The securities law exists because of unique informational needs of investors. Securities are not inherently valuable; their worth comes only from the claims they entitle their owner to make upon the assets and earnings of the issuer, or the voting power that accompanies such claims. The value of securities depends on the issuer's financial condition, products and markets, management, and competitive and regulatory climate. Securities laws attempt to ensure that investors have accurate information of the type of interest they are purchasing and its value.

The Securities exist in form of notes, stocks, treasury stocks, bonds, voting trust certificates, certificates of deposit for a security, and a fractional undivided interest in gas, oil, or other mineral rights.

There are two principle settings for buying and selling securities: issuer transactions and trading transactions. Issuer transactions are the means by which companies raise capital and involve the sale of securities by the issuer to investor. Trading transactions are the purchasing and selling of outstanding securities among investors. Outstanding securities are traded through securities markets that can be either stock exchanges or "over-the-counter". A stock exchange provides a place, rules, and procedures for buying and selling securities. Generally, to have their securities sold and bought on a stock exchange, a company must list its securities on a given exchange. Stock exchange rules are subject to approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). All transactions that do not take place on a stock exchange are said to be executed in the over-the-counter market. Most of the broker-dealers serving the public are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), a national securities association registered with SEC.

Securities regulations focus mainly on the market for common stocks. Federal laws regulate securities. Federal securities laws are generally administrated by the Security and Exchange Commission, which was established by the Securities Exchange act of 1934. The first of the federal securities laws enacted was the Federal Securities Act of 1933, which regulates the public offering and sale of securities in interstate commerce. The 1933 Act prohibits the offer of a security not registered with the Securities Exchange Commission and requires the disclosure of certain information to the prospective security's purchaser. The objective of the 1933 Act's registration requirements is to enable a purchaser to make a reasoned decision based on reliable information.

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires that issuers, subject to certain exemptions, register with SEC if they want to have their securities traded on a national exchange. Issuers of securities registered under the 1934 Act must file various reports with SEC in order to provide the public with adequate information about companies with publicly traded stocks. The 1934 Act also regulates proxy solicitation and requires that certain information be given to a company's shareholders as a prerequisite to soliciting votes. The 1934 Act permits the SEC to develop rules and regulations to protect the public and investors by prohibiting manipulative or deceptive devices. Rule 10b-5 of The 1934 Act protects against insider trading and fraud.