Securities and Exchange Commission
- [Release No. 34-105677; File No. SR-PEARL-2026-25]
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 June 1, 2026, MIAX PEARL, LLC (“MIAX Pearl” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend the MIAX Pearl Options Exchange Fee Schedule (the “Fee Schedule”) to amend certain fees and rebates applicable to transactions in non-Penny Classes (defined below) for all origins.
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's website at https://www.miaxglobal.com/markets/us-options/pearl-options/rule-filings and at MIAX Pearl's principal office.
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 Section 1)a) of the Fee Schedule to: (1) amend the Priority Customer [3] origin table to increase Maker (described below) rebates [4] in all tiers in non-Penny Classes; (2) amend the MIAX Pearl Market Maker [5] origin table to increase Maker rebates in certain tiers in non-Penny Classes and increase Taker fees in all tiers in non-Penny Classes; and (3) amend the Non-Priority Customer, Firm, BD, and Non-MIAX Pearl Market Maker origin (collectively referred to herein as the “Professional origin”) [6] table to increase certain Maker rebates in certain tiers in non-Penny Classes and increase Taker fees in all tiers in non-Penny Classes.
Background
The Exchange currently assesses transaction rebates and fees to all market participants which are based upon the total monthly volume executed by the Member [7] on MIAX Pearl in the relevant, respective origin type (not including Excluded Contracts) [8] (as the numerator) expressed as a percentage of (divided by) TCV [9] (as the denominator). In addition, the per contract transaction rebates and fees are applied retroactively to all eligible volume for that origin type once the respective threshold tier has been reached by the Member. The Exchange aggregates the volume of Members and their Affiliates.[10] Members that place resting ( printed page 36638) liquidity, i.e., orders resting on the Book [11] of the MIAX Pearl System,[12] are paid the specified “maker” rebate (each a “Maker”), and Members that execute against resting liquidity are assessed the specified “taker” fee (each a “Taker”). For opening transactions and ABBO [13] uncrossing transactions, per contract transaction rebates and fees are waived for all market participants. Finally, Members are assessed lower transaction fees and receive lower rebates for order executions in standard option classes in the Penny Interval Program [14] (“Penny Classes”) than for order executions in standard option classes which are not in the Penny Interval Program (“non-Penny Classes”), where Members are assessed higher transaction fees and receive higher rebates.
Proposal To Amend the Priority Customer Origin Table To Increase Maker Rebates in Non-Penny Classes
First, the Exchange proposes to amend the Priority Customer origin table to increase the Maker rebates in all tiers for Priority Customer orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. Currently, the Priority Customer origin table provides certain volume criteria thresholds for all tiers that are based upon the total monthly volume executed in all option classes by a Priority Customer on MIAX Pearl as a percentage of TCV. Pursuant to the Priority Customer origin table, Priority Customers qualify for the following Maker rebates when Priority Customer orders in non-Penny Classes trade against all origins: (i) ($0.85) per contract in tier 1 if the Priority Customer executes above 0.00% to at least 0.15% of TCV; (ii) ($0.95) per contract in tier 2 if the Priority Customer executes above 0.15% to at least 0.40% of TCV; (iii) ($1.00) per contract in tier 3 if the Priority Customer executes above 0.40% to at least 0.85% of TCV; (iv) ($1.03) per contract in tier 4 if the Priority Customer executes above 0.85% to at least 1.25% of TCV; and (v) ($1.04) per contract in tiers 5 and 6 if the Priority Customer executes above 1.25% of TCV.
The Exchange now proposes to amend the Priority Customer origin table to increase the Maker rebates to ($1.06) per contract for all tiers for Priority Customer orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. The Exchange does not propose to amend any of the volume threshold criteria or the Taker fee for Priority Customers in non-Penny Classes.
The purpose of this proposed change is for business and competitive reasons in order to attract additional non-Penny Class volume from Members by increasing the Maker rebates for options transactions in non-Penny Classes in all tiers for Priority Customer orders. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Priority Customer orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads.
Proposal To Amend the Market Maker Origin Table To Increase Maker Rebates in Certain Tiers and Increase Taker Fees in all Tiers in Non-Penny Classes
The Exchange proposes to amend the Market Maker origin table to increase the Maker rebates in tiers 1 and 2 and increase the Taker fees in all tiers for Market Maker orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. Currently, pursuant to the Market Maker origin table, Market Makers qualify for the Maker rebate of ($0.30) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 1 for non-Penny Classes if the Market Maker executes above 0.00% to at least 0.20% of TCV. Market Makers can qualify for the Maker rebate of ($0.30) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 2 for non-Penny Classes by achieving at least one of the following three volume calculations: (i) if the Market Maker executes above 0.20% to at least 0.50% of TCV; or (ii) if the Market Maker executes above 0.55% in SPY/QQQ/IWM classes; or (iii) if the Market Maker executes above 0.30% in SPY/QQQ/IWM classes when adding liquidity to the Exchange.[15] Market Makers can qualify for the Maker rebate of ($0.60) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 3 for non-Penny Classes by achieving at least one of the following two volume calculations: (i) if the Market Maker executes above 0.50% to at least 0.85% of TCV; or (ii) if the Market Maker executes above 1.10% in SPY when adding liquidity.[16] Market Makers can qualify for the Maker rebate of ($0.65) per contract or Taker fee of $1.09 per contract in tier 4 for non-Penny Classes by achieving at least one of the following two volume calculations: (i) if the Market Maker executes above 0.85% to at least 1.25% of TCV; or (ii) if the Market Maker executes above 2.50% in SPY.[17] Market Makers can qualify for the Maker rebate of ($0.70) per contract or Taker fee of $1.08 per contract in tier ( printed page 36639) 5 for non-Penny Classes if the Market Maker executes above 1.25% to at least 1.40% of TCV. Finally, Market Makers can qualify for the Maker rebate of ($0.85) per contract or Taker fee of $1.07 per contract in tier 6 if the Market Maker executes above 1.40% of TCV.
The Exchange now proposes to amend the Market Maker origin table to increase the Maker rebates from ($0.30) to ($0.55) per contract for tiers 1 and 2 for Market Maker orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. The Exchange also proposes to increase the Taker fees to $1.20 per contract for all tiers for Market Maker orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. The Exchange does not propose to amend any of the volume threshold criteria.
The purpose of the proposed changes to the Maker rebates are for business and competitive reasons in order to attract additional non-Penny Class volume from Members by increasing the Maker rebates for options transactions in non-Penny Classes in tiers 1 and 2 for Market Maker orders. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Market Maker orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads. Additionally, the Exchange believes that even with the proposed increase to the Taker fees for Market Maker orders in non-Penny Classes in all tiers, the Exchange's Taker fees will remain competitive with the fees assessed by other exchanges for similar transactions.[18]
Proposal To Amend the Professional Origin Table To Increase Maker Rebates in Certain Tiers and Increase Taker Fees in all Tiers in Non-Penny Classes
The Exchange proposes to amend the Professional origin table to increase the Maker rebates in tiers 1 and 2 for Professional orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins and increase the Taker fees in all tiers for Professional orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. The Professional origin table provides certain volume criteria thresholds for all tiers that are based upon the total monthly volume executed in all option classes by a Professional on MIAX Pearl as a percentage of TCV. Currently, Professionals can qualify for the following rebates and fees for transactions in non-Penny Classes: (i) Maker rebate of ($0.30) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 1 if the Professional executes above 0.00% to at least 0.20% of TCV; (ii) Maker rebate of ($0.30) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 2 if the Professional executes above 0.20% to at least 0.50% of TCV; (iii) Maker rebate of ($0.60) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 3 if the Professional executes above 0.50% to at least 0.85% of TCV; (iv) Maker rebate of ($0.65) per contract or Taker fee of $1.10 per contract in tier 4 if the Professional executes above 0.85% to at least 1.25% of TCV; (v) Maker rebate of ($0.70) per contract or Taker fee of $1.09 per contract in tier 5 if the Professional executes above 1.25% to at least 1.50% of TCV; and (vi) Maker rebate of ($0.85) per contract or Taker fee of $1.09 per contract in tier 6 if the Professional executes above 1.50%.
The Exchange now proposes to amend the Professional origin table to increase the Maker rebates from ($0.30) to ($0.55) per contract for tiers 1 and 2 for Professional orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. The Exchange also proposes to increase the Taker fees to $1.20 per contract for all tiers for Professional orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins. The Exchange does not propose to amend any of the volume threshold criteria.
The purpose of the proposed changes to the Maker rebates are for business and competitive reasons in order to attract additional non-Penny Class volume from Members by increasing the Maker rebates for options transactions in non-Penny Classes in tiers 1 and 2 for Professional orders. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Professional orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads. Additionally, the Exchange believes that even with the proposed increase to the Taker fees for Professional orders in non-Penny Classes in all tiers that the Exchange's Taker fees will remain competitive with the fees assessed by at least one other exchange for similar transactions.[19]
Implementation
The proposed changes are effective beginning June 1, 2026.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend the Fee Schedule is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act [20] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,[21] 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, and 6(b)(5) of the Act,[22] 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.
The Commission has repeatedly expressed its preference for competition over regulatory intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the securities markets. In Regulation NMS, the Commission highlighted the importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current regulation of the market system “has been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most important to investors and listed companies.” [23]
There are currently 18 registered options exchanges competing for order flow. Based on publicly-available information, and excluding index-based and singly-listed options, no single exchange had more than approximately 12-13% of the multiply-listed equity options market share for the month of April 2026.[24] Therefore, no exchange possesses significant pricing power. More specifically, the Exchange had a market share of approximately 1.85% of executed volume of multiply-listed equity options for the month of April 2026.[25]
( printed page 36640)Proposal To Amend the Priority Customer Origin Table To Increase All Maker Rebates in Non-Penny Classes
The Exchange believes its proposal to amend the Priority Customer origin to increase the Maker rebates in all tiers to ($1.06) per contract for Priority Customer orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it would further incentivize Priority Customer orders to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Priority Customer orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads. The Exchange believes the proposed increased Maker rebates in all tiers for Priority Customer orders in non-Penny Classes is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it will apply equally to all market participants who provide Priority Customer orders in such classes.
Proposals To Amend the Market Maker and Professional Origins To Increase Maker Rebates in Certain Tiers and Increase Taker Fees in all Tiers in Non-Penny Classes
The Exchange believes its proposal to amend the Market Maker and Professional origins to increase the Maker rebates in tiers 1 and 2 from ($0.30) to ($0.55) per contract for Market Maker and Professional orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it would further incentivize Market Maker and Professional orders to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Market Maker and Professional orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads. The Exchange believes the proposed increased Maker rebates in tiers 1 and 2 for Market Maker and Professional orders in non-Penny Classes is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because it will apply equally to all market participants who provide Market Maker and Professional orders in such classes.
The Exchange believes the proposal to amend the Market Maker and Professional origins to increase Taker fees to $1.20 per contract in all tiers in non-Penny Classes is reasonable, equitably allocated, and not unfairly discriminatory because, even with the proposed increase, the Exchange believes the proposed Taker fees will not discourage Market Maker and Professional order flow. The Exchange notes that despite the changes proposed herein, the Exchange's proposed Taker fee of $1.20 per contract for the Market Maker and Professional origin for all tiers in non-Penny Classes remains competitive with (and lower than) the Taker fees for similar executions that are charged by other equity options exchanges.[26]
The Exchange believes that even with the proposed increase, the Exchange's Taker fees for Market Maker and Professional transactions in non-Penny Classes will continue to encourage such market participants to remove liquidity from the Exchange. In turn, this should continue to contribute to a deep and liquid market to the benefit of all market participants and allow the Exchange to maintain its attractiveness as a trading venue. The Exchange further believes the proposed increased Taker fee is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the proposed increased fees will apply to all Market Maker and Professional origin orders in non-Penny Classes, regardless of volume.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Intra-Market Competition
The Exchange does not believe that any of the proposed changes will impose any burden on intra-market competition. The Exchange believes its proposal to amend the Priority Customer origin to increase the Maker rebates in all tiers for Priority Customer orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins will not impose any burden on intra-market competition. Instead, the Exchange believes this proposed change will promote competition because it will further incentivize Priority Customer orders to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Priority Customer orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads.
Similarly, the Exchange believes its proposal to amend the Market Maker and Professional origins to increase the Maker rebates in tiers 1 and 2 for Market Maker and Professional orders in non-Penny Classes that trade against all origins will not impose any burden on intra-market competition. Instead, the Exchange believes this proposed change will promote competition because it will further incentivize Market Maker and Professional orders to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that this may, in turn, encourage Members to submit more Market Maker and Professional orders, leading to increased liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads.
The Exchange believes that its proposal to increase Taker fees for Market Maker and Professional transactions in non-Penny Classes will not impose any burden on intramarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because these changes are for business and competitive reasons. The Exchange notes that despite the increases proposed herein, the Exchange's fee remains competitive with, and lower than, the taker fee charged by other exchanges for similar executions in non-penny classes by those exchanges market makers and professional customers.[27]
Inter-Market Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed changes will impose any burden on inter-market competition and the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive, or rebate opportunities available at other venues to be more favorable. There are currently 18 registered options exchanges competing for order flow. Based on publicly-available information, and excluding index-based options, no single exchange had more than approximately 12-13% of the multiply-listed equity options market share for the month of April 2026.[28] Therefore, no exchange possesses significant pricing power. More specifically, the Exchange had a market share of approximately 1.85% of executed volume of multiply-listed equity options for the month of April 2026.[29]
In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust its rebates and tiers to remain competitive with other options exchanges. Because competitors are free to modify their own fees and tiers in response, and because market ( printed page 36641) participants may readily adjust their order routing practices, the Exchange believes that the degree to which fee changes in this market may impose any burden on competition is extremely limited. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes reflect this competitive environment because they modify the Exchange's tiers and rebates in a manner that encourages market participants to continue to provide liquidity and to send order flow to the Exchange.
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,[30] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) [31] 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.
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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
- Send an email torule-comments@sec.gov. Please include file number SR-PEARL-2026-25 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-PEARL-2026-25. 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 ( https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the filing will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. Do not include personal identifiable information in submissions; you should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright protection. All submissions should refer to file number SR-PEARL-2026-25 and should be submitted on or before July 8, 2026.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[32]
Stephanie J. Fouse,
Assistant Secretary.