Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Schedule of Fees Relating to Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in Index Options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced Value Index, 41124-41126 [2018-17738]

Download as PDF 41124 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s internet website (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 website 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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–BX–2018–037 and should be submitted on or before September 7, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.13 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–17742 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83830; File No. SR–ISE– 2018–66] Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange’s Schedule of Fees Relating to Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in Index Options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced Value Index August 13, 2018. 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 August 1, 2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 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 the Exchange’s Schedule of Fees to provide further explanation on how the Exchange charges Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in index options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced Value Index (‘‘NQX’’). The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://ise.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant 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 recently adopted transaction fees and rebates for adding or removing liquidity from ISE (i.e., maker/taker fees and rebates) in NQX options, which apply to executions in both the regular and complex order book, according to the following schedule: 3 Maker fee/rebate Market participant Market Maker ........................................................................................................................................................... Market Maker (for orders sent by Electronic Access Members) ............................................................................. Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker (FarMM) ............................................................................................................... Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer ................................................................................................................................ Professional Customer ............................................................................................................................................ Priority Customer ..................................................................................................................................................... amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 In SR–ISE–2018–61, the Exchange stated that the above pricing would apply to all executions in NQX, including Non-Priority Customer 4 Crossing Orders 5 in NQX. The Exchange now proposes to clarify that 13 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 $0.00 0.00 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.00 the taker fee applies to Crossing Orders (i.e., both the originating and contra side of the order) in NQX as well as responses to such orders by noting the following in Section III.B: ‘‘Fee will also apply to the originating and contra side CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83639 (July 16, 2018) (SR–ISE–2018–61). 4 ‘‘Non-Priority Customers’’ include Market Makers, Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Makers, Firm 1 15 ($0.25) (0.25) 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.00 Taker fee/rebate of Crossing Orders, and to Responses to Crossing Orders.’’ 6 The Exchange does not seek to amend the manner in which Crossing Orders in NQX and responses thereto are currently charged, rather the Exchange Proprietary/Broker-Dealers, and Professional Customers. 5 A ‘‘Crossing Order’’ is an order executed in the Exchange’s Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, Price Improvement Mechanism (PIM) or submitted as a Qualified Contingent Cross order. For purposes of the fee schedule, orders executed in the Block Order Mechanism are also considered Crossing Orders. 6 ‘‘Responses to Crossing Order’’ is any contraside interest submitted after the commencement of an auction in the Exchange’s Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, Block Order Mechanism or PIM. PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 seeks to more clearly state in its Schedule of Fees that taker pricing applies for such orders. While the Exchange is not aware of any member confusion with respect to this fee, the Exchange believes this specificity will help preclude any potential confusion in how its fees will apply. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,7 in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,8 in particular, in that it provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange believes that the proposed language relating to the application of taker fees to Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX is reasonable because the proposed rule text will bring greater transparency to the manner in which the Exchange charges NQX orders submitted in ISE’s various crossing mechanisms. As discussed above, the Exchange charges members the applicable taker fee to both the originating and contra side of Crossing Orders in NQX as well charging the NQX taker pricing for Responses to Crossing Orders. The Exchange believes it is reasonable and appropriate to charge taker and not maker pricing for these orders because the Exchange seeks to encourage market making activity in NQX by providing the $0.25 per contract maker rebate to Market Maker orders that post liquidity in the Exchange’s new proprietary product during the initial months of trading. Furthermore, the manner in which the Exchange applies the NQX taker fees in Section III.B is not changing with this proposal, and the proposed changes are intended to bring greater clarity to ISE’s Schedule of Fees, to the benefit of all market participants. The Exchange’s proposal to add the clarifying language is also equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange will continue to apply the taker fees for Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX in a uniform manner for all similarly situated participants. The Exchange also believes that it is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to assess no taker fees to Market Maker Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing 7 15 8 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 Orders in NQX as compared to other Non-Priority Customers, who are currently assessed the $0.25 per contract taker fee for such orders. Market Makers, unlike other market participants, take on a number of obligations, including quoting obligations, that other market participants do not have. Further, the Exchange believes that it is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to assess no transaction fees to Priority Customer 9 Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX because Priority Customer order flow enhances liquidity on the Exchange for the benefit of all market participants. Priority Customer liquidity provides more trading opportunities, which attracts Market Makers. An increase in the activity of these market participants in turn facilitates tighter spreads, which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order flow from other market participants. 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. As discussed above, the proposal is intended to eliminate ambiguity from the Schedule of Fees by further explaining how ISE charges the originating and contra side of Crossing Orders in NQX as well as Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX. The proposal does not amend the current manner in which the Exchange assesses fees for Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX, and the Exchange will continue to assess the applicable taker fees in Section III.B for such NQX orders in a uniform manner to all market participants. For the foregoing reasons, the Exchange believes that the proposed changes do not impose an undue burden on competition. 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. 9 A ‘‘Priority Customer’’ is a person or entity that is not a broker/dealer in securities, and does not place more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s), as defined in Nasdaq ISE Rule 100(a)(37A). PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 41125 III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 11 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: (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. 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– ISE–2018–66 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–ISE–2018–66. 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 website (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 website viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public 10 15 11 17 E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). 17AUN1 41126 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 160 / Friday, August 17, 2018 / Notices 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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–ISE–2018–66 and should be submitted on or before September 7, 2018. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.12 Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–17738 Filed 8–16–18; 8:45 am] SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–83835; File No. SR– PEARL–2018–15] Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX PEARL, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to the Exchange Rule 514 Priority on the Exchange August 13, 2018. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Pursuant to the provisions of Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on August 1, 2018, MIAX PEARL, LLC (‘‘MIAX PEARL’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 514, Priority on the Exchange. The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange’s website at https://www.miaxoptions.com/rulefilings/pearl at MIAX PEARL’s principal CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:17 Aug 16, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 12 17 office, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 514, Priority on the Exchange. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to amend subsection (c), SelfTrade Protection, to broaden the protection afforded under the current rule by giving Members 3 the option to have this protection apply at the market participant identifier (‘‘MPID’’) 4 level (i.e., currently existing functionality), or at the firm level. The Exchange believes that this enhancement will provide helpful flexibility for market making firms that wish to prevent trading against all orders entered by their firm under any MPID, instead of just those entered under the same MPID. Currently, the rule prevents orders entered by a Market Maker 5 via the MEO Interface 6 or the FIX Interface 7 using the same MPID from executing against orders entered on the opposite side of the market by the same Market 3 The term ‘‘Member’’ means an individual or organization that is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of MIAX PEARL Rules for purposes of trading on the Exchange as an ‘‘Electronic Exchange Member’’ or ‘‘Market Maker.’’ Members are deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100. 4 The term ‘‘MPID’’ means unique market participant identifier. See Exchange Rule 100. 5 The term ‘‘Market Maker’’ or ‘‘MM’’ means a Member registered with the Exchange for the purpose of making markets in options contracts traded on the Exchange and that is vested with the rights and responsibilities specified in Chapter VI of the MIAX PEARL Rules. See Exchange Rule 100. 6 The term ‘‘MEO Interface’’ means a binary order interface used for submitting certain order types (as set forth in Rule 516) to the MIAX PEARL System. See Exchange Rule 100. 7 The term ‘‘FIX Interface’’ means the Financial Information Exchange interface used for submitting certain order types (as set forth in Rule 516) to the MIAX PEARL System. See Exchange Rule 100. PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Maker using the same MPID via the MEO Interface or the FIX Interface.8 In such a case, the System 9 will cancel the oldest of the orders back to the entering party prior to execution. Members of the Exchange may either be Market Makers or Electronic Exchange Members.10 Each Market Maker and Electronic Exchange Member is assigned an MPID by the Exchange for identification purposes. A Member may have multiple Market Maker MPIDs on the Exchange, therefore the possibility exists that a Member may cross its own Market Maker’s orders.11 The Exchange now proposes to allow members to choose to have this protection applied at either the MPID level, as currently implemented, or at the member firm level. If members choose to have this protection applied at the member firm level, the System will prohibit orders entered from different MPIDs within the Member’s firm from trading against one another. The Exchange believes that the proposed enhancement will provide Members with more tailored self-trade functionality that will allow Members to manage their trading as appropriate based on the Member’s business needs. While the Exchange believes that some firms will want to restrict trading interest from the same MPID, (as currently implemented), the Exchange believes that other firms will find it helpful to apply self-trade protection across all MPIDs of the same firm. The Exchange note that similar functionality also exists on the Nasdaq Stock Market (‘‘NASDAQ’’) which prevents self-trades by MPID, or alternatively, if selected by the member, self-trade protection for all MPIDs of the firm.12 Cboe BZX Exchange (‘‘CboeBZX’’) also has a similar rule in place which provides members the ability to apply Match Trade Prevention (‘‘MTP’’) modifiers (CboeBZX’s version 8 See Exchange Rule 514(c)(1). term ‘‘System’’ means the automated trading system used by the Exchange for the trading of securities. See Exchange Rule 100. 10 The term ‘‘Electronic Exchange Member’’ or ‘‘EEM’’ means the holder of a Trading Permit who is a Member representing as agent Public Customer Orders or Non-Customer Orders on the Exchange and those non-Market Maker Members conducting proprietary trading. Electronic Exchange Members are deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100. 11 The Exchange notes that if requested by an EEM, orders entered by an EEM via the MEO Interface using the same MPID will not be executed against orders entered on the opposite side of the market by the same EEM using the same MPID via the MEO Interface. In such a case, the System will cancel the oldest of the orders back to the entering party prior to execution. See Exchange Rule 514(c)(2). 12 See Nasdaq Stock Market Rule, Chapter VI, Sec. 18(c)(1). 9 The E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41124-41126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17738]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-83830; File No. SR-ISE-2018-66]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq ISE, LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the 
Exchange's Schedule of Fees Relating to Crossing Orders and Responses 
to Crossing Orders in Index Options on the Nasdaq 100 Reduced Value 
Index

August 13, 2018.
    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 August 1, 2018, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the proposed 
rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been 
prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is publishing this notice to 
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's Schedule of Fees to 
provide further explanation on how the Exchange charges Crossing Orders 
and Responses to Crossing Orders in index options on the Nasdaq 100 
Reduced Value Index (``NQX'').
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at https://ise.cchwallstreet.com/, at the principal office of 
the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant 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 recently adopted transaction fees and rebates for 
adding or removing liquidity from ISE (i.e., maker/taker fees and 
rebates) in NQX options, which apply to executions in both the regular 
and complex order book, according to the following schedule: \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 83639 (July 16, 
2018) (SR-ISE-2018-61).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Maker  fee/     Taker  fee/
           Market participant                 rebate          rebate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Maker............................         ($0.25)           $0.00
Market Maker (for orders sent by                  (0.25)            0.00
 Electronic Access Members).............
Non-Nasdaq ISE Market Maker (FarMM).....            0.25            0.25
Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealer..........            0.25            0.25
Professional Customer...................            0.25            0.25
Priority Customer.......................            0.00            0.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In SR-ISE-2018-61, the Exchange stated that the above pricing would 
apply to all executions in NQX, including Non-Priority Customer \4\ 
Crossing Orders \5\ in NQX. The Exchange now proposes to clarify that 
the taker fee applies to Crossing Orders (i.e., both the originating 
and contra side of the order) in NQX as well as responses to such 
orders by noting the following in Section III.B: ``Fee will also apply 
to the originating and contra side of Crossing Orders, and to Responses 
to Crossing Orders.'' \6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ ``Non-Priority Customers'' include Market Makers, Non-Nasdaq 
ISE Market Makers, Firm Proprietary/Broker-Dealers, and Professional 
Customers.
    \5\ A ``Crossing Order'' is an order executed in the Exchange's 
Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, Price Improvement 
Mechanism (PIM) or submitted as a Qualified Contingent Cross order. 
For purposes of the fee schedule, orders executed in the Block Order 
Mechanism are also considered Crossing Orders.
    \6\ ``Responses to Crossing Order'' is any contra-side interest 
submitted after the commencement of an auction in the Exchange's 
Facilitation Mechanism, Solicited Order Mechanism, Block Order 
Mechanism or PIM.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange does not seek to amend the manner in which Crossing 
Orders in NQX and responses thereto are currently charged, rather the 
Exchange

[[Page 41125]]

seeks to more clearly state in its Schedule of Fees that taker pricing 
applies for such orders. While the Exchange is not aware of any member 
confusion with respect to this fee, the Exchange believes this 
specificity will help preclude any potential confusion in how its fees 
will apply.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\7\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Sections 
6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\8\ in particular, in that it provides 
for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other 
charges among members and issuers and other persons using any facility, 
and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, 
issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed language relating to the 
application of taker fees to Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing 
Orders in NQX is reasonable because the proposed rule text will bring 
greater transparency to the manner in which the Exchange charges NQX 
orders submitted in ISE's various crossing mechanisms. As discussed 
above, the Exchange charges members the applicable taker fee to both 
the originating and contra side of Crossing Orders in NQX as well 
charging the NQX taker pricing for Responses to Crossing Orders. The 
Exchange believes it is reasonable and appropriate to charge taker and 
not maker pricing for these orders because the Exchange seeks to 
encourage market making activity in NQX by providing the $0.25 per 
contract maker rebate to Market Maker orders that post liquidity in the 
Exchange's new proprietary product during the initial months of 
trading. Furthermore, the manner in which the Exchange applies the NQX 
taker fees in Section III.B is not changing with this proposal, and the 
proposed changes are intended to bring greater clarity to ISE's 
Schedule of Fees, to the benefit of all market participants.
    The Exchange's proposal to add the clarifying language is also 
equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because the Exchange will 
continue to apply the taker fees for Crossing Orders and Responses to 
Crossing Orders in NQX in a uniform manner for all similarly situated 
participants. The Exchange also believes that it is equitable and not 
unfairly discriminatory to assess no taker fees to Market Maker 
Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX as compared to 
other Non-Priority Customers, who are currently assessed the $0.25 per 
contract taker fee for such orders. Market Makers, unlike other market 
participants, take on a number of obligations, including quoting 
obligations, that other market participants do not have. Further, the 
Exchange believes that it is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory 
to assess no transaction fees to Priority Customer \9\ Crossing Orders 
and Responses to Crossing Orders in NQX because Priority Customer order 
flow enhances liquidity on the Exchange for the benefit of all market 
participants. Priority Customer liquidity provides more trading 
opportunities, which attracts Market Makers. An increase in the 
activity of these market participants in turn facilitates tighter 
spreads, which may cause an additional corresponding increase in order 
flow from other market participants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ A ``Priority Customer'' is a person or entity that is not a 
broker/dealer in securities, and does not place more than 390 orders 
in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its 
own beneficial account(s), as defined in Nasdaq ISE Rule 
100(a)(37A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. As discussed above, the 
proposal is intended to eliminate ambiguity from the Schedule of Fees 
by further explaining how ISE charges the originating and contra side 
of Crossing Orders in NQX as well as Responses to Crossing Orders in 
NQX. The proposal does not amend the current manner in which the 
Exchange assesses fees for Crossing Orders and Responses to Crossing 
Orders in NQX, and the Exchange will continue to assess the applicable 
taker fees in Section III.B for such NQX orders in a uniform manner to 
all market participants. For the foregoing reasons, the Exchange 
believes that the proposed changes do not impose an undue burden on 
competition.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) \11\ 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: (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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-ISE-2018-66 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-ISE-2018-66. 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 website (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 website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public

[[Page 41126]]

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. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do 
not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment 
submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make 
available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-ISE-
2018-66 and should be submitted on or before September 7, 2018.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-17738 Filed 8-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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