81_FR_80321 81 FR 80101 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change in Connection With the Proposed Corporate Transaction Involving Bats Global Markets, Inc. and CBOE Holdings, Inc.

81 FR 80101 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change in Connection With the Proposed Corporate Transaction Involving Bats Global Markets, Inc. and CBOE Holdings, Inc.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 220 (November 15, 2016)

Page Range80101-80109
FR Document2016-27371

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 220 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80101-80109]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27371]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-79266; File No. SR-BatsBZX-2016-68]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change in Connection With the Proposed 
Corporate Transaction Involving Bats Global Markets, Inc. and CBOE 
Holdings, Inc.

November 8, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on November 2, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange filed a proposed rule change (the ``Proposed Rule 
Change'') in connection with the proposed corporate transaction (the 
``Transaction''), as described in more detail below, involving its 
ultimate parent company, Bats Global Markets, Inc. (``BGM''), CBOE 
Holdings, Inc. (``CBOE Holdings''), and two wholly owned subsidiaries 
of CBOE Holdings, CBOE Corporation and CBOE V, LLC (``CBOE V''). CBOE 
Holdings is the parent company of Chicago Board Options Exchange, 
Incorporated (``CBOE'') and C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (``C2''), 
each a national securities exchange registered with the Commission 
pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act,\3\ and CBOE Futures Exchange, LLC 
(``CBOE Futures,'' and together with CBOE and C2, the ``CBOE 
Exchanges''), a national securities exchange that lists or trades 
security-futures products notice-registered with the Commission 
pursuant to Section 6(g) of the Act.\4\
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    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(a).
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(g).
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    Upon completion of the mergers described below that effectuate the 
Transaction (the ``Closing''), the business of BGM will be carried on 
by CBOE V. CBOE V, rather than BGM, will be the direct parent company 
of Bats Global Markets Holdings, Inc. (``BGM Holdings''), which is the 
direct parent company of the Exchange. As a result, CBOE Holdings will 
become the ultimate parent company of BGM Holdings and of the Exchange.
    To effectuate the Transaction, the Exchange seeks to obtain the 
Commission's approval of: (i) The resolutions of BGM's board of 
directors (the ``BGM Board'') waiving certain provisions of the Amended 
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BGM (the ``BGM Charter'') 
and making certain related determinations regarding CBOE Holdings and 
the impact of the Transaction on the Exchange (the ``Resolutions''); 
(ii) the CBOE Holdings Second Amended and Restated Certificate of 
Incorporation (the ``CBOE Holdings Charter'') and the CBOE Holdings 
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (the ``CBOE Holdings Bylaws''); (iii) 
the Certificate of Formation of CBOE V (the ``CBOE V Certificate'') and 
the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of CBOE V (the ``CBOE 
V Operating Agreement''); (iv) the proposed amendments to the Amended 
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BGM Holdings (the ``BGM 
Holdings Charter''); (v) the proposed amendments to the Fourth Amended 
and Restated Bylaws of the Exchange (the ``Exchange Bylaws''); and (vi) 
the proposed amendments to BZX Rules 2.3 and 2.10 (the ``Exchange 
Rules'').
    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's 
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the 
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange submits this Proposed Rule Change to seek the 
Commission's approval of the organizational and governance documents of 
the Exchange and its current and proposed future parent companies, and 
related actions that are necessary in connection with the Closing of 
the Transaction, as described below.
    Other than as described herein and set forth in Exhibits 5A through 
5H, the Exchange will continue to conduct its regulated activities 
(including operating and regulating its market and members) in the 
manner currently conducted, and will not make any changes to its 
regulated activities in connection with the Transaction. Except as set 
forth in this Proposed Rule Change, the Exchange is not proposing any 
amendments to its trading and regulatory rules at this time. If the 
Exchange determines to make any such changes, it will seek the approval 
of the Commission to the extent required by the Act, and the 
Commission's rules thereunder, and the Rules of the Exchange.
1. Current Corporate Structures
    The Exchange, Bats BYX Exchange, Inc. (``BYX''), Bats EDGX 
Exchange, Inc. (``EDGX'') and Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc. (``EDGA,'' and 
together with the Exchange, BYX and EDGX, the ``Bats Exchanges'') are 
each Delaware corporations that are national securities exchanges 
registered with the Commission pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act.\5\
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    \5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(a).
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    The Exchange and BYX are each direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of 
BGM Holdings, a Delaware corporation that is a direct, wholly owned 
subsidiary of BGM. In addition to certain other subsidiaries not 
registered with the Commission in any capacity, BGM Holdings also owns 
100 percent of the equity interest in Bats Trading, Inc. (``Bats 
Trading''), a Delaware corporation that is a broker-dealer registered 
with the Commission that provides routing services outbound from, and 
in certain instances inbound to, each Bats Exchange. EDGX and EDGA are 
direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of Direct Edge LLC, a

[[Page 80102]]

Delaware limited liability company that is a direct, wholly owned 
subsidiary of BGM. BGM, a Delaware corporation, is a publicly traded 
company listed on the Exchange.
    CBOE Holdings, a Delaware corporation, is a publicly traded company 
listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. CBOE Holdings owns 100 percent of 
the equity interest in the CBOE Exchanges.
    In contemplation of the Transaction, CBOE Holdings formed two 
additional entities, CBOE Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and CBOE 
V, a Delaware limited liability company, each of which are direct, 
wholly owned subsidiaries of CBOE Holdings. Each of CBOE Corporation 
and CBOE V currently have no material assets or conduct any operations.
2. The Transaction
    On September 25, 2016, BGM, CBOE Holdings, CBOE Corporation and 
CBOE V entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the ``Merger 
Agreement''). Pursuant to and subject to the terms of the Merger 
Agreement, at the Closing, among other things:
    (i) CBOE Corporation will be merged with and into BGM, whereupon 
the separate existence of CBOE Corporation will cease and BGM will be 
the surviving company (the ``Merger'');
    (ii) by virtue of the Merger and without any action required on the 
part of BGM, CBOE Corporation or any holder of BGM or CBOE Corporation 
stock, each share of BGM common stock (whether voting or non-voting) 
issued and outstanding (with the exception of shares owned by CBOE 
Holdings, BGM or any of their respective subsidiaries and certain 
shares held by persons that are entitled to and properly demand 
appraisal rights) will be converted into the right to receive a 
particular number of shares of CBOE Holdings and/or cash, at the 
election of the holder of such share of BGM common stock (the ``Merger 
Consideration''), and each share of CBOE Corporation issued and 
outstanding will be converted into one share of BGM, such that BGM will 
become a wholly owned subsidiary of CBOE Holdings; and
    (iii) immediately following the Merger, BGM will be merged with and 
into CBOE V, whereupon the separate existence of BGM will cease and 
CBOE V will be the surviving company (the ``Subsequent Merger'').
    Upon the Closing, the BGM Holdings Charter, the Exchange Bylaws and 
the Exchange Rules will be amended to take into account the post-
Closing corporate structure, described below.
3. Post-Closing Corporate Structure
    As a result of the Transaction, BGM will cease to exist and the 
business of BGM will be carried on by CBOE V, which is a wholly owned 
subsidiary of CBOE Holdings.\6\ CBOE V will own 100 percent of the 
equity interest in BGM Holdings and Direct Edge LLC. BGM Holdings will 
continue to own 100 percent of the equity interest in the Exchange, 
BYX, Bats Trading, and certain other subsidiaries not registered with 
the Commission in any capacity.\7\ Direct Edge LLC will continue to own 
100 percent of the equity interest in EDGX and EDGA.
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    \6\ In connection with the Transaction, CBOE Holdings agreed in 
the Merger Agreement to take all requisite actions so, as of the 
Closing, the CBOE Holdings Board will include three individuals 
designated by BGM who (1) are serving as BGM directors immediately 
prior to the Closing and (2) comply with the policies (including 
clarifications of the policies provided to BGM) of the Nominating 
and Governance Committee of the CBOE Holdings Board as in effect on 
the date of the Merger Agreement and previously provided to BGM 
(each of whom will be appointed to the CBOE Holdings Board as of the 
Closing). The CBOE Holdings Board currently consists of 14 
directors. The Exchange expects three current CBOE Holdings 
directors to resign effective prior to the Closing and the remaining 
CBOE Holdings directors to fill those vacancies with the three BGM 
directors designated by BGM.
    \7\ As described above, the Transaction will result in a change 
of ownership of Bats Trading, which is a member of the Financial 
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA''). The Exchange 
understands that, pursuant to NASD Rule 1017, Bats Trading is 
seeking approval for this change of ownership from FINRA.
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4. Ownership and Voting Limitations of BGM; Resolutions
    The BGM Charter provides that (i) no Person,\8\ either alone or 
together with its Related Persons,\9\ may own, directly or indirectly, 
of record or beneficially, shares constituting more than 40 percent of 
any class of its capital stock, and no Exchange Member, either alone or 
together with its Related Persons, may own, directly or indirectly, of 
record or beneficially, shares constituting more than 20 percent of any 
class of its capital stock (collectively, the ``BGM Ownership 
Limitation''); and (ii) subject to certain exceptions, no Person, 
either alone or together with its Related Persons, at any time, may, 
directly, indirectly or pursuant to any of various arrangements, vote 
or cause the voting of shares or give any consent or proxy with respect 
to shares representing more than 20 percent of the voting power of its 
then issued and outstanding capital stock (the ``BGM Voting 
Limitation'').\10\ Purported transfers that would result in a violation 
of the BGM Ownership Limitation are not recognized by BGM to the extent 
of any ownership in excess of the BGM Ownership Limitation, and 
purported voting or voting arrangements in violation of the BGM Voting 
Limitation are not honored by BGM to the extent of any voting in excess 
of the limitation.\11\
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    \8\ The BGM Charter generally defines a ``Person'' as a natural 
person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, entity, 
government, or political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a 
government. See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (a)(i).
    \9\ The BGM Charter generally defines a ``Related Person'' as, 
with respect to any Person, (i) any ``affiliate'' of such Person (as 
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Act); (ii) any other Person with 
which such first Person has any agreement, arrangement or 
understanding (whether or not in writing) to act together for the 
purpose of acquiring, voting, holding or disposing of shares of the 
capital stock of BGM; (iii) in the case of a Person that is a 
company, corporation or similar entity, any executive officer (as 
defined under Rule 3b-7 under the Act) or director of such Person 
and, in the case of a Person that is a partnership or limited 
liability company, any general partner, managing member or manager 
of such Person, as applicable; (iv) in the case of any Person that 
is a registered broker or dealer that has been admitted to 
membership in any of the Bats Exchanges (for purposes of this 
definition of ``Related Person,'' each such national securities 
exchange shall be referred to generally as an ``Exchange'' and any 
member of such Exchange, an ``Exchange Member''), any Person that is 
associated with the Exchange Member (as determined using the 
definition of ``person associated with a member'' as defined under 
Section 3(a)(21) of the Act); (v) in the case of a Person that is a 
natural person and Exchange Member, any broker or dealer that is 
also an Exchange Member with which such Person is associated; (vi) 
in the case of a Person that is a natural person, any relative or 
spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse who has the 
same home as such Person or who is a director or officer of BGM or 
any of its parents or subsidiaries; (vii) in the case of a Person 
that is an executive officer (as defined under Rule 3b-7 under the 
Act) or a director of a company, corporation or similar entity, such 
company, corporation or entity, as applicable; and (viii) in the 
case of a Person that is a general partner, managing member or 
manager of a partnership or limited liability company, such 
partnership or limited liability company, as applicable. See BGM 
Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (a)(ii).
    \10\ See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b).
    \11\ See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (d).
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    However, the BGM Charter provides that each of the BGM Ownership 
Limitation and the BGM Voting Limitation may be waived (except with 
respect to Exchange Members and their Related Persons) pursuant to a 
resolution duly adopted by the BGM Board if, in connection with taking 
such action, the BGM Board states in such resolution that it is the 
determination of the BGM Board that the waiver:
     Will not impair the ability of each Bats Exchange to carry 
out its functions and responsibilities as an ``exchange'' under the Act 
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
     is otherwise in the best interests of BGM, its 
stockholders, and each Bats Exchange;

[[Page 80103]]

     will not impair the ability of the Commission to enforce 
the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and
     shall not be effective until it is filed with and approved 
by the Commission.\12\
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    \12\ See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b)(ii)(B).

In granting such a waiver, the BGM Board has the discretion to impose 
on the Person and its Related Persons, such conditions and restrictions 
that it deems necessary, appropriate or desirable in furtherance of the 
objectives of the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated 
thereunder, and the governance of each Bats Exchange.\13\
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    \13\ Id.
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    In addition, notwithstanding the above, the BGM Charter provides 
\14\ that in any case where a Person, either alone or with its Related 
Persons, would own or vote more than the BGM Ownership Limitation or 
BGM Voting Limitation, respectively, upon consummation of any proposed 
sale, assignment or transfer of BGM's capital stock, such a transaction 
will not become effective until the BGM Board determines, by 
resolution, that such Person and its Related Persons are not subject to 
any ``statutory disqualification,'' as defined in Section 3(a)(39) of 
the Act.\15\
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    \14\ See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b)(iii).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(39).
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    As described above, as a result of the Merger (and prior to its 
separate existence ceasing as a result of the Subsequent Merger), BGM 
will become a wholly owned subsidiary of CBOE Holdings, such that CBOE 
Holdings will possess ownership and voting rights in BGM in excess of 
the Ownership Limitation and the Voting Limitation. In addition, as a 
result of the Subsequent Merger, BGM will merge with and into CBOE V, 
terminating the BGM Charter and becoming an entity whose ownership and 
voting is held entirely by CBOE Holdings, in excess of the BGM 
Ownership Limitation and the BGM Voting Limitation that would otherwise 
apply.
    The BGM Board therefore determined that in order to effect the 
Transaction, a waiver of the BGM Ownership Limitation and the BGM 
Voting Limitation with respect to CBOE Holdings would be required. To 
do so, the BGM Board adopted the Resolutions, attached as Exhibit 5A, 
making certain determinations with respect to CBOE Holdings and the 
Transaction that are necessary to waive the BGM Ownership Limitation 
and BGM Voting Limitation. Specifically, the BGM Board determined that:
     The acquisition of the proposed ownership by CBOE Holdings 
in BGM will not impair the ability of each Bats Exchange to carry out 
its functions and responsibilities as an ``exchange'' under the Act and 
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, is otherwise in the 
best interests of BGM, its stockholders and the Bats Exchanges, and 
will not impair the ability of the Commission to enforce the Act and 
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
     the acquisition or exercise of the proposed voting rights 
by CBOE Holdings in BGM will not impair the ability of each Bats 
Exchange to carry out its functions and responsibilities as an 
``exchange'' under the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated 
thereunder, is otherwise in the best interests of BGM, its stockholders 
and the Bats Exchanges, and will not impair the ability of the 
Commission to enforce the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated 
thereunder;
     neither CBOE Holdings nor any of its Related Persons is 
subject to ``statutory disqualification'' within the meaning of Section 
3(a)(39) of the Act; \16\ and
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    \16\ Id.
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     neither CBOE Holdings nor any of its Related Persons is an 
Exchange Member.\17\
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    \17\ In addition, the Resolutions contain a determination that 
the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by CBOE Holdings 
constituted notice of CBOE Holdings' intention to acquire ownership 
and voting rights in excess of the BGM Ownership Limitation and BGM 
Voting Limitation, respectively, in writing and not less than 45 
days before the Closing. See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b)(iv). 
The Exchange notes that Art. FIFTH, para. (c)(i) of the BGM Charter 
further requires that any Person that, either alone or together with 
its Related Persons, owns, directly or indirectly (whether by 
acquisition or by a change in the number of shares outstanding), of 
record or beneficially, five percent or more of the then outstanding 
shares of capital stock of BGM must immediately upon acquiring 
knowledge of its ownership of five percent or more give written 
notice of such ownership to the BGM Board. The Merger Agreement 
provides that the Merger Agreement constitutes such notice with 
respect to certain voting agreements entered into concurrently with 
the Merger Agreement. See Merger Agreement, Section 5.21.
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    The Exchange has reviewed such Resolutions and requests that the 
Commission approve such Resolutions. The Exchange believes that the 
Commission should approve the Resolutions, as the Transaction will not 
impair the ability of any Bats Exchange to carry out its functions and 
responsibilities as an ``exchange'' under the Act and the rules and 
regulations promulgated thereunder, or the ability of the Commission to 
enforce the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 
The Bats Exchanges will continue to operate and regulate their markets 
and members as they have done prior to the Transaction. Thus, each Bats 
Exchange will continue to enforce the Act, the Commission's rules 
thereunder, and each Exchange's own rules, in the manner it does today. 
Further, the Commission will continue to have plenary regulatory 
authority over the Bats Exchanges, as is currently the case with these 
entities.
    The Exchange also notes that the Resolutions reflect the 
determination by the BGM Board that the Transaction and CBOE Holdings' 
resulting ownership and voting rights in BGM following the Merger, and 
CBOE V's ownership and voting rights following the Subsequent Merger, 
are otherwise in the best interests of BGM, its stockholders and the 
Bats Exchanges. The Bats Exchanges will be ultimately held by an 
entity, CBOE Holdings, that already owns other national securities 
exchanges and is subject to governance documents that similarly 
restrict concentration of ownership and voting rights.
    As described in more detail below, the Exchange is also requesting 
approval of the adoption of the CBOE Holdings Charter and the CBOE 
Holdings Bylaws. The CBOE Holdings Charter includes a number of 
provisions relating to the Commission's regulatory oversight that have 
a similar effect as those in the BGM Charter, including the BGM 
Ownership Limitation and the BGM Voting Limitation. Therefore, 
notwithstanding the Resolutions and the Transaction, provisions similar 
(and, in some cases, more stringent) to the BGM Ownership Limitation 
and the BGM Voting Limitation will remain in place with respect to 
potential future transactions involving the ultimate parent company of 
the Bats Exchanges. This means that the Exchange ownership structure 
will continue to provide the Commission with appropriate oversight 
tools to ensure that the Commission will have the ability to enforce 
the Act with respect to the Exchange, its direct and indirect parent 
companies, and its directors, officers, employees and agents to the 
extent they are involved in the activities of the Exchange, and protect 
the independence of the Exchange's self-regulatory activities.
    The Exchange therefore requests that the Commission approve the 
Resolutions, attached as Exhibit 5A.
5. CBOE Holdings Charter and CBOE Holdings Bylaws
    CBOE Holdings currently holds a direct ownership interest in the 
CBOE Exchanges. The Commission has

[[Page 80104]]

previously approved the CBOE Holdings Charter and the CBOE Holdings 
Bylaws (collectively, the ``CBOE Holdings Organizational Documents''), 
attached as Exhibits 5B and 5C, respectively.\18\
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    \18\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62158 (May 24, 
2010), 75 FR 30082 (May 28, 2010) (SR-CBOE-2008-88). The CBOE 
Organizational Documents have been subsequently amended from time to 
time pursuant to proposed rule changes that were filed with the 
Commission for immediate effectiveness. See, e.g., Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 76282 (October 27, 2015), 80 FR 67464 
(November 2, 2015) (SR-CBOE-2015-092).
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    In connection with the Transaction, upon the Closing, CBOE Holdings 
will become the indirect owner (through CBOE V and BGM Holdings) of the 
Exchange, BYX and Bats Trading (and certain other subsidiaries not 
registered with the Commission in any capacity), and the indirect owner 
(through CBOE V and Direct Edge LLC) of EDGA and EDGX.
    The CBOE Holdings Organizational Documents include various 
provisions relating to any ``Regulated Securities Exchange 
Subsidiary,'' which is defined as any national securities exchange 
controlled, directly or indirectly, by CBOE Holdings. Upon the Closing, 
the Exchange will be covered by the definition of Regulated Securities 
Exchange Subsidiary for purposes of the CBOE Holdings Organizational 
Documents. As a result, no amendments to the CBOE Holdings 
Organizational Documents will be necessary to reflect CBOE Holdings' 
indirect ownership of the Exchange.
    The Exchange believes that the CBOE Holdings Organizational 
Documents will protect and maintain the integrity of the self-
regulatory functions of the Exchange and facilitate the ability of the 
Exchange and the Commission to carry out their regulatory and oversight 
obligations under the Act, as the CBOE Organizational Documents do with 
respect to the CBOE Exchanges.
    In addition, the CBOE Organizational Documents contain provisions, 
including those with respect to the following, that are similar to 
those contained in the BGM Charter and BGM's Amended and Restated 
Bylaws (the ``BGM Bylaws''), which the Commission has previously found 
to be consistent with the Act: \19\
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    \19\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77464 (March 29, 
2016), 81 FR 19252 (April 4, 2016) (File Nos. SR-BATS-2016-10, SR-
BYX-2016-02, SR-EDGX-2016-04, and SR-EDGA-2016-01).
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     Ownership and Voting Limitations. Similar to the BGM 
Voting Limitation and the BGM Ownership Limitation contained in the BGM 
Charter, the CBOE Holdings Charter limits the extent of ownership and 
voting rights which certain persons may possess or exercise.\20\ Like 
the BGM Charter, the CBOE Holdings Charter similarly prohibits any 
Person,\21\ together with its Related Persons,\22\ from exercising 
voting rights with respect to more than 20 percent of the then 
outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter.\23\ However, with 
respect to ownership limitations, the CBOE Holdings Charter contains a 
more stringent threshold than contained in the BGM Charter. Under the 
CBOE Holdings Charter, no Person, together with its Related Persons, is 
permitted at any time to beneficially own directly or indirectly shares 
of stock of CBOE Holdings representing in the aggregate more than 20 
percent of the then outstanding shares of stock of CBOE Holdings.\24\ 
In contrast, the BGM Ownership Limitation only applies a 20 percent 
threshold to any Exchange Member together with its Related Persons, 
while applying a 40 percent threshold to any other Person together with 
its Related Persons. As a result, the CBOE Holdings Charter should be 
at least as effective as the BGM Charter at preventing any stockholder 
from exercising undue control over the operation of the Exchange.
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    \20\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH with BGM Charter, 
Art. FIFTH.
    \21\ ``Person'' mean an individual, partnership (general or 
limited), joint stock company, corporation, limited liability 
company, trust or unincorporated organization, or any governmental 
entity or agency or political subdivision thereof. See CBOE Holdings 
Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (a)(iv).
    \22\ ``Related Person'' is defined in the CBOE Holdings Charter 
in a manner substantially the same as it is defined in the BGM 
Charter. See supra note 9; CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. 
(a)(vi).
    \23\ See CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH, para. (a).
    \24\ See CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH, para. (b).
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     Independence and Non-Interference. Similar to provisions 
contained in the BGM Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter provides that 
for so long as CBOE Holdings controls, directly or indirectly, a 
Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary, each officer, director and 
employee of CBOE Holdings must give due regard to the preservation of 
the independence of the self-regulatory function of the Regulated 
Securities Exchange Subsidiaries and may not take any actions that he 
or she knows or reasonably should have known would interfere with the 
effectuation of any decisions by the board of directors of any 
Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary relating to such Regulated 
Securities Exchange Subsidiary's regulatory functions (including 
disciplinary matters) or that would adversely affect the ability of the 
Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary to carry out such Regulated 
Securities Exchange Subsidiary's responsibilities under the Act.\25\
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    \25\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTEENTH, para. (c) 
with BGM Bylaws, Section 12.01.
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     Confidentiality. Similar to provisions contained in the 
BGM Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter provides that, to the fullest 
extent permitted by applicable law, all confidential information 
pertaining to the self-regulatory function of Regulated Securities 
Exchange Subsidiaries contained in the books and records of any 
Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary that shall come into the 
possession of the CBOE Holdings must be retained in confidence by CBOE 
Holdings and its officers, directors, employees and agents and must not 
be used for any commercial purposes.\26\
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    \26\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FIFTEENTH with BGM 
Bylaws, Section 12.02.
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     Books and Records. Similar to provisions contained in the 
BGM Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter provides that, for so long as 
CBOE Holdings directly or indirectly controls any Regulated Securities 
Exchange Subsidiary, the books, records, premises, officers, directors 
and employees of CBOE Holdings shall be deemed to be the books, 
records, premises, officers, directors and employees of the Regulated 
Securities Exchange Subsidiary for purposes of and subject to oversight 
pursuant to the Act, but only to the extent that such books, records, 
premises, officers, directors and employees of the Corporation relate 
to the business of such Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary.\27\
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    \27\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FIFTEENTH with BGM 
Bylaws, Section 12.03.
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     Compliance With Securities Laws; Cooperation With the 
Commission. Similar to provisions contained in the BGM Bylaws, the CBOE 
Holdings Charter provides that CBOE Holdings shall comply with the 
federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and 
shall cooperate with the Commission, and each Regulated Securities 
Exchange Subsidiary pursuant to and to the extent of its regulatory 
authority, and shall take reasonable steps necessary to cause its 
agents to cooperate with the Commission and, where applicable, the 
Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiaries pursuant to their regulatory 
authority, with respect to such agents' activities related to the 
Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiaries.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTEENTH, para. (a) 
with BGM Bylaws, Section 12.04.

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

[[Page 80105]]

     Consent to Jurisdiction. Similar to provisions contained 
in the BGM Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter provides that CBOE 
Holdings, its directors, officers, agents and employees, irrevocably 
submit to the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts, the Commission, 
and the Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiaries, for the purposes of 
any suit, action or proceeding pursuant to U.S. federal securities laws 
or the rules or regulations thereunder, commenced or initiated by the 
Commission arising out of, or relating to, the Regulated Securities 
Exchange Subsidiaries' activities.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FOURTEENTH with BGM 
Bylaws, Section 12.05.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Amendments. Similar to provisions contained in the BGM 
Charter and BGM Bylaws, the CBOE Organizational Documents provide that 
for so long as CBOE Holdings controls, directly or indirectly, 
Regulated Securities Exchange, before any amendment to or repeal of the 
CBOE Holdings Charter or CBOE Holdings Bylaws may be effective, such 
amendment or repeal must be submitted to the board of directors of each 
such exchange, and if the amendment or repeal is required to be filed 
with, or filed with and approved by the Commission, then such change 
shall not be effective until filed with, or filed with and approved by, 
the Commission, as the case may be.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Arts. ELEVENTH, TWELFTH and 
CBOE Holdings Bylaws, Section 10.2 with BGM Charter, Art. FOURTEENTH 
and BGM Bylaws, Article XI.

As stated above, the Exchange believes that the foregoing provisions 
will assist the Exchange in fulfilling its self-regulatory obligations 
and in administering and complying with the requirements of the Act.
6. CBOE V Certificate and CBOE V Operating Agreement
    Effective as of the Closing of the Transaction, CBOE V will hold 
direct ownership of (i) BGM Holdings, which will continue to hold 
direct ownership of the Exchange, BYX and Bats Trading (and certain 
other subsidiaries not registered with the Commission in any capacity) 
and (ii) Direct Edge LLC, which will continue to hold direct ownership 
of EDGX and EDGA. However, unlike BGM currently, CBOE V will not be the 
ultimate holding company under the post-Closing corporate structure, 
but rather will be an intermediate holding company owned by CBOE 
Holdings. The Exchange believes that the CBOE V Operating Agreement 
contains provisions relating to its indirect ownership of one or more 
national securities exchanges, including such exchanges' regulatory 
functions and Commission oversight, that are appropriate for an 
intermediate holding company in the ownership chain of a national 
securities exchange. Many of the provisions of the CBOE V Operating 
Agreement relating to these matters are similar to the organizational 
documents of BGM Holdings, which currently is, and following the 
Subsequent Merger will be, similarly situated as an intermediate 
holding company of the Exchange. The Commission has previously found 
the BGM Holdings certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be 
consistent with the Act.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71375 (January 23, 
2014), 79 FR 4771 (January 29, 2014) (SR-BATS-2013-059; SR-BYX-2013-
039).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Although CBOE V will not carry out any regulatory functions, the 
Exchange notes that its activities with respect to the operation of the 
Bats Exchanges must be consistent with, and must not interfere with, 
the self-regulatory obligations of each Bats Exchange. The CBOE V 
Operating Agreement therefore includes certain provisions that are 
designed to maintain the independence of the Bats Exchanges' self-
regulatory functions, enable the Bats Exchanges to operate in a manner 
that complies with the federal securities laws, including the 
objectives of Sections 6(b) \32\ and 19(g) \33\ of the Act, and 
facilitate the ability of each Bats Exchange and the Commission to 
fulfill their respective regulatory and oversight obligations under the 
Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \33\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

a. CBOE V Certificate of Formation
    The CBOE V Certificate, attached as Exhibit 5D, includes the 
following provisions required under Delaware law: (i) The full name of 
CBOE V as ``CBOE V, LLC'', and (ii) the name and address of CBOE V's 
registered office in the State of Delaware and the name of CBOE V's 
registered agent at such address.\34\ In addition, the CBOE V 
Certificate contains a provision providing that CBOE V shall indemnify 
members of its board of directors and certain other persons, subject to 
certain conditions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Section 18-201.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the Exchange believes is customary for limited liability 
companies formed in the State of Delaware, other substantive provisions 
governing the ownership, operation and management of CBOE V are set 
forth in the CBOE V Operating Agreement, discussed below.
b. CBOE V Operating Agreement
    With respect to ownership and control of CBOE V, the CBOE V 
Operating Agreement, attached as Exhibit 5E, specifically provides that 
CBOE V's sole member is CBOE Holdings, until the CBOE V Operating 
Agreement is amended (subject to Commission approval, as described 
below).\35\ Further, for so long as CBOE V controls, directly or 
indirectly, a subsidiary that is registered with the Commission as a 
national securities exchange (an ``Exchange Subsidiary''), CBOE 
Holdings may not sell, assign, transfer, convey, gift, exchange or 
otherwise dispose of any or all of its member interest in CBOE V, 
except pursuant to an amendment to the CBOE V Operating Agreement that 
is filed with and approved by the Commission.\36\ These restrictions 
are designed to ensure that any change to the ownership or control of 
any Exchange Subsidiary, including without limitation the Bats 
Exchanges, may only occur through a change in the ownership or control 
of CBOE Holdings. As such, any purported change of such ownership or 
control (unless pursuant to a Commission-approved change of ownership 
of CBOE V) would need to comply with the CBOE Holdings Charter and CBOE 
Holdings Bylaws, including the ownership and voting limitations 
discussed above (or a Commission-approved waiver therefrom).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 1.1.
    \36\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 5.1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CBOE V Operating Agreement also contains several provisions 
designed to protect the independence of the self-regulatory functions 
of the Bats Exchanges. The CBOE V Operating Agreement requires that, 
for so long as CBOE V, directly or indirectly, controls any Exchange 
Subsidiary, CBOE Holdings, as the sole member of CBOE V, and officers, 
employees and agents of CBOE V must give due regard to the preservation 
of independence of the self-regulatory functions of such Exchange 
Subsidiary, as well as to its obligations to investors and the general 
public, and not interfere with the effectuation of any decisions by the 
board of directors of an Exchange Subsidiary relating to its regulatory 
functions (including disciplinary matters) or which would interfere 
with the ability of such Exchange Subsidiary to carry out its 
responsibilities under the Act.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 10.1(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CBOE V Operating Agreement also would require that CBOE V 
comply with the U.S. federal securities laws and

[[Page 80106]]

rules and regulations thereunder and cooperate with the Commission and 
each Exchange Subsidiary, as applicable, pursuant to and to the extent 
of their respective regulatory authority.\38\ Further, CBOE V's 
officers, directors, employees and agents shall be deemed to agree to 
(i) comply with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and 
regulations thereunder; and (ii) cooperate with the Commission and each 
Exchange Subsidiary in respect of the Commission's oversight 
responsibilities regarding such Exchange Subsidiary and the self-
regulatory functions and responsibilities of the Exchange Subsidiaries, 
and CBOE V will take reasonable steps to cause its officers, employees 
and agents to so cooperate.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 10.2(a).
    \39\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Furthermore, to the fullest extent permitted by law, CBOE V and its 
officers, directors, employees and agents will be deemed to irrevocably 
submit to the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts, the Commission, 
and each Exchange Subsidiary, as applicable, for purposes of any suit, 
action, or proceeding pursuant to the U.S. federal securities laws or 
the rules or regulations thereunder arising out of, or relating to, the 
activities of such Exchange Subsidiary.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 10.3(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed CBOE V Operating Agreement also contains a number of 
provisions designed to ensure that the Exchange will have sufficient 
access to the books and records of CBOE V as they relate to any 
Exchange Subsidiary. Pursuant to the CBOE V Operating Agreement, to the 
extent they are related to the operation or administration of an 
Exchange Subsidiary, the books, records, premises, officers, agents, 
and employees of CBOE V are deemed to be the books, records, premises, 
officers, agents and employees of such Exchange Subsidiary for the 
purposes of, and subject to oversight pursuant to, the Act.\41\ In 
addition, for as long as CBOE V controls, directly or indirectly, an 
Exchange Subsidiary, CBOE V's books and records shall be subject at all 
times to inspection and copying by the Commission and the applicable 
Exchange Subsidiary, provided that such books and records are related 
to the operation or administration of an Exchange Subsidiary.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 8.4(b).
    \42\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed CBOE V Operating Agreement also provides that, to the 
fullest extent permitted by law, all books and records of any Exchange 
Subsidiary reflecting confidential information pertaining to the self-
regulatory function of such Exchange Subsidiary (including disciplinary 
matters, trading data, trading practices and audit information) that 
comes into the possession of CBOE V, shall be retained in confidence by 
CBOE V, CBOE V's officers, employees and agents and CBOE Holdings, and 
not used for any non-regulatory purposes.\43\ The proposed CBOE V 
Operating Agreement provides, however, that the foregoing shall not 
limit or impede the rights of the Commission or an Exchange Subsidiary 
to access and examine such confidential information pursuant to the 
U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, 
or limit or impede the ability of CBOE Holdings or any of CBOE V's 
officers, employees or agents to disclose such confidential information 
to the Commission or an Exchange Subsidiary.\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 8.4(a).
    \44\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the CBOE V Operating Agreement provides that for so 
long as CBOE V controls, directly or indirectly, any Exchange 
Subsidiary, before any amendment to or repeal of any provision of the 
CBOE V Operating Agreement will be effective, those changes must be 
submitted to the board of directors of each Exchange Subsidiary, and if 
the same must be filed with, or filed with and approved by, the 
Commission before the changes may be effective under Section 19 of the 
Act \45\ and the rules promulgated thereunder, then the proposed 
changes shall not be effective until filed with, or filed with and 
approved by, the Commission, as the case may be.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ 15 U.S.C. 78s.
    \46\ See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 11.2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. BGM Holdings Charter
    The BGM Holdings Charter currently provides that the sole 
stockholder of BGM Holdings is BGM. However, as a result of the 
Transaction, CBOE V will become the sole stockholder of BGM Holdings. 
The Exchange proposes to amend the BGM Holdings Charter to reflect this 
change, as set forth in Exhibit 5F.
8. Bylaws of the Exchange
    In connection with the Transaction, the Exchange proposes to amend 
and restate its Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws and adopt the 
amended Exchange Bylaws as its Fifth Amended and Restated Bylaws, 
attached as Exhibit 5G. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to (i) 
expand the prohibition contained in Section 2 of Article XI of the 
Exchange Bylaws; and (ii) add a definition of ``Trading Permit Holder'' 
to Article I.
    Currently, Section 2 of Article XI of the Exchange Bylaws prohibits 
directors of BGM or BGM Holdings who are not also directors, officers, 
staff, counsel or advisors of the Exchange from participating in any 
meetings of the Exchange's board of directors (or any committee 
thereof) pertaining to the self-regulatory function of the Exchange 
(including disciplinary matters). This provision refers to BGM and BGM 
Holdings because they are currently the only direct and indirect owners 
of the Exchange. However, following the Transaction, the Exchange will 
be owned indirectly by CBOE V and CBOE Holdings (in addition to its 
direct ownership by BGM Holdings). Therefore, the Exchange is proposing 
to remove the reference to BGM and insert references to CBOE V and CBOE 
Holdings, so that CBOE V and CBOE Holdings will both be covered by this 
prohibition. The Exchange believes that this amendment will protect the 
independence of the Exchange's self-regulatory activities.
    In addition, as noted above, the CBOE Holdings Charter currently 
prohibits certain persons from owning or exercising voting rights over 
certain percentages of ownership of CBOE Holdings. The CBOE Holdings 
Charter permits the board of directors of CBOE Holdings to waive the 
limitation on the exercise of voting rights in excess of 20 percent of 
the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter only if, 
among other things, ``for so long as [CBOE Holdings] directly or 
indirectly controls any Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary, 
neither such Person nor any of its Related Persons is a `Trading Permit 
Holder' (as defined in the Bylaws of any Regulated Securities Exchange 
Subsidiary as they may be amended from time to time).'' \47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH, para. (a)(ii)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange does not issue ``trading permits,'' but admits 
members. The Exchange believes the provisions of the CBOE Holdings 
Charter that refer to Trading Permit Holders of its Regulated 
Securities Exchange Subsidiaries should apply equally to members of the 
Exchange once it becomes a Regulated Securities Exchange Subsidiary of 
CBOE Holdings. As a result, the Exchange proposes to add clause (ff) to 
Article I of the Exchange Bylaws, providing that

[[Page 80107]]

`` `Trading Permit Holder' shall have the same meaning as Exchange 
Member.'' This will ensure that the Exchange's members will be 
considered Trading Permit Holders of a Regulated Securities Exchange 
Subsidiary for purposes of the CBOE Holdings Charter.
9. Exchange Rules
a. Exchange Rule 2.3--Member Eligibility
    Pursuant to Exchange Rule 2.3, in order to be eligible for 
membership in the Exchange, a registered broker or dealer is currently 
required to be a member of at least one other national securities 
association or national securities exchange. However, membership in the 
Exchange's affiliated national securities exchanges, BYX, EDGA or EDGX, 
is not sufficient for purposes of eligibility for Exchange membership. 
The Exchange adopted this because the Bats Exchanges have historically 
not functioned as the designated examining authority for any of its 
members, and the Exchange wanted to be sure that any member would be 
appropriately supervised by another national securities association or 
national securities exchange that has the capacity to function as the 
member's designated examining authority.
    As a result of the Transaction, the Exchange will additionally 
become affiliated with the CBOE Exchanges. As with the Bats Exchanges, 
C2 does not currently serve as the designated examination authority for 
any of its members. CBOE, however, does act as the designated examining 
authority for certain of its members. Therefore, the Exchange proposes 
to amend Exchange Rule 2.3 to specify that a registered broker or 
dealer will be eligible for membership only if it is a member of a 
national securities association or national securities exchange other 
than or in addition to the following affiliates of the Exchange: BYX, 
EDGA, EDGX and C2.
    In addition, to ensure there is no confusion with respect to the 
possibility that a broker or dealer could qualify for membership in the 
Exchange based solely on membership in CBOE Futures or any other 
national securities exchange notice-registered with the Commission 
pursuant to Section 6(g) of the Act \48\ that lists or trades security-
futures products, the Exchange proposes to also specify that 
eligibility for membership requires membership in a national securities 
association registered pursuant to Section 15A of the Act or a national 
securities exchange registered with the Commission pursuant to Section 
6(a) of the Act, so as to exclude a national securities exchange 
registered solely under Section 6(g) of the Act. The proposed 
amendments to Exchange Rule 2.3 are set forth in Exhibit 5H.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

b. Exchange Rule 2.10--No Affiliation Between Exchange and any Member
    Exchange Rule 2.10 provides that, without prior approval of the 
Commission, neither the Exchange, nor any of its affiliates, shall 
directly or indirectly acquire or maintain an ownership interest in a 
member of the Exchange. This restriction is intended to address 
potential conflicts of interest that could result from affiliation 
between the Exchange and a member. Notwithstanding this general 
restriction, Exchange Rule 2.10 provides that it does not prohibit a 
member or its affiliate from acquiring or holding an equity interest in 
BGM that is permitted by the ownership and voting limitations contained 
in the BGM Charter and the BGM Bylaws. In addition, Exchange Rule 2.10 
states that it does not prohibit a member from being or becoming an 
affiliate of the Exchange, or an affiliate of any affiliate of the 
Exchange, solely by reason of such member or any officer, director, 
manager, managing member, partner or affiliate of such member being or 
becoming either (a) a Director of the Exchange pursuant to the Bylaws 
of the Exchange, or (b) a Director of the Exchange serving on the Board 
of Directors of BGM. The Exchange proposes to replace the references to 
BGM in Rule 2.10 with references to CBOE Holdings to reflect the fact 
that following the Transaction, CBOE Holdings will replace BGM as the 
ultimate parent holding company of the Exchange. In addition to these 
changes, the Exchange proposes to replace all references in Rule 2.10 
to ``By-Laws'' with ``Bylaws'' in order to maintain consistency with 
the actual documents referred to and EDGA and EDGX Rules 2.10. The 
proposed amendments to Exchange Rule 2.10 are set forth in Exhibit 5H.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the Proposed Rule Change is consistent 
with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations 
thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, 
in particular, with the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\49\ In 
particular, the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(1) of the Act 
\50\ in that it enables the Exchange to be so organized as to have the 
capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Act and to comply, 
and to enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with 
its members, with the provisions of the Act, the rules and regulations 
thereunder, and the Rules of the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \50\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Proposed Rule Change is designed to enable the Exchange to 
continue to have the authority and ability to effectively fulfill its 
self-regulatory duties pursuant to the Act and the rules promulgated 
thereunder. In particular, the Proposed Rule Change includes in the 
CBOE Holdings Charter and CBOE Holdings Bylaws, like the BGM Charter 
and BGM Bylaws, various provisions intended to protect and maintain the 
integrity of the self-regulatory functions of the Exchange upon 
Closing. For example, the CBOE Holdings Charter, as described above, is 
drafted to preserve the independence of the Exchange's self-regulatory 
function and carry out its regulatory responsibilities under the Act. 
In addition, the CBOE Holdings Charter imposes limitations similar to 
the BGM Ownership Limitation and BGM Voting Limitation to preclude 
undue influence over or interference with the Exchange's self-
regulatory functions and fulfillment of its regulatory duties under the 
Act.
    Moreover, notwithstanding the Proposed Rule Change, including the 
change to the indirect ownership of the Exchange, the Commission will 
continue to have regulatory authority over the Exchange, as is 
currently the case, as well as jurisdiction over the Exchange's direct 
and indirect parent companies with respect to activities related to the 
Exchange.\51\ As a result, the Proposed Rule Change will facilitate an 
ownership structure that will provide the Commission with appropriate 
oversight tools to ensure that the Commission will have the ability to 
enforce the Act with respect to the Exchange, its direct and indirect 
parent companies and their directors, officers, employees and agents to 
the extent they are involved in the activities of the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ See, e.g., CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FOURTEENTH; CBOE V 
Operating Agreement, Section 10.3; BGM Holdings Bylaws, Section 7.3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also believes that the Proposed Rule Change furthers 
the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act \52\ because the Proposed 
Rule Change would be consistent with and facilitate a governance and 
regulatory structure that is designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of

[[Page 80108]]

trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in 
regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, 
and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to, 
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public 
interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, as discussed further in the Exchange's Statement on 
Burden on Competition below, the Exchange expects that the Transaction 
will foster further innovation while facilitating efficient, 
transparent and well-regulated markets for issuers and investors, 
removing impediments to, and perfecting the mechanism of a free and 
open market and a national market system. The Transaction will benefit 
investors and the securities market as a whole by, among other things, 
enhancing competition among securities venues and reducing costs.
    Furthermore, the Exchange is not proposing any significant changes 
to its existing operational and trading structure in connection with 
the change in ownership; the Exchange will operate in essentially the 
same manner upon Closing as it operates today. Therefore, the Exchange 
believes that it will continue to satisfy the requirements of the Act 
and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a 
national securities exchange. The changes that the Exchange is 
proposing to the Exchange Rules are designed to reflect the prospective 
affiliation with CBOE Holdings and the CBOE Exchanges. The Exchange 
believes that the proposed change to its Rules is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the Proposed Rule Change would 
result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Indeed, the 
Exchange believes that the Proposed Rule Change will enhance 
competition among trading venues, as the Exchange believes that the 
Transaction will result in various synergies and efficiencies. For 
example, the Transaction will allow the Bats Exchanges and the CBOE 
Exchanges to utilize a single technology platform, which the Exchange 
expects will reduce Bats Exchanges' and the CBOE Exchanges' combined 
costs, creating the opportunity to further reduce costs to their 
respective members and other constituents. The potential use of a 
single technology platform may also reduce investors' costs of 
connecting to and using the Bats Exchanges and the CBOE Exchanges, 
including through the combination of data centers and market data 
services. Combining the expertise of the CBOE Exchanges' personnel with 
the expertise of the Bats Exchanges' personnel will also facilitate 
ongoing innovation, including through new product creation and platform 
improvements.
    The Exchange notes that the Bats Exchanges and the CBOE Exchanges 
generally operate with different business models, target different 
customer bases and primarily focus on different asset classes, limiting 
any concern that the Transaction could burden competition. Therefore, 
the Exchange expects that the Transaction will benefit investors, 
issuers, shareholders and the market as a whole. The Exchange will 
continue to conduct regulated activities (including operating and 
regulating its market and members) of the type it currently conducts, 
but will be able to do so in a more efficient manner to the benefit of 
its members. These efficiencies will pass through to the benefit of 
investors and issuers, promoting further efficiencies, competition and 
capital formation, placing no burden on competition not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the Act.
    Furthermore, the Exchange's conclusion that the Proposed Rule 
Change would not result in any burden on competition that is not 
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act is 
consistent with the Commission's prior conclusions about similar 
combinations involving multiple exchanges in a single corporate 
family.\53\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 71375 
(January 23, 2014), 79 FR 4771 (January 29, 2014) (SR-BATS-2013-059; 
SR-BYX-2013-039); 66071 (December 29, 2011), 77 FR 521 (January 5, 
2012) (SR-CBOE-2011-107 and SR-NSX-2011-14); 58324 (August 7, 2008), 
73 FR 46936 (August 12, 2008) (SR-BSE-2008-02; SR-BSE-2008-23; SR-
BSE-2008-25; SR-BSECC-2008-01); 53382 (February 27, 2006), 71 FR 
11251 (March 6, 2006) (SR-NYSE-2005-77).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange has not solicited or received written comments on the 
Proposed Rule Change.

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

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-BatsBZX-2016-68 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 Number SR-BatsBZX-2016-68. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make

[[Page 80109]]

available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-
BatsBZX-2016-68, and should be submitted on or before December 6, 2016.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\54\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-27371 Filed 11-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices                                             80101

                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                futures products notice-registered with                 forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              the Commission pursuant to Section                      the most significant parts of such
                                                  authority.54                                            6(g) of the Act.4                                       statements.
                                                  Brent J. Fields,                                           Upon completion of the mergers
                                                  Secretary.                                              described below that effectuate the                     A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                                                                          Transaction (the ‘‘Closing’’), the                      Statement of the Purpose of, and the
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–27374 Filed 11–14–16; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                          business of BGM will be carried on by                   Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                                                                                          CBOE V. CBOE V, rather than BGM, will                   Change
                                                                                                          be the direct parent company of Bats                    1. Purpose
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 Global Markets Holdings, Inc. (‘‘BGM
                                                                                                          Holdings’’), which is the direct parent                   The Exchange submits this Proposed
                                                  COMMISSION
                                                                                                          company of the Exchange. As a result,                   Rule Change to seek the Commission’s
                                                  [Release No. 34–79266; File No. SR–
                                                                                                          CBOE Holdings will become the                           approval of the organizational and
                                                  BatsBZX–2016–68]                                                                                                governance documents of the Exchange
                                                                                                          ultimate parent company of BGM
                                                                                                          Holdings and of the Exchange.                           and its current and proposed future
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats                                                                             parent companies, and related actions
                                                  BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of                    To effectuate the Transaction, the
                                                                                                          Exchange seeks to obtain the                            that are necessary in connection with
                                                  a Proposed Rule Change in                                                                                       the Closing of the Transaction, as
                                                  Connection With the Proposed                            Commission’s approval of: (i) The
                                                                                                          resolutions of BGM’s board of directors                 described below.
                                                  Corporate Transaction Involving Bats                                                                              Other than as described herein and set
                                                  Global Markets, Inc. and CBOE                           (the ‘‘BGM Board’’) waiving certain
                                                                                                          provisions of the Amended and Restated                  forth in Exhibits 5A through 5H, the
                                                  Holdings, Inc.                                                                                                  Exchange will continue to conduct its
                                                                                                          Certificate of Incorporation of BGM (the
                                                  November 8, 2016.                                       ‘‘BGM Charter’’) and making certain                     regulated activities (including operating
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  related determinations regarding CBOE                   and regulating its market and members)
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the                    Holdings and the impact of the                          in the manner currently conducted, and
                                                  ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                  Transaction on the Exchange (the                        will not make any changes to its
                                                  notice is hereby given that on November                 ‘‘Resolutions’’); (ii) the CBOE Holdings                regulated activities in connection with
                                                  2, 2016, Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. (the                   Second Amended and Restated                             the Transaction. Except as set forth in
                                                  ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) filed with the                 Certificate of Incorporation (the ‘‘CBOE                this Proposed Rule Change, the
                                                  Securities and Exchange Commission                      Holdings Charter’’) and the CBOE                        Exchange is not proposing any
                                                  (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      Holdings Third Amended and Restated                     amendments to its trading and
                                                  change as described in Items I, II and III              Bylaws (the ‘‘CBOE Holdings Bylaws’’);                  regulatory rules at this time. If the
                                                  below, which Items have been prepared                   (iii) the Certificate of Formation of                   Exchange determines to make any such
                                                  by the Exchange. The Commission is                      CBOE V (the ‘‘CBOE V Certificate’’) and                 changes, it will seek the approval of the
                                                  publishing this notice to solicit                       the Limited Liability Company                           Commission to the extent required by
                                                  comments on the proposed rule change                    Operating Agreement of CBOE V (the                      the Act, and the Commission’s rules
                                                  from interested persons.                                ‘‘CBOE V Operating Agreement’’); (iv)                   thereunder, and the Rules of the
                                                                                                          the proposed amendments to the                          Exchange.
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       Amended and Restated Certificate of
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                                                                          1. Current Corporate Structures
                                                                                                          Incorporation of BGM Holdings (the
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                ‘‘BGM Holdings Charter’’); (v) the                         The Exchange, Bats BYX Exchange,
                                                     The Exchange filed a proposed rule                   proposed amendments to the Fourth                       Inc. (‘‘BYX’’), Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.
                                                  change (the ‘‘Proposed Rule Change’’) in                Amended and Restated Bylaws of the                      (‘‘EDGX’’) and Bats EDGA Exchange,
                                                  connection with the proposed corporate                  Exchange (the ‘‘Exchange Bylaws’’); and                 Inc. (‘‘EDGA,’’ and together with the
                                                  transaction (the ‘‘Transaction’’), as                   (vi) the proposed amendments to BZX                     Exchange, BYX and EDGX, the ‘‘Bats
                                                  described in more detail below,                         Rules 2.3 and 2.10 (the ‘‘Exchange                      Exchanges’’) are each Delaware
                                                  involving its ultimate parent company,                  Rules’’).                                               corporations that are national securities
                                                  Bats Global Markets, Inc. (‘‘BGM’’),                       The text of the proposed rule change                 exchanges registered with the
                                                  CBOE Holdings, Inc. (‘‘CBOE                             is available at the Exchange’s Web site                 Commission pursuant to Section 6(a) of
                                                  Holdings’’), and two wholly owned                       at www.batstrading.com, at the                          the Act.5
                                                  subsidiaries of CBOE Holdings, CBOE                     principal office of the Exchange, and at                   The Exchange and BYX are each
                                                  Corporation and CBOE V, LLC (‘‘CBOE                     the Commission’s Public Reference                       direct, wholly owned subsidiaries of
                                                  V’’). CBOE Holdings is the parent                       Room.                                                   BGM Holdings, a Delaware corporation
                                                  company of Chicago Board Options                                                                                that is a direct, wholly owned
                                                                                                          II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      subsidiary of BGM. In addition to
                                                  Exchange, Incorporated (‘‘CBOE’’) and                   Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                                  C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated                                                                               certain other subsidiaries not registered
                                                                                                          Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  with the Commission in any capacity,
                                                  (‘‘C2’’), each a national securities                    Change
                                                  exchange registered with the                                                                                    BGM Holdings also owns 100 percent of
                                                  Commission pursuant to Section 6(a) of                     In its filing with the Commission, the               the equity interest in Bats Trading, Inc.
                                                  the Act,3 and CBOE Futures Exchange,                    Exchange included statements                            (‘‘Bats Trading’’), a Delaware
                                                  LLC (‘‘CBOE Futures,’’ and together                     concerning the purpose of and basis for                 corporation that is a broker-dealer
                                                                                                          the proposed rule change and discussed
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                                                  with CBOE and C2, the ‘‘CBOE                                                                                    registered with the Commission that
                                                  Exchanges’’), a national securities                     any comments it received on the                         provides routing services outbound
                                                  exchange that lists or trades security-                 proposed rule change. The text of these                 from, and in certain instances inbound
                                                                                                          statements may be examined at the                       to, each Bats Exchange. EDGX and
                                                    54 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            places specified in Item IV below. The                  EDGA are direct, wholly owned
                                                    1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    subsidiaries of Direct Edge LLC, a
                                                    2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
                                                    3 15 U.S.C. 78f(a).                                     4 15   U.S.C. 78f(g).                                   5 15   U.S.C. 78f(a).



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                                                  80102                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  Delaware limited liability company that                 3. Post-Closing Corporate Structure                      indirectly, of record or beneficially,
                                                  is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of                    As a result of the Transaction, BGM                   shares constituting more than 40
                                                  BGM. BGM, a Delaware corporation, is                    will cease to exist and the business of                  percent of any class of its capital stock,
                                                  a publicly traded company listed on the                 BGM will be carried on by CBOE V,                        and no Exchange Member, either alone
                                                  Exchange.                                               which is a wholly owned subsidiary of                    or together with its Related Persons,
                                                     CBOE Holdings, a Delaware                            CBOE Holdings.6 CBOE V will own 100                      may own, directly or indirectly, of
                                                  corporation, is a publicly traded                       percent of the equity interest in BGM                    record or beneficially, shares
                                                  company listed on The NASDAQ Stock                      Holdings and Direct Edge LLC. BGM                        constituting more than 20 percent of any
                                                  Market. CBOE Holdings owns 100                          Holdings will continue to own 100                        class of its capital stock (collectively,
                                                  percent of the equity interest in the                   percent of the equity interest in the                    the ‘‘BGM Ownership Limitation’’); and
                                                  CBOE Exchanges.                                         Exchange, BYX, Bats Trading, and                         (ii) subject to certain exceptions, no
                                                     In contemplation of the Transaction,                 certain other subsidiaries not registered                Person, either alone or together with its
                                                  CBOE Holdings formed two additional                     with the Commission in any capacity.7                    Related Persons, at any time, may,
                                                  entities, CBOE Corporation, a Delaware                  Direct Edge LLC will continue to own                     directly, indirectly or pursuant to any of
                                                  corporation, and CBOE V, a Delaware                     100 percent of the equity interest in                    various arrangements, vote or cause the
                                                  limited liability company, each of                      EDGX and EDGA.                                           voting of shares or give any consent or
                                                  which are direct, wholly owned                                                                                   proxy with respect to shares
                                                  subsidiaries of CBOE Holdings. Each of                  4. Ownership and Voting Limitations of                   representing more than 20 percent of the
                                                  CBOE Corporation and CBOE V                             BGM; Resolutions                                         voting power of its then issued and
                                                  currently have no material assets or                       The BGM Charter provides that (i) no                  outstanding capital stock (the ‘‘BGM
                                                  conduct any operations.                                 Person,8 either alone or together with its               Voting Limitation’’).10 Purported
                                                                                                          Related Persons,9 may own, directly or                   transfers that would result in a violation
                                                  2. The Transaction                                                                                               of the BGM Ownership Limitation are
                                                     On September 25, 2016, BGM, CBOE                        6 In connection with the Transaction, CBOE            not recognized by BGM to the extent of
                                                  Holdings, CBOE Corporation and CBOE                     Holdings agreed in the Merger Agreement to take          any ownership in excess of the BGM
                                                                                                          all requisite actions so, as of the Closing, the CBOE    Ownership Limitation, and purported
                                                  V entered into an Agreement and Plan                    Holdings Board will include three individuals
                                                  of Merger (the ‘‘Merger Agreement’’).                   designated by BGM who (1) are serving as BGM
                                                                                                                                                                   voting or voting arrangements in
                                                  Pursuant to and subject to the terms of                 directors immediately prior to the Closing and (2)       violation of the BGM Voting Limitation
                                                  the Merger Agreement, at the Closing,                   comply with the policies (including clarifications of    are not honored by BGM to the extent
                                                                                                          the policies provided to BGM) of the Nominating          of any voting in excess of the
                                                  among other things:                                     and Governance Committee of the CBOE Holdings
                                                     (i) CBOE Corporation will be merged                  Board as in effect on the date of the Merger
                                                                                                                                                                   limitation.11
                                                                                                          Agreement and previously provided to BGM (each              However, the BGM Charter provides
                                                  with and into BGM, whereupon the
                                                                                                          of whom will be appointed to the CBOE Holdings           that each of the BGM Ownership
                                                  separate existence of CBOE Corporation                  Board as of the Closing). The CBOE Holdings Board        Limitation and the BGM Voting
                                                  will cease and BGM will be the                          currently consists of 14 directors. The Exchange         Limitation may be waived (except with
                                                  surviving company (the ‘‘Merger’’);                     expects three current CBOE Holdings directors to
                                                                                                          resign effective prior to the Closing and the            respect to Exchange Members and their
                                                     (ii) by virtue of the Merger and
                                                                                                          remaining CBOE Holdings directors to fill those          Related Persons) pursuant to a
                                                  without any action required on the part                 vacancies with the three BGM directors designated        resolution duly adopted by the BGM
                                                  of BGM, CBOE Corporation or any                         by BGM.                                                  Board if, in connection with taking such
                                                  holder of BGM or CBOE Corporation                          7 As described above, the Transaction will result
                                                                                                                                                                   action, the BGM Board states in such
                                                  stock, each share of BGM common stock                   in a change of ownership of Bats Trading, which is
                                                                                                                                                                   resolution that it is the determination of
                                                  (whether voting or non-voting) issued                   a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory
                                                                                                          Authority, Inc. (‘‘FINRA’’). The Exchange                the BGM Board that the waiver:
                                                  and outstanding (with the exception of                  understands that, pursuant to NASD Rule 1017,               • Will not impair the ability of each
                                                  shares owned by CBOE Holdings, BGM                      Bats Trading is seeking approval for this change of      Bats Exchange to carry out its functions
                                                  or any of their respective subsidiaries                 ownership from FINRA.
                                                                                                                                                                   and responsibilities as an ‘‘exchange’’
                                                                                                             8 The BGM Charter generally defines a ‘‘Person’’
                                                  and certain shares held by persons that                                                                          under the Act and the rules and
                                                                                                          as a natural person, partnership, corporation,
                                                  are entitled to and properly demand                     limited liability company, entity, government, or        regulations promulgated thereunder;
                                                  appraisal rights) will be converted into                political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of         • is otherwise in the best interests of
                                                  the right to receive a particular number                a government. See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para.         BGM, its stockholders, and each Bats
                                                  of shares of CBOE Holdings and/or cash,                 (a)(i).
                                                                                                             9 The BGM Charter generally defines a ‘‘Related
                                                                                                                                                                   Exchange;
                                                  at the election of the holder of such
                                                                                                          Person’’ as, with respect to any Person, (i) any
                                                  share of BGM common stock (the                          ‘‘affiliate’’ of such Person (as defined in Rule 12b–    associated with a member’’ as defined under
                                                  ‘‘Merger Consideration’’), and each                     2 under the Act); (ii) any other Person with which       Section 3(a)(21) of the Act); (v) in the case of a
                                                  share of CBOE Corporation issued and                    such first Person has any agreement, arrangement         Person that is a natural person and Exchange
                                                                                                          or understanding (whether or not in writing) to act      Member, any broker or dealer that is also an
                                                  outstanding will be converted into one                                                                           Exchange Member with which such Person is
                                                                                                          together for the purpose of acquiring, voting,
                                                  share of BGM, such that BGM will                        holding or disposing of shares of the capital stock      associated; (vi) in the case of a Person that is a
                                                  become a wholly owned subsidiary of                     of BGM; (iii) in the case of a Person that is a          natural person, any relative or spouse of such
                                                  CBOE Holdings; and                                      company, corporation or similar entity, any              Person, or any relative of such spouse who has the
                                                                                                          executive officer (as defined under Rule 3b–7 under      same home as such Person or who is a director or
                                                     (iii) immediately following the                      the Act) or director of such Person and, in the case     officer of BGM or any of its parents or subsidiaries;
                                                  Merger, BGM will be merged with and                     of a Person that is a partnership or limited liability   (vii) in the case of a Person that is an executive
                                                  into CBOE V, whereupon the separate                     company, any general partner, managing member or         officer (as defined under Rule 3b–7 under the Act)
                                                                                                          manager of such Person, as applicable; (iv) in the       or a director of a company, corporation or similar
                                                  existence of BGM will cease and CBOE
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                                                                                                          case of any Person that is a registered broker or        entity, such company, corporation or entity, as
                                                  V will be the surviving company (the                    dealer that has been admitted to membership in any       applicable; and (viii) in the case of a Person that
                                                  ‘‘Subsequent Merger’’).                                 of the Bats Exchanges (for purposes of this              is a general partner, managing member or manager
                                                     Upon the Closing, the BGM Holdings                   definition of ‘‘Related Person,’’ each such national     of a partnership or limited liability company, such
                                                                                                          securities exchange shall be referred to generally as    partnership or limited liability company, as
                                                  Charter, the Exchange Bylaws and the                                                                             applicable. See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para.
                                                                                                          an ‘‘Exchange’’ and any member of such Exchange,
                                                  Exchange Rules will be amended to take                  an ‘‘Exchange Member’’), any Person that is              (a)(ii).
                                                  into account the post-Closing corporate                 associated with the Exchange Member (as                     10 See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b).

                                                  structure, described below.                             determined using the definition of ‘‘person                 11 See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (d).




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                                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices                                             80103

                                                     • will not impair the ability of the                        • The acquisition of the proposed                    promulgated thereunder. The Bats
                                                  Commission to enforce the Act and the                       ownership by CBOE Holdings in BGM                       Exchanges will continue to operate and
                                                  rules and regulations promulgated                           will not impair the ability of each Bats                regulate their markets and members as
                                                  thereunder; and                                             Exchange to carry out its functions and                 they have done prior to the Transaction.
                                                     • shall not be effective until it is filed               responsibilities as an ‘‘exchange’’ under               Thus, each Bats Exchange will continue
                                                  with and approved by the                                    the Act and the rules and regulations                   to enforce the Act, the Commission’s
                                                  Commission.12                                               promulgated thereunder, is otherwise in                 rules thereunder, and each Exchange’s
                                                  In granting such a waiver, the BGM                          the best interests of BGM, its                          own rules, in the manner it does today.
                                                  Board has the discretion to impose on                       stockholders and the Bats Exchanges,                    Further, the Commission will continue
                                                  the Person and its Related Persons, such                    and will not impair the ability of the                  to have plenary regulatory authority
                                                  conditions and restrictions that it deems                   Commission to enforce the Act and the                   over the Bats Exchanges, as is currently
                                                  necessary, appropriate or desirable in                      rules and regulations promulgated                       the case with these entities.
                                                                                                              thereunder;                                                The Exchange also notes that the
                                                  furtherance of the objectives of the Act
                                                  and the rules and regulations                                  • the acquisition or exercise of the                 Resolutions reflect the determination by
                                                                                                              proposed voting rights by CBOE                          the BGM Board that the Transaction and
                                                  promulgated thereunder, and the
                                                                                                              Holdings in BGM will not impair the                     CBOE Holdings’ resulting ownership
                                                  governance of each Bats Exchange.13
                                                                                                              ability of each Bats Exchange to carry                  and voting rights in BGM following the
                                                     In addition, notwithstanding the                                                                                 Merger, and CBOE V’s ownership and
                                                  above, the BGM Charter provides 14 that                     out its functions and responsibilities as
                                                                                                              an ‘‘exchange’’ under the Act and the                   voting rights following the Subsequent
                                                  in any case where a Person, either alone                                                                            Merger, are otherwise in the best
                                                  or with its Related Persons, would own                      rules and regulations promulgated
                                                                                                              thereunder, is otherwise in the best                    interests of BGM, its stockholders and
                                                  or vote more than the BGM Ownership                                                                                 the Bats Exchanges. The Bats Exchanges
                                                  Limitation or BGM Voting Limitation,                        interests of BGM, its stockholders and
                                                                                                              the Bats Exchanges, and will not impair                 will be ultimately held by an entity,
                                                  respectively, upon consummation of                                                                                  CBOE Holdings, that already owns other
                                                  any proposed sale, assignment or                            the ability of the Commission to enforce
                                                                                                              the Act and the rules and regulations                   national securities exchanges and is
                                                  transfer of BGM’s capital stock, such a                                                                             subject to governance documents that
                                                  transaction will not become effective                       promulgated thereunder;
                                                                                                                 • neither CBOE Holdings nor any of                   similarly restrict concentration of
                                                  until the BGM Board determines, by                                                                                  ownership and voting rights.
                                                  resolution, that such Person and its                        its Related Persons is subject to
                                                                                                              ‘‘statutory disqualification’’ within the                  As described in more detail below,
                                                  Related Persons are not subject to any                                                                              the Exchange is also requesting approval
                                                  ‘‘statutory disqualification,’’ as defined                  meaning of Section 3(a)(39) of the Act; 16
                                                                                                              and                                                     of the adoption of the CBOE Holdings
                                                  in Section 3(a)(39) of the Act.15                                                                                   Charter and the CBOE Holdings Bylaws.
                                                     As described above, as a result of the                      • neither CBOE Holdings nor any of
                                                                                                                                                                      The CBOE Holdings Charter includes a
                                                  Merger (and prior to its separate                           its Related Persons is an Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                      number of provisions relating to the
                                                  existence ceasing as a result of the                        Member.17
                                                                                                                                                                      Commission’s regulatory oversight that
                                                  Subsequent Merger), BGM will become                            The Exchange has reviewed such
                                                                                                                                                                      have a similar effect as those in the
                                                  a wholly owned subsidiary of CBOE                           Resolutions and requests that the
                                                                                                                                                                      BGM Charter, including the BGM
                                                  Holdings, such that CBOE Holdings will                      Commission approve such Resolutions.
                                                                                                                                                                      Ownership Limitation and the BGM
                                                  possess ownership and voting rights in                      The Exchange believes that the
                                                                                                                                                                      Voting Limitation. Therefore,
                                                  BGM in excess of the Ownership                              Commission should approve the
                                                                                                                                                                      notwithstanding the Resolutions and the
                                                  Limitation and the Voting Limitation. In                    Resolutions, as the Transaction will not
                                                                                                                                                                      Transaction, provisions similar (and, in
                                                  addition, as a result of the Subsequent                     impair the ability of any Bats Exchange
                                                                                                                                                                      some cases, more stringent) to the BGM
                                                  Merger, BGM will merge with and into                        to carry out its functions and
                                                                                                                                                                      Ownership Limitation and the BGM
                                                  CBOE V, terminating the BGM Charter                         responsibilities as an ‘‘exchange’’ under
                                                                                                                                                                      Voting Limitation will remain in place
                                                  and becoming an entity whose                                the Act and the rules and regulations
                                                                                                                                                                      with respect to potential future
                                                  ownership and voting is held entirely by                    promulgated thereunder, or the ability
                                                                                                                                                                      transactions involving the ultimate
                                                  CBOE Holdings, in excess of the BGM                         of the Commission to enforce the Act
                                                                                                                                                                      parent company of the Bats Exchanges.
                                                  Ownership Limitation and the BGM                            and the rules and regulations
                                                                                                                                                                      This means that the Exchange
                                                  Voting Limitation that would otherwise                        16 Id.
                                                                                                                                                                      ownership structure will continue to
                                                  apply.                                                        17 In addition, the Resolutions contain a             provide the Commission with
                                                     The BGM Board therefore determined                       determination that the execution and delivery of the    appropriate oversight tools to ensure
                                                  that in order to effect the Transaction,                    Merger Agreement by CBOE Holdings constituted           that the Commission will have the
                                                  a waiver of the BGM Ownership                               notice of CBOE Holdings’ intention to acquire           ability to enforce the Act with respect to
                                                                                                              ownership and voting rights in excess of the BGM
                                                  Limitation and the BGM Voting                               Ownership Limitation and BGM Voting Limitation,         the Exchange, its direct and indirect
                                                  Limitation with respect to CBOE                             respectively, in writing and not less than 45 days      parent companies, and its directors,
                                                  Holdings would be required. To do so,                       before the Closing. See BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH,        officers, employees and agents to the
                                                  the BGM Board adopted the                                   para. (b)(iv). The Exchange notes that Art. FIFTH,      extent they are involved in the activities
                                                                                                              para. (c)(i) of the BGM Charter further requires that
                                                  Resolutions, attached as Exhibit 5A,                        any Person that, either alone or together with its      of the Exchange, and protect the
                                                  making certain determinations with                          Related Persons, owns, directly or indirectly           independence of the Exchange’s self-
                                                  respect to CBOE Holdings and the                            (whether by acquisition or by a change in the           regulatory activities.
                                                  Transaction that are necessary to waive                     number of shares outstanding), of record or                The Exchange therefore requests that
                                                                                                              beneficially, five percent or more of the then
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                                                  the BGM Ownership Limitation and                            outstanding shares of capital stock of BGM must
                                                                                                                                                                      the Commission approve the
                                                  BGM Voting Limitation. Specifically,                        immediately upon acquiring knowledge of its             Resolutions, attached as Exhibit 5A.
                                                  the BGM Board determined that:                              ownership of five percent or more give written
                                                                                                              notice of such ownership to the BGM Board. The          5. CBOE Holdings Charter and CBOE
                                                    12 See
                                                                                                              Merger Agreement provides that the Merger               Holdings Bylaws
                                                              BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b)(ii)(B).      Agreement constitutes such notice with respect to
                                                    13 Id.
                                                                                                              certain voting agreements entered into concurrently
                                                                                                                                                                         CBOE Holdings currently holds a
                                                    14 See    BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (b)(iii).        with the Merger Agreement. See Merger Agreement,        direct ownership interest in the CBOE
                                                    15 15    U.S.C. 78c(a)(39).                               Section 5.21.                                           Exchanges. The Commission has


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                                                  80104                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  previously approved the CBOE Holdings                   exercise.20 Like the BGM Charter, the                    Securities Exchange Subsidiary’s
                                                  Charter and the CBOE Holdings Bylaws                    CBOE Holdings Charter similarly                          responsibilities under the Act.25
                                                  (collectively, the ‘‘CBOE Holdings                      prohibits any Person,21 together with its                  • Confidentiality. Similar to
                                                  Organizational Documents’’), attached                   Related Persons,22 from exercising                       provisions contained in the BGM
                                                  as Exhibits 5B and 5C, respectively.18                  voting rights with respect to more than                  Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter
                                                     In connection with the Transaction,                  20 percent of the then outstanding votes                 provides that, to the fullest extent
                                                  upon the Closing, CBOE Holdings will                    entitled to be cast on such matter.23                    permitted by applicable law, all
                                                  become the indirect owner (through                      However, with respect to ownership                       confidential information pertaining to
                                                  CBOE V and BGM Holdings) of the                         limitations, the CBOE Holdings Charter                   the self-regulatory function of Regulated
                                                  Exchange, BYX and Bats Trading (and                     contains a more stringent threshold than                 Securities Exchange Subsidiaries
                                                  certain other subsidiaries not registered               contained in the BGM Charter. Under                      contained in the books and records of
                                                  with the Commission in any capacity),                   the CBOE Holdings Charter, no Person,                    any Regulated Securities Exchange
                                                  and the indirect owner (through CBOE                    together with its Related Persons, is                    Subsidiary that shall come into the
                                                  V and Direct Edge LLC) of EDGA and                      permitted at any time to beneficially                    possession of the CBOE Holdings must
                                                  EDGX.                                                   own directly or indirectly shares of                     be retained in confidence by CBOE
                                                     The CBOE Holdings Organizational                     stock of CBOE Holdings representing in                   Holdings and its officers, directors,
                                                  Documents include various provisions                    the aggregate more than 20 percent of                    employees and agents and must not be
                                                  relating to any ‘‘Regulated Securities                  the then outstanding shares of stock of                  used for any commercial purposes.26
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary,’’ which is defined                 CBOE Holdings.24 In contrast, the BGM
                                                  as any national securities exchange                     Ownership Limitation only applies a 20                     • Books and Records. Similar to
                                                  controlled, directly or indirectly, by                  percent threshold to any Exchange                        provisions contained in the BGM
                                                  CBOE Holdings. Upon the Closing, the                    Member together with its Related                         Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter
                                                  Exchange will be covered by the                         Persons, while applying a 40 percent                     provides that, for so long as CBOE
                                                  definition of Regulated Securities                      threshold to any other Person together                   Holdings directly or indirectly controls
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary for purposes of the                 with its Related Persons. As a result, the               any Regulated Securities Exchange
                                                  CBOE Holdings Organizational                            CBOE Holdings Charter should be at                       Subsidiary, the books, records,
                                                  Documents. As a result, no amendments                   least as effective as the BGM Charter at                 premises, officers, directors and
                                                  to the CBOE Holdings Organizational                     preventing any stockholder from                          employees of CBOE Holdings shall be
                                                  Documents will be necessary to reflect                  exercising undue control over the                        deemed to be the books, records,
                                                  CBOE Holdings’ indirect ownership of                    operation of the Exchange.                               premises, officers, directors and
                                                  the Exchange.                                              • Independence and Non-                               employees of the Regulated Securities
                                                     The Exchange believes that the CBOE                  Interference. Similar to provisions                      Exchange Subsidiary for purposes of
                                                  Holdings Organizational Documents                       contained in the BGM Bylaws, the                         and subject to oversight pursuant to the
                                                  will protect and maintain the integrity                 CBOE Holdings Charter provides that                      Act, but only to the extent that such
                                                  of the self-regulatory functions of the                 for so long as CBOE Holdings controls,                   books, records, premises, officers,
                                                  Exchange and facilitate the ability of the              directly or indirectly, a Regulated                      directors and employees of the
                                                  Exchange and the Commission to carry                    Securities Exchange Subsidiary, each                     Corporation relate to the business of
                                                  out their regulatory and oversight                      officer, director and employee of CBOE                   such Regulated Securities Exchange
                                                  obligations under the Act, as the CBOE                  Holdings must give due regard to the                     Subsidiary.27
                                                  Organizational Documents do with                        preservation of the independence of the                    • Compliance With Securities Laws;
                                                  respect to the CBOE Exchanges.                          self-regulatory function of the Regulated                Cooperation With the Commission.
                                                     In addition, the CBOE Organizational                 Securities Exchange Subsidiaries and                     Similar to provisions contained in the
                                                  Documents contain provisions,                           may not take any actions that he or she                  BGM Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings
                                                  including those with respect to the                     knows or reasonably should have                          Charter provides that CBOE Holdings
                                                  following, that are similar to those                    known would interfere with the                           shall comply with the federal securities
                                                  contained in the BGM Charter and                        effectuation of any decisions by the                     laws and the rules and regulations
                                                  BGM’s Amended and Restated Bylaws                       board of directors of any Regulated                      thereunder and shall cooperate with the
                                                  (the ‘‘BGM Bylaws’’), which the                         Securities Exchange Subsidiary relating                  Commission, and each Regulated
                                                  Commission has previously found to be                   to such Regulated Securities Exchange                    Securities Exchange Subsidiary
                                                  consistent with the Act: 19                             Subsidiary’s regulatory functions                        pursuant to and to the extent of its
                                                     • Ownership and Voting Limitations.                  (including disciplinary matters) or that                 regulatory authority, and shall take
                                                  Similar to the BGM Voting Limitation                    would adversely affect the ability of the                reasonable steps necessary to cause its
                                                  and the BGM Ownership Limitation                        Regulated Securities Exchange                            agents to cooperate with the
                                                  contained in the BGM Charter, the                       Subsidiary to carry out such Regulated                   Commission and, where applicable, the
                                                  CBOE Holdings Charter limits the extent                                                                          Regulated Securities Exchange
                                                                                                             20 Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH
                                                  of ownership and voting rights which                                                                             Subsidiaries pursuant to their regulatory
                                                                                                          with BGM Charter, Art. FIFTH.
                                                  certain persons may possess or                             21 ‘‘Person’’ mean an individual, partnership         authority, with respect to such agents’
                                                                                                          (general or limited), joint stock company,               activities related to the Regulated
                                                     18 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 62158     corporation, limited liability company, trust or         Securities Exchange Subsidiaries.28
                                                  (May 24, 2010), 75 FR 30082 (May 28, 2010) (SR–         unincorporated organization, or any governmental
                                                  CBOE–2008–88). The CBOE Organizational                  entity or agency or political subdivision thereof. See
                                                                                                                                                                     25 Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art.
                                                  Documents have been subsequently amended from           CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FIFTH, para. (a)(iv).
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                                                  time to time pursuant to proposed rule changes that        22 ‘‘Related Person’’ is defined in the CBOE          SIXTEENTH, para. (c) with BGM Bylaws, Section
                                                  were filed with the Commission for immediate            Holdings Charter in a manner substantially the           12.01.
                                                                                                                                                                     26 Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art.
                                                  effectiveness. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act       same as it is defined in the BGM Charter. See supra
                                                  Release No. 76282 (October 27, 2015), 80 FR 67464       note 9; CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. FIFTH, para.         FIFTEENTH with BGM Bylaws, Section 12.02.
                                                  (November 2, 2015) (SR–CBOE–2015–092).                  (a)(vi).                                                   27 Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art.
                                                     19 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 77464        23 See CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH, para.       FIFTEENTH with BGM Bylaws, Section 12.03.
                                                  (March 29, 2016), 81 FR 19252 (April 4, 2016) (File     (a).                                                       28 Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Art.

                                                  Nos. SR–BATS–2016–10, SR–BYX–2016–02, SR–                  24 See CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH, para.       SIXTEENTH, para. (a) with BGM Bylaws, Section
                                                  EDGX–2016–04, and SR–EDGA–2016–01).                     (b).                                                     12.04.



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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices                                                 80105

                                                    • Consent to Jurisdiction. Similar to                 national securities exchanges, including              b. CBOE V Operating Agreement
                                                  provisions contained in the BGM                         such exchanges’ regulatory functions                     With respect to ownership and
                                                  Bylaws, the CBOE Holdings Charter                       and Commission oversight, that are                    control of CBOE V, the CBOE V
                                                  provides that CBOE Holdings, its                        appropriate for an intermediate holding               Operating Agreement, attached as
                                                  directors, officers, agents and                         company in the ownership chain of a                   Exhibit 5E, specifically provides that
                                                  employees, irrevocably submit to the                    national securities exchange. Many of                 CBOE V’s sole member is CBOE
                                                  jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts,                the provisions of the CBOE V Operating                Holdings, until the CBOE V Operating
                                                  the Commission, and the Regulated                       Agreement relating to these matters are               Agreement is amended (subject to
                                                  Securities Exchange Subsidiaries, for                   similar to the organizational documents               Commission approval, as described
                                                  the purposes of any suit, action or                     of BGM Holdings, which currently is,                  below).35 Further, for so long as CBOE
                                                  proceeding pursuant to U.S. federal                     and following the Subsequent Merger                   V controls, directly or indirectly, a
                                                  securities laws or the rules or                         will be, similarly situated as an                     subsidiary that is registered with the
                                                  regulations thereunder, commenced or                    intermediate holding company of the                   Commission as a national securities
                                                  initiated by the Commission arising out                 Exchange. The Commission has                          exchange (an ‘‘Exchange Subsidiary’’),
                                                  of, or relating to, the Regulated                       previously found the BGM Holdings                     CBOE Holdings may not sell, assign,
                                                  Securities Exchange Subsidiaries’                       certificate of incorporation and bylaws               transfer, convey, gift, exchange or
                                                  activities.29                                           to be consistent with the Act.31                      otherwise dispose of any or all of its
                                                    • Amendments. Similar to provisions                     Although CBOE V will not carry out                  member interest in CBOE V, except
                                                  contained in the BGM Charter and BGM                    any regulatory functions, the Exchange                pursuant to an amendment to the CBOE
                                                  Bylaws, the CBOE Organizational                         notes that its activities with respect to             V Operating Agreement that is filed
                                                  Documents provide that for so long as                   the operation of the Bats Exchanges                   with and approved by the
                                                  CBOE Holdings controls, directly or                     must be consistent with, and must not                 Commission.36 These restrictions are
                                                  indirectly, Regulated Securities                        interfere with, the self-regulatory                   designed to ensure that any change to
                                                  Exchange, before any amendment to or                    obligations of each Bats Exchange. The                the ownership or control of any
                                                  repeal of the CBOE Holdings Charter or                  CBOE V Operating Agreement therefore                  Exchange Subsidiary, including without
                                                  CBOE Holdings Bylaws may be                             includes certain provisions that are                  limitation the Bats Exchanges, may only
                                                  effective, such amendment or repeal                     designed to maintain the independence                 occur through a change in the
                                                  must be submitted to the board of                       of the Bats Exchanges’ self-regulatory                ownership or control of CBOE Holdings.
                                                  directors of each such exchange, and if                 functions, enable the Bats Exchanges to               As such, any purported change of such
                                                  the amendment or repeal is required to                  operate in a manner that complies with                ownership or control (unless pursuant
                                                  be filed with, or filed with and                        the federal securities laws, including the            to a Commission-approved change of
                                                  approved by the Commission, then such                   objectives of Sections 6(b) 32 and 19(g) 33           ownership of CBOE V) would need to
                                                  change shall not be effective until filed               of the Act, and facilitate the ability of             comply with the CBOE Holdings Charter
                                                  with, or filed with and approved by, the                each Bats Exchange and the                            and CBOE Holdings Bylaws, including
                                                  Commission, as the case may be.30                       Commission to fulfill their respective                the ownership and voting limitations
                                                  As stated above, the Exchange believes                  regulatory and oversight obligations                  discussed above (or a Commission-
                                                  that the foregoing provisions will assist               under the Act.                                        approved waiver therefrom).
                                                  the Exchange in fulfilling its self-                                                                             The CBOE V Operating Agreement
                                                  regulatory obligations and in                           a. CBOE V Certificate of Formation                    also contains several provisions
                                                  administering and complying with the                       The CBOE V Certificate, attached as                designed to protect the independence of
                                                  requirements of the Act.                                Exhibit 5D, includes the following                    the self-regulatory functions of the Bats
                                                  6. CBOE V Certificate and CBOE V                        provisions required under Delaware                    Exchanges. The CBOE V Operating
                                                  Operating Agreement                                     law: (i) The full name of CBOE V as                   Agreement requires that, for so long as
                                                                                                          ‘‘CBOE V, LLC’’, and (ii) the name and                CBOE V, directly or indirectly, controls
                                                     Effective as of the Closing of the                                                                         any Exchange Subsidiary, CBOE
                                                                                                          address of CBOE V’s registered office in
                                                  Transaction, CBOE V will hold direct                                                                          Holdings, as the sole member of CBOE
                                                                                                          the State of Delaware and the name of
                                                  ownership of (i) BGM Holdings, which                                                                          V, and officers, employees and agents of
                                                                                                          CBOE V’s registered agent at such
                                                  will continue to hold direct ownership                                                                        CBOE V must give due regard to the
                                                  of the Exchange, BYX and Bats Trading                   address.34 In addition, the CBOE V
                                                                                                          Certificate contains a provision                      preservation of independence of the
                                                  (and certain other subsidiaries not                                                                           self-regulatory functions of such
                                                  registered with the Commission in any                   providing that CBOE V shall indemnify
                                                                                                          members of its board of directors and                 Exchange Subsidiary, as well as to its
                                                  capacity) and (ii) Direct Edge LLC,                                                                           obligations to investors and the general
                                                  which will continue to hold direct                      certain other persons, subject to certain
                                                                                                          conditions.                                           public, and not interfere with the
                                                  ownership of EDGX and EDGA.                                                                                   effectuation of any decisions by the
                                                  However, unlike BGM currently, CBOE                        As the Exchange believes is
                                                                                                          customary for limited liability                       board of directors of an Exchange
                                                  V will not be the ultimate holding                                                                            Subsidiary relating to its regulatory
                                                  company under the post-Closing                          companies formed in the State of
                                                                                                          Delaware, other substantive provisions                functions (including disciplinary
                                                  corporate structure, but rather will be an                                                                    matters) or which would interfere with
                                                  intermediate holding company owned                      governing the ownership, operation and
                                                                                                          management of CBOE V are set forth in                 the ability of such Exchange Subsidiary
                                                  by CBOE Holdings. The Exchange                                                                                to carry out its responsibilities under
                                                  believes that the CBOE V Operating                      the CBOE V Operating Agreement,
                                                                                                          discussed below.                                      the Act.37
                                                  Agreement contains provisions relating
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                                                                                                                                                                   The CBOE V Operating Agreement
                                                  to its indirect ownership of one or more                                                                      also would require that CBOE V comply
                                                                                                             31 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71375

                                                    29 Compare                                            (January 23, 2014), 79 FR 4771 (January 29, 2014)     with the U.S. federal securities laws and
                                                                CBOE Holdings Charter, Art.
                                                  FOURTEENTH with BGM Bylaws, Section 12.05.              (SR–BATS–2013–059; SR–BYX–2013–039).
                                                                                                             32 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                 35 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 1.1.
                                                    30 Compare CBOE Holdings Charter, Arts.
                                                                                                             33 15 U.S.C. 78s(g).                                 36 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section 5.1.
                                                  ELEVENTH, TWELFTH and CBOE Holdings
                                                  Bylaws, Section 10.2 with BGM Charter, Art.                34 Delaware Limited Liability Company Act,           37 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section

                                                  FOURTEENTH and BGM Bylaws, Article XI.                  Section 18–201.                                       10.1(a).



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                                                  80106                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  rules and regulations thereunder and                    fullest extent permitted by law, all                  and Restated Bylaws, attached as
                                                  cooperate with the Commission and                       books and records of any Exchange                     Exhibit 5G. Specifically, the Exchange
                                                  each Exchange Subsidiary, as                            Subsidiary reflecting confidential                    proposes to (i) expand the prohibition
                                                  applicable, pursuant to and to the extent               information pertaining to the self-                   contained in Section 2 of Article XI of
                                                  of their respective regulatory                          regulatory function of such Exchange                  the Exchange Bylaws; and (ii) add a
                                                  authority.38 Further, CBOE V’s officers,                Subsidiary (including disciplinary                    definition of ‘‘Trading Permit Holder’’ to
                                                  directors, employees and agents shall be                matters, trading data, trading practices              Article I.
                                                  deemed to agree to (i) comply with the                  and audit information) that comes into                   Currently, Section 2 of Article XI of
                                                  U.S. federal securities laws and the                    the possession of CBOE V, shall be                    the Exchange Bylaws prohibits directors
                                                  rules and regulations thereunder; and                   retained in confidence by CBOE V,                     of BGM or BGM Holdings who are not
                                                  (ii) cooperate with the Commission and                  CBOE V’s officers, employees and                      also directors, officers, staff, counsel or
                                                  each Exchange Subsidiary in respect of                  agents and CBOE Holdings, and not                     advisors of the Exchange from
                                                  the Commission’s oversight                              used for any non-regulatory purposes.43               participating in any meetings of the
                                                  responsibilities regarding such                         The proposed CBOE V Operating                         Exchange’s board of directors (or any
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary and the self-                       Agreement provides, however, that the                 committee thereof) pertaining to the
                                                  regulatory functions and responsibilities               foregoing shall not limit or impede the               self-regulatory function of the Exchange
                                                  of the Exchange Subsidiaries, and CBOE                  rights of the Commission or an                        (including disciplinary matters). This
                                                  V will take reasonable steps to cause its               Exchange Subsidiary to access and                     provision refers to BGM and BGM
                                                  officers, employees and agents to so                    examine such confidential information                 Holdings because they are currently the
                                                  cooperate.39                                            pursuant to the U.S. federal securities               only direct and indirect owners of the
                                                     Furthermore, to the fullest extent                   laws and the rules and regulations                    Exchange. However, following the
                                                  permitted by law, CBOE V and its                        thereunder, or limit or impede the                    Transaction, the Exchange will be
                                                  officers, directors, employees and agents               ability of CBOE Holdings or any of                    owned indirectly by CBOE V and CBOE
                                                  will be deemed to irrevocably submit to                 CBOE V’s officers, employees or agents                Holdings (in addition to its direct
                                                  the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal                    to disclose such confidential                         ownership by BGM Holdings).
                                                  courts, the Commission, and each                        information to the Commission or an                   Therefore, the Exchange is proposing to
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary, as applicable, for                 Exchange Subsidiary.44                                remove the reference to BGM and insert
                                                  purposes of any suit, action, or                           In addition, the CBOE V Operating                  references to CBOE V and CBOE
                                                  proceeding pursuant to the U.S. federal                 Agreement provides that for so long as                Holdings, so that CBOE V and CBOE
                                                  securities laws or the rules or                         CBOE V controls, directly or indirectly,              Holdings will both be covered by this
                                                  regulations thereunder arising out of, or               any Exchange Subsidiary, before any                   prohibition. The Exchange believes that
                                                  relating to, the activities of such                     amendment to or repeal of any                         this amendment will protect the
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary.40                                  provision of the CBOE V Operating                     independence of the Exchange’s self-
                                                     The proposed CBOE V Operating                        Agreement will be effective, those                    regulatory activities.
                                                  Agreement also contains a number of                     changes must be submitted to the board                   In addition, as noted above, the CBOE
                                                  provisions designed to ensure that the                  of directors of each Exchange                         Holdings Charter currently prohibits
                                                  Exchange will have sufficient access to                 Subsidiary, and if the same must be                   certain persons from owning or
                                                  the books and records of CBOE V as                      filed with, or filed with and approved                exercising voting rights over certain
                                                  they relate to any Exchange Subsidiary.                 by, the Commission before the changes                 percentages of ownership of CBOE
                                                  Pursuant to the CBOE V Operating                        may be effective under Section 19 of the              Holdings. The CBOE Holdings Charter
                                                  Agreement, to the extent they are related               Act 45 and the rules promulgated                      permits the board of directors of CBOE
                                                  to the operation or administration of an                thereunder, then the proposed changes                 Holdings to waive the limitation on the
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary, the books,                         shall not be effective until filed with, or           exercise of voting rights in excess of 20
                                                  records, premises, officers, agents, and                filed with and approved by, the                       percent of the then outstanding votes
                                                  employees of CBOE V are deemed to be                    Commission, as the case may be.46                     entitled to be cast on such matter only
                                                  the books, records, premises, officers,                                                                       if, among other things, ‘‘for so long as
                                                  agents and employees of such Exchange                   7. BGM Holdings Charter
                                                                                                                                                                [CBOE Holdings] directly or indirectly
                                                  Subsidiary for the purposes of, and                        The BGM Holdings Charter currently                 controls any Regulated Securities
                                                  subject to oversight pursuant to, the                   provides that the sole stockholder of                 Exchange Subsidiary, neither such
                                                  Act.41 In addition, for as long as CBOE                 BGM Holdings is BGM. However, as a                    Person nor any of its Related Persons is
                                                  V controls, directly or indirectly, an                  result of the Transaction, CBOE V will                a ‘Trading Permit Holder’ (as defined in
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary, CBOE V’s books                     become the sole stockholder of BGM                    the Bylaws of any Regulated Securities
                                                  and records shall be subject at all times               Holdings. The Exchange proposes to                    Exchange Subsidiary as they may be
                                                  to inspection and copying by the                        amend the BGM Holdings Charter to                     amended from time to time).’’ 47
                                                  Commission and the applicable                           reflect this change, as set forth in                     The Exchange does not issue ‘‘trading
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary, provided that                      Exhibit 5F.                                           permits,’’ but admits members. The
                                                  such books and records are related to                   8. Bylaws of the Exchange                             Exchange believes the provisions of the
                                                  the operation or administration of an                                                                         CBOE Holdings Charter that refer to
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary.42                                     In connection with the Transaction,                Trading Permit Holders of its Regulated
                                                     The proposed CBOE V Operating                        the Exchange proposes to amend and                    Securities Exchange Subsidiaries should
                                                  Agreement also provides that, to the                    restate its Fourth Amended and
                                                                                                                                                                apply equally to members of the
                                                                                                          Restated Bylaws and adopt the amended
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                                                                                                                                                                Exchange once it becomes a Regulated
                                                    38 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section            Exchange Bylaws as its Fifth Amended
                                                                                                                                                                Securities Exchange Subsidiary of CBOE
                                                  10.2(a).
                                                    39 Id.                                                  43 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section
                                                                                                                                                                Holdings. As a result, the Exchange
                                                    40 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section            8.4(a).                                               proposes to add clause (ff) to Article I
                                                  10.3(a).                                                  44 Id.                                              of the Exchange Bylaws, providing that
                                                    41 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section              45 15 U.S.C. 78s.

                                                  8.4(b).                                                   46 See CBOE V Operating Agreement, Section             47 See CBOE Holdings Charter, Art. SIXTH, para.
                                                    42 Id.                                                11.2.                                                 (a)(ii)(C).



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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices                                                   80107

                                                  ‘‘ ‘Trading Permit Holder’ shall have the                  with the Commission pursuant to                         be so organized as to have the capacity
                                                  same meaning as Exchange Member.’’                         Section 6(a) of the Act, so as to exclude               to be able to carry out the purposes of
                                                  This will ensure that the Exchange’s                       a national securities exchange registered               the Act and to comply, and to enforce
                                                  members will be considered Trading                         solely under Section 6(g) of the Act. The               compliance by its members and persons
                                                  Permit Holders of a Regulated Securities                   proposed amendments to Exchange Rule                    associated with its members, with the
                                                  Exchange Subsidiary for purposes of the                    2.3 are set forth in Exhibit 5H.                        provisions of the Act, the rules and
                                                  CBOE Holdings Charter.                                     b. Exchange Rule 2.10—No Affiliation                    regulations thereunder, and the Rules of
                                                                                                             Between Exchange and any Member                         the Exchange.
                                                  9. Exchange Rules                                                                                                    The Proposed Rule Change is
                                                  a. Exchange Rule 2.3—Member                                   Exchange Rule 2.10 provides that,                    designed to enable the Exchange to
                                                  Eligibility                                                without prior approval of the                           continue to have the authority and
                                                                                                             Commission, neither the Exchange, nor                   ability to effectively fulfill its self-
                                                     Pursuant to Exchange Rule 2.3, in                       any of its affiliates, shall directly or
                                                  order to be eligible for membership in                                                                             regulatory duties pursuant to the Act
                                                                                                             indirectly acquire or maintain an                       and the rules promulgated thereunder.
                                                  the Exchange, a registered broker or                       ownership interest in a member of the
                                                  dealer is currently required to be a                                                                               In particular, the Proposed Rule Change
                                                                                                             Exchange. This restriction is intended to               includes in the CBOE Holdings Charter
                                                  member of at least one other national                      address potential conflicts of interest
                                                  securities association or national                                                                                 and CBOE Holdings Bylaws, like the
                                                                                                             that could result from affiliation                      BGM Charter and BGM Bylaws, various
                                                  securities exchange. However,                              between the Exchange and a member.
                                                  membership in the Exchange’s affiliated                                                                            provisions intended to protect and
                                                                                                             Notwithstanding this general restriction,               maintain the integrity of the self-
                                                  national securities exchanges, BYX,                        Exchange Rule 2.10 provides that it does
                                                  EDGA or EDGX, is not sufficient for                                                                                regulatory functions of the Exchange
                                                                                                             not prohibit a member or its affiliate                  upon Closing. For example, the CBOE
                                                  purposes of eligibility for Exchange                       from acquiring or holding an equity
                                                  membership. The Exchange adopted                                                                                   Holdings Charter, as described above, is
                                                                                                             interest in BGM that is permitted by the                drafted to preserve the independence of
                                                  this because the Bats Exchanges have                       ownership and voting limitations
                                                  historically not functioned as the                                                                                 the Exchange’s self-regulatory function
                                                                                                             contained in the BGM Charter and the                    and carry out its regulatory
                                                  designated examining authority for any                     BGM Bylaws. In addition, Exchange
                                                  of its members, and the Exchange                                                                                   responsibilities under the Act. In
                                                                                                             Rule 2.10 states that it does not prohibit              addition, the CBOE Holdings Charter
                                                  wanted to be sure that any member                          a member from being or becoming an
                                                  would be appropriately supervised by                                                                               imposes limitations similar to the BGM
                                                                                                             affiliate of the Exchange, or an affiliate              Ownership Limitation and BGM Voting
                                                  another national securities association                    of any affiliate of the Exchange, solely
                                                  or national securities exchange that has                                                                           Limitation to preclude undue influence
                                                                                                             by reason of such member or any officer,                over or interference with the Exchange’s
                                                  the capacity to function as the member’s                   director, manager, managing member,
                                                  designated examining authority.                                                                                    self-regulatory functions and fulfillment
                                                                                                             partner or affiliate of such member                     of its regulatory duties under the Act.
                                                     As a result of the Transaction, the                     being or becoming either (a) a Director                   Moreover, notwithstanding the
                                                  Exchange will additionally become                          of the Exchange pursuant to the Bylaws                  Proposed Rule Change, including the
                                                  affiliated with the CBOE Exchanges. As                     of the Exchange, or (b) a Director of the               change to the indirect ownership of the
                                                  with the Bats Exchanges, C2 does not                       Exchange serving on the Board of                        Exchange, the Commission will
                                                  currently serve as the designated                          Directors of BGM. The Exchange                          continue to have regulatory authority
                                                  examination authority for any of its                       proposes to replace the references to                   over the Exchange, as is currently the
                                                  members. CBOE, however, does act as                        BGM in Rule 2.10 with references to                     case, as well as jurisdiction over the
                                                  the designated examining authority for                     CBOE Holdings to reflect the fact that                  Exchange’s direct and indirect parent
                                                  certain of its members. Therefore, the                     following the Transaction, CBOE                         companies with respect to activities
                                                  Exchange proposes to amend Exchange                        Holdings will replace BGM as the                        related to the Exchange.51 As a result,
                                                  Rule 2.3 to specify that a registered                      ultimate parent holding company of the                  the Proposed Rule Change will facilitate
                                                  broker or dealer will be eligible for                      Exchange. In addition to these changes,                 an ownership structure that will provide
                                                  membership only if it is a member of a                     the Exchange proposes to replace all                    the Commission with appropriate
                                                  national securities association or                         references in Rule 2.10 to ‘‘By-Laws’’                  oversight tools to ensure that the
                                                  national securities exchange other than                    with ‘‘Bylaws’’ in order to maintain                    Commission will have the ability to
                                                  or in addition to the following affiliates                 consistency with the actual documents                   enforce the Act with respect to the
                                                  of the Exchange: BYX, EDGA, EDGX and                       referred to and EDGA and EDGX Rules                     Exchange, its direct and indirect parent
                                                  C2.                                                        2.10. The proposed amendments to                        companies and their directors, officers,
                                                     In addition, to ensure there is no                      Exchange Rule 2.10 are set forth in                     employees and agents to the extent they
                                                  confusion with respect to the possibility                  Exhibit 5H.                                             are involved in the activities of the
                                                  that a broker or dealer could qualify for
                                                                                                             2. Statutory Basis                                      Exchange.
                                                  membership in the Exchange based
                                                                                                                                                                       The Exchange also believes that the
                                                  solely on membership in CBOE Futures                          The Exchange believes that the                       Proposed Rule Change furthers the
                                                  or any other national securities                           Proposed Rule Change is consistent                      objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 52
                                                  exchange notice-registered with the                        with the requirements of the Act and the                because the Proposed Rule Change
                                                  Commission pursuant to Section 6(g) of                     rules and regulations thereunder that                   would be consistent with and facilitate
                                                  the Act 48 that lists or trades security-                  are applicable to a national securities                 a governance and regulatory structure
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                                                  futures products, the Exchange proposes                    exchange, and, in particular, with the                  that is designed to prevent fraudulent
                                                  to also specify that eligibility for                       requirements of Section 6(b) of the                     and manipulative acts and practices, to
                                                  membership requires membership in a                        Act.49 In particular, the proposal is                   promote just and equitable principles of
                                                  national securities association registered                 consistent with Section 6(b)(1) of the
                                                  pursuant to Section 15A of the Act or                      Act 50 in that it enables the Exchange to                 51 See, e.g., CBOE Holdings Charter, Art.
                                                  a national securities exchange registered                                                                          FOURTEENTH; CBOE V Operating Agreement,
                                                                                                               49 15   U.S.C. 78f(b).                                Section 10.3; BGM Holdings Bylaws, Section 7.3.
                                                    48 15   U.S.C. 78f(g).                                     50 15   U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).                               52 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).




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                                                  80108                      Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices

                                                  trade, to foster cooperation and                        also reduce investors’ costs of                        as the Commission may designate up to
                                                  coordination with persons engaged in                    connecting to and using the Bats                       90 days of such date if it finds such
                                                  regulating, clearing, settling, processing              Exchanges and the CBOE Exchanges,                      longer period to be appropriate and
                                                  information with respect to, and                        including through the combination of                   publishes its reasons for so finding or
                                                  facilitating transactions in securities, to             data centers and market data services.                 (ii) as to which the Exchange consents,
                                                  remove impediments to, and perfect the                  Combining the expertise of the CBOE                    the Commission will: (a) By order
                                                  mechanism of a free and open market                     Exchanges’ personnel with the expertise                approve or disapprove such proposed
                                                  and a national market system and, in                    of the Bats Exchanges’ personnel will                  rule change, or (b) institute proceedings
                                                  general, to protect investors and the                   also facilitate ongoing innovation,                    to determine whether the proposed rule
                                                  public interest.                                        including through new product creation                 change should be disapproved.
                                                     In addition, as discussed further in                 and platform improvements.
                                                  the Exchange’s Statement on Burden on                     The Exchange notes that the Bats                     IV. Solicitation of Comments
                                                  Competition below, the Exchange                         Exchanges and the CBOE Exchanges                         Interested persons are invited to
                                                  expects that the Transaction will foster                generally operate with different                       submit written data, views, and
                                                  further innovation while facilitating                   business models, target different                      arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                                  efficient, transparent and well-regulated               customer bases and primarily focus on                  including whether the proposed rule
                                                  markets for issuers and investors,                      different asset classes, limiting any                  change is consistent with the Act.
                                                  removing impediments to, and                            concern that the Transaction could                     Comments may be submitted by any of
                                                  perfecting the mechanism of a free and                  burden competition. Therefore, the                     the following methods:
                                                  open market and a national market                       Exchange expects that the Transaction                  Electronic Comments
                                                  system. The Transaction will benefit                    will benefit investors, issuers,
                                                  investors and the securities market as a                shareholders and the market as a whole.                  • Use the Commission’s Internet
                                                  whole by, among other things,                           The Exchange will continue to conduct                  comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  enhancing competition among securities                  regulated activities (including operating              rules/sro.shtml); or
                                                  venues and reducing costs.                              and regulating its market and members)                   • Send an email to rule-
                                                     Furthermore, the Exchange is not                     of the type it currently conducts, but                 comments@sec.gov. Please include File
                                                  proposing any significant changes to its                will be able to do so in a more efficient              Number SR–BatsBZX–2016–68 on the
                                                  existing operational and trading                        manner to the benefit of its members.                  subject line.
                                                  structure in connection with the change                 These efficiencies will pass through to                Paper Comments
                                                  in ownership; the Exchange will operate                 the benefit of investors and issuers,
                                                  in essentially the same manner upon                                                                               • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                                                                                          promoting further efficiencies,
                                                  Closing as it operates today. Therefore,                                                                       to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                                                                                          competition and capital formation,
                                                  the Exchange believes that it will                                                                             Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                                                                          placing no burden on competition not
                                                  continue to satisfy the requirements of                                                                        Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                                                                                          necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                                  the Act and the rules and regulations                   of the Act.                                            All submissions should refer to File
                                                  thereunder that are applicable to a                       Furthermore, the Exchange’s                          Number SR-BatsBZX–2016–68. This file
                                                  national securities exchange. The                       conclusion that the Proposed Rule                      number should be included on the
                                                  changes that the Exchange is proposing                  Change would not result in any burden                  subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                  to the Exchange Rules are designed to                   on competition that is not necessary or                Commission process and review your
                                                  reflect the prospective affiliation with                appropriate in furtherance of the                      comments more efficiently, please use
                                                  CBOE Holdings and the CBOE                              purposes of the Act is consistent with                 only one method. The Commission will
                                                  Exchanges. The Exchange believes that                   the Commission’s prior conclusions                     post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                  the proposed change to its Rules is                     about similar combinations involving                   Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/
                                                  consistent with the requirements of the                 multiple exchanges in a single corporate               rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                                  Act and the rules and regulations                       family.53                                              submission, all subsequent
                                                  thereunder.                                                                                                    amendments, all written statements
                                                                                                          C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      with respect to the proposed rule
                                                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       Statement on Comments on the                           change that are filed with the
                                                  Statement on Burden on Competition                      Proposed Rule Change Received From                     Commission, and all written
                                                    The Exchange does not believe that                    Members, Participants, or Others                       communications relating to the
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change would result                     The Exchange has not solicited or                    proposed rule change between the
                                                  in any burden on competition that is not                received written comments on the                       Commission and any person, other than
                                                  necessary or appropriate in furtherance                 Proposed Rule Change.                                  those that may be withheld from the
                                                  of the purposes of the Act. Indeed, the                                                                        public in accordance with the
                                                                                                          III. Date of Effectiveness of the
                                                  Exchange believes that the Proposed                                                                            provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                                                                          Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
                                                  Rule Change will enhance competition                                                                           available for Web site viewing and
                                                                                                          Commission Action
                                                  among trading venues, as the Exchange                                                                          printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                  believes that the Transaction will result                  Within 45 days of the date of                       Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
                                                  in various synergies and efficiencies.                  publication of this notice in the Federal              Washington, DC 20549, on official
                                                  For example, the Transaction will allow                 Register or within such longer period (i)              business days between the hours of
                                                  the Bats Exchanges and the CBOE                                                                                10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                                                                            53 See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
                                                  Exchanges to utilize a single technology                                                                       filing also will be available for
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          71375 (January 23, 2014), 79 FR 4771 (January 29,
                                                  platform, which the Exchange expects                    2014) (SR–BATS–2013–059; SR–BYX–2013–039);
                                                                                                                                                                 inspection and copying at the principal
                                                  will reduce Bats Exchanges’ and the                     66071 (December 29, 2011), 77 FR 521 (January 5,       office of the Exchange. All comments
                                                  CBOE Exchanges’ combined costs,                         2012) (SR–CBOE–2011–107 and SR–NSX–2011–14);           received will be posted without change;
                                                  creating the opportunity to further                     58324 (August 7, 2008), 73 FR 46936 (August 12,        the Commission does not edit personal
                                                                                                          2008) (SR–BSE–2008–02; SR–BSE–2008–23; SR–
                                                  reduce costs to their respective members                BSE–2008–25; SR–BSECC–2008–01); 53382
                                                                                                                                                                 identifying information from
                                                  and other constituents. The potential                   (February 27, 2006), 71 FR 11251 (March 6, 2006)       submissions. You should submit only
                                                  use of a single technology platform may                 (SR–NYSE–2005–77).                                     information that you wish to make


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                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 220 / Tuesday, November 15, 2016 / Notices                                                     80109

                                                  available publicly. All submissions                     any comments it received on the                        the cease and desist authority under
                                                  should refer to File Number SR-                         proposed rule change. The text of these                Rules 9556 and 9800 during the time
                                                  BatsBZX–2016–68, and should be                          statements may be examined at the                      that the rules were effective.
                                                  submitted on or before December 6,                      places specified in Item IV below. The                 Nonetheless, the Exchange believes that,
                                                  2016.                                                   Exchange has prepared summaries, set                   in addition to maintaining similar
                                                    For the Commission, by the Division of                forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                disciplinary rules, adoption of Rules
                                                  Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated              the most significant aspects of such                   9556 and 9800 is important to the
                                                  authority.54                                            statements.                                            Exchange’s disciplinary program. The
                                                  Brent J. Fields,                                                                                               authority under these rules will provide
                                                                                                          A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                                  Secretary.                                                                                                     the Exchange and FINRA, operating on
                                                                                                          Statement of the Purpose of, and the
                                                                                                                                                                 behalf of the Exchange, with a
                                                  [FR Doc. 2016–27371 Filed 11–14–16; 8:45 am]            Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                                                                                                                                                 mechanism to take appropriate remedial
                                                  BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  Change
                                                                                                                                                                 action against a member or an
                                                                                                          1. Purpose                                             associated person that has engaged (or is
                                                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                    The Exchange is proposing to adopt                  engaging) in violative conduct that
                                                  COMMISSION                                              new Rules 9556 and 9800, which were                    could cause continuing harm to the
                                                                                                          previously adopted as a pilot the term                 investing public if not addressed
                                                  [Release No. 34–79260; File No. SR–BX–                                                                         expeditiously, such as dissipation or
                                                  2016–055]                                               of which has since expired, and to make
                                                                                                          related changes to the 9100, 9200, 9300,               conversion of assets. It must be
                                                                                                          9550, and 9800 Rule Series. In May                     emphasized, however, that the cease
                                                  Self-Regulatory Organizations;
                                                                                                          2003, the Commission approved, on a                    and desist provisions contain numerous
                                                  NASDAQ BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
                                                                                                          pilot basis, a rule change to adopt NASD               procedural protections for respondents
                                                  Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
                                                                                                          Rules 9556 and 9800 that gave NASD,                    to ensure that the proceedings are fair.
                                                  Rule Change To Adopt Cease and
                                                                                                          now known as FINRA, authority to issue                 Consequently, the Exchange believes
                                                  Desist Authority Rules
                                                                                                          temporary cease and desist orders and                  that adoption of these rules is important
                                                  November 8, 2016                                        made explicit NASD’s ability to impose                 to its regulatory program,
                                                     Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                  permanent cease and desist orders as a                 notwithstanding that it anticipates
                                                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934                         remedy in disciplinary cases.3 Because                 exercising the authority provided by the
                                                  (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                 NASD was, and now FINRA is, the                        rules sparingly.
                                                  notice is hereby given that on October                  Exchange’s regulatory services provider                   The Exchange is proposing to delete
                                                  28, 2016, NASDAQ BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or                    and administers the Exchange’s                         Rules 9556 and 9800 (and related
                                                  the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the                        disciplinary program under contract, the               references in other rules 6) because the
                                                  Securities and Exchange Commission                      Exchange seeks to maintain                             pilot period for these rules has expired
                                                  (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                      comparability between its disciplinary                 rendering them void, and adopt new
                                                  change as described in Items I and II                   procedure rules and those of NASD and                  Rules 9556 and 9800 (and related
                                                  below, which Items have been prepared                   now FINRA. As a consequence, the                       references in other rules) 7 based on
                                                  by the Exchange. The Commission is                      Exchange adopted Rules 9556 and 9800                   FINRA’s analogous cease and desist
                                                  publishing this notice to solicit                       to mirror the then-FINRA rules to                      rules, which include amendments to the
                                                  comments on the proposed rule change                                                                           former BX cease and desist rules to
                                                                                                          operate as a pilot in conjunction with
                                                  from interested persons.                                                                                       reflect changes that FINRA has made to
                                                                                                          the related FINRA pilot.4
                                                                                                             On June 23, 2009, the Exchange’s Rule               its cease and desist rules in 2011 and
                                                  I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                                                                              2015 after they were made permanent.8
                                                                                                          9556 and 9800 pilot programs expired,
                                                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                                                                         The Exchange is also proposing to
                                                                                                          at which time those rules and certain
                                                  the Proposed Rule Change                                                                                       amend other Rules under the 9000
                                                                                                          references thereto became obsolete,
                                                     The Exchange proposes to adopt                       notwithstanding that they remained in                  Series to incorporate changes that
                                                  Rules 9556 and 9800, which were                         the rulebook. The FINRA pilot program,                 FINRA made to its analogous rules in
                                                  previously adopted as a pilot the term                  however, continued and was approved                      6 The Exchange is deleting text from related
                                                  of which has since expired, and to make                 on July 14, 2009 on a permanent basis.5                provisions of Rules 8310, IM–8310–3(c)(1), 9120(r),
                                                  related changes to the 9100, 9200, 9300,                   Neither the Exchange nor FINRA,                     9241(c), 9290, 9311(b), 9312(b), and 9360 that also
                                                  9550, and 9800 Rule Series.                             acting on behalf of the Exchange                       expired on June 23, 2009 and is inserting new text
                                                     The text of the proposed rule change                 pursuant to agreement, have [sic] used                 identical to what was deleted.
                                                                                                                                                                   7 As a consequence of the expiration of the pilot
                                                  is available on the Exchange’s Web site
                                                                                                                                                                 rendering the existing related rule text void, in
                                                  at http://nasdaqomxbx.cchwall                              3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 47925
                                                                                                                                                                 certain cases the Exchange is deleting the void text
                                                  street.com/, at the principal office of the             (May 23, 2003) (File No. SR–NASD–98–80), 68 FR         and reinserting identical rule text thereafter so the
                                                  Exchange, and at the Commission’s                       33548 (June 4, 2003). See also Securities Exchange     text may have effect once again. For example, the
                                                                                                          Act Release No. 51860 (June 16, 2005), 70 FR 36427     Exchange is deleting Rule 8310(a)(6), concerning
                                                  Public Reference Room.                                  (June 23, 2005) (SR–NASD–2005–061) (extending          imposition of a temporary or permanent cease and
                                                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      the pilot to June 23, 2007 and making non-             desist order, and adopting a new Rule 8310(a)(6)
                                                                                                          substantive changes); and Securities Exchange Act      identical to what was deleted.
                                                  Statement of the Purpose of, and                        Release No. 55819 (May 25, 2007), 72 FR 30895            8 In 2013, FINRA consolidated the publication
                                                  Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  (June 4, 2007) (SR–NASD–2007–033) (extending the       standards for expedited proceeding decisions,
                                                  Change                                                  pilot to June 23, 2009 and making non-substantive      including under FINRA Rule 9556, in FINRA Rule
                                                                                                          changes).                                              8313(a)(3) and consequently amended FINRA Rule
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                                                     In its filing with the Commission, the                  4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59154
                                                                                                                                                                 9556 to remove paragraph (h) ‘‘Notice to
                                                  Exchange included statements                            (December 23, 2008), 73 FR 80468 (December 31,         Membership’’ from the rule. See Securities
                                                  concerning the purpose of and basis for                 2008) (SR–BSE–2008–48).                                Exchange Act Release No. 69825 (June 21, 2013), 78
                                                                                                             5 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60306 (July   FR 38771 (June 27, 2013) (SR–FINRA–2013–018).
                                                  the proposed rule change and discussed
                                                                                                          14, 2009), 74 FR 36292 (July 22, 2009) (SR–FINRA–      The Exchange did not have such a provision in its
                                                                                                          2009–035). The Exchange notes that FINRA, in its       Rule 9556. The Exchange’s disclosure obligations
                                                    54 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                            rule change proposal to make its pilot program         are provided under IM–8310–3, including the
                                                    1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                permanent, noted that it had used the authority        Exchange’s disclosure obligations related to
                                                    2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.                                   under Rules 9556 and 9800 sparingly. Id. at 36293.     expedited proceedings. See IM–8310–3(c).



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Document Created: 2016-11-15 00:48:11
Document Modified: 2016-11-15 00:48:11
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 80101 

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