81_FR_22401 81 FR 22328 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) Relating to Professionals

81 FR 22328 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) Relating to Professionals

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 73 (April 15, 2016)

Page Range22328-22333
FR Document2016-08645

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22328-22333]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08645]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-77580; File No. SR-BOX-2016-13]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice 
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) Relating to Professionals

April 11, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on March 29, 2016, BOX Options Exchange LLC (the ``Exchange'') 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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission 
is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule from 
interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

    The Exchange proposes to amend BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) relating 
to Professionals. The text of the proposed rule change is available 
from the principal office of the Exchange, at the Commission's Public 
Reference Room and also on the Exchange's Internet Web site at http://boxexchange.com.

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 self-regulatory organization 
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 self-regulatory organization 
has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the 
most significant aspects of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) to amend 
the definition of Professional. This filing that is based on a proposal 
recently submitted by Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated 
(``CBOE'') and approved by the Commission.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77450 (March 25, 
2016) (Order Approving SR-CBOE-2016-005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes to amend BOX Rule 100(a)(50) relating to 
Professionals. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to adopt new 
language to the rule setting forth amended standards for calculating 
average daily order submissions for Professional order counting 
purposes. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would 
provide additional clarity in the BOX Rules.
Background
    In general, ``public customers'' are granted certain marketplace 
advantages over other market participants, including Market Makers, 
brokers and dealers of securities, and industry ``Professionals'' on 
most U.S. options exchanges. The U.S. options exchanges, including BOX, 
have adopted similar definitions of the term ``Professional,'' \4\ 
which commonly refers to persons or entities that are not a brokers or 
dealers in securities and who or which place more than 390 orders in 
listed options per day on average during a calendar month for their own 
beneficial account(s).\5\ Various exchanges adopted similar 
Professional rules for many of the same reasons, including, but not 
limited to the desire to create more competitive marketplaces and 
attract retail order flow.\6\ In addition, as several of the exchanges 
noted in their original Professional rule filings, their beliefs that 
disparate Professional rules and a lack of uniformity in the 
application of such rules across the options markets would not promote 
the best regulation and could, in fact, encourage regulatory 
arbitrage.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Some U.S. options exchanges refer to ``Professionals'' as 
``Professional Customers'' or non-``Priority Customers.'' Compare 
BATS Exchange, Inc. (``BZX'') Rule 16.1(a)(45) (Professional); BOX 
Options Exchange LLC (``BOX'') Rule 100(a)(50) (Professional); CBOE 
Rule 1.1(ggg) (Professional); C2 Rule 1.1; BX Chapter I, Sec. 1(49) 
(Professional); NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (``PHLX'') Rule 1000(b)(14) 
(Professional); Nasdaq Options Market (``NOM'') Chapter I, Sec. 
1(a)(48) (Professional); with ISE Rule 100(a)(37A) (Priority 
Customer); Gemini Rule 100(a)(37A) (Priority Customer); Miami 
International Securities Exchange LLC (``MIAX'') Rule 100 (Priority 
Customer); NYSE MKT LLC (``NYSE MKT'') Rule 900.2NY(18A) 
(Professional Customer); NYSE Arca, Inc. (``Arca'') Rule 6.1A(4A) 
(Professional Customer).
    \5\ See, e.g., BZX Rule 16.1(a)(45); BOX Rule 100(a)(50); CBOE 
Rule 1.1(ggg); C2 Rule 1.1; BX Chapter I, Sec. 1(49); PHLX Rule 
1000(b)(14); NOM Chapter I, Sec. 1(a)(48); see also ISE Rule 
100(a)(37A) (Priority Customer); Gemini Rule 100(a)(37A) (Priority 
Customer); MIAX Rule 100 (Priority Customer); NYSE MKT Rule 
900.2NY(18A) (Professional Customer); Arca Rule 6.1A(4A) 
(Professional Customer).
    \6\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60931 
(November 4, 2009), 74 FR 58355, 58356 (November 12, 2009) (Notice 
of Filing of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, 
Related to Professional Orders) (SR-CBOE-2009-078); Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 59287 (January 23, 2009), 74 FR 5694, 5694 
(January 30, 2009) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order 
Granting Accelerated Approval of the Proposed Rule Change, as 
Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto, Relating to Professional 
Account Holders) (SR-ISE-2006-026); Securities Exchange Act Release 
No. 61802 (March 30, 2010), 75 FR 17193, 17194 (April 5, 2010) 
(Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting Accelerated 
Approval of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 2 
Thereto, Relating to Professional Orders) (SR-PHLX-2010-005); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61629 (March 2, 2010), 75 FR 
10851, 10851 (March 9, 2010) (Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule 
Change Relating to the Designation of a ``Professional Customer'') 
(SR-NYSEMKT-2010-018).
    \7\ See, e.g., Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 62724 
(August 16, 2010), 75 FR 51509 (August 20, 2010) (Notice of Filing 
of a Proposed Rule Change by the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC To Adopt a 
Definition of Professional and Require That All Professional Orders 
Be Appropriately Marked) (SR NASDAQ-2010-099); Securities and 
Exchange Act Release No. 65500 (October 6, 2011), 76 FR 63686 
(October 13, 2011) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of 
Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a Definition of Professional and 
Require That All Professional Orders Be Appropriately Marked) (SR-
BATS-2011-041); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 65036 (August 4, 
2011), 76 FR 49517, 49518 (August 10, 2011) (Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a 
Definition of ``Professional'' and Require That Professional Orders 
Be Appropriately Marked by BOX Options Participants) (SR-BX-2011-
049); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60931 (November 4, 2009), 
74 FR 58355, 58357 (November 12, 2009) (Notice of Filing of Proposed 
Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, Related to Professional 
Orders) (SR-CBOE-2009-078); see also Securities Exchange Act Release 
73628 (November 18, 2014), 79 FR 69958, 69960 (November 24, 2014) 
(Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule 
Change Relating to Professional Orders) (SR-CBOE-2014-085).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similar to other U.S. options exchanges, the Exchange grants 
``Public Customers'' certain marketplace advantages over other market 
participants pursuant to the Exchange's Fee Schedule \8\ and the BOX 
Rules.\9\ Specifically, Public Customer orders are

[[Page 22329]]

generally exempt from transaction fees and certain Exchange surcharges. 
Similar to other U.S. options exchanges, the Exchange affords these 
marketplace advantages to Public Customers based on various business- 
and regulatory-related objectives, including, for example, to attract 
retail order flow to the Exchange and to provide competitive pricing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See, e.g., BOX Fee Schedule (Exchange Fees).
    \9\ Public Customers receive allocation priority above equally 
priced competing interests of Market Makers, broker-dealers, and 
other market participants in the PIP and COPIP. See, e.g., BOX Rule 
7150(g)(1) (Public Customer Allocation in PIP), BOX Rule 7245(g)(2) 
(Public Customer Allocation in COPIP).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, BOX Rule 100(a)(50) defines a Professional as ``any 
person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and 
(ii) places more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average 
during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s).'' The 
Exchange's Professional order rule was adopted to distinguish non-
broker dealer individuals and entities that have access to information 
and technology that enable them to professionally trade listed options 
in a manner similar to brokers or dealers in securities from retail 
investors for order priority and/or transaction fees purposes. In 
general, Professionals are treated as brokers or dealers in securities 
under the Exchange's rules, including, but not limited to with respect 
to order priority and fees.\10\ BOX Rule 100(a)(50) is substantially 
similar to the Professional order rules of other exchanges and was 
materially based upon the preexistent Professional order rules of other 
exchanges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ See BOX Rule 100(a)(50).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In September 2015, the Exchange clarified its Professional order 
rule by distributing a Regulatory Circular to its Participants.\11\ 
Specifically, the Exchange codified its interpretation that, for 
Professional order counting purposes, ``parent'' orders that are placed 
on a single ticket and entered for the beneficial account(s) of a 
person or entity that is not a broker or dealer in securities and that 
are broken into multiple parts by a broker or dealer, or by an 
algorithm housed at a broker or dealer, or by an algorithm licensed 
from a broker or dealer that is housed with the customer in order to 
achieve a specific execution strategy, should count as one single order 
for Professional order counting purposes. This interpretation was a 
clarification in the Rules based on the Exchange's past interpretations 
of Rule 100 (a)(50) and similar interpretations set forth in a 
previously issued ISE/ISE Gemini, LLC (``Gemini'') Joint Regulatory 
Information Circular.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ See RC-2015-21.
    \12\ See ISE Regulatory Information Circular 2014-007/Gemini 
Regulatory Information Circular 2014-011 (Priority Customer Orders 
and Professional Orders (FAQ)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange's Informational Circular, however, has not clarified 
the Exchange's Professional rule completely. The advent of new multi-
leg spread products and the proliferation of the use of complex orders 
and algorithmic execution strategies by both institutional and retail 
market participants continue to raise questions as to what constitutes 
an ``order'' for Professional order counting purposes. For example, do 
complex orders (which on the Exchange may be up to 4 legs) constitute a 
single order or multiple orders for Professional order counting 
purposes? The Exchange's Professional rule does not fully address these 
issues and there is no common interpretation across the U.S. options 
markets.
    Moreover, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would 
serve to accomplish the Exchange's stated goals for its Professional 
rule. Under current Rule 100(a)(50) many market participants using 
sophisticated execution strategies and trading algorithms who would 
typically be considered professional traders are not identified under 
the Exchange's Professional rule. The Exchange believes that these 
types of market participants have access to technology and market 
information akin to broker-dealers. The Exchange also believes that the 
proposed rule is warranted to ensure that Public Customers are afforded 
the marketplace advantages that they are intended to be afforded over 
other types of market participants on the Exchange.
    The Exchange notes that despite the adoption of materially similar 
Professional rules across the markets, exchanges' interpretations of 
their respective Professional rules vary. Although Professionals are 
similarly defined by exchanges as non-broker-dealer persons or entities 
that place more than 390 orders in listed options for their own 
beneficial account(s) per day on average during a calendar month, there 
is no consistent definition across the markets as to what constitutes 
an ``order'' for Professional order counting purposes. While several 
options exchanges, including BOX, have attempted to clarify their 
interpretations of their Professional rules through regulatory and 
information notices and circulars,\13\ many of the options exchanges 
have not issued any guidance regarding the application of their 
Professional rules. Furthermore, where exchanges have issued such 
interpretive guidance, those interpretations have not necessarily been 
consistent.\14\ As a result, the Exchange believes that the rather than 
helping to promote the best regulation and discourage regulatory 
arbitrage, the Professional rules have become a basis of intermarket 
competition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See BOX Regulatory Circulars RC-2015-21 (Professional 
Orders) and RC-2015-22 (Professional Order Implementation); 
Regulatory Circular RG09-148 (Professional Orders); ISE Regulatory 
Information Circular 2014-007/Gemini Regulatory Information Circular 
2014-011 (Priority Customer Orders and Professional Orders (FAQ)); 
MIAX Regulatory Circular 2014-69 (Priority Customer and Professional 
Interest Order Summary); NYSE Joint Regulatory Bulletin, NYSE Acra 
RBO-15-03, NYSE Amex RBO-15-06) (Professional Customer Orders).
    \14\ Compare NYSE Joint Regulatory Bulletin, NYSE Acra RBO-15-
03, NYSE Amex RBO-15-06) (Professional Customer Orders) with 
Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule 1.1(ggg); Regulatory Circular 
RG09-148 (Professional Orders); ISE Regulatory Information Circular 
2014-007/Gemini Regulatory Information Circular 2014-011 (Priority 
Customer Orders and Professional Orders (FAQ)); and ISE Regulatory 
Information Circular 2009-179 (Priority Customer Orders and 
Professional Orders (FAQ)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that a new set of standards and a more 
detailed counting regime than the Exchange's current Professional order 
rules provide would allow the Exchange to better compete for order flow 
and help ensure deeper levels of liquidity on the Exchange. The 
Exchange also believes that the proposed rule change would help to 
remove impediments to and help perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system by increasing competition in the 
marketplace. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes to amend the Rules by 
amending BOX Rule 100(a)(50) to adopt new rules with respect to 
Professional order counting.
Proposal
    The Exchange proposes to add additional details to Rule 100(a)(50) 
setting forth a more in depth counting regime for calculating average 
daily orders for Professional order designation purposes. Specifically, 
the Exchange's proposed rule would make clear how to count complex 
orders, ``parent/child'' orders that are broken into multiple orders, 
and ``cancel/replace'' orders for Professional order counting purposes.
    Under the Exchange's proposed rule change all orders would count as 
one single order for Professional counting purposes, unless otherwise 
specified under the Rules. Proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would provide that 
except as noted below, each order of any order type counts as one order 
for Professional order counting purposes. Paragraph (a) of proposed 
Rule 100(a)(50) would discuss Complex Orders.\15\ Under

[[Page 22330]]

paragraph (a)(1) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50), a complex order comprised 
of eight (8) legs or fewer would count as a single order. Conversely, 
paragraph (a)(2) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would provide that a 
complex order comprised of nine (9) legs or more counts as multiple 
orders with each option leg counting as its own separate order.\16\ The 
Exchange believes the distinction between complex orders with up to 
eight legs from those with nine or more legs is appropriate in light of 
the purposes for which Rule 100(a)(50) was adopted. In particular, the 
Exchange notes that multi-leg complex order strategies with nine or 
more legs are more complex in nature and thus, more likely to be used 
by professional traders than traditional two, three, and four leg 
complex order strategies such as the strangle, straddle, butterfly, 
collar, and condor strategies, and combinations thereof with eight legs 
or fewer, which are generally not algorithmically generated and are 
frequently used by retail investors. Thus, the types of complex orders 
traditionally placed by retail investors would continue to count as 
only one order while the more complex strategy orders that are 
typically used by professional traders would count as multiple orders 
for Professional order counting purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ A Complex Order is defined as any order involving the 
simultaneous purchase and/or sale of two or more different options 
series in the same underlying security, for the same account, in a 
ratio that is equal to or greater than one-to-three (.333) and less 
than or equal to three-to-one (3.00) and for the purpose of 
executing a particular investment strategy. See BOX Rule 7240(a)(5).
    \16\ The Exchange notes that it does not current accept complex 
orders comprised of more than four legs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Paragraph (b) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would provide details 
relating to the counting of ``parent/child'' orders. Under paragraph 
(b)(1), a ``parent'' order that is placed for the beneficial account(s) 
of a person or entity that is not a broker or dealer in securities that 
is broken into multiple ``child'' orders on the same side (buy/sell) 
and series as the ``parent'' order by a broker or dealer, or by an 
algorithm housed at a broker or dealer or by an algorithm licensed from 
a broker or dealer, but which is housed with the Public Customer, 
counts as one order even if the ``child'' orders are routed across 
multiple exchanges. Essentially, this paragraph would describe how 
orders placed for Public Customers, which are ``worked'' by a broker in 
order to receive best execution should be counted for Professional 
order counting purposes. Paragraph (b)(1) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) 
would permit larger ``parent'' orders (which may be simple orders or 
complex orders consisting of up to eight legs), to be broken into 
multiple smaller orders on the same side (buy/sell) and in the same 
series (or complex orders consisting of up to eight legs) in order to 
attempt to achieve best execution for the overall order.
    For example, if a Public Customer were to enter an order to buy 
1,000 XYZ $5 January calls at a limit price of $1, which the Public 
Customer's broker then broke into four separate orders to buy 250 XYZ 
$5 January calls at a limit price of $1 in order to achieve a better 
execution, the four ``child'' orders would still only count as one 
order for Professional order counting purposes (whether or not the four 
separate orders were sent to the same or different exchanges for 
execution).\17\ Similarly, in the case of a complex order, if a Public 
Customer were to enter an order to buy 1,000 XYZ $5 January(sell)/
March(buy) calendar spreads (with a 1:1 ratio on the legs), at a net 
debit limit price of $0.20, which the Public Customer's broker then 
broke into four separate orders to buy 250 XYZ $5 January/March 
calendar spreads (each with a 1:1 ratio on the legs), each at a net 
debit limit price of $0.20, the four ``child'' orders would still only 
count as one order for Professional order counting purposes (whether or 
not the four separate orders were sent to the same or different 
exchanges for execution).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Notably, however, if the customer herself were to enter the 
same four identical orders to buy 250 XYZ $5 January calls at a 
limit price of $1 prior to sending the orders, those orders would 
count as four separate orders for Professional order counting 
purposes because the orders would not have been broken into multiple 
``child'' orders on the same side (buy/sell) and series as the 
``parent'' order by a broker or dealer, or by an algorithm housed at 
a broker or dealer or by an algorithm licensed from a broker or 
dealer, but which is housed with the customer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Conversely, under paragraph (b)(2) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50), a 
``parent'' order (including a strategy order) \18\ that is broken into 
multiple ``child'' orders on both sides (buy/sell) of a series and/or 
multiple series counts as multiple orders, with each ``child'' order 
counting as a new and separate order. Accordingly, under this 
provision, strategy orders, which are most often used by sophisticated 
traders best characterized as ``Professionals,'' would count as 
multiple orders for each child order entered as part of the overall 
strategy. For example, if a customer were to enter an order with her 
broker by which multiple ``child'' orders were then sent to the 
Exchange across multiple series in a particular option class, each 
order entered would count as a separate order for Professional order 
counting purposes. Likewise, if the Public Customer instructed her 
broker to buy a variety of calls across various option classes as part 
of a basket trade, each order entered by the broker in order to obtain 
the positions making up the basket would count as a separate order for 
Professional counting purposes.\19\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ For purposes of this proposed Rule 100(a)(50), the term 
``strategy order'' is intended to mean an execution strategy, 
trading instruction, or algorithm whereby multiple ``child'' orders 
on both sides of a series and/or multiple series are generated prior 
to being sent to any or multiple U.S. options exchange(s).
    \19\ Notably, with respect to the types of ``parent'' orders 
(including strategy orders) described in paragraph (b)(2) to 
proposed Rule 100(a)(50), such orders would be received only as 
multiple ``child'' orders the U.S. options exchange receiving such 
orders. The ``parent'' order would be broken apart before being sent 
by the participant to the exchange(s) as multiple ``child'' orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the distinctions between ``parent'' and 
``child'' orders in paragraph (b) to proposed Rule 100(a)(50) are 
appropriate. The Exchange notes that paragraph (b) to proposed Rule 
100(a)(50) is not aimed at capturing orders that are being ``worked'' 
or broken into multiple orders to avoid showing large orders to the 
market in an effort to elude front-running and to achieve best 
execution as is typically done by brokers on behalf of retail clients. 
Rather, paragraph (b) to proposed Rule 100(a)(50) is aimed at 
identifying ``child'' orders of ``parent'' orders generated by 
algorithms that are typically used by sophisticated traders to 
continuously update their orders in concert with market updates in 
order to keep their overall trading strategies in balance. The Exchange 
believes that these types of ``parent/child'' orders typically used by 
sophisticated traders should count as multiple orders.
    Paragraph (c) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50), would discuss the 
counting of orders that are cancelled and replaced. Similar to the 
distinctions drawn in paragraph (b) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50), 
paragraph (c) would essentially separate orders that are cancelled and 
replaced as part of an overall strategy from those that are cancelled 
and replaced by a broker that is ``working'' the order to achieve best 
execution or attempting to time the market. Specifically, paragraph 
(c)(1) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would provide that except as 
otherwise provided in the rule (and specifically as provided under 
paragraph (c)(2)), any order that cancels and replaces an existing 
order counts as a separate order (or multiple new orders in the case of 
a complex order comprised of nine (9) legs or more). For example, if a 
trader were to enter a non-marketable limit order to buy an option 
contract at a certain net debit price, cancel the order in response to 
market

[[Page 22331]]

movements, and then reenter the same order once it became marketable, 
those orders would count as two separate orders for Professional order 
counting purposes even though the terms of both orders were the same.
    Paragraph (c)(2) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would specify the 
exception to paragraph (c)(1) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) and would 
provide that an order that cancels and replaces any ``child'' order 
resulting from a ``parent'' order that is placed for the beneficial 
account(s) of a person or entity that is not a broker, or dealer in 
securities that is broken into multiple ``child'' orders on the same 
side (buy/sell) and series as the ``parent'' order by a broker or 
dealer, by an algorithm housed at a broker or dealer, or by an 
algorithm licensed from a broker or dealer, but which is housed with 
the Public Customer, would not count as a new order. For example, if a 
Public Customer were to enter an order with her broker to buy 10,000 
XYZ $5 January calls at a limit price of $1, which the Public 
Customer's broker then entered, but could not fill and then cancelled 
to avoid having to rest the order in the book as part of a strategy to 
obtain a better execution for the Public Customer and then resubmitted 
the remainder of the order, which would be considered a ``child'' of 
the ``parent'' order, once it became marketable, such orders would only 
count as one order for Professional order counting purposes. Again, 
similar to paragraph (b) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50), the Exchange 
notes that paragraph (c) to proposed Rule 100(a)(50) is not aimed at 
capturing orders that are being ``worked'' or being cancelled and 
replaced to avoid showing large orders to the market in an effort to 
elude front-running and to achieve best execution as is typically done 
by brokers on behalf of retail clients. Rather, paragraph (c) to 
proposed Rule 100(a)(50) is aimed at identifying ``child'' orders of 
``parent'' orders generated by algorithms that are typically used by 
sophisticated traders to continuously update their orders in concert 
with market updates in order to keep their overall trading strategies 
in balance. The Exchange believes that paragraph (c)(2) to proposed 
Rule 100(a)(50) is consistent with these goals.
    Accordingly, consistent with paragraph (c)(1) of proposed Rule 
100(a)(50), under paragraph (c)(3) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50), an 
order that cancels and replaces any ``child'' order resulting from a 
``parent'' order (including a strategy order) that generates ``child'' 
orders on both sides (buy/sell) of a series and/or in multiple series 
would count as a new order. For example, if an investor were to seek to 
make a trade (or series of trades) to take a long position at a certain 
percentage limit on a basket of options, the investor may need to 
cancel and replace several of the ``child'' orders entered to achieve 
the overall execution strategy several times to account for updates in 
the prices of the underlyings. In such a case, each ``child'' order 
placed to keep the overall execution strategy in place would count as a 
new and separate order even if the particular ``child'' order were 
being used to replace a slightly different ``child'' order that was 
previously being used to keep the same overall execution strategy in 
place. The Exchange believes that the distinctions between cancel/
replace orders in paragraph (c) to proposed Rule 100(a)(50) are 
appropriate as such orders are typically generated by algorithms used 
by sophisticated traders to keep strategy orders continuously in line 
with updates in the markets. As such, the Exchange believes that in 
most cases, cancel/replace orders should count as multiple orders.
    Under current BOX Rule 100(a)(50), in order to properly represent 
orders entered on the Exchange, BOX Participants are required to 
indicate whether Public Customer orders are ``Professional'' orders. 
This requirement will remain the same. To comply with this requirement, 
Participants are required to review their customers' activity on at 
least a quarterly basis to determine whether orders that are not for 
the account of a broker or dealer should be represented as customer 
orders or Professional orders. Orders for any Public Customer that had 
an average of more than 390 orders per day during any month of a 
calendar quarter must be represented as Professional orders for the 
next calendar quarter. Participants are required to conduct a quarterly 
review and make any appropriate changes to the way in which they are 
representing orders within five days after the end of each calendar 
quarter. While Participants only will be required to review their 
accounts on a quarterly basis, if during a quarter the Exchange 
identifies a customer for which orders are being represented as public 
customer orders but that has averaged more than 390 orders per day 
during a month, the Exchange will notify the Participant and the 
Participant will be required to change the manner in which it is 
representing the Public Customer's orders within five days. Because BOX 
Rule 100(a)(50) only requires that Participants conduct a look-back to 
determine whether their Public Customers are averaging more than 390 
orders per day at the end of each calendar quarter, the Exchange 
proposes an effective date of April 1, 2016 for proposed calculation 
details to ensure that all orders during the next quarterly review will 
be counted in the same manner and that proposed language will not be 
applied retroactively.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\20\ in general, and Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\21\ in 
particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the 
public interest. In particular, the Exchange believes that proposed 
changes to Rule 100(a)(50) provides a more conservative order counting 
regime for Professional order counting purposes that would identify 
more traders as Professionals to which the Exchange's definition of 
Professional was designed to apply and create a better competitive 
balance for all participants on the Exchange, consistent with the Act. 
As the options markets have evolved to become more electronic and more 
competitive, the Exchange believes that the distinction between 
registered broker-dealers and professional traders who are currently 
treated as Public Customers has become increasingly blurred. More and 
more, the category of Public Customer today includes sophisticated 
algorithmic traders including former market makers and hedge funds that 
trade with a frequency resembling that of broker-dealers. The Exchange 
believes that it is reasonable under the Act to treat those customers 
who meet the high level of trading activity established in the proposal 
differently than customers who do not meet that threshold and are more 
typical retail investors to ensure that professional traders do not 
take advantage of priority and fee benefits intended for Public 
Customers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that it is not unfair to differentiate between 
different types of investors in order to achieve certain marketplace 
balances. The Rules currently differentiate between Public

[[Page 22332]]

Customers, Broker-Dealers, Market Makers, and the like. These 
differentiations have been recognized to be consistent with the Act. 
The Exchange does not believe that the current BOX Rules and other 
exchanges that accord priority to all Public Customers over broker-
dealers are unfairly discriminatory. Nor does the Exchange believe that 
it is unfairly discriminatory to accord priority to only those Public 
Customers who on average do not place more than one order per minute 
(390 per day) under the counting regime that the Exchange proposes. The 
Exchange believes that such differentiations drive competition in the 
marketplace and are within the business judgment of the Exchange. 
Accordingly, the Exchange also believes that its proposal is consistent 
with the requirement of Section 6(b)(8) of the Act that the rules of an 
exchange not impose an unnecessary or inappropriate burden upon 
competition in that it treats persons who should be deemed 
Professionals, but who may not be under current Rule 100(a)(50) in a 
manner so that they do not receive special priority benefits.
    Furthermore, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change 
will protect investors and the public interest by helping to assure 
that retail customers continue to receive the appropriate marketplace 
advantages in the BOX marketplace as intended, while furthering 
competition among marketplace professionals by treating them in the 
same manner as other similarly situated market participants. The 
Exchange believes that it is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 
not to afford market participants with similar access to information 
and technology as that of brokers and dealers of securities with 
marketplace advantages over such marketplace competitors. The Exchange 
also believes that the proposed rule change would help to remove 
burdens on competition and promote a more competitive marketplace by 
affording certain marketplace advantages only to those for whom they 
are intended. Finally, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
change sets forth a more detailed and clear regulatory regime with 
respect to calculating average daily order entry for Professional order 
counting purposes. The Exchange believes that this additional clarity 
and detail will eliminate confusion among market participants, which is 
in the interests of all investors and the general public.

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. In this regard and as indicated 
above, the Exchange notes that the rule change is substantially similar 
to a recent CBOE filing.\22\ As discussed above, the Exchange does not 
believe that the current BOX Rules and other exchanges that accord 
priority to all Public Customers over broker-dealers are unfairly 
discriminatory. Nor does the Exchange believe that it is unfairly 
discriminatory to accord priority to only those customers who on 
average do not place more than one order per minute (390 per day) under 
the counting regime that the Exchange proposes. The Exchange believes 
that its proposal does not impose an undue burden on competition. The 
Exchange notes that one of the purposes of the Professional rules is to 
help ensure fairness in the marketplace and promote competition among 
all market participants. The Exchange believes that proposed BOX 
Rule100(a)(50)(a) would help establish more competition among market 
participants and promote the purposes for which the Exchange's 
Professional rule was originally adopted. The Exchange does not believe 
that the Act requires it to provide the same incentives and discounts 
to all market participants equally, so as long as the exchange does not 
unfairly discriminate among participants with regard to access to 
exchange systems. The Exchange believes that here, that is clearly the 
case.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See supra, note 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rather than burden competition, the Exchange believes that the 
proposed rule change promotes competition by ensuring that retail 
investors continue to receive the appropriate marketplace advantages in 
the BOX marketplace as intended, while furthering competition among 
marketplace professionals by treating them in the same manner under the 
BOX Rules as other similarly situated market participants by ensuring 
that market participants with similar access to information and 
technology (i.e. Professionals and broker-dealers), receive similar 
treatment under the BOX Rules while retail investors receive the 
benefits of order priority and fee waivers that are intended to apply 
to Public Customers.

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 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: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
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)(iii) of the Act \23\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\24\ A proposed rule 
change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative 
prior to 30 days after the date of filing.\25\ Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), 
however, permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such 
action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest.\26\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(iii).
    \24\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
    \25\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \26\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day 
operative delay. The Commission notes that it has considered a 
substantially similar proposed rule change filed by CBOE which it 
approved after a notice and comment period.\27\ This proposed rule 
change does not raise any new or novel issues from those considered in 
the CBOE proposal. Based on the foregoing, the Commission believes that 
it is consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest to waive the 30-day operative date so that the proposal may 
take effect upon filing.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77450 (March 25, 
2016) (Order Approving SR-CBOE-2016-005).
    \28\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing,

[[Page 22333]]

including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. 
Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule [email protected]. Please include 
File No. SR-BOX-2016-13 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-BOX-2016-13. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File No. SR-BOX-2016-13, and should be 
submitted on or before May 6, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-08645 Filed 4-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                    22328                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       limited to the desire to create more
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated               Statement of the Purpose of, and                        competitive marketplaces and attract
                                                    authority.23                                             Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  retail order flow.6 In addition, as several
                                                    Robert W. Errett,                                        Change                                                  of the exchanges noted in their original
                                                    Deputy Secretary.                                                                                                Professional rule filings, their beliefs
                                                                                                             1. Purpose
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–08642 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]                                                                      that disparate Professional rules and a
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                      The Exchange proposes to amend                       lack of uniformity in the application of
                                                                                                             BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) to amend                     such rules across the options markets
                                                                                                             the definition of Professional. This filing             would not promote the best regulation
                                                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                  that is based on a proposal recently                    and could, in fact, encourage regulatory
                                                    COMMISSION                                               submitted by Chicago Board Options                      arbitrage.7
                                                                                                             Exchange, Incorporated (‘‘CBOE’’) and                     Similar to other U.S. options
                                                    [Release No. 34–77580; File No. SR–BOX–
                                                    2016–13]
                                                                                                             approved by the Commission.3                            exchanges, the Exchange grants ‘‘Public
                                                                                                                The Exchange proposes to amend                       Customers’’ certain marketplace
                                                    Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX                       BOX Rule 100(a)(50) relating to                         advantages over other market
                                                    Options Exchange LLC; Notice of                          Professionals. Specifically, the                        participants pursuant to the Exchange’s
                                                    Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of                    Exchange proposes to adopt new                          Fee Schedule 8 and the BOX Rules.9
                                                    a Proposed Rule Change To Amend                          language to the rule setting forth                      Specifically, Public Customer orders are
                                                    BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) Relating to                   amended standards for calculating
                                                    Professionals                                            average daily order submissions for                        6 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No.

                                                                                                             Professional order counting purposes.                   60931 (November 4, 2009), 74 FR 58355, 58356
                                                    April 11, 2016.                                          The Exchange believes that the                          (November 12, 2009) (Notice of Filing of Proposed
                                                                                                                                                                     Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1,
                                                       Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                   proposed rule change would provide                      Related to Professional Orders) (SR–CBOE–2009–
                                                    Securities Exchange Act of 1934                          additional clarity in the BOX Rules.                    078); Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59287
                                                    (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                                                                          (January 23, 2009), 74 FR 5694, 5694 (January 30,
                                                    notice is hereby given that on March 29,                 Background                                              2009) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 2 and
                                                                                                                                                                     Order Granting Accelerated Approval of the
                                                    2016, BOX Options Exchange LLC (the                         In general, ‘‘public customers’’ are                 Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment
                                                    ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities                  granted certain marketplace advantages                  Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto, Relating to Professional
                                                    and Exchange Commission                                  over other market participants,                         Account Holders) (SR–ISE–2006–026); Securities
                                                    (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                       including Market Makers, brokers and                    Exchange Act Release No. 61802 (March 30, 2010),
                                                                                                                                                                     75 FR 17193, 17194 (April 5, 2010) (Notice of Filing
                                                    change as described in Items I and II                    dealers of securities, and industry                     of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting
                                                    below, which Items have been prepared                    ‘‘Professionals’’ on most U.S. options                  Accelerated Approval of the Proposed Rule Change,
                                                    by the self-regulatory organization. The                 exchanges. The U.S. options exchanges,                  as Modified by Amendment No. 2 Thereto, Relating
                                                    Commission is publishing this notice to                  including BOX, have adopted similar                     to Professional Orders) (SR–PHLX–2010–005);
                                                                                                                                                                     Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61629 (March
                                                    solicit comments on the proposed rule                    definitions of the term ‘‘Professional,’’ 4             2, 2010), 75 FR 10851, 10851 (March 9, 2010)
                                                    from interested persons.                                 which commonly refers to persons or                     (Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating
                                                                                                             entities that are not a brokers or dealers              to the Designation of a ‘‘Professional Customer’’)
                                                    I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                        in securities and who or which place                    (SR–NYSEMKT–2010–018).
                                                    Statement of the Terms of the Substance                  more than 390 orders in listed options                     7 See, e.g., Securities and Exchange Act Release

                                                    of the Proposed Rule Change                              per day on average during a calendar
                                                                                                                                                                     No. 62724 (August 16, 2010), 75 FR 51509 (August
                                                                                                                                                                     20, 2010) (Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule
                                                       The Exchange proposes to amend                        month for their own beneficial                          Change by the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC To
                                                    BOX Rule 100 (Definitions) relating to                   account(s).5 Various exchanges adopted                  Adopt a Definition of Professional and Require That
                                                    Professionals. The text of the proposed                  similar Professional rules for many of                  All Professional Orders Be Appropriately Marked)
                                                                                                                                                                     (SR NASDAQ–2010–099); Securities and Exchange
                                                    rule change is available from the                        the same reasons, including, but not                    Act Release No. 65500 (October 6, 2011), 76 FR
                                                    principal office of the Exchange, at the                                                                         63686 (October 13, 2011) (Notice of Filing and
                                                    Commission’s Public Reference Room                          3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77450      Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
                                                    and also on the Exchange’s Internet Web                  (March 25, 2016) (Order Approving SR–CBOE–              To Adopt a Definition of Professional and Require
                                                                                                             2016–005).                                              That All Professional Orders Be Appropriately
                                                    site at http://boxexchange.com.                             4 Some U.S. options exchanges refer to               Marked) (SR–BATS–2011–041); Securities
                                                    II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       ‘‘Professionals’’ as ‘‘Professional Customers’’ or      Exchange Act Release No. 65036 (August 4, 2011),
                                                                                                             non-‘‘Priority Customers.’’ Compare BATS                76 FR 49517, 49518 (August 10, 2011) (Notice of
                                                    Statement of the Purpose of, and                         Exchange, Inc. (‘‘BZX’’) Rule 16.1(a)(45)               Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
                                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                   (Professional); BOX Options Exchange LLC (‘‘BOX’’)      Rule Change To Adopt a Definition of
                                                    Change                                                   Rule 100(a)(50) (Professional); CBOE Rule 1.1(ggg)      ‘‘Professional’’ and Require That Professional
                                                                                                             (Professional); C2 Rule 1.1; BX Chapter I, Sec. 1(49)   Orders Be Appropriately Marked by BOX Options
                                                      In its filing with the Commission, the                 (Professional); NASDAQ OMX PHLX LLC (‘‘PHLX’’)          Participants) (SR–BX–2011–049); Securities
                                                    self-regulatory organization included                    Rule 1000(b)(14) (Professional); Nasdaq Options         Exchange Act Release No. 60931 (November 4,
                                                    statements concerning the purpose of,                    Market (‘‘NOM’’) Chapter I, Sec. 1(a)(48)               2009), 74 FR 58355, 58357 (November 12, 2009)
                                                                                                             (Professional); with ISE Rule 100(a)(37A) (Priority     (Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change, as
                                                    and basis for, the proposed rule change                  Customer); Gemini Rule 100(a)(37A) (Priority            Modified by Amendment No. 1, Related to
                                                    and discussed any comments it received                   Customer); Miami International Securities Exchange      Professional Orders) (SR–CBOE–2009–078); see also
                                                    on the proposed rule change. The text                    LLC (‘‘MIAX’’) Rule 100 (Priority Customer); NYSE       Securities Exchange Act Release 73628 (November
                                                    of these statements may be examined at                   MKT LLC (‘‘NYSE MKT’’) Rule 900.2NY(18A)                18, 2014), 79 FR 69958, 69960 (November 24, 2014)
                                                                                                             (Professional Customer); NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘Arca’’)     (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    the places specified in Item IV below.                   Rule 6.1A(4A) (Professional Customer).                  Proposed Rule Change Relating to Professional
                                                    The self-regulatory organization has                        5 See, e.g., BZX Rule 16.1(a)(45); BOX Rule          Orders) (SR–CBOE–2014–085).
                                                    prepared summaries, set forth in                         100(a)(50); CBOE Rule 1.1(ggg); C2 Rule 1.1; BX            8 See, e.g., BOX Fee Schedule (Exchange Fees).

                                                    Sections A, B, and C below, of the most                  Chapter I, Sec. 1(49); PHLX Rule 1000(b)(14); NOM          9 Public Customers receive allocation priority

                                                    significant aspects of such statements.                  Chapter I, Sec. 1(a)(48); see also ISE Rule             above equally priced competing interests of Market
                                                                                                             100(a)(37A) (Priority Customer); Gemini Rule            Makers, broker-dealers, and other market
                                                                                                             100(a)(37A) (Priority Customer); MIAX Rule 100          participants in the PIP and COPIP. See, e.g., BOX
                                                      23 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                             (Priority Customer); NYSE MKT Rule 900.2NY(18A)         Rule 7150(g)(1) (Public Customer Allocation in PIP),
                                                      1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 (Professional Customer); Arca Rule 6.1A(4A)             BOX Rule 7245(g)(2) (Public Customer Allocation in
                                                      2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                    (Professional Customer).                                COPIP).



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014    17:27 Apr 14, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00121   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM   15APN1


                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices                                                   22329

                                                    generally exempt from transaction fees                     The Exchange’s Informational                       exchanges have not issued any guidance
                                                    and certain Exchange surcharges.                        Circular, however, has not clarified the              regarding the application of their
                                                    Similar to other U.S. options exchanges,                Exchange’s Professional rule                          Professional rules. Furthermore, where
                                                    the Exchange affords these marketplace                  completely. The advent of new multi-leg               exchanges have issued such interpretive
                                                    advantages to Public Customers based                    spread products and the proliferation of              guidance, those interpretations have not
                                                    on various business- and regulatory-                    the use of complex orders and                         necessarily been consistent.14 As a
                                                    related objectives, including, for                      algorithmic execution strategies by both              result, the Exchange believes that the
                                                    example, to attract retail order flow to                institutional and retail market                       rather than helping to promote the best
                                                    the Exchange and to provide                             participants continue to raise questions              regulation and discourage regulatory
                                                    competitive pricing.                                    as to what constitutes an ‘‘order’’ for               arbitrage, the Professional rules have
                                                       Currently, BOX Rule 100(a)(50)                       Professional order counting purposes.                 become a basis of intermarket
                                                    defines a Professional as ‘‘any person or               For example, do complex orders (which                 competition.
                                                    entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer               on the Exchange may be up to 4 legs)                    The Exchange believes that a new set
                                                    in securities, and (ii) places more than                constitute a single order or multiple                 of standards and a more detailed
                                                    390 orders in listed options per day on                 orders for Professional order counting                counting regime than the Exchange’s
                                                    average during a calendar month for its                 purposes? The Exchange’s Professional                 current Professional order rules provide
                                                    own beneficial account(s).’’ The                        rule does not fully address these issues              would allow the Exchange to better
                                                    Exchange’s Professional order rule was                  and there is no common interpretation                 compete for order flow and help ensure
                                                    adopted to distinguish non-broker                       across the U.S. options markets.                      deeper levels of liquidity on the
                                                    dealer individuals and entities that have                  Moreover, the Exchange believes that               Exchange. The Exchange also believes
                                                    access to information and technology                    the proposed rule change would serve to               that the proposed rule change would
                                                    that enable them to professionally trade                accomplish the Exchange’s stated goals                help to remove impediments to and
                                                    listed options in a manner similar to                   for its Professional rule. Under current              help perfect the mechanism of a free
                                                    brokers or dealers in securities from                   Rule 100(a)(50) many market                           and open market and a national market
                                                    retail investors for order priority and/or              participants using sophisticated                      system by increasing competition in the
                                                    transaction fees purposes. In general,                  execution strategies and trading                      marketplace. Accordingly, the Exchange
                                                    Professionals are treated as brokers or                 algorithms who would typically be                     proposes to amend the Rules by
                                                    dealers in securities under the                         considered professional traders are not               amending BOX Rule 100(a)(50) to adopt
                                                    Exchange’s rules, including, but not                    identified under the Exchange’s                       new rules with respect to Professional
                                                    limited to with respect to order priority               Professional rule. The Exchange                       order counting.
                                                    and fees.10 BOX Rule 100(a)(50) is                      believes that these types of market
                                                                                                                                                                  Proposal
                                                    substantially similar to the Professional               participants have access to technology
                                                                                                            and market information akin to broker-                  The Exchange proposes to add
                                                    order rules of other exchanges and was
                                                                                                            dealers. The Exchange also believes that              additional details to Rule 100(a)(50)
                                                    materially based upon the preexistent
                                                                                                            the proposed rule is warranted to ensure              setting forth a more in depth counting
                                                    Professional order rules of other
                                                                                                            that Public Customers are afforded the                regime for calculating average daily
                                                    exchanges.
                                                                                                            marketplace advantages that they are                  orders for Professional order designation
                                                       In September 2015, the Exchange
                                                                                                            intended to be afforded over other types              purposes. Specifically, the Exchange’s
                                                    clarified its Professional order rule by
                                                                                                            of market participants on the Exchange.               proposed rule would make clear how to
                                                    distributing a Regulatory Circular to its
                                                                                                               The Exchange notes that despite the                count complex orders, ‘‘parent/child’’
                                                    Participants.11 Specifically, the
                                                                                                            adoption of materially similar                        orders that are broken into multiple
                                                    Exchange codified its interpretation                    Professional rules across the markets,                orders, and ‘‘cancel/replace’’ orders for
                                                    that, for Professional order counting                   exchanges’ interpretations of their                   Professional order counting purposes.
                                                    purposes, ‘‘parent’’ orders that are                    respective Professional rules vary.                     Under the Exchange’s proposed rule
                                                    placed on a single ticket and entered for               Although Professionals are similarly                  change all orders would count as one
                                                    the beneficial account(s) of a person or                defined by exchanges as non-broker-                   single order for Professional counting
                                                    entity that is not a broker or dealer in                dealer persons or entities that place                 purposes, unless otherwise specified
                                                    securities and that are broken into                     more than 390 orders in listed options                under the Rules. Proposed Rule
                                                    multiple parts by a broker or dealer, or                for their own beneficial account(s) per               100(a)(50) would provide that except as
                                                    by an algorithm housed at a broker or                   day on average during a calendar                      noted below, each order of any order
                                                    dealer, or by an algorithm licensed from                month, there is no consistent definition              type counts as one order for Professional
                                                    a broker or dealer that is housed with                  across the markets as to what constitutes             order counting purposes. Paragraph (a)
                                                    the customer in order to achieve a                      an ‘‘order’’ for Professional order                   of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would
                                                    specific execution strategy, should                     counting purposes. While several                      discuss Complex Orders.15 Under
                                                    count as one single order for                           options exchanges, including BOX, have
                                                    Professional order counting purposes.                   attempted to clarify their interpretations              14 Compare NYSE Joint Regulatory Bulletin,
                                                    This interpretation was a clarification in              of their Professional rules through                   NYSE Acra RBO–15–03, NYSE Amex RBO–15–06)
                                                    the Rules based on the Exchange’s past                  regulatory and information notices and                (Professional Customer Orders) with Interpretation
                                                    interpretations of Rule 100 (a)(50) and                                                                       and Policy .01 to Rule 1.1(ggg); Regulatory Circular
                                                                                                            circulars,13 many of the options                      RG09–148 (Professional Orders); ISE Regulatory
                                                    similar interpretations set forth in a                                                                        Information Circular 2014–007/Gemini Regulatory
                                                    previously issued ISE/ISE Gemini, LLC                                                                         Information Circular 2014–011 (Priority Customer
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                              13 See BOX Regulatory Circulars RC–2015–21

                                                    (‘‘Gemini’’) Joint Regulatory Information               (Professional Orders) and RC–2015–22 (Professional    Orders and Professional Orders (FAQ)); and ISE
                                                    Circular.12                                             Order Implementation); Regulatory Circular RG09–      Regulatory Information Circular 2009–179 (Priority
                                                                                                            148 (Professional Orders); ISE Regulatory             Customer Orders and Professional Orders (FAQ)).
                                                                                                            Information Circular 2014–007/Gemini Regulatory         15 A Complex Order is defined as any order
                                                      10 See BOX Rule 100(a)(50).                           Information Circular 2014–011 (Priority Customer      involving the simultaneous purchase and/or sale of
                                                      11 See RC–2015–21.                                    Orders and Professional Orders (FAQ)); MIAX           two or more different options series in the same
                                                      12 See ISE Regulatory Information Circular 2014–      Regulatory Circular 2014–69 (Priority Customer and    underlying security, for the same account, in a ratio
                                                    007/Gemini Regulatory Information Circular 2014–        Professional Interest Order Summary); NYSE Joint      that is equal to or greater than one-to-three (.333)
                                                    011 (Priority Customer Orders and Professional          Regulatory Bulletin, NYSE Acra RBO–15–03, NYSE        and less than or equal to three-to-one (3.00) and for
                                                    Orders (FAQ)).                                          Amex RBO–15–06) (Professional Customer Orders).                                                   Continued




                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:27 Apr 14, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00122   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM   15APN1


                                                    22330                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                    paragraph (a)(1) of proposed Rule                       series (or complex orders consisting of                 class, each order entered would count as
                                                    100(a)(50), a complex order comprised                   up to eight legs) in order to attempt to                a separate order for Professional order
                                                    of eight (8) legs or fewer would count as               achieve best execution for the overall                  counting purposes. Likewise, if the
                                                    a single order. Conversely, paragraph                   order.                                                  Public Customer instructed her broker
                                                    (a)(2) of proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would                   For example, if a Public Customer                    to buy a variety of calls across various
                                                    provide that a complex order comprised                  were to enter an order to buy 1,000 XYZ                 option classes as part of a basket trade,
                                                    of nine (9) legs or more counts as                      $5 January calls at a limit price of $1,                each order entered by the broker in
                                                    multiple orders with each option leg                    which the Public Customer’s broker                      order to obtain the positions making up
                                                    counting as its own separate order.16                   then broke into four separate orders to                 the basket would count as a separate
                                                    The Exchange believes the distinction                   buy 250 XYZ $5 January calls at a limit                 order for Professional counting
                                                    between complex orders with up to                       price of $1 in order to achieve a better                purposes.19
                                                    eight legs from those with nine or more                 execution, the four ‘‘child’’ orders                       The Exchange believes that the
                                                    legs is appropriate in light of the                     would still only count as one order for                 distinctions between ‘‘parent’’ and
                                                    purposes for which Rule 100(a)(50) was                  Professional order counting purposes                    ‘‘child’’ orders in paragraph (b) to
                                                    adopted. In particular, the Exchange                    (whether or not the four separate orders                proposed Rule 100(a)(50) are
                                                    notes that multi-leg complex order                      were sent to the same or different                      appropriate. The Exchange notes that
                                                    strategies with nine or more legs are                   exchanges for execution).17 Similarly, in               paragraph (b) to proposed Rule
                                                    more complex in nature and thus, more                   the case of a complex order, if a Public                100(a)(50) is not aimed at capturing
                                                    likely to be used by professional traders               Customer were to enter an order to buy                  orders that are being ‘‘worked’’ or
                                                    than traditional two, three, and four leg               1,000 XYZ $5 January(sell)/March(buy)                   broken into multiple orders to avoid
                                                    complex order strategies such as the                    calendar spreads (with a 1:1 ratio on the               showing large orders to the market in an
                                                    strangle, straddle, butterfly, collar, and              legs), at a net debit limit price of $0.20,             effort to elude front-running and to
                                                    condor strategies, and combinations                     which the Public Customer’s broker                      achieve best execution as is typically
                                                    thereof with eight legs or fewer, which                 then broke into four separate orders to                 done by brokers on behalf of retail
                                                    are generally not algorithmically                       buy 250 XYZ $5 January/March                            clients. Rather, paragraph (b) to
                                                    generated and are frequently used by                    calendar spreads (each with a 1:1 ratio                 proposed Rule 100(a)(50) is aimed at
                                                    retail investors. Thus, the types of                    on the legs), each at a net debit limit                 identifying ‘‘child’’ orders of ‘‘parent’’
                                                    complex orders traditionally placed by                  price of $0.20, the four ‘‘child’’ orders               orders generated by algorithms that are
                                                    retail investors would continue to count                would still only count as one order for                 typically used by sophisticated traders
                                                    as only one order while the more                        Professional order counting purposes                    to continuously update their orders in
                                                    complex strategy orders that are                        (whether or not the four separate orders                concert with market updates in order to
                                                    typically used by professional traders                  were sent to the same or different                      keep their overall trading strategies in
                                                    would count as multiple orders for                      exchanges for execution).                               balance. The Exchange believes that
                                                    Professional order counting purposes.                      Conversely, under paragraph (b)(2) of                these types of ‘‘parent/child’’ orders
                                                       Paragraph (b) of proposed Rule                       proposed Rule 100(a)(50), a ‘‘parent’’                  typically used by sophisticated traders
                                                    100(a)(50) would provide details                        order (including a strategy order) 18 that              should count as multiple orders.
                                                    relating to the counting of ‘‘parent/                   is broken into multiple ‘‘child’’ orders                   Paragraph (c) of proposed Rule
                                                    child’’ orders. Under paragraph (b)(1), a               on both sides (buy/sell) of a series and/               100(a)(50), would discuss the counting
                                                    ‘‘parent’’ order that is placed for the                 or multiple series counts as multiple                   of orders that are cancelled and
                                                    beneficial account(s) of a person or                    orders, with each ‘‘child’’ order                       replaced. Similar to the distinctions
                                                    entity that is not a broker or dealer in                counting as a new and separate order.                   drawn in paragraph (b) of proposed Rule
                                                    securities that is broken into multiple                 Accordingly, under this provision,                      100(a)(50), paragraph (c) would
                                                    ‘‘child’’ orders on the same side (buy/                 strategy orders, which are most often                   essentially separate orders that are
                                                    sell) and series as the ‘‘parent’’ order by             used by sophisticated traders best                      cancelled and replaced as part of an
                                                    a broker or dealer, or by an algorithm                  characterized as ‘‘Professionals,’’ would               overall strategy from those that are
                                                    housed at a broker or dealer or by an                   count as multiple orders for each child                 cancelled and replaced by a broker that
                                                    algorithm licensed from a broker or                     order entered as part of the overall                    is ‘‘working’’ the order to achieve best
                                                    dealer, but which is housed with the                    strategy. For example, if a customer                    execution or attempting to time the
                                                    Public Customer, counts as one order                    were to enter an order with her broker                  market. Specifically, paragraph (c)(1) of
                                                    even if the ‘‘child’’ orders are routed                 by which multiple ‘‘child’’ orders were                 proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would provide
                                                    across multiple exchanges. Essentially,                 then sent to the Exchange across                        that except as otherwise provided in the
                                                    this paragraph would describe how                       multiple series in a particular option                  rule (and specifically as provided under
                                                    orders placed for Public Customers,                                                                             paragraph (c)(2)), any order that cancels
                                                    which are ‘‘worked’’ by a broker in
                                                                                                               17 Notably, however, if the customer herself were    and replaces an existing order counts as
                                                                                                            to enter the same four identical orders to buy 250      a separate order (or multiple new orders
                                                    order to receive best execution should                  XYZ $5 January calls at a limit price of $1 prior to
                                                    be counted for Professional order                       sending the orders, those orders would count as
                                                                                                                                                                    in the case of a complex order
                                                    counting purposes. Paragraph (b)(1) of                  four separate orders for Professional order counting    comprised of nine (9) legs or more). For
                                                    proposed Rule 100(a)(50) would permit                   purposes because the orders would not have been         example, if a trader were to enter a non-
                                                                                                            broken into multiple ‘‘child’’ orders on the same       marketable limit order to buy an option
                                                    larger ‘‘parent’’ orders (which may be                  side (buy/sell) and series as the ‘‘parent’’ order by
                                                    simple orders or complex orders                         a broker or dealer, or by an algorithm housed at a
                                                                                                                                                                    contract at a certain net debit price,
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    consisting of up to eight legs), to be                  broker or dealer or by an algorithm licensed from       cancel the order in response to market
                                                    broken into multiple smaller orders on                  a broker or dealer, but which is housed with the
                                                                                                            customer.                                                 19 Notably, with respect to the types of ‘‘parent’’
                                                    the same side (buy/sell) and in the same                   18 For purposes of this proposed Rule 100(a)(50),    orders (including strategy orders) described in
                                                                                                            the term ‘‘strategy order’’ is intended to mean an      paragraph (b)(2) to proposed Rule 100(a)(50), such
                                                    the purpose of executing a particular investment        execution strategy, trading instruction, or algorithm   orders would be received only as multiple ‘‘child’’
                                                    strategy. See BOX Rule 7240(a)(5).                      whereby multiple ‘‘child’’ orders on both sides of      orders the U.S. options exchange receiving such
                                                       16 The Exchange notes that it does not current       a series and/or multiple series are generated prior     orders. The ‘‘parent’’ order would be broken apart
                                                    accept complex orders comprised of more than four       to being sent to any or multiple U.S. options           before being sent by the participant to the
                                                    legs.                                                   exchange(s).                                            exchange(s) as multiple ‘‘child’’ orders.



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:27 Apr 14, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00123   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM    15APN1


                                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices                                           22331

                                                    movements, and then reenter the same                    example, if an investor were to seek to               Customers are averaging more than 390
                                                    order once it became marketable, those                  make a trade (or series of trades) to take            orders per day at the end of each
                                                    orders would count as two separate                      a long position at a certain percentage               calendar quarter, the Exchange proposes
                                                    orders for Professional order counting                  limit on a basket of options, the investor            an effective date of April 1, 2016 for
                                                    purposes even though the terms of both                  may need to cancel and replace several                proposed calculation details to ensure
                                                    orders were the same.                                   of the ‘‘child’’ orders entered to achieve            that all orders during the next quarterly
                                                       Paragraph (c)(2) of proposed Rule                    the overall execution strategy several                review will be counted in the same
                                                    100(a)(50) would specify the exception                  times to account for updates in the                   manner and that proposed language will
                                                    to paragraph (c)(1) of proposed Rule                    prices of the underlyings. In such a case,            not be applied retroactively.
                                                    100(a)(50) and would provide that an                    each ‘‘child’’ order placed to keep the
                                                    order that cancels and replaces any                                                                           2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                            overall execution strategy in place
                                                    ‘‘child’’ order resulting from a ‘‘parent’’             would count as a new and separate                        The Exchange believes that the
                                                    order that is placed for the beneficial                 order even if the particular ‘‘child’’                proposal is consistent with the
                                                    account(s) of a person or entity that is                order were being used to replace a                    requirements of Section 6(b) of the
                                                    not a broker, or dealer in securities that              slightly different ‘‘child’’ order that was           Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                                                    is broken into multiple ‘‘child’’ orders                previously being used to keep the same                ‘‘Act’’),20 in general, and Section 6(b)(5)
                                                    on the same side (buy/sell) and series as               overall execution strategy in place. The              of the Act,21 in particular, in that it is
                                                    the ‘‘parent’’ order by a broker or dealer,             Exchange believes that the distinctions               designed to prevent fraudulent and
                                                    by an algorithm housed at a broker or                   between cancel/replace orders in                      manipulative acts and practices, to
                                                    dealer, or by an algorithm licensed from                paragraph (c) to proposed Rule                        promote just and equitable principles of
                                                    a broker or dealer, but which is housed                 100(a)(50) are appropriate as such                    trade, to foster cooperation and
                                                    with the Public Customer, would not                     orders are typically generated by                     coordination with persons engaged in
                                                    count as a new order. For example, if a                 algorithms used by sophisticated traders              facilitating transactions in securities, to
                                                    Public Customer were to enter an order                  to keep strategy orders continuously in               remove impediments to and perfect the
                                                    with her broker to buy 10,000 XYZ $5                    line with updates in the markets. As                  mechanism of a free and open market
                                                    January calls at a limit price of $1,                   such, the Exchange believes that in most              and a national market system, and, in
                                                    which the Public Customer’s broker                      cases, cancel/replace orders should                   general to protect investors and the
                                                    then entered, but could not fill and then               count as multiple orders.                             public interest. In particular, the
                                                    cancelled to avoid having to rest the                                                                         Exchange believes that proposed
                                                    order in the book as part of a strategy                    Under current BOX Rule 100(a)(50),                 changes to Rule 100(a)(50) provides a
                                                    to obtain a better execution for the                    in order to properly represent orders                 more conservative order counting
                                                    Public Customer and then resubmitted                    entered on the Exchange, BOX                          regime for Professional order counting
                                                    the remainder of the order, which                       Participants are required to indicate                 purposes that would identify more
                                                    would be considered a ‘‘child’’ of the                  whether Public Customer orders are                    traders as Professionals to which the
                                                    ‘‘parent’’ order, once it became                        ‘‘Professional’’ orders. This requirement             Exchange’s definition of Professional
                                                    marketable, such orders would only                      will remain the same. To comply with                  was designed to apply and create a
                                                    count as one order for Professional order               this requirement, Participants are                    better competitive balance for all
                                                    counting purposes. Again, similar to                    required to review their customers’                   participants on the Exchange, consistent
                                                    paragraph (b) of proposed Rule                          activity on at least a quarterly basis to             with the Act. As the options markets
                                                    100(a)(50), the Exchange notes that                     determine whether orders that are not                 have evolved to become more electronic
                                                    paragraph (c) to proposed Rule                          for the account of a broker or dealer                 and more competitive, the Exchange
                                                    100(a)(50) is not aimed at capturing                    should be represented as customer                     believes that the distinction between
                                                    orders that are being ‘‘worked’’ or being               orders or Professional orders. Orders for             registered broker-dealers and
                                                    cancelled and replaced to avoid                         any Public Customer that had an                       professional traders who are currently
                                                    showing large orders to the market in an                average of more than 390 orders per day               treated as Public Customers has become
                                                    effort to elude front-running and to                    during any month of a calendar quarter                increasingly blurred. More and more,
                                                    achieve best execution as is typically                  must be represented as Professional                   the category of Public Customer today
                                                    done by brokers on behalf of retail                     orders for the next calendar quarter.                 includes sophisticated algorithmic
                                                    clients. Rather, paragraph (c) to                       Participants are required to conduct a                traders including former market makers
                                                    proposed Rule 100(a)(50) is aimed at                    quarterly review and make any                         and hedge funds that trade with a
                                                    identifying ‘‘child’’ orders of ‘‘parent’’              appropriate changes to the way in                     frequency resembling that of broker-
                                                    orders generated by algorithms that are                 which they are representing orders                    dealers. The Exchange believes that it is
                                                    typically used by sophisticated traders                 within five days after the end of each                reasonable under the Act to treat those
                                                    to continuously update their orders in                  calendar quarter. While Participants                  customers who meet the high level of
                                                    concert with market updates in order to                 only will be required to review their                 trading activity established in the
                                                    keep their overall trading strategies in                accounts on a quarterly basis, if during              proposal differently than customers who
                                                    balance. The Exchange believes that                     a quarter the Exchange identifies a                   do not meet that threshold and are more
                                                    paragraph (c)(2) to proposed Rule                       customer for which orders are being                   typical retail investors to ensure that
                                                    100(a)(50) is consistent with these goals.              represented as public customer orders                 professional traders do not take
                                                       Accordingly, consistent with                         but that has averaged more than 390                   advantage of priority and fee benefits
                                                    paragraph (c)(1) of proposed Rule                       orders per day during a month, the
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                  intended for Public Customers.
                                                    100(a)(50), under paragraph (c)(3) of                   Exchange will notify the Participant and                 The Exchange notes that it is not
                                                    proposed Rule 100(a)(50), an order that                 the Participant will be required to                   unfair to differentiate between different
                                                    cancels and replaces any ‘‘child’’ order                change the manner in which it is                      types of investors in order to achieve
                                                    resulting from a ‘‘parent’’ order                       representing the Public Customer’s                    certain marketplace balances. The Rules
                                                    (including a strategy order) that                       orders within five days. Because BOX                  currently differentiate between Public
                                                    generates ‘‘child’’ orders on both sides                Rule 100(a)(50) only requires that
                                                    (buy/sell) of a series and/or in multiple               Participants conduct a look-back to                     20 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                                    series would count as a new order. For                  determine whether their Public                          21 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:27 Apr 14, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00124   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM    15APN1


                                                    22332                            Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                    Customers, Broker-Dealers, Market                       B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                    Makers, and the like. These                             Statement on Burden on Competition                     Statement on Comments on the
                                                    differentiations have been recognized to                                                                       Proposed Rule Change Received From
                                                    be consistent with the Act. The                            The Exchange does not believe that                  Members, Participants, or Others
                                                    Exchange does not believe that the                      the proposed rule change will impose
                                                                                                                                                                     The Exchange has neither solicited
                                                    current BOX Rules and other exchanges                   any burden on competition not
                                                                                                                                                                   nor received comments on the proposed
                                                    that accord priority to all Public                      necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                                                                                                                                   rule change.
                                                    Customers over broker-dealers are                       of the purposes of the Act. In this regard
                                                    unfairly discriminatory. Nor does the                   and as indicated above, the Exchange                   III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                                                                            notes that the rule change is                          Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                    Exchange believe that it is unfairly
                                                                                                            substantially similar to a recent CBOE                 Commission Action
                                                    discriminatory to accord priority to only
                                                    those Public Customers who on average                   filing.22 As discussed above, the                         Because the foregoing proposed rule
                                                    do not place more than one order per                    Exchange does not believe that the                     change does not: (i) Significantly affect
                                                    minute (390 per day) under the counting                 current BOX Rules and other exchanges                  the protection of investors or the public
                                                    regime that the Exchange proposes. The                  that accord priority to all Public                     interest; (ii) impose any significant
                                                    Exchange believes that such                             Customers over broker-dealers are                      burden on competition; and (iii) become
                                                    differentiations drive competition in the               unfairly discriminatory. Nor does the                  operative for 30 days from the date on
                                                    marketplace and are within the business                 Exchange believe that it is unfairly                   which it was filed, or such shorter time
                                                    judgment of the Exchange. Accordingly,                  discriminatory to accord priority to only              as the Commission may designate, it has
                                                                                                            those customers who on average do not                  become effective pursuant to Section
                                                    the Exchange also believes that its
                                                                                                            place more than one order per minute                   19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 23 and
                                                    proposal is consistent with the
                                                                                                            (390 per day) under the counting regime                subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4
                                                    requirement of Section 6(b)(8) of the Act
                                                                                                            that the Exchange proposes. The                        thereunder.24 A proposed rule change
                                                    that the rules of an exchange not impose                                                                       filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) normally
                                                    an unnecessary or inappropriate burden                  Exchange believes that its proposal does
                                                                                                            not impose an undue burden on                          does not become operative prior to 30
                                                    upon competition in that it treats                                                                             days after the date of filing.25 Rule 19b–
                                                    persons who should be deemed                            competition. The Exchange notes that
                                                                                                            one of the purposes of the Professional                4(f)(6)(iii), however, permits the
                                                    Professionals, but who may not be                                                                              Commission to designate a shorter time
                                                    under current Rule 100(a)(50) in a                      rules is to help ensure fairness in the
                                                                                                                                                                   if such action is consistent with the
                                                    manner so that they do not receive                      marketplace and promote competition
                                                                                                                                                                   protection of investors and the public
                                                    special priority benefits.                              among all market participants. The
                                                                                                                                                                   interest.26
                                                                                                            Exchange believes that proposed BOX
                                                       Furthermore, the Exchange believes                                                                             The Exchange has requested that the
                                                                                                            Rule100(a)(50)(a) would help establish
                                                    that the proposed rule change will                                                                             Commission waive the 30-day operative
                                                                                                            more competition among market                          delay. The Commission notes that it has
                                                    protect investors and the public interest               participants and promote the purposes
                                                    by helping to assure that retail                                                                               considered a substantially similar
                                                                                                            for which the Exchange’s Professional                  proposed rule change filed by CBOE
                                                    customers continue to receive the                       rule was originally adopted. The
                                                    appropriate marketplace advantages in                                                                          which it approved after a notice and
                                                                                                            Exchange does not believe that the Act                 comment period.27 This proposed rule
                                                    the BOX marketplace as intended, while                  requires it to provide the same                        change does not raise any new or novel
                                                    furthering competition among                            incentives and discounts to all market                 issues from those considered in the
                                                    marketplace professionals by treating                   participants equally, so as long as the                CBOE proposal. Based on the foregoing,
                                                    them in the same manner as other                        exchange does not unfairly discriminate                the Commission believes that it is
                                                    similarly situated market participants.                 among participants with regard to                      consistent with the protection of
                                                    The Exchange believes that it is                        access to exchange systems. The                        investors and the public interest to
                                                    consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the                  Exchange believes that here, that is                   waive the 30-day operative date so that
                                                    Act not to afford market participants                   clearly the case.                                      the proposal may take effect upon
                                                    with similar access to information and                                                                         filing.28
                                                                                                               Rather than burden competition, the
                                                    technology as that of brokers and
                                                                                                            Exchange believes that the proposed                    IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                    dealers of securities with marketplace
                                                                                                            rule change promotes competition by
                                                    advantages over such marketplace                                                                                 Interested persons are invited to
                                                                                                            ensuring that retail investors continue to
                                                    competitors. The Exchange also believes                                                                        submit written data, views, and
                                                                                                            receive the appropriate marketplace
                                                    that the proposed rule change would                                                                            arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                                                                            advantages in the BOX marketplace as
                                                    help to remove burdens on competition                   intended, while furthering competition                   23 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(iii).
                                                    and promote a more competitive                          among marketplace professionals by                       24 17  CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
                                                    marketplace by affording certain                        treating them in the same manner under                 4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
                                                    marketplace advantages only to those                    the BOX Rules as other similarly                       the Commission written notice of its intent to file
                                                    for whom they are intended. Finally, the                situated market participants by ensuring
                                                                                                                                                                   the proposed rule change at least five business days
                                                    Exchange believes that the proposed                                                                            prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
                                                                                                            that market participants with similar                  change, or such shorter time as designated by the
                                                    rule change sets forth a more detailed                  access to information and technology                   Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                    and clear regulatory regime with respect                (i.e. Professionals and broker-dealers),               requirement.
                                                    to calculating average daily order entry                receive similar treatment under the BOX
                                                                                                                                                                     25 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
                                                                                                                                                                     26 Id.
                                                    for Professional order counting                         Rules while retail investors receive the                 27 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77450
                                                    purposes. The Exchange believes that                    benefits of order priority and fee                     (March 25, 2016) (Order Approving SR–CBOE–
                                                    this additional clarity and detail will                 waivers that are intended to apply to                  2016–005).
                                                    eliminate confusion among market                        Public Customers.
                                                                                                                                                                     28 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day

                                                    participants, which is in the interests of                                                                     operative delay, the Commission has considered the
                                                                                                                                                                   proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition,
                                                    all investors and the general public.                     22 See   supra, note 3.                              and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:27 Apr 14, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00125    Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM    15APN1


                                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices                                                 22333

                                                    including whether the proposed rule                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 must approve the proposed rule change,
                                                    change is consistent with the Act.                        COMMISSION                                              disapprove the proposed rule change or
                                                    Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                               institute proceedings to determine
                                                                                                              [Release No. 34–77581; File No. SR–FINRA–
                                                    the following methods:                                                                                            whether to approve or disapprove the
                                                                                                              2015–054]
                                                                                                                                                                      proposed rule change to March 22,
                                                    Electronic Comments                                                                                               2016.
                                                                                                              Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                      • Use the Commission’s Internet                         Financial Industry Regulatory                             On March 23, 2016, the Commission
                                                    comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                         Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of                    published in the Federal Register an
                                                    rules/sro.shtml); or                                      Partial Amendment No. 1 to Proposed                     order to solicit comments on the
                                                                                                              Rule Change Relating to Proposed                        proposed rule change and to institute
                                                      • Send an email to rule comments@                                                                               proceedings pursuant to Section
                                                    sec.gov. Please include File No. SR–                      Rule Change To Adopt FINRA Capital
                                                                                                              Acquisition Broker Rules                                19(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange
                                                    BOX–2016–13 on the subject line.                                                                                  Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’) 3 to
                                                    Paper Comments                                            April 11, 2016.                                         determine whether to approve or
                                                                                                                                                                      disapprove the proposed rule change.4
                                                                                                              I. Introduction
                                                      • Send paper comments in triplicate                                                                               As described further below, on March
                                                    to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                        On December 4, 2015, Financial                       29, 2016 FINRA filed a partial
                                                    Commission, 100 F Street NE.,                             Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.                     amendment to its proposed rule change
                                                    Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                (‘‘FINRA’’) filed with the Securities and               in response to comments on the Notice
                                                                                                              Exchange Commission (the                                of Filing.
                                                    All submissions should refer to File No.                  ‘‘Commission’’ or ‘‘SEC’’) proposed rule
                                                    SR–BOX–2016–13. This file number                                                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                              change SR–FINRA–2015–054, pursuant
                                                    should be included on the subject line                                                                            Statement of the Terms of Substance of
                                                                                                              to which FINRA proposed to adopt a
                                                    if email is used. To help the                                                                                     the Proposed Amendment
                                                                                                              rule set that would apply exclusively to
                                                    Commission process and review your                        firms that meet the definition of ‘‘capital                In response to comments on the
                                                    comments more efficiently, please use                     acquisition broker’’ and that elect to be               Notice of Filing, FINRA filed a Partial
                                                    only one method. The Commission will                      governed under this rule set                            Amendment No. 1 to amend proposed
                                                    post all comments on the Commission’s                     (collectively, the ‘‘CAB Rules’’).                      CAB Rule 016(c)(2) to clarify that the
                                                    Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/                       The Commission published the                         definition of ‘‘capital acquisition
                                                    rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                           proposed rule change for public                         broker’’ does not include any broker or
                                                    submission, all subsequent                                comment in the Federal Register on                      dealer that effects securities transactions
                                                    amendments, all written statements                        December 23, 2015.1 The Commission                      that would require the broker or dealer
                                                    with respect to the proposed rule                         received 17 comment letters in response                 to report the transaction under the
                                                    change that are filed with the                            to the proposed rule change.2 On                        FINRA Rules 6300 Series, 6400 Series,
                                                    Commission, and all written                               January 28, 2016, FINRA extended the                    6500 Series, 6600 Series, 6700 Series,
                                                    communications relating to the                            time period in which the Commission                     7300 Series or 7400 Series. With this
                                                    proposed rule change between the                                                                                  Partial Amendment No. 1, FINRA filed:
                                                    Commission and any person, other than                       1 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76675           (1) Exhibit 4, which reflects changes to
                                                    those that may be withheld from the                       (December 17, 2015), 80 FR 79969 (December 23,          the text of the proposed rule change
                                                    public in accordance with the                             2015) (Notice of Filing of File No. SR–FINRA–           pursuant to this Partial Amendment No.
                                                    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                       2015–054) (‘‘Notice of Filing’’).
                                                                                                                2 Letters from Peter W. LaVigne, Esq., Chair,
                                                                                                                                                                      1, marked to show additions to the text
                                                    available for Web site viewing and                        Securities Regulation Committee, Business Law           as proposed in the original filing; and
                                                    printing in the Commission’s Public                       Section, New York State Bar Association, dated          (2) Exhibit 5, which reflects the changes
                                                    Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,                         January 22, 2016; Judith M. Shaw, President, North      to the current rule text that are proposed
                                                    Washington, DC 20549 on official                          American Securities Administrators Association,
                                                                                                              Inc., dated January 15, 2016; Timothy Cahill,
                                                                                                                                                                      in the proposed rule change, as
                                                    business days between the hours of                        President, Compass Securities Corporation, dated        amended by this Partial Amendment
                                                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such                   January 13, 2016; Mark Fairbanks, President,            No. 1.
                                                    filing also will be available for                         Foreside Distributors, dated January 13, 2016; Dan
                                                    inspection and copying at the principal                   Glusker, Perkins Fund Marketing, LLC, dated             III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                    office of the Exchange. All comments                      January 13, 2016; Steven Jafarzadeh, CAIA,              Proposed Rule Change as Modified by
                                                                                                              Managing Director, CCO Partner, Stonehaven, dated       Partial Amendment No.1 and Timing
                                                    received will be posted without change;                   January 13, 2016; Richard A. Murphy, Manager,
                                                    the Commission does not edit personal                     North Bridge Capital LLC, dated January 13, 2016;
                                                                                                                                                                      for Commission Action
                                                    identifying information from                              Ron Oldenkamp, President, Genesis Marketing                Within 180 days after the date of
                                                                                                              Group, dated January 13, 2016; Michael S. Quinn,
                                                    submissions. You should submit only                       Member and CCO, Q Advisors LLC, dated January
                                                                                                                                                                      publication of the initial Notice of Filing
                                                    information that you wish to make                         13, 2016; Lisa Roth, President, Monahan & Roth,         in the Federal Register or within such
                                                    available publicly. All submissions                       LLC, dated January 13, 2016; Howard Spindel,            longer period up to an additional 60
                                                    should refer to File No. SR–BOX–2016–                     Senior Managing Director, and Cassondra E. Joseph,      days (i) as the Commission may
                                                                                                              Managing Director, Integrated Management
                                                    13, and should be submitted on or                         Solutions USA LLC, dated January 13, 2016; Sajan
                                                                                                                                                                      designate if it finds such longer period
                                                    before May 6, 2016.                                       K. Thomas, President, and Stephen J. Myott, Chief       to be appropriate and publishes its
                                                      For the Commission, by the Division of                  Compliance Officer, Thomas Capital Group, Inc.,         reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                              dated January 13, 2016; Donna DiMaria, Chairman         the self-regulatory organization
                                                    Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated                of the Board of Directors, and Lisa Roth, Board of
                                                    authority.29                                              Directors, Third Party Marketers Association, dated
                                                                                                                                                                      consents, the Commission will issue an
                                                    Robert W. Errett,                                         January 12, 2016; Frank P. L. Minard, Managing
                                                                                                                                                                        3 15U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
                                                                                                              Partner, XT Capital Partners, LLC, dated January 12,
                                                    Deputy Secretary.                                         2016; Arne Rovell, Coronado Investments, LLC,             4 SecuritiesExchange Act Release No. 77391
                                                    [FR Doc. 2016–08645 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]               dated January 6, 2016; Daniel H. Kolber, President/     (March 17, 2016), 81 FR 15588 (March 23, 2016)
                                                    BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                              CEO, Intellivest Securities, Inc., dated December 30,   (Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine
                                                                                                              2016; and Roger W. Mehle, Chairman and CEO,             Whether to Approve or Disapprove Proposed Rule
                                                                                                              Archates Capital Advisors LLC, dated December 29,       Change to Adopt FINRA Capital Acquisition Broker
                                                      29 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            2015.                                                   Rules on File No. SR–FINRA–2015–054).



                                               VerDate Sep<11>2014     17:27 Apr 14, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00126   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\15APN1.SGM     15APN1



Document Created: 2016-04-15 00:55:03
Document Modified: 2016-04-15 00:55:03
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 22328 

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