Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Sponsored Access, 73011-73015 [2015-29713]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 225 / Monday, November 23, 2015 / Notices 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. result in any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No comments were solicited or received on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the 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 if consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 15 and paragraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.16 The Exchange has given the Commission written notice of its 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 asked the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The Exchange states that having this additional voluntary routing option will give market participants greater flexibility in routing orders and allow them to more easily access liquidity on BGM Affiliated exchanges. In addition, the Exchange states that the proposed rule change is similar to a routing option offered by other exchanges and does not propose any new or unique functionality. Based on the foregoing, the Commission believes that the waiver of the operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest.17 Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the proposal operative upon filing. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). CFR 240.19b–4. 17 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). 16 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:25 Nov 20, 2015 Jkt 238001 73011 should refer to File No. SR–EDGA– 2015–42, and should be submitted on or December 14, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.18 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–29710 Filed 11–20–15; 8:45 am] 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: BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 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– EDGA–2015–42 on the subject line. Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change Relating to Sponsored Access 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 No. SR–EDGA–2015–42. 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 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 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–76449; File No. SR– NASDAQ–2015–140] November 17, 2015. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on November 4, 2015, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘‘NASDAQ’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, below, which Items have been prepared by NASDAQ. 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 NASDAQ proposes to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615 entitled, ‘‘Sponsored Participants’’ to: (1) Define the term ‘‘Sponsored Access’’ and ‘‘Customer Agreement;’’ (2) specify the requirements to comply with Rule 15c3–5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Market Access Rule’’); and (3) remove the requirement that each Sponsored Participant and each Sponsoring Member must enter into certain agreements with the Exchange. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s Web site at https:// www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 18 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 73012 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 225 / Monday, November 23, 2015 / Notices 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 Defining Customer Agreement 1. Purpose The purpose of the filing is to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615 entitled, ‘‘Sponsored Participants’’ to: (1) Define the term ‘‘Sponsored Access,’’ and specifically stating that compliance with the Market Access Rule is required, and defining ‘‘Customer Agreement’’ to refer to the agreement that must be executed between the Sponsoring Participant and the Sponsoring Member; (2) specify the requirements to comply with the Market Access Rule; and (3) remove the requirement that each Sponsored Participant and each Sponsoring Member must enter into certain agreements with the Exchange to streamline its rule and remove unnecessarily burdensome notice requirements to the Exchange. Defining Sponsored Access wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES A Sponsored Participant may be a member or a non-member of the Exchange, such as an institutional investor, that gains access to the Exchange 3 and trades under a Sponsoring Member’s execution and clearing identity pursuant to sponsorship arrangements currently set forth in Nasdaq Rule 4615. The Exchange is proposing to define the term ‘‘Sponsored Access’’ to clarify the type of market access arrangement that is subject to Nasdaq Rule 4615. The Exchange proposes to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615(a) to add the following definition, ‘‘Sponsored Access shall mean an arrangement whereby a 3 For example, a broker-dealer may allow its customer—whether an institution such as a hedge fund, mutual fund, bank or insurance company, an individual, or another broker-dealer—to use the broker-dealer’s MPID, account or other mechanism or mnemonic used to identify a market participant for the purposes of electronically accessing the Exchange. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:25 Nov 20, 2015 Jkt 238001 member permits its customers to enter orders into the Exchange’s System that bypass the member’s trading system and are routed directly to the Exchange, including routing through a service bureau or other third party technology provider.’’ This definition was derived from the Commission’s description of Sponsored Access used in the release approving the Market Access Rule.4 The Exchange believes that defining Sponsored Access in Nasdaq Rule 4615 will provide market participants with greater clarity concerning Sponsored Access and their obligations with respect to this type of access arrangement. The Exchange proposes to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(i) to define the agreement that Sponsored Participants must enter into and maintain with one or more Sponsoring Members to establish proper relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center, as a ‘‘Customer Agreement.’’ Market Access Rule Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 4615, the Sponsoring Member is responsible for the activities of the Sponsored Participant. Sponsored Participants are required to have procedures in place to comply with Exchange rules, and the Sponsoring Member takes responsibility for the Sponsored Participant’s activity on the Exchange. Members may have multiple Sponsored Access relationships in place at a given time. The Exchange’s examination program assesses compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615, among other rules.5 The Exchange proposes to specifically enumerate within Nasdaq Rule 4615 the member’s obligation to comply with the Market Access Rule, which members are currently required to comply with respecting [sic] market access. The Exchange believes that specifying the obligation to comply with the Market Access Rule specifically will reinforce that Nasdaq Rule 4615 presupposes 4 The Market Access Rule, among other things, requires broker-dealers providing others with access to an exchange or alternative trading system to establish, document, and maintain a system of risk management controls and supervisory procedures reasonably designed to manage the financial, regulatory, and other risks of providing such access. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63241 (November 3, 2010), 75 FR 69792 (November 15, 2010). 5 The Exchange has a Regulatory Services Agreement with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’) to conduct regulatory examinations, among other obligations. PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 member compliance with the Market Access Rule. Elimination of Certain Contract Requirements At this time, the Exchange proposes to remove requirements to submit certain forms to the Exchange. There are three forms that are currently required by Nasdaq Rule 4615: (1) An agreement between the Sponsored Participant and the Exchange (‘‘Exchange Agreement’’); (2) a User Agreement between the Sponsored Participant and its Sponsoring Member that is provided to the Exchange; and (3) a Notice of Consent provided to the Exchange by the Sponsoring Member. NASDAQ Rule 4615 will continue to require that each Sponsored Participants enter into a Customer Agreement with each Sponsoring member to establish proper relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center. These Customer Agreement(s) must incorporate the Sponsorship Provisions set forth in paragraph (ii) in Nasdaq Rule 4615.6 The Customer Agreement remains unaffected by this rule proposal. Also, the Exchange is proposing to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615 to identify the aforementioned agreement as the ‘‘Customer Agreement.’’ Today, only members may request connectivity to the Exchange. A member may obtain one or more ports for the purpose of providing Sponsored Access. If separate ports are requested by a member for the purpose of providing Sponsored Access, the member must request those ports from the Exchange and the member is responsible for the Sponsored Participant’s activity on the Exchange. In all circumstances, the Exchange will only permit members to request connectivity to the market and the member is responsible for all customer orders submitted through the member’s port. First, the Exchange believes that completing and submitting the Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent is unnecessarily burdensome in light of the current structure in place at the Exchange. Only members may request connectivity to the Exchange by contacting Nasdaq 6 The Customer Agreement is required to include, among other language, all orders entered by the Sponsored Participants and any person acting on behalf of or in the name of such Sponsored Participant and any executions occurring as a result of such orders are binding in all respects on the Sponsoring Member and, also, Sponsoring Member is responsible for any and all actions taken by such Sponsored Participant and any person acting on behalf of or in the name of such Sponsored Participant. E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 225 / Monday, November 23, 2015 / Notices wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Subscriber Services. Such connection by the member requires approval by the Exchange for the purpose of testing as well as other relevant information sharing with the Exchange by the member to obtain a port. The Exchange is aware of the member responsible for each of its ports, however the Exchange may not be aware of the member’s Sponsored Access arrangements due to varied ways that a member may utilize a port. The Exchange believes the requirement to also complete and submit an Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent with our Nasdaq Membership Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by members because of the multitude of relationships the member has with various customers. Members have expressed to the Exchange that they have multiple relationships with customers, which customer relationships change over time.7 Members have indicated that the necessity to continuously disclose the updated customer relationships to the Exchange is burdensome and unnecessary as they remain responsible for all activity conducted on the Exchange through a port assigned to the member. Further such information is available to the Exchange upon Exchange request from its regulatory group.8 Second, the Exchange believes that the Exchange Agreement between the Sponsored Participant and the Exchange is also unnecessarily burdensome. The requirement to provide this form was intended to give the Exchange notification that such a relationship existed and to ensure that the Sponsored Participant was informed of the Exchange’s Limited Liability Company Agreement, Bylaws, Rules and procedures. The agreements also provided the Exchange with contractual privity, which would no longer exist with the removal of the Exchange Agreement. The Exchange does not believe the loss of privity with the Sponsored Participant creates a concern as the Exchange has the ability to remove access to the port 9 at any time if the activity of the Sponsored Participant warrants such removal. In addition, as discussed below, the 7 For example, a broker-dealer’s customers, which could include hedge funds, institutional investors, individual investors, and other broker-dealers. 8 See Nasdaq Rule 8210. 9 Nasdaq Rule 4611, entitled ‘‘Nasdaq Market Center Participant Registration’’ permits Nasdaq to impose upon any Nasdaq Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm such temporary restrictions upon the automated entry or updating of orders or Quotes/Orders as Nasdaq may determine to be necessary to protect the integrity of Nasdaq’s systems. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:25 Nov 20, 2015 Jkt 238001 Sponsored Participant will be made aware of its obligations through the Customer Agreement that it executed with the Sponsoring Member. As noted above, the Exchange only permits its members to request connectivity to the Exchange’s System and members responsible for all trades submitted through such ports. Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 4615 the trading activity of a Sponsored Participant must be monitored by the Sponsoring Member for compliance with the terms of the Customer Agreement with the Sponsoring Participant.10 Finally, the member continues to be obligated to comply with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and the Market Access Rule. The Sponsoring Member is responsible for any and all actions taken by such Sponsored Participant and any person acting on behalf of or in the name of such Sponsored Participant. Nasdaq Rule 4615 requires that the Sponsored Participant and the Sponsored Member maintain a Customer Agreement to ensure compliance with the Exchange’s Rules and obligations related to security, among other things.11 Nasdaq Rule 4615 requires that the Customer Agreement specify that the Sponsored Participant shall maintain, keep current and provide to the Sponsoring Member a list of individuals authorized to obtain access to the Exchange on behalf of the Sponsored Participant and provide appropriate training. In addition, pursuant to the Customer Agreement provisions, the Sponsored Participant is required to take reasonable security precautions to prevent unauthorized use or access to the Exchange, including unauthorized entry of information into the Exchange, or the information and data made available therein. Finally, the Customer Agreement must provide that the Sponsored Participant is responsible for any and all orders, trades and other messages and instructions entered, transmitted or received under identifiers, passwords and security codes of authorized individuals, and for the trading and other consequences thereof, including granting unauthorized access to the Exchange. The contents and the requirement for a Customer Agreement are unchanged. Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 4615 the Sponsoring Member must provide a Notice of Consent to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that a Notice of Consent provided to the Exchange by the Sponsoring Member is also unnecessarily burdensome. The Notice of Consent notifies the Exchange of the relationship between the Sponsoring Member and the Sponsored Participant. However, as noted above, the Exchange’s regulatory group may request information about a particular customer relationship as it deems necessary.12 Further, the Exchange is made aware of the existence of ports when the Sponsoring Member requests connectivity to the Exchange and the Members are responsible for all trading activity by its Sponsored Participant. In addition, the Exchange, through its Regulatory Services Agreement with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), reviews for member compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and the Market Access Rule. The Exchange has the ability to remove access to the port 13 at any time if the activity of the Sponsored Participant would warrant such removal. In light of the foregoing, the requirement to complete and submit an Exchange Agreement and Notice of Consent with the Nasdaq Membership Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by members, who must update their customer relationships internally and provides such information upon Exchange request. Finally, the Exchange notes it is correcting a capitalization in Nasdaq Rule 4615(ii)(C). 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 14 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 15 in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest, by enhancing the risk protections available to Exchange members. Defining Sponsored Access Adding a definition of Sponsored Access will assist market participants to understand the type of arrangements that are subject to Nasdaq Rule 4615 and such clarity will serve to promote just and equitable principles of trade. Members have indicated, and the Exchange believes, that adding the Sponsored Access definition will provide members with additional guidance with respect to Nasdaq Rule 4615. 12 See Nasdaq Rule 8210. note 9. 14 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 15 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 13 See 10 See 11 See PO 00000 Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(G). Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(B). Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73013 E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 73014 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 225 / Monday, November 23, 2015 / Notices Defining Customer Agreement Defining the agreement that Sponsored Participants must enter into and maintain with one or more Sponsoring Members to establish proper relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center, as a ‘‘Customer Agreement’’ will also serve to provide members with clarity on the agreement that the Exchange will continue to require and the obligations that are contained within the Customer Agreement. This amendment is nonsubstantive. wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Market Access Rule Members continue to be required to comply with Rule 4615 and the Market Access Rule. The Exchange believes that specifically enumerating the member’s responsibility to comply with the Market Access Rule will provide member’s with additional guidance concerning the application of the Rule. This change is non-substantive as members are currently responsible to comply with the Market Access Rule. Elimination of Certain Contract Requirements Removing the requirement to submit and complete an Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent will remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market by removing a burdensome and time-consuming requirement for members. While elimination of the Exchange Agreement requirement will also eliminate the Exchange’s contractual privity with the Sponsored Participant, he [sic] Exchange notes that any potential concerns to the loss of privity are mitigated by the Exchange’s ability to restrict the Sponsored Participant’s access to a port 16 at any time it is warranted by the Sponsored Participant’s trading activity. Also, members have indicated that customer relationships must be frequently updated and it is unnecessarily burdensome to continuously update the Exchange with this information that is available upon request. Connectivity to the Exchange is authorized by the Exchange and must be requested by a member of the Exchange. Such connection requires approval by the Exchange, testing and other security features as well as information sharing with the Exchange by the member. In addition, Nasdaq Rule 4615 delineates the terms of the required contractual relationship between the Sponsoring Member and the Sponsored Participant in the Customer Agreement, which 16 See note 9. VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:25 Nov 20, 2015 Jkt 238001 remains in effect. The Exchange believes that the Notice of Consent is unnecessary as Sponsoring Members must request connectivity to the Exchange as well as enter into a Customer Agreement with the Sponsored Participant. Finally, as is the case with other Exchange Rules, the Exchange examines for compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and may request information about any customer relationship which concerns the Exchange. The requirement to also complete and submit an Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and a Notice of Consent with our Nasdaq Membership Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by members, who must update their customer relationships internally. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act for the reasons below. Defining Sponsored Access The addition of a definition for Sponsored Access will assist market participants to understand the type of arrangement subject to Nasdaq Rule 4615 and such clarity will serve to promote just and equitable principles of trade. Defining Customer Agreement Defining the agreement that Sponsored Participants must enter into and maintain with one or more Sponsoring Members to establish proper relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center, as a ‘‘Customer Agreement’’ does not create an undue burden on competition as this amendment is non-substantive and the Exchange believes that providing guidance concerning the type of arrangement subject to Nasdaq Rule 4615 will facilitate member compliance and does not unduly burden competition. Market Access Rule In addition, the Exchange believes that specifically enumerating the member’s obligation to comply with the Market Access Rule does not create an undue burden on competition, but rather reinforces the application of the Rule. This change is non-substantive as members are currently responsible to comply with the Market Access Rule. PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Elimination of Certain Contract Requirements Removing the requirement to complete an Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent under Nasdaq Rule 4615 does not create an undue burden on competition. The Exchange believes that this requirement is unnecessarily burdensome as the Exchange’s regulatory group may request information about a particular customer relationship as it deems necessary.17 Further, the Exchange is made aware of the existence of ports when the Sponsoring Member requests connectivity to the Exchange and the Members are responsible for all trading activity by its Sponsored Participant. In order to obtain connectivity to the Exchange, members are required to contact Nasdaq Subscriber Services and request a connection to the market. Such connection requires approval by the Exchange, testing and other security features as well as information sharing with the Exchange by the member. Only members are permitted to request connectivity to the Exchange. The requirement to also complete and submit an Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and a Notice of Consent with our Nasdaq Membership Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by members, who must update their customer relationships internally. Additionally, the Exchange examines for compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and may request information about any customer relationship which concerns the Exchange. The Sponsoring Member remains responsible for customer activity conducted on the Exchange through the Customer Agreement, among other obligations. Additionally, Sponsored Participants that obtain access to the Exchange’s System are required to take reasonable security precautions and prevent unauthorized use or access to the Nasdaq Market Center, including unauthorized entry of information into the Nasdaq Market Center,18 pursuant to the Customer Agreement. Further, the Sponsored Participants is responsible to establish adequate procedures and controls that permit it to effectively monitor its employees’, agents’ and customers’ use and access to the Nasdaq Market Center for compliance with the terms of this agreement.19 In addition, the Exchange, through its Regulatory Services Agreement with FINRA conducts reviews of members for compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and 17 See Nasdaq Rule 8210. Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(G). 19 See Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(H). 18 See E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 225 / Monday, November 23, 2015 / Notices Electronic Comments the Market Access Rule. The Exchange has the ability to remove access to the port 20 at any time if the activity of the Sponsored Participant would warrant such removal. Finally, Nasdaq Rule 4615 is currently applicable to all Nasdaq members that desire to sponsor access for its customers and applies to trading in all securities on the Exchange. • 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– NASDAQ–2015–140 on the subject line. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. No written comments were either solicited or received. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 21 and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4 thereunder.22 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: (i) Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) 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. The Exchange has provided the Commission written notice of its 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. wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with 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: note 9. U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(iii). 22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). Paper Comments All submissions should refer to File Number SR–NASDAQ–2015–140. 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 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– NASDAQ–2015–140 and should be submitted on or before December 14, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.23 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–29713 Filed 11–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 20 See 21 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:25 Nov 20, 2015 23 17 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 73015 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of FOIA Services, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–2736. Extension: Form N–8F, SEC File No. 270–136, OMB Control No. 3235–0157. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for extension and approval. Form N–8F (17 CFR 274.218) is the form prescribed for use by registered investment companies in certain circumstances to request orders of the Commission declaring that the registration of that investment company cease to be in effect. The form requests information about: (i) The investment company’s identity, (ii) the investment company’s distributions, (iii) the investment company’s assets and liabilities, (iv) the events leading to the request to deregister, and (v) the conclusion of the investment company’s business. The information is needed by the Commission to determine whether an order of deregistration is appropriate. The Form takes approximately 5.2 hours on average to complete. It is estimated that approximately 150 investment companies file Form N–8F annually, so the total annual burden for the form is estimated to be approximately 780 hours. The estimate of average burden hours is made solely for the purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act and is not derived from a comprehensive or even a representative survey or study. The collection of information on Form N–8F is not mandatory. The information provided on Form N–8F is not kept confidential. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently-valid OMB control number. Written comments are requested on: (i) Whether the collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information has practical utility; (ii) the E:\FR\FM\23NON1.SGM 23NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73011-73015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29713]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76449; File No. SR-NASDAQ-2015-140]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; 
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change 
Relating to Sponsored Access

November 17, 2015.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on November 4, 2015, The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (``NASDAQ'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in 
Items I, II, and III, below, which Items have been prepared by NASDAQ. 
The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    NASDAQ proposes to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615 entitled, ``Sponsored 
Participants'' to: (1) Define the term ``Sponsored Access'' and 
``Customer Agreement;'' (2) specify the requirements to comply with 
Rule 15c3-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Market Access 
Rule''); and (3) remove the requirement that each Sponsored Participant 
and each Sponsoring Member must enter into certain agreements with the 
Exchange.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
Web site at https://www.nasdaq.cchwallstreet.com, at the principal 
office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

[[Page 73012]]

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 purpose of the filing is to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615 entitled, 
``Sponsored Participants'' to: (1) Define the term ``Sponsored 
Access,'' and specifically stating that compliance with the Market 
Access Rule is required, and defining ``Customer Agreement'' to refer 
to the agreement that must be executed between the Sponsoring 
Participant and the Sponsoring Member; (2) specify the requirements to 
comply with the Market Access Rule; and (3) remove the requirement that 
each Sponsored Participant and each Sponsoring Member must enter into 
certain agreements with the Exchange to streamline its rule and remove 
unnecessarily burdensome notice requirements to the Exchange.
Defining Sponsored Access
    A Sponsored Participant may be a member or a non-member of the 
Exchange, such as an institutional investor, that gains access to the 
Exchange \3\ and trades under a Sponsoring Member's execution and 
clearing identity pursuant to sponsorship arrangements currently set 
forth in Nasdaq Rule 4615. The Exchange is proposing to define the term 
``Sponsored Access'' to clarify the type of market access arrangement 
that is subject to Nasdaq Rule 4615. The Exchange proposes to amend 
Nasdaq Rule 4615(a) to add the following definition, ``Sponsored Access 
shall mean an arrangement whereby a member permits its customers to 
enter orders into the Exchange's System that bypass the member's 
trading system and are routed directly to the Exchange, including 
routing through a service bureau or other third party technology 
provider.'' This definition was derived from the Commission's 
description of Sponsored Access used in the release approving the 
Market Access Rule.\4\ The Exchange believes that defining Sponsored 
Access in Nasdaq Rule 4615 will provide market participants with 
greater clarity concerning Sponsored Access and their obligations with 
respect to this type of access arrangement.
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    \3\ For example, a broker-dealer may allow its customer--whether 
an institution such as a hedge fund, mutual fund, bank or insurance 
company, an individual, or another broker-dealer--to use the broker-
dealer's MPID, account or other mechanism or mnemonic used to 
identify a market participant for the purposes of electronically 
accessing the Exchange.
    \4\ The Market Access Rule, among other things, requires broker-
dealers providing others with access to an exchange or alternative 
trading system to establish, document, and maintain a system of risk 
management controls and supervisory procedures reasonably designed 
to manage the financial, regulatory, and other risks of providing 
such access. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 63241 (November 
3, 2010), 75 FR 69792 (November 15, 2010).
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Defining Customer Agreement
    The Exchange proposes to amend Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(i) to define the 
agreement that Sponsored Participants must enter into and maintain with 
one or more Sponsoring Members to establish proper relationship(s) and 
account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant may trade on the 
Nasdaq Market Center, as a ``Customer Agreement.''
Market Access Rule
    Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 4615, the Sponsoring Member is responsible 
for the activities of the Sponsored Participant. Sponsored Participants 
are required to have procedures in place to comply with Exchange rules, 
and the Sponsoring Member takes responsibility for the Sponsored 
Participant's activity on the Exchange. Members may have multiple 
Sponsored Access relationships in place at a given time. The Exchange's 
examination program assesses compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615, among 
other rules.\5\ The Exchange proposes to specifically enumerate within 
Nasdaq Rule 4615 the member's obligation to comply with the Market 
Access Rule, which members are currently required to comply with 
respecting [sic] market access. The Exchange believes that specifying 
the obligation to comply with the Market Access Rule specifically will 
reinforce that Nasdaq Rule 4615 presupposes member compliance with the 
Market Access Rule.
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    \5\ The Exchange has a Regulatory Services Agreement with 
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') to conduct 
regulatory examinations, among other obligations.
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Elimination of Certain Contract Requirements
    At this time, the Exchange proposes to remove requirements to 
submit certain forms to the Exchange. There are three forms that are 
currently required by Nasdaq Rule 4615: (1) An agreement between the 
Sponsored Participant and the Exchange (``Exchange Agreement''); (2) a 
User Agreement between the Sponsored Participant and its Sponsoring 
Member that is provided to the Exchange; and (3) a Notice of Consent 
provided to the Exchange by the Sponsoring Member. NASDAQ Rule 4615 
will continue to require that each Sponsored Participants enter into a 
Customer Agreement with each Sponsoring member to establish proper 
relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant 
may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center. These Customer Agreement(s) must 
incorporate the Sponsorship Provisions set forth in paragraph (ii) in 
Nasdaq Rule 4615.\6\ The Customer Agreement remains unaffected by this 
rule proposal. Also, the Exchange is proposing to amend Nasdaq Rule 
4615 to identify the aforementioned agreement as the ``Customer 
Agreement.''
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    \6\ The Customer Agreement is required to include, among other 
language, all orders entered by the Sponsored Participants and any 
person acting on behalf of or in the name of such Sponsored 
Participant and any executions occurring as a result of such orders 
are binding in all respects on the Sponsoring Member and, also, 
Sponsoring Member is responsible for any and all actions taken by 
such Sponsored Participant and any person acting on behalf of or in 
the name of such Sponsored Participant.
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    Today, only members may request connectivity to the Exchange. A 
member may obtain one or more ports for the purpose of providing 
Sponsored Access. If separate ports are requested by a member for the 
purpose of providing Sponsored Access, the member must request those 
ports from the Exchange and the member is responsible for the Sponsored 
Participant's activity on the Exchange. In all circumstances, the 
Exchange will only permit members to request connectivity to the market 
and the member is responsible for all customer orders submitted through 
the member's port.
    First, the Exchange believes that completing and submitting the 
Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent is 
unnecessarily burdensome in light of the current structure in place at 
the Exchange. Only members may request connectivity to the Exchange by 
contacting Nasdaq

[[Page 73013]]

Subscriber Services. Such connection by the member requires approval by 
the Exchange for the purpose of testing as well as other relevant 
information sharing with the Exchange by the member to obtain a port. 
The Exchange is aware of the member responsible for each of its ports, 
however the Exchange may not be aware of the member's Sponsored Access 
arrangements due to varied ways that a member may utilize a port. The 
Exchange believes the requirement to also complete and submit an 
Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent with our 
Nasdaq Membership Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by 
members because of the multitude of relationships the member has with 
various customers. Members have expressed to the Exchange that they 
have multiple relationships with customers, which customer 
relationships change over time.\7\ Members have indicated that the 
necessity to continuously disclose the updated customer relationships 
to the Exchange is burdensome and unnecessary as they remain 
responsible for all activity conducted on the Exchange through a port 
assigned to the member. Further such information is available to the 
Exchange upon Exchange request from its regulatory group.\8\
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    \7\ For example, a broker-dealer's customers, which could 
include hedge funds, institutional investors, individual investors, 
and other broker-dealers.
    \8\ See Nasdaq Rule 8210.
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    Second, the Exchange believes that the Exchange Agreement between 
the Sponsored Participant and the Exchange is also unnecessarily 
burdensome. The requirement to provide this form was intended to give 
the Exchange notification that such a relationship existed and to 
ensure that the Sponsored Participant was informed of the Exchange's 
Limited Liability Company Agreement, Bylaws, Rules and procedures. The 
agreements also provided the Exchange with contractual privity, which 
would no longer exist with the removal of the Exchange Agreement. The 
Exchange does not believe the loss of privity with the Sponsored 
Participant creates a concern as the Exchange has the ability to remove 
access to the port \9\ at any time if the activity of the Sponsored 
Participant warrants such removal. In addition, as discussed below, the 
Sponsored Participant will be made aware of its obligations through the 
Customer Agreement that it executed with the Sponsoring Member. As 
noted above, the Exchange only permits its members to request 
connectivity to the Exchange's System and members responsible for all 
trades submitted through such ports. Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 4615 the 
trading activity of a Sponsored Participant must be monitored by the 
Sponsoring Member for compliance with the terms of the Customer 
Agreement with the Sponsoring Participant.\10\ Finally, the member 
continues to be obligated to comply with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and the 
Market Access Rule. The Sponsoring Member is responsible for any and 
all actions taken by such Sponsored Participant and any person acting 
on behalf of or in the name of such Sponsored Participant.
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    \9\ Nasdaq Rule 4611, entitled ``Nasdaq Market Center 
Participant Registration'' permits Nasdaq to impose upon any Nasdaq 
Market Maker, Nasdaq ECN or Order Entry Firm such temporary 
restrictions upon the automated entry or updating of orders or 
Quotes/Orders as Nasdaq may determine to be necessary to protect the 
integrity of Nasdaq's systems.
    \10\ See Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(G).
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    Nasdaq Rule 4615 requires that the Sponsored Participant and the 
Sponsored Member maintain a Customer Agreement to ensure compliance 
with the Exchange's Rules and obligations related to security, among 
other things.\11\ Nasdaq Rule 4615 requires that the Customer Agreement 
specify that the Sponsored Participant shall maintain, keep current and 
provide to the Sponsoring Member a list of individuals authorized to 
obtain access to the Exchange on behalf of the Sponsored Participant 
and provide appropriate training. In addition, pursuant to the Customer 
Agreement provisions, the Sponsored Participant is required to take 
reasonable security precautions to prevent unauthorized use or access 
to the Exchange, including unauthorized entry of information into the 
Exchange, or the information and data made available therein. Finally, 
the Customer Agreement must provide that the Sponsored Participant is 
responsible for any and all orders, trades and other messages and 
instructions entered, transmitted or received under identifiers, 
passwords and security codes of authorized individuals, and for the 
trading and other consequences thereof, including granting unauthorized 
access to the Exchange. The contents and the requirement for a Customer 
Agreement are unchanged.
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    \11\ See Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(B).
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    Pursuant to Nasdaq Rule 4615 the Sponsoring Member must provide a 
Notice of Consent to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that a Notice 
of Consent provided to the Exchange by the Sponsoring Member is also 
unnecessarily burdensome. The Notice of Consent notifies the Exchange 
of the relationship between the Sponsoring Member and the Sponsored 
Participant. However, as noted above, the Exchange's regulatory group 
may request information about a particular customer relationship as it 
deems necessary.\12\ Further, the Exchange is made aware of the 
existence of ports when the Sponsoring Member requests connectivity to 
the Exchange and the Members are responsible for all trading activity 
by its Sponsored Participant. In addition, the Exchange, through its 
Regulatory Services Agreement with the Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority (FINRA), reviews for member compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 
and the Market Access Rule. The Exchange has the ability to remove 
access to the port \13\ at any time if the activity of the Sponsored 
Participant would warrant such removal.
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    \12\ See Nasdaq Rule 8210.
    \13\ See note 9.
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    In light of the foregoing, the requirement to complete and submit 
an Exchange Agreement and Notice of Consent with the Nasdaq Membership 
Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by members, who must 
update their customer relationships internally and provides such 
information upon Exchange request.
    Finally, the Exchange notes it is correcting a capitalization in 
Nasdaq Rule 4615(ii)(C).
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \14\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act \15\ in particular, in that it is designed to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments 
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public 
interest, by enhancing the risk protections available to Exchange 
members.
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    \14\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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Defining Sponsored Access
    Adding a definition of Sponsored Access will assist market 
participants to understand the type of arrangements that are subject to 
Nasdaq Rule 4615 and such clarity will serve to promote just and 
equitable principles of trade. Members have indicated, and the Exchange 
believes, that adding the Sponsored Access definition will provide 
members with additional guidance with respect to Nasdaq Rule 4615.

[[Page 73014]]

Defining Customer Agreement
    Defining the agreement that Sponsored Participants must enter into 
and maintain with one or more Sponsoring Members to establish proper 
relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant 
may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center, as a ``Customer Agreement'' will 
also serve to provide members with clarity on the agreement that the 
Exchange will continue to require and the obligations that are 
contained within the Customer Agreement. This amendment is non-
substantive.
Market Access Rule
    Members continue to be required to comply with Rule 4615 and the 
Market Access Rule. The Exchange believes that specifically enumerating 
the member's responsibility to comply with the Market Access Rule will 
provide member's with additional guidance concerning the application of 
the Rule. This change is non-substantive as members are currently 
responsible to comply with the Market Access Rule.
Elimination of Certain Contract Requirements
    Removing the requirement to submit and complete an Exchange 
Agreement, User Agreement and Notice of Consent will remove impediments 
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market by removing a 
burdensome and time-consuming requirement for members. While 
elimination of the Exchange Agreement requirement will also eliminate 
the Exchange's contractual privity with the Sponsored Participant, he 
[sic] Exchange notes that any potential concerns to the loss of privity 
are mitigated by the Exchange's ability to restrict the Sponsored 
Participant's access to a port \16\ at any time it is warranted by the 
Sponsored Participant's trading activity. Also, members have indicated 
that customer relationships must be frequently updated and it is 
unnecessarily burdensome to continuously update the Exchange with this 
information that is available upon request. Connectivity to the 
Exchange is authorized by the Exchange and must be requested by a 
member of the Exchange. Such connection requires approval by the 
Exchange, testing and other security features as well as information 
sharing with the Exchange by the member. In addition, Nasdaq Rule 4615 
delineates the terms of the required contractual relationship between 
the Sponsoring Member and the Sponsored Participant in the Customer 
Agreement, which remains in effect. The Exchange believes that the 
Notice of Consent is unnecessary as Sponsoring Members must request 
connectivity to the Exchange as well as enter into a Customer Agreement 
with the Sponsored Participant. Finally, as is the case with other 
Exchange Rules, the Exchange examines for compliance with Nasdaq Rule 
4615 and may request information about any customer relationship which 
concerns the Exchange.
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    \16\ See note 9.
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    The requirement to also complete and submit an Exchange Agreement, 
User Agreement and a Notice of Consent with our Nasdaq Membership 
Department is viewed as unnecessarily burdensome by members, who must 
update their customer relationships internally.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act for the reasons below.
Defining Sponsored Access
    The addition of a definition for Sponsored Access will assist 
market participants to understand the type of arrangement subject to 
Nasdaq Rule 4615 and such clarity will serve to promote just and 
equitable principles of trade.
Defining Customer Agreement
    Defining the agreement that Sponsored Participants must enter into 
and maintain with one or more Sponsoring Members to establish proper 
relationship(s) and account(s) through which the Sponsored Participant 
may trade on the Nasdaq Market Center, as a ``Customer Agreement'' does 
not create an undue burden on competition as this amendment is non-
substantive and the Exchange believes that providing guidance 
concerning the type of arrangement subject to Nasdaq Rule 4615 will 
facilitate member compliance and does not unduly burden competition.
Market Access Rule
    In addition, the Exchange believes that specifically enumerating 
the member's obligation to comply with the Market Access Rule does not 
create an undue burden on competition, but rather reinforces the 
application of the Rule. This change is non-substantive as members are 
currently responsible to comply with the Market Access Rule.
Elimination of Certain Contract Requirements
    Removing the requirement to complete an Exchange Agreement, User 
Agreement and Notice of Consent under Nasdaq Rule 4615 does not create 
an undue burden on competition. The Exchange believes that this 
requirement is unnecessarily burdensome as the Exchange's regulatory 
group may request information about a particular customer relationship 
as it deems necessary.\17\ Further, the Exchange is made aware of the 
existence of ports when the Sponsoring Member requests connectivity to 
the Exchange and the Members are responsible for all trading activity 
by its Sponsored Participant. In order to obtain connectivity to the 
Exchange, members are required to contact Nasdaq Subscriber Services 
and request a connection to the market. Such connection requires 
approval by the Exchange, testing and other security features as well 
as information sharing with the Exchange by the member. Only members 
are permitted to request connectivity to the Exchange. The requirement 
to also complete and submit an Exchange Agreement, User Agreement and a 
Notice of Consent with our Nasdaq Membership Department is viewed as 
unnecessarily burdensome by members, who must update their customer 
relationships internally. Additionally, the Exchange examines for 
compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and may request information about any 
customer relationship which concerns the Exchange.
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    \17\ See Nasdaq Rule 8210.
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    The Sponsoring Member remains responsible for customer activity 
conducted on the Exchange through the Customer Agreement, among other 
obligations. Additionally, Sponsored Participants that obtain access to 
the Exchange's System are required to take reasonable security 
precautions and prevent unauthorized use or access to the Nasdaq Market 
Center, including unauthorized entry of information into the Nasdaq 
Market Center,\18\ pursuant to the Customer Agreement. Further, the 
Sponsored Participants is responsible to establish adequate procedures 
and controls that permit it to effectively monitor its employees', 
agents' and customers' use and access to the Nasdaq Market Center for 
compliance with the terms of this agreement.\19\ In addition, the 
Exchange, through its Regulatory Services Agreement with FINRA conducts 
reviews of members for compliance with Nasdaq Rule 4615 and

[[Page 73015]]

the Market Access Rule. The Exchange has the ability to remove access 
to the port \20\ at any time if the activity of the Sponsored 
Participant would warrant such removal. Finally, Nasdaq Rule 4615 is 
currently applicable to all Nasdaq members that desire to sponsor 
access for its customers and applies to trading in all securities on 
the Exchange.
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    \18\ See Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(G).
    \19\ See Nasdaq Rule 4615(b)(ii)(H).
    \20\ See note 9.
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \21\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\22\
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    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(a)(iii).
    \22\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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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: (i) 
Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) 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. The Exchange has 
provided the Commission written notice of its 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.

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-NASDAQ-2015-140 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-NASDAQ-2015-140. 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 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-NASDAQ-2015-140 and should 
be submitted on or before December 14, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
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    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-29713 Filed 11-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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