Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rule 8.15 Entitled “Imposition of Fines for Minor Violation(s) of Rules”, 9839-9841 [2015-03667]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
quality and increased transaction
volume that results from the anticipated
increase in order flow directed to the
Exchange will benefit all market
participants and improve competition
on the Exchange in such select symbols.
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. In such an environment, the
Exchange must continually adjust its
fees to remain competitive with other
exchanges and to attract order flow to
the Exchange. The Exchange believes
that the proposed rule change reflects
this competitive environment because it
reduces the Exchange’s fees in a manner
that encourages market participants to
direct their customer order flow, to
provide liquidity, and to attract
additional transaction volume to the
Exchange. Given the robust competition
for volume among options markets,
many of which offer the same products,
implementing a volume based customer
rebate program to attract order flow like
the one being proposed in this filing is
consistent with the above-mentioned
goals of the Act. This is especially true
for the smaller options markets, such as
MIAX, which is competing for volume
with much larger exchanges that
dominate the options trading industry.
MIAX has a nominal percentage of the
average daily trading volume in options,
so it is unlikely that the customer rebate
program could cause any competitive
harm to the options market or to market
participants. Rather, the customer rebate
program is a modest attempt by a small
options market to attract order volume
away from larger competitors by
adopting an innovative pricing strategy.
The Exchange notes that if the rebate
program resulted in a modest percentage
increase in the average daily trading
volume in options executing on MIAX,
while such percentage would represent
a large volume increase for MIAX, it
would represent a minimal reduction in
volume of its larger competitors in the
industry. The Exchange believes that the
proposal will help further competition,
because market participants will have
yet another additional option in
determining where to execute orders
and post liquidity if they factor the
benefits of a customer rebate program
into the determination.
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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:31 Feb 23, 2015
Jkt 235001
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.13 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
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–2015–08 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–MIAX–2015–08. 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.,
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
Frm 00152
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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–MIAX–
2015–08 and should be submitted on or
before March 17, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–03659 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]
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:
13 15
9839
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–74296; File No. SR–EDGX–
2015–10]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX
Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change To Amend Rule 8.15
Entitled ‘‘Imposition of Fines for Minor
Violation(s) of Rules’’
February 18, 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 February
5, 2015, EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGX’’) 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
amend Rule 8.15 entitled ‘‘Imposition of
14 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
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).
1 15
E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM
24FEN1
9840
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices
Fines for Minor Violation(s) of Rules.’’
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.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
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
Rule 8.15 in order to make it
substantively identical to the
corresponding rules on BATS Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘BATS’’) and BATS Y-Exchange,
Inc. (‘‘BYX’’), as further described
below. Last year, the Exchange and its
affiliate EDGA Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGA’’)
received approval to effect a merger (the
‘‘Merger’’) of the Exchange’s parent
company, Direct Edge Holdings LLC,
with BATS Global Markets, Inc., the
parent of BATS and BYX (together with
BATS, BYX, EDGA and EDGX, the
‘‘BGM Affiliated Exchanges’’).5 In the
context of the Merger, the BGM
Affiliated Exchanges are working to
align certain rules, retaining only
intended differences between the BGM
Affiliated Exchanges. Thus, the proposal
set forth below is intended to amend
Rule 8.15 in order to make it
substantively identical to corresponding
rules on BATS, BYX, and EDGA.6
Currently, paragraph (d) of
Interpretation and Policy to Rule 8.15
includes Rule 2.5 Interpretation .04:
Firm Element of Continuing Education
Requirement (the ‘‘CE Rule’’) under the
list of Exchange rule violations and
recommended fine schedule pursuant to
Rule 8.15 related to the imposition of
fines for minor violations of rules (the
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71449
(January 30, 2014), 79 FR 6961 (February 5, 2014)
(SR–EDGX–2013–43; SR–EDGA–2013–34).
6 The Exchange understands that BATS, BYX, and
EDGA intend to file proposed rule changes with the
Commission to adopt substantively identical rules.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:31 Feb 23, 2015
Jkt 235001
‘‘MRVP’’). The Exchange, however, has
no specific reference to the firm element
of the continuing education
requirements under the CE Rule.
Further, BATS and BYX are proposing
to adopt rules that are substantively
identical to the Exchange’s MRVP,
except that BATS and BYX are not
proposing to add a provision covering
the CE Rule.7 As such, the Exchange is
proposing to eliminate paragraph (d) of
Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule
8.15.
The Exchange is also proposing to
amend Rule 8.15(a). Currently, Rule
8.15(a) provides that, for the purposes of
imposing fines pursuant to
Interpretation .02 of Rule 4.2, the
Exchange may aggregate individual
violations of particular rules and treat
such violations as a single offense,
provided that such aggregation is based
upon a comprehensive automated
surveillance program. The Exchange has
never aggregated violations under this
provision and does not anticipate doing
so in the future due to the content of
Interpretation .02 of Rule 4.2, which
could not, because of its nature, be
based on a comprehensive automated
surveillance program. Interpretation and
Policy .02 of Rule 4.2 is related to the
requirement to furnish Exchange-related
order, market and transaction data. As
the Exchange does not currently require
Members to provide such information
and because compliance with a
requirement to provide data would not
likely be reviewed based on an
automated surveillance (though
surveillance would likely be performed
on such data), the Exchange believes the
reference to this provision in Rule 8.15
is no longer necessary. Based on the
foregoing, and in order to conform rules
across each of the BGM Affiliated
Exchanges, the Exchange is proposing to
remove this provision from Rule 8.15(a).
Finally, the Exchange is proposing to
make several non-substantive changes to
Rule 8.15. Specifically, in coordination
with the elimination of paragraph (d) of
Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule
8.15, the Exchange is proposing to make
several corresponding and nonsubstantive changes to the numbering of
the rule. The Exchange is also proposing
to add a period to each of the sentences
in proposed paragraphs (f) and (g) of
Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule
8.15.
7 The Exchange notes that BATS and BYX do not
currently and are not going to propose to include
a provision to cover the CE Rule currently included
in the Exchange’s MRVP.
PO 00000
Frm 00153
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the
proposed rule change is consistent with
Section 6(b) of the Act 8 and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,9
in that it is designed promote just and
equitable principles of trade, remove
impediments to, and perfect the
mechanism of, a free and open market
and a national market system, and, in
general, protect investors and the public
interest. Specifically, the Exchange
believes that the proposed changes to
Rule 8.15(a) and the deletion of
paragraph (d) of Interpretation and
Policy .01 to Rule 8.15 contribute to the
protection of investors and the public
interest by removing unnecessary
language from Exchange Rules and
correcting certain cross-references
therein. The Exchange believes that
these changes will help to make
Exchange Rules clearer and avoid
confusion for all participants on the
Exchange.
Further, as mentioned above, the
proposed rule changes, combined with
the planned filings for BATS, BYX, and
EDGA,10 would allow the BGM
Affiliated Exchanges to provide a
consistent set of rules as it relates to the
imposition of fines for minor violations
of rules across each of the exchanges.
Consistent rules, in turn, will simplify
the application of the Exchange’s
regulatory program for Members of the
Exchange that are also participants on
BATS, BYX, and/or EDGA. The
proposed rule change would provide
greater harmonization between rules of
similar purpose on the BGM Affiliated
Exchanges, resulting in greater
uniformity and less burdensome and
more efficient regulatory compliance.
As such, the proposed rule change
would foster cooperation and
coordination with persons engaged in
facilitating transactions in securities and
would remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system.
Finally, the Exchange believes that
the non-substantive changes described
above will contribute to the protection
of investors and the public interest by
helping to avoid confusion with respect
to Exchange rules by creating a
consistent numbering system in its
Rules.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
8 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
10 See supra notes 6 and 7.
9 15
E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM
24FEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices
designates the proposed rule change to
be operative upon filing.13
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.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited
nor received written comments on the
proposed rule change.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the act. To the
contrary, allowing the Exchange to
implement substantively identical rules
related to the imposition of fines for
minor violations of rules across each of
the BGM Affiliated Exchanges does not
present any competitive issues, but
rather is designed to provide greater
harmonization among Exchange, BATS,
BYX, and EDGA rules of similar
purpose, resulting in less burdensome
and more efficient regulatory
compliance for common members of the
BGM Affiliated Exchanges and an
enhanced ability of the BGM Affiliated
Exchanges to fairly and efficiently
regulate members, which will further
enhance competition.
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 No. SR–
EDGX–2015–10 on the subject line.
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 11 and paragraph
of Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.12
The Exchange has asked the
Commission to waive the 30-day
operative delay so that the proposal may
become operative immediately upon
filing. The Exchange stated that waiver
of this requirement is consistent with
the protection of investors and the
public interest because it will allow the
Exchange to have consistent rules
related to minor violations across each
of the BGM Affiliated Exchanges, which
it believes will both more consistently
and effectively regulate members of the
BGM Affiliated Exchanges as well as
reduce the regulatory burden on
Members of the Exchange that are also
members of EDGA, BYX and/or BZX.
The Commission believes that the
proposed rule change presents no novel
issues and that waiver of the 30-day
operative delay is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public
interest. Therefore, the Commission
Paper Comments
• Send paper comments in triplicate
to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Securities
and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street
NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090.
All submissions should refer to File No.
SR–EDGX–2015–10. 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
11 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:31 Feb 23, 2015
Jkt 235001
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:
13 For purposes only of waiving the 30-day
operative delay, the Commission has also
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
PO 00000
Frm 00154
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
9841
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 No. SR–EDGX–
2015–10 and should be submitted on or
before March 17, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.14
Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015–03667 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–74291; File No. SR–MIAX–
2015–09]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami
International Securities Exchange LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule
February 18, 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 February 5, 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, 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 is filing a proposal to
amend the MIAX Options Fee Schedule.
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
14 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\24FEN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9839-9841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03667]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-74296; File No. SR-EDGX-2015-10]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Rule 8.15 Entitled ``Imposition of Fines for Minor Violation(s) of
Rules''
February 18, 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 February 5, 2015, EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``EDGX'') 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange filed a proposal to amend Rule 8.15 entitled
``Imposition of
[[Page 9840]]
Fines for Minor Violation(s) of Rules.'' 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 proposes to amend Rule 8.15 in order to make it
substantively identical to the corresponding rules on BATS Exchange,
Inc. (``BATS'') and BATS Y-Exchange, Inc. (``BYX''), as further
described below. Last year, the Exchange and its affiliate EDGA
Exchange, Inc. (``EDGA'') received approval to effect a merger (the
``Merger'') of the Exchange's parent company, Direct Edge Holdings LLC,
with BATS Global Markets, Inc., the parent of BATS and BYX (together
with BATS, BYX, EDGA and EDGX, the ``BGM Affiliated Exchanges'').\5\ In
the context of the Merger, the BGM Affiliated Exchanges are working to
align certain rules, retaining only intended differences between the
BGM Affiliated Exchanges. Thus, the proposal set forth below is
intended to amend Rule 8.15 in order to make it substantively identical
to corresponding rules on BATS, BYX, and EDGA.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 71449 (January 30,
2014), 79 FR 6961 (February 5, 2014) (SR-EDGX-2013-43; SR-EDGA-2013-
34).
\6\ The Exchange understands that BATS, BYX, and EDGA intend to
file proposed rule changes with the Commission to adopt
substantively identical rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, paragraph (d) of Interpretation and Policy to Rule 8.15
includes Rule 2.5 Interpretation .04: Firm Element of Continuing
Education Requirement (the ``CE Rule'') under the list of Exchange rule
violations and recommended fine schedule pursuant to Rule 8.15 related
to the imposition of fines for minor violations of rules (the
``MRVP''). The Exchange, however, has no specific reference to the firm
element of the continuing education requirements under the CE Rule.
Further, BATS and BYX are proposing to adopt rules that are
substantively identical to the Exchange's MRVP, except that BATS and
BYX are not proposing to add a provision covering the CE Rule.\7\ As
such, the Exchange is proposing to eliminate paragraph (d) of
Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule 8.15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ The Exchange notes that BATS and BYX do not currently and
are not going to propose to include a provision to cover the CE Rule
currently included in the Exchange's MRVP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange is also proposing to amend Rule 8.15(a). Currently,
Rule 8.15(a) provides that, for the purposes of imposing fines pursuant
to Interpretation .02 of Rule 4.2, the Exchange may aggregate
individual violations of particular rules and treat such violations as
a single offense, provided that such aggregation is based upon a
comprehensive automated surveillance program. The Exchange has never
aggregated violations under this provision and does not anticipate
doing so in the future due to the content of Interpretation .02 of Rule
4.2, which could not, because of its nature, be based on a
comprehensive automated surveillance program. Interpretation and Policy
.02 of Rule 4.2 is related to the requirement to furnish Exchange-
related order, market and transaction data. As the Exchange does not
currently require Members to provide such information and because
compliance with a requirement to provide data would not likely be
reviewed based on an automated surveillance (though surveillance would
likely be performed on such data), the Exchange believes the reference
to this provision in Rule 8.15 is no longer necessary. Based on the
foregoing, and in order to conform rules across each of the BGM
Affiliated Exchanges, the Exchange is proposing to remove this
provision from Rule 8.15(a).
Finally, the Exchange is proposing to make several non-substantive
changes to Rule 8.15. Specifically, in coordination with the
elimination of paragraph (d) of Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule
8.15, the Exchange is proposing to make several corresponding and non-
substantive changes to the numbering of the rule. The Exchange is also
proposing to add a period to each of the sentences in proposed
paragraphs (f) and (g) of Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule 8.15.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent
with Section 6(b) of the Act \8\ and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\9\ in that it is designed promote just and
equitable principles of trade, remove impediments to, and perfect the
mechanism of, a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, protect investors and the public interest. Specifically,
the Exchange believes that the proposed changes to Rule 8.15(a) and the
deletion of paragraph (d) of Interpretation and Policy .01 to Rule 8.15
contribute to the protection of investors and the public interest by
removing unnecessary language from Exchange Rules and correcting
certain cross-references therein. The Exchange believes that these
changes will help to make Exchange Rules clearer and avoid confusion
for all participants on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Further, as mentioned above, the proposed rule changes, combined
with the planned filings for BATS, BYX, and EDGA,\10\ would allow the
BGM Affiliated Exchanges to provide a consistent set of rules as it
relates to the imposition of fines for minor violations of rules across
each of the exchanges. Consistent rules, in turn, will simplify the
application of the Exchange's regulatory program for Members of the
Exchange that are also participants on BATS, BYX, and/or EDGA. The
proposed rule change would provide greater harmonization between rules
of similar purpose on the BGM Affiliated Exchanges, resulting in
greater uniformity and less burdensome and more efficient regulatory
compliance. As such, the proposed rule change would foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in
securities and would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of
a free and open market and a national market system.
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\10\ See supra notes 6 and 7.
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Finally, the Exchange believes that the non-substantive changes
described above will contribute to the protection of investors and the
public interest by helping to avoid confusion with respect to Exchange
rules by creating a consistent numbering system in its Rules.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose
[[Page 9841]]
any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the act. To the contrary, allowing the Exchange to
implement substantively identical rules related to the imposition of
fines for minor violations of rules across each of the BGM Affiliated
Exchanges does not present any competitive issues, but rather is
designed to provide greater harmonization among Exchange, BATS, BYX,
and EDGA rules of similar purpose, resulting in less burdensome and
more efficient regulatory compliance for common members of the BGM
Affiliated Exchanges and an enhanced ability of the BGM Affiliated
Exchanges to fairly and efficiently regulate members, which will
further enhance competition.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants or Others
The Exchange has neither solicited nor received written comments on
the proposed rule change.
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 \11\ and paragraph
of Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\12\
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\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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The Exchange has asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative
delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon
filing. The Exchange stated that waiver of this requirement is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest
because it will allow the Exchange to have consistent rules related to
minor violations across each of the BGM Affiliated Exchanges, which it
believes will both more consistently and effectively regulate members
of the BGM Affiliated Exchanges as well as reduce the regulatory burden
on Members of the Exchange that are also members of EDGA, BYX and/or
BZX. The Commission believes that the proposed rule change presents no
novel issues and that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.
Therefore, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be
operative upon filing.\13\
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\13\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
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 No. SR-EDGX-2015-10 on the subject line.
Paper Comments
Send paper comments in triplicate to Brent J. Fields,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20549-1090.
All submissions should refer to File No. SR-EDGX-2015-10. 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 No. SR-EDGX-2015-10 and should be
submitted on or before March 17, 2015.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\14\
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\14\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Brent J. Fields,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-03667 Filed 2-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P