Justia Agencies And Commissions Securities And Exchange Commission Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rules 6.1P-O, 6.37AP-O, 6.40P-O, 6.41P-O, 6.62P-O, 6.64P-O, 6.76P-O, and 6.76AP-O and Amendments to Rules 1.1, 6.1-O, 6.1A-O, 6.37-O, 6.65A-O and 6.96-O, 55926-55978 [2021-21624]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rules 6.1P-O, 6.37AP-O, 6.40P-O, 6.41P-O, 6.62P-O, 6.64P-O, 6.76P-O, and 6.76AP-O and Amendments to Rules 1.1, 6.1-O, 6.1A-O, 6.37-O, 6.65A-O and 6.96-O, 55926-55978 [2021-21624]

Download as PDF 55926 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–93193; File No. SR– NYSEArca–2021–47] Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rules 6.1P–O, 6.37AP–O, 6.40P–O, 6.41P–O, 6.62P–O, 6.64P–O, 6.76P–O, and 6.76AP–O and Amendments to Rules 1.1, 6.1–O, 6.1A–O, 6.37–O, 6.65A–O and 6.96–O September 29, 2021. On June 21, 2021, NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 a proposed rule change to adopt new Rules 6.1P–O (Applicability), 6.37AP–O (Market Maker Quotations), 6.40P–O (Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls), 6.41P–O (Price Reasonability Checks— Orders and Quotes), 6.62P–O (Orders and Modifiers), 6.64P–O (Auction Process), 6.76P–O (Order Ranking and Display), and 6.76AP–O (Order Execution and Routing) and proposes amendments to Rules 1.1 (Definitions), 6.1–O (Applicability, Definitions and References), 6.1A–O (Definitions and References—OX), 6.37–O (Obligations of Market Makers), 6.65A–O (Limit-Up and Limit-Down During Extraordinary Market Volatility), and 6.96–O (Operation of Routing Broker) to reflect the implementation of the Exchange’s Pillar trading technology on its options market. The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal Register on July 9, 2021.3 On August 18, 2021, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act,4 the Commission designated a longer period within which to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.5 On September 28, 2021, 1 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92304 (June 30, 2021), 86 FR 36440 (‘‘Notice’’). 4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). 5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92696, 86 FR 47350 (August 24, 2021). The Commission designated October 7, 2021, as the date by which the Commission shall approve or disapprove, or institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the proposed rule change. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 2 17 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change,6 which superseded the proposed rule change as originally filed in its entirety. The Commission has received no comments on the proposed rule change. The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit comments on the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, from interested persons and to institute proceedings pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 7 to determine whether to approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1. I. The Exchange’s Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 The Exchange plans to transition its options trading platform to its Pillar technology platform. In connection with the implementation of the Pillar technology, the Exchange proposes to adopt new rules, as well as certain amendments to existing rules, to reflect how options would trade on the Exchange once the Pillar technology is implemented. This Amendment 1 to SR–NYSEArca–2021–47 replaces SR– NYSEArca–2021–47 as originally filed and supersedes such filing in its entirety. The proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 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, as Modified by Amendment No. 1 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. 6 Amendment No. 1 is available on the Commission’s website at https://www.sec.gov/ comments/sr-nysearca-2021-47/srnysearca2021479304467-259869.pdf. 7 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2). PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change 1. Purpose Background The Exchange plans to transition its options trading platform to its Pillar technology platform. The Exchange’s and its national securities exchange affiliates’ 8 (together with the Exchange, the ‘‘NYSE Exchanges’’) cash equity markets are currently operating on Pillar. For this transition, the Exchange proposes to use the same Pillar technology already in operation for its cash equity market. In doing so, the Exchange will be able to offer not only common specifications for connecting to both of its cash equity and equity options markets, but also common trading functions. This Amendment No. 1 supersedes the original filing in its entirety.9 The Exchange plans to roll out the new technology platform over a period of time based on a range of underlying symbols, anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2021. As was the case for the other NYSE Exchanges that have transitioned to Pillar, the Exchange anticipates a three-week roll-out period 8 The Exchange’s national securities exchange affiliates are the New York Stock Exchange LLC (‘‘NYSE’’), NYSE American LLC (‘‘NYSE American’’), NYSE National, Inc. (‘‘NYSE National’’), and NYSE Chicago, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Chicago’’). 9 This Amendment No. 1 provides more background information regarding the proposed rule changes, makes clarifying changes to certain proposed rules without any substantive differences as compared to the original filing, and makes the following substantive changes from the original filing: (1) Revises how the Specified Threshold would be calculated for Limit Order Price Protection in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(A) to include prices equal to the Reference Price; (2) revises how a Trading Collar would be assigned, as described in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(4)(A) and (B), to provide that a Trading Collar would be reassigned to an order after a trading halt, and makes related changes to proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f)(3)(A)(ii); (3) revises proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g) to describe proposed Complex Cross Orders (i.e., Complex QCC Orders) and makes revisions to how a single-leg Cross Order priced at the market would trade; (4) revises proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(1) to specify that a Clear-the-Book Order would be entered contemporaneous with executing an order in open outcry; (5) revises proposed Rule 6.62P– O(i)(2) to specify which order with an MTS modifier would not be subject to self-trade prevention modifiers; (6) revises proposed Rule 6.62P–O to remove the proposed Non-Display Remove Modifier; (7) revises proposed Rule 6.64P(a) to add a definition for the term ‘‘Auction Price;’’ (8) revises proposed Rule 6.64P–O(g)(2) to provide that during a trading halt, any unexecuted quantity of an order for which the 500-millisecond Trading Collar timer has started would be cancelled; and (9) revises proposed Rule 6.76AP– O(a)(1)(A) to provide that only the first LMM quote in time priority would be eligible for the LMM Guarantee. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices and will announce by Trader Update 10 when underlying symbols will be transitioning to the Pillar trading platform. With this transition, certain rules would continue to be applicable to options overlying symbols trading on the current trading platform—the OX system,11 but would not be applicable to options overlying symbols that have transitioned to trading on Pillar. Instead, the Exchange proposes new rules to reflect how options would trade on the Exchange once Pillar is implemented. These proposed rule changes will (1) use Pillar terminology that is based on Exchange Rule 7–E Pillar terminology governing cash equity trading; (2) provide for common functionality on both its options and cash equity markets; and (3) introduce new functionality. The Exchange notes that certain of the proposed new Pillar rules concern functionality not currently available on the OX system and that would be unique to how option contracts trade, and therefore would be new rules with no parallel version for the Exchange’s cash equity market. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Proposed Use of ‘‘P’’ Modifier As proposed, new rules governing options trading on Pillar would have the same numbering as current rules that address the same functionality, but with the modifier ‘‘P’’ appended to the rule number. For example, Rule 6.76–O, governing Order Ranking and Display— OX, would remain unchanged and continue to apply to any trading in symbols on the OX system. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O would govern Order Ranking and Display for trading in options symbols migrated to the Pillar platform. All other current rules that have not had a version added with a ‘‘P’’ modifier will be applicable to how trading functions on both the OX system and Pillar. Once options overlying all symbols have migrated to the Pillar platform, the Exchange will file a 10 Trader Updates are available here: https:// www.nyse.com/trader-update/history. Anyone can subscribe to email updates of Trader Updates, available here: https://www.nyse.com/subscriptions. 11 ‘‘OX’’ refers to the Exchange’s current electronic order delivery, execution, and reporting system for designated option issues through which orders and quotes of Users are consolidated for execution and/or display. See Rule 6.1A–O(13). ‘‘OX Book’’ refers to the OX’s electronic file of orders and quotes, which contain all of the orders in each of the Display Order and Working Order processes and all of the Market Makers’ quotes in the Display Order Process. See Rule 6.1A–O(14). With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange would no longer use the terms ‘‘OX’’ or ‘‘OX Book’’ and rules using those terms would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Once the transition is complete, the Exchange will file a subsequent proposed rule change to delete references to OX and OX Book from the rulebook. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 separate rule proposal to delete rules that are no longer operative because they apply only to trading on the OX system. To reflect how the ‘‘P’’ modifier would operate, the Exchange proposes to add rule text immediately following the title ‘‘Rule 6–O Options Trading,’’ and before ‘‘Rules Principally Applicable to Trading of Option Contracts’’ that would provide that rules with a ‘‘P’’ modifier would be operative for symbols that are trading on the Pillar trading platform. As further proposed, and consistent with the handling of the transition to Pillar by the Exchange’s cash equity platform, if a symbol (and the option overlying such symbol) is trading on the Pillar trading platform, a rule with the same number as a rule with a ‘‘P’’ modifier would no longer be operative for that symbol.12 The Exchange believes that adding this explanation regarding the ‘‘P’’ modifier in Exchange rules would provide transparency regarding which rules and definitions would be operative during the symbol migration to Pillar. Summary of Proposed Rule Changes In this filing, the Exchange proposes the following new Pillar rules: Rules 6.1P–O (Applicability), 6.37AP–O (Market Maker Quotations), 6.40P–O (Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls), 6.41P–O (Price Reasonability Checks—Orders and Quotes), 6.62P–O (Orders and Modifiers), 6.64P–O (Auction Process), 6.76P–O (Order Ranking and Display), and 6.76AP–O (Order Execution and Routing). The Exchange also proposes to amend Rules 1.1 (Definitions), 6.1–O (Applicability, Definitions and References), and 6.1A– O (Definitions and References—OX) to reflect definitions that would be applicable for options trading on Pillar and make conforming amendments to Rules 6.37–O (Obligations of Market Makers), 6.65A–O (Limit-Up and LimitDown During Extraordinary Market Volatility), and 6.96–O (Operation of Routing Broker). These proposed rules would set forth the foundation of the Exchange’s options trading model on Pillar and, among other things, would use existing Pillar terminology currently in effect for the Exchange’s cash equity platform. Because certain proposed rules have definitions and functions that carry forward to other proposed rules, the 12 The Exchange used the same description when it transitioned its cash equity platform to Pillar. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 75494 (July 20, 2015), 80 FR 44170 (July 24, 2015) (SR– NYSEArca–2015–38) (Approval Order) and 74951 (May 13, 2015), 80 FR 28721 (May 19, 2015) (‘‘NYSE Arca Equities Pillar Notice’’). PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55927 Exchange proposes to describe the new rules in the following order (rather than by rule number order): Definitions, applicability, ranking and display, execution and routing, orders and modifiers, market maker quotations, pre-trade and activity-based risk controls, price reasonability checks, and auctions. To promote clarity and transparency, the Exchange further proposes to add a preamble to the following current rules specifying that they would not be applicable to trading on Pillar: Rule 6.1– O (Applicability, Definitions and References), 6.1A–O (Definitions and References—OX), Rule 6.37A–O (Market Maker Quotations), 6.40–O (Risk Limitation Mechanism), 6.60–O (Price Protection—Orders), 6.61–O (Price Protections—Quotes), 6.62–O (Certain Types of Orders Defined), 6.64–O (OX Opening Process), 6.76–O (Order Ranking and Display—OX), 6.76A–O (Order Execution—OX), 6.88–O (Directed Orders), and 6.90–O (Qualified Contingent Crosses). As discussed in greater detail below, the Exchange is not proposing fundamentally different functionality applicable to options trading on Pillar than on the OX system. However, with Pillar, the Exchange would introduce new terminology, and as applicable, new or updated functionality that would be available for options trading on the Pillar platform. The Exchange notes that new rules relating to electronic complex trading on Pillar are addressed in a separate proposed rule change.13 Proposed Rule Changes Rule 1.1—Definitions Rule 1.1 sets forth definitions that are applicable to both the Exchange’s cash equity and options markets. Rule 6.1– O(b) sets forth definitions that are applicable to the trading of option contracts on the Exchange. Rule 6.1A– O sets forth definitions that are applicable to trading on the Exchange’s current OX system. In connection with the transition of options trading to Pillar, the Exchange proposes to copy the definitions currently set forth in Rules 6.1–O and 6.1A–O into Rule 1.1, with changes as described below. This proposed rule change would streamline the Exchange’s rules by consolidating definitions that would be applicable for trading on Pillar into Rule 1.1. Once the transition to Pillar is complete, the 13 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92563 (August 4, 2021), 86 FR 43704 (August 10, 2021) (Notice of proposed Rule 6.91P–O, regarding complex order trading on Pillar) (‘‘Complex Pillar Notice’’). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55928 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Exchange will file a subsequent proposed rule change to delete current Rules 6.1–O and 6.1A–O. In connection with adding definitions to Rule 1.1, the Exchange proposes to delete the sub-paragraph numbering currently set forth in Rule 1.1. The Exchange does not believe that the subparagraph numbering is necessary because the definitions are organized in alphabetical order and would continue to be organized in alphabetical order. In addition, removing the sub-paragraph numbering would make any future amendments to Rule 1.1 easier to process as any new definitions would simply be added in alphabetical order. Certain definitions in Rule 1.1 currently specify that they are only for ‘‘equities’’ trading. With the proposed consolidation of definitions, some of those definitions will become applicable to both options and cash equity trading, and others will continue to be applicable only to cash equity trading. With the proposed consolidation, the Exchange proposes to remove existing language limiting those definitions to ‘‘equities’’ traded on the Exchange if the definition would be equally applicable to options trading. In addition, to the extent that a proposed definition would continue to be applicable only to cash equity trading, the Exchange proposes to make a global change to update references to ‘‘equities’’ traded on the Exchange to ‘‘cash equity securities’’ traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes these proposed modifications would add clarity and consistency to Exchange rules. The Exchange proposes the following amendments to Rule 1.1. First, definitions set forth in Rule 6.1– O(b) would be added to Rule 1.1 in alphabetical order with certain differences described in greater detail below.14 To promote clarity, if the definition that is being copied is not 14 Rule 6.1–O(b) has definitions for: Options Clearing Corporation, Rules of the Options Clearing Corporation, Clearing Member, Participating Exchange, Option Contract, Exchange Option Transaction and Exchange Transaction, Type of Option, Call, Put, Class of Options, Series of Options, Option Issue, Underlying Stock or Underlying Security, Exercise Price, Aggregate Exercise Price, Expiration Month, Expiration Date, Long Position, Short Position, Opening Purchase Transaction, Opening Writing Transaction, Closing Sale Transaction, Closing Purchase Transaction, Covered, Uncovered, Outstanding, Primary Market, Options Trading, Customer, Trading Crowd, Foreign Broker/Dealer, Exchange-Traded Fund Share, Quote with Size, Trading Official, Non-OTP Firm or Non-OTP Holder Market Maker, Firm, Consolidated Book, Crowd Participants, Electronic Order Capture System, Short Term Option Series, and Quarterly Options Series. Unless otherwise specified, the Exchange proposes to copy the definitions from Rule 6.1–O(b) to Rule 1.1 without any differences. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 specifically about options trading, the Exchange proposes to add an introductory clause to the definition to specify that the term is for options traded on the Exchange. The Exchange does not propose to copy the definition of ‘‘Quote with Size,’’ which is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(33), to Rule 1.1 because that term would not be used in the Pillar rules, and does not propose to copy the definition of ‘‘Short Term Options Series,’’ because it is duplicative of Commentary .07 to Rule 6.4–O. In addition, the Exchange is not including the definition of ‘‘Foreign Broker/Dealer,’’ which is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(31), in Rule 1.1, as this term is not used anywhere else in Exchange rules.15 The Exchange also proposes changes to certain definitions that are being copied from Rule 6.1–O(b) to Rule 1.1, as follows: • The Exchange proposes to amend certain definitions that are being copied to Rule 1.1 to use the term ‘‘underlying security’’ rather than referring separately to an ‘‘underlying stock or Exchange-Traded Fund Share.’’ The Exchange believes that this proposed change would not make any substantive changes because an Exchange-Traded Fund Share is a ‘‘security’’ as that term is defined in Rule 1.1 (and is also an NMS stock). Accordingly, the term ‘‘underlying security,’’ by definition, would include Exchange-Traded Fund Shares. The Exchange proposes to make this change to the following definitions that are proposed to be added to Rule 1.1: ‘‘Call,’’ ‘‘Class of Options,’’ ‘‘Covered,’’ ‘‘Exercise Price,’’ ‘‘Primary Market,’’ ‘‘Put,’’ ‘‘Option Issue,’’ and ‘‘Underlying Stock or Underlying Security.’’ 16 • The Exchange proposes to streamline the definitions of ‘‘Closing Purchase Transaction,’’ ‘‘Closing Sale Transaction,’’ ‘‘Opening Purchase Transaction,’’ and ‘‘Opening Writing Transaction’’ without any substantive differences, as follows: Æ The term ‘‘Closing Purchase Transaction’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(23) to mean ‘‘an option transaction in which the purchaser’s intention is to reduce or eliminate a short position in the series of options involved in such transaction.’’ The proposed Rule 1.1 definition of this term would be ‘‘a transaction in a series in which the purchaser intends to 15 The Exchange is not proposing to delete the definitions of either ‘‘Quote with Size’’ or ‘‘Foreign Broker/Dealer’’ at this time as such terms would be deleted in the subsequent filing to delete Rule 6.1– O. 16 The Exchange proposes to make a similar nonsubstantive change to delete the term ‘‘ExchangeTrade Fund Share’’ in Rule 6.37–O(c). PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 reduce or eliminate a short position in such series.’’ Æ The term ‘‘Closing Sale Transaction’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(22) to mean an ‘‘option transaction in which the seller’s intention is to reduce or eliminate a long position in the series of options involved in such transaction.’’ The proposed Rule 1.1 definition of this term would be ‘‘a transaction in a series in which the seller intends to reduce or eliminate a long position in such series.’’ Æ The term ‘‘Opening Purchase Transaction’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(20) to mean ‘‘an option transaction in which the purchaser’s intention is to create or increase a long position in the series of options involved in such transaction.’’ The proposed Rule 1.1 definition of this term would be ‘‘a transaction in a series in which the purchaser intends to create or increase a long position in such series.’’ Æ The term ‘‘Opening Writing Transaction’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(21) to mean ‘‘an option transaction in which the seller’s (writer’s) intention is to create or increase a short position in the series of options involved in such transaction.’’ The proposed Rule 1.1 definition of this term would be ‘‘a transaction in a series in which the seller (writer) intends to create or increase a short position in such series.’’ • The Exchange proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘Crowd Participants,’’ which is currently defined in Rule 6.1– O(b)(38) to mean ‘‘the Market Makers appointed to an option issue under Rule 6.35–O, and any Floor Brokers actively representing orders at the best bid or offer on the Exchange for a particular option series,’’ to not include the clause ‘‘for a particular option series’’ as unnecessary text. • The Exchange proposes to revise the definition of ‘‘Electronic Order Capture System’’ to eliminate reference to the Commission’s order Instituting Public Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 19(h)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions, which was the initial authority for the Exchange to specify requirements relating to the Electronic Order Capture System. The Exchange will continue to include requirements for the Electronic Order Capture System in its rules and does not believe it is necessary to continue to cite to the original authority for this requirement in Exchange rules. • The Exchange proposes to streamline the definition of ‘‘Expiration E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices Date’’ to eliminate now obsolete language limiting the definition to options expiring before, on, or after February 15, 2015. In addition, the Exchange does not propose to include the following text in the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Expiration Date’’: ‘‘Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of certain long-term options expiring on or after February 1, 2015 that the Options Clearing Corporation has designated as grandfathered, the term ‘‘expiration date’’ shall mean the Saturday immediately following the third Friday of the expiration month.’’ This rule text is now obsolete as the Exchange does not have any series trading on the Exchange with such Saturday expiration dates. • The Exchange proposes to amend the definition of ‘‘options trading’’ to delete the phrase ‘‘issued by the Options Clearing Corporation.’’ Accordingly, the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘options trading’’ would be as follows: ‘‘when not preceded by the word ‘Exchange,’ means trading in any option contract, whether or not approved for trading on the Exchange.’’ The Exchange believes that this proposed change is immaterial because the Exchange trades only options that have been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation, and therefore reference to the OCC is redundant and unnecessary. • The Exchange proposes to add to the definition of ‘‘option contract’’ that option contracts would be included within the definition of ‘‘security’’ or ‘‘securities’’ as such terms are used in the Bylaws and Rules of the Exchange. This proposed text is copied from the last sentence of current Rule 6.1–O(a). As described below, proposed Rule 6.1P–O would not include this text. The Exchange believes that adding this text to the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘option contract’’ would promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules by consolidating related definitions in a single location. • The Exchange proposes to streamline the definition of ‘‘outstanding’’ without any substantive differences. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to replace the following Rule 6.1–O(b)(26) text, ‘‘has neither been the subject of a closing sale transaction on the Exchange or a comparable closing transaction on another participating Exchange nor been exercised nor reached its expiration date,’’ with the following, ‘‘has not been the subject of a closing sale transaction, exercised, or expired.’’ The Exchange believes that the proposed revised text has the same meaning, with more clear text. • The Exchange proposes to modify the definition of ‘‘Trading Crowd,’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 which is currently defined in Rule 6.1– O(b)(30), to include Floor Brokers, which change is consistent with how this concept is defined on other options exchanges.17 Second, definitions set forth in Rule 6.1A–O(a) would be added to Rule 1.1 in alphabetical order without any substantive differences.18 Because certain of these definitions are already set forth in Rule 1.1 for cash equity trading, the Exchange proposes to amend those existing definitions to specify that they would be applicable to options trading, and if applicable, set forth differences for options trading, as described in more detail below. The Exchange does not propose to add the definition of ‘‘Directed Order Market Maker’’ to Rule 1.1 because in Pillar the Exchange would no longer support Directed Order Market Makers. In addition, the Exchange does not propose to add the definitions of ‘‘Complex BBO’’ or ‘‘Complex NBBO’’ to Rule 1.1, and instead has proposed to define terms relating to complex trading in a separate proposed rule change relating to electronic complex trading.19 The Exchange also does not propose to add options-related definitions to Rule 1.1 relating to ‘‘Sponsored Participant,’’ ‘‘Sponsoring OTP Firm,’’ and ‘‘Sponsorship Provisions’’ because there are currently not any Sponsored Participants trading options on the Exchange, and the Exchange does not propose to reintroduce this category of participants. As noted above, the terms ‘‘OX’’ and ‘‘OX Book’’ will not be used in Pillar rules. Finally, in addition to definitions that are being added to Rule 1.1 without any changes from the defined terms from Rule 6.1A–O(a), the Exchange proposes the following specific changes to the definitions that would be included in the Rule 1.1 definitions: 20 • Approved Person: The Exchange proposes a non-substantive amendment to change the word ‘‘a’’ to ‘‘an’’ before ‘‘OTP Firm.’’ 17 See, e.g., Cboe Exchange Inc. (‘‘Cboe’’) Rule 1.1 (defining the terms ‘‘in-crowd market participant’’ and ‘‘ICMP’’ to include ‘‘an in-crowd Market-Maker, an on-floor DPM or LMM with an allocation in a class, or a Floor Broker or PAR Official representing an order in the trading crowd on the trading floor’’). 18 Rule 6.1A–O(a) has definitions for: Authorized Trader, BBO, Complex BBO, Core Trading Hours, Customer, Professional Customer, Lead Market Maker, Market Center, Marketable, Market Maker, Market Maker Authorized Trader, Minimum Price Variation, NBBO, Complex NBBO, NOW Recipient, OX, OX Book, Routing Broker, Sponsored Participant, Sponsoring OTP Firm, Sponsorship Provisions, User, Directed Order Market Maker, and Order Flow Provider. 19 See Complex Pillar Notice, supra note 13. 20 The Exchange also proposes a non-substantive amendment to the definition of ‘‘Exchange’’ to add a period at the end of the sentence. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55929 • Authorized Trader: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Authorized Trader’’ to remove the limitation to equities trading so that it is applicable to both cash equity securities and options traded on the Exchange, and to add that it can mean a person who may submit orders to the Exchange’s Trading Facilities on behalf of his or her OTP Holder. These proposed amendments combine the definition of Authorized Trader currently set forth in Rule 6.1A–O(a)(1) with the existing Rule 1.1 definition of Authorized Trader with one proposed substantive difference not to include reference to ‘‘Sponsored Participant’’ in the proposed amendment to Rule 1.1. As noted above, the Exchange does not currently have any Sponsored Participants that trade on the Exchange, and therefore, this term is no longer necessary. • Away Market: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Away Market’’ to add how that term would be used for options trading on the Exchange. As proposed, the new text would provide: ‘‘[w]ith respect to options traded on the Exchange, the term ‘Away Market’ means any Trading Center (1) with which the Exchange maintains an electronic linkage, and (2) that provides instantaneous responses to orders routed from the Exchange.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(12) definition of ‘‘NOW Recipient,’’ which is currently defined as ‘‘any Market Center (1) with which the Exchange maintains an electronic linkage, and (2) that provides instantaneous responses to NOW Orders routed from OX. The Exchange shall designate from time to time those Market Centers that qualify as NOW Recipients and shall periodically publish such information via its website.’’ The Exchange proposes four non-substantive differences for the Pillar options trading definition of ‘‘Away Market’’: (1) Use the Pillar term of ‘‘Away Market’’ instead of the term ‘‘NOW Recipient;’’ (2) use the term ‘‘Trading Center’’ instead of ‘‘Market Center’’; (3) refer to ‘‘orders routed from the Exchange’’ instead of ‘‘NOW Orders routed from OX’’; and (4) delete the text relating to the Exchange designating and publishing to its website certain Away Markets. The Exchange does not believe that this text needs to be included in the definition of Away Market because such markets are by definition those with which the Exchange maintains electronic linkage (i.e., pursuant to the Options Order Protection and Locked/ Crossed Market Plan). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55930 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 • BBO: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘BBO’’ to add how that term would be used for options trading on the Exchange. As proposed, with respect to options traded on the Exchange, BBO would mean the best displayed bid or best displayed offer on the Exchange. This definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(2)(a) definition of BBO, which currently defines BBO as the ‘‘best bid or offer on OX.’’ The Exchange believes that the proposed difference would add granularity to be clear that nondisplayed quotes and orders would not be included in the BBO. The Exchange also proposes to use the term ‘‘Exchange’’ instead of ‘‘OX.’’ • Consolidated Book: The term ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1–O(b)(37) 21 and the term ‘‘OX Book’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1A–O(a)(14).22 For Pillar, the Exchange proposes to define the term ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ in Rule 1.1 to mean the Exchange’s electronic book of orders and quotes and that all orders and quotes that are entered into the Consolidated Book would be ranked and maintained in accordance with the rules of priority, as provided for in proposed Rule 6.76P–O. This proposed definition uses terminology similar to the existing Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘NYSE Arca Book,’’ which would be amended to specify that the definition would only be for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that the proposed definition of ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ for options trading on Pillar is not substantively different from either the current Rule 6.1–O definition of ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ or the current Rule 6.1A–O definition of ‘‘OX Book.’’ Rather, the changes are designed to eliminate text that would not be applicable on Pillar without changing the substance of the proposed definition and would use more streamlined text to describe the Exchange’s electronic order book. For example, the Exchange believes that the proposed use of the phrase ‘‘electronic book of orders and quotes’’ makes clear that the Consolidated Book would 21 The term ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ is currently defined as ‘‘the Exchange’s electronic book of limit orders for the accounts of Public Customers and broker-dealers, and Quotes with Size. All orders and Quotes with Size that are entered into the Book will be ranked and maintained in accordance with the rules of priority as provided in Rule 6.76–O. There is no limit to the size of orders or quotes that may be entered into the Consolidated Book.’’ 22 The term ‘‘OX Book’’ is currently defined as ‘‘the OX’s electronic file of orders and quotes, which contains all of the orders in each of the Display Order and Working Order Processes and all of the Market Makers’ quotes in the Display Order Process.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 include all orders and quotes, including orders from both ‘‘Public Customers and broker-dealers,’’ and it is not necessary to separately reference what entity may be entering orders. In addition, as noted above, the Exchange does not propose to use the term ‘‘Quote with Size’’ in connection with options trading on Pillar and therefore does not propose to include reference to that term in the Pillar proposed definition for ‘‘Consolidated Book.’’ And, as described in greater detail below in connection with proposed Rule 6.76P–O, on Pillar, the Exchange does not propose to use the terms ‘‘Display Order and Working Order Processes’’ and therefore these terms would not be included in the Rule 1.1 definition of Consolidated Book. • Core Trading Hours: The Exchange proposes that the current definition of Core Trading Hours in Rule 1.1, which is defined as ‘‘the hours of 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time through 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) or such other hours as may be determined by the Exchange from time to time,’’ would be applicable to both cash equity securities and options trading on the Exchange. Because options trading may extend past 4:00 p.m., the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1.1 to provide that for options traded on the Exchange, transactions may be effected on the Exchange for an equity options class until close of trading of the Primary Market for the securities underlying an options class. This proposed text is based on current Rule 6.1A–O(a)(3).23 • Customer and Professional Customer: The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1.1 to add the definitions of ‘‘Customer’’ and ‘‘Professional Customer.’’ The proposed definitions use the same text as the definitions of Customer and Professional Customer set forth in Rules 6.1A–O(a)(4) and (4A) with non-substantive differences only to specify that these definitions would be applicable for options traded on the Exchange, eliminate redundant 23 Rule 6.1A–O(a)(3) currently defines ‘‘Core Trading Hours’’ to mean ‘‘the regular trading hours for business set forth in the rules of the primary markets underlying those option classes listed on the Exchange; provided, however, that transactions may be effected on the Exchange until the regular time set for the normal close of trading in the primary markets with respect to equity option classes and ETF option classes, and 15 minutes after the regular time set for the normal close of trading in the primary markets with respect to index option classes, or such other hours as may be determined by the Exchange from time to time.’’ The Exchange does not propose to include in the Rule 1.1 definition of Core Trading Hours for options trading the current text regarding trading that continues 15 minutes after the regular time set for the normal close of trading in the primary markets with respect to index options classes, as this is already addressed in Rule 5.20–O(a) (Trading Sessions). PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 headers,24 and re-number the subparagraphs. The Exchange also proposes to include a cross-reference to the definition of a broker or dealer as defined Sections 3(a)(4) and 3(a)(5) of the Exchange Act and rules thereunder.25 The Exchange believes that this specificity adds clarity and transparency to the proposed definition. • Floor: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Floor,’’ which refers to the options trading floor, to include the synonymous defined terms ‘‘Trading Floor’’ and ‘‘Options Trading Floor,’’ which terms are used throughout existing Exchange rules and make one change to remove the term ‘‘shall.’’ These proposed changes would add clarity and consistency to Exchange rules. • Lead Market Maker: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Lead Market Maker’’ to add how that term would be used for options trading. As proposed, the new text would provide that for options traded on the Exchange, the term ‘‘Lead Market Maker’’ or ‘‘LMM’’ would ‘‘mean a person that has been deemed qualified by the Exchange for the purpose of making transactions on the Exchange in accordance with Rule 6.82–O. Each LMM must be registered with the Exchange as a Market Maker. Any OTP Holder or OTP Firm registered as a Market Maker with the Exchange is eligible to be qualified as an LMM.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(5) definition of Lead Market Maker without any substantive differences. The Exchange proposes one non-substantive difference to use the term ‘‘person’’ instead of ‘‘individual or entity,’’ because the term ‘‘person,’’ as currently defined in Rule 1.1, is inclusive of natural persons and entities. • Marketable: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Marketable’’ to extend it to address options traded on the Exchange by deleting the phrase ‘‘[w]ith respect to equities traded on the Exchange.’’ 26 The 24 The Exchange proposes that the Rule 1.1 definition of Professional Customer would not include the sub-header of ‘‘Calculation of Professional Customer Orders’’ as redundant of the following text in the rule that would provide ‘‘[e]xcept as noted below, each order of any order type counts as one order for Professional order counting purposes.’’ 25 The Exchange does not propose to add to Rule 1.1 the definition of ‘‘Customer’’ that is set forth in Rule 6.1–O(b)(29) as unnecessary. 26 The term ‘‘Marketable’’ is currently defined in Rule 1.1 to mean, ‘‘[w]ith respect to equities traded on the Exchange, the term ‘Marketable’ means for a Limit Order, an order that can be immediately executed or routed. Market Orders are always considered marketable.’’ E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices current description of the term ‘‘Marketable,’’ for purposes of Market Orders, is the same in both Rules 1.1 and 6.1A–O(a)(7).27 Accordingly, the existing Rule 1.1 text relating to term ‘‘Marketable’’ with respect to Market Orders would be applicable to options trading without any differences. With respect to Limit Orders, in Rule 1.1, the term ‘‘Marketable’’ currently means an order that can be immediately executed or routed. The current Rule 6.1A– O(a)(7) definition of the term ‘‘Marketable’’ for Limit Orders means when the price of the order matches or crosses the NBBO on the other side of the market. The current Rule 1.1 definition relating to Limit Orders means substantively the same thing as the current Rule 6.1A–O(a)(7) description for Limit Orders, and the Exchange proposes to use the existing Rule 1.1 definition of the term ‘‘Marketable’’ for both cash equity and options trading of Limit Orders. The Exchange also proposes a nonsubstantive amendment to add a comma after the phrase, ‘‘the term ‘Marketable’ means’’ and before ‘‘for a Limit Order.’’ • Market Maker: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Market Maker’’ to add how that term would be used for options trading. As proposed, the new text would provide that for options traded on the Exchange, the term ‘‘Market Maker’’ would refer ‘‘to an OTP Holder or OTP Firm that acts as a Market Maker pursuant to Rule 6.32– O.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(8) definition of Market Maker, which is defined as ‘‘an OTP Holder or OTP Firm that acts as a Market Maker pursuant to Rule 6.32– O.’’ Accordingly, the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of the term ‘‘Market Maker’’ for options trading would not have any differences from the current Rule 6.1A– O definition. The Exchange also proposes to include in the Rule 1.1 definition of Market Maker for options trading that for purposes of Exchange rules, the term Market Maker includes Lead Market Makers, unless the context otherwise indicates. This proposed text is based on Rule 6.1–O(c), References, with a non-substantive difference to use the term ‘‘Exchange’’ instead of ‘‘NYSE Arca.’’ The Exchange believes this proposed change would streamline and clarify this definition by consolidating definitions relating to Market Makers in a single location. 27 The term ‘‘Marketable’’ is currently defined in Rule 6.1A–O(a)(7) for options trading to mean ‘‘for a Limit Order, the price matches or crosses the NBBO on the other side of the market. Market orders are always considered marketable.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 • Market Maker Authorized Trader: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Market Maker Authorized Trader’’ to add how that term would be used for options trading. As proposed, the new text would provide that for options traded on the Exchange, the term ‘‘Market Maker Authorized Trader’’ or ‘‘MMAT’’ would ‘‘mean an authorized trader who performs market making activities pursuant to Rule 6–O on behalf of an OTP Firm or OTP Holder registered as a Market Maker.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A– O(a)(9) definition of Market Maker Authorized Trader without any differences. • Market Participant Identifier (‘‘MPID’’): The Exchange proposes to add a new definition to Rule 1.1 for ‘‘Market Participant Identifier (‘MPID’).’’ This term is currently used in, but not defined in, Rules 7.19–E and 7.31– E(i)(2) for cash equities trading. Because this term would also be used for options trading on Pillar, the Exchange believes that defining this term in Rule 1.1 would promote clarity and transparency. The proposed definition would provide that ‘‘Market Participant Identifier’’ or ‘‘MPID’’ refers to the identifier assigned to the orders and quotes of a single ETP Holder, OTP Holder, or OTP Firm for the execution and clearing of trades on the Exchange by that permit holder. The definition would further provide that an ETP Holder, OTP Holder, or OTP Firm may obtain multiple MPIDs and each such MPID may be associated with one or more sub-identifiers of that MPID. The Exchange believes that using the term MPID on the Exchange for options trading would promote clarity as this is an identifier commonly used by members of exchanges and the Exchange believes that using this term for its OTP Holders and OTP Firms would promote consistency, particularly for those firms that are also ETP Holders on the Exchange. • Minimum Price Variation or MPV: The Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1.1 to add the definition of ‘‘Minimum Price Variation’’ or ‘‘MPV’’ for both cash equity securities and options that are traded on the Exchange. The Exchange proposes that the term ‘‘Minimum Price Variation’’ or ‘‘MPV’’ means the minimum price variations established by the Exchange. The Exchange further proposes that the MPV for quoting cash equity securities traded on the Exchange are set forth in Rule 7.6–E. The Exchange further proposes that the MPV for quoting and trading options traded on the Exchange are set forth in Rule 6.72–O(a). The proposed definition as it PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55931 relates to options trading is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(10) definition of MPV, which defines the term ‘‘Minimum Price Variation’’ to mean ‘‘the variations established by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 6.72–O(a).’’ Similar to this current rule, the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of MPV for options trading would cross reference Rule 6.72–O(a). The Exchange proposes a difference to add reference to ‘‘quoting and trading options’’ to distinguish how the MPV for options would be determined from how the MPV for quoting cash equity securities would be determined. • NBBO: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘NBBO, Best Protected Bid, Best Protected Offer, Protected Best Bid and Offer (PBBO)’’ to add how the term NBBO would be used for options trading. The Exchange proposes that: ‘‘[w]ith respect to options traded on the Exchange, the term ‘NBBO’ means the national best bid or offer. The terms ‘NBB’ means the national best bid and ‘NBO’ means the national best offer.’’ This proposed definition includes the current definition of NBBO from Rule 6.1A–O(a)(11)(a), which defines that term as ‘‘the national best bid or best offer.’’ The Exchange proposes to add the terms ‘‘NBB’’ and ‘‘NBO’’ as clarifying terms for options trading. In addition, the Exchange proposes that, unless otherwise specified, for options trading, the Exchange may adjust its calculation of the NBBO based on information about orders it sends to Away Markets, execution reports received from those Away Markets, and certain orders received by the Exchange. This proposed text reflects how the Exchange currently calculates the NBBO for options trading and is based on how the PBBO is calculated on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.37–E(d)(2).28 The Exchange proposes that it would adjust its calculation of the NBBO for options traded on the Exchange in the same manner that the Exchange calculates the PBBO for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that adding this detail to the proposed definition of NBBO would promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules. The Exchange further notes that there are limited circumstances when the Exchange would not adjust its calculation of the NBBO, and would determine the NBBO for options in the same way that the Exchange determines 28 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91564 (April 14, 2021), 86 FR 20541 (April 20, 2021) (SR– NYSEArca–2021–21) (Notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of proposed rule change to specify when the Exchange may adjust its calculation of the PBBO). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55932 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices the NBBO for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. As described in detail below, the Exchange will specify in its rules when it would be not be using an adjusted NBBO for purposes of a specific rule. The Exchange further proposes that the term ‘‘Away Market NBBO’’ would be subsumed in the definition of NBBO and would refer to a calculation of the NBBO that excludes the Exchange’s BBO. The term ‘‘Away Market NBBO’’ would be a new defined term for options trading and would promote clarity and transparency regarding whether for purposes of a specific rule, the NBBO would not include the Exchange’s BBO.29 • NYSE Arca Book: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘NYSE Arca Book’’ to specify that this term is applicable only for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. As noted above, the Exchange uses the term ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ for options traded on the Exchange and would continue to use that term on Pillar for options trading. • NYSE Arca Marketplace: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘NYSE Arca Marketplace’’ to specify that this term is applicable only for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. • Order Flow Provider or OFP: The Exchange proposes to add the definition of ‘‘Order Flow Provider or OFP’’ to Rule 1.1 to mean ‘‘any OTP Holder that submits, as agent, orders to the Exchange.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(21) definition of ‘‘Order Flow Provider’’ without any differences. • Trading Center: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘Trading Center’’ to add how this term would be used for options trading. As proposed: ‘‘[w]ith respect to options traded on the Exchange, for purposes of Rule 6–O, the term ‘Trading Center’ means a national securities exchange that has qualified for participation in the Options Clearing Corporation pursuant to the provisions of the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(6) definition of ‘‘Market Center’’ with a non-substantive difference to use the term ‘‘Trading Center’’ instead of ‘‘Market Center.’’ • User: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘User’’ to add how this term would be used for options trading. As proposed: ‘‘[w]ith respect to options traded on the 29 See, e.g., infra, discussion regarding proposed Rule 6.62P(a)(1)(A)(iii), which would use the term ‘‘Away Market NBBO.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Exchange, the term ‘User’ shall mean any OTP Holder or OTP Firm who is authorized to obtain access to the Exchange pursuant to Rule 6.2A–O.’’ This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A–O(a)(19) definition of User, with one difference not to include the now obsolete reference to Sponsored Participant, which, as described above, is no longer used in connection with options trading. • User Agreement: The Exchange proposes a non-substantive amendment to the Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘User Agreement’’ to replace the term ‘‘NYSE Arca, L.L.C’’ with the term the ‘‘Exchange.’’ In addition to proposed amendments to Rule 1.1, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.96–O to add the definition of ‘‘Routing Broker,’’ which is currently defined in Rule 6.1A–O(a)(15) to mean ‘‘the broker-dealer affiliate of NYSE Arca, Inc. and/or any other nonaffiliate that acts as a facility of NYSE Arca, Inc. for routing orders entered into OX of OTP Holders, OTP Firms and OTP Firms’ Sponsored Participants to other Market Centers for execution whenever such routing is required by NYSE Arca Rules.’’ For options trading on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to define the term in Rule 6.96–O (Operation of a Routing Broker) to mean ‘‘the broker-dealer affiliate of NYSE Arca, Inc. and/or any other non-affiliate that acts as a facility of the Exchange for routing orders submitted to the Exchange to other Trading Centers for execution whenever such routing is required by NYSE Arca Rules and federal securities laws.’’ 30 The proposed rule text is based on the current definition in Rule 6.1A– O(a)(15), with non-substantive differences to streamline the definition and to use Pillar terminology. Specifically, the Exchange does not propose to include terms that would no longer be applicable to trading on Pillar, including reference to OX, Market Centers, and Sponsored Participants. The Exchange notes that including the definition of ‘‘Routing Broker’’ in its rule governing the operation of the routing broker is consistent with the Exchange’s cash equity rules, which also defines the term ‘‘Routing Broker’’ in Rule 7.45–E(a) (Operation of Routing Broker). In connection with the proposed amendments to Rule 1.1, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.1A–O: ‘‘This Rule is not 30 The Exchange also proposes non-substantive amendments to Rule 6.96–O to renumber current paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), as paragraphs (b), (c), and (d). PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.1A–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.1P–O: Applicability Current Rule 6.1–O sets forth the applicability, definitions, and references in connection with options trading. As noted above, the definitions in Rule 6.1– O(b) and reference to LMMs being included in the definition of Market Maker will be copied to proposed Rule 1.1 for purposes of trading on Pillar. The Exchange proposes new Rule 6.1P–O to include only those portions of Rule 6.1–O relating to applicability of Exchange Rules that would continue to be applicable after the transition to Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.1P–O(a) would be identical to the first two sentences of current Rule 6.1–O(a). As noted above, the proposed definition of ‘‘option contract’’ would incorporate the final sentence of Rule 6.1–O(a), which states that option contracts are included in the definition of ‘‘security’’ or ‘‘securities.’’ Accordingly, the Exchange does not propose to include this text in proposed Rule 6.1P–O(a). Proposed Rule 6.1P–O(b) would provide that unless otherwise stated, Exchange rules would be applicable to transactions on the Exchange in option contracts. The proposed rule is similar to Rule 6.1–O(e) because it addresses the applicability of other Exchange Rules.’’ 31 The Exchange proposes differences from current Rule 6.1–O(e) to eliminate obsolete and duplicative text and to streamline the proposed rule text without any substantive differences. For example, the Exchange does not believe it is necessary to identify which rules are or are not applicable to trading of option contracts because any rule with ‘‘–O’’ appended to it is applicable to trading of option contracts. In addition, Rule 1.1 is now applicable to trading of options contracts. And, as discussed above, the Exchange has proposed to amend the definition of ‘‘option contract’’ to specify that they are included in the definition of ‘‘security’’ or ‘‘securities.’’ Finally, the 31 Rule 6.1–O(e) provides: ‘‘Applicability of Other Exchange Rules. The following Rules apply to transactions on the Exchange in option contracts issued or subject to issuance by the Options Clearing Corporation: Rules 4.15–O–4.19–O, 5.1–O, 9.21–O–9.28–O and 11.6. The following Rules do not apply to transactions on the Exchange in option contracts: Rule 1.1. All other Exchange rules are applicable to transactions on the Exchange in option contracts unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In applying the Rules of the Exchange to transactions on the Exchange in option contracts, ‘security’ or ‘securities’ includes option contracts, ‘specialist’ means Market Maker on the Options Trading Floor.’’ E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices reference in Rule 6.1–O(e) to ‘‘ ‘specialist’ means ‘Market Maker’ ’’ is duplicative of Rule 6.32–O, and therefore is not necessary to add to proposed Rule 6.1P–O(b). In connection with proposed Rule 6.1P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.1–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.1–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Proposed Rule 6.76P–O: Order Ranking and Display Rule 6.76–O governs order ranking and display for the current Exchange options trading system. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O would address order ranking and display for options trading under Pillar, including accounting for the quoting activity of options Market Makers as noted below. With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange does not propose any substantive differences to how orders would be ranked and displayed on the Exchange. However, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the terminology relating to the ‘‘Display Order Process’’ and ‘‘Working Order Process’’ (each of which are described below) and instead use Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.36–E, which governs order ranking and display on the Exchange’s cash equity market.32 The Exchange proposes a difference between proposed Pillar options rules and the existing cash equity Pillar rules to reflect that, in addition to entering orders, options Market Makers enter quotes, which cash equity market makers do not. Accordingly, when the cash equity rules refer to ‘‘orders,’’ the proposed options Pillar rules would refer to both ‘‘orders and quotes’’ to incorporate this difference between cash equity and options markets, except where specified otherwise.33 As discussed in detail below, the Exchange believes that the proposed new rule text provides transparency with respect to how the Exchange’s price-time priority model would operate through the use of new terminology applicable to all orders and quotes on the Pillar trading platform. In addition, throughout proposed Rule 6.76P–O, the Exchange proposes to change the term ‘‘shall’’ to ‘‘will,’’ which is a stylistic 32 As noted herein (see supra note 11), the Exchange also proposes to eliminate the use of the terms ‘‘OX’’ and ‘‘OX Book,’’ as these terms would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. 33 See, e.g., proposed Rules 6.76–O(a)(1), (3), (b)– (f) (as described herein). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 preference that would add consistency to Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a) would set forth definitions for purposes of all of Rule 6–O (Options Trading) on the Pillar trading platform, including proposed Rule 6.76AP–O (Order Execution and Routing), described below. The proposed definitions are based on Rule 7.36–E(a) definitions for purposes of Rule 7–E cash equity trading, with differences, as noted above, to reference ‘‘orders and quotes’’ throughout proposed Rule 6.76P–O. The Exchange believes that these proposed definitions would provide transparency regarding how the Exchange would operate its options platform on Pillar, and serve as the foundation for how orders and modifiers would be described for options trading on Pillar, as discussed in more detail below. In addition, the Exchange believes that even with using Pillar terminology that is based on the Exchange’s cash equity rules, unless otherwise specified, the definitions that are described in these proposed rules do not differ in substance from current Rule 6.76–O relating to options trading. • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a)(1) would define the term ‘‘display price’’ to mean the price at which an order or quote ranked Priority 2—Display Orders or Market Order is displayed, which price may be different from the limit price or working price of the order (i.e., if it is a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order as described below in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1), (2), respectively). This proposed definition uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.36–E(a)(1). To incorporate quotes, the Exchange proposes to refer to ‘‘order or quote ranked Priority 2—Display Orders,’’ versus referring to ‘‘Limit Order,’’ as set forth in Rule 7.36–E(a)(1). The term ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders’’ is described in more detail below. The Exchange also proposes a second difference compared to the Exchange’s cash equity rules to include Market Orders as interest that may have a display price (for example, as described below and consistent with current functionality, a Market Order could be displayed at its Trading Collar, which is unique to options trading and not available on the cash equity platform). • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a)(2) would define the term ‘‘limit price’’ to mean the highest (lowest) specified price at which a Limit Order or quote to buy (sell) is eligible to trade. The limit price is designated by the User. As noted in the proposed definitions of display price and working price, the limit price designated by the User may differ from the price at which the order would be PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55933 displayed or eligible to trade. This proposed definition uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.36–E(a)(2), with a difference to refer to the specified price of a ‘‘Limit Order or quote,’’ versus referring to ‘‘Limit Order,’’ as set forth in Rule 7.36–E(a)(2). • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a)(3) would define the term ‘‘working price’’ to mean the price at which an order or quote is eligible to trade at any given time, which may be different from the limit price or display price of an order. This proposed definition is based on Rule 7.36–E(a)(3), with a difference to refer to ‘‘order or quote’’ for purposes of determining ranking priority, versus referring solely to an ‘‘an order,’’ as set forth in Rule 7.36–E(a)(3). The Exchange believes that the term ‘‘working price’’ would provide clarity regarding the price at which an order may be executed at any given time. Specifically, the Exchange believes that use of the term ‘‘working’’ denotes that this is a price that is subject to change, depending on the circumstances. The Exchange will be using this term in connection with orders and modifiers, as described in more detail below. • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a)(4) would define the term ‘‘working time’’ to mean the effective time sequence assigned to an order or quote for purposes of determining its priority ranking. The Exchange proposes to use the term ‘‘working time’’ in its rules for trading on the Pillar trading platform instead of terms such as ‘‘time sequence’’ or ‘‘time priority,’’ which are used in rules governing option trading on the Exchange’s current system. The Exchange believes that use of the term ‘‘working’’ denotes that this is a time assigned to an order for purposes of ranking and is subject to change, depending on circumstances. This proposed definition is based on Rule 7.36–E(a)(4), with a difference to refer to an ‘‘order or quote,’’ versus referring solely to ‘‘an order,’’ as set forth in Rule 7.36–E(a)(4). • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a)(5) would define an ‘‘Aggressing Order’’ or ‘‘Aggressing Quote’’ to mean a buy (sell) order or quote that is or becomes marketable against sell (buy) interest on the Consolidated Book. The proposed terms would therefore refer to orders or quotes that are marketable against other orders or quotes on the Consolidated Book. These terms would be applicable to incoming orders or quotes, orders that have returned unexecuted after routing, or resting orders or quotes that become marketable due to one or more events. For the most part, resting orders or quotes will have already traded with E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55934 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 contra-side interest against which they are marketable. To maximize the potential for orders or quotes to trade, the Exchange continually evaluates whether resting interest may become marketable. Events that could trigger a resting order to become marketable include updates to the working price of such order or quote, updates to the NBBO, changes to other interest resting on the Consolidated Book, or processing of inbound messages. To address such circumstances, the Exchange proposes to include in proposed Rule 6.76P– O(a)(5) that a resting order or quote may become an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote if its working price changes, if the NBBO is updated, because of changes to other orders or quotes on the Consolidated Book, or when processing inbound messages. The proposed definition of an ‘‘Aggressing Order’’ is based on Rule 7.36–E(a)(5), with differences in the proposed rule to account for options trading, such as including the defined term ‘‘Aggressing Quote’’; referring to an ‘‘order or quote’’ versus ‘‘an order’’; referring to the Consolidated Book rather than NYSE Arca Book; and referring to the NBBO instead of the PBBO, which is not a term used in options trading. The Exchange believes that these proposed definitions would promote transparency in Exchange rules by providing detail regarding circumstances when a resting order or quote may become marketable, and thus would be an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote. Under current Rule 6.76–O, bids and offers are ranked and maintained in the Display Order Process and/or the Working Order Process of the OX Book according to price-time priority. In the Display Order Process, all Limit Orders (with no other conditions), quotes, and the displayed portion of Reserve Orders (not the reserve size) are ranked in price-time priority, displayed on an anonymous basis (except as permitted by Rule 6.76A–O), and the best-ranked interest is disseminated.34 In the Working Order Process, the reserve portion of Reserve Orders,35 All-or34 See Rule 6.76–O(a)(1)(A)–(B), (b) and (c). When the displayed portion of the Reserve Order is decremented completely, the displayed portion of the Reserve Order shall be refreshed for the displayed amount; or the entire reserve amount, if the remaining reserve amount is smaller than the displayed amount, from the reserve portion and shall be submitted and ranked at the specified limit price and the new time that the displayed portion of the order was refreshed. See Rule 6.76– O(a)(1)(B). As discussed in more detail below, the Exchange proposes to describe how Reserve Orders would function in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1). 35 See Rule 6.76–O(a)(2)(A)–(E). After the displayed portion of a Reserve Order is refreshed VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 None Orders, Stop and Stop Limit Orders and Stock Contingency Orders are ranked in price-time priority based on the limit price or, in the case of Stop and Stop Limit Orders, the stop price. As described in more detail below, proposed Rule 6.62P–O, relating to orders and modifiers, would specify whether an order or quote would be displayable, i.e., ranked Priority 2 Display Orders, or non-displayable, i.e., ranked Priority 3—Non-Display Orders. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(b) would govern the display of non-marketable Limit Orders and quotes. As proposed, the Exchange would display ‘‘all nonmarketable Limit Orders and quotes ranked Priority 2—Display Orders unless the order or modifier instruction specifies that all or a portion of the order is not to be displayed,’’ which functionality is the same as that set forth in the first sentence of the preamble to the current Rule 6.76–O, stating that the Exchange displays ‘‘all non-marketable limit orders in the Display Order Process.’’ The Exchange proposes to use Pillar ranking terminology (described further below) to describe the same functionality and references to the Display Order Process would not be included. Rule 6.76P–O(b)(1), which is substantially identical to current Rule 6.76–O(b), would provide that except as otherwise permitted in proposed new Rule 6.76AP–O (discussed below), all non-marketable displayed interest would be displayed on an anonymous basis.36 Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(b)(2) is substantially identical to the second sentence of the preamble to current Rule 6.76–O, and mirroring that text, would provide that the Exchange would ‘‘disseminate current consolidated quotations/last sale information, and such other market information as may be made available from time to time pursuant to agreement between the Exchange and other Trading Centers, consistent with the Plan for Reporting of Consolidated Options Last Sale Reports and Quotation Information.’’ 37 from the reserve portion, the reserve portion remains ranked based on the original time of order entry, while the displayed portion is sent to the Display Order Process with a new time-stamp. See Rule 6.76–O(a)(2)(A). 36 Rule 6.76–O(b) provides that ‘‘[e]xcept as otherwise permitted by Rule 6.76A–O, all bids and offers at all price levels in the Display Order Process of the OX Book shall be displayed on an anonymous basis.’’ 37 The second sentence of the preamble to current Rule 6.76–O states, ‘‘OX also will disseminate current consolidated quotations/last sale information, and such other market information as may be made available from time to time pursuant to agreement between the Exchange and other Market Centers, consistent with the Plan for PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 Finally, proposed Rule 6.76P–O(b)(3) would provide that if ‘‘an Away Market locks or crosses the Exchange BBO, the Exchange will not change the display price of any Limit Orders or quotes ranked Priority 2—Display Orders and any such orders will be eligible to be displayed as the Exchange’s BBO.’’ This proposed rule describes Pillar functionality, which is the same as current functionality. The Exchange believes that including this text in the proposed rules would promote clarity and granularity. In addition, this proposed concept, which is based on Rule 7.36–E(b)(4), makes clear that resting displayed interest that did not cause a locked or crossed market condition can stand its ground and maintain priority at the price at which it was originally displayed. This provision uses Pillar terminology and functionality described in Rule 7.36– E(b)(4), but does not include text from the cash equity rule providing for the treatment of displayed Limit Orders that are ‘‘marketable against protected quotations on Away Market’’ before ‘‘resuming trading and publishing a quote in a UTP Security following a Regulatory Halts,’’ because the concept of trading a security on an unlisted trading privileges basis and how a nonprimary cash equity market would resume trading after a primary listing exchanges resumes trading following a trading halt is not applicable to options trading. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(c) would describe the Exchange’s general process for ranking orders and quotes, which process is the same as that set forth in current Rule 6.76–O(a), with differences to use Pillar ranking terminology and include additional detail related to order/quote modifiers.38 As proposed, Rule 6.76P–O(c) would provide that all non-marketable orders and quotes would be ranked and maintained in the Consolidated Book according to pricetime priority in the following manner: (1) Price; (2) priority category; (3) time; and (4) ranking restrictions applicable to an order/quote or modifier condition. Accordingly, orders and quotes would be first ranked by price. Next, at each price level, orders and quotes would be assigned a priority category, which is similar to the Exchange’s current process to assign orders and quotes as being part of either the ‘‘Display Order Reporting of Consolidated Options Last Sale Reports and Quotation Information.’’ The Exchange proposes a difference to use the term ‘‘Trading Centers’’ instead of ‘‘Market Centers.’’ 38 Rule 6.76–O(a) states that the Exchange ranks bids and offers ‘‘according to price-time priority, such that within each price level, all bids and offers shall be organized by the time of entry’’. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices Process’’ or ‘‘Working Order Process.’’ Orders and quotes in each priority category would be required to be exhausted before moving to the next priority category. Within each priority category, orders and quotes would be ranked by time. These general requirements for ranking are applicable to all orders and quotes, unless an order or quote or modifier has a specified exception to this ranking methodology, as described in more detail below. The Exchange is proposing this ranking description instead of using the abovedescribed terms of ‘‘Display Order Process’’ and ‘‘Working Order Process’’ in Rule 6.76–O. However, substantively there would be no difference in how the Exchange would rank orders and quotes on the Pillar trading platform from how it ranks orders and quotes in the current option trading system. For example, a non-displayed order would always be ranked after a displayed order at the same price, even if the non-displayed order has an earlier working time. In addition, this proposed rule would use Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.36– E(c), with differences to reflect options trading, including that the proposed rule references ‘‘non-marketable orders and quotes,’’ not solely ‘‘non-marketable orders,’’ and references the ‘‘Consolidated Book,’’ rather than the ‘‘NYSE Arca Book.’’ Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(d) would describe how orders and quotes would be ranked based on price, which additional detail would provide transparency regarding the Exchange’s price-ranking process. Specifically, as proposed, all orders and quotes would be ranked based on the working price of an order or quote. Orders and quotes to buy would be ranked from highest working price to lowest working price and orders and quotes to sell would be ranked from lowest working price to highest working price. The rule would further provide that if the working price of an order or quote changes, the price priority of an order or quote would change. This proposed pricing priority is current functionality, but the new rule would add detail regarding the concept of ‘‘working price’’ and its impact on priority and would use Pillar terminology. In addition, this proposed rule uses Pillar terminology from Rule 7.36–E(d), with differences to reflect options trading to reference ‘‘orders and quotes’’ as opposed to solely ‘‘orders.’’ Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(e) would describe the proposed priority categories for ranking purposes, which added detail and terminology would be new for option trading without any VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 functional differences.39 As proposed, at each price, all orders and quotes would be assigned a priority category. If, at a price, there are no orders or quotes in a priority category, the next category would have first priority. The Exchange does not propose to include in Rule 6.76P–O, which sets forth the general rule regarding ranking, specifics about how one or more order or quote types may be ranked and displayed. Instead, as described in more detail below, the Exchange will address separately in new Rule 6.62P–O governing orders and modifiers which priority category correlates to different order types and modifiers. Accordingly, details regarding which proposed priority categories would be assigned to the display and reserve portions of Reserve Orders, which is currently addressed in Rule 6.76–O (a)(1)(B) and (a)(2)(A), will be addressed in proposed Rule 6.62P–O and therefore would not be included in proposed Rule 6.76P–O.40 The proposed changes are also the same as the terms used for priority categories for cash equity trading as set forth in Rule 7.36–E(e)(1)–(3), with differences to include options-specific reference to ‘‘orders and quotes’’ rather than just orders as relates to interest ranked Priority 2 and 3. In addition, the Exchange does not propose to include the Priority 4—Tracking Orders category, which relates to an order type not available for option trading. The proposed priority categories would be: • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(e)(1) would specify ‘‘Priority 1—Market Orders,’’ which provides that unexecuted Market Orders would have priority over all other same-side orders with the same working price. As described in greater detail below, a Market Order subject to a Trading Collar would be displayed on the Consolidated Book. In such circumstances, the displayed Market Order would have priority over all other resting orders at that price. Under current options trading functionality, Market Orders have priority over all other same-side orders with the same working price. The proposed level of detail and priority categorization would be new terminology for options trading and the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would add transparency and specificity to 39 See supra notes 34 and 35 (regarding treatment of Reserve Orders per Rule 6.76–O(a)(1)(B) and (a)(2)(A). 40 See, e.g., Rule 6.76–O(a)(1) and (2) (setting forth the price-time ranking and priority structure for bids and offers submitted to the Exchange, including ranking of certain order types with contingencies). PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55935 Exchange rules without changing functionality. • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(e)(2) would specify ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders.’’ This proposed priority category would replace the ‘‘Display Order Process,’’ which is described above. As proposed, non-marketable Limit Orders or quotes with a displayed working price would have second priority. For an order or quote that has a display price that differs from the working price of the order or quote, the order or quote would be ranked Priority 3—Non-Display Orders at the working price.41 This proposed rule is consistent with current functionality. For example, as described above, currently, the display portion of a Reserve Order is subject to the Display Order Process and the reserve portion is subject to the Working Order Process. The proposed level of detail and priority categorization would be new for options trading and the Exchange believes that it would add transparency and specificity to Exchange rules. In addition, this priority category operates the same as how Priority 2 -Display Orders function on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.36–E(e)(2), with a difference for the proposed rule to reflect options trading by including reference to quotes. • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(e)(3) would specify ‘‘Priority 3—Non-Display Orders.’’ This priority category would be used in Pillar rules instead of reference to the ‘‘Working Order Process,’’ which is described above. As proposed, non-marketable Limit Orders or quotes for which the working price is not displayed, including the reserve interest of Reserve Orders, would have third priority. This proposed rule is consistent with current functionality. The proposed level of detail and priority categorization would be new for options trading and the Exchange believes that it would add transparency and specificity to Exchange rules. In addition, this priority category operates the same as how Priority 3—NonDisplay Orders function on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.36–E(e)(3), with a difference for the proposed rule to reflect options trading by including reference to quotes. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f) would set forth that at each price level within each priority category, orders and quotes would be ranked based on time priority. This proposed rule is consistent with current Rule 6.76–(O)(a), which provides, in relevant part, that ‘‘within each price level, all bids and offers shall 41 See, e.g., infra, discussion regarding proposed Non-Routable Limit Order per Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55936 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices be organized by the time of entry.’’ The proposed changes set forth below are consistent with current functionality and would add detail not included in existing option rules. In addition, the proposed changes use terminology based on Rule 7.36–E(f)(1) and (3), with differences to reference options terminology of ‘‘orders and quotes’’ rather than just ‘‘orders’’ and to the ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ rather than the ‘‘NYSE Arca Book.’’ • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f)(1) would provide that an order or quote is assigned a working time when it is first added to the Consolidated Book based on the time such order or quote is received by the Exchange. This proposed process of assigning a working time to orders is current functionality and is substantively the same as current references to the ‘‘time of original order entry’’ found in several places in Rule 6.76–O. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology that is substantially the same as in Rule 7.36–E(f)(1). To provide transparency in Exchange rules, the Exchange further proposes to include in proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f) how the working time would be determined for orders that are routed, which is consistent with current options trading functionality. As proposed: Æ Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f)(1)(A) would specify that an order that is fully routed to an Away Market on arrival, per proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b)(1), would not be assigned a working time unless and until any unexecuted portion of the order returns to the Consolidated Book. The Exchange notes that this is the current process for assigning a working time to an order (although this detail would be new to option trading rules) and uses Pillar terminology that is substantially the same as in Rule 7.36– E(f)(1)(A), with a difference that the proposed rule includes reference to the ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ rather than the ‘‘NYSE Arca Book.’’ This proposed rule is also consistent with current Rule 6.76A–O(c)(2)(C), which provides that when an order or portion of an order has been routed away and is not executed either in whole or in part at the other Market Center, it will be ranked and displayed in the OX Book in accordance with the terms of the order. Æ Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f)(1)(B) would specify that for an order that, on arrival, is partially routed to an Away Market, the portion that is not routed would be assigned a working time. If any unexecuted portion of the order returns to the Consolidated Book and joins any remaining resting portion of the original order, the returned portion of the order would be assigned the same working time as the resting portion of VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 the order. If the resting portion of the original order has already executed and any unexecuted portion of the order returns to the Consolidated Book, the returned portion of the order would be assigned a new working time. This process for assigning a working time to partially routed orders is the same as currently used by the Exchange (although this detail would be new to option trading rules) and uses Pillar terminology that is substantially the same as in Rule 7.36–E(f)(1)(B)), with a difference that the proposed rule would reference the ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ rather than the ‘‘NYSE Arca Book.’’ • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f)(2) would provide that an order or quote would be assigned a new working time if: (A) The display price of an order or quote changes, even if the working price does not change, or (B) the working price of an order or quote changes, unless the working price is adjusted to be the same as the display price of an order or quote. This proposed text would be new and is different from how the Exchange adjusts the working time for cash equities trading when the working price of an order is updated to be the same as the display price.42 The Exchange believes that for its options market, adjusting the working time any time the display price of an order changes, would respect the priority of orders that were previously displayed at the price to which the display price is changing. In addition, the Exchange believes it is appropriate to adjust the working time of an order any time its working price changes, unless the display price does not change. This proposed order handling in Exchange rules is consistent with the rules of other options exchanges.43 • Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f)(3) would provide that an order or quote would be assigned a new working time if the size of an order or quote increases and that an order or quote retains its working time if the size of the order or quote is decreased. This proposed detail about the process for assigning a new working time when the size of an order changes is not currently described in the Exchange’s option rules but is 42 Currently, for cash equity trading, Rule 7.36– E(f)(2) provides that, ‘‘[a]n order is assigned a new working time any time the working price of an order changes.’’ The Exchange plans to propose changes to this cash equity rule to align with that being proposed for its options market at a later date. 43 See, e.g., Cboe BZX (‘‘BZX’’) Rule 11.9(g)(1)(B) (providing that, for orders subject to ‘‘display price sliding,’’ BZX ‘‘will re-rank an order at the same price as the displayed price in the event such order’s displayed price is locked or crossed by a Protected Quotation of an external market’’ and that ‘‘[s]uch event will not result in a change in priority for the order at its displayed price’’). PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 consistent with existing functionality and uses Pillar terminology. This provision is substantively identical to Rule 7.36–E(f)(3), with a difference to reference ‘‘an orders or quotes’’ as opposed to solely ‘‘an order.’’ Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(g) would specify that the Exchange would apply ranking restrictions applicable to specified order or modifier instructions. These order and modifier instructions would be identified in proposed new Rule 6.62P–O, described below. Proposed Rule 6.76P–O(g) uses Pillar terminology substantially the same as is used in Rule 7.36–E(g). Current Rule 6.76–O(a)(2)(C)–(E) discusses ranking of certain order types with contingencies in the Working Order Process. The Exchange proposes that for Pillar, ranking details regarding orders with contingencies would be described in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d). Accordingly, the Exchange does not propose to include the detail described in Rule 6.76–O(a)(2)(C)–(E) in proposed Rule 6.76P–O. Finally, proposed Rule 6.76P–O(h) would be applicable to ‘‘Orders Executed Manually’’ and would contain the same text as set forth in Rule 6.76– O(d) without any substantive differences except for the nonsubstantive change of capitalizing the defined term Trading Crowd (per proposed Rule 1.1), removing the superfluous clause ‘‘in addition,’’ and updating the cross-reference to reflect the new Pillar rule.44 In connection with proposed Rule 6.76P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.76–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.76–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O: Order Execution and Routing Current Rule 6.76A–O, titled ‘‘Order Execution—OX,’’ governs order execution and routing at the Exchange. The Exchange proposes that Rule 6.76AP–O would set forth the order execution and routing rules for options trading on Pillar. The Exchange proposes that the title for new Rule 6.76AP–O would be ‘‘Order Execution and Routing’’ instead of ‘‘Order Execution—OX’’ because the Exchange does not propose to use the term ‘‘OX’’ 44 See proposed Rule 6.76P–O(h)(1) (removing ‘‘in addition’’) (B) (regarding ‘‘Trading Crowd’’) and (D) (updating the cross-reference to new subparagraph (B) in connection with the Section 11(a)(1)(G) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a1–1(T) thereunder (‘‘G exemption rule’’)). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices in connection with Pillar. The Exchange believes that because proposed Rule 6.76AP–O, like Rule 6.76A–O, would specify the Exchange’s routing procedures, referencing to ‘‘Routing’’ in the rule’s title would provide additional transparency in Exchange rules regarding what topics would be covered in new Rule 6.76AP–O. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.37–E, which describes the order execution and routing rules for cash equity securities trading on the Pillar platform, with differences described below to reflect differences for options trading. In addition, throughout proposed Rule 6.76AP–O, the Exchange proposes to use the term ‘‘will’’ instead of ‘‘shall,’’ which is a stylistic preference that would add consistency to Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a) and its subparagraphs would set forth the Exchange’s order execution process and would cover the same subject as the preamble to Rule 6.76A–O, which provides that like-priced orders and quotes are matched for execution, provided the execution price is equal to or better than the NBBO, unless such order has been routed to an Away Market at the NBBO.45 The Exchange proposes a difference from current Rule 6.76A–O(a)–(c) to use Pillar terminology of ‘‘Aggressing Order’’ and ‘‘Aggressing Quote’’—rather than refer to an ‘‘incoming marketable bid or offer,’’ because (as described above) the proposed terms are more expansive and allow for interest to be (or become) marketable even after arrival (i.e., not limited to ‘‘incoming’’ interest). As proposed, per Rule 6.76AP–O(a), an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would be matched for execution against contra-side orders or quotes in the Consolidated Book according to the price-time priority ranking of the resting interest, subject to specified parameters. The Exchange does not propose to include in proposed Rule 6.76AP–O text based on current Rule 6.76A–O(a)(1), which describes ‘‘Step 1: Display Order Process,’’ or text based on current Rule 6.76A–O(b), which describes ‘‘Step 2: Working Order Process,’’ because by proposing detailed text in Rule 6.76P– O(c)–(f) regarding how orders and quotes would be ranked on the Exchange, it would be duplicative and unnecessary to describe this process again in proposed Rule 6.76AP–O. Instead, the Exchange believes that cross referencing the price-time priority 45 Rule 6.76A–O(a)–(c) sets forth a three-step process—the Display Order Process, the Working Order Process, and Routing Away, Steps 1–3, respectively—governing the handling of incoming marketable bids and offers. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 ranking of the resting interest, per proposed Rule 6.76P–O, would provide transparency regarding how an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would trade with resting interest. The Exchange notes that it made a similar change for its cash equity platform to eliminate reference to the ‘‘Display Order Process’’ and ‘‘Working Order Process’’ in Rule 7.37–E when it transitioned to Pillar.46 Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a)(1) would set forth the LMM Guarantee, which is substantively the same as the current LMM Guarantee, as described in Rule 6.76A–O(a)(1)(A)–(D). Rule 6.76A– O(a)(1)(A) provides, in relevant part, that an LMM or Directed Order Market Maker (‘‘DOMM’’) that is quoting at the NBBO may be entitled to an allocation guarantee of the greater of: An amount equal to 40% of the incoming bid or offer up to the LMM’s or DOMM’s disseminated quote size; or the LMM’s or DOMM’s share in the order of ranking. However, current Rule 6.76A– O(a)(1)(A)(ii) provides that if there are Customer orders ranked ahead of the LMM (or DOMM, as applicable), or if there is no LMM (or DOMM) quoting at the NBBO, the incoming bid or offer will be matched against orders and quotes in the Display Process strictly in the order of their ranking. The Exchange proposes a substantive difference because on Pillar, the Exchange would no longer support DOMMs or Directed Orders. Accordingly, rule text relating to DOMMs or Directed Orders will not be included in proposed Rule 6.76AP–O.47 Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a)(1) would provide that an LMM would be entitled to an allocation guarantee when the execution price is equal to the NBB (NBO) and there is no displayed Customer interest in time priority at the NBBO in the Consolidated Book. In such cases, the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would be matched against the quote of the LMM for an amount equal to 40% of the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote, up to the size of the LMM’s quote (the ‘‘LMM Guarantee’’). With respect to how the LMM Guarantee would function on Pillar, the Exchange does not propose any substantive differences from current Rule 6.76A–O(a)(1), except as noted above to exclude reference to Directed Orders or DOMMs. Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a)(1)(A) would provide that if an LMM has more than one quote at a price, the LMM 46 See NYSE Arca Equities Pillar Notice, supra note 12 at 28728–29. 47 The Exchange proposes to add a preamble to Rule 6.88–O (Directed Orders) to provide that the Rule would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55937 Guarantee would be applied only to the first LMM quote in time priority, which text would add granularity and transparency to Exchange rules. This text would be new and reflects that on Pillar, the Exchange would permit multiple quotes from the same LMM at the same price and that only the first quote in time priority would be eligible for the LMM Guarantee. Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a)(1)(B), which is substantively identical to current Rule 6.76A–O(a)(1)(B), would provide that if an LMM is entitled to an LMM Guarantee (pursuant to proposed paragraph (a)(1)) and the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote had an original size of five (5) contracts or fewer, then such order or quote would be matched against the quote of the LMM for an amount equal to 100%, up to the size of the LMM’s quote. The Exchange also proposes to add Commentary .01 to the proposed rule (which is substantively identical to Commentary .02 of current Rule 6.76A– O) to make clear that on a quarterly basis, the Exchange would evaluate what percentage of the volume executed on the Exchange comprised of orders for five (5) contracts or fewer that was allocated to LMMs and would reduce the size of the orders included in this provision if such percentage is over 40%.48 Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a)(1)(C) would specify that if the result of applying the LMM Guarantee is a fractional allocation of contracts, the LMM Guarantee would be rounded down to the nearest contract and if the result of applying the LMM Guarantee results in less than one contract, the LMM Guarantee would be equal to one contract. The Exchange believes that including this additional detail (which is based on current functionality) in the proposed rule would add transparency to Exchange rules. Finally, the Exchange proposes Rule 6.76AP–O(a)(1)(D), which would provide that after applying any LMM Guarantee, the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would be allocated pursuant to proposed paragraph (a) of this Rule, i.e., that such orders or quotes would be matched for execution against contra-side interest resting in the Consolidated Book according to pricetime priority. This proposed text is substantively identical to Rule 6.76A– O(a)(1)(C) and uses Pillar terminology, and eliminates the now obsolete 48 See proposed Rule 6.76AP–O, Commentary .01, which will not include cross-reference that appears in the current rule Commentary .02 to Rule 6.76A– O because the Exchange determined such crossreference was superfluous and opted to remove excess verbiage. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55938 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 reference to DOMMs, Directed Orders, and the Display Order Process. Consistent with the Exchange’s proposed approach to new Rule 6.76P– O, proposed Rule 6.76AP–O would not include references to specific order types and instead would state the Exchange’s general order execution methodology. Any exceptions to such general requirements would be set forth in connection with specific order or modifier definitions in proposed Rule 6.62P–O, described below. Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b) would set forth the Exchange’s routing process and is intended to address the same subject as Rule 6.76A–O(c), which is currently referred to as ‘‘Step 3: Routing Away’’ in order processing, without any substantive differences. Under current Rule 6.76A–O(c), the Exchange will route to another Market Center any unexecuted portion of an order that is eligible to route.49 Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b) would provide that, absent an instruction not to route, the Exchange would route marketable orders to Away Market(s) after such orders are matched for execution with any contra-side interest in the Consolidated Book in accordance with proposed paragraph (a) of this Rule regarding Order Execution. Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b) also uses the same Pillar terminology that is used in current Rule 7.37–E(b), which governs the Exchange’s routing process on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, with differences to use option trading terminology such as ‘‘Consolidated Book.’’ The proposed rule would then set forth additional details regarding routing that are consistent with current routing functionality, but are not described in current rules: • Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b)(1) would provide that an order that cannot meet the pricing parameters of proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(a) may be routed to Away Market(s) before being matched for execution against contra-side interest in the Consolidated Book. The Exchange believes that this proposed rule text, which is consistent with current functionality, provides transparency that an order may be routed before being matched for execution, for example, to prevent locking or crossing or trading through the NBBO. This rule uses Pillar 49 Under the current rule, each eligible order is routed ‘‘as limit order equal to the price and up to the size of the quote published by the Market Center(s)’’ or, if ‘‘a marketable Reserve Order, the Exchange may route such order serially as component orders, such that each component corresponds to the displayed size.’’ See Rule 6.76AP–O(c)(1)(A), (B). In the proposed Pillar rule, the Exchange proposes to use the term ‘‘Away Market’’ instead of ‘‘Market Center.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 terminology that is substantially the same as in Rule 7.37–E(b)(1), with a difference to reference the ‘‘Consolidated Book’’ rather than the ‘‘NYSE Arca Book.’’ • Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b)(2) would provide that an order with an instruction not to route would be processed as provided for in proposed Rule 6.62P–O.50 As described in greater detail below, the Exchange proposes to describe how orders and quotes with an instruction not to route would be processed in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e). • Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b)(3) would provide that any order or portion thereof that has been routed would not be eligible to trade on the Consolidated Book, unless all or a portion of the order returns unexecuted. This routing methodology is current functionality and covers that same subject as current Rule 6.76A–O(c)(2) with no substantive differences and is based in part on Pillar terminology used in Rule 7.37–E(b)(6). Similar to Rule 6.76A–O(c)(2)(A), which provides that an order routed to an Away Market is subject to the trading rules of that market and, while so routed, has no standing relative to other orders on the Exchange in the OX Book, the Exchange proposes that Rule 6.76AP–O(b)(3) would state that once routed, an order would not be eligible to trade on the Consolidated Book. The Exchange does not believe it is necessary to include the text that once routed an order would be subject to the routing destination’s trading rules, as such detail is obvious and unnecessary. In addition, because, as discussed above, the working time assigned to orders that are routed is being proposed to be addressed in new Rule 6.76P– O(f)(1)(A) and (B), the Exchange believes it would be unnecessary to restate this information in new Rule 6.76AP–O. • Proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(b)(4) would provide that requests to cancel an order that has been routed in whole or part would not be processed unless and until all or a portion of the order returns unexecuted. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology and operates substantively the same as Rule 7.37– E(b)(7)(A). This rule represents current functionality and is based on Rule 6.76A–O(c)(2)(B), except that, unlike the current rule, the proposed rule does not state that such orders (while still routed away) are subject to the applicable trading rules of the market to which such order was routed. 50 See, e.g., infra, discussion regarding proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e), Orders with Instructions Not to Route. PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 • Finally, proposed Rule 6.76AP–O(c) would provide that after trading with eligible contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book and/or returning unexecuted after routing to Away Market(s), any unexecuted nonmarketable portion of an order would be ranked consistent with new Rule 6.76P– O. This rule represents current functionality as set forth in Rule 6.76A– O generally and paragraph (c)(2)(C) as it pertains to orders that were routed away and then returned unexecuted in whole or part to the Exchange without any substantive differences. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology and operates substantively the same as Rule 7.37–E(c). The Exchange believes that the specific routing methodologies for an order type or modifier should be included with how the order type is defined, which will be described in proposed Rule 6.62P–O. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe it needs to specify in proposed Rule 6.76AP–O whether an order is eligible to route, and if so, whether there are any specific routing instructions applicable to the order and therefore will not be carrying over such specifics that are currently included in Rule 6.76A–O. In connection with proposed Rule 6.76AP–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.76A–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.76A–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O: Orders and Modifiers Current Rule 6.62–O (Certain Types of Orders Defined) defines the order types that are currently available for options trading both on the OX system and for open outcry trading on the Exchange. The Exchange proposes that new Rule 6.62P–O would set forth the order types and modifiers that would be available for options trading both on Pillar (i.e., electronic order entry) and in open outcry trading. The Exchange proposes to specify that Rule 6.62–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Because the Exchange proposes to use for options trading the Pillar technology that is currently used for cash equity trading, the Exchange has identified opportunities to offer additional order and modifier functionality for options trading that is based on existing functionality on cash equity trading but has not previously been available for options trading. In addition, certain order types and modifiers that would be available for options trading on Pillar E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 would be based on, or similar to, order types and modifiers available on the Exchange’s cash equity market. Because there would be similar orders and modifiers on both the Exchange’s cash equity and options markets using similar terminology, the Exchange proposes to structure proposed Rule 6.62P–O based on Rule 7.31–E and use similar terminology. The Exchange also proposes to title proposed Rule 6.62P– O as ‘‘Orders and Modifiers,’’ which is the title of Rule 7.31–E. Primary Order Types. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a) would specify the Exchange’s primary order types, which would be Market Orders and Limit Orders, and is based on Rule 7.31–E(a), which sets forth the Exchange’s cash equity primary order types. Similar to Rule 7.31–E(a), proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a) would also set forth the Exchange’s proposed Limit Order Price Protection functionality and Trading Collars. Market Orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(1) would define a Market Order as an unpriced order message to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts at the best price obtainable, subject to the Trading Collar assigned to the order, and would further specify that unexecuted Market Orders may be designated Day or GTC, which represents current functionality, and that unexecuted Market Orders would be ranked Priority 1—Market Orders.51 This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology similar to Rule 7.31–E(a)(1) to describe Market Orders for options trading, with differences to reflect options trading functionality. For example, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1) would specify the ability to designate a Market Order as GTC, which is current options trading functionality that would continue on Pillar (but which modifier is not available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform).52 Similarly, the 51 Market Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62–O(a) as follows: ‘‘A Market Order is an order to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts and is to be executed at the best price obtainable when the order reaches the Exchange. Market Orders entered before the opening of trading will be eligible for trading during the Opening Auction Process. The system will reject a Market Order entered during Core Trading Hours if at the time the order is received there is not an NBB and an NBO (‘‘collectively NBBO’’) for that series as disseminated by OPRA. If the Exchange receives a Market Order to buy (sell) and there is an NBB (NBO) but no NBO (NBB) as disseminated by OPRA at the time the order is received, the order will be processed pursuant to Rule 6.60–O(a)—Trade Collar Protection.’’ 52 The ability for a Market Order to be designated Day or GTC is based on current Rules 6.62–O(m) (describing a ‘‘Day Order’’) and 6.62–O(n) (describing a ‘‘Good-til-Cancelled Order’’ or ‘‘GTC Order’’) and Commentary .01 to Rule 6.62–O, which requires all orders to be either ‘‘day,’’ ‘‘immediate or cancel,’’ or ‘‘good ‘til cancelled.’’ As described VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Exchange proposes to reference that trading of a Market Order would be subject to the Trading Collar assigned to the order, which is similar to the third paragraph of the current definition of Market Order in Rule 6.62–O(a). As described in greater detail below, the Exchange proposes changes to its Trading Collar functionality on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1) would further provide that for purposes of processing Market Orders, the Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO.53 On the Exchange’s cash equity market, the Exchange does not use an adjusted NBBO when processing Market Orders. The Exchange proposes to similarly not use an adjusted NBBO when processing Market Orders on its options market, which would be new for options trading. The Exchange believes that because Market Orders trade immediately on arrival, using an unadjusted NBBO would provide a price protection mechanism by using a more conservative view of the NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A) would provide that a Market Order that arrives during continuous trading would be rejected, or that was routed, returns unexecuted, and has no resting quantity to join would be cancelled if it fails the validations specified in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A)(i)—(iv). This proposed rule is based in part on Rule 6.62–O(a), which specifies that a Market Order will be rejected during Core Trading Hours if, when received, there is no NBBO for the applicable option series as disseminated by OPRA, with differences to use Pillar terminology and to expand the circumstances when a Market Order would be rejected beyond the absence of an NBBO. As proposed, a Market Order would be rejected (or cancelled if routed first) if: 54 in more detail below, on Pillar, the time-in-force designation, e.g., Day or GTC, would be a modifier that can be added to an order type and would not be described in the rules as a separate order type. Similar to Rule 7.31–E, the Exchange would specify which time-in-force designations are available for each order type. 53 See discussion supra, regarding the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of ‘‘NBBO’’ and that when using an unadjusted NBBO, the NBBO would not be adjusted based on information about orders the Exchange sends to Away Markets, execution reports received from those Away Markets, and certain orders received by the Exchange. 54 The Exchange will also reject a Market Order if it is entered when the underlying NMS stock is either in a Limit State or a Straddle State, which is current functionality. See Rule 6.65A–O(a)(1). The Exchange proposes a non-substantive amendment to Rule 6.65A–O(a)(1) to add a cross reference to proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1). The Exchange also proposes to amend the second sentence of Rule 6.65A–O(a)(1) to remove references to trading collars, and instead specify that the Exchange would cancel any resting Market Orders if the underlying NMS stock enters a Limit State or a Straddle State and would notify OTP PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55939 • There is no NBO (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A)(i)). This criterion is similar to the current rule, which provides that a Market Order will be rejected if there is no NBO. The Exchange believes that in the absence of an NBO, Market Orders should not trade as there is no market for the option. • There is no NBB and the NBO is higher than $0.50 (for sell Market Orders only). The Exchange further proposes that if there is no NBB and the NBO is $0.50 or below, a Market Order to sell would not be rejected and would have a working price and display price one MPV above zero and would not be subject to a Trading Collar (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A)(ii)). The Exchange believes that if there is no NBB, but an NBO $0.50 or below, the Exchange would be able to price that Market Order to sell at one MPV above zero. The proposed rule would further provide that a Market Order to sell would be cancelled if it was assigned a Trading Collar, routed, and when it returns unexecuted, it has no resting portion to join and there is no NBB, regardless of the price of the NBO. Accordingly, in this scenario, if there is no NBB and there is an NBO that is $0.50 or below, the returned, unexecuted Market Order would be cancelled rather than displayed at one MPV above zero. The functionality described in this proposed rule would be new and is designed to provide an opportunity for an arriving sell Market Order (that is not first routed) to trade when the NBO is below $0.50. • There are no contra-side Market Maker quotes on the Exchange or contra-side Away Market NBBO, provided that a Market Order to sell would be accepted as provided for in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A)(ii) (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A)(iii)). This functionality would be new and is designed to prevent a Market Order from trading at prices that may not be current for that series in the absence of Market Maker quotations or an Away Market NBBO. • The NBBO is not locked or crossed and the spread is equal to or greater than a minimum amount based on the midpoint of the NBBO (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A)(iv)). The proposed ‘‘wide-spread’’ parameter for purposes of determining whether to reject a Market Order is similar to the widespread parameter applied when determining whether a trade is a Catastrophic Error, as set forth in Rule Holders of the reason for such cancellation. This proposed change would describe both how Market Orders function today on the OX system and how they would be processed on Pillar. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55940 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices 6.87–O(b)(3), with two differences. First, as shown below, the lowest bucket would be $0.00 up to and including $2.00, instead of $0.00 to $1.99, which means the $2.00 price point would be included in this bucket. The Exchange proposes this difference because it would simplify the application to have the break points after whole dollar price points. Second, the wide-spread calculation would be based off of the midpoint of the NBBO, rather than off of the bid price, as follows: Spread parameter The midpoint of the NBBO $0.00 to $2.00 ............................ Above $2.00 to and including $5.00 ....................................... Above $5.00 to and including $10.00 ..................................... Above $10.00 to and including $20.00 ..................................... Above $20.00 to and including $50.00 ..................................... Above $50.00 to and including $100.00 ................................... Above $100.00 ........................... $0.75 1.25 1.50 2.50 3.00 4.50 6.00 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 The Exchange notes that this proposed protection for Market Orders is a new risk control designed to protect against erroneous executions and use of the midpoint of the NBBO as a basis for a price protection mechanism is consistent with similar functionality on other options markets.55 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(B) would provide that an Aggressing Market Order to buy (sell) would trade with all orders or quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book priced at or below (above) the Trading Collar before routing to Away Market(s) at each price.56 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(B) would further provide that after trading or routing, or both, a Market Order would be displayed at the Trading Collar, subject to proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(1)(C), which is consistent with current functionality that Market Orders would be displayed at a Trading Collar, per Rule 6.60–O(a)(5). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(C) would provide that a Market Order would be cancelled before being displayed if there are no remaining contra-side Market Maker quotes on the Exchange or contra-side Away Market NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(D) 55 See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.34(a)(2) (setting forth the ‘‘Market Order NBBO Width Protection’’ wherein Cboe cancels or rejects market orders submitted ‘‘when the NBBO width is greater than x% of the midpoint of the NBBO,’’ subject to minimum and maximum dollar values determined by Cboe). 56 The Exchange has defined an Aggressing Order in proposed Rule 6.76P–O(a)(5). An Aggressing Market Order is a Market Order that is an Aggressing Order. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 would provide that a Market Order would be cancelled after being displayed at its Trading Collar if there ceases to be a contra-side NBBO. These proposed cancellation events are similar to functionality described in Rule 6.60– O(a)(4)(E), which provides that ‘‘[t]he Exchange will cancel a Market Order, or the balance thereof, that has been collared pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(A) or (B) [of that Rule] above, if after exhausting trading opportunities within the Collar Range, the Exchange determines there are no quotes on the Exchange and/or no interest on another market in the affected option series.’’ As proposed, in Pillar, the Exchange would cancel a Market Order in similar circumstances, with proposed modifications that a Market Order would be cancelled only if there are no remaining contra-side Market Maker quotes on the Exchange or if there is no contra-side Away Market NBBO. The Exchange believes that this proposed change from the current rule would provide that a Market Order would be cancelled when there is no contra-side interest against which to determine the price at which such order could trade. Finally, proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(1)(E) would provide that a resting, displayed Market Order that is locked or crossed by an Away Market would be routed to that Away Market. Because Market Orders are intended to trade at the best price obtainable, the Exchange proposes to route displayed Market Orders if they are locked or crossed by an Away Market.57 This proposed Rule is based on current functionality, which is not described in current rule. Therefore, the proposed rule is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules. Limit Orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(2) would define a Limit Order as an order message to buy or sell a stated number of option contracts at a specified price or better, subject to Limit Order Price Protection and the Trading Collar assigned to the order, and that a Limit Order may be designated Day, IOC, or GTC. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the working price and the display price of a Limit Order would be equal to the limit price of the order, it is eligible to be routed, and it would be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders.’’ This proposed rule text uses 57 As described above for proposed Rule 6.76P– O(b)(3), displayed interest other than displayed Market Orders would stand their ground if locked or crossed by an Away Market. The Exchange would provide an option for Limit Orders to instead be routed, see discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(1) and the proposed Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 Pillar terminology that is based in part on Rule 7.31–E(a)(2). The ability for a Limit Order to be designated IOC, Day, or GTC is based on current Rules 6.62– O(k), (m) and (n), respectively, and therefore would differ from the cash equity rules because (unlike on the cash equity platform) a Limit Order could be designated GTC, but is consistent with current options trading functionality. In addition, unlike cash equity trading, but consistent with current options trading functionality, Limit Orders would be subject to trading collars. As described in more detail below, on Pillar, trading collars will differ from both current options trading collar functionality and trading collar functionality available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform (which is available only for Market Orders). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(2)(A) would provide that a marketable Limit Order to buy (sell) received by the Exchange would trade with all orders and quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book priced at or below (above) the NBO (NBB) before routing to an Away Market NBO (NBB) and may route to prices higher (lower) than the NBO (NBB) only after trading with orders and quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book at each price point, and once no longer marketable, the Limit Order would be ranked and displayed on the Consolidated Book. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 6.62–O(b), which provides that a ‘‘‘marketable’ limit order is a Limit Order to buy (sell) at or above (below) the NBBO.’’ The proposed rule text is more specific and uses the same Pillar terminology used to describe Limit Orders in Rule 7.31–E(a)(2)(A) for cash equity trading. In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(2)(A) would use terminology specific to options trading (i.e., the proposed rule refers to the Consolidated Book rather than the NYSE Arca Book as well as to the NBBO as opposed to the PBBO). Limit Order Price Protection. The Exchange proposes to describe its proposed Limit Order Price Protection functionality in proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(3). On the OX system, the concept of ‘‘Limit Order Price Protection’’ for orders is set forth in Rule 6.60–O(b) and is called the ‘‘Limit Order Filter.’’ For quotes, price protection filters are described in Rule 6.61–O. The proposed ‘‘Limit Order Price Protection’’ on Pillar would be applicable to both Limit Orders and quotes and, at a high level, would work similarly to how the current price protection mechanisms function on the OX system because a Limit Order or quote would be rejected if it is priced at a specified threshold E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 away from the contra-side NBB or NBO.58 The Exchange proposes to enhance the functionality for options trading on Pillar by using new thresholds and reference prices (as discussed further below) that would be applicable to both orders and quotes. The concept of a ‘‘Reference Price’’ as used in connection with risk controls would be new for options but consistent with Pillar terminology for the Exchange’s cash equity market as well as how this term is used on other option exchanges.59 Thus, this term is not new or novel. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(A) would provide that each trading day, a Limit Order or quote to buy (sell) would be rejected or cancelled (if resting) if it is priced at a ‘‘Specified Threshold,’’ described below, equal to or above (below) the Reference Price, rounded down to the nearest price within the MPV for the Series (‘‘Limit Order Price Protection’’). In other words, a Limit Order designated GTC would be reevaluated for Limit Order Price Protection on each day that it is eligible to trade and would be cancelled if the limit price is through the Specified Threshold. In addition, the proposed rounding down is consistent with current functionality, is standard on Pillar for price protection mechanisms, and is based on how Limit Order Price Protection is calculated on the Exchange’s cash equity market if it is not within the MPV for the security, as described in the last sentence of Rule 7.31–E(a)(2)(B). The proposed text would therefore promote granularity in Exchange rules. The proposed rule would further provide that Cross Orders and Limit-on-Open (‘‘LOO’’) Orders (described below) as well as orders represented in open outcry, would not be subject to Limit Order Price Protection and that Limit Order Price 58 Current Rule 6.60–O(b) provides that unless otherwise determined by the Exchange, the specified threshold percentage for orders is 100% when the contra-side NBB or NBO is priced at or below $1.00 and 50% when the contra-side NBB or NBO is priced above $1.00. Current Rule 6.61– O(a)(1)(A) provides that unless otherwise determined by the Exchange, the specified threshold for Market Maker bids is $1.00 if the contra-side NBO is priced at or below $1.00 and for Market Maker offers no limit if the NBB is priced at or below $1.00. Current Rule 6.61–O(a)(1)(B) provides that unless otherwise determined by the Exchange, the specified threshold for Market Maker bids is 50% if the contra-side NBO (NBB) is priced above $1.00. 59 See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.6(c) (setting forth the ‘‘reference price’’ applicable to orders for which Cboe delta-adjusts the execution price after the market close). As discussed infra, the Exchange likewise proposes to use the term Reference Price in connection with Trading Collars (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)) and other risk checks (proposed Rule 6.41P–O). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 55941 Protection would not be applied to a Limit Order or quote if there is no Reference Price, which is consistent with current functionality. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(A)(i) would provide that a Limit Order or quote that arrives when a series is open would be evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection on arrival. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(A)(ii) would provide that a Limit Order or quote received during a pre-open state would be evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection after an Auction concludes.60 • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(A)(iii) would provide that a Limit Order or quote that was resting on the Consolidated Book before a trading halt would be evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection again after the Trading Halt Auction concludes. The Exchange believes that these proposed rules would add clarity and transparency to when the Exchange would evaluate a Limit Order or quote for Limit Order Price Protection. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(B) would specify that the Reference Price for calculating Limit Order Price Protection for an order or quote to buy (sell) would be the NBO (NBB), provided that, immediately following an Auction, the Reference Price would be the Auction Price, or if none, the upper (lower) Auction Collar price, or, if none, the NBO (NBB). The Exchange believes that adjusting the Reference Price for Limit Order Price Protection immediately following an Auction would ensure that the most up-to-date price would be used to assess whether to cancel a Limit Order that was received during a pre-open state or would be reevaluated after a Trading Halt Auction. The Exchange further proposes that for purposes of calculating Limit Order Price Protection, the Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO, which use of an unadjusted NBBO is consistent with how Limit Order Price Protection currently functions on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31– E(a)(2)(B).61 The Exchange believes that using an unadjusted NBBO for risk protection mechanisms is consistent with the goal of such mechanisms to prevent erroneous executions by using a more conservative view of the NBBO. The Exchange believes that it would provide a more reasonable and deterministic trading outcome to use a fixed dollar amount (of $0.30) rather than a percentage calculation when the Reference Price is $1.00 or less. The Exchange believes that the balance of the proposed thresholds are more granular than those currently specified in Rules 6.60–O(b) (for orders) and 6.61–O(a)(1)(A) and (B) (for quotes) and therefore determining whether to reject a Limit Order or quote will be more tailored to the applicable Reference Price. In addition, consistent with Rules 6.60–O(b) and 6.61–O(a)(1), the Exchange proposes that these thresholds could change, subject to announcing the changes by Trader Update. Providing flexibility in Exchange rules regarding how the Specified Thresholds would be set is consistent with the rules of other options exchanges.62 Trading Collar. Trading Collars on the OX system are currently described in Rule 6.60–O(a). Under the current rules, incoming Market Orders and marketable Limit Orders are limited in having an immediate execution if they would trade at a price greater than one ‘‘Trading Collar.’’ A collared order is displayed at that price and then can be repriced to new collars as the NBBO updates. On Pillar, the Exchange proposes Trading Collar functionality that would be new for Pillar and is not currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform. Unlike current options trading collar functionality, which permits a collared order to be repriced, as proposed, a Market Order or Limit Order would be assigned a single Trading Collar that 60 See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a) and proposed definitions for the terms ‘‘Auction,’’ ‘‘Auction Price,’’ Auction Collar,’’ ‘‘preopen state,’’ and ‘‘Trading Halt Auction.’’ 61 References to the NBBO, NBB, and NBO in Rule 7.31–E refer to using a determination of the national best bid and offer that has not been adjusted. 62 See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.34(a)(4) (describing the ‘‘Drill-Through Protection’’ and that Cboe ‘‘determines the buffer amount on a class and premium basis’’); and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (‘‘Nasdaq’’) Options 3, Section 15(a)(1)(B) (specifying that ‘‘Order Price Protection’’ can be a configurable dollar amount specified by Nasdaq and announced via an Options Trader Alert). PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(3)(C) would specify the Specified Threshold and would provide that unless determined otherwise by the Exchange and announced to OTP Holders and OTP Firms by Trader Update, the Specified Threshold applicable to Limit Order Price Protection would be: Reference price $0.00 to $1.00 ............................ $1.01 to $10.00 .......................... $10.01 to $20.00 ........................ $20.01 to $50.00 ........................ $50.01 to $100.00 ...................... $100.01 and higher .................... E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Specified threshold $0.30 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55942 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices would be applicable to that order until it is fully executed or cancelled (unless the series is halted). The new proposed Trading Collar would function as a ceiling (for buy orders) or floor (for sell orders) of the price at which such order could be traded, displayed, or routed. The Exchange further proposes that when an order is working at its assigned Trading Collar, it would cancel if not executed within a specified time period. More specifically, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4) would provide that a Market Order or Limit Order to buy (sell) would not trade or route to an Away Market at a price above (below) the Trading Collar assigned to that order. As further proposed, AuctionOnly Orders, Limit Orders designated IOC or FOK, Cross Orders, ISOs, and Market Maker quotes would not be subject to Trading Collars, which interest is excluded under current functionality.63 The proposed rule would explicitly add reference to Cross Orders being excluded from Trading Collars, which would add granularity to the proposed rule. In addition, Trading Collars would not be applicable during Auctions but (as described below) would be calculated after such Auction concludes. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(A) would provide that a Trading Collar assigned to an order would be calculated once per trading day and would be updated only if the series is halted. Accordingly, an order designated GTC would receive a new Trading Collar each day, but that Trading Collar would not be updated intraday unless the series is halted. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(A)(i) would provide that an order that is received during continuous trading would be assigned a Trading Collar before being processed for either trading, repricing, or routing and that an order that is routed on arrival and returned unexecuted would use the Trading Collar previously assigned to it. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(A)(ii) would provide that an order received during a pre-open state would be assigned a Trading Collar after an Auction concludes. Finally, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(A)(iii) would provide that the Trading Collar for an order resting on the Consolidated Book before a trading halt would be calculated again after the Trading Halt Auction concludes. The Exchange believes that because Trading Collars are intended as a price protection mechanism, updating the Trading Collar 63 See Rule 6.60–O(a)(3) (‘‘Trade Collar Protection does not apply to quotes, IOC Orders, AON Orders, FOK Orders, and NOW Orders.’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 after a series has reopened would allow for the Trading Collar assigned to an order to reflect more updated pricing. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(B) would provide that the Reference Price for calculating the Trading Collar for an order to buy (sell) would be the NBO (NBB), which is consistent with how trading collars are currently determined for Limit Orders, with differences to use this Reference Price for all orders and for how the Reference Price would be determined after an Auction.64 The Exchange proposes to use the Pillar term ‘‘Reference Price’’ to describe what would be used for Trading Collar calculations.65 The proposed rule would further provide that for Auction-eligible orders to buy (sell) that were received during a pre-open state or orders that were re-assigned a Trading Collar after a trading halt, the Reference Price would be the Auction Price or, if none, the upper (lower) Auction Collar price or, if none, the NBO (NBB). For reasons similar to those described above, the Exchange proposes to use a more conservative view of the NBBO for purposes of risk protection mechanisms. Therefore, the Exchange proposes that for purposes of calculating a Trading Collar, the Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(4)(B)(i) would further provide that a Trading Collar would not be assigned to a Limit Order if there is no Reference Price at the time of calculation, which is consistent with current functionality and the proposed rule would add granularity to Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(C) would describe how the Trading Collar would be calculated and would provide that the Trading Collar for an order to buy (sell) would be a specified amount above (below) the Reference Price, as follows: (1) For orders with a Reference Price of $1.00 or lower, $0.25; or (2) for orders with a Reference Price above $1.00, the lower of $2.50 or 25%. Trading Collars under the current rule are based on a specified dollar amount (set forth in four tranches).66 The Exchange believes the proposed functionality (set forth in two tranches) would tailor the Trading Collar 64 Under current rules, trading collars are calculated based off of the contra-side NBBO. See Rule 6.60–O(a)(1)(A)(ii). 65 See discussion regarding Cboe Rule 5.34(a)(4) and Nasdaq Options 3, Section 15(a)(1)(B), supra note 62. 66 Under the current rule, the Trading Collar for buy (sell) orders is as follows: $0.25 for each option contract for which the NBB (NBO) is less than $2.00; $0.40 where the NBB (NBO) is between $2.00–$5.00; $0.50 where the NBB (NBO) is between $5.01–$10.00; $0.80 where the NBB (NBO) is between $10.01 but does not exceed—$20.00; and $1.00 when the NBB (NBO) is $20.01 or more. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 calculations with either a specified dollar amount or percentage, depending on the Reference Price of the order, while at the same time providing that the thresholds would be within the current parameters for determining whether a trade is an Obvious Error or Catastrophic Error.67 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(C)(i) would further provide that if the calculation of a Trading Collar would not be in the MPV for the series, it would be rounded down to the nearest price within the applicable MPV, which is consistent with current functionality and based on how Trading Collars are calculated on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31–E(a)(1)(B). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(C)(ii) would further provide that for orders to sell, if subtracting the Trading Collar from the Reference Price would result in a negative number, the Trading Collar for Limit Orders would be the limit price and the Trading Collar for Market Orders would be one MPV above zero, which would provide more granularity in Exchange rules and would ensure that there will be a Trading Collar calculated for low-priced orders to sell. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(4)(D) would describe how the Trading Collar would be applied and would provide that if an order to buy (sell) would trade or route above (below) the Trading Collar or would have its working price repriced to a Trading Collar that is below (above) its limit price, the order would be added to the Consolidated Book at the Trading Collar for 500 milliseconds and if not traded within that period, would be cancelled. In addition, once the 500-millisecond timer begins for an order, the order would be cancelled at the end of the timer even if it repriced or has been routed to an Away Market during that period, in which case any portion of the order that is returned unexecuted would be cancelled. The Exchange believes that the proposed Trading Collar functionality is designed to provide a similar type of order protection as is currently available (as described in Rule 6.60–O(a)) because it would limit the price at which a marketable order could be traded, routed, or displayed. The Exchange believes that the proposed differences are designed to simplify the functionality by applying a static ceiling price (for a buy order) or floor price (for a sell order) at which such order could be traded or routed that would be determined at the time of entry (or after 67 See Rules 6.87–O(c)(1) (thresholds for Obvious Errors) and 6.87–O(d)(1) (thresholds for Catastrophic Errors). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 a series opens or reopens), and would be applicable to the order until it is traded or cancelled. The Exchange believes that the proposed functionality would provide greater determinism to an OTP Holder or OTP Firm of the Trading Collar that would be applicable to a Market Order or Limit Order and when such order may be cancelled if it reaches its Trading Collar. Time in Force Modifiers. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b) would set forth the time-in-force modifiers that would be available for options trading on Pillar and uses Pillar terminology similar to that used in Rule 7.31–E(b), with differences to offer time-in-force modifiers currently available for options trading that are not available for cash equity trading. The Exchange proposes to offer the same time-in-force modifiers that are currently available for options trading on the Exchange and use Pillar terminology to describe the functionality. As noted above, the Exchange proposes to describe the Time in Force Modifiers in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b), and then specify for each order type which Time in Force Modifiers would be available for such orders or quotes. Day Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(b)(1) would provide that any order or quote to buy or sell designated Day, if not traded, would expire at the end of the trading day on which it was entered and that a Day Modifier cannot be combined with any other Time in Force Modifier. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31– E(b)(1) with one difference to reference ‘‘quotes’’ in addition to orders. This proposed functionality would operate no differently than how a ‘‘Day Order,’’ as described in Rule 6.62–O(m), currently functions. Immediate-or-Cancel (‘‘IOC’’) Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b)(2) would provide that a Limit Order may be designated IOC or Routable IOC, as described in proposed Rules 6.62P– O(b)(2)(A) and (B) and that a Limit Order designated IOC would not be eligible to participate in any Auctions. This proposed rule text is based on the first and third sentences of Rule 7.31– E(b)(2) without any differences and makes explicit current (but not defined) functionality.68 The Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology based on Rule 68 The proposed rule does not include the second sentence of Rule 7.31–E(b)(2), which provides that the ‘‘IOC Modifier will override any posting or routing instructions of orders that include the IOC Modifier,’’ as this functionality is not applicable to options because an order that is not eligible to include an IOC Modifier would be rejected on Pillar. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 7.31–E(b)(2) to describe this functionality. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b)(2)(A) would define a ‘‘Limit IOC Order’’ as a Limit Order designated IOC that would be traded in whole or in part on the Exchange as soon as such order is received, and the unexecuted quantity would be cancelled and that a Limit IOC Order does not route. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(b)(2)(A) without any substantive differences. The proposed Pillar Limit IOC Order would function the same as an ‘‘Immediate-or-Cancel Order (IOC Order),’’ as currently described in Rule 6.62–O(k), without any differences. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b)(2)(B) would define a ‘‘Limit Routable IOC Order’’ as a Limit Order designated Routable IOC that would be traded in whole or in part on the Exchange as soon as such order is received, and the unexecuted quantity routed to Away Market(s) and that any quantity not immediately traded either on the Exchange or an Away Market would be cancelled. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31– E(b)(2)(B) without any substantive differences. The proposed Pillar Limit Routable IOC Order is also based on the ‘‘NOW Order,’’ as currently described in Rule 6.62–O(o) and uses Pillar terminology. Fill-or-Kill (‘‘FOK’’) Modifier: Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b)(3) would provide that a Limit Order designated FOK would be traded in whole on the Exchange as soon as such order is received, and if not so traded is to be cancelled and that a Limit Order designated FOK does not route and does not participate in any Auctions. The Exchange does not offer the FOK Modifier on its cash equity market, and this proposed rule uses Pillar terminology to offer the same functionality that is currently described in Rule 6.62–O(l) as the ‘‘Fill-or-Kill Order (FOK Order)’’ without any substantive differences. Good-’Til-Cancelled (‘‘GTC’’) Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(b)(4) would provide that a Limit or Market Order designated GTC remains in force until the order is filled, cancelled, the MPV in the series changes overnight, the option contract expires, or a corporate action results in an adjustment to the terms of the option contract. The Exchange does not offer the GTC Modifier on its cash equity market, and this proposed rule uses Pillar terminology to offer the same functionality that is currently described in Rule 6.62–O(n) as the ‘‘Good-TillCancelled (GTC Order),’’ with the PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55943 substantive difference that the proposed text makes clear (consistent with current functionality) that such orders may be cancelled if the MPV changes overnight. Otherwise, the proposed Rule describes the same functionality that is currently described in Rule 6.62–O(n) as the ‘‘Good-Till-Cancelled (GTC Order).’’ Auction-Only Orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c) would define an ‘‘AuctionOnly Order’’ as a Limit Order or Market Order that is to be traded only in an Auction pursuant to Rule 6.64P–O,69 which uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(c) in lieu of the current description of an ‘‘Opening Only Order’’ set forth in Rule 6.62–O(r), without any functional differences to how such orders trade on Pillar.70 The proposed rule would further provide that an Auction-Only Order would not be accepted when a series is opened for trading (i.e., would be accepted only during a pre-open state, which includes a trading halt) and any portion of an Auction-Only Order that is not traded in a Core Open Auction or Trading Halt Auction would be cancelled. This represents current functionality.71 The proposed rule is designed to provide clarity and uses Pillar terminology from both the last sentence of Rule 7.31– E(c)(1) and the last sentence of Rule 7.31–E(c)(2) for options trading. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(1) would define a ‘‘Limit-on-Open Order (‘LOO Order’)’’ as a Limit Order that is to be traded only in an Auction. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(c)(1) to describe functionality that would be no different from current functionality, as described in Rule 6.62–O(r). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(2) would define a ‘‘Market-on-Open Order (‘MOO Order’)’’ as a Market Order that is to be traded only in an Auction. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(c)(2) to describe functionality that would be no different from current functionality, as described in Rule 6.62–O(r). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(3) would define an ‘‘Imbalance Offset Order (‘IO Order’).’’ The Exchange currently offers an IO Order for participation in Trading 69 See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.64P–O and definitions relating to Auctions. As proposed, an ‘‘Auction’’ includes the opening or reopening of a series for trading either on a trade or quote. See proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(5). 70 Rule 6.62–O(r) defines an ‘‘Opening Only Order’’ as ‘‘a Market Order or Limit Order which is to be executed in whole or in part during the opening auction of an options series or not at all. Any portion not so executed is to be treated as cancelled.’’ 71 See Rule 6.62–O(r) (providing that any portion of an Opening Only Order ‘‘not so executed is to be treated as cancelled.’’) E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55944 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices Halt Auctions on its cash equity market but does not offer this order type for options trading on the OX system. For cash equity trading, the IO Order is a conditional order type that is eligible to participate in a Trading Halt Auction only if it would offset the imbalance. To provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility for options trading on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to offer more expansive functionality than is currently available for cash equity trading and to offer the IO Order for both Core Open Auctions and Trading Halt Auctions. As proposed, the IO Order would function no differently than how an IO Order currently functions on the Exchange’s cash equity market (except that it would be eligible to trade in all Auctions). Accordingly, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(3) would define an IO Order as a Limit Order that is to be traded only in an Auction, which is based on Rule 7.31–E(c)(5), with a difference that for options trading, it would also be available for Core Open Auctions. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(3)(A) would provide that an IO Order would participate in an Auction only if: (1) There is an Imbalance in the series on the opposite side of the market from the IO Order after taking into account all other orders and quotes eligible to trade at the Indicative Match Price; and (2) the limit price of the IO Order to buy (sell) would be at or above (below) the Indicative Match Price. This proposed text is based on Rule 7.31–E(c)(5)(B) except that it includes reference to quotes, which are unique to options trading, and does not limit the order type to Trading Halt Auctions. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(3)(B) would provide that the working price of an IO Order to buy (sell) would be adjusted to be equal to the Indicative Match Price, provided that the working price of an IO Order would not be higher (lower) than its limit price. This proposed text is based on Rule 7.31– E(c)(5)(C) without any differences. Orders with a Conditional or Undisplayed Price and/or Size. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d) would set forth the orders with a conditional or undisplayed price and/or size that would be available for options trading on Pillar. On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to offer the same type of orders that are available in the OX system and that are currently described in Rule 6.62–O(d) as a ‘‘Contingency Order or Working Order,’’ with changes as described below. Reserve Order. Reserve Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62–O(d)(3). The Exchange proposes that for options traded on Pillar, Reserve Orders would VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 function similarly to how Reserve Orders function on its cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31– E(d)(1), with differences described below. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes that proposed Rule 6.62P– O(d)(1), which would define Reserve Orders for options trading on Pillar, would use Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1), with differences to reflect differences in options and cash equity trading. For example, options trading does not have a concept of ‘‘round lot’’ or ‘‘odd lot’’ trading, and therefore the proposed options trading version of the Rule would not include a description of behavior that correlates to such functionality. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1) would define a Reserve Order as a Limit Order with a quantity of the size displayed and with a reserve quantity of the size (‘‘reserve interest’’) that is not displayed and that the displayed quantity of a Reserve Order is ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2— Display Orders’’ and the reserve interest is ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—Non-Display Orders.’’ This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1) without any differences. This proposed rule text is also consistent with Rule 6.76–O(a)(1)(B) and (a)(2), with orders ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2— Display Orders’’ functioning the same as orders in the current ‘‘Display Order Process’’ and orders ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—NonDisplayed Orders’’ functioning the same as orders in the current ‘‘Working Order Process.’’ Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1) would further provide that both the display quantity and the reserve interest of an arriving marketable Reserve Order would be eligible to trade with resting interest in the Consolidated Book or route to Away Markets, unless designated as a Non-Routable Limit Order, which is based on the third sentence of Rule 7.31–E(d)(1) with a non-substantive difference to add reference to Non-Routable Limit Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1) would further provide that the working price of the reserve interest of a resting Reserve Order to buy (sell) would be adjusted in the same manner as a Non-Displayed Limit Order, as provided for in paragraph (d)(2)(A) of this Rule, provided that it would never be priced higher (lower) than the working price of the display quantity of the Reserve Order. This proposed rule text is based on the last sentence of Rule 7.31–E(d)(1) with one difference to reference that the reserve interest could never have a working price that is more aggressive than the working price of the display PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 quantity of the Reserve Order, which would be new functionality on Pillar for options trading (and not currently available for cash equity trading) designed to ensure that the reserve interest of a Reserve Order to buy (sell) would never trade at a price higher (lower) than the working price of the display quantity of the Reserve Order.72 • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(A) would provide that the displayed portion of a Reserve Order would be replenished when the display quantity is decremented to zero and that the replenish quantity would be the minimum display size of the order or the remaining quantity of the reserve interest if it is less than the minimum display quantity. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1)(A) with differences to reflect that options are not traded in ‘‘round lots’’ or ‘‘odd lots.’’ Accordingly, the Exchange would not replenish a Reserve Order on the options trading platform until the display portion is fully decremented, which is consistent with current functionality as described in Rule 6.76– O(a)(1)(B). • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(B) would provide that each time the display quantity of a Reserve Order is replenished from reserve interest, a new working time would be assigned to the replenished quantity, which is consistent with current Rule 6.76– O(a)(1)(B)(ii), which provides that when refreshed, the new display quantity will be ranked at the new time that the displayed portion of the order was refreshed. This proposed rule text is based in part on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1)(B) with differences to reflect that for options traded on Pillar, there would never be more than one display quantity of a Reserve Order, and therefore the Exchange would not have different ‘‘child’’ display quantities of a Reserve Order with different working times, as could occur for a Reserve Order on the Exchange’s cash equity trading platform. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(C) would provide that a Reserve Order may be designated as a Non-Routable Limit Order and if so designated, the reserve interest that replenishes the display quantity would be assigned a display 72 For example, as described in more detail below, the proposed Non-Routable Limit Order would be eligible to be repriced only once after it is resting in the Consolidated Book (see proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(1)). If the display quantity of a Non-Routable Limit Order that is combined with a Reserve Order has already been repriced and is no longer eligible to be repriced, and the Away Market NBBO adjusts, the reserve quantity would not adjust to a price that would be more aggressive than the working price of the display quantity of the order. This functionality is not currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity market. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices price and working price consistent with the instructions for the order. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1)(B)(ii) without any substantive differences. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency and granularity in Exchange rules. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(D) would provide that a routable Reserve Order would be evaluated for routing both on arrival and each time the display quantity is replenished, which is consistent with Rule 6.76A– O(c)(1)(B), which provides that a Reserve Order may be routed serially as component orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(D)(i) would provide that if routing is required, the Exchange would route from reserve interest before publishing the display quantity. And proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(D)(ii) would provide that any quantity of a Reserve Order that is returned unexecuted would join the working time of the reserve interest and that if there is no reserve interest to join, the returned quantity would be assigned a new working time. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1)(D) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii) with differences to reflect that there is no concept of round lots or multiple child display orders for options trading. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency and granularity in Exchange rules. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(E) would provide that a request to reduce the size of a Reserve Order would cancel the reserve interest before cancelling the display quantity. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1)(E) with differences only to reflect that there would not be more than one child display order for options trading of Reserve Orders on Pillar. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency and granularity in Exchange rules. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(1)(F) would provide that a Reserve Order may be designated Day or GTC, but it may not be designated as an ALO Order. This proposed rule text is based in part on Rule 7.31–E(d)(1)(C), with differences to reflect that the GTC Modifier would be available for Reserve Orders trading on the Pillar options trading platform (consistent with current functionality) and that Primary Pegged Orders would not be available for options traded on Pillar (also consistent with current functionality). The Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency and granularity in Exchange rules. Non-Displayed Limit Order. The Exchange proposes to offer the Non- VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Displayed Limit Order for options trading on Pillar, which would be new for options trading and would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with a non-displayed order type in lieu of nondisplayed PNP Blind Orders, which latter order type would not be available on Pillar.73 The proposed order type would function similarly to the existing Non-Displayed Limit Order as described in Rule 7.31–E(d)(2). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(2) would define a NonDisplayed Limit Order as a Limit Order that is not displayed, does not route, and is ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—Non-Display Orders’’; and that a Non-Displayed Limit Order may be designated Day or GTC and would not participate in any Auctions. This proposed rule text uses the same Pillar terminology as used in Rule 7.31–E(d)(2) with differences to reflect that the GTC Time-in-Force Modifier is available for options trading on Pillar. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(2)(A) would provide that the working price of a Non-Displayed Limit Order would be assigned on arrival and adjusted when resting on the Consolidated Book and that the working price of a NonDisplayed Limit Order to buy (sell) would be the lower (higher) of the limit price or the NBO (NBB). This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31– E(d)(2)(A) with non-substantive differences to reference the Consolidated Book instead of the NYSE Arca Book and to streamline the rule text without any substantive differences. All-or-None (‘‘AON’’) Order. AON Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62–O(d)(4). AON Orders are not available on the Exchange’s cash equity market, and for options trading on Pillar, would function similarly to how AON Orders currently function because such orders would only execute if they can be satisfied in their entirety. However, unlike the OX system, where AON Orders are not integrated in the Consolidated Book, on Pillar, the Exchange proposes that AON Orders would be ranked in the Consolidated Book and function as conditional orders that would trade only if their condition could be met, similar to how orders with a Minimum Trade Size (‘‘MTS’’) Modifier function on Pillar on the Exchange’s cash equity market. In addition, on Pillar, the Exchange would not support Market Orders designated as 73 The Exchange notes that a Non-Displayed Limit Order would function similarly to a PNP Blind Order that locks or crosses the contra-side NBBO. In such case, a PNP Blind Order is not displayed, as described in Rule 6.62–O(u) (‘‘if the PNP Blind Order would lock or cross the NBBO, the price and size of the order will not be disseminated’’). PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55945 AON, which would be a change from current functionality. The Exchange does not believe it needs to continue offering AON Market Orders because such functionality was not used often on the OX system, indicating a lack of market participant interest in this functionality. Because of the new functionality that would be available for AON Orders on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology to describe this order type. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3) would provide that an AON Order is a Limit Order that is to be traded in whole on the Exchange at the same time or not at all, which represents current functionality as described in the first sentence of Rule 6.62–O(d)(4). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3) would further provide that an AON Order that does not trade on arrival would be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—Non-Display Orders’’ and that an AON Order may be designated Day or GTC, does not route, and would not participate in any Auctions. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology to describe the proposed new functionality that such orders would be ranked on the Consolidated Book. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3)(A) would provide that the working price of an AON Order would be assigned on arrival and adjusted when resting on the Consolidated Book and that the working price of an AON Order to buy (sell) would be the lower (higher) of the limit price or NBO (NBB). Because an AON Order is non-displayed, the Exchange proposes that its working price should be adjusted in the same manner as the proposed Non-Displayed Limit Order. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3)(B) would provide that an Aggressing AON Order to buy (sell) would trade with sell (buy) orders and quotes that in the aggregate can satisfy the AON Order in its entirety. This proposed rule text is new and promotes clarity in Exchange rules that an Aggressing AON Order (whether on arrival or as a resting order that becomes an Aggressing Order) would be eligible to trade with more than one contra-side order or quote, provided that multiple orders and quotes in the aggregate would satisfy the AON Order in its entirety. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3)(C) would provide that a resting AON Order to buy (sell) would trade with an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy) that individually can satisfy the whole AON Order. This is proposed new functionality, because currently, an AON Order can trade only against resting interest in the Consolidated Book. The Exchange believes this E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55946 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices proposed change would provide an AON Order with additional execution opportunities. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3)(C)(i) would provide that if an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy) does not satisfy the resting AON Order to buy (sell), that Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would not trade with and may trade through such AON Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(d)(3)(C)(ii) would further provide that if a resting non-displayed order to sell (buy) does not satisfy the quantity of a same-priced resting AON Order to buy (sell), a subsequently arriving order or quote to sell (buy) that satisfies the AON Order would trade before such resting non-displayed order or quote to sell (buy) at that price. Both of these proposed rules are similar to current Rule 6.62–O(d)(4), which provides that a resting AON Order can be ignored if its condition is not met. Similar to current functionality, even though an AON would be ranked in the Consolidated Book, it is still a conditional order type and therefore, by its terms, can be skipped over for an execution. This proposed rule text is also based on how the MTS Modifier functions on the cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31–E(i)(3)(E)(i) and (ii). • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3)(D) would provide that a resting AON Order to buy (sell) would not be eligible to trade against an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy): (i) At a price equal to or above (below) any orders or quotes to sell (buy) that are displayed at a price equal to or below (above) the working price of such AON Order; or (ii) at a price above (below) any orders or quotes to sell (buy) that are not displayed and that have a working price below (above) the working price of such AON Order. This proposed rule text is new functionality for AON Orders that is designed to protect the priority of resting orders and quotes and is based on how the MTS Modifier functions on the cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31– E(i)(3)(C) and its subparagraphs (i) and (ii). • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(3)(E) would provide that if a resting AON Order to buy (sell) becomes an Aggressing Order it would trade as provided in paragraph (d)(3)(B) of this Rule; however, other resting orders or quotes to buy (sell) ranked Priority 3— Non-Display Orders that become Aggressing Orders or Aggressing Quotes at the same time as the resting AON Order would be processed before the AON Order. This is proposed new functionality and is designed to promote VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 clarity in Exchange rules that if multiple orders ranked Priority 3—Non-Display Orders, including AON and non-AON Orders, become Aggressing Orders or Aggressing Quotes at the same time, the AON Order would not be eligible trade until the other orders ranked Priority 3—Non-Display Orders have been processed, even if they have later working times. The Exchange believes that it would be consistent with the conditional nature of AON Orders for other same-side non-displayed orders to have a trading opportunity before the AON Order. Stop Order. Stop Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62–O(d)(1). The Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology with more granularity to describe Stop Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4), with differences described below. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4) would provide that a Stop Order is an order to buy (sell) a particular option contract that becomes a Market Order (or is ‘‘elected’’) when the Exchange BB (BO) or the most recent consolidated last sale price reported after the order was placed in the Consolidated Book (the ‘‘Consolidated Last Sale’’) (either, the ‘‘trigger’’) is equal to or higher (lower) than the specified ‘‘stop’’ price. The proposed functionality is similar to existing functionality and provides more granularity of the circumstances when a Stop Order would be elected.74 Because a Stop Order becomes a Market Order when it is elected, the Exchange proposes that when it is elected, it would be cancelled if it does not meet the validations specified in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(A) and if not cancelled, it would be assigned a Trading Collar. This is similar to current functionality, which is not described in the current rule describing Stop Orders, that once converted to a Market Order, such order is subject to the checks applicable in the current rule for Market Orders, i.e., cancelling such order if there is no NBBO. The proposed rule references the checks that would be applicable to a Market Order on Pillar and thus adds greater granularity and transparency to Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4)(A) would provide that a Stop Order would be assigned a working time when it is received but would not be ranked or displayed in the Consolidated Book until it is elected and that once converted to a Market Order, the order would be assigned a new working time 74 The current rule states that a Stop Order to buy (sell) will be triggered (i.e., elected) if ‘‘trades at a price equal to or greater (less) than the specified ‘stop’ price on the Exchange or another Market Center.’’ See Rule 6.62–O(d)(1). PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 and be ranked Priority 1—Market Orders. The original working time assigned to a Stop Order would be used to rank multiple Stop Orders elected at the same time. This is consistent with the current rule, which provides that a Stop Order is not displayed and has no standing in any Order Process in the Consolidated Book, unless or until it is triggered. The proposed rule is designed to provide greater granularity and clarity. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4)(B) would specify additional events that are designed to limit when a Stop Order may be elected so that a Market Order does not trade during a period of pricing uncertainty: • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4)(B)(i) would provide that if not elected on arrival, a Stop Order that is resting would not be eligible to be elected based on a Consolidated Last Sale unless the Consolidated Last Sale is equal to or in between the NBBO. This proposed rule text provides additional transparency of when a resting Stop Order would be eligible to be elected. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4)(B)(ii) would provide that a Stop Order would not be elected if the NBBO is crossed. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4)(B)(iii) would provide that after a Limit State or Straddle State is lifted, the trigger to elect a Stop Order would be either the Consolidated Last Sale received after such state was lifted or the Exchange BB (BO).75 Stop Limit Order. Stop Limit Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62– O(d)(2). The Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology with more granularity to describe Stop Limit Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(5), with differences described below. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(5) would provide that a Stop Limit Order is an order to buy (sell) a particular option contract that becomes a Limit Order (or is ‘‘elected’’) when the Exchange BB (BO) or the Consolidated Last Sale (either, the ‘‘trigger’’) is equal to or higher (lower) than the specified ‘‘stop’’ price.76 The proposed functionality is similar to existing functionality and provides more granularity of when a Stop Limit Order would be elected than the current Rule 6.62–O(d)(2) definition of Stop Limit Order. As further 75 Rule 6.65A–O(a)(2) currently provides that the Exchange will not elect Stop Orders when the underlying NMS stock is either in a Limit State or a Straddle State, which would continue to be applicable on Pillar. The Exchange proposes a nonsubstantive amendment to Rule 6.65A–O(a)(2) to add a cross-reference to proposed Rule 6.62P– O(d)(4). 76 The term ‘‘Consolidated Last Sale’’ is defined in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(4). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices proposed, a Stop Limit Order to buy (sell) would be rejected if the stop price is higher (lower) than its limit price. Because a Stop Limit Order becomes a Limit Order when it is elected, the Exchange proposes that when it is elected, it would be cancelled if it fails Limit Order Price Protection or a Price Reasonability Check and if not cancelled, it would be assigned a Trading Collar.77 This functionality is similar to current functionality, though it is not explicitly stated in the current rule describing Stop Limit Orders. Specifically, both in the current OX System and as proposed on Pillar, once converted to a Limit Order, such order is subject to the checks applicable in the current rule for Limit Orders, i.e., Limit Order Filter on the OX System. The proposed rule references the checks that would be applicable to a Limit Order on Pillar and thus adds greater granularity and transparency to Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(5)(A) would provide that a Stop Limit Order would be assigned a working time when it is received but would not be ranked or displayed in the Consolidated Book until it is elected and that once converted to a Limit Order, the order would be assigned a new working time and be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders.’’ This functionality is consistent with the current rule, which provides that a Stop Limit Order is not displayed and has no standing in any Order Process in the Consolidated Book, unless or until it is triggered. The proposed rule is designed to provide greater granularity and clarity. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(5)(B) would specify additional events that are designed to limit when a Stop Limit Order may be elected so that a Limit Order would not have a possibility of trading or being added to the Consolidated Book during a period of pricing uncertainty. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(5)(B)(i) would provide that if not elected on arrival, a Stop Limit Order that is resting would not be eligible to be elected based on a Consolidated Last Sale unless the Consolidated Last Sale is equal to or in between the NBBO. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d)(5)(B)(ii) would provide that a Stop Limit Order would not be elected if the NBBO is crossed. Orders with Instructions Not to Route. Currently, the Exchange defines nonroutable orders in Rule 6.62–O as a PNP Order (which includes a Repricing PNP Order (‘‘RPNP’’)) (current Rule 6.62– 77 See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.41P–O and Price Reasonability Checks. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 O(p)), a Liquidity Adding Order (‘‘ALO’’) (which includes a Repricing ALO (‘‘RALO’’) (current Rule 6.62–O(t)); a PNP-Blind Order (current Rule 6.62– O(u)); and a PNP-Light Order (Rule 6.62–O(v)). The Exchange also defines Intermarket Sweep Orders (current Rule 6.62–O(aa)), which are also nonroutable. The Exchange separately defines nonroutable quotes in Rule 6.37A–O as a Market Maker—Light Only Quotation (‘‘MMLO’’) (current Rule 6.37A– O(a)(3)(A)); a Market Maker—Add Liquidity Only Quotation (‘‘MMALO’’) (current Rule 6.37A–O(a)(3)(B)); and a Market Maker—Repricing Quotation (‘‘MMRP’’) (current Rule 6.37A– O(a)(3)(C)). On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to streamline the non-routable order types and quotes that would be available for options trading, use terminology that is similar to how non-routable orders are described for cash equity trading as described in Rule 7.31–E(e), and describe the functionality that would be applicable to both orders and quotes in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e). As described in greater detail below, proposed Rule 6.37AP–O governing Market Maker Quotations would no longer define how quotations would function. Instead, that rule would specify that a Market Maker may designate either a Non-Routable Limit Order or ALO Order as a Market Maker quote. Because the way in which non-routable orders and quotes would function on Pillar would be virtually identical (with differences described below), and because Market Makers could enter a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order and then choose to designate it either as a quote or an order, the Exchange believes that it would promote transparency in Exchange rules to consolidate the description of the functionality in a single rule and eliminate duplication in Exchange rules. As described below, proposed Rule 6.37A–O would cross reference proposed Rule 6.62P–(O)(e). On Pillar, the Exchange would no longer offer functionality based on the PNP-Blind Order, PNP-Light Order, or MMLO because it believes that the proposed orders/quotes with instructions not to route on Pillar would provide OTP Firms and OTP Holders with the core functionality associated with these existing order types, including that the proposed rules would provide for non-routable functionality and the ability to either reprice or cancel such orders/quotes. In addition, as discussed above, the Exchange believes that the proposed NonDisplayed Limit Order would provide functionality similar to what is PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55947 currently available with the PNP-Blind Order. Non-Routable Limit Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1) would define the Non-Routable Limit Order. As explained further below, this proposed order type incorporates functionality currently available in both the existing PNP and RPNP order types, as defined in Rule 6.62–O, and the existing MMRP quotation type, as defined in Rule 6.37A–O(a)(3)(C),78 and uses Pillar terminology. As described below, a Market Maker can designate a NonRoutable Limit Order as either a quote or an order. Accordingly, references to the capitalized term ‘‘Non-Routable Limit Order’’ describes functionality for either a quote or an order, unless otherwise specified. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1) would provide that a Non-Routable Limit Order is a Limit Order or quote that does not route and may be designated Day or GTC and would further provide that a Non-Routable Limit Order with a working price different from the display price would be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—NonDisplay Orders’’ and a Non-Routable Limit Order with a working price equal to the display price would be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders.’’ This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology and describes functionality similar to the way in which a Non-Routable Limit Order is described for the Exchange’s cash equity market in Rules 7.31–E(e)(1) and 7.31– E(e)(1)(B), including references to the Pillar concepts of ‘‘working’’ and ‘‘display’’ price as well to Priority rankings as proposed in Rule 6.76P– O(e)(2), (3). This proposed rule describes functionality similar to that described in the first clause of current Rule 6.62–O(p) relating to a PNP Order, which states that the portion of such order not executed on arrival is ranked in the Consolidated Book without routing any portion of the order to another Market Center. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1)(A) would provide that a Non-Routable Limit Order would not be displayed at a price that would lock or cross an Away Market NBBO and that a NonRoutable Limit Order to buy (sell) would trade with orders or quotes to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book priced at or below (above) the Away Market NBO (NBB). This proposed text is designed to provide granularity that a Non-Routable 78 Both RPNPs and MMRPs function similarly. Compare current Rule 6.37A–O(a)(4)(B) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii) with current Rule 6.62– O(p)(1)(A) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii). They are defined in separate rules only because the former is for quotes and the latter for orders. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55948 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Limit Order would never be displayed at a price that would lock or cross an Away Market NBBO, which is consistent with current PNP and RPNP functionality described in Rules 6.62– O(p) and (p)(1). The Exchange proposes to use the term ‘‘Away Market NBBO’’ to provide more granularity in Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1)(A)(i) would provide that a Non-Routable Limit Order can be designated to be cancelled if it would be displayed at a price other than its limit price. This would be an optional designation and would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with functionality similar to how a PNP Order currently functions, which cancels if it locks or crosses the NBBO.79 The Exchange proposes a substantive difference from the current PNP Order functionality such that if an OTP Holder or OTP Firm opts to cancel instead of reprice a Non-Routable Limit Order, such order would be cancelled only if it could not be displayed at its limit price—which could be because the order would be repriced to display at a price that would not lock or cross an Away Market NBBO or because it would be repriced due to Trading Collars.80 Stated otherwise, if a Non-Routable Limit Order with a designation to cancel could be displayed at its original limit price and not lock or cross an Away Market NBBO, such order would not be cancelled. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule provides more granularity of the circumstances when a Non-Routable Limit Order could be cancelled, if so designated. This proposed functionality would be new on Pillar and is not currently available for cash equity trading. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1)(A)(ii) would provide that if not designated to cancel, if the limit price of a NonRoutable Limit Order to buy (sell) would lock or cross an Away Market NBO (NBB), it would be repriced to have a working price equal to the Away Market NBO (NBB) and a display price 79 A PNP Order cannot route and any unexecuted portion is ranked in the Consolidated Book except that such order is canceled if it would lock or cross the NBBO. See Rule 6.62–O(p). 80 Current Rule 6.62–O(p)(1)(B) provides than an incoming RPNP order would cancel if its limit price is more than a configurable number of MPVs outside its initial display price (on arrival). Under Pillar, because Trading Collars would be applicable to Non-Routable Limit Orders (and such orders may be repriced or ‘‘collared’’ on arrival), the Exchange does not propose to cancel an incoming NonRoutable Limit Order if its limit price is more than a configurable number of MPVs outside its initial display price. As such, this aspect of RPNP functionality is not incorporated in the proposed Pillar rules and the Exchange instead proposes to incorporate Trading Collar functionality into the Non-Routable Limit Order. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 one MPV below (above) that NBO (NBB). Accordingly, the proposed NonRoutable Limit Order, if not designated to cancel, would reprice in the same manner as an RPNP order or MMRP quotation reprices on arrival per Rules 6.62–O(p)(1)(A) and 6.37A–O(a)(4)(A), which both offer similar functionality. The Exchange proposes new functionality on Pillar for the NonRoutable Limit Order as compared to either the RPNP Order on OX or the Non-Routable Limit Order on the Exchange’s cash equity market. Specifically, proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(1)(B) would provide that the display price of a resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced would be repriced higher (lower) only one additional time.81 If after that repricing, the display price could be repriced higher (lower) again, the order can be designated to either remain at its last working price and display price or be cancelled, provided that a resting Non-Routable Limit Order that is designated as a quote cannot be designated to be cancelled.82 The Exchange notes that this designation to cancel is separate from the designation to cancel if it cannot be displayed at its limit price. If a NonRoutable Limit Order is designated to cancel if it cannot be displayed at its limit price, this second cancellation designation would not be needed as the order would have already been cancelled. Rather, this second cancellation designation is applicable only to a resting Non-Routable Limit Order that has been designated to reprice on arrival and was repriced before it was displayed on the Consolidated Book, and provides OTP Holders and OTP Firms with an option to cancel a resting order if market conditions were such that a resting order could have been repriced again, e.g., the contra-side Away Market NBBO changes. To assist Market Makers in maintaining quotes in their assigned series, the Exchange proposes that this second cancellation designation would not be available to Market Makers for Non-Routable Orders designated as a Market Maker quote.83 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1)(B)(i) would provide that if the limit price of the resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced no longer locks or crosses the Away Market NBO (NBB), it would be assigned a working price and display price equal to its limit price. This proposed rule text is based on the way in which NonRoutable Limit Orders function on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31–E(e)(1)(A)(iv), with a difference that the proposed rule does not include text describing that, in such circumstances, the order ‘‘will not be assigned a new working price or display price based on changes to the PBO (PBB).’’ The Exchange does not propose to include this text because it is redundant of proposed Rule 6.76P– O(b)(3), which describes that once an order is displayed, it can stand its ground if it is locked or crossed by the Away Market PBBO.84 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1)(B)(ii) would provide that the working price of a resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced would be adjusted to be equal to its display price if the Away Market NBO (NBB) is equal to or lower (higher) than its display price. This proposed rule is based in part on how an RPNP reprices when the NBO (NBB) updates to lock or cross its display price (as described in Rule 6.62–O(p)(1)(A)(i)) and uses Pillar terminology (i.e., Away Market NBBO and concepts of working price and display price).85 The proposed rule would further provide that once the working price and display price of a Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) are the same, the working price would be adjusted higher (lower) only if the display price of the order is adjusted.86 81 For example, on arrival, a Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) with a limit price higher (lower) than the NBO (NBB), would have a display price one MPV below (above) the NBO (NBB) and a working price equal to the NBO (NBB). If the Away Market NBO (NBB) reprices higher (lower), the resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) would similarly be repriced higher (lower). If the NBO (NBB) adjusts higher (lower) again, the resting Non-Routable Limit Order would not be adjusted again. 82 The working time of a Non-Routable Limit Order would be adjusted as described in proposed Rule 6.76P–O(f)(2), which would be applicable to any scenario when the working time of an order may change, including a Non-Routable Limit Order. Similar to how the Pillar rules function on the Exchange’s cash equity market, the Exchange does not propose to separately describe how the working time of an order changes in proposed Rule 6.62P– O. 83 Proposed Rules 6.37AP–O(b) and (c) set forth the continuous quoting obligations of Lead Market Makers and Market Makers, respectively. 84 See discussion supra regarding proposed Rule 6.76P–O(b)(3), which describes how the Exchange would not change the display price of any Limit Orders or quotes ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders.’’ 85 Rule 6.62–O(p)(1)(A)(i) provides that ‘‘if the NBO (NBB) updates to lock or cross the RPNP’s display price, such RPNP will trade at its display price in time priority behind other eligible interest already displayed at that price.’’ On Pillar, if the NBO (NBB) updates to lock or cross the display price of a Non-Routable Order, and the working price is adjusted to be equal to the display price, the order will not receive a new working time. See discussion supra regarding proposed Rule 6.76P– O(f)(2)(B). 86 For example, if the Away Market NBO is 1.05 and the Exchange receives a Non-Routable Limit PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Finally, proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(1)(C) would provide that the designation to cancel a Non-Routable Limit Order would not be applicable in an Auction and such order would participate in an Auction at its limit price. This proposed rule text promotes clarity and transparency that a NonRoutable Limit Order would be eligible to participate in an Auction, but that it would be repriced to its limit price for participation in such Auction, which is consistent with current RPNP functionality, as described in the last sentence of Rule 6.62–O(p) and providing that an RPNP would be processed as a Limit Order and would not be repriced for purposes of participating in an opening or reopening auction. ALO Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(2) would define an ALO Order as a Limit Order or quote that is a NonRoutable Limit Order that would not remove liquidity from the Consolidated Book. This proposed order type incorporates functionality currently available in the existing ALO and RALO order types, as defined in Rule 6.62– O(t), and the existing MMALO quotation type, as defined in Rule 6.37A– O(a)(3)(B), with differences described below, including an option to cancel or reprice an ALO Order if such nonroutable interest would trade as a liquidity taker. Unless otherwise specified in proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(2), an ALO Order would function the same as a Non-Routable Limit Order, including that it would participate in an Auction at its limit price. As described below, per proposed Rule 6.37AP–O, a Market Maker can designate an ALO Order as either a quote or an order. Accordingly, references to the capitalized term ‘‘ALO Order’’ describe functionality for both quotes and orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(A) would provide that an ALO Order would not be displayed at a price that would lock or cross an Away Market NBBO, would lock or cross displayed interest in the Consolidated Book, or would cross non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. Because an ALO Order would never remove liquidity, this proposed rule text ensures that such order would not be displayed at a price that would lock or cross displayed interest either on the Exchange or an Order to buy priced at 1.10, it would be assigned a display price of 1.00 and a working price of 1.05. If the Away Market NBO adjusts to 1.00, the working price of the Non-Routable Limit Order to buy would be adjusted to 1.00 to be equal to its display price. However, if the Away Market NBO moves back to 1.05, the Non-Routable Limit Order’s working price would not adjust again to 1.05 and would stay at 1.00. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Away Market, and would not be displayed at a price that crosses nondisplayed interest in the Consolidated Book. This proposed rule text is consistent with current functionality, as described for MMALO in Rule 6.37– O(a)(3)(B) and for ALO in Rule 6.62– O(t), that such quotes or orders would not trade as takers. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(A)(i) would provide that an ALO Order can be designated to be cancelled if it would be displayed at a price other than its limit price. This proposed designation to cancel would be optional and an ALO Order so designated would function similarly to a Liquidity Adding Order, as defined in Rule 6.62–O(t), which is rejected if it would be marketable against the NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(A)(ii) would provide that an ALO Order to buy (sell) would be displayed at its limit price if it locks non-displayed orders or quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book. This proposed functionality would be new for options trading on Pillar.87 Allowing a conditional order to lock interest in the Consolidated Book is consistent with current functionality for other non-displayed orders. For example, an AON is a non-displayed conditional order type that could be priced to trade at a price that locks contra-side interest, but the interest would not interact if the AON condition could not be satisfied, in which case, two orders with locking prices, one that is non-displayed, would both be accepted by the Exchange. The proposed ALO Order is also a conditional order type because it can never be a liquidity taker. The Exchange believes that allowing an ALO Order to lock non-displayed interest would reduce potential repricing or cancellation events for an incoming ALO Order and would likewise reduce potential information leakage about non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. This behavior is also consistent with how ALO Orders function on the Exchange’s cash equity platform.88 Because an ALO Order would not be repriced in this scenario, this functionality would be the same regardless of whether the ALO Order includes the optional designation to cancel. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(A)(iii) would provide that an ALO Order to 87 Currently, an order designated as a RALO to buy (sell) that would trade with any undisplayed sell (buy) interest will be displayed at a price one MPV below (above) that undisplayed sell interest. See Rule 6.62–O(t)(1)(A). See also Rule 6.37A– O(a)(4)(A)(i) (describing similar functionality for a quote designated as a MMALO). 88 See, e.g., Rule 7.31–E(e)(2)(B)(iv). PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55949 buy (sell) would not consider an AON Order or an order with an MTS Modifier to sell (buy) for purposes of determining whether it needs to be repriced or cancelled. This proposed rule would be new functionality and is designed to promote transparency that a resting contra-side order with conditional instructions, i.e., an AON Order or an order with an MTS Modifier, would not have any bearing on whether an Aggressing ALO Order would need to be repriced. Accordingly, an ALO Order would not trade as the liquidity taker with such orders (even if it could satisfy their size condition) and could be displayed at a price that would lock or cross the price of such orders. Once the ALO Order is resting on the Consolidated Book, the Exchange would reevaluate the orders on the Consolidated Book. For example, if the ALO Order could satisfy the size condition of the resting AON Order, the resting AON Order would become the Aggressing Order and would trade as the liquidity taker with such resting ALO Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(B) would describe how an ALO Order would be processed if it is not designated to cancel, as follows: • If the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) would lock or cross displayed orders or quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book, it would be repriced to have a working price and display price one MPV below (above) the lowest (highest) priced displayed order or quote to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(B)(i)). This proposed rule is consistent with how both RALO and MMALO reprice under current rules.89 • If the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) would lock or cross an Away Market NBO (NBB), it would be repriced to have a working price equal to the Away Market NBO (NBB) and a display price one MPV below (above) the NBO (NBB) (proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(2)(B)(ii)). This proposed functionality is consistent with how both RALO and MMALO reprice under current rules.90 • If the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) would cross non-displayed 89 Current Rule 6.62–O(t)(1) provides that a RALO will be repriced instead of rejected if it would trade as a liquidity taker or display at a price that locks or crosses any interest on the Exchange or the NBBO. Current Rule 6.62–O(t)(1)(A) further provides that if an RALO would trade with any displayed or undisplayed contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book, it would be displayed at a price one MPV inside such interest. See also Rule 6.37– O(a)(4)(A)(i). 90 See Rules 6.62–O(t)(1)(A) and 6.37A– O(a)(4)(A)(i). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55950 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 orders or quotes 91 on the Consolidated Book, it would be repriced to have a working price and display price equal to the lowest (highest) priced nondisplayed order or quote to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(B)(iii). This functionality would be new on Pillar for options trading and would provide that an ALO Order would never take liquidity thereby eliminating the potential for an ALO to cross non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. This proposed functionality is therefore different not only from how RALOs and MMALOs currently function, but is also different from how ALO Orders currently function on the Exchange’s cash equity market.92 For the reasons discussed above, the Exchange believes that displaying ALO Orders at a price that locks the best-priced non-displayed interest would reduce potential information leakage about the nondisplayed orders on the Consolidated Book. Because an ALO would never be a liquidity-taking order, the abovedescribed repricing scenarios provide clarity and transparency regarding how an ALO Order would be repriced (or cancelled, if this optional designation is selected) to prevent either trading with interest on the Consolidated Book or routing to an Away Market. Accordingly, with the exception of how an ALO Order that locks or crosses nondisplayed interest would be processed, the proposed ALO Order would be consistent with the current functionality available for RALO, as described in Rule 6.62–O(t)(1)(A) and for MMALO, as described in Rule 6.37–O(a)(4)(A). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(C) would provide that the display price of a resting ALO Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced would be repriced higher (lower) only one additional time and that if, after that repricing, the display price could be repriced higher (lower) again, the order can be designated to either remain at its last working price and display price or be cancelled, provided that a resting ALO Order that is a quote cannot be designated to be cancelled. This proposed functionality would be new to Pillar and is based on how the proposed Non-Routable Limit Order would function, as described above.93 91 For example, a contra-side Market Maker quote designated as a Non-Routable Limit Order could have a non-displayed working price. 92 See Rule 7.31–E(e)(2)(B)(ii). 93 This proposed feature to limit the number of times an ALO may be repriced differs from the treatment of RALOs, which may be continuously repriced (both the displayed and undisplayed price) VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(C)(i) would provide that if the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced no longer locks or crosses displayed orders or quotes in the Consolidated Book, locks or crosses the Away Market NBBO, or crosses nondisplayed orders or quotes in the Consolidated Book, it would be assigned a working price and display price equal to its limit price. This proposed rule text is similar to proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(1)(B)(i) for Non-Routable Limit Orders, with differences to reflect the additional circumstances when an ALO Order would be repriced based off of contra-side displayed or non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book because, unlike a Non-Routable Limit Order, an ALO Order would not trade as a liquidity taker. The proposed rule is designed to provide granularity and clarity regarding when a resting ALO Order would be assigned a working price and display price equal to its limit price.94 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(D) would provide that the working price of a resting ALO Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced would be adjusted to be equal to its display price (and would not be adjusted again unless the display price of the order is adjusted) if: • The Away Market NBO (NBB) reprices to be equal to or lower (higher) than the display price of the resting ALO Order to buy (sell) (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(D)(i)); or • an ALO Order or Day ISO ALO to sell (buy) is displayed on the Consolidated Book at a price equal to the working price of the resting ALO Order to buy (sell) (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(D)(ii)). This proposed rule text is similar to proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1)(C) for NonRoutable Limit Orders, with differences to reflect the additional circumstances when an ALO Order would be repriced as a result of contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book so that the ALO Order would not be a liquidity taker. Specifically, the Exchange proposes that for an ALO Order that has been repriced and has a non-displayed working price, if the Exchange receives a contra-side ALO Order (or Day ISO ALO) with a limit price that is equal to or crosses the working price of the resting ALO Order, the working price of the resting ALO Order would be adjusted to be equal to its display price. This proposed functionality would reduce the potential for two contra-side ALO Orders to have working prices that are locked on the Consolidated Book. The proposed rule text is designed to provide more granularity than the current Rule regarding circumstances when an ALO Order would be repriced. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(E) would provide that when the working price and display price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) are the same, the working price would be adjusted higher (lower) only if the display price of the order is adjusted. This proposed functionality would be new for Pillar and is not currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(F) would provide that the ALO designation would be ignored for ALO Orders that participate in an Auction. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31– E(e)(2)(A), which similarly provides that an ALO Order can participate in an auction and that its ALO designation would be ignored. This is also new functionality for options because currently, the Exchange rejects ALOs if entered outside of Core Trading Hours or during a trading halt and if resting, are cancelled during a trading halt. The Exchange proposes this new functionality to provide such ALO Orders with an execution opportunity in an Auction. Intermarket Sweep Order (‘‘ISO’’). ISOs are currently defined in Rule 6.62– O as a Limit Order for an options series that instructs the Exchange to execute the order up to the price of its limit, regardless of the Away Market Protected Quotations 95 and that ISOs may only be entered with a time-in-force of IOC, and the entering OTP Holder must comply with the provisions of Rule 6.92– O(a)(8). The Exchange proposes to offer identical functionality on Pillar and to describe such functionality in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(3) using Pillar terminology, including that an ISO is a Limit Order that does not route and meets the requirements of Rule 6.92– O(a)(8). Currently, an ISO must be entered with a time-in-force of IOC. On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to add the ability for an OTP Holder or OTP Firm to as interest in the Consolidated Book or NBBO moves. See Rule 6.62–O(t)(1)(A). 94 The proposed rule is similar to RALO functionality currently described in Rule 6.62– O(t)(1)(A)(ii) (if the NBO (NBB) updates to lock or cross the RALO’s display price, such RALO will trade at its display price’’). See also Rule 6.37A– O(a)(4)(A)(i)(b) (describing similar functionality for MMALO). 95 The terms ‘‘Protected Bid,’’ ‘‘Protected Offer,’’ and ‘‘Quotation’’ are defined in Rule 6.92–O(a)(15) and (16) and the term ‘‘Away Market’’ is defined in Rule 1.1. Accordingly, Away Market Protected Quotations refer to Protected Bids and Protected Offers that are disseminated pursuant to the OPRA Plan and are the Best Bid and Best Offer displayed by an Eligible Exchange, as those terms are defined in Rule 6.92–O. PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices designate an ISO either as IOC, which is current functionality, or with a Day time-in-force designation, which would be new for options trading. The Exchange also proposes to offer new functionality for options trading to designate a Day ISO as ALO. Both the proposed Day ISO and Day ISO ALO functionality are available on the Exchange’s cash equity market as described in Rule 7.31–E(e)(3). The Exchange proposes to describe the functionality for each type of ISO separately, as follows: • IOC ISO. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(3)(A) would define an IOC ISO as an ISO designated IOC to buy (sell) that would be immediately traded with orders and quotes to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book up to its full size and limit price and may trade through Away Market Protected Quotations and any untraded quantity of an IOC ISO would be immediately and automatically cancelled. This proposed rule uses the same Pillar terminology as used in Rule 7.31–E(e)(3)(B) to describe functionality that would be offered on Pillar without any differences from how ISOs currently function. The Exchange proposes a nonsubstantive difference in the proposed Pillar options rule to reference that an IOC ISO may trade through Away Market Protected Quotations, which is consistent with both current options and cash equity platform functionality. • Day ISO. Proposed Rule 6.62– O(e)(3)(B) would define a Day ISO as an ISO designated Day to buy (sell) that, if marketable on arrival, would be immediately traded with orders and quotes to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book up to its full size and limit price and may trade through Away Market Protected Quotations and that any untraded quantity of a Day ISO would be displayed at its limit price and may lock or cross Away Market Protected Quotations at the time the Day ISO is received by the Exchange. As noted above, this proposed functionality (allowing Day designation for ISOs) would be new on the Exchange for options trading and would offer market participants additional control over their trading interest. The proposed rule is substantively identical to the Day ISO functionality available on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31–E(e)(3)(C), with a non-substantive difference to use the phrase ‘‘may lock or cross Away Market Protected Quotations at the time the Day ISO is received by the Exchange’’ instead of ‘‘may lock or cross a protected quotation that was displayed at the time of arrival of the Day ISO.’’ These proposed textual differences are designed to promote clarity and VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 transparency without any substantive differences. The availability of the Day time-in-force designation for ISOs would not be new for options trading, however, as such orders are currently available on other options exchanges.96 The proposed Day ISO is also consistent with current Rule 6.95–O(b)(3), which describes an exception to the prohibition on locking or crossing a Protected Quotation if the Member simultaneously routed an ISO to execute against the full displayed size of any locked or crossed Protected Bid or Protected Offer.97 Although the Exchange has not previously availed itself of this exception, this exception to locking and crossing Protected Bids and Protected Offers would only be needed if an ISO is designated as Day and therefore would be displayed at a price that would lock or cross a Protected Quotation; an IOC ISO would never be displayed and therefore this existing exception would not be applicable to such orders. • Day ISO ALO. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(3)(C) would define a Day ISO ALO as a Day ISO with an ALO modifier. This proposed order type would be new for options trading and is based on the Day ISO ALO currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31– E(e)(3)(D), with differences to reflect how the order type would function on the Exchange’s options market. Specifically, similar to the differences between the proposed ALO Order for options trading on Pillar, as compared 96 See Nasdaq Options 3, Section 7(a)(7) (‘‘ISOs may have any time-in-force designation . . . .’’) and Cboe Rules 5.30(a)(2) and (3). See also Cboe US Options Fix Specifications, dated June 15, 2021, Section 4.4.7, available here: https://cdn.cboe.com/ resources/membership/US_Options_FIX_ Specification.pdf, which references how a Day ISO would be processed under specified circumstances. 97 The Commission has previously stated that the requirements in the Options Linkage Plan relating to Locked and Crossed Markets are ‘‘virtually identical to those applicable to market centers for NMS stock under Regulation NMS.’’ See also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 60405 (July 30, 2009), 74 FR 39362, 39368 (August 6, 2009) (Order approving Options Linkage Plan). Accordingly, guidance relating to the ISO exception for locked and crossed markets for NMS stocks that specifically contemplate use of Day ISOs is also applicable to options trading. See Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Rule 611 and Rule 610 of Regulation NMS, FAQ 5.02 (‘‘The ISO exception to the SRO lock/cross rules, in contrast, requires that ISOs be routed to execute against all protected quotations with a price that is equal to the display price (i.e., those protected quotations that would be locked by the displayed quotation), as well as all protected quotations with prices that are better than the display price (i.e., those protected quotations that would be crossed by the displayed quotation).’’ Consistent with this guidance, the Exchange implemented Rule 6.95– O(b)(3). See also Cboe Rule 5.67(b)(3), and Nasdaq Options 5, Section 3(b)(3). PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55951 to the cash equity version of the ALO Order, for options trading, a Day ISO with an ALO designation would not trade as liquidity taker. As proposed, on arrival, a Day ISO ALO to buy (sell) may lock or cross Away Market Protected Quotations, but would not remove liquidity from the Consolidated Book, which is how the Exchange proposes that ALO Orders would function on Pillar and consistent with current options functionality for RALO as described herein.98 A Day ISO ALO to buy (sell) can be designated to be cancelled if it would be displayed at a price other than its limit price, which is similar to the proposed cancellation instruction for ALO Orders for options trading on Pillar, described above. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(3)(C)(i) would provide that if not designated to cancel, a Day ISO ALO that would lock or cross orders and quotes on the Consolidated Book would be repriced as specified in proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(2)(B). This proposed rule therefore incorporates the proposed repricing functionality for ALO Orders for options trading on Pillar with the proposed Day ISO ALO. Proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e)(3)(C)(ii) would provide that, once resting, a DAY ISO ALO would be processed as an ALO Order as specified in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2)(C)–(G). Complex Orders. Complex Orders are defined in Rule 6.62–O(e). The Exchange proposes to define Complex Orders for Pillar in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(f) based on Rule 6.62–O(e) and its sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) without any substantive differences. The Exchange proposes to add clarifying text that the different options series in a Complex Order are also referred to as the ‘‘legs’’ or ‘‘components’’ of the Complex Order. The Exchange also proposes that proposed Rule 6.62P–O(f) would provide that a Complex Order would be any order involving the simultaneous purchase and/or sale of ‘‘two or more options series in the same underlying security,’’ and not use the modifier ‘‘different’’ before the phrase ‘‘more option series.’’ The Exchange believes that the word ‘‘different’’ is redundant and unnecessary in this context. In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(f)(1) and (2) would not reference mini-options contracts, which no longer trade on the Exchange. Cross Orders. Currently, the only electronically-entered cross orders available on the Exchange are Qualified Contingent Cross Orders, which are 98 By contrast, the Rule 7.31–E(e)(3)(D) description of Day ISO ALO for cash equity trading incorporates cash equity functionality that an order with an ALO would trade if it crosses the working price of any displayed or non-displayed orders. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55952 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 defined in Rule 6.62–O(bb) and Commentary .02 to Rule 6.62–O. In addition, Rule 6.90–O describes how Qualified Contingent Cross Orders are processed. The Exchange proposes to define the term ‘‘Cross Orders’’ on Pillar in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g). At this time, the only Cross Orders that would be available on Pillar for electronic entry would be Qualified Contingent Cross (‘‘QCC’’) Orders. As proposed, QCC Orders on Pillar would function identically to how Qualified Contingent Cross Orders function on the OX system, and for purposes of the rules governing trading on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to merge language from two rules relating to QCC Orders into a single rule, proposed Rule 6.62P– O(g), using Pillar terminology and functionality as described below. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g), (g)(1), and (g)(2) would describe rules generally applicable to electronically-entered Cross Orders and Complex Cross Orders and followed by more specific rules applicable to QCC, and Complex QCC, Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(3). Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g) would provide that ‘‘Cross Orders’’ would be two-sided order messages with instructions to match the identified buyside with the identified sell-side at a specified price, which could either be designated as a limit price or at the market (‘‘cross price’’).99 The proposed rule would further provide that a Cross Order that is not rejected per proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(1) or (2) would immediately trade in full at its cross price, would not route, and may be entered with an MPV of $0.01 regardless of the MPV of the options series and that Cross Orders may be entered by Floor Brokers from the Trading Floor or routed to the Exchange from off-Floor. This proposed rule is consistent with current Rule 6.90–O, which provides that Qualified Contingent Cross Orders are automatically executed upon entry provided that they meet specified criteria. On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to specify those criteria in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(1), described below. Finally, the proposed Rule would provide that Rule 6.47A–O (related to exposure of orders on the Exchange) does not apply to Cross Orders, which text is substantively 99 The Exchange does not currently offer Cross Orders on its cash equity market. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology that is based in part on NYSE Chicago Rule 7.31(g), which likewise describes ‘‘cross orders’’ as ‘‘[t]wo-sided orders with instructions to match the identified buy-side with the identified sell-side at a specified price (the ‘cross price’)’’, and goes on to describe functionality applicable to Cross Orders generally and then specify specific types of Cross Orders available on that exchange. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 identical to Commentary .03 to current Rule 6.90–O.100 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(1) would describe general rules relating to execution of Single-Leg Cross Orders (which would all be QCC Orders, described below) and would provide that a Cross Order with one option leg would be rejected if received when the NBBO is crossed or if it would be traded at a cross price that (i) is at the same price as a displayed Customer order on the Consolidated Book and (ii) is not at or between the NBBO. This proposed rule is based on Rule 6.90–O without any substantive differences. The Exchange believes that specifying that a Cross Order would be rejected when the NBBO is crossed, which is new text, provides greater granularity than current Rule 6.90–O(1), which provides that ‘‘Qualified Contingent Cross Orders will be automatically cancelled if they cannot be executed.’’ The other two proposed conditions are identical to the current functionality, as specified in Rule 6.90–O: That Qualified Contingent Cross Orders are automatically executed ‘‘provided that the execution (i) is not at the same price as a Customer Order in the Consolidated Book and (ii) is at or between the NBBO.’’ Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(1) would further set forth how a Cross Order designated to trade at the market would be priced. As proposed, a Cross Order with a cross price at the market would execute at the midpoint of the NBBO; provided that: • If there is no NBB, a $0.01 bid would be used (proposed Rule 6.62P– O(g)(1)(A)); • if there is displayed Customer interest priced equal to the NBB, NBO or both, the midpoint would be based on the BBO improved by $0.01 for the side(s) containing displayed Customer interest (proposed Rule 6.62P– O(g)(1)(B)); • if there is no NBO, such order would be rejected (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(1)(C)); or • if the midpoint of the NBBO is in sub-pennies, the order would trade at the midpoint of the NBBO rounded to the nearest MPV for the series (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(1)(D)). This proposed rule text is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding how a Cross Order ‘‘at the market’’ would be processed, including in circumstances when there is no NBB or NBO or there is displayed Customer interest equal to the NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(2) would describe how Complex Cross Orders would be executed on the Exchange. At this time, the only Complex Cross Orders available for options trading on Pillar would be QCC. Accordingly, this proposed rule would describe how a Complex Cross Order that is QCC would trade. As proposed, a Complex Cross Order must include a limit price and would be rejected if: • It is not priced within the Complex NBBO for the complex strategy.101 If there is displayed Customer interest on a given leg, the Complex NBB (NBO) for that leg would be calculated by increasing (decreasing) the NBB (NBO) by one penny ($0.01) and then multiplying by the leg ratio. If there is no NBB for a given leg, a $0.01 bid will be used to calculate the Complex NBB for that leg (proposed Rule 6.62P– O(g)(2)(A)). These proposed additional calculations for a Complex NBBO would be applicable only when calculating the Complex NBBO for a Complex Cross Order. The Exchange believes that the proposed additional calculations would address circumstances in which there is no NBB for a given leg or if there is displayed Customer interest on a given leg; • either the Complex NBBO or the best-priced Complex Orders in the Consolidated Book is crossed (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(2)(B)); • there is displayed Customer interest priced equal to the best-priced Complex Order(s) on either side of the market or both (the ‘‘best-priced complex interest’’) and the Complex Cross Order price does not improve the best-priced complex interest by $0.01 for the side(s) containing displayed Customer interest (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(2)(C)); or • there is no NBO for a given leg (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(2)(D)). This proposed rule text is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding the price requirements for a Complex Cross Order, including when there is no NBB or NBO on a given leg or there is displayed Customer interest equal to the best-priced complex interest and is designed to ensure that a Complex Cross Order would not trade ahead of displayed Customer interest. 100 Commentary .03 to Rule 6.90–O provides that ‘‘NYSE Arca Rule 6.47A–O does not apply to Qualified Contingent Cross Orders.’’ As noted above, at this time, the Exchange would only be offering QCC Cross Orders and therefore the proposed rule is substantively the same as this current Commentary. 101 As described in the Complex Pillar Notice, supra, note 13, the Exchange has proposed to define the term ‘‘Complex NBBO’’ in proposed Rule 6.91P–O(a)(4) as ‘‘the derived national best bid and derived national best offer for a complex strategy calculated using the NBB and NBO for each component leg of a complex strategy.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(3) would define QCC Orders, which would be the only electronic Cross Orders available on Pillar at this time. As proposed, a QCC Order must be comprised of an originating order to buy or sell at least 1,000 contracts that is identified as being part of a qualified contingent trade coupled with a contra-side order or orders totaling an equal number of contracts. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 6.62–O(bb) with a nonsubstantive difference that the Pillar rule would not reference mini-options contracts, which no longer trade on the Exchange. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(3) would also specify that if a QCC has more than one option leg (a ‘‘Complex QCC Order’’), each option leg must have at least 1,000 contracts, which is consistent with existing functionality. As described above, a Complex QCC Order must meet the requirements of proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(2) before it can be executed. In addition, Complex Cross Orders, including Complex QCCs, are available for options trading on other options exchanges, and therefore are not novel.102 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(3)(A) and subparagraphs (i)–(vi) would define a ‘‘qualified contingent trade’’ as a transaction consisting of two or more component orders, executed as agent or principal, where specified requirements are also met and uses the same text as currently set forth in Commentary .02 and sub-paragraphs (a)–(f) to Rule 6.62– O without any differences. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(3)(B) would specify rules governing QCC Orders entered from the Trading Floor, which can be entered only by Floor Brokers,103 and is based on Commentary .01 to Rule 6.90–O without any substantive differences.104 The 102 See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.6(c) (setting forth operation of Complex QCC Orders) and Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’) Section 12(d) (same). 103 An options Floor Broker is ‘‘an individual (either an OTP Holder or OTP Firm or a nominee of an OTP Holder or OTP Firm) who is registered with the Exchange for the purpose, while on the Exchange Floor, of accepting and executing option orders.’’ See Rule 6.43–O(a). 104 Commentary .01 to Rule 6.90–O provides: ‘‘Qualified Contingent Cross Orders can be entered into the NYSE Arca System from on the Floor of the Exchange only by Floor Brokers. Floor Brokers shall not enter such orders for their own account, the account of an associated person, or an account with respect to which it or an associated person thereof exercises investment discretion (each a ‘prohibited account’). When executing such orders, Floor Brokers shall not be subject to NYSE Arca Rule 6.47–O. Floor Brokers must maintain books and records demonstrating that each Qualified Contingent Cross Order entered from the Floor was not entered for a prohibited account. Any Qualified Contingent Cross Order entered from the Floor that does not have a corresponding record required by this Commentary .01 shall be deemed to have been VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Exchange proposes textual changes as compared to the current Rule that are not designed to change the substance of the Rule, but to instead promote clarity and transparency. The proposed rule would provide that while on the Trading Floor, only Floor Brokers can enter QCC Orders and that Floor Brokers may not enter QCC Orders for their own account, the account of an associated person, or an account with respect to which it or an associated person thereof exercises investment discretion (each a ‘‘prohibited account’’). As further proposed, when executing such orders, Floor Brokers would not be subject to Rule 6.47–O regarding ‘‘Crossing’’ orders. Floor Brokers must maintain books and records demonstrating that each QCC Order entered from the Floor was not entered for a prohibited account. Any QCC Order entered from the Floor that does not have a corresponding record required by this paragraph would be deemed to have been entered for a prohibited account in violation of this Rule. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(g)(3)(C) would specify rules governing QCC Orders entered off-Floor and that OTP Holders must maintain books and records demonstrating that each such order was so routed. This proposed rule is based on Commentary .02 to Rule 6.90–O without any substantive differences.105 The Exchange proposes textual differences as compared to the current Rule that are not designed to change the substance of the Rule, but instead promote clarity and transparency. In connection with adding QCC to proposed Rule 6.62P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.90–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.90–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Orders Available Only in Open Outcry. The Exchange proposes to add entered for a prohibited account in violation of this Rule.’’ 105 Commentary .02 to Rule 6.90–O provides: ‘‘With respect to a Qualified Contingent Cross Order that was routed to the NYSE Arca System from off of the Floor, OTP Holders must maintain books and records demonstrating that each such order was routed to the system from off of the Floor. This provision would not apply to a Qualified Contingent Cross Order covered by Commentary .01 to this NYSE Arca Rule 6.90–O (i.e., a Qualified Contingent Cross Order routed to a Floor Broker for entry into the NYSE Arca System).’’ The Exchange does not propose to include the last sentence of this Commentary in the proposed Pillar rule because the Exchange does not believe it is necessary to specify that Floor Brokers that enter orders electronically are subject to rules relating to electronic order entry as opposed to rules governing open outcry. PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55953 to Rule 6.62P–O(h) orders that are available only in open outcry, most of which are currently defined in Rule 6.62–O. First, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(1) would codify an existing order type, the Clear-the-Book (‘‘CTB’’) Order, which is currently described only in a Regulatory Bulletin.106 The proposed definition would describe the CTB Order, which would be an order type available in open outcry that would interface with the Consolidated Book, and therefore with Pillar. As proposed, a CTB Order would be a Limit IOC Order that may be entered only by a Floor Broker, contemporaneous with executing an order in open outcry, that is approved by a Trading Official (the ‘‘TO Approval’’). The CTB Order would be eligible to trade only with contra-side orders and quotes that were resting in the Consolidated Book prior to the TO Approval. In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(1)(A)–(C) would provide that: • A CTB Order to buy (sell) would trade with contra-side orders and quotes with a display price below (above) the limit price of the CTB Order (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(1)(A)); • A CTB Order to buy (sell) would trade with contra-side orders and quotes that have a display price and working price equal to the limit price of the CTB Order only if there is displayed Customer sell (buy) interest at that price, in which case, the CTB Order to buy (sell) would trade with the displayed Customer interest to sell (buy) and any non-Customer interest to sell (buy) with a working time earlier than the latest-arriving displayed Customer interest to sell (buy) (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(1)(B)); and • Any unexecuted portion of the CTB Order would cancel after trading with all better-priced interest and eligible same-priced interest on the Consolidated Book (proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(1)(C)). Currently, CTB Orders only trade with displayed Customer interest and any same-priced displayed non-Customer interest ranked ahead of such interest in time priority, but do not trade with better-priced displayed non-Customer interest. In Pillar, per Rule 6.62P– O(h)(1)(B), CTB Orders would trade with displayed non-Customer interest priced better than the latest-arriving displayed Customer interest (i.e., a CTB order buying with a $1.00 limit would 106 See NYSE Arca Options RB–16–04, dated February 19, 2016 (Rules of Priority and Order Protection in Open Outcry), available here: https:// www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arcaoptions/rule-interpretations/2016/NYSE%20 Arca%20Options%20RB%2016-04.pdf. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55954 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices now trade with any displayed interest offered at $0.99). Because Floor Brokers have an obligation to satisfy betterpriced interest on the Consolidated Book, the Exchange believes this proposed change to automate such priority would make it easier for Floor Brokers to comply with Exchange priority rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that this proposed change would increase execution opportunities and achieve the goal of a CTB Order, which is to clear priority on the Consolidated Book at the time of the TO Approval. In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P– O(h)(1)(D) would codify existing regulatory responsibilities of Floor Brokers utilizing CTB Orders to submit such orders in a timely manner after receiving TO Approval and would also provide that because CTB Orders are non-routable (and thus ineligible to clear Protected Quotations), Floor Brokers would still be obligated to route eligible orders to better-priced interest on Away Markets per Rule 6.94–O.107 The Exchange also proposes to include in Rule 6.62P–O additional open outcry order types that are currently defined in Rule 6.62–O: • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(2) would define ‘‘Facilitation Order’’ and is based on the Rule 6.62–O(j) definition of Facilitation Order without any differences. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(3) would define ‘‘Mid-Point Crossing Order’’ and is based on the Rule 6.62–O(q) definition of Mid-Point Crossing Order without any differences. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(4) would define ‘‘Not Held Order’’ and is based on the Rule 6.62–O(f) definition of Not Held Order without any differences. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(5) would define ‘‘Single Stock Future (‘‘SSF’’)/ Option Order’’ and is based on the Rule 6.62–O(i) definition of Single Stock Future (‘‘SSF’’)/Option Order without any differences. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(6)(A) would define a ‘‘Stock/Option Order’’ and is based on the Rule 6.62–O(h)(1) definition of Stock/Option Order without any differences. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h)(6)(B) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii) would define a ‘‘Stock/Complex Order’’ and is based on the Rule 6.62–O(h)(2) definition of Stock/Complex Order with its subparagraphs without any differences. 107 See id. at p. 2–3 (describing regulatory responsibilities related to CTB Orders, including that it is the Floor Broker’s responsibility to comply with the terms of the Options Order Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan, including by sending ISOs to trade with Protected Quotes). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 The Exchange proposes that after the transition to Pillar, the following open outcry order types, which are currently described in Rule 6.62–O but are not used by Floor Brokers, would not be added to proposed Rule 6.62P–O governing orders and modifiers: One cancels the other (OCO) Order and Stock Contingency Order. Additional Order Instructions and Modifiers. The Exchange proposes to specify the additional order instructions and modifiers that would be available in Pillar in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i). Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(1) would provide that a Limit Order that is displayed and eligible to route and designated with a Proactive if Locked/ Crossed Modifier would route to an Away Market if the Away Market locks or crosses the display price of the order and that if any quantity of the routed order is returned unexecuted, the order would be displayed in the Consolidated Book. This would be new functionality for options trading on the Exchange and is based on the Proactive if Locked/ Crossed Modifier available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, as described in Rule 7.31–E(i)(1) without any differences. The Exchange believes that offering this as an optional modifier for Limit Orders would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with additional flexibility to designate a resting displayed order to route if it becomes locked or crossed by an Away Market. Self-Trade Prevention (‘‘STP’’) Modifier. Self-Trade Prevention (‘‘STP’’) Modifiers are currently defined in Commentary .01 to Rule 6.76A–O and are available only for Market Maker orders and quotes. On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to expand the availability of STP to all orders and quotes to offer this protection to trading interest of all OTP Holders and OTP Firms, not just Market Makers. The Exchange believes this expansion is appropriate because it would facilitate market participants’ compliance and risk management by assisting them in avoiding unintentional wash-sale trading. Because STP Modifiers are an instruction that can be added to an order or quote, the Exchange proposes that for Pillar, STP Modifiers would be described in proposed Rule 6.62P– O(i)(2). This is based on the structure of the Exchange’s cash equity rules, which also describe the STP Modifier in Rule 7.31–E(i), which is available to all market participants. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(2) would provide that an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to buy (sell) designated with one of the STP modifiers in proposed Rule 6.62P– PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 O(i)(2) would be prevented from trading with a resting order or quote to sell (buy) also designated with an STP modifier from the same MPID, and, if specified, any sub-identifier of that MPID and that the STP modifier on the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would control the interaction between two orders and/or quotes marked with STP modifiers. In addition, STP would not be applicable during an Auction or to Cross Orders or when a Complex Order legs out. This proposed rule text is based on Commentary .01 to Rule 6.76A with non-substantive differences to use Pillar terminology. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(2) would further provide that if the condition for a Limit Order designated FOK, an AON Order, or an arriving order with an MTS modifier designated under proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(B)(i) (described below) cannot be met because of STP modifiers, such order would either be cancelled or placed on the Consolidated Book, as applicable. This functionality would be new on Pillar and reflects that for order types that must trade a specified quantity (either in full or a specified minimum quantity) and could trade with multiple contra-side orders to meet that size requirement, such order types would not be compatible with applying STP, which examines a oneon-one relationship between two interacting orders. This proposed rule text provides clarity that if a condition of an order cannot be met because of STP modifiers, the order would either cancel (i.e., a Limit Order designated FOK), or be added to the Consolidated Book (i.e., an AON Order or an order with an MTS modifier), and then such resting orders would function as described in Rule 6.62P–O. The proposed rule would further provide that Aggressing Orders or Aggressing Quotes would be processed as follows: • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(2)(A) would describe STP Cancel Newest (‘‘STPN’’) and provide that an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to buy (sell) marked with the STPN modifier would not trade with resting interest to sell (buy) marked with any STP modifier from the same MPID; that the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote marked with the STPN modifier would be cancelled; and that the resting order or quote marked with one of the STP modifiers would remain on the Consolidated Book. This proposed rule is based on Commentary .01(a) to Rule 6.76A–O with non-substantive differences to use Pillar terminology. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(2)(B) would describe STP Cancel Oldest (‘‘STPO’’) and provide that an E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to buy (sell) marked with the STPO modifier would not trade with resting interest to sell (buy) marked with any STP modifier from the same MPID; that the resting order or quote marked with the STP modifier would be cancelled; and that the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote marked with the STPO modifier would be placed on the Consolidated Book. This proposed rule is based on Commentary .01(b) to Rule 6.76A–O with non-substantive differences to use Pillar terminology. • Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(2)(C) would describe STP Cancel Both (‘‘STPC’’) and provide that an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to buy (sell) marked with the STPC modifier would not trade with resting interest to sell (buy) marked with any STP modifier from the same MPID and that the entire size of both orders and/ or quotes would be cancelled. This proposed rule is based on Commentary .01(c) to Rule 6.76A–O with nonsubstantive differences to use Pillar terminology. Minimum Trade Size Modifier. The Exchange proposes to add the Minimum Trade Size (‘‘MTS’’) Modifier, which would be new functionality for options trading on Pillar that is based on the same functionality currently available for cash equity securities trading on Pillar, as described in Rule 7.31–E(i)(3). The Exchange proposes to provide this modifier for options trading to provide OTP Firms and OTP Holders with more features with respect to order handling. The proposed MTS Modifier is similar in concept to both FOK and AON, which are currently available for options trading. With the MTS Modifier, an OTP Holder or OTP Firm would have greater flexibility to designate a size smaller than the entire quantity (which is current FOK and AON functionality) as a condition for execution. The Exchange notes that the use of an MTS Modifier is not new or novel to options trading.108 As with the MTS Modifier for cash equity trading, the proposed MTS Modifier for options traded on Pillar would be available only for nondisplayed orders. Accordingly, proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3) would provide that a Limit IOC Order or NonDisplayed Limit Order may be designated with an MTS Modifier.109 108 See, e.g., Nasdaq Options 3, Section 7(a)(3)(B) (describing ‘‘Minimum Quantity Order’’ as ‘‘an order that requires that a specified minimum quantity of contracts be obtained, or the order is cancelled’’). 109 For cash equity trading, the MTS Modifier is also available for an MPL Order or Tracking Order, which are non-displayed order types available on the Exchange’s cash equity trading platform that VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(A) would provide that the quantity of the MTS Modifier may be less than the order quantity; however, an order would be rejected if it has an MTS Modifier quantity that is larger than the size of the order. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31–E(i)(3)(A) with differences only to reflect that the concept of a round lot is not applicable for options trading. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(B) would provide that one of the following instructions must be specified with respect to whether an order to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier would trade on arrival with: (i) Orders or quotes to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book that in the aggregate meet such order’s MTS; or (ii) only individual order(s) or quote(s) to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book that each meets such order’s MTS. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31– E(i)(3)(B) and sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) with only non-substantive differences to use options trading terminology (e.g., Consolidated Book instead of NYSE Arca Book and reference to quotes). Otherwise, the functionality would be identical on both the options and cash equity trading platforms. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(C) would provide that an order with an MTS Modifier that is designated Day or GTC that cannot be executed immediately on arrival would not trade and would be ranked in the Consolidated Book. In such case, the order to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier to buy (sell) that is ranked in the Consolidated Book would not be eligible to trade: (i) At a price equal to or above (below) any orders or quotes to sell (buy) that are displayed at a price equal to or below (above) the working price of such order with an MTS Modifier; or (ii) at a price above (below) any orders or quotes to sell (buy) that are not displayed and that have a working price below (above) the working price of such order with an MTS Modifier. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31–E(i)(3)(C) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii) with only nonsubstantive differences to use options trading terminology and to reflect the availability of the GTC time-in-force modifier for Non-Displayed Limit Orders. Otherwise, the functionality would be identical on both the options and cash equity trading platforms. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(D) would provide that an order with an MTS Modifier that is designated IOC and cannot be immediately executed would be cancelled. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31–E(i)(3)(D) without would not be available for options trading on Pillar. See Rule 7.31–E(i)(3). PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55955 any differences and the functionality would be identical on both the options and cash equity trading platforms. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(E) would provide that a resting order to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier would trade with individual orders and quotes to sell (buy) that each meet the MTS and that (i) if an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy) does not meet the MTS of the resting order to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier, that Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would not trade with, and may trade, through such resting order with an MTS Modifier; and (ii) if a resting non-displayed order or quote to sell (buy) did not meet the MTS of a same-priced resting order or quote to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier, a subsequently arriving order or quote to sell (buy) that meets the MTS would trade before such resting non-displayed order or quote to sell (buy) at that price. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31–E(i)(3)(E) and sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) with only non-substantive differences to use options trading terminology (i.e., refers to an order trading with contra-side quotes). Otherwise, the proposed functionality would be identical on both the options and cash equity trading platforms. Proposed Rule 6.62P–O(i)(3)(F) would provide that a resting order with an MTS Modifier would be cancelled if it is traded in part or reduced in size and the remaining quantity is less than such order’s MTS. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31–E(i)(3)(F) without any differences and the functionality would be identical on both the options and cash equity trading platforms. In connection with proposed Rule 6.62P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.62–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.62–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.37AP–O: Market Maker Quotations Current Rule 6.37A–O describes Market Maker quoting obligations, including defining ‘‘quotations,’’ describing the treatment of such quotations, and specifying Market Maker and LMM quoting obligations. Proposed Rule 6.37AP–O would set forth Market Maker quoting obligations under Pillar. As with current functionality, on Pillar, the Exchange would provide Market Makers with the ability to designate bids and offers as quotations, which is unique to options trading and not applicable to cash equity trading. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55956 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Currently, the Exchange offers designated ‘‘quotation’’ types to Market Makers, which are described in Rule 6.37A–O(a)(3).110 With Pillar, the Exchange is proposing to modify how a Market Maker would be able to send bids and offers as quotations and would no longer need to offer distinct ‘‘quotation’’ types to identify Market Marker quotations. Instead, and as discussed in more detail below, with Pillar, the Exchange proposes that Market Makers would be able to designate specified ‘‘order’’ types as quotations. If designated as a quotation, such bids and offers would be displayed, traded, repriced, or cancelled as described in proposed Rule 6.62P– O(e), discussed above. In addition, if designated as a quotation, such bids or offers would be identifiable to the Exchange as ‘‘quotations,’’ subject to the Market Maker and LMM requirements relating to quotations. If a Market Maker does not choose to designate a bid or offer as a quotation, such bid or offer would be processed as an ‘‘order’’ rather than as a ‘‘quote.’’ 111 • Rule 6.37AP–O(a) would be based on current Rule 6.37A–O(a) and would provide that a Market Maker may send quotations only in the issues included in its appointment. This functionality would not be new and the Exchange proposes one difference from the current Rule to use the term ‘‘send’’ rather than ‘‘enter.’’ • Proposed Rule 6.37AP–O(a)(1) would provide that the term ‘‘quote’’ or ‘‘quotation’’ means ‘‘a bid or offer sent by a Market Maker that is not sent as an order’’ and that ‘‘[o]nce received by the Exchange, a subsequent quotation sent by a Market Maker replaces that Market Maker’s previously displayed same-side quotation.’’ This proposed Rule is similar to current Rule 6.37A–O(a)(1), which provides that ‘‘[t]he term ‘quote’ or ‘quotation’ means a bid or offer entered by a Market Maker that updates the Market Maker’s previous bid or offer, if any.’’ The Exchange proposes 110 As described in Rule 6.37A–O(a)(3)(A)–(C), a Market Maker may designate a quote as Market Maker-Light Only Quotation (‘‘MMLO’’), Market Maker—Add Liquidity Only Quotation (‘‘MMALO’’), and Market Maker—Repricing Quotation (‘‘MMRP’’). 111 For example, a Market Maker could choose to designate a Non-Routable Limit Order as either a quote or as an order, which is consistent with current Rule 6.37B–O, which provides that a Market Maker may enter all order types permitted to be entered by Users under the Rules to buy or sell options in all classes of options listed on the Exchange. Accordingly, the proposed Rule is not materially different for Market Makers because they currently can choose to send as Market Maker orders the order types described in current Rule 6.62–O, including, for example, RPNP, RALO, PNPBlind Order, and PNP Light Order. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 textual differences to use the terms ‘‘sent’’ and ‘‘received’’ instead of ‘‘entered.’’ In addition, because of the proposed Pillar implementation regarding how a Market Maker may designate a quote (i.e., as a NonRoutable Limit Order or ALO Order as described herein and below), the Exchange proposes a difference from the current Rule to provide that a quote is a bid or offer not designated as an order. The second sentence of proposed Rule 6.37A–O(a)(1) would provide greater granularity and make clear that the Exchange would accept multiple quotations from a Market Maker and that any subsequent quote would cancel an existing displayed same-side quote. This proposed text is consistent with the current Rule, which provides that a Market Maker quotation updates a Market Marker’s previous bid or offer. • Proposed Rule 6.37AP–O(a)(2) would provide that a Market Maker may designate either a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order as a quote and such quotes would be processed as described in proposed Rule 6.62P–O.112 On Pillar, the Exchange would not offer the existing quote types (i.e., MMLO, MMALO and MMRP). Because proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1) and (2), described above, would set forth the treatment of a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order designated as a quote, the Exchange will not include a (duplicative) section in proposed Rule 6.37AP–O regarding the treatment of such quotes. As noted above regarding proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e), the Exchange believes that allowing quotes to be designated as one of two orders types (i.e., Non-Routable Limit or ALO) would streamline the rules by consolidating into one rule the description of the proposed quote/order behavior and therefore obviate the need to separately describe the same functionality in two rules. • Proposed Rule 6.37AP–O(b)–(e) would be substantively identical to current Rule 6.37A–O(b)–(e) with nonsubstantive differences to change the term ‘‘shall’’ to ‘‘will,’’ which is a stylistic preference that would add consistency to Exchange rules. Proposed Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37AP–O would be substantively identical to Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37A–O, with non-substantive differences to streamline the rule text. The Exchange also proposes a nonsubstantive change to paragraph (b) of 112 See discussion supra regarding proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(1) and (2), Non-Routable Limit Order and ALO Orders, respectively, being available as quote types and how such orders compare to the existing MMLO, MMRP, and MMALO quotation functionality. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 Rule 6.65A–O (Limit-Up and LimitDown During Extraordinary Market Volatility) to correct a cross reference to Market Maker quoting obligations as set forth in Rule 6.37AP–O(b) and (c). Current Rule 6.65A(b) erroneously cross-references Rule 6.37B–O(b) and (c). In connection with proposed Rule 6.37AP–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.37A–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.37A–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O: Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls For the OX system, current Rule 6.40– O sets forth the activity-based Risk Limitation Mechanisms for orders and quotes, which are designed to help OTP Holders and OTP Firms effectively manage risk during periods of increased and significant trading activity. With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange proposes to incorporate new risk control functionality that is based on both existing activity-based risk controls for options and pre-trade risk controls that are available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O would describe the activity-based controls with updated functionality under Pillar and would also describe new optional pre-trade risk controls that are based on pre-trade risk controls available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, as described in Rule 7.19–E, with proposed differences to reference quotes and proposed new Pillar functionality. The Exchange believes that adding pre-trade risk controls (together with the enhanced activitybased controls) for options trading, as described below, would provide greater flexibility to OTP Holders and OTP Firms in establishing risk controls to align with their risk tolerance for both orders and quotes. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a) would set forth the following definitions that would be used for purposes of the Rule: • The term ‘‘Entering Firm’’ would mean an OTP Holder or OTP Firm (including those acting as Market Makers) (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(1)). This proposed definition is based in part on the definition of ‘‘Entering Firm’’ in Rule 7.19–E(a)(1) and the Exchange believes that the addition of this term would add clarity to the proposed rule by using a single, defined term to describe which entities, including Market Makers, could avail themselves of the proposed pre-trade risk controls. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices • The term ‘‘Pre-Trade Risk Controls’’ would refer to two optional limits that an Entering Firm may utilize with respect to its trading activity on the Exchange (proposed Rule 6.40P– O(a)(2)). These controls would be the ‘‘Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit’’ and the ‘‘Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit.’’ The proposed Pre-Trade Controls are based on the substantially identical risk controls available on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in Rules 7.19–E(a)(3) and (4), respectively, but differ in that the proposed rule would also apply to quotes, which are unique to options trading, and specifies the treatment of orders designated GTC, which are available for options trading but are not offered on the Exchange’s cash equity market. Æ The term ‘‘Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit’’ would refer to a pre-established maximum dollar amount for a single order or quote to be applied one time (proposed Rule 6.40P– O(a)(2)(A)). This definition would also provide that orders designated GTC would be subject to this pre-trade risk control only once. Æ The term ‘‘Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit’’ would refer to a pre-established maximum number of contracts that may be included in a single order or quote before it can be traded (proposed Rule 6.40P– O(a)(2)(B)). This definition would also provide that orders designated GTC would be subject to this pre-trade risk control only once. • The term ‘‘Activity-Based Risk Controls’’ would refer to three activitybased risk limits that an Entering Firm may apply to its orders and quotes in an options class based on specified thresholds measured over the course of an Interval (to be defined below) (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(3)). The proposed Activity-Based Risk Controls are based on the substantially identical risk controls set forth in current Rule 6.40–O(b)–(d), except that on Pillar, a Market Maker’s orders and quotes would be aggregated and applied towards each risk limit (as opposed to current functionality, where a Market Maker’s orders and quotes are counted separately). The Exchange believes that aggregating a Market Maker’s quotes and orders for purposes of calculating activity-based risk controls would better reflect the aggregate risk that a Market Maker has with respect to its quotes and orders. Æ The term ‘‘Transaction-Based Risk Limit’’ would refer to a pre-established limit on the number of an Entering Firm’s orders and quotes executed in a specified class of options per Interval VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(3)(A)). This risk control is based on the substantially identical risk control set forth in current Rule 6.40–O(b), with the difference described above that a Market Maker’s orders and quotes would be aggregated. Æ The term ‘‘Volume-Based Risk Limit’’ would refer to a pre-established limit on the number of contracts of an Entering Firm’s orders and quotes that could be executed in a specified class of options per Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(3)(B)). This risk control is based on the substantially identical risk control set forth in current Rule 6.40– O(c), with the difference described above that a Market Maker’s orders and quotes would be aggregated. Æ The term ‘‘Percentage-Based Risk Limit’’ would refer to a pre-established limit on the percentage of contracts executed in a specified class of options as measured against the full size of such Entering Firm’s orders and quotes executed per Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(3)(C)). The proposed definition would also provide that to determine whether an Entering Firm has breached the specified percentage limit, the Exchange would calculate the percent of each order or quote in a specified class of option that is executed during an Interval (each, a ‘‘percentage’’), and sum up those percentages. As further proposed, this definition would state that this risk limit would be breached if the sum of the percentages exceeds the preestablished limit. This risk control is based on the substantially identical risk control set forth in current Rule 6.40– O(d), with the difference described above that a Market Maker’s orders and quotes would be aggregated. • The term ‘‘Global Risk Control’’ would refer to a pre-established limit on the number of times an Entering Firm may breach its Activity-Based Risk Controls per Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(4)). This proposed definition is based on the substantially identical functionality set forth in current Rule 6.40–O(f). • The term ‘‘Interval’’ would refer to the configurable time period during which the Exchange would determine if an Activity-Based Risk Control or the Global Risk Control has been breached (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(a)(5)). This proposed definition is consistent with current Rule 6.40–O, which contains references throughout to a ‘‘time period’’ during which the Exchange will determine whether a breach has occurred. The Exchange believes this proposed definition would add clarity and transparency to Exchange rules. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(b) would set forth how the Pre-Trade, Activity-Based PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55957 and Global Risk Controls could be set or adjusted. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(b)(1) would provide that these risk controls may be set before the beginning of a trading day and may be adjusted during the trading day. Proposed Rule 6.40P– O(b)(2) would provide that Entering Firms may set these risk controls at the MPID level or at one or more sub-IDs associated with that MPID, or both. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(b) is based on Rule 7.19–E(b)(3)(A)–(B) but differs in that the proposed rule would incorporate the existing options-based Activity-Based and Global Risk Controls in addition to the (new for options trading) Pre-Trade Risk Controls currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform. The Exchange notes that the Activity-Based and Global Risk Controls are unique to the options market and, at this time, the Exchange’s cash equities platform does not offer analogous controls. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c) would set forth the Automated Breach Actions that the Exchange would take if a designated risk limit is breached. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(1)(A)(i)–(ii) would set forth the automated breach actions for the Pre-Trade Risk Controls. • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(1)(A)(i) would provide that a Limit Order or quote that breaches the designated limit of either a Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit or Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit would be rejected. • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(1)(A)(ii) would provide that a Market Order that breaches the designated limit of a Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit would be rejected. The proposed rule would also provide that a Market Order that breaches the designated limit of a Single Order Notional Value Risk Limit would be rejected if the order arrived during continuous trading or canceled if the order was received during a preopen state and the quantity remaining to trade after an Auction concludes breaches the designated limit.113 Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(1)(A)(i)–(ii) is based on Rule 7.19–E(c)(2) but differs in that it specifies the treatment of Limit Orders and Market Orders (the latter having different treatment based on when such orders arrive at the Exchange) and expands application of the check to include quotes. The Exchange proposes to process Market Orders differently because, until a series is opened, the Exchange is not able to calculate the Single Order Notional 113 The term ‘‘Auction’’ is defined in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(1), described below in the discussion of proposed Rule 6.64P–O, to mean the opening or reopening of a series for trading either on a trade or quote. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55958 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Value Risk Limit for a Market Order. Accordingly, this risk limit would be applied only after a series opens, at which point, a Market Order would be cancelled if it fails the risk limit. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2) would set forth the automated breach actions for the Activity-Based Risk Controls. • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(A) would first specify that an Entering Firm acting as a Market Maker would be required to apply one of the ActivityBased Risk Controls to all of its orders and quotes; whereas an Entering Firm that is not acting as a Market Maker would have the option, but would not be required, to apply one of the Activity-Based Risk Controls to its orders. The requirement that Market Makers utilize Activity-Based Risk Controls for all quotes mirrors the requirements set forth in Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .04(a); however, the proposed rule differs in that it likewise requires Market Makers to apply one of the Activity-Based Risk Controls to all of its orders. The Exchange believes that requiring that both Market Maker quotes and Market Maker orders be subject to one of the Activity-Based Controls would enhance Market Makers’ ability to assess their total risk exposure on the Exchange. The proposed optionality of the Activity-Based Risk controls for orders sent by an Entering Firm not acting as a Marker Maker mirrors current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .04(b)). • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(B) would provide that to determine when an Activity-Based Risk Control has been breached, the Exchange would maintain Trade Counters that would be incremented every time an order or quote trades, including any leg of a Complex Order, and would aggregate the number of contracts traded during each such execution. As further proposed, an Entering Firm may opt to exclude any orders designated IOC or FOK from being considered by a Trade Counter. This is consistent with existing functionality set forth in Rule 6.40–O(a) and Commentary .07, with a proposed difference to allow an Entering Firm to also exclude orders designated FOK, which, like orders designated IOC, cancel if not executed on arrival and is based on current functionality.114 The Exchange believes that specifying that 114 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81717 (September 25, 2017), 82 FR 45631 (September 29, 2017) (SR–NYSEArca–2017–96) (immediately effective filing to exclude IOC Orders from risk settings because such exclusion, among other things, would result in risk settings that may be better calibrated to suit the needs of certain market participants (i.e., those that routinely utilize IOC orders to access liquidity on the Exchange)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 orders designated FOK could be excluded from being considered for a Trade Counter would add granularity and clarity to Exchange rules. In addition, as noted above, a Market Maker’s quotes and orders in a given option class would be aggregated and therefore the Exchange proposes that there would not be separate Trade Counters for a Market Maker’s quotes and orders. • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(C) would provide that each Entering Firm must select one of three Automated Breach Actions for the Exchange to take should the Entering Firm breach an Activity-Based Risk Control. Æ ‘‘Notification Only.’’ As set forth in proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(C)(i), if this option is selected, the Exchange would continue to accept new order and quote messages and related instructions and would not cancel any unexecuted orders or quotes in the Consolidated Book. With the ‘‘Notification Only’’ action, the Exchange would provide such notifications, but would not take any other automated actions with respect to new or unexecuted orders. This proposed functionality is not currently available for options trading, but is available for breach of the Gross Credit Risk Limit on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, as set forth in Rule 7.19–E(c)(3)(A)(i). The Exchange believes that making this Automated Breach Action available to ActivityBased Risk Controls, which are unique to options trading, would provide Entering Firms more control and flexibility over setting risk tolerance and, as such, over how Activity-Based Risk Controls are implemented. Æ ‘‘Block Only.’’ As set forth in proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(C)(ii), if this option is selected, the Exchange would reject new order and quote messages and related instructions, provided that the Exchange would continue to process instructions from the Entering Firm to cancel one or more orders or quotes (including AuctionOnly Orders) in full. The proposed rule would also provide that the Exchange would follow any instructions specified in paragraph (e) of the proposed Rule (and described below). This proposed functionality is not currently available for options trading under current Rule 6.40–O, but is available for breach of the Gross Credit Risk Limit on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, as set forth in Rule 7.19–E(c)(3)(A)(ii). The Exchange believes that making this Automated Breach Action available to Activity-Based Risk Controls, which are unique to options trading, would provide Entering Firms more control and flexibility over setting risk tolerance PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 and, as such, over how Activity-Based Risk Controls are implemented. Æ ‘‘Cancel and Block.’’ As set forth in proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(C)(iii), if this option is selected, in addition to the Block actions described above, the Exchange would also cancel all unexecuted orders and quotes in the Consolidated Book other than AuctionOnly Orders and orders designated GTC. This proposed Cancel and Block functionality is substantially similar to the automated breach action taken by the Exchange per current Rule 6.40–O(e) and Commentaries .01 and .02 thereto, except that under the current rules, this is default (not optional) functionality. Additionally, this proposed functionality is substantially identical to the Cancel and Block option set forth in Rule 7.19–E(c)(3)(A)(iii), which is available for breach of the Gross Credit Risk Limit on the Exchange’s cash equity platform. The Exchange believes that making this Automated Breach Action available to respond to a breach of Activity-Based Risk Controls, which are unique to options trading, would provide Entering Firms more control and flexibility over setting risk tolerance and, as such, over how Activity-Based Risk Controls are implemented. • Finally, proposed Rule 6.40P– O(c)(2)(D) would provide that if an Entering Firm breaches an ActivityBased Risk Control, the Automated Breach Action selected would be applied to its orders and quotes in the affected class of options. This proposed action is consistent with current Rule 6.40–O(e) and Commentaries .01 and .02 thereto, which provide that, upon a breach, the Exchange will cancel existing and suspend new orders and quotes trading in the affected class. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(E) would provide that the Exchange would specify by Trader Update any applicable minimum, maximum and/or default settings for the Activity-Based Risk Controls, subject to the following: • For the Transaction-Based Risk Limit, the minimum setting would not be less than one and the maximum setting would not be more than 2,000 (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(E)(i)), which settings are identical to the Exchange-determined settings provided under current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. • For the Volume-Based Risk Limit, the minimum setting would not be less than one and the maximum setting would not be more than 500,000 (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(E)(ii)), which settings are identical to the Exchange-determined settings provided under current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices • For the Percentage-Based Risk Limit, the minimum setting would not be less than 50 and the maximum setting would not be more than 200,000 (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(E)(iii)), which maximum setting is the same as the minimum Exchange-determined setting set forth in current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. The Exchange proposes to increase the minimum setting from less than one (in current rule) to not be less than 50 to better reflect actual practice, because under current Rules, there are no OTP Holders or OTP Firms that have set their Percentage-Based Risk Limits below 50. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(F) would provide that the Exchange would specify by Trader Update the Interval for the Activity-Based Risk Controls, subject to the following: • The Interval would not be less than 100 milliseconds and would not be greater than 300,000 milliseconds, inclusive of the duration of any trading halt occurring within that time (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(F)(i)), which minimum setting is identical to the Exchange-determined minimum set forth in current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. Although the current rule does not include a maximum time period, the Exchange proposes to include a maximum allowable Interval to promote clarity in Exchange rules of the longest time an Interval could be. • For transactions occurring in the Core Open Auction, per Rule 6.64P–O, the applicable time period would be the lesser of (i) the time between the Core Open Auction of a series and the initial transaction or (ii) the Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(2)(F)(ii)), which proposed time period is identical to the timing provided under current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3) would set forth the automated breach actions for the Global Risk Controls set by an Entering Firm. • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3)(A) would provide that if the Global Risk Control limit is breached, the Exchange would Cancel and Block, per proposed Rule 6.40P(c)(2)(C)(iii), which proposed functionality is substantively the same as the functionality provided under current Rule 6.40–O, Commentaries .01 (regarding cancellation of existing orders) and .02 (regarding block/ rejection of new orders). • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3)(B) would provide that if an Entering Firm breaches the Global Risk Control, the Automated Breach Action would be applied to all orders and quotes of the Entering Firm in all classes of options regardless of which class(es) of options caused the underlying breach of VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Activity-Based Risk Controls, which proposed functionality is substantively the same as the functionality provided (in the last sentence) of current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .02 in the event of a breach of current Rule 6.40–O(f) (i.e., breach of global risk setting). • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3)(C) would provide that the Exchange would specify by Trader Update any applicable minimum, maximum and/or default settings for the Global Risk Controls, provided that the minimum setting would not be less than 25 and the maximum setting would not be more than 100. These proposed settings are based on the Exchange-determined setting provided under current rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03, except that the current rule allows for a minimum setting of one (1) whereas the proposed rule is increasing that minimum to twenty-five (25), which the Exchange believes would better reflect actual practice, because under current Rules, there are no OTP Holders or OTP Firms that have set their Global Risk Controls below 25. • Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3)(D) would provide that the Exchange would specify by Trader Update the Interval for the Global Risk Controls, subject to the following: Æ The Interval would not be less than 100 milliseconds and would not be greater than 300,000 milliseconds, inclusive of the duration of any trading halt occurring within that time, per proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3)(D)(i), which minimum setting is identical to the Exchange-determined minimum set forth in current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. Although the current rule does not include a maximum time period, the Exchange proposes to include a maximum allowable Interval to allow an outside parameter by which the counters would be reset, which would promote transparency in Exchange rules regarding the maximum allowable Interval. Æ For transactions occurring in the Core Open Auction, per Rule 6.64P–O, the applicable time period is the lesser of (i) the time between the Core Open Auction of a series and the initial transaction or (ii) the Interval, per proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3)(D)(ii), which proposed time period is identical to the timing provided under current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .03. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(d) describes how an Entering Firm’s ability to enter orders, quotes, and related instructions would be reinstated after a ‘‘Block Only’’ or ‘‘Cancel and Block’’ Automated Breach Action has been triggered. In such case, proposed Rule 6.40P–O(d) provides that the Exchange PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55959 would not reinstate the Entering Firm’s ability to enter orders and quotes and related instructions on the Exchange (other than instructions to cancel one or more orders or quotes (including Auction-Only Orders and orders designated GTC) in full) without the consent of the Entering Firm, which may be provided via automated contact if it was a breach of an Activity-Based Risk Control. As further proposed, an Entering Firm that breaches the Global Risk Control would not be reinstated unless the Entering Firm provides consent via non-automated contact with the Exchange. This proposed functionality is consistent with current Rule 6.40–O, Commentary .02 regarding the need for an Entering Firm to make automated or non-automated contact with the Exchange, as applicable, prior to being reinstated. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(d) is also substantively the same as the more granular level of risk control under Pillar functionality available for cash equity trading per Rule 7.19–E(d), except that the proposed rule does not reference Clearing Firms, which feature would remain specific to cash-equity trading and not be applied to options trading. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(e) would set forth new ‘‘Kill Switch Action’’ functionality, which would allow an Entering Firm to direct the Exchange to take certain bulk cancel or block actions with respect to orders and quotes. In contrast to the Automated Breach Actions described above, which the Exchange would take automatically after the breach of a risk limit, the Exchange would not take any of the Kill Switch Actions without express direction from an Entering Firm. The Exchange believes that the proposed Kill Switch Action functionality would also provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility to provide bulk instructions to the Exchange with respect to cancelling existing orders and quotes and blocking new orders and quotes. Proposed Rule 6.40P–O(e) would specify that an Entering Firm could direct the Exchange to take one or more of the following actions with respect to orders and quotes at either an MPID, or if designated, sub-ID Level: (1) Cancel all Auction-Only Orders; (2) Cancel all orders designated GTC; (3) Cancel all unexecuted orders and quotes in the Consolidated Book other than AuctionOnly Orders and orders designated GTC; or (4) Block the entry of any new order and quote messages and related instructions, provided that the Exchange would continue to accept instructions from Entering Firms to cancel one or more orders or quotes (including E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55960 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices Auction-Only Orders and orders designated GTC) in full, and later, reverse that block. The proposed posttrade Kill Switch Actions are not currently available for options trading per Rule 6.40–O and are substantially identical to the Kill Switch Action available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform pursuant to Rule 7.19–E(e), with a difference to address the handling of quotes as well as orders designated GTC, which are not available on the cash equity platform. The Exchange believes that offering this functionality for options trading under Pillar would give Entering Firms more flexibility in setting risk controls for options trading (as noted above) and add consistency with the Exchange’s risk control functionality available for cash equity trading. Providing ‘‘Kill Switch Action’’ functionality in Exchange rules is consistent with the rules of other options exchanges.115 Proposed Commentary .01 to Rule 6.40P–O would provide that the PreTrade, Activity-Based, and Global Risk Controls described in the proposed Rule 6.40P–O are meant to supplement, and not replace, the OTP Holder’s or OTP Firm’s own internal systems, monitoring, and procedures related to risk management and are not designed for compliance with Rule 15c3–5 under the Exchange Act.116 Responsibility for compliance with all Exchange and SEC rules remains with the OTP Holder or OTP Firm. This proposed language is not included in existing Rule 6.40–O, and is based on Commentary .01 to Rule 7.19–E. The proposed rule makes clear that use of the proposed controls alone does not constitute compliance with Exchange rules or the Exchange Act. In connection with proposed Rule 6.40P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.40–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.40–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Proposed Rule 6.41P–O: Price Reasonability Checks—Orders and Quotes The Exchange proposes to describe its Price Reasonability Checks for orders and quotes in proposed Rule 6.41P– 115 See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.34(c)(6) (describing the optional ‘‘Kill Switch’’ functionality, which allows a Cboe participant to instruct Cboe to simultaneously cancel or reject all orders or quotes (or a subset thereof) as well as to instruct Cboe to block all orders or quotes (or a subset thereof), which block instructions will remain in effect until such participant contacts Cboe’s trade desk to remove the block). 116 17 CFR 240.15c3–5. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 O.117 For the OX system, the concept of ‘‘Price Reasonability Checks’’ for Limit Orders are described in Rule 6.60–O(c) and the concept of price protection filters for quotes are described in Rule 6.61–O. The proposed ‘‘Price Reasonability Checks’’ on Pillar would be applicable to both orders and quotes and are designed to provide similar price protections as the current price checks for Limit Orders on the OX system, with differences as described in more detail below. The Exchange believes that applying the same Price Reasonability Checks to both orders and quotes and describing them in a single rule would make the Exchange’s rules easier to navigate. The Exchange proposes to locate the rule text for the proposed Price Reasonability Checks in Rule 6.41P–O to immediately follow Rule 6.40P–O regarding the Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Controls, as this placement would group the risk controls together and make Exchange rules easier to navigate. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a)(1)–(3) would set forth the circumstances under which the proposed Price Reasonability Checks would apply. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a) would provide that the Exchange would apply the Price Reasonability Checks, as defined in proposed paragraphs (b) and (c), to all Limit Orders and quotes (excluding those represented in open outcry), during continuous trading on each trading day, subject to the following: • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a)(1) would provide that a Limit Order or quote received during a pre-open state would be subject to the proposed Price Reasonability Checks after an Auction concludes; that a Limit Order or quote that was resting on the Consolidated Book before a trading halt would be subject to the proposed Price Reasonability Checks again after the Trading Halt Auction; and that a put option message to buy would be subject to the Arbitrage Check regardless of when it arrives. This proposed rule is based on current Rule 6.60–O(c), which provides that the Price Reasonability Checks (for orders) are applied when a series opens or reopens for trading. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a)(1) includes additional detail and granularity regarding when the proposed Price Reasonability Checks would be applied under Pillar. The proposed Rule also adds new functionality that a put option message to buy would be subject to the Arbitrage Check even if a series is not 117 Current Rule 6.41–O is held as Reserved. The Exchange proposes to renumber the proposed rule with the ‘‘P’’ modifier and remove reference to ‘‘Reserved.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 open for trading. The Exchange believes that it is appropriate to apply this check to put option messages to buy at any time because the check is not dependent on an external reference price. • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a)(2) would provide that if the calculation of the Price Reasonability Check is not consistent with the MPV for the series, it would be rounded down to the nearest price within the applicable MPV, which is consistent with current functionality. The Exchange believes this proposed rule would promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding how the Price Reasonability Check would be calculated. • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a)(3) would provide that the proposed Price Reasonability Checks would not apply to (i) any options series for which the underlying security has a non-standard cash or stock deliverable as part of a corporate action; (ii) any options series for which the underlying security is identified as over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’); (iii) any option series on an index; and (iv) any option series for which the Exchange determines it is necessary to exclude underlying securities in the interests of maintaining a fair and orderly market, which the Exchange would announce by Trader Update. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(a)(3) is based on current Commentary .01 to Rule 6.60–O (orders) and 6.61–O (quotes), with a non-substantive difference that the proposed rule no longer references Binary Return Derivatives (‘‘ByRDs’’) because ByRDs are no longer traded on the Exchange. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(b) would set forth the ‘‘Arbitrage Checks’’ for buy orders or quotes, which subset of Price Reasonability Checks are based on the principle that an option order is in error and should be rejected (or canceled) when the same result can be achieved on the market for the underlying equity security at a lesser cost. • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(b)(1) relates to ‘‘puts’’ and would provide that order or quote messages to buy for put options would be rejected if the price of the order or quote is equal to or greater than the strike price of the option, which is substantively identical to current Rule 6.60–O(c)(1)(A) for orders, with a proposed difference that proposed ‘‘Arbitrage Check’’ would also apply to quotes. • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(b)(2) relates to ‘‘calls’’ and would provide that order or quote messages to buy for call options would be rejected or canceled (if resting) if the price of the order or quote is equal to or greater than the last sale price of the underlying security on the E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices Primary Market, plus a specified threshold to be determined by the Exchange and announced by Trader Update. This proposed rule is substantially similar to current Rule 6.60–O(c)(1)(B) for orders, with two differences. First, the proposed ‘‘Arbitrage Checks’’ would also apply to quotes. Second, because the Exchange is monitoring last sales from the Primary Market, the Exchange proposes that the Exchange-specified threshold for the Checks would be based on the last sale on the Primary Market rather than on the Consolidated Last Sale.118 The Exchange believes that the last sale on the Primary Market would be indicative of the price of the underlying security and that by using the last sale of the Primary Market rather than the Consolidated Last Sale, the Pillar system would need to ingest and process less data, thereby improving efficiency and performance of the system. The Exchange believes this proposed difference would not compromise the price protection feature of the proposed Arbitrage Checks. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c) would set forth the ‘‘Intrinsic Value Checks’’ for orders or quotes to sell, which are designed to protect sellers of calls and puts from presumptively erroneous executions based on the ‘‘Intrinsic Value’’ of an option. • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(1)(2) would set forth how the Intrinsic Value of an option would be determined. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(1) would provide that the Intrinsic Value for a put option is equal to the strike price minus the last sale price of the underlying security on the Primary Market. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(2) would provide that the Intrinsic Value for a call option is equal to the last sale price of the underlying security on the Primary Market minus the strike price. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(1)–(2) is based on how the intrinsic value is calculated in current Rule 6.60–O(c)(2) for orders, with two differences. First, the proposed ‘‘Intrinsic Value Checks’’ would also apply to quotes. Second, the Intrinsic Value of an option would be based on the last sale on the Primary Market rather than on the Consolidated Last Sale for the same reasons discussed above, that it would enhance performance without compromising the price protection feature of the Intrinsic Value Checks. • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(3) would provide that ISOs to sell would not be subject to the Intrinsic Value Check, 118 Per proposed Rule 1.1., the term ‘‘Primary Market’’ means the principal market in which the underlying security is traded. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 which carve out is substantively identical to current Rule 6.60–O(c)(2). • Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(4) would describe the application of the Intrinsic Value Checks to puts and calls to sell. Æ Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(4)(A) would provide that orders or quotes to sell for both puts and calls would be rejected or canceled (if resting) if the price of the order or quote is equal to or lower than its Intrinsic Value, minus a specified threshold to be determined by the Exchange and announced by Trader Update. Æ Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(4)(B) would provide that the Exchangedetermined threshold percentage (per paragraph (c)(4)(A)) would be based on the NBB, provided that, immediately following an Auction, it would be based on the Auction Price, or, if none, the lower Auction Collar price, or, if none, the NBB.119 This proposed threshold percentage is similar to how the Reference Price would be determined for Trading Collars, as described above pursuant to proposed Rule 6.64P– O(a)(4). As further proposed, Rule 6.41P–O(c)(4)(B) would provide that for purposes of determining the Intrinsic Value, the Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO. The Exchange further proposes that the Intrinsic Value Check for sell orders and quotes would not be applied if the Intrinsic Value cannot be calculated. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(c)(4)(A)–(B) is substantially similar to current Rule 6.60–O(a)(2)(A), which describes the application of the Intrinsic Value check for orders, except that the proposed rule also applies to quotes, provides additional detail regarding how the specified threshold percentage would be determined immediately following an Auction, provides transparency that an unadjusted NBBO would be used to calculate the Intrinsic Value, and adds explicit rule text providing that if the Intrinsic Value cannot be calculated, the Check would not be applied. The Exchange believes that these additions would both add granularity to the rule and enhance the functionality by finetuning how the Intrinsic Value would be calculated and applied. For the same reasons describe above in connection with Limit Order Price Protection and Trading Collars, the Exchange believes that using an unadjusted NBBO would serve price protection purposes by using a more conservative view of the NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(d) would provide the Automated Breach Action to 119 See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a) and proposed definitions for the terms ‘‘Auction,’’ ‘‘Auction Price,’’ Auction Collar,’’ ‘‘preopen state,’’ and ‘‘Trading Halt Auction.’’ PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55961 be applied when a Market Maker’s order or quote fails one of the Price Reasonability Checks. As proposed, if a Market Maker’s order or quote message is rejected or cancelled (if resting) pursuant to proposed paragraph (b) (Arbitrage Checks) or (c) (Intrinsic Value Checks) of proposed Rule 6.41P–O, the Exchange would Cancel and Block orders and quotes in the affected class of options as described in Rule 6.40P– O(c)(2)(C)(iii) (as described above in section ‘‘Proposed Rule 6.40P–O’’). Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(d)(1) would provide that a breach of proposed Rule 6.41P–O(d) would count towards a Market Maker’s Global Risk Control limit per Rule 6.40P–O(a)(4) (as described above in section ‘‘Proposed Rule 6.40P–O’’). Proposed Rule 6.41P–O(d)(2) concerns how a Market Maker would be reinstated following an automated breach action. As proposed, the Exchange would not reinstate the Market Maker’s ability to enter orders and quotes and related instructions on the Exchange in that class of options (other than instructions to cancel one or more orders/quotes (including AuctionOnly Orders and orders designated GTC) in full) without the consent of the Market Maker, which may be provided via automated contact. Rule 6.41P–O(d) is substantially similar to current Rule 6.61–O(b), except that the proposed rule applies to both the orders and quotes of a Market Maker (not just quotes) and provides the additional functionality that a breach of the Price Reasonability Checks would count towards a Market Maker’s Global Risk Control limit under proposed Rule 6.40P–O(c)(3), which functionality would be new under Pillar. The Exchange believes that the proposed new functionality would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms greater control and flexibility over setting risk tolerance and exposure for both orders and quotes. In connection with proposed Rule 6.41P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rules 6.60–O and 6.61–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rules 6.60–O and 6.61–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O: Auction Process Current Rule 6.64–O, OX Opening Process, sets forth the opening process currently used on the Exchange’s OX system for opening trading in a series each day and reopening trading in a series following a trading halt. Current E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55962 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Rule 6.64(a) defines the term ‘‘Trading Auction’’ as the process by which trading is initiated in a specified options class that may be employed at the opening of the Exchange each business day or to re-open trading after a trading halt, and that Trading Auctions will be conducted automatically by the OX system. Current Rules 6.64–O (b) and (c) describe the manner for the automated Trading Auctions and provide that, once the primary market for the underlying security disseminates a quote and a trade that is at or within the quote, the OX System then conducts an Auction Process (‘‘current Auction Process’’) whereby the OX System determines a single price at which a series may be opened by looking to the price at which the greatest number of contracts can trade at or between the NBBO disseminated by OPRA.120 As described in Rule 6.64–O(b)(D), the Exchange will not conduct the current Auction Process to open a series if the bid-ask differential for that series is not within an acceptable range, i.e., is not within the bid-ask differential guidelines established in Rule 6.37– O(b)(4).121 If a series does not open for trading, market and limit orders entered in advance of the current Auction Process remain in the Consolidated Book and will not be routed, even if another exchange opens that series for trading and such resting orders become Marketable against an away market NBBO.122 The Exchange proposes that new Rule 6.64P–O would set forth the automated process for both opening and reopening trading in a series on the Exchange on Pillar. The Exchange proposes to specify that current Rule 6.64–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. With the transition to Pillar, the fundamental process of how an option series would be opened (or reopened) on the Exchange would not materially change 120 If the same number of contracts can trade at multiple prices, the opening price is the price at which the greatest number of contracts can trade that is at or nearest to the midpoint of the NBBO disseminated by OPRA; unless one such price is equal to the price of any resting Limit Order(s) in which case the opening price is the same price as the Limit Order(s) with the greatest size and, if the same size, the highest price and if there is a tie between price levels and no Limit Orders exist at either of the prices, the Exchange uses the higher price. See Rule 6.64–O(c). 121 Because Rule 6.64–O(b)(D) cross-references the bid-ask differential requirement of Rule 6.37–O (b)(4), which relates to the obligations of Market Makers in appointed classes, the Exchange will not open a series for trading if the NBBO disseminated by OPRA in a series is not within such bid-ask differentials. 122 The term ‘‘Marketable’’ is defined in proposed Rule 1.1 to mean for a Limit Order, an order that can be immediately executed or routed and Market Orders are always considered marketable.’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 because the Exchange would continue to assess whether a series can be opened based on whether the bid-ask differential for a series is within a specified range. However, with the availability of Pillar technology, the Exchange proposes differences to the proposed auction process that are designed to provide additional opportunities for an options series to open or reopen for trading even if the bid-ask differential is wider than the specified guidelines. While this proposed functionality would be new for options trading on the Exchange, it is not novel for an options exchange to provide additional opportunities for a series to open after a specified period of time in a wide market.123 The Exchange believes that the proposed changes would enhance the opening/reopening process on the Exchange by providing a transparent and deterministic process for the Exchange to open additional series for trading. Further, the Exchange proposes additional enhancements (and detail them in the rule) that are based on existing Pillar functionality for the Exchange’s cash equity platform’s electronic auctions relating to how orders and quotes would be processed if they arrive during the period when the Exchange is processing an Auction and how the Exchange would process orders and quotes when it transitions to continuous trading following an Auction. Because the Exchange would be using Pillar terminology, the Exchange proposes to structure proposed Rule 6.64P–O based in part on Rule 7.35–E, which is the Exchange’s cash equity rule governing auctions (relating to separate sections describing definitions, order processing during an Auction Processing Period, and transition to continuous trading) and NYSE Rule 7.35, which is NYSE’s rule governing auctions (relating to separate sections describing definitions, Auction Ranking, Auction Imbalance Information, order processing during an Auction Processing Period, and transition to continuous trading). In addition, the Exchange proposes to include in Rule 6.64P–O how the Exchange would process orders and 123 For example, Cboe recently amended Cboe Rule 5.31 relating to its opening process to provide for a ‘‘forced opening’’ process that is used if an option class is unable to open because it does not meet the applicable bid-ask differential. In such case, if the ‘‘Composite Market’’ is not crossed and there is no non-zero offer, within a specified time period, Cboe will open the series without a trade. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90967 (January 22, 2021), 86 FR 7249 (January 28, 2021) (SR–Cboe–2021–005) (Notice of filing and immediate effectiveness of proposed rule change to amend Cboe’s opening process for simple orders). PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 quotes during a trading halt, which is structured based in part on Rule 7.18– E(b) and (c), which describe how the Exchange processes new and existing orders during a trading halt on its cash equity market. This text would be new and is designed to provide granularity and transparency in Exchange rules. Definitions. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a) would provide that the Rule would be applicable to all series that trade on the Exchange other than Flex Options.124 Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a) would set forth the definitions that would be used for purposes of Rule 6–O Options Trading and applicable to trading on Pillar. Certain of the proposed definitions are the same as (or similar to) auction-related definitions used on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, per Rule 7.35–E (Auctions), with differences noted herein. To the extent that a definition from Rule 7.35–E is not utilized in proposed Rule 6.64P–O, the Exchange has determined that such definition(s) is either inapplicable to the opening process for options trading or that the relevant, analogous concept(s) is covered elsewhere in the proposed rule. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(1) would define the term ‘‘Auction’’ to mean the opening or reopening of a series for trading either with or without a trade. This proposed definition is based in part on current Rule 6.64–O(a), which defines the term ‘‘Trading Auction’’ to be a process by which trading is initiated in a specified options class that may be employed at the opening of the Exchange each business day or to reopen trading after a trading halt.125 On Pillar, the Exchange proposes that the term ‘‘Auction’’ would refer to the point in the process where the Exchange determines that a series can be opened or reopened either with or without a trade. After an Auction concludes, the series then transitions to continuous trading. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(1)(A) would provide that a ‘‘Core Open Auction’’ means the Auction that opens trading after the beginning of Core Trading Hours and proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(1)(B) would provide that a 124 With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange is not making any changes to how Flex Options trade. Rule 5.31–O provides that Flex Options transactions may be effected during normal Exchange options trading hours on any business day and there will be no trading rotations in Flex Options. Rule 5.33–O sets forth the procedures for trading Flex Options. The opening process for Electronic Complex Orders is set forth in Rule 6.91– O. 125 See also Rule 6.64–O(d) (providing that a Trading Auction to reopen an option class after a trading halt is conducted in the same manner as a Trading Auction to open each option class at the start of each trading day, i.e., as described in Rule 6.64–O(a)–(c)). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices ‘‘Trading Halt Auction’’ means the Auction that reopens trading following a trading halt. These are Pillar terms that would be new to options trading and are based on the same terms currently used in Rule 7.35–E(c) and (e) for the same purposes. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(2) would define the term ‘‘Auction Collar’’ to mean the price collar thresholds for the Indicative Match Price (defined below) for an Auction. As further proposed, the upper Auction Collar would be the offer of the Legal Width Quote (defined below) and the lower Auction Collar would be the bid of the Legal Width Quote, provided that if the bid of the Legal Width Quote is zero, the lower Auction Collar would be one MPV above zero for the series. The proposed rule would further provide that if there is no Legal Width Quote, the Auction Collars would be published in the Auction Imbalance Information (defined below) as zero. The proposed terminology of ‘‘Auction Collar’’ would be new for options trading and is based on the same term used in Rule 7.35–E(a)(10) for trading cash equity securities. As proposed, the Auction Collars would be set at the Legal Width Quote (described below) and would prevent an Auction trade from occurring at a price outside of the Legal Width Quote. The Exchange believes that the concept of Auction Collars is similar to the current requirement that the Exchange will not open a series if the bid-ask differential is not within the bid-ask differential guidelines established under Rule 6.37– O(b)(4).126 Thus, the proposed Auction Collars (based on a Legal Width Quote) would use Pillar terminology to prevent an Auction that results in a trade from being priced outside the bid-ask differential applicable to Auctions on Pillar.127 • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3) would define the term ‘‘Auction Imbalance Information’’ to mean the information that the Exchange disseminates about an Auction via its proprietary data feeds and includes the Auction Collars, Auction Indicator, Book Clearing Price, Far Clearing Price, Indicative Match Price, Matched Volume, Market Imbalance, and Total Imbalance.128 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 126 See Rule 6.64–O(b)(D) and (E). The Exchange notes that in common parlance bid-ask differentials are known as ‘‘legal-width quotes.’’ 127 See also Cboe Rule 5.31(a) (defining the ‘‘Opening Collar’’ as the price range that establishes limits at or inside of which Cboe determines the opening trade price for a series). 128 On the Exchange’s cash equity market, Auctions have an ‘‘Auction Imbalance Freeze,’’ which is a period in advance of the scheduled Auction. The Exchange does not currently provide for an analogous period to open or reopen options VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 With Pillar, the Exchange proposes to disseminate Auction Imbalance Information for its options market in the same manner that such information is disseminated for its cash equity market. The Exchange currently makes certain auction imbalance information available on its proprietary data feed and the Exchange believes that enhancing this information by disseminating the proposed Auction Collars, Auction Indicator, Book Clearing Price, and Far Clearing Price, which would be new for options trading on Pillar, would promote transparency. Accordingly, this proposed definition would be new and is based on the same term used in Rule 7.35–E(a)(4), with differences to reflect the options-specific content that would be included in Auction Imbalance Information for options trading. In addition, the Exchange proposes that the Auction Imbalance Information would reflect the orders and quotes eligible to participate in an Auction, which contribute to price discovery. Accordingly, proposed Rule 6.64P– O(a)(3) would further provide that Auction Imbalance Information would be based on all orders and quotes (including the non-displayed quantity of Reserve Orders) eligible to participate in an Auction, excluding IO Orders.129 The Exchange believes that specifying that non-displayed quantity of Reserve Orders would be included in the Auction Imbalance Information is consistent with current functionality that the full quantity of Reserve Orders are eligible to participate in the current Auction Process. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)(A) would define the term ‘‘Auction Indicator’’ to mean the indicator that provides a status update of whether an Auction cannot be conducted because either (i) there is no Legal Width Quote, or (ii) a Market Maker quote has not been received during the Opening MMQ Time Parameter (defined below). The Exchange currently disseminates an Auction Indicator on its cash equity market and proposes similar functionality for options trading on the Exchange.130 This proposed definition would be new for options trading and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule trading and does not propose to include such a period for options trading on Pillar. Accordingly, the Exchange does not propose terms based on ‘‘Auction Imbalance Freeze,’’ as described in Rule 7.35–E(a)(3), for options trading on Pillar. 129 This is consistent with the order information included in Auction Imbalance Information for cash equity trading. See Rule 7.35–E(a)(7) and 7.35– E(a)(8). The Exchange proposes to exclude IO Orders because they are conditional offsetting orders that would not contribute to price discovery in the Auction Process. 130 See Rule 7.35–E(a)(13). PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55963 7.35–E(a)(13) and would provide transparency of when an Auction could not be conducted.131 While the Exchange’s cash equity rule is written from the standpoint of when an auction can be conducted, the proposed rule is written from the standpoint of when an auction cannot be conducted. The Exchange believes this difference is appropriate because, for options trading, the proposed Auction (and its Auction Indicator) are impacted by the absence of necessary information (i.e., a Legal Width Quote or a Market Maker quote), rather than an auction in the cash equity market, where the determining factor of whether to conduct an auction is the quality (not the presence of) of information (i.e., the Imbalance). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)(B) would define the term ‘‘Book Clearing Price’’ to mean the price at which all contracts could be traded in an Auction if not subject to the Auction Collar and states that the Book Clearing Price would be zero if a sell (buy) Imbalance cannot be filled by any buy (sell) interest. The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Book Clearing Price would be calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity trading. Accordingly, this proposed definition and functionality would be new for options trading and is based on the definition of ‘‘Book Clearing Price’’ set forth in Rule 7.35–E(a)(11), with differences to reflect options trading terminology (i.e., reference contracts instead of buy (sell) orders). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)(C) would define the term ‘‘Far Clearing Price’’ to mean the price at which Auction-Only Orders could be traded in an Auction within the Auction Collar. The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Far Clearing Price would be calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity trading. Accordingly, this proposed definition and functionality would be new for options trading and is based on the definition of ‘‘Far Clearing Price’’ set forth in Rule 7.35–E(a)(12). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)(D) would define the term ‘‘Imbalance’’ to mean the number of buy (sell) contracts that cannot be matched with sell (buy) contracts at the Indicative Match Price at any given time. The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Imbalance would be calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity 131 Consistent with the proposed rule, Rule 6.64– O(b)(D) provides that the Exchange will not conduct the current Auction Process if the bid-ask differential for a series is not within an acceptable range. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55964 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices trading, which is consistent with current functionality that calculates the imbalance based on all interest eligible to participate in an auction. Accordingly, this proposed definition would be new rule text for options trading and is based on the definition of ‘‘Imbalance’’ set forth in Rule 7.35– E(a)(7), except that, unlike for cash equities, the proposed definition would not reference the non-displayed quantity of Reserve Orders. As discussed above, the Exchange believes that providing an overarching description of how the non-displayed quantity of Reserve Orders would be included in Auction Imbalance Information is more appropriately included in the proposed (more expansive) definition of Auction Imbalance Information (per proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)) to reflect the Auction-eligible interest that contribute to price discovery.132 In addition, the proposed rule differs from Rule 7.35– E(a)(7) to reflect options trading terminology (i.e., contracts instead of shares). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)(D)(i) would define the term ‘‘Total Imbalance’’ to mean the Imbalance of all buy (sell) contracts at the Indicative Match Price for all orders and quotes eligible to trade in an Auction. The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Total Imbalance would be calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity trading and is consistent with current functionality. Accordingly, this proposed definition would be new and is based on the definition of ‘‘Total Imbalance’’ set forth in Rule 7.35– E(a)(7)(A), except that the proposed definition does not include the superfluous modifier ‘‘net’’ in reference to Total Imbalance and includes options trading terminology (i.e., contracts instead of shares). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3)(D)(ii) would define the term ‘‘Market Imbalance’’ to mean the Imbalance of any remaining buy (sell) Market Orders and MOO Orders that are not matched for trading in the Auction. The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Market Imbalance would be calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity trading, which differs from current options functionality.133 Accordingly, this proposed definition 132 See supra note 129 (regarding consistency of proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(3) regarding Auction Imbalance Information with Rule 7.35–E(a)(7) and 7.35–E(a)(8)). 133 On the OX system, the market imbalance is the difference between quantities of buy and sell market orders. VerDate Sep<11>2014 23:06 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 and functionality would be new and is based on the definition of ‘‘Market Imbalance’’ set forth in Rule 7.35– E(a)(7)(B), with a difference to add reference to MOO Orders (as defined in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(2)).134 • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(4) would define the term ‘‘Auction Price’’ to mean the price at which an Auction that results in a trade is conducted. The Exchange proposes that this term would have the same meaning as the same term on its cash equity market, per Rule 7.35–E(a)(2), with a difference to add the phrase ‘‘that results in a trade’’ to be clear that an Auction Price is for an Auction that results in a trade. This would be a new term and is designed to add clarity and transparency to Exchange rules as this term would be used as a reference price in proposed Rules 6.62P–O(a)(3)(B) and 6.41P– O(c)(4)(B).135 • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(5) would define the term ‘‘Auction Process’’ to mean the process that begins when the Exchange receives an Auction Trigger (defined below) for a series and ends when the Auction is conducted. This would be a new term and is designed to add clarity and transparency to Exchange rules and address all steps in the process that culminates in an Auction, as described in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d). • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(6) would define the term ‘‘Auction Processing Period’’ to mean the period during which the Auction is being processed. The Exchange proposes that this new term would have the same meaning as the same term on its cash equity market. The Auction Processing Period is at the end of the Auction Process and is the period when the actual Auction is conducted and the Exchange transitions from a pre-open state (described below) to continuous trading. The end of the Auction Processing Period is the end of the Auction and, depending on the orders and quotes in the Consolidated Book, it concludes either with or without a trade. Accordingly, this proposed definition is substantively 134 Rule 7.35–E(a)(7)(B) does not separately reference MOO Orders because Rule 7.35–E(a) provides that, unless otherwise specified, the term ‘‘Market Orders’’ in Rule 7.35–E includes MOO Orders (for the Core Open Auction and Trading Halt Auction). The Exchange proposes that for options trading, the terms Market Order and MOO Order both be referenced in proposed Rule 6.64P–O. 135 See also Cboe Rule 5.31(a) (defining the ‘‘Opening Trade Price’’ as the price at which Cboe executes opening trades in a series). The Exchange notes that the term ‘‘Auction Price’’ is distinguished from the proposed term of ‘‘Indicative Match Price,’’ as the latter term is the content included in the Auction Imbalance Information in advance of an Auction, and the Auction Price is the price of an Auction that results in a trade. PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 identical to the definition of ‘‘Auction Processing Period’’ set forth in Rule 7.35–E(a)(2). • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(7) would define the term ‘‘Auction Trigger’’ to mean the information disseminated by the Primary Market in the underlying security that triggers the Auction Process for a series to begin. For a Core Open Auction, the proposed Auction Trigger would be when the Primary Market first disseminates at or after 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time both a two-sided quote and a trade of any size that is at or within the quote. For a Trading Halt Auction, the proposed Auction Trigger would be when the Primary Market disseminates at the end of a trading halt or pause a resume message, a two-sided quote, and a trade of any size that is at or within the quote. This proposed term is new and is not used on the cash equity platform. This proposed functionality, however, is not new and is based on how the Exchange currently opens or reopens a series for trading, as set forth in the last sentence of current Rule 6.64–O(b).136 The proposed rule adds detail not found in the current rule by referring to a ‘‘two-sided quote’’ rather than a ‘‘quote,’’ without any changes to functionality. The Exchange also proposes a difference that an opening trade on the Primary Market may be ‘‘of any size,’’ which would make clear that an odd-lot transaction on the Primary Market could be used as an Auction Trigger, which would be new on Pillar.137 The Exchange believes that because it requires both a quote and a trade from the Primary Market before it can open/reopen trading in the overlying option, and because a Primary Market that has disseminated a quote for an underlying security is open for trading, allowing odd-lot sized trades to be included in the trigger would increase the opportunities to open/ reopen trading options that overlay lowvolume securities that have opened for trading on the Primary Market and would reduce the circumstances needed to manually trigger an Auction for a series. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(8) would define the term ‘‘Calculated NBBO’’ to mean the highest bid and lowest offer 136 Rule 6.64–O(b) provides, in relevant part, that the related option series will be opened automatically ‘‘once the primary market for the underlying security disseminates a quote and a trade that is at or within the quote.’’ 137 See also Cboe Rule 5.31(d)(1)(ii), which provides that Cboe initiates the opening rotation for equity options after ‘‘both the first disseminated transaction and the first disseminated quote on the primary market in the security underlying an equity option,’’ which rule does not specify the size of the transaction on the primary market that would trigger initiation of an opening rotation. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 among all Market Maker quotes and the Away Market NBBO during the Auction Process. The Exchange proposes to use the term ‘‘Calculated NBBO’’ to specify which bids and offers the Exchange would consider for purposes of determining whether to proceed with an Auction on Pillar, as described in greater detail below. The Exchange believes the proposed term provides more clarity than referencing an ‘‘NBBO disseminated by OPRA.’’ 138 • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9) would define the term ‘‘Indicative Match Price’’ to mean the price at which the maximum number of contracts can be traded in an Auction, including the nondisplayed quantity of Reserve Orders, and excluding IO Orders, subject to the Auction Collars. This functionality is consistent with the current process for establishing a single opening price, as described in Rule 6.64–O(b)(A), but the proposed rule adds more granularity and uses Pillar terminology.139 In addition, the term ‘‘Indicative Match Price’’ refers to the same functionality as the OX system’s reference to the term ‘‘reference price’’ in its imbalance information. This proposed definition is based on the Pillar definition of ‘‘Indicative Match Price’’ set forth in Rule 7.35–E(a)(8), with differences to refer solely to ‘‘price’’ as opposed to ‘‘best price’’ because proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(A), described below, would provide specificity of how such price would be determined, and to reflect options trading terminology (i.e., contracts instead of shares). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9) would further provide that if there is no Legal Width Quote, the Indicative Match Price included in the Auction Imbalance Information would be calculated without Auction Collars. This would be a new feature applicable only to options trading and an Indicative Match Price without Auction Collars would be accompanied with an Auction Indicator that the Auction cannot be conducted because there is no Legal Width Quote.140 138 The Exchange notes that the information used to calculate the proposed Calculated NBBO is consistent with the information that the Exchange receives from OPRA in advance of the Exchange opening or reopening trading (i.e., Market Maker rotational quotes from the Exchange and Away Market NBBO) and is similar to Cboe’s definition of ‘‘Composite Market,’’ as described in Cboe Rule 5.31(a), which includes Cboe Market Maker quotes and BBOs of other options exchanges. 139 See Rule 6.64–O(b)(A), (c) (describing process for determining single opening price). 140 This would be new functionality because currently, if there is no legal width NBBO, the Exchange does not disseminate imbalance information and does not calculate an indicative match price. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(A) would provide that if there is more than one price level at which the maximum number of contracts can be traded within the Auction Collars, the Indicative Match Price would be the price closest to the midpoint of the Legal Width Quote, rounded to the nearest MPV for the series, provided that the Indicative Match Price would not be lower (higher) than the highest (lowest) price of a Limit Order to buy (sell) ranked Priority 2—Display Orders that is eligible to participate in the Auction. This functionality is similar to the current process for establishing a single opening price, as described in Rule 6.64–O(c), which provides that when the same number of contracts can trade at multiple prices, the opening price is the price at which the greatest number of contracts can trade that is at or nearest to the midpoint of the NBBO disseminated by OPRA. The proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35–E(a)(8)(A) and adds more granularity, such as describing that the Exchange would round to the nearest MPV in the series, which is consistent with current functionality. The Exchange also proposes a difference compared to the cash equity rules to reflect that when there is more than one price level at which the maximum number of contracts can trade, the Indicative Match Price for options trading would be the price closest to the midpoint of the Legal Width Quote rather than (for cash equities) the price closest to an auction reference price. The Exchange believes that reference to the term Legal Width Quote reflects the proposed use of this term in the Auction Process rather than referring to the NBBO disseminated by OPRA. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(B) would provide that an Indicative Match Price that is higher (lower) than the upper (lower) Auction Collar would be adjusted to the upper (lower) Auction Collar and orders eligible to participate in the Auction would trade at the collared Indicative Match Price. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(B)(i) would provide that Limit Orders to buy (sell) with a limit price above (below) the upper (lower) Auction Collar would be included in the Auction Imbalance Information at the collared Indicative Match Price and would be eligible to trade at the Indicative Match Price. This proposed rule text provides granularity that, consistent with current functionality, orders willing to buy (sell) at a higher (lower) price than the Auction Price would participate in an Auction trade, which, by definition, would be required to be at or between PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55965 the Auction Collars. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(B)(ii) would provide that Limit Orders and quotes to buy (sell) with a limit price below (above) the lower (upper) Auction Collar would not be included in the Auction Imbalance Information and would not participate in an Auction. The Exchange proposes that the manner that orders and quotes priced outside of the Auction Collar would be included (or not) in the Indicative Match Price would be the same as how it is determined for cash equity trading. Accordingly, this proposed rule text is new for options trading (but the functionality is consistent with current functionality) and uses Pillar terminology based on Rules 7.35–E(a)(10)(A), (B), and (C) that is designed to add granularity to the proposed rule, and with a difference to reflect when the proposed rule would be applicable to quotes. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(C) would provide that if the Matched Volume (defined below) for an Auction consists of only buy and sell Market Orders, the Indicative Match Price would be the midpoint of the Legal Width Quote, rounded to the MPV for the series, or, if, the Legal Width Quote is locked, then the locked price. This proposed rule text is new and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35– E(a)(8)(C), with differences to reflect that options trading on Pillar would be based on a Legal Width Quote (as defined herein) to determine the Indicative Match Price when there are only Market Orders eligible to trade in an Auction. This proposed rule is designed to provide granularity of how the Indicative Match Price would be calculated if there are only Market Orders. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9)(D) would provide that if there is no Matched Volume, including if there are Market Orders on only one side of the Market, the Indicative Match Price and Total Imbalance for the Auction Imbalance Information would be zero. This proposed rule text is new and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35– E(a)(8)(D) and (E) with differences to reflect that on options, the Indicative Match Price would be zero in both circumstances. This proposed Rule is designed to provide granularity regarding how the Indicative Match Price and Total Imbalance for the Auction Imbalance Information would be calculated if there is no Matched Volume. • Proposed Rule 6.64P(a)(10) would define a ‘‘Legal Width Quote’’ as a Calculated NBBO that: (A) May be locked, but not crossed; (B) does not contain a zero offer; and (C) has a spread E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55966 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 between the Calculated NBBO for each option contract that does not exceed the following differentials, which can be widened as provided for in Rule 6.37– O(c): (i) No more than .25 where the bid does not exceed $2; (ii) no more than .40 where the bid is more than $2 but does not exceed $5; (iii) no more than .50 where the bid is more than $5 but does not exceed $10; (iv) no more than .80 where the bid is more than $10 but does not exceed $20; and (v) no more than $1 where the bid is more than $20, provided that a Trading Official may establish differences other than the above for one or more series or classes of options.141 Requiring that the Legal Width Quote not be crossed is consistent with current Rule 6.64–O(b)(E), which requires an uncrossed NBBO disseminated by OPRA before a series can be opened (or reopened).142 The Exchange believes that the additional detail in proposed Rules 6.64P–O(a)(10)(A) and (B) regarding how to determine a Legal Width Quote provides clarity and granularity the circumstances when a Calculated NBBO would be eligible to be considered a Legal Width Quote. In addition, requiring that a bid-ask spread meet specified differentials, described in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(a)(10)(C)(i)–(v), before an Auction can proceed is based on the current OX Opening Process, which requires the bid-ask differential for a series to be in an acceptable range.143 The proposed differential spread for the Pillar Auction Process set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(10)(C) are substantially the same as the bid-ask differentials (as well as the discretion granted a Trading Official to widen such differentials) currently set forth in Rule 6.37–O(b)(4), with a difference that for option contracts with a bid of exactly $2, the differential for Auctions on Pillar would be .25 instead of .40. The Exchange notes that this slight variation from Rule 141 See Rule 6.37–O(c) (Unusual Conditions— Opening Auction) (providing that ‘‘[i[f the interest of maintaining a fair and orderly market so requires, a Trading Official may declare that unusual market conditions exist in a particular issue and allow Market Makers in that issue to make auction bids and offers with spread differentials of up to two times, or in exceptional circumstances, up to three times, the legal limits permitted under Rule 6.37– O’’). 142 The proposed calculation of a Legal Width Quote is also similar to how Cboe determines whether to perform a ‘‘Forced Opening,’’ because Cboe requires a Composite Market that is not crossed with a non-zero offer. See Cboe Rule. 5.31(e)(4). 143 See Rule 6.64–O(b)(D) (providing that ‘‘[t]he OX System will not conduct an Auction Process if the bid-ask differential for that series is not within an acceptable range,’’ which ‘‘acceptable range shall mean within the bid-ask differential guidelines established pursuant to Rule 6.37–O(b)(4)’’). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 6.37–O(b)(4)(A) for $2 bids would streamline implementation by having the break point for bid-differentials for the automated Auction Process to be calculated in whole dollar increments. The Exchange believes that including the proposed bid-ask differential in the rule governing the Auction Process would promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding which quotes—both Market Maker quotes on the Exchange and the Away Market NBBO, i.e., the Calculated NBBO—that the Exchange would use to determine if there is a Legal Width Quote. The Exchange also proposes to make a conforming change to Rule 6.37–O(c) to update the title from ‘‘Unusual Conditions—Opening Auction’’ to be ‘‘Unusual Conditions—Auctions,’’ which would align with the proposed definition of ‘‘Auctions’’ in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a), which includes both opening and reopening auctions. This proposed change also promotes clarity, consistent with current functionality that Rule 6.37–O(c) is also applicable to reopenings. In addition, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.37–O(c), which authorizes a Trading Official to widen the bid-ask differentials in the event of unusual conditions, to add a cross-reference to extend such authority to proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(9) (regarding the Legal Width Quote spreads). This proposed amendment would ensure that the existing procedures for auctions in the event of unusual conditions, as specified in Rule 6.37–O(c), would continue to be available for option symbols that have transitioned to Pillar (and subject to new Rule 6.64P–O(a)(10)). • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(11) would define the term ‘‘Matched Volume’’ to mean the number of buy and sell contracts that can be matched at the Indicative Match Price, excluding IO Orders. The concept of Matched Volume on Pillar is consistent with the OX system’s concept of ‘‘paired quantity’’ in its imbalance information. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on the definition of ‘‘Matched Volume’’ set forth in Rule 7.35–E(a)(9), with a non-substantive difference to reference (option) contracts instead of shares and to be clear that the Matched Volume would not include IO Orders. The Exchange believes this proposed definition promotes granularity in Exchange rules. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(12) would define the term ‘‘pre-open state’’ to mean the period before a series is opened or reopened for trading and would provide that during the pre-open state, the Exchange would accept Auction-Only Orders, quotes, and PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 orders designated Day or GTC, including orders ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—NonDisplay Orders’’ that are not eligible to participate in an Auction.144 This proposed text is consistent with current Rule 6.64–O(b), which provides that the Exchange will accept market and limit orders for inclusion in the opening auction process and would add further granularity regarding which interest would be accepted by the Exchange (even if not eligible for an Auction) prior to the opening or reopening of each option series and during which time period. The proposed rule would further provide that the pre-open state for the Core Open Auction would begin at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time and would end when the Auction Processing Period begins, which is similar to current functionality, which allows order and quote entry to begin at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The Exchange believes that moving the start time to 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time would not materially impact the ability of OTP Holders to enter orders or quotes during the pre-open state. As further proposed, at the beginning of the pre-open state before the Core Open Auction, orders designated GTC that remain from the prior trading day will be included in the Consolidated Book, which is consistent with current functionality. The proposed rule would also provide that the pre-open state for a Trading Halt Auction would begin at the beginning of the trading halt and would end when the Auction Processing Period begins. This proposed definition of a pre-open state would be new for Pillar and is designed to distinguish the pre-open state (for a Core Open Auction or a Trading Halt Auction) from both the Auction Processing Period and the period when a given series opens for trading, which would add granularity to Exchange rules. As noted above, this proposed definition of pre-open state would also be used in proposed Rules 6.40P–O, 6.41P–O, and 6.62P–O. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(a)(13) would define the term ‘‘Rotational Quote’’ to mean the highest Market Maker bid and lowest Market Maker offer on the Exchange when the Auction Process begins and would provide that during the Auction Process, the 144 The Exchange notes that Cboe refers to a similar period as the ‘‘Queuing Period.’’ See Cboe Rule 5.31(b). Similar to Cboe’s Queuing Period, the proposed term of ‘‘pre-open state’’ means the period when the Exchange accepts orders and quotes but has not yet opened/reopened a series for continuous trading. The proposed ‘‘Auction Process,’’ defined above, is part of the pre-open state, but does not begin until the Exchange receives an Auction Trigger, as defined above. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices Exchange would update the price and size of the Rotational Quote and that such Rotational Quote can be locked or crossed. The Exchange further proposes that, if there are no Market Maker quotes, the Rotational Quote would be published with a zero price and size. The Exchange notes that, although not specified in the current rule, it currently disseminates a ‘‘rotational quote’’ to OPRA when it is in the process of opening or reopening a series, i.e., a quote that is comprised only of Market Maker quotes and does not include orders. The Exchange proposes a difference on Pillar because currently, if the Market Maker Quotes are crossed, the Exchange flips the bid and offer prices. In Pillar, the Exchange would publish a Rotational Quote with the actual bid and offer prices, even if crossed, which would provide OTP Firms and OTP Holders with a more accurate view of whether a Rotational Quote is crossed. This proposed definition is new, uses Pillar terminology, and adds granularity to Exchange rules by codifying existing (albeit slightly modified) functionality. Auction Ranking. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(b) would describe the ranking for Auctions and would provide that orders and quotes on the side of the Imbalance are not guaranteed to participate in the Auction and would be ranked in price-time priority under proposed Rule 6.76P–O, consistent with the priority ranking associated with each order or quote, provided that: (1) Limit Orders, quotes, and LOO Orders would be ranked based on their limit price and not the price at which they would participate in the Auction; (2) MOO Orders would be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 1— Market Orders’’; (3) LOO Orders would be ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 2—Display Orders’’; and (4) IO Orders would be ranked based on time among IO Orders, subject to eligibility to participate at the Indicative Match Price based on their limit price.145 This proposed rule is based in part on current Rule 6.64–O(b)(B), which provides that ‘‘[o]rders and quotes in the system will be matched up with one another based on price-time priority, provided, however, that orders will have priority over Market Maker quotes at the same price.’’ The Exchange proposes a difference in Pillar that orders in the same priority category as 145 Unlike the Exchange’s cash equity rules, the Exchange proposes to describe Auction Ranking in a separate section of proposed Rule 6.64P–O, which is a stylistic choice similar to NYSE Rule 7.35(b), which also separates the concept of Auction Ranking from definitions. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 quotes would not have priority over Market Maker quotes at the same price. Instead, orders and Market Maker quotes in the same priority category would be ranked based on time, as proposed in Rule 6.76P–O, which equal ranking is consistent with how other options markets handle orders and quotes during the opening process.146 Because the Exchange proposes that orders and quotes in an options Auction would be processed in the same manner as on its cash equity platform, including that orders on the side of the Imbalance would not be guaranteed to participate in an Auction, the proposed rule text in this regard is based in part on Rule 7.35–E(a)(6)(A)–(D), with differences to reflect that options trading includes quotes and to be clear that IO Orders would be ranked based on working time among IO Orders, subject to such orders’ eligibility to participate at the Indicative Match Price based on their limit price.147 Auction Imbalance Information. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(c) would provide that Auction Imbalance Information would be updated at least every second until the Auction is conducted, unless there is no change to the information and would further provide that the Exchange would begin disseminating Auction Imbalance Information at the following times: (1) Core Open Auction Imbalance Information would begin at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time; and (2) Trading Halt Auction Imbalance Information would begin at the beginning of the trading halt. Because the Exchange proposes to disseminate Auction Imbalance Information for its options market in the same manner that such information is disseminated for its cash equity market, this proposed rule text, which is new, is based in part on Rule 7.35–E(a)(4)(A) and (C). Auction Process. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d) would set forth the Exchange’s proposed Auction Process on Pillar. Similar to current OX system functionality, which requires that the bid-ask differential for a given series be within an acceptable range before conducting an auction, under Pillar, a series would not be opened or reopened on a trade if there is no Legal Width 146 See Cboe Rule 5.31(e)(3)(i) (providing that Cboe ‘‘prioritizes orders and quotes in the following order: market orders, limit orders and quotes with prices better than the Opening Trade Price, and orders and quotes at the Opening Trade Price’’). 147 See discussion supra, regarding proposed Rule 6.62P–O(c)(3) and how IO Orders would function. The Exchange notes that, unlike on the cash equity platform, IO Orders would not be limited to participating solely in Trading Halt Auctions and may likewise participate in Core Open Auctions as well. PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55967 Quote, which concept, as described above, incorporates (almost identical) bid-ask differentials.148 As described further below, the Exchange proposes that for Pillar, a series should (ideally) also have Market Maker quotes and, as such, proposes to provide time for Market Makers assigned to a series to quote within the specified bid-ask differentials, and if Market Makers do not quote within those time frames, determine whether to open or reopen a series based on the Away Market NBBO. The Exchange notes that this proposed process is consistent with that used on other options exchanges.149 Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(1) describes the process for disseminating the Rotational Quote and would provide that when the Exchange receives the Auction Trigger for a series, the Exchange would send a Rotational Quote to both OPRA and proprietary data feeds indicating that the Exchange is in the process of transitioning from a pre-open state to continuous trading for that series. This proposed rule is consistent with current functionality and is designed to promote granularity. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2) would provide that once a Rotational Quote has been sent, the Exchange would conduct an Auction provided there is both a Legal Width Quote and, if applicable, a Market Maker quote with a non-zero offer in the series (which would be subject to the proposed requirements relating to Market Maker quotes, including the proposed new Opening MMQ Time Parameter, as discussed further below per proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3)). The proposed rule would further provide that the Exchange would wait a minimum of two milliseconds after disseminating the Rotational Quote before an Auction could be conducted, which delay would be new and is designed to enhance market quality by promoting priceforming displayed liquidity to the benefit of all market participants. This proposed rule text is designed to provide transparency and determinism 148 See supra note 143 (describing Rule 6.64– O(b)(D), which provides that the Exchange will not conduct its current Auction Process if the bid-ask differential for a series is not ‘‘within an acceptable range’’). 149 See, e.g., Nasdaq PHLX (‘‘PHLX’’) Section 8(d), Options Opening Process (providing that the Opening Process begins when (a) a ‘‘valid width’’ (i.e., a bid/ask differential that is compliant with PHLX Rule 1014(c)(i)(A)(1)(a)) specialist quote is submitted, (b) valid width quotes from at least two PHLX market participants have been submitted within 30 seconds of the opening trade or quote in the underlying security from the primary exchange, or (c) after 30 seconds of the opening trade or quote in the underlying security from the primary exchange, one PHLX market participant has submitted a valid width quote). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55968 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 in Exchange rules regarding the earliest potential time that a series could be opened (after the Exchange receives an Auction Trigger), and subject to the series meeting all other requirements for opening or reopening discussed herein. Subject to the requirements specified in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2), proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A) would provide that if there is Matched Volume that can trade at or within the Auction Collars, the Auction would result in a trade at the Indicative Match Price. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(B) would provide that if there is no Matched Volume that can trade at or within the Auction Collars, the Auction would not result in a trade and the Exchange would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f) below. This proposed rule text is new, uses Pillar terminology, and is designed to provide transparency of when an Auction would result in a trade. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3) would specify the Opening MMQ Time Parameter. Although the Exchange does not require a Market Maker assigned to a series to quote on the Exchange in order to open or reopen a series for trading, the Exchange believes that having a Market Maker assigned to a series quote within the bid-ask differential would promote a fair and orderly Auction process and transition to continuous trading.150 Accordingly, the Exchange proposes a new process for Auctions on Pillar that would provide time for Market Makers assigned to a series to quote within the specified bid-ask differentials before a series would be opened or reopened for trading. As proposed, once the Auction Process begins, the Exchange would begin a one-minute timer for the Market Maker(s) assigned to a series to submit a quote with a non-zero offer.151 This one-minute timer would be referred to as the Opening MMQ Time Parameter. The Opening MMQ Time Parameter is designed to provide transparency in Exchange rules of the circumstances of when the Exchange would wait to open or reopen a series for trading if the assigned Market Maker(s) has not 150 Currently, neither Market Makers nor LMMs are obligated to provide a quote before a series is opened or reopened, which is why the proposed Pillar options Auction rule is designed to provide Market Makers with time to submit their quotes so a series can be opened. 151 A Market Maker may send quotations only in the issues included in its appointment, i.e., in series to which such Market Maker is assigned. See proposed Rule 6.37AP–O(a). See also proposed Rule 6.37AP–O(b) and (c) (setting forth continuous quoting obligations of LMMs and Market Makers, respectively, which obligations are identical to those set forth in Rule 6.37A–O(b) and (c)). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 submitted a quote within the specified time periods, as follows: • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3)(A) would provide that if there are no Market Makers assigned to a series, the Exchange would conduct an Auction in that series based solely on a Legal Width Quote, without waiting for the Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end. As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f) below. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3)(B) would provide that if there is only one Market Maker assigned to a series: Æ The Exchange would conduct the Auction, without waiting for the Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end, as soon as there is both a Legal Width Quote and the assigned Market Maker has submitted a quote with a non-zero offer (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(d)(3)(B)(i)). As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f) below. Æ If the Market Maker assigned to the series has not submitted a quote with a non-zero offer by the end of the Opening MMQ Time Parameter and there is a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would conduct the Auction (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3)(B)(ii)). As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f) below. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3)(C) would provide that if there are two or more Market Makers assigned to a series: Æ The Exchange would conduct the Auction, without waiting for the Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end, as soon as there is both a Legal Width Quote and at least two assigned Market Makers have submitted a quote with a non-zero offer (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(d)(3)(C)(i)). As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f) below. Æ If at least two Market Makers assigned to a series have not submitted a quote with a non-zero offer by the end of the Opening MMQ Time Parameter, the Exchange would begin a second Opening MMQ Time Parameter (of the PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 same length) and that during the second Opening MMQ Time Parameter, the Exchange would conduct the Auction, without waiting for the second Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end, if there is both a Legal Width Quote and at least one Market Maker assigned to the series has submitted a quote with a non-zero offer (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(d)(3)(C)(ii)). Because the Exchange does not require a Market Maker assigned to a series to quote before conducting an Auction, to reduce the potential delay in opening or reopening a series, the Exchange believes that during the second Opening MMQ Time Parameter, it is appropriate to wait for only one Market Maker, instead of two, to quote. As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f) below. Æ If no Market Maker assigned to a series has submitted a quote with a nonzero offer by the end of the second Opening MMQ Time Parameter and there is a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would conduct the Auction (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(3)(C)(iii). As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f) below. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(4) would provide that for the first five minutes of the Auction Process (inclusive of the one-minute Opening MMQ Time Parameter(s)), if there is no Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would not conduct an Auction, even if there is Matched Volume, i.e., the series would not transition to continuous trading. This proposed rule text provides transparency that, in the absence of a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would not conduct an Auction that results in a trade even if there is Matched Volume. In such case, because there is Matched Volume, the Exchange could not open that series and would wait for a Legal Width Quote before conducting the Auction. Consistent with proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(2)(A), if at any time during this five-minute period there is a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would proceed immediately with an Auction and would not wait for the five-minute timer to end. The Exchange proposes new functionality for Pillar to allow the Exchange to open a series without a trade after five minutes have elapsed without a Legal Width Quote, i.e., E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f), when there is a Calculated NBBO that is wider than the Legal Width Quote. This option to open or reopen a series would not be available if there is Matched Volume. As proposed, five minutes after the Auction Process begins: • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(4)(A) would provide that if there is no Matched Volume and the Calculated NBBO is wider than the Legal Width Quote, is not crossed, and does not contain a zero offer, the Exchange would transition to continuous trading as described below in paragraph (f) of this Rule (as described below, a trade could occur during the transition to continuous trading, but there would not be a trade resulting from Matched Volume in the Auction). As further proposed, in such case, the Auction would not be intended to end with a trade, but it may result in a trade (even if there is no Legal Width Quote) if orders or quotes arrive when the Exchange is evaluating the status of orders and quotes, but before the Auction Processing Period begins.152 The Exchange believes this proposed rule would facilitate the opening or reopening of a series so that it can begin continuous trading when there is a Calculated NBBO in a series that is wider than the Legal Width Quote and is not crossed and does not contain a zero offer.153 • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(4)(A)(i) would provide that any time a series is opened or reopened when there is no Legal Width Quote, i.e., the Auction would end without a trade, Market Orders and MOO Orders would not participate in the Auction and would be cancelled before the Exchange transitions to continuous trading, which would protect such orders from trading at unintended prices. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(4)(B) would provide that if the Exchange still cannot conduct an Auction as provided 152 The Exchange expects this to be a rare race condition that would result when the Exchange receives orders and quotes at virtually the same time that it is evaluating whether it can open a series on a quote based on a wide Calculated NBBO (and before the Auction Processing Period begins) and that, as a result of that race condition, those new orders or quotes are marketable against contraside interest, i.e., results in Matched Volume for the Auction, at the same time that the Exchange concludes, based on interest that had previously been received, that it can proceed with an Auction in the absence of a Legal Width Quote. In such case, the Auction could result in a trade. 153 Such opening is similar to Cboe’s ‘‘Forced Opening’’ process because it allows a series to open without a trade after a specified time period when the market is wider than the specified bid-ask differentials. See Cboe Rule 5.31(e)(4). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 under paragraph (A) (above), the Exchange would continue to evaluate both the Calculated NBBO and interest on the Consolidated Book until the earlier of: (i) A Legal Width Quote is established and an Auction can be conducted; (ii) the series can be opened as provided for in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(d)(4)(A); (iii) the series is halted; or (iv) the end of Core Trading Hours. The proposed rule provides transparency that the Exchange would continue to look for an opportunity to open or reopen a series based on changes to the Calculated NBBO or orders and quotes on the Consolidated Book. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(d)(5) would provide that the Exchange may deviate from the standard manner of the Auction Process, including adjusting the timing of the Auction Process in any option series or opening or reopening a series when there is no Legal Width Quote, when it believes it is necessary in the interests of a fair and orderly market. This proposed rule is based on Rule 6.64–O(b)(F) and, consistent with current functionality, is designed to provide the Exchange with flexibility to open a series even if there is no Legal Width Quote.154 For example, a Floor Broker may have a two-sided open outcry order. If the series is not opened, that trade could not be consummated. Accordingly, this proposed rule would allow the Exchange to open a series for trading to facilitate open outcry trading. Order Processing during an Auction Processing Period. As described above, the Auction Processing Period is the abbreviated time period (i.e., generally measured in less than a second) when the Exchange conducts the Auction and therefore transitions a series from a preopen state to continuous trading. For example, if there is a Legal Width Quote, Market Maker quotes, and Matched Volume, the Auction Processing Period is when that Matched Volume will trade at the Indicative Match Price. New orders and quotes received during the Auction Processing Period would not be eligible to participate in that Auction trade. Because the Exchange would be using the same Pillar auction functionality for options trading that is used for its cash equity market, the Exchange proposes that proposed Rule 6.64P–O(e) would be based on Rule 7.35–E(g) and subparagraphs (1) and (2), with differences only to reference quotes in addition to orders. The proposed rule promotes 154 See Rule 6.64–O(b)(F) (providing that ‘‘[t]he Exchange may deviate from the standard manner of the Auction Process, including adjusting the timing of the Auction Process in any option class, when it believes it is necessary in the interests of a fair and orderly market’’). PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55969 granularity and transparency of how orders and quotes that arrive during the Auction Processing Period would be processed. Accordingly, as proposed, new order and quote messages received during the Auction Processing Period would be accepted but would not be processed until after such Auction Processing Period. As with Rule 7.35–E(g), for purposes of proposed Rule 6.64P–O(e) and (f), an ‘‘order instruction’’ would likewise refer to a request to cancel, cancel and replace, or modify an order or quote. As further proposed, during the Auction Processing Period, order instructions would be processed as follows: • An order instruction that arrives during the Auction Processing Period would not be processed until after the Auction Processing Period if it relates to an order or quote that was received before the Auction Processing Period. Any subsequent order instructions relating to such order would be rejected (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(e)(1)). • An order instruction that arrives during the Auction Processing Period would be processed on arrival if it relates to an order that was received during the Auction Processing Period (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(e)(2)). Transition to Continuous Trading. After the Auction Processing Period concludes, i.e., once the Auction concludes either with or without a trade, the Exchange transitions to continuous trading. During this transition, the way in which orders, quotes, and order instructions are processed would differ depending on when such messages arrived at the Exchange. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f) would describe how the Exchange would transition to continuous trading after the Auction Processing Period concludes, which would detail new functionality for options trading under Pillar, and is based on how the Exchange transitions to continuous trading on its cash equity market following an Auction, as described in Rule 7.35–E(h). The Exchange believes that the proposed rule provides granularity regarding how orders and quotes would be processed in connection with the transition to continuous trading for options trading.155 As proposed, the transition to continuous trading would proceed as follows. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(1) would provide that orders that are no longer 155 See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.31(f) (describing Cboe’s process for orders and quotes not executed in its opening process). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55970 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices eligible to trade would be cancelled. This proposed rule text is based on Pillar terminology used in Rule 7.35– E(h)(1). For options trading, the only orders that would no longer be eligible to trade after the Auction Processing Period concludes would be AuctionOnly Orders and such orders would cancel (rather than ‘‘expire’’). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(2) would provide that order instructions would be processed as follows: • An order instruction that relates to an order or quote that was received before the Auction Processing Period or that has already transitioned to continuous trading and that arrives during either the transition to continuous trading or the Auction Processing Period under paragraph (e)(1) of this Rule would be processed in time sequence with the processing of orders and quotes as specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(A) or (B) of this Rule. In addition, any subsequent order instructions relating to such order or quote would be rejected (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(2)(A)). This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.35–E(h)(2)(A), except that it does not include reference to order instructions received during an Auction Imbalance Freeze, which, as discussed above, is a concept on the cash equity platform that is not applicable to options trading. This proposed rule text provides transparency regarding how order instructions that arrived during the Auction Processing Period would be processed if they relate to orders or quotes that were received before the Auction Processing Period.156 • An order instruction that arrives during the transition to continuous trading would be processed on arrival if it relates to an order or quote that was entered during either the Auction Processing Period or the transition to continuous trading and such order or quote has not yet transitioned to continuous trading (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(2)(B)). This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.35–E(h)(2)(B) without any substantive differences. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3) would set forth how orders and quotes would be processed during the transition to continuous trading following an Auction. The proposed process for transitioning to continuous trading is consistent with current functionality (with differences described below) relating to draining the queue of unexecuted orders and quotes following the current Auction Process. The Exchange believes that the proposed 156 See id. (unexecuted orders and quotes will be entered into the Cboe book in time sequence). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 rule provides granularity of this process as compared to the current Rule. Specifically, the Exchange proposes that it would process Auction-eligible orders and quotes that were received before the Auction Processing Period and orders ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3- Non-Display Orders’’ (which interest was not eligible to participate in an Auction) received before a trading halt as follows: • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(i) would provide that Limit Orders and quotes would be subject to the Limit Order Price Check, Arbitrage Check, and Intrinsic Value Check, as applicable. This proposed rule differs from current functionality, whereby risk checks are applied before an Auction. This proposed rule text is consistent with the proposed rule changes, described above, regarding when the Limit Order Price Check, Arbitrage Check, and Intrinsic Value Check (per proposed Rules 6.62P– O(a)(3) and 6.41P–O, respectively) would be applied to orders and quotes that were received during a pre-open state. The Exchange proposes to apply these checks to orders and quotes before they become eligible for trading or routing during continuous trading. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(ii) would provide that Limit Orders and Market Orders would be assigned a Trading Collar. This proposed rule is consistent with the proposed changes to Trading Collars on Pillar, described above (per Rule 6.62P(a)(4)), that an order received during a pre-open state would be assigned a Trading Collar after an Auction concludes, or that an order would be reassigned a Trading Collar after a halt. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(iii) would provide that orders eligible to route that are marketable against Away Market Protected Quotations would route based on the ranking of such orders as set forth in Rule 6.76P–O(c). This proposed rule is consistent with current functionality and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35– E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(a), with differences to use the term ‘‘Away Market Protected Quotations’’ instead of ‘‘protected quotations on Away Markets’’ and to cross reference proposed Rule 6.76P– O(c).157 As with current functionality, routable orders would be routed to Away Markets to avoid either trading through or locking or crossing an Away Market Protected Quotation. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(iv) would provide that after routing eligible 157 See supra note 95 (citing definitions of ‘‘Protected Bid,’’ ‘‘Protected Offer,’’ and ‘‘Quotation’’ set forth in in Rule 6.92–O(a)(15) and (16) and of ‘‘Away Market’’ as set forth in proposed Rule 1.1). PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 orders, orders and quotes not eligible to route that are marketable against Away Market Protected Quotations would cancel. This functionality would be new for options trading (such orders and quotes would currently reprice) and this proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35– E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(b), with differences to use the term ‘‘Away Market Protected Quotations’’ instead of ‘‘protected quotations on Away Markets.’’ By cancelling non-routable orders and quotes marketable against Away Market Protected Quotations, the Exchange would avoid locking or crossing such Away Market Protected Quotations. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(v) would provide that once there are no more unexecuted orders marketable against Away Market Protected Quotations, orders and quotes that are marketable against other orders and quotes in the Consolidated Book would trade or be repriced. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35–E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(c), with a difference that an order could be repriced based on this assessment, which would be unique to options trading because as described above, an ALO Order that would be marketable against a contra-side order or quote on the Consolidated Book cannot take liquidity and in such case, the Exchange would reprice an ALO Order that is marketable as provided for in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(2).158 The Exchange further notes that, similar to the Exchange’s cash equity market, the Exchange could transition to continuous trading without the Auction resulting in a trade, but that a trade(s) may occur during the transition to continuous trading, which trade(s) would be published to OPRA before the Exchange publishes a quote to OPRA.159 The Exchange would not consider a trade that occurs during the transition to continuous trading to be an Auction that results in a trade.160 158 As described above, the Exchange proposes a difference on Pillar because ALO Orders would be eligible to participate in an Auction. Currently, ALOs will be rejected if entered outside of Core Trading Hours or during a trading halt or, if resting, will be cancelled in the event of a trading halt. See discussion supra regarding Rule 6.62–O(t). 159 For example, the Exchange may determine that, as described in proposed Rule 6.64P– O(d)(4)(A), if there is no Matched Volume but there is a Calculated NBBO that meets the requirements specified in that Rule, it can conduct an Auction without a trade and transition to continuous trading pursuant to proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f). In such case, there would not be an Auction that results in a trade, but a trade(s) could occur among orders and quotes that trade during the transition to continuous trading. 160 OPRA does not distinguish between a trade that results from an opening auction and a trade that occurs during the transition to continuous trading. By contrast, the Exchange’s proprietary data feed would distinguish a trade that resulted E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(vi) would provide that Market Orders received during a pre-open state would be subject to the validation specified in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(a)(1)(C). The Exchange notes that because such Market Orders would already have been received by the Exchange, if such orders fail one of those validations, they would be cancelled instead of rejected. This would be new rule text as compared to the Exchange’s cash equity rules to reflect the validations that would be applicable to Market Orders for options trading on Pillar and would add transparency and granularity to Exchange rules. • Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(vii) would provide that the display quantity of Reserve Orders would be replenished. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35–E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(d), without any substantive differences. This proposed rule is based on current functionality and provides granularity in Exchange rules. • Proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f)(3)(A)(viii) would describe the last step in this process regarding Auctioneligible interest received before the Auction Processing Period and orders ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3—Non-Display Orders’’ received before a trading halt. Specifically, the Exchange would send a quote to OPRA and proprietary data feeds representing the highest-priced bid and lowest-priced offer of any remaining, unexecuted Auction-eligible orders and quotes that were received before the Auction Processing Period. This proposed rule is consistent with current options functionality and is also based on current cash equity functionality, as set forth in Rule 7.35– E(h)(3)(A)(ii). Although the functionality would be the same for both markets, for options traded on the Exchange, the Exchange proposes to describe this aspect of the process in sequence, and reference both orders and quotes. The Exchange notes that this quote sent to OPRA would be different than the Rotational Quote sent at the beginning of the Auction Process because it could be comprised of both orders and quotes. At a high level, this represents current functionality because after a series opens, the Exchange disseminates its best bid and offer of its quotes and orders to OPRA. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(B) would provide that next, orders ranked under the proposed category of ‘‘Priority 3— Non-Display Orders’’ that were received during a pre-open state would be from an Auction from a trade that occurred during the transition to continuous trading. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 assigned a new working time, in time sequence relative to one another based on original entry time, and would be subject to the Limit Order Price Check, Arbitrage Check, and Intrinsic Value Check, as applicable, and if not cancelled, would be traded or repriced. This proposed functionality would be new for Pillar and applicable only for options traded on the Exchange. Even though orders ranked Priority 3—NonDisplay Orders would not be eligible to trade in an Auction (other than the reserve interest of Reserve Orders), the Exchange proposes to accept such orders during a pre-open state. These orders would transition to continuous trading after any unexecuted Auctioneligible interest transitions to continuous trading, as described above in proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(A)(i)— (viii). The Exchange believes that waiting to process non-displayed orders in this sequence would ensure that there is an NBBO against which such orders could be priced, as described in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(d) (regarding Orders with a Conditional or Undisplayed Price and/or Size) above. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(C) would provide that next, orders and quotes that were received during the Auction Processing Period would be assigned a new working time in time sequence relative to one another, based on original entry time and would be subject to the Limit Order Price Check, PreTrade Risk Controls, Arbitrage Check, Intrinsic Value Check, and validations specified in proposed Rule 6.62P– O(a)(1)(A), as applicable to certain Market Orders, and if not cancelled would be processed consistent with the terms of the order or quote. This proposed rule text is designed to reflect that orders and quotes received during the Auction Processing Period would not be subjected to these price/risk validations until after the Exchange has transitioned to continuous trading, and that if such interest fails these validations, those orders or quotes would be cancelled instead of rejected. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.35–E(h)(3)(B), with differences to reflect the price/risk validations that would be applicable to orders and quotes for options trading. Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(f)(3)(D) would further provide that when transitioning to continuous trading: • The display price and working price of orders and quotes would be adjusted based on the contra-side interest in the Consolidated Book or Away Market NBBO, as provided for in Rule 6.62P–O (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f)(3)(D)(i)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35–E(h)(3)(C), with PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55971 differences to reflect that, for options trading, the display price or working price of an order may be adjusted based either on contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book (e.g., for ALO Orders) or the Away Market NBBO (as opposed to the PBBO or NBBO for cash equities trading). • The display price and working price of a Day ISO would be adjusted in the same manner as a Non-Routable Limit Order until the Day ISO is either traded in full or displayed at its limit price and the display price and working price of a Day ISO ALO would be adjusted in the same manner as an ALO Order until the Day ISO ALO is either traded in full or displayed at its limit price (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(f)(3)(D)(ii)). This proposed rule is new for options trading because, as described above, the Exchange would be offering Day ISO and Day ISO ALO for options trading for the first time with the transition to Pillar. The rule text is based in part on Rule 7.35–E(h)(3)(D), with differences to reflect how a Day ISO ALO would be processed on options as compared to how similarlynamed orders trade on the Exchange’s cash equity market, as described in more detail above in connection with proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e)(3). Proposed Rule 6.64P–O(g) would describe order processing during a trading halt. The proposed rule is based in part on Rule 7.18–E(c), with differences to reflect how options would trade on Pillar as described below. The proposed Rule is designed to provide granularity in Exchange rules about how new and existing orders, quotes, and order instructions would be processed during a trading halt. As proposed, the Exchange would process new and existing orders and quotes in a series during a trading halt as follows: • Cancel any unexecuted quantity of orders for which the 500-millisecond Trading Collar timer has started and all resting Market Maker quotes (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(g)(1)). This proposed rule would be unique for options traded on the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to cancel resting Market Maker quotes when a trading halt is triggered, which represents current functionality, and as noted below, would accept new Market Maker quotes during a trading halt, which would be the basis for the Rotational Quote that would be published for a Trading Halt Auction. The Exchange also proposes to cancel any unexecuted quantity of orders for which the 500-millisecond Trading Collar has started because such timer would have ended during a trading halt, and therefore such orders were subject to cancellation already. This would be E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55972 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices new functionality on Pillar and reflects the proposed new Trading Collar behavior that orders would be priced at their collar for only 500 milliseconds and then would cancel. • Re-price all other resting orders on the Consolidated Book to their limit price. This would be new functionality on Pillar for options trading; currently, during a halt, resting orders do not reprice to their limit price.161 The repricing of a Non-Routable Limit Order, ALO Order, or Day ISO ALO to its limit price during a trading halt would not be counted toward the (limited) number of times such order may be repriced, and any subsequent repricing of such order during the transition to continuous trading would be permitted as the additional (uncounted) repricing event as provided for in proposed Rules 6.62P–O(e)(1)(B) and (e)(2)(C) (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(g)(2)). As described above, once resting, a Non-Routable Limit Order, ALO Order, or Day ISO ALO that was repriced on arrival is eligible to be repriced only one additional time. This proposed rule provides transparency that the repricing of such orders to their limit price during a trading halt would not count towards that ‘‘one’’ additional repricing, but that any subsequent repricing after the Auction concludes would count. • Accept and process all cancellations (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(g)(3)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.18–E(c)(4), without any differences, and is consistent with current functionality. • Reject incoming Limit Orders designated IOC or FOK (proposed Rule 6.64P–O(g)(4)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.18–E(c)(5), with a difference to add orders designated FOK and not include non-displayed orders and is consistent with current functionality. • Accept all other incoming order and quote messages and instructions until the Auction Processing Period for the Trading Halt Auction ends, at which point, paragraph (e) of proposed Rule 6.64P–O would govern the entry of incoming orders, quotes, and order instructions (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(g)(5)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.18–E(c)(6), with differences to cross reference the options rule relating to the transition to continuous trading and is consistent with current functionality. • Disseminate a zero bid and zero offer quote to OPRA and proprietary 161 On its cash equities market, for trading halts in Exchange-listed securities, the Exchange reprices resting orders to their limit price. See Rule 7.18– E(c)(3). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 data feeds (proposed Rule 6.64P– O(g)(6)). This proposed rule is based on current functionality and is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that when a trading halt begins, the Exchange will ‘‘zero’’ out the Exchange’s BBO. Finally, proposed Rule 6.64P–O(h) would provide that whenever, in the judgment of the Exchange, the interests of a fair and orderly market so require, the Exchange may adjust the timing of or suspend the Auctions set forth in this Rule with prior notice to OTP Holders and OTP Firms. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35–E(i), with a difference to reference OTP Holders instead of ETP Holders and also reference OTP Holders and OTP Firms. In connection with proposed Rule 6.64P–O, the Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.64–O: ‘‘This Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.’’ This proposed preamble is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.64–O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. * * * * * As discussed above, because of the technology changes associated with the migration to the Pillar trading platform, subject to approval of this proposed rule change, the Exchange will announce by Trader Update when rules with a ‘‘P’’ modifier will become operative and for which symbols. The Exchange believes that keeping existing rules on the rulebook pending the full migration of Pillar will reduce confusion because it will ensure that the rules governing trading on the OX system will continue to be available pending the full migration to Pillar. 2. Statutory Basis The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’),162 in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),163 in particular, because it is 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 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. The Exchange believes that the proposed rules to support Pillar would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and 162 15 163 15 PO 00000 U.S.C. 78f(b). U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). Frm 00048 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 open market and a national market system because the proposed rules would promote transparency in Exchange rules by using consistent terminology governing trading on both the Exchange’s cash equity and options trading platforms, thereby ensuring that members, regulators, and the public can more easily navigate the Exchange’s rulebook and better understand how options trading is conducted on the Exchange. Generally, the Exchange believes that adding new rules with the modifier ‘‘P’’ to denote those rules that would be operative for the Pillar trading platform would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by providing transparency of which rules would govern trading once a symbol has been migrated to the Pillar platform. The Exchange similarly believes that adding a preamble to those current rules that would not be applicable to trading on Pillar would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it would promote transparency regarding which rules would govern trading on the Exchange during and after the transition to Pillar. In addition, the Exchange believes that incorporating functionality currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity market for options trading would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the Exchange would be able to offer consistent functionality across both its options and cash equity trading platforms, adapted as applicable for options trading. Accordingly, with the transition to Pillar, the Exchange will be able to offer additional features to its OTP Holders and OTP Firms that are currently available only on the Exchange’s cash equity platform. For similar reasons, the Exchange believes that using Pillar terminology for the proposed new rules would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it would promote consistency in the Exchange’s rules across both its options and cash equity platforms. Definitions and Applicability The Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 1.1, including adding definitions from Rule 6.1–O and Rule 6.1A–O to Rule 1.1, would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the proposed changes E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 are designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules by consolidating into Rule 1.1 definitions relating to both cash equity and options trading. The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to eliminate obsolete definitions and modifying the text of certain existing definitions relating to options trading that are being added to Rule 1.1, would further remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it would ensure that the definitions used in Exchange rules are updated and consistent. Finally, the Exchange believes that organizing Rule 1.1 alphabetically and eliminating subparagraph numbering would make the proposed rules easier to navigate. The Exchange further believes that proposed new Rule 6.1P–O relating to applicability would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the proposed rule would include those elements of current Rule 6.1–O that would remain applicable and eliminates duplicative text that would no longer be necessary after the transition to Pillar. The Exchange further notes that proposed Rule 6.1P–O is similar to NYSE American Rule 900.1NY. Order Ranking and Display The Exchange believes that proposed new Rule 6.76P–O would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the Exchange is not proposing substantive changes to how the Exchange would rank and display orders and quotes on Pillar as compared to the OX system. Rather, the proposed revisions to the Exchange’s options trading rules would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the proposed changes are designed to simplify the structure of the Exchange’s options rules and use consistent Pillar terminology for both cash equity and options trading, without changing the underlying functionality for options trading. For example, the Exchange believes the proposed definitions set forth in Rule 6.76P–O, i.e., display price, limit price, working price, working time, and Aggressing Order/ Aggressing Quote, would promote transparency in Exchange rules and make them easier to navigate because these proposed definitions would be used in other proposed Pillar options trading rules. The Exchange notes that these proposed definitions are VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 consistent with the definitions set forth in Rule 7.36–E for cash equity trading with differences only as necessary to address functionality associated with options trading that are not applicable to cash equity trading, e.g., reference to quotes. The Exchange further believes that moving descriptions of order type behavior, which are currently set forth in Rule 6.76–O, to proposed Rule 6.62P– O, and therefore not include such detail in proposed Rule 6.76P–O, would make Exchange rules easier to navigate because information regarding how a specific order type would operate would be in a single location in the Exchange’s rulebook. The Exchange notes that this proposed structure is consistent with the Exchange’s cash equity rules, which similarly set forth information relating to an order type’s ranking in Rule 7.31– E. Moreover, the Exchange is not proposing any functional changes to how it would rank and display orders and quotes on Pillar as compared to the OX system. Rather, the Exchange believes that using new terminology to describe ranking and display, including the proposed priority categories of Priority 1—Market Orders, Priority 2— Display Orders, and Priority 3—NonDisplay Orders, would remove impediments and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the proposed rule would provide more granularity and use Pillar terminology to describe functionality that is consistent with the OX system functionality currently referred to as the ‘‘Display Order Process’’ and the ‘‘Working Order Process’’ in Rule 6.76–O. Order Execution and Routing The Exchange believes that proposed new Rule 6.76AP–O would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the proposed rule would set forth a price-time priority model for Pillar that is substantively the same as the Exchange’s current price-time priority model as set forth in Rule 6.76A–O. The proposed differences as compared to Rule 6.76A–O are designed to use Pillar terminology that is based in part on Rule 7.37–E, if applicable, without changing the functionality that is currently available for options trading. The Exchange believes that the proposed modifications to the LMM Guarantee would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it provides clarity of how multiple quotes from an LMM PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55973 would be allocated (i.e., only the first quote in time priority would be eligible for the LMM Guarantee). The Exchange similarly believes that eliminating Directed Order Market Makers and Directed Orders would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because these features are not currently used on the Exchange, and therefore eliminating Directed Orders and Directed Order Market Makers would streamline the Exchange’s rules. The Exchange notes that the remaining differences in proposed Rule 6.76AP–O relating to the LMM Guarantee are designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules and would not introduce new functionality. The Exchange believes that the structure and content of the rule text in proposed Rule 6.76AP–O promotes transparency by using consistent Pillar terminology. The Exchange also believes that adding more detail regarding current functionality in new Rule 6.76AP–O, as described above, would promote transparency by providing notice of when orders would be executed or routed by the Exchange. Orders and Modifiers The Exchange believes that proposed new Rule 6.62P–O would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it would use existing Pillar terminology to describe the order types and modifiers that would be available on the Exchange’s options Pillar trading system. As noted above, the Exchange proposes to offer order types and modifiers that are either based on existing order types available on the OX system as described in Rule 6.62–O, or orders and modifiers available on the Exchange’s cash equity trading platform, as described in Rule 7.31–E, with differences as applicable to reflect differences in options trading from cash equity trading. The Exchange believes that structuring proposed Rule 6.62P–O based on the structure of Rule 7.31–E would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it would promote transparency and consistency in the Exchange’s rulebook. In addition to the terminology changes to describe the order types and modifiers that are currently available on the Exchange, the Exchange further believes that the order types and modifiers proposed for options trading on Pillar that either differ from order types and modifiers available on the OX E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 55974 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices system or that would be new would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and national market system because: • Market Orders on Pillar would function similarly to how Market Orders function under current options trading rules, including being subject to Trading Collars. However, the proposed functionality would expand the circumstances under which Market Orders may be rejected, which functionality is designed to ensure that Market Orders do not execute either when there is no prevailing market in a series, which can occur if there is no NBO, no NBB and an NBO higher than $0.50, or an absence of contra-side Market Maker quotations or an Away Market NBBO. In addition, the proposed functionality would provide that if the displayed prices are too wide to assure a fair and orderly execution of a Market Order, such Market Order would be rejected. The Exchange believes that the proposed ‘‘wide-spread’’ check for Market Orders is consistent with similar price protections on other options exchanges and is designed to prevent a Market Order trading at a price that could be considered a Catastrophic Error.164 The Exchange believes that the proposed rule describing Market Orders would promote transparency by providing notice of when a Market Order would be subject to such validations. • The Exchange is not proposing any new or different behavior for Limit Orders than is currently available for options trading on the Exchange, other than the application of Limit Order Price Protection and Trading Collars, which would differ on Pillar. The Exchange believes using Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(a)(2) to describe Limit Orders would promote consistency and clarity in Exchange rules. • The proposed Limit Order Price Protection functionality is based in part on the existing ‘‘Limit Order Filter’’ for orders and price protection filters for quotes because an order or quote would be rejected if it is priced a specified percentage away from the contra-side NBB or NBO. The proposed Limit Order Price Protection functionality is also based in part on the functionality available on the Exchange’s cash equity trading platform, and therefore is not novel. The Exchange believes that using the same mechanism for both orders and quotes would simplify the operation of 164 See supra note 55 (citing Cboe’s Market Order NBBO Width Protection, which similarly looks to the midpoint of the NBBO in applying this protection). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 the Exchange and achieve similar results as the current rules, which is to reject an order or quote that is priced too far away from the prevailing market. The Exchange believes that re-applying Limit Order Price Protection after an Auction concludes would ensure that Limit Orders and quotes continue to be priced consistent with the prevailing market, and that using an Auction Price (if available, and if not available, Auction Collars, and if not available, the NBBO) to assess Limit Orders and quotes after an Auction concludes would ensure that the Exchange would be applying the most recent price in a series in assessing whether such orders or quotes should be cancelled. The Exchange further believes that the proposed Specified Thresholds for determining whether to reject a Limit Order or quote would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because they are designed to be tailored to the applicable Reference Price, and thus more granular that the current thresholds. The proposed Trading Collar functionality is based in part on how trading collars currently function on the Exchange because the proposed functionality would create a ceiling or floor price at which an order could be traded or routed. The Exchange believes that the proposed differences for Trading Collars on Pillar, including applying the same Trading Collar logic to both Limit Orders and Market Orders, applying them once per trading day (unless there is a trading halt), tailoring the specified thresholds to be within the current parameters for determining whether a trade would be an Obvious Error or Catastrophic Error, and canceling orders that have been displayed at their Trading Collar for 500 milliseconds, would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because they are designed to provide a deterministic price protection mechanism for orders. In addition, the proposed Pillar Trading Collar functionality is designed to simplify the process by applying a static ceiling price (for buy orders) or floor price (for sell orders) at which such order could be traded or routed that would be applicable to the order until it is traded or cancelled. The Exchange believes that the proposed functionality would provide greater determinism to an OTP Holder or OTP Firm of the Trading Collar that would be applicable to its PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 orders and when such orders may be cancelled if it reaches its Trading Collar. • The Exchange is not proposing any new or different Time-in-Force modifiers than are currently available for options trading on the Exchange. The Exchange believes using Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31–E(b) to describe the time-in-force modifiers would promote consistency and clarity in Exchange rules. • Auction-Only Orders, and specifically, the proposed MOO and LOO Orders, would operate no differently than how ‘‘Opening-Only Orders’’ currently function on the OX system. However, rather than refer to Opening-Only Orders, the Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology that is based on Rule 7.31–E(c) terminology. The Exchange further believes that offering its IO Order type for Auctions on the options trading platform—both for Core Open Auctions and Trading Halt Auctions—would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with new, optional functionality to offset an Imbalance in an Auction. The proposed availability of the IO Order on the options platform would be more expansive than is currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, which (unlike options) does not account for quotes in determining an Imbalance and which limits the use of IO Orders solely to Trading Halt Auctions. The Exchange believes this proposed functionality would afford OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility for all Auctions on Pillar. • The Exchange would continue to offer Reserve Orders, AON Orders, Stop Orders, and Stop Limit Orders, which are currently available on the OX system. The proposed differences to Reserve Orders for options trading would harmonize with how Reserve Orders function on the Exchange’s cash equity market, with changes as applicable to address options trading (e.g., no round lot/odd lot concept for options trading). The proposed changes to AON Orders would provide greater execution opportunities for such orders by allowing them to be integrated in the Consolidated Book and once resting, trade with incoming orders and quotes. The changes are also based on how orders with an MTS Modifier, which are also conditional orders, function on the Exchange’s cash equity market. The Exchange believes it is appropriate to opt not to support Market Orders designated as AON on Pillar because such functionality was not used often on the OX system, indicating a lack of market participant interest in this functionality. The proposed differences for Stop Orders and Stop Limit Orders E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices are designed to promote transparency by providing clarity of circumstances when either order may be elected and make clear that, once elected, such orders are subject to the price protection and risk checks applicable to Market Orders and Limit Orders, respectively. Finally, the Exchange believes that offering NonDisplayed Limit Orders for options trading on Pillar, which are available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, would provide additional, optional trading functionality for OTP Holders and OTP Firms. The Exchange notes that the proposed Non-Displayed Limit Order would function similarly to how a PNP Blind Order that locks or crosses the contra-side NBBO would be processed because in such circumstances, a PNP Blind Order is not displayed. A Non-Displayed Limit Order would differ from a PNP Blind Order only because it would never be displayed, even if its limit price doesn’t lock or cross the contra-side NBBO. • The Exchange believes that the proposed orders (and quotes) with instructions not to route (i.e., NonRoutable Limit Order, ALO Order, and ISOs) would streamline the offerings available for options trading on the Exchange by making the functionality the same for both orders and quotes and consolidating the description of nonroutable orders and quotes in proposed Rule 6.62P–O(e). In particular, the Exchange believes that allowing Market Makers to enter a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order and then opt to designate such as either as a quote or an order would streamline Exchange rules by consolidating the description of the functionality in a single rule, thereby adding clarity and transparency. The Exchange believes that using Pillar terminology, including order type names, that is based on the terminology used for cash equity trading would promote clarity and consistency across the Exchange’s cash equity and options trading platforms. The Exchange believes that the proposed Non-Routable Limit Order is not novel because it is based on how the PNP, RPNP, and MMRP orders and quotes currently function on the OX system, including the continued availability of the option to designate a non-routable order either to cancel or reprice if it is marketable against an Away Market NBBO. The Exchange believes that the proposed differences (which would be new for options trading and are not currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity market) would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater determinism of when such orders or quotes may be repriced by limiting the number of times a VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 resting order could be repriced. The Exchange further believes that providing additional options to cancel a resting Non-Routable Limit Order or ALO Order rather than reprice an additional time would provide additional choice to market participants. Similarly, the proposed ALO Order is not novel because it is based in part on how the RALO and MMLO orders and quotes currently function on the OX system. As such, the Exchange believes that the proposed non-routable order/quote types would continue to provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with the core functionality associated with existing non-routable order/quote types that would not be offered under Pillar, including that the proposed rules would provide for non-routable functionality and the ability to either reprice or cancel such orders/quotes. The Exchange believes the proposed functionality to allow an ALO Order (which can never be a liquidity taker) to lock non-displayed interest (which is consistent with the treatment of ALO Orders on the Exchange’s cash equity platform) or to reprice if such order crosses non-displayed interest, would reduce potential repricing or cancellation events for an incoming ALO Order and would likewise reduce potential information leakage about non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. Finally, the proposed IOC ISO is not novel for options trading on the Exchange and the Exchange believes that the proposed Pillar terminology to describe the same functionality would promote transparency. The proposed DAY ISO and DAY ISO ALO functionality would be new for options trading and are based in part on how such order types function in the Exchange’s cash equity market. In addition, the proposed DAY ISO functionality is consistent with existing Rule 6.95–O(b)(3), which currently provides an exception to locking or crossing an Away Market Protected Quotation if the OTP Holder or OTP Firm simultaneously routed an ISO to execute against the full displayed size of any locked or crossed Protected Bid or Protected Offer. The Exchange notes that this exception is not necessary for IOC ISOs because such orders would never be displayed at a price that would lock or cross a Protected Quotation; they cancel if they cannot trade. Accordingly, this existing exception in the Exchange’s rules contemplates an ISO that would be displayed, which would mean it would need a time-in-force modifier of ‘‘Day.’’ In addition, Day ISOs are available for options trading on PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55975 other options exchanges, and therefore are not novel.165 • The Exchange believes that the proposed additional detail defining Complex Orders to define the ‘‘legs’’ and ‘‘components’’ of such orders would promote transparency in Exchange rules. • On Pillar, the only electronicallyentered crossing orders would be QCC Orders, which is consistent with current functionality. The Exchange believes that the proposed differences, including using Pillar terminology and consolidating rule text relating to QCC Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P–O, would promote transparency and clarity in Exchange rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed descriptions of how a QCC Order priced at the market would be traded, including the proposed new functionality, would provide transparency regarding at which price such orders would trade. The proposed description of Complex Cross Orders, including Complex QCCs, is designed to distinguish such orders from Single-Leg Cross Orders and to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding the price requirements for a Complex Cross Order, including when there is no NBB or NBO on a given leg or there is displayed Customer interest equal to the best-priced complex interest. Further, Complex QCC (which, at this time, are the only electronic Complex Cross Orders to be offered under Pillar) are available for trading on other options exchanges, and therefore are not novel.166 • The Exchange believes that moving the descriptions of orders available only in open outcry from Rule 6.62–O to proposed Rule 6.62P–O(h) would ensure that these order types remain in the rulebook after the transition to Pillar is complete. For CTB Orders, the Exchange believes that, because Floor Brokers have an existing obligation to satisfy better-priced interest on the Consolidated Book, the proposed change to automate such priority on Pillar (i.e., to allow CTB Orders to satisfy any displayed interest (including non-Customer interest) at better prices than the latest-arriving displayed Customer interest) would not only make it easier for Floor Brokers to comply with Exchange priority rules, but would also increase execution opportunities and achieve the goal of a CTB Order. The Exchange also believes that codifying this order type and the 165 See supra notes 96, 97 (citing to availability of Day ISO orders on Nasdaq and Cboe). 166 See supra note 102 (citing Complex QCC Order type, as offered on Cboe and ISE). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55976 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices associated regulatory obligations would add clarity and transparency in Exchange rules. • The proposed Proactive if Locked/ Crossed Modifier, STP Modifier, and MTS Modifier are not novel and are based on the Exchange’s current cash equity modifiers of the same name. The Exchange believes that extending the availability of these existing modifiers to options trading would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with additional, optional functionality that is not novel and is based on existing Exchange rules. Further, such proposed optional functionality would afford OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility in specifying how their trading interest should be handled. For example, the proposed MTS Modifier works similarly to the existing (and proposed) AON functionality, but provides the OTP Holder or OTP Firm with the alternative to designate a portion smaller than the full quantity as the minimum trade size. The Exchange further believes that extending the availability of STP Modifiers to all orders and quotes, and not just those of Market Makers, would provide additional protections for OTP Holders and OTP Firms and facilitate their compliance and risk management by assisting them in avoiding unintentional wash-sale trading. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Market Maker Quotations The Exchange believes that proposed Rule 6.37AP–O would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because it is based on current Rule 6.37A–O, with such changes as necessary to use Pillar terminology. The Exchange believes that consolidating into one rule functionality for orders and quotes, such that NonRoutable Limit Orders and ALO Orders may be designated as quotes per proposed Rule 6.37AP–O, would obviate the need to separately describe the same functionality in two rules and therefore streamline the Exchange’s rules and promote transparency and consistency. Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls The Exchange believes that the proposed Rule 6.40P–O, setting forth pre-trade and activity-based risk controls, would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and promote just and equitable principles of trade because the proposed functionality would incorporate existing activity-based risk controls, without any substantive differences, and augment them with additional pre-trade risk VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 controls and related functionality that are based on the pre-trade risk controls currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity trading platform. The Exchange believes that the proposed differences are designed to provide greater flexibility to OTP Holders and OTP Firms in how to set risk controls for both orders and quotes. The Exchange believes that using Pillar terminology based on the cash equity rules, including using the term ‘‘Entering Firm’’ to mean OTP Holders and OTP Firms, including Market Makers, would promote transparency in Exchange rules. In addition, the proposed Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit and Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit checks would provide Entering Firms with additional risk protection mechanisms on an individual order or quote basis. Moreover, the Exchange believes that aggregating a Market Maker’s quotes and orders for purposes of calculating activity-based risk controls would better reflect the aggregate risk that a Market Maker has with respect to its quotes and orders. The Exchange further believes that the proposed Automated Breach Actions would provide Entering Firms with additional flexibility in how they could set their risk mechanisms and the automated responses if a risk mechanism is breached. The proposed Kill Switch Action functionality would also provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility to provide bulk instructions to the Exchange with respect to cancelling existing orders and quotes and blocking new orders and quotes. Further, as noted herein, providing ‘‘Kill Switch Action’’ functionality in Exchange rules is consistent with the rules of other options exchanges.167 Price Reasonability Checks—Orders and Quotes The Exchange believes that the proposed Rule 6.41P–O, setting forth Price Reasonability Checks, would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because they are based on existing functionality, with differences designed to use Pillar terminology and promote consistency and transparency in Exchange rules. Specifically, on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to apply the same types of Price Reasonability Checks to both orders and quotes, and therefore proposes to describe those checks in a single rule—proposed Rule 6.41P–O. 167 See supra note 115 (citing optional ‘‘Kill Switch’’ functionality available on Cboe). PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 The proposed rule also provides specificity regarding when the Price Reasonability Checks would be applied to an order or quote, which would promote transparency and clarity in Exchange rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that by utilizing the last sale on the Primary Market (rather than the Consolidated Last Sale) for the Price Reasonability Checks, the Pillar system would need to ingest and process less data, thereby improving efficiency and performance of the system without compromising the price protection features. Auction Process The Exchange believes that proposed Rule 6.64P–O would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system because the proposed rule maintains the fundamentals of an auction process that is tailored for options trading while at the same time enhancing the process by incorporating certain Pillar auction functionality that is currently available on the Exchange’s cash equity platform, as described in Rule 7.35–E. For example, the Exchange proposes to augment the imbalance information that would be disseminated in advance of an Auction to include fields available on the Exchange’s cash equity market (e.g., Book Clearing Price, Far Clearing Price, Auction Collars, and Auction Indicators), yet tailor such information to be specific to options trading (e.g., Auction Collars based on a Legal Width Quote and how the Auction Indicator would be determined). The Exchange believes that the proposed additional Auction Imbalance Information would promote transparency to market participants in advance of an Auction. The Exchange also proposes to transition to continuous trading following an Auction in a manner similar to how the Exchange’s cash equity market transitions to continuous trading following a cash equity Trading Halt Auction, including how orders and quotes that are received during an Auction Processing Period would be processed, which the Exchange believes would promote consistency across the Exchange’s options and cash equity trading platforms. The proposed rule describing how orders and quotes that are received during the Auction Processing Period would be handled, and how unexecuted quotes and orders would be transitioned to continuous trading would provide granularity regarding the process, thereby providing transparency in Exchange rules. Because the Exchange would be harnessing Pillar technology to support Auctions for E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices options trading, the Exchange believes that structuring proposed Rule 6.64P–O based on Rule 7.35–E (and NYSE Rule 7.35, in part, as well) would promote transparency in the Exchange’s trading rules. The Exchange further believes that the proposed Auction Process for options trading on Pillar would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. The proposed process maintains the core functionality of the current options auction process, including that orders are matched based on price-time priority and that an Auction would not be conducted if the bid-ask differential is not within an acceptable range. As proposed, the Auction Process on Pillar would begin with the proposed Rotational Quote, which would provide notice not only of when the process would begin, but also whether Market Makers on the Exchange have quoted in a series. Similar to the current rule, the Exchange would require a ‘‘Calculated NBBO,’’ which is calculated using information consistent with the information the Exchange receives from OPRA before the Exchange opens a series, to meet specified requirements, including that it not be crossed, not have a zero offer, and meet specified bid-ask differentials, i.e., be a ‘‘Legal Width Quote’’ before a series can be opened with a trade.168 The Exchange believes that the proposed bid-ask differentials for a Legal Width Quote are consistent with current functionality, with one difference designed to improve the automated implementation by using whole dollar amounts as the break point for the next level of bid-ask differentials. In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed Auction Trigger, which would begin the Auction Process, is consistent with the current trigger for starting an auction. The Exchange believes that the proposed difference to allow the trade on the Primary Market to be odd-lot sized (in addition to having a quote from the Primary Market, which means that the underlying security would be open on the Primary Market), would allow for series overlaying low-volume securities to open automatically and reduce the need to manually trigger an Auction in a series. As with the current rule, Market Makers are not obligated to quote in their assigned series for an Auction. However, the Exchange believes that 168 As noted herein, the concept of a Calculated NBBO is consistent with similar concepts utilized on other options exchanges and is therefore not new or novel. See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.31(a) (regarding used of ‘‘Composite Market’’ concept). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 having Market Makers quote in their assigned series would promote fair and orderly Auctions. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes a difference on Pillar to provide time for Market Maker(s) assigned to a series to enter quotes within the specified bid-ask differentials before a series could be opened or reopened. The proposed Opening MMQ Time Parameter would be a minute, and the proposed rule provides transparency of how many Market Makers assigned to a series would be required to quote in a series and in what time periods. If Market Makers do not quote within those specified time periods, but at the end of the Opening MMQ Time Parameter there is a Legal Width Quote based on the Away Market NBBO, the Exchange would open or reopen that series for trading. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency in Exchange rules of when the Exchange could open or reopen a series, including circumstances of when the Exchange would wait to provide Market Makers time to submit a two-sided quotation in a series and when the Exchange would proceed with opening or reopening a series based on a Legal Width Quote even if there are no Market Maker quotes in that series. The proposed rule would also provide transparency of when the Exchange would open or reopen a series for trading when the Calculated NBBO is wider than the Legal Width Quote for the series. The Exchange believes that the proposed process is designed to provide additional opportunities for a series to open or reopen not currently available on the OX system, while at the same time preserving the existing requirement that a series would not open on a trade if there is no Legal Width Quote. The proposed functionality to provide additional opportunities to open or reopen a series when the market is wider than the specified bid-ask differentials is not novel and the Exchange believes that this proposed rule would allow for more automated Auctions on the Exchange for series that may already be opened on another exchange.169 Finally, the proposed rule describing how existing and new orders would be processed during a trading halt is designed to provide additional granularity in Exchange rules. Certain of the proposed functionality is based on current processes. The Exchange believes that the proposed differences in order/quote handling would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market because they align with the proposed 169 See, PO 00000 e.g., Cboe Rule 5.31. Frm 00053 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4703 55977 differences in behavior for specified orders and quotes on Pillar. For example, the Exchange believes that repricing resting non-routable orders and quotes during a trading halt to their limit price would be consistent with how such orders would be processed in an Auction if they arrived during a preopen state. The proposed differences also reflect that on Pillar, ALO Orders would be eligible to participate in an Auction. In addition, the Exchange believes that canceling orders that are subject to the Trading Collar 500 millisecond timer would be consistent with the intent of such functionality, which is to cancel such collared orders after a specified time period. 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. The Exchange operates in a competitive market and regularly competes with other options exchanges for order flow. The Exchange believes that the transition to Pillar would promote competition among options exchanges by offering a low-latency, deterministic trading platform. The proposed rule changes would support that intermarket competition by allowing the Exchange to offer additional functionality to its OTP Holders and OTP Firms, thereby potentially attracting additional order flow to the Exchange. Otherwise, the proposed changes are not designed to address any competitive issues, but rather to amend the Exchange’s rules relating to options trading to support the transition to Pillar. As discussed in detail above, with this rule filing, the Exchange is not proposing to change its core functionality regarding its price-time priority model, and in particular, how it would rank, display, execute or route orders and quotes. Rather, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes would promote consistent use of terminology to support both options and cash equity trading on the Exchange, making the Exchange’s rules easier to navigate. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes would raise any intra-market competition as the proposed rule changes would be applicable to all OTP Holders and OTP Firms, and reflects the Exchange’s existing price-time priority model, including existing LMM Guarantee, without proposing any substantive changes. E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2 55978 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / Notices 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. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR– NYSEArca–2021–47, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, and Grounds for Disapproval Under Consideration The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act 170 to determine whether the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, should be approved or disapproved. Institution of such proceedings is appropriate at this time in view of the legal and policy issues raised by the proposed rule change. Institution of proceedings does not indicate that the Commission has reached any conclusions with respect to any of the issues involved. Rather, as described below, the Commission seeks and encourages interested persons to provide comments on the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,171 the Commission is providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration. The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for additional analysis of the proposed rule change’s consistency with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 172 which requires, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be ‘‘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 a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest,’’ 173 and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.174 170 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 171 Id. 172 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 173 Id. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES2 174 See id. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:17 Oct 06, 2021 Jkt 256001 IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments The Commission requests that interested persons provide written submissions of their views, data, and arguments with respect to the issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written views of interested persons concerning whether the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although there do not appear to be any issues relevant to approval or disapproval that would be facilitated by an oral presentation of views, data, and arguments, the Commission will consider, pursuant to Rule 19b–4 under the Act, any request for an opportunity to make an oral presentation.175 Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments regarding whether the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, should be approved or disapproved by October 28, 2021. Any person who wishes to file a rebuttal to any other person’s submission must file that rebuttal by November 12, 2021. The Commission asks that commenters address the sufficiency of the Exchange’s statements in support of the proposal, which are set forth in Amendment No. 1,176 and any other issues raised by the proposed rule change under 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– NYSEArca–2021–47 on the subject line. 175 Section 19(b)(2) of the Act grants the Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—either oral or notice and opportunity for written comments—is appropriate for consideration of a particular proposal by an SRO. See Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs to Accompany S. 249, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30 (1975). 176 See supra note 6. PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 9990 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–2021–47. 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–2021–47 and should be submitted on or before October 28, 2021. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by November 12, 2021. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.177 J. Matthew DeLesDernier, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–21624 Filed 10–6–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P 177 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12) & 17 CFR 200.30– 3(a)(57). E:\FR\FM\07OCN2.SGM 07OCN2

Agencies

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 192 (Thursday, October 7, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55926-55978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21624]



[[Page 55925]]

Vol. 86

Thursday,

No. 192

October 7, 2021

Part II





Securities and Exchange Commission





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





Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of 
Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine Whether 
To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rules 6.1P-O, 6.37AP-O, 6.40P-O, 6.41P-O, 
6.62P-O, 6.64P-O, 6.76P-O, and 6.76AP-O and Amendments to Rules 1.1, 
6.1-O, 6.1A-O, 6.37-O, 6.65A-O and 6.96-O; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 192 / Thursday, October 7, 2021 / 
Notices

[[Page 55926]]


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

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-93193; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2021-47]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
of Amendment No. 1 and Order Instituting Proceedings To Determine 
Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 1, To Adopt New Rules 6.1P-O, 6.37AP-O, 6.40P-O, 6.41P-O, 
6.62P-O, 6.64P-O, 6.76P-O, and 6.76AP-O and Amendments to Rules 1.1, 
6.1-O, 6.1A-O, 6.37-O, 6.65A-O and 6.96-O

September 29, 2021.
    On June 21, 2021, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' or the 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a 
proposed rule change to adopt new Rules 6.1P-O (Applicability), 6.37AP-
O (Market Maker Quotations), 6.40P-O (Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk 
Controls), 6.41P-O (Price Reasonability Checks--Orders and Quotes), 
6.62P-O (Orders and Modifiers), 6.64P-O (Auction Process), 6.76P-O 
(Order Ranking and Display), and 6.76AP-O (Order Execution and Routing) 
and proposes amendments to Rules 1.1 (Definitions), 6.1-O 
(Applicability, Definitions and References), 6.1A-O (Definitions and 
References--OX), 6.37-O (Obligations of Market Makers), 6.65A-O (Limit-
Up and Limit-Down During Extraordinary Market Volatility), and 6.96-O 
(Operation of Routing Broker) to reflect the implementation of the 
Exchange's Pillar trading technology on its options market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The proposed rule change was published for comment in the Federal 
Register on July 9, 2021.\3\ On August 18, 2021, pursuant to Section 
19(b)(2) of the Act,\4\ the Commission designated a longer period 
within which to approve the proposed rule change, disapprove the 
proposed rule change, or institute proceedings to determine whether to 
approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.\5\ On September 28, 
2021, the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule 
change,\6\ which superseded the proposed rule change as originally 
filed in its entirety. The Commission has received no comments on the 
proposed rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92304 (June 30, 
2021), 86 FR 36440 (``Notice'').
    \4\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92696, 86 FR 47350 
(August 24, 2021). The Commission designated October 7, 2021, as the 
date by which the Commission shall approve or disapprove, or 
institute proceedings to determine whether to disapprove, the 
proposed rule change.
    \6\ Amendment No. 1 is available on the Commission's website at 
https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2021-47/srnysearca202147-9304467-259869.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission is publishing this notice and order to solicit 
comments on the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 
from interested persons and to institute proceedings pursuant to 
Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \7\ to determine whether to approve or 
disapprove the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. The Exchange's Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified 
by Amendment No. 1

    The Exchange plans to transition its options trading platform to 
its Pillar technology platform. In connection with the implementation 
of the Pillar technology, the Exchange proposes to adopt new rules, as 
well as certain amendments to existing rules, to reflect how options 
would trade on the Exchange once the Pillar technology is implemented. 
This Amendment 1 to SR-NYSEArca-2021-47 replaces SR-NYSEArca-2021-47 as 
originally filed and supersedes such filing in its entirety.
    The proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 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, as Modified by Amendment 
No. 1

    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
Background
    The Exchange plans to transition its options trading platform to 
its Pillar technology platform. The Exchange's and its national 
securities exchange affiliates' \8\ (together with the Exchange, the 
``NYSE Exchanges'') cash equity markets are currently operating on 
Pillar. For this transition, the Exchange proposes to use the same 
Pillar technology already in operation for its cash equity market. In 
doing so, the Exchange will be able to offer not only common 
specifications for connecting to both of its cash equity and equity 
options markets, but also common trading functions. This Amendment No. 
1 supersedes the original filing in its entirety.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ The Exchange's national securities exchange affiliates are 
the New York Stock Exchange LLC (``NYSE''), NYSE American LLC 
(``NYSE American''), NYSE National, Inc. (``NYSE National''), and 
NYSE Chicago, Inc. (``NYSE Chicago'').
    \9\ This Amendment No. 1 provides more background information 
regarding the proposed rule changes, makes clarifying changes to 
certain proposed rules without any substantive differences as 
compared to the original filing, and makes the following substantive 
changes from the original filing: (1) Revises how the Specified 
Threshold would be calculated for Limit Order Price Protection in 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(A) to include prices equal to the 
Reference Price; (2) revises how a Trading Collar would be assigned, 
as described in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(4)(A) and (B), to provide that 
a Trading Collar would be reassigned to an order after a trading 
halt, and makes related changes to proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f)(3)(A)(ii); (3) revises proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g) to describe 
proposed Complex Cross Orders (i.e., Complex QCC Orders) and makes 
revisions to how a single-leg Cross Order priced at the market would 
trade; (4) revises proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1) to specify that a 
Clear-the-Book Order would be entered contemporaneous with executing 
an order in open outcry; (5) revises proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2) to 
specify which order with an MTS modifier would not be subject to 
self-trade prevention modifiers; (6) revises proposed Rule 6.62P-O 
to remove the proposed Non-Display Remove Modifier; (7) revises 
proposed Rule 6.64P(a) to add a definition for the term ``Auction 
Price;'' (8) revises proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g)(2) to provide that 
during a trading halt, any unexecuted quantity of an order for which 
the 500-millisecond Trading Collar timer has started would be 
cancelled; and (9) revises proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1)(A) to 
provide that only the first LMM quote in time priority would be 
eligible for the LMM Guarantee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange plans to roll out the new technology platform over a 
period of time based on a range of underlying symbols, anticipated for 
the fourth quarter of 2021. As was the case for the other NYSE 
Exchanges that have transitioned to Pillar, the Exchange anticipates a 
three-week roll-out period

[[Page 55927]]

and will announce by Trader Update \10\ when underlying symbols will be 
transitioning to the Pillar trading platform. With this transition, 
certain rules would continue to be applicable to options overlying 
symbols trading on the current trading platform--the OX system,\11\ but 
would not be applicable to options overlying symbols that have 
transitioned to trading on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Trader Updates are available here: https://www.nyse.com/trader-update/history. Anyone can subscribe to email updates of 
Trader Updates, available here: https://www.nyse.com/subscriptions.
    \11\ ``OX'' refers to the Exchange's current electronic order 
delivery, execution, and reporting system for designated option 
issues through which orders and quotes of Users are consolidated for 
execution and/or display. See Rule 6.1A-O(13). ``OX Book'' refers to 
the OX's electronic file of orders and quotes, which contain all of 
the orders in each of the Display Order and Working Order processes 
and all of the Market Makers' quotes in the Display Order Process. 
See Rule 6.1A-O(14). With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange 
would no longer use the terms ``OX'' or ``OX Book'' and rules using 
those terms would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. Once the 
transition is complete, the Exchange will file a subsequent proposed 
rule change to delete references to OX and OX Book from the 
rulebook.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Instead, the Exchange proposes new rules to reflect how options 
would trade on the Exchange once Pillar is implemented. These proposed 
rule changes will (1) use Pillar terminology that is based on Exchange 
Rule 7-E Pillar terminology governing cash equity trading; (2) provide 
for common functionality on both its options and cash equity markets; 
and (3) introduce new functionality.
    The Exchange notes that certain of the proposed new Pillar rules 
concern functionality not currently available on the OX system and that 
would be unique to how option contracts trade, and therefore would be 
new rules with no parallel version for the Exchange's cash equity 
market.
Proposed Use of ``P'' Modifier
    As proposed, new rules governing options trading on Pillar would 
have the same numbering as current rules that address the same 
functionality, but with the modifier ``P'' appended to the rule number. 
For example, Rule 6.76-O, governing Order Ranking and Display--OX, 
would remain unchanged and continue to apply to any trading in symbols 
on the OX system. Proposed Rule 6.76P-O would govern Order Ranking and 
Display for trading in options symbols migrated to the Pillar platform. 
All other current rules that have not had a version added with a ``P'' 
modifier will be applicable to how trading functions on both the OX 
system and Pillar. Once options overlying all symbols have migrated to 
the Pillar platform, the Exchange will file a separate rule proposal to 
delete rules that are no longer operative because they apply only to 
trading on the OX system.
    To reflect how the ``P'' modifier would operate, the Exchange 
proposes to add rule text immediately following the title ``Rule 6-O 
Options Trading,'' and before ``Rules Principally Applicable to Trading 
of Option Contracts'' that would provide that rules with a ``P'' 
modifier would be operative for symbols that are trading on the Pillar 
trading platform. As further proposed, and consistent with the handling 
of the transition to Pillar by the Exchange's cash equity platform, if 
a symbol (and the option overlying such symbol) is trading on the 
Pillar trading platform, a rule with the same number as a rule with a 
``P'' modifier would no longer be operative for that symbol.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Exchange used the same description when it transitioned 
its cash equity platform to Pillar. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release Nos. 75494 (July 20, 2015), 80 FR 44170 (July 24, 2015) (SR-
NYSEArca-2015-38) (Approval Order) and 74951 (May 13, 2015), 80 FR 
28721 (May 19, 2015) (``NYSE Arca Equities Pillar Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that adding this explanation regarding the 
``P'' modifier in Exchange rules would provide transparency regarding 
which rules and definitions would be operative during the symbol 
migration to Pillar.
Summary of Proposed Rule Changes
    In this filing, the Exchange proposes the following new Pillar 
rules: Rules 6.1P-O (Applicability), 6.37AP-O (Market Maker 
Quotations), 6.40P-O (Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls), 
6.41P-O (Price Reasonability Checks--Orders and Quotes), 6.62P-O 
(Orders and Modifiers), 6.64P-O (Auction Process), 6.76P-O (Order 
Ranking and Display), and 6.76AP-O (Order Execution and Routing). The 
Exchange also proposes to amend Rules 1.1 (Definitions), 6.1-O 
(Applicability, Definitions and References), and 6.1A-O (Definitions 
and References--OX) to reflect definitions that would be applicable for 
options trading on Pillar and make conforming amendments to Rules 6.37-
O (Obligations of Market Makers), 6.65A-O (Limit-Up and Limit-Down 
During Extraordinary Market Volatility), and 6.96-O (Operation of 
Routing Broker). These proposed rules would set forth the foundation of 
the Exchange's options trading model on Pillar and, among other things, 
would use existing Pillar terminology currently in effect for the 
Exchange's cash equity platform.
    Because certain proposed rules have definitions and functions that 
carry forward to other proposed rules, the Exchange proposes to 
describe the new rules in the following order (rather than by rule 
number order): Definitions, applicability, ranking and display, 
execution and routing, orders and modifiers, market maker quotations, 
pre-trade and activity-based risk controls, price reasonability checks, 
and auctions.
    To promote clarity and transparency, the Exchange further proposes 
to add a preamble to the following current rules specifying that they 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar: Rule 6.1-O 
(Applicability, Definitions and References), 6.1A-O (Definitions and 
References--OX), Rule 6.37A-O (Market Maker Quotations), 6.40-O (Risk 
Limitation Mechanism), 6.60-O (Price Protection--Orders), 6.61-O (Price 
Protections--Quotes), 6.62-O (Certain Types of Orders Defined), 6.64-O 
(OX Opening Process), 6.76-O (Order Ranking and Display--OX), 6.76A-O 
(Order Execution--OX), 6.88-O (Directed Orders), and 6.90-O (Qualified 
Contingent Crosses).
    As discussed in greater detail below, the Exchange is not proposing 
fundamentally different functionality applicable to options trading on 
Pillar than on the OX system. However, with Pillar, the Exchange would 
introduce new terminology, and as applicable, new or updated 
functionality that would be available for options trading on the Pillar 
platform.
    The Exchange notes that new rules relating to electronic complex 
trading on Pillar are addressed in a separate proposed rule change.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92563 (August 4, 
2021), 86 FR 43704 (August 10, 2021) (Notice of proposed Rule 6.91P-
O, regarding complex order trading on Pillar) (``Complex Pillar 
Notice'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Rule Changes
Rule 1.1--Definitions
    Rule 1.1 sets forth definitions that are applicable to both the 
Exchange's cash equity and options markets. Rule 6.1-O(b) sets forth 
definitions that are applicable to the trading of option contracts on 
the Exchange. Rule 6.1A-O sets forth definitions that are applicable to 
trading on the Exchange's current OX system. In connection with the 
transition of options trading to Pillar, the Exchange proposes to copy 
the definitions currently set forth in Rules 6.1-O and 6.1A-O into Rule 
1.1, with changes as described below. This proposed rule change would 
streamline the Exchange's rules by consolidating definitions that would 
be applicable for trading on Pillar into Rule 1.1. Once the transition 
to Pillar is complete, the

[[Page 55928]]

Exchange will file a subsequent proposed rule change to delete current 
Rules 6.1-O and 6.1A-O.
    In connection with adding definitions to Rule 1.1, the Exchange 
proposes to delete the sub-paragraph numbering currently set forth in 
Rule 1.1. The Exchange does not believe that the sub-paragraph 
numbering is necessary because the definitions are organized in 
alphabetical order and would continue to be organized in alphabetical 
order. In addition, removing the sub-paragraph numbering would make any 
future amendments to Rule 1.1 easier to process as any new definitions 
would simply be added in alphabetical order.
    Certain definitions in Rule 1.1 currently specify that they are 
only for ``equities'' trading. With the proposed consolidation of 
definitions, some of those definitions will become applicable to both 
options and cash equity trading, and others will continue to be 
applicable only to cash equity trading. With the proposed 
consolidation, the Exchange proposes to remove existing language 
limiting those definitions to ``equities'' traded on the Exchange if 
the definition would be equally applicable to options trading. In 
addition, to the extent that a proposed definition would continue to be 
applicable only to cash equity trading, the Exchange proposes to make a 
global change to update references to ``equities'' traded on the 
Exchange to ``cash equity securities'' traded on the Exchange. The 
Exchange believes these proposed modifications would add clarity and 
consistency to Exchange rules.
    The Exchange proposes the following amendments to Rule 1.1.
    First, definitions set forth in Rule 6.1-O(b) would be added to 
Rule 1.1 in alphabetical order with certain differences described in 
greater detail below.\14\ To promote clarity, if the definition that is 
being copied is not specifically about options trading, the Exchange 
proposes to add an introductory clause to the definition to specify 
that the term is for options traded on the Exchange. The Exchange does 
not propose to copy the definition of ``Quote with Size,'' which is 
currently defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(33), to Rule 1.1 because that term 
would not be used in the Pillar rules, and does not propose to copy the 
definition of ``Short Term Options Series,'' because it is duplicative 
of Commentary .07 to Rule 6.4-O. In addition, the Exchange is not 
including the definition of ``Foreign Broker/Dealer,'' which is 
currently defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(31), in Rule 1.1, as this term is 
not used anywhere else in Exchange rules.\15\ The Exchange also 
proposes changes to certain definitions that are being copied from Rule 
6.1-O(b) to Rule 1.1, as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Rule 6.1-O(b) has definitions for: Options Clearing 
Corporation, Rules of the Options Clearing Corporation, Clearing 
Member, Participating Exchange, Option Contract, Exchange Option 
Transaction and Exchange Transaction, Type of Option, Call, Put, 
Class of Options, Series of Options, Option Issue, Underlying Stock 
or Underlying Security, Exercise Price, Aggregate Exercise Price, 
Expiration Month, Expiration Date, Long Position, Short Position, 
Opening Purchase Transaction, Opening Writing Transaction, Closing 
Sale Transaction, Closing Purchase Transaction, Covered, Uncovered, 
Outstanding, Primary Market, Options Trading, Customer, Trading 
Crowd, Foreign Broker/Dealer, Exchange-Traded Fund Share, Quote with 
Size, Trading Official, Non-OTP Firm or Non-OTP Holder Market Maker, 
Firm, Consolidated Book, Crowd Participants, Electronic Order 
Capture System, Short Term Option Series, and Quarterly Options 
Series. Unless otherwise specified, the Exchange proposes to copy 
the definitions from Rule 6.1-O(b) to Rule 1.1 without any 
differences.
    \15\ The Exchange is not proposing to delete the definitions of 
either ``Quote with Size'' or ``Foreign Broker/Dealer'' at this time 
as such terms would be deleted in the subsequent filing to delete 
Rule 6.1-O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Exchange proposes to amend certain definitions that 
are being copied to Rule 1.1 to use the term ``underlying security'' 
rather than referring separately to an ``underlying stock or Exchange-
Traded Fund Share.'' The Exchange believes that this proposed change 
would not make any substantive changes because an Exchange-Traded Fund 
Share is a ``security'' as that term is defined in Rule 1.1 (and is 
also an NMS stock). Accordingly, the term ``underlying security,'' by 
definition, would include Exchange-Traded Fund Shares. The Exchange 
proposes to make this change to the following definitions that are 
proposed to be added to Rule 1.1: ``Call,'' ``Class of Options,'' 
``Covered,'' ``Exercise Price,'' ``Primary Market,'' ``Put,'' ``Option 
Issue,'' and ``Underlying Stock or Underlying Security.'' \16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ The Exchange proposes to make a similar non-substantive 
change to delete the term ``Exchange-Trade Fund Share'' in Rule 
6.37-O(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Exchange proposes to streamline the definitions of 
``Closing Purchase Transaction,'' ``Closing Sale Transaction,'' 
``Opening Purchase Transaction,'' and ``Opening Writing Transaction'' 
without any substantive differences, as follows:
    [cir] The term ``Closing Purchase Transaction'' is currently 
defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(23) to mean ``an option transaction in which 
the purchaser's intention is to reduce or eliminate a short position in 
the series of options involved in such transaction.'' The proposed Rule 
1.1 definition of this term would be ``a transaction in a series in 
which the purchaser intends to reduce or eliminate a short position in 
such series.''
    [cir] The term ``Closing Sale Transaction'' is currently defined in 
Rule 6.1-O(b)(22) to mean an ``option transaction in which the seller's 
intention is to reduce or eliminate a long position in the series of 
options involved in such transaction.'' The proposed Rule 1.1 
definition of this term would be ``a transaction in a series in which 
the seller intends to reduce or eliminate a long position in such 
series.''
    [cir] The term ``Opening Purchase Transaction'' is currently 
defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(20) to mean ``an option transaction in which 
the purchaser's intention is to create or increase a long position in 
the series of options involved in such transaction.'' The proposed Rule 
1.1 definition of this term would be ``a transaction in a series in 
which the purchaser intends to create or increase a long position in 
such series.''
    [cir] The term ``Opening Writing Transaction'' is currently defined 
in Rule 6.1-O(b)(21) to mean ``an option transaction in which the 
seller's (writer's) intention is to create or increase a short position 
in the series of options involved in such transaction.'' The proposed 
Rule 1.1 definition of this term would be ``a transaction in a series 
in which the seller (writer) intends to create or increase a short 
position in such series.''
     The Exchange proposes to revise the definition of ``Crowd 
Participants,'' which is currently defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(38) to mean 
``the Market Makers appointed to an option issue under Rule 6.35-O, and 
any Floor Brokers actively representing orders at the best bid or offer 
on the Exchange for a particular option series,'' to not include the 
clause ``for a particular option series'' as unnecessary text.
     The Exchange proposes to revise the definition of 
``Electronic Order Capture System'' to eliminate reference to the 
Commission's order Instituting Public Administrative Proceedings 
Pursuant to Section 19(h)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions, which was the initial 
authority for the Exchange to specify requirements relating to the 
Electronic Order Capture System. The Exchange will continue to include 
requirements for the Electronic Order Capture System in its rules and 
does not believe it is necessary to continue to cite to the original 
authority for this requirement in Exchange rules.
     The Exchange proposes to streamline the definition of 
``Expiration

[[Page 55929]]

Date'' to eliminate now obsolete language limiting the definition to 
options expiring before, on, or after February 15, 2015. In addition, 
the Exchange does not propose to include the following text in the Rule 
1.1 definition of ``Expiration Date'': ``Notwithstanding the foregoing, 
in the case of certain long-term options expiring on or after February 
1, 2015 that the Options Clearing Corporation has designated as 
grandfathered, the term ``expiration date'' shall mean the Saturday 
immediately following the third Friday of the expiration month.'' This 
rule text is now obsolete as the Exchange does not have any series 
trading on the Exchange with such Saturday expiration dates.
     The Exchange proposes to amend the definition of ``options 
trading'' to delete the phrase ``issued by the Options Clearing 
Corporation.'' Accordingly, the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of 
``options trading'' would be as follows: ``when not preceded by the 
word `Exchange,' means trading in any option contract, whether or not 
approved for trading on the Exchange.'' The Exchange believes that this 
proposed change is immaterial because the Exchange trades only options 
that have been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation, and 
therefore reference to the OCC is redundant and unnecessary.
     The Exchange proposes to add to the definition of ``option 
contract'' that option contracts would be included within the 
definition of ``security'' or ``securities'' as such terms are used in 
the Bylaws and Rules of the Exchange. This proposed text is copied from 
the last sentence of current Rule 6.1-O(a). As described below, 
proposed Rule 6.1P-O would not include this text. The Exchange believes 
that adding this text to the Rule 1.1 definition of ``option contract'' 
would promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules by 
consolidating related definitions in a single location.
     The Exchange proposes to streamline the definition of 
``outstanding'' without any substantive differences. Specifically, the 
Exchange proposes to replace the following Rule 6.1-O(b)(26) text, 
``has neither been the subject of a closing sale transaction on the 
Exchange or a comparable closing transaction on another participating 
Exchange nor been exercised nor reached its expiration date,'' with the 
following, ``has not been the subject of a closing sale transaction, 
exercised, or expired.'' The Exchange believes that the proposed 
revised text has the same meaning, with more clear text.
     The Exchange proposes to modify the definition of 
``Trading Crowd,'' which is currently defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(30), to 
include Floor Brokers, which change is consistent with how this concept 
is defined on other options exchanges.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ See, e.g., Cboe Exchange Inc. (``Cboe'') Rule 1.1 (defining 
the terms ``in-crowd market participant'' and ``ICMP'' to include 
``an in-crowd Market-Maker, an on-floor DPM or LMM with an 
allocation in a class, or a Floor Broker or PAR Official 
representing an order in the trading crowd on the trading floor'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, definitions set forth in Rule 6.1A-O(a) would be added to 
Rule 1.1 in alphabetical order without any substantive differences.\18\ 
Because certain of these definitions are already set forth in Rule 1.1 
for cash equity trading, the Exchange proposes to amend those existing 
definitions to specify that they would be applicable to options 
trading, and if applicable, set forth differences for options trading, 
as described in more detail below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \18\ Rule 6.1A-O(a) has definitions for: Authorized Trader, BBO, 
Complex BBO, Core Trading Hours, Customer, Professional Customer, 
Lead Market Maker, Market Center, Marketable, Market Maker, Market 
Maker Authorized Trader, Minimum Price Variation, NBBO, Complex 
NBBO, NOW Recipient, OX, OX Book, Routing Broker, Sponsored 
Participant, Sponsoring OTP Firm, Sponsorship Provisions, User, 
Directed Order Market Maker, and Order Flow Provider.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange does not propose to add the definition of ``Directed 
Order Market Maker'' to Rule 1.1 because in Pillar the Exchange would 
no longer support Directed Order Market Makers. In addition, the 
Exchange does not propose to add the definitions of ``Complex BBO'' or 
``Complex NBBO'' to Rule 1.1, and instead has proposed to define terms 
relating to complex trading in a separate proposed rule change relating 
to electronic complex trading.\19\ The Exchange also does not propose 
to add options-related definitions to Rule 1.1 relating to ``Sponsored 
Participant,'' ``Sponsoring OTP Firm,'' and ``Sponsorship Provisions'' 
because there are currently not any Sponsored Participants trading 
options on the Exchange, and the Exchange does not propose to 
reintroduce this category of participants. As noted above, the terms 
``OX'' and ``OX Book'' will not be used in Pillar rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See Complex Pillar Notice, supra note 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, in addition to definitions that are being added to Rule 
1.1 without any changes from the defined terms from Rule 6.1A-O(a), the 
Exchange proposes the following specific changes to the definitions 
that would be included in the Rule 1.1 definitions: \20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \20\ The Exchange also proposes a non-substantive amendment to 
the definition of ``Exchange'' to add a period at the end of the 
sentence.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Approved Person: The Exchange proposes a non-substantive 
amendment to change the word ``a'' to ``an'' before ``OTP Firm.''
     Authorized Trader: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 
1.1 definition of ``Authorized Trader'' to remove the limitation to 
equities trading so that it is applicable to both cash equity 
securities and options traded on the Exchange, and to add that it can 
mean a person who may submit orders to the Exchange's Trading 
Facilities on behalf of his or her OTP Holder. These proposed 
amendments combine the definition of Authorized Trader currently set 
forth in Rule 6.1A-O(a)(1) with the existing Rule 1.1 definition of 
Authorized Trader with one proposed substantive difference not to 
include reference to ``Sponsored Participant'' in the proposed 
amendment to Rule 1.1. As noted above, the Exchange does not currently 
have any Sponsored Participants that trade on the Exchange, and 
therefore, this term is no longer necessary.
     Away Market: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``Away Market'' to add how that term would be used for 
options trading on the Exchange. As proposed, the new text would 
provide: ``[w]ith respect to options traded on the Exchange, the term 
`Away Market' means any Trading Center (1) with which the Exchange 
maintains an electronic linkage, and (2) that provides instantaneous 
responses to orders routed from the Exchange.'' This proposed 
definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(12) definition of ``NOW 
Recipient,'' which is currently defined as ``any Market Center (1) with 
which the Exchange maintains an electronic linkage, and (2) that 
provides instantaneous responses to NOW Orders routed from OX. The 
Exchange shall designate from time to time those Market Centers that 
qualify as NOW Recipients and shall periodically publish such 
information via its website.'' The Exchange proposes four non-
substantive differences for the Pillar options trading definition of 
``Away Market'': (1) Use the Pillar term of ``Away Market'' instead of 
the term ``NOW Recipient;'' (2) use the term ``Trading Center'' instead 
of ``Market Center''; (3) refer to ``orders routed from the Exchange'' 
instead of ``NOW Orders routed from OX''; and (4) delete the text 
relating to the Exchange designating and publishing to its website 
certain Away Markets. The Exchange does not believe that this text 
needs to be included in the definition of Away Market because such 
markets are by definition those with which the Exchange maintains 
electronic linkage (i.e., pursuant to the Options Order Protection and 
Locked/Crossed Market Plan).

[[Page 55930]]

     BBO: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``BBO'' to add how that term would be used for options 
trading on the Exchange. As proposed, with respect to options traded on 
the Exchange, BBO would mean the best displayed bid or best displayed 
offer on the Exchange. This definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-
O(a)(2)(a) definition of BBO, which currently defines BBO as the ``best 
bid or offer on OX.'' The Exchange believes that the proposed 
difference would add granularity to be clear that non-displayed quotes 
and orders would not be included in the BBO. The Exchange also proposes 
to use the term ``Exchange'' instead of ``OX.''
     Consolidated Book: The term ``Consolidated Book'' is 
currently defined in Rule 6.1-O(b)(37) \21\ and the term ``OX Book'' is 
currently defined in Rule 6.1A-O(a)(14).\22\ For Pillar, the Exchange 
proposes to define the term ``Consolidated Book'' in Rule 1.1 to mean 
the Exchange's electronic book of orders and quotes and that all orders 
and quotes that are entered into the Consolidated Book would be ranked 
and maintained in accordance with the rules of priority, as provided 
for in proposed Rule 6.76P-O. This proposed definition uses terminology 
similar to the existing Rule 1.1 definition of ``NYSE Arca Book,'' 
which would be amended to specify that the definition would only be for 
cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes 
that the proposed definition of ``Consolidated Book'' for options 
trading on Pillar is not substantively different from either the 
current Rule 6.1-O definition of ``Consolidated Book'' or the current 
Rule 6.1A-O definition of ``OX Book.'' Rather, the changes are designed 
to eliminate text that would not be applicable on Pillar without 
changing the substance of the proposed definition and would use more 
streamlined text to describe the Exchange's electronic order book. For 
example, the Exchange believes that the proposed use of the phrase 
``electronic book of orders and quotes'' makes clear that the 
Consolidated Book would include all orders and quotes, including orders 
from both ``Public Customers and broker-dealers,'' and it is not 
necessary to separately reference what entity may be entering orders. 
In addition, as noted above, the Exchange does not propose to use the 
term ``Quote with Size'' in connection with options trading on Pillar 
and therefore does not propose to include reference to that term in the 
Pillar proposed definition for ``Consolidated Book.'' And, as described 
in greater detail below in connection with proposed Rule 6.76P-O, on 
Pillar, the Exchange does not propose to use the terms ``Display Order 
and Working Order Processes'' and therefore these terms would not be 
included in the Rule 1.1 definition of Consolidated Book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ The term ``Consolidated Book'' is currently defined as 
``the Exchange's electronic book of limit orders for the accounts of 
Public Customers and broker-dealers, and Quotes with Size. All 
orders and Quotes with Size that are entered into the Book will be 
ranked and maintained in accordance with the rules of priority as 
provided in Rule 6.76-O. There is no limit to the size of orders or 
quotes that may be entered into the Consolidated Book.''
    \22\ The term ``OX Book'' is currently defined as ``the OX's 
electronic file of orders and quotes, which contains all of the 
orders in each of the Display Order and Working Order Processes and 
all of the Market Makers' quotes in the Display Order Process.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Core Trading Hours: The Exchange proposes that the current 
definition of Core Trading Hours in Rule 1.1, which is defined as ``the 
hours of 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time through 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) or 
such other hours as may be determined by the Exchange from time to 
time,'' would be applicable to both cash equity securities and options 
trading on the Exchange. Because options trading may extend past 4:00 
p.m., the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 1.1 to provide that for 
options traded on the Exchange, transactions may be effected on the 
Exchange for an equity options class until close of trading of the 
Primary Market for the securities underlying an options class. This 
proposed text is based on current Rule 6.1A-O(a)(3).\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ Rule 6.1A-O(a)(3) currently defines ``Core Trading Hours'' 
to mean ``the regular trading hours for business set forth in the 
rules of the primary markets underlying those option classes listed 
on the Exchange; provided, however, that transactions may be 
effected on the Exchange until the regular time set for the normal 
close of trading in the primary markets with respect to equity 
option classes and ETF option classes, and 15 minutes after the 
regular time set for the normal close of trading in the primary 
markets with respect to index option classes, or such other hours as 
may be determined by the Exchange from time to time.'' The Exchange 
does not propose to include in the Rule 1.1 definition of Core 
Trading Hours for options trading the current text regarding trading 
that continues 15 minutes after the regular time set for the normal 
close of trading in the primary markets with respect to index 
options classes, as this is already addressed in Rule 5.20-O(a) 
(Trading Sessions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Customer and Professional Customer: The Exchange proposes 
to amend Rule 1.1 to add the definitions of ``Customer'' and 
``Professional Customer.'' The proposed definitions use the same text 
as the definitions of Customer and Professional Customer set forth in 
Rules 6.1A-O(a)(4) and (4A) with non-substantive differences only to 
specify that these definitions would be applicable for options traded 
on the Exchange, eliminate redundant headers,\24\ and re-number the 
sub-paragraphs. The Exchange also proposes to include a cross-reference 
to the definition of a broker or dealer as defined Sections 3(a)(4) and 
3(a)(5) of the Exchange Act and rules thereunder.\25\ The Exchange 
believes that this specificity adds clarity and transparency to the 
proposed definition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ The Exchange proposes that the Rule 1.1 definition of 
Professional Customer would not include the sub-header of 
``Calculation of Professional Customer Orders'' as redundant of the 
following text in the rule that would provide ``[e]xcept as noted 
below, each order of any order type counts as one order for 
Professional order counting purposes.''
    \25\ The Exchange does not propose to add to Rule 1.1 the 
definition of ``Customer'' that is set forth in Rule 6.1-O(b)(29) as 
unnecessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Floor: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``Floor,'' which refers to the options trading floor, to 
include the synonymous defined terms ``Trading Floor'' and ``Options 
Trading Floor,'' which terms are used throughout existing Exchange 
rules and make one change to remove the term ``shall.'' These proposed 
changes would add clarity and consistency to Exchange rules.
     Lead Market Maker: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 
1.1 definition of ``Lead Market Maker'' to add how that term would be 
used for options trading. As proposed, the new text would provide that 
for options traded on the Exchange, the term ``Lead Market Maker'' or 
``LMM'' would ``mean a person that has been deemed qualified by the 
Exchange for the purpose of making transactions on the Exchange in 
accordance with Rule 6.82-O. Each LMM must be registered with the 
Exchange as a Market Maker. Any OTP Holder or OTP Firm registered as a 
Market Maker with the Exchange is eligible to be qualified as an LMM.'' 
This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(5) definition 
of Lead Market Maker without any substantive differences. The Exchange 
proposes one non-substantive difference to use the term ``person'' 
instead of ``individual or entity,'' because the term ``person,'' as 
currently defined in Rule 1.1, is inclusive of natural persons and 
entities.
     Marketable: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``Marketable'' to extend it to address options traded on 
the Exchange by deleting the phrase ``[w]ith respect to equities traded 
on the Exchange.'' \26\ The

[[Page 55931]]

current description of the term ``Marketable,'' for purposes of Market 
Orders, is the same in both Rules 1.1 and 6.1A-O(a)(7).\27\ 
Accordingly, the existing Rule 1.1 text relating to term ``Marketable'' 
with respect to Market Orders would be applicable to options trading 
without any differences. With respect to Limit Orders, in Rule 1.1, the 
term ``Marketable'' currently means an order that can be immediately 
executed or routed. The current Rule 6.1A-O(a)(7) definition of the 
term ``Marketable'' for Limit Orders means when the price of the order 
matches or crosses the NBBO on the other side of the market. The 
current Rule 1.1 definition relating to Limit Orders means 
substantively the same thing as the current Rule 6.1A-O(a)(7) 
description for Limit Orders, and the Exchange proposes to use the 
existing Rule 1.1 definition of the term ``Marketable'' for both cash 
equity and options trading of Limit Orders. The Exchange also proposes 
a non-substantive amendment to add a comma after the phrase, ``the term 
`Marketable' means'' and before ``for a Limit Order.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ The term ``Marketable'' is currently defined in Rule 1.1 to 
mean, ``[w]ith respect to equities traded on the Exchange, the term 
`Marketable' means for a Limit Order, an order that can be 
immediately executed or routed. Market Orders are always considered 
marketable.''
    \27\ The term ``Marketable'' is currently defined in Rule 6.1A-
O(a)(7) for options trading to mean ``for a Limit Order, the price 
matches or crosses the NBBO on the other side of the market. Market 
orders are always considered marketable.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Market Maker: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``Market Maker'' to add how that term would be used for 
options trading. As proposed, the new text would provide that for 
options traded on the Exchange, the term ``Market Maker'' would refer 
``to an OTP Holder or OTP Firm that acts as a Market Maker pursuant to 
Rule 6.32-O.'' This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-
O(a)(8) definition of Market Maker, which is defined as ``an OTP Holder 
or OTP Firm that acts as a Market Maker pursuant to Rule 6.32-O.'' 
Accordingly, the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of the term ``Market 
Maker'' for options trading would not have any differences from the 
current Rule 6.1A-O definition. The Exchange also proposes to include 
in the Rule 1.1 definition of Market Maker for options trading that for 
purposes of Exchange rules, the term Market Maker includes Lead Market 
Makers, unless the context otherwise indicates. This proposed text is 
based on Rule 6.1-O(c), References, with a non-substantive difference 
to use the term ``Exchange'' instead of ``NYSE Arca.'' The Exchange 
believes this proposed change would streamline and clarify this 
definition by consolidating definitions relating to Market Makers in a 
single location.
     Market Maker Authorized Trader: The Exchange proposes to 
amend the Rule 1.1 definition of ``Market Maker Authorized Trader'' to 
add how that term would be used for options trading. As proposed, the 
new text would provide that for options traded on the Exchange, the 
term ``Market Maker Authorized Trader'' or ``MMAT'' would ``mean an 
authorized trader who performs market making activities pursuant to 
Rule 6-O on behalf of an OTP Firm or OTP Holder registered as a Market 
Maker.'' This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(9) 
definition of Market Maker Authorized Trader without any differences.
     Market Participant Identifier (``MPID''): The Exchange 
proposes to add a new definition to Rule 1.1 for ``Market Participant 
Identifier (`MPID').'' This term is currently used in, but not defined 
in, Rules 7.19-E and 7.31-E(i)(2) for cash equities trading. Because 
this term would also be used for options trading on Pillar, the 
Exchange believes that defining this term in Rule 1.1 would promote 
clarity and transparency. The proposed definition would provide that 
``Market Participant Identifier'' or ``MPID'' refers to the identifier 
assigned to the orders and quotes of a single ETP Holder, OTP Holder, 
or OTP Firm for the execution and clearing of trades on the Exchange by 
that permit holder. The definition would further provide that an ETP 
Holder, OTP Holder, or OTP Firm may obtain multiple MPIDs and each such 
MPID may be associated with one or more sub-identifiers of that MPID. 
The Exchange believes that using the term MPID on the Exchange for 
options trading would promote clarity as this is an identifier commonly 
used by members of exchanges and the Exchange believes that using this 
term for its OTP Holders and OTP Firms would promote consistency, 
particularly for those firms that are also ETP Holders on the Exchange.
     Minimum Price Variation or MPV: The Exchange proposes to 
amend Rule 1.1 to add the definition of ``Minimum Price Variation'' or 
``MPV'' for both cash equity securities and options that are traded on 
the Exchange. The Exchange proposes that the term ``Minimum Price 
Variation'' or ``MPV'' means the minimum price variations established 
by the Exchange. The Exchange further proposes that the MPV for quoting 
cash equity securities traded on the Exchange are set forth in Rule 
7.6-E. The Exchange further proposes that the MPV for quoting and 
trading options traded on the Exchange are set forth in Rule 6.72-O(a). 
The proposed definition as it relates to options trading is based on 
the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(10) definition of MPV, which defines the term 
``Minimum Price Variation'' to mean ``the variations established by the 
Exchange pursuant to Rule 6.72-O(a).'' Similar to this current rule, 
the proposed Rule 1.1 definition of MPV for options trading would cross 
reference Rule 6.72-O(a). The Exchange proposes a difference to add 
reference to ``quoting and trading options'' to distinguish how the MPV 
for options would be determined from how the MPV for quoting cash 
equity securities would be determined.
     NBBO: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``NBBO, Best Protected Bid, Best Protected Offer, 
Protected Best Bid and Offer (PBBO)'' to add how the term NBBO would be 
used for options trading. The Exchange proposes that: ``[w]ith respect 
to options traded on the Exchange, the term `NBBO' means the national 
best bid or offer. The terms `NBB' means the national best bid and 
`NBO' means the national best offer.'' This proposed definition 
includes the current definition of NBBO from Rule 6.1A-O(a)(11)(a), 
which defines that term as ``the national best bid or best offer.'' The 
Exchange proposes to add the terms ``NBB'' and ``NBO'' as clarifying 
terms for options trading.
    In addition, the Exchange proposes that, unless otherwise 
specified, for options trading, the Exchange may adjust its calculation 
of the NBBO based on information about orders it sends to Away Markets, 
execution reports received from those Away Markets, and certain orders 
received by the Exchange. This proposed text reflects how the Exchange 
currently calculates the NBBO for options trading and is based on how 
the PBBO is calculated on the Exchange's cash equity market, as 
described in Rule 7.37-E(d)(2).\28\ The Exchange proposes that it would 
adjust its calculation of the NBBO for options traded on the Exchange 
in the same manner that the Exchange calculates the PBBO for cash 
equity securities traded on the Exchange. The Exchange believes that 
adding this detail to the proposed definition of NBBO would promote 
clarity and transparency in Exchange rules. The Exchange further notes 
that there are limited circumstances when the Exchange would not adjust 
its calculation of the NBBO, and would determine the NBBO for options 
in the same way that the Exchange determines

[[Page 55932]]

the NBBO for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. As 
described in detail below, the Exchange will specify in its rules when 
it would be not be using an adjusted NBBO for purposes of a specific 
rule. The Exchange further proposes that the term ``Away Market NBBO'' 
would be subsumed in the definition of NBBO and would refer to a 
calculation of the NBBO that excludes the Exchange's BBO. The term 
``Away Market NBBO'' would be a new defined term for options trading 
and would promote clarity and transparency regarding whether for 
purposes of a specific rule, the NBBO would not include the Exchange's 
BBO.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 91564 (April 14, 
2021), 86 FR 20541 (April 20, 2021) (SR-NYSEArca-2021-21) (Notice of 
filing and immediate effectiveness of proposed rule change to 
specify when the Exchange may adjust its calculation of the PBBO).
    \29\ See, e.g., infra, discussion regarding proposed Rule 
6.62P(a)(1)(A)(iii), which would use the term ``Away Market NBBO.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     NYSE Arca Book: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 
1.1 definition of ``NYSE Arca Book'' to specify that this term is 
applicable only for cash equity securities traded on the Exchange. As 
noted above, the Exchange uses the term ``Consolidated Book'' for 
options traded on the Exchange and would continue to use that term on 
Pillar for options trading.
     NYSE Arca Marketplace: The Exchange proposes to amend the 
Rule 1.1 definition of ``NYSE Arca Marketplace'' to specify that this 
term is applicable only for cash equity securities traded on the 
Exchange.
     Order Flow Provider or OFP: The Exchange proposes to add 
the definition of ``Order Flow Provider or OFP'' to Rule 1.1 to mean 
``any OTP Holder that submits, as agent, orders to the Exchange.'' This 
proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(21) definition of 
``Order Flow Provider'' without any differences.
     Trading Center: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 
1.1 definition of ``Trading Center'' to add how this term would be used 
for options trading. As proposed: ``[w]ith respect to options traded on 
the Exchange, for purposes of Rule 6-O, the term `Trading Center' means 
a national securities exchange that has qualified for participation in 
the Options Clearing Corporation pursuant to the provisions of the 
rules of the Options Clearing Corporation.'' This proposed definition 
is based on the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(6) definition of ``Market Center'' with 
a non-substantive difference to use the term ``Trading Center'' instead 
of ``Market Center.''
     User: The Exchange proposes to amend the Rule 1.1 
definition of ``User'' to add how this term would be used for options 
trading. As proposed: ``[w]ith respect to options traded on the 
Exchange, the term `User' shall mean any OTP Holder or OTP Firm who is 
authorized to obtain access to the Exchange pursuant to Rule 6.2A-O.'' 
This proposed definition is based on the Rule 6.1A-O(a)(19) definition 
of User, with one difference not to include the now obsolete reference 
to Sponsored Participant, which, as described above, is no longer used 
in connection with options trading.
     User Agreement: The Exchange proposes a non-substantive 
amendment to the Rule 1.1 definition of ``User Agreement'' to replace 
the term ``NYSE Arca, L.L.C'' with the term the ``Exchange.''
    In addition to proposed amendments to Rule 1.1, the Exchange 
proposes to amend Rule 6.96-O to add the definition of ``Routing 
Broker,'' which is currently defined in Rule 6.1A-O(a)(15) to mean 
``the broker-dealer affiliate of NYSE Arca, Inc. and/or any other non-
affiliate that acts as a facility of NYSE Arca, Inc. for routing orders 
entered into OX of OTP Holders, OTP Firms and OTP Firms' Sponsored 
Participants to other Market Centers for execution whenever such 
routing is required by NYSE Arca Rules.'' For options trading on 
Pillar, the Exchange proposes to define the term in Rule 6.96-O 
(Operation of a Routing Broker) to mean ``the broker-dealer affiliate 
of NYSE Arca, Inc. and/or any other non-affiliate that acts as a 
facility of the Exchange for routing orders submitted to the Exchange 
to other Trading Centers for execution whenever such routing is 
required by NYSE Arca Rules and federal securities laws.'' \30\ The 
proposed rule text is based on the current definition in Rule 6.1A-
O(a)(15), with non-substantive differences to streamline the definition 
and to use Pillar terminology. Specifically, the Exchange does not 
propose to include terms that would no longer be applicable to trading 
on Pillar, including reference to OX, Market Centers, and Sponsored 
Participants. The Exchange notes that including the definition of 
``Routing Broker'' in its rule governing the operation of the routing 
broker is consistent with the Exchange's cash equity rules, which also 
defines the term ``Routing Broker'' in Rule 7.45-E(a) (Operation of 
Routing Broker).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ The Exchange also proposes non-substantive amendments to 
Rule 6.96-O to renumber current paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), as 
paragraphs (b), (c), and (d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with the proposed amendments to Rule 1.1, the 
Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.1A-O: ``This 
Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble 
is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that 
Rule 6.1A-O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.1P-O: Applicability
    Current Rule 6.1-O sets forth the applicability, definitions, and 
references in connection with options trading. As noted above, the 
definitions in Rule 6.1-O(b) and reference to LMMs being included in 
the definition of Market Maker will be copied to proposed Rule 1.1 for 
purposes of trading on Pillar.
    The Exchange proposes new Rule 6.1P-O to include only those 
portions of Rule 6.1-O relating to applicability of Exchange Rules that 
would continue to be applicable after the transition to Pillar. 
Proposed Rule 6.1P-O(a) would be identical to the first two sentences 
of current Rule 6.1-O(a). As noted above, the proposed definition of 
``option contract'' would incorporate the final sentence of Rule 6.1-
O(a), which states that option contracts are included in the definition 
of ``security'' or ``securities.'' Accordingly, the Exchange does not 
propose to include this text in proposed Rule 6.1P-O(a).
    Proposed Rule 6.1P-O(b) would provide that unless otherwise stated, 
Exchange rules would be applicable to transactions on the Exchange in 
option contracts. The proposed rule is similar to Rule 6.1-O(e) because 
it addresses the applicability of other Exchange Rules.'' \31\ The 
Exchange proposes differences from current Rule 6.1-O(e) to eliminate 
obsolete and duplicative text and to streamline the proposed rule text 
without any substantive differences. For example, the Exchange does not 
believe it is necessary to identify which rules are or are not 
applicable to trading of option contracts because any rule with ``-O'' 
appended to it is applicable to trading of option contracts. In 
addition, Rule 1.1 is now applicable to trading of options contracts. 
And, as discussed above, the Exchange has proposed to amend the 
definition of ``option contract'' to specify that they are included in 
the definition of ``security'' or ``securities.'' Finally, the

[[Page 55933]]

reference in Rule 6.1-O(e) to `` `specialist' means `Market Maker' '' 
is duplicative of Rule 6.32-O, and therefore is not necessary to add to 
proposed Rule 6.1P-O(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ Rule 6.1-O(e) provides: ``Applicability of Other Exchange 
Rules. The following Rules apply to transactions on the Exchange in 
option contracts issued or subject to issuance by the Options 
Clearing Corporation: Rules 4.15-O-4.19-O, 5.1-O, 9.21-O-9.28-O and 
11.6. The following Rules do not apply to transactions on the 
Exchange in option contracts: Rule 1.1. All other Exchange rules are 
applicable to transactions on the Exchange in option contracts 
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In applying the 
Rules of the Exchange to transactions on the Exchange in option 
contracts, `security' or `securities' includes option contracts, 
`specialist' means Market Maker on the Options Trading Floor.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with proposed Rule 6.1P-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.1-O: ``This Rule is not applicable 
to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed to promote 
clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.1-O would not be 
applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.76P-O: Order Ranking and Display
    Rule 6.76-O governs order ranking and display for the current 
Exchange options trading system. Proposed Rule 6.76P-O would address 
order ranking and display for options trading under Pillar, including 
accounting for the quoting activity of options Market Makers as noted 
below. With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange does not propose any 
substantive differences to how orders would be ranked and displayed on 
the Exchange. However, the Exchange proposes to eliminate the 
terminology relating to the ``Display Order Process'' and ``Working 
Order Process'' (each of which are described below) and instead use 
Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.36-E, which governs order ranking 
and display on the Exchange's cash equity market.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ As noted herein (see supra note 11), the Exchange also 
proposes to eliminate the use of the terms ``OX'' and ``OX Book,'' 
as these terms would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes a difference between proposed Pillar options 
rules and the existing cash equity Pillar rules to reflect that, in 
addition to entering orders, options Market Makers enter quotes, which 
cash equity market makers do not. Accordingly, when the cash equity 
rules refer to ``orders,'' the proposed options Pillar rules would 
refer to both ``orders and quotes'' to incorporate this difference 
between cash equity and options markets, except where specified 
otherwise.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See, e.g., proposed Rules 6.76-O(a)(1), (3), (b)-(f) (as 
described herein).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed in detail below, the Exchange believes that the 
proposed new rule text provides transparency with respect to how the 
Exchange's price-time priority model would operate through the use of 
new terminology applicable to all orders and quotes on the Pillar 
trading platform. In addition, throughout proposed Rule 6.76P-O, the 
Exchange proposes to change the term ``shall'' to ``will,'' which is a 
stylistic preference that would add consistency to Exchange rules.
    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(a) would set forth definitions for purposes 
of all of Rule 6-O (Options Trading) on the Pillar trading platform, 
including proposed Rule 6.76AP-O (Order Execution and Routing), 
described below. The proposed definitions are based on Rule 7.36-E(a) 
definitions for purposes of Rule 7-E cash equity trading, with 
differences, as noted above, to reference ``orders and quotes'' 
throughout proposed Rule 6.76P-O. The Exchange believes that these 
proposed definitions would provide transparency regarding how the 
Exchange would operate its options platform on Pillar, and serve as the 
foundation for how orders and modifiers would be described for options 
trading on Pillar, as discussed in more detail below. In addition, the 
Exchange believes that even with using Pillar terminology that is based 
on the Exchange's cash equity rules, unless otherwise specified, the 
definitions that are described in these proposed rules do not differ in 
substance from current Rule 6.76-O relating to options trading.
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(a)(1) would define the term 
``display price'' to mean the price at which an order or quote ranked 
Priority 2--Display Orders or Market Order is displayed, which price 
may be different from the limit price or working price of the order 
(i.e., if it is a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order as described 
below in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1), (2), respectively). This proposed 
definition uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.36-E(a)(1). To 
incorporate quotes, the Exchange proposes to refer to ``order or quote 
ranked Priority 2--Display Orders,'' versus referring to ``Limit 
Order,'' as set forth in Rule 7.36-E(a)(1). The term ``Priority 2--
Display Orders'' is described in more detail below. The Exchange also 
proposes a second difference compared to the Exchange's cash equity 
rules to include Market Orders as interest that may have a display 
price (for example, as described below and consistent with current 
functionality, a Market Order could be displayed at its Trading Collar, 
which is unique to options trading and not available on the cash equity 
platform).
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(a)(2) would define the term ``limit 
price'' to mean the highest (lowest) specified price at which a Limit 
Order or quote to buy (sell) is eligible to trade. The limit price is 
designated by the User. As noted in the proposed definitions of display 
price and working price, the limit price designated by the User may 
differ from the price at which the order would be displayed or eligible 
to trade. This proposed definition uses Pillar terminology based on 
Rule 7.36-E(a)(2), with a difference to refer to the specified price of 
a ``Limit Order or quote,'' versus referring to ``Limit Order,'' as set 
forth in Rule 7.36-E(a)(2).
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(a)(3) would define the term 
``working price'' to mean the price at which an order or quote is 
eligible to trade at any given time, which may be different from the 
limit price or display price of an order. This proposed definition is 
based on Rule 7.36-E(a)(3), with a difference to refer to ``order or 
quote'' for purposes of determining ranking priority, versus referring 
solely to an ``an order,'' as set forth in Rule 7.36-E(a)(3). The 
Exchange believes that the term ``working price'' would provide clarity 
regarding the price at which an order may be executed at any given 
time. Specifically, the Exchange believes that use of the term 
``working'' denotes that this is a price that is subject to change, 
depending on the circumstances. The Exchange will be using this term in 
connection with orders and modifiers, as described in more detail 
below.
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(a)(4) would define the term 
``working time'' to mean the effective time sequence assigned to an 
order or quote for purposes of determining its priority ranking. The 
Exchange proposes to use the term ``working time'' in its rules for 
trading on the Pillar trading platform instead of terms such as ``time 
sequence'' or ``time priority,'' which are used in rules governing 
option trading on the Exchange's current system. The Exchange believes 
that use of the term ``working'' denotes that this is a time assigned 
to an order for purposes of ranking and is subject to change, depending 
on circumstances. This proposed definition is based on Rule 7.36-
E(a)(4), with a difference to refer to an ``order or quote,'' versus 
referring solely to ``an order,'' as set forth in Rule 7.36-E(a)(4).
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(a)(5) would define an ``Aggressing 
Order'' or ``Aggressing Quote'' to mean a buy (sell) order or quote 
that is or becomes marketable against sell (buy) interest on the 
Consolidated Book. The proposed terms would therefore refer to orders 
or quotes that are marketable against other orders or quotes on the 
Consolidated Book. These terms would be applicable to incoming orders 
or quotes, orders that have returned unexecuted after routing, or 
resting orders or quotes that become marketable due to one or more 
events. For the most part, resting orders or quotes will have already 
traded with

[[Page 55934]]

contra-side interest against which they are marketable.
    To maximize the potential for orders or quotes to trade, the 
Exchange continually evaluates whether resting interest may become 
marketable. Events that could trigger a resting order to become 
marketable include updates to the working price of such order or quote, 
updates to the NBBO, changes to other interest resting on the 
Consolidated Book, or processing of inbound messages. To address such 
circumstances, the Exchange proposes to include in proposed Rule 6.76P-
O(a)(5) that a resting order or quote may become an Aggressing Order or 
Aggressing Quote if its working price changes, if the NBBO is updated, 
because of changes to other orders or quotes on the Consolidated Book, 
or when processing inbound messages.
    The proposed definition of an ``Aggressing Order'' is based on Rule 
7.36-E(a)(5), with differences in the proposed rule to account for 
options trading, such as including the defined term ``Aggressing 
Quote''; referring to an ``order or quote'' versus ``an order''; 
referring to the Consolidated Book rather than NYSE Arca Book; and 
referring to the NBBO instead of the PBBO, which is not a term used in 
options trading. The Exchange believes that these proposed definitions 
would promote transparency in Exchange rules by providing detail 
regarding circumstances when a resting order or quote may become 
marketable, and thus would be an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote.
    Under current Rule 6.76-O, bids and offers are ranked and 
maintained in the Display Order Process and/or the Working Order 
Process of the OX Book according to price-time priority. In the Display 
Order Process, all Limit Orders (with no other conditions), quotes, and 
the displayed portion of Reserve Orders (not the reserve size) are 
ranked in price-time priority, displayed on an anonymous basis (except 
as permitted by Rule 6.76A-O), and the best-ranked interest is 
disseminated.\34\ In the Working Order Process, the reserve portion of 
Reserve Orders,\35\ All-or-None Orders, Stop and Stop Limit Orders and 
Stock Contingency Orders are ranked in price-time priority based on the 
limit price or, in the case of Stop and Stop Limit Orders, the stop 
price. As described in more detail below, proposed Rule 6.62P-O, 
relating to orders and modifiers, would specify whether an order or 
quote would be displayable, i.e., ranked Priority 2 Display Orders, or 
non-displayable, i.e., ranked Priority 3--Non-Display Orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See Rule 6.76-O(a)(1)(A)-(B), (b) and (c). When the 
displayed portion of the Reserve Order is decremented completely, 
the displayed portion of the Reserve Order shall be refreshed for 
the displayed amount; or the entire reserve amount, if the remaining 
reserve amount is smaller than the displayed amount, from the 
reserve portion and shall be submitted and ranked at the specified 
limit price and the new time that the displayed portion of the order 
was refreshed. See Rule 6.76-O(a)(1)(B). As discussed in more detail 
below, the Exchange proposes to describe how Reserve Orders would 
function in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1).
    \35\ See Rule 6.76-O(a)(2)(A)-(E). After the displayed portion 
of a Reserve Order is refreshed from the reserve portion, the 
reserve portion remains ranked based on the original time of order 
entry, while the displayed portion is sent to the Display Order 
Process with a new time-stamp. See Rule 6.76-O(a)(2)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(b) would govern the display of non-marketable 
Limit Orders and quotes. As proposed, the Exchange would display ``all 
non-marketable Limit Orders and quotes ranked Priority 2--Display 
Orders unless the order or modifier instruction specifies that all or a 
portion of the order is not to be displayed,'' which functionality is 
the same as that set forth in the first sentence of the preamble to the 
current Rule 6.76-O, stating that the Exchange displays ``all non-
marketable limit orders in the Display Order Process.'' The Exchange 
proposes to use Pillar ranking terminology (described further below) to 
describe the same functionality and references to the Display Order 
Process would not be included.
    Rule 6.76P-O(b)(1), which is substantially identical to current 
Rule 6.76-O(b), would provide that except as otherwise permitted in 
proposed new Rule 6.76AP-O (discussed below), all non-marketable 
displayed interest would be displayed on an anonymous basis.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ Rule 6.76-O(b) provides that ``[e]xcept as otherwise 
permitted by Rule 6.76A-O, all bids and offers at all price levels 
in the Display Order Process of the OX Book shall be displayed on an 
anonymous basis.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(b)(2) is substantially identical to the 
second sentence of the preamble to current Rule 6.76-O, and mirroring 
that text, would provide that the Exchange would ``disseminate current 
consolidated quotations/last sale information, and such other market 
information as may be made available from time to time pursuant to 
agreement between the Exchange and other Trading Centers, consistent 
with the Plan for Reporting of Consolidated Options Last Sale Reports 
and Quotation Information.'' \37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ The second sentence of the preamble to current Rule 6.76-O 
states, ``OX also will disseminate current consolidated quotations/
last sale information, and such other market information as may be 
made available from time to time pursuant to agreement between the 
Exchange and other Market Centers, consistent with the Plan for 
Reporting of Consolidated Options Last Sale Reports and Quotation 
Information.'' The Exchange proposes a difference to use the term 
``Trading Centers'' instead of ``Market Centers.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, proposed Rule 6.76P-O(b)(3) would provide that if ``an 
Away Market locks or crosses the Exchange BBO, the Exchange will not 
change the display price of any Limit Orders or quotes ranked Priority 
2--Display Orders and any such orders will be eligible to be displayed 
as the Exchange's BBO.'' This proposed rule describes Pillar 
functionality, which is the same as current functionality. The Exchange 
believes that including this text in the proposed rules would promote 
clarity and granularity. In addition, this proposed concept, which is 
based on Rule 7.36-E(b)(4), makes clear that resting displayed interest 
that did not cause a locked or crossed market condition can stand its 
ground and maintain priority at the price at which it was originally 
displayed. This provision uses Pillar terminology and functionality 
described in Rule 7.36-E(b)(4), but does not include text from the cash 
equity rule providing for the treatment of displayed Limit Orders that 
are ``marketable against protected quotations on Away Market'' before 
``resuming trading and publishing a quote in a UTP Security following a 
Regulatory Halts,'' because the concept of trading a security on an 
unlisted trading privileges basis and how a non-primary cash equity 
market would resume trading after a primary listing exchanges resumes 
trading following a trading halt is not applicable to options trading.
    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(c) would describe the Exchange's general 
process for ranking orders and quotes, which process is the same as 
that set forth in current Rule 6.76-O(a), with differences to use 
Pillar ranking terminology and include additional detail related to 
order/quote modifiers.\38\ As proposed, Rule 6.76P-O(c) would provide 
that all non-marketable orders and quotes would be ranked and 
maintained in the Consolidated Book according to price-time priority in 
the following manner: (1) Price; (2) priority category; (3) time; and 
(4) ranking restrictions applicable to an order/quote or modifier 
condition. Accordingly, orders and quotes would be first ranked by 
price. Next, at each price level, orders and quotes would be assigned a 
priority category, which is similar to the Exchange's current process 
to assign orders and quotes as being part of either the ``Display Order

[[Page 55935]]

Process'' or ``Working Order Process.'' Orders and quotes in each 
priority category would be required to be exhausted before moving to 
the next priority category. Within each priority category, orders and 
quotes would be ranked by time. These general requirements for ranking 
are applicable to all orders and quotes, unless an order or quote or 
modifier has a specified exception to this ranking methodology, as 
described in more detail below. The Exchange is proposing this ranking 
description instead of using the above-described terms of ``Display 
Order Process'' and ``Working Order Process'' in Rule 6.76-O. However, 
substantively there would be no difference in how the Exchange would 
rank orders and quotes on the Pillar trading platform from how it ranks 
orders and quotes in the current option trading system. For example, a 
non-displayed order would always be ranked after a displayed order at 
the same price, even if the non-displayed order has an earlier working 
time. In addition, this proposed rule would use Pillar terminology 
based on Rule 7.36-E(c), with differences to reflect options trading, 
including that the proposed rule references ``non-marketable orders and 
quotes,'' not solely ``non-marketable orders,'' and references the 
``Consolidated Book,'' rather than the ``NYSE Arca Book.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ Rule 6.76-O(a) states that the Exchange ranks bids and 
offers ``according to price-time priority, such that within each 
price level, all bids and offers shall be organized by the time of 
entry''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(d) would describe how orders and quotes would 
be ranked based on price, which additional detail would provide 
transparency regarding the Exchange's price-ranking process. 
Specifically, as proposed, all orders and quotes would be ranked based 
on the working price of an order or quote. Orders and quotes to buy 
would be ranked from highest working price to lowest working price and 
orders and quotes to sell would be ranked from lowest working price to 
highest working price. The rule would further provide that if the 
working price of an order or quote changes, the price priority of an 
order or quote would change. This proposed pricing priority is current 
functionality, but the new rule would add detail regarding the concept 
of ``working price'' and its impact on priority and would use Pillar 
terminology. In addition, this proposed rule uses Pillar terminology 
from Rule 7.36-E(d), with differences to reflect options trading to 
reference ``orders and quotes'' as opposed to solely ``orders.''
    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(e) would describe the proposed priority 
categories for ranking purposes, which added detail and terminology 
would be new for option trading without any functional differences.\39\ 
As proposed, at each price, all orders and quotes would be assigned a 
priority category. If, at a price, there are no orders or quotes in a 
priority category, the next category would have first priority. The 
Exchange does not propose to include in Rule 6.76P-O, which sets forth 
the general rule regarding ranking, specifics about how one or more 
order or quote types may be ranked and displayed. Instead, as described 
in more detail below, the Exchange will address separately in new Rule 
6.62P-O governing orders and modifiers which priority category 
correlates to different order types and modifiers. Accordingly, details 
regarding which proposed priority categories would be assigned to the 
display and reserve portions of Reserve Orders, which is currently 
addressed in Rule 6.76-O (a)(1)(B) and (a)(2)(A), will be addressed in 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O and therefore would not be included in proposed 
Rule 6.76P-O.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See supra notes 34 and 35 (regarding treatment of Reserve 
Orders per Rule 6.76-O(a)(1)(B) and (a)(2)(A).
    \40\ See, e.g., Rule 6.76-O(a)(1) and (2) (setting forth the 
price-time ranking and priority structure for bids and offers 
submitted to the Exchange, including ranking of certain order types 
with contingencies).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed changes are also the same as the terms used for 
priority categories for cash equity trading as set forth in Rule 7.36-
E(e)(1)-(3), with differences to include options-specific reference to 
``orders and quotes'' rather than just orders as relates to interest 
ranked Priority 2 and 3. In addition, the Exchange does not propose to 
include the Priority 4--Tracking Orders category, which relates to an 
order type not available for option trading.
    The proposed priority categories would be:
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(e)(1) would specify ``Priority 1--
Market Orders,'' which provides that unexecuted Market Orders would 
have priority over all other same-side orders with the same working 
price. As described in greater detail below, a Market Order subject to 
a Trading Collar would be displayed on the Consolidated Book. In such 
circumstances, the displayed Market Order would have priority over all 
other resting orders at that price. Under current options trading 
functionality, Market Orders have priority over all other same-side 
orders with the same working price. The proposed level of detail and 
priority categorization would be new terminology for options trading 
and the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change would add 
transparency and specificity to Exchange rules without changing 
functionality.
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(e)(2) would specify ``Priority 2--
Display Orders.'' This proposed priority category would replace the 
``Display Order Process,'' which is described above. As proposed, non-
marketable Limit Orders or quotes with a displayed working price would 
have second priority. For an order or quote that has a display price 
that differs from the working price of the order or quote, the order or 
quote would be ranked Priority 3--Non-Display Orders at the working 
price.\41\ This proposed rule is consistent with current functionality. 
For example, as described above, currently, the display portion of a 
Reserve Order is subject to the Display Order Process and the reserve 
portion is subject to the Working Order Process. The proposed level of 
detail and priority categorization would be new for options trading and 
the Exchange believes that it would add transparency and specificity to 
Exchange rules. In addition, this priority category operates the same 
as how Priority 2 -Display Orders function on the Exchange's cash 
equity market, as described in Rule 7.36-E(e)(2), with a difference for 
the proposed rule to reflect options trading by including reference to 
quotes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See, e.g., infra, discussion regarding proposed Non-
Routable Limit Order per Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(e)(3) would specify ``Priority 3--
Non-Display Orders.'' This priority category would be used in Pillar 
rules instead of reference to the ``Working Order Process,'' which is 
described above. As proposed, non-marketable Limit Orders or quotes for 
which the working price is not displayed, including the reserve 
interest of Reserve Orders, would have third priority. This proposed 
rule is consistent with current functionality. The proposed level of 
detail and priority categorization would be new for options trading and 
the Exchange believes that it would add transparency and specificity to 
Exchange rules. In addition, this priority category operates the same 
as how Priority 3--Non-Display Orders function on the Exchange's cash 
equity market, as described in Rule 7.36-E(e)(3), with a difference for 
the proposed rule to reflect options trading by including reference to 
quotes.
    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f) would set forth that at each price level 
within each priority category, orders and quotes would be ranked based 
on time priority. This proposed rule is consistent with current Rule 
6.76-(O)(a), which provides, in relevant part, that ``within each price 
level, all bids and offers shall

[[Page 55936]]

be organized by the time of entry.'' The proposed changes set forth 
below are consistent with current functionality and would add detail 
not included in existing option rules. In addition, the proposed 
changes use terminology based on Rule 7.36-E(f)(1) and (3), with 
differences to reference options terminology of ``orders and quotes'' 
rather than just ``orders'' and to the ``Consolidated Book'' rather 
than the ``NYSE Arca Book.''
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(1) would provide that an order or 
quote is assigned a working time when it is first added to the 
Consolidated Book based on the time such order or quote is received by 
the Exchange. This proposed process of assigning a working time to 
orders is current functionality and is substantively the same as 
current references to the ``time of original order entry'' found in 
several places in Rule 6.76-O. This proposed rule uses Pillar 
terminology that is substantially the same as in Rule 7.36-E(f)(1). To 
provide transparency in Exchange rules, the Exchange further proposes 
to include in proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f) how the working time would be 
determined for orders that are routed, which is consistent with current 
options trading functionality. As proposed:
    [cir] Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(1)(A) would specify that an order 
that is fully routed to an Away Market on arrival, per proposed Rule 
6.76AP-O(b)(1), would not be assigned a working time unless and until 
any unexecuted portion of the order returns to the Consolidated Book. 
The Exchange notes that this is the current process for assigning a 
working time to an order (although this detail would be new to option 
trading rules) and uses Pillar terminology that is substantially the 
same as in Rule 7.36-E(f)(1)(A), with a difference that the proposed 
rule includes reference to the ``Consolidated Book'' rather than the 
``NYSE Arca Book.'' This proposed rule is also consistent with current 
Rule 6.76A-O(c)(2)(C), which provides that when an order or portion of 
an order has been routed away and is not executed either in whole or in 
part at the other Market Center, it will be ranked and displayed in the 
OX Book in accordance with the terms of the order.
    [cir] Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(1)(B) would specify that for an 
order that, on arrival, is partially routed to an Away Market, the 
portion that is not routed would be assigned a working time. If any 
unexecuted portion of the order returns to the Consolidated Book and 
joins any remaining resting portion of the original order, the returned 
portion of the order would be assigned the same working time as the 
resting portion of the order. If the resting portion of the original 
order has already executed and any unexecuted portion of the order 
returns to the Consolidated Book, the returned portion of the order 
would be assigned a new working time. This process for assigning a 
working time to partially routed orders is the same as currently used 
by the Exchange (although this detail would be new to option trading 
rules) and uses Pillar terminology that is substantially the same as in 
Rule 7.36-E(f)(1)(B)), with a difference that the proposed rule would 
reference the ``Consolidated Book'' rather than the ``NYSE Arca Book.''
     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(2) would provide that an order or 
quote would be assigned a new working time if: (A) The display price of 
an order or quote changes, even if the working price does not change, 
or (B) the working price of an order or quote changes, unless the 
working price is adjusted to be the same as the display price of an 
order or quote. This proposed text would be new and is different from 
how the Exchange adjusts the working time for cash equities trading 
when the working price of an order is updated to be the same as the 
display price.\42\ The Exchange believes that for its options market, 
adjusting the working time any time the display price of an order 
changes, would respect the priority of orders that were previously 
displayed at the price to which the display price is changing. In 
addition, the Exchange believes it is appropriate to adjust the working 
time of an order any time its working price changes, unless the display 
price does not change. This proposed order handling in Exchange rules 
is consistent with the rules of other options exchanges.\43\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ Currently, for cash equity trading, Rule 7.36-E(f)(2) 
provides that, ``[a]n order is assigned a new working time any time 
the working price of an order changes.'' The Exchange plans to 
propose changes to this cash equity rule to align with that being 
proposed for its options market at a later date.
    \43\ See, e.g., Cboe BZX (``BZX'') Rule 11.9(g)(1)(B) (providing 
that, for orders subject to ``display price sliding,'' BZX ``will 
re-rank an order at the same price as the displayed price in the 
event such order's displayed price is locked or crossed by a 
Protected Quotation of an external market'' and that ``[s]uch event 
will not result in a change in priority for the order at its 
displayed price'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(3) would provide that an order or 
quote would be assigned a new working time if the size of an order or 
quote increases and that an order or quote retains its working time if 
the size of the order or quote is decreased. This proposed detail about 
the process for assigning a new working time when the size of an order 
changes is not currently described in the Exchange's option rules but 
is consistent with existing functionality and uses Pillar terminology. 
This provision is substantively identical to Rule 7.36-E(f)(3), with a 
difference to reference ``an orders or quotes'' as opposed to solely 
``an order.''
    Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(g) would specify that the Exchange would 
apply ranking restrictions applicable to specified order or modifier 
instructions. These order and modifier instructions would be identified 
in proposed new Rule 6.62P-O, described below. Proposed Rule 6.76P-O(g) 
uses Pillar terminology substantially the same as is used in Rule 7.36-
E(g). Current Rule 6.76-O(a)(2)(C)-(E) discusses ranking of certain 
order types with contingencies in the Working Order Process. The 
Exchange proposes that for Pillar, ranking details regarding orders 
with contingencies would be described in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d). 
Accordingly, the Exchange does not propose to include the detail 
described in Rule 6.76-O(a)(2)(C)-(E) in proposed Rule 6.76P-O.
    Finally, proposed Rule 6.76P-O(h) would be applicable to ``Orders 
Executed Manually'' and would contain the same text as set forth in 
Rule 6.76-O(d) without any substantive differences except for the non-
substantive change of capitalizing the defined term Trading Crowd (per 
proposed Rule 1.1), removing the superfluous clause ``in addition,'' 
and updating the cross-reference to reflect the new Pillar rule.\44\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ See proposed Rule 6.76P-O(h)(1) (removing ``in addition'') 
(B) (regarding ``Trading Crowd'') and (D) (updating the cross-
reference to new subparagraph (B) in connection with the Section 
11(a)(1)(G) of the Exchange Act and Rule 11a1-1(T) thereunder (``G 
exemption rule'')).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with proposed Rule 6.76P-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.76-O: ``This Rule is not 
applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed 
to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.76-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O: Order Execution and Routing
    Current Rule 6.76A-O, titled ``Order Execution--OX,'' governs order 
execution and routing at the Exchange. The Exchange proposes that Rule 
6.76AP-O would set forth the order execution and routing rules for 
options trading on Pillar. The Exchange proposes that the title for new 
Rule 6.76AP-O would be ``Order Execution and Routing'' instead of 
``Order Execution--OX'' because the Exchange does not propose to use 
the term ``OX''

[[Page 55937]]

in connection with Pillar. The Exchange believes that because proposed 
Rule 6.76AP-O, like Rule 6.76A-O, would specify the Exchange's routing 
procedures, referencing to ``Routing'' in the rule's title would 
provide additional transparency in Exchange rules regarding what topics 
would be covered in new Rule 6.76AP-O. This proposed rule is based on 
Rule 7.37-E, which describes the order execution and routing rules for 
cash equity securities trading on the Pillar platform, with differences 
described below to reflect differences for options trading. In 
addition, throughout proposed Rule 6.76AP-O, the Exchange proposes to 
use the term ``will'' instead of ``shall,'' which is a stylistic 
preference that would add consistency to Exchange rules.
    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a) and its subparagraphs would set forth the 
Exchange's order execution process and would cover the same subject as 
the preamble to Rule 6.76A-O, which provides that like-priced orders 
and quotes are matched for execution, provided the execution price is 
equal to or better than the NBBO, unless such order has been routed to 
an Away Market at the NBBO.\45\ The Exchange proposes a difference from 
current Rule 6.76A-O(a)-(c) to use Pillar terminology of ``Aggressing 
Order'' and ``Aggressing Quote''--rather than refer to an ``incoming 
marketable bid or offer,'' because (as described above) the proposed 
terms are more expansive and allow for interest to be (or become) 
marketable even after arrival (i.e., not limited to ``incoming'' 
interest). As proposed, per Rule 6.76AP-O(a), an Aggressing Order or 
Aggressing Quote would be matched for execution against contra-side 
orders or quotes in the Consolidated Book according to the price-time 
priority ranking of the resting interest, subject to specified 
parameters.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \45\ Rule 6.76A-O(a)-(c) sets forth a three-step process--the 
Display Order Process, the Working Order Process, and Routing Away, 
Steps 1-3, respectively--governing the handling of incoming 
marketable bids and offers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange does not propose to include in proposed Rule 6.76AP-O 
text based on current Rule 6.76A-O(a)(1), which describes ``Step 1: 
Display Order Process,'' or text based on current Rule 6.76A-O(b), 
which describes ``Step 2: Working Order Process,'' because by proposing 
detailed text in Rule 6.76P-O(c)-(f) regarding how orders and quotes 
would be ranked on the Exchange, it would be duplicative and 
unnecessary to describe this process again in proposed Rule 6.76AP-O. 
Instead, the Exchange believes that cross referencing the price-time 
priority ranking of the resting interest, per proposed Rule 6.76P-O, 
would provide transparency regarding how an Aggressing Order or 
Aggressing Quote would trade with resting interest. The Exchange notes 
that it made a similar change for its cash equity platform to eliminate 
reference to the ``Display Order Process'' and ``Working Order 
Process'' in Rule 7.37-E when it transitioned to Pillar.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ See NYSE Arca Equities Pillar Notice, supra note 12 at 
28728-29.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1) would set forth the LMM Guarantee, 
which is substantively the same as the current LMM Guarantee, as 
described in Rule 6.76A-O(a)(1)(A)-(D). Rule 6.76A-O(a)(1)(A) provides, 
in relevant part, that an LMM or Directed Order Market Maker (``DOMM'') 
that is quoting at the NBBO may be entitled to an allocation guarantee 
of the greater of: An amount equal to 40% of the incoming bid or offer 
up to the LMM's or DOMM's disseminated quote size; or the LMM's or 
DOMM's share in the order of ranking. However, current Rule 6.76A-
O(a)(1)(A)(ii) provides that if there are Customer orders ranked ahead 
of the LMM (or DOMM, as applicable), or if there is no LMM (or DOMM) 
quoting at the NBBO, the incoming bid or offer will be matched against 
orders and quotes in the Display Process strictly in the order of their 
ranking. The Exchange proposes a substantive difference because on 
Pillar, the Exchange would no longer support DOMMs or Directed Orders. 
Accordingly, rule text relating to DOMMs or Directed Orders will not be 
included in proposed Rule 6.76AP-O.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ The Exchange proposes to add a preamble to Rule 6.88-O 
(Directed Orders) to provide that the Rule would not be applicable 
to trading on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1) would provide that an LMM would be 
entitled to an allocation guarantee when the execution price is equal 
to the NBB (NBO) and there is no displayed Customer interest in time 
priority at the NBBO in the Consolidated Book. In such cases, the 
Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would be matched against the quote 
of the LMM for an amount equal to 40% of the Aggressing Order or 
Aggressing Quote, up to the size of the LMM's quote (the ``LMM 
Guarantee''). With respect to how the LMM Guarantee would function on 
Pillar, the Exchange does not propose any substantive differences from 
current Rule 6.76A-O(a)(1), except as noted above to exclude reference 
to Directed Orders or DOMMs.
    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1)(A) would provide that if an LMM has 
more than one quote at a price, the LMM Guarantee would be applied only 
to the first LMM quote in time priority, which text would add 
granularity and transparency to Exchange rules. This text would be new 
and reflects that on Pillar, the Exchange would permit multiple quotes 
from the same LMM at the same price and that only the first quote in 
time priority would be eligible for the LMM Guarantee.
    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1)(B), which is substantively identical 
to current Rule 6.76A-O(a)(1)(B), would provide that if an LMM is 
entitled to an LMM Guarantee (pursuant to proposed paragraph (a)(1)) 
and the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote had an original size of 
five (5) contracts or fewer, then such order or quote would be matched 
against the quote of the LMM for an amount equal to 100%, up to the 
size of the LMM's quote. The Exchange also proposes to add Commentary 
.01 to the proposed rule (which is substantively identical to 
Commentary .02 of current Rule 6.76A-O) to make clear that on a 
quarterly basis, the Exchange would evaluate what percentage of the 
volume executed on the Exchange comprised of orders for five (5) 
contracts or fewer that was allocated to LMMs and would reduce the size 
of the orders included in this provision if such percentage is over 
40%.\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ See proposed Rule 6.76AP-O, Commentary .01, which will not 
include cross-reference that appears in the current rule Commentary 
.02 to Rule 6.76A-O because the Exchange determined such cross-
reference was superfluous and opted to remove excess verbiage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1)(C) would specify that if the result of 
applying the LMM Guarantee is a fractional allocation of contracts, the 
LMM Guarantee would be rounded down to the nearest contract and if the 
result of applying the LMM Guarantee results in less than one contract, 
the LMM Guarantee would be equal to one contract. The Exchange believes 
that including this additional detail (which is based on current 
functionality) in the proposed rule would add transparency to Exchange 
rules.
    Finally, the Exchange proposes Rule 6.76AP-O(a)(1)(D), which would 
provide that after applying any LMM Guarantee, the Aggressing Order or 
Aggressing Quote would be allocated pursuant to proposed paragraph (a) 
of this Rule, i.e., that such orders or quotes would be matched for 
execution against contra-side interest resting in the Consolidated Book 
according to price-time priority. This proposed text is substantively 
identical to Rule 6.76A-O(a)(1)(C) and uses Pillar terminology, and 
eliminates the now obsolete

[[Page 55938]]

reference to DOMMs, Directed Orders, and the Display Order Process.
    Consistent with the Exchange's proposed approach to new Rule 6.76P-
O, proposed Rule 6.76AP-O would not include references to specific 
order types and instead would state the Exchange's general order 
execution methodology. Any exceptions to such general requirements 
would be set forth in connection with specific order or modifier 
definitions in proposed Rule 6.62P-O, described below.
    Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(b) would set forth the Exchange's routing 
process and is intended to address the same subject as Rule 6.76A-O(c), 
which is currently referred to as ``Step 3: Routing Away'' in order 
processing, without any substantive differences. Under current Rule 
6.76A-O(c), the Exchange will route to another Market Center any 
unexecuted portion of an order that is eligible to route.\49\ Proposed 
Rule 6.76AP-O(b) would provide that, absent an instruction not to 
route, the Exchange would route marketable orders to Away Market(s) 
after such orders are matched for execution with any contra-side 
interest in the Consolidated Book in accordance with proposed paragraph 
(a) of this Rule regarding Order Execution. Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(b) 
also uses the same Pillar terminology that is used in current Rule 
7.37-E(b), which governs the Exchange's routing process on the 
Exchange's cash equity platform, with differences to use option trading 
terminology such as ``Consolidated Book.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ Under the current rule, each eligible order is routed ``as 
limit order equal to the price and up to the size of the quote 
published by the Market Center(s)'' or, if ``a marketable Reserve 
Order, the Exchange may route such order serially as component 
orders, such that each component corresponds to the displayed 
size.'' See Rule 6.76AP-O(c)(1)(A), (B). In the proposed Pillar 
rule, the Exchange proposes to use the term ``Away Market'' instead 
of ``Market Center.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule would then set forth additional details regarding 
routing that are consistent with current routing functionality, but are 
not described in current rules:
     Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(b)(1) would provide that an order 
that cannot meet the pricing parameters of proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(a) 
may be routed to Away Market(s) before being matched for execution 
against contra-side interest in the Consolidated Book. The Exchange 
believes that this proposed rule text, which is consistent with current 
functionality, provides transparency that an order may be routed before 
being matched for execution, for example, to prevent locking or 
crossing or trading through the NBBO. This rule uses Pillar terminology 
that is substantially the same as in Rule 7.37-E(b)(1), with a 
difference to reference the ``Consolidated Book'' rather than the 
``NYSE Arca Book.''
     Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(b)(2) would provide that an order 
with an instruction not to route would be processed as provided for in 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O.\50\ As described in greater detail below, the 
Exchange proposes to describe how orders and quotes with an instruction 
not to route would be processed in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See, e.g., infra, discussion regarding proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(e), Orders with Instructions Not to Route.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(b)(3) would provide that any order 
or portion thereof that has been routed would not be eligible to trade 
on the Consolidated Book, unless all or a portion of the order returns 
unexecuted. This routing methodology is current functionality and 
covers that same subject as current Rule 6.76A-O(c)(2) with no 
substantive differences and is based in part on Pillar terminology used 
in Rule 7.37-E(b)(6). Similar to Rule 6.76A-O(c)(2)(A), which provides 
that an order routed to an Away Market is subject to the trading rules 
of that market and, while so routed, has no standing relative to other 
orders on the Exchange in the OX Book, the Exchange proposes that Rule 
6.76AP-O(b)(3) would state that once routed, an order would not be 
eligible to trade on the Consolidated Book. The Exchange does not 
believe it is necessary to include the text that once routed an order 
would be subject to the routing destination's trading rules, as such 
detail is obvious and unnecessary. In addition, because, as discussed 
above, the working time assigned to orders that are routed is being 
proposed to be addressed in new Rule 6.76P-O(f)(1)(A) and (B), the 
Exchange believes it would be unnecessary to restate this information 
in new Rule 6.76AP-O.
     Proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(b)(4) would provide that requests 
to cancel an order that has been routed in whole or part would not be 
processed unless and until all or a portion of the order returns 
unexecuted. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology and operates 
substantively the same as Rule 7.37-E(b)(7)(A). This rule represents 
current functionality and is based on Rule 6.76A-O(c)(2)(B), except 
that, unlike the current rule, the proposed rule does not state that 
such orders (while still routed away) are subject to the applicable 
trading rules of the market to which such order was routed.
     Finally, proposed Rule 6.76AP-O(c) would provide that 
after trading with eligible contra-side interest on the Consolidated 
Book and/or returning unexecuted after routing to Away Market(s), any 
unexecuted non-marketable portion of an order would be ranked 
consistent with new Rule 6.76P-O. This rule represents current 
functionality as set forth in Rule 6.76A-O generally and paragraph 
(c)(2)(C) as it pertains to orders that were routed away and then 
returned unexecuted in whole or part to the Exchange without any 
substantive differences. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology and 
operates substantively the same as Rule 7.37-E(c).
    The Exchange believes that the specific routing methodologies for 
an order type or modifier should be included with how the order type is 
defined, which will be described in proposed Rule 6.62P-O. Accordingly, 
the Exchange does not believe it needs to specify in proposed Rule 
6.76AP-O whether an order is eligible to route, and if so, whether 
there are any specific routing instructions applicable to the order and 
therefore will not be carrying over such specifics that are currently 
included in Rule 6.76A-O.
    In connection with proposed Rule 6.76AP-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.76A-O: ``This Rule is not 
applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed 
to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.76A-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.62P-O: Orders and Modifiers
    Current Rule 6.62-O (Certain Types of Orders Defined) defines the 
order types that are currently available for options trading both on 
the OX system and for open outcry trading on the Exchange. The Exchange 
proposes that new Rule 6.62P-O would set forth the order types and 
modifiers that would be available for options trading both on Pillar 
(i.e., electronic order entry) and in open outcry trading. The Exchange 
proposes to specify that Rule 6.62-O would not be applicable to trading 
on Pillar.
    Because the Exchange proposes to use for options trading the Pillar 
technology that is currently used for cash equity trading, the Exchange 
has identified opportunities to offer additional order and modifier 
functionality for options trading that is based on existing 
functionality on cash equity trading but has not previously been 
available for options trading. In addition, certain order types and 
modifiers that would be available for options trading on Pillar

[[Page 55939]]

would be based on, or similar to, order types and modifiers available 
on the Exchange's cash equity market. Because there would be similar 
orders and modifiers on both the Exchange's cash equity and options 
markets using similar terminology, the Exchange proposes to structure 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O based on Rule 7.31-E and use similar terminology. 
The Exchange also proposes to title proposed Rule 6.62P-O as ``Orders 
and Modifiers,'' which is the title of Rule 7.31-E.
    Primary Order Types. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a) would specify the 
Exchange's primary order types, which would be Market Orders and Limit 
Orders, and is based on Rule 7.31-E(a), which sets forth the Exchange's 
cash equity primary order types. Similar to Rule 7.31-E(a), proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(a) would also set forth the Exchange's proposed Limit 
Order Price Protection functionality and Trading Collars.
    Market Orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1) would define a Market 
Order as an unpriced order message to buy or sell a stated number of 
option contracts at the best price obtainable, subject to the Trading 
Collar assigned to the order, and would further specify that unexecuted 
Market Orders may be designated Day or GTC, which represents current 
functionality, and that unexecuted Market Orders would be ranked 
Priority 1--Market Orders.\51\ This proposed rule text uses Pillar 
terminology similar to Rule 7.31-E(a)(1) to describe Market Orders for 
options trading, with differences to reflect options trading 
functionality. For example, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1) would specify 
the ability to designate a Market Order as GTC, which is current 
options trading functionality that would continue on Pillar (but which 
modifier is not available on the Exchange's cash equity platform).\52\ 
Similarly, the Exchange proposes to reference that trading of a Market 
Order would be subject to the Trading Collar assigned to the order, 
which is similar to the third paragraph of the current definition of 
Market Order in Rule 6.62-O(a). As described in greater detail below, 
the Exchange proposes changes to its Trading Collar functionality on 
Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ Market Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62-O(a) as 
follows: ``A Market Order is an order to buy or sell a stated number 
of option contracts and is to be executed at the best price 
obtainable when the order reaches the Exchange. Market Orders 
entered before the opening of trading will be eligible for trading 
during the Opening Auction Process. The system will reject a Market 
Order entered during Core Trading Hours if at the time the order is 
received there is not an NBB and an NBO (``collectively NBBO'') for 
that series as disseminated by OPRA. If the Exchange receives a 
Market Order to buy (sell) and there is an NBB (NBO) but no NBO 
(NBB) as disseminated by OPRA at the time the order is received, the 
order will be processed pursuant to Rule 6.60-O(a)--Trade Collar 
Protection.''
    \52\ The ability for a Market Order to be designated Day or GTC 
is based on current Rules 6.62-O(m) (describing a ``Day Order'') and 
6.62-O(n) (describing a ``Good-til-Cancelled Order'' or ``GTC 
Order'') and Commentary .01 to Rule 6.62-O, which requires all 
orders to be either ``day,'' ``immediate or cancel,'' or ``good `til 
cancelled.'' As described in more detail below, on Pillar, the time-
in-force designation, e.g., Day or GTC, would be a modifier that can 
be added to an order type and would not be described in the rules as 
a separate order type. Similar to Rule 7.31-E, the Exchange would 
specify which time-in-force designations are available for each 
order type.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1) would further provide that for purposes 
of processing Market Orders, the Exchange would not use an adjusted 
NBBO.\53\ On the Exchange's cash equity market, the Exchange does not 
use an adjusted NBBO when processing Market Orders. The Exchange 
proposes to similarly not use an adjusted NBBO when processing Market 
Orders on its options market, which would be new for options trading. 
The Exchange believes that because Market Orders trade immediately on 
arrival, using an unadjusted NBBO would provide a price protection 
mechanism by using a more conservative view of the NBBO.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ See discussion supra, regarding the proposed Rule 1.1 
definition of ``NBBO'' and that when using an unadjusted NBBO, the 
NBBO would not be adjusted based on information about orders the 
Exchange sends to Away Markets, execution reports received from 
those Away Markets, and certain orders received by the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(A) would provide that a Market Order 
that arrives during continuous trading would be rejected, or that was 
routed, returns unexecuted, and has no resting quantity to join would 
be cancelled if it fails the validations specified in proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(a)(1)(A)(i)--(iv). This proposed rule is based in part on Rule 
6.62-O(a), which specifies that a Market Order will be rejected during 
Core Trading Hours if, when received, there is no NBBO for the 
applicable option series as disseminated by OPRA, with differences to 
use Pillar terminology and to expand the circumstances when a Market 
Order would be rejected beyond the absence of an NBBO. As proposed, a 
Market Order would be rejected (or cancelled if routed first) if: \54\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ The Exchange will also reject a Market Order if it is 
entered when the underlying NMS stock is either in a Limit State or 
a Straddle State, which is current functionality. See Rule 6.65A-
O(a)(1). The Exchange proposes a non-substantive amendment to Rule 
6.65A-O(a)(1) to add a cross reference to proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(a)(1). The Exchange also proposes to amend the second sentence of 
Rule 6.65A-O(a)(1) to remove references to trading collars, and 
instead specify that the Exchange would cancel any resting Market 
Orders if the underlying NMS stock enters a Limit State or a 
Straddle State and would notify OTP Holders of the reason for such 
cancellation. This proposed change would describe both how Market 
Orders function today on the OX system and how they would be 
processed on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     There is no NBO (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(A)(i)). This 
criterion is similar to the current rule, which provides that a Market 
Order will be rejected if there is no NBO. The Exchange believes that 
in the absence of an NBO, Market Orders should not trade as there is no 
market for the option.
     There is no NBB and the NBO is higher than $0.50 (for sell 
Market Orders only). The Exchange further proposes that if there is no 
NBB and the NBO is $0.50 or below, a Market Order to sell would not be 
rejected and would have a working price and display price one MPV above 
zero and would not be subject to a Trading Collar (proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(a)(1)(A)(ii)). The Exchange believes that if there is no NBB, but an 
NBO $0.50 or below, the Exchange would be able to price that Market 
Order to sell at one MPV above zero. The proposed rule would further 
provide that a Market Order to sell would be cancelled if it was 
assigned a Trading Collar, routed, and when it returns unexecuted, it 
has no resting portion to join and there is no NBB, regardless of the 
price of the NBO. Accordingly, in this scenario, if there is no NBB and 
there is an NBO that is $0.50 or below, the returned, unexecuted Market 
Order would be cancelled rather than displayed at one MPV above zero. 
The functionality described in this proposed rule would be new and is 
designed to provide an opportunity for an arriving sell Market Order 
(that is not first routed) to trade when the NBO is below $0.50.
     There are no contra-side Market Maker quotes on the 
Exchange or contra-side Away Market NBBO, provided that a Market Order 
to sell would be accepted as provided for in proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(a)(1)(A)(ii) (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(A)(iii)). This 
functionality would be new and is designed to prevent a Market Order 
from trading at prices that may not be current for that series in the 
absence of Market Maker quotations or an Away Market NBBO.
     The NBBO is not locked or crossed and the spread is equal 
to or greater than a minimum amount based on the midpoint of the NBBO 
(proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(A)(iv)). The proposed ``wide-spread'' 
parameter for purposes of determining whether to reject a Market Order 
is similar to the wide-spread parameter applied when determining 
whether a trade is a Catastrophic Error, as set forth in Rule

[[Page 55940]]

6.87-O(b)(3), with two differences. First, as shown below, the lowest 
bucket would be $0.00 up to and including $2.00, instead of $0.00 to 
$1.99, which means the $2.00 price point would be included in this 
bucket. The Exchange proposes this difference because it would simplify 
the application to have the break points after whole dollar price 
points. Second, the wide-spread calculation would be based off of the 
midpoint of the NBBO, rather than off of the bid price, as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Spread
                  The midpoint of the NBBO                     parameter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.00 to $2.00..............................................       $0.75
Above $2.00 to and including $5.00..........................        1.25
Above $5.00 to and including $10.00.........................        1.50
Above $10.00 to and including $20.00........................        2.50
Above $20.00 to and including $50.00........................        3.00
Above $50.00 to and including $100.00.......................        4.50
Above $100.00...............................................        6.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that this proposed protection for Market Orders 
is a new risk control designed to protect against erroneous executions 
and use of the midpoint of the NBBO as a basis for a price protection 
mechanism is consistent with similar functionality on other options 
markets.\55\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.34(a)(2) (setting forth the ``Market 
Order NBBO Width Protection'' wherein Cboe cancels or rejects market 
orders submitted ``when the NBBO width is greater than x% of the 
midpoint of the NBBO,'' subject to minimum and maximum dollar values 
determined by Cboe).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(B) would provide that an Aggressing 
Market Order to buy (sell) would trade with all orders or quotes to 
sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book priced at or below (above) the 
Trading Collar before routing to Away Market(s) at each price.\56\ 
Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(B) would further provide that after trading 
or routing, or both, a Market Order would be displayed at the Trading 
Collar, subject to proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(C), which is consistent 
with current functionality that Market Orders would be displayed at a 
Trading Collar, per Rule 6.60-O(a)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \56\ The Exchange has defined an Aggressing Order in proposed 
Rule 6.76P-O(a)(5). An Aggressing Market Order is a Market Order 
that is an Aggressing Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(C) would provide that a Market Order 
would be cancelled before being displayed if there are no remaining 
contra-side Market Maker quotes on the Exchange or contra-side Away 
Market NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(D) would provide that a Market 
Order would be cancelled after being displayed at its Trading Collar if 
there ceases to be a contra-side NBBO. These proposed cancellation 
events are similar to functionality described in Rule 6.60-O(a)(4)(E), 
which provides that ``[t]he Exchange will cancel a Market Order, or the 
balance thereof, that has been collared pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)(A) 
or (B) [of that Rule] above, if after exhausting trading opportunities 
within the Collar Range, the Exchange determines there are no quotes on 
the Exchange and/or no interest on another market in the affected 
option series.'' As proposed, in Pillar, the Exchange would cancel a 
Market Order in similar circumstances, with proposed modifications that 
a Market Order would be cancelled only if there are no remaining 
contra-side Market Maker quotes on the Exchange or if there is no 
contra-side Away Market NBBO. The Exchange believes that this proposed 
change from the current rule would provide that a Market Order would be 
cancelled when there is no contra-side interest against which to 
determine the price at which such order could trade.
    Finally, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(E) would provide that a 
resting, displayed Market Order that is locked or crossed by an Away 
Market would be routed to that Away Market. Because Market Orders are 
intended to trade at the best price obtainable, the Exchange proposes 
to route displayed Market Orders if they are locked or crossed by an 
Away Market.\57\ This proposed Rule is based on current functionality, 
which is not described in current rule. Therefore, the proposed rule is 
designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ As described above for proposed Rule 6.76P-O(b)(3), 
displayed interest other than displayed Market Orders would stand 
their ground if locked or crossed by an Away Market. The Exchange 
would provide an option for Limit Orders to instead be routed, see 
discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(1) and the 
proposed Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Limit Orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(2) would define a Limit 
Order as an order message to buy or sell a stated number of option 
contracts at a specified price or better, subject to Limit Order Price 
Protection and the Trading Collar assigned to the order, and that a 
Limit Order may be designated Day, IOC, or GTC. In addition, unless 
otherwise specified, the working price and the display price of a Limit 
Order would be equal to the limit price of the order, it is eligible to 
be routed, and it would be ranked under the proposed category of 
``Priority 2--Display Orders.'' This proposed rule text uses Pillar 
terminology that is based in part on Rule 7.31-E(a)(2). The ability for 
a Limit Order to be designated IOC, Day, or GTC is based on current 
Rules 6.62-O(k), (m) and (n), respectively, and therefore would differ 
from the cash equity rules because (unlike on the cash equity platform) 
a Limit Order could be designated GTC, but is consistent with current 
options trading functionality. In addition, unlike cash equity trading, 
but consistent with current options trading functionality, Limit Orders 
would be subject to trading collars. As described in more detail below, 
on Pillar, trading collars will differ from both current options 
trading collar functionality and trading collar functionality available 
on the Exchange's cash equity platform (which is available only for 
Market Orders). Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(2)(A) would provide that a 
marketable Limit Order to buy (sell) received by the Exchange would 
trade with all orders and quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book 
priced at or below (above) the NBO (NBB) before routing to an Away 
Market NBO (NBB) and may route to prices higher (lower) than the NBO 
(NBB) only after trading with orders and quotes to sell (buy) on the 
Consolidated Book at each price point, and once no longer marketable, 
the Limit Order would be ranked and displayed on the Consolidated Book. 
This proposed rule text is based on Rule 6.62-O(b), which provides that 
a ```marketable' limit order is a Limit Order to buy (sell) at or above 
(below) the NBBO.'' The proposed rule text is more specific and uses 
the same Pillar terminology used to describe Limit Orders in Rule 7.31-
E(a)(2)(A) for cash equity trading. In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(a)(2)(A) would use terminology specific to options trading (i.e., the 
proposed rule refers to the Consolidated Book rather than the NYSE Arca 
Book as well as to the NBBO as opposed to the PBBO).
    Limit Order Price Protection. The Exchange proposes to describe its 
proposed Limit Order Price Protection functionality in proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(a)(3). On the OX system, the concept of ``Limit Order Price 
Protection'' for orders is set forth in Rule 6.60-O(b) and is called 
the ``Limit Order Filter.'' For quotes, price protection filters are 
described in Rule 6.61-O. The proposed ``Limit Order Price Protection'' 
on Pillar would be applicable to both Limit Orders and quotes and, at a 
high level, would work similarly to how the current price protection 
mechanisms function on the OX system because a Limit Order or quote 
would be rejected if it is priced at a specified threshold

[[Page 55941]]

away from the contra-side NBB or NBO.\58\ The Exchange proposes to 
enhance the functionality for options trading on Pillar by using new 
thresholds and reference prices (as discussed further below) that would 
be applicable to both orders and quotes. The concept of a ``Reference 
Price'' as used in connection with risk controls would be new for 
options but consistent with Pillar terminology for the Exchange's cash 
equity market as well as how this term is used on other option 
exchanges.\59\ Thus, this term is not new or novel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ Current Rule 6.60-O(b) provides that unless otherwise 
determined by the Exchange, the specified threshold percentage for 
orders is 100% when the contra-side NBB or NBO is priced at or below 
$1.00 and 50% when the contra-side NBB or NBO is priced above $1.00. 
Current Rule 6.61-O(a)(1)(A) provides that unless otherwise 
determined by the Exchange, the specified threshold for Market Maker 
bids is $1.00 if the contra-side NBO is priced at or below $1.00 and 
for Market Maker offers no limit if the NBB is priced at or below 
$1.00. Current Rule 6.61-O(a)(1)(B) provides that unless otherwise 
determined by the Exchange, the specified threshold for Market Maker 
bids is 50% if the contra-side NBO (NBB) is priced above $1.00.
    \59\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.6(c) (setting forth the ``reference 
price'' applicable to orders for which Cboe delta-adjusts the 
execution price after the market close). As discussed infra, the 
Exchange likewise proposes to use the term Reference Price in 
connection with Trading Collars (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)) and 
other risk checks (proposed Rule 6.41P-O).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(A) would provide that each trading day, 
a Limit Order or quote to buy (sell) would be rejected or cancelled (if 
resting) if it is priced at a ``Specified Threshold,'' described below, 
equal to or above (below) the Reference Price, rounded down to the 
nearest price within the MPV for the Series (``Limit Order Price 
Protection''). In other words, a Limit Order designated GTC would be 
re-evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection on each day that it is 
eligible to trade and would be cancelled if the limit price is through 
the Specified Threshold. In addition, the proposed rounding down is 
consistent with current functionality, is standard on Pillar for price 
protection mechanisms, and is based on how Limit Order Price Protection 
is calculated on the Exchange's cash equity market if it is not within 
the MPV for the security, as described in the last sentence of Rule 
7.31-E(a)(2)(B). The proposed text would therefore promote granularity 
in Exchange rules. The proposed rule would further provide that Cross 
Orders and Limit-on-Open (``LOO'') Orders (described below) as well as 
orders represented in open outcry, would not be subject to Limit Order 
Price Protection and that Limit Order Price Protection would not be 
applied to a Limit Order or quote if there is no Reference Price, which 
is consistent with current functionality.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(A)(i) would provide that a 
Limit Order or quote that arrives when a series is open would be 
evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection on arrival.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(A)(ii) would provide that a 
Limit Order or quote received during a pre-open state would be 
evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection after an Auction 
concludes.\60\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \60\ See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a) 
and proposed definitions for the terms ``Auction,'' ``Auction 
Price,'' Auction Collar,'' ``pre-open state,'' and ``Trading Halt 
Auction.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(A)(iii) would provide that a 
Limit Order or quote that was resting on the Consolidated Book before a 
trading halt would be evaluated for Limit Order Price Protection again 
after the Trading Halt Auction concludes.
    The Exchange believes that these proposed rules would add clarity 
and transparency to when the Exchange would evaluate a Limit Order or 
quote for Limit Order Price Protection.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(B) would specify that the Reference 
Price for calculating Limit Order Price Protection for an order or 
quote to buy (sell) would be the NBO (NBB), provided that, immediately 
following an Auction, the Reference Price would be the Auction Price, 
or if none, the upper (lower) Auction Collar price, or, if none, the 
NBO (NBB). The Exchange believes that adjusting the Reference Price for 
Limit Order Price Protection immediately following an Auction would 
ensure that the most up-to-date price would be used to assess whether 
to cancel a Limit Order that was received during a pre-open state or 
would be reevaluated after a Trading Halt Auction. The Exchange further 
proposes that for purposes of calculating Limit Order Price Protection, 
the Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO, which use of an unadjusted 
NBBO is consistent with how Limit Order Price Protection currently 
functions on the Exchange's cash equity market, as described in Rule 
7.31-E(a)(2)(B).\61\ The Exchange believes that using an unadjusted 
NBBO for risk protection mechanisms is consistent with the goal of such 
mechanisms to prevent erroneous executions by using a more conservative 
view of the NBBO.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ References to the NBBO, NBB, and NBO in Rule 7.31-E refer 
to using a determination of the national best bid and offer that has 
not been adjusted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(3)(C) would specify the Specified 
Threshold and would provide that unless determined otherwise by the 
Exchange and announced to OTP Holders and OTP Firms by Trader Update, 
the Specified Threshold applicable to Limit Order Price Protection 
would be:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Specified
                       Reference price                         threshold
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.00 to $1.00..............................................       $0.30
$1.01 to $10.00.............................................         50%
$10.01 to $20.00............................................         40%
$20.01 to $50.00............................................         30%
$50.01 to $100.00...........................................         20%
$100.01 and higher..........................................         10%
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that it would provide a more reasonable and 
deterministic trading outcome to use a fixed dollar amount (of $0.30) 
rather than a percentage calculation when the Reference Price is $1.00 
or less. The Exchange believes that the balance of the proposed 
thresholds are more granular than those currently specified in Rules 
6.60-O(b) (for orders) and 6.61-O(a)(1)(A) and (B) (for quotes) and 
therefore determining whether to reject a Limit Order or quote will be 
more tailored to the applicable Reference Price. In addition, 
consistent with Rules 6.60-O(b) and 6.61-O(a)(1), the Exchange proposes 
that these thresholds could change, subject to announcing the changes 
by Trader Update. Providing flexibility in Exchange rules regarding how 
the Specified Thresholds would be set is consistent with the rules of 
other options exchanges.\62\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.34(a)(4) (describing the ``Drill-
Through Protection'' and that Cboe ``determines the buffer amount on 
a class and premium basis''); and the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC 
(``Nasdaq'') Options 3, Section 15(a)(1)(B) (specifying that ``Order 
Price Protection'' can be a configurable dollar amount specified by 
Nasdaq and announced via an Options Trader Alert).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Trading Collar. Trading Collars on the OX system are currently 
described in Rule 6.60-O(a). Under the current rules, incoming Market 
Orders and marketable Limit Orders are limited in having an immediate 
execution if they would trade at a price greater than one ``Trading 
Collar.'' A collared order is displayed at that price and then can be 
repriced to new collars as the NBBO updates. On Pillar, the Exchange 
proposes Trading Collar functionality that would be new for Pillar and 
is not currently available on the Exchange's cash equity platform.
    Unlike current options trading collar functionality, which permits 
a collared order to be repriced, as proposed, a Market Order or Limit 
Order would be assigned a single Trading Collar that

[[Page 55942]]

would be applicable to that order until it is fully executed or 
cancelled (unless the series is halted). The new proposed Trading 
Collar would function as a ceiling (for buy orders) or floor (for sell 
orders) of the price at which such order could be traded, displayed, or 
routed. The Exchange further proposes that when an order is working at 
its assigned Trading Collar, it would cancel if not executed within a 
specified time period.
    More specifically, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4) would provide that a 
Market Order or Limit Order to buy (sell) would not trade or route to 
an Away Market at a price above (below) the Trading Collar assigned to 
that order. As further proposed, Auction-Only Orders, Limit Orders 
designated IOC or FOK, Cross Orders, ISOs, and Market Maker quotes 
would not be subject to Trading Collars, which interest is excluded 
under current functionality.\63\ The proposed rule would explicitly add 
reference to Cross Orders being excluded from Trading Collars, which 
would add granularity to the proposed rule. In addition, Trading 
Collars would not be applicable during Auctions but (as described 
below) would be calculated after such Auction concludes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ See Rule 6.60-O(a)(3) (``Trade Collar Protection does not 
apply to quotes, IOC Orders, AON Orders, FOK Orders, and NOW 
Orders.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(A) would provide that a Trading Collar 
assigned to an order would be calculated once per trading day and would 
be updated only if the series is halted. Accordingly, an order 
designated GTC would receive a new Trading Collar each day, but that 
Trading Collar would not be updated intraday unless the series is 
halted. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(A)(i) would provide that an order 
that is received during continuous trading would be assigned a Trading 
Collar before being processed for either trading, repricing, or routing 
and that an order that is routed on arrival and returned unexecuted 
would use the Trading Collar previously assigned to it. Proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(a)(4)(A)(ii) would provide that an order received during a pre-
open state would be assigned a Trading Collar after an Auction 
concludes. Finally, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(A)(iii) would provide 
that the Trading Collar for an order resting on the Consolidated Book 
before a trading halt would be calculated again after the Trading Halt 
Auction concludes. The Exchange believes that because Trading Collars 
are intended as a price protection mechanism, updating the Trading 
Collar after a series has reopened would allow for the Trading Collar 
assigned to an order to reflect more updated pricing.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(B) would provide that the Reference 
Price for calculating the Trading Collar for an order to buy (sell) 
would be the NBO (NBB), which is consistent with how trading collars 
are currently determined for Limit Orders, with differences to use this 
Reference Price for all orders and for how the Reference Price would be 
determined after an Auction.\64\ The Exchange proposes to use the 
Pillar term ``Reference Price'' to describe what would be used for 
Trading Collar calculations.\65\ The proposed rule would further 
provide that for Auction-eligible orders to buy (sell) that were 
received during a pre-open state or orders that were re-assigned a 
Trading Collar after a trading halt, the Reference Price would be the 
Auction Price or, if none, the upper (lower) Auction Collar price or, 
if none, the NBO (NBB). For reasons similar to those described above, 
the Exchange proposes to use a more conservative view of the NBBO for 
purposes of risk protection mechanisms. Therefore, the Exchange 
proposes that for purposes of calculating a Trading Collar, the 
Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO. Proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(a)(4)(B)(i) would further provide that a Trading Collar would not be 
assigned to a Limit Order if there is no Reference Price at the time of 
calculation, which is consistent with current functionality and the 
proposed rule would add granularity to Exchange rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ Under current rules, trading collars are calculated based 
off of the contra-side NBBO. See Rule 6.60-O(a)(1)(A)(ii).
    \65\ See discussion regarding Cboe Rule 5.34(a)(4) and Nasdaq 
Options 3, Section 15(a)(1)(B), supra note 62.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(C) would describe how the Trading 
Collar would be calculated and would provide that the Trading Collar 
for an order to buy (sell) would be a specified amount above (below) 
the Reference Price, as follows: (1) For orders with a Reference Price 
of $1.00 or lower, $0.25; or (2) for orders with a Reference Price 
above $1.00, the lower of $2.50 or 25%. Trading Collars under the 
current rule are based on a specified dollar amount (set forth in four 
tranches).\66\ The Exchange believes the proposed functionality (set 
forth in two tranches) would tailor the Trading Collar calculations 
with either a specified dollar amount or percentage, depending on the 
Reference Price of the order, while at the same time providing that the 
thresholds would be within the current parameters for determining 
whether a trade is an Obvious Error or Catastrophic Error.\67\ Proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(C)(i) would further provide that if the calculation 
of a Trading Collar would not be in the MPV for the series, it would be 
rounded down to the nearest price within the applicable MPV, which is 
consistent with current functionality and based on how Trading Collars 
are calculated on the Exchange's cash equity market, as described in 
Rule 7.31-E(a)(1)(B). Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(C)(ii) would further 
provide that for orders to sell, if subtracting the Trading Collar from 
the Reference Price would result in a negative number, the Trading 
Collar for Limit Orders would be the limit price and the Trading Collar 
for Market Orders would be one MPV above zero, which would provide more 
granularity in Exchange rules and would ensure that there will be a 
Trading Collar calculated for low-priced orders to sell.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ Under the current rule, the Trading Collar for buy (sell) 
orders is as follows: $0.25 for each option contract for which the 
NBB (NBO) is less than $2.00; $0.40 where the NBB (NBO) is between 
$2.00-$5.00; $0.50 where the NBB (NBO) is between $5.01-$10.00; 
$0.80 where the NBB (NBO) is between $10.01 but does not exceed--
$20.00; and $1.00 when the NBB (NBO) is $20.01 or more.
    \67\ See Rules 6.87-O(c)(1) (thresholds for Obvious Errors) and 
6.87-O(d)(1) (thresholds for Catastrophic Errors).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(4)(D) would describe how the Trading 
Collar would be applied and would provide that if an order to buy 
(sell) would trade or route above (below) the Trading Collar or would 
have its working price repriced to a Trading Collar that is below 
(above) its limit price, the order would be added to the Consolidated 
Book at the Trading Collar for 500 milliseconds and if not traded 
within that period, would be cancelled. In addition, once the 500-
millisecond timer begins for an order, the order would be cancelled at 
the end of the timer even if it repriced or has been routed to an Away 
Market during that period, in which case any portion of the order that 
is returned unexecuted would be cancelled.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed Trading Collar 
functionality is designed to provide a similar type of order protection 
as is currently available (as described in Rule 6.60-O(a)) because it 
would limit the price at which a marketable order could be traded, 
routed, or displayed. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
differences are designed to simplify the functionality by applying a 
static ceiling price (for a buy order) or floor price (for a sell 
order) at which such order could be traded or routed that would be 
determined at the time of entry (or after

[[Page 55943]]

a series opens or reopens), and would be applicable to the order until 
it is traded or cancelled. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
functionality would provide greater determinism to an OTP Holder or OTP 
Firm of the Trading Collar that would be applicable to a Market Order 
or Limit Order and when such order may be cancelled if it reaches its 
Trading Collar.
    Time in Force Modifiers. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b) would set forth 
the time-in-force modifiers that would be available for options trading 
on Pillar and uses Pillar terminology similar to that used in Rule 
7.31-E(b), with differences to offer time-in-force modifiers currently 
available for options trading that are not available for cash equity 
trading. The Exchange proposes to offer the same time-in-force 
modifiers that are currently available for options trading on the 
Exchange and use Pillar terminology to describe the functionality. As 
noted above, the Exchange proposes to describe the Time in Force 
Modifiers in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b), and then specify for each order 
type which Time in Force Modifiers would be available for such orders 
or quotes.
    Day Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b)(1) would provide that any 
order or quote to buy or sell designated Day, if not traded, would 
expire at the end of the trading day on which it was entered and that a 
Day Modifier cannot be combined with any other Time in Force Modifier. 
This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31-
E(b)(1) with one difference to reference ``quotes'' in addition to 
orders. This proposed functionality would operate no differently than 
how a ``Day Order,'' as described in Rule 6.62-O(m), currently 
functions.
    Immediate-or-Cancel (``IOC'') Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b)(2) 
would provide that a Limit Order may be designated IOC or Routable IOC, 
as described in proposed Rules 6.62P-O(b)(2)(A) and (B) and that a 
Limit Order designated IOC would not be eligible to participate in any 
Auctions. This proposed rule text is based on the first and third 
sentences of Rule 7.31-E(b)(2) without any differences and makes 
explicit current (but not defined) functionality.\68\ The Exchange 
proposes to use Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31-E(b)(2) to 
describe this functionality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \68\ The proposed rule does not include the second sentence of 
Rule 7.31-E(b)(2), which provides that the ``IOC Modifier will 
override any posting or routing instructions of orders that include 
the IOC Modifier,'' as this functionality is not applicable to 
options because an order that is not eligible to include an IOC 
Modifier would be rejected on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b)(2)(A) would define a ``Limit IOC Order'' 
as a Limit Order designated IOC that would be traded in whole or in 
part on the Exchange as soon as such order is received, and the 
unexecuted quantity would be cancelled and that a Limit IOC Order does 
not route. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on 
Rule 7.31-E(b)(2)(A) without any substantive differences. The proposed 
Pillar Limit IOC Order would function the same as an ``Immediate-or-
Cancel Order (IOC Order),'' as currently described in Rule 6.62-O(k), 
without any differences.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b)(2)(B) would define a ``Limit Routable IOC 
Order'' as a Limit Order designated Routable IOC that would be traded 
in whole or in part on the Exchange as soon as such order is received, 
and the unexecuted quantity routed to Away Market(s) and that any 
quantity not immediately traded either on the Exchange or an Away 
Market would be cancelled. This proposed rule text uses Pillar 
terminology based on Rule 7.31-E(b)(2)(B) without any substantive 
differences. The proposed Pillar Limit Routable IOC Order is also based 
on the ``NOW Order,'' as currently described in Rule 6.62-O(o) and uses 
Pillar terminology.
    Fill-or-Kill (``FOK'') Modifier: Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b)(3) would 
provide that a Limit Order designated FOK would be traded in whole on 
the Exchange as soon as such order is received, and if not so traded is 
to be cancelled and that a Limit Order designated FOK does not route 
and does not participate in any Auctions. The Exchange does not offer 
the FOK Modifier on its cash equity market, and this proposed rule uses 
Pillar terminology to offer the same functionality that is currently 
described in Rule 6.62-O(l) as the ``Fill-or-Kill Order (FOK Order)'' 
without any substantive differences.
    Good-'Til-Cancelled (``GTC'') Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(b)(4) 
would provide that a Limit or Market Order designated GTC remains in 
force until the order is filled, cancelled, the MPV in the series 
changes overnight, the option contract expires, or a corporate action 
results in an adjustment to the terms of the option contract. The 
Exchange does not offer the GTC Modifier on its cash equity market, and 
this proposed rule uses Pillar terminology to offer the same 
functionality that is currently described in Rule 6.62-O(n) as the 
``Good-Till-Cancelled (GTC Order),'' with the substantive difference 
that the proposed text makes clear (consistent with current 
functionality) that such orders may be cancelled if the MPV changes 
overnight. Otherwise, the proposed Rule describes the same 
functionality that is currently described in Rule 6.62-O(n) as the 
``Good-Till-Cancelled (GTC Order).''
    Auction-Only Orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c) would define an 
``Auction-Only Order'' as a Limit Order or Market Order that is to be 
traded only in an Auction pursuant to Rule 6.64P-O,\69\ which uses 
Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31-E(c) in lieu of the current 
description of an ``Opening Only Order'' set forth in Rule 6.62-O(r), 
without any functional differences to how such orders trade on 
Pillar.\70\ The proposed rule would further provide that an Auction-
Only Order would not be accepted when a series is opened for trading 
(i.e., would be accepted only during a pre-open state, which includes a 
trading halt) and any portion of an Auction-Only Order that is not 
traded in a Core Open Auction or Trading Halt Auction would be 
cancelled. This represents current functionality.\71\ The proposed rule 
is designed to provide clarity and uses Pillar terminology from both 
the last sentence of Rule 7.31-E(c)(1) and the last sentence of Rule 
7.31-E(c)(2) for options trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.64P-O and 
definitions relating to Auctions. As proposed, an ``Auction'' 
includes the opening or reopening of a series for trading either on 
a trade or quote. See proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(5).
    \70\ Rule 6.62-O(r) defines an ``Opening Only Order'' as ``a 
Market Order or Limit Order which is to be executed in whole or in 
part during the opening auction of an options series or not at all. 
Any portion not so executed is to be treated as cancelled.''
    \71\ See Rule 6.62-O(r) (providing that any portion of an 
Opening Only Order ``not so executed is to be treated as 
cancelled.'')
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c)(1) would define a ``Limit-on-Open Order 
(`LOO Order')'' as a Limit Order that is to be traded only in an 
Auction. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31-
E(c)(1) to describe functionality that would be no different from 
current functionality, as described in Rule 6.62-O(r).
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c)(2) would define a ``Market-on-Open Order 
(`MOO Order')'' as a Market Order that is to be traded only in an 
Auction. This proposed rule uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31-
E(c)(2) to describe functionality that would be no different from 
current functionality, as described in Rule 6.62-O(r).
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c)(3) would define an ``Imbalance Offset 
Order (`IO Order').'' The Exchange currently offers an IO Order for 
participation in Trading

[[Page 55944]]

Halt Auctions on its cash equity market but does not offer this order 
type for options trading on the OX system. For cash equity trading, the 
IO Order is a conditional order type that is eligible to participate in 
a Trading Halt Auction only if it would offset the imbalance. To 
provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility for options 
trading on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to offer more expansive 
functionality than is currently available for cash equity trading and 
to offer the IO Order for both Core Open Auctions and Trading Halt 
Auctions.
    As proposed, the IO Order would function no differently than how an 
IO Order currently functions on the Exchange's cash equity market 
(except that it would be eligible to trade in all Auctions). 
Accordingly, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c)(3) would define an IO Order as a 
Limit Order that is to be traded only in an Auction, which is based on 
Rule 7.31-E(c)(5), with a difference that for options trading, it would 
also be available for Core Open Auctions.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c)(3)(A) would provide that an IO 
Order would participate in an Auction only if: (1) There is an 
Imbalance in the series on the opposite side of the market from the IO 
Order after taking into account all other orders and quotes eligible to 
trade at the Indicative Match Price; and (2) the limit price of the IO 
Order to buy (sell) would be at or above (below) the Indicative Match 
Price. This proposed text is based on Rule 7.31-E(c)(5)(B) except that 
it includes reference to quotes, which are unique to options trading, 
and does not limit the order type to Trading Halt Auctions.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(c)(3)(B) would provide that the 
working price of an IO Order to buy (sell) would be adjusted to be 
equal to the Indicative Match Price, provided that the working price of 
an IO Order would not be higher (lower) than its limit price. This 
proposed text is based on Rule 7.31-E(c)(5)(C) without any differences.
    Orders with a Conditional or Undisplayed Price and/or Size. 
Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d) would set forth the orders with a conditional 
or undisplayed price and/or size that would be available for options 
trading on Pillar. On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to offer the same 
type of orders that are available in the OX system and that are 
currently described in Rule 6.62-O(d) as a ``Contingency Order or 
Working Order,'' with changes as described below.
    Reserve Order. Reserve Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62-
O(d)(3). The Exchange proposes that for options traded on Pillar, 
Reserve Orders would function similarly to how Reserve Orders function 
on its cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31-E(d)(1), with 
differences described below. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes that 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1), which would define Reserve Orders for 
options trading on Pillar, would use Pillar terminology based on Rule 
7.31-E(d)(1), with differences to reflect differences in options and 
cash equity trading. For example, options trading does not have a 
concept of ``round lot'' or ``odd lot'' trading, and therefore the 
proposed options trading version of the Rule would not include a 
description of behavior that correlates to such functionality.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1) would define a Reserve Order as a Limit 
Order with a quantity of the size displayed and with a reserve quantity 
of the size (``reserve interest'') that is not displayed and that the 
displayed quantity of a Reserve Order is ranked under the proposed 
category of ``Priority 2--Display Orders'' and the reserve interest is 
ranked under the proposed category of ``Priority 3--Non-Display 
Orders.'' This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31-E(d)(1) without 
any differences. This proposed rule text is also consistent with Rule 
6.76-O(a)(1)(B) and (a)(2), with orders ranked under the proposed 
category of ``Priority 2--Display Orders'' functioning the same as 
orders in the current ``Display Order Process'' and orders ranked under 
the proposed category of ``Priority 3--Non-Displayed Orders'' 
functioning the same as orders in the current ``Working Order 
Process.'' Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1) would further provide that both 
the display quantity and the reserve interest of an arriving marketable 
Reserve Order would be eligible to trade with resting interest in the 
Consolidated Book or route to Away Markets, unless designated as a Non-
Routable Limit Order, which is based on the third sentence of Rule 
7.31-E(d)(1) with a non-substantive difference to add reference to Non-
Routable Limit Order.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1) would further provide that the working 
price of the reserve interest of a resting Reserve Order to buy (sell) 
would be adjusted in the same manner as a Non-Displayed Limit Order, as 
provided for in paragraph (d)(2)(A) of this Rule, provided that it 
would never be priced higher (lower) than the working price of the 
display quantity of the Reserve Order. This proposed rule text is based 
on the last sentence of Rule 7.31-E(d)(1) with one difference to 
reference that the reserve interest could never have a working price 
that is more aggressive than the working price of the display quantity 
of the Reserve Order, which would be new functionality on Pillar for 
options trading (and not currently available for cash equity trading) 
designed to ensure that the reserve interest of a Reserve Order to buy 
(sell) would never trade at a price higher (lower) than the working 
price of the display quantity of the Reserve Order.\72\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ For example, as described in more detail below, the 
proposed Non-Routable Limit Order would be eligible to be repriced 
only once after it is resting in the Consolidated Book (see proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)). If the display quantity of a Non-Routable Limit 
Order that is combined with a Reserve Order has already been 
repriced and is no longer eligible to be repriced, and the Away 
Market NBBO adjusts, the reserve quantity would not adjust to a 
price that would be more aggressive than the working price of the 
display quantity of the order. This functionality is not currently 
available on the Exchange's cash equity market.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(A) would provide that the 
displayed portion of a Reserve Order would be replenished when the 
display quantity is decremented to zero and that the replenish quantity 
would be the minimum display size of the order or the remaining 
quantity of the reserve interest if it is less than the minimum display 
quantity. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31-E(d)(1)(A) with 
differences to reflect that options are not traded in ``round lots'' or 
``odd lots.'' Accordingly, the Exchange would not replenish a Reserve 
Order on the options trading platform until the display portion is 
fully decremented, which is consistent with current functionality as 
described in Rule 6.76-O(a)(1)(B).
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(B) would provide that each 
time the display quantity of a Reserve Order is replenished from 
reserve interest, a new working time would be assigned to the 
replenished quantity, which is consistent with current Rule 6.76-
O(a)(1)(B)(ii), which provides that when refreshed, the new display 
quantity will be ranked at the new time that the displayed portion of 
the order was refreshed. This proposed rule text is based in part on 
Rule 7.31-E(d)(1)(B) with differences to reflect that for options 
traded on Pillar, there would never be more than one display quantity 
of a Reserve Order, and therefore the Exchange would not have different 
``child'' display quantities of a Reserve Order with different working 
times, as could occur for a Reserve Order on the Exchange's cash equity 
trading platform.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(C) would provide that a 
Reserve Order may be designated as a Non-Routable Limit Order and if so 
designated, the reserve interest that replenishes the display quantity 
would be assigned a display

[[Page 55945]]

price and working price consistent with the instructions for the order. 
This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31-E(d)(1)(B)(ii) without 
any substantive differences. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
rule would promote transparency and granularity in Exchange rules.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(D) would provide that a 
routable Reserve Order would be evaluated for routing both on arrival 
and each time the display quantity is replenished, which is consistent 
with Rule 6.76A-O(c)(1)(B), which provides that a Reserve Order may be 
routed serially as component orders. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(D)(i) 
would provide that if routing is required, the Exchange would route 
from reserve interest before publishing the display quantity. And 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(D)(ii) would provide that any quantity of a 
Reserve Order that is returned unexecuted would join the working time 
of the reserve interest and that if there is no reserve interest to 
join, the returned quantity would be assigned a new working time. This 
proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.31-E(d)(1)(D) and subparagraphs 
(i) and (ii) with differences to reflect that there is no concept of 
round lots or multiple child display orders for options trading. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency and 
granularity in Exchange rules.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(E) would provide that a 
request to reduce the size of a Reserve Order would cancel the reserve 
interest before cancelling the display quantity. This proposed rule 
text is based on Rule 7.31-E(d)(1)(E) with differences only to reflect 
that there would not be more than one child display order for options 
trading of Reserve Orders on Pillar. The Exchange believes that the 
proposed rule would promote transparency and granularity in Exchange 
rules.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(1)(F) would provide that a 
Reserve Order may be designated Day or GTC, but it may not be 
designated as an ALO Order. This proposed rule text is based in part on 
Rule 7.31-E(d)(1)(C), with differences to reflect that the GTC Modifier 
would be available for Reserve Orders trading on the Pillar options 
trading platform (consistent with current functionality) and that 
Primary Pegged Orders would not be available for options traded on 
Pillar (also consistent with current functionality). The Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule would promote transparency and 
granularity in Exchange rules.
    Non-Displayed Limit Order. The Exchange proposes to offer the Non-
Displayed Limit Order for options trading on Pillar, which would be new 
for options trading and would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with a 
non-displayed order type in lieu of non-displayed PNP Blind Orders, 
which latter order type would not be available on Pillar.\73\ The 
proposed order type would function similarly to the existing Non-
Displayed Limit Order as described in Rule 7.31-E(d)(2). Proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(d)(2) would define a Non-Displayed Limit Order as a Limit Order 
that is not displayed, does not route, and is ranked under the proposed 
category of ``Priority 3--Non-Display Orders''; and that a Non-
Displayed Limit Order may be designated Day or GTC and would not 
participate in any Auctions. This proposed rule text uses the same 
Pillar terminology as used in Rule 7.31-E(d)(2) with differences to 
reflect that the GTC Time-in-Force Modifier is available for options 
trading on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ The Exchange notes that a Non-Displayed Limit Order would 
function similarly to a PNP Blind Order that locks or crosses the 
contra-side NBBO. In such case, a PNP Blind Order is not displayed, 
as described in Rule 6.62-O(u) (``if the PNP Blind Order would lock 
or cross the NBBO, the price and size of the order will not be 
disseminated'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(2)(A) would provide that the 
working price of a Non-Displayed Limit Order would be assigned on 
arrival and adjusted when resting on the Consolidated Book and that the 
working price of a Non-Displayed Limit Order to buy (sell) would be the 
lower (higher) of the limit price or the NBO (NBB). This proposed rule 
text is based on Rule 7.31-E(d)(2)(A) with non-substantive differences 
to reference the Consolidated Book instead of the NYSE Arca Book and to 
streamline the rule text without any substantive differences.
    All-or-None (``AON'') Order. AON Orders are currently defined in 
Rule 6.62-O(d)(4). AON Orders are not available on the Exchange's cash 
equity market, and for options trading on Pillar, would function 
similarly to how AON Orders currently function because such orders 
would only execute if they can be satisfied in their entirety. However, 
unlike the OX system, where AON Orders are not integrated in the 
Consolidated Book, on Pillar, the Exchange proposes that AON Orders 
would be ranked in the Consolidated Book and function as conditional 
orders that would trade only if their condition could be met, similar 
to how orders with a Minimum Trade Size (``MTS'') Modifier function on 
Pillar on the Exchange's cash equity market. In addition, on Pillar, 
the Exchange would not support Market Orders designated as AON, which 
would be a change from current functionality. The Exchange does not 
believe it needs to continue offering AON Market Orders because such 
functionality was not used often on the OX system, indicating a lack of 
market participant interest in this functionality. Because of the new 
functionality that would be available for AON Orders on Pillar, the 
Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology to describe this order 
type.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3) would provide that an AON Order is a 
Limit Order that is to be traded in whole on the Exchange at the same 
time or not at all, which represents current functionality as described 
in the first sentence of Rule 6.62-O(d)(4). Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3) 
would further provide that an AON Order that does not trade on arrival 
would be ranked under the proposed category of ``Priority 3--Non-
Display Orders'' and that an AON Order may be designated Day or GTC, 
does not route, and would not participate in any Auctions. This 
proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology to describe the proposed new 
functionality that such orders would be ranked on the Consolidated 
Book.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(A) would provide that the 
working price of an AON Order would be assigned on arrival and adjusted 
when resting on the Consolidated Book and that the working price of an 
AON Order to buy (sell) would be the lower (higher) of the limit price 
or NBO (NBB). Because an AON Order is non-displayed, the Exchange 
proposes that its working price should be adjusted in the same manner 
as the proposed Non-Displayed Limit Order.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(B) would provide that an 
Aggressing AON Order to buy (sell) would trade with sell (buy) orders 
and quotes that in the aggregate can satisfy the AON Order in its 
entirety. This proposed rule text is new and promotes clarity in 
Exchange rules that an Aggressing AON Order (whether on arrival or as a 
resting order that becomes an Aggressing Order) would be eligible to 
trade with more than one contra-side order or quote, provided that 
multiple orders and quotes in the aggregate would satisfy the AON Order 
in its entirety.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(C) would provide that a 
resting AON Order to buy (sell) would trade with an Aggressing Order or 
Aggressing Quote to sell (buy) that individually can satisfy the whole 
AON Order. This is proposed new functionality, because currently, an 
AON Order can trade only against resting interest in the Consolidated 
Book. The Exchange believes this

[[Page 55946]]

proposed change would provide an AON Order with additional execution 
opportunities.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(C)(i) would provide that if an 
Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy) does not satisfy the 
resting AON Order to buy (sell), that Aggressing Order or Aggressing 
Quote would not trade with and may trade through such AON Order. 
Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(C)(ii) would further provide that if a 
resting non-displayed order to sell (buy) does not satisfy the quantity 
of a same-priced resting AON Order to buy (sell), a subsequently 
arriving order or quote to sell (buy) that satisfies the AON Order 
would trade before such resting non-displayed order or quote to sell 
(buy) at that price. Both of these proposed rules are similar to 
current Rule 6.62-O(d)(4), which provides that a resting AON Order can 
be ignored if its condition is not met. Similar to current 
functionality, even though an AON would be ranked in the Consolidated 
Book, it is still a conditional order type and therefore, by its terms, 
can be skipped over for an execution. This proposed rule text is also 
based on how the MTS Modifier functions on the cash equity market, as 
described in Rule 7.31-E(i)(3)(E)(i) and (ii).
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(D) would provide that a 
resting AON Order to buy (sell) would not be eligible to trade against 
an Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy): (i) At a price 
equal to or above (below) any orders or quotes to sell (buy) that are 
displayed at a price equal to or below (above) the working price of 
such AON Order; or (ii) at a price above (below) any orders or quotes 
to sell (buy) that are not displayed and that have a working price 
below (above) the working price of such AON Order. This proposed rule 
text is new functionality for AON Orders that is designed to protect 
the priority of resting orders and quotes and is based on how the MTS 
Modifier functions on the cash equity market, as described in Rule 
7.31-E(i)(3)(C) and its subparagraphs (i) and (ii).
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(3)(E) would provide that if a 
resting AON Order to buy (sell) becomes an Aggressing Order it would 
trade as provided in paragraph (d)(3)(B) of this Rule; however, other 
resting orders or quotes to buy (sell) ranked Priority 3--Non-Display 
Orders that become Aggressing Orders or Aggressing Quotes at the same 
time as the resting AON Order would be processed before the AON Order. 
This is proposed new functionality and is designed to promote clarity 
in Exchange rules that if multiple orders ranked Priority 3--Non-
Display Orders, including AON and non-AON Orders, become Aggressing 
Orders or Aggressing Quotes at the same time, the AON Order would not 
be eligible trade until the other orders ranked Priority 3--Non-Display 
Orders have been processed, even if they have later working times. The 
Exchange believes that it would be consistent with the conditional 
nature of AON Orders for other same-side non-displayed orders to have a 
trading opportunity before the AON Order.
    Stop Order. Stop Orders are currently defined in Rule 6.62-O(d)(1). 
The Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology with more granularity 
to describe Stop Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4), with 
differences described below.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4) would provide that a Stop Order is an 
order to buy (sell) a particular option contract that becomes a Market 
Order (or is ``elected'') when the Exchange BB (BO) or the most recent 
consolidated last sale price reported after the order was placed in the 
Consolidated Book (the ``Consolidated Last Sale'') (either, the 
``trigger'') is equal to or higher (lower) than the specified ``stop'' 
price. The proposed functionality is similar to existing functionality 
and provides more granularity of the circumstances when a Stop Order 
would be elected.\74\ Because a Stop Order becomes a Market Order when 
it is elected, the Exchange proposes that when it is elected, it would 
be cancelled if it does not meet the validations specified in proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(A) and if not cancelled, it would be assigned a 
Trading Collar. This is similar to current functionality, which is not 
described in the current rule describing Stop Orders, that once 
converted to a Market Order, such order is subject to the checks 
applicable in the current rule for Market Orders, i.e., cancelling such 
order if there is no NBBO. The proposed rule references the checks that 
would be applicable to a Market Order on Pillar and thus adds greater 
granularity and transparency to Exchange rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ The current rule states that a Stop Order to buy (sell) 
will be triggered (i.e., elected) if ``trades at a price equal to or 
greater (less) than the specified `stop' price on the Exchange or 
another Market Center.'' See Rule 6.62-O(d)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4)(A) would provide that a Stop Order 
would be assigned a working time when it is received but would not be 
ranked or displayed in the Consolidated Book until it is elected and 
that once converted to a Market Order, the order would be assigned a 
new working time and be ranked Priority 1--Market Orders. The original 
working time assigned to a Stop Order would be used to rank multiple 
Stop Orders elected at the same time. This is consistent with the 
current rule, which provides that a Stop Order is not displayed and has 
no standing in any Order Process in the Consolidated Book, unless or 
until it is triggered. The proposed rule is designed to provide greater 
granularity and clarity.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4)(B) would specify additional events that 
are designed to limit when a Stop Order may be elected so that a Market 
Order does not trade during a period of pricing uncertainty:
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4)(B)(i) would provide that if 
not elected on arrival, a Stop Order that is resting would not be 
eligible to be elected based on a Consolidated Last Sale unless the 
Consolidated Last Sale is equal to or in between the NBBO. This 
proposed rule text provides additional transparency of when a resting 
Stop Order would be eligible to be elected.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4)(B)(ii) would provide that a 
Stop Order would not be elected if the NBBO is crossed.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4)(B)(iii) would provide that 
after a Limit State or Straddle State is lifted, the trigger to elect a 
Stop Order would be either the Consolidated Last Sale received after 
such state was lifted or the Exchange BB (BO).\75\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ Rule 6.65A-O(a)(2) currently provides that the Exchange 
will not elect Stop Orders when the underlying NMS stock is either 
in a Limit State or a Straddle State, which would continue to be 
applicable on Pillar. The Exchange proposes a non-substantive 
amendment to Rule 6.65A-O(a)(2) to add a cross-reference to proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Stop Limit Order. Stop Limit Orders are currently defined in Rule 
6.62-O(d)(2). The Exchange proposes to use Pillar terminology with more 
granularity to describe Stop Limit Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(d)(5), with differences described below.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(5) would provide that a Stop Limit Order 
is an order to buy (sell) a particular option contract that becomes a 
Limit Order (or is ``elected'') when the Exchange BB (BO) or the 
Consolidated Last Sale (either, the ``trigger'') is equal to or higher 
(lower) than the specified ``stop'' price.\76\ The proposed 
functionality is similar to existing functionality and provides more 
granularity of when a Stop Limit Order would be elected than the 
current Rule 6.62-O(d)(2) definition of Stop Limit Order. As further

[[Page 55947]]

proposed, a Stop Limit Order to buy (sell) would be rejected if the 
stop price is higher (lower) than its limit price. Because a Stop Limit 
Order becomes a Limit Order when it is elected, the Exchange proposes 
that when it is elected, it would be cancelled if it fails Limit Order 
Price Protection or a Price Reasonability Check and if not cancelled, 
it would be assigned a Trading Collar.\77\ This functionality is 
similar to current functionality, though it is not explicitly stated in 
the current rule describing Stop Limit Orders. Specifically, both in 
the current OX System and as proposed on Pillar, once converted to a 
Limit Order, such order is subject to the checks applicable in the 
current rule for Limit Orders, i.e., Limit Order Filter on the OX 
System. The proposed rule references the checks that would be 
applicable to a Limit Order on Pillar and thus adds greater granularity 
and transparency to Exchange rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ The term ``Consolidated Last Sale'' is defined in proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(d)(4).
    \77\ See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.41P-O and 
Price Reasonability Checks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(5)(A) would provide that a Stop Limit 
Order would be assigned a working time when it is received but would 
not be ranked or displayed in the Consolidated Book until it is elected 
and that once converted to a Limit Order, the order would be assigned a 
new working time and be ranked under the proposed category of 
``Priority 2--Display Orders.'' This functionality is consistent with 
the current rule, which provides that a Stop Limit Order is not 
displayed and has no standing in any Order Process in the Consolidated 
Book, unless or until it is triggered. The proposed rule is designed to 
provide greater granularity and clarity.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(5)(B) would specify additional events that 
are designed to limit when a Stop Limit Order may be elected so that a 
Limit Order would not have a possibility of trading or being added to 
the Consolidated Book during a period of pricing uncertainty.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(5)(B)(i) would provide that if 
not elected on arrival, a Stop Limit Order that is resting would not be 
eligible to be elected based on a Consolidated Last Sale unless the 
Consolidated Last Sale is equal to or in between the NBBO.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d)(5)(B)(ii) would provide that a 
Stop Limit Order would not be elected if the NBBO is crossed.
    Orders with Instructions Not to Route. Currently, the Exchange 
defines non-routable orders in Rule 6.62-O as a PNP Order (which 
includes a Repricing PNP Order (``RPNP'')) (current Rule 6.62-O(p)), a 
Liquidity Adding Order (``ALO'') (which includes a Repricing ALO 
(``RALO'') (current Rule 6.62-O(t)); a PNP-Blind Order (current Rule 
6.62-O(u)); and a PNP-Light Order (Rule 6.62-O(v)). The Exchange also 
defines Intermarket Sweep Orders (current Rule 6.62-O(aa)), which are 
also non-routable.
    The Exchange separately defines non-routable quotes in Rule 6.37A-O 
as a Market Maker--Light Only Quotation (``MMLO'') (current Rule 6.37A-
O(a)(3)(A)); a Market Maker--Add Liquidity Only Quotation (``MMALO'') 
(current Rule 6.37A-O(a)(3)(B)); and a Market Maker--Repricing 
Quotation (``MMRP'') (current Rule 6.37A-O(a)(3)(C)).
    On Pillar, the Exchange proposes to streamline the non-routable 
order types and quotes that would be available for options trading, use 
terminology that is similar to how non-routable orders are described 
for cash equity trading as described in Rule 7.31-E(e), and describe 
the functionality that would be applicable to both orders and quotes in 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e). As described in greater detail below, 
proposed Rule 6.37AP-O governing Market Maker Quotations would no 
longer define how quotations would function. Instead, that rule would 
specify that a Market Maker may designate either a Non-Routable Limit 
Order or ALO Order as a Market Maker quote. Because the way in which 
non-routable orders and quotes would function on Pillar would be 
virtually identical (with differences described below), and because 
Market Makers could enter a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order 
and then choose to designate it either as a quote or an order, the 
Exchange believes that it would promote transparency in Exchange rules 
to consolidate the description of the functionality in a single rule 
and eliminate duplication in Exchange rules. As described below, 
proposed Rule 6.37A-O would cross reference proposed Rule 6.62P-(O)(e).
    On Pillar, the Exchange would no longer offer functionality based 
on the PNP-Blind Order, PNP-Light Order, or MMLO because it believes 
that the proposed orders/quotes with instructions not to route on 
Pillar would provide OTP Firms and OTP Holders with the core 
functionality associated with these existing order types, including 
that the proposed rules would provide for non-routable functionality 
and the ability to either reprice or cancel such orders/quotes. In 
addition, as discussed above, the Exchange believes that the proposed 
Non-Displayed Limit Order would provide functionality similar to what 
is currently available with the PNP-Blind Order.
    Non-Routable Limit Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1) would define 
the Non-Routable Limit Order. As explained further below, this proposed 
order type incorporates functionality currently available in both the 
existing PNP and RPNP order types, as defined in Rule 6.62-O, and the 
existing MMRP quotation type, as defined in Rule 6.37A-O(a)(3)(C),\78\ 
and uses Pillar terminology. As described below, a Market Maker can 
designate a Non-Routable Limit Order as either a quote or an order. 
Accordingly, references to the capitalized term ``Non-Routable Limit 
Order'' describes functionality for either a quote or an order, unless 
otherwise specified.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ Both RPNPs and MMRPs function similarly. Compare current 
Rule 6.37A-O(a)(4)(B) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii) with current 
Rule 6.62-O(p)(1)(A) and subparagraphs (i) and (ii). They are 
defined in separate rules only because the former is for quotes and 
the latter for orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1) would provide that a Non-Routable Limit 
Order is a Limit Order or quote that does not route and may be 
designated Day or GTC and would further provide that a Non-Routable 
Limit Order with a working price different from the display price would 
be ranked under the proposed category of ``Priority 3--Non-Display 
Orders'' and a Non-Routable Limit Order with a working price equal to 
the display price would be ranked under the proposed category of 
``Priority 2--Display Orders.'' This proposed rule uses Pillar 
terminology and describes functionality similar to the way in which a 
Non-Routable Limit Order is described for the Exchange's cash equity 
market in Rules 7.31-E(e)(1) and 7.31-E(e)(1)(B), including references 
to the Pillar concepts of ``working'' and ``display'' price as well to 
Priority rankings as proposed in Rule 6.76P-O(e)(2), (3). This proposed 
rule describes functionality similar to that described in the first 
clause of current Rule 6.62-O(p) relating to a PNP Order, which states 
that the portion of such order not executed on arrival is ranked in the 
Consolidated Book without routing any portion of the order to another 
Market Center.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(A) would provide that a Non-Routable 
Limit Order would not be displayed at a price that would lock or cross 
an Away Market NBBO and that a Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) 
would trade with orders or quotes to sell (buy) in the Consolidated 
Book priced at or below (above) the Away Market NBO (NBB). This 
proposed text is designed to provide granularity that a Non-Routable

[[Page 55948]]

Limit Order would never be displayed at a price that would lock or 
cross an Away Market NBBO, which is consistent with current PNP and 
RPNP functionality described in Rules 6.62-O(p) and (p)(1). The 
Exchange proposes to use the term ``Away Market NBBO'' to provide more 
granularity in Exchange rules.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(A)(i) would provide that a Non-Routable 
Limit Order can be designated to be cancelled if it would be displayed 
at a price other than its limit price. This would be an optional 
designation and would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with 
functionality similar to how a PNP Order currently functions, which 
cancels if it locks or crosses the NBBO.\79\ The Exchange proposes a 
substantive difference from the current PNP Order functionality such 
that if an OTP Holder or OTP Firm opts to cancel instead of reprice a 
Non-Routable Limit Order, such order would be cancelled only if it 
could not be displayed at its limit price--which could be because the 
order would be repriced to display at a price that would not lock or 
cross an Away Market NBBO or because it would be repriced due to 
Trading Collars.\80\ Stated otherwise, if a Non-Routable Limit Order 
with a designation to cancel could be displayed at its original limit 
price and not lock or cross an Away Market NBBO, such order would not 
be cancelled. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule provides 
more granularity of the circumstances when a Non-Routable Limit Order 
could be cancelled, if so designated. This proposed functionality would 
be new on Pillar and is not currently available for cash equity 
trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ A PNP Order cannot route and any unexecuted portion is 
ranked in the Consolidated Book except that such order is canceled 
if it would lock or cross the NBBO. See Rule 6.62-O(p).
    \80\ Current Rule 6.62-O(p)(1)(B) provides than an incoming RPNP 
order would cancel if its limit price is more than a configurable 
number of MPVs outside its initial display price (on arrival). Under 
Pillar, because Trading Collars would be applicable to Non-Routable 
Limit Orders (and such orders may be repriced or ``collared'' on 
arrival), the Exchange does not propose to cancel an incoming Non-
Routable Limit Order if its limit price is more than a configurable 
number of MPVs outside its initial display price. As such, this 
aspect of RPNP functionality is not incorporated in the proposed 
Pillar rules and the Exchange instead proposes to incorporate 
Trading Collar functionality into the Non-Routable Limit Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(A)(ii) would provide that if not 
designated to cancel, if the limit price of a Non-Routable Limit Order 
to buy (sell) would lock or cross an Away Market NBO (NBB), it would be 
repriced to have a working price equal to the Away Market NBO (NBB) and 
a display price one MPV below (above) that NBO (NBB). Accordingly, the 
proposed Non-Routable Limit Order, if not designated to cancel, would 
reprice in the same manner as an RPNP order or MMRP quotation reprices 
on arrival per Rules 6.62-O(p)(1)(A) and 6.37A-O(a)(4)(A), which both 
offer similar functionality.
    The Exchange proposes new functionality on Pillar for the Non-
Routable Limit Order as compared to either the RPNP Order on OX or the 
Non-Routable Limit Order on the Exchange's cash equity market. 
Specifically, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(B) would provide that the 
display price of a resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) that 
has been repriced would be repriced higher (lower) only one additional 
time.\81\ If after that repricing, the display price could be repriced 
higher (lower) again, the order can be designated to either remain at 
its last working price and display price or be cancelled, provided that 
a resting Non-Routable Limit Order that is designated as a quote cannot 
be designated to be cancelled.\82\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ For example, on arrival, a Non-Routable Limit Order to buy 
(sell) with a limit price higher (lower) than the NBO (NBB), would 
have a display price one MPV below (above) the NBO (NBB) and a 
working price equal to the NBO (NBB). If the Away Market NBO (NBB) 
reprices higher (lower), the resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy 
(sell) would similarly be repriced higher (lower). If the NBO (NBB) 
adjusts higher (lower) again, the resting Non-Routable Limit Order 
would not be adjusted again.
    \82\ The working time of a Non-Routable Limit Order would be 
adjusted as described in proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(2), which would be 
applicable to any scenario when the working time of an order may 
change, including a Non-Routable Limit Order. Similar to how the 
Pillar rules function on the Exchange's cash equity market, the 
Exchange does not propose to separately describe how the working 
time of an order changes in proposed Rule 6.62P-O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange notes that this designation to cancel is separate from 
the designation to cancel if it cannot be displayed at its limit price. 
If a Non-Routable Limit Order is designated to cancel if it cannot be 
displayed at its limit price, this second cancellation designation 
would not be needed as the order would have already been cancelled. 
Rather, this second cancellation designation is applicable only to a 
resting Non-Routable Limit Order that has been designated to reprice on 
arrival and was repriced before it was displayed on the Consolidated 
Book, and provides OTP Holders and OTP Firms with an option to cancel a 
resting order if market conditions were such that a resting order could 
have been repriced again, e.g., the contra-side Away Market NBBO 
changes. To assist Market Makers in maintaining quotes in their 
assigned series, the Exchange proposes that this second cancellation 
designation would not be available to Market Makers for Non-Routable 
Orders designated as a Market Maker quote.\83\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \83\ Proposed Rules 6.37AP-O(b) and (c) set forth the continuous 
quoting obligations of Lead Market Makers and Market Makers, 
respectively.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(B)(i) would provide that if the limit 
price of the resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) that has 
been repriced no longer locks or crosses the Away Market NBO (NBB), it 
would be assigned a working price and display price equal to its limit 
price. This proposed rule text is based on the way in which Non-
Routable Limit Orders function on the Exchange's cash equity market, as 
described in Rule 7.31-E(e)(1)(A)(iv), with a difference that the 
proposed rule does not include text describing that, in such 
circumstances, the order ``will not be assigned a new working price or 
display price based on changes to the PBO (PBB).'' The Exchange does 
not propose to include this text because it is redundant of proposed 
Rule 6.76P-O(b)(3), which describes that once an order is displayed, it 
can stand its ground if it is locked or crossed by the Away Market 
PBBO.\84\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ See discussion supra regarding proposed Rule 6.76P-O(b)(3), 
which describes how the Exchange would not change the display price 
of any Limit Orders or quotes ranked under the proposed category of 
``Priority 2--Display Orders.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(B)(ii) would provide that the working 
price of a resting Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) that has been 
repriced would be adjusted to be equal to its display price if the Away 
Market NBO (NBB) is equal to or lower (higher) than its display price. 
This proposed rule is based in part on how an RPNP reprices when the 
NBO (NBB) updates to lock or cross its display price (as described in 
Rule 6.62-O(p)(1)(A)(i)) and uses Pillar terminology (i.e., Away Market 
NBBO and concepts of working price and display price).\85\ The proposed 
rule would further provide that once the working price and display 
price of a Non-Routable Limit Order to buy (sell) are the same, the 
working price would be adjusted higher (lower) only if the display 
price of the order is adjusted.\86\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \85\ Rule 6.62-O(p)(1)(A)(i) provides that ``if the NBO (NBB) 
updates to lock or cross the RPNP's display price, such RPNP will 
trade at its display price in time priority behind other eligible 
interest already displayed at that price.'' On Pillar, if the NBO 
(NBB) updates to lock or cross the display price of a Non-Routable 
Order, and the working price is adjusted to be equal to the display 
price, the order will not receive a new working time. See discussion 
supra regarding proposed Rule 6.76P-O(f)(2)(B).
    \86\ For example, if the Away Market NBO is 1.05 and the 
Exchange receives a Non-Routable Limit Order to buy priced at 1.10, 
it would be assigned a display price of 1.00 and a working price of 
1.05. If the Away Market NBO adjusts to 1.00, the working price of 
the Non-Routable Limit Order to buy would be adjusted to 1.00 to be 
equal to its display price. However, if the Away Market NBO moves 
back to 1.05, the Non-Routable Limit Order's working price would not 
adjust again to 1.05 and would stay at 1.00.

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

[[Page 55949]]

    Finally, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(C) would provide that the 
designation to cancel a Non-Routable Limit Order would not be 
applicable in an Auction and such order would participate in an Auction 
at its limit price. This proposed rule text promotes clarity and 
transparency that a Non-Routable Limit Order would be eligible to 
participate in an Auction, but that it would be repriced to its limit 
price for participation in such Auction, which is consistent with 
current RPNP functionality, as described in the last sentence of Rule 
6.62-O(p) and providing that an RPNP would be processed as a Limit 
Order and would not be repriced for purposes of participating in an 
opening or reopening auction.
    ALO Order. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2) would define an ALO Order as 
a Limit Order or quote that is a Non-Routable Limit Order that would 
not remove liquidity from the Consolidated Book. This proposed order 
type incorporates functionality currently available in the existing ALO 
and RALO order types, as defined in Rule 6.62-O(t), and the existing 
MMALO quotation type, as defined in Rule 6.37A-O(a)(3)(B), with 
differences described below, including an option to cancel or reprice 
an ALO Order if such non-routable interest would trade as a liquidity 
taker. Unless otherwise specified in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2), an 
ALO Order would function the same as a Non-Routable Limit Order, 
including that it would participate in an Auction at its limit price. 
As described below, per proposed Rule 6.37AP-O, a Market Maker can 
designate an ALO Order as either a quote or an order. Accordingly, 
references to the capitalized term ``ALO Order'' describe functionality 
for both quotes and orders.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(A) would provide that an ALO Order 
would not be displayed at a price that would lock or cross an Away 
Market NBBO, would lock or cross displayed interest in the Consolidated 
Book, or would cross non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. 
Because an ALO Order would never remove liquidity, this proposed rule 
text ensures that such order would not be displayed at a price that 
would lock or cross displayed interest either on the Exchange or an 
Away Market, and would not be displayed at a price that crosses non-
displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. This proposed rule text is 
consistent with current functionality, as described for MMALO in Rule 
6.37-O(a)(3)(B) and for ALO in Rule 6.62-O(t), that such quotes or 
orders would not trade as takers.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(A)(i) would provide that an ALO Order 
can be designated to be cancelled if it would be displayed at a price 
other than its limit price. This proposed designation to cancel would 
be optional and an ALO Order so designated would function similarly to 
a Liquidity Adding Order, as defined in Rule 6.62-O(t), which is 
rejected if it would be marketable against the NBBO.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(A)(ii) would provide that an ALO Order 
to buy (sell) would be displayed at its limit price if it locks non-
displayed orders or quotes to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book. This 
proposed functionality would be new for options trading on Pillar.\87\ 
Allowing a conditional order to lock interest in the Consolidated Book 
is consistent with current functionality for other non-displayed 
orders. For example, an AON is a non-displayed conditional order type 
that could be priced to trade at a price that locks contra-side 
interest, but the interest would not interact if the AON condition 
could not be satisfied, in which case, two orders with locking prices, 
one that is non-displayed, would both be accepted by the Exchange. The 
proposed ALO Order is also a conditional order type because it can 
never be a liquidity taker. The Exchange believes that allowing an ALO 
Order to lock non-displayed interest would reduce potential repricing 
or cancellation events for an incoming ALO Order and would likewise 
reduce potential information leakage about non-displayed interest in 
the Consolidated Book. This behavior is also consistent with how ALO 
Orders function on the Exchange's cash equity platform.\88\ Because an 
ALO Order would not be repriced in this scenario, this functionality 
would be the same regardless of whether the ALO Order includes the 
optional designation to cancel.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \87\ Currently, an order designated as a RALO to buy (sell) that 
would trade with any undisplayed sell (buy) interest will be 
displayed at a price one MPV below (above) that undisplayed sell 
interest. See Rule 6.62-O(t)(1)(A). See also Rule 6.37A-
O(a)(4)(A)(i) (describing similar functionality for a quote 
designated as a MMALO).
    \88\ See, e.g., Rule 7.31-E(e)(2)(B)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(A)(iii) would provide that an ALO Order 
to buy (sell) would not consider an AON Order or an order with an MTS 
Modifier to sell (buy) for purposes of determining whether it needs to 
be repriced or cancelled. This proposed rule would be new functionality 
and is designed to promote transparency that a resting contra-side 
order with conditional instructions, i.e., an AON Order or an order 
with an MTS Modifier, would not have any bearing on whether an 
Aggressing ALO Order would need to be repriced. Accordingly, an ALO 
Order would not trade as the liquidity taker with such orders (even if 
it could satisfy their size condition) and could be displayed at a 
price that would lock or cross the price of such orders. Once the ALO 
Order is resting on the Consolidated Book, the Exchange would 
reevaluate the orders on the Consolidated Book. For example, if the ALO 
Order could satisfy the size condition of the resting AON Order, the 
resting AON Order would become the Aggressing Order and would trade as 
the liquidity taker with such resting ALO Order.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(B) would describe how an ALO Order 
would be processed if it is not designated to cancel, as follows:
     If the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) would 
lock or cross displayed orders or quotes to sell (buy) on the 
Consolidated Book, it would be repriced to have a working price and 
display price one MPV below (above) the lowest (highest) priced 
displayed order or quote to sell (buy) on the Consolidated Book 
(proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(B)(i)). This proposed rule is consistent 
with how both RALO and MMALO reprice under current rules.\89\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ Current Rule 6.62-O(t)(1) provides that a RALO will be 
repriced instead of rejected if it would trade as a liquidity taker 
or display at a price that locks or crosses any interest on the 
Exchange or the NBBO. Current Rule 6.62-O(t)(1)(A) further provides 
that if an RALO would trade with any displayed or undisplayed 
contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book, it would be displayed 
at a price one MPV inside such interest. See also Rule 6.37-
O(a)(4)(A)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) would 
lock or cross an Away Market NBO (NBB), it would be repriced to have a 
working price equal to the Away Market NBO (NBB) and a display price 
one MPV below (above) the NBO (NBB) (proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(e)(2)(B)(ii)). This proposed functionality is consistent with how 
both RALO and MMALO reprice under current rules.\90\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \90\ See Rules 6.62-O(t)(1)(A) and 6.37A-O(a)(4)(A)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If the limit price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) would 
cross non-displayed

[[Page 55950]]

orders or quotes \91\ on the Consolidated Book, it would be repriced to 
have a working price and display price equal to the lowest (highest) 
priced non-displayed order or quote to sell (buy) on the Consolidated 
Book (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(B)(iii). This functionality would be 
new on Pillar for options trading and would provide that an ALO Order 
would never take liquidity thereby eliminating the potential for an ALO 
to cross non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book. This proposed 
functionality is therefore different not only from how RALOs and MMALOs 
currently function, but is also different from how ALO Orders currently 
function on the Exchange's cash equity market.\92\ For the reasons 
discussed above, the Exchange believes that displaying ALO Orders at a 
price that locks the best-priced non-displayed interest would reduce 
potential information leakage about the non-displayed orders on the 
Consolidated Book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ For example, a contra-side Market Maker quote designated as 
a Non-Routable Limit Order could have a non-displayed working price.
    \92\ See Rule 7.31-E(e)(2)(B)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because an ALO would never be a liquidity-taking order, the above-
described repricing scenarios provide clarity and transparency 
regarding how an ALO Order would be repriced (or cancelled, if this 
optional designation is selected) to prevent either trading with 
interest on the Consolidated Book or routing to an Away Market. 
Accordingly, with the exception of how an ALO Order that locks or 
crosses non-displayed interest would be processed, the proposed ALO 
Order would be consistent with the current functionality available for 
RALO, as described in Rule 6.62-O(t)(1)(A) and for MMALO, as described 
in Rule 6.37-O(a)(4)(A).
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(C) would provide that the display price 
of a resting ALO Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced would be 
repriced higher (lower) only one additional time and that if, after 
that repricing, the display price could be repriced higher (lower) 
again, the order can be designated to either remain at its last working 
price and display price or be cancelled, provided that a resting ALO 
Order that is a quote cannot be designated to be cancelled. This 
proposed functionality would be new to Pillar and is based on how the 
proposed Non-Routable Limit Order would function, as described 
above.\93\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \93\ This proposed feature to limit the number of times an ALO 
may be repriced differs from the treatment of RALOs, which may be 
continuously repriced (both the displayed and undisplayed price) as 
interest in the Consolidated Book or NBBO moves. See Rule 6.62-
O(t)(1)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(C)(i) would provide that if the limit 
price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced no longer 
locks or crosses displayed orders or quotes in the Consolidated Book, 
locks or crosses the Away Market NBBO, or crosses non-displayed orders 
or quotes in the Consolidated Book, it would be assigned a working 
price and display price equal to its limit price. This proposed rule 
text is similar to proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1)(B)(i) for Non-Routable 
Limit Orders, with differences to reflect the additional circumstances 
when an ALO Order would be repriced based off of contra-side displayed 
or non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book because, unlike a 
Non-Routable Limit Order, an ALO Order would not trade as a liquidity 
taker. The proposed rule is designed to provide granularity and clarity 
regarding when a resting ALO Order would be assigned a working price 
and display price equal to its limit price.\94\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \94\ The proposed rule is similar to RALO functionality 
currently described in Rule 6.62-O(t)(1)(A)(ii) (if the NBO (NBB) 
updates to lock or cross the RALO's display price, such RALO will 
trade at its display price''). See also Rule 6.37A-O(a)(4)(A)(i)(b) 
(describing similar functionality for MMALO).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(D) would provide that the working price 
of a resting ALO Order to buy (sell) that has been repriced would be 
adjusted to be equal to its display price (and would not be adjusted 
again unless the display price of the order is adjusted) if:
     The Away Market NBO (NBB) re-prices to be equal to or 
lower (higher) than the display price of the resting ALO Order to buy 
(sell) (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(D)(i)); or
     an ALO Order or Day ISO ALO to sell (buy) is displayed on 
the Consolidated Book at a price equal to the working price of the 
resting ALO Order to buy (sell) (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(D)(ii)).
    This proposed rule text is similar to proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(e)(1)(C) for Non-Routable Limit Orders, with differences to reflect 
the additional circumstances when an ALO Order would be repriced as a 
result of contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book so that the ALO 
Order would not be a liquidity taker. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes that for an ALO Order that has been repriced and has a non-
displayed working price, if the Exchange receives a contra-side ALO 
Order (or Day ISO ALO) with a limit price that is equal to or crosses 
the working price of the resting ALO Order, the working price of the 
resting ALO Order would be adjusted to be equal to its display price. 
This proposed functionality would reduce the potential for two contra-
side ALO Orders to have working prices that are locked on the 
Consolidated Book. The proposed rule text is designed to provide more 
granularity than the current Rule regarding circumstances when an ALO 
Order would be repriced.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(E) would provide that when the working 
price and display price of an ALO Order to buy (sell) are the same, the 
working price would be adjusted higher (lower) only if the display 
price of the order is adjusted. This proposed functionality would be 
new for Pillar and is not currently available on the Exchange's cash 
equity platform.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(F) would provide that the ALO 
designation would be ignored for ALO Orders that participate in an 
Auction. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31-E(e)(2)(A), which 
similarly provides that an ALO Order can participate in an auction and 
that its ALO designation would be ignored. This is also new 
functionality for options because currently, the Exchange rejects ALOs 
if entered outside of Core Trading Hours or during a trading halt and 
if resting, are cancelled during a trading halt. The Exchange proposes 
this new functionality to provide such ALO Orders with an execution 
opportunity in an Auction.
    Intermarket Sweep Order (``ISO''). ISOs are currently defined in 
Rule 6.62-O as a Limit Order for an options series that instructs the 
Exchange to execute the order up to the price of its limit, regardless 
of the Away Market Protected Quotations \95\ and that ISOs may only be 
entered with a time-in-force of IOC, and the entering OTP Holder must 
comply with the provisions of Rule 6.92-O(a)(8). The Exchange proposes 
to offer identical functionality on Pillar and to describe such 
functionality in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(3) using Pillar terminology, 
including that an ISO is a Limit Order that does not route and meets 
the requirements of Rule 6.92-O(a)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \95\ The terms ``Protected Bid,'' ``Protected Offer,'' and 
``Quotation'' are defined in Rule 6.92-O(a)(15) and (16) and the 
term ``Away Market'' is defined in Rule 1.1. Accordingly, Away 
Market Protected Quotations refer to Protected Bids and Protected 
Offers that are disseminated pursuant to the OPRA Plan and are the 
Best Bid and Best Offer displayed by an Eligible Exchange, as those 
terms are defined in Rule 6.92-O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, an ISO must be entered with a time-in-force of IOC. On 
Pillar, the Exchange proposes to add the ability for an OTP Holder or 
OTP Firm to

[[Page 55951]]

designate an ISO either as IOC, which is current functionality, or with 
a Day time-in-force designation, which would be new for options 
trading. The Exchange also proposes to offer new functionality for 
options trading to designate a Day ISO as ALO. Both the proposed Day 
ISO and Day ISO ALO functionality are available on the Exchange's cash 
equity market as described in Rule 7.31-E(e)(3). The Exchange proposes 
to describe the functionality for each type of ISO separately, as 
follows:
     IOC ISO. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(3)(A) would define an 
IOC ISO as an ISO designated IOC to buy (sell) that would be 
immediately traded with orders and quotes to sell (buy) in the 
Consolidated Book up to its full size and limit price and may trade 
through Away Market Protected Quotations and any untraded quantity of 
an IOC ISO would be immediately and automatically cancelled. This 
proposed rule uses the same Pillar terminology as used in Rule 7.31-
E(e)(3)(B) to describe functionality that would be offered on Pillar 
without any differences from how ISOs currently function. The Exchange 
proposes a non-substantive difference in the proposed Pillar options 
rule to reference that an IOC ISO may trade through Away Market 
Protected Quotations, which is consistent with both current options and 
cash equity platform functionality.
     Day ISO. Proposed Rule 6.62-O(e)(3)(B) would define a Day 
ISO as an ISO designated Day to buy (sell) that, if marketable on 
arrival, would be immediately traded with orders and quotes to sell 
(buy) in the Consolidated Book up to its full size and limit price and 
may trade through Away Market Protected Quotations and that any 
untraded quantity of a Day ISO would be displayed at its limit price 
and may lock or cross Away Market Protected Quotations at the time the 
Day ISO is received by the Exchange. As noted above, this proposed 
functionality (allowing Day designation for ISOs) would be new on the 
Exchange for options trading and would offer market participants 
additional control over their trading interest. The proposed rule is 
substantively identical to the Day ISO functionality available on the 
Exchange's cash equity market, as described in Rule 7.31-E(e)(3)(C), 
with a non-substantive difference to use the phrase ``may lock or cross 
Away Market Protected Quotations at the time the Day ISO is received by 
the Exchange'' instead of ``may lock or cross a protected quotation 
that was displayed at the time of arrival of the Day ISO.'' These 
proposed textual differences are designed to promote clarity and 
transparency without any substantive differences. The availability of 
the Day time-in-force designation for ISOs would not be new for options 
trading, however, as such orders are currently available on other 
options exchanges.\96\ The proposed Day ISO is also consistent with 
current Rule 6.95-O(b)(3), which describes an exception to the 
prohibition on locking or crossing a Protected Quotation if the Member 
simultaneously routed an ISO to execute against the full displayed size 
of any locked or crossed Protected Bid or Protected Offer.\97\ Although 
the Exchange has not previously availed itself of this exception, this 
exception to locking and crossing Protected Bids and Protected Offers 
would only be needed if an ISO is designated as Day and therefore would 
be displayed at a price that would lock or cross a Protected Quotation; 
an IOC ISO would never be displayed and therefore this existing 
exception would not be applicable to such orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \96\ See Nasdaq Options 3, Section 7(a)(7) (``ISOs may have any 
time-in-force designation . . . .'') and Cboe Rules 5.30(a)(2) and 
(3). See also Cboe US Options Fix Specifications, dated June 15, 
2021, Section 4.4.7, available here: https://cdn.cboe.com/resources/membership/US_Options_FIX_Specification.pdf, which references how a 
Day ISO would be processed under specified circumstances.
    \97\ The Commission has previously stated that the requirements 
in the Options Linkage Plan relating to Locked and Crossed Markets 
are ``virtually identical to those applicable to market centers for 
NMS stock under Regulation NMS.'' See also Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 60405 (July 30, 2009), 74 FR 39362, 39368 (August 6, 
2009) (Order approving Options Linkage Plan). Accordingly, guidance 
relating to the ISO exception for locked and crossed markets for NMS 
stocks that specifically contemplate use of Day ISOs is also 
applicable to options trading. See Responses to Frequently Asked 
Questions Concerning Rule 611 and Rule 610 of Regulation NMS, FAQ 
5.02 (``The ISO exception to the SRO lock/cross rules, in contrast, 
requires that ISOs be routed to execute against all protected 
quotations with a price that is equal to the display price (i.e., 
those protected quotations that would be locked by the displayed 
quotation), as well as all protected quotations with prices that are 
better than the display price (i.e., those protected quotations that 
would be crossed by the displayed quotation).'' Consistent with this 
guidance, the Exchange implemented Rule 6.95-O(b)(3). See also Cboe 
Rule 5.67(b)(3), and Nasdaq Options 5, Section 3(b)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Day ISO ALO. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(3)(C) would define a 
Day ISO ALO as a Day ISO with an ALO modifier. This proposed order type 
would be new for options trading and is based on the Day ISO ALO 
currently available on the Exchange's cash equity market, as described 
in Rule 7.31-E(e)(3)(D), with differences to reflect how the order type 
would function on the Exchange's options market. Specifically, similar 
to the differences between the proposed ALO Order for options trading 
on Pillar, as compared to the cash equity version of the ALO Order, for 
options trading, a Day ISO with an ALO designation would not trade as 
liquidity taker.
    As proposed, on arrival, a Day ISO ALO to buy (sell) may lock or 
cross Away Market Protected Quotations, but would not remove liquidity 
from the Consolidated Book, which is how the Exchange proposes that ALO 
Orders would function on Pillar and consistent with current options 
functionality for RALO as described herein.\98\ A Day ISO ALO to buy 
(sell) can be designated to be cancelled if it would be displayed at a 
price other than its limit price, which is similar to the proposed 
cancellation instruction for ALO Orders for options trading on Pillar, 
described above. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(3)(C)(i) would provide that 
if not designated to cancel, a Day ISO ALO that would lock or cross 
orders and quotes on the Consolidated Book would be repriced as 
specified in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(B). This proposed rule 
therefore incorporates the proposed repricing functionality for ALO 
Orders for options trading on Pillar with the proposed Day ISO ALO. 
Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(3)(C)(ii) would provide that, once resting, a 
DAY ISO ALO would be processed as an ALO Order as specified in proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2)(C)-(G).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \98\ By contrast, the Rule 7.31-E(e)(3)(D) description of Day 
ISO ALO for cash equity trading incorporates cash equity 
functionality that an order with an ALO would trade if it crosses 
the working price of any displayed or non-displayed orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Complex Orders. Complex Orders are defined in Rule 6.62-O(e). The 
Exchange proposes to define Complex Orders for Pillar in proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(f) based on Rule 6.62-O(e) and its sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) 
without any substantive differences. The Exchange proposes to add 
clarifying text that the different options series in a Complex Order 
are also referred to as the ``legs'' or ``components'' of the Complex 
Order. The Exchange also proposes that proposed Rule 6.62P-O(f) would 
provide that a Complex Order would be any order involving the 
simultaneous purchase and/or sale of ``two or more options series in 
the same underlying security,'' and not use the modifier ``different'' 
before the phrase ``more option series.'' The Exchange believes that 
the word ``different'' is redundant and unnecessary in this context. In 
addition, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(f)(1) and (2) would not reference mini-
options contracts, which no longer trade on the Exchange.
    Cross Orders. Currently, the only electronically-entered cross 
orders available on the Exchange are Qualified Contingent Cross Orders, 
which are

[[Page 55952]]

defined in Rule 6.62-O(bb) and Commentary .02 to Rule 6.62-O. In 
addition, Rule 6.90-O describes how Qualified Contingent Cross Orders 
are processed. The Exchange proposes to define the term ``Cross 
Orders'' on Pillar in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g). At this time, the only 
Cross Orders that would be available on Pillar for electronic entry 
would be Qualified Contingent Cross (``QCC'') Orders. As proposed, QCC 
Orders on Pillar would function identically to how Qualified Contingent 
Cross Orders function on the OX system, and for purposes of the rules 
governing trading on Pillar, the Exchange proposes to merge language 
from two rules relating to QCC Orders into a single rule, proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(g), using Pillar terminology and functionality as described 
below. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g), (g)(1), and (g)(2) would describe 
rules generally applicable to electronically-entered Cross Orders and 
Complex Cross Orders and followed by more specific rules applicable to 
QCC, and Complex QCC, Orders in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(3).
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g) would provide that ``Cross Orders'' would 
be two-sided order messages with instructions to match the identified 
buy-side with the identified sell-side at a specified price, which 
could either be designated as a limit price or at the market (``cross 
price'').\99\ The proposed rule would further provide that a Cross 
Order that is not rejected per proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1) or (2) would 
immediately trade in full at its cross price, would not route, and may 
be entered with an MPV of $0.01 regardless of the MPV of the options 
series and that Cross Orders may be entered by Floor Brokers from the 
Trading Floor or routed to the Exchange from off-Floor. This proposed 
rule is consistent with current Rule 6.90-O, which provides that 
Qualified Contingent Cross Orders are automatically executed upon entry 
provided that they meet specified criteria. On Pillar, the Exchange 
proposes to specify those criteria in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1), 
described below. Finally, the proposed Rule would provide that Rule 
6.47A-O (related to exposure of orders on the Exchange) does not apply 
to Cross Orders, which text is substantively identical to Commentary 
.03 to current Rule 6.90-O.\100\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \99\ The Exchange does not currently offer Cross Orders on its 
cash equity market. This proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology 
that is based in part on NYSE Chicago Rule 7.31(g), which likewise 
describes ``cross orders'' as ``[t]wo-sided orders with instructions 
to match the identified buy-side with the identified sell-side at a 
specified price (the `cross price')'', and goes on to describe 
functionality applicable to Cross Orders generally and then specify 
specific types of Cross Orders available on that exchange.
    \100\ Commentary .03 to Rule 6.90-O provides that ``NYSE Arca 
Rule 6.47A-O does not apply to Qualified Contingent Cross Orders.'' 
As noted above, at this time, the Exchange would only be offering 
QCC Cross Orders and therefore the proposed rule is substantively 
the same as this current Commentary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1) would describe general rules relating 
to execution of Single-Leg Cross Orders (which would all be QCC Orders, 
described below) and would provide that a Cross Order with one option 
leg would be rejected if received when the NBBO is crossed or if it 
would be traded at a cross price that (i) is at the same price as a 
displayed Customer order on the Consolidated Book and (ii) is not at or 
between the NBBO. This proposed rule is based on Rule 6.90-O without 
any substantive differences. The Exchange believes that specifying that 
a Cross Order would be rejected when the NBBO is crossed, which is new 
text, provides greater granularity than current Rule 6.90-O(1), which 
provides that ``Qualified Contingent Cross Orders will be automatically 
cancelled if they cannot be executed.'' The other two proposed 
conditions are identical to the current functionality, as specified in 
Rule 6.90-O: That Qualified Contingent Cross Orders are automatically 
executed ``provided that the execution (i) is not at the same price as 
a Customer Order in the Consolidated Book and (ii) is at or between the 
NBBO.''
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1) would further set forth how a Cross 
Order designated to trade at the market would be priced. As proposed, a 
Cross Order with a cross price at the market would execute at the 
midpoint of the NBBO; provided that:
     If there is no NBB, a $0.01 bid would be used (proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1)(A));
     if there is displayed Customer interest priced equal to 
the NBB, NBO or both, the midpoint would be based on the BBO improved 
by $0.01 for the side(s) containing displayed Customer interest 
(proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1)(B));
     if there is no NBO, such order would be rejected (proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1)(C)); or
     if the midpoint of the NBBO is in sub-pennies, the order 
would trade at the midpoint of the NBBO rounded to the nearest MPV for 
the series (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(1)(D)).
    This proposed rule text is designed to promote clarity and 
transparency in Exchange rules regarding how a Cross Order ``at the 
market'' would be processed, including in circumstances when there is 
no NBB or NBO or there is displayed Customer interest equal to the 
NBBO.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(2) would describe how Complex Cross Orders 
would be executed on the Exchange. At this time, the only Complex Cross 
Orders available for options trading on Pillar would be QCC. 
Accordingly, this proposed rule would describe how a Complex Cross 
Order that is QCC would trade. As proposed, a Complex Cross Order must 
include a limit price and would be rejected if:
     It is not priced within the Complex NBBO for the complex 
strategy.\101\ If there is displayed Customer interest on a given leg, 
the Complex NBB (NBO) for that leg would be calculated by increasing 
(decreasing) the NBB (NBO) by one penny ($0.01) and then multiplying by 
the leg ratio. If there is no NBB for a given leg, a $0.01 bid will be 
used to calculate the Complex NBB for that leg (proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(g)(2)(A)). These proposed additional calculations for a Complex NBBO 
would be applicable only when calculating the Complex NBBO for a 
Complex Cross Order. The Exchange believes that the proposed additional 
calculations would address circumstances in which there is no NBB for a 
given leg or if there is displayed Customer interest on a given leg;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \101\ As described in the Complex Pillar Notice, supra, note 13, 
the Exchange has proposed to define the term ``Complex NBBO'' in 
proposed Rule 6.91P-O(a)(4) as ``the derived national best bid and 
derived national best offer for a complex strategy calculated using 
the NBB and NBO for each component leg of a complex strategy.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     either the Complex NBBO or the best-priced Complex Orders 
in the Consolidated Book is crossed (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(2)(B));
     there is displayed Customer interest priced equal to the 
best-priced Complex Order(s) on either side of the market or both (the 
``best-priced complex interest'') and the Complex Cross Order price 
does not improve the best-priced complex interest by $0.01 for the 
side(s) containing displayed Customer interest (proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(g)(2)(C)); or
     there is no NBO for a given leg (proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(g)(2)(D)).
    This proposed rule text is designed to promote clarity and 
transparency in Exchange rules regarding the price requirements for a 
Complex Cross Order, including when there is no NBB or NBO on a given 
leg or there is displayed Customer interest equal to the best-priced 
complex interest and is designed to ensure that a Complex Cross Order 
would not trade ahead of displayed Customer interest.

[[Page 55953]]

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(3) would define QCC Orders, which would be 
the only electronic Cross Orders available on Pillar at this time. As 
proposed, a QCC Order must be comprised of an originating order to buy 
or sell at least 1,000 contracts that is identified as being part of a 
qualified contingent trade coupled with a contra-side order or orders 
totaling an equal number of contracts. This proposed rule text is based 
on Rule 6.62-O(bb) with a non-substantive difference that the Pillar 
rule would not reference mini-options contracts, which no longer trade 
on the Exchange. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(3) would also specify that if 
a QCC has more than one option leg (a ``Complex QCC Order''), each 
option leg must have at least 1,000 contracts, which is consistent with 
existing functionality. As described above, a Complex QCC Order must 
meet the requirements of proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(2) before it can be 
executed. In addition, Complex Cross Orders, including Complex QCCs, 
are available for options trading on other options exchanges, and 
therefore are not novel.\102\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \102\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.6(c) (setting forth operation of 
Complex QCC Orders) and Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE'') Section 12(d) 
(same).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(3)(A) and subparagraphs (i)-(vi) would 
define a ``qualified contingent trade'' as a transaction consisting of 
two or more component orders, executed as agent or principal, where 
specified requirements are also met and uses the same text as currently 
set forth in Commentary .02 and sub-paragraphs (a)-(f) to Rule 6.62-O 
without any differences.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(3)(B) would specify rules governing QCC 
Orders entered from the Trading Floor, which can be entered only by 
Floor Brokers,\103\ and is based on Commentary .01 to Rule 6.90-O 
without any substantive differences.\104\ The Exchange proposes textual 
changes as compared to the current Rule that are not designed to change 
the substance of the Rule, but to instead promote clarity and 
transparency. The proposed rule would provide that while on the Trading 
Floor, only Floor Brokers can enter QCC Orders and that Floor Brokers 
may not enter QCC Orders for their own account, the account of an 
associated person, or an account with respect to which it or an 
associated person thereof exercises investment discretion (each a 
``prohibited account''). As further proposed, when executing such 
orders, Floor Brokers would not be subject to Rule 6.47-O regarding 
``Crossing'' orders. Floor Brokers must maintain books and records 
demonstrating that each QCC Order entered from the Floor was not 
entered for a prohibited account. Any QCC Order entered from the Floor 
that does not have a corresponding record required by this paragraph 
would be deemed to have been entered for a prohibited account in 
violation of this Rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \103\ An options Floor Broker is ``an individual (either an OTP 
Holder or OTP Firm or a nominee of an OTP Holder or OTP Firm) who is 
registered with the Exchange for the purpose, while on the Exchange 
Floor, of accepting and executing option orders.'' See Rule 6.43-
O(a).
    \104\ Commentary .01 to Rule 6.90-O provides: ``Qualified 
Contingent Cross Orders can be entered into the NYSE Arca System 
from on the Floor of the Exchange only by Floor Brokers. Floor 
Brokers shall not enter such orders for their own account, the 
account of an associated person, or an account with respect to which 
it or an associated person thereof exercises investment discretion 
(each a `prohibited account'). When executing such orders, Floor 
Brokers shall not be subject to NYSE Arca Rule 6.47-O. Floor Brokers 
must maintain books and records demonstrating that each Qualified 
Contingent Cross Order entered from the Floor was not entered for a 
prohibited account. Any Qualified Contingent Cross Order entered 
from the Floor that does not have a corresponding record required by 
this Commentary .01 shall be deemed to have been entered for a 
prohibited account in violation of this Rule.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(g)(3)(C) would specify rules governing QCC 
Orders entered off-Floor and that OTP Holders must maintain books and 
records demonstrating that each such order was so routed. This proposed 
rule is based on Commentary .02 to Rule 6.90-O without any substantive 
differences.\105\ The Exchange proposes textual differences as compared 
to the current Rule that are not designed to change the substance of 
the Rule, but instead promote clarity and transparency.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \105\ Commentary .02 to Rule 6.90-O provides: ``With respect to 
a Qualified Contingent Cross Order that was routed to the NYSE Arca 
System from off of the Floor, OTP Holders must maintain books and 
records demonstrating that each such order was routed to the system 
from off of the Floor. This provision would not apply to a Qualified 
Contingent Cross Order covered by Commentary .01 to this NYSE Arca 
Rule 6.90-O (i.e., a Qualified Contingent Cross Order routed to a 
Floor Broker for entry into the NYSE Arca System).'' The Exchange 
does not propose to include the last sentence of this Commentary in 
the proposed Pillar rule because the Exchange does not believe it is 
necessary to specify that Floor Brokers that enter orders 
electronically are subject to rules relating to electronic order 
entry as opposed to rules governing open outcry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with adding QCC to proposed Rule 6.62P-O, the 
Exchange proposes to add the following preamble to Rule 6.90-O: ``This 
Rule is not applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble 
is designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that 
Rule 6.90-O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
    Orders Available Only in Open Outcry. The Exchange proposes to add 
to Rule 6.62P-O(h) orders that are available only in open outcry, most 
of which are currently defined in Rule 6.62-O.
    First, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1) would codify an existing order 
type, the Clear-the-Book (``CTB'') Order, which is currently described 
only in a Regulatory Bulletin.\106\ The proposed definition would 
describe the CTB Order, which would be an order type available in open 
outcry that would interface with the Consolidated Book, and therefore 
with Pillar. As proposed, a CTB Order would be a Limit IOC Order that 
may be entered only by a Floor Broker, contemporaneous with executing 
an order in open outcry, that is approved by a Trading Official (the 
``TO Approval''). The CTB Order would be eligible to trade only with 
contra-side orders and quotes that were resting in the Consolidated 
Book prior to the TO Approval. In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(h)(1)(A)-(C) would provide that:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \106\ See NYSE Arca Options RB-16-04, dated February 19, 2016 
(Rules of Priority and Order Protection in Open Outcry), available 
here: https://www.nyse.com/publicdocs/nyse/markets/arca-options/rule-interpretations/2016/NYSE%20Arca%20Options%20RB%2016-04.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     A CTB Order to buy (sell) would trade with contra-side 
orders and quotes with a display price below (above) the limit price of 
the CTB Order (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1)(A));
     A CTB Order to buy (sell) would trade with contra-side 
orders and quotes that have a display price and working price equal to 
the limit price of the CTB Order only if there is displayed Customer 
sell (buy) interest at that price, in which case, the CTB Order to buy 
(sell) would trade with the displayed Customer interest to sell (buy) 
and any non-Customer interest to sell (buy) with a working time earlier 
than the latest-arriving displayed Customer interest to sell (buy) 
(proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1)(B)); and
     Any unexecuted portion of the CTB Order would cancel after 
trading with all better-priced interest and eligible same-priced 
interest on the Consolidated Book (proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1)(C)).
    Currently, CTB Orders only trade with displayed Customer interest 
and any same-priced displayed non-Customer interest ranked ahead of 
such interest in time priority, but do not trade with better-priced 
displayed non-Customer interest. In Pillar, per Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1)(B), 
CTB Orders would trade with displayed non-Customer interest priced 
better than the latest-arriving displayed Customer interest (i.e., a 
CTB order buying with a $1.00 limit would

[[Page 55954]]

now trade with any displayed interest offered at $0.99). Because Floor 
Brokers have an obligation to satisfy better-priced interest on the 
Consolidated Book, the Exchange believes this proposed change to 
automate such priority would make it easier for Floor Brokers to comply 
with Exchange priority rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that 
this proposed change would increase execution opportunities and achieve 
the goal of a CTB Order, which is to clear priority on the Consolidated 
Book at the time of the TO Approval.
    In addition, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(1)(D) would codify existing 
regulatory responsibilities of Floor Brokers utilizing CTB Orders to 
submit such orders in a timely manner after receiving TO Approval and 
would also provide that because CTB Orders are non-routable (and thus 
ineligible to clear Protected Quotations), Floor Brokers would still be 
obligated to route eligible orders to better-priced interest on Away 
Markets per Rule 6.94-O.\107\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \107\ See id. at p. 2-3 (describing regulatory responsibilities 
related to CTB Orders, including that it is the Floor Broker's 
responsibility to comply with the terms of the Options Order 
Protection and Locked/Crossed Market Plan, including by sending ISOs 
to trade with Protected Quotes).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes to include in Rule 6.62P-O additional 
open outcry order types that are currently defined in Rule 6.62-O:
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(2) would define ``Facilitation 
Order'' and is based on the Rule 6.62-O(j) definition of Facilitation 
Order without any differences.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(3) would define ``Mid-Point 
Crossing Order'' and is based on the Rule 6.62-O(q) definition of Mid-
Point Crossing Order without any differences.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(4) would define ``Not Held 
Order'' and is based on the Rule 6.62-O(f) definition of Not Held Order 
without any differences.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(5) would define ``Single Stock 
Future (``SSF'')/Option Order'' and is based on the Rule 6.62-O(i) 
definition of Single Stock Future (``SSF'')/Option Order without any 
differences.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(6)(A) would define a ``Stock/
Option Order'' and is based on the Rule 6.62-O(h)(1) definition of 
Stock/Option Order without any differences.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(h)(6)(B) and subparagraphs (i) and 
(ii) would define a ``Stock/Complex Order'' and is based on the Rule 
6.62-O(h)(2) definition of Stock/Complex Order with its sub-paragraphs 
without any differences.
    The Exchange proposes that after the transition to Pillar, the 
following open outcry order types, which are currently described in 
Rule 6.62-O but are not used by Floor Brokers, would not be added to 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O governing orders and modifiers: One cancels the 
other (OCO) Order and Stock Contingency Order.
    Additional Order Instructions and Modifiers. The Exchange proposes 
to specify the additional order instructions and modifiers that would 
be available in Pillar in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i).
    Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier. Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(1) 
would provide that a Limit Order that is displayed and eligible to 
route and designated with a Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier would 
route to an Away Market if the Away Market locks or crosses the display 
price of the order and that if any quantity of the routed order is 
returned unexecuted, the order would be displayed in the Consolidated 
Book. This would be new functionality for options trading on the 
Exchange and is based on the Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier 
available on the Exchange's cash equity platform, as described in Rule 
7.31-E(i)(1) without any differences. The Exchange believes that 
offering this as an optional modifier for Limit Orders would provide 
OTP Holders and OTP Firms with additional flexibility to designate a 
resting displayed order to route if it becomes locked or crossed by an 
Away Market.
    Self-Trade Prevention (``STP'') Modifier. Self-Trade Prevention 
(``STP'') Modifiers are currently defined in Commentary .01 to Rule 
6.76A-O and are available only for Market Maker orders and quotes. On 
Pillar, the Exchange proposes to expand the availability of STP to all 
orders and quotes to offer this protection to trading interest of all 
OTP Holders and OTP Firms, not just Market Makers. The Exchange 
believes this expansion is appropriate because it would facilitate 
market participants' compliance and risk management by assisting them 
in avoiding unintentional wash-sale trading. Because STP Modifiers are 
an instruction that can be added to an order or quote, the Exchange 
proposes that for Pillar, STP Modifiers would be described in proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2). This is based on the structure of the Exchange's 
cash equity rules, which also describe the STP Modifier in Rule 7.31-
E(i), which is available to all market participants.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2) would provide that an Aggressing Order 
or Aggressing Quote to buy (sell) designated with one of the STP 
modifiers in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2) would be prevented from 
trading with a resting order or quote to sell (buy) also designated 
with an STP modifier from the same MPID, and, if specified, any sub-
identifier of that MPID and that the STP modifier on the Aggressing 
Order or Aggressing Quote would control the interaction between two 
orders and/or quotes marked with STP modifiers. In addition, STP would 
not be applicable during an Auction or to Cross Orders or when a 
Complex Order legs out. This proposed rule text is based on Commentary 
.01 to Rule 6.76A with non-substantive differences to use Pillar 
terminology.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2) would further provide that if the 
condition for a Limit Order designated FOK, an AON Order, or an 
arriving order with an MTS modifier designated under proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(i)(3)(B)(i) (described below) cannot be met because of STP 
modifiers, such order would either be cancelled or placed on the 
Consolidated Book, as applicable. This functionality would be new on 
Pillar and reflects that for order types that must trade a specified 
quantity (either in full or a specified minimum quantity) and could 
trade with multiple contra-side orders to meet that size requirement, 
such order types would not be compatible with applying STP, which 
examines a one-on-one relationship between two interacting orders. This 
proposed rule text provides clarity that if a condition of an order 
cannot be met because of STP modifiers, the order would either cancel 
(i.e., a Limit Order designated FOK), or be added to the Consolidated 
Book (i.e., an AON Order or an order with an MTS modifier), and then 
such resting orders would function as described in Rule 6.62P-O.
    The proposed rule would further provide that Aggressing Orders or 
Aggressing Quotes would be processed as follows:
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2)(A) would describe STP Cancel 
Newest (``STPN'') and provide that an Aggressing Order or Aggressing 
Quote to buy (sell) marked with the STPN modifier would not trade with 
resting interest to sell (buy) marked with any STP modifier from the 
same MPID; that the Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote marked with 
the STPN modifier would be cancelled; and that the resting order or 
quote marked with one of the STP modifiers would remain on the 
Consolidated Book. This proposed rule is based on Commentary .01(a) to 
Rule 6.76A-O with non-substantive differences to use Pillar 
terminology.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2)(B) would describe STP Cancel 
Oldest (``STPO'') and provide that an

[[Page 55955]]

Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to buy (sell) marked with the STPO 
modifier would not trade with resting interest to sell (buy) marked 
with any STP modifier from the same MPID; that the resting order or 
quote marked with the STP modifier would be cancelled; and that the 
Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote marked with the STPO modifier 
would be placed on the Consolidated Book. This proposed rule is based 
on Commentary .01(b) to Rule 6.76A-O with non-substantive differences 
to use Pillar terminology.
     Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(2)(C) would describe STP Cancel 
Both (``STPC'') and provide that an Aggressing Order or Aggressing 
Quote to buy (sell) marked with the STPC modifier would not trade with 
resting interest to sell (buy) marked with any STP modifier from the 
same MPID and that the entire size of both orders and/or quotes would 
be cancelled. This proposed rule is based on Commentary .01(c) to Rule 
6.76A-O with non-substantive differences to use Pillar terminology.
    Minimum Trade Size Modifier. The Exchange proposes to add the 
Minimum Trade Size (``MTS'') Modifier, which would be new functionality 
for options trading on Pillar that is based on the same functionality 
currently available for cash equity securities trading on Pillar, as 
described in Rule 7.31-E(i)(3). The Exchange proposes to provide this 
modifier for options trading to provide OTP Firms and OTP Holders with 
more features with respect to order handling. The proposed MTS Modifier 
is similar in concept to both FOK and AON, which are currently 
available for options trading. With the MTS Modifier, an OTP Holder or 
OTP Firm would have greater flexibility to designate a size smaller 
than the entire quantity (which is current FOK and AON functionality) 
as a condition for execution. The Exchange notes that the use of an MTS 
Modifier is not new or novel to options trading.\108\ As with the MTS 
Modifier for cash equity trading, the proposed MTS Modifier for options 
traded on Pillar would be available only for non-displayed orders. 
Accordingly, proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3) would provide that a Limit IOC 
Order or Non-Displayed Limit Order may be designated with an MTS 
Modifier.\109\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \108\ See, e.g., Nasdaq Options 3, Section 7(a)(3)(B) 
(describing ``Minimum Quantity Order'' as ``an order that requires 
that a specified minimum quantity of contracts be obtained, or the 
order is cancelled'').
    \109\ For cash equity trading, the MTS Modifier is also 
available for an MPL Order or Tracking Order, which are non-
displayed order types available on the Exchange's cash equity 
trading platform that would not be available for options trading on 
Pillar. See Rule 7.31-E(i)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3)(A) would provide that the quantity of 
the MTS Modifier may be less than the order quantity; however, an order 
would be rejected if it has an MTS Modifier quantity that is larger 
than the size of the order. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31-
E(i)(3)(A) with differences only to reflect that the concept of a round 
lot is not applicable for options trading.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3)(B) would provide that one of the 
following instructions must be specified with respect to whether an 
order to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier would trade on arrival with: 
(i) Orders or quotes to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book that in the 
aggregate meet such order's MTS; or (ii) only individual order(s) or 
quote(s) to sell (buy) in the Consolidated Book that each meets such 
order's MTS. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31-E(i)(3)(B) and 
sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) with only non-substantive differences to 
use options trading terminology (e.g., Consolidated Book instead of 
NYSE Arca Book and reference to quotes). Otherwise, the functionality 
would be identical on both the options and cash equity trading 
platforms.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3)(C) would provide that an order with an 
MTS Modifier that is designated Day or GTC that cannot be executed 
immediately on arrival would not trade and would be ranked in the 
Consolidated Book. In such case, the order to buy (sell) with an MTS 
Modifier to buy (sell) that is ranked in the Consolidated Book would 
not be eligible to trade: (i) At a price equal to or above (below) any 
orders or quotes to sell (buy) that are displayed at a price equal to 
or below (above) the working price of such order with an MTS Modifier; 
or (ii) at a price above (below) any orders or quotes to sell (buy) 
that are not displayed and that have a working price below (above) the 
working price of such order with an MTS Modifier. This proposed rule is 
based on Rule 7.31-E(i)(3)(C) and sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) with only 
non-substantive differences to use options trading terminology and to 
reflect the availability of the GTC time-in-force modifier for Non-
Displayed Limit Orders. Otherwise, the functionality would be identical 
on both the options and cash equity trading platforms.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3)(D) would provide that an order with an 
MTS Modifier that is designated IOC and cannot be immediately executed 
would be cancelled. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31-E(i)(3)(D) 
without any differences and the functionality would be identical on 
both the options and cash equity trading platforms.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3)(E) would provide that a resting order 
to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier would trade with individual orders 
and quotes to sell (buy) that each meet the MTS and that (i) if an 
Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote to sell (buy) does not meet the 
MTS of the resting order to buy (sell) with an MTS Modifier, that 
Aggressing Order or Aggressing Quote would not trade with, and may 
trade, through such resting order with an MTS Modifier; and (ii) if a 
resting non-displayed order or quote to sell (buy) did not meet the MTS 
of a same-priced resting order or quote to buy (sell) with an MTS 
Modifier, a subsequently arriving order or quote to sell (buy) that 
meets the MTS would trade before such resting non-displayed order or 
quote to sell (buy) at that price. This proposed rule is based on Rule 
7.31-E(i)(3)(E) and sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) with only non-
substantive differences to use options trading terminology (i.e., 
refers to an order trading with contra-side quotes). Otherwise, the 
proposed functionality would be identical on both the options and cash 
equity trading platforms.
    Proposed Rule 6.62P-O(i)(3)(F) would provide that a resting order 
with an MTS Modifier would be cancelled if it is traded in part or 
reduced in size and the remaining quantity is less than such order's 
MTS. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.31-E(i)(3)(F) without any 
differences and the functionality would be identical on both the 
options and cash equity trading platforms.
    In connection with proposed Rule 6.62P-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.62-O: ``This Rule is not 
applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed 
to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.62-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.37AP-O: Market Maker Quotations
    Current Rule 6.37A-O describes Market Maker quoting obligations, 
including defining ``quotations,'' describing the treatment of such 
quotations, and specifying Market Maker and LMM quoting obligations. 
Proposed Rule 6.37AP-O would set forth Market Maker quoting obligations 
under Pillar.
    As with current functionality, on Pillar, the Exchange would 
provide Market Makers with the ability to designate bids and offers as 
quotations, which is unique to options trading and not applicable to 
cash equity trading.

[[Page 55956]]

Currently, the Exchange offers designated ``quotation'' types to Market 
Makers, which are described in Rule 6.37A-O(a)(3).\110\ With Pillar, 
the Exchange is proposing to modify how a Market Maker would be able to 
send bids and offers as quotations and would no longer need to offer 
distinct ``quotation'' types to identify Market Marker quotations. 
Instead, and as discussed in more detail below, with Pillar, the 
Exchange proposes that Market Makers would be able to designate 
specified ``order'' types as quotations. If designated as a quotation, 
such bids and offers would be displayed, traded, repriced, or cancelled 
as described in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e), discussed above. In addition, 
if designated as a quotation, such bids or offers would be identifiable 
to the Exchange as ``quotations,'' subject to the Market Maker and LMM 
requirements relating to quotations. If a Market Maker does not choose 
to designate a bid or offer as a quotation, such bid or offer would be 
processed as an ``order'' rather than as a ``quote.'' \111\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \110\ As described in Rule 6.37A-O(a)(3)(A)-(C), a Market Maker 
may designate a quote as Market Maker-Light Only Quotation 
(``MMLO''), Market Maker--Add Liquidity Only Quotation (``MMALO''), 
and Market Maker--Repricing Quotation (``MMRP'').
    \111\ For example, a Market Maker could choose to designate a 
Non-Routable Limit Order as either a quote or as an order, which is 
consistent with current Rule 6.37B-O, which provides that a Market 
Maker may enter all order types permitted to be entered by Users 
under the Rules to buy or sell options in all classes of options 
listed on the Exchange. Accordingly, the proposed Rule is not 
materially different for Market Makers because they currently can 
choose to send as Market Maker orders the order types described in 
current Rule 6.62-O, including, for example, RPNP, RALO, PNP-Blind 
Order, and PNP Light Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Rule 6.37AP-O(a) would be based on current Rule 6.37A-O(a) 
and would provide that a Market Maker may send quotations only in the 
issues included in its appointment. This functionality would not be new 
and the Exchange proposes one difference from the current Rule to use 
the term ``send'' rather than ``enter.''
     Proposed Rule 6.37AP-O(a)(1) would provide that the term 
``quote'' or ``quotation'' means ``a bid or offer sent by a Market 
Maker that is not sent as an order'' and that ``[o]nce received by the 
Exchange, a subsequent quotation sent by a Market Maker replaces that 
Market Maker's previously displayed same-side quotation.'' This 
proposed Rule is similar to current Rule 6.37A-O(a)(1), which provides 
that ``[t]he term `quote' or `quotation' means a bid or offer entered 
by a Market Maker that updates the Market Maker's previous bid or 
offer, if any.'' The Exchange proposes textual differences to use the 
terms ``sent'' and ``received'' instead of ``entered.'' In addition, 
because of the proposed Pillar implementation regarding how a Market 
Maker may designate a quote (i.e., as a Non-Routable Limit Order or ALO 
Order as described herein and below), the Exchange proposes a 
difference from the current Rule to provide that a quote is a bid or 
offer not designated as an order. The second sentence of proposed Rule 
6.37A-O(a)(1) would provide greater granularity and make clear that the 
Exchange would accept multiple quotations from a Market Maker and that 
any subsequent quote would cancel an existing displayed same-side 
quote. This proposed text is consistent with the current Rule, which 
provides that a Market Maker quotation updates a Market Marker's 
previous bid or offer.
     Proposed Rule 6.37AP-O(a)(2) would provide that a Market 
Maker may designate either a Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order 
as a quote and such quotes would be processed as described in proposed 
Rule 6.62P-O.\112\ On Pillar, the Exchange would not offer the existing 
quote types (i.e., MMLO, MMALO and MMRP). Because proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(e)(1) and (2), described above, would set forth the treatment of a 
Non-Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order designated as a quote, the 
Exchange will not include a (duplicative) section in proposed Rule 
6.37AP-O regarding the treatment of such quotes. As noted above 
regarding proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e), the Exchange believes that allowing 
quotes to be designated as one of two orders types (i.e., Non-Routable 
Limit or ALO) would streamline the rules by consolidating into one rule 
the description of the proposed quote/order behavior and therefore 
obviate the need to separately describe the same functionality in two 
rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \112\ See discussion supra regarding proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(1) 
and (2), Non-Routable Limit Order and ALO Orders, respectively, 
being available as quote types and how such orders compare to the 
existing MMLO, MMRP, and MMALO quotation functionality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.37AP-O(b)-(e) would be substantively 
identical to current Rule 6.37A-O(b)-(e) with non-substantive 
differences to change the term ``shall'' to ``will,'' which is a 
stylistic preference that would add consistency to Exchange rules. 
Proposed Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37AP-O would be substantively 
identical to Commentary .01 to Rule 6.37A-O, with non-substantive 
differences to streamline the rule text.
    The Exchange also proposes a non-substantive change to paragraph 
(b) of Rule 6.65A-O (Limit-Up and Limit-Down During Extraordinary 
Market Volatility) to correct a cross reference to Market Maker quoting 
obligations as set forth in Rule 6.37AP-O(b) and (c). Current Rule 
6.65A(b) erroneously cross-references Rule 6.37B-O(b) and (c).
    In connection with proposed Rule 6.37AP-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.37A-O: ``This Rule is not 
applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed 
to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.37A-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.40P-O: Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls
    For the OX system, current Rule 6.40-O sets forth the activity-
based Risk Limitation Mechanisms for orders and quotes, which are 
designed to help OTP Holders and OTP Firms effectively manage risk 
during periods of increased and significant trading activity. With the 
transition to Pillar, the Exchange proposes to incorporate new risk 
control functionality that is based on both existing activity-based 
risk controls for options and pre-trade risk controls that are 
available on the Exchange's cash equity platform. Proposed Rule 6.40P-O 
would describe the activity-based controls with updated functionality 
under Pillar and would also describe new optional pre-trade risk 
controls that are based on pre-trade risk controls available on the 
Exchange's cash equity platform, as described in Rule 7.19-E, with 
proposed differences to reference quotes and proposed new Pillar 
functionality. The Exchange believes that adding pre-trade risk 
controls (together with the enhanced activity-based controls) for 
options trading, as described below, would provide greater flexibility 
to OTP Holders and OTP Firms in establishing risk controls to align 
with their risk tolerance for both orders and quotes.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(a) would set forth the following definitions 
that would be used for purposes of the Rule:
     The term ``Entering Firm'' would mean an OTP Holder or OTP 
Firm (including those acting as Market Makers) (proposed Rule 6.40P-
O(a)(1)). This proposed definition is based in part on the definition 
of ``Entering Firm'' in Rule 7.19-E(a)(1) and the Exchange believes 
that the addition of this term would add clarity to the proposed rule 
by using a single, defined term to describe which entities, including 
Market Makers, could avail themselves of the proposed pre-trade risk 
controls.

[[Page 55957]]

     The term ``Pre-Trade Risk Controls'' would refer to two 
optional limits that an Entering Firm may utilize with respect to its 
trading activity on the Exchange (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(a)(2)). These 
controls would be the ``Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk 
Limit'' and the ``Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit.'' The 
proposed Pre-Trade Controls are based on the substantially identical 
risk controls available on the Exchange's cash equity market, as 
described in Rules 7.19-E(a)(3) and (4), respectively, but differ in 
that the proposed rule would also apply to quotes, which are unique to 
options trading, and specifies the treatment of orders designated GTC, 
which are available for options trading but are not offered on the 
Exchange's cash equity market.
    [cir] The term ``Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit'' 
would refer to a pre-established maximum dollar amount for a single 
order or quote to be applied one time (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(a)(2)(A)). 
This definition would also provide that orders designated GTC would be 
subject to this pre-trade risk control only once.
    [cir] The term ``Single Order Maximum Quantity Risk Limit'' would 
refer to a pre-established maximum number of contracts that may be 
included in a single order or quote before it can be traded (proposed 
Rule 6.40P-O(a)(2)(B)). This definition would also provide that orders 
designated GTC would be subject to this pre-trade risk control only 
once.
     The term ``Activity-Based Risk Controls'' would refer to 
three activity-based risk limits that an Entering Firm may apply to its 
orders and quotes in an options class based on specified thresholds 
measured over the course of an Interval (to be defined below) (proposed 
Rule 6.40P-O(a)(3)). The proposed Activity-Based Risk Controls are 
based on the substantially identical risk controls set forth in current 
Rule 6.40-O(b)-(d), except that on Pillar, a Market Maker's orders and 
quotes would be aggregated and applied towards each risk limit (as 
opposed to current functionality, where a Market Maker's orders and 
quotes are counted separately). The Exchange believes that aggregating 
a Market Maker's quotes and orders for purposes of calculating 
activity-based risk controls would better reflect the aggregate risk 
that a Market Maker has with respect to its quotes and orders.
    [cir] The term ``Transaction-Based Risk Limit'' would refer to a 
pre-established limit on the number of an Entering Firm's orders and 
quotes executed in a specified class of options per Interval (proposed 
Rule 6.40P-O(a)(3)(A)). This risk control is based on the substantially 
identical risk control set forth in current Rule 6.40-O(b), with the 
difference described above that a Market Maker's orders and quotes 
would be aggregated.
    [cir] The term ``Volume-Based Risk Limit'' would refer to a pre-
established limit on the number of contracts of an Entering Firm's 
orders and quotes that could be executed in a specified class of 
options per Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(a)(3)(B)). This risk 
control is based on the substantially identical risk control set forth 
in current Rule 6.40-O(c), with the difference described above that a 
Market Maker's orders and quotes would be aggregated.
    [cir] The term ``Percentage-Based Risk Limit'' would refer to a 
pre-established limit on the percentage of contracts executed in a 
specified class of options as measured against the full size of such 
Entering Firm's orders and quotes executed per Interval (proposed Rule 
6.40P-O(a)(3)(C)). The proposed definition would also provide that to 
determine whether an Entering Firm has breached the specified 
percentage limit, the Exchange would calculate the percent of each 
order or quote in a specified class of option that is executed during 
an Interval (each, a ``percentage''), and sum up those percentages. As 
further proposed, this definition would state that this risk limit 
would be breached if the sum of the percentages exceeds the pre-
established limit. This risk control is based on the substantially 
identical risk control set forth in current Rule 6.40-O(d), with the 
difference described above that a Market Maker's orders and quotes 
would be aggregated.
     The term ``Global Risk Control'' would refer to a pre-
established limit on the number of times an Entering Firm may breach 
its Activity-Based Risk Controls per Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P-
O(a)(4)). This proposed definition is based on the substantially 
identical functionality set forth in current Rule 6.40-O(f).
     The term ``Interval'' would refer to the configurable time 
period during which the Exchange would determine if an Activity-Based 
Risk Control or the Global Risk Control has been breached (proposed 
Rule 6.40P-O(a)(5)). This proposed definition is consistent with 
current Rule 6.40-O, which contains references throughout to a ``time 
period'' during which the Exchange will determine whether a breach has 
occurred. The Exchange believes this proposed definition would add 
clarity and transparency to Exchange rules.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(b) would set forth how the Pre-Trade, 
Activity-Based and Global Risk Controls could be set or adjusted. 
Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(b)(1) would provide that these risk controls may 
be set before the beginning of a trading day and may be adjusted during 
the trading day. Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(b)(2) would provide that 
Entering Firms may set these risk controls at the MPID level or at one 
or more sub-IDs associated with that MPID, or both. Proposed Rule 
6.40P-O(b) is based on Rule 7.19-E(b)(3)(A)-(B) but differs in that the 
proposed rule would incorporate the existing options-based Activity-
Based and Global Risk Controls in addition to the (new for options 
trading) Pre-Trade Risk Controls currently available on the Exchange's 
cash equity platform. The Exchange notes that the Activity-Based and 
Global Risk Controls are unique to the options market and, at this 
time, the Exchange's cash equities platform does not offer analogous 
controls.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c) would set forth the Automated Breach 
Actions that the Exchange would take if a designated risk limit is 
breached. Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(1)(A)(i)-(ii) would set forth the 
automated breach actions for the Pre-Trade Risk Controls.
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(1)(A)(i) would provide that a 
Limit Order or quote that breaches the designated limit of either a 
Single Order Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit or Single Order Maximum 
Quantity Risk Limit would be rejected.
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(1)(A)(ii) would provide that a 
Market Order that breaches the designated limit of a Single Order 
Maximum Quantity Risk Limit would be rejected. The proposed rule would 
also provide that a Market Order that breaches the designated limit of 
a Single Order Notional Value Risk Limit would be rejected if the order 
arrived during continuous trading or canceled if the order was received 
during a pre-open state and the quantity remaining to trade after an 
Auction concludes breaches the designated limit.\113\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \113\ The term ``Auction'' is defined in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(a)(1), described below in the discussion of proposed Rule 6.64P-O, 
to mean the opening or reopening of a series for trading either on a 
trade or quote.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(1)(A)(i)-(ii) is based on Rule 7.19-
E(c)(2) but differs in that it specifies the treatment of Limit Orders 
and Market Orders (the latter having different treatment based on when 
such orders arrive at the Exchange) and expands application of the 
check to include quotes. The Exchange proposes to process Market Orders 
differently because, until a series is opened, the Exchange is not able 
to calculate the Single Order Notional

[[Page 55958]]

Value Risk Limit for a Market Order. Accordingly, this risk limit would 
be applied only after a series opens, at which point, a Market Order 
would be cancelled if it fails the risk limit.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2) would set forth the automated breach 
actions for the Activity-Based Risk Controls.
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(A) would first specify that an 
Entering Firm acting as a Market Maker would be required to apply one 
of the Activity-Based Risk Controls to all of its orders and quotes; 
whereas an Entering Firm that is not acting as a Market Maker would 
have the option, but would not be required, to apply one of the 
Activity-Based Risk Controls to its orders. The requirement that Market 
Makers utilize Activity-Based Risk Controls for all quotes mirrors the 
requirements set forth in Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .04(a); however, the 
proposed rule differs in that it likewise requires Market Makers to 
apply one of the Activity-Based Risk Controls to all of its orders. The 
Exchange believes that requiring that both Market Maker quotes and 
Market Maker orders be subject to one of the Activity-Based Controls 
would enhance Market Makers' ability to assess their total risk 
exposure on the Exchange. The proposed optionality of the Activity-
Based Risk controls for orders sent by an Entering Firm not acting as a 
Marker Maker mirrors current Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .04(b)).
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(B) would provide that to 
determine when an Activity-Based Risk Control has been breached, the 
Exchange would maintain Trade Counters that would be incremented every 
time an order or quote trades, including any leg of a Complex Order, 
and would aggregate the number of contracts traded during each such 
execution. As further proposed, an Entering Firm may opt to exclude any 
orders designated IOC or FOK from being considered by a Trade Counter. 
This is consistent with existing functionality set forth in Rule 6.40-
O(a) and Commentary .07, with a proposed difference to allow an 
Entering Firm to also exclude orders designated FOK, which, like orders 
designated IOC, cancel if not executed on arrival and is based on 
current functionality.\114\ The Exchange believes that specifying that 
orders designated FOK could be excluded from being considered for a 
Trade Counter would add granularity and clarity to Exchange rules. In 
addition, as noted above, a Market Maker's quotes and orders in a given 
option class would be aggregated and therefore the Exchange proposes 
that there would not be separate Trade Counters for a Market Maker's 
quotes and orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \114\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 81717 (September 
25, 2017), 82 FR 45631 (September 29, 2017) (SR-NYSEArca-2017-96) 
(immediately effective filing to exclude IOC Orders from risk 
settings because such exclusion, among other things, would result in 
risk settings that may be better calibrated to suit the needs of 
certain market participants (i.e., those that routinely utilize IOC 
orders to access liquidity on the Exchange)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(C) would provide that each 
Entering Firm must select one of three Automated Breach Actions for the 
Exchange to take should the Entering Firm breach an Activity-Based Risk 
Control.
    [cir] ``Notification Only.'' As set forth in proposed Rule 6.40P-
O(c)(2)(C)(i), if this option is selected, the Exchange would continue 
to accept new order and quote messages and related instructions and 
would not cancel any unexecuted orders or quotes in the Consolidated 
Book. With the ``Notification Only'' action, the Exchange would provide 
such notifications, but would not take any other automated actions with 
respect to new or unexecuted orders. This proposed functionality is not 
currently available for options trading, but is available for breach of 
the Gross Credit Risk Limit on the Exchange's cash equity platform, as 
set forth in Rule 7.19-E(c)(3)(A)(i). The Exchange believes that making 
this Automated Breach Action available to Activity-Based Risk Controls, 
which are unique to options trading, would provide Entering Firms more 
control and flexibility over setting risk tolerance and, as such, over 
how Activity-Based Risk Controls are implemented.
    [cir] ``Block Only.'' As set forth in proposed Rule 6.40P-
O(c)(2)(C)(ii), if this option is selected, the Exchange would reject 
new order and quote messages and related instructions, provided that 
the Exchange would continue to process instructions from the Entering 
Firm to cancel one or more orders or quotes (including Auction-Only 
Orders) in full. The proposed rule would also provide that the Exchange 
would follow any instructions specified in paragraph (e) of the 
proposed Rule (and described below). This proposed functionality is not 
currently available for options trading under current Rule 6.40-O, but 
is available for breach of the Gross Credit Risk Limit on the 
Exchange's cash equity platform, as set forth in Rule 7.19-
E(c)(3)(A)(ii). The Exchange believes that making this Automated Breach 
Action available to Activity-Based Risk Controls, which are unique to 
options trading, would provide Entering Firms more control and 
flexibility over setting risk tolerance and, as such, over how 
Activity-Based Risk Controls are implemented.
    [cir] ``Cancel and Block.'' As set forth in proposed Rule 6.40P-
O(c)(2)(C)(iii), if this option is selected, in addition to the Block 
actions described above, the Exchange would also cancel all unexecuted 
orders and quotes in the Consolidated Book other than Auction-Only 
Orders and orders designated GTC. This proposed Cancel and Block 
functionality is substantially similar to the automated breach action 
taken by the Exchange per current Rule 6.40-O(e) and Commentaries .01 
and .02 thereto, except that under the current rules, this is default 
(not optional) functionality. Additionally, this proposed functionality 
is substantially identical to the Cancel and Block option set forth in 
Rule 7.19-E(c)(3)(A)(iii), which is available for breach of the Gross 
Credit Risk Limit on the Exchange's cash equity platform. The Exchange 
believes that making this Automated Breach Action available to respond 
to a breach of Activity-Based Risk Controls, which are unique to 
options trading, would provide Entering Firms more control and 
flexibility over setting risk tolerance and, as such, over how 
Activity-Based Risk Controls are implemented.
     Finally, proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(D) would provide that 
if an Entering Firm breaches an Activity-Based Risk Control, the 
Automated Breach Action selected would be applied to its orders and 
quotes in the affected class of options. This proposed action is 
consistent with current Rule 6.40-O(e) and Commentaries .01 and .02 
thereto, which provide that, upon a breach, the Exchange will cancel 
existing and suspend new orders and quotes trading in the affected 
class.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(E) would provide that the Exchange 
would specify by Trader Update any applicable minimum, maximum and/or 
default settings for the Activity-Based Risk Controls, subject to the 
following:
     For the Transaction-Based Risk Limit, the minimum setting 
would not be less than one and the maximum setting would not be more 
than 2,000 (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(E)(i)), which settings are 
identical to the Exchange-determined settings provided under current 
Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .03.
     For the Volume-Based Risk Limit, the minimum setting would 
not be less than one and the maximum setting would not be more than 
500,000 (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(E)(ii)), which settings are 
identical to the Exchange-determined settings provided under current 
Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .03.

[[Page 55959]]

     For the Percentage-Based Risk Limit, the minimum setting 
would not be less than 50 and the maximum setting would not be more 
than 200,000 (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(E)(iii)), which maximum 
setting is the same as the minimum Exchange-determined setting set 
forth in current Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .03. The Exchange proposes to 
increase the minimum setting from less than one (in current rule) to 
not be less than 50 to better reflect actual practice, because under 
current Rules, there are no OTP Holders or OTP Firms that have set 
their Percentage-Based Risk Limits below 50.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(F) would provide that the Exchange 
would specify by Trader Update the Interval for the Activity-Based Risk 
Controls, subject to the following:
     The Interval would not be less than 100 milliseconds and 
would not be greater than 300,000 milliseconds, inclusive of the 
duration of any trading halt occurring within that time (proposed Rule 
6.40P-O(c)(2)(F)(i)), which minimum setting is identical to the 
Exchange-determined minimum set forth in current Rule 6.40-O, 
Commentary .03. Although the current rule does not include a maximum 
time period, the Exchange proposes to include a maximum allowable 
Interval to promote clarity in Exchange rules of the longest time an 
Interval could be.
     For transactions occurring in the Core Open Auction, per 
Rule 6.64P-O, the applicable time period would be the lesser of (i) the 
time between the Core Open Auction of a series and the initial 
transaction or (ii) the Interval (proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(2)(F)(ii)), 
which proposed time period is identical to the timing provided under 
current Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .03.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3) would set forth the automated breach 
actions for the Global Risk Controls set by an Entering Firm.
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3)(A) would provide that if the 
Global Risk Control limit is breached, the Exchange would Cancel and 
Block, per proposed Rule 6.40P(c)(2)(C)(iii), which proposed 
functionality is substantively the same as the functionality provided 
under current Rule 6.40-O, Commentaries .01 (regarding cancellation of 
existing orders) and .02 (regarding block/rejection of new orders).
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3)(B) would provide that if an 
Entering Firm breaches the Global Risk Control, the Automated Breach 
Action would be applied to all orders and quotes of the Entering Firm 
in all classes of options regardless of which class(es) of options 
caused the underlying breach of Activity-Based Risk Controls, which 
proposed functionality is substantively the same as the functionality 
provided (in the last sentence) of current Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .02 
in the event of a breach of current Rule 6.40-O(f) (i.e., breach of 
global risk setting).
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3)(C) would provide that the 
Exchange would specify by Trader Update any applicable minimum, maximum 
and/or default settings for the Global Risk Controls, provided that the 
minimum setting would not be less than 25 and the maximum setting would 
not be more than 100. These proposed settings are based on the 
Exchange-determined setting provided under current rule 6.40-O, 
Commentary .03, except that the current rule allows for a minimum 
setting of one (1) whereas the proposed rule is increasing that minimum 
to twenty-five (25), which the Exchange believes would better reflect 
actual practice, because under current Rules, there are no OTP Holders 
or OTP Firms that have set their Global Risk Controls below 25.
     Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3)(D) would provide that the 
Exchange would specify by Trader Update the Interval for the Global 
Risk Controls, subject to the following:
    [cir] The Interval would not be less than 100 milliseconds and 
would not be greater than 300,000 milliseconds, inclusive of the 
duration of any trading halt occurring within that time, per proposed 
Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3)(D)(i), which minimum setting is identical to the 
Exchange-determined minimum set forth in current Rule 6.40-O, 
Commentary .03. Although the current rule does not include a maximum 
time period, the Exchange proposes to include a maximum allowable 
Interval to allow an outside parameter by which the counters would be 
reset, which would promote transparency in Exchange rules regarding the 
maximum allowable Interval.
    [cir] For transactions occurring in the Core Open Auction, per Rule 
6.64P-O, the applicable time period is the lesser of (i) the time 
between the Core Open Auction of a series and the initial transaction 
or (ii) the Interval, per proposed Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3)(D)(ii), which 
proposed time period is identical to the timing provided under current 
Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .03.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(d) describes how an Entering Firm's ability 
to enter orders, quotes, and related instructions would be reinstated 
after a ``Block Only'' or ``Cancel and Block'' Automated Breach Action 
has been triggered. In such case, proposed Rule 6.40P-O(d) provides 
that the Exchange would not reinstate the Entering Firm's ability to 
enter orders and quotes and related instructions on the Exchange (other 
than instructions to cancel one or more orders or quotes (including 
Auction-Only Orders and orders designated GTC) in full) without the 
consent of the Entering Firm, which may be provided via automated 
contact if it was a breach of an Activity-Based Risk Control. As 
further proposed, an Entering Firm that breaches the Global Risk 
Control would not be reinstated unless the Entering Firm provides 
consent via non-automated contact with the Exchange. This proposed 
functionality is consistent with current Rule 6.40-O, Commentary .02 
regarding the need for an Entering Firm to make automated or non-
automated contact with the Exchange, as applicable, prior to being 
reinstated. Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(d) is also substantively the same as 
the more granular level of risk control under Pillar functionality 
available for cash equity trading per Rule 7.19-E(d), except that the 
proposed rule does not reference Clearing Firms, which feature would 
remain specific to cash-equity trading and not be applied to options 
trading.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(e) would set forth new ``Kill Switch Action'' 
functionality, which would allow an Entering Firm to direct the 
Exchange to take certain bulk cancel or block actions with respect to 
orders and quotes. In contrast to the Automated Breach Actions 
described above, which the Exchange would take automatically after the 
breach of a risk limit, the Exchange would not take any of the Kill 
Switch Actions without express direction from an Entering Firm. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed Kill Switch Action functionality 
would also provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility 
to provide bulk instructions to the Exchange with respect to cancelling 
existing orders and quotes and blocking new orders and quotes.
    Proposed Rule 6.40P-O(e) would specify that an Entering Firm could 
direct the Exchange to take one or more of the following actions with 
respect to orders and quotes at either an MPID, or if designated, sub-
ID Level: (1) Cancel all Auction-Only Orders; (2) Cancel all orders 
designated GTC; (3) Cancel all unexecuted orders and quotes in the 
Consolidated Book other than Auction-Only Orders and orders designated 
GTC; or (4) Block the entry of any new order and quote messages and 
related instructions, provided that the Exchange would continue to 
accept instructions from Entering Firms to cancel one or more orders or 
quotes (including

[[Page 55960]]

Auction-Only Orders and orders designated GTC) in full, and later, 
reverse that block. The proposed post-trade Kill Switch Actions are not 
currently available for options trading per Rule 6.40-O and are 
substantially identical to the Kill Switch Action available on the 
Exchange's cash equity platform pursuant to Rule 7.19-E(e), with a 
difference to address the handling of quotes as well as orders 
designated GTC, which are not available on the cash equity platform. 
The Exchange believes that offering this functionality for options 
trading under Pillar would give Entering Firms more flexibility in 
setting risk controls for options trading (as noted above) and add 
consistency with the Exchange's risk control functionality available 
for cash equity trading. Providing ``Kill Switch Action'' functionality 
in Exchange rules is consistent with the rules of other options 
exchanges.\115\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \115\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.34(c)(6) (describing the optional 
``Kill Switch'' functionality, which allows a Cboe participant to 
instruct Cboe to simultaneously cancel or reject all orders or 
quotes (or a subset thereof) as well as to instruct Cboe to block 
all orders or quotes (or a subset thereof), which block instructions 
will remain in effect until such participant contacts Cboe's trade 
desk to remove the block).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Commentary .01 to Rule 6.40P-O would provide that the Pre-
Trade, Activity-Based, and Global Risk Controls described in the 
proposed Rule 6.40P-O are meant to supplement, and not replace, the OTP 
Holder's or OTP Firm's own internal systems, monitoring, and procedures 
related to risk management and are not designed for compliance with 
Rule 15c3-5 under the Exchange Act.\116\ Responsibility for compliance 
with all Exchange and SEC rules remains with the OTP Holder or OTP 
Firm. This proposed language is not included in existing Rule 6.40-O, 
and is based on Commentary .01 to Rule 7.19-E. The proposed rule makes 
clear that use of the proposed controls alone does not constitute 
compliance with Exchange rules or the Exchange Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \116\ 17 CFR 240.15c3-5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In connection with proposed Rule 6.40P-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.40-O: ``This Rule is not 
applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed 
to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.40-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.41P-O: Price Reasonability Checks--Orders and Quotes
    The Exchange proposes to describe its Price Reasonability Checks 
for orders and quotes in proposed Rule 6.41P-O.\117\ For the OX system, 
the concept of ``Price Reasonability Checks'' for Limit Orders are 
described in Rule 6.60-O(c) and the concept of price protection filters 
for quotes are described in Rule 6.61-O. The proposed ``Price 
Reasonability Checks'' on Pillar would be applicable to both orders and 
quotes and are designed to provide similar price protections as the 
current price checks for Limit Orders on the OX system, with 
differences as described in more detail below. The Exchange believes 
that applying the same Price Reasonability Checks to both orders and 
quotes and describing them in a single rule would make the Exchange's 
rules easier to navigate. The Exchange proposes to locate the rule text 
for the proposed Price Reasonability Checks in Rule 6.41P-O to 
immediately follow Rule 6.40P-O regarding the Pre-Trade and Activity-
Based Controls, as this placement would group the risk controls 
together and make Exchange rules easier to navigate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \117\ Current Rule 6.41-O is held as Reserved. The Exchange 
proposes to renumber the proposed rule with the ``P'' modifier and 
remove reference to ``Reserved.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(a)(1)-(3) would set forth the circumstances 
under which the proposed Price Reasonability Checks would apply. 
Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(a) would provide that the Exchange would apply 
the Price Reasonability Checks, as defined in proposed paragraphs (b) 
and (c), to all Limit Orders and quotes (excluding those represented in 
open outcry), during continuous trading on each trading day, subject to 
the following:
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(a)(1) would provide that a Limit 
Order or quote received during a pre-open state would be subject to the 
proposed Price Reasonability Checks after an Auction concludes; that a 
Limit Order or quote that was resting on the Consolidated Book before a 
trading halt would be subject to the proposed Price Reasonability 
Checks again after the Trading Halt Auction; and that a put option 
message to buy would be subject to the Arbitrage Check regardless of 
when it arrives. This proposed rule is based on current Rule 6.60-O(c), 
which provides that the Price Reasonability Checks (for orders) are 
applied when a series opens or reopens for trading. Proposed Rule 
6.41P-O(a)(1) includes additional detail and granularity regarding when 
the proposed Price Reasonability Checks would be applied under Pillar. 
The proposed Rule also adds new functionality that a put option message 
to buy would be subject to the Arbitrage Check even if a series is not 
open for trading. The Exchange believes that it is appropriate to apply 
this check to put option messages to buy at any time because the check 
is not dependent on an external reference price.
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(a)(2) would provide that if the 
calculation of the Price Reasonability Check is not consistent with the 
MPV for the series, it would be rounded down to the nearest price 
within the applicable MPV, which is consistent with current 
functionality. The Exchange believes this proposed rule would promote 
clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding how the Price 
Reasonability Check would be calculated.
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(a)(3) would provide that the 
proposed Price Reasonability Checks would not apply to (i) any options 
series for which the underlying security has a non-standard cash or 
stock deliverable as part of a corporate action; (ii) any options 
series for which the underlying security is identified as over-the-
counter (``OTC''); (iii) any option series on an index; and (iv) any 
option series for which the Exchange determines it is necessary to 
exclude underlying securities in the interests of maintaining a fair 
and orderly market, which the Exchange would announce by Trader Update. 
Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(a)(3) is based on current Commentary .01 to Rule 
6.60-O (orders) and 6.61-O (quotes), with a non-substantive difference 
that the proposed rule no longer references Binary Return Derivatives 
(``ByRDs'') because ByRDs are no longer traded on the Exchange.
    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(b) would set forth the ``Arbitrage Checks'' 
for buy orders or quotes, which subset of Price Reasonability Checks 
are based on the principle that an option order is in error and should 
be rejected (or canceled) when the same result can be achieved on the 
market for the underlying equity security at a lesser cost.
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(b)(1) relates to ``puts'' and would 
provide that order or quote messages to buy for put options would be 
rejected if the price of the order or quote is equal to or greater than 
the strike price of the option, which is substantively identical to 
current Rule 6.60-O(c)(1)(A) for orders, with a proposed difference 
that proposed ``Arbitrage Check'' would also apply to quotes.
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(b)(2) relates to ``calls'' and would 
provide that order or quote messages to buy for call options would be 
rejected or canceled (if resting) if the price of the order or quote is 
equal to or greater than the last sale price of the underlying security 
on the

[[Page 55961]]

Primary Market, plus a specified threshold to be determined by the 
Exchange and announced by Trader Update. This proposed rule is 
substantially similar to current Rule 6.60-O(c)(1)(B) for orders, with 
two differences. First, the proposed ``Arbitrage Checks'' would also 
apply to quotes. Second, because the Exchange is monitoring last sales 
from the Primary Market, the Exchange proposes that the Exchange-
specified threshold for the Checks would be based on the last sale on 
the Primary Market rather than on the Consolidated Last Sale.\118\ The 
Exchange believes that the last sale on the Primary Market would be 
indicative of the price of the underlying security and that by using 
the last sale of the Primary Market rather than the Consolidated Last 
Sale, the Pillar system would need to ingest and process less data, 
thereby improving efficiency and performance of the system. The 
Exchange believes this proposed difference would not compromise the 
price protection feature of the proposed Arbitrage Checks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \118\ Per proposed Rule 1.1., the term ``Primary Market'' means 
the principal market in which the underlying security is traded.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c) would set forth the ``Intrinsic Value 
Checks'' for orders or quotes to sell, which are designed to protect 
sellers of calls and puts from presumptively erroneous executions based 
on the ``Intrinsic Value'' of an option.
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(1)(2) would set forth how the 
Intrinsic Value of an option would be determined. Proposed Rule 6.41P-
O(c)(1) would provide that the Intrinsic Value for a put option is 
equal to the strike price minus the last sale price of the underlying 
security on the Primary Market. Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(2) would 
provide that the Intrinsic Value for a call option is equal to the last 
sale price of the underlying security on the Primary Market minus the 
strike price. Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(1)-(2) is based on how the 
intrinsic value is calculated in current Rule 6.60-O(c)(2) for orders, 
with two differences. First, the proposed ``Intrinsic Value Checks'' 
would also apply to quotes. Second, the Intrinsic Value of an option 
would be based on the last sale on the Primary Market rather than on 
the Consolidated Last Sale for the same reasons discussed above, that 
it would enhance performance without compromising the price protection 
feature of the Intrinsic Value Checks.
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(3) would provide that ISOs to 
sell would not be subject to the Intrinsic Value Check, which carve out 
is substantively identical to current Rule 6.60-O(c)(2).
     Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(4) would describe the application 
of the Intrinsic Value Checks to puts and calls to sell.
    [cir] Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(4)(A) would provide that orders or 
quotes to sell for both puts and calls would be rejected or canceled 
(if resting) if the price of the order or quote is equal to or lower 
than its Intrinsic Value, minus a specified threshold to be determined 
by the Exchange and announced by Trader Update.
    [cir] Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(4)(B) would provide that the 
Exchange-determined threshold percentage (per paragraph (c)(4)(A)) 
would be based on the NBB, provided that, immediately following an 
Auction, it would be based on the Auction Price, or, if none, the lower 
Auction Collar price, or, if none, the NBB.\119\ This proposed 
threshold percentage is similar to how the Reference Price would be 
determined for Trading Collars, as described above pursuant to proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(a)(4). As further proposed, Rule 6.41P-O(c)(4)(B) would 
provide that for purposes of determining the Intrinsic Value, the 
Exchange would not use an adjusted NBBO. The Exchange further proposes 
that the Intrinsic Value Check for sell orders and quotes would not be 
applied if the Intrinsic Value cannot be calculated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \119\ See discussion infra, regarding proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a) 
and proposed definitions for the terms ``Auction,'' ``Auction 
Price,'' Auction Collar,'' ``pre-open state,'' and ``Trading Halt 
Auction.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(c)(4)(A)-(B) is substantially similar to 
current Rule 6.60-O(a)(2)(A), which describes the application of the 
Intrinsic Value check for orders, except that the proposed rule also 
applies to quotes, provides additional detail regarding how the 
specified threshold percentage would be determined immediately 
following an Auction, provides transparency that an unadjusted NBBO 
would be used to calculate the Intrinsic Value, and adds explicit rule 
text providing that if the Intrinsic Value cannot be calculated, the 
Check would not be applied. The Exchange believes that these additions 
would both add granularity to the rule and enhance the functionality by 
fine-tuning how the Intrinsic Value would be calculated and applied. 
For the same reasons describe above in connection with Limit Order 
Price Protection and Trading Collars, the Exchange believes that using 
an unadjusted NBBO would serve price protection purposes by using a 
more conservative view of the NBBO.
    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(d) would provide the Automated Breach Action 
to be applied when a Market Maker's order or quote fails one of the 
Price Reasonability Checks. As proposed, if a Market Maker's order or 
quote message is rejected or cancelled (if resting) pursuant to 
proposed paragraph (b) (Arbitrage Checks) or (c) (Intrinsic Value 
Checks) of proposed Rule 6.41P-O, the Exchange would Cancel and Block 
orders and quotes in the affected class of options as described in Rule 
6.40P-O(c)(2)(C)(iii) (as described above in section ``Proposed Rule 
6.40P-O'').
    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(d)(1) would provide that a breach of proposed 
Rule 6.41P-O(d) would count towards a Market Maker's Global Risk 
Control limit per Rule 6.40P-O(a)(4) (as described above in section 
``Proposed Rule 6.40P-O'').
    Proposed Rule 6.41P-O(d)(2) concerns how a Market Maker would be 
reinstated following an automated breach action. As proposed, the 
Exchange would not reinstate the Market Maker's ability to enter orders 
and quotes and related instructions on the Exchange in that class of 
options (other than instructions to cancel one or more orders/quotes 
(including Auction-Only Orders and orders designated GTC) in full) 
without the consent of the Market Maker, which may be provided via 
automated contact.
    Rule 6.41P-O(d) is substantially similar to current Rule 6.61-O(b), 
except that the proposed rule applies to both the orders and quotes of 
a Market Maker (not just quotes) and provides the additional 
functionality that a breach of the Price Reasonability Checks would 
count towards a Market Maker's Global Risk Control limit under proposed 
Rule 6.40P-O(c)(3), which functionality would be new under Pillar. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed new functionality would provide OTP 
Holders and OTP Firms greater control and flexibility over setting risk 
tolerance and exposure for both orders and quotes. In connection with 
proposed Rule 6.41P-O, the Exchange proposes to add the following 
preamble to Rules 6.60-O and 6.61-O: ``This Rule is not applicable to 
trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed to promote 
clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rules 6.60-O and 6.61-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
Proposed Rule 6.64P-O: Auction Process
    Current Rule 6.64-O, OX Opening Process, sets forth the opening 
process currently used on the Exchange's OX system for opening trading 
in a series each day and reopening trading in a series following a 
trading halt. Current

[[Page 55962]]

Rule 6.64(a) defines the term ``Trading Auction'' as the process by 
which trading is initiated in a specified options class that may be 
employed at the opening of the Exchange each business day or to re-open 
trading after a trading halt, and that Trading Auctions will be 
conducted automatically by the OX system. Current Rules 6.64-O (b) and 
(c) describe the manner for the automated Trading Auctions and provide 
that, once the primary market for the underlying security disseminates 
a quote and a trade that is at or within the quote, the OX System then 
conducts an Auction Process (``current Auction Process'') whereby the 
OX System determines a single price at which a series may be opened by 
looking to the price at which the greatest number of contracts can 
trade at or between the NBBO disseminated by OPRA.\120\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \120\ If the same number of contracts can trade at multiple 
prices, the opening price is the price at which the greatest number 
of contracts can trade that is at or nearest to the midpoint of the 
NBBO disseminated by OPRA; unless one such price is equal to the 
price of any resting Limit Order(s) in which case the opening price 
is the same price as the Limit Order(s) with the greatest size and, 
if the same size, the highest price and if there is a tie between 
price levels and no Limit Orders exist at either of the prices, the 
Exchange uses the higher price. See Rule 6.64-O(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As described in Rule 6.64-O(b)(D), the Exchange will not conduct 
the current Auction Process to open a series if the bid-ask 
differential for that series is not within an acceptable range, i.e., 
is not within the bid-ask differential guidelines established in Rule 
6.37-O(b)(4).\121\ If a series does not open for trading, market and 
limit orders entered in advance of the current Auction Process remain 
in the Consolidated Book and will not be routed, even if another 
exchange opens that series for trading and such resting orders become 
Marketable against an away market NBBO.\122\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \121\ Because Rule 6.64-O(b)(D) cross-references the bid-ask 
differential requirement of Rule 6.37-O (b)(4), which relates to the 
obligations of Market Makers in appointed classes, the Exchange will 
not open a series for trading if the NBBO disseminated by OPRA in a 
series is not within such bid-ask differentials.
    \122\ The term ``Marketable'' is defined in proposed Rule 1.1 to 
mean for a Limit Order, an order that can be immediately executed or 
routed and Market Orders are always considered marketable.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes that new Rule 6.64P-O would set forth the 
automated process for both opening and reopening trading in a series on 
the Exchange on Pillar. The Exchange proposes to specify that current 
Rule 6.64-O would not be applicable to trading on Pillar. With the 
transition to Pillar, the fundamental process of how an option series 
would be opened (or reopened) on the Exchange would not materially 
change because the Exchange would continue to assess whether a series 
can be opened based on whether the bid-ask differential for a series is 
within a specified range. However, with the availability of Pillar 
technology, the Exchange proposes differences to the proposed auction 
process that are designed to provide additional opportunities for an 
options series to open or reopen for trading even if the bid-ask 
differential is wider than the specified guidelines. While this 
proposed functionality would be new for options trading on the 
Exchange, it is not novel for an options exchange to provide additional 
opportunities for a series to open after a specified period of time in 
a wide market.\123\ The Exchange believes that the proposed changes 
would enhance the opening/reopening process on the Exchange by 
providing a transparent and deterministic process for the Exchange to 
open additional series for trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \123\ For example, Cboe recently amended Cboe Rule 5.31 relating 
to its opening process to provide for a ``forced opening'' process 
that is used if an option class is unable to open because it does 
not meet the applicable bid-ask differential. In such case, if the 
``Composite Market'' is not crossed and there is no non-zero offer, 
within a specified time period, Cboe will open the series without a 
trade. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90967 (January 22, 
2021), 86 FR 7249 (January 28, 2021) (SR-Cboe-2021-005) (Notice of 
filing and immediate effectiveness of proposed rule change to amend 
Cboe's opening process for simple orders).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the Exchange proposes additional enhancements (and detail 
them in the rule) that are based on existing Pillar functionality for 
the Exchange's cash equity platform's electronic auctions relating to 
how orders and quotes would be processed if they arrive during the 
period when the Exchange is processing an Auction and how the Exchange 
would process orders and quotes when it transitions to continuous 
trading following an Auction. Because the Exchange would be using 
Pillar terminology, the Exchange proposes to structure proposed Rule 
6.64P-O based in part on Rule 7.35-E, which is the Exchange's cash 
equity rule governing auctions (relating to separate sections 
describing definitions, order processing during an Auction Processing 
Period, and transition to continuous trading) and NYSE Rule 7.35, which 
is NYSE's rule governing auctions (relating to separate sections 
describing definitions, Auction Ranking, Auction Imbalance Information, 
order processing during an Auction Processing Period, and transition to 
continuous trading). In addition, the Exchange proposes to include in 
Rule 6.64P-O how the Exchange would process orders and quotes during a 
trading halt, which is structured based in part on Rule 7.18-E(b) and 
(c), which describe how the Exchange processes new and existing orders 
during a trading halt on its cash equity market. This text would be new 
and is designed to provide granularity and transparency in Exchange 
rules.
    Definitions. Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a) would provide that the Rule 
would be applicable to all series that trade on the Exchange other than 
Flex Options.\124\ Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a) would set forth the 
definitions that would be used for purposes of Rule 6-O Options Trading 
and applicable to trading on Pillar. Certain of the proposed 
definitions are the same as (or similar to) auction-related definitions 
used on the Exchange's cash equity platform, per Rule 7.35-E 
(Auctions), with differences noted herein. To the extent that a 
definition from Rule 7.35-E is not utilized in proposed Rule 6.64P-O, 
the Exchange has determined that such definition(s) is either 
inapplicable to the opening process for options trading or that the 
relevant, analogous concept(s) is covered elsewhere in the proposed 
rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \124\ With the transition to Pillar, the Exchange is not making 
any changes to how Flex Options trade. Rule 5.31-O provides that 
Flex Options transactions may be effected during normal Exchange 
options trading hours on any business day and there will be no 
trading rotations in Flex Options. Rule 5.33-O sets forth the 
procedures for trading Flex Options. The opening process for 
Electronic Complex Orders is set forth in Rule 6.91-O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(1) would define the term 
``Auction'' to mean the opening or reopening of a series for trading 
either with or without a trade. This proposed definition is based in 
part on current Rule 6.64-O(a), which defines the term ``Trading 
Auction'' to be a process by which trading is initiated in a specified 
options class that may be employed at the opening of the Exchange each 
business day or to re-open trading after a trading halt.\125\ On 
Pillar, the Exchange proposes that the term ``Auction'' would refer to 
the point in the process where the Exchange determines that a series 
can be opened or reopened either with or without a trade. After an 
Auction concludes, the series then transitions to continuous trading. 
Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(1)(A) would provide that a ``Core Open 
Auction'' means the Auction that opens trading after the beginning of 
Core Trading Hours and proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(1)(B) would provide 
that a

[[Page 55963]]

``Trading Halt Auction'' means the Auction that reopens trading 
following a trading halt. These are Pillar terms that would be new to 
options trading and are based on the same terms currently used in Rule 
7.35-E(c) and (e) for the same purposes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \125\ See also Rule 6.64-O(d) (providing that a Trading Auction 
to reopen an option class after a trading halt is conducted in the 
same manner as a Trading Auction to open each option class at the 
start of each trading day, i.e., as described in Rule 6.64-O(a)-
(c)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(2) would define the term 
``Auction Collar'' to mean the price collar thresholds for the 
Indicative Match Price (defined below) for an Auction. As further 
proposed, the upper Auction Collar would be the offer of the Legal 
Width Quote (defined below) and the lower Auction Collar would be the 
bid of the Legal Width Quote, provided that if the bid of the Legal 
Width Quote is zero, the lower Auction Collar would be one MPV above 
zero for the series. The proposed rule would further provide that if 
there is no Legal Width Quote, the Auction Collars would be published 
in the Auction Imbalance Information (defined below) as zero.
    The proposed terminology of ``Auction Collar'' would be new for 
options trading and is based on the same term used in Rule 7.35-
E(a)(10) for trading cash equity securities. As proposed, the Auction 
Collars would be set at the Legal Width Quote (described below) and 
would prevent an Auction trade from occurring at a price outside of the 
Legal Width Quote. The Exchange believes that the concept of Auction 
Collars is similar to the current requirement that the Exchange will 
not open a series if the bid-ask differential is not within the bid-ask 
differential guidelines established under Rule 6.37-O(b)(4).\126\ Thus, 
the proposed Auction Collars (based on a Legal Width Quote) would use 
Pillar terminology to prevent an Auction that results in a trade from 
being priced outside the bid-ask differential applicable to Auctions on 
Pillar.\127\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \126\ See Rule 6.64-O(b)(D) and (E). The Exchange notes that in 
common parlance bid-ask differentials are known as ``legal-width 
quotes.''
    \127\ See also Cboe Rule 5.31(a) (defining the ``Opening 
Collar'' as the price range that establishes limits at or inside of 
which Cboe determines the opening trade price for a series).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3) would define the term 
``Auction Imbalance Information'' to mean the information that the 
Exchange disseminates about an Auction via its proprietary data feeds 
and includes the Auction Collars, Auction Indicator, Book Clearing 
Price, Far Clearing Price, Indicative Match Price, Matched Volume, 
Market Imbalance, and Total Imbalance.\128\ With Pillar, the Exchange 
proposes to disseminate Auction Imbalance Information for its options 
market in the same manner that such information is disseminated for its 
cash equity market. The Exchange currently makes certain auction 
imbalance information available on its proprietary data feed and the 
Exchange believes that enhancing this information by disseminating the 
proposed Auction Collars, Auction Indicator, Book Clearing Price, and 
Far Clearing Price, which would be new for options trading on Pillar, 
would promote transparency. Accordingly, this proposed definition would 
be new and is based on the same term used in Rule 7.35-E(a)(4), with 
differences to reflect the options-specific content that would be 
included in Auction Imbalance Information for options trading. In 
addition, the Exchange proposes that the Auction Imbalance Information 
would reflect the orders and quotes eligible to participate in an 
Auction, which contribute to price discovery. Accordingly, proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3) would further provide that Auction Imbalance 
Information would be based on all orders and quotes (including the non-
displayed quantity of Reserve Orders) eligible to participate in an 
Auction, excluding IO Orders.\129\ The Exchange believes that 
specifying that non-displayed quantity of Reserve Orders would be 
included in the Auction Imbalance Information is consistent with 
current functionality that the full quantity of Reserve Orders are 
eligible to participate in the current Auction Process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \128\ On the Exchange's cash equity market, Auctions have an 
``Auction Imbalance Freeze,'' which is a period in advance of the 
scheduled Auction. The Exchange does not currently provide for an 
analogous period to open or reopen options trading and does not 
propose to include such a period for options trading on Pillar. 
Accordingly, the Exchange does not propose terms based on ``Auction 
Imbalance Freeze,'' as described in Rule 7.35-E(a)(3), for options 
trading on Pillar.
    \129\ This is consistent with the order information included in 
Auction Imbalance Information for cash equity trading. See Rule 
7.35-E(a)(7) and 7.35-E(a)(8). The Exchange proposes to exclude IO 
Orders because they are conditional offsetting orders that would not 
contribute to price discovery in the Auction Process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)(A) would define the term ``Auction 
Indicator'' to mean the indicator that provides a status update of 
whether an Auction cannot be conducted because either (i) there is no 
Legal Width Quote, or (ii) a Market Maker quote has not been received 
during the Opening MMQ Time Parameter (defined below). The Exchange 
currently disseminates an Auction Indicator on its cash equity market 
and proposes similar functionality for options trading on the 
Exchange.\130\ This proposed definition would be new for options 
trading and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35-E(a)(13) and 
would provide transparency of when an Auction could not be 
conducted.\131\ While the Exchange's cash equity rule is written from 
the standpoint of when an auction can be conducted, the proposed rule 
is written from the standpoint of when an auction cannot be conducted. 
The Exchange believes this difference is appropriate because, for 
options trading, the proposed Auction (and its Auction Indicator) are 
impacted by the absence of necessary information (i.e., a Legal Width 
Quote or a Market Maker quote), rather than an auction in the cash 
equity market, where the determining factor of whether to conduct an 
auction is the quality (not the presence of) of information (i.e., the 
Imbalance).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \130\ See Rule 7.35-E(a)(13).
    \131\ Consistent with the proposed rule, Rule 6.64-O(b)(D) 
provides that the Exchange will not conduct the current Auction 
Process if the bid-ask differential for a series is not within an 
acceptable range.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)(B) would define the term ``Book 
Clearing Price'' to mean the price at which all contracts could be 
traded in an Auction if not subject to the Auction Collar and states 
that the Book Clearing Price would be zero if a sell (buy) Imbalance 
cannot be filled by any buy (sell) interest. The Exchange proposes that 
the manner that the Book Clearing Price would be calculated for options 
trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity 
trading. Accordingly, this proposed definition and functionality would 
be new for options trading and is based on the definition of ``Book 
Clearing Price'' set forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(11), with differences to 
reflect options trading terminology (i.e., reference contracts instead 
of buy (sell) orders).
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)(C) would define the term ``Far Clearing 
Price'' to mean the price at which Auction-Only Orders could be traded 
in an Auction within the Auction Collar. The Exchange proposes that the 
manner that the Far Clearing Price would be calculated for options 
trading would be the same as how it is calculated for cash equity 
trading. Accordingly, this proposed definition and functionality would 
be new for options trading and is based on the definition of ``Far 
Clearing Price'' set forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(12).
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)(D) would define the term ``Imbalance'' 
to mean the number of buy (sell) contracts that cannot be matched with 
sell (buy) contracts at the Indicative Match Price at any given time. 
The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Imbalance would be 
calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is 
calculated for cash equity

[[Page 55964]]

trading, which is consistent with current functionality that calculates 
the imbalance based on all interest eligible to participate in an 
auction. Accordingly, this proposed definition would be new rule text 
for options trading and is based on the definition of ``Imbalance'' set 
forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(7), except that, unlike for cash equities, the 
proposed definition would not reference the non-displayed quantity of 
Reserve Orders. As discussed above, the Exchange believes that 
providing an overarching description of how the non-displayed quantity 
of Reserve Orders would be included in Auction Imbalance Information is 
more appropriately included in the proposed (more expansive) definition 
of Auction Imbalance Information (per proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)) to 
reflect the Auction-eligible interest that contribute to price 
discovery.\132\ In addition, the proposed rule differs from Rule 7.35-
E(a)(7) to reflect options trading terminology (i.e., contracts instead 
of shares).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \132\ See supra note 129 (regarding consistency of proposed Rule 
6.64P-O(a)(3) regarding Auction Imbalance Information with Rule 
7.35-E(a)(7) and 7.35-E(a)(8)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)(D)(i) would define the term ``Total 
Imbalance'' to mean the Imbalance of all buy (sell) contracts at the 
Indicative Match Price for all orders and quotes eligible to trade in 
an Auction. The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Total 
Imbalance would be calculated for options trading would be the same as 
how it is calculated for cash equity trading and is consistent with 
current functionality. Accordingly, this proposed definition would be 
new and is based on the definition of ``Total Imbalance'' set forth in 
Rule 7.35-E(a)(7)(A), except that the proposed definition does not 
include the superfluous modifier ``net'' in reference to Total 
Imbalance and includes options trading terminology (i.e., contracts 
instead of shares).
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(3)(D)(ii) would define the term ``Market 
Imbalance'' to mean the Imbalance of any remaining buy (sell) Market 
Orders and MOO Orders that are not matched for trading in the Auction. 
The Exchange proposes that the manner that the Market Imbalance would 
be calculated for options trading would be the same as how it is 
calculated for cash equity trading, which differs from current options 
functionality.\133\ Accordingly, this proposed definition and 
functionality would be new and is based on the definition of ``Market 
Imbalance'' set forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(7)(B), with a difference to add 
reference to MOO Orders (as defined in proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(c)(2)).\134\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \133\ On the OX system, the market imbalance is the difference 
between quantities of buy and sell market orders.
    \134\ Rule 7.35-E(a)(7)(B) does not separately reference MOO 
Orders because Rule 7.35-E(a) provides that, unless otherwise 
specified, the term ``Market Orders'' in Rule 7.35-E includes MOO 
Orders (for the Core Open Auction and Trading Halt Auction). The 
Exchange proposes that for options trading, the terms Market Order 
and MOO Order both be referenced in proposed Rule 6.64P-O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(4) would define the term 
``Auction Price'' to mean the price at which an Auction that results in 
a trade is conducted. The Exchange proposes that this term would have 
the same meaning as the same term on its cash equity market, per Rule 
7.35-E(a)(2), with a difference to add the phrase ``that results in a 
trade'' to be clear that an Auction Price is for an Auction that 
results in a trade. This would be a new term and is designed to add 
clarity and transparency to Exchange rules as this term would be used 
as a reference price in proposed Rules 6.62P-O(a)(3)(B) and 6.41P-
O(c)(4)(B).\135\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \135\ See also Cboe Rule 5.31(a) (defining the ``Opening Trade 
Price'' as the price at which Cboe executes opening trades in a 
series). The Exchange notes that the term ``Auction Price'' is 
distinguished from the proposed term of ``Indicative Match Price,'' 
as the latter term is the content included in the Auction Imbalance 
Information in advance of an Auction, and the Auction Price is the 
price of an Auction that results in a trade.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(5) would define the term 
``Auction Process'' to mean the process that begins when the Exchange 
receives an Auction Trigger (defined below) for a series and ends when 
the Auction is conducted. This would be a new term and is designed to 
add clarity and transparency to Exchange rules and address all steps in 
the process that culminates in an Auction, as described in proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(d).
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(6) would define the term 
``Auction Processing Period'' to mean the period during which the 
Auction is being processed. The Exchange proposes that this new term 
would have the same meaning as the same term on its cash equity market. 
The Auction Processing Period is at the end of the Auction Process and 
is the period when the actual Auction is conducted and the Exchange 
transitions from a pre-open state (described below) to continuous 
trading. The end of the Auction Processing Period is the end of the 
Auction and, depending on the orders and quotes in the Consolidated 
Book, it concludes either with or without a trade. Accordingly, this 
proposed definition is substantively identical to the definition of 
``Auction Processing Period'' set forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(2).
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(7) would define the term 
``Auction Trigger'' to mean the information disseminated by the Primary 
Market in the underlying security that triggers the Auction Process for 
a series to begin. For a Core Open Auction, the proposed Auction 
Trigger would be when the Primary Market first disseminates at or after 
9:30 a.m. Eastern Time both a two-sided quote and a trade of any size 
that is at or within the quote. For a Trading Halt Auction, the 
proposed Auction Trigger would be when the Primary Market disseminates 
at the end of a trading halt or pause a resume message, a two-sided 
quote, and a trade of any size that is at or within the quote. This 
proposed term is new and is not used on the cash equity platform. This 
proposed functionality, however, is not new and is based on how the 
Exchange currently opens or reopens a series for trading, as set forth 
in the last sentence of current Rule 6.64-O(b).\136\ The proposed rule 
adds detail not found in the current rule by referring to a ``two-sided 
quote'' rather than a ``quote,'' without any changes to functionality. 
The Exchange also proposes a difference that an opening trade on the 
Primary Market may be ``of any size,'' which would make clear that an 
odd-lot transaction on the Primary Market could be used as an Auction 
Trigger, which would be new on Pillar.\137\ The Exchange believes that 
because it requires both a quote and a trade from the Primary Market 
before it can open/reopen trading in the overlying option, and because 
a Primary Market that has disseminated a quote for an underlying 
security is open for trading, allowing odd-lot sized trades to be 
included in the trigger would increase the opportunities to open/reopen 
trading options that overlay low-volume securities that have opened for 
trading on the Primary Market and would reduce the circumstances needed 
to manually trigger an Auction for a series.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \136\ Rule 6.64-O(b) provides, in relevant part, that the 
related option series will be opened automatically ``once the 
primary market for the underlying security disseminates a quote and 
a trade that is at or within the quote.''
    \137\ See also Cboe Rule 5.31(d)(1)(ii), which provides that 
Cboe initiates the opening rotation for equity options after ``both 
the first disseminated transaction and the first disseminated quote 
on the primary market in the security underlying an equity option,'' 
which rule does not specify the size of the transaction on the 
primary market that would trigger initiation of an opening rotation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(8) would define the term 
``Calculated NBBO'' to mean the highest bid and lowest offer

[[Page 55965]]

among all Market Maker quotes and the Away Market NBBO during the 
Auction Process. The Exchange proposes to use the term ``Calculated 
NBBO'' to specify which bids and offers the Exchange would consider for 
purposes of determining whether to proceed with an Auction on Pillar, 
as described in greater detail below. The Exchange believes the 
proposed term provides more clarity than referencing an ``NBBO 
disseminated by OPRA.'' \138\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \138\ The Exchange notes that the information used to calculate 
the proposed Calculated NBBO is consistent with the information that 
the Exchange receives from OPRA in advance of the Exchange opening 
or reopening trading (i.e., Market Maker rotational quotes from the 
Exchange and Away Market NBBO) and is similar to Cboe's definition 
of ``Composite Market,'' as described in Cboe Rule 5.31(a), which 
includes Cboe Market Maker quotes and BBOs of other options 
exchanges.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9) would define the term 
``Indicative Match Price'' to mean the price at which the maximum 
number of contracts can be traded in an Auction, including the non-
displayed quantity of Reserve Orders, and excluding IO Orders, subject 
to the Auction Collars. This functionality is consistent with the 
current process for establishing a single opening price, as described 
in Rule 6.64-O(b)(A), but the proposed rule adds more granularity and 
uses Pillar terminology.\139\ In addition, the term ``Indicative Match 
Price'' refers to the same functionality as the OX system's reference 
to the term ``reference price'' in its imbalance information. This 
proposed definition is based on the Pillar definition of ``Indicative 
Match Price'' set forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(8), with differences to refer 
solely to ``price'' as opposed to ``best price'' because proposed Rule 
6.64P-O(a)(9)(A), described below, would provide specificity of how 
such price would be determined, and to reflect options trading 
terminology (i.e., contracts instead of shares). Proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(a)(9) would further provide that if there is no Legal Width Quote, 
the Indicative Match Price included in the Auction Imbalance 
Information would be calculated without Auction Collars. This would be 
a new feature applicable only to options trading and an Indicative 
Match Price without Auction Collars would be accompanied with an 
Auction Indicator that the Auction cannot be conducted because there is 
no Legal Width Quote.\140\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \139\ See Rule 6.64-O(b)(A), (c) (describing process for 
determining single opening price).
    \140\ This would be new functionality because currently, if 
there is no legal width NBBO, the Exchange does not disseminate 
imbalance information and does not calculate an indicative match 
price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9)(A) would provide that if there is more 
than one price level at which the maximum number of contracts can be 
traded within the Auction Collars, the Indicative Match Price would be 
the price closest to the midpoint of the Legal Width Quote, rounded to 
the nearest MPV for the series, provided that the Indicative Match 
Price would not be lower (higher) than the highest (lowest) price of a 
Limit Order to buy (sell) ranked Priority 2--Display Orders that is 
eligible to participate in the Auction. This functionality is similar 
to the current process for establishing a single opening price, as 
described in Rule 6.64-O(c), which provides that when the same number 
of contracts can trade at multiple prices, the opening price is the 
price at which the greatest number of contracts can trade that is at or 
nearest to the midpoint of the NBBO disseminated by OPRA. The proposed 
rule text uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35-E(a)(8)(A) and 
adds more granularity, such as describing that the Exchange would round 
to the nearest MPV in the series, which is consistent with current 
functionality. The Exchange also proposes a difference compared to the 
cash equity rules to reflect that when there is more than one price 
level at which the maximum number of contracts can trade, the 
Indicative Match Price for options trading would be the price closest 
to the midpoint of the Legal Width Quote rather than (for cash 
equities) the price closest to an auction reference price. The Exchange 
believes that reference to the term Legal Width Quote reflects the 
proposed use of this term in the Auction Process rather than referring 
to the NBBO disseminated by OPRA.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9)(B) would provide that an Indicative 
Match Price that is higher (lower) than the upper (lower) Auction 
Collar would be adjusted to the upper (lower) Auction Collar and orders 
eligible to participate in the Auction would trade at the collared 
Indicative Match Price. Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9)(B)(i) would provide 
that Limit Orders to buy (sell) with a limit price above (below) the 
upper (lower) Auction Collar would be included in the Auction Imbalance 
Information at the collared Indicative Match Price and would be 
eligible to trade at the Indicative Match Price. This proposed rule 
text provides granularity that, consistent with current functionality, 
orders willing to buy (sell) at a higher (lower) price than the Auction 
Price would participate in an Auction trade, which, by definition, 
would be required to be at or between the Auction Collars. Proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9)(B)(ii) would provide that Limit Orders and quotes to 
buy (sell) with a limit price below (above) the lower (upper) Auction 
Collar would not be included in the Auction Imbalance Information and 
would not participate in an Auction. The Exchange proposes that the 
manner that orders and quotes priced outside of the Auction Collar 
would be included (or not) in the Indicative Match Price would be the 
same as how it is determined for cash equity trading. Accordingly, this 
proposed rule text is new for options trading (but the functionality is 
consistent with current functionality) and uses Pillar terminology 
based on Rules 7.35-E(a)(10)(A), (B), and (C) that is designed to add 
granularity to the proposed rule, and with a difference to reflect when 
the proposed rule would be applicable to quotes.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9)(C) would provide that if the Matched 
Volume (defined below) for an Auction consists of only buy and sell 
Market Orders, the Indicative Match Price would be the midpoint of the 
Legal Width Quote, rounded to the MPV for the series, or, if, the Legal 
Width Quote is locked, then the locked price. This proposed rule text 
is new and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35-E(a)(8)(C), with 
differences to reflect that options trading on Pillar would be based on 
a Legal Width Quote (as defined herein) to determine the Indicative 
Match Price when there are only Market Orders eligible to trade in an 
Auction. This proposed rule is designed to provide granularity of how 
the Indicative Match Price would be calculated if there are only Market 
Orders.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9)(D) would provide that if there is no 
Matched Volume, including if there are Market Orders on only one side 
of the Market, the Indicative Match Price and Total Imbalance for the 
Auction Imbalance Information would be zero. This proposed rule text is 
new and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35-E(a)(8)(D) and (E) 
with differences to reflect that on options, the Indicative Match Price 
would be zero in both circumstances. This proposed Rule is designed to 
provide granularity regarding how the Indicative Match Price and Total 
Imbalance for the Auction Imbalance Information would be calculated if 
there is no Matched Volume.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P(a)(10) would define a ``Legal Width 
Quote'' as a Calculated NBBO that: (A) May be locked, but not crossed; 
(B) does not contain a zero offer; and (C) has a spread

[[Page 55966]]

between the Calculated NBBO for each option contract that does not 
exceed the following differentials, which can be widened as provided 
for in Rule 6.37-O(c): (i) No more than .25 where the bid does not 
exceed $2; (ii) no more than .40 where the bid is more than $2 but does 
not exceed $5; (iii) no more than .50 where the bid is more than $5 but 
does not exceed $10; (iv) no more than .80 where the bid is more than 
$10 but does not exceed $20; and (v) no more than $1 where the bid is 
more than $20, provided that a Trading Official may establish 
differences other than the above for one or more series or classes of 
options.\141\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \141\ See Rule 6.37-O(c) (Unusual Conditions--Opening Auction) 
(providing that ``[i[f the interest of maintaining a fair and 
orderly market so requires, a Trading Official may declare that 
unusual market conditions exist in a particular issue and allow 
Market Makers in that issue to make auction bids and offers with 
spread differentials of up to two times, or in exceptional 
circumstances, up to three times, the legal limits permitted under 
Rule 6.37-O'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Requiring that the Legal Width Quote not be crossed is consistent 
with current Rule 6.64-O(b)(E), which requires an uncrossed NBBO 
disseminated by OPRA before a series can be opened (or reopened).\142\ 
The Exchange believes that the additional detail in proposed Rules 
6.64P-O(a)(10)(A) and (B) regarding how to determine a Legal Width 
Quote provides clarity and granularity the circumstances when a 
Calculated NBBO would be eligible to be considered a Legal Width Quote.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \142\ The proposed calculation of a Legal Width Quote is also 
similar to how Cboe determines whether to perform a ``Forced 
Opening,'' because Cboe requires a Composite Market that is not 
crossed with a non-zero offer. See Cboe Rule. 5.31(e)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, requiring that a bid-ask spread meet specified 
differentials, described in proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(10)(C)(i)-(v), 
before an Auction can proceed is based on the current OX Opening 
Process, which requires the bid-ask differential for a series to be in 
an acceptable range.\143\ The proposed differential spread for the 
Pillar Auction Process set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(10)(C) are 
substantially the same as the bid-ask differentials (as well as the 
discretion granted a Trading Official to widen such differentials) 
currently set forth in Rule 6.37-O(b)(4), with a difference that for 
option contracts with a bid of exactly $2, the differential for 
Auctions on Pillar would be .25 instead of .40. The Exchange notes that 
this slight variation from Rule 6.37-O(b)(4)(A) for $2 bids would 
streamline implementation by having the break point for bid-
differentials for the automated Auction Process to be calculated in 
whole dollar increments. The Exchange believes that including the 
proposed bid-ask differential in the rule governing the Auction Process 
would promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding 
which quotes--both Market Maker quotes on the Exchange and the Away 
Market NBBO, i.e., the Calculated NBBO--that the Exchange would use to 
determine if there is a Legal Width Quote.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \143\ See Rule 6.64-O(b)(D) (providing that ``[t]he OX System 
will not conduct an Auction Process if the bid-ask differential for 
that series is not within an acceptable range,'' which ``acceptable 
range shall mean within the bid-ask differential guidelines 
established pursuant to Rule 6.37-O(b)(4)'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes to make a conforming change to Rule 
6.37-O(c) to update the title from ``Unusual Conditions--Opening 
Auction'' to be ``Unusual Conditions--Auctions,'' which would align 
with the proposed definition of ``Auctions'' in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(a), which includes both opening and reopening auctions. This proposed 
change also promotes clarity, consistent with current functionality 
that Rule 6.37-O(c) is also applicable to reopenings. In addition, the 
Exchange proposes to amend Rule 6.37-O(c), which authorizes a Trading 
Official to widen the bid-ask differentials in the event of unusual 
conditions, to add a cross-reference to extend such authority to 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(9) (regarding the Legal Width Quote spreads). 
This proposed amendment would ensure that the existing procedures for 
auctions in the event of unusual conditions, as specified in Rule 6.37-
O(c), would continue to be available for option symbols that have 
transitioned to Pillar (and subject to new Rule 6.64P-O(a)(10)).
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(11) would define the term 
``Matched Volume'' to mean the number of buy and sell contracts that 
can be matched at the Indicative Match Price, excluding IO Orders. The 
concept of Matched Volume on Pillar is consistent with the OX system's 
concept of ``paired quantity'' in its imbalance information. This 
proposed rule text uses Pillar terminology based on the definition of 
``Matched Volume'' set forth in Rule 7.35-E(a)(9), with a non-
substantive difference to reference (option) contracts instead of 
shares and to be clear that the Matched Volume would not include IO 
Orders. The Exchange believes this proposed definition promotes 
granularity in Exchange rules.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(12) would define the term ``pre-
open state'' to mean the period before a series is opened or reopened 
for trading and would provide that during the pre-open state, the 
Exchange would accept Auction-Only Orders, quotes, and orders 
designated Day or GTC, including orders ranked under the proposed 
category of ``Priority 3--Non-Display Orders'' that are not eligible to 
participate in an Auction.\144\ This proposed text is consistent with 
current Rule 6.64-O(b), which provides that the Exchange will accept 
market and limit orders for inclusion in the opening auction process 
and would add further granularity regarding which interest would be 
accepted by the Exchange (even if not eligible for an Auction) prior to 
the opening or reopening of each option series and during which time 
period. The proposed rule would further provide that the pre-open state 
for the Core Open Auction would begin at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time and 
would end when the Auction Processing Period begins, which is similar 
to current functionality, which allows order and quote entry to begin 
at 5:30 a.m. Eastern Time. The Exchange believes that moving the start 
time to 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time would not materially impact the ability 
of OTP Holders to enter orders or quotes during the pre-open state. As 
further proposed, at the beginning of the pre-open state before the 
Core Open Auction, orders designated GTC that remain from the prior 
trading day will be included in the Consolidated Book, which is 
consistent with current functionality. The proposed rule would also 
provide that the pre-open state for a Trading Halt Auction would begin 
at the beginning of the trading halt and would end when the Auction 
Processing Period begins. This proposed definition of a pre-open state 
would be new for Pillar and is designed to distinguish the pre-open 
state (for a Core Open Auction or a Trading Halt Auction) from both the 
Auction Processing Period and the period when a given series opens for 
trading, which would add granularity to Exchange rules. As noted above, 
this proposed definition of pre-open state would also be used in 
proposed Rules 6.40P-O, 6.41P-O, and 6.62P-O.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \144\ The Exchange notes that Cboe refers to a similar period as 
the ``Queuing Period.'' See Cboe Rule 5.31(b). Similar to Cboe's 
Queuing Period, the proposed term of ``pre-open state'' means the 
period when the Exchange accepts orders and quotes but has not yet 
opened/reopened a series for continuous trading. The proposed 
``Auction Process,'' defined above, is part of the pre-open state, 
but does not begin until the Exchange receives an Auction Trigger, 
as defined above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(a)(13) would define the term 
``Rotational Quote'' to mean the highest Market Maker bid and lowest 
Market Maker offer on the Exchange when the Auction Process begins and 
would provide that during the Auction Process, the

[[Page 55967]]

Exchange would update the price and size of the Rotational Quote and 
that such Rotational Quote can be locked or crossed. The Exchange 
further proposes that, if there are no Market Maker quotes, the 
Rotational Quote would be published with a zero price and size. The 
Exchange notes that, although not specified in the current rule, it 
currently disseminates a ``rotational quote'' to OPRA when it is in the 
process of opening or reopening a series, i.e., a quote that is 
comprised only of Market Maker quotes and does not include orders. The 
Exchange proposes a difference on Pillar because currently, if the 
Market Maker Quotes are crossed, the Exchange flips the bid and offer 
prices. In Pillar, the Exchange would publish a Rotational Quote with 
the actual bid and offer prices, even if crossed, which would provide 
OTP Firms and OTP Holders with a more accurate view of whether a 
Rotational Quote is crossed. This proposed definition is new, uses 
Pillar terminology, and adds granularity to Exchange rules by codifying 
existing (albeit slightly modified) functionality.
    Auction Ranking. Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(b) would describe the 
ranking for Auctions and would provide that orders and quotes on the 
side of the Imbalance are not guaranteed to participate in the Auction 
and would be ranked in price-time priority under proposed Rule 6.76P-O, 
consistent with the priority ranking associated with each order or 
quote, provided that: (1) Limit Orders, quotes, and LOO Orders would be 
ranked based on their limit price and not the price at which they would 
participate in the Auction; (2) MOO Orders would be ranked under the 
proposed category of ``Priority 1--Market Orders''; (3) LOO Orders 
would be ranked under the proposed category of ``Priority 2--Display 
Orders''; and (4) IO Orders would be ranked based on time among IO 
Orders, subject to eligibility to participate at the Indicative Match 
Price based on their limit price.\145\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \145\ Unlike the Exchange's cash equity rules, the Exchange 
proposes to describe Auction Ranking in a separate section of 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O, which is a stylistic choice similar to NYSE 
Rule 7.35(b), which also separates the concept of Auction Ranking 
from definitions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This proposed rule is based in part on current Rule 6.64-O(b)(B), 
which provides that ``[o]rders and quotes in the system will be matched 
up with one another based on price-time priority, provided, however, 
that orders will have priority over Market Maker quotes at the same 
price.'' The Exchange proposes a difference in Pillar that orders in 
the same priority category as quotes would not have priority over 
Market Maker quotes at the same price. Instead, orders and Market Maker 
quotes in the same priority category would be ranked based on time, as 
proposed in Rule 6.76P-O, which equal ranking is consistent with how 
other options markets handle orders and quotes during the opening 
process.\146\ Because the Exchange proposes that orders and quotes in 
an options Auction would be processed in the same manner as on its cash 
equity platform, including that orders on the side of the Imbalance 
would not be guaranteed to participate in an Auction, the proposed rule 
text in this regard is based in part on Rule 7.35-E(a)(6)(A)-(D), with 
differences to reflect that options trading includes quotes and to be 
clear that IO Orders would be ranked based on working time among IO 
Orders, subject to such orders' eligibility to participate at the 
Indicative Match Price based on their limit price.\147\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \146\ See Cboe Rule 5.31(e)(3)(i) (providing that Cboe 
``prioritizes orders and quotes in the following order: market 
orders, limit orders and quotes with prices better than the Opening 
Trade Price, and orders and quotes at the Opening Trade Price'').
    \147\ See discussion supra, regarding proposed Rule 6.62P-
O(c)(3) and how IO Orders would function. The Exchange notes that, 
unlike on the cash equity platform, IO Orders would not be limited 
to participating solely in Trading Halt Auctions and may likewise 
participate in Core Open Auctions as well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Auction Imbalance Information. Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(c) would 
provide that Auction Imbalance Information would be updated at least 
every second until the Auction is conducted, unless there is no change 
to the information and would further provide that the Exchange would 
begin disseminating Auction Imbalance Information at the following 
times: (1) Core Open Auction Imbalance Information would begin at 8:00 
a.m. Eastern Time; and (2) Trading Halt Auction Imbalance Information 
would begin at the beginning of the trading halt. Because the Exchange 
proposes to disseminate Auction Imbalance Information for its options 
market in the same manner that such information is disseminated for its 
cash equity market, this proposed rule text, which is new, is based in 
part on Rule 7.35-E(a)(4)(A) and (C).
    Auction Process. Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d) would set forth the 
Exchange's proposed Auction Process on Pillar. Similar to current OX 
system functionality, which requires that the bid-ask differential for 
a given series be within an acceptable range before conducting an 
auction, under Pillar, a series would not be opened or reopened on a 
trade if there is no Legal Width Quote, which concept, as described 
above, incorporates (almost identical) bid-ask differentials.\148\ As 
described further below, the Exchange proposes that for Pillar, a 
series should (ideally) also have Market Maker quotes and, as such, 
proposes to provide time for Market Makers assigned to a series to 
quote within the specified bid-ask differentials, and if Market Makers 
do not quote within those time frames, determine whether to open or 
reopen a series based on the Away Market NBBO. The Exchange notes that 
this proposed process is consistent with that used on other options 
exchanges.\149\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \148\ See supra note 143 (describing Rule 6.64-O(b)(D), which 
provides that the Exchange will not conduct its current Auction 
Process if the bid-ask differential for a series is not ``within an 
acceptable range'').
    \149\ See, e.g., Nasdaq PHLX (``PHLX'') Section 8(d), Options 
Opening Process (providing that the Opening Process begins when (a) 
a ``valid width'' (i.e., a bid/ask differential that is compliant 
with PHLX Rule 1014(c)(i)(A)(1)(a)) specialist quote is submitted, 
(b) valid width quotes from at least two PHLX market participants 
have been submitted within 30 seconds of the opening trade or quote 
in the underlying security from the primary exchange, or (c) after 
30 seconds of the opening trade or quote in the underlying security 
from the primary exchange, one PHLX market participant has submitted 
a valid width quote).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(1) describes the process for disseminating 
the Rotational Quote and would provide that when the Exchange receives 
the Auction Trigger for a series, the Exchange would send a Rotational 
Quote to both OPRA and proprietary data feeds indicating that the 
Exchange is in the process of transitioning from a pre-open state to 
continuous trading for that series. This proposed rule is consistent 
with current functionality and is designed to promote granularity.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2) would provide that once a Rotational 
Quote has been sent, the Exchange would conduct an Auction provided 
there is both a Legal Width Quote and, if applicable, a Market Maker 
quote with a non-zero offer in the series (which would be subject to 
the proposed requirements relating to Market Maker quotes, including 
the proposed new Opening MMQ Time Parameter, as discussed further below 
per proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)). The proposed rule would further 
provide that the Exchange would wait a minimum of two milliseconds 
after disseminating the Rotational Quote before an Auction could be 
conducted, which delay would be new and is designed to enhance market 
quality by promoting price-forming displayed liquidity to the benefit 
of all market participants. This proposed rule text is designed to 
provide transparency and determinism

[[Page 55968]]

in Exchange rules regarding the earliest potential time that a series 
could be opened (after the Exchange receives an Auction Trigger), and 
subject to the series meeting all other requirements for opening or 
reopening discussed herein.
    Subject to the requirements specified in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(d)(2), proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) would provide that if there is 
Matched Volume that can trade at or within the Auction Collars, the 
Auction would result in a trade at the Indicative Match Price. Proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(B) would provide that if there is no Matched Volume 
that can trade at or within the Auction Collars, the Auction would not 
result in a trade and the Exchange would transition to continuous 
trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f) below. This proposed 
rule text is new, uses Pillar terminology, and is designed to provide 
transparency of when an Auction would result in a trade.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3) would specify the Opening MMQ Time 
Parameter. Although the Exchange does not require a Market Maker 
assigned to a series to quote on the Exchange in order to open or 
reopen a series for trading, the Exchange believes that having a Market 
Maker assigned to a series quote within the bid-ask differential would 
promote a fair and orderly Auction process and transition to continuous 
trading.\150\ Accordingly, the Exchange proposes a new process for 
Auctions on Pillar that would provide time for Market Makers assigned 
to a series to quote within the specified bid-ask differentials before 
a series would be opened or reopened for trading. As proposed, once the 
Auction Process begins, the Exchange would begin a one-minute timer for 
the Market Maker(s) assigned to a series to submit a quote with a non-
zero offer.\151\ This one-minute timer would be referred to as the 
Opening MMQ Time Parameter. The Opening MMQ Time Parameter is designed 
to provide transparency in Exchange rules of the circumstances of when 
the Exchange would wait to open or reopen a series for trading if the 
assigned Market Maker(s) has not submitted a quote within the specified 
time periods, as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \150\ Currently, neither Market Makers nor LMMs are obligated to 
provide a quote before a series is opened or reopened, which is why 
the proposed Pillar options Auction rule is designed to provide 
Market Makers with time to submit their quotes so a series can be 
opened.
    \151\ A Market Maker may send quotations only in the issues 
included in its appointment, i.e., in series to which such Market 
Maker is assigned. See proposed Rule 6.37AP-O(a). See also proposed 
Rule 6.37AP-O(b) and (c) (setting forth continuous quoting 
obligations of LMMs and Market Makers, respectively, which 
obligations are identical to those set forth in Rule 6.37A-O(b) and 
(c)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(A) would provide that if there 
are no Market Makers assigned to a series, the Exchange would conduct 
an Auction in that series based solely on a Legal Width Quote, without 
waiting for the Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end. As set forth in 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, 
this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would 
transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f) below.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(B) would provide that if there 
is only one Market Maker assigned to a series:
    [cir] The Exchange would conduct the Auction, without waiting for 
the Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end, as soon as there is both a Legal 
Width Quote and the assigned Market Maker has submitted a quote with a 
non-zero offer (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(B)(i)). As set forth in 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, 
this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would 
transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f) below.
    [cir] If the Market Maker assigned to the series has not submitted 
a quote with a non-zero offer by the end of the Opening MMQ Time 
Parameter and there is a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would conduct 
the Auction (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(B)(ii)). As set forth in 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, 
this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would 
transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f) below.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(C) would provide that if there 
are two or more Market Makers assigned to a series:
    [cir] The Exchange would conduct the Auction, without waiting for 
the Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end, as soon as there is both a Legal 
Width Quote and at least two assigned Market Makers have submitted a 
quote with a non-zero offer (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(C)(i)). As set 
forth in proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched 
Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series 
would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 
6.64P-O(f) below.
    [cir] If at least two Market Makers assigned to a series have not 
submitted a quote with a non-zero offer by the end of the Opening MMQ 
Time Parameter, the Exchange would begin a second Opening MMQ Time 
Parameter (of the same length) and that during the second Opening MMQ 
Time Parameter, the Exchange would conduct the Auction, without waiting 
for the second Opening MMQ Time Parameter to end, if there is both a 
Legal Width Quote and at least one Market Maker assigned to the series 
has submitted a quote with a non-zero offer (proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(d)(3)(C)(ii)). Because the Exchange does not require a Market Maker 
assigned to a series to quote before conducting an Auction, to reduce 
the potential delay in opening or reopening a series, the Exchange 
believes that during the second Opening MMQ Time Parameter, it is 
appropriate to wait for only one Market Maker, instead of two, to 
quote. As set forth in proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there 
is Matched Volume, this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the 
series would transition to continuous trading as described in proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(f) below.
    [cir] If no Market Maker assigned to a series has submitted a quote 
with a non-zero offer by the end of the second Opening MMQ Time 
Parameter and there is a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would conduct 
the Auction (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(3)(C)(iii). As set forth in 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A) and (B), if there is Matched Volume, 
this Auction would result in a trade, otherwise, the series would 
transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f) below.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(4) would provide that for the first five 
minutes of the Auction Process (inclusive of the one-minute Opening MMQ 
Time Parameter(s)), if there is no Legal Width Quote, the Exchange 
would not conduct an Auction, even if there is Matched Volume, i.e., 
the series would not transition to continuous trading. This proposed 
rule text provides transparency that, in the absence of a Legal Width 
Quote, the Exchange would not conduct an Auction that results in a 
trade even if there is Matched Volume. In such case, because there is 
Matched Volume, the Exchange could not open that series and would wait 
for a Legal Width Quote before conducting the Auction. Consistent with 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(2)(A), if at any time during this five-minute 
period there is a Legal Width Quote, the Exchange would proceed 
immediately with an Auction and would not wait for the five-minute 
timer to end.
    The Exchange proposes new functionality for Pillar to allow the 
Exchange to open a series without a trade after five minutes have 
elapsed without a Legal Width Quote, i.e.,

[[Page 55969]]

transition to continuous trading as described in proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f), when there is a Calculated NBBO that is wider than the Legal 
Width Quote. This option to open or reopen a series would not be 
available if there is Matched Volume. As proposed, five minutes after 
the Auction Process begins:
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(4)(A) would provide that if there 
is no Matched Volume and the Calculated NBBO is wider than the Legal 
Width Quote, is not crossed, and does not contain a zero offer, the 
Exchange would transition to continuous trading as described below in 
paragraph (f) of this Rule (as described below, a trade could occur 
during the transition to continuous trading, but there would not be a 
trade resulting from Matched Volume in the Auction). As further 
proposed, in such case, the Auction would not be intended to end with a 
trade, but it may result in a trade (even if there is no Legal Width 
Quote) if orders or quotes arrive when the Exchange is evaluating the 
status of orders and quotes, but before the Auction Processing Period 
begins.\152\ The Exchange believes this proposed rule would facilitate 
the opening or reopening of a series so that it can begin continuous 
trading when there is a Calculated NBBO in a series that is wider than 
the Legal Width Quote and is not crossed and does not contain a zero 
offer.\153\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \152\ The Exchange expects this to be a rare race condition that 
would result when the Exchange receives orders and quotes at 
virtually the same time that it is evaluating whether it can open a 
series on a quote based on a wide Calculated NBBO (and before the 
Auction Processing Period begins) and that, as a result of that race 
condition, those new orders or quotes are marketable against contra-
side interest, i.e., results in Matched Volume for the Auction, at 
the same time that the Exchange concludes, based on interest that 
had previously been received, that it can proceed with an Auction in 
the absence of a Legal Width Quote. In such case, the Auction could 
result in a trade.
    \153\ Such opening is similar to Cboe's ``Forced Opening'' 
process because it allows a series to open without a trade after a 
specified time period when the market is wider than the specified 
bid-ask differentials. See Cboe Rule 5.31(e)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(4)(A)(i) would provide that any 
time a series is opened or reopened when there is no Legal Width Quote, 
i.e., the Auction would end without a trade, Market Orders and MOO 
Orders would not participate in the Auction and would be cancelled 
before the Exchange transitions to continuous trading, which would 
protect such orders from trading at unintended prices.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(4)(B) would provide that if the 
Exchange still cannot conduct an Auction as provided under paragraph 
(A) (above), the Exchange would continue to evaluate both the 
Calculated NBBO and interest on the Consolidated Book until the earlier 
of: (i) A Legal Width Quote is established and an Auction can be 
conducted; (ii) the series can be opened as provided for in proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(d)(4)(A); (iii) the series is halted; or (iv) the end of 
Core Trading Hours. The proposed rule provides transparency that the 
Exchange would continue to look for an opportunity to open or reopen a 
series based on changes to the Calculated NBBO or orders and quotes on 
the Consolidated Book.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(5) would provide that the Exchange may 
deviate from the standard manner of the Auction Process, including 
adjusting the timing of the Auction Process in any option series or 
opening or reopening a series when there is no Legal Width Quote, when 
it believes it is necessary in the interests of a fair and orderly 
market. This proposed rule is based on Rule 6.64-O(b)(F) and, 
consistent with current functionality, is designed to provide the 
Exchange with flexibility to open a series even if there is no Legal 
Width Quote.\154\ For example, a Floor Broker may have a two-sided open 
outcry order. If the series is not opened, that trade could not be 
consummated. Accordingly, this proposed rule would allow the Exchange 
to open a series for trading to facilitate open outcry trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \154\ See Rule 6.64-O(b)(F) (providing that ``[t]he Exchange may 
deviate from the standard manner of the Auction Process, including 
adjusting the timing of the Auction Process in any option class, 
when it believes it is necessary in the interests of a fair and 
orderly market'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Order Processing during an Auction Processing Period. As described 
above, the Auction Processing Period is the abbreviated time period 
(i.e., generally measured in less than a second) when the Exchange 
conducts the Auction and therefore transitions a series from a pre-open 
state to continuous trading. For example, if there is a Legal Width 
Quote, Market Maker quotes, and Matched Volume, the Auction Processing 
Period is when that Matched Volume will trade at the Indicative Match 
Price. New orders and quotes received during the Auction Processing 
Period would not be eligible to participate in that Auction trade. 
Because the Exchange would be using the same Pillar auction 
functionality for options trading that is used for its cash equity 
market, the Exchange proposes that proposed Rule 6.64P-O(e) would be 
based on Rule 7.35-E(g) and sub-paragraphs (1) and (2), with 
differences only to reference quotes in addition to orders. The 
proposed rule promotes granularity and transparency of how orders and 
quotes that arrive during the Auction Processing Period would be 
processed.
    Accordingly, as proposed, new order and quote messages received 
during the Auction Processing Period would be accepted but would not be 
processed until after such Auction Processing Period. As with Rule 
7.35-E(g), for purposes of proposed Rule 6.64P-O(e) and (f), an ``order 
instruction'' would likewise refer to a request to cancel, cancel and 
replace, or modify an order or quote.
    As further proposed, during the Auction Processing Period, order 
instructions would be processed as follows:
     An order instruction that arrives during the Auction 
Processing Period would not be processed until after the Auction 
Processing Period if it relates to an order or quote that was received 
before the Auction Processing Period. Any subsequent order instructions 
relating to such order would be rejected (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(e)(1)).
     An order instruction that arrives during the Auction 
Processing Period would be processed on arrival if it relates to an 
order that was received during the Auction Processing Period (proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(e)(2)).
    Transition to Continuous Trading. After the Auction Processing 
Period concludes, i.e., once the Auction concludes either with or 
without a trade, the Exchange transitions to continuous trading. During 
this transition, the way in which orders, quotes, and order 
instructions are processed would differ depending on when such messages 
arrived at the Exchange. Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f) would describe how 
the Exchange would transition to continuous trading after the Auction 
Processing Period concludes, which would detail new functionality for 
options trading under Pillar, and is based on how the Exchange 
transitions to continuous trading on its cash equity market following 
an Auction, as described in Rule 7.35-E(h). The Exchange believes that 
the proposed rule provides granularity regarding how orders and quotes 
would be processed in connection with the transition to continuous 
trading for options trading.\155\ As proposed, the transition to 
continuous trading would proceed as follows.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \155\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.31(f) (describing Cboe's process 
for orders and quotes not executed in its opening process).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(1) would provide that orders that are no 
longer

[[Page 55970]]

eligible to trade would be cancelled. This proposed rule text is based 
on Pillar terminology used in Rule 7.35-E(h)(1). For options trading, 
the only orders that would no longer be eligible to trade after the 
Auction Processing Period concludes would be Auction-Only Orders and 
such orders would cancel (rather than ``expire'').
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(2) would provide that order instructions 
would be processed as follows:
     An order instruction that relates to an order or quote 
that was received before the Auction Processing Period or that has 
already transitioned to continuous trading and that arrives during 
either the transition to continuous trading or the Auction Processing 
Period under paragraph (e)(1) of this Rule would be processed in time 
sequence with the processing of orders and quotes as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(3)(A) or (B) of this Rule. In addition, any subsequent 
order instructions relating to such order or quote would be rejected 
(proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(2)(A)). This proposed rule text is based on 
Rule 7.35-E(h)(2)(A), except that it does not include reference to 
order instructions received during an Auction Imbalance Freeze, which, 
as discussed above, is a concept on the cash equity platform that is 
not applicable to options trading. This proposed rule text provides 
transparency regarding how order instructions that arrived during the 
Auction Processing Period would be processed if they relate to orders 
or quotes that were received before the Auction Processing Period.\156\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \156\ See id. (unexecuted orders and quotes will be entered into 
the Cboe book in time sequence).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     An order instruction that arrives during the transition to 
continuous trading would be processed on arrival if it relates to an 
order or quote that was entered during either the Auction Processing 
Period or the transition to continuous trading and such order or quote 
has not yet transitioned to continuous trading (proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f)(2)(B)). This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.35-E(h)(2)(B) 
without any substantive differences.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3) would set forth how orders and quotes 
would be processed during the transition to continuous trading 
following an Auction. The proposed process for transitioning to 
continuous trading is consistent with current functionality (with 
differences described below) relating to draining the queue of 
unexecuted orders and quotes following the current Auction Process. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed rule provides granularity of this 
process as compared to the current Rule. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes that it would process Auction-eligible orders and quotes that 
were received before the Auction Processing Period and orders ranked 
under the proposed category of ``Priority 3- Non-Display Orders'' 
(which interest was not eligible to participate in an Auction) received 
before a trading halt as follows:
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(i) would provide that Limit 
Orders and quotes would be subject to the Limit Order Price Check, 
Arbitrage Check, and Intrinsic Value Check, as applicable. This 
proposed rule differs from current functionality, whereby risk checks 
are applied before an Auction. This proposed rule text is consistent 
with the proposed rule changes, described above, regarding when the 
Limit Order Price Check, Arbitrage Check, and Intrinsic Value Check 
(per proposed Rules 6.62P-O(a)(3) and 6.41P-O, respectively) would be 
applied to orders and quotes that were received during a pre-open 
state. The Exchange proposes to apply these checks to orders and quotes 
before they become eligible for trading or routing during continuous 
trading.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(ii) would provide that 
Limit Orders and Market Orders would be assigned a Trading Collar. This 
proposed rule is consistent with the proposed changes to Trading 
Collars on Pillar, described above (per Rule 6.62P(a)(4)), that an 
order received during a pre-open state would be assigned a Trading 
Collar after an Auction concludes, or that an order would be reassigned 
a Trading Collar after a halt.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(iii) would provide that 
orders eligible to route that are marketable against Away Market 
Protected Quotations would route based on the ranking of such orders as 
set forth in Rule 6.76P-O(c). This proposed rule is consistent with 
current functionality and uses Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.35-
E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(a), with differences to use the term ``Away Market 
Protected Quotations'' instead of ``protected quotations on Away 
Markets'' and to cross reference proposed Rule 6.76P-O(c).\157\ As with 
current functionality, routable orders would be routed to Away Markets 
to avoid either trading through or locking or crossing an Away Market 
Protected Quotation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \157\ See supra note 95 (citing definitions of ``Protected 
Bid,'' ``Protected Offer,'' and ``Quotation'' set forth in in Rule 
6.92-O(a)(15) and (16) and of ``Away Market'' as set forth in 
proposed Rule 1.1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(iv) would provide that 
after routing eligible orders, orders and quotes not eligible to route 
that are marketable against Away Market Protected Quotations would 
cancel. This functionality would be new for options trading (such 
orders and quotes would currently reprice) and this proposed rule is 
based on Rule 7.35-E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(b), with differences to use the term 
``Away Market Protected Quotations'' instead of ``protected quotations 
on Away Markets.'' By cancelling non-routable orders and quotes 
marketable against Away Market Protected Quotations, the Exchange would 
avoid locking or crossing such Away Market Protected Quotations.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(v) would provide that once 
there are no more unexecuted orders marketable against Away Market 
Protected Quotations, orders and quotes that are marketable against 
other orders and quotes in the Consolidated Book would trade or be 
repriced. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35-E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(c), 
with a difference that an order could be repriced based on this 
assessment, which would be unique to options trading because as 
described above, an ALO Order that would be marketable against a 
contra-side order or quote on the Consolidated Book cannot take 
liquidity and in such case, the Exchange would reprice an ALO Order 
that is marketable as provided for in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(2).\158\ 
The Exchange further notes that, similar to the Exchange's cash equity 
market, the Exchange could transition to continuous trading without the 
Auction resulting in a trade, but that a trade(s) may occur during the 
transition to continuous trading, which trade(s) would be published to 
OPRA before the Exchange publishes a quote to OPRA.\159\ The Exchange 
would not consider a trade that occurs during the transition to 
continuous trading to be an Auction that results in a trade.\160\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \158\ As described above, the Exchange proposes a difference on 
Pillar because ALO Orders would be eligible to participate in an 
Auction. Currently, ALOs will be rejected if entered outside of Core 
Trading Hours or during a trading halt or, if resting, will be 
cancelled in the event of a trading halt. See discussion supra 
regarding Rule 6.62-O(t).
    \159\ For example, the Exchange may determine that, as described 
in proposed Rule 6.64P-O(d)(4)(A), if there is no Matched Volume but 
there is a Calculated NBBO that meets the requirements specified in 
that Rule, it can conduct an Auction without a trade and transition 
to continuous trading pursuant to proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f). In such 
case, there would not be an Auction that results in a trade, but a 
trade(s) could occur among orders and quotes that trade during the 
transition to continuous trading.
    \160\ OPRA does not distinguish between a trade that results 
from an opening auction and a trade that occurs during the 
transition to continuous trading. By contrast, the Exchange's 
proprietary data feed would distinguish a trade that resulted from 
an Auction from a trade that occurred during the transition to 
continuous trading.

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

[[Page 55971]]

     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(vi) would provide that 
Market Orders received during a pre-open state would be subject to the 
validation specified in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(C). The Exchange 
notes that because such Market Orders would already have been received 
by the Exchange, if such orders fail one of those validations, they 
would be cancelled instead of rejected. This would be new rule text as 
compared to the Exchange's cash equity rules to reflect the validations 
that would be applicable to Market Orders for options trading on Pillar 
and would add transparency and granularity to Exchange rules.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(vii) would provide that the 
display quantity of Reserve Orders would be replenished. This proposed 
rule is based on Rule 7.35-E(h)(3)(A)(ii)(d), without any substantive 
differences. This proposed rule is based on current functionality and 
provides granularity in Exchange rules.
     Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(viii) would describe the 
last step in this process regarding Auction-eligible interest received 
before the Auction Processing Period and orders ranked under the 
proposed category of ``Priority 3--Non-Display Orders'' received before 
a trading halt. Specifically, the Exchange would send a quote to OPRA 
and proprietary data feeds representing the highest-priced bid and 
lowest-priced offer of any remaining, unexecuted Auction-eligible 
orders and quotes that were received before the Auction Processing 
Period. This proposed rule is consistent with current options 
functionality and is also based on current cash equity functionality, 
as set forth in Rule 7.35-E(h)(3)(A)(ii). Although the functionality 
would be the same for both markets, for options traded on the Exchange, 
the Exchange proposes to describe this aspect of the process in 
sequence, and reference both orders and quotes. The Exchange notes that 
this quote sent to OPRA would be different than the Rotational Quote 
sent at the beginning of the Auction Process because it could be 
comprised of both orders and quotes. At a high level, this represents 
current functionality because after a series opens, the Exchange 
disseminates its best bid and offer of its quotes and orders to OPRA.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(B) would provide that next, orders 
ranked under the proposed category of ``Priority 3--Non-Display 
Orders'' that were received during a pre-open state would be assigned a 
new working time, in time sequence relative to one another based on 
original entry time, and would be subject to the Limit Order Price 
Check, Arbitrage Check, and Intrinsic Value Check, as applicable, and 
if not cancelled, would be traded or repriced. This proposed 
functionality would be new for Pillar and applicable only for options 
traded on the Exchange. Even though orders ranked Priority 3--Non-
Display Orders would not be eligible to trade in an Auction (other than 
the reserve interest of Reserve Orders), the Exchange proposes to 
accept such orders during a pre-open state. These orders would 
transition to continuous trading after any unexecuted Auction-eligible 
interest transitions to continuous trading, as described above in 
proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(A)(i)--(viii). The Exchange believes that 
waiting to process non-displayed orders in this sequence would ensure 
that there is an NBBO against which such orders could be priced, as 
described in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(d) (regarding Orders with a 
Conditional or Undisplayed Price and/or Size) above.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(C) would provide that next, orders and 
quotes that were received during the Auction Processing Period would be 
assigned a new working time in time sequence relative to one another, 
based on original entry time and would be subject to the Limit Order 
Price Check, Pre-Trade Risk Controls, Arbitrage Check, Intrinsic Value 
Check, and validations specified in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(a)(1)(A), as 
applicable to certain Market Orders, and if not cancelled would be 
processed consistent with the terms of the order or quote. This 
proposed rule text is designed to reflect that orders and quotes 
received during the Auction Processing Period would not be subjected to 
these price/risk validations until after the Exchange has transitioned 
to continuous trading, and that if such interest fails these 
validations, those orders or quotes would be cancelled instead of 
rejected. This proposed rule text is based on Rule 7.35-E(h)(3)(B), 
with differences to reflect the price/risk validations that would be 
applicable to orders and quotes for options trading.
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(D) would further provide that when 
transitioning to continuous trading:
     The display price and working price of orders and quotes 
would be adjusted based on the contra-side interest in the Consolidated 
Book or Away Market NBBO, as provided for in Rule 6.62P-O (proposed 
Rule 6.64P-O(f)(3)(D)(i)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35-
E(h)(3)(C), with differences to reflect that, for options trading, the 
display price or working price of an order may be adjusted based either 
on contra-side interest on the Consolidated Book (e.g., for ALO Orders) 
or the Away Market NBBO (as opposed to the PBBO or NBBO for cash 
equities trading).
     The display price and working price of a Day ISO would be 
adjusted in the same manner as a Non-Routable Limit Order until the Day 
ISO is either traded in full or displayed at its limit price and the 
display price and working price of a Day ISO ALO would be adjusted in 
the same manner as an ALO Order until the Day ISO ALO is either traded 
in full or displayed at its limit price (proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(f)(3)(D)(ii)). This proposed rule is new for options trading because, 
as described above, the Exchange would be offering Day ISO and Day ISO 
ALO for options trading for the first time with the transition to 
Pillar. The rule text is based in part on Rule 7.35-E(h)(3)(D), with 
differences to reflect how a Day ISO ALO would be processed on options 
as compared to how similarly-named orders trade on the Exchange's cash 
equity market, as described in more detail above in connection with 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e)(3).
    Proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g) would describe order processing during a 
trading halt. The proposed rule is based in part on Rule 7.18-E(c), 
with differences to reflect how options would trade on Pillar as 
described below. The proposed Rule is designed to provide granularity 
in Exchange rules about how new and existing orders, quotes, and order 
instructions would be processed during a trading halt. As proposed, the 
Exchange would process new and existing orders and quotes in a series 
during a trading halt as follows:
     Cancel any unexecuted quantity of orders for which the 
500-millisecond Trading Collar timer has started and all resting Market 
Maker quotes (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g)(1)). This proposed rule would be 
unique for options traded on the Exchange. The Exchange proposes to 
cancel resting Market Maker quotes when a trading halt is triggered, 
which represents current functionality, and as noted below, would 
accept new Market Maker quotes during a trading halt, which would be 
the basis for the Rotational Quote that would be published for a 
Trading Halt Auction. The Exchange also proposes to cancel any 
unexecuted quantity of orders for which the 500-millisecond Trading 
Collar has started because such timer would have ended during a trading 
halt, and therefore such orders were subject to cancellation already. 
This would be

[[Page 55972]]

new functionality on Pillar and reflects the proposed new Trading 
Collar behavior that orders would be priced at their collar for only 
500 milliseconds and then would cancel.
     Re-price all other resting orders on the Consolidated Book 
to their limit price. This would be new functionality on Pillar for 
options trading; currently, during a halt, resting orders do not 
reprice to their limit price.\161\ The repricing of a Non-Routable 
Limit Order, ALO Order, or Day ISO ALO to its limit price during a 
trading halt would not be counted toward the (limited) number of times 
such order may be repriced, and any subsequent repricing of such order 
during the transition to continuous trading would be permitted as the 
additional (uncounted) repricing event as provided for in proposed 
Rules 6.62P-O(e)(1)(B) and (e)(2)(C) (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g)(2)). As 
described above, once resting, a Non-Routable Limit Order, ALO Order, 
or Day ISO ALO that was repriced on arrival is eligible to be repriced 
only one additional time. This proposed rule provides transparency that 
the repricing of such orders to their limit price during a trading halt 
would not count towards that ``one'' additional repricing, but that any 
subsequent repricing after the Auction concludes would count.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \161\ On its cash equities market, for trading halts in 
Exchange-listed securities, the Exchange reprices resting orders to 
their limit price. See Rule 7.18-E(c)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Accept and process all cancellations (proposed Rule 6.64P-
O(g)(3)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.18-E(c)(4), without any 
differences, and is consistent with current functionality.
     Reject incoming Limit Orders designated IOC or FOK 
(proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g)(4)). This proposed rule is based on Rule 
7.18-E(c)(5), with a difference to add orders designated FOK and not 
include non-displayed orders and is consistent with current 
functionality.
     Accept all other incoming order and quote messages and 
instructions until the Auction Processing Period for the Trading Halt 
Auction ends, at which point, paragraph (e) of proposed Rule 6.64P-O 
would govern the entry of incoming orders, quotes, and order 
instructions (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g)(5)). This proposed rule is based 
on Rule 7.18-E(c)(6), with differences to cross reference the options 
rule relating to the transition to continuous trading and is consistent 
with current functionality.
     Disseminate a zero bid and zero offer quote to OPRA and 
proprietary data feeds (proposed Rule 6.64P-O(g)(6)). This proposed 
rule is based on current functionality and is designed to promote 
clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that when a trading halt 
begins, the Exchange will ``zero'' out the Exchange's BBO.
    Finally, proposed Rule 6.64P-O(h) would provide that whenever, in 
the judgment of the Exchange, the interests of a fair and orderly 
market so require, the Exchange may adjust the timing of or suspend the 
Auctions set forth in this Rule with prior notice to OTP Holders and 
OTP Firms. This proposed rule is based on Rule 7.35-E(i), with a 
difference to reference OTP Holders instead of ETP Holders and also 
reference OTP Holders and OTP Firms.
    In connection with proposed Rule 6.64P-O, the Exchange proposes to 
add the following preamble to Rule 6.64-O: ``This Rule is not 
applicable to trading on Pillar.'' This proposed preamble is designed 
to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules that Rule 6.64-O 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
* * * * *
    As discussed above, because of the technology changes associated 
with the migration to the Pillar trading platform, subject to approval 
of this proposed rule change, the Exchange will announce by Trader 
Update when rules with a ``P'' modifier will become operative and for 
which symbols. The Exchange believes that keeping existing rules on the 
rulebook pending the full migration of Pillar will reduce confusion 
because it will ensure that the rules governing trading on the OX 
system will continue to be available pending the full migration to 
Pillar.
2. Statutory Basis
    The proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act''),\162\ in general, and 
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\163\ in particular, because 
it is 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 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. The Exchange 
believes that the proposed rules to support Pillar would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because the proposed rules would promote 
transparency in Exchange rules by using consistent terminology 
governing trading on both the Exchange's cash equity and options 
trading platforms, thereby ensuring that members, regulators, and the 
public can more easily navigate the Exchange's rulebook and better 
understand how options trading is conducted on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \162\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \163\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Generally, the Exchange believes that adding new rules with the 
modifier ``P'' to denote those rules that would be operative for the 
Pillar trading platform would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system by 
providing transparency of which rules would govern trading once a 
symbol has been migrated to the Pillar platform. The Exchange similarly 
believes that adding a preamble to those current rules that would not 
be applicable to trading on Pillar would remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system because it would promote transparency regarding which rules 
would govern trading on the Exchange during and after the transition to 
Pillar.
    In addition, the Exchange believes that incorporating functionality 
currently available on the Exchange's cash equity market for options 
trading would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system because the Exchange would 
be able to offer consistent functionality across both its options and 
cash equity trading platforms, adapted as applicable for options 
trading. Accordingly, with the transition to Pillar, the Exchange will 
be able to offer additional features to its OTP Holders and OTP Firms 
that are currently available only on the Exchange's cash equity 
platform. For similar reasons, the Exchange believes that using Pillar 
terminology for the proposed new rules would remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system because it would promote consistency in the Exchange's rules 
across both its options and cash equity platforms.
Definitions and Applicability
    The Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to Rule 1.1, 
including adding definitions from Rule 6.1-O and Rule 6.1A-O to Rule 
1.1, would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system because the proposed 
changes

[[Page 55973]]

are designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules by 
consolidating into Rule 1.1 definitions relating to both cash equity 
and options trading. The Exchange believes that the proposed changes to 
eliminate obsolete definitions and modifying the text of certain 
existing definitions relating to options trading that are being added 
to Rule 1.1, would further remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because it would ensure that the definitions used in Exchange rules are 
updated and consistent. Finally, the Exchange believes that organizing 
Rule 1.1 alphabetically and eliminating sub-paragraph numbering would 
make the proposed rules easier to navigate.
    The Exchange further believes that proposed new Rule 6.1P-O 
relating to applicability would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because the proposed rule would include those elements of current Rule 
6.1-O that would remain applicable and eliminates duplicative text that 
would no longer be necessary after the transition to Pillar. The 
Exchange further notes that proposed Rule 6.1P-O is similar to NYSE 
American Rule 900.1NY.
Order Ranking and Display
    The Exchange believes that proposed new Rule 6.76P-O would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because the Exchange is not proposing 
substantive changes to how the Exchange would rank and display orders 
and quotes on Pillar as compared to the OX system. Rather, the proposed 
revisions to the Exchange's options trading rules would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because the proposed changes are designed to 
simplify the structure of the Exchange's options rules and use 
consistent Pillar terminology for both cash equity and options trading, 
without changing the underlying functionality for options trading. For 
example, the Exchange believes the proposed definitions set forth in 
Rule 6.76P-O, i.e., display price, limit price, working price, working 
time, and Aggressing Order/Aggressing Quote, would promote transparency 
in Exchange rules and make them easier to navigate because these 
proposed definitions would be used in other proposed Pillar options 
trading rules. The Exchange notes that these proposed definitions are 
consistent with the definitions set forth in Rule 7.36-E for cash 
equity trading with differences only as necessary to address 
functionality associated with options trading that are not applicable 
to cash equity trading, e.g., reference to quotes.
    The Exchange further believes that moving descriptions of order 
type behavior, which are currently set forth in Rule 6.76-O, to 
proposed Rule 6.62P-O, and therefore not include such detail in 
proposed Rule 6.76P-O, would make Exchange rules easier to navigate 
because information regarding how a specific order type would operate 
would be in a single location in the Exchange's rulebook. The Exchange 
notes that this proposed structure is consistent with the Exchange's 
cash equity rules, which similarly set forth information relating to an 
order type's ranking in Rule 7.31-E.
    Moreover, the Exchange is not proposing any functional changes to 
how it would rank and display orders and quotes on Pillar as compared 
to the OX system. Rather, the Exchange believes that using new 
terminology to describe ranking and display, including the proposed 
priority categories of Priority 1--Market Orders, Priority 2--Display 
Orders, and Priority 3--Non-Display Orders, would remove impediments 
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system because the proposed rule would provide more granularity 
and use Pillar terminology to describe functionality that is consistent 
with the OX system functionality currently referred to as the ``Display 
Order Process'' and the ``Working Order Process'' in Rule 6.76-O.
Order Execution and Routing
    The Exchange believes that proposed new Rule 6.76AP-O would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because the proposed rule would set forth a 
price-time priority model for Pillar that is substantively the same as 
the Exchange's current price-time priority model as set forth in Rule 
6.76A-O. The proposed differences as compared to Rule 6.76A-O are 
designed to use Pillar terminology that is based in part on Rule 7.37-
E, if applicable, without changing the functionality that is currently 
available for options trading.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed modifications to the LMM 
Guarantee would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a 
free and open market and a national market system because it provides 
clarity of how multiple quotes from an LMM would be allocated (i.e., 
only the first quote in time priority would be eligible for the LMM 
Guarantee). The Exchange similarly believes that eliminating Directed 
Order Market Makers and Directed Orders would remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system because these features are not currently used on the Exchange, 
and therefore eliminating Directed Orders and Directed Order Market 
Makers would streamline the Exchange's rules. The Exchange notes that 
the remaining differences in proposed Rule 6.76AP-O relating to the LMM 
Guarantee are designed to promote clarity and transparency in Exchange 
rules and would not introduce new functionality.
    The Exchange believes that the structure and content of the rule 
text in proposed Rule 6.76AP-O promotes transparency by using 
consistent Pillar terminology. The Exchange also believes that adding 
more detail regarding current functionality in new Rule 6.76AP-O, as 
described above, would promote transparency by providing notice of when 
orders would be executed or routed by the Exchange.
Orders and Modifiers
    The Exchange believes that proposed new Rule 6.62P-O would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because it would use existing Pillar 
terminology to describe the order types and modifiers that would be 
available on the Exchange's options Pillar trading system. As noted 
above, the Exchange proposes to offer order types and modifiers that 
are either based on existing order types available on the OX system as 
described in Rule 6.62-O, or orders and modifiers available on the 
Exchange's cash equity trading platform, as described in Rule 7.31-E, 
with differences as applicable to reflect differences in options 
trading from cash equity trading. The Exchange believes that 
structuring proposed Rule 6.62P-O based on the structure of Rule 7.31-E 
would remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and 
open market and a national market system because it would promote 
transparency and consistency in the Exchange's rulebook.
    In addition to the terminology changes to describe the order types 
and modifiers that are currently available on the Exchange, the 
Exchange further believes that the order types and modifiers proposed 
for options trading on Pillar that either differ from order types and 
modifiers available on the OX

[[Page 55974]]

system or that would be new would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and national market system because:
     Market Orders on Pillar would function similarly to how 
Market Orders function under current options trading rules, including 
being subject to Trading Collars. However, the proposed functionality 
would expand the circumstances under which Market Orders may be 
rejected, which functionality is designed to ensure that Market Orders 
do not execute either when there is no prevailing market in a series, 
which can occur if there is no NBO, no NBB and an NBO higher than 
$0.50, or an absence of contra-side Market Maker quotations or an Away 
Market NBBO. In addition, the proposed functionality would provide that 
if the displayed prices are too wide to assure a fair and orderly 
execution of a Market Order, such Market Order would be rejected. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed ``wide-spread'' check for Market 
Orders is consistent with similar price protections on other options 
exchanges and is designed to prevent a Market Order trading at a price 
that could be considered a Catastrophic Error.\164\ The Exchange 
believes that the proposed rule describing Market Orders would promote 
transparency by providing notice of when a Market Order would be 
subject to such validations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \164\ See supra note 55 (citing Cboe's Market Order NBBO Width 
Protection, which similarly looks to the midpoint of the NBBO in 
applying this protection).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Exchange is not proposing any new or different 
behavior for Limit Orders than is currently available for options 
trading on the Exchange, other than the application of Limit Order 
Price Protection and Trading Collars, which would differ on Pillar. The 
Exchange believes using Pillar terminology based on Rule 7.31-E(a)(2) 
to describe Limit Orders would promote consistency and clarity in 
Exchange rules.
     The proposed Limit Order Price Protection functionality is 
based in part on the existing ``Limit Order Filter'' for orders and 
price protection filters for quotes because an order or quote would be 
rejected if it is priced a specified percentage away from the contra-
side NBB or NBO. The proposed Limit Order Price Protection 
functionality is also based in part on the functionality available on 
the Exchange's cash equity trading platform, and therefore is not 
novel. The Exchange believes that using the same mechanism for both 
orders and quotes would simplify the operation of the Exchange and 
achieve similar results as the current rules, which is to reject an 
order or quote that is priced too far away from the prevailing market. 
The Exchange believes that re-applying Limit Order Price Protection 
after an Auction concludes would ensure that Limit Orders and quotes 
continue to be priced consistent with the prevailing market, and that 
using an Auction Price (if available, and if not available, Auction 
Collars, and if not available, the NBBO) to assess Limit Orders and 
quotes after an Auction concludes would ensure that the Exchange would 
be applying the most recent price in a series in assessing whether such 
orders or quotes should be cancelled. The Exchange further believes 
that the proposed Specified Thresholds for determining whether to 
reject a Limit Order or quote would remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because they are designed to be tailored to the applicable Reference 
Price, and thus more granular that the current thresholds.
    The proposed Trading Collar functionality is based in part on how 
trading collars currently function on the Exchange because the proposed 
functionality would create a ceiling or floor price at which an order 
could be traded or routed. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
differences for Trading Collars on Pillar, including applying the same 
Trading Collar logic to both Limit Orders and Market Orders, applying 
them once per trading day (unless there is a trading halt), tailoring 
the specified thresholds to be within the current parameters for 
determining whether a trade would be an Obvious Error or Catastrophic 
Error, and canceling orders that have been displayed at their Trading 
Collar for 500 milliseconds, would remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because they are designed to provide a deterministic price protection 
mechanism for orders. In addition, the proposed Pillar Trading Collar 
functionality is designed to simplify the process by applying a static 
ceiling price (for buy orders) or floor price (for sell orders) at 
which such order could be traded or routed that would be applicable to 
the order until it is traded or cancelled. The Exchange believes that 
the proposed functionality would provide greater determinism to an OTP 
Holder or OTP Firm of the Trading Collar that would be applicable to 
its orders and when such orders may be cancelled if it reaches its 
Trading Collar.
     The Exchange is not proposing any new or different Time-
in-Force modifiers than are currently available for options trading on 
the Exchange. The Exchange believes using Pillar terminology based on 
Rule 7.31-E(b) to describe the time-in-force modifiers would promote 
consistency and clarity in Exchange rules.
     Auction-Only Orders, and specifically, the proposed MOO 
and LOO Orders, would operate no differently than how ``Opening-Only 
Orders'' currently function on the OX system. However, rather than 
refer to Opening-Only Orders, the Exchange proposes to use Pillar 
terminology that is based on Rule 7.31-E(c) terminology. The Exchange 
further believes that offering its IO Order type for Auctions on the 
options trading platform--both for Core Open Auctions and Trading Halt 
Auctions--would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with new, optional 
functionality to offset an Imbalance in an Auction. The proposed 
availability of the IO Order on the options platform would be more 
expansive than is currently available on the Exchange's cash equity 
platform, which (unlike options) does not account for quotes in 
determining an Imbalance and which limits the use of IO Orders solely 
to Trading Halt Auctions. The Exchange believes this proposed 
functionality would afford OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater 
flexibility for all Auctions on Pillar.
     The Exchange would continue to offer Reserve Orders, AON 
Orders, Stop Orders, and Stop Limit Orders, which are currently 
available on the OX system. The proposed differences to Reserve Orders 
for options trading would harmonize with how Reserve Orders function on 
the Exchange's cash equity market, with changes as applicable to 
address options trading (e.g., no round lot/odd lot concept for options 
trading). The proposed changes to AON Orders would provide greater 
execution opportunities for such orders by allowing them to be 
integrated in the Consolidated Book and once resting, trade with 
incoming orders and quotes. The changes are also based on how orders 
with an MTS Modifier, which are also conditional orders, function on 
the Exchange's cash equity market. The Exchange believes it is 
appropriate to opt not to support Market Orders designated as AON on 
Pillar because such functionality was not used often on the OX system, 
indicating a lack of market participant interest in this functionality. 
The proposed differences for Stop Orders and Stop Limit Orders

[[Page 55975]]

are designed to promote transparency by providing clarity of 
circumstances when either order may be elected and make clear that, 
once elected, such orders are subject to the price protection and risk 
checks applicable to Market Orders and Limit Orders, respectively. 
Finally, the Exchange believes that offering Non-Displayed Limit Orders 
for options trading on Pillar, which are available on the Exchange's 
cash equity platform, would provide additional, optional trading 
functionality for OTP Holders and OTP Firms. The Exchange notes that 
the proposed Non-Displayed Limit Order would function similarly to how 
a PNP Blind Order that locks or crosses the contra-side NBBO would be 
processed because in such circumstances, a PNP Blind Order is not 
displayed. A Non-Displayed Limit Order would differ from a PNP Blind 
Order only because it would never be displayed, even if its limit price 
doesn't lock or cross the contra-side NBBO.
     The Exchange believes that the proposed orders (and 
quotes) with instructions not to route (i.e., Non-Routable Limit Order, 
ALO Order, and ISOs) would streamline the offerings available for 
options trading on the Exchange by making the functionality the same 
for both orders and quotes and consolidating the description of non-
routable orders and quotes in proposed Rule 6.62P-O(e). In particular, 
the Exchange believes that allowing Market Makers to enter a Non-
Routable Limit Order or an ALO Order and then opt to designate such as 
either as a quote or an order would streamline Exchange rules by 
consolidating the description of the functionality in a single rule, 
thereby adding clarity and transparency. The Exchange believes that 
using Pillar terminology, including order type names, that is based on 
the terminology used for cash equity trading would promote clarity and 
consistency across the Exchange's cash equity and options trading 
platforms.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed Non-Routable Limit Order is 
not novel because it is based on how the PNP, RPNP, and MMRP orders and 
quotes currently function on the OX system, including the continued 
availability of the option to designate a non-routable order either to 
cancel or reprice if it is marketable against an Away Market NBBO. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed differences (which would be new for 
options trading and are not currently available on the Exchange's cash 
equity market) would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater 
determinism of when such orders or quotes may be repriced by limiting 
the number of times a resting order could be repriced. The Exchange 
further believes that providing additional options to cancel a resting 
Non-Routable Limit Order or ALO Order rather than reprice an additional 
time would provide additional choice to market participants. Similarly, 
the proposed ALO Order is not novel because it is based in part on how 
the RALO and MMLO orders and quotes currently function on the OX 
system. As such, the Exchange believes that the proposed non-routable 
order/quote types would continue to provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms 
with the core functionality associated with existing non-routable 
order/quote types that would not be offered under Pillar, including 
that the proposed rules would provide for non-routable functionality 
and the ability to either reprice or cancel such orders/quotes. The 
Exchange believes the proposed functionality to allow an ALO Order 
(which can never be a liquidity taker) to lock non-displayed interest 
(which is consistent with the treatment of ALO Orders on the Exchange's 
cash equity platform) or to reprice if such order crosses non-displayed 
interest, would reduce potential repricing or cancellation events for 
an incoming ALO Order and would likewise reduce potential information 
leakage about non-displayed interest in the Consolidated Book.
    Finally, the proposed IOC ISO is not novel for options trading on 
the Exchange and the Exchange believes that the proposed Pillar 
terminology to describe the same functionality would promote 
transparency. The proposed DAY ISO and DAY ISO ALO functionality would 
be new for options trading and are based in part on how such order 
types function in the Exchange's cash equity market. In addition, the 
proposed DAY ISO functionality is consistent with existing Rule 6.95-
O(b)(3), which currently provides an exception to locking or crossing 
an Away Market Protected Quotation if the OTP Holder or OTP Firm 
simultaneously routed an ISO to execute against the full displayed size 
of any locked or crossed Protected Bid or Protected Offer. The Exchange 
notes that this exception is not necessary for IOC ISOs because such 
orders would never be displayed at a price that would lock or cross a 
Protected Quotation; they cancel if they cannot trade. Accordingly, 
this existing exception in the Exchange's rules contemplates an ISO 
that would be displayed, which would mean it would need a time-in-force 
modifier of ``Day.'' In addition, Day ISOs are available for options 
trading on other options exchanges, and therefore are not novel.\165\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \165\ See supra notes 96, 97 (citing to availability of Day ISO 
orders on Nasdaq and Cboe).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Exchange believes that the proposed additional detail 
defining Complex Orders to define the ``legs'' and ``components'' of 
such orders would promote transparency in Exchange rules.
     On Pillar, the only electronically-entered crossing orders 
would be QCC Orders, which is consistent with current functionality. 
The Exchange believes that the proposed differences, including using 
Pillar terminology and consolidating rule text relating to QCC Orders 
in proposed Rule 6.62P-O, would promote transparency and clarity in 
Exchange rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that the proposed 
descriptions of how a QCC Order priced at the market would be traded, 
including the proposed new functionality, would provide transparency 
regarding at which price such orders would trade. The proposed 
description of Complex Cross Orders, including Complex QCCs, is 
designed to distinguish such orders from Single-Leg Cross Orders and to 
promote clarity and transparency in Exchange rules regarding the price 
requirements for a Complex Cross Order, including when there is no NBB 
or NBO on a given leg or there is displayed Customer interest equal to 
the best-priced complex interest. Further, Complex QCC (which, at this 
time, are the only electronic Complex Cross Orders to be offered under 
Pillar) are available for trading on other options exchanges, and 
therefore are not novel.\166\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \166\ See supra note 102 (citing Complex QCC Order type, as 
offered on Cboe and ISE).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Exchange believes that moving the descriptions of 
orders available only in open outcry from Rule 6.62-O to proposed Rule 
6.62P-O(h) would ensure that these order types remain in the rulebook 
after the transition to Pillar is complete. For CTB Orders, the 
Exchange believes that, because Floor Brokers have an existing 
obligation to satisfy better-priced interest on the Consolidated Book, 
the proposed change to automate such priority on Pillar (i.e., to allow 
CTB Orders to satisfy any displayed interest (including non-Customer 
interest) at better prices than the latest-arriving displayed Customer 
interest) would not only make it easier for Floor Brokers to comply 
with Exchange priority rules, but would also increase execution 
opportunities and achieve the goal of a CTB Order. The Exchange also 
believes that codifying this order type and the

[[Page 55976]]

associated regulatory obligations would add clarity and transparency in 
Exchange rules.
     The proposed Proactive if Locked/Crossed Modifier, STP 
Modifier, and MTS Modifier are not novel and are based on the 
Exchange's current cash equity modifiers of the same name. The Exchange 
believes that extending the availability of these existing modifiers to 
options trading would provide OTP Holders and OTP Firms with 
additional, optional functionality that is not novel and is based on 
existing Exchange rules. Further, such proposed optional functionality 
would afford OTP Holders and OTP Firms with greater flexibility in 
specifying how their trading interest should be handled. For example, 
the proposed MTS Modifier works similarly to the existing (and 
proposed) AON functionality, but provides the OTP Holder or OTP Firm 
with the alternative to designate a portion smaller than the full 
quantity as the minimum trade size. The Exchange further believes that 
extending the availability of STP Modifiers to all orders and quotes, 
and not just those of Market Makers, would provide additional 
protections for OTP Holders and OTP Firms and facilitate their 
compliance and risk management by assisting them in avoiding 
unintentional wash-sale trading.
Market Maker Quotations
    The Exchange believes that proposed Rule 6.37AP-O would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because it is based on current Rule 6.37A-O, 
with such changes as necessary to use Pillar terminology. The Exchange 
believes that consolidating into one rule functionality for orders and 
quotes, such that Non-Routable Limit Orders and ALO Orders may be 
designated as quotes per proposed Rule 6.37AP-O, would obviate the need 
to separately describe the same functionality in two rules and 
therefore streamline the Exchange's rules and promote transparency and 
consistency.
Pre-Trade and Activity-Based Risk Controls
    The Exchange believes that the proposed Rule 6.40P-O, setting forth 
pre-trade and activity-based risk controls, would remove impediments to 
and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system and promote just and equitable principles of trade 
because the proposed functionality would incorporate existing activity-
based risk controls, without any substantive differences, and augment 
them with additional pre-trade risk controls and related functionality 
that are based on the pre-trade risk controls currently available on 
the Exchange's cash equity trading platform. The Exchange believes that 
the proposed differences are designed to provide greater flexibility to 
OTP Holders and OTP Firms in how to set risk controls for both orders 
and quotes. The Exchange believes that using Pillar terminology based 
on the cash equity rules, including using the term ``Entering Firm'' to 
mean OTP Holders and OTP Firms, including Market Makers, would promote 
transparency in Exchange rules. In addition, the proposed Single Order 
Maximum Notional Value Risk Limit and Single Order Maximum Quantity 
Risk Limit checks would provide Entering Firms with additional risk 
protection mechanisms on an individual order or quote basis. Moreover, 
the Exchange believes that aggregating a Market Maker's quotes and 
orders for purposes of calculating activity-based risk controls would 
better reflect the aggregate risk that a Market Maker has with respect 
to its quotes and orders. The Exchange further believes that the 
proposed Automated Breach Actions would provide Entering Firms with 
additional flexibility in how they could set their risk mechanisms and 
the automated responses if a risk mechanism is breached. The proposed 
Kill Switch Action functionality would also provide OTP Holders and OTP 
Firms with greater flexibility to provide bulk instructions to the 
Exchange with respect to cancelling existing orders and quotes and 
blocking new orders and quotes. Further, as noted herein, providing 
``Kill Switch Action'' functionality in Exchange rules is consistent 
with the rules of other options exchanges.\167\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \167\ See supra note 115 (citing optional ``Kill Switch'' 
functionality available on Cboe).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Price Reasonability Checks--Orders and Quotes
    The Exchange believes that the proposed Rule 6.41P-O, setting forth 
Price Reasonability Checks, would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because they are based on existing functionality, with differences 
designed to use Pillar terminology and promote consistency and 
transparency in Exchange rules. Specifically, on Pillar, the Exchange 
proposes to apply the same types of Price Reasonability Checks to both 
orders and quotes, and therefore proposes to describe those checks in a 
single rule--proposed Rule 6.41P-O. The proposed rule also provides 
specificity regarding when the Price Reasonability Checks would be 
applied to an order or quote, which would promote transparency and 
clarity in Exchange rules. In addition, the Exchange believes that by 
utilizing the last sale on the Primary Market (rather than the 
Consolidated Last Sale) for the Price Reasonability Checks, the Pillar 
system would need to ingest and process less data, thereby improving 
efficiency and performance of the system without compromising the price 
protection features.
Auction Process
    The Exchange believes that proposed Rule 6.64P-O would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system because the proposed rule maintains the 
fundamentals of an auction process that is tailored for options trading 
while at the same time enhancing the process by incorporating certain 
Pillar auction functionality that is currently available on the 
Exchange's cash equity platform, as described in Rule 7.35-E. For 
example, the Exchange proposes to augment the imbalance information 
that would be disseminated in advance of an Auction to include fields 
available on the Exchange's cash equity market (e.g., Book Clearing 
Price, Far Clearing Price, Auction Collars, and Auction Indicators), 
yet tailor such information to be specific to options trading (e.g., 
Auction Collars based on a Legal Width Quote and how the Auction 
Indicator would be determined). The Exchange believes that the proposed 
additional Auction Imbalance Information would promote transparency to 
market participants in advance of an Auction. The Exchange also 
proposes to transition to continuous trading following an Auction in a 
manner similar to how the Exchange's cash equity market transitions to 
continuous trading following a cash equity Trading Halt Auction, 
including how orders and quotes that are received during an Auction 
Processing Period would be processed, which the Exchange believes would 
promote consistency across the Exchange's options and cash equity 
trading platforms. The proposed rule describing how orders and quotes 
that are received during the Auction Processing Period would be 
handled, and how unexecuted quotes and orders would be transitioned to 
continuous trading would provide granularity regarding the process, 
thereby providing transparency in Exchange rules. Because the Exchange 
would be harnessing Pillar technology to support Auctions for

[[Page 55977]]

options trading, the Exchange believes that structuring proposed Rule 
6.64P-O based on Rule 7.35-E (and NYSE Rule 7.35, in part, as well) 
would promote transparency in the Exchange's trading rules.
    The Exchange further believes that the proposed Auction Process for 
options trading on Pillar would remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system. The 
proposed process maintains the core functionality of the current 
options auction process, including that orders are matched based on 
price-time priority and that an Auction would not be conducted if the 
bid-ask differential is not within an acceptable range. As proposed, 
the Auction Process on Pillar would begin with the proposed Rotational 
Quote, which would provide notice not only of when the process would 
begin, but also whether Market Makers on the Exchange have quoted in a 
series. Similar to the current rule, the Exchange would require a 
``Calculated NBBO,'' which is calculated using information consistent 
with the information the Exchange receives from OPRA before the 
Exchange opens a series, to meet specified requirements, including that 
it not be crossed, not have a zero offer, and meet specified bid-ask 
differentials, i.e., be a ``Legal Width Quote'' before a series can be 
opened with a trade.\168\ The Exchange believes that the proposed bid-
ask differentials for a Legal Width Quote are consistent with current 
functionality, with one difference designed to improve the automated 
implementation by using whole dollar amounts as the break point for the 
next level of bid-ask differentials. In addition, the Exchange believes 
that the proposed Auction Trigger, which would begin the Auction 
Process, is consistent with the current trigger for starting an 
auction. The Exchange believes that the proposed difference to allow 
the trade on the Primary Market to be odd-lot sized (in addition to 
having a quote from the Primary Market, which means that the underlying 
security would be open on the Primary Market), would allow for series 
overlaying low-volume securities to open automatically and reduce the 
need to manually trigger an Auction in a series.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \168\ As noted herein, the concept of a Calculated NBBO is 
consistent with similar concepts utilized on other options exchanges 
and is therefore not new or novel. See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.31(a) 
(regarding used of ``Composite Market'' concept).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As with the current rule, Market Makers are not obligated to quote 
in their assigned series for an Auction. However, the Exchange believes 
that having Market Makers quote in their assigned series would promote 
fair and orderly Auctions. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes a 
difference on Pillar to provide time for Market Maker(s) assigned to a 
series to enter quotes within the specified bid-ask differentials 
before a series could be opened or reopened. The proposed Opening MMQ 
Time Parameter would be a minute, and the proposed rule provides 
transparency of how many Market Makers assigned to a series would be 
required to quote in a series and in what time periods. If Market 
Makers do not quote within those specified time periods, but at the end 
of the Opening MMQ Time Parameter there is a Legal Width Quote based on 
the Away Market NBBO, the Exchange would open or reopen that series for 
trading. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule would promote 
transparency in Exchange rules of when the Exchange could open or 
reopen a series, including circumstances of when the Exchange would 
wait to provide Market Makers time to submit a two-sided quotation in a 
series and when the Exchange would proceed with opening or reopening a 
series based on a Legal Width Quote even if there are no Market Maker 
quotes in that series.
    The proposed rule would also provide transparency of when the 
Exchange would open or reopen a series for trading when the Calculated 
NBBO is wider than the Legal Width Quote for the series. The Exchange 
believes that the proposed process is designed to provide additional 
opportunities for a series to open or reopen not currently available on 
the OX system, while at the same time preserving the existing 
requirement that a series would not open on a trade if there is no 
Legal Width Quote. The proposed functionality to provide additional 
opportunities to open or reopen a series when the market is wider than 
the specified bid-ask differentials is not novel and the Exchange 
believes that this proposed rule would allow for more automated 
Auctions on the Exchange for series that may already be opened on 
another exchange.\169\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \169\ See, e.g., Cboe Rule 5.31.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the proposed rule describing how existing and new orders 
would be processed during a trading halt is designed to provide 
additional granularity in Exchange rules. Certain of the proposed 
functionality is based on current processes. The Exchange believes that 
the proposed differences in order/quote handling would remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market 
because they align with the proposed differences in behavior for 
specified orders and quotes on Pillar. For example, the Exchange 
believes that repricing resting non-routable orders and quotes during a 
trading halt to their limit price would be consistent with how such 
orders would be processed in an Auction if they arrived during a pre-
open state. The proposed differences also reflect that on Pillar, ALO 
Orders would be eligible to participate in an Auction. In addition, the 
Exchange believes that canceling orders that are subject to the Trading 
Collar 500 millisecond timer would be consistent with the intent of 
such functionality, which is to cancel such collared orders after a 
specified time period.

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. The Exchange operates in a 
competitive market and regularly competes with other options exchanges 
for order flow. The Exchange believes that the transition to Pillar 
would promote competition among options exchanges by offering a low-
latency, deterministic trading platform. The proposed rule changes 
would support that inter-market competition by allowing the Exchange to 
offer additional functionality to its OTP Holders and OTP Firms, 
thereby potentially attracting additional order flow to the Exchange. 
Otherwise, the proposed changes are not designed to address any 
competitive issues, but rather to amend the Exchange's rules relating 
to options trading to support the transition to Pillar. As discussed in 
detail above, with this rule filing, the Exchange is not proposing to 
change its core functionality regarding its price-time priority model, 
and in particular, how it would rank, display, execute or route orders 
and quotes. Rather, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule 
changes would promote consistent use of terminology to support both 
options and cash equity trading on the Exchange, making the Exchange's 
rules easier to navigate. The Exchange does not believe that the 
proposed rule changes would raise any intra-market competition as the 
proposed rule changes would be applicable to all OTP Holders and OTP 
Firms, and reflects the Exchange's existing price-time priority model, 
including existing LMM Guarantee, without proposing any substantive 
changes.

[[Page 55978]]

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. Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove SR-
NYSEArca-2021-47, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, and Grounds for 
Disapproval Under Consideration

    The Commission is instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 
19(b)(2)(B) of the Act \170\ to determine whether the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, should be approved or 
disapproved. Institution of such proceedings is appropriate at this 
time in view of the legal and policy issues raised by the proposed rule 
change. Institution of proceedings does not indicate that the 
Commission has reached any conclusions with respect to any of the 
issues involved. Rather, as described below, the Commission seeks and 
encourages interested persons to provide comments on the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \170\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Act,\171\ the Commission is 
providing notice of the grounds for disapproval under consideration. 
The Commission is instituting proceedings to allow for additional 
analysis of the proposed rule change's consistency with Section 6(b)(5) 
of the Act \172\ which requires, among other things, that the rules of 
a national securities exchange be ``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 a national market system and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest,'' \173\ and 
not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, 
issuers, brokers, or dealers.\174\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \171\ Id.
    \172\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \173\ Id.
    \174\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments

    The Commission requests that interested persons provide written 
submissions of their views, data, and arguments with respect to the 
issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have 
with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written 
views of interested persons concerning whether the proposed rule 
change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with Section 
6(b)(5) or any other provision of the Act, or the rules and regulations 
thereunder. Although there do not appear to be any issues relevant to 
approval or disapproval that would be facilitated by an oral 
presentation of views, data, and arguments, the Commission will 
consider, pursuant to Rule 19b-4 under the Act, any request for an 
opportunity to make an oral presentation.\175\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \175\ Section 19(b)(2) of the Act grants the Commission 
flexibility to determine what type of proceeding--either oral or 
notice and opportunity for written comments--is appropriate for 
consideration of a particular proposal by an SRO. See Securities 
Acts Amendments of 1975, Report of the Senate Committee on Banking, 
Housing and Urban Affairs to Accompany S. 249, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th 
Cong., 1st Sess. 30 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments regarding whether the proposed rule change, as modified by 
Amendment No. 1, should be approved or disapproved by October 28, 2021. 
Any person who wishes to file a rebuttal to any other person's 
submission must file that rebuttal by November 12, 2021. The Commission 
asks that commenters address the sufficiency of the Exchange's 
statements in support of the proposal, which are set forth in Amendment 
No. 1,\176\ and any other issues raised by the proposed rule change 
under the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \176\ See supra note 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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-2021-47 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-2021-47. 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-2021-47 and should be submitted 
on or before October 28, 2021. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by 
November 12, 2021.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \177\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) & 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(57).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\177\
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-21624 Filed 10-6-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.