The SEC has charged Meta Materials and its former CEOs, John Brda and George Palikaras, with market manipulation, fraud, and other violations. The charges are related to a $137.5 million ATM offering in TRCH during a period of stock rallying amid short-squeeze hype, with evidence including a tweet from Palikaras featuring 'shorts-in-flames'. The company has agreed to settle the charges in an administrative proceeding, while the SEC's lawsuit against Brda and Palikaras will continue.