81_FR_1655 81 FR 1647 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rules 11.17, Registration of Market Makers, and 11.20, Obligations of Market Makers

81 FR 1647 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rules 11.17, Registration of Market Makers, and 11.20, Obligations of Market Makers

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 8 (January 13, 2016)

Page Range1647-1651
FR Document2016-00466

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1647-1651]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-00466]


=======================================================================
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76851; File No. SR-EDGA-2015-49]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Rules 
11.17, Registration of Market Makers, and 11.20, Obligations of Market 
Makers

January 7, 2016.
    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 December 24, 2015, EDGA Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange 
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule 
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with 
the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Rules 11.17, Registration of 
Market Makers, and 11.20, Obligations of Market Makers, in order to 
update certain provisions and conform to the rules of BATS Exchange, 
Inc. (``BZX''), BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (``BYX''), EDGX Exchange, Inc.'s 
(``EDGX'') equity options trading platform (``EDGX Options''), BZX's 
equity options trading platform (``BZX Options''), and the Nasdaq Stock 
Market LLC (``Nasdaq'').\5\
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    \5\ See BYX and BZX Rules 11.5 and 11.8; BZX Options Rule 
22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7); EDGX Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and 
(7); and Nasdaq Rules Rule 4613(a)(2)(ii), 4613(a)(2)(D) and (E).
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    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.

[[Page 1648]]

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
    In early 2014, the Exchange and its affiliate, EDGX received 
approval to effect a merger (the ``Merger'') of the Exchange's parent 
company, Direct Edge Holdings LLC, with BATS Global Markets, Inc., the 
parent of BZX and the BYX (together with BZX, EDGA and EDGX, the ``BGM 
Affiliated Exchanges'').\6\ In the context of the Merger, the BGM 
Affiliated Exchanges are working to align their rules, retaining only 
intended differences between the BGM Affiliated Exchanges. Thus, the 
Exchange proposes to amend Rules 11.17, Registration of Market Makers, 
and 11.20, Obligations of Market Makers, in order to update certain 
provisions and conform to the rules of BYX and BZX and provide a 
consistent rule set across each of the BGM Affiliated Exchanges.\7\ As 
amended, Exchange Rules 11.17 and 11.20 would be identical to BYX and 
BZX Rules 11.5 and 11.8 but for different cross references to Exchange 
Rules that are due to the different rule numbering amongst the 
Exchange, BYX and BZX.\8\
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    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71449 (January 30, 
2014), 79 FR 6961 (February 5, 2014) (SR-EDGX-2013-43; SR-EDGA-2013-
34).
    \7\ The Exchange notes that EDGX intends to file an identical 
proposal with the Commission to amend its Rules 11.17 and 11.20 to 
update certain provisions and conform to BYX and BZX Rules 11.5 and 
11.8. The Exchange notes that BYX and BZX intend to file proposed 
rule changes to make related changes to their Rules 11.5 and 11.8 to 
conform with the changes proposed herein.
    \8\ The Exchange notes that the substance of the rules that are 
cross-referenced in Rule 11.17 and 11.20 are identical or 
substantially similar to the corresponding BYX and BZX Rules.
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Rule 11.17, Registration of Market Makers
    Like BYX and BZX Rule 11.5, Exchange Rule 11.17 governs the 
registration of Market Makers on the Exchange. In particular, 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of Rule 11.17 set forth the application process 
for Members seeking to register as Market Makers on the Exchange. To 
harmonize Exchange Rule 11.17(a) with BYX and BZX Rule 11.5(a), the 
Exchange proposes to replace the word ``under'' with ``of'' when 
referencing Rule 15c3-1 of the Exchange Act. But for different cross-
referencing to Exchange rules that are identical or substantially 
similar to corresponding BYX and BZX rules, this change would make 
Exchange Rule 11.17 identical to BYX and BZX Rule 11.5.
    The Exchange also proposes to amend paragraphs (c)(4) and (e) to 
update rule cross-references to reflect the renumbering of certain 
rules as part of an earlier exchange rule filing.\9\ Within paragraph 
(c)(4) to Rule 11.17, the Exchange proposes to replace reference to 
Rule 11.19(b)(5) with Rule 11.18(b)(5). The Exchange also proposes to 
amend paragraph (e) to Rule 11.17 to replace references to Rules 11.18, 
11.19, and 11.20 with Rules 11.17, 11.18, and 11.19.
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    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73592 (November 13, 
2014), 79 FR 68937 (November 19, 2014) (SR-EDGA-2014-20).
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Rule 11.20, Obligations of Market Makers
    Like BYX and BZX Rules 11.8, Exchange Rule 11.20 sets forth the 
obligations of Market Makers. In short, Members who are registered as 
Market Makers in one or more securities traded on the Exchange must 
engage in a course of dealings for their own account to assist in the 
maintenance, insofar as reasonably practicable, of fair and orderly 
markets on the Exchange in accordance with these Rules. The Exchange 
proposes to make the following changes to harmonize Rule 11.20(a), (c), 
and (d) with BYX and BZX Rule 11.8:
     Amend subparagraph (a)(5) to replace in the second 
sentence the word ``entering'' with ``entry'';
     amend paragraph (c) to replace in the second sentence the 
word ``limits'' with ``will limit'';
     amend paragraph (d)(1) to: (i) add the phrase ``is 
identified to the Exchange as the interest meeting the obligation and'' 
to the first sentence; (ii) add the word ``either'' to the fourth 
sentence; and (iii) add the phrase ``or by identifying existing 
interest on the EDGA Book that will satisfy this obligation'' to the 
last sentence; and
     amend paragraphs (d)(2)(A) and (B) to add to the last 
sentence of each paragraph the phrase ``, or must be able to identify 
to the Exchange current resting interest that satisfies the Two-Sided 
Obligation.''
    The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 11.20(d)(1) to clarify the 
scenarios in which a Market Maker's two-sided quoting obligation may be 
temporarily suspended or alleviated. The provisions proposed to be 
added are each substantially similar to the rules of BZX Options and 
EDGX Options.\10\ Proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(A) addresses a Market 
Maker's ability to satisfy the quoting standard in the event of a 
technical failure or system limitation. In particular, if a technical 
failure or limitation of a system of the Exchange prevents the Market 
Maker from maintaining or communicating to the Exchange timely and 
accurate quotes in each security in which a Member is registered as a 
Market Maker, the duration of such failure shall not be considered in 
determining whether the Market Maker has satisfied the quoting standard 
with respect to that security.\11\
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    \10\ See BZX Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7). See also 
EDGX Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7).
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71229 (December 18, 
2013), 78 FR 77736 (December 24, 2013) (SR-BATS-2013-062) (Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to 
Modify BATS Options Market Maker Continuous Quoting Obligation 
Rules).
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    In addition, proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(B) addresses a Market 
Maker's ability to satisfy the quoting standard during a halt, 
suspension or pause. A Market Maker's quoting obligation under Rule 
11.20 would be suspended during a trading halt, suspension, or pause in 
the security.\12\ A Market Maker's quoting obligation would re-commence 
after the first regular way transaction on the primary listing market 
following such halt, suspension, or pause in the security, as reported 
by the responsible single plan processor.\13\ A Market Maker's quoting 
obligation would also be suspended under Rule 11.20(d)(1)(B) for the 
duration that an NMS stock is in a Limit State or a Straddle State 
declared pursuant to the Plan to Address Extraordinary Market 
Volatility Pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS under the Act (the 
``Limit Up-Limit Down Plan'' or ``Plan'').\14\
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    \12\ The Exchange notes that proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(B) would 
differ from BZX Options and EDGX Options Rules 22.6(d)(5) in so far 
as proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(B) references ``security'' rather than 
``underlying security'' in order to conform to the equities markets.
    \13\ See also Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (``Nasdaq'') Rule 
4613(a)(2)(ii).
    \14\ See EDGA and EDGX Rules 11.16(e). See also BZX and BYX 
Rules 11.18(e). Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67091 (May 31, 
2012), 77 FR 33498 (June 6, 2012) (the ``Limit Up-Limit Down 
Release'').

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[[Page 1649]]

    Under proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(C), the Exchange would have the 
ability to consider other exceptions to the Two-Sided Obligation based 
on demonstrated legal or regulatory requirements or other mitigating 
circumstances. For example, a Market Maker must implement the pre-trade 
and other risk controls required by Rule 15c3-5 of the Act (the 
``Market Access Rule'') with respect to all of their quoting activity. 
These pre-trade risk controls must be reasonably designed to 
systemically limit financial exposure and ensure compliance with all 
regulatory requirements. The risk controls a Market Maker may have in 
place to comply with the Market Access Rule may prevent that Market 
Maker from satisfying its quoting obligation. In such case, the 
Exchange would consider whether the Market Maker's failure to satisfy 
its quoting obligation due to its compliance with the Market Access 
Rule was proper.
    Lastly, the Exchange proposes to amend its definitions of 
``Designated Percentage'' and ``Defined Limit'' under Rules 
11.8(d)(2)(D) and (E) respectively to be substantially similar to 
Nasdaq Rules 4613(a)(2)(D) and (E). The pricing obligations applicable 
to quotations of Market Makers are based on the Designated Percentage 
and the Defined Limit, which are determined based on the applicable 
trigger percentage. The amended definitions would include additional 
specificity and updated descriptions of the categories of securities 
that are subject to those percentages. Notably, the Exchange proposes 
to replace references to the terms Original Circuit Breaker Securities 
(defined below) with Tier 1 or Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-
Limit Down Plan (also defined below), as the Exchange believes these 
terms more accurately describe the securities to which a certain 
percentage applies. The Exchange is not proposing new percentages 
governing a Market Maker's quoting obligations; it is seeking to adopt 
revised definitions that are substantially similar to that of Nasdaq in 
order to provide consistent rules with regard to Market Maker's quoting 
obligations.\15\ The Exchange believes consistent definitions would 
avoid confusion amongst market participants that make markets on 
multiple venues.
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    \15\ The Exchange proposed to categorize securities included in 
the S&P 500[supreg] Index, Russell 1000[supreg] Index, and a pilot 
list of Exchange Traded Products as Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the 
under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan. Securities not included in the 
S&P 500[supreg] Index, Russell 1000[supreg] Index, or in the pilot 
list of Exchange Traded Products would be categorized as Tier 2 NMS 
Stocks under the under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan. Nasdaq Rule 
4613(a)(2)(D) and (E) references securities as included in the S&P 
500[supreg] Index, Russell 1000[supreg] Index, and a pilot list of 
Exchange Traded Products as such and those that are not as Tier 2 
NMS Stocks. The Exchange notes that BYX and BZX also intent to amend 
their definitions of Designated Percentage and Defined Limit to 
mirror that proposed herein.
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    The Exchange currently defines Designated Percentage under Rule 
11.20(d)(2)(D) as 8% with respect to securities included in the S&P 
500[supreg] Index and the Russell 1000[supreg] Index, as well as a 
pilot list of Exchange Traded Products for securities subject to an 
individual stock pause trigger under the applicable rules of a primary 
listing market (``Original Circuit Breaker Securities''). For times 
during Regular Trading Hours \16\ when stock pause triggers are not in 
effect under the rules of the primary listing market, the Designated 
Percentage shall be 20% for Original Circuit Breaker Securities. Under 
Rule 11.20(d)(2)(E), the Designated Percentage shall be 28% for all NMS 
securities that are not Original Circuit Breaker Securities with a 
price equal to or greater than $1.00, and 30% for all NMS securities 
that are not Original Circuit Breaker Securities with a price less than 
$1.00.
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    \16\ See Exchange Rule 1.5(y).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As amended, Designated Percentage would be defined solely under 
Exchange Rule 11.20(d)(2)(D) as 8% for Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the 
Limit Up-Limit Down Plan,\17\ 28% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit 
Up-Limit Down Plan \18\ with a price equal to or greater than $1.00, 
and 30% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan with a 
price less than $1.00, except that between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. and 
between 3:35 p.m. and the close of trading, when Exchange Rule 11.16(e) 
is not in effect, the Designated Percentage shall be 20% for Tier 1 NMS 
Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan, 28% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks 
under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan with a price equal to or greater 
than $1.00, and 30% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down 
Plan with a price less than $1.00.
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    \17\ Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan are 
securities that are included in the S&P 500[supreg] Index, Russell 
1000[supreg] Index, and a pilot list of Exchange Traded Products. 
See the Limit Up-Limit Down Release supra note 14.
    \18\ Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan are 
securities that are not included in the S&P 500[supreg] Index, 
Russell 1000[supreg] Index, and a pilot list of Exchange Traded 
Products. Id.
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    The Exchange currently defines Defined Limit under Rule 
11.20(d)(2)(F) and (G) as 9.5% for Original Circuit Breaker Securities. 
For times during Regular Trading Hours when stock pause triggers are 
not in effect under the rules of the primary listing market, the 
Defined Limit shall be 21.5% for Original Circuit Breaker Securities. 
The Defined Limit is 29.5% for all NMS securities that are not Original 
Circuit Breaker Securities with a price equal to or greater than $1.00, 
and 31.5% for all NMS securities that are not Original Circuit Breaker 
Securities with a price less than $1.00.
    As amended, subparagraphs (d)(2)(F) and (G) of Exchange Rule 11.20 
would be deleted and Defined Limit would be defined solely under 
Exchange Rule 11.20(d)(2)(E) as 9.5% for Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the 
Limit Up-Limit Down Plan, 29.5% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit 
Up-Limit Down Plan with a price equal to or greater than $1.00, and 
31.5% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan with a 
price less than $1.00, except that between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. and 
between 3:35 p.m. and the close of trading, when Exchange Rule 11.16(e) 
is not in effect, the Defined Limit shall be 21.5% for Tier 1 NMS 
Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan, 29.5% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks 
under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan with a price equal to or greater 
than $1.00, and 31.5% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit 
Down Plan with a price less than $1.00. Exchange Rule 11.8(d)(2)(E) 
also states that for times during Regular Trading Hours when stock 
pause triggers are not in effect under the rules of the primary listing 
market, the Defined Limit will be 21.5% for securities included in the 
S&P 500[supreg] Index, Russell 1000[supreg] Index, and a pilot list of 
Exchange Traded Products. The Defined Limit will remain the same 
throughout Regular Trading Hours for all other NMS stocks.
    The Exchange proposes to delete Interpretation and Policy .01 to 
Rule 11.20 as its content is not included in BYX and BZX Rules 11.8 and 
its requirement to furnished records to the Exchange are duplicative 
with current Exchange Rule 4.2.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations 
thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, 
in particular, with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\19\ 
Specifically, the proposed change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of 
the Act,\20\ because it is designed to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to remove impediments to, and perfect the 
mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in

[[Page 1650]]

general, to protect investors and the public interest. As mentioned 
above, the proposed rule changes, combined with the planned filing for 
the BYX, BZX, and EDGX would allow the BGM Affiliated Exchanges to 
provide a consistent set of rules as it relates to the registration and 
obligations of Market Makers. Consistent rules, in turn, will simplify 
the regulatory requirements for Market Makers on the Exchange that are 
also Market Makers on EDGX, BZX, and/or BYX. The proposed rule change 
would provide greater harmonization between rules of similar purpose on 
the BGM Affiliated Exchanges, resulting in greater uniformity and less 
burdensome and more efficient regulatory compliance and understanding 
of Exchange Rules. As such, the proposed rule change would foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities and would remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. 
Similarly, the Exchange also believes that, by harmonizing the rules 
across each BGM Affiliated Exchange, the proposal will enhance the 
Exchange's ability to fairly and efficiently regulate its Market Makers 
by utilizing a consistent rule set and obligations across each of the 
BGM Affiliated Exchanges. Consistent rules would enable the Exchange to 
apply identical standards to that of its affiliates, alleviating 
confusion by Market Makers on who may also be registered as such on 
BYX, BZX, or EDGX, thereby promoting just and equitable principles of 
trade in accordance with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.\21\
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \21\ Id.
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    The Exchange also believes the proposed amendments to Rule 11.8(d) 
are consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\22\ because they are 
designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, 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 proposed amendments to Rule 11.8(d)(1) are 
meant to clarify the scenarios in which a Market Maker's two-sided 
quoting obligation may be temporarily suspended or alleviated. The 
provisions proposed to be added are each substantially similar to the 
rules of the BZX Options, EDGX Options and Nasdaq.\23\ The Exchange 
believes it is appropriate to have consistent rules across its equities 
and options platforms. Consistent rules would aid in alleviating 
confusion amongst those that are Members on both platforms. The 
Exchange believes it is reasonable to suspend or alleviate a Market 
Maker's quoting obligations in the event of a technical or system 
limitation, during a trading halt, suspension or pause, as well as 
where demonstrated legal or regulatory requirements prevent the Market 
Maker from quoting. In each scenario, the Exchange will review the 
reasons behind the Market Maker inability to quote for compliance with 
the Rule. The Exchange is not proposing new percentages governing a 
Market Maker's quoting obligations; it is seeking to adopt revised 
definitions that are substantially similar to those of Nasdaq in order 
to provide a consistent rules with regard to Market Makers quoting 
obligations.
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    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \23\ See supra notes 10 and 13.
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(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. To the contrary, allowing the 
Exchange to implement substantively identical rules across each of the 
BGM Affiliated Exchanges regarding Market Maker registration and their 
obligations does not present any competitive issues, but rather is 
designed to provide greater harmonization among Exchange, BYX, BZX, and 
EDGX rules of similar purpose. The proposed rule change should, 
therefore, result in less burdensome and more efficient regulatory 
compliance and understanding of Exchange Rules for common members of 
the BGM Affiliated Exchanges and an enhanced ability of the BGM 
Affiliated Exchanges to fairly and efficiently regulate Market Makers.

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

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

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:
    A. Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest;
    B. impose any significant burden on competition; and
    C. become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was 
filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has 
become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \24\ and 
Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \25\ thereunder. The Exchange has given the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along 
with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change,
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    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \25\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal 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 No. SR-EDGA-2015-49 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File No. SR-EDGA-2015-49. 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

[[Page 1651]]

those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing 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 No. SR-EDGA-2015-49 and should be 
submitted on or before February 3, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\26\
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    \26\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-00466 Filed 1-12-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Notices                                                       1647

                                                    4. Product Information—Environmental                          requirements (e.g., FCC approved) and/or         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                                    Contraband Detection                                          NIJ Compliance (e.g., NIJ Standard               COMMISSION
                                                    a. Name and model number                                      0602.02, and 0601.02)
                                                    b. Primary purpose of product                           ee. Radiation safety standards (e.g., ANSI,
                                                    c. Physical dimensions (height × width ×                      ICRP, NCRP, EURATOM, etc.), if                   [Release No. 34–76851; File No. SR–EDGA–
                                                          depth, in inches) of device                             applicable                                       2015–49]
                                                    d. Operational dimensions (i.e., limitations to         ff. Length of warranty (in months) that comes
                                                          the detection area)                                     standard with the system/device and the          Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA
                                                    e. Weight (in pounds and ounces) of device                    components that are covered                      Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                    f. Portability (e.g., fixed, portable, or               gg. Auxiliary equipment (e.g., car chargers,           Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
                                                          handheld)                                               emergency chargers, etc.)                        Rule Change to Rules 11.17,
                                                    g. Operating conditions or limitations (e.g.,           hh. Manufacturer suggested retail price                Registration of Market Makers, and
                                                          temperature, humidity, etc.)                            (MSRP) without optional features,
                                                    h. Ability of the system/device to detect                                                                      11.20, Obligations of Market Makers
                                                                                                                  accessories or service plans
                                                          metal objects                                     ii. Availability of extended maintenance               January 7, 2016.
                                                       i. Types of metals that are detected by the                plans
                                                          system                                            jj. Service contract costs                                Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
                                                       ii. Types of metals that are not detected by         kk. Other information or notes that are                Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                          the system                                                                                               ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
                                                                                                                  relevant to the system/device
                                                    i. Ability of the system/device to detect non-
                                                          metal objects                                     5. Usability/Training                                  notice is hereby given that on December
                                                       i. Types of non-metal materials that can be                                                                 24, 2015, EDGA Exchange, Inc. (the
                                                                                                            a. Types of processes used to ensure usability
                                                          detected by the system/device (e.g.,                                                                     ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGA’’) filed with the
                                                                                                                  of hardware and software products (e.g.,
                                                          liquids, gels, plastic, wood, ceramic,                                                                   Securities and Exchange Commission
                                                                                                                  requirements gathering, observation, task
                                                          powder, paper, currency, etc.)                                                                           (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
                                                    j. Ability of the system/device to detect other               analysis, interaction design, usability
                                                                                                                  testing, ergonomics, etc.)                       change as described in Items I and II
                                                          types of contraband and related material
                                                          not specifically listed here (i.e., potential     b. Types of data gathered from the user                below, which Items have been prepared
                                                          next generation contraband detection)                   community (e.g., interviews,                     by the Exchange. The Exchange has
                                                    k. Modes of operation (e.g., settings for                     observations during hands-on training,           designated this proposal as a ‘‘non-
                                                          detecting different materials)                          survey, satisfaction surveys, repeat             controversial’’ proposed rule change
                                                    l. Number of detection areas (e.g., ability to                customers, etc.) to evaluate your
                                                                                                                                                                   pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
                                                          simultaneous detect threats)                            products, and how often it is collected
                                                                                                            c. Types of user-group meetings and                    Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)
                                                    m. Type of detector used (e.g., transmission
                                                          x-ray, active millimeter wave, pulse                    frequency of their occurrence                    thereunder,4 which renders it effective
                                                          induction detector, continuous wave               d. Categories of problems reported to vendor           upon filing with the Commission. The
                                                          detector, passive, etc.)                                and percentage of user community that            Commission is publishing this notice to
                                                    n. Minimum size of objects that can be                        experienced them within the last three           solicit comments on the proposed rule
                                                          detected (length × width × height in                    (3) years                                        change from interested persons.
                                                          inches, or weight in pounds and ounces)              i. Resolution(s) to the problems identified
                                                    o. Maximum size of objects that can be                        above                                            I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                          detected (length × width × height in              e. Hours of technology support and location            Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                          inches, or weight in pounds and ounces)                 (e.g., telephone or at agency)                   the Proposed Rule Change
                                                    p. Alert/alarm mechanism (e.g., alarm only,             f. Calibration requirements (e.g., cost,
                                                          anomaly image, full picture image, etc.)                methodology, hours required)                        The Exchange filed a proposal to
                                                    q. Average time (in seconds) to process/                g. Hours and type of training provided (e.g.,
                                                          generate an alarm
                                                                                                                                                                   amend Rules 11.17, Registration of
                                                                                                                  on-site, web-based, pre-recorded, play           Market Makers, and 11.20, Obligations
                                                    r. Number of recommended operators                            environment etc.)
                                                    s. Safeguards for cyber security,                                                                              of Market Makers, in order to update
                                                          unintentional disassembly, jamming, or            6. Features and Functions                              certain provisions and conform to the
                                                          intentional damage                                a. Types of reports that are available (e.g.,          rules of BATS Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’),
                                                    t. Sturdiness/fragility of the technology                    standard information examples, extent             BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BYX’’), EDGX
                                                          material                                               that reports are customizable, etc.)
                                                    u. Ability for easy storage when not in use
                                                                                                                                                                   Exchange, Inc.’s (‘‘EDGX’’) equity
                                                                                                            b. Types of on-demand custom reports                   options trading platform (‘‘EDGX
                                                    v. Data management with respect to saving,
                                                          archiving, retrieving, and printing scan          7. Performance and Security                            Options’’), BZX’s equity options trading
                                                          information                                       a. Average time to install and activate device         platform (‘‘BZX Options’’), and the
                                                    w. Onboard memory storage (e.g., quantity of                 (in minutes, hours, or days)                      Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’).5
                                                          data that can be stored on device in              b. False positive (alert generated when it
                                                          number of files/alerts/days activity)                                                                       The text of the proposed rule change
                                                                                                                 should not have been) and false negative          is available at the Exchange’s Web site
                                                    x. Power requirements (e.g., 120 volts)                      (alert was not generated when it should
                                                    y. Battery discharge time (hours of                          have been) rates
                                                                                                                                                                   at www.batstrading.com, at the
                                                          continuous operation before needing a                                                                    principal office of the Exchange, and at
                                                                                                            c. Mean time to failure
                                                          charge), if applicable                                                                                   the Commission’s Public Reference
                                                                                                            d. Percent availability versus downtime of
                                                    z. Battery shelf life (in months), if applicable                                                               Room.
                                                                                                                 the device
                                                    aa. Battery recharge time (hours required to
                                                                                                            e. Data protection mechanism while in transit
                                                          fully charge battery after complete
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                                                                                                                 and during storage (e.g., SSL, encryption,
                                                          discharge), if applicable
                                                    bb. Battery replacement procedure and where                  password strength, etc.)                            1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                          it must be done (e.g., field or factory), if      f. Types of database change record                       2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                          applicable                                             maintenance practices for historical data           3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

                                                    cc. Availability of supplemental charger for            Nancy Rodriguez,
                                                                                                                                                                     4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).

                                                          emergency battery charging (e.g., hand                                                                     5 See BYX and BZX Rules 11.5 and 11.8; BZX
                                                                                                            Director, National Institute of Justice.
                                                          crank, backup battery, solar, etc.), if                                                                  Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7); EDGX Options
                                                          applicable                                        [FR Doc. 2016–00503 Filed 1–12–16; 8:45 am]            Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7); and Nasdaq Rules Rule
                                                    dd. Regulatory and Compliance safety                    BILLING CODE 4410–18–P                                 4613(a)(2)(ii), 4613(a)(2)(D) and (E).



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                                                    1648                        Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Notices

                                                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      registration of Market Makers on the                   paragraph the phrase ‘‘, or must be able
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                        Exchange. In particular, paragraphs (a)                to identify to the Exchange current
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  and (b) of Rule 11.17 set forth the                    resting interest that satisfies the Two-
                                                    Change                                                  application process for Members                        Sided Obligation.’’
                                                       In its filing with the Commission, the               seeking to register as Market Makers on                   The Exchange also proposes to amend
                                                    Exchange included statements                            the Exchange. To harmonize Exchange                    Rule 11.20(d)(1) to clarify the scenarios
                                                    concerning the purpose of and basis for                 Rule 11.17(a) with BYX and BZX Rule                    in which a Market Maker’s two-sided
                                                    the proposed rule change and discussed                  11.5(a), the Exchange proposes to                      quoting obligation may be temporarily
                                                    any comments it received on the                         replace the word ‘‘under’’ with ‘‘of’’                 suspended or alleviated. The provisions
                                                    proposed rule change. The text of these                 when referencing Rule 15c3–1 of the                    proposed to be added are each
                                                    statements may be examined at the                       Exchange Act. But for different cross-                 substantially similar to the rules of BZX
                                                    places specified in Item IV below. The                  referencing to Exchange rules that are                 Options and EDGX Options.10 Proposed
                                                    Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    identical or substantially similar to                  Rule 11.20(d)(1)(A) addresses a Market
                                                    forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of                 corresponding BYX and BZX rules, this                  Maker’s ability to satisfy the quoting
                                                    the most significant parts of such                      change would make Exchange Rule                        standard in the event of a technical
                                                    statements.                                             11.17 identical to BYX and BZX Rule                    failure or system limitation. In
                                                                                                            11.5.                                                  particular, if a technical failure or
                                                    (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        The Exchange also proposes to amend
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                                                                               limitation of a system of the Exchange
                                                                                                            paragraphs (c)(4) and (e) to update rule               prevents the Market Maker from
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  cross-references to reflect the
                                                    Change                                                                                                         maintaining or communicating to the
                                                                                                            renumbering of certain rules as part of                Exchange timely and accurate quotes in
                                                    1. Purpose                                              an earlier exchange rule filing.9 Within               each security in which a Member is
                                                                                                            paragraph (c)(4) to Rule 11.17, the                    registered as a Market Maker, the
                                                       In early 2014, the Exchange and its
                                                                                                            Exchange proposes to replace reference                 duration of such failure shall not be
                                                    affiliate, EDGX received approval to
                                                                                                            to Rule 11.19(b)(5) with Rule                          considered in determining whether the
                                                    effect a merger (the ‘‘Merger’’) of the
                                                                                                            11.18(b)(5). The Exchange also proposes                Market Maker has satisfied the quoting
                                                    Exchange’s parent company, Direct Edge
                                                    Holdings LLC, with BATS Global                          to amend paragraph (e) to Rule 11.17 to                standard with respect to that security.11
                                                    Markets, Inc., the parent of BZX and the                replace references to Rules 11.18, 11.19,
                                                                                                            and 11.20 with Rules 11.17, 11.18, and                    In addition, proposed Rule
                                                    BYX (together with BZX, EDGA and                                                                               11.20(d)(1)(B) addresses a Market
                                                    EDGX, the ‘‘BGM Affiliated                              11.19.
                                                                                                                                                                   Maker’s ability to satisfy the quoting
                                                    Exchanges’’).6 In the context of the                    Rule 11.20, Obligations of Market                      standard during a halt, suspension or
                                                    Merger, the BGM Affiliated Exchanges                    Makers                                                 pause. A Market Maker’s quoting
                                                    are working to align their rules,                                                                              obligation under Rule 11.20 would be
                                                                                                               Like BYX and BZX Rules 11.8,
                                                    retaining only intended differences                                                                            suspended during a trading halt,
                                                                                                            Exchange Rule 11.20 sets forth the
                                                    between the BGM Affiliated Exchanges.                                                                          suspension, or pause in the security.12
                                                                                                            obligations of Market Makers. In short,
                                                    Thus, the Exchange proposes to amend                                                                           A Market Maker’s quoting obligation
                                                                                                            Members who are registered as Market
                                                    Rules 11.17, Registration of Market                                                                            would re-commence after the first
                                                                                                            Makers in one or more securities traded
                                                    Makers, and 11.20, Obligations of                                                                              regular way transaction on the primary
                                                                                                            on the Exchange must engage in a
                                                    Market Makers, in order to update                                                                              listing market following such halt,
                                                                                                            course of dealings for their own account
                                                    certain provisions and conform to the                                                                          suspension, or pause in the security, as
                                                    rules of BYX and BZX and provide a                      to assist in the maintenance, insofar as
                                                                                                            reasonably practicable, of fair and                    reported by the responsible single plan
                                                    consistent rule set across each of the                                                                         processor.13 A Market Maker’s quoting
                                                    BGM Affiliated Exchanges.7 As                           orderly markets on the Exchange in
                                                                                                            accordance with these Rules. The                       obligation would also be suspended
                                                    amended, Exchange Rules 11.17 and                                                                              under Rule 11.20(d)(1)(B) for the
                                                    11.20 would be identical to BYX and                     Exchange proposes to make the
                                                                                                            following changes to harmonize Rule                    duration that an NMS stock is in a Limit
                                                    BZX Rules 11.5 and 11.8 but for                                                                                State or a Straddle State declared
                                                    different cross references to Exchange                  11.20(a), (c), and (d) with BYX and BZX
                                                                                                            Rule 11.8:                                             pursuant to the Plan to Address
                                                    Rules that are due to the different rule                                                                       Extraordinary Market Volatility
                                                    numbering amongst the Exchange, BYX                        • Amend subparagraph (a)(5) to
                                                                                                            replace in the second sentence the word                Pursuant to Rule 608 of Regulation NMS
                                                    and BZX.8                                                                                                      under the Act (the ‘‘Limit Up-Limit
                                                                                                            ‘‘entering’’ with ‘‘entry’’;
                                                    Rule 11.17, Registration of Market                         • amend paragraph (c) to replace in                 Down Plan’’ or ‘‘Plan’’).14
                                                    Makers                                                  the second sentence the word ‘‘limits’’
                                                                                                                                                                     10 See BZX Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7).
                                                      Like BYX and BZX Rule 11.5,                           with ‘‘will limit’’;
                                                                                                                                                                   See also EDGX Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7).
                                                    Exchange Rule 11.17 governs the                            • amend paragraph (d)(1) to: (i) add                  11 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71229
                                                                                                            the phrase ‘‘is identified to the                      (December 18, 2013), 78 FR 77736 (December 24,
                                                       6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71449      Exchange as the interest meeting the                   2013) (SR–BATS–2013–062) (Notice of Filing and
                                                    (January 30, 2014), 79 FR 6961 (February 5, 2014)       obligation and’’ to the first sentence; (ii)           Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change
                                                    (SR–EDGX–2013–43; SR–EDGA–2013–34).                                                                            to Modify BATS Options Market Maker Continuous
                                                                                                            add the word ‘‘either’’ to the fourth                  Quoting Obligation Rules).
                                                       7 The Exchange notes that EDGX intends to file
                                                                                                            sentence; and (iii) add the phrase ‘‘or by               12 The Exchange notes that proposed Rule
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                                                    an identical proposal with the Commission to
                                                    amend its Rules 11.17 and 11.20 to update certain       identifying existing interest on the                   11.20(d)(1)(B) would differ from BZX Options and
                                                    provisions and conform to BYX and BZX Rules 11.5        EDGA Book that will satisfy this                       EDGX Options Rules 22.6(d)(5) in so far as
                                                    and 11.8. The Exchange notes that BYX and BZX           obligation’’ to the last sentence; and                 proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(B) references ‘‘security’’
                                                                                                                                                                   rather than ‘‘underlying security’’ in order to
                                                    intend to file proposed rule changes to make related
                                                    changes to their Rules 11.5 and 11.8 to conform
                                                                                                               • amend paragraphs (d)(2)(A) and (B)                conform to the equities markets.
                                                    with the changes proposed herein.                       to add to the last sentence of each                      13 See also Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’)
                                                       8 The Exchange notes that the substance of the                                                              Rule 4613(a)(2)(ii).
                                                    rules that are cross-referenced in Rule 11.17 and         9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73592        14 See EDGA and EDGX Rules 11.16(e). See also

                                                    11.20 are identical or substantially similar to the     (November 13, 2014), 79 FR 68937 (November 19,         BZX and BYX Rules 11.18(e). Securities Exchange
                                                    corresponding BYX and BZX Rules.                        2014) (SR–EDGA–2014–20).                               Act Release No. 67091 (May 31, 2012), 77 FR 33498



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Notices                                              1649

                                                       Under proposed Rule 11.20(d)(1)(C),                  consistent definitions would avoid                     Defined Limit shall be 21.5% for
                                                    the Exchange would have the ability to                  confusion amongst market participants                  Original Circuit Breaker Securities. The
                                                    consider other exceptions to the Two-                   that make markets on multiple venues.                  Defined Limit is 29.5% for all NMS
                                                    Sided Obligation based on demonstrated                     The Exchange currently defines                      securities that are not Original Circuit
                                                    legal or regulatory requirements or other               Designated Percentage under Rule                       Breaker Securities with a price equal to
                                                    mitigating circumstances. For example,                  11.20(d)(2)(D) as 8% with respect to                   or greater than $1.00, and 31.5% for all
                                                    a Market Maker must implement the                       securities included in the S&P 500®                    NMS securities that are not Original
                                                    pre-trade and other risk controls                       Index and the Russell 1000® Index, as                  Circuit Breaker Securities with a price
                                                    required by Rule 15c3–5 of the Act (the                 well as a pilot list of Exchange Traded                less than $1.00.
                                                    ‘‘Market Access Rule’’) with respect to                 Products for securities subject to an                     As amended, subparagraphs (d)(2)(F)
                                                    all of their quoting activity. These pre-               individual stock pause trigger under the               and (G) of Exchange Rule 11.20 would
                                                    trade risk controls must be reasonably                  applicable rules of a primary listing                  be deleted and Defined Limit would be
                                                    designed to systemically limit financial                market (‘‘Original Circuit Breaker                     defined solely under Exchange Rule
                                                    exposure and ensure compliance with                     Securities’’). For times during Regular                11.20(d)(2)(E) as 9.5% for Tier 1 NMS
                                                    all regulatory requirements. The risk                   Trading Hours 16 when stock pause                      Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down
                                                    controls a Market Maker may have in                     triggers are not in effect under the rules             Plan, 29.5% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks
                                                    place to comply with the Market Access                  of the primary listing market, the                     under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan
                                                    Rule may prevent that Market Maker                      Designated Percentage shall be 20% for                 with a price equal to or greater than
                                                    from satisfying its quoting obligation. In              Original Circuit Breaker Securities.                   $1.00, and 31.5% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks
                                                    such case, the Exchange would consider                  Under Rule 11.20(d)(2)(E), the                         under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan
                                                    whether the Market Maker’s failure to                   Designated Percentage shall be 28% for                 with a price less than $1.00, except that
                                                    satisfy its quoting obligation due to its               all NMS securities that are not Original               between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. and
                                                    compliance with the Market Access                       Circuit Breaker Securities with a price                between 3:35 p.m. and the close of
                                                    Rule was proper.                                        equal to or greater than $1.00, and 30%                trading, when Exchange Rule 11.16(e) is
                                                       Lastly, the Exchange proposes to                     for all NMS securities that are not                    not in effect, the Defined Limit shall be
                                                    amend its definitions of ‘‘Designated                   Original Circuit Breaker Securities with               21.5% for Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the
                                                    Percentage’’ and ‘‘Defined Limit’’ under                a price less than $1.00.                               Limit Up-Limit Down Plan, 29.5% for
                                                    Rules 11.8(d)(2)(D) and (E) respectively                   As amended, Designated Percentage                   Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-
                                                    to be substantially similar to Nasdaq                   would be defined solely under                          Limit Down Plan with a price equal to
                                                    Rules 4613(a)(2)(D) and (E). The pricing                Exchange Rule 11.20(d)(2)(D) as 8% for                 or greater than $1.00, and 31.5% for Tier
                                                    obligations applicable to quotations of                 Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-                  2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit
                                                    Market Makers are based on the                          Limit Down Plan,17 28% for Tier 2 NMS                  Down Plan with a price less than $1.00.
                                                    Designated Percentage and the Defined                   Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down                   Exchange Rule 11.8(d)(2)(E) also states
                                                    Limit, which are determined based on                    Plan 18 with a price equal to or greater               that for times during Regular Trading
                                                    the applicable trigger percentage. The                  than $1.00, and 30% for Tier 2 NMS                     Hours when stock pause triggers are not
                                                    amended definitions would include                       Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit Down                   in effect under the rules of the primary
                                                    additional specificity and updated                      Plan with a price less than $1.00, except              listing market, the Defined Limit will be
                                                    descriptions of the categories of                       that between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.                   21.5% for securities included in the S&P
                                                    securities that are subject to those                    and between 3:35 p.m. and the close of                 500® Index, Russell 1000® Index, and a
                                                    percentages. Notably, the Exchange                      trading, when Exchange Rule 11.16(e) is                pilot list of Exchange Traded Products.
                                                    proposes to replace references to the                   not in effect, the Designated Percentage               The Defined Limit will remain the same
                                                    terms Original Circuit Breaker Securities               shall be 20% for Tier 1 NMS Stocks                     throughout Regular Trading Hours for
                                                    (defined below) with Tier 1 or Tier 2                   under the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan,                    all other NMS stocks.
                                                    NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit                     28% for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the                       The Exchange proposes to delete
                                                    Down Plan (also defined below), as the                  Limit Up-Limit Down Plan with a price                  Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule
                                                    Exchange believes these terms more                      equal to or greater than $1.00, and 30%                11.20 as its content is not included in
                                                    accurately describe the securities to                   for Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit                  BYX and BZX Rules 11.8 and its
                                                    which a certain percentage applies. The                 Up-Limit Down Plan with a price less                   requirement to furnished records to the
                                                    Exchange is not proposing new                           than $1.00.                                            Exchange are duplicative with current
                                                    percentages governing a Market Maker’s                     The Exchange currently defines                      Exchange Rule 4.2.
                                                    quoting obligations; it is seeking to                   Defined Limit under Rule 11.20(d)(2)(F)
                                                                                                                                                                   2. Statutory Basis
                                                    adopt revised definitions that are                      and (G) as 9.5% for Original Circuit
                                                    substantially similar to that of Nasdaq in              Breaker Securities. For times during                      The Exchange believes that the
                                                    order to provide consistent rules with                  Regular Trading Hours when stock                       proposed rule change is consistent with
                                                    regard to Market Maker’s quoting                        pause triggers are not in effect under the             the requirements of the Act and the
                                                    obligations.15 The Exchange believes                    rules of the primary listing market, the               rules and regulations thereunder that
                                                                                                                                                                   are applicable to a national securities
                                                    (June 6, 2012) (the ‘‘Limit Up-Limit Down               as such and those that are not as Tier 2 NMS Stocks.   exchange, and, in particular, with the
                                                    Release’’).                                             The Exchange notes that BYX and BZX also intent        requirements of Section 6(b) of the
                                                       15 The Exchange proposed to categorize securities    to amend their definitions of Designated Percentage    Act.19 Specifically, the proposed change
                                                    included in the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000®           and Defined Limit to mirror that proposed herein.
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                                                                                                               16 See Exchange Rule 1.5(y).
                                                                                                                                                                   is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the
                                                    Index, and a pilot list of Exchange Traded Products
                                                    as Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the under the Limit             17 Tier 1 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit       Act,20 because it is designed to promote
                                                    Up-Limit Down Plan. Securities not included in the      Down Plan are securities that are included in the      just and equitable principles of trade, to
                                                    S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Index, or in the          S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Index, and a pilot       remove impediments to, and perfect the
                                                    pilot list of Exchange Traded Products would be         list of Exchange Traded Products. See the Limit Up-    mechanism of, a free and open market
                                                    categorized as Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the under        Limit Down Release supra note 14.
                                                    the Limit Up-Limit Down Plan. Nasdaq Rule                  18 Tier 2 NMS Stocks under the Limit Up-Limit
                                                                                                                                                                   and a national market system, and, in
                                                    4613(a)(2)(D) and (E) references securities as          Down Plan are securities that are not included in
                                                    included in the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000®           the S&P 500® Index, Russell 1000® Index, and a           19 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                    Index, and a pilot list of Exchange Traded Products     pilot list of Exchange Traded Products. Id.              20 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).



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                                                    1650                           Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Notices

                                                    general, to protect investors and the                      options platforms. Consistent rules                    shorter time as the Commission may
                                                    public interest. As mentioned above, the                   would aid in alleviating confusion                     designate, it has become effective
                                                    proposed rule changes, combined with                       amongst those that are Members on both                 pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the
                                                    the planned filing for the BYX, BZX,                       platforms. The Exchange believes it is                 Act 24 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 25
                                                    and EDGX would allow the BGM                               reasonable to suspend or alleviate a                   thereunder. The Exchange has given the
                                                    Affiliated Exchanges to provide a                          Market Maker’s quoting obligations in                  Commission written notice of its intent
                                                    consistent set of rules as it relates to the               the event of a technical or system                     to file the proposed rule change, along
                                                    registration and obligations of Market                     limitation, during a trading halt,                     with a brief description and text of the
                                                    Makers. Consistent rules, in turn, will                    suspension or pause, as well as where                  proposed rule change, at least five
                                                    simplify the regulatory requirements for                   demonstrated legal or regulatory                       business days prior to the date of filing
                                                    Market Makers on the Exchange that are                     requirements prevent the Market Maker                  of the proposed rule change,
                                                    also Market Makers on EDGX, BZX,                           from quoting. In each scenario, the                       At any time within 60 days of the
                                                    and/or BYX. The proposed rule change                       Exchange will review the reasons                       filing of the proposed rule change, the
                                                    would provide greater harmonization                        behind the Market Maker inability to                   Commission summarily may
                                                    between rules of similar purpose on the                    quote for compliance with the Rule. The                temporarily suspend such rule change if
                                                    BGM Affiliated Exchanges, resulting in                     Exchange is not proposing new                          it appears to the Commission that such
                                                    greater uniformity and less burdensome                     percentages governing a Market Maker’s                 action is necessary or appropriate in the
                                                    and more efficient regulatory                              quoting obligations; it is seeking to                  public interest, for the protection of
                                                    compliance and understanding of                            adopt revised definitions that are                     investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
                                                    Exchange Rules. As such, the proposed                      substantially similar to those of Nasdaq               the purposes of the Act. If the
                                                    rule change would foster cooperation                       in order to provide a consistent rules                 Commission takes such action, the
                                                    and coordination with persons engaged                      with regard to Market Makers quoting                   Commission will institute proceedings
                                                    in facilitating transactions in securities                 obligations.                                           to determine whether the proposed rule
                                                    and would remove impediments to and                                                                               change should be approved or
                                                    perfect the mechanism of a free and                        (B) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     disapproved.
                                                    open market and a national market                          Statement on Burden on Competition
                                                    system. Similarly, the Exchange also                         The Exchange does not believe that                   IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                    believes that, by harmonizing the rules                    the proposed rule change will impose                     Interested persons are invited to
                                                    across each BGM Affiliated Exchange,                       any burden on competition not                          submit written data, views and
                                                    the proposal will enhance the                              necessary or appropriate in furtherance                arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                    Exchange’s ability to fairly and                           of the purposes of the act. To the                     including whether the proposal is
                                                    efficiently regulate its Market Makers by                  contrary, allowing the Exchange to                     consistent with the Act. Comments may
                                                    utilizing a consistent rule set and                        implement substantively identical rules                be submitted by any of the following
                                                    obligations across each of the BGM                         across each of the BGM Affiliated                      methods:
                                                    Affiliated Exchanges. Consistent rules                     Exchanges regarding Market Maker                       Electronic Comments
                                                    would enable the Exchange to apply                         registration and their obligations does
                                                    identical standards to that of its                         not present any competitive issues, but                  • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                    affiliates, alleviating confusion by                       rather is designed to provide greater                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    Market Makers on who may also be                           harmonization among Exchange, BYX,                     rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                    registered as such on BYX, BZX, or                         BZX, and EDGX rules of similar                           • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                                    EDGX, thereby promoting just and                           purpose. The proposed rule change                      sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–
                                                    equitable principles of trade in                           should, therefore, result in less                      EDGA–2015–49 on the subject line.
                                                    accordance with Section 6(b)(5) of the                     burdensome and more efficient                          Paper Comments
                                                    Act.21                                                     regulatory compliance and
                                                       The Exchange also believes the                                                                                    • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                               understanding of Exchange Rules for                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                    proposed amendments to Rule 11.8(d)                        common members of the BGM Affiliated
                                                    are consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the                                                                        Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                               Exchanges and an enhanced ability of                   Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                    Act,22 because they are designed to                        the BGM Affiliated Exchanges to fairly
                                                    promote just and equitable principles of                                                                          All submissions should refer to File No.
                                                                                                               and efficiently regulate Market Makers.
                                                    trade, to remove impediments to, and                                                                              SR–EDGA–2015–49. This file number
                                                    perfect the mechanism of, a free and                       (C) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     should be included on the subject line
                                                    open market and a national market                          Statement on Comments on the                           if email is used. To help the
                                                    system, and, in general, to protect                        Proposed Rule Change Received From                     Commission process and review your
                                                    investors and the public interest. The                     Members, Participants or Others                        comments more efficiently, please use
                                                    proposed amendments to Rule                                  The Exchange has neither solicited                   only one method. The Commission will
                                                    11.8(d)(1) are meant to clarify the                        nor received written comments on the                   post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                    scenarios in which a Market Maker’s                        proposed rule change.                                  Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                    two-sided quoting obligation may be                                                                               rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                    temporarily suspended or alleviated.                       III. Date of Effectiveness of the                      submission, all subsequent
                                                    The provisions proposed to be added                        Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                    amendments, all written statements
                                                                                                               Commission Action
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                                                    are each substantially similar to the                                                                             with respect to the proposed rule
                                                    rules of the BZX Options, EDGX                                Because the foregoing proposed rule                 change that are filed with the
                                                    Options and Nasdaq.23 The Exchange                         change does not:                                       Commission, and all written
                                                    believes it is appropriate to have                            A. Significantly affect the protection              communications relating to the
                                                    consistent rules across its equities and                   of investors or the public interest;                   proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                                  B. impose any significant burden on                 Commission and any person, other than
                                                      21 Id.                                                   competition; and
                                                      22 15    U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                                  C. become operative for 30 days from                  24 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                      23 See    supra notes 10 and 13.                         the date on which it was filed, or such                  25 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).



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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 8 / Wednesday, January 13, 2016 / Notices                                                     1651

                                                    those that may be withheld from the                     solicit comments on the proposed rule                  Registration of Market Makers, and
                                                    public in accordance with the                           change from interested persons.                        11.20, Obligations of Market Makers, in
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                                                                            order to update certain provisions and
                                                                                                            I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                                                                             conform to the rules of BYX and BZX
                                                                                                            Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                                                                            and provide a consistent rule set across
                                                                                                            the Proposed Rule Change
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                                                                              each of the BGM Affiliated Exchanges.7
                                                    Washington, DC 20549, on official                          The Exchange filed a proposal to                    As amended, Exchange Rules 11.17 and
                                                    business days between the hours of                      amend Rules 11.17, Registration of                     11.20 would be identical to BYX and
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                 Market Makers, and 11.20, Obligations                  BZX Rules 11.5 and 11.8 but for
                                                    filing will also be available for                       of Market Makers, in order to update                   different cross references to Exchange
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                 certain provisions and conform to the                  Rules that are due to the different rule
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                    rules of BATS Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’),                numbering amongst the Exchange, BYX
                                                    received will be posted without change;                 BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BYX’’),                       and BZX.8
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                   Exchange’s equity options trading
                                                                                                            platform (‘‘EDGX Options’’), BZX’s                     Rule 11.17, Registration of Market
                                                    identifying information from                                                                                   Makers
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                     equity options trading platform (‘‘BZX
                                                    information that you wish to make                       Options’’), and the Nasdaq Stock Market                  Like BYX and BZX Rule 11.5,
                                                    available publicly. All submissions                     LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’).5                                     Exchange Rule 11.17 governs the
                                                    should refer to File No. SR–EDGA–                          The text of the proposed rule change                registration of Market Makers on the
                                                    2015–49 and should be submitted on or                   is available at the Exchange’s Web site                Exchange. In particular, paragraphs (a)
                                                    before February 3, 2016.                                at www.batstrading.com, at the                         and (b) of Rule 11.17 set forth the
                                                                                                            principal office of the Exchange, and at               application process for Members
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                the Commission’s Public Reference                      seeking to register as Market Makers on
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              Room.                                                  the Exchange. To harmonize Exchange
                                                    authority.26
                                                                                                            II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Rule 11.17(a) with BYX and BZX Rule
                                                    Robert W. Errett,                                                                                              11.5(a), the Exchange proposes to
                                                    Deputy Secretary.
                                                                                                            Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                                                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                 replace the word ‘‘under’’ with ‘‘of’’
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–00466 Filed 1–12–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                            Change                                                 when referencing Rule 15c3–1 of the
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                                                                         Exchange Act. But for different cross-
                                                                                                               In its filing with the Commission, the              referencing to Exchange rules that are
                                                                                                            Exchange included statements                           identical or substantially similar to
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 concerning the purpose of and basis for                corresponding BYX and BZX rules, this
                                                    COMMISSION                                              the proposed rule change and discussed                 change would make Exchange Rule
                                                                                                            any comments it received on the                        11.17 identical to BYX and BZX Rule
                                                                                                            proposed rule change. The text of these                11.5.
                                                    [Release No. 34–76853; File No. SR–EDGX–
                                                    2015–68]
                                                                                                            statements may be examined at the                        The Exchange also proposes to amend
                                                                                                            places specified in Item IV below. The                 paragraphs (c)(4) and (e) to update rule
                                                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX                     Exchange has prepared summaries, set                   cross-references to reflect the
                                                    Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and                    forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of                renumbering of certain rules as part of
                                                    Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed                   the most significant parts of such                     an earlier exchange rule filing.9 Within
                                                    Rule Change to Rules 11.17,                             statements.                                            paragraph (c)(4) to Rule 11.17, the
                                                    Registration of Market Makers, and                      (A) Self-Regulatory Organization’s                     Exchange proposes to replace reference
                                                    11.20, Obligations of Market Makers                     Statement of the Purpose of, and                       to Rule 11.19(b)(5) with Rule
                                                                                                            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                 11.18(b)(5). The Exchange also proposes
                                                    January 7, 2016.                                                                                               to amend paragraph (e) to Rule 11.17 to
                                                                                                            Change
                                                       Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                                                                         replace references to Rules 11.18, 11.19,
                                                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    1. Purpose                                             and 11.20 with Rules 11.17, 11.18, and
                                                    ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                     In early 2014, the Exchange and its                 11.19.
                                                    notice is hereby given that on December                 affiliate, EDGA Exchange, Inc.                         Rule 11.20, Obligations of Market
                                                    24, 2015, EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the                      (‘‘EDGA’’) received approval to effect a               Makers
                                                    ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGX’’) filed with the                merger (the ‘‘Merger’’) of the Exchange’s
                                                    Securities and Exchange Commission                      parent company, Direct Edge Holdings                     Like BYX and BZX Rules 11.8,
                                                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      LLC, with BATS Global Markets, Inc.,                   Exchange Rule 11.20 sets forth the
                                                    change as described in Items I and II                   the parent of BZX and the BYX (together                obligations of Market Makers. In short,
                                                    below, which Items have been prepared                   with BZX, EDGA and EDGX, the ‘‘BGM                     Members who are registered as Market
                                                                                                            Affiliated Exchanges’’).6 In the context               Makers in one or more securities traded
                                                    by the Exchange. The Exchange has
                                                    designated this proposal as a ‘‘non-                    of the Merger, the BGM Affiliated                        7 The Exchange notes that EDGA intends to file
                                                    controversial’’ proposed rule change                    Exchanges are working to align their                   an identical proposal with the Commission to
                                                    pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the                  rules, retaining only intended                         amend its Rules 11.17 and 11.20 to update certain
                                                    Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii)                         differences between the BGM Affiliated                 provisions and conform to BYX and BZX Rules 11.5
                                                                                                                                                                   and 11.8. The Exchange notes that BYX and BZX
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                                                    thereunder,4 which renders it effective                 Exchanges. Thus, the Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                   intend to file proposed rule changes to make related
                                                    upon filing with the Commission. The                    proposes to amend Rules 11.17,                         changes to their Rules 11.5 and 11.8 to conform
                                                    Commission is publishing this notice to                                                                        with the changes proposed herein.
                                                                                                               5 See BYX and BZX Rules 11.5 and 11.8; BZX            8 The Exchange notes that the substance of the

                                                      26 17
                                                                                                            Options Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7); EDGX Options    rules that are cross-referenced in Rule 11.17 and
                                                            CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            Rule 22.6(d)(4), (5), and (7); and Nasdaq Rules Rule   11.20 are identical or substantially similar to the
                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
                                                                                                            4613(a)(2)(ii), 4613(a)(2)(D) and (E).                 corresponding BYX and BZX Rules.
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                      6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71449       9 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73468
                                                      3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                                                                                            (January 30, 2014), 79 FR 6961 (February 5, 2014)      (October 29, 2014), 79 FR 65450 (November 4, 2014)
                                                      4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                        (SR–EDGX–2013–43; SR–EDGA–2013–34).                    (SR–EDGX–2014–18).



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Document Created: 2016-01-13 01:01:20
Document Modified: 2016-01-13 01:01:20
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 Citation81 FR 1647 

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