83_FR_40741 83 FR 40583 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule

83 FR 40583 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 158 (August 15, 2018)

Page Range40583-40587
FR Document2018-17493

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40583-40587]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17493]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83812; File No. SR-MIAX-2018-21]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities 
Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule

August 9, 2018.
    Pursuant to the provisions of Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice 
is hereby given that on July 31, 2018, Miami International Securities 
Exchange LLC (``MIAX Options'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a 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 is filing a proposal to amend the MIAX Options Fee 
Schedule (the ``Fee Schedule'').
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at http://www.miaxoptions.com/rule-filings, at MIAX's principal 
office, 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 aspects of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend the Market Maker Sliding Scale 
(defined below) contained in its Fee Schedule, and assessed to MIAX 
Options Market Makers,\3\ to (i) modify certain volume thresholds, and 
(ii) increase certain Maker (as defined below) fees in certain Tiers 
for options transactions in Penny classes (as defined below) executed 
in the simple order book.
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    \3\ The term ``Market Makers'' refers to Lead Market Makers 
(``LMMs''), Primary Lead Market Makers (``PLMMs''), and Registered 
Market makers (``RMMs'') collectively. See Exchange Rule 100. A 
Directed Order Lead Market Maker (``DLMM'') and Directed Primary 
Lead Market Maker (``DPLMM'') is a party to a transaction being 
allocated to the LMM or PLMM and is the result of an order that has 
been directed to the LMM or PLMM. See Fee Schedule, note 2.
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    Section 1)a)i) of the Fee Schedule sets forth the Exchange's Market 
Maker Sliding Scale for Market Maker Transaction Fees (the ``Sliding 
Scale''). The Sliding Scale assesses a per contract transaction fee on 
a Market Maker for the execution of simple orders and quotes 
(collectively, ``simple orders'') and complex orders and quotes 
(collectively, ``complex orders''). The percentage threshold by tier is 
based on the Market Maker's percentage of total national market maker 
volume in all options classes that trade on the Exchange during a 
particular calendar month, or total aggregated volume (``TAV''), and 
the Exchange aggregates the volume executed by Market Makers in both 
simple orders and complex orders for purposes of determining the 
applicable tier and corresponding per contract transaction fee 
amount.\4\ The Sliding Scale applies to all MIAX Options Market Makers 
for transactions in all products (except for mini-options, for which 
there are separate product fees), with fees established for standard 
option classes in the Penny Pilot Program \5\ (``Penny classes'') and 
separate fees for standard option classes which are not in the Penny 
Pilot

[[Page 40584]]

Program (``non-Penny classes''), and further based on whether the 
Market Maker is acting as a ``Maker'' or a ``Taker'' in simple 
orders.\6\ Market Makers that place resting liquidity, i.e., quotes or 
orders on the MIAX Options System,\7\ are assessed the ``maker'' fee 
(each a ``Maker''). Market Makers that execute against (remove) resting 
liquidity are assessed a higher ``taker'' fee (each a ``Taker''). This 
is distinguished from traditional ``maker-taker'' models where 
``makers'' typically receive a rebate and ``takers'' are assessed a 
fee; the Exchange instead assesses lower transaction fees to ``makers'' 
as compared to ``takers,'' similar to the manner implemented at other 
exchanges.\8\
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    \4\ The calculation of the volume thresholds does not include 
QCC and cQCC Orders, PRIME and cPRIME AOC Responses, and unrelated 
MIAX Market Maker quotes or unrelated MIAX Market Maker orders that 
are received during the Response Time Interval and executed against 
the PRIME Order (``PRIME Participating Quotes or Orders'') and 
unrelated MIAX Market Maker complex quotes or unrelated MIAX Market 
Maker complex orders that are received during the Response Time 
Interval and executed against a cPRIME Order (``cPRIME Participating 
Quote or Order'') (herein ``Excluded Contracts''). See Fee Schedule, 
page 2.
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83515 (June 25, 
2018), 83 FR 30786 (June 29, 2018) (SR-MIAX-2018-12).
    \6\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78519 (August 9, 
2016), 81 FR 54162 (August 15, 2016) (SR-MIAX-2016-21).
    \7\ The term ``System'' means the automated trading system used 
by the Exchange for the trading of securities. See Exchange Rule 
100.
    \8\ The Exchange notes that similar maker-taker pricing is 
implemented at Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE''). See Nasdaq ISE Fee 
Schedule, Section I Regular Order Fees and Rebates.
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    Further, the Exchange provides certain discounted Market Maker 
transaction fees for Members \9\ and their qualified Affiliates \10\ 
that achieve certain volume thresholds through the submission of 
Priority Customer \11\ orders under the Exchange's Priority Customer 
Rebate Program (``PCRP''),\12\ which is set forth on two tables: one 
setting forth the transaction fees applicable to Members and their 
Affiliates that are in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher; and the other 
setting forth the transaction fees applicable to Members and their 
Affiliates that are not in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher. The Sliding 
Scale also includes Maker and Taker fees in both tables in each Tier 
for simple orders in Penny classes and non-Penny classes where the fees 
are discounted/differentiated between the tables.
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    \9\ The term ``Member'' means an individual or organization 
approved to exercise the trading rights associated with a Trading 
Permit. Members are deemed ``members'' under the Exchange Act. See 
Exchange Rule 100.
    \10\ For purposes of the MIAX Options Fee Schedule, the term 
``Affiliate'' means (i) an affiliate of a Member of at least 75% 
common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm's Form 
BD, Schedule A, (``Affiliate''), or (ii) the Appointed Market Maker 
of an Appointed EEM (or, conversely, the Appointed EEM of an 
Appointed Market Maker). An ``Appointed Market Maker'' is a MIAX 
Market Maker (who does not otherwise have a corporate affiliation 
based upon common ownership with an EEM) that has been appointed by 
an EEM and an ``Appointed EEM'' is an EEM (who does not otherwise 
have a corporate affiliation based upon common ownership with a MIAX 
Market Maker) that has been appointed by a MIAX Market Maker, 
pursuant to the following process. A MIAX Market Maker appoints an 
EEM and an EEM appoints a MIAX Market Maker, for the purposes of the 
Fee Schedule, by each completing and sending an executed Volume 
Aggregation Request Form by email to membership@miaxoptions.com no 
later than 2 business days prior to the first business day of the 
month in which the designation is to become effective. Transmittal 
of a validly completed and executed form to the Exchange along with 
the Exchange's acknowledgement of the effective designation to each 
of the Market Maker and EEM will be viewed as acceptance of the 
appointment. The Exchange will only recognize one designation per 
Member. A Member may make a designation not more than once every 12 
months (from the date of its most recent designation), which 
designation shall remain in effect unless or until the Exchange 
receives written notice submitted 2 business days prior to the first 
business day of the month from either Member indicating that the 
appointment has been terminated. Designations will become operative 
on the first business day of the effective month and may not be 
terminated prior to the end of the month. Execution data and reports 
will be provided to both parties. See Fee Schedule, note 1.
    \11\ The term ``Priority Customer'' means a person or entity 
that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) does not 
place more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average 
during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s). A 
``Priority Customer Order'' means an order for the account of a 
Priority Customer. See Exchange Rule 100.
    \12\ Under the PCRP, MIAX Options credits each Member the per 
contract amount resulting from each Priority Customer order 
transmitted by that Member which is executed electronically on the 
Exchange in all multiply-listed option classes (excluding, in simple 
or complex as applicable, QCC and cQCC Orders, mini-options, 
Priority Customer-to-Priority Customer Orders, C2C and cC2C Orders, 
PRIME and cPRIME AOC Responses, PRIME and cPRIME Contra-side Orders, 
PRIME and cPRIME Orders for which both the Agency and Contra-side 
Order are Priority Customers, and executions related to contracts 
that are routed to one or more exchanges in connection with the 
Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan referenced 
in Exchange Rule 1400), provided the Member meets certain percentage 
thresholds in a month as described in the Priority Customer Rebate 
Program table. See Fee Schedule, Section 1)a)iii.
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    The current Sliding Scale tables are as follows:

                                Members and Their Affiliates in Priority Customer Rebate Program Volume Tier 3 or Higher
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                                                                               Simple                                         Complex
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Per contract fee for    Per contract fee for                                Per contract
                                                                penny classes         non-penny classes                                surcharge for
                                                          ------------------------------------------------     Per         Per       removing liquidity
                                 Tier       Percentage                                                      contract    contract     against a resting
                                            thresholds                                                       fee for     fee for     priority customer
                                                                                                              penny     non-penny   complex order on the
                                                              Maker       Taker       Maker       Taker      classes     classes     strategy book for
                                                                                                                                    penny and non-penny
                                                                                                                                          classes
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All MIAX Market Makers.......        1   0.00-0.075......      $0.21       $0.23       $0.25       $0.30       $0.25       $0.29                  $0.10
                                     2   Above 0.075-0.60       0.15        0.22        0.19        0.27        0.19        0.23                   0.10
                                     3   Above 0.60-1.00.       0.08        0.19        0.12        0.23        0.12        0.16                   0.10
                                     4   Above 1.00-1.50.       0.04        0.18        0.08        0.22        0.07        0.11                   0.10
                                     5   Above 1.50......       0.02        0.17        0.06        0.21        0.05        0.09                   0.10
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                              Members and Their Affiliates not in Priority Customer Rebate Program Volume Tier 3 or Higher
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                                                                               Simple                                         Complex
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Per contract fee for    Per contract fee for                                Per contract
                                                                penny classes         non-penny classes                                surcharge for
                                                          ------------------------------------------------     Per         Per       removing liquidity
                                 Tier       Percentage                                                      contract    contract     against a resting
                                            thresholds                                                       fee for     fee for     priority customer
                                                                                                              penny     non-penny   complex order on the
                                                              Maker       Taker       Maker       Taker      classes     classes     strategy book for
                                                                                                                                    penny and non-penny
                                                                                                                                          classes
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All MIAX Market Makers.......        1   0.00-0.075......      $0.23       $0.25       $0.27       $0.32       $0.25       $0.29                  $0.10
                                     2   Above 0.075-0.60       0.17        0.24        0.21        0.29        0.19        0.23                   0.10
                                     3   Above 0.60-1.00.       0.10        0.21        0.14        0.25        0.12        0.16                   0.10
                                     4   Above 1.00-1.50.       0.06        0.20        0.10        0.24        0.07        0.11                   0.10

[[Page 40585]]

 
                                     5   Above 1.50......       0.04        0.19        0.08        0.23        0.05        0.09                   0.10
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    First, the Exchange proposes to modify the monthly volume 
thresholds in the Market Maker Sliding Scale in both the table setting 
forth the transaction fees applicable to Members and their Affiliates 
that are in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher; and in the second table 
setting forth the transaction fees applicable to Members and their 
Affiliates that are not in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher. Specifically, 
the Exchange proposes to adjust the percentage threshold of Tier 2 from 
above 0.075% up to 0.60% of the total monthly volume executed by the 
Member on MIAX Options, not including Excluded Contracts, divided by 
the TAV, to become above 0.075% up to 0.70% of the total monthly volume 
executed by the Member on MIAX Options, not including Excluded 
Contracts, divided by the TAV. The Exchange proposes to adjust the 
percentage threshold of Tier 3 from above 0.60% up to 1.00% of the 
total monthly volume executed by the Member on MIAX Options, not 
including Excluded Contracts, divided by the TAV, to become above 0.70% 
up to 1.10% of the total monthly volume executed by the Member on MIAX, 
not including Excluded Contracts, divided by the TAV. The Exchange 
proposes to adjust the percentage threshold of Tier 4 from above 1.00% 
up to 1.50% of the total monthly volume executed by the Member on MIAX 
Options, not including Excluded Contracts, divided by the TAV, to 
become above 1.10% up to 1.50% of the total monthly volume executed by 
the Member on MIAX Options, not including Excluded Contracts, divided 
by the TAV. The Exchange does not propose any adjustment to the 
percentage thresholds of Tier 1 or Tier 5.
    Second, the Exchange proposes to increase the Maker fees in the 
Market Maker Sliding Scale, in Tiers 2, 3, 4 and 5 for Penny classes, 
for Members and their Affiliates that are in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or 
higher and also for Members and their Affiliates not in PCRP Volume 
Tier 3 or higher. For options transactions in Penny classes by Members 
and their Affiliates that are in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher, the 
Exchange proposes to increase the Maker fee in Tier 2 from $0.15 to 
$0.16, in Tier 3 from $0.08 to $0.10, in Tier 4 from $0.04 to $0.05 and 
in Tier 5 from $0.02 to $0.03. For options transactions in Penny 
classes by Members and their Affiliates that are not in PCRP Volume 
Tier 3 or higher, the Exchange proposes to increase the Maker fee in 
Tier 2 from $0.17 to $0.18, in Tier 3 from $0.10 to $0.12, in Tier 4 
from $0.06 to $0.07 and in Tier 5 from $0.04 to $0.05.
    With all proposed changes Section 1)a)i of the Fee Schedule shall 
be the following:

                                Members and Their Affiliates in Priority Customer Rebate Program Volume Tier 3 or Higher
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                                                                               Simple                                         Complex
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Per contract fee for    Per contract fee for                                Per contract
                                            Percentage          penny classes         non-penny classes        Per         Per     surcharge for trading
                                 Tier       thresholds    ------------------------------------------------  contract    contract     against a priority
                                                                                                             fee for     fee for      customer complex
                                                             Maker *      Taker      Maker *      Taker       penny     non-penny   order for penny and
                                                                                                             classes     classes     non-penny classes
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All MIAX Market Makers.......        1   0.00-0.075......      $0.21       $0.23       $0.25       $0.30       $0.25       $0.32                  $0.12
                                     2   Above 0.075-0.70       0.16        0.22        0.19        0.27        0.24        0.29                   0.12
                                     3   Above 0.70-1.10.       0.10        0.19        0.12        0.23        0.21        0.25                   0.12
                                     4   Above 1.10-1.50.       0.05        0.18        0.08        0.22        0.20        0.24                   0.12
                                     5   Above 1.50......       0.03        0.17        0.06        0.21        0.19        0.23                   0.12
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                              Members and Their Affiliates Not in Priority Customer Rebate Program Volume Tier 3 or Higher
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Simple                                         Complex
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Per contract fee for    Per contract fee for                                Per contract
                                            Percentage          penny classes         non-penny classes        Per         Per     surcharge for trading
                                 Tier       thresholds    ------------------------------------------------  contract    contract     against a priority
                                                                                                             fee for     fee for      customer complex
                                                             Maker *      Taker      Maker *      Taker       penny     non-penny   order for penny and
                                                                                                             classes     classes     non-penny classes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All MIAX Market Makers.......        1   0.00-0.075......       0.23        0.25        0.27        0.32        0.25        0.32                   0.12
                                     2   Above 0.075-0.70       0.18        0.24        0.21        0.29        0.24        0.29                   0.12
                                     3   Above 0.70-1.10.       0.12        0.21        0.14        0.25        0.21        0.25                   0.12
                                     4   Above 1.10-1.50.       0.07        0.20        0.10        0.24        0.20        0.24                   0.12
                                     5   Above 1.50......       0.05        0.19        0.08        0.23        0.19        0.23                   0.12
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[[Page 40586]]

    The proposed rule change is scheduled to become operative August 1, 
2018.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its fee schedule 
is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \13\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,\14\ in that it 
is an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges 
among Exchange members and issuers and other persons using its 
facilities. The Exchange also believes the proposal furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\15\ in that it is designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a 
free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to 
protect investors and the public interest and is not designed to permit 
unfair discrimination between customer, issuers, brokers and dealers.
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f (b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to the Tier 
percentage thresholds in the Market Maker Sliding Scale are consistent 
with Section 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act in that they are fair, 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because they apply equally to 
all MIAX Options Market Makers. All MIAX Options Market Makers are 
subject to the same fee schedule, and access to the Exchange is offered 
on terms that are not unfairly discriminatory.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to the Tier 
percentage thresholds in the Market Maker Sliding Scale are consistent 
with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act in that they promote equitable access 
to the Exchange for all market participants. To the extent that MIAX 
Options Marker Maker volume is increased by the proposal, market 
participants will increasingly compete for the opportunity to trade on 
the Exchange including sending more orders and quotes to the Exchange. 
The resulting increased volume and liquidity will benefit all Exchange 
participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter 
spreads.
    The specific percentage thresholds of the Tiers for Market Makers 
as well as the fees are set based upon business determinations and an 
analysis of current volume levels. The Exchange believes that the 
proposed Maker fees are generally within the range of fees at other 
exchanges that have a comparable pricing structure.\16\ The percentage 
thresholds are intended to continue to incentivize MIAX Options Market 
Makers to increase the number of orders and quotes they send to the 
Exchange so that they can achieve the next threshold, and to encourage 
all market participants to send more orders and quotes as well. 
Increasing the number of orders and quotes sent to the Exchange will in 
turn provide tighter and more liquid markets, and therefore attract 
more business overall. Similarly, the different fees at the different 
Tier levels are based on an analysis of current revenue and volume 
levels and are intended to provide continued incentives to MIAX Options 
Market Makers to increase the volume of orders and quotes sent to, and 
contracts executed on, the Exchange. The specific volume thresholds of 
the Tiers and rates are set in order to encourage MIAX Options Market 
Makers to continue to reach for higher tiers.
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    \16\ See NYSE American LLC (``NYSE American'') Fee Schedule, p. 
11. The NYSE American Market Maker Sliding Scale Tier 1 percentage 
threshold is from 0.00% to 0.20%, with a per contract non-take 
volume fee of $0.25 and a per contract take volume fee of $0.25, the 
Tier 2 percentage threshold is from greater than 0.20% to 0.65%, 
with a per contract non-take volume fee of $0.22 and a per contract 
take volume fee of $0.24, the Tier 3 percentage threshold is from 
greater than 0.65% to 1.40%, with a per contract non-take volume fee 
of $0.12 and a per contract take volume fee of $0.17, the Tier 4 
percentage threshold is from greater than 1.40% to 2.00%, with a per 
contract non-take volume fee of $0.09 and a per contract take volume 
fee of $0.14, and the Tier 5 percentage threshold is greater than 
2.020%, with a per contract non-take volume fee of $0.06 and a per 
contract take volume fee of $0.09. See also Cboe Exchange, Inc. 
(``CBOE'') Fees Schedule, p. 3. The CBOE Liquidity Provider Sliding 
Scale Tier 1 percentage threshold is from 0.00% to 0.05%, with a 
transaction fee per contract of $0.23, the Tier 2 percentage 
threshold is from above 0.05% to 0.80%, with a transaction fee per 
contract of $0.17, the Tier 3 percentage threshold is from above 
0.80% to 1.50%, with a transaction fee per contract of $0.10, the 
Tier 4 percentage threshold is from above 1.50% to 2.25%, with a 
transaction fee per contract of $0.05, and the Tier 5 percentage 
threshold is above 2.25%, with a transaction fee per contract of 
$0.03.
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    The proposed Maker fee increases in Penny Classes for simple orders 
in the specified Tiers is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because all similarly situated MIAX Options Market 
Makers are subject to the same tiered fees and access to the Exchange 
is offered on terms that are not unfairly discriminatory. For 
competitive and business reasons, the Exchange has kept its Maker fees 
for simple orders in Penny Classes lower than certain other options 
exchanges that operate comparable pricing models.\17\ The Exchange now 
believes that it is appropriate to increase those Maker fees so that 
they are more in line with other exchanges, and will still remain 
highly competitive such that they should enable the Exchange to 
continue to attract order flow and grow market share. While 
distinguished from the traditional ``maker-taker'' fee model under 
which an exchange pays a per-contract rebate to their members to 
encourage them to place resting liquidity by providing quotes and 
orders (``maker'') on their trading systems and assessing a fee that 
executes against a resting order (``taker''), the Exchange assesses a 
reduced fee for ``makers'' as compared to ``takers'' rather than giving 
the ``maker'' a rebate. Further, Exchange's proposal to assess a higher 
Maker fee is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
because this would narrow the difference between the Maker and Taker 
fees, which would in turn benefit the public and investors by 
encouraging Market Makers to provide more order flow.
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    \17\ Id.
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed fee structure is 
intended to promote narrower spreads and encourage the posting of 
liquidity (instead of taking liquidity), and thus should promote better 
prices. The Exchange believes that the proposed changes in the Tier 
structure in the Market Maker Sliding Scale should continue to 
encourage the provision of liquidity that enhances the quality of the 
Exchange's markets and increases the number of trading opportunities on 
MIAX Options for all participants who will be able to compete for such 
opportunities. The proposed rule change should enable the Exchange to 
continue to attract and compete for order flow with other exchanges. 
However, this competition does not create an undue burden on 
competition but rather offers all market participants the opportunity 
to receive the benefit of competitive pricing.
    The proposed Maker fee increases are intended to keep the 
Exchange's fees highly competitive with those of other exchanges, and 
to encourage liquidity and should enable the Exchange to continue to 
attract and compete for order flow with other exchanges which offer 
comparable Maker fees.
    The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market 
in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they 
deem fee

[[Page 40587]]

levels at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, 
the Exchange must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive 
with other exchanges and to attract order flow. The Exchange believes 
that the proposed rule changes reflect this competitive environment 
because they modify the Exchange's fees in a manner that encourages 
market participants to provide liquidity and to send order flow to the 
Exchange rather than remove liquidity from the market place.

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,\18\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) \19\ thereunder. 
At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, 
the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it 
appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate 
in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such 
action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether 
the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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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 rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-MIAX-2018-21 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-MIAX-2018-21. 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 website (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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-MIAX-2018-21, and should be submitted on 
or before September 5, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-17493 Filed 8-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Notices                                                      40583

                                               annual burden-hours incurred,                             Dated: August 9, 2018.                                A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               approximately 8 hours would be spent                    Eduardo A. Aleman,                                      Statement of the Purpose of, and
                                               by administrative assistants at an hourly               Assistant Secretary.                                    Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
                                               rate of $82, and approximately 4 hours                  [FR Doc. 2018–17488 Filed 8–14–18; 8:45 am]             Change
                                               would be spent by internal counsel at an                BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                  1. Purpose
                                               hourly rate of $422, for a total
                                               annualized internal cost of compliance                                                                             The Exchange proposes to amend the
                                               of $2,344 for each of the covered entities              SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                 Market Maker Sliding Scale (defined
                                               (8 × $82 = $656; 4 × $422 = $1,688; $656                COMMISSION                                              below) contained in its Fee Schedule,
                                               + $1,688 = $2,344). Hourly cost of                                                                              and assessed to MIAX Options Market
                                               compliance estimates for administrative                                                                         Makers,3 to (i) modify certain volume
                                                                                                       [Release No. 34–83812; File No. SR–MIAX–                thresholds, and (ii) increase certain
                                               assistant time are derived from the                     2018–21]
                                               Securities Industry and Financial                                                                               Maker (as defined below) fees in certain
                                               Markets Association’s Office Salaries in                Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami                    Tiers for options transactions in Penny
                                               the Securities Industry 2013, modified                  International Securities Exchange LLC;                  classes (as defined below) executed in
                                               by SEC staff to account for an 1,800-                   Notice of Filing and Immediate                          the simple order book.
                                               hour work-year and multiplied by 2.93                                                                              Section 1)a)i) of the Fee Schedule sets
                                                                                                       Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
                                               to account for bonuses, firm size,                                                                              forth the Exchange’s Market Maker
                                                                                                       Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule
                                               employee benefits and overhead. Hourly                                                                          Sliding Scale for Market Maker
                                               cost of compliance estimates for internal               August 9, 2018.                                         Transaction Fees (the ‘‘Sliding Scale’’).
                                               counsel time are derived from the                          Pursuant to the provisions of Section                The Sliding Scale assesses a per contract
                                               Securities Industry and Financial                       19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act                 transaction fee on a Market Maker for
                                                                                                       of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4                      the execution of simple orders and
                                               Markets Association’s Management &
                                                                                                       thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that                quotes (collectively, ‘‘simple orders’’)
                                               Professional Earnings in the Securities
                                                                                                       on July 31, 2018, Miami International                   and complex orders and quotes
                                               Industry 2013, modified by SEC staff to
                                                                                                       Securities Exchange LLC (‘‘MIAX                         (collectively, ‘‘complex orders’’). The
                                               account for an 1,800-hour work-year
                                                                                                       Options’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the               percentage threshold by tier is based on
                                               and multiplied by 5.35 to account for
                                                                                                       Securities and Exchange Commission                      the Market Maker’s percentage of total
                                               bonuses, firm size, employee benefits,
                                                                                                       (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change                 national market maker volume in all
                                               and overhead. Accordingly, SEC staff
                                                                                                                                                               options classes that trade on the
                                               estimates that the total annualized                     as described in Items I, II, and III below,
                                                                                                                                                               Exchange during a particular calendar
                                               internal cost of compliance for the                     which Items have been prepared by the
                                                                                                                                                               month, or total aggregated volume
                                               estimated total hour burden for the                     Exchange. The Commission is
                                                                                                                                                               (‘‘TAV’’), and the Exchange aggregates
                                               approximately 20,465 covered entities                   publishing this notice to solicit
                                                                                                                                                               the volume executed by Market Makers
                                               subject to the Rule is approximately                    comments on the proposed rule change
                                                                                                                                                               in both simple orders and complex
                                               $47,969,960 ($2,344 × 20,465 =                          from interested persons.
                                                                                                                                                               orders for purposes of determining the
                                               $47,969,960).                                           I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       applicable tier and corresponding per
                                                 Written comments are invited on: (a)                  Statement of the Terms of Substance of                  contract transaction fee amount.4 The
                                               Whether the proposed collection of                      the Proposed Rule Change                                Sliding Scale applies to all MIAX
                                               information is necessary for the proper                                                                         Options Market Makers for transactions
                                               performance of the functions of the                        The Exchange is filing a proposal to                 in all products (except for mini-options,
                                               Commission, including whether the                       amend the MIAX Options Fee Schedule                     for which there are separate product
                                               information shall have practical utility;               (the ‘‘Fee Schedule’’).                                 fees), with fees established for standard
                                               (b) the accuracy of the Commission’s                       The text of the proposed rule change                 option classes in the Penny Pilot
                                               estimates of the burden of the proposed                 is available on the Exchange’s website at               Program 5 (‘‘Penny classes’’) and
                                               collection of information; (c) ways to                  http://www.miaxoptions.com/rule-                        separate fees for standard option classes
                                               enhance the quality, utility, and clarity               filings, at MIAX’s principal office, and                which are not in the Penny Pilot
                                               of the information collected; and (d)                   at the Commission’s Public Reference
                                               ways to minimize the burden of the                      Room.                                                      3 The term ‘‘Market Makers’’ refers to Lead Market

                                               collection of information on                                                                                    Makers (‘‘LMMs’’), Primary Lead Market Makers
                                               respondents, including through the use                  II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                      (‘‘PLMMs’’), and Registered Market makers
                                               of automated collection techniques or                   Statement of the Purpose of, and                        (‘‘RMMs’’) collectively. See Exchange Rule 100. A
                                                                                                       Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                  Directed Order Lead Market Maker (‘‘DLMM’’) and
                                               other forms of information technology.                                                                          Directed Primary Lead Market Maker (‘‘DPLMM’’) is
                                               Consideration will be given to                          Change                                                  a party to a transaction being allocated to the LMM
                                               comments and suggestions submitted in                                                                           or PLMM and is the result of an order that has been
                                                                                                         In its filing with the Commission, the                directed to the LMM or PLMM. See Fee Schedule,
                                               writing within 60 days of this                          Exchange included statements                            note 2.
                                               publication.                                            concerning the purpose of and basis for                    4 The calculation of the volume thresholds does

                                                 An agency may not conduct or                          the proposed rule change and discussed                  not include QCC and cQCC Orders, PRIME and
                                               sponsor, and a person is not required to                                                                        cPRIME AOC Responses, and unrelated MIAX
                                                                                                       any comments it received on the                         Market Maker quotes or unrelated MIAX Market
                                               respond to, a collection of information                 proposed rule change. The text of these                 Maker orders that are received during the Response
                                               under the PRA unless it displays a                      statements may be examined at the                       Time Interval and executed against the PRIME
                                               currently valid OMB control number.                     places specified in Item IV below. The                  Order (‘‘PRIME Participating Quotes or Orders’’)
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                               and unrelated MIAX Market Maker complex quotes
                                                 Please direct your written comments                   Exchange has prepared summaries, set                    or unrelated MIAX Market Maker complex orders
                                               to: Pamela Dyson, Director/Chief                        forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                 that are received during the Response Time Interval
                                               Information Officer, Securities and                     the most significant aspects of such                    and executed against a cPRIME Order (‘‘cPRIME
                                               Exchange Commission, c/o Candace                        statements.                                             Participating Quote or Order’’) (herein ‘‘Excluded
                                                                                                                                                               Contracts’’). See Fee Schedule, page 2.
                                               Kenner, 100 F Street NE, Washington,                                                                               5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83515
                                               DC 20549, or send an email to: PRA_                       1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                              (June 25, 2018), 83 FR 30786 (June 29, 2018) (SR–
                                               Mailbox@sec.gov.                                          2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                 MIAX–2018–12).



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                                               40584                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Notices

                                               Program (‘‘non-Penny classes’’), and                           assessed a fee; the Exchange instead                         applicable to Members and their
                                               further based on whether the Market                            assesses lower transaction fees to                           Affiliates that are in PCRP Volume Tier
                                               Maker is acting as a ‘‘Maker’’ or a                            ‘‘makers’’ as compared to ‘‘takers,’’                        3 or higher; and the other setting forth
                                               ‘‘Taker’’ in simple orders.6 Market                            similar to the manner implemented at                         the transaction fees applicable to
                                               Makers that place resting liquidity, i.e.,                     other exchanges.8                                            Members and their Affiliates that are not
                                               quotes or orders on the MIAX Options                              Further, the Exchange provides                            in PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher. The
                                               System,7 are assessed the ‘‘maker’’ fee                        certain discounted Market Maker                              Sliding Scale also includes Maker and
                                               (each a ‘‘Maker’’). Market Makers that                         transaction fees for Members 9 and their                     Taker fees in both tables in each Tier for
                                                                                                              qualified Affiliates 10 that achieve
                                               execute against (remove) resting                                                                                            simple orders in Penny classes and non-
                                                                                                              certain volume thresholds through the
                                               liquidity are assessed a higher ‘‘taker’’                                                                                   Penny classes where the fees are
                                                                                                              submission of Priority Customer 11
                                               fee (each a ‘‘Taker’’). This is                                orders under the Exchange’s Priority                         discounted/differentiated between the
                                               distinguished from traditional ‘‘maker-                        Customer Rebate Program (‘‘PCRP’’),12                        tables.
                                               taker’’ models where ‘‘makers’’ typically                      which is set forth on two tables: one                          The current Sliding Scale tables are as
                                               receive a rebate and ‘‘takers’’ are                            setting forth the transaction fees                           follows:
                                                           MEMBERS AND THEIR AFFILIATES IN PRIORITY CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAM VOLUME TIER 3 OR HIGHER
                                                                                                                                                     Simple                                         Complex

                                                                                                                               Per contract fee for       Per contract fee for                               Per contract sur-
                                                                                                                                 penny classes            non-penny classes                       Per     charge for removing
                                                                                                                                                                                       Per     contract     liquidity against a
                                                                             Tier         Percentage thresholds                                                                     contract    fee for       resting priority
                                                                                                                                                                                     fee for     non-      customer complex
                                                                                                                                                                                     penny
                                                                                                                               Maker         Taker        Maker         Taker                   penny     order on the strategy
                                                                                                                                                                                    classes    classes     book for penny and
                                                                                                                                                                                                           non-penny classes

                                               All MIAX Market Makers          1      0.00–0.075 ...........................   $0.21         $0.23        $0.25         $0.30        $0.25      $0.29            $0.10
                                                                               2      Above 0.075–0.60 ................         0.15         0.22          0.19          0.27        0.19        0.23             0.10
                                                                               3      Above 0.60–1.00 ..................       0.08          0.19          0.12          0.23        0.12        0.16             0.10
                                                                               4      Above 1.00–1.50 ..................       0.04          0.18          0.08          0.22        0.07        0.11             0.10
                                                                               5      Above 1.50 ...........................    0.02          0.17         0.06          0.21         0.05       0.09             0.10


                                                       MEMBERS AND THEIR AFFILIATES NOT IN PRIORITY CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAM VOLUME TIER 3 OR HIGHER
                                                                                                                                                     Simple                                         Complex

                                                                                                                               Per contract fee for       Per contract fee for                               Per contract sur-
                                                                                                                                 penny classes            non-penny classes                       Per     charge for removing
                                                                                                                                                                                       Per     contract     liquidity against a
                                                                             Tier         Percentage thresholds                                                                     contract    fee for       resting priority
                                                                                                                                                                                     fee for     non-      customer complex
                                                                                                                                                                                     penny
                                                                                                                               Maker         Taker        Maker         Taker                   penny     order on the strategy
                                                                                                                                                                                    classes    classes     book for penny and
                                                                                                                                                                                                           non-penny classes

                                               All MIAX Market Makers          1      0.00–0.075 ...........................   $0.23         $0.25        $0.27         $0.32        $0.25      $0.29            $0.10
                                                                               2      Above 0.075–0.60 ................         0.17         0.24          0.21          0.29        0.19        0.23             0.10
                                                                               3      Above 0.60–1.00 ..................       0.10          0.21          0.14          0.25        0.12        0.16             0.10
                                                                               4      Above 1.00–1.50 ..................       0.06          0.20          0.10          0.24        0.07        0.11             0.10

                                                  6 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78519             based upon common ownership with a MIAX                        11 The term ‘‘Priority Customer’’ means a person

                                               (August 9, 2016), 81 FR 54162 (August 15, 2016)                Market Maker) that has been appointed by a MIAX              or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in
                                               (SR–MIAX–2016–21).                                             Market Maker, pursuant to the following process. A           securities, and (ii) does not place more than 390
                                                  7 The term ‘‘System’’ means the automated                   MIAX Market Maker appoints an EEM and an EEM                 orders in listed options per day on average during
                                               trading system used by the Exchange for the trading            appoints a MIAX Market Maker, for the purposes               a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s).
                                               of securities. See Exchange Rule 100.                          of the Fee Schedule, by each completing and                  A ‘‘Priority Customer Order’’ means an order for the
                                                  8 The Exchange notes that similar maker-taker               sending an executed Volume Aggregation Request               account of a Priority Customer. See Exchange Rule
                                                                                                              Form by email to membership@miaxoptions.com no               100.
                                               pricing is implemented at Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’).
                                                                                                              later than 2 business days prior to the first business         12 Under the PCRP, MIAX Options credits each
                                               See Nasdaq ISE Fee Schedule, Section I Regular
                                                                                                              day of the month in which the designation is to
                                               Order Fees and Rebates.                                                                                                     Member the per contract amount resulting from
                                                                                                              become effective. Transmittal of a validly
                                                  9 The term ‘‘Member’’ means an individual or                                                                             each Priority Customer order transmitted by that
                                                                                                              completed and executed form to the Exchange along
                                               organization approved to exercise the trading rights           with the Exchange’s acknowledgement of the                   Member which is executed electronically on the
                                               associated with a Trading Permit. Members are                  effective designation to each of the Market Maker            Exchange in all multiply-listed option classes
                                               deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See                 and EEM will be viewed as acceptance of the                  (excluding, in simple or complex as applicable,
                                               Exchange Rule 100.                                             appointment. The Exchange will only recognize one            QCC and cQCC Orders, mini-options, Priority
                                                  10 For purposes of the MIAX Options Fee
                                                                                                              designation per Member. A Member may make a                  Customer-to-Priority Customer Orders, C2C and
                                               Schedule, the term ‘‘Affiliate’’ means (i) an affiliate        designation not more than once every 12 months               cC2C Orders, PRIME and cPRIME AOC Responses,
                                               of a Member of at least 75% common ownership                   (from the date of its most recent designation), which        PRIME and cPRIME Contra-side Orders, PRIME and
                                               between the firms as reflected on each firm’s Form             designation shall remain in effect unless or until the       cPRIME Orders for which both the Agency and
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               BD, Schedule A, (‘‘Affiliate’’), or (ii) the Appointed         Exchange receives written notice submitted 2                 Contra-side Order are Priority Customers, and
                                               Market Maker of an Appointed EEM (or, conversely,              business days prior to the first business day of the         executions related to contracts that are routed to
                                               the Appointed EEM of an Appointed Market                       month from either Member indicating that the                 one or more exchanges in connection with the
                                               Maker). An ‘‘Appointed Market Maker’’ is a MIAX                appointment has been terminated. Designations will           Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed
                                               Market Maker (who does not otherwise have a                    become operative on the first business day of the            Market Plan referenced in Exchange Rule 1400),
                                               corporate affiliation based upon common                        effective month and may not be terminated prior to           provided the Member meets certain percentage
                                               ownership with an EEM) that has been appointed                 the end of the month. Execution data and reports             thresholds in a month as described in the Priority
                                               by an EEM and an ‘‘Appointed EEM’’ is an EEM                   will be provided to both parties. See Fee Schedule,          Customer Rebate Program table. See Fee Schedule,
                                               (who does not otherwise have a corporate affiliation           note 1.                                                      Section 1)a)iii.



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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Notices                                                                     40585

                                                     MEMBERS AND THEIR AFFILIATES NOT IN PRIORITY CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAM VOLUME TIER 3 OR HIGHER—
                                                                                                  Continued
                                                                                                                                                    Simple                                           Complex

                                                                                                                              Per contract fee for       Per contract fee for                                  Per contract sur-
                                                                                                                                penny classes            non-penny classes                         Per      charge for removing
                                                                                                                                                                                      Per       contract      liquidity against a
                                                                            Tier         Percentage thresholds                                                                     contract      fee for        resting priority
                                                                                                                                                                                    fee for       non-       customer complex
                                                                                                                                                                                    penny
                                                                                                                              Maker         Taker        Maker         Taker                     penny      order on the strategy
                                                                                                                                                                                   classes      classes      book for penny and
                                                                                                                                                                                                             non-penny classes

                                                                             5       Above 1.50 ...........................     0.04        0.19             0.08      0.23          0.05         0.09               0.10



                                                  First, the Exchange proposes to                            above 0.60% up to 1.00% of the total                         Maker Sliding Scale, in Tiers 2, 3, 4 and
                                               modify the monthly volume thresholds                          monthly volume executed by the                               5 for Penny classes, for Members and
                                               in the Market Maker Sliding Scale in                          Member on MIAX Options, not                                  their Affiliates that are in PCRP Volume
                                               both the table setting forth the                              including Excluded Contracts, divided                        Tier 3 or higher and also for Members
                                               transaction fees applicable to Members                        by the TAV, to become above 0.70% up                         and their Affiliates not in PCRP Volume
                                               and their Affiliates that are in PCRP                         to 1.10% of the total monthly volume                         Tier 3 or higher. For options
                                               Volume Tier 3 or higher; and in the                           executed by the Member on MIAX, not                          transactions in Penny classes by
                                               second table setting forth the transaction                    including Excluded Contracts, divided                        Members and their Affiliates that are in
                                               fees applicable to Members and their                          by the TAV. The Exchange proposes to                         PCRP Volume Tier 3 or higher, the
                                               Affiliates that are not in PCRP Volume                        adjust the percentage threshold of Tier                      Exchange proposes to increase the
                                               Tier 3 or higher. Specifically, the                           4 from above 1.00% up to 1.50% of the                        Maker fee in Tier 2 from $0.15 to $0.16,
                                               Exchange proposes to adjust the                               total monthly volume executed by the                         in Tier 3 from $0.08 to $0.10, in Tier 4
                                               percentage threshold of Tier 2 from                           Member on MIAX Options, not                                  from $0.04 to $0.05 and in Tier 5 from
                                               above 0.075% up to 0.60% of the total                         including Excluded Contracts, divided                        $0.02 to $0.03. For options transactions
                                               monthly volume executed by the                                by the TAV, to become above 1.10% up                         in Penny classes by Members and their
                                               Member on MIAX Options, not                                   to 1.50% of the total monthly volume                         Affiliates that are not in PCRP Volume
                                               including Excluded Contracts, divided                         executed by the Member on MIAX                               Tier 3 or higher, the Exchange proposes
                                               by the TAV, to become above 0.075%                            Options, not including Excluded                              to increase the Maker fee in Tier 2 from
                                               up to 0.70% of the total monthly                              Contracts, divided by the TAV. The                           $0.17 to $0.18, in Tier 3 from $0.10 to
                                               volume executed by the Member on                              Exchange does not propose any                                $0.12, in Tier 4 from $0.06 to $0.07 and
                                               MIAX Options, not including Excluded                          adjustment to the percentage thresholds                      in Tier 5 from $0.04 to $0.05.
                                               Contracts, divided by the TAV. The                            of Tier 1 or Tier 5.                                            With all proposed changes Section
                                               Exchange proposes to adjust the                                  Second, the Exchange proposes to                          1)a)i of the Fee Schedule shall be the
                                               percentage threshold of Tier 3 from                           increase the Maker fees in the Market                        following:
                                                          MEMBERS AND THEIR AFFILIATES IN PRIORITY CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAM VOLUME TIER 3 OR HIGHER
                                                                                                                                                    Simple                                           Complex

                                                                                                                              Per contract fee for       Per contract fee for                      Per        Per contract sur-
                                                                                                                                                                                      Per
                                                                                                                                penny classes            non-penny classes                      contract      charge for trading
                                                                            Tier         Percentage thresholds                                                                     contract      fee for    against a priority cus-
                                                                                                                                                                                    fee for       non-      tomer complex order
                                                                                                                                                                                    penny
                                                                                                                              Maker *       Taker        Maker *       Taker       classes       penny       for penny and non-
                                                                                                                                                                                                classes         penny classes

                                               All MIAX Market Makers        1       0.00–0.075 ...........................   $0.21         $0.23        $0.25         $0.30         $0.25       $0.32              $0.12
                                                                             2       Above 0.075–0.70 ................         0.16         0.22          0.19          0.27         0.24         0.29               0.12
                                                                             3       Above 0.70–1.10 ..................       0.10          0.19          0.12          0.23         0.21         0.25               0.12
                                                                             4       Above 1.10–1.50 ..................       0.05          0.18          0.08          0.22         0.20         0.24               0.12
                                                                             5       Above 1.50 ...........................    0.03          0.17         0.06          0.21          0.19        0.23               0.12


                                                       MEMBERS AND THEIR AFFILIATES NOT IN PRIORITY CUSTOMER REBATE PROGRAM VOLUME TIER 3 OR HIGHER
                                                                                                                                                    Simple                                           Complex

                                                                                                                              Per contract fee for       Per contract fee for                                 Per contract sur-
                                                                                                                                                                                                Per con-
                                                                                                                                penny classes            non-penny classes          Per con-                  charge for trading
                                                                            Tier         Percentage thresholds                                                                                  tract fee
                                                                                                                                                                                    tract fee               against a priority cus-
                                                                                                                                                                                                for non-
                                                                                                                                                                                   for penny                tomer complex order
                                                                                                                                                                                                  penny
                                                                                                                              Maker *       Taker        Maker *       Taker         classes                 for penny and non-
                                                                                                                                                                                                 classes        penny classes
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               All MIAX Market Makers        1       0.00–0.075 ...........................     0.23        0.25             0.27      0.32          0.25         0.32               0.12
                                                                             2       Above 0.075–0.70 ................          0.18        0.24             0.21      0.29          0.24         0.29               0.12
                                                                             3       Above 0.70–1.10 ..................         0.12        0.21             0.14      0.25          0.21         0.25               0.12
                                                                             4       Above 1.10–1.50 ..................         0.07        0.20             0.10      0.24          0.20         0.24               0.12
                                                                             5       Above 1.50 ...........................     0.05        0.19             0.08      0.23          0.19         0.23               0.12




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                                               40586                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Notices

                                                  The proposed rule change is                           believes that the proposed Maker fees                   appropriate to increase those Maker fees
                                               scheduled to become operative August                     are generally within the range of fees at               so that they are more in line with other
                                               1, 2018.                                                 other exchanges that have a comparable                  exchanges, and will still remain highly
                                                                                                        pricing structure.16 The percentage                     competitive such that they should
                                               2. Statutory Basis
                                                                                                        thresholds are intended to continue to                  enable the Exchange to continue to
                                                  The Exchange believes that its                        incentivize MIAX Options Market                         attract order flow and grow market
                                               proposal to amend its fee schedule is                    Makers to increase the number of orders                 share. While distinguished from the
                                               consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 13               and quotes they send to the Exchange so                 traditional ‘‘maker-taker’’ fee model
                                               in general, and furthers the objectives of               that they can achieve the next threshold,               under which an exchange pays a per-
                                               Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,14 in that it is              and to encourage all market participants                contract rebate to their members to
                                               an equitable allocation of reasonable                    to send more orders and quotes as well.                 encourage them to place resting
                                               dues, fees and other charges among                       Increasing the number of orders and                     liquidity by providing quotes and orders
                                               Exchange members and issuers and                         quotes sent to the Exchange will in turn                (‘‘maker’’) on their trading systems and
                                               other persons using its facilities. The                  provide tighter and more liquid markets,                assessing a fee that executes against a
                                               Exchange also believes the proposal                      and therefore attract more business                     resting order (‘‘taker’’), the Exchange
                                               furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)               overall. Similarly, the different fees at               assesses a reduced fee for ‘‘makers’’ as
                                               of the Act,15 in that it is designed to                  the different Tier levels are based on an               compared to ‘‘takers’’ rather than giving
                                               prevent fraudulent and manipulative                      analysis of current revenue and volume                  the ‘‘maker’’ a rebate. Further,
                                               acts and practices, to promote just and                  levels and are intended to provide                      Exchange’s proposal to assess a higher
                                               equitable principles of trade, to foster                 continued incentives to MIAX Options                    Maker fee is reasonable, equitable and
                                               cooperation and coordination with                        Market Makers to increase the volume of                 not unfairly discriminatory because this
                                               persons engaged in facilitating                          orders and quotes sent to, and contracts                would narrow the difference between
                                               transactions in securities, to remove                    executed on, the Exchange. The specific                 the Maker and Taker fees, which would
                                               impediments to and perfect the                           volume thresholds of the Tiers and rates                in turn benefit the public and investors
                                               mechanisms of a free and open market                     are set in order to encourage MIAX                      by encouraging Market Makers to
                                               and a national market system and, in                     Options Market Makers to continue to                    provide more order flow.
                                               general, to protect investors and the                    reach for higher tiers.
                                                                                                           The proposed Maker fee increases in                  B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
                                               public interest and is not designed to
                                                                                                        Penny Classes for simple orders in the                  Statement on Burden on Competition
                                               permit unfair discrimination between
                                               customer, issuers, brokers and dealers.                  specified Tiers is reasonable, equitable                   The Exchange does not believe that
                                                  The Exchange believes that the                        and not unfairly discriminatory because                 the proposed rule change will impose
                                               proposed changes to the Tier percentage                  all similarly situated MIAX Options                     any burden on competition not
                                               thresholds in the Market Maker Sliding                   Market Makers are subject to the same                   necessary or appropriate in furtherance
                                               Scale are consistent with Section 6(b)(4)                tiered fees and access to the Exchange                  of the purposes of the Act. The
                                               and 6(b)(5) of the Act in that they are                  is offered on terms that are not unfairly               proposed fee structure is intended to
                                               fair, equitable and not unfairly                         discriminatory. For competitive and                     promote narrower spreads and
                                               discriminatory because they apply                        business reasons, the Exchange has kept                 encourage the posting of liquidity
                                               equally to all MIAX Options Market                       its Maker fees for simple orders in                     (instead of taking liquidity), and thus
                                               Makers. All MIAX Options Market                          Penny Classes lower than certain other                  should promote better prices. The
                                               Makers are subject to the same fee                       options exchanges that operate                          Exchange believes that the proposed
                                               schedule, and access to the Exchange is                  comparable pricing models.17 The                        changes in the Tier structure in the
                                               offered on terms that are not unfairly                   Exchange now believes that it is                        Market Maker Sliding Scale should
                                               discriminatory.                                                                                                  continue to encourage the provision of
                                                  The Exchange believes that the                           16 See NYSE American LLC (‘‘NYSE American’’)         liquidity that enhances the quality of
                                               proposed changes to the Tier percentage                  Fee Schedule, p. 11. The NYSE American Market           the Exchange’s markets and increases
                                                                                                        Maker Sliding Scale Tier 1 percentage threshold is      the number of trading opportunities on
                                               thresholds in the Market Maker Sliding                   from 0.00% to 0.20%, with a per contract non-take
                                               Scale are consistent with Section 6(b)(5)                volume fee of $0.25 and a per contract take volume      MIAX Options for all participants who
                                               of the Act in that they promote equitable                fee of $0.25, the Tier 2 percentage threshold is from   will be able to compete for such
                                               access to the Exchange for all market                    greater than 0.20% to 0.65%, with a per contract        opportunities. The proposed rule
                                                                                                        non-take volume fee of $0.22 and a per contract take
                                               participants. To the extent that MIAX                    volume fee of $0.24, the Tier 3 percentage threshold
                                                                                                                                                                change should enable the Exchange to
                                               Options Marker Maker volume is                           is from greater than 0.65% to 1.40%, with a per         continue to attract and compete for
                                               increased by the proposal, market                        contract non-take volume fee of $0.12 and a per         order flow with other exchanges.
                                                                                                        contract take volume fee of $0.17, the Tier 4           However, this competition does not
                                               participants will increasingly compete                   percentage threshold is from greater than 1.40% to
                                               for the opportunity to trade on the                      2.00%, with a per contract non-take volume fee of
                                                                                                                                                                create an undue burden on competition
                                               Exchange including sending more                          $0.09 and a per contract take volume fee of $0.14,      but rather offers all market participants
                                               orders and quotes to the Exchange. The                   and the Tier 5 percentage threshold is greater than     the opportunity to receive the benefit of
                                                                                                        2.020%, with a per contract non-take volume fee of      competitive pricing.
                                               resulting increased volume and                           $0.06 and a per contract take volume fee of $0.09.
                                               liquidity will benefit all Exchange                      See also Cboe Exchange, Inc. (‘‘CBOE’’) Fees
                                                                                                                                                                   The proposed Maker fee increases are
                                               participants by providing more trading                   Schedule, p. 3. The CBOE Liquidity Provider             intended to keep the Exchange’s fees
                                               opportunities and tighter spreads.                       Sliding Scale Tier 1 percentage threshold is from       highly competitive with those of other
                                                  The specific percentage thresholds of                 0.00% to 0.05%, with a transaction fee per contract     exchanges, and to encourage liquidity
                                                                                                        of $0.23, the Tier 2 percentage threshold is from
                                               the Tiers for Market Makers as well as                                                                           and should enable the Exchange to
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                                                                                                        above 0.05% to 0.80%, with a transaction fee per
                                               the fees are set based upon business                     contract of $0.17, the Tier 3 percentage threshold      continue to attract and compete for
                                               determinations and an analysis of                        is from above 0.80% to 1.50%, with a transaction        order flow with other exchanges which
                                               current volume levels. The Exchange                      fee per contract of $0.10, the Tier 4 percentage        offer comparable Maker fees.
                                                                                                        threshold is from above 1.50% to 2.25%, with a             The Exchange notes that it operates in
                                                                                                        transaction fee per contract of $0.05, and the Tier
                                                 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).                                   5 percentage threshold is above 2.25%, with a           a highly competitive market in which
                                                 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).                                transaction fee per contract of $0.03.                  market participants can readily favor
                                                 15 15 U.S.C. 78f (b)(5).                                  17 Id.                                               competing venues if they deem fee


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                                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Notices                                            40587

                                               levels at a particular venue to be                         number should be included on the                       SUMMARY OF APPLICATION:     Applicants
                                               excessive. In such an environment, the                     subject line if email is used. To help the             request an order to permit closed-end
                                               Exchange must continually adjust its                       Commission process and review your                     management investment companies to
                                               fees to remain competitive with other                      comments more efficiently, please use                  co-invest in portfolio companies with
                                               exchanges and to attract order flow. The                   only one method. The Commission will                   each other and with certain affiliated
                                               Exchange believes that the proposed                        post all comments on the Commission’s                  investment funds and accounts.
                                               rule changes reflect this competitive                      internet website (http://www.sec.gov/                  APPLICANTS: Thrivent Financial for
                                               environment because they modify the                        rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the                        Lutherans (‘‘Thrivent Financial’’),
                                               Exchange’s fees in a manner that                           submission, all subsequent                             Thrivent Asset Management, LLC
                                               encourages market participants to                          amendments, all written statements                     (‘‘Thrivent Asset Management’’ and,
                                               provide liquidity and to send order flow                   with respect to the proposed rule                      together with Thrivent Financial, the
                                               to the Exchange rather than remove                         change that are filed with the                         ‘‘Existing Advisers’’), and Thrivent
                                               liquidity from the market place.                           Commission, and all written                            Church Loan and Income Fund
                                                                                                          communications relating to the                         (‘‘Church Loan Fund’’ and, together
                                               C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          proposed rule change between the                       with the Existing Advisers, the
                                               Statement on Comments on the                               Commission and any person, other than                  ‘‘Applicants’’).
                                               Proposed Rule Change Received From                         those that may be withheld from the                    FILING DATES: The application was filed
                                               Members, Participants, or Others                           public in accordance with the                          on November 1, 2017, and amended on
                                                 Written comments were neither                            provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be                    March 28, 2018 and June 22, 2018.
                                               solicited nor received.                                    available for website viewing and                      HEARING OR NOTIFICATION OF HEARING: An
                                                                                                          printing in the Commission’s Public                    order granting the requested relief will
                                               III. Date of Effectiveness of the                          Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
                                               Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                                                                               be issued unless the Commission orders
                                                                                                          Washington, DC 20549 on official                       a hearing. Interested persons may
                                               Commission Action                                          business days between the hours of                     request a hearing by writing to the
                                                  The foregoing rule change has become                    10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the                 Commission’s Secretary and serving
                                               effective pursuant to Section                              filing also will be available for                      applicants with a copy of the request,
                                               19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,18 and Rule                     inspection and copying at the principal                personally or by mail. Hearing requests
                                               19b–4(f)(2) 19 thereunder. At any time                     office of the Exchange. All comments                   should be received by the Commission
                                               within 60 days of the filing of the                        received will be posted without change.                by 5:30 p.m. on September 4, 2018, and
                                               proposed rule change, the Commission                       Persons submitting comments are                        should be accompanied by proof of
                                               summarily may temporarily suspend                          cautioned that we do not redact or edit                service on applicants, in the form of an
                                               such rule change if it appears to the                      personal identifying information from                  affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of
                                               Commission that such action is                             comment submissions. You should                        service. Pursuant to rule 0–5 under the
                                               necessary or appropriate in the public                     submit only information that you wish                  Act, hearing requests should state the
                                               interest, for the protection of investors,                 to make available publicly. All                        nature of the writer’s interest, any facts
                                               or otherwise in furtherance of the                         submissions should refer to File                       bearing upon the desirability of a
                                               purposes of the Act. If the Commission                     Number SR–MIAX–2018–21, and                            hearing on the matter, the reason for the
                                               takes such action, the Commission shall                    should be submitted on or before                       request, and the issues contested.
                                               institute proceedings to determine                         September 5, 2018.                                     Persons who wish to be notified of a
                                               whether the proposed rule should be                          For the Commission, by the Division of               hearing may request notification by
                                               approved or disapproved.                                   Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated             writing to the Commission’s Secretary.
                                                                                                          authority.20
                                               IV. Solicitation of Comments                                                                                      ADDRESSES: Secretary, U.S. Securities
                                                                                                          Eduardo A. Aleman,
                                                 Interested persons are invited to                                                                               and Exchange Commission, 100 F St.
                                                                                                          Assistant Secretary.                                   NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                               submit written data, views, and                            [FR Doc. 2018–17493 Filed 8–14–18; 8:45 am]
                                               arguments concerning the foregoing,                                                                               Applicants: 625 Fourth Avenue South,
                                               including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                          BILLING CODE 8011–01–P                                 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415.
                                               change is consistent with the Act.                                                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill
                                               Comments may be submitted by any of                                                                               Ehrlich, Senior Counsel, at (202) 551–
                                                                                                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
                                               the following methods:                                                                                            6819, or Andrea Ottomanelli Magovern,
                                                                                                          COMMISSION
                                                                                                                                                                 Branch Chief, at (202) 551–6821
                                               Electronic Comments                                        [Investment Company Act Release No.                    (Division of Investment Management,
                                                 • Use the Commission’s internet                          33197; File No. 812–14838]                             Chief Counsel’s Office).
                                               comment form (http://www.sec.gov/                                                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                          Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, et al.
                                               rules/sro.shtml); or                                                                                              following is a summary of the
                                                 • Send an email to rule-comments@                        August 9, 2018.                                        application. The complete application
                                               sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–                    AGENCY: Securities and Exchange                        may be obtained via the Commission’s
                                               MIAX–2018–21 on the subject line.                          Commission (‘‘Commission’’).                           website by searching for the file
                                               Paper Comments                                             ACTION: Notice.                                        number, or for an applicant using the
                                                                                                                                                                 Company name box, at http://
                                                 • Send paper comments in triplicate                        Notice of application for an order                   www.sec.gov/search/search.htm or by
                                               to Secretary, Securities and Exchange                      under section 17(d) of the Investment                  calling (202) 551–8090.
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                                               Commission, 100 F Street NE,                               Company Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Act’’) and
                                               Washington, DC 20549–1090.                                 rule 17d–1 under the Act to permit                     Applicants’ Representations
                                               All submissions should refer to File                       certain joint transactions otherwise                     1. The Church Loan Fund is a
                                               Number SR–MIAX–2018–21. This file                          prohibited by section 17(d) of the Act                 Delaware statutory trust that will be
                                                                                                          and rule 17d–1 under the Act.                          registered as a non-diversified, closed-
                                                 18 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).                                                                                end management investment company.
                                                 19 17   CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).                               20 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).                         The Church Loan Fund’s investment


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Document Created: 2018-08-15 01:26:34
Document Modified: 2018-08-15 01:26:34
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 Citation83 FR 40583 

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