Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Amend Exchange Rule 515A to Extend the Pilot Period for Certain Aspects of the PRIME Auction to July 18, 2016, 44174-44176 [2015-18136]

Download as PDF 44174 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices 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 also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BOX– 2015–26, and should be submitted on or before August 14, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.12 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–18133 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–75486; File No. SR–MIAX– 2015–48] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Amend Exchange Rule 515A to Extend the Pilot Period for Certain Aspects of the PRIME Auction to July 18, 2016 asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES July 20, 2015. Pursuant to the provisions of section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on July 16, 2015, Miami International Securities Exchange LLC (‘‘MIAX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a 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. 12 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:59 Jul 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 515A. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https://www.miaxoptions.com/filter/ wotitle/rule_filing, at MIAX’s principal office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot period applicable to certain aspects of the PRIME Auction which is currently set to expire on July 18, 2015, until July 18, 2016. The current pilot allows PRIME Agency Orders of any size to initiate a PRIME Auction on MIAX at a price which is at or better than the national best bid or offer (‘‘NBBO’’).3 The Exchange notes that other exchanges provide the same functionality.4 The Exchange implemented the pilot in order to benefit customers through the encouragement of the entry of more orders into the PRIME Auction, thus 3 The Exchange notes that prior to the pilot, for PRIME Agency Orders for less than 50 standard option contracts or 500 mini-option contracts, the Initiating Member must stop the entire PRIME Agency Order as principal or with a solicited order at the better of the NBBO price improved by a $0.01 increment or the PRIME Agency Order’s limit price (if the order is a limit order). In addition, to initiate the PRIME Auction for auto-match submissions, the Initiating Member must stop the PRIME Agency Order for less than 50 standard option contracts or 500 mini-option contracts at better of the NBBO price improved by a $0.01 increment or the PRIME Agency Order’s limit price. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73590 (November 13, 2014), 79 68919 (November 19, 2014) (SR–MIAX–2014–56). See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 72009 (April 23, 2014), 79 FR 24032 (April 29, 2014) (SR–MIAX–2014–20); 72418 (June 18, 2014), 79 FR 35833 (June 24, 2014) (SR–MIAX–2014–23). 4 See PHLX Rule 1080(n). PO 00000 Frm 00156 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 making it more likely that such orders may receive price improvement. The Exchange believes that the pilot attracts order flow and promotes competition and price improvement opportunities for Agency Orders of fewer than 50 contracts. The Exchange believes that extending the pilot period is appropriate because it would allow the Exchange and the Commission additional time to analyze data regarding the pilot that the Exchange has committed to provide. In the original filing, the Exchange committed to periodically submitting reports based on the comprehensive list of the data that the Exchange represented that it will collect in order to aid the Commission in its evaluation of the PRIME that incorporates the changes proposed.5 As of August 1, 2015, the Exchange will submit periodic reports based on the revised list of data detailed in Exhibit 3 of this proposal. Any raw data which is submitted to the Commission pursuant to the pilot will be provided on a confidential basis. In further support of this proposal, the Exchange represents that it will provide certain additional data requested by the Commission regarding trading in the PRIME Auction for the six (6) month period from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015. The Exchange agrees to provide this data by January 18, 2016 and to make the summary of the data provided to the Commission publicly available. The Exchange continues to believe that there remains meaningful competition for all size orders and that there is an active and liquid market functioning on the Exchange outside of the PRIME Auction. The Exchange also continues to believe that there are significant opportunities for price improvement available in the PRIME Auction. The Exchange believes the additional data will substantiate the Exchange’s belief and provide further evidence in support of permanent approval of the pilot. 2. Statutory Basis MIAX believes that its proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b) of the Act 6 in general, and furthers the objectives of section 6(b)(5) of the Act 7 in particular, in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 5 See Proposed Rule 515A, Interpretations and Policies .08. A comprehensive list of the data that the Exchange represented that it will collect is available in Exhibit 3 of SR–MIAX–2014–23. See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 72009 (April 23, 2014), 79 FR 24032 (April 29, 2014) (SR– MIAX–2014–20); 72418 (June 18, 2014), 79 FR 35833 (June 24, 2014) (SR–MIAX–2014–23). 6 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 7 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices 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 Exchange believes that extending the pilot is consistent with these principles because the pilot is reasonably designed to create tighter markets and ensure that each order receives the best possible price, which benefits investors by increasing competition thereby maximizing opportunities for price improvement. The proposed extension would allow the pilot to continue uninterrupted, thereby avoiding any potential investor confusion that could result from a temporary interruption in the pilot. Because the pilot is applicable to all PRIME Agency Orders for fewer than 50 contracts, the proposal to extend the pilot merely acts to maintain status quo on the Exchange, which promotes just and equitable principles of trade and removes impediments to, and perfects the mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system. The extension of the pilot period will allow the Commission and the Exchange to continue to monitor the pilot to ascertain whether there is meaningful competition for all size orders and whether there is an active and liquid market functioning on the Exchange outside of the PRIME Auction. The extension of the pilot period would also enable market participants to continue to benefit from the significant opportunities for price improvement available in the PRIME Auction. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 simply extends an established pilot program for an additional period and would allow for further analysis of the pilot. In addition, the proposed extension would allow the pilot to continue uninterrupted, thereby avoiding any potential investor confusion that could result from a temporary interruption in the pilot. Thus, the proposal would also serve to promote regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on the marketplace and facilitating investor protection. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:59 Jul 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 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 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 8 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.9 A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 10 normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b–4(f)(6)(iii),11 the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange noted that waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to extend the pilot program before it expires on July 18, 2015. The Exchange believes that the proposal to extend the pilot merely acts to maintain status quo on the Exchange and waiver of the operative delay would allow for the pilot to continue uninterrupted. According to the Exchange, the extension of the pilot period would allow the Commission and the Exchange to continue to assess the effect of the pilot. The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, as it will allow the pilot program to continue uninterrupted, thereby avoiding any potential investor confusion that could result from a temporary interruption in the pilot program. Therefore, the Commission designates the proposed U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b– 4(f)(6) requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the Exchange’s intent to file the proposed rule change along with a brief description and 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. The Exchange has satisfied this requirement. 10 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). 11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii). PO 00000 8 15 9 17 Frm 00157 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44175 rule change to be operative on July 18, 2015.12 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 to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– MIAX–2015–48 on the subject line. Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–MIAX–2015–48. 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 12 For purposes only of waiving the operative delay, the Commission has considered the proposed rule’s impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f). E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1 44176 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 142 / Friday, July 24, 2015 / Notices 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–MIAX– 2015–48 and should be submitted on or before August 14, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–18136 Filed 7–23–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–75492; File No. SR–C2– 2015–019] Self-Regulatory Organizations; C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Options Regulatory Fee July 20, 2015. Pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on July 10, 2015, C2 Options Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘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. asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend the Options Regulatory Fee. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site (https:// www.c2exchange.com/Legal/), at the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 13 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:59 Jul 23, 2015 Jkt 235001 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 increase the Options Regulatory Fee (‘‘ORF’’) from $.0002 to $.0051 per contract in order to help offset increased regulatory costs. The proposed fee change would be operative on August 1, 2015. The ORF is assessed by the Exchange to each Permit Holder for all options transactions executed or cleared by the Permit Holder that are cleared by The Options Clearing Corporation (‘‘OCC’’) in the customer range (i.e., transactions that clear in a customer account at OCC) regardless of the exchange on which the transaction occurs. In other words, the Exchange imposes the ORF on all customer-range transactions executed by a Permit Holder, even if the transactions do not take place on the Exchange. The ORF also is charged for transactions that are not executed by a Permit Holder but are ultimately cleared by a Permit Holder. In the case where a Permit Holder executes a transaction and a different Permit Holder clears the transaction, the ORF is assessed to the Permit Holder who executed the transaction. In the case where a nonPermit Holder executes a transaction and a Permit Holder clears the transaction, the ORF is assessed to the Permit Holder who clears the transaction. The ORF is collected indirectly from Permit Holders through their clearing firms by OCC on behalf of the Exchange. The ORF is designed to recover a material portion of the costs to the Exchange of the supervision and regulation of Permit Holder customer options business, including performing routine surveillances, investigations, examinations, financial monitoring, as well as policy, rulemaking, interpretive and enforcement activities. The Exchange believes that revenue PO 00000 Frm 00158 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 generated from the ORF, when combined with all of the Exchange’s other regulatory fees and fines, will cover a material portion, but not all, of the Exchange’s regulatory costs. The Exchange notes that its regulatory responsibilities with respect to Permit Holder compliance with options sales practice rules have largely been allocated to FINRA under a 17d–2 agreement. The ORF is not designed to cover the cost of that options sales practice regulation. The Exchange will continue to monitor the amount of revenue collected from the ORF to ensure that it, in combination with its other regulatory fees and fines, does not exceed the Exchange’s total regulatory costs. The Exchange monitors its regulatory costs and revenues at a minimum on a semiannual basis. If the Exchange determines regulatory revenues exceed or are insufficient to cover a material portion of its regulatory costs, the Exchange will adjust the ORF by submitting a fee change filing to the Commission. The Exchange notifies Permit Holders of adjustments to the ORF via regulatory circular. The Exchange endeavors to provide Permit Holders with such notice at least 30 calendar days prior to the effective date of the change. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of section 6(b) of the Act.3 Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with section 6(b)(4) of the Act,4 which provides that Exchange rules may provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its Permit Holders and other persons using its facilities. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the section 6(b)(5) 5 requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange believes the proposed fee change is reasonable because it would help the Exchange offset increased regulatory costs but would not result in total regulatory revenue exceeding total regulatory costs. Moreover, the Exchange believes the ORF ensures fairness by assessing 3 15 4 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). 5 Id. E:\FR\FM\24JYN1.SGM 24JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 142 (Friday, July 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44174-44176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18136]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75486; File No. SR-MIAX-2015-48]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities 
Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change to Amend Exchange Rule 515A to Extend the Pilot 
Period for Certain Aspects of the PRIME Auction to July 18, 2016

July 20, 2015.
    Pursuant to the provisions of section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice 
is hereby given that on July 16, 2015, Miami International Securities 
Exchange LLC (``MIAX'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 515A.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at https://www.miaxoptions.com/filter/wotitle/rule_filing, at 
MIAX's principal office, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to extend the pilot period applicable to 
certain aspects of the PRIME Auction which is currently set to expire 
on July 18, 2015, until July 18, 2016.
    The current pilot allows PRIME Agency Orders of any size to 
initiate a PRIME Auction on MIAX at a price which is at or better than 
the national best bid or offer (``NBBO'').\3\ The Exchange notes that 
other exchanges provide the same functionality.\4\ The Exchange 
implemented the pilot in order to benefit customers through the 
encouragement of the entry of more orders into the PRIME Auction, thus 
making it more likely that such orders may receive price improvement. 
The Exchange believes that the pilot attracts order flow and promotes 
competition and price improvement opportunities for Agency Orders of 
fewer than 50 contracts. The Exchange believes that extending the pilot 
period is appropriate because it would allow the Exchange and the 
Commission additional time to analyze data regarding the pilot that the 
Exchange has committed to provide.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Exchange notes that prior to the pilot, for PRIME Agency 
Orders for less than 50 standard option contracts or 500 mini-option 
contracts, the Initiating Member must stop the entire PRIME Agency 
Order as principal or with a solicited order at the better of the 
NBBO price improved by a $0.01 increment or the PRIME Agency Order's 
limit price (if the order is a limit order). In addition, to 
initiate the PRIME Auction for auto-match submissions, the 
Initiating Member must stop the PRIME Agency Order for less than 50 
standard option contracts or 500 mini-option contracts at better of 
the NBBO price improved by a $0.01 increment or the PRIME Agency 
Order's limit price. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 73590 
(November 13, 2014), 79 68919 (November 19, 2014) (SR-MIAX-2014-56). 
See also Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 72009 (April 23, 
2014), 79 FR 24032 (April 29, 2014) (SR-MIAX-2014-20); 72418 (June 
18, 2014), 79 FR 35833 (June 24, 2014) (SR-MIAX-2014-23).
    \4\ See PHLX Rule 1080(n).
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    In the original filing, the Exchange committed to periodically 
submitting reports based on the comprehensive list of the data that the 
Exchange represented that it will collect in order to aid the 
Commission in its evaluation of the PRIME that incorporates the changes 
proposed.\5\ As of August 1, 2015, the Exchange will submit periodic 
reports based on the revised list of data detailed in Exhibit 3 of this 
proposal. Any raw data which is submitted to the Commission pursuant to 
the pilot will be provided on a confidential basis. In further support 
of this proposal, the Exchange represents that it will provide certain 
additional data requested by the Commission regarding trading in the 
PRIME Auction for the six (6) month period from January 1, 2015 to June 
30, 2015. The Exchange agrees to provide this data by January 18, 2016 
and to make the summary of the data provided to the Commission publicly 
available. The Exchange continues to believe that there remains 
meaningful competition for all size orders and that there is an active 
and liquid market functioning on the Exchange outside of the PRIME 
Auction. The Exchange also continues to believe that there are 
significant opportunities for price improvement available in the PRIME 
Auction. The Exchange believes the additional data will substantiate 
the Exchange's belief and provide further evidence in support of 
permanent approval of the pilot.
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    \5\ See Proposed Rule 515A, Interpretations and Policies .08. A 
comprehensive list of the data that the Exchange represented that it 
will collect is available in Exhibit 3 of SR-MIAX-2014-23. See also 
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 72009 (April 23, 2014), 79 FR 
24032 (April 29, 2014) (SR-MIAX-2014-20); 72418 (June 18, 2014), 79 
FR 35833 (June 24, 2014) (SR-MIAX-2014-23).
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2. Statutory Basis
    MIAX believes that its proposed rule change is consistent with 
section 6(b) of the Act \6\ in general, and furthers the objectives of 
section 6(b)(5) of the Act \7\ in particular, in that it is designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just 
and equitable principles of trade, to foster

[[Page 44175]]

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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that extending the pilot is consistent with 
these principles because the pilot is reasonably designed to create 
tighter markets and ensure that each order receives the best possible 
price, which benefits investors by increasing competition thereby 
maximizing opportunities for price improvement. The proposed extension 
would allow the pilot to continue uninterrupted, thereby avoiding any 
potential investor confusion that could result from a temporary 
interruption in the pilot. Because the pilot is applicable to all PRIME 
Agency Orders for fewer than 50 contracts, the proposal to extend the 
pilot merely acts to maintain status quo on the Exchange, which 
promotes just and equitable principles of trade and removes impediments 
to, and perfects the mechanism of, a free and open market and a 
national market system.
    The extension of the pilot period will allow the Commission and the 
Exchange to continue to monitor the pilot to ascertain whether there is 
meaningful competition for all size orders and whether there is an 
active and liquid market functioning on the Exchange outside of the 
PRIME Auction. The extension of the pilot period would also enable 
market participants to continue to benefit from the significant 
opportunities for price improvement available in the PRIME Auction.

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 
simply extends an established pilot program for an additional period 
and would allow for further analysis of the pilot. In addition, the 
proposed extension would allow the pilot to continue uninterrupted, 
thereby avoiding any potential investor confusion that could result 
from a temporary interruption in the pilot. Thus, the proposal would 
also serve to promote regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby 
reducing burdens on the marketplace and facilitating investor 
protection.

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

    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 \8\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires the Exchange to give the Commission written notice of the 
Exchange's intent to file the proposed rule change along with a 
brief description and 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. The 
Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \10\ normally 
does not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. 
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\11\ the Commission may 
designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange requested 
that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. The Exchange 
noted that waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange 
to extend the pilot program before it expires on July 18, 2015. The 
Exchange believes that the proposal to extend the pilot merely acts to 
maintain status quo on the Exchange and waiver of the operative delay 
would allow for the pilot to continue uninterrupted. According to the 
Exchange, the extension of the pilot period would allow the Commission 
and the Exchange to continue to assess the effect of the pilot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, as 
it will allow the pilot program to continue uninterrupted, thereby 
avoiding any potential investor confusion that could result from a 
temporary interruption in the pilot program. Therefore, the Commission 
designates the proposed rule change to be operative on July 18, 
2015.\12\
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    \12\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay, the 
Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, 
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-MIAX-2015-48 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-MIAX-2015-48. 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

[[Page 44176]]

10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-MIAX-2015-48 and should be 
submitted on or before August 14, 2015.
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    \13\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\13\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-18136 Filed 7-23-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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