Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the KFA Global Carbon ETF Under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E, 45557-45564 [2019-18635]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices provisions specified in Section IV above shall be final 20 days from the date this Order is published in the Federal Register without further order or proceedings. If an extension of time for requesting a hearing has been approved, the provisions specified in Section IV shall be final when the extension expires if a hearing request has not been received. An answer or a request for hearing shall not stay the immediate effectiveness of this order. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. /RA/ George A. Wilson, Director, Office of Enforcement. Dated this 22 day of August 2019. [FR Doc. 2019–18645 Filed 8–28–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P 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 self-regulatory organization 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 those statements may be examined at the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant parts of such statements. A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–86752; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2019–60] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the KFA Global Carbon ETF Under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E August 23, 2019. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) 2 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,3 notice is hereby given that, on August 14, 2019, NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) 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 self-regulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares of the KFA Global Carbon ETF under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E (‘‘Managed Fund Shares’’). The proposed change is available on the Exchange’s website at www.nyse.com, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). U.S.C. 78a. 3 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 2 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares (‘‘Shares’’) of the KFA Global Carbon ETF (‘‘Fund’’) under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E, which governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares 4 on the Exchange. The Fund will be an actively managed exchange-traded fund. The Shares will be offered by KraneShares Trust (the ‘‘Trust’’), which was established as a Delaware statutory trust on February 3, 2012. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’) as an open-end management investment company.5 Krane Funds Advisors, LLC (‘‘Krane’’ or ‘‘Adviser’’) will serve as the investment adviser to the Fund. Climate Finance Partners LLC (‘‘Sub-Adviser’’) will serve as the non-discretionary 4 A Managed Fund Share is a security that represents an interest in an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1) (‘‘1940 Act’’) organized as an open-end investment company or similar entity that invests in a portfolio of securities selected by its investment adviser consistent with its investment objectives and policies. In contrast, an open-end investment company that issues Investment Company Units, listed and traded on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3), seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of a specific foreign or domestic stock index, fixed income securities index or combination thereof. 5 The Trust is registered under the 1940 Act. On June 11, 2019, the Trust filed with the Commission its registration statement on Form N–1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a), and under the 1940 Act relating to the Fund (File Nos. 333– 180870 and 811–22698) (‘‘Registration Statement’’). The description of the operation of the Trust and the Fund herein is based, in part, on the Registration Statement. In addition, the Commission has issued an order upon which the Trust may rely, granting certain exemptive relief under the 1940 Act. See Investment Company Act Release No. 32455 (January 27, 2017) (File No. 812– 14675). PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45557 investment sub-adviser to the Fund. SEI Investments Global Funds Services (‘‘Administrator’’) will serve as administrator for the Fund. SEI Investments Distribution Co. (‘‘Distributor’’), an affiliate of the Administrator, will serve as the Fund’s distributor. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (‘‘BBH’’) will serve as custodian and transfer agent for the Fund. Commentary .06 to Rule 8.600–E provides that, if the investment adviser to the investment company issuing Managed Fund Shares is affiliated with a broker-dealer, such investment adviser shall erect and maintain a ‘‘fire wall’’ between the investment adviser and the broker-dealer with respect to access to information concerning the composition and/or changes to such investment company portfolio.6 In addition, Commentary .06 further requires that personnel who make decisions on the open-end fund’s portfolio composition must be subject to procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material nonpublic information regarding the open-end fund’s portfolio. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser are not registered as broker-dealers, but the Adviser is affiliated with broker-dealers, and has implemented and will maintain a fire wall with respect to its brokerdealer affiliates regarding access to information concerning the composition and/or changes to the portfolio. In the event (a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser becomes registered as a broker-dealer or newly affiliated with a broker-dealer, or (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser is a registered broker-dealer or becomes affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will implement and maintain a fire wall with respect to its relevant personnel or its 6 An investment adviser to an open-end fund is required to be registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the ‘‘Advisers Act’’). As a result, the Adviser and its related personnel are subject to the provisions of Rule 204A–1 under the Advisers Act relating to codes of ethics. This Rule requires investment advisers to adopt a code of ethics that reflects the fiduciary nature of the relationship to clients as well as compliance with other applicable securities laws. Accordingly, procedures designed to prevent the communication and misuse of non-public information by an investment adviser must be consistent with Rule 204A–1 under the Advisers Act. In addition, Rule 206(4)–7 under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for an investment adviser to provide investment advice to clients unless such investment adviser has (i) adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation, by the investment adviser and its supervised persons, of the Advisers Act and the Commission rules adopted thereunder; (ii) implemented, at a minimum, an annual review regarding the adequacy of the policies and procedures established pursuant to subparagraph (i) above and the effectiveness of their implementation; and (iii) designated an individual (who is a supervised person) responsible for administering the policies and procedures adopted under subparagraph (i) above. E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 45558 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices broker-dealer affiliate regarding access to information concerning the composition and/or changes to the portfolio, and will be subject to procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio. KFA Global Carbon ETF khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES According to the Registration Statement, the Fund will seek to provide a total return that, before fees and expenses, exceeds that of the IHS Markit Global Carbon Index (the ‘‘Index’’) over a complete market cycle. The Index is designed to track the performance of liquid carbon credit futures contracts (‘‘Carbon Credit Futures’’) maturing within the next one to two calendar years. More specifically, the Index is designed to track, and the Fund intends to invest in, Carbon Credit Futures issued under the European Union Allowance (EUA), California Carbon Allowance (CCA), and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regimes. As of the last annual rebalancing date, November 30, 2018, the weighting of Carbon Credit Futures in the Index was, and the weighting of Carbon Credit Futures in the Fund (including the Subsidiary (as defined below)) would have been, as follows: 7 • European Union Allowance (EUA)— 65% • California Carbon Allowance (CCA)— 25% • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—10% Although, as described in more detail below, the Carbon Credit Futures in the Index are physically settled futures contracts, the Adviser does not anticipate that the Fund will hold the Carbon Credit Futures until expiry or take or make delivery of any physical commodities. Instead, the Adviser expects to roll each Carbon Credit Future in the Fund’s (or Subsidiary’s (as defined below)) portfolio approximately two weeks prior to expiry. Thus, the Adviser expects to sell near to expiry Carbon Credit Futures and reinvest the 7 According to the Registration Statement, although the Fund seeks to maintain exposure to Carbon Credit Futures that are the same as or similar to those included in the Index, the Fund and the Subsidiary will be actively managed and will not be required to replicate the performance of the Index or to invest in the specific instruments in the Index. For example, the Fund may hold Carbon Credit Futures with the same maturity and weightings as the Index, or may select Carbon Credit Futures with a different month of maturity, weight such Carbon Credit Futures differently than the Index or invest in other futures contracts or options on futures contracts in seeking to achieve its investment objective. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 proceeds in new Carbon Credit Futures to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund may hold cash and cash equivalents.8 The Fund will seek to exceed the performance of the Index through the active management of a portfolio of debt instruments (other than cash equivalents). The debt instruments in which the Fund intends to invest include government securities and corporate or other non-government fixed-income securities with maturities of up to 12 months. The Fund may invest in exchangetraded funds (‘‘ETFs’’) 9 and exchangetraded notes (‘‘ETNs’’).10 The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary (the ‘‘Subsidiary’’). The Fund will utilize the Subsidiary for purposes of investing in the Carbon Credit Futures. The Subsidiary is a corporation operating under Cayman Islands law that is wholly-owned and controlled by the Fund. The Subsidiary is advised by the Adviser and sub-advised by the SubAdviser. The Subsidiary has the same investment objective as the Fund and will follow the same investment policies and restrictions as the Fund. Accordingly, the Subsidiary will only invest in the same instruments as the Fund may invest in, as discussed herein, including Carbon Credit Futures and cash and cash equivalents as margin or collateral with respect to its Carbon Credit Futures investments. The Fund will conduct foreign currency exchange transactions to the extent necessary to purchase Carbon Credit Futures and convert proceeds of sales of Carbon Credit Futures into U.S. Dollars. The Fund will conduct such foreign currency transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through forwards and U.S. exchange-traded futures on foreign currencies. The Exchange submits this proposal in order to allow the Fund to hold listed 8 For purposes of this filing, cash equivalents include the securities included in Commentary .01(c) to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E. 9 For purposes of this filing, ‘‘ETFs’’ are Investment Company Units (as described in NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(3)); Portfolio Depositary Receipts (as described in NYSE Arca Rule 8.100–E); and Managed Fund Shares (as described in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E). All ETFs will be listed and traded in the U.S. on a national securities exchange. While the Fund may invest in inverse ETFs, the Fund will not invest in leveraged (e.g., 2X, ¥2X, 3X or ¥3X) ETFs. 10 ETNs are securities as described in NYSE Arca Rule 5.2–E(j)(6) (Equity Index-Linked Securities, Commodity-Linked Securities, Currency-Linked Securities, Fixed Income Index-Linked Securities, Futures-Linked Securities and Multifactor IndexLinked Securities). PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 derivatives, in particular Carbon Credit Futures, in a manner that does not comply with Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600–E, as described below. Otherwise, the Fund will comply with all other listing requirements of Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E on an initial and continued listing basis. Description of the Index According to the Registration Statement, the Index utilizes a rulesbased methodology and is designed to track a portfolio of liquid, accessible carbon credit futures contracts with ‘‘physical delivery’’ of emission allowances issued under ‘‘cap and trade’’ regimes.11 The Index is provided by Markit Indices GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IHS Markit Ltd. (the ‘‘Index Provider’’). The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund or Krane.12 The Index Provider determines the components and the relative weightings of the components in the Index. The Index Provider may consult with the IHS Markit Global Carbon Index Advisory Committee to review potential changes to the Index rules and methodology. Any decision as to the eligibility or ineligibility of a Carbon Credit Future will be published and the Index rules will be updated accordingly. Additional information about the Index is available on the Index Provider’s website, www.ihsmarkit.com. As of July 31, 2019, eligible components of the Index include emission allowances issued under the European Union Emissions Trading System (EUA),13 California Carbon 11 According to the Registration Statement, in a typical ‘‘cap and trade’’ regime, a limit (or ‘‘cap’’) is set by a regulator, such as a government entity or supranational organization, on the total amount of specific greenhouse gases (‘‘GHG’’), such as CO2, that can be emitted by regulated entities, such as manufacturers or energy producers. The regulator then may issue or sell individual ‘‘emission allowances’’ to regulated entities. These emission allowances are issued by the regulator to regulated entities, which may then buy or sell (‘‘trade’’) the emission allowances on the open market. The regulator may gradually reduce the market cap on emission allowances, thereby increasing the value of such allowances and forcing regulated entities to reduce their GHG emissions. A cap on emission allowances available to the market supports the value of those allowances and is intended to incentivize regulated entities to reduce their GHG emissions, because they are permitted to sell unneeded emission allowances for profit. Commodity futures contracts linked to the value of emission allowances are known as carbon credit futures. 12 The Index Provider is not a broker-dealer or affiliated with a broker-dealer and has implemented procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material, nonpublic information regarding the Index. 13 The EUA allowance is based on the ICE Futures ECX CFI Carbon Financial Instrument Futures E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices Allowance (CCA) 14 and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) 15 ‘‘cap and trade’’ regimes. As the global carbon credit market grows, additional liquid contracts may enter the Index, and the Fund may invest in any additional Carbon Credit Futures that are the same as or similar to those included in the Index. The Fund’s holdings in Carbon Credit Futures will comply with the requirements of Commentary .01(d)(1) to Rule 8.600–E.16 EUA futures are currently traded principally on ICE Futures Europe, and CCA futures and RGGI futures are currently traded principally on ICE Futures US. ICE Futures Europe, ICE Futures US and CME are members of the ISG. The Adviser represents that, as of November 30, 2018, the initial universe and weighting of Carbon Credit Futures in the Index was as follows: Regional Component—Europe, Middle East and Africa • European Union Allowance (EUA)— 65% khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Regional Component—Americas • California Carbon Allowance (CCA)— 25% • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)—10% Contract (‘‘ECX CFI Futures’’). ECX CFI Futures are standardized contracts developed by the European Climate Exchange (‘‘ECX’’). They are standardized contractual instruments for futures on deliverable carbon equivalent emissions allowances issued under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (‘‘EU ETS’’), which are listed and admitted to trading on ICE Futures Europe and the European Energy Exchange (EEX). 14 CCA–CBL California Carbon Allowance Futures Contracts (‘‘California Contracts’’) are listed and traded on ICE Futures U.S and CME Globex (operated by CME Group, Inc. (‘‘CME’’)). The California Contracts allow for trading of physically delivered greenhouse gas emissions allowances. Each California Contract is an allowance issued by the California Air Resources Board (or a linked program) to emit one metric ton of CO2 equivalent under California Assembly Bill 32 ‘‘California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006’’ and its associated regulations, rules and amendments (collectively the ‘‘California Cap and Trade Program’’). 15 RGGI-Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Futures are traded on ICE Futures U.S. They are monthly physically delivered contracts on RGGI CO2 allowances. 16 Commentary .01(d)(1) to Rule 8.600–E provides that, with respect to a fund’s holdings in listed derivatives, in the aggregate, at least 90% of the weight of such holdings invested in futures, exchange-traded options, and listed swaps shall, on both an initial and continuing basis, consist of futures, options, and swaps for which the Exchange may obtain information via the Intermarket Surveillance Group (‘‘ISG’’) from other members or affiliates of the ISG or for which the principal market is a market with which the Exchange has a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. (For purposes of calculating this limitation, a portfolio’s investment in listed derivatives will be calculated as the aggregate gross notional value of the listed derivatives). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 The Adviser further represents that the Index allocated each of the EUA and CCA allowances to two Carbon Credit Futures with different expiration dates. Accordingly, according to the Adviser, the Fund’s allocations to EUA and CCA Carbon Credit Futures would similarly be to at least four different contracts (e.g., two different contracts each with two different expiry dates). The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the ‘‘CFTC’’) has adopted certain requirements that subject registered investment companies and their advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its net assets in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps, or if a registered investment company markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. Due to the Fund’s intended use of CFTC-regulated futures above the prescribed levels, it will be a ‘‘commodity pool’’ under the Commodity Exchange Act. The Index is calculated on each full Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommended U.S. trading day and the last calendar day of November. To convert the value of foreign carbon credit futures contracts to U.S. dollars, the Index utilizes foreign exchange spot rates from WM Reuters, using foreign exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. London time for any day the Index is calculated. The Index was launched on July 25, 2019 with a base date of July 31, 2014 and a base value of 100. As of the most recent rebalancing date of November 30, 2018, the Index included five futures contracts with market capitalizations ranging from a minimum of $506 million for the RGGI program to a maximum of $29.463 billion for the EUA program. The average market capitalization of the futures of these programs was $10.916 billion. The largest Regional Components in the Index were Europe and the Americas (EUA (65%), CCA (25%) and RGGI (10%)). Other Restrictions The Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s investments, including derivatives, will be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and will not be used to seek performance that is the multiple or inverse multiple (e.g., 2X or ¥3X) of the Index. Use of Derivatives by the Fund Investments in derivative instruments will be made in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45559 To limit the potential risk associated with such transactions, the Fund will enter into offsetting transactions or segregate or ‘‘earmark’’ assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the ‘‘Board’’). In addition, the Fund has included appropriate risk disclosure in its offering documents, including leveraging risk. Leveraging risk is the risk that certain transactions of the Fund, including the Fund’s use of derivatives, may give rise to leverage, causing the Fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. Impact on Arbitrage Mechanism The Adviser believes there will be minimal, if any, impact to the arbitrage mechanism as a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives. The Adviser understands that market makers and participants should be able to value derivatives as long as the positions are disclosed with relevant information. The Adviser believes that the price at which Shares of the Fund trade will continue to be disciplined by arbitrage opportunities created by the ability to purchase or redeem Shares of the Fund at their net asset value (‘‘NAV’’), which should ensure that Shares of the Fund will not trade at a material discount or premium in relation to their NAV. The Adviser does not believe there will be any significant impacts to the settlement or operational aspects of the Fund’s arbitrage mechanism due to the use of derivatives. Creation and Redemption of Shares According to the Registration Statement, the Trust will issue and redeem Shares of the Fund only in ‘‘Creation Units’’ on a continuous basis through the Distributor at the NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form. A ‘‘Business Day’’, as used herein, is any day on which the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) is open for business. A Creation Unit is 50,000 Shares. The size of a Creation Unit is subject to change. Creation Units may be purchased and redeemed only by or through a Depository Trust Company (‘‘DTC’’) Participant that has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor (an ‘‘Authorized Participant’’). Purchases of Creation Units The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of the Fund will consist of an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (or cash for all or any portion of such securities (‘‘Deposit Cash’’) (collectively, the ‘‘Deposit E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 45560 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices Securities’’)) and the Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Deposit Securities. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the ‘‘Fund Deposit.’’ The Custodian or the Administrator makes available through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (‘‘NSCC’’) on each Business Day, prior to the opening of the Exchange’s Core Trading Session (normally 9:30 a.m., Eastern time (‘‘E.T.’’), the list of names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security and Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the estimated amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced Fund Deposit is made available. The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash to replace any Deposit Security under specified circumstances. Cash purchases of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases. The Authorized Participant will pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities as Deposit Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component. each Business Day, prior to the opening of the Exchange’s Core Trading Session, the list of names and the number of shares of each Fund Security and Redemption Cash, as applicable, and the estimated amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Redemption. Such Fund Redemption will be applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, for redemptions of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the nextannounced Fund Redemption is made available. The delivery of Fund Shares will be settled through the DTC system. The identity and number of shares of the Fund Securities change pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the Fund’s portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time. The composition of the Fund Securities may not be the same as the Deposit Securities. The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash to replace any Redemption Security under circumstances specified in the Registration Statement. Cash redemptions of Creation Units will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind redemptions. The Authorized Participant will receive the cash equivalent of the Fund Securities as Redemption Cash plus or minus the same Cash Component.17 Placement of Purchase Orders To initiate an order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order in proper form to purchase Shares of the Fund on a Business Day generally before the time as of which that day’s NAV is calculated. For a purchase order to be processed based on the NAV calculated on a particular Business Day, the purchase order must be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust prior to the time as of which the NAV is calculated (‘‘Cutoff Time’’). Placement of Redemption Orders To initiate a redemption order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order in proper form to redeem Shares of the Fund on a Business Day generally before the time as of which that day’s NAV is calculated. For a redemption order to be processed based on the NAV calculated on a particular Business Day, the order must be received in proper form and accepted by the Trust prior to the time as of which the NAV is calculated (‘‘Cutoff Time’’). A redemption request, if accepted by the Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time. Redemptions of Creation Units The consideration paid by the Fund for the redemption of Creation Units consists of an in-kind basket of a designated portfolio of securities (or cash for all or any portion of such securities (‘‘Redemption Cash’’)) (collectively, the ‘‘Fund Securities’’) and the Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Fund Securities. Together, the Fund Securities and the Cash Component constitute the ‘‘Fund Redemption.’’ The Custodian or the Administrator will make available through NSCC on VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 Application of Generic Listing Requirements The Exchange is submitting this proposed rule change because the portfolio for the Fund will not meet all of the ‘‘generic’’ listing requirements of Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E applicable to the listing of 17 The Adviser represents that, to the extent the Trust effects the creation or redemption of Shares wholly or partially in cash, such transactions will be effected in the same manner for all Authorized Participants. PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Managed Fund Shares. Specifically, the Fund’s portfolio will meet all such requirements except for those set forth in Commentary .01(d)(2) with respect to the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s investments in listed derivatives.18 In order to achieve its investment objective, under normal market conditions,19 the aggregate gross notional value of Carbon Credit Futures may, in certain circumstances, approach 100% of the Fund (including gross notional values). As noted above, Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600–E prohibits the Fund from holding listed derivatives based on any five or fewer underlying reference assets in excess of 65% of the weight of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures). The Exchange is proposing to allow the Fund to hold up to 100% of the weight of its portfolio (including gross notional exposures) in listed derivatives based on three underlying reference assets ((EUA, CCA and RGGI) through its investment in Carbon Credit Futures. As discussed below, although the Fund will hold a more limited number of listed derivatives than allowed under Commentary .01(d)(2), the Exchange believes that sufficient protections are in place to protect against market manipulation of the Shares and Carbon Credit Futures and otherwise satisfy the purposes of Rule 8.600–E. The Exchange believes that Carbon Credit Futures are not subject to the concentration risk that the rule is intended to address because of the liquidity of such futures.20 The 18 Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600–E provides that, with respect to a fund’s portfolio, the aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any five or fewer underlying reference assets shall not exceed 65% of the weight of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures), and the aggregate gross notional value of listed derivatives based on any single underlying reference asset shall not exceed 30% of the weight of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures). 19 The term ‘‘normal market conditions’’ is defined in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E(c)(5). 20 The Adviser represents that these are currently the largest and most liquid futures markets on carbon offset credits: (1) Carbon Credit Futures on EUA: 1,269,401,000 contracts with open interest at a price of $23.21 as of November 30, 2018 translating to a $29.463 billion market capitalization. In addition, the average annual trading volume as of that date was $98.856 billion (with approximately $89 billion consisting of Carbon Credit Futures with December expirations). (2) Carbon Credit Futures on CCA: 178,800,000 contracts with open interest at a price of $15.55 as of November 30, 2018 translates to a $2.780 billion market capitalization. In addition, the average annual trading volume as of that date was $2.39 billion (with approximately $1.25 billion consisting of Carbon Credit Futures with December expirations). 3) Carbon Credit Futures on RGGIs: 94,000,000 contracts with open interest at a price of $5.38 as of November 30, 2018 translates to a $506 million market capitalization. In addition, the average annual trading volume as of that date was $250 million (with approximately $182.9 million E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Exchange notes that the exchange markets for Carbon Credit Futures are highly liquid, and therefore believes that trading in such futures is not readily susceptible to manipulation. In addition, at least 90% of the weight of listed derivatives utilized by the Fund would be traded on exchanges that are members of the ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement, and Carbon Credit Credit Futures are currently traded on ISG markets.21 The Exchange notes that the Commission has previously approved listing and trading on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 8.204–E (Commodity Futures Trust Shares) of a trust with the investment objective of providing investment results that correspond generally to the performance of a basket of exchange-traded futures contracts for carbon equivalent emissions allowances issued under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (‘‘EU ETS’’).22 consisting of Carbon Credit Futures with December expirations). Source: https://www.theice.com/ microsite/usenvironmentalmonthlymarketreport. 21 The Exchange notes that the Commission has approved proposed rule changes by a national securities exchange to list and trade series of Managed Fund Shares that may hold listed derivatives on underlying reference assets that may not comply with provisions similar to those in Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600–E. See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 80529 (April 26, 2017), 82 FR 20506 (May 2, 2017) (SR– BatsBZX–2017–14) (Order Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change to List and Trade Shares of the Amplify YieldShares Oil Hedged MLP Fund under BZX Rule 14.11(i)); 82906 (March 20, 2018), 83 FR 12992 (March 26, 2018) (SR–CboeBZX–2017– 012) (Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 2, to List and Trade Shares of the LHA Market State® Tactical U.S. Equity ETF under Rule 14.11(i)); 83014 (April 9, 2018), 83 FR 16150 (April 13, 2018) (SR–CboeBZX– 2017–023) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 2, to List and Trade Shares of the iShares Gold Strategy ETF Under Exchange Rule 14.11(i)); 83146 (May 1, 2018), 83 FR 20103 (May 7, 2018) (SR– CboeBZX–2018–029) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change to Allow the Horizons Cadence Hedged US Dividend Yield ETF, a Series of the Horizons ETF Trust I, to Hold Listed Options Contracts in a Manner that Does Not Comply with Rule 14.11(i), Managed Fund Shares). See also, Securities Exchange Act Release No. 85701 (April 22, 2019), 84 FR 17902 (April 26, 2019) (SR–CboeBZX–2019– 016) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, to Allow the JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF of the J.P. Morgan Exchange-Traded Fund Trust to Hold Certain Instruments in a Manner that May Not Comply with Rule 14.11(i), Managed Fund Shares). 22 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57838, (May 20, 2008), 73 FR 30649 (May 28, 2008) (SR– NYSEArca–2008–09) (Order Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto, Relating to the Listing and Trading of Shares of the AirShares EU Carbon Allowances Fund). The EU ETS is a ‘‘cap and trade’’ emissions trading program instituted by the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 Other than Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600–E, as described above, the Fund’s portfolio will meet all other requirements of Rule 8.600–E. Availability of Information The Fund’s website (www.kraneshares.com) will include the prospectus for the Fund that may be downloaded. The Fund’s website will include additional quantitative information updated on a daily basis including, for the Fund, (1) daily trading volume, the prior business day’s reported closing price, NAV and midpoint of the bid/ask spread at the time of calculation of such NAV (the ‘‘Bid/Ask Price’’),23 and a calculation of the premium and discount of the Bid/ Ask Price against the NAV, and (2) data in chart format displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the daily Bid/Ask Price against the NAV, within appropriate ranges, for each of the four previous calendar quarters. On each business day, before commencement of trading in Shares in the Core Trading Session on the Exchange, the Fund will disclose on its website the Disclosed Portfolio as defined in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600– E(c)(2) that forms the basis for the Fund’s calculation of NAV at the end of the business day.24 On a daily basis, the Fund will disclose the information required under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E(c)(2) to the extent applicable. The website information will be publicly available at no charge. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities, if applicable, required to be delivered in exchange for the Fund’s Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, will be publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the NSCC. The basket represents one Creation Unit European Union, in furtherance of the joint commitment of its member states under the Kyoto Protocol to achieve certain reductions in their emissions of greenhouse gases. The net assets of the AirShares EU Carbon Allowances Fund were to consist of long positions in ICE Futures ECX Carbon Financial Instrument Futures Contracts consisting of standardized contractual instruments for futures on deliverable EUAs issued under the EU ETS and developed by the European Climate Exchange. 23 The Bid/Ask Price of the Fund’s Shares will be determined using the mid-point of the highest bid and the lowest offer on the Exchange as of the time of calculation of the Fund’s NAV. The records relating to Bid/Ask Prices will be retained by the Fund and its service providers. 24 Under accounting procedures followed by the Fund, trades made on the prior business day (‘‘T’’) will be booked and reflected in NAV on the current business day (‘‘T+1’’). Accordingly, the Fund will be able to disclose at the beginning of the business day the portfolio that will form the basis for the NAV calculation at the end of the business day. PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45561 of the Fund. Authorized Participants may refer to the basket composition file for information regarding financial instruments that may comprise the Fund’s basket on a given day. Investors can also obtain the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information (‘‘SAI’’), the Fund’s Shareholder Reports, and the Fund’s Forms N–CSR and Forms N–SAR, filed twice a year. The Fund’s SAI and Shareholder Reports will be available free upon request from the Trust, and those documents and the Form N–CSR, Form N–PX, Form N–CEN and Form N–PORT (formerly Forms N–Q and N–SAR) may be viewed on-screen or downloaded from the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Intra-day and the closing settlement price information regarding Carbon Credit Futures and U.S. exchange-traded futures on currencies will be available from the exchange on which such instruments are traded and from major market data vendors. Spot currency prices and price information regarding currency forwards, debt instruments (other than cash equivalents) and cash equivalents also will be available from major market data vendors. Additionally, the Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine (‘‘TRACE’’) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (‘‘FINRA’’) will be a source of price information for certain fixed income securities to the extent transactions in such securities are reported to TRACE.25 Price information regarding U.S. government securities and other cash equivalents generally may be obtained from brokers and dealers who make markets in such securities or through nationally recognized pricing services through subscription agreements. The Index price is available via Bloomberg and Reuters. The Index methodology and constituent list of the Reference Benchmark is available via IHS Markit’s website (https://indices.ihsmarkit.com). Quote and last-sale information for ECX CFI Futures, California Futures and RGGI-Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Futures, other futures contracts and options on futures are widely disseminated through major market data vendors. ICE Futures US, 25 Broker-dealers that are FINRA member firms have an obligation to report transactions in specified debt securities to TRACE to the extent required under applicable FINRA rules. Generally, such debt securities will have at issuance a maturity that exceeds one calendar year. For fixed income securities that are not reported to TRACE, (i) intraday price quotations will generally be available from broker-dealers and trading platforms (as applicable) and (ii) price information will be available from feeds from market data vendors, published or other public sources, or online information services, as described above. E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 45562 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices ICE Futures Europe and CME also provide delayed futures information on current and past trading sessions and market news on their respective websites. Information regarding market price and trading volume of the Shares will be continually available on a real-time basis throughout the day on brokers’ computer screens and other electronic services. Information regarding the previous day’s closing price and trading volume information for the Shares will be published daily in the financial section of newspapers. Quotation and last sale information for the Shares, ETFs and ETNs will be available via the Consolidated Tape Association (‘‘CTA’’) high-speed line. In addition, the Portfolio Indicative Value (‘‘PIV’’), as defined in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E(c)(3), will be widely disseminated by one or more major market data vendors at least every 15 seconds during the Core Trading Session. khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Trading Halts With respect to trading halts, the Exchange may consider all relevant factors in exercising its discretion to halt or suspend trading in the Shares of the Fund.26 Trading in Shares of the Fund will be halted if the circuit breaker parameters in NYSE Arca Rule 7.12–E have been reached. Trading also may be halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Shares inadvisable. Trading in the Fund’s Shares also will be subject to Rule 8.600–E(d)(2)(D) (‘‘Trading Halts’’). Trading Rules The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus rendering trading in the Shares subject to the Exchange’s existing rules governing the trading of equity securities. Shares will trade on the NYSE Arca Marketplace from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., E.T. in accordance with NYSE Arca Rule 7.34–E (Early, Core, and Late Trading Sessions). The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions in the Shares during all trading sessions. As provided in NYSE Arca Rule 7.6–E, the minimum price variation (‘‘MPV’’) for quoting and entry of orders in equity securities traded on the NYSE Arca Marketplace is $0.01, with the exception of securities that are priced less than $1.00 for which the MPV for order entry is $0.0001. With the exception of the requirements of Commentary .01(d)(2) (with respect to listed derivatives) to Rule 8.600–E as described above in 26 See NYSE Arca Rule 7.12–E. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 ‘‘Application of Generic Listing Requirements,’’ the Shares of the Fund will conform to the initial and continued listing criteria under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E. Consistent with NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E(d)(2)(B)(ii), the Adviser will implement and maintain, or be subject to, procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material non-public information regarding the actual components of the Fund’s portfolio. The Exchange represents that, for initial and continued listing, the Fund will be in compliance with Rule 10A–3 27 under the Act, as provided by NYSE Arca Rule 5.3–E. A minimum of 100,000 Shares will be outstanding at the commencement of trading on the Exchange. The Exchange will obtain a representation from the issuer of the Shares that the NAV per Share will be calculated daily and that the NAV and the Disclosed Portfolio will be made available to all market participants at the same time. The Fund’s investments will be consistent with its investment goal and will not be used to provide multiple returns of a benchmark or to produce leveraged returns. Surveillance The Exchange represents that trading in the Shares will be subject to the existing trading surveillances, administered by FINRA on behalf of the Exchange, or by regulatory staff of the Exchange, which are designed to detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws. The Exchange represents that these procedures are adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and federal securities laws applicable to trading on the Exchange.28 The surveillances referred to above generally focus on detecting securities trading outside their normal patterns, which could be indicative of manipulative or other violative activity. When such situations are detected, surveillance analysis follows and investigations are opened, where appropriate, to review the behavior of all relevant parties for all relevant trading violations. The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, will communicate as needed regarding trading in the Shares, ETFs, ETNs, U.S. exchange-traded futures on foreign 27 17 CFR 240.10A–3. conducts cross-market surveillances on behalf of the Exchange pursuant to a regulatory services agreement. The Exchange is responsible for FINRA’s performance under this regulatory services agreement. currency and Carbon Credit Futures with other markets and other entities that are members of the ISG, and the Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, may obtain trading information regarding trading in such securities and financial instruments from such markets and other entities.29 In addition, the Exchange may obtain information regarding trading in such securities and financial instruments from markets and other entities that are members of ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, is able to access, as needed, trade information for certain fixed income securities held by the Fund reported to FINRA’s TRACE. In addition, the Exchange also has a general policy prohibiting the distribution of material, non-public information by its employees. All statements and representations made in this filing regarding (a) the description of the portfolio or reference assets, (b) limitations on portfolio holdings or reference assets, or (c) the applicability of Exchange listing rules specified in this rule filing shall constitute continued listing requirements for listing the Shares of the Fund on the Exchange. The issuer must notify the Exchange of any failure by the Fund to comply with the continued listing requirements, and, pursuant to its obligations under Section 19(g)(1) of the Act, the Exchange will monitor for compliance with the continued listing requirements. If the Fund is not in compliance with the applicable listing requirements, the Exchange will commence delisting procedures under NYSE Arca Rule 5.5– E (m). Information Bulletin Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its Equity Trading Permit Holders in an Information Bulletin (‘‘Bulletin’’) of the special characteristics and risks associated with trading the Shares. Specifically, the Bulletin will discuss the following: (1) The procedures for purchases and redemptions of Shares in Creation Unit aggregations (and that Shares are not individually redeemable); (2) NYSE Arca Rule 9.2–E(a), which imposes a duty of due diligence on its Equity Trading Permit Holders to learn the essential facts relating to every customer prior to trading the Shares; (3) 28 FINRA PO 00000 Frm 00100 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29 For a list of the current members of ISG, see www.isgportal.org. The Exchange notes that certain Index components and holdings of the Fund may not be listed or traded on ISG exchanges. E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES the risks involved in trading the Shares during the Early and Late Trading Sessions when an updated PIV will not be calculated or publicly disseminated; (4) how information regarding the PIV and the Disclosed Portfolio is disseminated; (5) the requirement that Equity Trading Permit Holders deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly issued Shares prior to or concurrently with the confirmation of a transaction; and (6) trading information. In addition, the Bulletin will reference that the Fund is subject to various fees and expenses described in the Registration Statement. The Bulletin will discuss any exemptive, no-action, and interpretive relief granted by the Commission from any rules under the Act. The Bulletin will also disclose that the NAV for the Shares will be calculated after 4:00 p.m., E.T. each trading day. 2. Statutory Basis The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the requirement under Section 6(b)(5) 30 that an exchange have rules that are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices in that the Shares will be listed and traded on the Exchange pursuant to the initial and continued listing criteria in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E notwithstanding that the Fund will not comply with the requirement in Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600–E, as described herein. The Exchange believes that sufficient protections are in place to protect against market manipulation of the Shares and Carbon Credit Futures due to, among other matters (a) the liquidity and market capitalization of the Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs,31 (b) the competitive quoting process for Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs, (c) the significant liquidity in the market for Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs that results in a well-established price discovery process that provides meaningful guideposts for their pricing, and (d) surveillance by the Exchange and FINRA designed to detect violations of the federal securities laws and selfregulatory organization rules. The 30 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). note 20, supra. 31 See VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs trade in competitive auction markets with price, quote transparency and arbitrage opportunities. Further, the Exchange believes that because the assets in the Fund’s portfolio will be acquired in extremely liquid and highly regulated markets, the Shares are less readily susceptible to manipulation. The Exchange believes that these factors, coupled with the highly regulated Carbon Credit Futures, EUA, CCA and RGGI markets, are sufficiently great to deter fraudulent and market manipulation. The Exchange also believes that such liquidity is sufficient to support the creation and redemption mechanism. The Exchange has in place surveillance procedures that are adequate to properly monitor trading in the Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal securities laws. The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, will communicate as needed regarding trading in the Shares, ETFs, ETNs, U.S. exchange-traded futures on foreign currency and Carbon Credit Futures with other markets and other entities that are members of the ISG, and the Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, may obtain trading information regarding trading in such securities and financial instruments from such markets and other entities. In addition, the Exchange may obtain information regarding trading in such securities and financial instruments from markets and other entities that are members of ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, is able to access, as needed, trade information for certain fixed income securities held by the Fund reported to FINRA’s TRACE. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser are not registered as broker-dealers, but the Adviser is affiliated with broker-dealers, and has implemented and will maintain a fire wall with respect to its brokerdealer affiliates regarding access to information concerning the composition and/or changes to the portfolio. The Exchange notes that the Commission has previously approved listing and trading on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 8.204–E (Commodity Futures Trust Shares) of a trust with the investment objective of providing investment results that correspond generally to the performance of Carbon Credit Futures on EUAs.32 Other than cash and cash equivalents, 32 See Jkt 247001 PO 00000 note 22, supra. Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 the AirShares Trust sought investment exposure exclusively to Carbon Credit Futures on EUAs. Thus, the Commission has already considered and approved for listing a product with the same types of assets in which the Fund will invest. The Exchange notes that the Commission has approved proposed rule changes by a national securities exchange to list and trade series of Managed Fund Shares that may hold listed derivatives on underlying reference assets that may not comply with provisions similar to those in Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600– E.33 In addition, the Exchange believes that the listing and trading of Shares of the Fund would further an interest in the U.S. maintaining a competitive position in the global securities markets, which requires that U.S. participants respond to new developments and encourage the development of new products. Innovative financial vehicles such as the Fund will provide investors greater access to U.S. markets. By providing a wide range of investors with a U.S. exchange-traded security that invests in Carbon Credit Futures, the Exchange believes that the listing of the Fund will benefit both investors and the markets. The proposed rule change is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade and to protect investors and the public interest in that the Exchange will obtain a representation from the issuer of the Shares that the NAV per Share will be calculated daily and that the NAV and the Disclosed Portfolio will be made available to all market participants at the same time. In addition, a large amount of information will be publicly available regarding the Fund and the Shares, thereby promoting market transparency. Intra-day and the closing settlement price information regarding Carbon Credit Futures and U.S. exchange-traded futures on currencies will be available from the exchange on which such instruments are traded and from major market data vendors. Spot currency prices and price information regarding currency forwards, debt instruments (other than cash equivalents) and cash equivalents also will be available from major market data vendors. Additionally, FINRA’s TRACE will be a source of price information for certain fixed income securities to the extent transactions in such securities are reported to TRACE. Price information regarding U.S. government securities and other cash equivalents generally may be obtained from brokers and dealers who make 33 See Sfmt 4703 45563 E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM note 21, supra. 29AUN1 khammond on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES 45564 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 168 / Thursday, August 29, 2019 / Notices markets in such securities or through nationally recognized pricing services through subscription agreements. The Index price is available via Bloomberg. The Index methodology and constituent list of the Reference Benchmark is available via IHS Markit’s website. Quote and last-sale information for ECX CFI Futures, California Futures and RGGI-Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Futures are widely disseminated through major market data vendors. ICE Futures US, ICE Futures Europe also provide delayed futures information on current and past trading sessions and market news on their respective websites. Information regarding market price and trading volume of the Shares will be continually available on a real-time basis throughout the day on brokers’ computer screens and other electronic services. Information regarding the previous day’s closing price and trading volume information for the Shares will be published daily in the financial section of newspapers. Quotation and last sale information for the Shares, ETFs and ETNs will be available via the CTA high-speed line. In addition, the PIV, as defined in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E(c)(3), will be widely disseminated by one or more major market data vendors at least every 15 seconds during the Core Trading Session. Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its Equity Trading Permit Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special characteristics and risks associated with trading the Shares. Trading in Shares of the Fund will be halted if the circuit breaker parameters in NYSE Arca Rule 7.12–E have been reached or because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Shares inadvisable. Trading in the Shares will be subject to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E (d)(2)(D), which sets forth circumstances under which Shares of the Fund may be halted. In addition, as noted above, investors will have ready access to information regarding the Fund’s holdings, NAV, the PIV, the Disclosed Portfolio, and quotation and last sale information for the Shares. The proposed rule change is designed to perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest in that it will facilitate the listing and trading of an actively-managed exchange-traded product that, through permitted use of an increased level of listed derivatives above that currently permitted by the generic listing requirements of Commentary .01(d)(2) to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600–E, will enhance competition VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:00 Aug 28, 2019 Jkt 247001 among market participants, to the benefit of investors and the marketplace. As noted above, the Exchange has in place surveillance procedures relating to trading in the Shares and may obtain information via ISG from other exchanges that are members of ISG or with which the Exchange has entered into a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, as noted above, investors have ready access to information regarding the Fund’s holdings, the PIV, the Disclosed Portfolio, and quotation and last sale information for the Shares. B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Burden on Competition The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purpose of the Act. The Exchange notes that the proposed rule change will facilitate the listing and trading of an additional type of actively-managed exchange-traded product that will enhance competition among market participants, to the benefit of investors and the marketplace. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register or up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will: A. By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be 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: PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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– NYSEArca–2019–60 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–NYSEArca–2019–60. 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 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–NYSEArca–2019–60 and should be submitted on or before September 19, 2019. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.34 Jill M. Peterson, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2019–18635 Filed 8–28–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 34 17 E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). 29AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45557-45564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-18635]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-86752; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2019-60]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
of Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the KFA Global 
Carbon ETF Under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E

August 23, 2019.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) \1\ of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 (the ``Act'') \2\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\3\ notice is hereby 
given that, on August 14, 2019, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or the 
``Exchange'') 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 self-regulatory 
organization. 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\ 15 U.S.C. 78a.
    \3\ 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 list and trade shares of the KFA Global 
Carbon ETF under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E (``Managed Fund Shares''). The 
proposed change is available on the Exchange's website at www.nyse.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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those statements may be examined at 
the places specified in Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared 
summaries, set forth in sections A, B, and C below, of the most 
significant parts of such statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares (``Shares'') of the 
KFA Global Carbon ETF (``Fund'') under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E, which 
governs the listing and trading of Managed Fund Shares \4\ on the 
Exchange. The Fund will be an actively managed exchange-traded fund.
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    \4\ A Managed Fund Share is a security that represents an 
interest in an investment company registered under the Investment 
Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-1) (``1940 Act'') organized as an 
open-end investment company or similar entity that invests in a 
portfolio of securities selected by its investment adviser 
consistent with its investment objectives and policies. In contrast, 
an open-end investment company that issues Investment Company Units, 
listed and traded on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3), 
seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the 
price and yield performance of a specific foreign or domestic stock 
index, fixed income securities index or combination thereof.
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    The Shares will be offered by KraneShares Trust (the ``Trust''), 
which was established as a Delaware statutory trust on February 3, 
2012. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') as an open-end management 
investment company.\5\
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    \5\ The Trust is registered under the 1940 Act. On June 11, 
2019, the Trust filed with the Commission its registration statement 
on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a), and 
under the 1940 Act relating to the Fund (File Nos. 333-180870 and 
811-22698) (``Registration Statement''). The description of the 
operation of the Trust and the Fund herein is based, in part, on the 
Registration Statement. In addition, the Commission has issued an 
order upon which the Trust may rely, granting certain exemptive 
relief under the 1940 Act. See Investment Company Act Release No. 
32455 (January 27, 2017) (File No. 812-14675).
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    Krane Funds Advisors, LLC (``Krane'' or ``Adviser'') will serve as 
the investment adviser to the Fund. Climate Finance Partners LLC 
(``Sub-Adviser'') will serve as the non-discretionary investment sub-
adviser to the Fund. SEI Investments Global Funds Services 
(``Administrator'') will serve as administrator for the Fund. SEI 
Investments Distribution Co. (``Distributor''), an affiliate of the 
Administrator, will serve as the Fund's distributor. Brown Brothers 
Harriman & Co. (``BBH'') will serve as custodian and transfer agent for 
the Fund.
    Commentary .06 to Rule 8.600-E provides that, if the investment 
adviser to the investment company issuing Managed Fund Shares is 
affiliated with a broker-dealer, such investment adviser shall erect 
and maintain a ``fire wall'' between the investment adviser and the 
broker-dealer with respect to access to information concerning the 
composition and/or changes to such investment company portfolio.\6\ In 
addition, Commentary .06 further requires that personnel who make 
decisions on the open-end fund's portfolio composition must be subject 
to procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material 
nonpublic information regarding the open-end fund's portfolio. The 
Adviser and Sub-Adviser are not registered as broker-dealers, but the 
Adviser is affiliated with broker-dealers, and has implemented and will 
maintain a fire wall with respect to its broker-dealer affiliates 
regarding access to information concerning the composition and/or 
changes to the portfolio. In the event (a) the Adviser or Sub-Adviser 
becomes registered as a broker-dealer or newly affiliated with a 
broker-dealer, or (b) any new adviser or sub-adviser is a registered 
broker-dealer or becomes affiliated with a broker-dealer, it will 
implement and maintain a fire wall with respect to its relevant 
personnel or its

[[Page 45558]]

broker-dealer affiliate regarding access to information concerning the 
composition and/or changes to the portfolio, and will be subject to 
procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of material 
non-public information regarding such portfolio.
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    \6\ An investment adviser to an open-end fund is required to be 
registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the ``Advisers 
Act''). As a result, the Adviser and its related personnel are 
subject to the provisions of Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act 
relating to codes of ethics. This Rule requires investment advisers 
to adopt a code of ethics that reflects the fiduciary nature of the 
relationship to clients as well as compliance with other applicable 
securities laws. Accordingly, procedures designed to prevent the 
communication and misuse of non-public information by an investment 
adviser must be consistent with Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act. 
In addition, Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act makes it unlawful 
for an investment adviser to provide investment advice to clients 
unless such investment adviser has (i) adopted and implemented 
written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent 
violation, by the investment adviser and its supervised persons, of 
the Advisers Act and the Commission rules adopted thereunder; (ii) 
implemented, at a minimum, an annual review regarding the adequacy 
of the policies and procedures established pursuant to subparagraph 
(i) above and the effectiveness of their implementation; and (iii) 
designated an individual (who is a supervised person) responsible 
for administering the policies and procedures adopted under 
subparagraph (i) above.
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KFA Global Carbon ETF
    According to the Registration Statement, the Fund will seek to 
provide a total return that, before fees and expenses, exceeds that of 
the IHS Markit Global Carbon Index (the ``Index'') over a complete 
market cycle. The Index is designed to track the performance of liquid 
carbon credit futures contracts (``Carbon Credit Futures'') maturing 
within the next one to two calendar years.
    More specifically, the Index is designed to track, and the Fund 
intends to invest in, Carbon Credit Futures issued under the European 
Union Allowance (EUA), California Carbon Allowance (CCA), and Regional 
Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) regimes. As of the last annual 
rebalancing date, November 30, 2018, the weighting of Carbon Credit 
Futures in the Index was, and the weighting of Carbon Credit Futures in 
the Fund (including the Subsidiary (as defined below)) would have been, 
as follows: \7\
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    \7\ According to the Registration Statement, although the Fund 
seeks to maintain exposure to Carbon Credit Futures that are the 
same as or similar to those included in the Index, the Fund and the 
Subsidiary will be actively managed and will not be required to 
replicate the performance of the Index or to invest in the specific 
instruments in the Index. For example, the Fund may hold Carbon 
Credit Futures with the same maturity and weightings as the Index, 
or may select Carbon Credit Futures with a different month of 
maturity, weight such Carbon Credit Futures differently than the 
Index or invest in other futures contracts or options on futures 
contracts in seeking to achieve its investment objective.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 European Union Allowance (EUA)--65%
 California Carbon Allowance (CCA)--25%
 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)--10%

    Although, as described in more detail below, the Carbon Credit 
Futures in the Index are physically settled futures contracts, the 
Adviser does not anticipate that the Fund will hold the Carbon Credit 
Futures until expiry or take or make delivery of any physical 
commodities. Instead, the Adviser expects to roll each Carbon Credit 
Future in the Fund's (or Subsidiary's (as defined below)) portfolio 
approximately two weeks prior to expiry. Thus, the Adviser expects to 
sell near to expiry Carbon Credit Futures and reinvest the proceeds in 
new Carbon Credit Futures to achieve the Fund's investment objective.
    The Fund may hold cash and cash equivalents.\8\
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    \8\ For purposes of this filing, cash equivalents include the 
securities included in Commentary .01(c) to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E.
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    The Fund will seek to exceed the performance of the Index through 
the active management of a portfolio of debt instruments (other than 
cash equivalents). The debt instruments in which the Fund intends to 
invest include government securities and corporate or other non-
government fixed-income securities with maturities of up to 12 months.
    The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (``ETFs'') \9\ and 
exchange-traded notes (``ETNs'').\10\
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    \9\ For purposes of this filing, ``ETFs'' are Investment Company 
Units (as described in NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-E(j)(3)); Portfolio 
Depositary Receipts (as described in NYSE Arca Rule 8.100-E); and 
Managed Fund Shares (as described in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E). All 
ETFs will be listed and traded in the U.S. on a national securities 
exchange. While the Fund may invest in inverse ETFs, the Fund will 
not invest in leveraged (e.g., 2X, -2X, 3X or -3X) ETFs.
    \10\ ETNs are securities as described in NYSE Arca Rule 5.2-
E(j)(6) (Equity Index-Linked Securities, Commodity-Linked 
Securities, Currency-Linked Securities, Fixed Income Index-Linked 
Securities, Futures-Linked Securities and Multifactor Index-Linked 
Securities).
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    The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in a wholly-owned 
subsidiary (the ``Subsidiary''). The Fund will utilize the Subsidiary 
for purposes of investing in the Carbon Credit Futures. The Subsidiary 
is a corporation operating under Cayman Islands law that is wholly-
owned and controlled by the Fund. The Subsidiary is advised by the 
Adviser and sub-advised by the Sub-Adviser. The Subsidiary has the same 
investment objective as the Fund and will follow the same investment 
policies and restrictions as the Fund. Accordingly, the Subsidiary will 
only invest in the same instruments as the Fund may invest in, as 
discussed herein, including Carbon Credit Futures and cash and cash 
equivalents as margin or collateral with respect to its Carbon Credit 
Futures investments.
    The Fund will conduct foreign currency exchange transactions to the 
extent necessary to purchase Carbon Credit Futures and convert proceeds 
of sales of Carbon Credit Futures into U.S. Dollars. The Fund will 
conduct such foreign currency transactions either on a spot (i.e., 
cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency 
exchange market, or through forwards and U.S. exchange-traded futures 
on foreign currencies.
    The Exchange submits this proposal in order to allow the Fund to 
hold listed derivatives, in particular Carbon Credit Futures, in a 
manner that does not comply with Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600-E, 
as described below. Otherwise, the Fund will comply with all other 
listing requirements of Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E on an 
initial and continued listing basis.
Description of the Index
    According to the Registration Statement, the Index utilizes a 
rules-based methodology and is designed to track a portfolio of liquid, 
accessible carbon credit futures contracts with ``physical delivery'' 
of emission allowances issued under ``cap and trade'' regimes.\11\
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    \11\ According to the Registration Statement, in a typical ``cap 
and trade'' regime, a limit (or ``cap'') is set by a regulator, such 
as a government entity or supranational organization, on the total 
amount of specific greenhouse gases (``GHG''), such as CO2, that can 
be emitted by regulated entities, such as manufacturers or energy 
producers. The regulator then may issue or sell individual 
``emission allowances'' to regulated entities. These emission 
allowances are issued by the regulator to regulated entities, which 
may then buy or sell (``trade'') the emission allowances on the open 
market. The regulator may gradually reduce the market cap on 
emission allowances, thereby increasing the value of such allowances 
and forcing regulated entities to reduce their GHG emissions. A cap 
on emission allowances available to the market supports the value of 
those allowances and is intended to incentivize regulated entities 
to reduce their GHG emissions, because they are permitted to sell 
unneeded emission allowances for profit. Commodity futures contracts 
linked to the value of emission allowances are known as carbon 
credit futures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Index is provided by Markit Indices GmbH, a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of IHS Markit Ltd. (the ``Index Provider''). The Index 
Provider is not affiliated with the Fund or Krane.\12\ The Index 
Provider determines the components and the relative weightings of the 
components in the Index. The Index Provider may consult with the IHS 
Markit Global Carbon Index Advisory Committee to review potential 
changes to the Index rules and methodology. Any decision as to the 
eligibility or ineligibility of a Carbon Credit Future will be 
published and the Index rules will be updated accordingly. Additional 
information about the Index is available on the Index Provider's 
website, www.ihsmarkit.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Index Provider is not a broker-dealer or affiliated 
with a broker-dealer and has implemented procedures designed to 
prevent the use and dissemination of material, nonpublic information 
regarding the Index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As of July 31, 2019, eligible components of the Index include 
emission allowances issued under the European Union Emissions Trading 
System (EUA),\13\ California Carbon

[[Page 45559]]

Allowance (CCA) \14\ and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) \15\ 
``cap and trade'' regimes. As the global carbon credit market grows, 
additional liquid contracts may enter the Index, and the Fund may 
invest in any additional Carbon Credit Futures that are the same as or 
similar to those included in the Index.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The EUA allowance is based on the ICE Futures ECX CFI 
Carbon Financial Instrument Futures Contract (``ECX CFI Futures''). 
ECX CFI Futures are standardized contracts developed by the European 
Climate Exchange (``ECX''). They are standardized contractual 
instruments for futures on deliverable carbon equivalent emissions 
allowances issued under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme 
(``EU ETS''), which are listed and admitted to trading on ICE 
Futures Europe and the European Energy Exchange (EEX).
    \14\ CCA-CBL California Carbon Allowance Futures Contracts 
(``California Contracts'') are listed and traded on ICE Futures U.S 
and CME Globex (operated by CME Group, Inc. (``CME'')). The 
California Contracts allow for trading of physically delivered 
greenhouse gas emissions allowances. Each California Contract is an 
allowance issued by the California Air Resources Board (or a linked 
program) to emit one metric ton of CO2 equivalent under California 
Assembly Bill 32 ``California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006'' 
and its associated regulations, rules and amendments (collectively 
the ``California Cap and Trade Program'').
    \15\ RGGI-Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Futures are traded 
on ICE Futures U.S. They are monthly physically delivered contracts 
on RGGI CO2 allowances.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Fund's holdings in Carbon Credit Futures will comply with the 
requirements of Commentary .01(d)(1) to Rule 8.600-E.\16\ EUA futures 
are currently traded principally on ICE Futures Europe, and CCA futures 
and RGGI futures are currently traded principally on ICE Futures US. 
ICE Futures Europe, ICE Futures US and CME are members of the ISG.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Commentary .01(d)(1) to Rule 8.600-E provides that, with 
respect to a fund's holdings in listed derivatives, in the 
aggregate, at least 90% of the weight of such holdings invested in 
futures, exchange-traded options, and listed swaps shall, on both an 
initial and continuing basis, consist of futures, options, and swaps 
for which the Exchange may obtain information via the Intermarket 
Surveillance Group (``ISG'') from other members or affiliates of the 
ISG or for which the principal market is a market with which the 
Exchange has a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. (For 
purposes of calculating this limitation, a portfolio's investment in 
listed derivatives will be calculated as the aggregate gross 
notional value of the listed derivatives).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Adviser represents that, as of November 30, 2018, the initial 
universe and weighting of Carbon Credit Futures in the Index was as 
follows:
Regional Component--Europe, Middle East and Africa
 European Union Allowance (EUA)--65%
Regional Component--Americas
 California Carbon Allowance (CCA)--25%
 Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)--10%

    The Adviser further represents that the Index allocated each of the 
EUA and CCA allowances to two Carbon Credit Futures with different 
expiration dates. Accordingly, according to the Adviser, the Fund's 
allocations to EUA and CCA Carbon Credit Futures would similarly be to 
at least four different contracts (e.g., two different contracts each 
with two different expiry dates).
    The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the ``CFTC'') has 
adopted certain requirements that subject registered investment 
companies and their advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a registered 
investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its net 
assets in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps, or if a registered 
investment company markets itself as providing investment exposure to 
such instruments. Due to the Fund's intended use of CFTC-regulated 
futures above the prescribed levels, it will be a ``commodity pool'' 
under the Commodity Exchange Act.
    The Index is calculated on each full Securities Industry and 
Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) recommended U.S. trading day and 
the last calendar day of November. To convert the value of foreign 
carbon credit futures contracts to U.S. dollars, the Index utilizes 
foreign exchange spot rates from WM Reuters, using foreign exchange 
rates as of 4:00 p.m. London time for any day the Index is calculated. 
The Index was launched on July 25, 2019 with a base date of July 31, 
2014 and a base value of 100. As of the most recent rebalancing date of 
November 30, 2018, the Index included five futures contracts with 
market capitalizations ranging from a minimum of $506 million for the 
RGGI program to a maximum of $29.463 billion for the EUA program. The 
average market capitalization of the futures of these programs was 
$10.916 billion. The largest Regional Components in the Index were 
Europe and the Americas (EUA (65%), CCA (25%) and RGGI (10%)).
Other Restrictions
    The Fund's and the Subsidiary's investments, including derivatives, 
will be consistent with the Fund's investment objective and will not be 
used to seek performance that is the multiple or inverse multiple 
(e.g., 2X or -3X) of the Index.
Use of Derivatives by the Fund
    Investments in derivative instruments will be made in accordance 
with the Fund's investment objective and policies.
    To limit the potential risk associated with such transactions, the 
Fund will enter into offsetting transactions or segregate or 
``earmark'' assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance 
with procedures established by the Trust's Board of Trustees (the 
``Board''). In addition, the Fund has included appropriate risk 
disclosure in its offering documents, including leveraging risk. 
Leveraging risk is the risk that certain transactions of the Fund, 
including the Fund's use of derivatives, may give rise to leverage, 
causing the Fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged.
Impact on Arbitrage Mechanism
    The Adviser believes there will be minimal, if any, impact to the 
arbitrage mechanism as a result of the Fund's use of derivatives. The 
Adviser understands that market makers and participants should be able 
to value derivatives as long as the positions are disclosed with 
relevant information. The Adviser believes that the price at which 
Shares of the Fund trade will continue to be disciplined by arbitrage 
opportunities created by the ability to purchase or redeem Shares of 
the Fund at their net asset value (``NAV''), which should ensure that 
Shares of the Fund will not trade at a material discount or premium in 
relation to their NAV.
    The Adviser does not believe there will be any significant impacts 
to the settlement or operational aspects of the Fund's arbitrage 
mechanism due to the use of derivatives.
Creation and Redemption of Shares
    According to the Registration Statement, the Trust will issue and 
redeem Shares of the Fund only in ``Creation Units'' on a continuous 
basis through the Distributor at the NAV next determined after receipt, 
on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form. A 
``Business Day'', as used herein, is any day on which the New York 
Stock Exchange (``NYSE'') is open for business. A Creation Unit is 
50,000 Shares. The size of a Creation Unit is subject to change. 
Creation Units may be purchased and redeemed only by or through a 
Depository Trust Company (``DTC'') Participant that has entered into an 
Authorized Participant Agreement with the Distributor (an ``Authorized 
Participant'').
Purchases of Creation Units
    The consideration for the purchase of Creation Units of the Fund 
will consist of an in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of 
securities (or cash for all or any portion of such securities 
(``Deposit Cash'') (collectively, the ``Deposit

[[Page 45560]]

Securities'')) and the Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the 
difference between the aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Deposit 
Securities. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component 
constitute the ``Fund Deposit.''
    The Custodian or the Administrator makes available through the 
National Securities Clearing Corporation (``NSCC'') on each Business 
Day, prior to the opening of the Exchange's Core Trading Session 
(normally 9:30 a.m., Eastern time (``E.T.''), the list of names and the 
required number of shares of each Deposit Security and Deposit Cash, as 
applicable, and the estimated amount of the Cash Component to be 
included in the current Fund Deposit. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, 
subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect 
purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-
announced Fund Deposit is made available.
    The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution 
of an amount of cash to replace any Deposit Security under specified 
circumstances.
    Cash purchases of Creation Units will be effected in essentially 
the same manner as in-kind purchases. The Authorized Participant will 
pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities as Deposit Cash plus 
or minus the same Cash Component.
Placement of Purchase Orders
    To initiate an order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized Participant 
must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order in proper form to 
purchase Shares of the Fund on a Business Day generally before the time 
as of which that day's NAV is calculated. For a purchase order to be 
processed based on the NAV calculated on a particular Business Day, the 
purchase order must be received in proper form and accepted by the 
Trust prior to the time as of which the NAV is calculated (``Cutoff 
Time'').
Redemptions of Creation Units
    The consideration paid by the Fund for the redemption of Creation 
Units consists of an in-kind basket of a designated portfolio of 
securities (or cash for all or any portion of such securities 
(``Redemption Cash'')) (collectively, the ``Fund Securities'') and the 
Cash Component, which is an amount equal to the difference between the 
aggregate NAV of a Creation Unit and the Fund Securities. Together, the 
Fund Securities and the Cash Component constitute the ``Fund 
Redemption.''
    The Custodian or the Administrator will make available through NSCC 
on each Business Day, prior to the opening of the Exchange's Core 
Trading Session, the list of names and the number of shares of each 
Fund Security and Redemption Cash, as applicable, and the estimated 
amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund 
Redemption. Such Fund Redemption will be applicable, subject to any 
adjustments as described below, for redemptions of Creation Units of 
the Fund until such time as the next-announced Fund Redemption is made 
available. The delivery of Fund Shares will be settled through the DTC 
system.
    The identity and number of shares of the Fund Securities change 
pursuant to, among other matters, changes in the composition of the 
Fund's portfolio and as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action 
events are reflected from time to time. The composition of the Fund 
Securities may not be the same as the Deposit Securities.
    The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution 
of an amount of cash to replace any Redemption Security under 
circumstances specified in the Registration Statement.
    Cash redemptions of Creation Units will be effected in essentially 
the same manner as in-kind redemptions. The Authorized Participant will 
receive the cash equivalent of the Fund Securities as Redemption Cash 
plus or minus the same Cash Component.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ The Adviser represents that, to the extent the Trust 
effects the creation or redemption of Shares wholly or partially in 
cash, such transactions will be effected in the same manner for all 
Authorized Participants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Placement of Redemption Orders
    To initiate a redemption order for a Creation Unit, an Authorized 
Participant must submit to the Distributor an irrevocable order in 
proper form to redeem Shares of the Fund on a Business Day generally 
before the time as of which that day's NAV is calculated. For a 
redemption order to be processed based on the NAV calculated on a 
particular Business Day, the order must be received in proper form and 
accepted by the Trust prior to the time as of which the NAV is 
calculated (``Cutoff Time''). A redemption request, if accepted by the 
Trust, will be processed based on the NAV as of the next Cutoff Time.
Application of Generic Listing Requirements
    The Exchange is submitting this proposed rule change because the 
portfolio for the Fund will not meet all of the ``generic'' listing 
requirements of Commentary .01 to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E applicable to 
the listing of Managed Fund Shares. Specifically, the Fund's portfolio 
will meet all such requirements except for those set forth in 
Commentary .01(d)(2) with respect to the Fund's and the Subsidiary's 
investments in listed derivatives.\18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600-E provides that, with 
respect to a fund's portfolio, the aggregate gross notional value of 
listed derivatives based on any five or fewer underlying reference 
assets shall not exceed 65% of the weight of the portfolio 
(including gross notional exposures), and the aggregate gross 
notional value of listed derivatives based on any single underlying 
reference asset shall not exceed 30% of the weight of the portfolio 
(including gross notional exposures).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to achieve its investment objective, under normal market 
conditions,\19\ the aggregate gross notional value of Carbon Credit 
Futures may, in certain circumstances, approach 100% of the Fund 
(including gross notional values). As noted above, Commentary .01(d)(2) 
to Rule 8.600-E prohibits the Fund from holding listed derivatives 
based on any five or fewer underlying reference assets in excess of 65% 
of the weight of the portfolio (including gross notional exposures). 
The Exchange is proposing to allow the Fund to hold up to 100% of the 
weight of its portfolio (including gross notional exposures) in listed 
derivatives based on three underlying reference assets ((EUA, CCA and 
RGGI) through its investment in Carbon Credit Futures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ The term ``normal market conditions'' is defined in NYSE 
Arca Rule 8.600-E(c)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed below, although the Fund will hold a more limited 
number of listed derivatives than allowed under Commentary .01(d)(2), 
the Exchange believes that sufficient protections are in place to 
protect against market manipulation of the Shares and Carbon Credit 
Futures and otherwise satisfy the purposes of Rule 8.600-E. The 
Exchange believes that Carbon Credit Futures are not subject to the 
concentration risk that the rule is intended to address because of the 
liquidity of such futures.\20\ The

[[Page 45561]]

Exchange notes that the exchange markets for Carbon Credit Futures are 
highly liquid, and therefore believes that trading in such futures is 
not readily susceptible to manipulation. In addition, at least 90% of 
the weight of listed derivatives utilized by the Fund would be traded 
on exchanges that are members of the ISG or with which the Exchange has 
in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement, and Carbon 
Credit Credit Futures are currently traded on ISG markets.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ The Adviser represents that these are currently the largest 
and most liquid futures markets on carbon offset credits: (1) Carbon 
Credit Futures on EUA: 1,269,401,000 contracts with open interest at 
a price of $23.21 as of November 30, 2018 translating to a $29.463 
billion market capitalization. In addition, the average annual 
trading volume as of that date was $98.856 billion (with 
approximately $89 billion consisting of Carbon Credit Futures with 
December expirations). (2) Carbon Credit Futures on CCA: 178,800,000 
contracts with open interest at a price of $15.55 as of November 30, 
2018 translates to a $2.780 billion market capitalization. In 
addition, the average annual trading volume as of that date was 
$2.39 billion (with approximately $1.25 billion consisting of Carbon 
Credit Futures with December expirations). 3) Carbon Credit Futures 
on RGGIs: 94,000,000 contracts with open interest at a price of 
$5.38 as of November 30, 2018 translates to a $506 million market 
capitalization. In addition, the average annual trading volume as of 
that date was $250 million (with approximately $182.9 million 
consisting of Carbon Credit Futures with December expirations). 
Source: https://www.theice.com/microsite/usenvironmentalmonthlymarketreport.
    \21\ The Exchange notes that the Commission has approved 
proposed rule changes by a national securities exchange to list and 
trade series of Managed Fund Shares that may hold listed derivatives 
on underlying reference assets that may not comply with provisions 
similar to those in Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600-E. See, e.g., 
Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 80529 (April 26, 2017), 82 FR 
20506 (May 2, 2017) (SR-BatsBZX-2017-14) (Order Granting Approval of 
a Proposed Rule Change to List and Trade Shares of the Amplify 
YieldShares Oil Hedged MLP Fund under BZX Rule 14.11(i)); 82906 
(March 20, 2018), 83 FR 12992 (March 26, 2018) (SR-CboeBZX-2017-012) 
(Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment 
No. 2, to List and Trade Shares of the LHA Market State[supreg] 
Tactical U.S. Equity ETF under Rule 14.11(i)); 83014 (April 9, 
2018), 83 FR 16150 (April 13, 2018) (SR-CboeBZX-2017-023) (Notice of 
Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of 
a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 2, to List and 
Trade Shares of the iShares Gold Strategy ETF Under Exchange Rule 
14.11(i)); 83146 (May 1, 2018), 83 FR 20103 (May 7, 2018) (SR-
CboeBZX-2018-029) (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a 
Proposed Rule Change to Allow the Horizons Cadence Hedged US 
Dividend Yield ETF, a Series of the Horizons ETF Trust I, to Hold 
Listed Options Contracts in a Manner that Does Not Comply with Rule 
14.11(i), Managed Fund Shares). See also, Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 85701 (April 22, 2019), 84 FR 17902 (April 26, 2019) 
(SR-CboeBZX-2019-016) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order 
Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified 
by Amendment No. 1, to Allow the JPMorgan Core Plus Bond ETF of the 
J.P. Morgan Exchange-Traded Fund Trust to Hold Certain Instruments 
in a Manner that May Not Comply with Rule 14.11(i), Managed Fund 
Shares).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that the Commission has previously approved 
listing and trading on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 8.204-E 
(Commodity Futures Trust Shares) of a trust with the investment 
objective of providing investment results that correspond generally to 
the performance of a basket of exchange-traded futures contracts for 
carbon equivalent emissions allowances issued under the European Union 
Emissions Trading Scheme (``EU ETS'').\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57838, (May 20, 
2008), 73 FR 30649 (May 28, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2008-09) (Order 
Granting Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment 
Nos. 1 and 2 Thereto, Relating to the Listing and Trading of Shares 
of the AirShares EU Carbon Allowances Fund). The EU ETS is a ``cap 
and trade'' emissions trading program instituted by the European 
Union, in furtherance of the joint commitment of its member states 
under the Kyoto Protocol to achieve certain reductions in their 
emissions of greenhouse gases. The net assets of the AirShares EU 
Carbon Allowances Fund were to consist of long positions in ICE 
Futures ECX Carbon Financial Instrument Futures Contracts consisting 
of standardized contractual instruments for futures on deliverable 
EUAs issued under the EU ETS and developed by the European Climate 
Exchange.
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    Other than Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600-E, as described 
above, the Fund's portfolio will meet all other requirements of Rule 
8.600-E.
Availability of Information
    The Fund's website (www.kraneshares.com) will include the 
prospectus for the Fund that may be downloaded. The Fund's website will 
include additional quantitative information updated on a daily basis 
including, for the Fund, (1) daily trading volume, the prior business 
day's reported closing price, NAV and midpoint of the bid/ask spread at 
the time of calculation of such NAV (the ``Bid/Ask Price''),\23\ and a 
calculation of the premium and discount of the Bid/Ask Price against 
the NAV, and (2) data in chart format displaying the frequency 
distribution of discounts and premiums of the daily Bid/Ask Price 
against the NAV, within appropriate ranges, for each of the four 
previous calendar quarters. On each business day, before commencement 
of trading in Shares in the Core Trading Session on the Exchange, the 
Fund will disclose on its website the Disclosed Portfolio as defined in 
NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E(c)(2) that forms the basis for the Fund's 
calculation of NAV at the end of the business day.\24\
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    \23\ The Bid/Ask Price of the Fund's Shares will be determined 
using the mid-point of the highest bid and the lowest offer on the 
Exchange as of the time of calculation of the Fund's NAV. The 
records relating to Bid/Ask Prices will be retained by the Fund and 
its service providers.
    \24\ Under accounting procedures followed by the Fund, trades 
made on the prior business day (``T'') will be booked and reflected 
in NAV on the current business day (``T+1''). Accordingly, the Fund 
will be able to disclose at the beginning of the business day the 
portfolio that will form the basis for the NAV calculation at the 
end of the business day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On a daily basis, the Fund will disclose the information required 
under NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E(c)(2) to the extent applicable. The 
website information will be publicly available at no charge.
    In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security 
names and share quantities, if applicable, required to be delivered in 
exchange for the Fund's Shares, together with estimates and actual cash 
components, will be publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of 
the Exchange via the NSCC. The basket represents one Creation Unit of 
the Fund. Authorized Participants may refer to the basket composition 
file for information regarding financial instruments that may comprise 
the Fund's basket on a given day.
    Investors can also obtain the Trust's Statement of Additional 
Information (``SAI''), the Fund's Shareholder Reports, and the Fund's 
Forms N-CSR and Forms N-SAR, filed twice a year. The Fund's SAI and 
Shareholder Reports will be available free upon request from the Trust, 
and those documents and the Form N-CSR, Form N-PX, Form N-CEN and Form 
N-PORT (formerly Forms N-Q and N-SAR) may be viewed on-screen or 
downloaded from the Commission's website at www.sec.gov.
    Intra-day and the closing settlement price information regarding 
Carbon Credit Futures and U.S. exchange-traded futures on currencies 
will be available from the exchange on which such instruments are 
traded and from major market data vendors. Spot currency prices and 
price information regarding currency forwards, debt instruments (other 
than cash equivalents) and cash equivalents also will be available from 
major market data vendors. Additionally, the Trade Reporting and 
Compliance Engine (``TRACE'') of the Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority (``FINRA'') will be a source of price information for certain 
fixed income securities to the extent transactions in such securities 
are reported to TRACE.\25\ Price information regarding U.S. government 
securities and other cash equivalents generally may be obtained from 
brokers and dealers who make markets in such securities or through 
nationally recognized pricing services through subscription agreements. 
The Index price is available via Bloomberg and Reuters. The Index 
methodology and constituent list of the Reference Benchmark is 
available via IHS Markit's website (https://indices.ihsmarkit.com).
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    \25\ Broker-dealers that are FINRA member firms have an 
obligation to report transactions in specified debt securities to 
TRACE to the extent required under applicable FINRA rules. 
Generally, such debt securities will have at issuance a maturity 
that exceeds one calendar year. For fixed income securities that are 
not reported to TRACE, (i) intraday price quotations will generally 
be available from broker-dealers and trading platforms (as 
applicable) and (ii) price information will be available from feeds 
from market data vendors, published or other public sources, or 
online information services, as described above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Quote and last-sale information for ECX CFI Futures, California 
Futures and RGGI-Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Futures, other 
futures contracts and options on futures are widely disseminated 
through major market data vendors. ICE Futures US,

[[Page 45562]]

ICE Futures Europe and CME also provide delayed futures information on 
current and past trading sessions and market news on their respective 
websites.
    Information regarding market price and trading volume of the Shares 
will be continually available on a real-time basis throughout the day 
on brokers' computer screens and other electronic services. Information 
regarding the previous day's closing price and trading volume 
information for the Shares will be published daily in the financial 
section of newspapers.
    Quotation and last sale information for the Shares, ETFs and ETNs 
will be available via the Consolidated Tape Association (``CTA'') high-
speed line. In addition, the Portfolio Indicative Value (``PIV''), as 
defined in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E(c)(3), will be widely disseminated by 
one or more major market data vendors at least every 15 seconds during 
the Core Trading Session.
Trading Halts
    With respect to trading halts, the Exchange may consider all 
relevant factors in exercising its discretion to halt or suspend 
trading in the Shares of the Fund.\26\ Trading in Shares of the Fund 
will be halted if the circuit breaker parameters in NYSE Arca Rule 
7.12-E have been reached. Trading also may be halted because of market 
conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make 
trading in the Shares inadvisable. Trading in the Fund's Shares also 
will be subject to Rule 8.600-E(d)(2)(D) (``Trading Halts'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ See NYSE Arca Rule 7.12-E.
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Trading Rules
    The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus 
rendering trading in the Shares subject to the Exchange's existing 
rules governing the trading of equity securities. Shares will trade on 
the NYSE Arca Marketplace from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., E.T. in 
accordance with NYSE Arca Rule 7.34-E (Early, Core, and Late Trading 
Sessions). The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate 
transactions in the Shares during all trading sessions. As provided in 
NYSE Arca Rule 7.6-E, the minimum price variation (``MPV'') for quoting 
and entry of orders in equity securities traded on the NYSE Arca 
Marketplace is $0.01, with the exception of securities that are priced 
less than $1.00 for which the MPV for order entry is $0.0001.
    With the exception of the requirements of Commentary .01(d)(2) 
(with respect to listed derivatives) to Rule 8.600-E as described above 
in ``Application of Generic Listing Requirements,'' the Shares of the 
Fund will conform to the initial and continued listing criteria under 
NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E. Consistent with NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-
E(d)(2)(B)(ii), the Adviser will implement and maintain, or be subject 
to, procedures designed to prevent the use and dissemination of 
material non-public information regarding the actual components of the 
Fund's portfolio. The Exchange represents that, for initial and 
continued listing, the Fund will be in compliance with Rule 10A-3 \27\ 
under the Act, as provided by NYSE Arca Rule 5.3-E. A minimum of 
100,000 Shares will be outstanding at the commencement of trading on 
the Exchange. The Exchange will obtain a representation from the issuer 
of the Shares that the NAV per Share will be calculated daily and that 
the NAV and the Disclosed Portfolio will be made available to all 
market participants at the same time. The Fund's investments will be 
consistent with its investment goal and will not be used to provide 
multiple returns of a benchmark or to produce leveraged returns.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ 17 CFR 240.10A-3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surveillance
    The Exchange represents that trading in the Shares will be subject 
to the existing trading surveillances, administered by FINRA on behalf 
of the Exchange, or by regulatory staff of the Exchange, which are 
designed to detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal 
securities laws. The Exchange represents that these procedures are 
adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading of the Shares in all 
trading sessions and to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules 
and federal securities laws applicable to trading on the Exchange.\28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ FINRA conducts cross-market surveillances on behalf of the 
Exchange pursuant to a regulatory services agreement. The Exchange 
is responsible for FINRA's performance under this regulatory 
services agreement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The surveillances referred to above generally focus on detecting 
securities trading outside their normal patterns, which could be 
indicative of manipulative or other violative activity. When such 
situations are detected, surveillance analysis follows and 
investigations are opened, where appropriate, to review the behavior of 
all relevant parties for all relevant trading violations.
    The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, will 
communicate as needed regarding trading in the Shares, ETFs, ETNs, U.S. 
exchange-traded futures on foreign currency and Carbon Credit Futures 
with other markets and other entities that are members of the ISG, and 
the Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or both, may obtain 
trading information regarding trading in such securities and financial 
instruments from such markets and other entities.\29\ In addition, the 
Exchange may obtain information regarding trading in such securities 
and financial instruments from markets and other entities that are 
members of ISG or with which the Exchange has in place a comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, FINRA, on behalf of the 
Exchange, is able to access, as needed, trade information for certain 
fixed income securities held by the Fund reported to FINRA's TRACE.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ For a list of the current members of ISG, see 
www.isgportal.org. The Exchange notes that certain Index components 
and holdings of the Fund may not be listed or traded on ISG 
exchanges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, the Exchange also has a general policy prohibiting the 
distribution of material, non-public information by its employees.
    All statements and representations made in this filing regarding 
(a) the description of the portfolio or reference assets, (b) 
limitations on portfolio holdings or reference assets, or (c) the 
applicability of Exchange listing rules specified in this rule filing 
shall constitute continued listing requirements for listing the Shares 
of the Fund on the Exchange.
    The issuer must notify the Exchange of any failure by the Fund to 
comply with the continued listing requirements, and, pursuant to its 
obligations under Section 19(g)(1) of the Act, the Exchange will 
monitor for compliance with the continued listing requirements. If the 
Fund is not in compliance with the applicable listing requirements, the 
Exchange will commence delisting procedures under NYSE Arca Rule 5.5-E 
(m).
Information Bulletin
    Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its 
Equity Trading Permit Holders in an Information Bulletin (``Bulletin'') 
of the special characteristics and risks associated with trading the 
Shares. Specifically, the Bulletin will discuss the following: (1) The 
procedures for purchases and redemptions of Shares in Creation Unit 
aggregations (and that Shares are not individually redeemable); (2) 
NYSE Arca Rule 9.2-E(a), which imposes a duty of due diligence on its 
Equity Trading Permit Holders to learn the essential facts relating to 
every customer prior to trading the Shares; (3)

[[Page 45563]]

the risks involved in trading the Shares during the Early and Late 
Trading Sessions when an updated PIV will not be calculated or publicly 
disseminated; (4) how information regarding the PIV and the Disclosed 
Portfolio is disseminated; (5) the requirement that Equity Trading 
Permit Holders deliver a prospectus to investors purchasing newly 
issued Shares prior to or concurrently with the confirmation of a 
transaction; and (6) trading information.
    In addition, the Bulletin will reference that the Fund is subject 
to various fees and expenses described in the Registration Statement. 
The Bulletin will discuss any exemptive, no-action, and interpretive 
relief granted by the Commission from any rules under the Act. The 
Bulletin will also disclose that the NAV for the Shares will be 
calculated after 4:00 p.m., E.T. each trading day.
2. Statutory Basis
    The basis under the Act for this proposed rule change is the 
requirement under Section 6(b)(5) \30\ that an exchange have rules that 
are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove 
impediments to, and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market 
and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is designed to 
prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices in that the 
Shares will be listed and traded on the Exchange pursuant to the 
initial and continued listing criteria in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E 
notwithstanding that the Fund will not comply with the requirement in 
Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600-E, as described herein.
    The Exchange believes that sufficient protections are in place to 
protect against market manipulation of the Shares and Carbon Credit 
Futures due to, among other matters (a) the liquidity and market 
capitalization of the Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs,\31\ 
(b) the competitive quoting process for Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, 
CCAs and RGGIs, (c) the significant liquidity in the market for Carbon 
Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs that results in a well-established 
price discovery process that provides meaningful guideposts for their 
pricing, and (d) surveillance by the Exchange and FINRA designed to 
detect violations of the federal securities laws and self-regulatory 
organization rules. The Carbon Credit Futures, EUAs, CCAs and RGGIs 
trade in competitive auction markets with price, quote transparency and 
arbitrage opportunities. Further, the Exchange believes that because 
the assets in the Fund's portfolio will be acquired in extremely liquid 
and highly regulated markets, the Shares are less readily susceptible 
to manipulation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See note 20, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that these factors, coupled with the highly 
regulated Carbon Credit Futures, EUA, CCA and RGGI markets, are 
sufficiently great to deter fraudulent and market manipulation. The 
Exchange also believes that such liquidity is sufficient to support the 
creation and redemption mechanism.
    The Exchange has in place surveillance procedures that are adequate 
to properly monitor trading in the Shares in all trading sessions and 
to deter and detect violations of Exchange rules and applicable federal 
securities laws. The Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or 
both, will communicate as needed regarding trading in the Shares, ETFs, 
ETNs, U.S. exchange-traded futures on foreign currency and Carbon 
Credit Futures with other markets and other entities that are members 
of the ISG, and the Exchange or FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, or 
both, may obtain trading information regarding trading in such 
securities and financial instruments from such markets and other 
entities. In addition, the Exchange may obtain information regarding 
trading in such securities and financial instruments from markets and 
other entities that are members of ISG or with which the Exchange has 
in place a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In addition, 
FINRA, on behalf of the Exchange, is able to access, as needed, trade 
information for certain fixed income securities held by the Fund 
reported to FINRA's TRACE. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser are not 
registered as broker-dealers, but the Adviser is affiliated with 
broker-dealers, and has implemented and will maintain a fire wall with 
respect to its broker-dealer affiliates regarding access to information 
concerning the composition and/or changes to the portfolio.
    The Exchange notes that the Commission has previously approved 
listing and trading on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Rule 8.204-E 
(Commodity Futures Trust Shares) of a trust with the investment 
objective of providing investment results that correspond generally to 
the performance of Carbon Credit Futures on EUAs.\32\ Other than cash 
and cash equivalents, the AirShares Trust sought investment exposure 
exclusively to Carbon Credit Futures on EUAs. Thus, the Commission has 
already considered and approved for listing a product with the same 
types of assets in which the Fund will invest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See note 22, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that the Commission has approved proposed rule 
changes by a national securities exchange to list and trade series of 
Managed Fund Shares that may hold listed derivatives on underlying 
reference assets that may not comply with provisions similar to those 
in Commentary .01(d)(2) to Rule 8.600-E.\33\ In addition, the Exchange 
believes that the listing and trading of Shares of the Fund would 
further an interest in the U.S. maintaining a competitive position in 
the global securities markets, which requires that U.S. participants 
respond to new developments and encourage the development of new 
products. Innovative financial vehicles such as the Fund will provide 
investors greater access to U.S. markets. By providing a wide range of 
investors with a U.S. exchange-traded security that invests in Carbon 
Credit Futures, the Exchange believes that the listing of the Fund will 
benefit both investors and the markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See note 21, supra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change is designed to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade and to protect investors and the public interest in 
that the Exchange will obtain a representation from the issuer of the 
Shares that the NAV per Share will be calculated daily and that the NAV 
and the Disclosed Portfolio will be made available to all market 
participants at the same time. In addition, a large amount of 
information will be publicly available regarding the Fund and the 
Shares, thereby promoting market transparency. Intra-day and the 
closing settlement price information regarding Carbon Credit Futures 
and U.S. exchange-traded futures on currencies will be available from 
the exchange on which such instruments are traded and from major market 
data vendors. Spot currency prices and price information regarding 
currency forwards, debt instruments (other than cash equivalents) and 
cash equivalents also will be available from major market data vendors. 
Additionally, FINRA's TRACE will be a source of price information for 
certain fixed income securities to the extent transactions in such 
securities are reported to TRACE. Price information regarding U.S. 
government securities and other cash equivalents generally may be 
obtained from brokers and dealers who make

[[Page 45564]]

markets in such securities or through nationally recognized pricing 
services through subscription agreements. The Index price is available 
via Bloomberg. The Index methodology and constituent list of the 
Reference Benchmark is available via IHS Markit's website.
    Quote and last-sale information for ECX CFI Futures, California 
Futures and RGGI-Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Futures are widely 
disseminated through major market data vendors. ICE Futures US, ICE 
Futures Europe also provide delayed futures information on current and 
past trading sessions and market news on their respective websites.
    Information regarding market price and trading volume of the Shares 
will be continually available on a real-time basis throughout the day 
on brokers' computer screens and other electronic services. Information 
regarding the previous day's closing price and trading volume 
information for the Shares will be published daily in the financial 
section of newspapers.
    Quotation and last sale information for the Shares, ETFs and ETNs 
will be available via the CTA high-speed line. In addition, the PIV, as 
defined in NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E(c)(3), will be widely disseminated by 
one or more major market data vendors at least every 15 seconds during 
the Core Trading Session.
    Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its 
Equity Trading Permit Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special 
characteristics and risks associated with trading the Shares. Trading 
in Shares of the Fund will be halted if the circuit breaker parameters 
in NYSE Arca Rule 7.12-E have been reached or because of market 
conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make 
trading in the Shares inadvisable. Trading in the Shares will be 
subject to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E (d)(2)(D), which sets forth 
circumstances under which Shares of the Fund may be halted. In 
addition, as noted above, investors will have ready access to 
information regarding the Fund's holdings, NAV, the PIV, the Disclosed 
Portfolio, and quotation and last sale information for the Shares.
    The proposed rule change is designed to perfect the mechanism of a 
free and open market and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest in that it will facilitate the listing and trading of 
an actively-managed exchange-traded product that, through permitted use 
of an increased level of listed derivatives above that currently 
permitted by the generic listing requirements of Commentary .01(d)(2) 
to NYSE Arca Rule 8.600-E, will enhance competition among market 
participants, to the benefit of investors and the marketplace. As noted 
above, the Exchange has in place surveillance procedures relating to 
trading in the Shares and may obtain information via ISG from other 
exchanges that are members of ISG or with which the Exchange has 
entered into a comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement. In 
addition, as noted above, investors have ready access to information 
regarding the Fund's holdings, the PIV, the Disclosed Portfolio, and 
quotation and last sale information for the Shares.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purpose of the Act. The Exchange notes that the 
proposed rule change will facilitate the listing and trading of an 
additional type of actively-managed exchange-traded product that will 
enhance competition among market participants, to the benefit of 
investors and the marketplace.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or up to 90 days (i) as the Commission may designate 
if it finds such longer period to be appropriate and publishes its 
reasons for so finding or (ii) as to which the self-regulatory 
organization consents, the Commission will:
    A. By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or
    B. institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be 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 [email protected]. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEArca-2019-60 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-NYSEArca-2019-60. 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 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-NYSEArca-2019-60 and should be submitted 
on or before September 19, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\34\
Jill M. Peterson,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-18635 Filed 8-28-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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