Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating To Amend Rule 6.4 by Extending the Penny Pilot Program Through June 30, 2020, 69795-69797 [2019-27341]
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69795
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Notices
Act 33 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 34
thereunder. At any time within 60 days
of the filing of the proposed rule change,
the Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES
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–
CboeBYX–2019–024 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–CboeBYX–2019–024. 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
33 15
34 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:13 Dec 18, 2019
Jkt 250001
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–CboeBYX–2019–024 and
should be submitted on or before
January 9, 2020.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.35
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–27346 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–87738; File No. SR–C2–
2019–027]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe
C2 Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed
Rule Change Relating To Amend Rule
6.4 by Extending the Penny Pilot
Program Through June 30, 2020
December 13, 2019.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on December
10, 2019, Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared
by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the
proposal as a ‘‘non-controversial’’
proposed rule change pursuant to
Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 3 and
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) thereunder.4 The
Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule
change from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘C2’’) proposes to amend
Rule 6.4 by extending the Penny Pilot
Program through June 30, 2020. The text
of the proposed rule change is provided
below.
35 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
4 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
1 15
PO 00000
Frm 00076
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(additions are in italics; deletions are
[bracketed])
*
*
*
*
*
Rules of Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc.
*
*
*
*
*
Rule 6.4. Minimum Increments for Bids
and Offers
*
*
*
*
*
Interpretations and Policies . . .
.01 No change.
.02 The Exchange may replace any
option class participating in the Penny
Pilot Program that has been delisted
with the next most actively traded,
multiply listed option class, based on
national average daily volume in the
preceding six calendar months, that is
not yet included in the Pilot Program.
Any replacement class would be added
on the second trading day in the first
month of each quarter. The Penny Pilot
will expire on [December 31, 2019] June
30, 2020.
*
*
*
*
*
The text of the proposed rule change
is also available on the Exchange’s
website (https://markets.cboe.com/us/
options/regulation/rule_filings/ctwo/),
at the Exchange’s Office of the
Secretary, and at the Commission’s
Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change and discussed
any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Penny Pilot Program (the ‘‘Pilot
Program’’) is scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2019. The Exchange
proposes to extend the Pilot Program
until June 30, 2020. The Exchange
believes that extending the Pilot
Program will allow for further analysis
of the Pilot Program and a
determination of how the Pilot Program
should be structured in the future. The
Exchange is specifically authorized to
E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM
19DEN1
69796
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Notices
act jointly with the other options
exchanges participating in the Pilot
Program in identifying any replacement
class. The Exchange also represents that
the Exchange has the necessary system
capacity to continue to support
operation of the Pilot Program. The
Exchange believes the benefits to public
customers and other market participants
who will be able to express their true
prices to buy and sell options have been
demonstrated to outweigh the increase
in quote traffic.
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed
rule change is consistent with the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations
thereunder applicable to the Exchange
and, in particular, the requirements of
Section 6(b) of the Act.5 Specifically,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Section
6(b)(5) 6 requirements that the rules of
an exchange be designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged
in regulating, clearing, settling,
processing information with respect to,
and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to
and perfect the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system, and, in general, to protect
investors and the public interest.
Additionally, the Exchange believes the
proposed rule change is consistent with
the Section 6(b)(5) 7 requirement that
the rules of an exchange not be designed
to permit unfair discrimination between
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
In particular, the proposed rule change
allows for an extension of the Pilot
Program prior to its expiration on
December 31, 2019 for the benefit of
market participants. The Exchange
believes that the Pilot Program promotes
just and equitable principles of trade by
enabling public customers and other
market participants to express their true
prices to buy and sell options. The
Exchange notes that this proposal does
not propose any new policies or
provisions that are unique or unproven,
but instead relates to the continuation of
an existing program that operates on a
pilot basis.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
5 15
6 15
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
7 Id.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:13 Dec 18, 2019
Jkt 250001
any burden on competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act. Specifically,
the Exchange believes that, by extending
the expiration of the Pilot Program, the
proposed rule change will allow for
further analysis of the Pilot Program and
a determination of how the Program
should be structured in the future. In
doing so, the proposed rule change will
also serve to promote regulatory clarity
and consistency, thereby reducing
burdens on the marketplace and
facilitating investor protection. In
addition, the Exchange has been
authorized to act jointly in extending
the Pilot Program and believes the other
exchanges will be filing similar
extensions.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor
received comments on the proposed
rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange filed the proposed rule
change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)
of the Act 8 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 9
thereunder. Because the foregoing
proposed rule change does not (i)
significantly affect the protection of
investors or the public interest; (ii)
impose any significant burden on
competition; and (iii) become operative
for 30 days from the date on which it
was filed, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 10 and Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) 11 thereunder.
A proposed rule changed filed under
Rule 19b–4(f)(6) 12 normally does not
become operative prior to 30 days after
the date of filing. However, pursuant to
Rule 19b–4(f)(6),13 the Commission may
designate a shorter time if such action
is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The
Exchange has asked the Commission to
waive the 30-day operative delay so that
the proposal may become operative
8 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
11 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change at least five business days
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change or just shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
requirement.
12 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
13 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6)(iii).
9 17
PO 00000
Frm 00077
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
immediately upon filing. The
Commission believes that waiving the
30-day operative delay is consistent
with the protection of investors and the
public interest because doing so will
allow the Pilot Program to continue
without interruption in a manner that is
consistent with the Commission’s prior
approval of the extension and expansion
of the Pilot Program.14 Accordingly, the
Commission designates the proposed
rule change as operative upon filing
with the Commission.15
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission will institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
C2–2019–027 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–C2–2019–027. 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
14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61061
(November 24, 2009), 74 FR 62857 (December 1,
2009) (SR–NYSEArca–2009–44).
15 For purposes only of waiving the operative
delay for this proposal, the Commission has
considered the proposed rule’s impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See
15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM
19DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 244 / Thursday, December 19, 2019 / Notices
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–C2–2019–027 and should
be submitted on or before January 9,
2020.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.16
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019–27341 Filed 12–18–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–87746; File No. SR–
CboeEDGA–2019–022]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe
EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of a
Proposed Rule Change To Reflect the
Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network’s Adoption of a Final Rule on
Customer Due Diligence Requirements
for Financial Institutions
lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES
December 13, 2019.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on December
5, 2019, Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc. (the
‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘EDGA’’) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and
III below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange. The
16 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
VerDate Sep<11>2014
19:13 Dec 18, 2019
Jkt 250001
Exchange filed the proposal as a ‘‘noncontroversial’’ proposed rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of
the Act 3 and Rule 19b–4(f)(6)
thereunder.4 The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc. (‘‘EDGA’’
or the ‘‘Exchange’’) is filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ‘‘Commission’’), the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II, and
III below, which Items have been
prepared by the Exchange, to reflect the
Financial Crimes Enforcement
Network’s (‘‘FinCEN’’) adoption of a
final rule on Customer Due Diligence
Requirements for Financial Institutions
(‘‘CDD Rule’’). The text of the proposed
rule change is provided in Exhibit 5.
The text of the proposed rule change
is also available on the Exchange’s
website (https://markets.cboe.com/us/
equities/regulation/rule_filings/edga/),
at the Exchange’s Office of the
Secretary, and at the Commission’s
Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change and discussed
any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
I. Background
The Bank Secrecy Act 5 (‘‘BSA’’),
among other things, requires financial
institutions,6 including broker-dealers,
to develop and implement AML
programs that, at a minimum, meet the
statutorily enumerated ‘‘four pillars.’’ 7
3 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6).
5 31 U.S.C. 5311, et seq.
6 See U.S.C. 5312(a)(2) (defining ‘‘financial
institution’’).
7 31 U.S.C. 5318(h)(1).
4 17
PO 00000
Frm 00078
These four pillars currently require
broker-dealers to have written AML
programs that include, at a minimum:
• The establishment and
implementation of policies, procedures
and internal controls reasonably
designed to achieve compliance with
the applicable provisions of the BSA
and implementing regulations;
• independent testing for compliance
by broker-dealer personnel or a
qualified outside party;
• designation of an individual or
individuals responsible for
implementing and monitoring the
operations and internal controls of the
AML program; and
• ongoing training for appropriate
persons.8
In addition to meeting the BSA’s
requirements with respect to AML
programs, Exchange Members 9 must
also comply with Exchange Rule 5.6,
which incorporates the BSA’s four
pillars, as well as requires Members’
AML programs to establish and
implement policies and procedures that
can be reasonably expected to detect
and cause the reporting of suspicious
transactions.
On May 11, 2016, FinCEN, the bureau
of the Department of the Treasury
responsible for administering the BSA
and its implementing regulations,
issued the CDD Rule 10 to clarify and
strengthen customer due diligence for
covered financial institutions,11
including broker-dealers. In its CDD
Rule, FinCEN identifies four
components of customer due diligence:
(1) Customer identification and
verification; (2) beneficial ownership
identification and verification; (3)
understanding the nature and purpose
of customer relationships; and (4)
ongoing monitoring for reporting
suspicious transactions and, on a risk
basis, maintaining and updating
customer information.12 As the first
component is already required to be part
of a broker-dealers AML program under
8 31
CFR 1023.210(b).
Exchange Rule 1.5(n).
10 FinCEN Customer Due Diligence Requirements
for Financial Institutions; CDD Rule, 81 FR 29397
(May 11, 2016) (CDD Rule Release); 82 FR 45182
(September 28, 2017) (making technical correcting
amendments to the final CDD Rule published on
May 11, 2016). FinCEN is authorized to impose
AML program requirements on financial
institutions and to require financial institutions to
maintain procedures to ensure compliance with the
BSA and associated regulations. 31 U.S.C.
5318(h)(2) and (a)(2). The CDD Rule is the result of
the rulemaking process FinCEN initiated in March
2012. See 77 FR 13046 (March 5, 2012) (Advance
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) and 79 FR 45151
(Aug. 4, 2014) (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking).
11 See 31 CFR 1010.230(f) (defining ‘‘covered
financial institution’’).
12 See CDD Rule Release at 29398.
9 See
1. Purpose
Fmt 4703
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69797
E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM
19DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69795-69797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-27341]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-87738; File No. SR-C2-2019-027]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc.; Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Relating
To Amend Rule 6.4 by Extending the Penny Pilot Program Through June 30,
2020
December 13, 2019.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on December 10, 2019, Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or
``C2'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II
below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange
filed the proposal as a ``non-controversial'' proposed rule change
pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \3\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\4\ The Commission is publishing this notice to
solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
\3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``C2'') proposes to
amend Rule 6.4 by extending the Penny Pilot Program through June 30,
2020. The text of the proposed rule change is provided below.
(additions are in italics; deletions are [bracketed])
* * * * *
Rules of Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc.
* * * * *
Rule 6.4. Minimum Increments for Bids and Offers
* * * * *
Interpretations and Policies . . .
.01 No change.
.02 The Exchange may replace any option class participating in the
Penny Pilot Program that has been delisted with the next most actively
traded, multiply listed option class, based on national average daily
volume in the preceding six calendar months, that is not yet included
in the Pilot Program. Any replacement class would be added on the
second trading day in the first month of each quarter. The Penny Pilot
will expire on [December 31, 2019] June 30, 2020.
* * * * *
The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the
Exchange's website (https://markets.cboe.com/us/options/regulation/rule_filings/ctwo/), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at
the Commission's Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Penny Pilot Program (the ``Pilot Program'') is scheduled to
expire on December 31, 2019. The Exchange proposes to extend the Pilot
Program until June 30, 2020. The Exchange believes that extending the
Pilot Program will allow for further analysis of the Pilot Program and
a determination of how the Pilot Program should be structured in the
future. The Exchange is specifically authorized to
[[Page 69796]]
act jointly with the other options exchanges participating in the Pilot
Program in identifying any replacement class. The Exchange also
represents that the Exchange has the necessary system capacity to
continue to support operation of the Pilot Program. The Exchange
believes the benefits to public customers and other market participants
who will be able to express their true prices to buy and sell options
have been demonstrated to outweigh the increase in quote traffic.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular,
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\5\ Specifically, the
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \6\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing,
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and,
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally,
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the
Section 6(b)(5) \7\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers,
brokers, or dealers. In particular, the proposed rule change allows for
an extension of the Pilot Program prior to its expiration on December
31, 2019 for the benefit of market participants. The Exchange believes
that the Pilot Program promotes just and equitable principles of trade
by enabling public customers and other market participants to express
their true prices to buy and sell options. The Exchange notes that this
proposal does not propose any new policies or provisions that are
unique or unproven, but instead relates to the continuation of an
existing program that operates on a pilot basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
\7\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 purposes of the Act. Specifically, the Exchange
believes that, by extending the expiration of the Pilot Program, the
proposed rule change will allow for further analysis of the Pilot
Program and a determination of how the Program should be structured in
the future. In doing so, the proposed rule change will also serve to
promote regulatory clarity and consistency, thereby reducing burdens on
the marketplace and facilitating investor protection. In addition, the
Exchange has been authorized to act jointly in extending the Pilot
Program and believes the other exchanges will be filing similar
extensions.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The Exchange filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \8\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \9\ thereunder. Because
the foregoing proposed rule change does not (i) significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \10\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \11\ thereunder.
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\8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\9\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\10\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
\11\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change or just shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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A proposed rule changed filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \12\ normally
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of filing.
However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6),\13\ the Commission may designate
a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the
Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal may
become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission believes that
waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest because doing so will allow the Pilot
Program to continue without interruption in a manner that is consistent
with the Commission's prior approval of the extension and expansion of
the Pilot Program.\14\ Accordingly, the Commission designates the
proposed rule change as operative upon filing with the Commission.\15\
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\12\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
\13\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
\14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61061 (November 24,
2009), 74 FR 62857 (December 1, 2009) (SR-NYSEArca-2009-44).
\15\ For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this
proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact
on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or
disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to [email protected]. Please include
File Number SR-C2-2019-027 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-C2-2019-027. 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
[[Page 69797]]
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-C2-
2019-027 and should be submitted on or before January 9, 2020.
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\16\
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\16\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-27341 Filed 12-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
