Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt New Rule 21.17, Exchange Sharing of User Designated Risk Settings, 16475-16477 [2015-06994]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 59 / Friday, March 27, 2015 / Notices 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 to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– ICC–2015–004 on the subject line. Paper Comments mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES • 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–ICC–2015–004. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filings will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of ICE Clear Credit and on ICE Clear Credit’s Web site at https:// www.theice.com/clear-credit/regulation. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–ICC–2015–004 and should be submitted on or before April 17, 2015. 16 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:59 Mar 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.16 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–06992 Filed 3–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–74565; File No. SR–BATS– 2015–22] Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt New Rule 21.17, Exchange Sharing of User Designated Risk Settings March 23, 2015. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on March 13, 2015, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BATS’’) 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 Exchange has designated this proposal as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ proposed rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,4 which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 filed a proposal to authorize the BATS Options Market (‘‘BATS Options’’) to share a User’s 5 risk settings with the Clearing Member 6 that clears transactions on behalf of the User. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange’s Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 5 A User is defined as ‘‘any Options member or Sponsored Participant who is authorized to obtain access to the System pursuant to Rule 11.3 (Access).’’ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(63). 6 A Clearing Member is defined as ‘‘an Options Member that is self-clearing or an Options Member that clears BATS Options Transactions for other Members of BATS Options.’’ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(15). 16475 the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange is proposing to adopt new Rule 21.17, Exchange Sharing of User Designated Risk Settings, in order to authorize the Exchange to share any of a User’s risk settings with the Clearing Member that clears transactions on behalf of the User. Under BATS Rule 17.2(b), Options Members 7 must be Clearing Members or establish a clearing arrangement with a Clearing Member. Rule 21.13(a) provides that every Clearing Member is responsible for the clearance of BATS Options Transactions 8 of such Clearing Member and of each User that gives up such Clearing Member’s name pursuant to a letter of authorization, letter of guarantee, or other authorization given by such Clearing Member to such User, which authorization must be submitted to the Exchange. Further, no Options Member may make any transactions on the Exchange unless a letter of guarantee providing that the issuing Clearing Member accepts financial responsibilities for all BATS Options Transactions made by the Options Member (a ‘‘Letter of Guarantee’’) has been issued for such Options Member by a Clearing Member and filed with the Exchange. Thus, while not all Options Members are Clearing Members, all Options 2 17 PO 00000 Frm 00117 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7 An Options Member is defined as ‘‘a firm, or organization that is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter XVII of these Rules for purposes of participating in options trading on BATS Options as an ‘Options Order Entry Firm’ or ‘Options Market Maker.’ ’’ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(38). 8 A BATS Options Transactions is defined as ‘‘a transaction involving an options contract that is effected on or through BATS Options or its facilities or systems.’’ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(11). E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1 16476 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 59 / Friday, March 27, 2015 / Notices Members require a Clearing Member’s consent to clear transactions on their behalf (or on behalf of any Sponsored Participants 9 for which the Options Member is a Sponsoring Member 10) in order to conduct business on the Exchange. Each Options Member that transacts through a Clearing Member on the Exchange executes a Letter of Guarantee which codifies the relationship between the Options Member and the Clearing Member and provides the Exchange with notice of which Clearing Members have relationships with which Options Members. The Clearing Member that guarantees the Options Member’s transactions on the Exchange has a financial interest in understanding the risk tolerance of the Options Member. The proposal would provide the Exchange with authority to directly provide Clearing Members with information that may otherwise be available to such Clearing Members by virtue of their relationship with the respective Users. At this time, the risk settings covered by this proposal are set forth in Rule 21.16, entitled Risk Monitor Mechanism.11 The Exchange may adopt additional rules providing for Options Member designated risk settings other than those provided in Rule 21.16 that could be shared with an Options Member’s Clearing Member under the proposal and the Exchange would announce these additional risk settings by issuing a Trade Desk Notice. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular, with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act.12 In particular, the proposal is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act 13 because it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 9 A Sponsored Participant is defined as ‘‘a person which has entered into a sponsorship arrangement with a Sponsoring Member pursuant to Rule 11.3. See Exchange Rule 1.5(x). 10 A Sponsoring Member is defined as ‘‘a brokerdealer that has been issued a membership by the Exchange who has been designated by a Sponsored Participant to execute, clear and settle transactions resulting from the System. The Sponsoring Member shall be either (i) a clearing firm with membership in a clearing agency registered with the Commission that maintains facilities through which transactions may be cleared or (ii) a correspondent firm with a clearing arrangement with any such clearing firm.’’ See Exchange Rule 1.5(y). 11 See Exchange Rule 21.16. 12 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:59 Mar 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The proposed rule change will allow the Exchange to directly provide an Options Member’s designated risk settings to the Clearing Member that clears trades on behalf of the Options Member. Because a Clearing Member that executes a clearing Letter of Guarantee on behalf of an Options Member guarantees all transactions of that Options Member, and therefore bears the risk associated with those transactions, it is appropriate for the Clearing Member to have knowledge of what risk settings the Options Member may utilize within the Trading System.14 The proposal will permit Clearing Members who have a financial interest in the risk settings of Options Members with whom the Clearing Participant has entered into a Letter of Guarantee to better monitor and manage the potential risks assumed by Clearing Members, thereby providing Clearing Members with greater control and flexibility over setting their own risk tolerance and exposure and aiding Clearing Members in complying with the Act. To the extent a Clearing Member might reasonably require an Options Member to provide access to its risk setting as a prerequisite to continuing to clear trades on the Options Member’s behalf, the Exchange’s proposal to share those risk settings directly reduces the administrative burden on Options Members and ensures that Clearing Members are receiving information that is up to date and conforms to the settings active in the Trading 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 that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is not designed to address any competitive issues and does not pose an undue burden on nonClearing Members because, unlike Clearing Members, non-Clearing Members do not guarantee the execution of an Options Member’s transactions on the Exchange. The proposal is 14 Trading System is defined as ‘‘the automated trading system used by BATS Options for the trading of options contracts.’’ See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(59). PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 structured to offer the same enhancement to all Clearing Members, regardless of size, and would not impose a competitive burden on any Options Member. Any Options Member that does not wish to share its designated risk settings with its Clearing Member could avoid sharing such settings by becoming a Clearing Member. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any written comments from members or other interested parties. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has been filed by the Exchange as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Act 15 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.16 Consequently, 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 17 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.18 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 19 normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),20 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so the Exchange may allow Clearing Members to immediately monitor and manage the potential risks assumed by Options Members. The 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 17 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 18 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 19 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 20 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). 16 17 E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 59 / Friday, March 27, 2015 / Notices Exchange notes that this functionality is already available on other exchanges. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it will allow the Exchange’s Clearing Members to monitor and manage potential risks in a timely manner. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the Commission.21 At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission may summarily temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (1) Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (2) for the protection of investors; or (3) 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 proposal is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– BATS–2015–22 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–BATS–2015–22. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s Internet Web site (https://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 21 For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:59 Mar 26, 2015 Jkt 235001 communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BATS– 2015–22 and should be submitted on or before April 17, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.22 Brent J. Fields, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–06994 Filed 3–26–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–74562; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2015–15] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Listing and Trading of Shares of Principal EDGE Active Income ETF Under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600 March 23, 2015. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that, on March 12, 2015, NYSE Arca, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘NYSE Arca’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. 22 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 15 U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 PO 00000 Frm 00119 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16477 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares of the following under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600 (‘‘Managed Fund Shares’’): Principal EDGE Active Income ETF. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization included statements concerning the purpose of, and basis for, the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the following under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.600, which governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares 4 on the Exchange: 5 Principal EDGE Active Income ETF (the ‘‘Fund’’). 4 A Managed Fund Share is a security that represents an interest in an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1) (‘‘1940 Act’’) organized as an open-end investment company or similar entity that invests in a portfolio of securities selected by its investment adviser consistent with its investment objectives and policies. In contrast, an open-end investment company that issues Investment Company Units, listed and traded on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 5.2(j)(3), seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of a specific foreign or domestic stock index, fixed income securities index or combination thereof. 5 The Commission has previously approved listing and trading on the Exchange of actively managed funds under Rule 8.600. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 57801 (May 8, 2008), 73 FR 27878 (May 14, 2008) (SR– NYSEArca–2008–31) (order approving Exchange listing and trading of twelve actively-managed funds of the WisdomTree Trust); 66321 (February 3, 2012), 77 FR 6850 (February 9, 2012) (SR– NYSEArca–2011–95) (order approving listing and trading of PIMCO Total Return Exchange Traded Fund); 66670 (March 28, 2012), 77 FR 20087 (April 3, 2012) (SR–NYSEArca–2012–09) (order approving Continued E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16475-16477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06994]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-74565; File No. SR-BATS-2015-22]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; BATS Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt
New Rule 21.17, Exchange Sharing of User Designated Risk Settings

March 23, 2015.
Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on March 13, 2015, BATS Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``BATS'') 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 Exchange
has designated this proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule
change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,\4\ which renders it effective upon filing with
the Commission. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange filed a proposal to authorize the BATS Options Market
(``BATS Options'') to share a User's \5\ risk settings with the
Clearing Member \6\ that clears transactions on behalf of the User.
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\5\ A User is defined as ``any Options member or Sponsored
Participant who is authorized to obtain access to the System
pursuant to Rule 11.3 (Access).'' See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(63).
\6\ A Clearing Member is defined as ``an Options Member that is
self-clearing or an Options Member that clears BATS Options
Transactions for other Members of BATS Options.'' See Exchange Rule
16.1(a)(15).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's
Web site at www.batstrading.com, at the principal office of the
Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
The Exchange is proposing to adopt new Rule 21.17, Exchange Sharing
of User Designated Risk Settings, in order to authorize the Exchange to
share any of a User's risk settings with the Clearing Member that
clears transactions on behalf of the User.
Under BATS Rule 17.2(b), Options Members \7\ must be Clearing
Members or establish a clearing arrangement with a Clearing Member.
Rule 21.13(a) provides that every Clearing Member is responsible for
the clearance of BATS Options Transactions \8\ of such Clearing Member
and of each User that gives up such Clearing Member's name pursuant to
a letter of authorization, letter of guarantee, or other authorization
given by such Clearing Member to such User, which authorization must be
submitted to the Exchange. Further, no Options Member may make any
transactions on the Exchange unless a letter of guarantee providing
that the issuing Clearing Member accepts financial responsibilities for
all BATS Options Transactions made by the Options Member (a ``Letter of
Guarantee'') has been issued for such Options Member by a Clearing
Member and filed with the Exchange.
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\7\ An Options Member is defined as ``a firm, or organization
that is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter XVII of
these Rules for purposes of participating in options trading on BATS
Options as an `Options Order Entry Firm' or `Options Market Maker.'
'' See Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(38).
\8\ A BATS Options Transactions is defined as ``a transaction
involving an options contract that is effected on or through BATS
Options or its facilities or systems.'' See Exchange Rule
16.1(a)(11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thus, while not all Options Members are Clearing Members, all
Options

[[Page 16476]]

Members require a Clearing Member's consent to clear transactions on
their behalf (or on behalf of any Sponsored Participants \9\ for which
the Options Member is a Sponsoring Member \10\) in order to conduct
business on the Exchange. Each Options Member that transacts through a
Clearing Member on the Exchange executes a Letter of Guarantee which
codifies the relationship between the Options Member and the Clearing
Member and provides the Exchange with notice of which Clearing Members
have relationships with which Options Members. The Clearing Member that
guarantees the Options Member's transactions on the Exchange has a
financial interest in understanding the risk tolerance of the Options
Member. The proposal would provide the Exchange with authority to
directly provide Clearing Members with information that may otherwise
be available to such Clearing Members by virtue of their relationship
with the respective Users.
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\9\ A Sponsored Participant is defined as ``a person which has
entered into a sponsorship arrangement with a Sponsoring Member
pursuant to Rule 11.3. See Exchange Rule 1.5(x).
\10\ A Sponsoring Member is defined as ``a broker-dealer that
has been issued a membership by the Exchange who has been designated
by a Sponsored Participant to execute, clear and settle transactions
resulting from the System. The Sponsoring Member shall be either (i)
a clearing firm with membership in a clearing agency registered with
the Commission that maintains facilities through which transactions
may be cleared or (ii) a correspondent firm with a clearing
arrangement with any such clearing firm.'' See Exchange Rule 1.5(y).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

At this time, the risk settings covered by this proposal are set
forth in Rule 21.16, entitled Risk Monitor Mechanism.\11\ The Exchange
may adopt additional rules providing for Options Member designated risk
settings other than those provided in Rule 21.16 that could be shared
with an Options Member's Clearing Member under the proposal and the
Exchange would announce these additional risk settings by issuing a
Trade Desk Notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\11\ See Exchange Rule 21.16.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with the
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder that
are applicable to a national securities exchange, and, in particular,
with the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act.\12\ In particular,
the proposal is consistent with section 6(b)(5) of the Act \13\ because
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to, and perfect the
mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The proposed rule change will allow the Exchange to directly
provide an Options Member's designated risk settings to the Clearing
Member that clears trades on behalf of the Options Member. Because a
Clearing Member that executes a clearing Letter of Guarantee on behalf
of an Options Member guarantees all transactions of that Options
Member, and therefore bears the risk associated with those
transactions, it is appropriate for the Clearing Member to have
knowledge of what risk settings the Options Member may utilize within
the Trading System.\14\ The proposal will permit Clearing Members who
have a financial interest in the risk settings of Options Members with
whom the Clearing Participant has entered into a Letter of Guarantee to
better monitor and manage the potential risks assumed by Clearing
Members, thereby providing Clearing Members with greater control and
flexibility over setting their own risk tolerance and exposure and
aiding Clearing Members in complying with the Act. To the extent a
Clearing Member might reasonably require an Options Member to provide
access to its risk setting as a prerequisite to continuing to clear
trades on the Options Member's behalf, the Exchange's proposal to share
those risk settings directly reduces the administrative burden on
Options Members and ensures that Clearing Members are receiving
information that is up to date and conforms to the settings active in
the Trading System.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\14\ Trading System is defined as ``the automated trading system
used by BATS Options for the trading of options contracts.'' See
Exchange Rule 16.1(a)(59).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is
not designed to address any competitive issues and does not pose an
undue burden on non-Clearing Members because, unlike Clearing Members,
non-Clearing Members do not guarantee the execution of an Options
Member's transactions on the Exchange. The proposal is structured to
offer the same enhancement to all Clearing Members, regardless of size,
and would not impose a competitive burden on any Options Member. Any
Options Member that does not wish to share its designated risk settings
with its Clearing Member could avoid sharing such settings by becoming
a Clearing Member.

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

The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit,
comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received
any written comments from members or other interested parties.

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

The foregoing rule change has been filed by the Exchange as a
``non-controversial'' rule change pursuant to section 19(b)(3)(A)(i) of
the Act \15\ and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\16\
Consequently, 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 \17\ and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\18\
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(i).
\16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\17\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \19\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\20\ the Commission
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so the Exchange may
allow Clearing Members to immediately monitor and manage the potential
risks assumed by Options Members. The

[[Page 16477]]

Exchange notes that this functionality is already available on other
exchanges. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative
delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public
interest because it will allow the Exchange's Clearing Members to
monitor and manage potential risks in a timely manner. Therefore, the
Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the
proposed rule change to be operative upon filing with the
Commission.\21\
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\19\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\20\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\21\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this
proposal, the Commission 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 may summarily temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is: (1)
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (2) for the protection
of investors; or (3) 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 proposal 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 to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include
File Number SR-BATS-2015-22 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-BATS-2015-22. This
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's Internet Web site (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing will also be available
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BATS-2015-22 and should be
submitted on or before April 17, 2015.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\22\
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\22\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-06994 Filed 3-26-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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