has restored an environment that historically provided for meaningful engagement with the financial industry, fostering dialogue over dictation,” he wrote in a blog. Read More
John Lothian News: Crypto’s Equity Market Makeover: STA’s Jim Toes on Trading, Delistings, and the ‘Women in Finance’ Push
At this year’s Options Industry Conference, Jim Toes, President and CEO of the Security Traders Association (STA), surveyed the shifting landscape of trading floors and regulatory halls with a blend of candor and caution. “There’s been an influence of the crypto market structure on the equity markets,” Toes told John Lothian News. “If we go back to January 2021, when we had those GameStop events, what we had was a large number of investors, mostly crypto traders, trading equities for the first time and getting a very different experience.” Read More
Read the full June newsletter here.