83_FR_48857 83 FR 48670 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Risk Protections

83 FR 48670 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Risk Protections

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 187 (September 26, 2018)

Page Range48670-48672
FR Document2018-20882

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48670-48672]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20882]



[[Page 48670]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-84239; File No. SR-MRX-2018-30]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Risk 
Protections

September 20, 2018.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on September 11, 2018, Nasdaq MRX, LLC (``MRX'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items 
have been prepared by the 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 proposes to amend MRX Rules 100(a)(5) which contains 
definitions, Rule 711, ``Acceptance of Quotes and Orders'' and Rule 
714, ``Automatic Execution of Orders.''
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at http://nasdaqmrx.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office 
of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    MRX proposes to amend Rule 714, Automatic Execution of Orders, by 
placing all risk protections within this rule and further creating 
sections to distinguish order protections, order and quote protections 
and quote protections. The Exchange believes that providing Members 
with a single rule with all risk protections will provide an easy 
reference to the mandatory single leg risk protections on MRX.
    The Exchange is amending Rule 714(b) to rename the caption from 
``Other Order Protections'' to ``Other Risk Protections.'' The Exchange 
is amending references to ``order protections'' to ``risk protections'' 
within that rule to more broadly describe the type of protections 
offered on MRX. Finally, the Exchange is relocating rule text from Rule 
714(c) to the end of proposed Rule 714(b), which states, ``In the event 
of unusual market conditions and in the interest of a fair and orderly 
market, the Exchange may temporarily establish the levels at which the 
order protections contained in this paragraph are triggered as 
necessary and appropriate.'' These non-substantive rule changes are 
intended to bring greater clarity to the rule.
    The Exchange proposes to add the following to proposed Rule 
714(b)(1), ``The following are order risk protections on MRX:'' The 
Exchange proposes to list all order protections within Rule 714(b)(1). 
The Exchange proposes to relocate Limit Order Price Protection from 
Rule 714(b)(2) to proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(A). The Exchange also 
proposes to add a new sentence to the end of proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(A) 
which provides, ``Limit Order Price Protection shall not apply to the 
Opening Process or during a trading halt. The Exchange is adding this 
sentence, which was not contained in the initial rule change, to make 
clear the limitations as to when this protection is available on MRX. 
The Exchange notes the Limit Order Price Protection rejects orders to 
buy (sell) as the greater of the Exchange's best offer (bid) plus 
(minus) either an absolute dollar or a percentage. The Exchange notes 
that the bid or offer is not established until after an option series 
options for trading. Applying this protection during the Opening 
Process is not necessary as the quote width allowance is tighter during 
the Opening Process.\3\ With respect to trading halts, Opening Process 
procedures will be used to reopen an option series after a trading 
halt, therefore, the same protections noted for the Opening Process 
will apply for a trading halt and the same restrictive boundaries would 
apply.\4\ This sentence memorializes the Exchange's current practice. 
The Exchange believes that this rule text will bring greater clarity to 
the Limit Order Price Protection functionality.
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    \3\ With respect to the Opening Process, a Quality Opening 
Market is required. A Quality Opening Market a bid/ask differential 
applicable to the best bid and offer from all Valid Width Quotes 
defined in a table to be determined by the Exchange and published on 
the Exchange's website. See MRX Rule 701(a)(7).
    \4\ See MRX Rule 701(d).
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    The Exchange proposes to relocate and re-number Market Order Spread 
Protection from Rule 711(c) to proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(B). The Exchange 
also proposes to add a sentence which provides, ``Market Order Spread 
Protection shall not apply to the Opening Process or during a trading 
halt.'' The Exchange believes that the Market Order Spread Protection 
is unnecessary during the Opening Process and during a trading halt 
because protections are in place during the Opening Process to ensure 
that the best bid and offer displayed on the Exchange are within a 
reasonable range.\5\ The Opening Process has more restrictive 
boundaries than those proposed for the Market Order Spread Protection. 
With respect to the Opening Process, a Quality Opening Market is 
required. A Quality Opening Market requires a bid/ask differential 
applicable to the best bid and offer from all Valid Width Quotes 
defined in a table \6\ to be determined by the Exchange.\7\ The 
Exchange's requirements during the Opening Process are more restrictive 
than the proposed initial setting for the Market Order Spread 
Protection, which is proposed at $5. As provided in Rule 701(d), 
trading halts are subject to the reopening process as provided for in 
Rule 701(e). The same protections noted for the Opening Process above 
will apply for trading halts. The Exchange believes that the Market 
Order Spread Protection is unnecessary during the Opening Process and 
during a trading halt because other protections are in place to ensure 
that the best bid and offer displayed on the Exchange are

[[Page 48671]]

within a reasonable range. The Exchange is adding this sentence to make 
clear the limitations as to when this protection is available on MRX. 
The Exchange believes that this rule text will bring greater clarity to 
the Market Order Spread Protection functionality. The Exchange is also 
memorializing a sentence which was contained in the filing which 
adopted Market Order Spread Protection.
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    \5\ See note 3 above. With respect to trading halts, Opening 
Process procedures will be used to reopen an option series after a 
trading halt, therefore, the same protections noted for the Opening 
Process will apply for a trading halt and the same restrictive 
boundaries would apply. See MRX Rule 701(d).
    \6\ The table is located at: https://business.nasdaq.com/media/MRXSystemSettings_tcm5044-46766.pdf.
    \7\ The calculation of Quality Opening Market is based on the 
best bid and offer of Valid Width Quotes. The differential between 
the best bid and offer are compared to reach this determination. The 
allowable differential, as determined by the Exchange, takes into 
account the type of security (for example, Standard Penny Issues, 
Non-Penny Issues and Special Penny Issues), volatility, option 
premium, and liquidity. The Quality Opening Market differential is 
intended to ensure the price at which the Exchange opens reflects 
current market conditions. See MRX Rule 701(a)(7).
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    The Exchange noted in the adopting filing that the Exchange may 
establish differences other than the referenced threshold for one or 
more series or classes of options.\8\ At this time, the Exchange 
proposes to memorialize this capability within Rule 714(b)(1)(B) by 
stating, ``The Exchange may establish different thresholds for one or 
more series or classes of options.'' The Exchange believes that adding 
this provision to the rule will add transparency to the Exchange's 
capability to establish different thresholds per options series or 
class.
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    \8\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80815 (May 30, 2017), 82 
FR 25827 (June 5, 2017) (SR-MRX-2017-02).
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    The Exchange proposes to relocate Size Limitation from Rule 
714(b)(3) to proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(C) without any amendments. The 
Exchange proposes to add the following to proposed Rule 714(b)(2), 
``The following are order and quote risk protections on MRX:''. The 
Exchange proposes to list all order and quote protections within Rule 
714(b)(2). The Exchange proposes to re-letter Acceptable Trade Range 
from Rule 714(b)(1) to proposed Rule 714(b)(2)(A).
    The Exchange proposes to relocate Market Wide Risk Protection from 
Rule 714(d) to proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(D). The Exchange is only 
amending cross references within this rule to reflect the new location 
of this text.
    The Exchange proposes new rule text at Rule 714(b)(3) which 
provides, ``The following are Market Maker risk protections on MRX:''. 
The Exchange proposes to list all Market Maker protections within Rule 
714(b)(3). The Exchange proposes to relocate Anti-Internalization from 
Supplementary Material .03 to Rule 804 to proposed Rule 714(b)(3)(A). 
The Exchange proposes to replace the words ``market participant 
identifier'' with ``Market Maker identifiers.'' The Exchange also 
proposes to replace the words ``Exchange account identifier'' with 
``account number.'' \9\ The Exchange believes these modifications will 
bring more clarity to the functionality. The Exchange is removing the 
words ``Notwithstanding Rule 804(d)(1) above'' which refer to the firm 
quote.\10\ The Exchange notes that the submission of bids and offers 
must be firm notwithstanding any protection offered by the Exchange, 
not just Anti-Internalization. The Exchange does not believe it is 
necessary to specifically cite this caveat for this order protections. 
The Exchange also proposes to capitalize the defined term Market Maker 
in this sentence.
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    \9\ An ``account number'' shall mean a number assigned to a 
Member. Members may have more than one account number. See Rule 
100(a)(1).
    \10\ MRX Rule 804(d)(1) provides that Market Maker bids and 
offers are firm for orders and Exchange Market Maker quotations both 
under this Rule and Rule 602 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange 
Act (``Rule 602 of Reg NMS'') for the number of contracts specified 
according to the requirements of paragraph 804(b).
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    The Exchange proposes to relocate Automated Quotation Adjustments 
from Rule 804(g) to proposed Rule 714(b)(3)(B). Rule 804(g) will be 
reserved. The Exchange is amending references in the rule to reflect 
the new placement within Rule 714 and replacing the words ``Exchange's 
system (``System'')'' with the defined term System.\11\ Finally, the 
term ``member'' was capitalized because it is a defined term. The 
Exchange is also making clear within Rule 715(b)(3)(B)(vi) that Market 
Maker must request the Exchange enable re-entry by contacting the 
Exchange's Operations Department.
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    \11\ The term ``System'' means the electronic system operated by 
the Exchange that receives and disseminates quotes, executes orders 
and reports transactions. See Rule 100(a)(66).
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    Finally, the Exchange proposes to amend the definition of badge 
within Rule 100 (a)(5) to state that a badge is an account number, 
which may contain letters and/or numbers, assigned to Market Makers. 
The Exchange may from time to time modify the manner in which a badge 
is expressed systemically. This proposed language allows for latitude 
in establishing badges within the System.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\12\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\13\ in particular, in that it is designed to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments 
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public 
interest, by grouping the various risk protections into a single rule 
for ease of reference and adding headers to the rule to make clear 
whether the risk protection is an order protection, order or quote 
protection or a protection applicable to Market Makers. The Exchange 
believes the reorganization of the existing rule and relocation of 
various rules into Rule 714 is a non-substantive rule change. The 
Exchange believes that this rule change is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest because it will bring 
greater transparency to the protections offered on MRX.
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange's proposal to not apply the Limit Order Price 
Protection during the Opening Process is consistent with the Act 
because the Exchange rejects orders to buy (sell) as the greater of the 
Exchange's best offer (bid) plus (minus) either an absolute dollar or a 
percentage. The Exchange notes that the bid or offer is not established 
until after an option series options for trading. Applying this 
protection during the Opening Process is not necessary as the quote 
width allowance is tighter during the Opening Process.\14\ With respect 
to trading halts, Opening Process procedures will be used to reopen an 
option series after a trading halt, therefore, the same protections 
noted for the Opening Process will apply for a trading halt and the 
same restrictive boundaries would apply.\15\
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    \14\ See note 3 above.
    \15\ See MRX Rule 701(d).
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    The Exchange's proposal to not apply the Market Order Spread 
Protection during the Opening Process is consistent with the Act 
because protections exist during the Opening Process to ensure that the 
best bid and offer displayed on the Exchange are within a reasonable 
range. The Exchange's Opening Process Rule 701 \16\ and the reopening 
process after a trading halt \17\ both contain more restrictive 
boundaries than those proposed or the Market Order Spread Protection. 
With respect to the Opening Process, a Quality Opening Market is 
required. A Quality Opening Market requires a bid/ask differential 
applicable to the best bid and offer from all Valid Width Quotes 
defined in a table to be determined by the Exchange.\18\ The Exchange's 
requirements during the Opening Process are more restrictive than the 
proposed initial setting for the Market Order Spread Protection, which 
is set at $5. The same protections noted for the Opening Process above 
will

[[Page 48672]]

apply for trading halts. The Exchange believes that the Market Order 
Spread Protection is unnecessary during the Opening Process and during 
a trading halt because other protections are in place to ensure that 
the best bid and offer displayed on the Exchange are within a 
reasonable range.
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    \16\ See note 3 above.
    \17\ With respect to trading halts, Opening Process procedures 
will be used to reopen an option series after a trading halt, 
therefore, the same protections noted for the Opening Process will 
apply for a trading halt and the same restrictive boundaries would 
apply. See MRX Rule 701(d).
    \18\ The table is located at: https://business.nasdaq.com/media/MRXSystemSettings_tcm5044-46766.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Memorializing the ability of the Exchange to establish different 
Market Order Spread Protection thresholds per options series or class 
will also bring greater clarity to the rule. Today, the Exchange has 
this ability, it is simply adding that text to the rule. Utilizing 
defined terms within the Rulebook will also bring clarity to the rules. 
The Exchange also believes using more discrete language within the 
Anti-Internalization rule will clarify the functionality.
    Finally, the Exchange believes that expanding the definition of 
badge is consistent with the Act because it allows the Exchange the 
flexibility to administer the badges within its System.

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 proposal does not impose an 
intra-market burden on competition with respect to the reorganization 
and relocation of the various rules into Rule 714 because the various 
risk protections are mandatory and will continue to apply uniformly to 
all market participants. The Exchange also believes that the addition 
of specific limitations to both the Limit Order Price Protection and 
Market Order Spread Protection rules will provide market participants 
with greater information as to when these protections will apply. These 
limitations apply uniformly to all market participants. The remainder 
of the rule changes are intended to bring greater transparency to the 
current operation of the Exchange's rules.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \19\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\20\
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written 
notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a 
brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least 
five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule 
change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
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    A proposed rule change filed pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6) under the 
Act \21\ normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date 
of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \22\ permits the 
Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange 
has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so 
that the proposed rule change may become operative upon filing. The 
Exchange argues that waiver of the operative delay would allow the 
Exchange to immediately incorporate all risk protections into Rule 714 
and bring greater transparency to the risk protections offered on the 
Exchange. The Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative 
delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public 
interest. Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay 
and designates the proposed rule change operative upon filing.\23\
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    \21\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \22\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \23\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission also has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    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 change should be approved or 
disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-MRX-2018-30 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-MRX-2018-30. 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-MRX-2018-30, and should be submitted on 
or before October 17, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\24\
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    \24\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-20882 Filed 9-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P



                                               48670                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 26, 2018 / Notices

                                               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE                                    placing all risk protections within this               protections noted for the Opening
                                               COMMISSION                                                 rule and further creating sections to                  Process will apply for a trading halt and
                                                                                                          distinguish order protections, order and               the same restrictive boundaries would
                                               [Release No. 34–84239; File No. SR–MRX–
                                               2018–30]
                                                                                                          quote protections and quote protections.               apply.4 This sentence memorializes the
                                                                                                          The Exchange believes that providing                   Exchange’s current practice. The
                                               Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq                      Members with a single rule with all risk               Exchange believes that this rule text will
                                               MRX, LLC; Notice of Filing and                             protections will provide an easy                       bring greater clarity to the Limit Order
                                               Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed                        reference to the mandatory single leg                  Price Protection functionality.
                                               Rule Change Relating to Risk                               risk protections on MRX.                                  The Exchange proposes to relocate
                                               Protections                                                   The Exchange is amending Rule                       and re-number Market Order Spread
                                                                                                          714(b) to rename the caption from                      Protection from Rule 711(c) to proposed
                                               September 20, 2018.                                        ‘‘Other Order Protections’’ to ‘‘Other                 Rule 714(b)(1)(B). The Exchange also
                                                  Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the                     Risk Protections.’’ The Exchange is                    proposes to add a sentence which
                                               Securities Exchange Act of 1934                            amending references to ‘‘order                         provides, ‘‘Market Order Spread
                                               (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2                    protections’’ to ‘‘risk protections’’                  Protection shall not apply to the
                                               notice is hereby given that on                             within that rule to more broadly                       Opening Process or during a trading
                                               September 11, 2018, Nasdaq MRX, LLC                        describe the type of protections offered               halt.’’ The Exchange believes that the
                                               (‘‘MRX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the                   on MRX. Finally, the Exchange is                       Market Order Spread Protection is
                                               Securities and Exchange Commission                         relocating rule text from Rule 714(c) to               unnecessary during the Opening Process
                                               (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule                         the end of proposed Rule 714(b), which                 and during a trading halt because
                                               change as described in Items I and II                      states, ‘‘In the event of unusual market               protections are in place during the
                                               below, which Items have been prepared                      conditions and in the interest of a fair               Opening Process to ensure that the best
                                               by the Exchange. The Commission is                         and orderly market, the Exchange may                   bid and offer displayed on the Exchange
                                               publishing this notice to solicit                          temporarily establish the levels at which              are within a reasonable range.5 The
                                               comments on the proposed rule change                       the order protections contained in this                Opening Process has more restrictive
                                               from interested persons.                                   paragraph are triggered as necessary and               boundaries than those proposed for the
                                               I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          appropriate.’’ These non-substantive                   Market Order Spread Protection. With
                                               Statement of the Terms of Substance of                     rule changes are intended to bring                     respect to the Opening Process, a
                                               the Proposed Rule Change                                   greater clarity to the rule.                           Quality Opening Market is required. A
                                                                                                             The Exchange proposes to add the                    Quality Opening Market requires a bid/
                                                  The Exchange proposes to amend                          following to proposed Rule 714(b)(1),                  ask differential applicable to the best
                                               MRX Rules 100(a)(5) which contains                         ‘‘The following are order risk                         bid and offer from all Valid Width
                                               definitions, Rule 711, ‘‘Acceptance of                     protections on MRX:’’ The Exchange                     Quotes defined in a table 6 to be
                                               Quotes and Orders’’ and Rule 714,                          proposes to list all order protections                 determined by the Exchange.7 The
                                               ‘‘Automatic Execution of Orders.’’                         within Rule 714(b)(1). The Exchange                    Exchange’s requirements during the
                                                  The text of the proposed rule change                    proposes to relocate Limit Order Price                 Opening Process are more restrictive
                                               is available on the Exchange’s website at                  Protection from Rule 714(b)(2) to                      than the proposed initial setting for the
                                               http://nasdaqmrx.cchwallstreet.com/, at                    proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(A). The                        Market Order Spread Protection, which
                                               the principal office of the Exchange, and                  Exchange also proposes to add a new                    is proposed at $5. As provided in Rule
                                               at the Commission’s Public Reference                       sentence to the end of proposed Rule                   701(d), trading halts are subject to the
                                               Room.                                                      714(b)(1)(A) which provides, ‘‘Limit                   reopening process as provided for in
                                               II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                         Order Price Protection shall not apply to              Rule 701(e). The same protections noted
                                               Statement of the Purpose of, and                           the Opening Process or during a trading                for the Opening Process above will
                                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                     halt. The Exchange is adding this                      apply for trading halts. The Exchange
                                               Change                                                     sentence, which was not contained in                   believes that the Market Order Spread
                                                                                                          the initial rule change, to make clear the             Protection is unnecessary during the
                                                  In its filing with the Commission, the                  limitations as to when this protection is              Opening Process and during a trading
                                               Exchange included statements                               available on MRX. The Exchange notes                   halt because other protections are in
                                               concerning the purpose of and basis for                    the Limit Order Price Protection rejects               place to ensure that the best bid and
                                               the proposed rule change and discussed                     orders to buy (sell) as the greater of the             offer displayed on the Exchange are
                                               any comments it received on the                            Exchange’s best offer (bid) plus (minus)
                                               proposed rule change. The text of these                    either an absolute dollar or a percentage.               4 See MRX Rule 701(d).
                                               statements may be examined at the                          The Exchange notes that the bid or offer                 5 See note 3 above. With respect to trading halts,
                                               places specified in Item IV below. The                     is not established until after an option               Opening Process procedures will be used to reopen
                                               Exchange has prepared summaries, set                                                                              an option series after a trading halt, therefore, the
                                                                                                          series options for trading. Applying this              same protections noted for the Opening Process will
                                               forth in sections A, B, and C below, of                    protection during the Opening Process                  apply for a trading halt and the same restrictive
                                               the most significant aspects of such                       is not necessary as the quote width                    boundaries would apply. See MRX Rule 701(d).
                                               statements.                                                allowance is tighter during the Opening
                                                                                                                                                                    6 The table is located at: https://

                                                                                                                                                                 business.nasdaq.com/media/MRXSystemSettings_
                                               A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                          Process.3 With respect to trading halts,               tcm5044-46766.pdf.
                                               Statement of the Purpose of, and                           Opening Process procedures will be                        7 The calculation of Quality Opening Market is

                                               Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule                     used to reopen an option series after a                based on the best bid and offer of Valid Width
                                                                                                                                                                 Quotes. The differential between the best bid and
                                               Change                                                     trading halt, therefore, the same
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                 offer are compared to reach this determination. The
                                                                                                                                                                 allowable differential, as determined by the
                                               1. Purpose                                                   3 With respect to the Opening Process, a Quality
                                                                                                                                                                 Exchange, takes into account the type of security
                                                  MRX proposes to amend Rule 714,                         Opening Market is required. A Quality Opening          (for example, Standard Penny Issues, Non-Penny
                                                                                                          Market a bid/ask differential applicable to the best   Issues and Special Penny Issues), volatility, option
                                               Automatic Execution of Orders, by                          bid and offer from all Valid Width Quotes defined      premium, and liquidity. The Quality Opening
                                                                                                          in a table to be determined by the Exchange and        Market differential is intended to ensure the price
                                                 1 15   U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).                                 published on the Exchange’s website. See MRX           at which the Exchange opens reflects current
                                                 2 17   CFR 240.19b–4.                                    Rule 701(a)(7).                                        market conditions. See MRX Rule 701(a)(7).



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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 26, 2018 / Notices                                                     48671

                                               within a reasonable range. The                          ‘‘Notwithstanding Rule 804(d)(1) above’’              protection or a protection applicable to
                                               Exchange is adding this sentence to                     which refer to the firm quote.10 The                  Market Makers. The Exchange believes
                                               make clear the limitations as to when                   Exchange notes that the submission of                 the reorganization of the existing rule
                                               this protection is available on MRX. The                bids and offers must be firm                          and relocation of various rules into Rule
                                               Exchange believes that this rule text will              notwithstanding any protection offered                714 is a non-substantive rule change.
                                               bring greater clarity to the Market Order               by the Exchange, not just Anti-                       The Exchange believes that this rule
                                               Spread Protection functionality. The                    Internalization. The Exchange does not                change is consistent with the protection
                                               Exchange is also memorializing a                        believe it is necessary to specifically cite          of investors and the public interest
                                               sentence which was contained in the                     this caveat for this order protections.               because it will bring greater
                                               filing which adopted Market Order                       The Exchange also proposes to                         transparency to the protections offered
                                               Spread Protection.                                      capitalize the defined term Market                    on MRX.
                                                  The Exchange noted in the adopting                   Maker in this sentence.                                  The Exchange’s proposal to not apply
                                               filing that the Exchange may establish                     The Exchange proposes to relocate                  the Limit Order Price Protection during
                                               differences other than the referenced                   Automated Quotation Adjustments from                  the Opening Process is consistent with
                                               threshold for one or more series or                     Rule 804(g) to proposed Rule                          the Act because the Exchange rejects
                                               classes of options.8 At this time, the                  714(b)(3)(B). Rule 804(g) will be                     orders to buy (sell) as the greater of the
                                               Exchange proposes to memorialize this                   reserved. The Exchange is amending                    Exchange’s best offer (bid) plus (minus)
                                               capability within Rule 714(b)(1)(B) by                  references in the rule to reflect the new             either an absolute dollar or a percentage.
                                               stating, ‘‘The Exchange may establish                   placement within Rule 714 and                         The Exchange notes that the bid or offer
                                               different thresholds for one or more                    replacing the words ‘‘Exchange’s system               is not established until after an option
                                               series or classes of options.’’ The                     (‘‘System’’)’’ with the defined term                  series options for trading. Applying this
                                               Exchange believes that adding this                      System.11 Finally, the term ‘‘member’’                protection during the Opening Process
                                               provision to the rule will add                          was capitalized because it is a defined               is not necessary as the quote width
                                               transparency to the Exchange’s                          term. The Exchange is also making clear               allowance is tighter during the Opening
                                               capability to establish different                       within Rule 715(b)(3)(B)(vi) that Market              Process.14 With respect to trading halts,
                                               thresholds per options series or class.                 Maker must request the Exchange                       Opening Process procedures will be
                                                  The Exchange proposes to relocate                    enable re-entry by contacting the                     used to reopen an option series after a
                                               Size Limitation from Rule 714(b)(3) to                  Exchange’s Operations Department.                     trading halt, therefore, the same
                                               proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(C) without any                     Finally, the Exchange proposes to                  protections noted for the Opening
                                               amendments. The Exchange proposes to                    amend the definition of badge within                  Process will apply for a trading halt and
                                               add the following to proposed Rule                      Rule 100 (a)(5) to state that a badge is              the same restrictive boundaries would
                                               714(b)(2), ‘‘The following are order and                an account number, which may contain                  apply.15
                                               quote risk protections on MRX:’’. The                   letters and/or numbers, assigned to                      The Exchange’s proposal to not apply
                                               Exchange proposes to list all order and                 Market Makers. The Exchange may from                  the Market Order Spread Protection
                                               quote protections within Rule 714(b)(2).                time to time modify the manner in                     during the Opening Process is
                                               The Exchange proposes to re-letter                      which a badge is expressed                            consistent with the Act because
                                               Acceptable Trade Range from Rule                        systemically. This proposed language                  protections exist during the Opening
                                               714(b)(1) to proposed Rule 714(b)(2)(A).                allows for latitude in establishing                   Process to ensure that the best bid and
                                                  The Exchange proposes to relocate                    badges within the System.                             offer displayed on the Exchange are
                                               Market Wide Risk Protection from Rule                                                                         within a reasonable range. The
                                               714(d) to proposed Rule 714(b)(1)(D).                   2. Statutory Basis                                    Exchange’s Opening Process Rule 701 16
                                               The Exchange is only amending cross                        The Exchange believes that its                     and the reopening process after a
                                               references within this rule to reflect the              proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)              trading halt 17 both contain more
                                               new location of this text.                              of the Act,12 in general, and furthers the            restrictive boundaries than those
                                                  The Exchange proposes new rule text                  objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,13           proposed or the Market Order Spread
                                               at Rule 714(b)(3) which provides, ‘‘The                 in particular, in that it is designed to              Protection. With respect to the Opening
                                               following are Market Maker risk                         promote just and equitable principles of              Process, a Quality Opening Market is
                                               protections on MRX:’’. The Exchange                     trade, to remove impediments to and                   required. A Quality Opening Market
                                               proposes to list all Market Maker                       perfect the mechanism of a free and                   requires a bid/ask differential applicable
                                               protections within Rule 714(b)(3). The                  open market and a national market                     to the best bid and offer from all Valid
                                               Exchange proposes to relocate Anti-                     system, and, in general to protect                    Width Quotes defined in a table to be
                                               Internalization from Supplementary                      investors and the public interest, by                 determined by the Exchange.18 The
                                               Material .03 to Rule 804 to proposed                    grouping the various risk protections                 Exchange’s requirements during the
                                               Rule 714(b)(3)(A). The Exchange                         into a single rule for ease of reference              Opening Process are more restrictive
                                               proposes to replace the words ‘‘market                  and adding headers to the rule to make                than the proposed initial setting for the
                                               participant identifier’’ with ‘‘Market                  clear whether the risk protection is an               Market Order Spread Protection, which
                                               Maker identifiers.’’ The Exchange also                  order protection, order or quote                      is set at $5. The same protections noted
                                               proposes to replace the words                                                                                 for the Opening Process above will
                                               ‘‘Exchange account identifier’’ with                       10 MRX Rule 804(d)(1) provides that Market

                                               ‘‘account number.’’ 9 The Exchange                      Maker bids and offers are firm for orders and           14 See  note 3 above.
                                               believes these modifications will bring                 Exchange Market Maker quotations both under this        15 See  MRX Rule 701(d).
                                                                                                       Rule and Rule 602 of Regulation NMS under the            16 See note 3 above.
                                               more clarity to the functionality. The                  Exchange Act (‘‘Rule 602 of Reg NMS’’) for the
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                                                                                                                                                                17 With respect to trading halts, Opening Process
                                               Exchange is removing the words                          number of contracts specified according to the        procedures will be used to reopen an option series
                                                                                                       requirements of paragraph 804(b).                     after a trading halt, therefore, the same protections
                                                 8 Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80815 (May         11 The term ‘‘System’’ means the electronic
                                                                                                                                                             noted for the Opening Process will apply for a
                                               30, 2017), 82 FR 25827 (June 5, 2017) (SR–MRX–          system operated by the Exchange that receives and     trading halt and the same restrictive boundaries
                                               2017–02).                                               disseminates quotes, executes orders and reports      would apply. See MRX Rule 701(d).
                                                 9 An ‘‘account number’’ shall mean a number           transactions. See Rule 100(a)(66).                       18 The table is located at: https://
                                                                                                          12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
                                               assigned to a Member. Members may have more                                                                   business.nasdaq.com/media/MRXSystemSettings_
                                               than one account number. See Rule 100(a)(1).               13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).                            tcm5044-46766.pdf.



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                                               48672                   Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 187 / Wednesday, September 26, 2018 / Notices

                                               apply for trading halts. The Exchange                   operative for 30 days from the date on                  Comments may be submitted by any of
                                               believes that the Market Order Spread                   which it was filed, or such shorter time                the following methods:
                                               Protection is unnecessary during the                    as the Commission may designate, it has
                                               Opening Process and during a trading                                                                            Electronic comments
                                                                                                       become effective pursuant to Section
                                               halt because other protections are in                   19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 19 and Rule 19b–                   • Use the Commission’s internet
                                               place to ensure that the best bid and                   4(f)(6) thereunder.20                                   comment form (http://www.sec.gov/
                                               offer displayed on the Exchange are                        A proposed rule change filed                         rules/sro.shtml); or
                                               within a reasonable range.                              pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6) under the
                                                  Memorializing the ability of the                     Act 21 normally does not become                           • Send an email to rule-comments@
                                               Exchange to establish different Market                  operative for 30 days after the date of its             sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
                                               Order Spread Protection thresholds per                  filing. However, Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) 22               MRX–2018–30 on the subject line.
                                               options series or class will also bring                 permits the Commission to designate a                   Paper comments
                                               greater clarity to the rule. Today, the                 shorter time if such action is consistent
                                               Exchange has this ability, it is simply                 with the protection of investors and the                  • Send paper comments in triplicate
                                               adding that text to the rule. Utilizing                 public interest. The Exchange has                       to Secretary, Securities and Exchange
                                               defined terms within the Rulebook will                  requested that the Commission waive                     Commission, 100 F Street NE,
                                               also bring clarity to the rules. The                    the 30-day operative delay so that the                  Washington, DC 20549–1090.
                                               Exchange also believes using more                       proposed rule change may become                         All submissions should refer to File
                                               discrete language within the Anti-                      operative upon filing. The Exchange                     Number SR–MRX–2018–30. This file
                                               Internalization rule will clarify the                   argues that waiver of the operative delay               number should be included on the
                                               functionality.                                          would allow the Exchange to
                                                  Finally, the Exchange believes that                                                                          subject line if email is used. To help the
                                                                                                       immediately incorporate all risk                        Commission process and review your
                                               expanding the definition of badge is                    protections into Rule 714 and bring
                                               consistent with the Act because it                                                                              comments more efficiently, please use
                                                                                                       greater transparency to the risk                        only one method. The Commission will
                                               allows the Exchange the flexibility to                  protections offered on the Exchange.
                                               administer the badges within its System.                                                                        post all comments on the Commission’s
                                                                                                       The Commission believes that waiver of                  internet website (http://www.sec.gov/
                                               B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       the 30-day operative delay is consistent                rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the
                                               Statement on Burden on Competition                      with the protection of investors and the                submission, all subsequent
                                                                                                       public interest. Accordingly, the                       amendments, all written statements
                                                  The Exchange does not believe that                   Commission hereby waives the
                                               the proposed rule change will impose                                                                            with respect to the proposed rule
                                                                                                       operative delay and designates the                      change that are filed with the
                                               any burden on competition not                           proposed rule change operative upon
                                               necessary or appropriate in furtherance                                                                         Commission, and all written
                                                                                                       filing.23                                               communications relating to the
                                               of the purposes of the Act. The proposal                   At any time within 60 days of the
                                               does not impose an intra-market burden                                                                          proposed rule change between the
                                                                                                       filing of the proposed rule change, the                 Commission and any person, other than
                                               on competition with respect to the                      Commission summarily may
                                               reorganization and relocation of the                                                                            those that may be withheld from the
                                                                                                       temporarily suspend such rule change if                 public in accordance with the
                                               various rules into Rule 714 because the                 it appears to the Commission that such
                                               various risk protections are mandatory                                                                          provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be
                                                                                                       action is necessary or appropriate in the               available for website viewing and
                                               and will continue to apply uniformly to                 public interest, for the protection of
                                               all market participants. The Exchange                                                                           printing in the Commission’s Public
                                                                                                       investors, or otherwise in furtherance of               Reference Room, 100 F Street NE,
                                               also believes that the addition of                      the purposes of the Act. If the
                                               specific limitations to both the Limit                                                                          Washington, DC 20549 on official
                                                                                                       Commission takes such action, the                       business days between the hours of
                                               Order Price Protection and Market                       Commission shall institute proceedings
                                               Order Spread Protection rules will                                                                              10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the
                                                                                                       to determine whether the proposed rule                  filing also will be available for
                                               provide market participants with greater                change should be approved or
                                               information as to when these                                                                                    inspection and copying at the principal
                                                                                                       disapproved.                                            office of the Exchange. All comments
                                               protections will apply. These
                                               limitations apply uniformly to all                      IV. Solicitation of Comments                            received will be posted without change.
                                               market participants. The remainder of                                                                           Persons submitting comments are
                                                                                                         Interested persons are invited to
                                               the rule changes are intended to bring                                                                          cautioned that we do not redact or edit
                                                                                                       submit written data, views, and
                                               greater transparency to the current                                                                             personal identifying information from
                                                                                                       arguments concerning the foregoing,
                                               operation of the Exchange’s rules.                                                                              comment submissions. You should
                                                                                                       including whether the proposed rule
                                                                                                                                                               submit only information that you wish
                                               C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s                       change is consistent with the Act.
                                                                                                                                                               to make available publicly. All
                                               Statement on Comments on the                                                                                    submissions should refer to File
                                                                                                         19 15  U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
                                               Proposed Rule Change Received From                        20 17                                                 Number SR–MRX–2018–30, and should
                                                                                                                CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). As required under Rule
                                               Members, Participants, or Others                        19b–4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the             be submitted on or before October 17,
                                                 No written comments were either                       Commission with written notice of its intent to file    2018.
                                               solicited or received.                                  the proposed rule change, along with a brief
                                                                                                       description and the text of the proposed rule             For the Commission, by the Division of
                                               III. Date of Effectiveness of the                       change, at least five business days prior to the date   Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
                                                                                                       of filing of the proposed rule change, or such          authority.24
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                                               Proposed Rule Change and Timing for                     shorter time as designated by the Commission.
                                               Commission Action                                          21 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
                                                                                                                                                               Brent J. Fields,
                                                  Because the foregoing proposed rule                     22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).                      Secretary.
                                               change does not: (i) Significantly affect                  23 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day           [FR Doc. 2018–20882 Filed 9–25–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       operative delay, the Commission also has
                                               the protection of investors or the public               considered the proposed rule’s impact on
                                                                                                                                                               BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
                                               interest; (ii) impose any significant                   efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
                                               burden on competition; and (iii) become                 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).                                         24 17   CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).



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Document Created: 2018-09-26 00:47:10
Document Modified: 2018-09-26 00:47:10
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 48670 

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