Touting
Touting is publicising a security in exchange for compensation. It is lawful if the payment is fully disclosed and unlawful under Section 17(b) if it is not.
Where does touting come up?
This term is used in the following manipulation techniques, each explained in full on its own page.
Enforcement actions involving these techniques
| Action | Agency | Filed | Technique | Penalty | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC v. Brian Keasberry (paid stock promotion, 2026) | SEC | 2026-08-21 | Paid Stock Promotion | $37.5k | judgment |
| SEBI v. Anupam Narain Gupta and others (paid Telegram tips, Moksh Ornaments, 2026) | SEBI (India) | 2026-07-30 | Social Media Ramps , Paid Stock Promotion | — | judgment |
| SEBI v. Veerkrupa Jewellers Limited and others (SME IPO publicity and trading, 2026) | SEBI (India) | 2026-05-29 | Paid Stock Promotion , Social Media Ramps +1 | — | judgment |
| SEC v. Medallion Financial Corp., Andrew Murstein, Lawrence Meyers, and Ichabod’s Cranium, Inc. (paid stock promotion, 2025) | SEC | 2025-06-06 | Paid Stock Promotion | $4.1m | judgment |
| SEC v. John S. Clayton and others (insider trading, 2024) | SEC | 2024-12-11 | Insider Trading , Paid Stock Promotion | — | filed |