A federal judge has approved the $1.5 million settlement between Elon Musk and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding his delayed disclosure of Twitter stock purchases. The SEC had accused Musk of violating securities laws by waiting 11 days to report his stake in the social media company, a delay that allegedly allowed him to buy shares at a lower price, potentially saving him up to $150 million.

Despite approving the settlement, which requires Musk to pay a civil penalty without admitting wrongdoing, US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan expressed significant reservations. She noted that her role was limited to assessing the settlement's fairness and reasonableness, not the broader accountability of the executive branch.

The judge's order stated that whether the SEC adequately held Musk accountable is a matter for the public to decide, implying a critique of the settlement's leniency. This finalization of the agreement closes a chapter on the SEC's investigation into Musk's actions in 2022.