80_FR_41265 80 FR 41131 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use of EDGX Exchange, Inc.

80 FR 41131 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use of EDGX Exchange, Inc.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

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

Page Range41131-41133
FR Document2015-17171

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41131-41133]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17171]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75393; File No. SR-EDGX-2015-29]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to 
Fees for Use of EDGX Exchange, Inc.

July 8, 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 June 30, 2015, EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one establishing or 
changing a member due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange 
under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) 
thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposed rule change effective upon 
filing with the Commission. 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.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend the fee schedule applicable 
to Members \5\ and non-members of the Exchange pursuant to EDGX Rules 
15.1(a) and (c). Changes to the fee schedule pursuant to this proposal 
are effective upon filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The term ``Member'' is defined as ``any registered broker or 
dealer that has been admitted to membership in the Exchange.'' See 
Exchange Rule 1.5(n).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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 parts 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 Fee Schedule to: (i) Modify its 
fees for physical connectivity; and (ii) delete the MidPoint Match 
Volume Tier under footnote 3.
Physical Connectivity
    A physical port is utilized by a Member or non-Member to connect to 
the Exchange at the data centers where the Exchange's servers are 
located. The Exchange currently maintains a presence in two third-party 
data centers: (i) The primary data center where the Exchange's business 
is primarily conducted on a daily basis, and (ii) a secondary data 
center, which is predominantly maintained for business continuity 
purposes. The Exchange currently assesses the following physical 
connectivity fees for Members and non-Members on a monthly basis: $500 
per physical port that connects to the System \6\ via 1 gigabyte copper 
circuit; $1,000 per physical port that connects to the System via 1 
gigabyte fiber circuit; and $2,000 per physical port that connects to 
the System via 10 gigabyte fiber circuit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The term ``System'' is defined as ``the electronic 
communications and trading facility designated by the Board through 
which securities orders of Users are consolidated for ranking, 
execution and, when applicable, routing away.'' See Exchange Rule 
1.5(cc).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange now proposes to amend its physical connectivity fees 
to align the Exchange's fees with its affiliates.\7\ First, the 
Exchange proposes to amend its Fee Schedule to no longer distinguish 
between fiber and copper circuits. Therefore, it proposes to delete the 
charge of $500 per month per physical port that connects to the System 
via 1 gigabyte copper circuit and to assess a monthly fee of $2,000 per 
physical port that connects to the System via 1 gigabyte circuit 
regardless of the type of connection. Second, the Exchange proposes to 
increase the fee per physical port that connects to the System via 10 
gigabyte circuit from $2,000 per month to $4,000 per month. The 
Exchange also proposes to replace the reference to ``fiber'' with 
``physical port'' within the description of the 1 gigabyte and 10 
gigabyte physical connectivity fees as it proposes to no longer 
distinguish between fiber and copper circuits within its Fee Schedule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ The Exchange's affiliates are EDGA Exchange, Inc. 
(``EDGA''), BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (``BYX'') and BATS Exchange, Inc. 
(``BZX'', together with the Exchange, EDGA and BYX, the ``BATS 
Exchanges''). The Exchange notes that each of its affiliates will 
also file proposed rule changes with Commission to adopt similar 
physical connectivity fees to be effective July 1, 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, to further align its physical connectivity fees with its 
affiliates, the Exchange proposes to pass through in full any hardware 
costs or connectivity fees incurred that are directly related to 
completing a cross-connect where the expense to the Exchange billed by 
a third party exceeds $1,000.\8\ The Exchange proposes to pass through 
the expense as an alternative to the flat installation fees charged by 
the Exchange's primary competitors. The Exchange does not anticipate 
that passing through these expenses will affect many of the Exchange's 
constituents, because the majority of cross-connect completions cost 
less than $1,000. For this reason, the Exchange proposes to pass-
through the charges associated with cross-connect completions that cost 
more than $1,000 rather than to charge an installation fee for all 
completions regardless of their cost.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See BZX fee schedule available at http://batstrading.com/support/fee_schedule/bzx/ and the BYX fee schedule available at 
http://batstrading.com/support/fee_schedule/byx/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MidPoint Match Volume Tier
    The Exchange proposes to delete the MidPoint Match Volume Tier 
under footnote 3 of its Fee Schedule. Under fee code MM, a Member is 
currently charged a fee of $0.00120 per share for orders that add 
liquidity at midpoint of NBBO using: (1) A MidPoint Match \9\ order; 
(2) an order with a Hide Not Slide \10\ instruction; or (3) an order 
with a Non-Displayed \11\ instruction. However, under the MidPoint 
Match Volume Tier, a Member would pay no

[[Page 41132]]

fee for its orders that yielded fee code MM where that Member added or 
removed a combined ADV \12\ of at least 2,500,000 shares yielding fee 
codes AA, AM, MM, or MT. Currently, no Member satisfies the tier's 
criteria. Therefore, the Exchange proposes to delete the MidPoint Match 
Volume Tier.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ See Exchange Rule 11.8(d).
    \10\ See Exchange Rule 11.6(l)(1)(B).
    \11\ See Exchange Rule 11.6(e)(2).
    \12\ ``ADV'' is defined in the Exchange Fee Schedule available 
at http://batstrading.com/support/fee_schedule/edgx/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also notes that the MidPoint Match Volume Tier would 
no longer be necessary as of July 6, 2015. The Exchange intends to file 
with the Commission a separate proposal to amend it Fee Schedule for 
July 6, 2015 effectiveness to, among other things: (i) Delete fee codes 
AA, AM, and MT; and (ii) amend fee code MM to (a) only apply to orders 
that add liquidity at the midpoint of the NBBO using MidPoint Peg 
orders; (b) delete references to MidPoint Match orders, orders 
utilizing the Hide Not Slide instruction, and orders with a Non-
Displayed instruction. These changes are a result of proposed rule 
change to be filed with the Commission to align certain Exchange 
functionality with BZX.\13\ Therefore, removing the MidPoint Match 
Volume Tier as of July 1, 2015 would avoid Members confusion and 
prevent them from attempting to achieve the tier's criteria as the 
functionality necessary to achieve the tier may be discontinued before 
the end of July 2015.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ A description of the changes proposed in this filing may be 
found in BATS EDGX Exchange Modifications, Effective July 6, 2015, 
available at http://cdn.batstrading.com/resources/release_notes/2015/BATS-EDGX-Exchange-Modifications-Effective-July-6-2015.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, as a result of the above, the Exchange also proposes to 
remove a reference to footnote 3 from fee code MM under the Fee Codes 
and Associated Fee table within its Fee Schedule.
Implementation Date
    The Exchange proposes to implement these amendments to its Fee 
Schedule on July 1, 2015.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,\14\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4),\15\ in particular, as it is 
designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, 
fees and other charges among its Members and other persons using its 
facilities. The Exchange also notes that it operates in a highly-
competitive market in which market participants can readily direct 
order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular 
venue to be excessive. The proposed rule change reflects a competitive 
pricing structure designed to incent market participants to direct 
their order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that the 
proposed rates are equitable and non-discriminatory in that they apply 
uniformly to all Members. The Exchange believes the fees and credits 
remain competitive with those charged by other venues and therefore 
continue to be reasonable and equitably allocated to Members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Physical Connectivity
    The Exchange believes that the proposed physical connectivity fees 
represent an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other 
charges as its fees for physical connectivity are reasonably 
constrained by competitive alternatives. If a particular exchange 
charges excessive fees for connectivity, affected Members and non-
Members may opt to terminate their connectivity arrangements with that 
exchange, and adopt a possible range of alternative strategies, 
including routing to the applicable exchange through another 
participant or market center or taking that exchange's data indirectly. 
Accordingly, if the Exchange charges excessive fees, it would stand to 
lose not only connectivity revenues but also revenues associated with 
the execution of orders routed to it, and, to the extent applicable, 
market data revenues. The Exchange believes that this competitive 
dynamic imposes powerful restraints on the ability of any exchange to 
charge unreasonable fees for connectivity.
    Furthermore, the proposed rule change is also an equitable 
allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges as the Exchange 
believes that the increased fees obtained will enable it to cover its 
increased infrastructure costs associated with establishing physical 
ports to connect to the Exchange's Systems. The additional revenue from 
the increased fees will also enable the Exchange to continue to 
maintain and improve its market technology and services. The Exchange 
believes that the proposed fees for 1 gigabyte circuit of $2,000 per 
month and for 10 gigabyte circuit of $4,000 per month are reasonable in 
that they are less than analogous fees charged by the Nasdaq Stock 
Market LLC (``Nasdaq''), which are $2,500 per month for 1 gigabyte 
connectivity and range from $10,000-$15,000 per month for 10 gigabyte 
circuits.\16\ In addition, the Exchange proposed physical connectivity 
fees are designed to align the Exchange's fees with its affiliates.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ See Nasdaq Rule 7034(b).
    \17\ See supra notes 7 and 8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also believes that passing through the cross-connect 
related expenses in excess of $1,000 as an alternative to the flat 
installation fees is equitable and reasonable. The proposed pass 
through would be in lieu of the flat installation fees charged by the 
Exchange's primary competitors. The Exchange does not anticipate that 
passing through these expenses will affect many of the Exchange's 
constituents, because the majority of cross-connect completions cost 
less than $1,000.
    Finally, the Exchange believes that the proposed rates are 
equitable and non-discriminatory in that they apply uniformly to all 
Members and non-Members. Members and non-Members will continue to 
choose whether they want more than one physical port and choose the 
method of connectivity based on their specific needs. All Exchange 
Members that voluntarily select various service options will be charged 
the same amount for the same services. As is true of all physical 
connectivity, all Members and non-Members have the option to select any 
connectivity option, and there is no differentiation with regard to the 
fees charged for the service.
MidPoint Match Volume Tier
    The Exchange believes that the proposal to delete the MidPoint 
Match Volume Tier represents an equitable allocation of reasonable 
dues, fees, and other charges as it would avoid confusion by removing a 
tier from its Fee Schedule for which no Member currently qualifies. It 
is also reasonable as it would prevent a Member from attempting to 
achieve the tier's criteria as the functionality necessary to achieve 
the tier is to be discontinued in the near future. Furthermore, 
removing the MidPoint Match Volume Tier as of July 1, 2015 would 
prevent Members attempting to achieve the tier's criteria when they 
will be unable to do so because the functionality necessary to achieve 
the tier will be discontinued before the end of July 2015, thereby 
avoiding Member or investor confusion. Lastly, the Exchange believes 
that removal of the MidPoint Match Volume Tier is equitable and non-
discriminatory in that they apply uniformly to all Members.

[[Page 41133]]

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Physical Connectivity
    As discussed above, the Exchange believes that fees for 
connectivity are constrained by the robust competition for order flow 
among exchanges and non-exchange markets. Further, excessive fees for 
connectivity, including port fee access, would serve to impair an 
exchange's ability to compete for order flow rather than burdening 
competition. The proposal to increase the fees for physical 
connectivity would bring the fees charged by the Exchange closer to 
similar fees charged for physical connectivity by other exchanges.\18\ 
In addition, the proposal to pass through cross-connect installation 
related expenses serves as an alternative to the flat installation fees 
charged by the Exchange's primary competitors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ See supra note 16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lastly, the proposed rule change does not impose any burden on 
intramarket competition as the fees are uniform for all Members and 
non-Members. The Exchange notes that Members and non-Members also have 
the ability to obtain access to these services without the need for an 
independent physical port connection, such as through alternative means 
of financial extranets and service bureaus that act as a conduit for 
orders entered by Members and non-Members.
MidPoint Match Volume Tier
    The Exchange does not believe that its proposal to delete the 
MidPoint Match Tier will impose any burden on competition. As stated 
above, no Member currently satisfies the tier's criteria and the 
Exchange is proposing to remove it to avoid investor confusion as the 
functionality necessary to achieve the tier is to be discontinued 
before the end of July 2015. Therefore, the Exchange believes deleting 
the MidPoint Match Tier will have no impact on competition.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, 
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received 
any unsolicited written comments from Members or other interested 
parties.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \19\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 
thereunder.\20\ At any time within 60 days of the filing of the 
proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend 
such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of 
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-EDGX-2015-29 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 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-EDGX-2015-29. 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 the filing will also 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 available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-EDGX-2015-29 and should be 
submitted on or before August 4, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-17171 Filed 7-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices                                                    41131

                                                    2015–25, and should be submitted on or                   the Commission’s Public Reference                        First, the Exchange proposes to amend
                                                    before August 4, 2015.                                   Room.                                                    its Fee Schedule to no longer
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                                                                          distinguish between fiber and copper
                                                                                                             II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                                                                        circuits. Therefore, it proposes to delete
                                                                                                             Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                    authority.33                                                                                                      the charge of $500 per month per
                                                                                                             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                    Brent J. Fields,                                                                                                  physical port that connects to the
                                                                                                             Change                                                   System via 1 gigabyte copper circuit and
                                                    Secretary.
                                                    [FR Doc. 2015–17173 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am]                In its filing with the Commission, the                 to assess a monthly fee of $2,000 per
                                                                                                             Exchange included statements                             physical port that connects to the
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                             concerning the purpose of and basis for                  System via 1 gigabyte circuit regardless
                                                                                                             the proposed rule change and discussed                   of the type of connection. Second, the
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                  any comments it received on the                          Exchange proposes to increase the fee
                                                    COMMISSION                                               proposed rule change. The text of these                  per physical port that connects to the
                                                                                                             statements may be examined at the                        System via 10 gigabyte circuit from
                                                    [Release No. 34–75393; File No. SR–EDGX–                 places specified in Item IV below. The                   $2,000 per month to $4,000 per month.
                                                    2015–29]                                                                                                          The Exchange also proposes to replace
                                                                                                             Exchange has prepared summaries, set
                                                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX                      forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of                  the reference to ‘‘fiber’’ with ‘‘physical
                                                    Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                     the most significant parts of such                       port’’ within the description of the 1
                                                    Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed                    statements.                                              gigabyte and 10 gigabyte physical
                                                    Rule Change Related to Fees for Use                                                                               connectivity fees as it proposes to no
                                                                                                             (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       longer distinguish between fiber and
                                                    of EDGX Exchange, Inc.                                   Statement of the Purpose of, and                         copper circuits within its Fee Schedule.
                                                    July 8, 2015.                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                      Lastly, to further align its physical
                                                       Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                   Change                                                   connectivity fees with its affiliates, the
                                                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                     1. Purpose                                               Exchange proposes to pass through in
                                                    ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                                                                            full any hardware costs or connectivity
                                                    notice is hereby given that on June 30,                    The Exchange proposes to amend its                     fees incurred that are directly related to
                                                    2015, EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the                           Fee Schedule to: (i) Modify its fees for                 completing a cross-connect where the
                                                    ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGX’’) filed with the                 physical connectivity; and (ii) delete the               expense to the Exchange billed by a
                                                    Securities and Exchange Commission                       MidPoint Match Volume Tier under                         third party exceeds $1,000.8 The
                                                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       footnote 3.                                              Exchange proposes to pass through the
                                                    change as described in Items I, II and III               Physical Connectivity                                    expense as an alternative to the flat
                                                    below, which Items have been prepared                                                                             installation fees charged by the
                                                    by the Exchange. The Exchange has                           A physical port is utilized by a                      Exchange’s primary competitors. The
                                                    designated the proposed rule change as                   Member or non-Member to connect to                       Exchange does not anticipate that
                                                    one establishing or changing a member                    the Exchange at the data centers where                   passing through these expenses will
                                                    due, fee, or other charge imposed by the                 the Exchange’s servers are located. The                  affect many of the Exchange’s
                                                    Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii)                   Exchange currently maintains a                           constituents, because the majority of
                                                    of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2)                        presence in two third-party data centers:                cross-connect completions cost less than
                                                    thereunder,4 which renders the                           (i) The primary data center where the                    $1,000. For this reason, the Exchange
                                                    proposed rule change effective upon                      Exchange’s business is primarily                         proposes to pass-through the charges
                                                    filing with the Commission. The                          conducted on a daily basis, and (ii) a                   associated with cross-connect
                                                    Commission is publishing this notice to                  secondary data center, which is                          completions that cost more than $1,000
                                                    solicit comments on the proposed rule                    predominantly maintained for business                    rather than to charge an installation fee
                                                    change from interested persons.                          continuity purposes. The Exchange                        for all completions regardless of their
                                                                                                             currently assesses the following                         cost.
                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        physical connectivity fees for Members
                                                    Statement of the Terms of Substance of                   and non-Members on a monthly basis:                      MidPoint Match Volume Tier
                                                    the Proposed Rule Change                                 $500 per physical port that connects to                    The Exchange proposes to delete the
                                                       The Exchange filed a proposal to                      the System 6 via 1 gigabyte copper                       MidPoint Match Volume Tier under
                                                    amend the fee schedule applicable to                     circuit; $1,000 per physical port that                   footnote 3 of its Fee Schedule. Under fee
                                                    Members 5 and non-members of the                         connects to the System via 1 gigabyte                    code MM, a Member is currently
                                                    Exchange pursuant to EDGX Rules                          fiber circuit; and $2,000 per physical                   charged a fee of $0.00120 per share for
                                                    15.1(a) and (c). Changes to the fee                      port that connects to the System via 10                  orders that add liquidity at midpoint of
                                                    schedule pursuant to this proposal are                   gigabyte fiber circuit.                                  NBBO using: (1) A MidPoint Match 9
                                                    effective upon filing.                                      The Exchange now proposes to amend                    order; (2) an order with a Hide Not
                                                       The text of the proposed rule change                  its physical connectivity fees to align                  Slide 10 instruction; or (3) an order with
                                                    is available at the Exchange’s Web site                  the Exchange’s fees with its affiliates.7                a Non-Displayed 11 instruction.
                                                    at www.batstrading.com, at the                                                                                    However, under the MidPoint Match
                                                    principal office of the Exchange, and at                   6 The term ‘‘System’’ is defined as ‘‘the electronic
                                                                                                                                                                      Volume Tier, a Member would pay no
                                                                                                             communications and trading facility designated by
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                      33 17                                                  the Board through which securities orders of Users
                                                            CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                                                                                      adopt similar physical connectivity fees to be
                                                      1 15
                                                                                                             are consolidated for ranking, execution and, when
                                                           U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 applicable, routing away.’’ See Exchange Rule            effective July 1, 2015.
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                                                                                8 See BZX fee schedule available at http://
                                                                                                             1.5(cc).
                                                      3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                            7 The Exchange’s affiliates are EDGA Exchange,         batstrading.com/support/fee_schedule/bzx/a and the
                                                      4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
                                                                                                             Inc. (‘‘EDGA’’), BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BYX’’)         BYX fee schedule available at http://
                                                      5 The term ‘‘Member’’ is defined as ‘‘any              and BATS Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’, together with the      batstrading.com/support/fee_schedule/byx/.
                                                                                                                                                                         9 See Exchange Rule 11.8(d).
                                                    registered broker or dealer that has been admitted       Exchange, EDGA and BYX, the ‘‘BATS Exchanges’’).
                                                                                                                                                                         10 See Exchange Rule 11.6(l)(1)(B).
                                                    to membership in the Exchange.’’ See Exchange            The Exchange notes that each of its affiliates will
                                                    Rule 1.5(n).                                             also file proposed rule changes with Commission to          11 See Exchange Rule 11.6(e)(2).




                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:09 Jul 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00141   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM    14JYN1


                                                    41132                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices

                                                    fee for its orders that yielded fee code                 market participants can readily direct                    proposed physical connectivity fees are
                                                    MM where that Member added or                            order flow to competing venues if they                    designed to align the Exchange’s fees
                                                    removed a combined ADV 12 of at least                    deem fee levels at a particular venue to                  with its affiliates.17
                                                    2,500,000 shares yielding fee codes AA,                  be excessive. The proposed rule change                       The Exchange also believes that
                                                    AM, MM, or MT. Currently, no Member                      reflects a competitive pricing structure
                                                                                                                                                                       passing through the cross-connect
                                                    satisfies the tier’s criteria. Therefore, the            designed to incent market participants
                                                                                                                                                                       related expenses in excess of $1,000 as
                                                    Exchange proposes to delete the                          to direct their order flow to the
                                                    MidPoint Match Volume Tier.                              Exchange. The Exchange believes that                      an alternative to the flat installation fees
                                                       The Exchange also notes that the                      the proposed rates are equitable and                      is equitable and reasonable. The
                                                    MidPoint Match Volume Tier would no                      non-discriminatory in that they apply                     proposed pass through would be in lieu
                                                    longer be necessary as of July 6, 2015.                  uniformly to all Members. The                             of the flat installation fees charged by
                                                    The Exchange intends to file with the                    Exchange believes the fees and credits                    the Exchange’s primary competitors.
                                                    Commission a separate proposal to                        remain competitive with those charged                     The Exchange does not anticipate that
                                                    amend it Fee Schedule for July 6, 2015                   by other venues and therefore continue                    passing through these expenses will
                                                    effectiveness to, among other things: (i)                to be reasonable and equitably allocated                  affect many of the Exchange’s
                                                    Delete fee codes AA, AM, and MT; and                     to Members.                                               constituents, because the majority of
                                                    (ii) amend fee code MM to (a) only                                                                                 cross-connect completions cost less than
                                                    apply to orders that add liquidity at the                Physical Connectivity
                                                                                                                                                                       $1,000.
                                                    midpoint of the NBBO using MidPoint                         The Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                             proposed physical connectivity fees                          Finally, the Exchange believes that
                                                    Peg orders; (b) delete references to
                                                    MidPoint Match orders, orders utilizing                  represent an equitable allocation of                      the proposed rates are equitable and
                                                    the Hide Not Slide instruction, and                      reasonable dues, fees, and other charges                  non-discriminatory in that they apply
                                                    orders with a Non-Displayed                              as its fees for physical connectivity are                 uniformly to all Members and non-
                                                    instruction. These changes are a result                  reasonably constrained by competitive                     Members. Members and non-Members
                                                    of proposed rule change to be filed with                 alternatives. If a particular exchange                    will continue to choose whether they
                                                    the Commission to align certain                          charges excessive fees for connectivity,                  want more than one physical port and
                                                    Exchange functionality with BZX.13                       affected Members and non-Members                          choose the method of connectivity
                                                    Therefore, removing the MidPoint                         may opt to terminate their connectivity                   based on their specific needs. All
                                                    Match Volume Tier as of July 1, 2015                     arrangements with that exchange, and                      Exchange Members that voluntarily
                                                    would avoid Members confusion and                        adopt a possible range of alternative                     select various service options will be
                                                    prevent them from attempting to                          strategies, including routing to the                      charged the same amount for the same
                                                    achieve the tier’s criteria as the                       applicable exchange through another                       services. As is true of all physical
                                                    functionality necessary to achieve the                   participant or market center or taking                    connectivity, all Members and non-
                                                    tier may be discontinued before the end                  that exchange’s data indirectly.                          Members have the option to select any
                                                    of July 2015.                                            Accordingly, if the Exchange charges                      connectivity option, and there is no
                                                       Lastly, as a result of the above, the                 excessive fees, it would stand to lose not                differentiation with regard to the fees
                                                    Exchange also proposes to remove a                       only connectivity revenues but also
                                                                                                                                                                       charged for the service.
                                                    reference to footnote 3 from fee code                    revenues associated with the execution
                                                    MM under the Fee Codes and                               of orders routed to it, and, to the extent                MidPoint Match Volume Tier
                                                    Associated Fee table within its Fee                      applicable, market data revenues. The
                                                    Schedule.                                                Exchange believes that this competitive                      The Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                             dynamic imposes powerful restraints on                    proposal to delete the MidPoint Match
                                                    Implementation Date                                                                                                Volume Tier represents an equitable
                                                                                                             the ability of any exchange to charge
                                                      The Exchange proposes to implement                     unreasonable fees for connectivity.                       allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and
                                                    these amendments to its Fee Schedule                        Furthermore, the proposed rule                         other charges as it would avoid
                                                    on July 1, 2015.                                         change is also an equitable allocation of                 confusion by removing a tier from its
                                                    2. Statutory Basis                                       reasonable dues, fees, and other charges                  Fee Schedule for which no Member
                                                                                                             as the Exchange believes that the                         currently qualifies. It is also reasonable
                                                       The Exchange believes that the                        increased fees obtained will enable it to                 as it would prevent a Member from
                                                    proposed rule change is consistent with                  cover its increased infrastructure costs
                                                    the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,14                                                                          attempting to achieve the tier’s criteria
                                                                                                             associated with establishing physical                     as the functionality necessary to achieve
                                                    in general, and furthers the objectives of               ports to connect to the Exchange’s
                                                    Section 6(b)(4),15 in particular, as it is                                                                         the tier is to be discontinued in the near
                                                                                                             Systems. The additional revenue from
                                                    designed to provide for the equitable                                                                              future. Furthermore, removing the
                                                                                                             the increased fees will also enable the
                                                    allocation of reasonable dues, fees and                                                                            MidPoint Match Volume Tier as of July
                                                                                                             Exchange to continue to maintain and
                                                    other charges among its Members and                                                                                1, 2015 would prevent Members
                                                                                                             improve its market technology and
                                                    other persons using its facilities. The                  services. The Exchange believes that the                  attempting to achieve the tier’s criteria
                                                    Exchange also notes that it operates in                  proposed fees for 1 gigabyte circuit of                   when they will be unable to do so
                                                    a highly-competitive market in which                     $2,000 per month and for 10 gigabyte                      because the functionality necessary to
                                                                                                             circuit of $4,000 per month are                           achieve the tier will be discontinued
                                                       12 ‘‘ADV’’ is defined in the Exchange Fee
                                                                                                             reasonable in that they are less than                     before the end of July 2015, thereby
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    Schedule available at http://batstrading.com/                                                                      avoiding Member or investor confusion.
                                                    support/fee_schedule/edgx/.                              analogous fees charged by the Nasdaq
                                                       13 A description of the changes proposed in this      Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’), which                      Lastly, the Exchange believes that
                                                    filing may be found in BATS EDGX Exchange                are $2,500 per month for 1 gigabyte                       removal of the MidPoint Match Volume
                                                    Modifications, Effective July 6, 2015, available at      connectivity and range from $10,000–                      Tier is equitable and non-discriminatory
                                                    http://cdn.batstrading.com/resources/release_                                                                      in that they apply uniformly to all
                                                    notes/2015/BATS–EDGX-Exchange-Modifications-             $15,000 per month for 10 gigabyte
                                                    Effective-July-6-2015.pdf.                               circuits.16 In addition, the Exchange                     Members.
                                                       14 15 U.S.C. 78f.
                                                       15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).                                    16 See   Nasdaq Rule 7034(b).                          17 See   supra notes 7 and 8.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   19:09 Jul 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000     Frm 00142     Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM   14JYN1


                                                                                      Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 134 / Tuesday, July 14, 2015 / Notices                                                       41133

                                                    (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         III. Date of Effectiveness of the                           inspection and copying at the principal
                                                    Statement on Burden on Competition                         Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                         office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                      The Exchange does not believe that                       Commission Action                                           received will be posted without change;
                                                    the proposed rule change will impose                          The foregoing rule change has become                     the Commission does not edit personal
                                                    any burden on competition not                              effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)                   identifying information from
                                                    necessary or appropriate in furtherance                    of the Act 19 and paragraph (f) of Rule                     submissions. You should submit only
                                                    of the purposes of the Act.                                19b–4 thereunder.20 At any time within                      information that you wish to make
                                                                                                               60 days of the filing of the proposed rule                  available publicly. All submissions
                                                    Physical Connectivity                                                                                                  should refer to File Number SR–EDGX–
                                                                                                               change, the Commission summarily may
                                                       As discussed above, the Exchange                        temporarily suspend such rule change if                     2015–29 and should be submitted on or
                                                    believes that fees for connectivity are                    it appears to the Commission that such                      before August 4, 2015.
                                                    constrained by the robust competition                      action is necessary or appropriate in the                     For the Commission, by the Division of
                                                    for order flow among exchanges and                         public interest, for the protection of                      Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                    non-exchange markets. Further,                             investors, or otherwise in furtherance of                   authority.21
                                                    excessive fees for connectivity,                           the purposes of the Act.
                                                    including port fee access, would serve                                                                                 Brent J. Fields,
                                                    to impair an exchange’s ability to                         IV. Solicitation of Comments                                Secretary.
                                                    compete for order flow rather than                           Interested persons are invited to                         [FR Doc. 2015–17171 Filed 7–13–15; 8:45 am]
                                                    burdening competition. The proposal to                     submit written data, views, and                             BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                    increase the fees for physical                             arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                    connectivity would bring the fees                          including whether the proposed rule
                                                    charged by the Exchange closer to                          change is consistent with the Act.                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    similar fees charged for physical                          Comments may be submitted by any of                         COMMISSION
                                                    connectivity by other exchanges.18 In                      the following methods:
                                                    addition, the proposal to pass through
                                                                                                               Electronic Comments                                         [Release No. 34–75389; File No. SR-
                                                    cross-connect installation related                                                                                     NASDAQ–2015–071]
                                                    expenses serves as an alternative to the                     • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                    flat installation fees charged by the                      comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                                                                                                                                           Self-Regulatory Organizations; The
                                                    Exchange’s primary competitors.                            rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                                                                                 • Send an email to rule-comments@                         NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of
                                                       Lastly, the proposed rule change does                                                                               Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of
                                                    not impose any burden on intramarket                       sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                                                                                               EDGX–2015–29 on the subject line.                           Proposed Rule Change to the
                                                    competition as the fees are uniform for
                                                                                                                                                                           Designated Liquidity Provider Program
                                                    all Members and non-Members. The                           Paper Comments                                              Under Rule 7018(i)
                                                    Exchange notes that Members and non-
                                                    Members also have the ability to obtain                       • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                                                                                           July 8, 2015.
                                                    access to these services without the                       to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
                                                    need for an independent physical port                      and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street                          Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                    connection, such as through alternative                    NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.                             Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                                    means of financial extranets and service                   All submissions should refer to File                        (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                    bureaus that act as a conduit for orders                   Number SR–EDGX–2015–29. This file                           notice is hereby given that, on July 1,
                                                    entered by Members and non-Members.                        number should be included on the                            2015, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
                                                                                                               subject line if email is used. To help the                  (‘‘NASDAQ’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with
                                                    MidPoint Match Volume Tier                                 Commission process and review your                          the Securities and Exchange
                                                      The Exchange does not believe that its                   comments more efficiently, please use                       Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the
                                                    proposal to delete the MidPoint Match                      only one method. The Commission will                        proposed rule change as described in
                                                    Tier will impose any burden on                             post all comments on the Commission’s                       Items I, II, and III, below, which Items
                                                    competition. As stated above, no                           Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                      have been prepared by the Exchange.
                                                    Member currently satisfies the tier’s                      rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                             The Commission is publishing this
                                                    criteria and the Exchange is proposing                     submission, all subsequent                                  notice to solicit comments on the
                                                    to remove it to avoid investor confusion                   amendments, all written statements                          proposed rule change from interested
                                                    as the functionality necessary to achieve                  with respect to the proposed rule                           persons.
                                                    the tier is to be discontinued before the                  change that are filed with the
                                                    end of July 2015. Therefore, the                           Commission, and all written                                 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    Exchange believes deleting the                             communications relating to the                              Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                    MidPoint Match Tier will have no                           proposed rule change between the                            the Proposed Rule Change
                                                    impact on competition.                                     Commission and any person, other than
                                                                                                               those that may be withheld from the                            The Exchange proposes to amend the
                                                    (C) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         public in accordance with the                               Designated Liquidity Provider (‘‘DLP’’)
                                                    Statement on Comments on the                               provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                         program under Rule 7018(i).
                                                    Proposed Rule Change Received From                         available for Web site viewing and                             The text of the proposed rule change
                                                    Members, Participants or Others                                                                                        is available on the Exchange’s Web site
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                               printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                      The Exchange has not solicited, and                      Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                           at http://nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at
                                                    does not intend to solicit, comments on                    Washington, DC 20549, on official                           the principal office of the Exchange, and
                                                    this proposed rule change. The                             business days between the hours of                          at the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                    Exchange has not received any                              10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                      Room.
                                                    unsolicited written comments from                          filing will also be available for
                                                    Members or other interested parties.                                                                                     21 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
                                                                                                                    19 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).                               1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                      18 See   supra note 16.                                       20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f).                                  2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.




                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014     19:09 Jul 13, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000     Frm 00143   Fmt 4703       Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\14JYN1.SGM     14JYN1



Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:19:47
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:19:47
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 41131 

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