Core Insights - The trucking industry is facing a significant regulatory shift with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's updates to broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility rules set to take effect on January 16, 2026, which will enforce a $75,000 surety bond requirement more strictly [2][3] Regulatory Changes - The new rules will close loopholes that allowed brokers to operate with inadequate financial security, requiring immediate suspension of operating authority if a broker's bond or trust fund falls below $75,000 [3] - BMC-85 trust funds must now consist solely of cash or cash-equivalent assets that can be liquidated within seven days, and only federally regulated financial institutions can serve as trustees, impacting many existing trusts [4] Market Conditions - The trucking market has been in a downturn, with low contract rates and rising spot rates, leading to margin compression for brokers [5][6] - Many brokers are facing challenges due to high leverage and shrinking margins, which can lead to insolvency if they cannot manage rising carrier costs [5][6]