Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Technical Disconnect Mechanism, 74149-74151 [2015-30075]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 228 / Friday, November 27, 2015 / Notices SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–76489; File No. SR–CBOE– 2015–103] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Technical Disconnect Mechanism November 20, 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 November 9, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘CBOE’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.23C related to the Exchange’s Technical Disconnect Mechanism. The text of the proposed rule change is provided below. (additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed]) * * * * * Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated Rules mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES * * * * * Rule 6.23C Technical Disconnect (a) When a CBOE Application Server (‘‘CAS’’) loses communication with a Client Application such that a CAS does not receive an appropriate response to a Heartbeat Request within ‘‘x’’ period of time, the Technical Disconnect Mechanism will automatically logoff the Trading Permit Holder’s affected Client Application and[, if applicable, will] automatically cancel all the Trading Permit Holder’s Market-Maker quotes, if applicable, and open orders with a timein-force of ‘‘day’’ (‘‘day orders’’), if the Trading Permit Holder enables that optional service, posted through the affected Client Application. The following describes how the Technical Disconnect Mechanism works for each of the Exchange’s application programming interfaces (‘‘APIs’’): 1 15 2 17 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Nov 25, 2015 Jkt 238001 [(i) CBOE Market Interface (‘‘CMi’’) API. A CAS shall generate a Heartbeat Request to a Client Application every ‘‘n’’ period of time. The value of ‘‘n’’ shall be set by the Exchange at two (2) seconds. The value of ‘‘x’’ shall be set either by the Exchange or a Trading Permit Holder, depending upon the version of CMi being used. If the value of ‘‘x’’ is determined by the Exchange, ‘‘x’’ shall be set at twenty (20) seconds. If the value of ‘‘x’’ is determined by a Trading Permit Holder, ‘‘x’’ shall in no event be less than three (3) seconds or exceed twenty (20) seconds.] (i[i]) CBOE Market Interface 2.0 (‘‘CMi 2’’) API. A CAS shall generate a Heartbeat Request to a Client Application (i) after the CAS does not receive any messages from a particular Client Application for ‘‘n’’ period of time or (ii) after every ‘‘n’’ period of time. A Trading Permit Holder shall determine the value of ‘‘n.’’ In no event shall ‘‘n’’ be less than three (3) seconds or exceed twenty (20) seconds. If a CAS generates a Heartbeat Request only after it does not receive any messages from a particular Client Application for ‘‘n’’ period of time, the value of ‘‘x’’ shall be set at a half (.5) second. If a CAS generates a Heartbeat Request every ‘‘n’’ period of time, the value of ‘‘x’’ shall be equal to the value of ‘‘n.’’ (ii[i]) Financial Information eXchange (‘‘FIX’’) Protocol API. A CAS shall generate a Heartbeat Message to a Client Application after the CAS does not receive any messages from a particular Client Application for ‘‘n’’ period of time. If the CAS does not receive a response to the Heartbeat Message from the Client Application for ‘‘n’’ period of time, the CAS shall generate a Heartbeat Request to the Client Application. A Trading Permit Holder shall determine the value of ‘‘n’’ at logon. In no event shall ‘‘n’’ be less than five (5) seconds. The value of ‘‘x’’ shall be equal to the value of ‘‘n.’’ (b) The Technical Disconnect Mechanism is enabled for all Trading Permit Holders and may not be disabled by Trading Permit Holders, except the automatic cancellation of a Trading Permit Holder’s day orders is an optional service that the Trading Permit Holder may enable or disable through the API. (c) The trigger of the Technical Disconnect Mechanism is event- and Client Application-specific. The automatic cancellation of a MarketMaker’s quotes (if applicable) or a Trading Permit Holder’s day orders (if enabled by the Trading Permit Holder) entered into a CAS via a particular Client Application will neither impact nor determine the treatment of the PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 74149 quotes of the same or other MarketMakers or orders of the same Trading Permit Holder entered into the CAS via a separate and distinct Client Application. Except for day orders the Technical Disconnect Mechanism automatically cancels if a Trading Permit Holder enables that optional service, [T]the Technical Disconnect Mechanism will not impact or determine the treatment of orders a Trading Permit Holder previously entered into the CAS. . . . Interpretations and Policies: .01 No change. * * * * * The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange’s Web site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/ CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.23C related to the Exchange’s Technical Disconnect Mechanism. Rule 6.23C(a) provides that when a CBOE Application Server (‘‘CAS’’) 3 loses communication with a Client Application 4 such that a CAS does not receive an appropriate response to a Heartbeat Request 5 within ‘‘x’’ period of 3 CBOE currently has numerous CASs serving TPHs. 4 For relevant purposes, a ‘‘Client Application’’ is the system component, such as a CBOE-supported workstation or a TPH’s custom trading application, through which a TPH communicates its quotes and/ or orders to a CAS. Messages are passed between a Client Application and a CAS. A Market-Maker may send quotes to the Exchange from one or more Client Applications, and a TPH may send orders to the Exchange from one or more Client Applications. 5 A ‘‘Heartbeat Request’’ refers to a message from a CAS to a Client Application to check connectivity and which requires a response from the Client E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM Continued 27NON1 74150 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 228 / Friday, November 27, 2015 / Notices mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES time, the Technical Disconnect Mechanism will automatically logoff the Trading Permit Holder’s (‘‘TPH’’) affected Client Application. If that occurs, the current rule provides that the Technical Disconnect Mechanism, if applicable, will automatically cancel all the TPH’s Market-Maker quotes posted through the affected Client Application.6 The Technical Disconnect Mechanism is intended to help mitigate the potential risks associated with a loss of communication with a Client Application, such as erroneous or unintended executions for stale quotes that are resting in the CBOE book. This mechanism serves to assist a TPH when a technical or system issue occurs, as well as assist the Exchange in maintaining a fair and orderly market. The proposed rule change provides TPHs with an optional service that, if enabled by a TPH, will cause the Technical Disconnect Mechanism to also automatically cancel all the TPH’s open orders with a time-in-force of ‘‘day’’ (‘‘day orders’’) posted through the affected Client Application if the CAS loses communication with the Client Application. The proposed rule change amends Rule 6.23C(b) to provide that the TPH may enable or disable this optional service through its application programming interface (‘‘API’’) (all other aspects of the Technical Disconnect Mechanism continue to otherwise be enabled for all TPHs and may not be disabled by TPHs).7 The proposed rule change makes corresponding changes to Rule 6.23C(c) that indicate the Technical Disconnect Mechanism will automatically cancel a TPH’s day orders (in addition to a Market-Maker’s quotes), if the TPH enables the proposed optional service.8 As is the case in the event the Technical Disconnect Application in order to avoid logoff. The Heartbeat Request acts as a virtual pulse between a CAS and a Client Application and allows a CAS to continually monitor its connection with a Client Application. Failure to receive a response to a Heartbeat Request within the Heartbeat Response Time is indicative of a technical or system issue. 6 See Rule 6.23C and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34–70039 (July 25, 2013), 78 FR 46395 (July 31, 2013) (SR–CBOE–2013–071) for further information regarding the Technical Disconnect Mechanism. 7 CBOE currently makes available two APIs: CBOE Market Interface 2.0 (‘‘CMi 2’’) and Financial Information eXchange Protocol (‘‘FIX’’). The proposed rule change deletes Rule 6.23A(a)(i) [sic] regarding the CBOE Market Interface (‘‘CMi’’) API, as that has been phased out and is no longer available to TPHs. The proposed rule change also renumbers subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) to become subparagraphs (i) and (ii), respectively. 8 In addition, the proposed rule change makes nonsubstantive changes to Rule 6.23C(a), including moving the phrase ‘‘if applicable’’ to ensure that phrase clearly applies to the cancellation of a Market-Maker’s quotes (as that functionality only applies to TPHs that are Market-Makers). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Nov 25, 2015 Jkt 238001 Mechanism automatically logs a TPH off and cancels its Market-Maker quotes (if applicable), if a TPH enables this proposed optional service, and the Technical Disconnect Mechanism automatically logs a TPH off and cancels the TPH’s day orders due to lost communication with TPH’s Client Application, the TPH may send messages to the CAS to enter new orders once it reestablishes connectivity to the Client Application. In addition, any nonconnectivity will continue to be event- and Client Application-specific. In other words, any cancellation of day orders entered into a CAS via a particular Client Application will neither impact nor determine the treatment of the quotes of the same TPH entered into a CAS via a separate and distinct Client Application. The Technical Disconnect Mechanism will not impact or determine the treatment of orders previously entered into a CAS if the TPH does not enable this optional service, nor will it impact or determine the treatment of non-day orders previously entered into a CAS by the TPH. The Exchange notes use of this service will be voluntary and within the sole discretion of each TPH. The proposed optional service is an additional preventative risk control measure that CBOE is making available to TPHs. It is intended to help further mitigate the potential risks associated with a loss of communication with a Client Application. While orders may be static in nature and rest in the book, TPHs often enter day orders more frequently in response to then-current market conditions. Therefore, if a TPH’s Client Application is disconnected for any period of time, it is possible that market conditions upon which it based its day orders may change during that time and make those orders stale. Consequently, any resulting executions of those orders may be erroneous or unintended. The Exchange believes it is appropriate to limit this optional service to day orders and exclude good-tilcancelled orders,9 as those orders are intended to rest in the book for a period of time and thus have lower risk of erroneous or unintended executions during and after the Technical Disconnect Mechanism logs off a TPH. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.10 Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) 11 requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) 12 requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. In particular, the proposed rule change helps maintain a fair and orderly market and protects investors and the public interest. The Technical Disconnect Mechanism is a valuable tool that is designed to help maintain a fair and orderly market. The Exchange believes that providing TPHs with the option to have the Technical Disconnect Mechanism cancel its day orders, in addition to Market-Maker quotes (if applicable), further mitigates the potential risks associated with a loss in communication with a Client Application. The Exchange believes it is reasonable to offer to cancel only day orders. Unlike non-day orders, day orders are more likely to be reflective of then-current market conditions and are intended to rest in the book for a limited period of time. As a result, in the event that a CAS loses connectivity with a Client Application, execution of day orders during that time are more likely to result in erroneous or unintended executions, while risk of such executions is lower for non-day orders. The proposed optional service protects TPHs from these potential erroneous or unintended executions, as well as protects investors and the efficiency and fairness of the markets in general. The Exchange believes this functionality enhances the overall market quality for options traded on CBOE. The Exchange notes that other exchanges offer their members similar services that cancels a member’s orders if it disconnects from the exchange.13 10 15 9 Currently, the Exchange offers two time-in-force order types: Day and good-til-cancelled. The proposed optional service will apply to orders that include the ‘‘day’’ marking. PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 12 Id. 13 See, e.g., BZX Exchange US Equities FIX Specification, Version 1.33.5 (October 8, 2014), E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 228 / Friday, November 27, 2015 / Notices The Exchange also believes that the proposed rule change is designed to not permit unfair discrimination among market participants. Use of the optional service will be voluntary and within the sole discretion of each TPH. The proposed optional service is available to all TPHs and will apply to the same order types of all TPHs. The proposed rule change to delete language related to CMi benefits investors, as that API is no longer available to TPHs and thus deletion of that language helps eliminate confusion. CMi2 and FIX continue to be available to TPHs. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange does not believe the proposed rule change will cause any burden on intramarket competition because the optional service will be available to all TPHs. Use of this optional service will be within the sole discretion of each TPH. The proposed rule change will have no impact on TPHs that do not enable the proposed optional service. For TPHs that elect to enable the proposed optional service, the only impact on those TPHs will be cancellation of day orders (in addition to Market-Maker quotes) upon loss of connectivity. The Technical Disconnect Mechanism will otherwise continue to function in the same manner as it does today. Further, the Exchange does not believe that such change will impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change modifies a mechanism available on CBOE’s system and applies only to orders entered on CBOE. The Exchange notes that, should the proposed change make CBOE a more attractive place for trading, market participants trading on other exchanges are welcome to become TPHs and trade at CBOE if they determine that this proposed change has made CBOE more available at https://www.batstrading.com/resources/ membership/BATS_FIX_Specification.pdf (see Section 5.1 for description of automatic cancel on disconnection or malfunction); MIAX Options Market Protections Handout (March 2015), available at https://www.miaxoptions.com/sites/ default/files/MIAX_Market_Protections_March_ 2015.pdf (see page 5 for description of auto cancel on disconnect order protection); and NYSE UTPDirect (CGC Binary) API Specification, V1.4 (February 26, 2015), available at https:// www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse/ NYSEUTPDirect_Specification.pdf (see Section 3.8 for description of cancel on disconnect service). VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:01 Nov 25, 2015 Jkt 238001 attractive or favorable. Additionally, as discussed above, other options exchanges offer their members similar functionality.14 The proposed rule change to delete language regarding CMi has no impact on competition, as it merely deletes a provision regarding an API that is no longer used by, and is no longer available to, TPHs. CMi 2 ultimately replaced CMi, and FIX continues to be available to TPHs as well. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change. 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) of the Act 15 and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b–4 16 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: Electronic comments • Use the Commission’s Internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– CBOE–2015–103 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 Number SR–CBOE–2015–103. 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–CBOE– 2015–103 and should be submitted on or before December 18, 2015. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–30075 Filed 11–25–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–76498; File No. SR–CBOE– 2015–105] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fees Schedule November 20, 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 November 16, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (the ‘‘Exchange’’ 14 Id. 17 17 15 15 1 15 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f). PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 74151 E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74149-74151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30075]

[[Page 74149]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-76489; File No. SR-CBOE-2015-103]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange,
Incorporated; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a
Proposed Rule Change Relating to the Technical Disconnect Mechanism

November 20, 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 November 9, 2015, Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated
(the ``Exchange'' or ``CBOE'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described
in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the
Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments
on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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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

The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.23C related to the Exchange's
Technical Disconnect Mechanism. The text of the proposed rule change is
provided below. (additions are italicized; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *

Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated

Rules
* * * * *
Rule 6.23C Technical Disconnect
(a) When a CBOE Application Server (``CAS'') loses communication
with a Client Application such that a CAS does not receive an
appropriate response to a Heartbeat Request within ``x'' period of
time, the Technical Disconnect Mechanism will automatically logoff the
Trading Permit Holder's affected Client Application and[, if
applicable, will] automatically cancel all the Trading Permit Holder's
Market-Maker quotes, if applicable, and open orders with a time-in-
force of ``day'' (``day orders''), if the Trading Permit Holder enables
that optional service, posted through the affected Client Application.
The following describes how the Technical Disconnect Mechanism works
for each of the Exchange's application programming interfaces
(``APIs''):
[(i) CBOE Market Interface (``CMi'') API. A CAS shall generate a
Heartbeat Request to a Client Application every ``n'' period of time.
The value of ``n'' shall be set by the Exchange at two (2) seconds. The
value of ``x'' shall be set either by the Exchange or a Trading Permit
Holder, depending upon the version of CMi being used. If the value of
``x'' is determined by the Exchange, ``x'' shall be set at twenty (20)
seconds. If the value of ``x'' is determined by a Trading Permit
Holder, ``x'' shall in no event be less than three (3) seconds or
exceed twenty (20) seconds.]
(i[i]) CBOE Market Interface 2.0 (``CMi 2'') API. A CAS shall
generate a Heartbeat Request to a Client Application (i) after the CAS
does not receive any messages from a particular Client Application for
``n'' period of time or (ii) after every ``n'' period of time. A
Trading Permit Holder shall determine the value of ``n.'' In no event
shall ``n'' be less than three (3) seconds or exceed twenty (20)
seconds. If a CAS generates a Heartbeat Request only after it does not
receive any messages from a particular Client Application for ``n''
period of time, the value of ``x'' shall be set at a half (.5) second.
If a CAS generates a Heartbeat Request every ``n'' period of time, the
value of ``x'' shall be equal to the value of ``n.''
(ii[i]) Financial Information eXchange (``FIX'') Protocol API. A
CAS shall generate a Heartbeat Message to a Client Application after
the CAS does not receive any messages from a particular Client
Application for ``n'' period of time. If the CAS does not receive a
response to the Heartbeat Message from the Client Application for ``n''
period of time, the CAS shall generate a Heartbeat Request to the
Client Application. A Trading Permit Holder shall determine the value
of ``n'' at logon. In no event shall ``n'' be less than five (5)
seconds. The value of ``x'' shall be equal to the value of ``n.''
(b) The Technical Disconnect Mechanism is enabled for all Trading
Permit Holders and may not be disabled by Trading Permit Holders,
except the automatic cancellation of a Trading Permit Holder's day
orders is an optional service that the Trading Permit Holder may enable
or disable through the API.
(c) The trigger of the Technical Disconnect Mechanism is event- and
Client Application-specific. The automatic cancellation of a Market-
Maker's quotes (if applicable) or a Trading Permit Holder's day orders
(if enabled by the Trading Permit Holder) entered into a CAS via a
particular Client Application will neither impact nor determine the
treatment of the quotes of the same or other Market-Makers or orders of
the same Trading Permit Holder entered into the CAS via a separate and
distinct Client Application. Except for day orders the Technical
Disconnect Mechanism automatically cancels if a Trading Permit Holder
enables that optional service, [T]the Technical Disconnect Mechanism
will not impact or determine the treatment of orders a Trading Permit
Holder previously entered into the CAS.
. . . Interpretations and Policies:
.01 No change.
* * * * *
The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the
Exchange's Web site (https://www.cboe.com/AboutCBOE/CBOELegalRegulatoryHome.aspx), at the Exchange's Office of the
Secretary, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.23C related to the Exchange's
Technical Disconnect Mechanism. Rule 6.23C(a) provides that when a CBOE
Application Server (``CAS'') \3\ loses communication with a Client
Application \4\ such that a CAS does not receive an appropriate
response to a Heartbeat Request \5\ within ``x'' period of

[[Page 74150]]

time, the Technical Disconnect Mechanism will automatically logoff the
Trading Permit Holder's (``TPH'') affected Client Application. If that
occurs, the current rule provides that the Technical Disconnect
Mechanism, if applicable, will automatically cancel all the TPH's
Market-Maker quotes posted through the affected Client Application.\6\
The Technical Disconnect Mechanism is intended to help mitigate the
potential risks associated with a loss of communication with a Client
Application, such as erroneous or unintended executions for stale
quotes that are resting in the CBOE book. This mechanism serves to
assist a TPH when a technical or system issue occurs, as well as assist
the Exchange in maintaining a fair and orderly market.
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\3\ CBOE currently has numerous CASs serving TPHs.
\4\ For relevant purposes, a ``Client Application'' is the
system component, such as a CBOE-supported workstation or a TPH's
custom trading application, through which a TPH communicates its
quotes and/or orders to a CAS. Messages are passed between a Client
Application and a CAS. A Market-Maker may send quotes to the
Exchange from one or more Client Applications, and a TPH may send
orders to the Exchange from one or more Client Applications.
\5\ A ``Heartbeat Request'' refers to a message from a CAS to a
Client Application to check connectivity and which requires a
response from the Client Application in order to avoid logoff. The
Heartbeat Request acts as a virtual pulse between a CAS and a Client
Application and allows a CAS to continually monitor its connection
with a Client Application. Failure to receive a response to a
Heartbeat Request within the Heartbeat Response Time is indicative
of a technical or system issue.
\6\ See Rule 6.23C and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-
70039 (July 25, 2013), 78 FR 46395 (July 31, 2013) (SR-CBOE-2013-
071) for further information regarding the Technical Disconnect
Mechanism.
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The proposed rule change provides TPHs with an optional service
that, if enabled by a TPH, will cause the Technical Disconnect
Mechanism to also automatically cancel all the TPH's open orders with a
time-in-force of ``day'' (``day orders'') posted through the affected
Client Application if the CAS loses communication with the Client
Application. The proposed rule change amends Rule 6.23C(b) to provide
that the TPH may enable or disable this optional service through its
application programming interface (``API'') (all other aspects of the
Technical Disconnect Mechanism continue to otherwise be enabled for all
TPHs and may not be disabled by TPHs).\7\ The proposed rule change
makes corresponding changes to Rule 6.23C(c) that indicate the
Technical Disconnect Mechanism will automatically cancel a TPH's day
orders (in addition to a Market-Maker's quotes), if the TPH enables the
proposed optional service.\8\ As is the case in the event the Technical
Disconnect Mechanism automatically logs a TPH off and cancels its
Market-Maker quotes (if applicable), if a TPH enables this proposed
optional service, and the Technical Disconnect Mechanism automatically
logs a TPH off and cancels the TPH's day orders due to lost
communication with TPH's Client Application, the TPH may send messages
to the CAS to enter new orders once it reestablishes connectivity to
the Client Application. In addition, any nonconnectivity will continue
to be event- and Client Application-specific. In other words, any
cancellation of day orders entered into a CAS via a particular Client
Application will neither impact nor determine the treatment of the
quotes of the same TPH entered into a CAS via a separate and distinct
Client Application. The Technical Disconnect Mechanism will not impact
or determine the treatment of orders previously entered into a CAS if
the TPH does not enable this optional service, nor will it impact or
determine the treatment of non-day orders previously entered into a CAS
by the TPH. The Exchange notes use of this service will be voluntary
and within the sole discretion of each TPH.
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\7\ CBOE currently makes available two APIs: CBOE Market
Interface 2.0 (``CMi 2'') and Financial Information eXchange
Protocol (``FIX''). The proposed rule change deletes Rule
6.23A(a)(i) [sic] regarding the CBOE Market Interface (``CMi'') API,
as that has been phased out and is no longer available to TPHs. The
proposed rule change also renumbers subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) to
become subparagraphs (i) and (ii), respectively.
\8\ In addition, the proposed rule change makes nonsubstantive
changes to Rule 6.23C(a), including moving the phrase ``if
applicable'' to ensure that phrase clearly applies to the
cancellation of a Market-Maker's quotes (as that functionality only
applies to TPHs that are Market-Makers).
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The proposed optional service is an additional preventative risk
control measure that CBOE is making available to TPHs. It is intended
to help further mitigate the potential risks associated with a loss of
communication with a Client Application. While orders may be static in
nature and rest in the book, TPHs often enter day orders more
frequently in response to then-current market conditions. Therefore, if
a TPH's Client Application is disconnected for any period of time, it
is possible that market conditions upon which it based its day orders
may change during that time and make those orders stale. Consequently,
any resulting executions of those orders may be erroneous or
unintended. The Exchange believes it is appropriate to limit this
optional service to day orders and exclude good-til-cancelled
orders,\9\ as those orders are intended to rest in the book for a
period of time and thus have lower risk of erroneous or unintended
executions during and after the Technical Disconnect Mechanism logs off
a TPH.
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\9\ Currently, the Exchange offers two time-in-force order
types: Day and good-til-cancelled. The proposed optional service
will apply to orders that include the ``day'' marking.
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2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the
Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the
Act.\10\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change
is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \11\ requirements that the rules
of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts
and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to
foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating,
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and
facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is
consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \12\ requirement that the rules of
an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\12\ Id.
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In particular, the proposed rule change helps maintain a fair and
orderly market and protects investors and the public interest. The
Technical Disconnect Mechanism is a valuable tool that is designed to
help maintain a fair and orderly market. The Exchange believes that
providing TPHs with the option to have the Technical Disconnect
Mechanism cancel its day orders, in addition to Market-Maker quotes (if
applicable), further mitigates the potential risks associated with a
loss in communication with a Client Application. The Exchange believes
it is reasonable to offer to cancel only day orders. Unlike non-day
orders, day orders are more likely to be reflective of then-current
market conditions and are intended to rest in the book for a limited
period of time. As a result, in the event that a CAS loses connectivity
with a Client Application, execution of day orders during that time are
more likely to result in erroneous or unintended executions, while risk
of such executions is lower for non-day orders. The proposed optional
service protects TPHs from these potential erroneous or unintended
executions, as well as protects investors and the efficiency and
fairness of the markets in general. The Exchange believes this
functionality enhances the overall market quality for options traded on
CBOE. The Exchange notes that other exchanges offer their members
similar services that cancels a member's orders if it disconnects from
the exchange.\13\
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\13\ See, e.g., BZX Exchange US Equities FIX Specification,
Version 1.33.5 (October 8, 2014), available at https://www.batstrading.com/resources/membership/BATS_FIX_Specification.pdf
(see Section 5.1 for description of automatic cancel on
disconnection or malfunction); MIAX Options Market Protections
Handout (March 2015), available at https://www.miaxoptions.com/sites/default/files/MIAX_Market_Protections_March_2015.pdf (see page
5 for description of auto cancel on disconnect order protection);
and NYSE UTPDirect (CGC Binary) API Specification, V1.4 (February
26, 2015), available at https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/nyse/NYSEUTPDirect_Specification.pdf (see Section 3.8 for
description of cancel on disconnect service).

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[[Page 74151]]

The Exchange also believes that the proposed rule change is
designed to not permit unfair discrimination among market participants.
Use of the optional service will be voluntary and within the sole
discretion of each TPH. The proposed optional service is available to
all TPHs and will apply to the same order types of all TPHs.
The proposed rule change to delete language related to CMi benefits
investors, as that API is no longer available to TPHs and thus deletion
of that language helps eliminate confusion. CMi2 and FIX continue to be
available to TPHs.

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

CBOE does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any
burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange does
not believe the proposed rule change will cause any burden on
intramarket competition because the optional service will be available
to all TPHs. Use of this optional service will be within the sole
discretion of each TPH. The proposed rule change will have no impact on
TPHs that do not enable the proposed optional service. For TPHs that
elect to enable the proposed optional service, the only impact on those
TPHs will be cancellation of day orders (in addition to Market-Maker
quotes) upon loss of connectivity. The Technical Disconnect Mechanism
will otherwise continue to function in the same manner as it does
today. Further, the Exchange does not believe that such change will
impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed
rule change modifies a mechanism available on CBOE's system and applies
only to orders entered on CBOE. The Exchange notes that, should the
proposed change make CBOE a more attractive place for trading, market
participants trading on other exchanges are welcome to become TPHs and
trade at CBOE if they determine that this proposed change has made CBOE
more attractive or favorable. Additionally, as discussed above, other
options exchanges offer their members similar functionality.\14\
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\14\ Id.
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The proposed rule change to delete language regarding CMi has no
impact on competition, as it merely deletes a provision regarding an
API that is no longer used by, and is no longer available to, TPHs. CMi
2 ultimately replaced CMi, and FIX continues to be available to TPHs as
well.

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

The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.

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) of the Act \15\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 \16\
thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed
rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or
disapproved.
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\15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\16\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
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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-CBOE-2015-103 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 Number SR-CBOE-2015-103. 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-CBOE-2015-103 and should be
submitted on or before December 18, 2015.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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\17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-30075 Filed 11-25-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

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