The SEC has paidout about $376 million since issuing its first award in 2012.(Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM)

(Bloomberg) –The Securities and ExchangeCommission agreed to pay a total of $50 million to apair of whistleblowers who provided information that helpedWall Street's main regulator bring a successfulenforcement case.

One of the informants will get $37 million, the third-biggestpayout in the history of the SEC's whistleblower program, theagency said in a statement Tuesday. The SEC didn't name the companyinvolved or the people getting the awards, but said the twoprovided high-quality assistance.

“Whistleblowers like those being awarded today may be the sourceof 'smoking gun' evidence and indispensable assistance thatstrengthens the agency's ability to protect investors and thecapital markets,” Jane Norberg, chief of theSEC's whistleblower office, said in thestatement.

Tipsters are eligible for payouts if they voluntarilyprovide the SEC with unique information that leads to a successfulenforcement action. Compensation can range from 10 percent to 30percent of the money collected in a case where sanctions exceed $1million. The SEC has paid out about $376 million since issuing itsfirst award in 2012.

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