80_FR_41246 80 FR 41112 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

80 FR 41112 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 134 (July 14, 2015)

Page Range41112-41114
FR Document2015-17290

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41112-41114]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17290]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75317; File No. SR-CBOE-2015-012]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated; Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change Relating 
to Trading Permit Holder Qualifications

June 26, 2015.

I. Introduction

    On May 4, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange Incorporated (the 
``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the ``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to amend its rules related to 
Trading Permit Holder requirements and direct access to the Exchange's 
Hybrid Trading System (``System''). The proposed rule change was 
published for comment in the Federal Register on May 20, 2015.\3\ The 
Commission received no comments on the proposed rule change. This order 
approves the proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74963 (May 14, 
2015), 80 FR 29131 (May 20, 2015) (``Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Description of Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend its rules by (i) adopting new CBOE 
Rule 3.4A (Additional Trading Permit Holder Qualifications)to add 
additional qualification requirements for persons seeking to become and 
remain Trading Permit Holders, (ii) adding a requirement regarding 
access by Sponsored Users in CBOE Rule 6.20A (Sponsored Users), (iii) 
adding a requirement regarding access to the System in CBOE Rule 6.23A 
(Trading Permit Holder Connectivity), and (iv) making nonsubstantive 
changes to renumber the paragraphs in CBOE Rule 3.4 (Foreign Trading 
Permit Holders). The Exchange states that the proposed rule change is 
intended to accommodate the potential interest of non-U.S. persons or 
organizations in becoming Trading Permit Holders or accessing the 
System from foreign jurisdictions following the launch of Extended 
Trading Hours on the Exchange.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73704 (November 28, 
2014), 79 FR 72044 (December 4, 2014).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trading Permit Holder Requirements

    The Exchange proposes to add additional requirements that will be 
applicable to all Trading Permit Holders through new proposed CBOE Rule 
3.4A. Currently, CBOE Rules 3.2 (Qualifications of Individual Trading 
Permit Holders) and 3.3 (Qualifications of TPH Organizations) set forth 
the requirements for individuals and organizations, respectively, to 
become and remain Trading Permit Holders. For an individual to become 
and remain a Trading Permit Holder, CBOE Rule 3.2 requires the 
individual to (i) to 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 
qualification requirements to be a Trading Permit Holder under the 
Exchange's bylaws and rules. Similarly, for an organization to become 
and remain a Trading Permit Holder, CBOE 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 qualification requirements to be a 
Trading Permit Holder under the Exchange's bylaws and rules.
    Further, CBOE Rule 3.4 imposes additional qualifications on Trading 
Permit Holders that do not maintain an office in the United States that 
prepares and maintains financial and other reports required to be filed 
with the Commission and the Exchange. 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 examinations 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.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The proposed rule change makes nonsubstantive formatting 
changes to CBOE Rule 3.4 to revise the numbering of the paragraphs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed CBOE Rule 3.4A(a) provides that, in addition to the 
requirements set forth in CBOE Rules 3.2 through 3.4, a Trading Permit 
Holder applicant must satisfy several new requirements. First, proposed 
CBOE Rule 3.4A(a)(i) provides that a Trading Permit Holder applicant 
must be domiciled in (with respect to

[[Page 41113]]

individuals), or organized under the laws of (with respect to 
organizations), a jurisdiction expressly approved by the Exchange. The 
proposed rule provides that 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 CBOE's 
rules, (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 Exchange's rules and the Act or the 
Exchange's ability to accept Trading Permit Holders from the applicable 
jurisdiction. The proposed rule also provides that 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).
    Second, proposed CBOE Rule 3.4(a)(ii) provides that a Trading 
Permit Holder applicant must be subject to the jurisdiction of the 
federal courts of the United States and the courts of the state of 
Illinois.
    Finally, proposed CBOE Rule 3.4(a)(iii) provides that a Trading 
Permit Holder applicant, 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 CBOE's 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.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 6.20A pertaining to 
Sponsoring Trading Permit Holders. The Exchange asserts that it 
needs the same information from Sponsored Users as it does from 
Trading Permit Holders. See Notice, supra note 3, at n. 7. Proposed 
new paragraph (c) under Rule 6.20A requires Sponsored Users to 
satisfy the requirements of CBOE Rule 3.4A(a) and only access the 
System from an approved jurisdiction.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange intends to provide a list of approved jurisdictions 
and notify market participants, both initially and when updated, in a 
Regulatory Circular.\7\ Additionally, the Exchange intends to have a 
Web site that lists currently approved jurisdictions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Regulatory Circulars are publicly available on the 
Exchange's Web site. The Exchange states that it will issue a 
Regulatory Circular notifying market participants if it no longer 
intends to issue a Regulatory Circular to announce changes to the 
list of approved jurisdictions and only update the Web site. See 
Notice, supra note 3, at 29132. See also Regulatory Circular RG15-
014 (question #5 includes a current list of approved jurisdictions, 
subject to Commission approval of this proposed rule change).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed CBOE Rule 3.4A(b) allows the Exchange to determine at any 
time that a Trading Permit Holder can no longer comply with proposed 
CBOE Rule 3.4A. For example, this scenario could arise if the laws in 
the Trading Permit Holder's jurisdiction change in a manner that 
prevents compliance with CBOE Rule 3.4A. If the Exchange determines 
that the Trading Permit Holder is not in compliance with CBOE Rule 
3.4A, then the Trading Permit Holder will have three months following 
the date of this determination to come into compliance. 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.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The Exchange asserts that this rule change is consistent 
with CBOE 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. See Notice, supra note 3, at n. 
5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange states that these proposed requirements will enhance 
the Exchange's regulatory oversight of its Trading Permit Holders' 
activity and its ability to monitor Trading Permit Holders' compliance 
with Exchange rules and the Act.\9\ While the proposed changes apply to 
all Trading Permit Holders, the Exchange indicates that certain 
jurisdictions may limit market participants' ability to share or access 
certain information.\10\ The Exchange states that the additional 
requirements are intended to assure the Exchange that it will be able 
to obtain the information necessary to perform its self-regulatory 
obligations and to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements 
in jurisdictions in which Trading Permit Holders are located.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See id. at 29133.
    \10\ See id.
    \11\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

System Access and Sponsored Users

    The Exchange proposes to amend CBOE Rule 6.23A to provide that 
Trading Permit Holders, persons associated with Trading Permit Holders, 
and Sponsored Users with authorized access may only directly access the 
System from a jurisdiction expressly approved by the Exchange pursuant 
to CBOE Rule 3.4A(a).\12\ The Exchange asserts that the laws, rules, 
and regulations of a jurisdiction relating to exchange membership apply 
in the same manner to persons or entities accessing the System from 
such jurisdiction.\13\ For example, restrictions on supplying an 
exchange with certain information or providing access to books and 
records would apply whether the Trading Permit Holder was domiciled in 
such jurisdiction or was directly accessing the System from such 
jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Exchange asserts that direct access 
should only be permitted from approved jurisdictions for the same 
reasons discussed above.\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Exchange asserts that it currently has similar 
authority under CBOE Rule 6.23A(e) to prescribe technical 
specifications regarding the establishment of an electronic 
connection to the System, arguing proposed CBOE Rule 6.23A(c) is 
similar to a ``specification'' because the location requirement will 
be part of the same process which the Trading Permit Holder must 
comply when establishing a connection to the Exchange. See id. at 
29134.
    \13\ See id. at 29133.
    \14\ See id. at 29133-34.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes to amend CBOE Rule 6.20A to require 
Sponsoring Trading Permit Holders to ensure that a Sponsored User 
satisfies the requirements of CBOE Rule 3.4A(a) and only directly 
accesses the System from an approved jurisdiction as set forth in CBOE 
Rule 6.23A(d). The Exchange asserts it would need the same information 
from Sponsored Users as it does from Trading Permit Holders and 
therefore the same requirements should apply.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ See id. at n. 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion and Commission Findings

    After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities 
exchange.\16\ In particular, the Commission finds that the proposed 
rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\17\ which 
requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities 
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

[[Page 41114]]

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. The Commission also finds 
that the proposal is designed to not permit unfair discrimination 
between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers pursuant to Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act.\18\ Further, the Commission finds that the proposed 
rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(1) of the Act,\19\ which 
provides that an exchange must be so organized and have the capacity to 
be able to carry out the purposes of this Act and to comply, and to 
enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its 
members, with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the 
rules of the exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ In approving this proposal, the Commission has considered 
the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital 
formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \17\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \18\ Id.
    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that the additional requirements prescribed 
by CBOE Rules 3.4A, 6.20A, and 6.23A are reasonably designed to assure 
the Exchange that it will be able to obtain the information necessary 
to perform its self-regulatory obligations. In this regard, the 
Commission notes that certain foreign jurisdictions may have laws, 
rules, or regulations that prohibit or restrict the sharing of certain 
information that would be necessary for the Exchange to adequately 
oversee the trading activity of Trading Permit Holders from such 
jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Commission believes that it is 
appropriate and consistent with the Act for the Exchange to require 
Trading Permit Holders to be domiciled in, or only directly access the 
System from, jurisdictions that would not impede the Exchange's ability 
to carry out its regulatory responsibilities, and that Trading Permit 
Holders are otherwise able to provide to CBOE pertinent information 
regarding their customers and their customers' trading activities in 
response to a regulatory request.
    The Commission believes that these new CBOE requirements will help 
facilitate the Exchange's surveillance, examinations, and inspections 
of Trading Permit Holders by helping to ensure that the Exchange has 
access to information necessary for it to enforce compliance by all 
Trading Permit Holders with CBOE's rules and the federal securities 
laws, consistent with the Act.\20\ With unencumbered access to the same 
level of information from each member, without regard to whether such 
members are located within or outside the U.S., the proposal is 
designed to support CBOE's ability to fulfil its regulatory mandate to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, and protect investors and the public 
interest, consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). In this regard, as noted above, the Rule 
provides that in approving a given jurisdiction, among other things, 
the Exchange will consider whether: The applicant will be able to 
supply the Exchange with such information with respect to its 
dealings on the Exchange, the Exchange will be able to examine the 
applicant's books and records to verify the accuracy of any 
information so supplied, and other factors that the Exchange 
reasonably and objectively determines may impact the applicant's 
ability to comply with the Exchange's rules and the Act. See CBOE 
Rule 3.4A(a)(i). Further, it requires that a Trading Permit Holder, 
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. To the extent that 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. 
See CBOE Rule 3.4A(a)(iii).
    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that the factors enumerated in CBOE Rule 
3.4A(a)(i) for determining whether to approve a jurisdiction are 
objective and reasonably designed to achieve the purposes discussed 
above. Further, the Commission notes that the Exchange represents that 
it will consider all of the factors for all of the jurisdictions in the 
same manner and that such consideration will include reviews of the 
applicable laws, rules, and regulations of a jurisdiction to determine 
whether the factors enumerated in the Rule can be satisfied.\22\ In 
addition, while the Rule allows the Exchange to limit approval to 
specified categories of Trading Permit Holders or activities in a 
jurisdiction or impose other specified conditions, this provision 
provides CBOE with limited discretion as any such conditions must be 
imposed on all applicants from a given jurisdiction and only to the 
extent that such limits or conditions are necessary to satisfy the 
factors of CBOE Rule 3.4A(a)(i)(A)-(D). For example, the Exchange notes 
that a foreign jurisdiction may permit only certain activities on the 
Exchange by market participants in that jurisdiction.\23\ This 
provision would allow the Exchange to permit Trading Permit Holders 
from such a jurisdiction, subject to certain conditions that enable the 
Exchange to comply with the laws, rules, or regulations of such 
jurisdiction. The Commission also notes that the Exchange represents 
that it will determine in the same manner for all jurisdictions whether 
to impose any such limits or conditions on Trading Permit Holders.\24\ 
The Commission therefore believes that the proposed rule is not 
designed to permit CBOE to apply the new requirements in an arbitrary 
or discriminatory manner and similarly situated applicants should 
therefore be treated consistently.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 29133.
    \23\ See id.
    \24\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Commission notes that the Exchange will publish a list 
of approved jurisdictions in a Regulatory Circular and on a dedicated 
Web site. Making the jurisdictional determinations available publicly 
will provide transparency to CBOE's determinations under the proposed 
Rule, as well as provide notice to market participants and prospective 
Trading Permit Holders of the approved jurisdictions.
    Finally, the Commission believes that the requirement in CBOE Rule 
3.4A(a)(ii) that an applicant be subject to the jurisdiction of the 
federal courts of the United States and the courts of the state of 
Illinois is reasonable. Among other things, this provision could be 
useful to a U.S. person involved in a dispute with a Trading Permit 
Holder or Sponsored User as it may provide a forum in which such 
aggrieved party could pursue any available legal or equitable remedies 
against such party.

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\25\ that the proposed rule change (SR-CBOE-2015-012) be, and it 
hereby is, approved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-17290 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                    41112                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices

                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 Trading Permit Holder Requirements
                                                    COMMISSION                                               COMMISSION                                                 The Exchange proposes to add
                                                                                                                                                                     additional requirements that will be
                                                    [Release No. 34–75396; File No. SR–ICC–                  [Release No. 34–75317; File No. SR–CBOE–                applicable to all Trading Permit Holders
                                                    2015–006]                                                2015–012]                                               through new proposed CBOE Rule 3.4A.
                                                                                                                                                                     Currently, CBOE Rules 3.2
                                                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; ICE                       Self-Regulatory Organizations;                          (Qualifications of Individual Trading
                                                    Clear Credit LLC; Notice of Withdrawal                   Chicago Board Options Exchange,                         Permit Holders) and 3.3 (Qualifications
                                                    of Proposed Rule Change to Provide                       Incorporated; Order Granting Approval                   of TPH Organizations) set forth the
                                                    for the Clearance of an Additional                       of Proposed Rule Change Relating to                     requirements for individuals and
                                                    Standard Emerging Market Sovereign                       Trading Permit Holder Qualifications                    organizations, respectively, to become
                                                    Single Name                                                                                                      and remain Trading Permit Holders. For
                                                                                                             June 26, 2015.                                          an individual to become and remain a
                                                    July 8, 2015.                                                                                                    Trading Permit Holder, CBOE Rule 3.2
                                                                                                             I. Introduction
                                                       On March 27, 2015, ICE Clear Credit                                                                           requires the individual to (i) to be at
                                                    LLC (‘‘ICC’’) filed with the Securities                     On May 4, 2015, Chicago Board                        least 21 years of age, (ii) be registered as
                                                                                                             Options Exchange Incorporated (the                      a broker or dealer pursuant to Section
                                                    and Exchange Commission
                                                                                                             ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the                15 of the Act, or be associated with a
                                                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                                                                             Securities and Exchange Commission                      Trading Permit Holder organization that
                                                    change SR–ICC–2015–006 pursuant to                                                                               is registered as a broker or dealer
                                                    Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities                       (the ‘‘Commission’’), pursuant to
                                                                                                             Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities                      pursuant to Section 15 of the Act, and
                                                    Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule                                                                        (iii) meet the qualification requirements
                                                    19b–4 thereunder,2 to amend                              Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule
                                                                                                             19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule                      to be a Trading Permit Holder under the
                                                    Subchapter 26D of its rules to provide                                                                           Exchange’s bylaws and rules. Similarly,
                                                                                                             change to amend its rules related to
                                                    for the clearance of an additional                                                                               for an organization to become and
                                                                                                             Trading Permit Holder requirements
                                                    Standard Emerging Market Sovereign                                                                               remain a Trading Permit Holder, CBOE
                                                                                                             and direct access to the Exchange’s
                                                    CDS contract, namely Ukraine. Notice of                                                                          Rule 3.3 requires the organization to (i)
                                                                                                             Hybrid Trading System (‘‘System’’). The
                                                    the proposed rule change was published                                                                           be a corporation, partnership, or limited
                                                                                                             proposed rule change was published for
                                                    for comment in the Federal Register on                                                                           liability company, (ii) be registered as a
                                                                                                             comment in the Federal Register on
                                                    April 15, 2015.3 On May 22, 2015, ICC                                                                            broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15
                                                                                                             May 20, 2015.3 The Commission
                                                    extended the time period for the                                                                                 of the Act, and (iii) meet the
                                                                                                             received no comments on the proposed                    qualification requirements to be a
                                                    Commission to approve, disapprove, or                    rule change. This order approves the
                                                    institute proceedings to determine                                                                               Trading Permit Holder under the
                                                                                                             proposed rule change.                                   Exchange’s bylaws and rules.
                                                    whether to disapprove the proposed
                                                    rule change to July 14, 2015. The                        II. Description of Proposed Rule Change                    Further, CBOE Rule 3.4 imposes
                                                    Commission received no comment                                                                                   additional qualifications on Trading
                                                                                                               The Exchange proposes to amend its                    Permit Holders that do not maintain an
                                                    letters regarding the proposed rule
                                                                                                             rules by (i) adopting new CBOE Rule                     office in the United States that prepares
                                                    change.
                                                                                                             3.4A (Additional Trading Permit Holder                  and maintains financial and other
                                                       On July 1, 2015, ICC withdrew the                     Qualifications)to add additional                        reports required to be filed with the
                                                    proposed rule change (File No. SR–ICC–                   qualification requirements for persons                  Commission and the Exchange. These
                                                    2015–006).                                               seeking to become and remain Trading                    foreign Trading Permit Holders must (i)
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                 Permit Holders, (ii) adding a                           prepare all such reports, and maintain a
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               requirement regarding access by                         general ledger chart of account and any
                                                    authority.4                                              Sponsored Users in CBOE Rule 6.20A                      description thereof, in English and U.S.
                                                                                                             (Sponsored Users), (iii) adding a                       Dollars, (ii) reimburse the Exchange for
                                                    Brent J. Fields,
                                                                                                             requirement regarding access to the                     any expense incurred in connection
                                                    Secretary.                                                                                                       with examinations of the Trading Permit
                                                                                                             System in CBOE Rule 6.23A (Trading
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–17174 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am]                                                                      Holder to the extent that such expenses
                                                                                                             Permit Holder Connectivity), and (iv)
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                   making nonsubstantive changes to                        exceed the cost of examining a Trading
                                                                                                             renumber the paragraphs in CBOE Rule                    Permit Holder located within the United
                                                                                                             3.4 (Foreign Trading Permit Holders).                   States, and (iii) ensure the availability of
                                                                                                             The Exchange states that the proposed                   an individual fluent in English
                                                                                                             rule change is intended to accommodate                  knowledgeable in securities and
                                                                                                             the potential interest of non-U.S.                      financial matters to assist the
                                                                                                             persons or organizations in becoming                    representatives of the Exchange during
                                                                                                             Trading Permit Holders or accessing the                 examinations.5
                                                                                                                                                                        Proposed CBOE Rule 3.4A(a) provides
                                                                                                             System from foreign jurisdictions
                                                                                                                                                                     that, in addition to the requirements set
                                                                                                             following the launch of Extended
                                                                                                                                                                     forth in CBOE Rules 3.2 through 3.4, a
                                                                                                             Trading Hours on the Exchange.4
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                     Trading Permit Holder applicant must
                                                                                                                                                                     satisfy several new requirements. First,
                                                                                                                  1 15
                                                                                                                     U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                                  2 17
                                                                                                                                                                     proposed CBOE Rule 3.4A(a)(i) provides
                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                         CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                                3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74963
                                                                                                                                                                     that a Trading Permit Holder applicant
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                                                                             (May 14, 2015), 80 FR 29131 (May 20, 2015)              must be domiciled in (with respect to
                                                      3 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–74688
                                                                                                             (‘‘Notice’’).
                                                    (Apr. 9, 2015), 80 FR 20280 (Apr. 15, 2015) (SR–            4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73704        5 The proposed rule change makes nonsubstantive
                                                    ICC–2015–006).                                           (November 28, 2014), 79 FR 72044 (December 4,           formatting changes to CBOE Rule 3.4 to revise the
                                                      4 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                              2014).                                                  numbering of the paragraphs.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:09 Jul 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000     Frm 00122   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM   14JYN1


                                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices                                                    41113

                                                    individuals), or organized under the                     Circular.7 Additionally, the Exchange                  access may only directly access the
                                                    laws of (with respect to organizations),                 intends to have a Web site that lists                  System from a jurisdiction expressly
                                                    a jurisdiction expressly approved by the                 currently approved jurisdictions.                      approved by the Exchange pursuant to
                                                    Exchange. The proposed rule provides                        Proposed CBOE Rule 3.4A(b) allows                   CBOE Rule 3.4A(a).12 The Exchange
                                                    that when determining whether to                         the Exchange to determine at any time                  asserts that the laws, rules, and
                                                    approve a jurisdiction, the Exchange                     that a Trading Permit Holder can no                    regulations of a jurisdiction relating to
                                                    will consider whether: (i) The applicant                 longer comply with proposed CBOE                       exchange membership apply in the
                                                    will be able to supply the Exchange                      Rule 3.4A. For example, this scenario                  same manner to persons or entities
                                                    with such information with respect to                    could arise if the laws in the Trading                 accessing the System from such
                                                    the applicant’s dealings with the                        Permit Holder’s jurisdiction change in a               jurisdiction.13 For example, restrictions
                                                    Exchange as set forth in CBOE’s rules,                   manner that prevents compliance with                   on supplying an exchange with certain
                                                    (ii) the Exchange will be able to examine                CBOE Rule 3.4A. If the Exchange                        information or providing access to
                                                    the applicant’s books and records to                     determines that the Trading Permit                     books and records would apply whether
                                                    verify the accuracy of any information                   Holder is not in compliance with CBOE                  the Trading Permit Holder was
                                                    so supplied, (iii) approval of such                      Rule 3.4A, then the Trading Permit                     domiciled in such jurisdiction or was
                                                    application will comply with all                         Holder will have three months                          directly accessing the System from such
                                                    applicable laws, rules, and regulations,                 following the date of this determination               jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Exchange
                                                    and (iv) other factors that the Exchange                 to come into compliance. If the Trading                asserts that direct access should only be
                                                    reasonably and objectively determines                    Permit Holder does not come into                       permitted from approved jurisdictions
                                                    may impact the applicant’s ability to                    compliance during that time period, the                for the same reasons discussed above.14
                                                    comply with the Exchange’s rules and                     Exchange may terminate the Trading                       The Exchange also proposes to amend
                                                    the Act or the Exchange’s ability to                     Permit Holder’s status as a Trading                    CBOE Rule 6.20A to require Sponsoring
                                                    accept Trading Permit Holders from the                   Permit Holder.8                                        Trading Permit Holders to ensure that a
                                                    applicable jurisdiction. The proposed                       The Exchange states that these                      Sponsored User satisfies the
                                                    rule also provides that this approval                    proposed requirements will enhance the                 requirements of CBOE Rule 3.4A(a) and
                                                    may be limited to one or more specified                  Exchange’s regulatory oversight of its                 only directly accesses the System from
                                                    categories of Trading Permit Holders or                  Trading Permit Holders’ activity and its               an approved jurisdiction as set forth in
                                                    Trading Permit Holder activities in a                    ability to monitor Trading Permit                      CBOE Rule 6.23A(d). The Exchange
                                                    jurisdiction or be contingent upon the                   Holders’ compliance with Exchange                      asserts it would need the same
                                                    satisfaction of specified conditions by                  rules and the Act.9 While the proposed                 information from Sponsored Users as it
                                                    all applicants from a jurisdiction to the                changes apply to all Trading Permit                    does from Trading Permit Holders and
                                                    extent such limits or conditions are                     Holders, the Exchange indicates that                   therefore the same requirements should
                                                                                                             certain jurisdictions may limit market                 apply.15
                                                    necessary to satisfy clauses (i) through
                                                                                                             participants’ ability to share or access
                                                    (iv).                                                                                                           III. Discussion and Commission
                                                                                                             certain information.10 The Exchange
                                                       Second, proposed CBOE Rule                            states that the additional requirements                Findings
                                                    3.4(a)(ii) provides that a Trading Permit                are intended to assure the Exchange that                  After careful review, the Commission
                                                    Holder applicant must be subject to the                  it will be able to obtain the information              finds that the proposed rule change is
                                                    jurisdiction of the federal courts of the                necessary to perform its self-regulatory               consistent with the requirements of the
                                                    United States and the courts of the state                obligations and to comply with the                     Act and the rules and regulations
                                                    of Illinois.                                             applicable regulatory requirements in                  thereunder applicable to a national
                                                       Finally, proposed CBOE Rule                           jurisdictions in which Trading Permit                  securities exchange.16 In particular, the
                                                    3.4(a)(iii) provides that a Trading Permit               Holders are located.11                                 Commission finds that the proposed
                                                    Holder applicant, prior to acting as                                                                            rule change is consistent with Section
                                                                                                             System Access and Sponsored Users                      6(b)(5) of the Act,17 which requires,
                                                    agent for a customer, must be able to
                                                    provide information regarding the                          The Exchange proposes to amend                       among other things, that the rules of a
                                                    customer and the customer’s trading                      CBOE Rule 6.23A to provide that                        national securities exchange be
                                                    activities to the Exchange in response to                Trading Permit Holders, persons                        designed to prevent fraudulent and
                                                    a regulatory request for information                     associated with Trading Permit Holders,                manipulative acts and practices, to
                                                    pursuant to the CBOE’s rules. To the                     and Sponsored Users with authorized                    promote just and equitable principles of
                                                    extent an individual or organization is                                                                         trade, to foster cooperation and
                                                    required by an applicable law, rule, or
                                                                                                                7 Regulatory Circulars are publicly available on
                                                                                                                                                                    coordination with persons engaged in
                                                                                                             the Exchange’s Web site. The Exchange states that      regulating, clearing, settling, processing
                                                    regulation to obtain written consent                     it will issue a Regulatory Circular notifying market
                                                    from a customer to permit the provision                  participants if it no longer intends to issue a
                                                                                                                                                                       12 The Exchange asserts that it currently has
                                                    of this information to the Exchange, the                 Regulatory Circular to announce changes to the list
                                                                                                             of approved jurisdictions and only update the Web      similar authority under CBOE Rule 6.23A(e) to
                                                    applicant must obtain such consent.6                     site. See Notice, supra note 3, at 29132. See also     prescribe technical specifications regarding the
                                                       The Exchange intends to provide a list                Regulatory Circular RG15–014 (question #5              establishment of an electronic connection to the
                                                                                                             includes a current list of approved jurisdictions,     System, arguing proposed CBOE Rule 6.23A(c) is
                                                    of approved jurisdictions and notify                                                                            similar to a ‘‘specification’’ because the location
                                                                                                             subject to Commission approval of this proposed
                                                    market participants, both initially and                  rule change).                                          requirement will be part of the same process which
                                                    when updated, in a Regulatory                               8 The Exchange asserts that this rule change is     the Trading Permit Holder must comply when
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                             consistent with CBOE Rule 3.5(d), which among          establishing a connection to the Exchange. See id.
                                                      6 The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule             other things, permits the Exchange to determine not    at 29134.
                                                                                                                                                                       13 See id. at 29133.
                                                    6.20A pertaining to Sponsoring Trading Permit            to permit a Trading Permit Holder to continue being
                                                                                                             a Trading Permit Holder if it fails to meet any           14 See id. at 29133–34.
                                                    Holders. The Exchange asserts that it needs the
                                                    same information from Sponsored Users as it does         qualification requirements for being a Trading            15 See id. at n. 7.

                                                    from Trading Permit Holders. See Notice, supra           Permit Holder after approval as a Trading Permit          16 In approving this proposal, the Commission has

                                                    note 3, at n. 7. Proposed new paragraph (c) under        Holder. See Notice, supra note 3, at n. 5.             considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                                9 See id. at 29133.
                                                    Rule 6.20A requires Sponsored Users to satisfy the                                                              efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                                                                                                10 See id.                                          15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
                                                    requirements of CBOE Rule 3.4A(a) and only access
                                                    the System from an approved jurisdiction.                   11 See id.                                             17 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).




                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:09 Jul 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00123   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM   14JYN1


                                                    41114                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices

                                                    information with respect to, and                          the same level of information from each                  Exchange represents that it will
                                                    facilitating transactions in securities, to               member, without regard to whether                        determine in the same manner for all
                                                    remove impediments to, and perfect the                    such members are located within or                       jurisdictions whether to impose any
                                                    mechanism of, a free and open market                      outside the U.S., the proposal is                        such limits or conditions on Trading
                                                    and a national market system and, in                      designed to support CBOE’s ability to                    Permit Holders.24 The Commission
                                                    general, to protect investors and the                     fulfil its regulatory mandate to prevent                 therefore believes that the proposed rule
                                                    public interest. The Commission also                      fraudulent and manipulative acts and                     is not designed to permit CBOE to apply
                                                    finds that the proposal is designed to                    practices, promote just and equitable                    the new requirements in an arbitrary or
                                                    not permit unfair discrimination                          principles of trade, and protect investors               discriminatory manner and similarly
                                                    between customers, issuers, brokers, or                   and the public interest, consistent with                 situated applicants should therefore be
                                                    dealers pursuant to Section 6(b)(5) of                    Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.21                            treated consistently.
                                                    the Act.18 Further, the Commission                           The Commission believes that the                         Further, the Commission notes that
                                                    finds that the proposed rule change is                    factors enumerated in CBOE Rule                          the Exchange will publish a list of
                                                    consistent with Section 6(b)(1) of the                    3.4A(a)(i) for determining whether to                    approved jurisdictions in a Regulatory
                                                    Act,19 which provides that an exchange                    approve a jurisdiction are objective and                 Circular and on a dedicated Web site.
                                                    must be so organized and have the                         reasonably designed to achieve the                       Making the jurisdictional
                                                    capacity to be able to carry out the                      purposes discussed above. Further, the                   determinations available publicly will
                                                    purposes of this Act and to comply, and                   Commission notes that the Exchange                       provide transparency to CBOE’s
                                                    to enforce compliance by its members                      represents that it will consider all of the              determinations under the proposed
                                                    and persons associated with its                           factors for all of the jurisdictions in the              Rule, as well as provide notice to market
                                                    members, with the Act, the rules and                      same manner and that such                                participants and prospective Trading
                                                    regulations thereunder, and the rules of                  consideration will include reviews of                    Permit Holders of the approved
                                                    the exchange.                                             the applicable laws, rules, and                          jurisdictions.
                                                       The Commission believes that the                       regulations of a jurisdiction to                            Finally, the Commission believes that
                                                    additional requirements prescribed by                     determine whether the factors                            the requirement in CBOE Rule
                                                    CBOE Rules 3.4A, 6.20A, and 6.23A are                     enumerated in the Rule can be                            3.4A(a)(ii) that an applicant be subject
                                                    reasonably designed to assure the                         satisfied.22 In addition, while the Rule                 to the jurisdiction of the federal courts
                                                    Exchange that it will be able to obtain                   allows the Exchange to limit approval to                 of the United States and the courts of
                                                    the information necessary to perform its                  specified categories of Trading Permit                   the state of Illinois is reasonable. Among
                                                    self-regulatory obligations. In this                      Holders or activities in a jurisdiction or               other things, this provision could be
                                                    regard, the Commission notes that                         impose other specified conditions, this                  useful to a U.S. person involved in a
                                                    certain foreign jurisdictions may have                    provision provides CBOE with limited                     dispute with a Trading Permit Holder or
                                                    laws, rules, or regulations that prohibit                 discretion as any such conditions must                   Sponsored User as it may provide a
                                                    or restrict the sharing of certain                        be imposed on all applicants from a                      forum in which such aggrieved party
                                                    information that would be necessary for                   given jurisdiction and only to the extent                could pursue any available legal or
                                                    the Exchange to adequately oversee the                    that such limits or conditions are                       equitable remedies against such party.
                                                    trading activity of Trading Permit                        necessary to satisfy the factors of CBOE
                                                                                                              Rule 3.4A(a)(i)(A)–(D). For example, the                 IV. Conclusion
                                                    Holders from such jurisdictions.
                                                    Accordingly, the Commission believes                      Exchange notes that a foreign                              It is therefore ordered pursuant to
                                                    that it is appropriate and consistent                     jurisdiction may permit only certain                     Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,25 that the
                                                    with the Act for the Exchange to require                  activities on the Exchange by market                     proposed rule change (SR–CBOE–2015–
                                                    Trading Permit Holders to be domiciled                    participants in that jurisdiction.23 This                012) be, and it hereby is, approved.
                                                    in, or only directly access the System                    provision would allow the Exchange to                      For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    from, jurisdictions that would not                        permit Trading Permit Holders from                       Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                              such a jurisdiction, subject to certain                  authority.26
                                                    impede the Exchange’s ability to carry
                                                                                                              conditions that enable the Exchange to                   Robert W. Errett,
                                                    out its regulatory responsibilities, and
                                                                                                              comply with the laws, rules, or                          Deputy Secretary.
                                                    that Trading Permit Holders are
                                                                                                              regulations of such jurisdiction. The
                                                    otherwise able to provide to CBOE                                                                                  [FR Doc. 2015–17290 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                              Commission also notes that the
                                                    pertinent information regarding their                                                                              BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    customers and their customers’ trading                    consider whether: The applicant will be able to
                                                    activities in response to a regulatory                    supply the Exchange with such information with
                                                    request.                                                  respect to its dealings on the Exchange, the             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                       The Commission believes that these                     Exchange will be able to examine the applicant’s         COMMISSION
                                                    new CBOE requirements will help                           books and records to verify the accuracy of any
                                                                                                              information so supplied, and other factors that the      [Release No. 34–75392; File No. SR–BX–
                                                    facilitate the Exchange’s surveillance,                   Exchange reasonably and objectively determines           2015–036]
                                                    examinations, and inspections of                          may impact the applicant’s ability to comply with
                                                    Trading Permit Holders by helping to                      the Exchange’s rules and the Act. See CBOE Rule          Self-Regulatory Organizations; Notice
                                                                                                              3.4A(a)(i). Further, it requires that a Trading Permit   of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness
                                                    ensure that the Exchange has access to                    Holder, prior to acting as agent for a customer, must
                                                    information necessary for it to enforce                   be able to provide information regarding the             of Proposed Rule Change by NASDAQ
                                                    compliance by all Trading Permit                          customer and the customer’s trading activities to        OMX BX, Inc. Relating to the Volume-
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Holders with CBOE’s rules and the                         the Exchange in response to a regulatory request for     Based and Multi-Trigger Threshold
                                                                                                              information. To the extent that an individual or
                                                    federal securities laws, consistent with                  organization is required by an applicable, law, rule,    July 8, 2015.
                                                    the Act.20 With unencumbered access to                    or regulation to obtain written consent from a
                                                                                                              customer to permit the provision of this information
                                                                                                                                                                         Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                      18 Id.                                                  to the Exchange, the applicant must obtain such          Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                      19 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).                                 consent. See CBOE Rule 3.4A(a)(iii).
                                                      20 15                                                     21 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                                  24 See id.
                                                            U.S.C. 78f(b). In this regard, as noted above,
                                                                                                                22 See Notice, supra note 3, at 29133.                   25 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
                                                    the Rule provides that in approving a given
                                                    jurisdiction, among other things, the Exchange will         23 See id.                                               26 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).




                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014    19:09 Jul 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00124   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM        14JYN1



Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:19:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:19:12
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 41112 

2024 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR