80_FR_29228 80 FR 29131 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

80 FR 29131 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 97 (May 20, 2015)

Page Range29131-29136
FR Document2015-12143

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 97 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29131-29136]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12143]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74963; File No. SR-CBOE-2015-012]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to 
Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

May 14, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on May 4, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the 
``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described 
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the 
Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments 
on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposed to amend its rules related to Trading Permit 
Holder requirements and direct access to the Exchange's Hybrid Trading 
System (the ``System''). The text of the proposed rule change is 
provided below.
(Additions Are Italicized; Deletions Are [Bracketed])
* * * * *

Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated Rules

* * * * *

Rule 3.4. Foreign Trading Permit Holders

    [(a) ]A Trading Permit Holder that does not maintain an office in 
the United States responsible for preparing and maintaining financial 
and other reports required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission and the Exchange must:
    ([i]a) prepare all such reports, and maintain a general ledger 
chart of account and any description thereof, in English and U.S. 
dollars;
    ([ii]b) reimburse the Exchange for any expense incurred in 
connection with examination of the Trading Permit Holder to the extent 
that such expenses exceed the cost of examining a Trading Permit Holder 
located within the continental United States; and
    ([iii]c) ensure the availability of an individual fluent in English 
knowledgeable in securities and financial matters to assist the 
representatives of the Exchange during examinations.

Rule 3.4A. Additional Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

    (a) In addition to the qualifications set forth in Rules 3.2 
through 3.4, a Trading Permit Holder applicant:
    (i) must be domiciled in (with respect to individuals), or 
organized under the laws of (with respect to organizations), a 
jurisdiction expressly approved by the Exchange. When determining 
whether to approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange will consider whether:
    (A) The applicant will be able to supply the Exchange with such 
information with respect to its dealings with the Exchange as set forth 
in the Rules;
    (B) the Exchange will be able to examine the applicant's books and 
records to verify the accuracy of any information so supplied;
    (C) approval of the applicant as a Trading Permit Holder will 
comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and
    (D) other factors that the Exchange reasonably and objectively 
determines may impact the applicant's ability to comply with the Rules 
and the Act or the Exchange's ability to accept Trading Permit Holders 
from the applicable jurisdiction.
    This approval may be limited to one or more specified categories of 
Trading Permit Holders or Trading Permit Holder activities in a 
jurisdiction or be contingent upon the satisfaction of specified 
conditions by all applicants from a jurisdiction to the extent such 
limits or conditions are necessary to satisfy clauses (A) through (D);
    (ii) will be subject to the jurisdiction of the federal courts of 
the United States and the courts of the state of Illinois; and
    (iii) prior to acting as agent for a customer, must be able to 
provide information regarding the customer and the customer's trading 
activities to the Exchange in response to a regulatory request for 
information pursuant to the Rules. To the extent an individual or 
organization is required by an applicable law, rule or regulation to 
obtain written consent from a customer to permit the provision of this 
information to the Exchange, the applicant must obtain such consent.
    (b) The Exchange may at any time determine that a Trading Permit 
Holder can no longer comply with this Rule 3.4A. In that event, the 
Trading Permit Holder will have three months following the date of that 
determination to come into compliance with this Rule 3.4A. If a Trading 
Permit Holder does not come into compliance during that time period, 
the Exchange may terminate the Trading Permit Holder's status as a 
Trading Permit Holder.
* * * * *

Rule 6.20A. Sponsored Users

    (a)-(b) No change.
    (c) A Sponsoring Trading Permit Holder must ensure that a Sponsored 
User satisfies the requirements set forth in Rule 3.4A(a) and only 
directly accesses the System from an approved jurisdiction as set forth 
in Rule 6.23A(d).

. . . Interpretations and Policies:

    .01 No change.
* * * * *

Rule 6.23A. Trading Permit Holder Connectivity

    (a)-(c) No change.
    (d) The Hybrid Trading System shall be available for entry and 
execution of orders only to Trading Permit Holders, [and ]persons 
associated with Trading Permit Holders, and Sponsored Users (pursuant 
to Rule 6.20A) with authorized access. Such persons may only directly 
access the System from a jurisdiction expressly approved by the 
Exchange pursuant to Rule 3.4A(a). The Exchange will require a Trading 
Permit Holder to enter into a software user or license agreement with 
the Exchange in such form or forms as the Exchange may prescribe in 
order to obtain authorized access to the Hybrid Trading System, if the 
Trading Permit Holder elects to use an API for which the Exchange has 
determined such an agreement is necessary.
    (e)-(f) No change.
* * * * *
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's Web site (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the 
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

[[Page 29132]]

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend its rules related to Trading Permit 
Holder requirements and direct access to the System. The Exchange 
recently launched Extended Trading Hours.\3\ To accommodate the 
potential interest of non-U.S. persons or organizations to become 
Trading Permit Holders or Trading Permits Holders to access the System 
from other jurisdictions in connection with the launch of Extended 
Trading Hours, the proposed rule change adds Rule 3.4A to set forth 
additional qualifications applicable to all Trading Permit Holder 
applicants, amends Rule 6.20A to add a requirement regarding access by 
Sponsored Users and amends Rule 6.23A to add a requirement regarding 
access to the System.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-73704 (November 
28, 2014), 79 FR 72044 (December 4, 2014) (SR-CBOE-2014-062) 
(approval of rules adopting Extended Trading Hours).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rules 3.2 and 3.3 set forth qualifications for individuals and 
organizations, respectively, to become Trading Permit Holders. For an 
individual to be a Trading Permit Holder, Rule 3.2 requires the 
individual to (i) be at least 21 years of age, (ii) be registered as a 
broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Act or be associated 
with a Trading Permit Holder organization that is registered as a 
broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Act, and (iii) meet the 
other qualification requirements for being a Trading Permit Holder 
under the Exchange's bylaws and rules. Similarly, for an organization 
to be a Trading Permit Holder, Rule 3.3 requires the organization to 
(i) be a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, (ii) 
be registered as a broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Act, 
and (iii) meet the other qualification requirements for being a Trading 
Permit Holder under the Exchange's bylaws and rules. Each individual 
and organization must be approved to engage in an authorized trading 
function.
    Rule 3.4 imposes additional qualifications on Trading Permit 
Holders that do not maintain an office in the United States responsible 
for preparing and maintaining financial and other reports required to 
be filed with the Commission and the Exchange. Under Rule 3.4, these 
foreign Trading Permit Holders must (i) prepare all such reports, and 
maintain a general ledger chart of account and any description thereof, 
in English and U.S. dollars, (ii) reimburse the Exchange for any 
expense incurred in connection with examination of the Trading Permit 
Holder to the extent that such expenses exceed the cost of examining a 
Trading Permit Holder located within the United States, and (iii) 
ensure the availability of an individual fluent in English 
knowledgeable in securities and financial matters to assist the 
representatives of the Exchange during examinations.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The proposed rule change makes nonsubstantive changes to 
Rule 3.4. It deletes the paragraph letter (a) from the introductory 
paragraph, as there is no paragraph (b). The proposed rule change 
then revises the paragraph markings of subparagraphs (i) through 
(iii) to (a) through (c) to be consistent with the lettering and 
numbering system generally used throughout the Rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 3.4A(a) provides that in addition to the 
qualifications set forth in Rules 3.2 through 3.4, a Trading Permit 
Holder applicant:
     Must be domiciled in (with respect to individuals), or 
organized under the laws of (with respect to organizations), a 
jurisdiction expressly approved by the Exchange.\5\ When determining 
whether to approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange will consider whether: 
(i) The applicant will be able to supply the Exchange with such 
information with respect to the applicant's dealings with the Exchange 
as set forth in the Rules,\6\ (ii) the Exchange will be able to examine 
the applicant's books and records to verify the accuracy of any 
information so supplied, (iii) approval of such application will comply 
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and (iv) other factors 
that the Exchange reasonably and objectively determines may impact the 
applicant's ability to comply with the Rules and the Act or the 
Exchange's ability to accept Trading Permit Holders from the applicable 
jurisdiction. This approval may be limited to one or more specified 
categories of Trading Permit Holders or Trading Permit Holder 
activities in a jurisdiction or be contingent upon the satisfaction of 
specified conditions by all applicants from a jurisdiction to the 
extent such limits or conditions are necessary to satisfy clauses (i) 
through (iv);
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Proposed Rule 3.4A(b) allows the Exchange to determine at 
any time that a Trading Permit Holder can no longer comply with 
proposed Rule 3.4A (for example, if the laws in an applicable 
jurisdiction change). In that event, the Trading Permit Holder will 
have three months following the date of this determination to come 
into compliance with Rule 3.4A. If the Trading Permit Holder does 
not come into compliance during that time period, the Exchange may 
terminate the Trading Permit Holder's status as a Trading Permit 
Holder. This proposed rule change is consistent with Rule 3.5(d), 
which, among other things, permits the Exchange to determine not to 
permit a Trading Permit Holder to continue being a Trading Permit 
Holder if it fails to meet any qualification requirements for being 
a Trading Permit Holder after approval as a Trading Permit Holder.
    \6\ Rule 1.1(c) defines the term ``Rules'' to mean the Rules of 
CBOE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     will be subject to the jurisdiction of the federal courts 
of the United States and the courts of the state of Illinois; and
     prior to acting as agent for a customer, must be able to 
provide information regarding the customer and the customer's trading 
activities to the Exchange in response to a regulatory request for 
information pursuant to the Rules. To the extent an individual or 
organization is required by an applicable law, rule or regulation to 
obtain written consent from a customer to permit the provision of this 
information to the Exchange, the applicant must obtain such consent.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The proposed rule change makes a corresponding change to 
Rule 6.20A to provide that Sponsoring Trading Permit Holders must 
ensure that Sponsored Users also satisfy these requirements, as 
Sponsored Users may enter orders, and the Exchange would similarly 
need the same information from Sponsored Users as it would from 
Trading Permit Holders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    CBOE intends to initially notify market participants of approved 
jurisdictions by Regulatory Circular (which are publicly available on 
CBOE's Web site). CBOE also intends to have a Web page that lists then-
currently approved jurisdictions. To the extent CBOE no longer intends 
to issue Regulatory Circulars to announce changes to the list of 
approved jurisdictions and only update the Web page, CBOE will issue a 
Regulatory Circular stating that fact.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See Regulatory Circular RG15-014 (question #5 includes a 
current list of approved jurisdictions (British Virgin Islands, 
Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Ireland, Isle of Jersey, Luxembourg, 
Poland, United Kingdom and United States), subject to approval of 
this proposed rule change).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes the proposed Trading Permit Holder 
qualifications in

[[Page 29133]]

proposed Rule 3.4A are reasonable for the following reasons:
     Proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(i) is intended to ensure that the 
Exchange can comply with applicable regulatory requirements in 
jurisdictions in which Trading Permit Holders are located and obtain 
the information necessary to perform its self-regulatory obligations. 
With respect to the factors the Exchange will consider when determining 
whether to approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange needs sufficient 
information to monitor Trading Permit Holders' compliance with the 
Rules and the Act.
    [cir] The Exchange understands that laws in certain jurisdictions 
may limit market participants' ability to share, or a foreign entity's 
ability to access, certain information. In order to perform its self-
regulatory obligations, CBOE needs to ensure it has a complete audit 
trail and sufficient access to information with respect to all Trading 
Permit Holders. Proposed paragraphs (a)(i)(A) and (B) are intended to 
ensure that CBOE will be able to obtain this information regarding a 
Trading Permit Holder to properly conduct its surveillances and other 
regulatory functions.
    [cir] Additionally, the Exchange understands that certain 
jurisdictions require a foreign exchange to receive certain 
authorization to permit direct access (including exchange membership) 
to an exchange. Proposed paragraph (a)(i)(C) is intended to ensure 
CBOE's compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, 
including such restrictions on exchange membership.
    [cir] Legal and regulatory requirements related to the securities 
industry, including exchanges, and international business relationships 
are constantly changing, which changes could impact a Trading Permit 
Holder applicant's ability to comply with the Rules and the Act or the 
Exchange's ability to permit Trading Permit Holders from a particular 
jurisdiction. For example, a country may adopt telecommunication laws 
that restrict market participants from complying with Exchange system 
requirements to establish a connection. A jurisdiction may also impose 
obligations on CBOE as a foreign exchange that may conflict with its 
self-regulatory obligations under the Act or may not have a regulatory 
framework in place that the Exchange believes provides sufficient local 
oversight and protection over market participants. Additionally, the 
Exchange believes it may be reasonable to consider other factors when 
determining whether to approve a jurisdiction, such as if necessary to 
maintain a fair and orderly market or to address other circumstances. 
For example, the U.S. government may restrict U.S. businesses from 
doing business in a jurisdiction, or may not officially recognize the 
government of another jurisdiction. CBOE believes it is reasonable to 
comply with these governmental restrictions and not approve any such 
jurisdiction. Proposed paragraph (a)(i)(D) provides CBOE with the 
flexibility to consider these changes or circumstances when determining 
whether to approve a jurisdiction.
    [cir] The proposed rule change that permits CBOE to limit the 
categories or activities of a Trading Permit Holder from a jurisdiction 
or impose conditions will allow the Exchange to comply with any laws, 
rules or regulations in a jurisdiction that may permit only certain 
activities on the Exchange by market participants in that jurisdiction. 
For example, local laws or regulations may restrict market participants 
from quoting as market-makers or from submitting orders as agent for 
customers. In such a case, this rule change permits the Exchange to 
comply with such laws or regulations while permitting Trading Permit 
Holders from a jurisdiction on a restricted basis.
     Proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(ii) will ensure CBOE can enforce the 
Rules and any agreements it has with Trading Permit Holders in U.S. and 
Illinois courts.
     The Exchange understands that certain jurisdictions have 
privacy laws that restrict broker-dealers from sharing certain 
information regarding their customers. CBOE believes such information 
is necessary to regulate its market. Similar to proposed Rule 
3.4A(a)(i)(A) and (B), proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(iii) is intended to ensure 
CBOE has a complete audit trail and sufficient access to information 
with respect to all Trading Permit Holders and the orders they 
represent on the Exchange (including those from customers) in order to 
properly conduct its surveillances and other regulatory functions.

These requirements will ultimately enhance the Exchange's regulatory 
oversight of its Trading Permit Holders' trading activity.
    The Exchange also believes these additional requirements for all 
Trading Permit Holders are objective and nondiscriminatory. Proposed 
Rule 3.4A(a) sets forth explicit requirements that all Trading Permit 
Holder applicants must satisfy. With respect to approved jurisdictions, 
the Exchange will consider all of the factors included in proposed Rule 
3.4A(a)(i) for all jurisdictions in the same manner. The Exchange's 
consideration of the factors in subparagraph (A) through (C) generally 
will include reviews of the applicable laws, rules and regulations of a 
jurisdiction in consideration to determine whether those factors can be 
satisfied in that jurisdiction. Proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(i)(D) explicitly 
states that the Exchange will determine ``other factors'' objectively, 
and CBOE will consider them in the same manner for all jurisdictions it 
considers. The proposed rule change that indicates the Exchange may 
limit approval to categories of Trading Permit Holders or activities in 
a jurisdiction or impose other conditions specifies that such limits or 
conditions will be imposed on all applicants from the same 
jurisdiction, and the Exchange represents it will determine in the same 
manner for all jurisdictions whether to impose any such limits or 
conditions on Trading Permit Holders from a jurisdiction.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ The Exchange notes that this does not prevent the Exchange 
from imposing conditions or restrictions on individual Trading 
Permit Holders pursuant to other Rules. See, e.g., Rules 3.5(c) 
(permits the Exchange to condition a person from becoming a Trading 
Permit Holder on satisfaction of requirements set forth in that 
paragraph); Rule 8.2(b) (permits the Exchange to suspend or 
terminate a Trading Permit Holder's registration as a Market-Maker); 
and Rule 8.90 (permits the Exchange to terminate, place conditions 
upon or otherwise limit a TPH organization's approval to act as 
Designated Primary Market-Maker under certain circumstances).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed change to Rule 6.23A provides that persons with 
authorized access to the System (Trading Permit Holders, persons 
associated with Trading Permit Holders and Sponsored Users) \10\ only 
directly access the System from an approved jurisdiction. The Exchange 
has determined that laws, rules and regulations related to exchange 
membership (that may restrict persons or entities domiciled in or 
organized under the laws of, as applicable, a specific jurisdiction 
from, for example, supplying an exchange with certain trading 
information or providing an exchange with access to its books and 
records) apply in the same manner to persons or entities accessing an 
exchange from the applicable jurisdiction.\11\ For example, if an 
office

[[Page 29134]]

of a Trading Permit Holder organization that is organized in the United 
States is located in a foreign jurisdiction, as a Trading Permit Holder 
(organized in an approved jurisdiction) it is authorized to directly 
access the System for trading purposes. However, the laws of that 
jurisdiction may prevent the Exchange from obtaining necessary 
information related to the trading activity on the Exchange originating 
in such office (in accordance with proposed Rule 3.4A(a)). Therefore, 
the Exchange would not permit this direct System access from such 
jurisdiction for the same purposes as it would not approve a Trading 
Permit Holder applicant domiciled in or organized under the laws of 
such jurisdiction. Currently, the Exchange has authority under Rule 
6.23A(e) to prescribe technical specifications regarding the 
establishment of an electronic connection to the System. While the 
proposed rule change is not a technical, system specification, the 
Exchange believes that imposing requirements on the location of the 
connection is similar to a ``specification,'' because this location 
requirement will be part of the same process that otherwise imposes 
these technical specifications with which the Trading Permit Holder 
must comply when establishing a connection with the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Rule 6.20A provides that Sponsored Users may be authorized 
to electronically access the System subject to the requirements set 
forth in that Rule. The proposed rule change adds Sponsored Users to 
the list of persons that may have authorized access to the System 
pursuant to Rule 6.23A to be consistent with Rule 6.20A, which were 
inadvertently omitted from that list.
    \11\ The proposed rule change makes a corresponding change to 
Rule 6.20A to provide that Sponsoring Trading Permit Holders must 
ensure that Sponsored Users directly access the System only from an 
approved jurisdiction, as these laws, rules and regulations apply to 
any persons that directly access the Exchange from the applicable 
jurisdiction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the 
Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the 
Act.\12\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \13\ requirements that the rules 
of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts 
and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to 
foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. 
Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is 
consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \14\ requirement that the rules of 
an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \14\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, proposed Rule 3.4A, which imposes additional 
qualifications on Trading Permit Holder applicants, including the 
requirement that the Exchange may determine in which jurisdiction 
Trading Permit Holder applicants may be domiciled in or organized under 
(and the ability of the Exchange to determine that a Trading Permit 
Holder no longer complies with this proposed requirement), is similar 
to Section 6(c)(3)(C) of the Act. That section of the Act allows the 
Exchange to deny persons from becoming associated with Trading Permit 
Holders if they are unable to supply the Exchange with such information 
with respect to its relationship and dealings with such persons or 
entities and unable to permit the Exchange to examine their books and 
records due to the jurisdiction (and any applicable laws, rules and 
regulations of that jurisdiction) in which they are domiciled or under 
the laws of which they are organized. While that Section of the Act 
applies to associated persons and not Trading Permit Holders, the 
Exchange believes it is appropriate to impose those requirements on 
Trading Permit Holders as well to ensure it has access to sufficient 
information to perform its self-regulatory obligations. Additionally, 
the Rules (which have been approved by the Commission and deemed to be 
in accordance with the Act) currently provide that an applicant must 
meet the qualification requirements under the Exchange's Bylaws and 
Rules (including obtaining a Trading Permit) \15\ and deny a person 
from becoming (or condition being) a Trading Permit Holder for such 
other cause as the Exchange reasonably may decide.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See Rules 3.2(a)(iii) and 3.3(a)(iii).
    \16\ See Rule 3.5(c)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes the additional qualifications set forth in 
proposed Rule 3.4A are reasonable and consistent with these current 
rules. Please see the ``Purpose'' section above (beginning on page 29) 
for a discussion regarding the reasonability of these qualifications. 
The Exchange notes that the membership qualifications, and reasons an 
exchange may deny membership to a party, set forth in Section 6(b) and 
(c) of the Act are not meant to be exhaustive, and that it is 
reasonable for an Exchange to have requirements for exchange membership 
beyond those contained in the Act.\17\ The Commission has previously 
approved rules that impose additional membership requirements, 
including additional qualifications for foreign organizations.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-71513 
(February 7, 2014), 79 FR 8771 (February 13, 2014) (SR-CBOE-2013-
100) (order approving proposed rule change to require Trading Permit 
Holders of the CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC (CBSX), a stock trading 
facility of CBOE, to be members of a national securities 
association). In that approval order, the Commission stated that 
``the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(2) and 
Section 6(c) of the Act. While Section 6(c) specifies certain bases 
upon which a national securities exchange can deny membership to, 
among other entities, a broker or a dealer, Section 6(c) is not 
intended to provide an exclusive list of reasons a national 
securities exchange can deny membership to a party. National 
securities exchanges may have requirements for exchange membership 
beyond those contained in the Act so long as they are consistent 
with the Act.'' Id. at 8772.
    \18\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-43056 
(July 19, 2000), 65 FR 46524 (July 28, 2000) (SR-CBOE-1999-15) 
(order approving proposed rule change to, among other things, impose 
additional membership qualifications on foreign organizations 
(including that such organizations must be organized under laws of a 
country that satisfies certain criteria set forth by the Exchange in 
the proposed rule)). In that approval order, the Commission stated 
that it ``believes that it is reasonable for the CBOE to clarify 
that, in addition to satisfying the requirements of CBOE Rule 3.4, a 
foreign organization must satisfy the other membership qualification 
requirements under the CBOE's rules and Constitution, as well [as] 
any additional requirements that the CBOE reasonably deems 
appropriate. The Commission believes that these provisions will 
clarify that a foreign organization, like a U.S. applicant for 
membership, must satisfy all of the CBOE's membership qualification 
requirements and provide the CBOE with flexibility to impose 
additional requirements that the CBOE reasonably believes are 
necessary with respect to foreign members.'' Id. at 46534. The 
Exchange notes that SR-CBOE-1999-15 imposed more restrictive 
membership requirements on foreign organizations than the proposed 
rule change in this filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed changes to Rules 6.20A and 6.23A regarding access are 
similar to current Rule 6.23A(e) (previously approved by the Commission 
as consistent with the Act), which permits the Exchange to impose 
specific requirements related to connectivity to the Exchange. As 
discussed above, while the proposed rule change is not a technical 
specification, the access location requirement is part of the entire 
process a Trading Permit Holder must satisfy in order to establish a 
connection with the Exchange. Additionally, requiring Sponsored Users 
to satisfy the requirements in proposed Rule 3.4A(a) is consistent with 
Rule 6.20A(b)(1)(C), which provides that a Sponsored User will be bound 
by and comply with Exchange Rules as if the Sponsored User were a 
Trading Permit Holder. The proposed rule change makes explicit in the 
Rules that proposed Rule 3.4A(a) is one of those rules to which the 
Sponsored User must agree to be bound. Additionally, the proposed rule 
change to require the Sponsoring Trading

[[Page 29135]]

Permit Holder to ensure the Sponsored Users satisfaction of the 
proposed jurisdiction requirements is consistent with Rule 6.20A, which 
generally makes the Sponsoring Trading Permit Holder responsible for 
the Sponsored User's actions. Rule 6.20A currently sets forth a number 
of requirements with respect to the Sponsoring Trading Permit Holder/
Sponsored User relationship, and this rule filing imposes proposed 
requirements applicable to all Trading Permit Holders on that 
relationship as well.
    This proposed rule change will promote compliance by the Exchange 
with regulatory requirements of governments and regulatory authorities 
outside of the United States related to exchange memberships and 
access, which promotes just and equitable principles of trade and 
fosters cooperation and coordinates with other regulatory authorities. 
The proposed rule change enhances the Exchange's ability to satisfy its 
self-regulatory obligations by ensuring it is able to receive 
sufficient information to conduct its surveillances and investigations, 
which prevents fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices and 
removes impediments to and perfects the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system, which ultimately protects 
investors.
    Additionally, this proposed rule change is not unfairly 
discriminatory, as the proposed additional qualifications and access 
requirements will apply to all Trading Permit Holders and applicants. 
When determining whether to approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange will 
consider the proposed factors in the same manner for each jurisdiction. 
The Exchange believes that individuals or organizations within a 
specific jurisdiction are similarly situated, and thus it may allow 
individuals or organizations from one jurisdiction to become Trading 
Permit Holders but not from another based on the objective criteria set 
forth in the proposed rule. The objective criteria will ensure that the 
Exchange determines approved jurisdictions in a fair, reasonable manner 
that is not unfairly discriminatory. Please see the ``Purpose'' section 
above (beginning on page 32) for additional discussion regarding how 
the proposed qualifications, including factors to be considered when 
the Exchange is determining whether to approve a jurisdiction, will be 
applied in an objective and nondiscriminatory manner.
    The proposed changes to Rule 3.4 are nonsubstantive and merely 
intended to eliminate any potential confusion resulting from the 
mislettering of the paragraphs of that rule.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any 
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change 
imposes additional Trading Permit Holder qualifications and access 
requirements for CBOE, and thus does not raise any competitive issues. 
The proposed Trading Permit Holder qualifications and access 
requirements apply equally to all Trading Permit Holders and 
individuals and organizations seeking to become Trading Permit Holders. 
As discussed above, the Exchange will consider all factors in an 
objective and nondiscriminatory manner. The proposed rule change is 
intended to promote compliance by the Exchange with regulatory 
requirements of governments and regulatory authorities outside of the 
United States and enhance the Exchange's ability to satisfy its self-
regulatory obligations and regulate its markets.
    The Exchange notes that current Trading Permit Holders are all 
domiciled in or organized under the laws of the United States and 
satisfy these requirements (and thus need to take no additional 
action). Any potential burden that these qualifications and 
requirements may impose on Trading Permit Holders and applicants are 
far outweighed the Exchange's need to receive sufficient information to 
conduct its surveillances and investigations in order to ensure it can 
continue to effectively regulate its markets, which enhanced regulation 
will ultimately benefit all market participants. Please see the 
``Purpose'' and ``Statutory Basis'' sections above (beginning on pages 
29 and 35, respectively) for additional discussion regarding the 
reasonableness and objectivity of the proposed rule change.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the 
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the Exchange consents, the Commission will:
    A. By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-CBOE-2015-012 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CBOE-2015-012. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make

[[Page 29136]]

available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-
CBOE-2015-012 and should be submitted on or before June 10, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-12143 Filed 5-19-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                   Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices                                            29131

                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                   account and any description thereof, in               applicable law, rule or regulation to
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                 English and U.S. dollars;                             obtain written consent from a customer
                                                  authority.15                                                  ([ii]b) reimburse the Exchange for any             to permit the provision of this
                                                  Robert W. Errett,                                          expense incurred in connection with                   information to the Exchange, the
                                                  Deputy Secretary.                                          examination of the Trading Permit                     applicant must obtain such consent.
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–12146 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]                Holder to the extent that such expenses                 (b) The Exchange may at any time
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                     exceed the cost of examining a Trading                determine that a Trading Permit Holder
                                                                                                             Permit Holder located within the                      can no longer comply with this Rule
                                                                                                             continental United States; and                        3.4A. In that event, the Trading Permit
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                       ([iii]c) ensure the availability of an
                                                                                                                                                                   Holder will have three months following
                                                  COMMISSION                                                 individual fluent in English
                                                                                                                                                                   the date of that determination to come
                                                                                                             knowledgeable in securities and
                                                  [Release No. 34–74963; File No. SR–CBOE–                                                                         into compliance with this Rule 3.4A. If
                                                  2015–012]                                                  financial matters to assist the
                                                                                                                                                                   a Trading Permit Holder does not come
                                                                                                             representatives of the Exchange during
                                                                                                                                                                   into compliance during that time
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations;                             examinations.
                                                                                                                                                                   period, the Exchange may terminate the
                                                  Chicago Board Options Exchange,                                                                                  Trading Permit Holder’s status as a
                                                                                                             Rule 3.4A. Additional Trading Permit
                                                  Incorporated; Notice of Filing of a                                                                              Trading Permit Holder.
                                                                                                             Holder Qualifications
                                                  Proposed Rule Change Relating to
                                                  Trading Permit Holder Qualifications                          (a) In addition to the qualifications set          *     *     *     *    *
                                                                                                             forth in Rules 3.2 through 3.4, a Trading             Rule 6.20A. Sponsored Users
                                                  May 14, 2015.                                              Permit Holder applicant:
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                        (i) must be domiciled in (with respect               (a)–(b) No change.
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                       to individuals), or organized under the
                                                  ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                     laws of (with respect to organizations),                (c) A Sponsoring Trading Permit
                                                  notice is hereby given that on May 4,                      a jurisdiction expressly approved by the              Holder must ensure that a Sponsored
                                                  2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange,                      Exchange. When determining whether to                 User satisfies the requirements set forth
                                                  Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or                          approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange                  in Rule 3.4A(a) and only directly
                                                  ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities and                    will consider whether:                                accesses the System from an approved
                                                  Exchange Commission (the                                      (A) The applicant will be able to                  jurisdiction as set forth in Rule
                                                  ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                          supply the Exchange with such                         6.23A(d).
                                                  change as described in Items I, II, and                    information with respect to its dealings              . . . Interpretations and Policies:
                                                  III below, which Items have been                           with the Exchange as set forth in the
                                                  prepared by the Exchange. The                              Rules;                                                    .01 No change.
                                                  Commission is publishing this notice to                       (B) the Exchange will be able to                   *       *   *    *     *
                                                  solicit comments on the proposed rule                      examine the applicant’s books and
                                                  change from interested persons.                            records to verify the accuracy of any                 Rule 6.23A. Trading Permit Holder
                                                                                                             information so supplied;                              Connectivity
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                        (C) approval of the applicant as a
                                                                                                                                                                      (a)–(c) No change.
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                   Trading Permit Holder will comply with
                                                                                                             all applicable laws, rules and                           (d) The Hybrid Trading System shall
                                                     The Exchange proposed to amend its                      regulations; and                                      be available for entry and execution of
                                                  rules related to Trading Permit Holder                        (D) other factors that the Exchange                orders only to Trading Permit Holders,
                                                  requirements and direct access to the                      reasonably and objectively determines                 [and ]persons associated with Trading
                                                  Exchange’s Hybrid Trading System (the                      may impact the applicant’s ability to                 Permit Holders, and Sponsored Users
                                                  ‘‘System’’). The text of the proposed rule                 comply with the Rules and the Act or                  (pursuant to Rule 6.20A) with
                                                  change is provided below.                                  the Exchange’s ability to accept Trading              authorized access. Such persons may
                                                  (Additions Are Italicized; Deletions Are                   Permit Holders from the applicable                    only directly access the System from a
                                                  [Bracketed])                                               jurisdiction.                                         jurisdiction expressly approved by the
                                                                                                                This approval may be limited to one                Exchange pursuant to Rule 3.4A(a). The
                                                  *           *   *       *        *                         or more specified categories of Trading               Exchange will require a Trading Permit
                                                  Chicago Board Options Exchange,                            Permit Holders or Trading Permit                      Holder to enter into a software user or
                                                  Incorporated Rules                                         Holder activities in a jurisdiction or be             license agreement with the Exchange in
                                                                                                             contingent upon the satisfaction of                   such form or forms as the Exchange may
                                                  *           *   *       *        *
                                                                                                             specified conditions by all applicants                prescribe in order to obtain authorized
                                                  Rule 3.4. Foreign Trading Permit                           from a jurisdiction to the extent such                access to the Hybrid Trading System, if
                                                  Holders                                                    limits or conditions are necessary to                 the Trading Permit Holder elects to use
                                                    [(a) ]A Trading Permit Holder that                       satisfy clauses (A) through (D);                      an API for which the Exchange has
                                                  does not maintain an office in the                            (ii) will be subject to the jurisdiction           determined such an agreement is
                                                  United States responsible for preparing                    of the federal courts of the United States            necessary.
                                                  and maintaining financial and other                        and the courts of the state of Illinois;                 (e)–(f) No change.
                                                  reports required to be filed with the                      and
                                                                                                                                                                   *      *     *    *    *
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  Securities and Exchange Commission                            (iii) prior to acting as agent for a
                                                  and the Exchange must:                                     customer, must be able to provide                        The text of the proposed rule change
                                                    ([i]a) prepare all such reports, and                     information regarding the customer and                is also available on the Exchange’s Web
                                                  maintain a general ledger chart of                         the customer’s trading activities to the              site (http://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/
                                                                                                             Exchange in response to a regulatory                  CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at
                                                      15 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                             request for information pursuant to the               the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary,
                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 Rules. To the extent an individual or                 and at the Commission’s Public
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                    organization is required by an                        Reference Room.


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014      23:50 May 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00203   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM   20MYN1


                                                  29132                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      Act, and (iii) meet the other                            Exchange as set forth in the Rules,6 (ii)
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                        qualification requirements for being a                   the Exchange will be able to examine
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  Trading Permit Holder under the                          the applicant’s books and records to
                                                  Change                                                  Exchange’s bylaws and rules. Each                        verify the accuracy of any information
                                                     In its filing with the Commission, the               individual and organization must be                      so supplied, (iii) approval of such
                                                  Exchange included statements                            approved to engage in an authorized                      application will comply with all
                                                  concerning the purpose of and basis for                 trading function.                                        applicable laws, rules and regulations,
                                                  the proposed rule change and discussed                     Rule 3.4 imposes additional                           and (iv) other factors that the Exchange
                                                  any comments it received on the                         qualifications on Trading Permit                         reasonably and objectively determines
                                                  proposed rule change. The text of these                 Holders that do not maintain an office                   may impact the applicant’s ability to
                                                  statements may be examined at the                                                                                comply with the Rules and the Act or
                                                                                                          in the United States responsible for
                                                  places specified in Item IV below. The                                                                           the Exchange’s ability to accept Trading
                                                                                                          preparing and maintaining financial and
                                                  Exchange has prepared summaries, set                                                                             Permit Holders from the applicable
                                                                                                          other reports required to be filed with
                                                  forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                                                                          jurisdiction. This approval may be
                                                                                                          the Commission and the Exchange.
                                                  the most significant aspects of such                                                                             limited to one or more specified
                                                                                                          Under Rule 3.4, these foreign Trading
                                                  statements.                                                                                                      categories of Trading Permit Holders or
                                                                                                          Permit Holders must (i) prepare all such
                                                                                                                                                                   Trading Permit Holder activities in a
                                                  A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       reports, and maintain a general ledger
                                                                                                                                                                   jurisdiction or be contingent upon the
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                        chart of account and any description
                                                                                                                                                                   satisfaction of specified conditions by
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  thereof, in English and U.S. dollars, (ii)
                                                                                                                                                                   all applicants from a jurisdiction to the
                                                  Change                                                  reimburse the Exchange for any expense                   extent such limits or conditions are
                                                                                                          incurred in connection with                              necessary to satisfy clauses (i) through
                                                  1. Purpose                                              examination of the Trading Permit                        (iv);
                                                     The Exchange proposes to amend its                   Holder to the extent that such expenses                     • will be subject to the jurisdiction of
                                                  rules related to Trading Permit Holder                  exceed the cost of examining a Trading                   the federal courts of the United States
                                                  requirements and direct access to the                   Permit Holder located within the United                  and the courts of the state of Illinois;
                                                  System. The Exchange recently                           States, and (iii) ensure the availability of             and
                                                  launched Extended Trading Hours.3 To                    an individual fluent in English                             • prior to acting as agent for a
                                                  accommodate the potential interest of                   knowledgeable in securities and                          customer, must be able to provide
                                                  non-U.S. persons or organizations to                    financial matters to assist the                          information regarding the customer and
                                                  become Trading Permit Holders or                        representatives of the Exchange during                   the customer’s trading activities to the
                                                  Trading Permits Holders to access the                   examinations.4                                           Exchange in response to a regulatory
                                                  System from other jurisdictions in                         Proposed Rule 3.4A(a) provides that                   request for information pursuant to the
                                                  connection with the launch of Extended                  in addition to the qualifications set forth              Rules. To the extent an individual or
                                                  Trading Hours, the proposed rule                        in Rules 3.2 through 3.4, a Trading                      organization is required by an
                                                  change adds Rule 3.4A to set forth                      Permit Holder applicant:                                 applicable law, rule or regulation to
                                                  additional qualifications applicable to                                                                          obtain written consent from a customer
                                                  all Trading Permit Holder applicants,                      • Must be domiciled in (with respect
                                                                                                                                                                   to permit the provision of this
                                                  amends Rule 6.20A to add a                              to individuals), or organized under the
                                                                                                                                                                   information to the Exchange, the
                                                  requirement regarding access by                         laws of (with respect to organizations),
                                                                                                                                                                   applicant must obtain such consent.7
                                                  Sponsored Users and amends Rule                         a jurisdiction expressly approved by the                    CBOE intends to initially notify
                                                  6.23A to add a requirement regarding                    Exchange.5 When determining whether                      market participants of approved
                                                  access to the System.                                   to approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange                  jurisdictions by Regulatory Circular
                                                     Rules 3.2 and 3.3 set forth                          will consider whether: (i) The applicant                 (which are publicly available on CBOE’s
                                                  qualifications for individuals and                      will be able to supply the Exchange                      Web site). CBOE also intends to have a
                                                  organizations, respectively, to become                  with such information with respect to                    Web page that lists then-currently
                                                  Trading Permit Holders. For an                          the applicant’s dealings with the                        approved jurisdictions. To the extent
                                                  individual to be a Trading Permit                                                                                CBOE no longer intends to issue
                                                  Holder, Rule 3.2 requires the individual                   4 The proposed rule change makes nonsubstantive
                                                                                                                                                                   Regulatory Circulars to announce
                                                  to (i) be at least 21 years of age, (ii) be             changes to Rule 3.4. It deletes the paragraph letter
                                                                                                          (a) from the introductory paragraph, as there is no
                                                                                                                                                                   changes to the list of approved
                                                  registered as a broker or dealer pursuant               paragraph (b). The proposed rule change then             jurisdictions and only update the Web
                                                  to Section 15 of the Act or be associated               revises the paragraph markings of subparagraphs (i)      page, CBOE will issue a Regulatory
                                                  with a Trading Permit Holder                            through (iii) to (a) through (c) to be consistent with   Circular stating that fact.8
                                                  organization that is registered as a                    the lettering and numbering system generally used           The Exchange believes the proposed
                                                                                                          throughout the Rules.
                                                  broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15                    5 Proposed Rule 3.4A(b) allows the Exchange to
                                                                                                                                                                   Trading Permit Holder qualifications in
                                                  of the Act, and (iii) meet the other                    determine at any time that a Trading Permit Holder
                                                  qualification requirements for being a                  can no longer comply with proposed Rule 3.4A (for           6 Rule 1.1(c) defines the term ‘‘Rules’’ to mean the

                                                  Trading Permit Holder under the                         example, if the laws in an applicable jurisdiction       Rules of CBOE.
                                                  Exchange’s bylaws and rules. Similarly,                 change). In that event, the Trading Permit Holder           7 The proposed rule change makes a

                                                                                                          will have three months following the date of this        corresponding change to Rule 6.20A to provide that
                                                  for an organization to be a Trading                     determination to come into compliance with Rule          Sponsoring Trading Permit Holders must ensure
                                                  Permit Holder, Rule 3.3 requires the                    3.4A. If the Trading Permit Holder does not come         that Sponsored Users also satisfy these
                                                  organization to (i) be a corporation,                   into compliance during that time period, the             requirements, as Sponsored Users may enter orders,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  partnership, or limited liability                       Exchange may terminate the Trading Permit                and the Exchange would similarly need the same
                                                                                                          Holder’s status as a Trading Permit Holder. This         information from Sponsored Users as it would from
                                                  company, (ii) be registered as a broker                 proposed rule change is consistent with Rule 3.5(d),     Trading Permit Holders.
                                                  or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the                 which, among other things, permits the Exchange             8 See Regulatory Circular RG15–014 (question #5

                                                                                                          to determine not to permit a Trading Permit Holder       includes a current list of approved jurisdictions
                                                    3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–         to continue being a Trading Permit Holder if it fails    (British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar,
                                                  73704 (November 28, 2014), 79 FR 72044                  to meet any qualification requirements for being a       Ireland, Isle of Jersey, Luxembourg, Poland, United
                                                  (December 4, 2014) (SR–CBOE–2014–062) (approval         Trading Permit Holder after approval as a Trading        Kingdom and United States), subject to approval of
                                                  of rules adopting Extended Trading Hours).              Permit Holder.                                           this proposed rule change).



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   23:50 May 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00204   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM      20MYN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices                                                     29133

                                                  proposed Rule 3.4A are reasonable for                   market or to address other                            jurisdictions in the same manner. The
                                                  the following reasons:                                  circumstances. For example, the U.S.                  Exchange’s consideration of the factors
                                                     • Proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(i) is                        government may restrict U.S. businesses               in subparagraph (A) through (C)
                                                  intended to ensure that the Exchange                    from doing business in a jurisdiction, or             generally will include reviews of the
                                                  can comply with applicable regulatory                   may not officially recognize the                      applicable laws, rules and regulations of
                                                  requirements in jurisdictions in which                  government of another jurisdiction.                   a jurisdiction in consideration to
                                                  Trading Permit Holders are located and                  CBOE believes it is reasonable to                     determine whether those factors can be
                                                  obtain the information necessary to                     comply with these governmental                        satisfied in that jurisdiction. Proposed
                                                  perform its self-regulatory obligations.                restrictions and not approve any such                 Rule 3.4A(a)(i)(D) explicitly states that
                                                  With respect to the factors the Exchange                jurisdiction. Proposed paragraph                      the Exchange will determine ‘‘other
                                                  will consider when determining                          (a)(i)(D) provides CBOE with the                      factors’’ objectively, and CBOE will
                                                  whether to approve a jurisdiction, the                  flexibility to consider these changes or              consider them in the same manner for
                                                  Exchange needs sufficient information                   circumstances when determining                        all jurisdictions it considers. The
                                                  to monitor Trading Permit Holders’                      whether to approve a jurisdiction.                    proposed rule change that indicates the
                                                  compliance with the Rules and the Act.                     Æ The proposed rule change that                    Exchange may limit approval to
                                                     Æ The Exchange understands that                      permits CBOE to limit the categories or               categories of Trading Permit Holders or
                                                  laws in certain jurisdictions may limit                 activities of a Trading Permit Holder                 activities in a jurisdiction or impose
                                                  market participants’ ability to share, or               from a jurisdiction or impose conditions              other conditions specifies that such
                                                  a foreign entity’s ability to access,                   will allow the Exchange to comply with                limits or conditions will be imposed on
                                                  certain information. In order to perform                any laws, rules or regulations in a                   all applicants from the same
                                                  its self-regulatory obligations, CBOE                   jurisdiction that may permit only                     jurisdiction, and the Exchange
                                                  needs to ensure it has a complete audit                 certain activities on the Exchange by                 represents it will determine in the same
                                                  trail and sufficient access to information              market participants in that jurisdiction.             manner for all jurisdictions whether to
                                                  with respect to all Trading Permit                      For example, local laws or regulations                impose any such limits or conditions on
                                                  Holders. Proposed paragraphs (a)(i)(A)                  may restrict market participants from                 Trading Permit Holders from a
                                                  and (B) are intended to ensure that                     quoting as market-makers or from                      jurisdiction.9
                                                  CBOE will be able to obtain this                        submitting orders as agent for                           The proposed change to Rule 6.23A
                                                  information regarding a Trading Permit                  customers. In such a case, this rule                  provides that persons with authorized
                                                  Holder to properly conduct its                          change permits the Exchange to comply                 access to the System (Trading Permit
                                                  surveillances and other regulatory                      with such laws or regulations while                   Holders, persons associated with
                                                  functions.                                              permitting Trading Permit Holders from                Trading Permit Holders and Sponsored
                                                     Æ Additionally, the Exchange                                                                               Users) 10 only directly access the System
                                                                                                          a jurisdiction on a restricted basis.
                                                  understands that certain jurisdictions                                                                        from an approved jurisdiction. The
                                                                                                             • Proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(ii) will
                                                  require a foreign exchange to receive                                                                         Exchange has determined that laws,
                                                                                                          ensure CBOE can enforce the Rules and
                                                  certain authorization to permit direct                                                                        rules and regulations related to
                                                  access (including exchange                              any agreements it has with Trading
                                                                                                          Permit Holders in U.S. and Illinois                   exchange membership (that may restrict
                                                  membership) to an exchange. Proposed                                                                          persons or entities domiciled in or
                                                  paragraph (a)(i)(C) is intended to ensure               courts.
                                                                                                             • The Exchange understands that                    organized under the laws of, as
                                                  CBOE’s compliance with all applicable                                                                         applicable, a specific jurisdiction from,
                                                  laws, rules and regulations, including                  certain jurisdictions have privacy laws
                                                                                                                                                                for example, supplying an exchange
                                                  such restrictions on exchange                           that restrict broker-dealers from sharing
                                                                                                                                                                with certain trading information or
                                                  membership.                                             certain information regarding their
                                                                                                                                                                providing an exchange with access to its
                                                     Æ Legal and regulatory requirements                  customers. CBOE believes such
                                                                                                                                                                books and records) apply in the same
                                                  related to the securities industry,                     information is necessary to regulate its
                                                                                                                                                                manner to persons or entities accessing
                                                  including exchanges, and international                  market. Similar to proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                                an exchange from the applicable
                                                  business relationships are constantly                   3.4A(a)(i)(A) and (B), proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                                jurisdiction.11 For example, if an office
                                                  changing, which changes could impact                    3.4A(a)(iii) is intended to ensure CBOE
                                                  a Trading Permit Holder applicant’s                     has a complete audit trail and sufficient               9 The Exchange notes that this does not prevent

                                                  ability to comply with the Rules and the                access to information with respect to all             the Exchange from imposing conditions or
                                                  Act or the Exchange’s ability to permit                 Trading Permit Holders and the orders                 restrictions on individual Trading Permit Holders
                                                                                                          they represent on the Exchange                        pursuant to other Rules. See, e.g., Rules 3.5(c)
                                                  Trading Permit Holders from a                                                                                 (permits the Exchange to condition a person from
                                                  particular jurisdiction. For example, a                 (including those from customers) in                   becoming a Trading Permit Holder on satisfaction
                                                  country may adopt telecommunication                     order to properly conduct its                         of requirements set forth in that paragraph); Rule
                                                  laws that restrict market participants                  surveillances and other regulatory                    8.2(b) (permits the Exchange to suspend or
                                                                                                          functions.                                            terminate a Trading Permit Holder’s registration as
                                                  from complying with Exchange system                                                                           a Market-Maker); and Rule 8.90 (permits the
                                                  requirements to establish a connection.                 These requirements will ultimately                    Exchange to terminate, place conditions upon or
                                                  A jurisdiction may also impose                          enhance the Exchange’s regulatory                     otherwise limit a TPH organization’s approval to act
                                                  obligations on CBOE as a foreign                        oversight of its Trading Permit Holders’              as Designated Primary Market-Maker under certain
                                                                                                                                                                circumstances).
                                                  exchange that may conflict with its self-               trading activity.                                       10 Rule 6.20A provides that Sponsored Users may
                                                  regulatory obligations under the Act or                    The Exchange also believes these                   be authorized to electronically access the System
                                                  may not have a regulatory framework in                  additional requirements for all Trading               subject to the requirements set forth in that Rule.
                                                                                                                                                                The proposed rule change adds Sponsored Users to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  place that the Exchange believes                        Permit Holders are objective and
                                                                                                                                                                the list of persons that may have authorized access
                                                  provides sufficient local oversight and                 nondiscriminatory. Proposed Rule                      to the System pursuant to Rule 6.23A to be
                                                  protection over market participants.                    3.4A(a) sets forth explicit requirements              consistent with Rule 6.20A, which were
                                                  Additionally, the Exchange believes it                  that all Trading Permit Holder                        inadvertently omitted from that list.
                                                                                                                                                                  11 The proposed rule change makes a
                                                  may be reasonable to consider other                     applicants must satisfy. With respect to
                                                                                                                                                                corresponding change to Rule 6.20A to provide that
                                                  factors when determining whether to                     approved jurisdictions, the Exchange                  Sponsoring Trading Permit Holders must ensure
                                                  approve a jurisdiction, such as if                      will consider all of the factors included             that Sponsored Users directly access the System
                                                  necessary to maintain a fair and orderly                in proposed Rule 3.4A(a)(i) for all                                                              Continued




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   23:50 May 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00205   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM   20MYN1


                                                  29134                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                  of a Trading Permit Holder organization                 the rules of an exchange not be designed              The Commission has previously
                                                  that is organized in the United States is               to permit unfair discrimination between               approved rules that impose additional
                                                  located in a foreign jurisdiction, as a                 customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.              membership requirements, including
                                                  Trading Permit Holder (organized in an                     In particular, proposed Rule 3.4A,                 additional qualifications for foreign
                                                  approved jurisdiction) it is authorized to              which imposes additional qualifications               organizations.18
                                                  directly access the System for trading                  on Trading Permit Holder applicants,                     The proposed changes to Rules 6.20A
                                                  purposes. However, the laws of that                     including the requirement that the                    and 6.23A regarding access are similar
                                                  jurisdiction may prevent the Exchange                   Exchange may determine in which                       to current Rule 6.23A(e) (previously
                                                  from obtaining necessary information                    jurisdiction Trading Permit Holder                    approved by the Commission as
                                                  related to the trading activity on the                  applicants may be domiciled in or                     consistent with the Act), which permits
                                                  Exchange originating in such office (in                 organized under (and the ability of the               the Exchange to impose specific
                                                  accordance with proposed Rule                           Exchange to determine that a Trading                  requirements related to connectivity to
                                                  3.4A(a)). Therefore, the Exchange would                 Permit Holder no longer complies with                 the Exchange. As discussed above,
                                                  not permit this direct System access                    this proposed requirement), is similar to             while the proposed rule change is not a
                                                  from such jurisdiction for the same                     Section 6(c)(3)(C) of the Act. That                   technical specification, the access
                                                  purposes as it would not approve a                      section of the Act allows the Exchange                location requirement is part of the entire
                                                  Trading Permit Holder applicant                         to deny persons from becoming                         process a Trading Permit Holder must
                                                  domiciled in or organized under the                     associated with Trading Permit Holders                satisfy in order to establish a connection
                                                  laws of such jurisdiction. Currently, the               if they are unable to supply the                      with the Exchange. Additionally,
                                                  Exchange has authority under Rule                       Exchange with such information with                   requiring Sponsored Users to satisfy the
                                                  6.23A(e) to prescribe technical                         respect to its relationship and dealings              requirements in proposed Rule 3.4A(a)
                                                  specifications regarding the                            with such persons or entities and unable              is consistent with Rule 6.20A(b)(1)(C),
                                                  establishment of an electronic                          to permit the Exchange to examine their               which provides that a Sponsored User
                                                  connection to the System. While the                     books and records due to the                          will be bound by and comply with
                                                  proposed rule change is not a technical,                jurisdiction (and any applicable laws,                Exchange Rules as if the Sponsored User
                                                  system specification, the Exchange                      rules and regulations of that                         were a Trading Permit Holder. The
                                                  believes that imposing requirements on                  jurisdiction) in which they are                       proposed rule change makes explicit in
                                                  the location of the connection is similar               domiciled or under the laws of which                  the Rules that proposed Rule 3.4A(a) is
                                                  to a ‘‘specification,’’ because this                    they are organized. While that Section                one of those rules to which the
                                                  location requirement will be part of the                of the Act applies to associated persons              Sponsored User must agree to be bound.
                                                  same process that otherwise imposes                     and not Trading Permit Holders, the                   Additionally, the proposed rule change
                                                  these technical specifications with                     Exchange believes it is appropriate to                to require the Sponsoring Trading
                                                  which the Trading Permit Holder must                    impose those requirements on Trading
                                                  comply when establishing a connection                   Permit Holders as well to ensure it has               proposed rule change to require Trading Permit
                                                  with the Exchange.                                                                                            Holders of the CBOE Stock Exchange, LLC (CBSX),
                                                                                                          access to sufficient information to                   a stock trading facility of CBOE, to be members of
                                                  2. Statutory Basis                                      perform its self-regulatory obligations.              a national securities association). In that approval
                                                                                                          Additionally, the Rules (which have                   order, the Commission stated that ‘‘the proposed
                                                     The Exchange believes the proposed                                                                         rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(2) and
                                                                                                          been approved by the Commission and
                                                  rule change is consistent with the Act                                                                        Section 6(c) of the Act. While Section 6(c) specifies
                                                                                                          deemed to be in accordance with the
                                                  and the rules and regulations                                                                                 certain bases upon which a national securities
                                                                                                          Act) currently provide that an applicant              exchange can deny membership to, among other
                                                  thereunder applicable to the Exchange
                                                                                                          must meet the qualification                           entities, a broker or a dealer, Section 6(c) is not
                                                  and, in particular, the requirements of                                                                       intended to provide an exclusive list of reasons a
                                                                                                          requirements under the Exchange’s
                                                  Section 6(b) of the Act.12 Specifically,                                                                      national securities exchange can deny membership
                                                                                                          Bylaws and Rules (including obtaining
                                                  the Exchange believes the proposed rule                                                                       to a party. National securities exchanges may have
                                                  change is consistent with the Section                   a Trading Permit) 15 and deny a person                requirements for exchange membership beyond
                                                  6(b)(5) 13 requirements that the rules of               from becoming (or condition being) a                  those contained in the Act so long as they are
                                                                                                          Trading Permit Holder for such other                  consistent with the Act.’’ Id. at 8772.
                                                  an exchange be designed to prevent                                                                               18 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.

                                                  fraudulent and manipulative acts and                    cause as the Exchange reasonably may                  34–43056 (July 19, 2000), 65 FR 46524 (July 28,
                                                  practices, to promote just and equitable                decide.16                                             2000) (SR–CBOE–1999–15) (order approving
                                                  principles of trade, to foster cooperation                 The Exchange believes the additional               proposed rule change to, among other things,
                                                  and coordination with persons engaged                   qualifications set forth in proposed Rule             impose additional membership qualifications on
                                                                                                          3.4A are reasonable and consistent with               foreign organizations (including that such
                                                  in regulating, clearing, settling,                                                                            organizations must be organized under laws of a
                                                  processing information with respect to,                 these current rules. Please see the                   country that satisfies certain criteria set forth by the
                                                  and facilitating transactions in                        ‘‘Purpose’’ section above (beginning on               Exchange in the proposed rule)). In that approval
                                                  securities, to remove impediments to                    page 29) for a discussion regarding the               order, the Commission stated that it ‘‘believes that
                                                                                                          reasonability of these qualifications. The            it is reasonable for the CBOE to clarify that, in
                                                  and perfect the mechanism of a free and                                                                       addition to satisfying the requirements of CBOE
                                                  open market and a national market                       Exchange notes that the membership                    Rule 3.4, a foreign organization must satisfy the
                                                  system, and, in general, to protect                     qualifications, and reasons an exchange               other membership qualification requirements under
                                                  investors and the public interest.                      may deny membership to a party, set                   the CBOE’s rules and Constitution, as well [as] any
                                                                                                          forth in Section 6(b) and (c) of the Act              additional requirements that the CBOE reasonably
                                                  Additionally, the Exchange believes the                                                                       deems appropriate. The Commission believes that
                                                  proposed rule change is consistent with                 are not meant to be exhaustive, and that              these provisions will clarify that a foreign
                                                                                                          it is reasonable for an Exchange to have              organization, like a U.S. applicant for membership,
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  the Section 6(b)(5) 14 requirement that
                                                                                                          requirements for exchange membership                  must satisfy all of the CBOE’s membership
                                                                                                          beyond those contained in the Act.17                  qualification requirements and provide the CBOE
                                                  only from an approved jurisdiction, as these laws,                                                            with flexibility to impose additional requirements
                                                  rules and regulations apply to any persons that                                                               that the CBOE reasonably believes are necessary
                                                  directly access the Exchange from the applicable          15 See Rules 3.2(a)(iii) and 3.3(a)(iii).           with respect to foreign members.’’ Id. at 46534. The
                                                  jurisdiction.                                             16 See Rule 3.5(c)(iv).                             Exchange notes that SR–CBOE–1999–15 imposed
                                                    12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                    17 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.   more restrictive membership requirements on
                                                    13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
                                                                                                          34–71513 (February 7, 2014), 79 FR 8771 (February     foreign organizations than the proposed rule change
                                                    14 Id.                                                13, 2014) (SR–CBOE–2013–100) (order approving         in this filing.



                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   23:50 May 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00206   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM   20MYN1


                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices                                             29135

                                                  Permit Holder to ensure the Sponsored                   eliminate any potential confusion                     up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may
                                                  Users satisfaction of the proposed                      resulting from the mislettering of the                designate if it finds such longer period
                                                  jurisdiction requirements is consistent                 paragraphs of that rule.                              to be appropriate and publishes its
                                                  with Rule 6.20A, which generally makes                                                                        reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which
                                                                                                          B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  the Sponsoring Trading Permit Holder                                                                          the Exchange consents, the Commission
                                                                                                          Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                  responsible for the Sponsored User’s                                                                          will:
                                                  actions. Rule 6.20A currently sets forth                   CBOE does not believe that the                       A. By order approve or disapprove
                                                  a number of requirements with respect                   proposed rule change will impose any                  such proposed rule change, or
                                                  to the Sponsoring Trading Permit                        burden on competition that is not                       B. institute proceedings to determine
                                                  Holder/Sponsored User relationship,                     necessary or appropriate in furtherance               whether the proposed rule change
                                                  and this rule filing imposes proposed                   of the purposes of the Act. The                       should be disapproved.
                                                  requirements applicable to all Trading                  proposed rule change imposes
                                                                                                                                                                IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                  Permit Holders on that relationship as                  additional Trading Permit Holder
                                                  well.                                                   qualifications and access requirements                  Interested persons are invited to
                                                     This proposed rule change will                       for CBOE, and thus does not raise any                 submit written data, views, and
                                                  promote compliance by the Exchange                      competitive issues. The proposed                      arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                  with regulatory requirements of                         Trading Permit Holder qualifications                  including whether the proposed rule
                                                  governments and regulatory authorities                  and access requirements apply equally                 change is consistent with the Act.
                                                  outside of the United States related to                 to all Trading Permit Holders and                     Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  exchange memberships and access,                        individuals and organizations seeking to              the following methods:
                                                  which promotes just and equitable                       become Trading Permit Holders. As                     Electronic Comments
                                                  principles of trade and fosters                         discussed above, the Exchange will
                                                  cooperation and coordinates with other                  consider all factors in an objective and                • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                  regulatory authorities. The proposed                    nondiscriminatory manner. The                         comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  rule change enhances the Exchange’s                     proposed rule change is intended to                   rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                  ability to satisfy its self-regulatory                  promote compliance by the Exchange                      • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                  obligations by ensuring it is able to                   with regulatory requirements of                       sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                  receive sufficient information to                       governments and regulatory authorities                CBOE–2015–012 on the subject line.
                                                  conduct its surveillances and                           outside of the United States and                      Paper Comments
                                                  investigations, which prevents                          enhance the Exchange’s ability to satisfy                • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                  fraudulent and manipulative acts and                    its self-regulatory obligations and                   to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
                                                  practices and removes impediments to                    regulate its markets.                                 and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
                                                  and perfects the mechanism of a free                       The Exchange notes that current
                                                                                                                                                                NE., Washington, DC 20549.
                                                  and open market and a national market                   Trading Permit Holders are all
                                                  system, which ultimately protects                       domiciled in or organized under the                   All submissions should refer to File
                                                  investors.                                              laws of the United States and satisfy                 Number SR–CBOE–2015–012. This file
                                                     Additionally, this proposed rule                     these requirements (and thus need to                  number should be included on the
                                                  change is not unfairly discriminatory, as               take no additional action). Any potential             subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                  the proposed additional qualifications                  burden that these qualifications and                  Commission process and review your
                                                  and access requirements will apply to                   requirements may impose on Trading                    comments more efficiently, please use
                                                  all Trading Permit Holders and                          Permit Holders and applicants are far                 only one method. The Commission will
                                                  applicants. When determining whether                    outweighed the Exchange’s need to                     post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                  to approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange                 receive sufficient information to                     Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  will consider the proposed factors in the               conduct its surveillances and                         rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                  same manner for each jurisdiction. The                  investigations in order to ensure it can              submission, all subsequent
                                                  Exchange believes that individuals or                   continue to effectively regulate its                  amendments, all written statements
                                                  organizations within a specific                         markets, which enhanced regulation                    with respect to the proposed rule
                                                  jurisdiction are similarly situated, and                will ultimately benefit all market                    change that are filed with the
                                                  thus it may allow individuals or                        participants. Please see the ‘‘Purpose’’              Commission, and all written
                                                  organizations from one jurisdiction to                  and ‘‘Statutory Basis’’ sections above                communications relating to the
                                                  become Trading Permit Holders but not                   (beginning on pages 29 and 35,                        proposed rule change between the
                                                  from another based on the objective                     respectively) for additional discussion               Commission and any person, other than
                                                  criteria set forth in the proposed rule.                regarding the reasonableness and                      those that may be withheld from the
                                                  The objective criteria will ensure that                 objectivity of the proposed rule change.              public in accordance with the
                                                  the Exchange determines approved                                                                              provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                  jurisdictions in a fair, reasonable                     C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     available for Web site viewing and
                                                  manner that is not unfairly                             Statement on Comments on the                          printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                  discriminatory. Please see the                          Proposed Rule Change Received From                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  ‘‘Purpose’’ section above (beginning on                 Members, Participants, or Others                      Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  page 32) for additional discussion                        The Exchange neither solicited nor                  business days between the hours of
                                                  regarding how the proposed                              received comments on the proposed                     10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  qualifications, including factors to be                 rule change.                                          filing also will be available for
                                                  considered when the Exchange is                                                                               inspection and copying at the principal
                                                  determining whether to approve a                        III. Date of Effectiveness of the                     office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                  jurisdiction, will be applied in an                     Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                   received will be posted without change;
                                                  objective and nondiscriminatory                         Commission Action                                     the Commission does not edit personal
                                                  manner.                                                    Within 45 days of the date of                      identifying information from
                                                     The proposed changes to Rule 3.4 are                 publication of this notice in the Federal             submissions. You should submit only
                                                  nonsubstantive and merely intended to                   Register or within such longer period                 information that you wish to make


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   23:50 May 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00207   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM   20MYN1


                                                  29136                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 97 / Wednesday, May 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                  available publicly. All submissions                     on the proposed rule change. The text                    provided that no change is made to the
                                                  should refer to File Number SR–CBOE–                    of these statements may be examined at                   terms of the order with respect to price
                                                  2015–012 and should be submitted on                     the places specified in Item IV below.                   or side of market and the order does not
                                                  or before June 10, 2015.                                The self-regulatory organization has                     originate from a trading algorithm or
                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                prepared summaries, set forth in                         any other computerized methodology.
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              sections A, B and C below, of the most                   The proposed definition of a Retail
                                                  authority.19                                            significant aspects of such statements.                  order is designed to mirror a similar
                                                  Robert W. Errett,                                                                                                concept introduced by the New York
                                                                                                          A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’), NYSE Amex
                                                  Deputy Secretary.                                       Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–12143 Filed 5–19–15; 8:45 am]                                                                      (‘‘Amex’’), and other equities exchanges
                                                                                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   to promote price improvement for
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  Change                                                   orders submitted by retail investors.8
                                                                                                          1. Purpose                                               The proposed rule change, however, is
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                    The Exchange proposes to amend the                    intended to provide benefits to retail
                                                  COMMISSION                                              Schedule of Fees to introduce a new                      options investors in the form of more
                                                                                                          ‘‘Retail’’ designation for Priority                      favorable pricing rather than market
                                                  [Release No. 34–74971; File No. SR–ISE                                                                           structure changes.9 While the Exchange
                                                  Gemini–2015–09]                                         Customer orders. A ‘‘Priority Customer’’
                                                                                                          is a person or entity that is not a broker/              is not amending fees and rebates
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; ISE                      dealer in securities, and does not place                 applicable to Priority Customer orders
                                                  Gemini, LLC; Notice of Filing and                       more than 390 orders in listed options                   that are designated Retail at this time,
                                                  Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                     per day on average during a calendar                     the Exchange intends to introduce
                                                  Rule Change To Amend the Schedule                       month for its own beneficial account(s),                 special fees and rebates for Retail orders
                                                  of Fees To Introduce a New ‘‘Retail’’                   as defined in Rule 100(a)(37A). This                     at a later date, such that Retail orders
                                                  Designation for Priority Customer                       market participant type is one of six                    will potentially be entitled to the most
                                                  Orders                                                  currently recognized for purposes of                     favorable fees and rebates available on
                                                                                                          determining applicable fees and rebates,                 the Exchange. Until such time, Retail
                                                  May 14, 2015.                                                                                                    orders will be charged the same fees and
                                                                                                          along with: Market Maker,3 Non-ISE
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                                                                           provided the same rebates as other
                                                                                                          Gemini Market Maker,4 Firm
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                                                                             Priority Customer orders.
                                                                                                          Proprietary,5 Broker-Dealer,6 and
                                                  ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                                                                          Professional Customer.7 The Priority                     2. Statutory Basis
                                                  notice is hereby given that on April 29,
                                                                                                          Customer designation was adopted by                         The Exchange believes that the
                                                  2015, ISE Gemini, LLC (the ‘‘Exchange’’
                                                                                                          the Exchange to provide competitive                      proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                  or the ‘‘ISE Gemini’’) filed with the
                                                                                                          pricing and market structure advantages                  the requirements of the Act and the
                                                  Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                                                                          to retail investors, and to level the                    rules and regulations thereunder that
                                                  (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                                                                          playing field between retail investors                   are applicable to a national securities
                                                  change, as described in Items I, II, and
                                                                                                          and market professionals. As such,                       exchange, and, in particular, with the
                                                  III below, which items have been
                                                                                                          Priority Customer orders executed on                     requirements of Section 6(b) of the
                                                  prepared by the self-regulatory
                                                                                                          the Exchange are generally afforded                      Act.10 In particular, the proposal is
                                                  organization. The Commission is
                                                                                                          more favorable fees and rebates than                     consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                  publishing this notice to solicit
                                                                                                          other market participants, including                     Act,11 because is designed to promote
                                                  comments on the proposed rule change
                                                                                                          Professional Customers. The Exchange                     just and equitable principles of trade,
                                                  from interested persons.
                                                                                                          now believes that it is appropriate to                   remove impediments to and perfect the
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       introduce a further distinction between                  mechanisms of a free and open market
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  market participants that fall within the                 and a national market system and, in
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                definition of Priority Customer.                         general, to protect investors and the
                                                     ISE Gemini proposes to amend the                        In particular, the Exchange proposes
                                                                                                                                                                   public interest.
                                                  Schedule of Fees to introduce a new                     to introduce a new ‘‘Retail’’ designation                   Specifically, the proposed rule change
                                                  ‘‘Retail’’ designation for Priority                     for Priority Customer orders for the                     will allow the Exchange to potentially
                                                  Customer orders. The text of the                        purpose of determining applicable fees                   offer more favorable fees and rebates to
                                                  proposed rule change is available on the                and rebates. As proposed, a Retail order                 Retail orders that originate from natural
                                                  Exchange’s Web site (http://                            is a Priority Customer order that
                                                  www.ise.com), at the principal office of                originates from a natural person,                           8 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67347

                                                  the Exchange, and at the Commission’s                                                                            (July 3, 2012), 77 FR 40673 (July 10, 2012) (SR–
                                                                                                             3 The term ‘‘Market Makers’’ refers to                NYSE–2011–55; SR–NYSEAmex–2011–84)
                                                  Public Reference Room.                                  ‘‘Competitive Market Makers’’ and ‘‘Primary Market       (Approval Order). See also NYSE and Amex Rule
                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      Makers’’ collectively. See Rule 100(a)(25).              107C(a)(3).
                                                                                                             4 A ‘‘Non-ISE Gemini Market Maker’’ is a market          NYSE and Amex define a ‘‘Retail Order’’ as an
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                        maker as defined in Section 3(a)(38) of the              agency order or a riskless principal order that meets
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,             the criteria of FINRA Rule 5320.03 that originates
                                                  Change                                                  registered in the same options class on another          from a natural person and is submitted to the
                                                                                                          options exchange. See Schedule of Fees, Preface.         Exchange by a Retail Member Organization,
                                                     In its filing with the Commission, the                  5 A ‘‘Firm Proprietary’’ order is an order            provided that no change is made to the terms of the
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  self-regulatory organization included                   submitted by a member for its own proprietary            order with respect to price or side of market and
                                                  statements concerning the purpose of,                   account. See Schedule of Fees, Preface.                  the order does not originate from a trading
                                                                                                             6 A ‘‘Broker-Dealer’’ order is an order submitted     algorithm or any other computerized methodology.
                                                  and basis for, the proposed rule change                                                                             9 In addition, the Exchange notes that unlike the
                                                                                                          by a member for a broker-dealer account that is not
                                                  and discussed any comments it received                  its own proprietary account. See Schedule of Fees,       related equities programs, all members will be
                                                                                                          Preface.                                                 eligible to mark orders as Retail provided that the
                                                    19 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                               7 A ‘‘Professional Customer’’ is a person or entity   orders meet the requirements discussed above.
                                                    1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                                                                            10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                                                                          that is not a broker/dealer and is not a Priority
                                                    2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   Customer. See Schedule of Fees, Preface.                    11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).




                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   23:50 May 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00208   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MYN1.SGM      20MYN1



Document Created: 2018-02-21 10:29:52
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 10:29:52
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation80 FR 29131 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR