---
title: "What actually changed, what remains standing, and what to do"
slug: "regulatory-news-and-changes/what-actually-changed-what-remains-standing-and-what-to-do"
section: "Regulatory news and changes"
description: "This is a decision risk monitor , not a general law digest. Strategic challenge has no single, general US professional licence, but a founder's engagement "
internal_only: false
---

# What actually changed, what remains standing, and what to do

This is a **decision-risk monitor**, not a general law digest. Strategic challenge has no single, general US professional licence, but a founder's engagement may include securities, legal, investment, employer, privacy or coaching-sponsor issues. The correct regulator turns on the actual activities and jurisdiction, not the label “advisory”. This document is informational; qualified US legal counsel should verify any company-specific position.

| Date / status at 28 Oct 2026 | Official change or live rule | Which founder decision is affected | Buyer action |
|---|---|---|---|
| **12 Feb 2026** | FTC removed the national noncompete rule from the CFR following court vacatur; the FTC states the rule is not effective or enforceable [Noncompete Rule — Federal Trade Commission](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/noncompete-rule) | Executive recruitment, exit and adviser contracts | Review applicable **state** law and each contract; do not assume a federal ban |
| **26 Mar 2025** | FinCEN interim final rule exempted US-created entities and US persons from federal CTA BOI reporting, with narrower foreign-entity coverage [Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting — FinCEN](https://www.fincen.gov/boi) | Entity formation, M&A diligence, expansion | Check whether an entity was formed abroad and registered in the US; use current FinCEN guidance |
| **1 Apr 2025** | Updated ICF Code of Ethics took effect with detailed sponsor, confidentiality and AI-record-handling standards [ICF Code of Ethics, effective 1 April 2025](https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-ethics/icf-code-of-ethics/) | Coaching selection and investor-funded support | Contractually specify three-party consent, disclosures, storage, recordings and reporting |
| **21 Oct 2024** | FTC reviews/testimonials rule became effective, addressing specified fake reviews, paid sentiment and misleading testimonial practices [Consumer reviews and testimonials rule: Q&A — FTC](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumer-reviews-testimonials-rule-questions-answers) | Supplier ratings, claimed case studies and adviser marketing | Verify permission and authenticity; do not buy or commission false praise |
| **July 2025 court action; Mar 2026 renewed proposal** | FTC's 2024 click-to-cancel overhaul was vacated; the FTC's Negative Option Rule page shows a new request for comment in March 2026 [Negative Option Rule — FTC](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/negative-option-rule) | Automatic-renewal subscriptions/retainers | Do not treat a vacated proposal as live federal law; review state renewal rules and clear cancellation terms |
| **Standing, not a new change** | SEC says finding investors and transaction-contingent securities compensation may require broker-dealer registration [Broker-Dealers — US SEC](https://www.sec.gov/resources-small-businesses/capital-raising-building-blocks/broker-dealers) | Funding offer support, investor introductions and placement fees | Route borderline activity through counsel / properly registered parties |
| **Standing, not a new change** | Investment advisers who give compensated securities advice can be subject to SEC/state regulation and registration rules [Investment Advisers — Investor.gov](https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/getting-started/working-investment-professional/investment-advisers) | Personal investment advice versus operating strategy and corporate fundraising | Define the actual subject of advice and seek regulatory legal review when appropriate |
| **26 July 2024, updated 2026** | NIST's GenAI profile is voluntary risk-management guidance, not a binding national startup-adviser licence [NIST Generative AI Profile, AI RMF](https://www.nist.gov/publications/artificial-intelligence-risk-management-framework-generative-artificial-intelligence) | AI tools reviewing board papers, pitches and hiring data | Maintain approved inputs, human validation, prompt/data policies and deletion requests |