Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt an Add Liquidity Order and Post-Only Quote Configuration Functionality, 1231-1238 [2022-00154]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
understanding the access structure of
other exchanges, SIG refused.
The SIG Letter further asserts that the
Exchange ‘‘has not established that the
other exchange fees are reasonable, nor
that this would mean that the MIAX
Pearl fees are reasonable as well.86 SIG
should be aware that it is not the
Exchange’s obligation to justify why
another exchange’s fees are reasonable
and it is presumed that such fees were
deemed reasonable by the Commission
when filed by the exchange that
proposed said fee. If SIG felt another
exchange’s fees were or are
unreasonable, they are free to share that
concern with the Commission and were
provided an opportunity to submit
comment letter on those earlier
proposals from other exchanges. It is the
Exchange’s responsibility to show that
its own proposed fee change is
reasonable and consistent with the Act,
and that assertion is amply supported
by the statements made in this Item 5
and elsewhere herein.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
The Proposed Fees Are Consistent With
Section 6(b)(4) of the Act Because the
Proposed Fees Will Not Result in
Excessive Pricing or Supra-Competitive
Profit
The Exchange has provided ample
data that the proposed fees would not
result in excessive pricing or a supracompetitive profit. In this Third
Proposed Rule Change, the Exchange no
longer utilizes a comparison of its profit
margin to that of other options
exchanges as a basis that the Proposed
Access Fees are reasonable. Rather, the
Exchange has enhanced its cost and
revenue analysis and data in this Third
Proposed Rule Change to further justify
that the Proposed Access Fees are
reasonable in accordance with the
Commission Staff’s Guidance.
Therefore, the Exchange believes it is no
longer necessary to respond to this
portion of the SIG Letter.
Recoupment of Exchange Infrastructure
Costs
Nowhere in this proposal or in the
First Proposed Rule Change did the
Exchange assert that it benefits
competition to allow a new exchange
entrant to recoup their infrastructure
costs. Rather, the Exchange asserts
above that its ‘‘proposed fees are
reasonable, equitably allocated and not
unfairly discriminatory because the
Exchange, and its affiliates, are still
recouping the initial expenditures from
building out their systems while the
legacy exchanges have already paid for
and built their systems.’’ The Exchange
no longer makes this assertion in this
filing and, therefore, does not believe is
it necessary to respond to SIG’s
assertion here.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,87 and Rule
19b–4(f)(2) 88 thereunder. At any time
within 60 days of the filing of the
proposed rule change, the Commission
summarily may temporarily suspend
such rule change if it appears to the
Commission that such action is
necessary or appropriate in the public
interest, for the protection of investors,
or otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall
institute proceedings to determine
whether the proposed rule should be
approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
PEARL–2021–59 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–PEARL–2021–59. 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
86 See
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
88 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
id.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
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–PEARL–2021–59 and
should be submitted on or before
January 31, 2022.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.89
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–00158 Filed 1–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–93896; File No. SR–BX–
2021–054]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Adopt an Add
Liquidity Order and Post-Only Quote
Configuration Functionality
January 4, 2021.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2
notice is hereby given that on December
22, 2021, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (‘‘BX’’ or
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’ or
‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule
change as described in Items I, II and III,
below, which Items have been prepared
by the Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Terms of Substance of
the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend
Options 3, Section 1 (Days and Hours of
89 17
87 15
PO 00000
Frm 00126
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1231
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
1 15
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
1232
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
Business), Section 7 (Types of Orders
and Quote Protocols), Section 13 (Price
Improvement Auction (‘‘PRISM’’)) and
Section 15 (Risk Protections).
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s website at
https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/
rulebook/bx/rules, at the principal office
of the Exchange, and at the
Commission’s Public Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
In its filing with the Commission, the
Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for
the proposed rule change and discussed
any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these
statements may be examined at the
places specified in Item IV below. The
Exchange has prepared summaries, set
forth in sections A, B, and C below, of
the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule
Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend the
following rules: Options 3, Section 1
(Days and Hours of Business), Section 7
(Types of Orders and Quote Protocols),
Section 13 (Price Improvement Auction
(‘‘PRISM’’)) and Section 15 (Risk
Protections). Each change will be
described below.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Options 3, Section 1
The Exchange proposes to amend
Options 3, Section 1 concerning the
Days and Hours of Business. The
Exchange proposes to amend the title
from ‘‘Days and Hours of Business’’ to
‘‘Hours of Business.’’ BX recently filed
to establish General 3, Section 1030,
which governs the days the Exchange
will be open for business.3 At this time
the Exchange proposes to amend
Options 3, Section 1(c) which provides,
‘‘BX Options shall not be open for
business on any holiday observed by
BX.’’ The Exchange proposes to instead
provide, ‘‘BX Options shall not be open
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93675
(November 29, 2021), 86 FR 68714 (December 3,
2021) (SR–NASDAQ–2021–69) (Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
To Include Juneteenth National Independence Day
as a Holiday). BX’s General 3 rules incorporate by
reference The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s General
3 Rules. Rule 1030 of General 3 memorialized all
current Exchange holidays and added a provision
to permit the Exchange the authority to halt or
suspend trading or close Exchange facilities for
certain unanticipated closures.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
for business as provided within General
3, Section 1030.’’ This proposed text
will make clear that while General 3,
Section 1030 governs the days the
Exchange will be open for business, the
remainder of the rule addresses the
hours of operation of the System and
specific products. Finally, the Exchange
proposes to update citations to the
Options 4 rules related to ExchangeTraded Fund Shares and Index-Linked
Securities.
Options 3, Section 7
The Exchange proposes to amend
Options 3, Section 7 to add a new order
type entitled ‘‘Add Liquidity Order’’
within Options 3, Section 7(a)(12).
Today, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’), Nasdaq
GEMX, LLC (‘‘GEMX’’) and Nasdaq
MRX, LLC (‘‘MRX’’) have a similar order
type within Options 3, Section 7(n). ISE
adopted the Add Liquidity Order to
provide an additional order type that
will give market participants greater
control over the circumstances in which
their orders are executed.4 ISE’s 2012
rule change explained that
[s]ome investors and market participants
wish only to provide liquidity in certain
circumstances, such as to receive a maker fee
(rebate) upon execution of an order. To
accommodate this strategy, the Exchange
proposed to adopt a new order type called an
add liquidity order (‘‘ALO’’). ALOs are limit
orders that will only be executed as a
‘‘maker’’ on the ISE. Members can choose
whether an ALO that is executable on the ISE
upon entry (or that locks or crosses an away
market upon entry) will be cancelled or repriced to one minimum price variation above
the national best bid or below the national
best offer. An Add Liquidity Order will only
be re-priced once and will be executed at the
re-priced price.5
ISE subsequently amended this order
type in 2012 such that, if at the time of
entry, an ALO would lock or cross one
or more non-displayed orders on the
Exchange, the ALO will be cancelled or
re-priced to the minimum price
variation 6 (‘‘MPV’’) above the best nondisplayed bid price (for sell orders) or
below the best non-displayed offer price
(for buy orders).7 ISE noted in that filing
that it believed that adding this
4 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66617
(March 19, 2012), 77 FR 17102 (March 23, 2012)
(SR–ISE–2012–20) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a
New Order Type).
5 Id at 17103.
6 See Options 3, Section 3 (Minimum
Increments).
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67353
(July 5, 2012), 77 FR 40935 (July 11, 2012) (SR–ISE–
2012–61) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by
International Securities Exchange To Amend ISE
Rule 715 To Reflect a Modification in the
Functionality of the Add Liquidity Order).
PO 00000
Frm 00127
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
functionality was imperative to ensure
that ALOs are only executed when
providing liquidity. Without the ability
to re-price an ALO that locks or crosses
a non-displayed order, under certain
circumstances, an incoming ALO could
execute against a non-displayed order
resting on the ISE limit order book,
which would be in direct contravention
with the purpose of an ALO—to provide
liquidity, not take liquidity.8
At this time, the Exchange proposes to
adopt an Add Liquidity Order similar to
ISE, GEMX and MRX Options 3, Section
7(n). The proposed Add Liquidity Order
would be a limit order that is to be
executed in whole or in part on the
Exchange (i) only after being displayed
on the Exchange’s limit order book; and
(ii) without routing any portion of the
order to another market center.
Participants would be able to specify
whether an Add Liquidity Order shall
be cancelled or re-priced to the MPV
above the national best bid price (for
sell orders) or below the national best
offer price (for buy orders) if, at the time
of entry, the order (i) is executable on
the Exchange; or (ii) the order is not
executable on the Exchange but would
lock or cross the national best bid or
offer. If at the time of entry, an Add
Liquidity Order would lock or cross one
or more non-displayed orders or quotes
on the Exchange, the Add Liquidity
Order shall be cancelled or re-priced to
the MPV above the best non-displayed
bid price (for sell orders) or below the
best non-displayed offer price (for buy
orders). Notwithstanding the
aforementioned, if an Add Liquidity
Order would not lock or cross an order
or quote on the System but would lock
or cross the NBBO,9 the order will be
handled pursuant to Options 3, Section
5(d).10 This repricing of Add Liquidity
Orders is the way other order types are
currently re-priced on ISE, GEMX and
8 Id
at 40935.
term ‘‘NBBO’’ means the national best bid
or offer as calculated by BX Options based on
market information received by BX Options from
OPRA. See Options 3, Section 1(a)(33).
10 Options 3, Section 5(d) provides, ‘‘An order
will not be executed at a price that trades through
another market or displayed at a price that would
lock or cross another market. An order that is
designated by the member as routable will be
routed in compliance with applicable TradeThrough and Locked and Crossed Markets
restrictions. An order that is designated by a
member as non-routable will be re-priced in order
to comply with applicable Trade-Through and
Locked and Crossed Markets restrictions. If, at the
time of entry, an order that the entering party has
elected not to make eligible for routing would cause
a locked or crossed market violation or would cause
a trade-through violation, it will be re-priced to the
current national best offer (for bids) or the current
national best bid (for offers) and displayed at one
minimum price variance above (for offers) or below
(for bids) the national best price.’’
9 The
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
MRX. The Exchange notes that the same
sentence does not appear in the ISE,
GEMX and MRX Add Liquidity Order
description.11
Finally, BX proposes to add rule text
that is not currently in the ISE, GEMX
and MRX rule. Add Liquidity Orders
may only be submitted when an options
series is open for trading.12 Therefore,
an Add Liquidity Order would not be
accepted during the Opening Process
when the order book is not available.
The Exchange believes that, similar to
ISE, GEMX and MRX, the adoption of an
Add Liquidity Order will give market
participants greater control over the
circumstances in which their orders are
executed in addition to the order types
which are currently offered today on
BX. Below are some examples of the
Add Liquidity Order.
Add Liquidity Only Order Re-Price
Example
• Non-Penny Program MPV Option in
open trading state
• Market Maker A quote $0.90 (10) ×
$1.00 (10)
• ABBO $0.85 × $1.05
• Firm A sends Add Liquidity Only
Order to buy 5 arrives at $1.00
Æ Reprices on book to $0.95
Æ Displays on $0.95 bid, which is
National Best displayed bid with 5
quantity
• Order to sell 10 arrives at $0.90
Æ 5 execute with Firm A @ $0.95
Æ 5 execute with Market A @ $0.90
Æ NBBO updates back to $0.90 × $1.00
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Add Liquidity Only Reject Example
• Non-Penny Program MPV Option in
open trading state
• Market Maker A quote $0.90 (10) ×
$1.00 (10)
• ABBO $0.85 × $1.05
• Firm A sends Add Liquidity Only
Order to buy 5 arrives at $1.00
Æ Order is rejected back to sender
because the sender configured the
order for reject instead of re-price
The Exchange also proposes to amend
Options 3, Section 7(a)(11) to remove
the title ‘‘Block Order’’ at the beginning
of the sentence to conform the style of
the description to the remaining order
types within Options 3, Section 7.
Options 3, Section 13
The Exchange proposes to amend the
Exchange’s PRISM rule in Options 3,
Section 13 to delete an obsolete auction
eligibility requirement and clarify
existing rule text.
11 See ISE, GEMX and MRX Options 3, Section
5(d). The Exchange will amend the ISE, GEMX and
MRX rules in separate rule changes.
12 ISE, GEMX and MRX will propose a change to
Options 3, Section 7(n) to add similar rule text.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
Today, Options 3, Section 13(i)
describes the various eligibility criteria
under which a PRISM auction may be
initiated, including requirements for
when PRISM orders may be submitted.
In particular, Section 13(i)(F) provides
that PRISM orders submitted during the
final two seconds of the trading session
in the affected series are not eligible to
initiate a PRISM auction and will be
immediately cancelled. This restriction
was introduced when PRISM was first
adopted on the Exchange,13 and was
based on certain technical restraints
from BX’s original technical design
which required no ongoing auctions to
begin preparing for the end of trading
day transition to closing state. However,
with the Exchange’s recent technology
migration,14 this system restriction was
removed in order to be more consistent
with the price improvement
mechanisms on the Exchange’s affiliated
options markets, Nasdaq ISE, GEMX,
and MRX.15 The corresponding rule text
in Options 3, Section 13(i)(F) should
have likewise been deleted with the
legacy functionality. Accordingly, the
Exchange now proposes to delete the
obsolete rule text in Section 13(i)(F) in
its entirety, and renumber Section
13(i)(G) as (F).
Additionally, the Exchange proposes
to amend rule text regarding the PRISM
Auction process. Currently, Options 3,
Section 13(ii) describes the manner in
which a PRISM auction may be
conducted. Specifically, with respect to
an unrelated market or marketable limit
order, Options 3, Section 13(a)(ii)(D)
provides,
An unrelated market or marketable limit
order (against the BX BBO) on the opposite
side of the market from the PRISM Order
received during the Auction will not cause
the Auction to end early and will execute
against interest outside of the Auction. If
contracts remain from such unrelated order
at the time the auction ends, they will be
considered for participation in the order
allocation process described in subparagraphs (E) and (F) below.
13 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76301
(October 29, 2015), 80 FR 68347 (November 4, 2015)
(SR–BX–2015–032) (Notice of Filing of Amendment
No. 2 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by
Amendment Nos. 1 and 2, To Adopt a New Price
Improvement Auction, BX PRISM).
14 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89476
(August 4, 2020), 85 FR 48274 (SR–BX–2020–017)
(August 10, 2020) (Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Various BX Rules in Connection With a Technology
Migration).
15 None of these markets have similar system
restrictions preventing the submission of orders in
their respective price improvement mechanisms
during the last two seconds of the trading day. See
Nasdaq ISE, GEMX, and MRX Options 3, Section
13.
PO 00000
Frm 00128
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1233
The term ‘‘marketable limit order’’ is
too narrow a term as both orders and
quotes on the opposite side of the
market from the PRISM Order received
during the PRISM auction would not
cause the PRISM auction to end early
and will execute against interest outside
of the PRISM auction. Therefore, the
Exchange proposes to replace the term
‘‘marketable limit order’’ with the
broader term ‘‘marketable interest’’ to
accurately describe the interest a PRISM
auction would interact with in the order
book on the opposite side of the market
from the PRISM Order. The Exchange
believes that this amendment will bring
greater clarity to the PRISM rule. The
proposed new rule text would provide,
Unrelated market or marketable interest
(against the BX BBO) on the opposite side of
the market from the PRISM Order received
during the Auction will not cause the
Auction to end early and will execute against
interest outside of the Auction. If contracts
remain from such unrelated interest at the
time the auction ends, they will be
considered for participation in the order
allocation process described in subparagraphs (E) and (F) below.
The Exchange notes that Nasdaq
PHLX LLC’s Price Improvement XL
(‘‘PIXL’’) auction does not early
terminate from contra-side unrelated
marketable interest.16
Options 3, Section 15
The Exchange proposes to amend
Options 3, Section 15, Risk Protections,
to adopt an optional quoting protection
for BX Market Makers. This optional
risk protection would allow BX Market
Makers to prevent their quotes from
removing liquidity from the Exchange’s
order book upon entry.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to
adopt a new risk protection within
Options 3, Section 15(c)(3). With this
risk protection, NOM Market Makers
may elect to configure their SQF 17
protocols to prevent their quotes from
16 See Phlx Options 3, Section 13(b)(4). The
Exchange will separately amend Phlx’s rule to make
a similar change to the rule text.
17 ‘‘Specialized Quote Feed’’ or ‘‘SQF’’ is an
interface that allows Market Makers to connect,
send, and receive messages related to quotes,
Immediate-or-Cancel Orders, and auction responses
into and from the Exchange. Features include the
following: (1) Options symbol directory messages
(e.g., underlying instruments); (2) system event
messages (e.g., start of trading hours messages and
start of opening); (3) trading action messages (e.g.,
halts and resumes); (4) execution messages; (5)
quote messages; (6) Immediate-or-Cancel Order
messages; (7) risk protection triggers and purge
notifications; (8) opening imbalance messages; (9)
auction notifications; and (10) auction responses.
The SQF Purge Interface only receives and notifies
of purge requests from the Market Maker. Market
Makers may only enter interest into SQF in their
assigned options series. See Options 3, Section
7(e)(1)(B).
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
1234
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
removing liquidity (‘‘Post-Only Quote
Configuration’’). This Post-Only Quote
Configuration would re-price or cancel
a BX Market Maker’s quote that would
otherwise lock or cross any resting
order 18 or quote on the BX order book
upon entry. The Exchange notes that
this functionality does not apply during
an Opening Process 19 because the order
book is established once options series
are open for trading.
Participants may elect whether to reprice or cancel their quotes with this
functionality. When configured for reprice, quotes would be re-priced to one
MPV below the current low offer (for
bids) or above the current best bid (for
offers) and displayed by the System at
one MPV below the current low offer
(for bids) or above the current best bid
(for offers). Notwithstanding the
aforementioned, if a quote with a PostOnly Quote Configuration would not
lock or cross an order or quote on the
System but would lock or cross the
NBBO, the quote will be handled
pursuant to Options 3, Section 4(b)(6).20
When configured for cancel,
Participants will have their quotes
returned whenever the quote would
lock or cross the NBBO or be placed on
the book at a price other than its limit
price.
This optional risk protection would
enable BX Market Makers to better
manage their risk when quoting on BX.
Today, BOX Exchange LLC (‘‘BOX’’),21
NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’),22 and
18 This would include any re-priced orders as
described in Options 3, Section 5(d), any re-priced
quotes as described in Options 3, Section 4(b)(6),
and the proposed Add Liquidity Orders within
proposed Options 3, Section 7(a)(12). As noted
herein, Add Liquidity Orders may re-price.
19 The Exchange’s Opening Process is described at
Options 3, Section 8.
20 Options 3, Section 4(b)(6) provides, ‘‘A quote
will not be executed at a price that trades through
another market or displayed at a price that would
lock or cross another market. If, at the time of entry,
a quote would cause a locked or crossed market
violation or would cause a trade-through, violation,
it will be re-priced to the current national best offer
(for bids) or the current national best bid (for offers)
and displayed at one minimum price variance
above (for offers) or below (for bids) the national
best price.’’
21 BOX Rules provide, ‘‘Notwithstanding Rule
100(a)(56), all quotes and quote updates on BOX
after the opening are liquidity adding only.
Specifically, after the Opening Match pursuant to
Rule 7070, a Market Maker’s quote will not execute
against a resting order or quote on the BOX Book.
If an incoming quote is marketable against the BOX
Book and will execute against a resting order or
quote, it will be rejected.’’ See BOX IM–8050–3. See
also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79311
(November 15, 2016), 81 FR 83322 (November 21,
2016) (SR–BOX–2016–45) (Order Approving a
Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Treatment of
Quotes To Provide That All Quotes on BOX Are
Liquidity Adding Only).
22 NYSE Arca permits a market maker to
optionally designate a quote as ‘‘Add Liquidity
Only.’’ See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37A–O(a)(3)(B).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
MIAX Emerald, LLC (‘‘MIAX
Emerald’’) 23 have similar functionality.
BOX does not permit Market Maker’s
quotes to take liquidity and will reject
the quote. Other options markets, unlike
BOX, continue to permit their market
makers to add or remove liquidity from
the order book.24 NYSE Arca and MIAX
Emerald will re-price quotes one MPV
to avoid the quote from trading as a
liquidity taker against the resting order
similar to BX’s proposal. Also, the
Exchange’s proposal permits a BX
Market Maker a choice as to whether to
cancel or re-price its quote when using
the Post-Only Quote Configuration.
Finally, the Nasdaq Options Market
LLC (‘‘NOM’’) recently codified 25 a
similar risk protection, however, unlike
BX, NOM reprices $.01 below the
current low offer (for bids) or above the
current best bid (for offers) and displays
the quote at one MPV below the current
low offer (for bids) or above the current
best bid (for offers). The Exchange notes
that, unlike BX, NOM does not offer
auction functionality. Because an
auction mechanism may interact
adversely with Add Liquidity Only
Orders or quotes with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration that are re-priced in $0.01
increments and displayed at MPV
increments, the Exchange proposes to
re-price at one MPV.26 BX has the
PRISM auction.27 The Exchange
believes that it is consistent with the
protection of investors and the general
public to utilize one MPV to re-price an
Add Liquidity Only Order or quote with
a Post-Only Quote Configuration to
avoid a PRISM auction rejecting against
a non-displayed Add Liquidity Only
Order or quote with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration. The Exchange notes that
a similar result could not be obtained on
NOM as there are no auctions. The Add
Liquidity Order on ISE, GEMX and
MRX 28 also re-prices in one MPV as
23 See
MIAX Emerald Rule 517(a)(1)(i).
International Securities Exchange LLC
(‘‘MIAX’’) permits its market makers to add and
remove liquidity from the order book. See MIAX’s
Fee Schedule which delineates Maker and Taker
pricing. Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’) also permits
market makers to add and remove liquidity from the
order book. See ISE’s Pricing Schedule at Options
7.
25 See Securities and Exchange Release No. 93662
(November 23, 2021), 86 FR 68009 (November 30,
2021) (SR–NASDAQ–2021–094) (Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Adopt a Post-Only Quote Configuration
Risk Protection).
26 For example, the inbound auction would reject
against the non-displayed Add Liquidity Only
Order or quote with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration with an auction mechanism.
27 See Options 3, Section 13.
28 See Options 3, Section 7(n).
24 Miami
PO 00000
Frm 00129
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
those markets have a price improvement
auction.29
Further, with the adoption of Add
Liquidity Orders as proposed herein
within Options 3, Section 7, all BX
Participants may utilize the Add
Liquidity Order. The Post-Only Quote
Configuration is available to Market
Makers only as a risk protection.
Below are some examples of the PostOnly Quote Configuration functionality.
Post-Only Quote Configuration Reprice
Example
• Penny Interval Program MPV in open
trading state
• Market Makers A and C do not have
Post-Only Quote Configuration risk
protection configured
• Market Maker B is configured for
Post-Only Quote Configuration reprice
• Market Maker A quote $0.98 (10) ×
$1.00 (10)
• ABBO $0.96 × $1.03
• Market Maker B quote $1.00 (10) ×
$1.01 (10) arrives
Æ Bid side of quote re-prices onto order
book @ 0.99 and updates displayed
NBBO to 20 quantity
Æ Offer side rests at 1.01 without issue
• Market Maker C quote $0.97 (20) ×
0.98 (20) arrives
Trades 10 with Market Maker A and 10
with Market Maker B
Market Maker B avoids taking
liquidity while Market Maker C, who
chose not to be configured for such,
removes liquidity by interacting with repriced interest on BX’s order book.
Re-Priced Post-Only Quote
Configuration—Penny Interval Program
Display and Execution Example—NonPenny Interval Program (Options 3,
Section 7(a)(9))
• Non-Penny Interval Program MPV in
open trading state
• Market Maker A quote $0.95 (10) ×
$1.00 (10)
• ABBO $0.85 × $1.05
• Market Maker B (configured at the
badge level for Post-Only Quote
Configuration and selection of reprice upon quote) quote arrives 1.00
(5) × $1.05 (5)
Æ Bid side quote re-prices on order book
to $0.95
Æ Displays on order book @ $0.95 (bid),
which now shows (15 quantity)
Æ Offer side quote books and displays at
$1.05
• Order to sell 10 contracts arrives @
$0.95
Æ 5 contracts execute with Market
Maker B @ $0.95
Æ 5 contracts execute with Market A @
$0.95
29 Id.
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
In this example, the Market Maker
avoided taking liquidity by deploying
the Post-Only Quote Configuration with
re-price.
Implementation
The Exchange will issue an Options
Trader Alert to Participants with the
date of implementation for the Add
Liquidity Order and the Post-Only
Quote Configuration functionality.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)
of the Act,30 in general, and furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,31
in particular, in that it is designed 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.
Options 3, Section 1
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 1 concerning the
Days and Hours of Business is
consistent with the Act. The proposal to
amend the title from ‘‘Days and Hours
of Business’’ to ‘‘Hours of Business’’
will bring greater clarity to the rule. BX
recently filed to establish General 3,
Section 1030, which governs the days
the Exchange will be open for
business.32 Amending Options 3,
Section 1(c) to reference General 3,
Section 1030 will provide Participants
with a guidepost as to where to locate
the rule that applies to the days the
Exchange is open for business. The
proposed updated citations to the
Options 4 rules will provide correct
references for Participants and thereby
bring greater clarity to the rules.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Options 3, Section 7
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 7 to add a new order
type entitled ‘‘Add Liquidity Order’’
within Options 3, Section 7(a)(12) is
consistent with the Act. Today, ISE,
GEMX and MRX have a similar order
type within Options 3, Section 7(n). The
Add Liquidity Order will provide an
additional order type that will give
market participants greater control over
the circumstances in which their orders
are executed. For investors and market
participants that elect only to provide
liquidity in certain circumstances, such
as to receive a maker fee (rebate) upon
execution of an order, the proposed
order type will accommodate this
U.S.C. 78f(b).
U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
32 See note 3 above.
strategy. Add Liquidity Orders will only
be executed as a ‘‘maker’’ if elected.
Participants may choose to cancel or
re-price Add Liquidity Orders if, at the
time of entry, the order is executable on
BX or the order is not executable on BX
but would lock or cross the national best
bid or offer. Allowing Add Liquidity
Order to re-price ensures that Add
Liquidity Orders are only executed
when providing liquidity and avoid
executing against a non-displayed order
or quote resting on BX’s order book,
which would be in direct contravention
with the purpose of the order type—to
provide liquidity, not take liquidity. The
Add Liquidity Order type is one of the
order types that Participants may elect
to utilize on BX to accomplish their
trading strategies. The Exchange
believes that adoption of the Add
Liquidity Order will protect investors
and the general public by making clear
the manner in which the order would
re-price on BX’s order book if re-price
is elected, that is to the MPV above the
best non-displayed bid price (for sell
orders) or below the best non-displayed
offer price (for buy orders). As is the
case today, if an order would not lock
or cross an order or quote on the System
but would lock or cross the NBBO, the
order will be handled pursuant to
Options 3, Section 5(d).
Add Liquidity Orders may only be
submitted when an options series is
open for trading.33 Therefore, an Add
Liquidity Order would not be accepted
during the Opening Process as the order
book is not available. The Exchange
believes that similar to ISE, GEMX and
MRX, the adoption of an Add Liquidity
Order will give market participants
greater control over the circumstances
in which their orders are executed in
addition to the order types which are
currently offered today on BX.
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 7(a)(11) to remove
the title ‘‘Block Order’’ at the beginning
of the sentence will conform the style of
the description to the remaining order
types within Options 3, Section 7.
Options 3, Section 13
With respect to amendments to
Options 3, Section 13, first, the
proposed rule change deletes a PRISM
auction eligibility requirement that
restricts PRISM orders from being
submitted during the final two seconds
of the trading day. As discussed above,
this system restriction is legacy
functionality that was removed as part
of the Exchange’s technology migration
in 2020. The Exchange is therefore
30 15
31 15
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
33 ISE, GEMX and MRX will propose a change to
Options 3, Section 7(n) to add similar rule text.
Jkt 256001
PO 00000
Frm 00130
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1235
proposing to remove the corresponding
rule text in Options 3, Section 13(i)(F)
as obsolete. The Exchange believes that
the proposed changes will align the
PRISM rule with the current operation
of the Exchange’s system and will
reduce potential confusion about when
PRISM orders may be submitted. As
noted above, the Exchange’s affiliated
options markets, Nasdaq ISE, GEMX,
and MRX, do not have similar system
restrictions for their respective price
improvement mechanisms.34
Furthermore, the Exchange believes that
removing this system restriction may
encourage greater participation in
PRISM as Participants are no longer
restricted from submitting PRISM orders
during the last two seconds of the
trading day, thereby increasing the
opportunity for options orders to receive
executions and price improvement on
the Exchange.
Second, the proposed rule change
amends Options 3, Section 13(a)(ii)(D)
which describes the manner in which a
PRISM auction may be conducted. As
noted herein, the term ‘‘marketable limit
order’’ is too narrow a term as both
orders and quotes on the opposite side
of the market from the PRISM Order
received during the PRISM auction
would not cause the PRISM auction to
end early and execute against interest
outside of the PRISM auction.
Amending Options 3, Section
13(a)(ii)(D) to replace the term
‘‘marketable limit order’’ with the
broader term ‘‘marketable interest’’ will
more accurately describe the way a
PRISM auction would interact with
interest in the order book on the
opposite side of the market from the
PRISM Order. The Exchange believes
that this amendment is consistent with
the Act as it will bring greater clarity to
the PRISM rule.
Options 3, Section 15
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 15, Risk Protections,
to codify new paragraph (c)(3) to permit
BX Market Makers to prevent their
quotes from removing liquidity from the
Exchange’s order book promotes
equitable principles of trade and
protects investors and the public
interest by enhancing the risk
protections available to BX Market
Makers. The proposal also promotes the
policy goals of the Commission which
has encouraged execution venues,
exchanges, and non-exchanges alike, to
enhance risk protection tools and other
mechanisms to decrease risk and
increase stability.
34 See
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
note 15 above.
10JAN1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
1236
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
While BX Market Makers may manage
their risk by utilizing the Post-Only
Quote Configuration to avoid removing
liquidity from the Exchange’s order
book if their quote would otherwise lock
or cross any resting order or quote on
the BX order book upon entry, there are
also downstream benefits to market
participants. Re-priced interest on the
order book provides price improvement
for market participants that interact
with that non-displayed interest that is
priced better than the NBBO. For
example, the proposed Add Liquidity
Order may re-price to the MPV above
the national best bid price (for sell
orders) or below the national best offer
price (for buy orders) resulting in betterpriced non-displayed interest that is
available on the order book. Market
participants are entitled to the betterpriced interest when they interact with
the re-priced Add Liquidity Order on
the order book. Additionally, the
benefits of enhanced risk protections
flow downstream to counterparties both
within and away from the Exchange,
thereby increasing systemic protections
as well.
The proposed risk protection allows
BX Market Makers the ability to avoid
removing liquidity from the Exchange’s
order book if their quote would
otherwise lock or cross any resting order
or quote on BX’s order book upon entry,
thereby protecting investors and the
general public as BX Market Makers
transact a large number of orders on the
Exchange and bring liquidity to the
marketplace. BX Market Makers would
utilize the proposed risk protection to
avoid unexpectedly taking liquidity
with non-displayed, non-transparent
interest 35 on the order book. As a result
of taking liquidity, BX Market Makers
would incur a taker fee that may impact
the BX Market Maker’s ability to
provide liquidity and meet quoting
obligations. BX Market Makers are
required to add liquidity on NOM and,
in turn, are rewarded with lower
pricing 36 and enhanced allocations.37
Specifically, the risk protection would
permit BX Market Makers to add
liquidity only and avoid removing nondisplayed interest on the order book
thereby maximizing the benefit of their
quoting to bring liquidity to BX by
allowing BX Market Makers to provide
as much liquidity as possible, thereby
removing impediments to and
perfecting the mechanism of a free and
open market and a national market
system and protecting investors and the
public interest. There is no impact to
35 See
note 18 above.
Options 7, Section 2.
37 See Options 3, Section 10.
36 See
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
other market participants by introducing
this Post-Only Quote Configuration as
other non-Market Makers may utilize
the proposed Add Liquidity Only order
type that will continue to benefit
downstream counterparties, both within
and away from the Exchange, who may
interact with non-displayed interest on
BX’s order book and thereby interact
with order flow that is priced better
than the NBBO. Also, other market
participants may interact with the
liquidity provided by BX Market
Makers.
This optional risk protection enables
BX Market Makers to better manage
their risk when quoting on BX. Today,
BOX,38 NYSE Arca,39 MIAX Emerald 40
and NOM 41 have similar functionality.
BOX does not permit Market Maker’s
quotes to take liquidity and will reject
the quote. Other options markets, unlike
BOX, continue to permit their market
makers to add or remove liquidity from
the order book.42 NYSE Arca and MIAX
Emerald will re-price quotes one MPV
to avoid the quote from trading as a
liquidity taker against the resting order
similar to BX’s proposal. Also, the
Exchange’s proposal permits a BX
Market Maker a choice as to whether to
cancel or re-price its quote when using
the Post-Only Quote Configuration.
Finally, NOM recently codified 43 a
similar risk protection, however, unlike
BX which re-prices in MPVs, NOM
38 BOX Rules provide, ‘‘Notwithstanding Rule
100(a)(56), all quotes and quote updates on BOX
after the opening are liquidity adding only.
Specifically, after the Opening Match pursuant to
Rule 7070, a Market Maker’s quote will not execute
against a resting order or quote on the BOX Book.
If an incoming quote is marketable against the BOX
Book and will execute against a resting order or
quote, it will be rejected.’’ See BOX IM–8050–3. See
also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79311
(November 15, 2016), 81 FR 83322 (November 21,
2016) (SR–BOX–2016–45) (Order Approving a
Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Treatment of
Quotes To Provide That All Quotes on BOX Are
Liquidity Adding Only).
39 NYSE Arca permits a market maker to
optionally designate a quote as ‘‘Add Liquidity
Only.’’ See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37A–O(a)(3)(B).
40 See MIAX Emerald Rule 517(a)(1)(i).
41 See Securities and Exchange Release No. 93662
(November 23, 2021), 86 FR 68009 (November 30,
2021) (SR–NASDAQ–2021–094) (Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Adopt a Post-Only Quote Configuration
Risk Protection).
42 Miami International Securities Exchange LLC
(‘‘MIAX’’) permits its market makers to add and
remove liquidity from the order book. See MIAX’s
Fee Schedule which delineates Maker and Taker
pricing. Nasdaq ISE, LLC (‘‘ISE’’) also permits
market makers to add and remove liquidity from the
order book. See ISE’s Pricing Schedule at Options
7.
43 See Securities and Exchange Release No. 93662
(November 23, 2021), 86 FR 68009 (November 30,
2021) (SR–NASDAQ–2021–094) (Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule
Change To Adopt a Post-Only Quote Configuration
Risk Protection).
PO 00000
Frm 00131
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
reprices $.01 below the current low offer
(for bids) or above the current best bid
(for offers) and displays the quote at one
MPV below the current low offer (for
bids) or above the current best bid (for
offers). The Exchange notes that, unlike
BX, NOM does not offer auction
functionality. Because an auction
mechanism may interact adversely with
Add Liquidity Only Orders or quotes
with a Post-Only Quote Configuration
that are re-priced in $0.01 increments
and displayed at MPV increments, the
Exchange proposes to re-price at one
MPV.44 BX has the PRISM auction.45
The Exchange believes that it is
consistent with the protection of
investors and the general public to
utilize one MPV to re-price an Add
Liquidity Only Order or quote with a
Post-Only Quote Configuration to avoid
a PRISM auction rejecting against a nondisplayed Add Liquidity Only Order or
quote with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration. The Exchange notes that
a similar result could not be obtained on
NOM as it has no auctions. The Add
Liquidity Order on ISE, GEMX and
MRX 46 also re-prices in one MPV as
those markets have a price improvement
auction.47
Further, with the adoption of Add
Liquidity Orders as proposed herein
within Options 3, Section 7, all BX
Participants may utilize the Add
Liquidity Order. The Post-Only Quote
Configuration is available to Market
Makers only as a risk protection.
Unlike other market participants, BX
Market Makers have certain obligations
on the market. BX Market Makers are
required to provide continuous twosided quotes on a daily basis 48 and are
subject to various obligations associated
with providing liquidity on the
market.49 BX Market Makers are the sole
liquidity providers on the Exchange
and, therefore, are offered certain quote
risk protections noted within Options 3,
Section 15 to allow them to manage
their risk more effectively.50 The
proposed Post-Only Quote
Configuration is another risk protection
afforded to BX Market Makers to assist
them in managing their risk while
continuing to comply with their
obligations. The Exchange notes that
44 For example, the inbound auction would reject
against the non-displayed Add Liquidity Only
Order or quote with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration with an auction mechanism.
45 See Options 3, Section 13.
46 See Options 3, Section 7(n).
47 Id.
48 See BX Options 2, Section 4(j) and Section 5(d).
49 See BX Options 2, Section 4.
50 Options 3, Section 15(c) describes the AntiInternalization and Quotation Adjustments
Protections that are available today to BX Market
Makers.
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
enhancing the ability of BX Market
Makers to add liquidity and avoid
taking liquidity from the order book
promotes just and equitable principles
of trade on BX and protects investors
and the public interest, thereby
enhancing market structure by allowing
BX Market Makers to add liquidity only.
Greater liquidity benefits all market
participants by providing more trading
opportunities and attracting greater
participation by BX Market Makers.
Also, an increase in the activity of BX
Market Makers in turn facilitates tighter
spreads.
Finally, with the proposed addition of
Add Liquidity Orders, all Participants
may utilize similar functionality for
orders and quotes.
Options 3, Section 13
B. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on competition not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance
of the purposes of the Act.
Adopting a Post-Only Quote
Configuration within Options 3, Section
15(c)(3) does not impose an undue
burden on competition, rather the
proposal provides BX Market Makers
with the opportunity to continue to
avail themselves of functionality that
currently exists on BOX, NYSE Arca,
MIAX Emerald and NOM.51
The proposal does not impose a
burden on inter-market competition,
because Participants may choose to
become market makers on a number of
other options exchanges, which may
have similar but not identical features.
The Post-Only Quote Configuration
functionality will continue to benefit
downstream counterparties, both within
and away from the Exchange, who may
interact with non-displayed interest on
BX’s order book and thereby interact
with order flow that is priced better
than the NBBO.
The proposal does not impose a
burden on intra-market competition. BX
proposes to adopt an Add Liquidity
Order herein which will permit all
Participants to receive similar treatment
for their orders. Offering BX Market
Makers the ability to configure their
quotes as Post-Only will allow all
market participants on BX to add
liquidity only if desired.
The proposed risk protection allows
BX Market Makers the ability to avoid
removing liquidity from the Exchange’s
order book if their quote would
otherwise lock or cross any resting order
or quote on BX’s order book upon entry,
thereby protecting investors and the
general public as BX Market Makers
transact a large number of orders on the
Exchange and bring liquidity to the
marketplace. BX Market Makers are
required to add liquidity on BX and, in
turn, are rewarded with lower pricing 52
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Options 3, Section 1
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 1 concerning the
Days and Hours of Business does not
impose an undue burden on
competition. The proposal to amend the
title from ‘‘Days and Hours of Business’’
to ‘‘Hours of Business’’ will bring
greater clarity to the rule. Amending
Options 3, Section 1(c) to reference
General 3, Section 1030 will provide
Participants with a guidepost as to
where to locate the rule that applies to
the days the Exchange is open for
business. The proposed updated
citations to the Options 4 rules will
provide correct references for
Participants and thereby bring greater
clarity to the rules.
Options 3, Section 7
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 7 to add a new order
type entitled ‘‘Add Liquidity Order’’
within Options 3, Section 7(a)(12) does
not impose an undue burden on
competition. Today, ISE, GEMX and
MRX have a similar order type within
Options 3, Section 7(n). The Add
Liquidity Order will provide an
additional order type that will give
market participants greater control over
the circumstances in which their orders
are executed. All Participants may
utilize the Add Liquidity Order type.
The Exchange’s proposal to amend
Options 3, Section 7(a)(11) to remove
the title ‘‘Block Order’’ at the beginning
of the sentence will conform the style of
the description to the remaining order
types within Options 3, Section 7.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
Removing Options 3, Section 13(i)(F)
does not impose an undue burden on
competition as the rule text is obsolete
and the removal of the rule text will
bring greater transparency to and
reducing potential confusion about the
Exchange’s Rulebook.
Amending Options 3, Section
13(a)(ii)(D) to utilize the broader term
‘‘marketable interest’’ does not impose
an undue burden on competition as it
will more accurately describe the way a
PRISM auction would interact with
interest in the order book on the
opposite side of the market from the
PRISM Order.
Options 3, Section 15
51 See
52 See
PO 00000
notes 21–25 above.
Options 7, Section 2.
Frm 00132
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
1237
and enhanced allocations.53
Specifically, the risk protection would
permit BX Market Makers to add
liquidity only and avoid removing nondisplayed interest on the order book
thereby maximizing the benefit of their
quoting to bring liquidity to BX by
allowing BX Market Makers to provide
as much liquidity as possible. Unlike
other market participants, BX Market
Makers have certain obligations on the
market. BX Market Makers are required
to provide continuous two-sided quotes
on a daily basis 54 and are subject to
various obligations associated with
providing liquidity on the market.55 BX
Market Makers are the sole liquidity
providers on the Exchange and,
therefore, are offered certain quote risk
protections noted within Options 3,
Section 15 to allow them to manage
their risk more effectively.56 The
proposed Post-Only Quote
Configuration is another risk protection
afforded to BX Market Makers to assist
them in managing their risk while
continuing to comply with their
obligations.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either
solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule
change does not: (i) Significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant
burden on competition; and (iii) become
operative for 30 days from the date on
which it was filed, or such shorter time
as the Commission may designate, it has
become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act 57 and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b–4
thereunder.58
At any time within 60 days of the
filing of the proposed rule change, the
Commission summarily may
53 See
Options 3, Section 10.
BX Options 2, Section 4(j) and Section 5(d).
55 See BX Options 2, Section 4.
56 Options 3, Section 15(c) describes the AntiInternalization and Quotation Adjustments
Protections that are available today to BX Market
Makers.
57 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
58 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b–
4(f)(6) requires a self-regulatory organization to give
the Commission written notice of its intent to file
the proposed rule change at least five business days
prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule
change, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has satisfied this
requirement.
54 See
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
1238
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
temporarily suspend such rule change if
it appears to the Commission that such
action is necessary or appropriate in the
public interest, for the protection of
investors, or otherwise in furtherance of
the purposes of the Act. If the
Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings
to determine whether the proposed rule
should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to
submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing,
including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act.
Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
• Use the Commission’s internet
comment form (https://www.sec.gov/
rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to rule-comments@
sec.gov. Please include File Number SR–
BX–2021–054 on the subject line.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
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–BX–2021–054. 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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:16 Jan 07, 2022
Jkt 256001
submit only information that you wish
to make available publicly.
All submissions should refer to File
Number SR–BX–2021–054 and should
be submitted on or before January 31,
2022.
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.59
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–00154 Filed 1–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–93893; File No. SR–
NYSEArca–2021–57]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE
Arca, Inc.; Notice of Designation of a
Longer Period for Commission Action
on Proceedings To Determine Whether
To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed
Rule Change To List and Trade Shares
of the NYDIG Bitcoin ETF Under NYSE
Arca Rule 8.201–E
January 4, 2022.
On June 30, 2021, NYSE Arca, Inc.
(‘‘NYSE Arca’’) 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
list and trade shares of the NYDIG
Bitcoin ETF under NYSE Arca Rule
8.201–E (Commodity-Based Trust
Shares). The proposed rule change was
published for comment in the Federal
Register on July 19, 2021.3
On August 23, 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 disapprove the
proposed rule change.5 On September
29, 2021, the Commission instituted
proceedings under Section 19(b)(2)(B) of
the Act 6 to determine whether to
approve or disapprove the proposed
rule change.7
59 17
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
2 17 CFR 240.19b–4.
3 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92395
(July 13, 2021), 86 FR 38129. Comments on the
proposed rule change can be found at: https://
www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2021-57/
srnysearca202157.htm.
4 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 92722,
86 FR 48268 (Aug. 27, 2021).
6 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93191,
86 FR 55090 (Oct. 5, 2021).
1 15
PO 00000
Frm 00133
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Section 19(b)(2) of the Act 8 provides
that, after initiating proceedings, the
Commission shall issue an order
approving or disapproving the proposed
rule change not later than 180 days after
the date of publication of notice of filing
of the proposed rule change. The
Commission may extend the period for
issuing an order approving or
disapproving the proposed rule change,
however, by not more than 60 days if
the Commission determines that a
longer period is appropriate and
publishes the reasons for such
determination. The proposed rule
change was published for comment in
the Federal Register on July 19, 2021.9
The 180th day after publication of the
proposed rule change is January 15,
2022. The Commission is extending the
time period for approving or
disapproving the proposed rule change
for an additional 60 days.
The Commission finds that it is
appropriate to designate a longer period
within which to issue an order
approving or disapproving the proposed
rule change so that it has sufficient time
to consider the proposed rule change
and the issues raised in the comments
that have been submitted in connection
therewith. Accordingly, the
Commission, pursuant to Section
19(b)(2) of the Act,10 designates March
16, 2022, as the date by which the
Commission shall either approve or
disapprove the proposed rule change
(File No. SR–NYSEArca-2021–57).
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.11
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–00152 Filed 1–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–93898; File No. SR–Phlx–
2021–76]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq
PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and
Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed
Rule Change To Adopt a New Options
4A, Sections 4 and 14, Related to Index
Options, and Amend Other Phlx Rules
January 4, 2022.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
8 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
supra note 3.
10 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
11 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57).
9 See
E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM
10JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1231-1238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00154]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-93896; File No. SR-BX-2021-054]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt an Add
Liquidity Order and Post-Only Quote Configuration Functionality
January 4, 2021.
Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that
on December 22, 2021, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'')
the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II and III, below,
which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
\2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change
The Exchange proposes to amend Options 3, Section 1 (Days and Hours
of
[[Page 1232]]
Business), Section 7 (Types of Orders and Quote Protocols), Section 13
(Price Improvement Auction (``PRISM'')) and Section 15 (Risk
Protections).
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
website at https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/bx/rules, at the
principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public
Reference Room.
II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such
statements.
A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change
1. Purpose
The Exchange proposes to amend the following rules: Options 3,
Section 1 (Days and Hours of Business), Section 7 (Types of Orders and
Quote Protocols), Section 13 (Price Improvement Auction (``PRISM''))
and Section 15 (Risk Protections). Each change will be described below.
Options 3, Section 1
The Exchange proposes to amend Options 3, Section 1 concerning the
Days and Hours of Business. The Exchange proposes to amend the title
from ``Days and Hours of Business'' to ``Hours of Business.'' BX
recently filed to establish General 3, Section 1030, which governs the
days the Exchange will be open for business.\3\ At this time the
Exchange proposes to amend Options 3, Section 1(c) which provides, ``BX
Options shall not be open for business on any holiday observed by BX.''
The Exchange proposes to instead provide, ``BX Options shall not be
open for business as provided within General 3, Section 1030.'' This
proposed text will make clear that while General 3, Section 1030
governs the days the Exchange will be open for business, the remainder
of the rule addresses the hours of operation of the System and specific
products. Finally, the Exchange proposes to update citations to the
Options 4 rules related to Exchange-Traded Fund Shares and Index-Linked
Securities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93675 (November 29,
2021), 86 FR 68714 (December 3, 2021) (SR-NASDAQ-2021-69) (Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To
Include Juneteenth National Independence Day as a Holiday). BX's
General 3 rules incorporate by reference The Nasdaq Stock Market
LLC's General 3 Rules. Rule 1030 of General 3 memorialized all
current Exchange holidays and added a provision to permit the
Exchange the authority to halt or suspend trading or close Exchange
facilities for certain unanticipated closures.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options 3, Section 7
The Exchange proposes to amend Options 3, Section 7 to add a new
order type entitled ``Add Liquidity Order'' within Options 3, Section
7(a)(12). Today, Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE''), Nasdaq GEMX, LLC (``GEMX'')
and Nasdaq MRX, LLC (``MRX'') have a similar order type within Options
3, Section 7(n). ISE adopted the Add Liquidity Order to provide an
additional order type that will give market participants greater
control over the circumstances in which their orders are executed.\4\
ISE's 2012 rule change explained that
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66617 (March 19,
2012), 77 FR 17102 (March 23, 2012) (SR-ISE-2012-20) (Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt
a New Order Type).
[s]ome investors and market participants wish only to provide
liquidity in certain circumstances, such as to receive a maker fee
(rebate) upon execution of an order. To accommodate this strategy,
the Exchange proposed to adopt a new order type called an add
liquidity order (``ALO''). ALOs are limit orders that will only be
executed as a ``maker'' on the ISE. Members can choose whether an
ALO that is executable on the ISE upon entry (or that locks or
crosses an away market upon entry) will be cancelled or re-priced to
one minimum price variation above the national best bid or below the
national best offer. An Add Liquidity Order will only be re-priced
once and will be executed at the re-priced price.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Id at 17103.
ISE subsequently amended this order type in 2012 such that, if at
the time of entry, an ALO would lock or cross one or more non-displayed
orders on the Exchange, the ALO will be cancelled or re-priced to the
minimum price variation \6\ (``MPV'') above the best non-displayed bid
price (for sell orders) or below the best non-displayed offer price
(for buy orders).\7\ ISE noted in that filing that it believed that
adding this functionality was imperative to ensure that ALOs are only
executed when providing liquidity. Without the ability to re-price an
ALO that locks or crosses a non-displayed order, under certain
circumstances, an incoming ALO could execute against a non-displayed
order resting on the ISE limit order book, which would be in direct
contravention with the purpose of an ALO--to provide liquidity, not
take liquidity.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ See Options 3, Section 3 (Minimum Increments).
\7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67353 (July 5,
2012), 77 FR 40935 (July 11, 2012) (SR-ISE-2012-61) (Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change by
International Securities Exchange To Amend ISE Rule 715 To Reflect a
Modification in the Functionality of the Add Liquidity Order).
\8\ Id at 40935.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At this time, the Exchange proposes to adopt an Add Liquidity Order
similar to ISE, GEMX and MRX Options 3, Section 7(n). The proposed Add
Liquidity Order would be a limit order that is to be executed in whole
or in part on the Exchange (i) only after being displayed on the
Exchange's limit order book; and (ii) without routing any portion of
the order to another market center. Participants would be able to
specify whether an Add Liquidity Order shall be cancelled or re-priced
to the MPV above the national best bid price (for sell orders) or below
the national best offer price (for buy orders) if, at the time of
entry, the order (i) is executable on the Exchange; or (ii) the order
is not executable on the Exchange but would lock or cross the national
best bid or offer. If at the time of entry, an Add Liquidity Order
would lock or cross one or more non-displayed orders or quotes on the
Exchange, the Add Liquidity Order shall be cancelled or re-priced to
the MPV above the best non-displayed bid price (for sell orders) or
below the best non-displayed offer price (for buy orders).
Notwithstanding the aforementioned, if an Add Liquidity Order would not
lock or cross an order or quote on the System but would lock or cross
the NBBO,\9\ the order will be handled pursuant to Options 3, Section
5(d).\10\ This repricing of Add Liquidity Orders is the way other order
types are currently re-priced on ISE, GEMX and
[[Page 1233]]
MRX. The Exchange notes that the same sentence does not appear in the
ISE, GEMX and MRX Add Liquidity Order description.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ The term ``NBBO'' means the national best bid or offer as
calculated by BX Options based on market information received by BX
Options from OPRA. See Options 3, Section 1(a)(33).
\10\ Options 3, Section 5(d) provides, ``An order will not be
executed at a price that trades through another market or displayed
at a price that would lock or cross another market. An order that is
designated by the member as routable will be routed in compliance
with applicable Trade-Through and Locked and Crossed Markets
restrictions. An order that is designated by a member as non-
routable will be re-priced in order to comply with applicable Trade-
Through and Locked and Crossed Markets restrictions. If, at the time
of entry, an order that the entering party has elected not to make
eligible for routing would cause a locked or crossed market
violation or would cause a trade-through violation, it will be re-
priced to the current national best offer (for bids) or the current
national best bid (for offers) and displayed at one minimum price
variance above (for offers) or below (for bids) the national best
price.''
\11\ See ISE, GEMX and MRX Options 3, Section 5(d). The Exchange
will amend the ISE, GEMX and MRX rules in separate rule changes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, BX proposes to add rule text that is not currently in the
ISE, GEMX and MRX rule. Add Liquidity Orders may only be submitted when
an options series is open for trading.\12\ Therefore, an Add Liquidity
Order would not be accepted during the Opening Process when the order
book is not available.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ ISE, GEMX and MRX will propose a change to Options 3,
Section 7(n) to add similar rule text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that, similar to ISE, GEMX and MRX, the
adoption of an Add Liquidity Order will give market participants
greater control over the circumstances in which their orders are
executed in addition to the order types which are currently offered
today on BX. Below are some examples of the Add Liquidity Order.
Add Liquidity Only Order Re-Price Example
Non-Penny Program MPV Option in open trading state
Market Maker A quote $0.90 (10) x $1.00 (10)
ABBO $0.85 x $1.05
Firm A sends Add Liquidity Only Order to buy 5 arrives at
$1.00
[cir] Reprices on book to $0.95
[cir] Displays on $0.95 bid, which is National Best displayed bid with
5 quantity
Order to sell 10 arrives at $0.90
[cir] 5 execute with Firm A @ $0.95
[cir] 5 execute with Market A @ $0.90
[cir] NBBO updates back to $0.90 x $1.00
Add Liquidity Only Reject Example
Non-Penny Program MPV Option in open trading state
Market Maker A quote $0.90 (10) x $1.00 (10)
ABBO $0.85 x $1.05
Firm A sends Add Liquidity Only Order to buy 5 arrives at
$1.00
[cir] Order is rejected back to sender because the sender configured
the order for reject instead of re-price
The Exchange also proposes to amend Options 3, Section 7(a)(11) to
remove the title ``Block Order'' at the beginning of the sentence to
conform the style of the description to the remaining order types
within Options 3, Section 7.
Options 3, Section 13
The Exchange proposes to amend the Exchange's PRISM rule in Options
3, Section 13 to delete an obsolete auction eligibility requirement and
clarify existing rule text.
Today, Options 3, Section 13(i) describes the various eligibility
criteria under which a PRISM auction may be initiated, including
requirements for when PRISM orders may be submitted. In particular,
Section 13(i)(F) provides that PRISM orders submitted during the final
two seconds of the trading session in the affected series are not
eligible to initiate a PRISM auction and will be immediately cancelled.
This restriction was introduced when PRISM was first adopted on the
Exchange,\13\ and was based on certain technical restraints from BX's
original technical design which required no ongoing auctions to begin
preparing for the end of trading day transition to closing state.
However, with the Exchange's recent technology migration,\14\ this
system restriction was removed in order to be more consistent with the
price improvement mechanisms on the Exchange's affiliated options
markets, Nasdaq ISE, GEMX, and MRX.\15\ The corresponding rule text in
Options 3, Section 13(i)(F) should have likewise been deleted with the
legacy functionality. Accordingly, the Exchange now proposes to delete
the obsolete rule text in Section 13(i)(F) in its entirety, and
renumber Section 13(i)(G) as (F).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76301 (October 29,
2015), 80 FR 68347 (November 4, 2015) (SR-BX-2015-032) (Notice of
Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of
a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment Nos. 1 and 2, To
Adopt a New Price Improvement Auction, BX PRISM).
\14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 89476 (August 4,
2020), 85 FR 48274 (SR-BX-2020-017) (August 10, 2020) (Notice of
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend
Various BX Rules in Connection With a Technology Migration).
\15\ None of these markets have similar system restrictions
preventing the submission of orders in their respective price
improvement mechanisms during the last two seconds of the trading
day. See Nasdaq ISE, GEMX, and MRX Options 3, Section 13.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additionally, the Exchange proposes to amend rule text regarding
the PRISM Auction process. Currently, Options 3, Section 13(ii)
describes the manner in which a PRISM auction may be conducted.
Specifically, with respect to an unrelated market or marketable limit
order, Options 3, Section 13(a)(ii)(D) provides,
An unrelated market or marketable limit order (against the BX
BBO) on the opposite side of the market from the PRISM Order
received during the Auction will not cause the Auction to end early
and will execute against interest outside of the Auction. If
contracts remain from such unrelated order at the time the auction
ends, they will be considered for participation in the order
allocation process described in sub-paragraphs (E) and (F) below.
The term ``marketable limit order'' is too narrow a term as both
orders and quotes on the opposite side of the market from the PRISM
Order received during the PRISM auction would not cause the PRISM
auction to end early and will execute against interest outside of the
PRISM auction. Therefore, the Exchange proposes to replace the term
``marketable limit order'' with the broader term ``marketable
interest'' to accurately describe the interest a PRISM auction would
interact with in the order book on the opposite side of the market from
the PRISM Order. The Exchange believes that this amendment will bring
greater clarity to the PRISM rule. The proposed new rule text would
provide,
Unrelated market or marketable interest (against the BX BBO) on
the opposite side of the market from the PRISM Order received during
the Auction will not cause the Auction to end early and will execute
against interest outside of the Auction. If contracts remain from
such unrelated interest at the time the auction ends, they will be
considered for participation in the order allocation process
described in sub-paragraphs (E) and (F) below.
The Exchange notes that Nasdaq PHLX LLC's Price Improvement XL
(``PIXL'') auction does not early terminate from contra-side unrelated
marketable interest.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ See Phlx Options 3, Section 13(b)(4). The Exchange will
separately amend Phlx's rule to make a similar change to the rule
text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options 3, Section 15
The Exchange proposes to amend Options 3, Section 15, Risk
Protections, to adopt an optional quoting protection for BX Market
Makers. This optional risk protection would allow BX Market Makers to
prevent their quotes from removing liquidity from the Exchange's order
book upon entry.
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to adopt a new risk protection
within Options 3, Section 15(c)(3). With this risk protection, NOM
Market Makers may elect to configure their SQF \17\ protocols to
prevent their quotes from
[[Page 1234]]
removing liquidity (``Post-Only Quote Configuration''). This Post-Only
Quote Configuration would re-price or cancel a BX Market Maker's quote
that would otherwise lock or cross any resting order \18\ or quote on
the BX order book upon entry. The Exchange notes that this
functionality does not apply during an Opening Process \19\ because the
order book is established once options series are open for trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ ``Specialized Quote Feed'' or ``SQF'' is an interface that
allows Market Makers to connect, send, and receive messages related
to quotes, Immediate-or-Cancel Orders, and auction responses into
and from the Exchange. Features include the following: (1) Options
symbol directory messages (e.g., underlying instruments); (2) system
event messages (e.g., start of trading hours messages and start of
opening); (3) trading action messages (e.g., halts and resumes); (4)
execution messages; (5) quote messages; (6) Immediate-or-Cancel
Order messages; (7) risk protection triggers and purge
notifications; (8) opening imbalance messages; (9) auction
notifications; and (10) auction responses. The SQF Purge Interface
only receives and notifies of purge requests from the Market Maker.
Market Makers may only enter interest into SQF in their assigned
options series. See Options 3, Section 7(e)(1)(B).
\18\ This would include any re-priced orders as described in
Options 3, Section 5(d), any re-priced quotes as described in
Options 3, Section 4(b)(6), and the proposed Add Liquidity Orders
within proposed Options 3, Section 7(a)(12). As noted herein, Add
Liquidity Orders may re-price.
\19\ The Exchange's Opening Process is described at Options 3,
Section 8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participants may elect whether to re-price or cancel their quotes
with this functionality. When configured for re-price, quotes would be
re-priced to one MPV below the current low offer (for bids) or above
the current best bid (for offers) and displayed by the System at one
MPV below the current low offer (for bids) or above the current best
bid (for offers). Notwithstanding the aforementioned, if a quote with a
Post-Only Quote Configuration would not lock or cross an order or quote
on the System but would lock or cross the NBBO, the quote will be
handled pursuant to Options 3, Section 4(b)(6).\20\ When configured for
cancel, Participants will have their quotes returned whenever the quote
would lock or cross the NBBO or be placed on the book at a price other
than its limit price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\20\ Options 3, Section 4(b)(6) provides, ``A quote will not be
executed at a price that trades through another market or displayed
at a price that would lock or cross another market. If, at the time
of entry, a quote would cause a locked or crossed market violation
or would cause a trade-through, violation, it will be re-priced to
the current national best offer (for bids) or the current national
best bid (for offers) and displayed at one minimum price variance
above (for offers) or below (for bids) the national best price.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This optional risk protection would enable BX Market Makers to
better manage their risk when quoting on BX. Today, BOX Exchange LLC
(``BOX''),\21\ NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca''),\22\ and MIAX Emerald,
LLC (``MIAX Emerald'') \23\ have similar functionality. BOX does not
permit Market Maker's quotes to take liquidity and will reject the
quote. Other options markets, unlike BOX, continue to permit their
market makers to add or remove liquidity from the order book.\24\ NYSE
Arca and MIAX Emerald will re-price quotes one MPV to avoid the quote
from trading as a liquidity taker against the resting order similar to
BX's proposal. Also, the Exchange's proposal permits a BX Market Maker
a choice as to whether to cancel or re-price its quote when using the
Post-Only Quote Configuration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ BOX Rules provide, ``Notwithstanding Rule 100(a)(56), all
quotes and quote updates on BOX after the opening are liquidity
adding only. Specifically, after the Opening Match pursuant to Rule
7070, a Market Maker's quote will not execute against a resting
order or quote on the BOX Book. If an incoming quote is marketable
against the BOX Book and will execute against a resting order or
quote, it will be rejected.'' See BOX IM-8050-3. See also Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 79311 (November 15, 2016), 81 FR 83322
(November 21, 2016) (SR-BOX-2016-45) (Order Approving a Proposed
Rule Change To Amend the Treatment of Quotes To Provide That All
Quotes on BOX Are Liquidity Adding Only).
\22\ NYSE Arca permits a market maker to optionally designate a
quote as ``Add Liquidity Only.'' See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37A-
O(a)(3)(B).
\23\ See MIAX Emerald Rule 517(a)(1)(i).
\24\ Miami International Securities Exchange LLC (``MIAX'')
permits its market makers to add and remove liquidity from the order
book. See MIAX's Fee Schedule which delineates Maker and Taker
pricing. Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE'') also permits market makers to add
and remove liquidity from the order book. See ISE's Pricing Schedule
at Options 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, the Nasdaq Options Market LLC (``NOM'') recently codified
\25\ a similar risk protection, however, unlike BX, NOM reprices $.01
below the current low offer (for bids) or above the current best bid
(for offers) and displays the quote at one MPV below the current low
offer (for bids) or above the current best bid (for offers). The
Exchange notes that, unlike BX, NOM does not offer auction
functionality. Because an auction mechanism may interact adversely with
Add Liquidity Only Orders or quotes with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration that are re-priced in $0.01 increments and displayed at
MPV increments, the Exchange proposes to re-price at one MPV.\26\ BX
has the PRISM auction.\27\ The Exchange believes that it is consistent
with the protection of investors and the general public to utilize one
MPV to re-price an Add Liquidity Only Order or quote with a Post-Only
Quote Configuration to avoid a PRISM auction rejecting against a non-
displayed Add Liquidity Only Order or quote with a Post-Only Quote
Configuration. The Exchange notes that a similar result could not be
obtained on NOM as there are no auctions. The Add Liquidity Order on
ISE, GEMX and MRX \28\ also re-prices in one MPV as those markets have
a price improvement auction.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ See Securities and Exchange Release No. 93662 (November 23,
2021), 86 FR 68009 (November 30, 2021) (SR-NASDAQ-2021-094) (Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To
Adopt a Post-Only Quote Configuration Risk Protection).
\26\ For example, the inbound auction would reject against the
non-displayed Add Liquidity Only Order or quote with a Post-Only
Quote Configuration with an auction mechanism.
\27\ See Options 3, Section 13.
\28\ See Options 3, Section 7(n).
\29\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further, with the adoption of Add Liquidity Orders as proposed
herein within Options 3, Section 7, all BX Participants may utilize the
Add Liquidity Order. The Post-Only Quote Configuration is available to
Market Makers only as a risk protection.
Below are some examples of the Post-Only Quote Configuration
functionality.
Post-Only Quote Configuration Reprice Example
Penny Interval Program MPV in open trading state
Market Makers A and C do not have Post-Only Quote
Configuration risk protection configured
Market Maker B is configured for Post-Only Quote Configuration
re-price
Market Maker A quote $0.98 (10) x $1.00 (10)
ABBO $0.96 x $1.03
Market Maker B quote $1.00 (10) x $1.01 (10) arrives
[cir] Bid side of quote re-prices onto order book @ 0.99 and updates
displayed NBBO to 20 quantity
[cir] Offer side rests at 1.01 without issue
Market Maker C quote $0.97 (20) x 0.98 (20) arrives
Trades 10 with Market Maker A and 10 with Market Maker B
Market Maker B avoids taking liquidity while Market Maker C, who
chose not to be configured for such, removes liquidity by interacting
with re-priced interest on BX's order book.
Re-Priced Post-Only Quote Configuration--Penny Interval Program Display
and Execution Example--Non-Penny Interval Program (Options 3, Section
7(a)(9))
Non-Penny Interval Program MPV in open trading state
Market Maker A quote $0.95 (10) x $1.00 (10)
ABBO $0.85 x $1.05
Market Maker B (configured at the badge level for Post-Only
Quote Configuration and selection of re-price upon quote) quote arrives
1.00 (5) x $1.05 (5)
[cir] Bid side quote re-prices on order book to $0.95
[cir] Displays on order book @ $0.95 (bid), which now shows (15
quantity)
[cir] Offer side quote books and displays at $1.05
Order to sell 10 contracts arrives @ $0.95
[cir] 5 contracts execute with Market Maker B @ $0.95
[cir] 5 contracts execute with Market A @ $0.95
[[Page 1235]]
In this example, the Market Maker avoided taking liquidity by deploying
the Post-Only Quote Configuration with re-price.
Implementation
The Exchange will issue an Options Trader Alert to Participants
with the date of implementation for the Add Liquidity Order and the
Post-Only Quote Configuration functionality.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section
6(b) of the Act,\30\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section
6(b)(5) of the Act,\31\ in particular, in that it is designed 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\30\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\31\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options 3, Section 1
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 1 concerning
the Days and Hours of Business is consistent with the Act. The proposal
to amend the title from ``Days and Hours of Business'' to ``Hours of
Business'' will bring greater clarity to the rule. BX recently filed to
establish General 3, Section 1030, which governs the days the Exchange
will be open for business.\32\ Amending Options 3, Section 1(c) to
reference General 3, Section 1030 will provide Participants with a
guidepost as to where to locate the rule that applies to the days the
Exchange is open for business. The proposed updated citations to the
Options 4 rules will provide correct references for Participants and
thereby bring greater clarity to the rules.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\32\ See note 3 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options 3, Section 7
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 7 to add a new
order type entitled ``Add Liquidity Order'' within Options 3, Section
7(a)(12) is consistent with the Act. Today, ISE, GEMX and MRX have a
similar order type within Options 3, Section 7(n). The Add Liquidity
Order will provide an additional order type that will give market
participants greater control over the circumstances in which their
orders are executed. For investors and market participants that elect
only to provide liquidity in certain circumstances, such as to receive
a maker fee (rebate) upon execution of an order, the proposed order
type will accommodate this strategy. Add Liquidity Orders will only be
executed as a ``maker'' if elected.
Participants may choose to cancel or re-price Add Liquidity Orders
if, at the time of entry, the order is executable on BX or the order is
not executable on BX but would lock or cross the national best bid or
offer. Allowing Add Liquidity Order to re-price ensures that Add
Liquidity Orders are only executed when providing liquidity and avoid
executing against a non-displayed order or quote resting on BX's order
book, which would be in direct contravention with the purpose of the
order type--to provide liquidity, not take liquidity. The Add Liquidity
Order type is one of the order types that Participants may elect to
utilize on BX to accomplish their trading strategies. The Exchange
believes that adoption of the Add Liquidity Order will protect
investors and the general public by making clear the manner in which
the order would re-price on BX's order book if re-price is elected,
that is to the MPV above the best non-displayed bid price (for sell
orders) or below the best non-displayed offer price (for buy orders).
As is the case today, if an order would not lock or cross an order or
quote on the System but would lock or cross the NBBO, the order will be
handled pursuant to Options 3, Section 5(d).
Add Liquidity Orders may only be submitted when an options series
is open for trading.\33\ Therefore, an Add Liquidity Order would not be
accepted during the Opening Process as the order book is not available.
The Exchange believes that similar to ISE, GEMX and MRX, the adoption
of an Add Liquidity Order will give market participants greater control
over the circumstances in which their orders are executed in addition
to the order types which are currently offered today on BX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\33\ ISE, GEMX and MRX will propose a change to Options 3,
Section 7(n) to add similar rule text.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 7(a)(11) to
remove the title ``Block Order'' at the beginning of the sentence will
conform the style of the description to the remaining order types
within Options 3, Section 7.
Options 3, Section 13
With respect to amendments to Options 3, Section 13, first, the
proposed rule change deletes a PRISM auction eligibility requirement
that restricts PRISM orders from being submitted during the final two
seconds of the trading day. As discussed above, this system restriction
is legacy functionality that was removed as part of the Exchange's
technology migration in 2020. The Exchange is therefore proposing to
remove the corresponding rule text in Options 3, Section 13(i)(F) as
obsolete. The Exchange believes that the proposed changes will align
the PRISM rule with the current operation of the Exchange's system and
will reduce potential confusion about when PRISM orders may be
submitted. As noted above, the Exchange's affiliated options markets,
Nasdaq ISE, GEMX, and MRX, do not have similar system restrictions for
their respective price improvement mechanisms.\34\ Furthermore, the
Exchange believes that removing this system restriction may encourage
greater participation in PRISM as Participants are no longer restricted
from submitting PRISM orders during the last two seconds of the trading
day, thereby increasing the opportunity for options orders to receive
executions and price improvement on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\34\ See note 15 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second, the proposed rule change amends Options 3, Section
13(a)(ii)(D) which describes the manner in which a PRISM auction may be
conducted. As noted herein, the term ``marketable limit order'' is too
narrow a term as both orders and quotes on the opposite side of the
market from the PRISM Order received during the PRISM auction would not
cause the PRISM auction to end early and execute against interest
outside of the PRISM auction. Amending Options 3, Section 13(a)(ii)(D)
to replace the term ``marketable limit order'' with the broader term
``marketable interest'' will more accurately describe the way a PRISM
auction would interact with interest in the order book on the opposite
side of the market from the PRISM Order. The Exchange believes that
this amendment is consistent with the Act as it will bring greater
clarity to the PRISM rule.
Options 3, Section 15
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 15, Risk
Protections, to codify new paragraph (c)(3) to permit BX Market Makers
to prevent their quotes from removing liquidity from the Exchange's
order book promotes equitable principles of trade and protects
investors and the public interest by enhancing the risk protections
available to BX Market Makers. The proposal also promotes the policy
goals of the Commission which has encouraged execution venues,
exchanges, and non-exchanges alike, to enhance risk protection tools
and other mechanisms to decrease risk and increase stability.
[[Page 1236]]
While BX Market Makers may manage their risk by utilizing the Post-
Only Quote Configuration to avoid removing liquidity from the
Exchange's order book if their quote would otherwise lock or cross any
resting order or quote on the BX order book upon entry, there are also
downstream benefits to market participants. Re-priced interest on the
order book provides price improvement for market participants that
interact with that non-displayed interest that is priced better than
the NBBO. For example, the proposed Add Liquidity Order may re-price to
the MPV above the national best bid price (for sell orders) or below
the national best offer price (for buy orders) resulting in better-
priced non-displayed interest that is available on the order book.
Market participants are entitled to the better-priced interest when
they interact with the re-priced Add Liquidity Order on the order book.
Additionally, the benefits of enhanced risk protections flow downstream
to counterparties both within and away from the Exchange, thereby
increasing systemic protections as well.
The proposed risk protection allows BX Market Makers the ability to
avoid removing liquidity from the Exchange's order book if their quote
would otherwise lock or cross any resting order or quote on BX's order
book upon entry, thereby protecting investors and the general public as
BX Market Makers transact a large number of orders on the Exchange and
bring liquidity to the marketplace. BX Market Makers would utilize the
proposed risk protection to avoid unexpectedly taking liquidity with
non-displayed, non-transparent interest \35\ on the order book. As a
result of taking liquidity, BX Market Makers would incur a taker fee
that may impact the BX Market Maker's ability to provide liquidity and
meet quoting obligations. BX Market Makers are required to add
liquidity on NOM and, in turn, are rewarded with lower pricing \36\ and
enhanced allocations.\37\ Specifically, the risk protection would
permit BX Market Makers to add liquidity only and avoid removing non-
displayed interest on the order book thereby maximizing the benefit of
their quoting to bring liquidity to BX by allowing BX Market Makers to
provide as much liquidity as possible, thereby removing impediments to
and perfecting the mechanism of a free and open market and a national
market system and protecting investors and the public interest. There
is no impact to other market participants by introducing this Post-Only
Quote Configuration as other non-Market Makers may utilize the proposed
Add Liquidity Only order type that will continue to benefit downstream
counterparties, both within and away from the Exchange, who may
interact with non-displayed interest on BX's order book and thereby
interact with order flow that is priced better than the NBBO. Also,
other market participants may interact with the liquidity provided by
BX Market Makers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\35\ See note 18 above.
\36\ See Options 7, Section 2.
\37\ See Options 3, Section 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This optional risk protection enables BX Market Makers to better
manage their risk when quoting on BX. Today, BOX,\38\ NYSE Arca,\39\
MIAX Emerald \40\ and NOM \41\ have similar functionality. BOX does not
permit Market Maker's quotes to take liquidity and will reject the
quote. Other options markets, unlike BOX, continue to permit their
market makers to add or remove liquidity from the order book.\42\ NYSE
Arca and MIAX Emerald will re-price quotes one MPV to avoid the quote
from trading as a liquidity taker against the resting order similar to
BX's proposal. Also, the Exchange's proposal permits a BX Market Maker
a choice as to whether to cancel or re-price its quote when using the
Post-Only Quote Configuration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\38\ BOX Rules provide, ``Notwithstanding Rule 100(a)(56), all
quotes and quote updates on BOX after the opening are liquidity
adding only. Specifically, after the Opening Match pursuant to Rule
7070, a Market Maker's quote will not execute against a resting
order or quote on the BOX Book. If an incoming quote is marketable
against the BOX Book and will execute against a resting order or
quote, it will be rejected.'' See BOX IM-8050-3. See also Securities
Exchange Act Release No. 79311 (November 15, 2016), 81 FR 83322
(November 21, 2016) (SR-BOX-2016-45) (Order Approving a Proposed
Rule Change To Amend the Treatment of Quotes To Provide That All
Quotes on BOX Are Liquidity Adding Only).
\39\ NYSE Arca permits a market maker to optionally designate a
quote as ``Add Liquidity Only.'' See NYSE Arca Rule 6.37A-
O(a)(3)(B).
\40\ See MIAX Emerald Rule 517(a)(1)(i).
\41\ See Securities and Exchange Release No. 93662 (November 23,
2021), 86 FR 68009 (November 30, 2021) (SR-NASDAQ-2021-094) (Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To
Adopt a Post-Only Quote Configuration Risk Protection).
\42\ Miami International Securities Exchange LLC (``MIAX'')
permits its market makers to add and remove liquidity from the order
book. See MIAX's Fee Schedule which delineates Maker and Taker
pricing. Nasdaq ISE, LLC (``ISE'') also permits market makers to add
and remove liquidity from the order book. See ISE's Pricing Schedule
at Options 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, NOM recently codified \43\ a similar risk protection,
however, unlike BX which re-prices in MPVs, NOM reprices $.01 below the
current low offer (for bids) or above the current best bid (for offers)
and displays the quote at one MPV below the current low offer (for
bids) or above the current best bid (for offers). The Exchange notes
that, unlike BX, NOM does not offer auction functionality. Because an
auction mechanism may interact adversely with Add Liquidity Only Orders
or quotes with a Post-Only Quote Configuration that are re-priced in
$0.01 increments and displayed at MPV increments, the Exchange proposes
to re-price at one MPV.\44\ BX has the PRISM auction.\45\ The Exchange
believes that it is consistent with the protection of investors and the
general public to utilize one MPV to re-price an Add Liquidity Only
Order or quote with a Post-Only Quote Configuration to avoid a PRISM
auction rejecting against a non-displayed Add Liquidity Only Order or
quote with a Post-Only Quote Configuration. The Exchange notes that a
similar result could not be obtained on NOM as it has no auctions. The
Add Liquidity Order on ISE, GEMX and MRX \46\ also re-prices in one MPV
as those markets have a price improvement auction.\47\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\43\ See Securities and Exchange Release No. 93662 (November 23,
2021), 86 FR 68009 (November 30, 2021) (SR-NASDAQ-2021-094) (Notice
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To
Adopt a Post-Only Quote Configuration Risk Protection).
\44\ For example, the inbound auction would reject against the
non-displayed Add Liquidity Only Order or quote with a Post-Only
Quote Configuration with an auction mechanism.
\45\ See Options 3, Section 13.
\46\ See Options 3, Section 7(n).
\47\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further, with the adoption of Add Liquidity Orders as proposed
herein within Options 3, Section 7, all BX Participants may utilize the
Add Liquidity Order. The Post-Only Quote Configuration is available to
Market Makers only as a risk protection.
Unlike other market participants, BX Market Makers have certain
obligations on the market. BX Market Makers are required to provide
continuous two-sided quotes on a daily basis \48\ and are subject to
various obligations associated with providing liquidity on the
market.\49\ BX Market Makers are the sole liquidity providers on the
Exchange and, therefore, are offered certain quote risk protections
noted within Options 3, Section 15 to allow them to manage their risk
more effectively.\50\ The proposed Post-Only Quote Configuration is
another risk protection afforded to BX Market Makers to assist them in
managing their risk while continuing to comply with their obligations.
The Exchange notes that
[[Page 1237]]
enhancing the ability of BX Market Makers to add liquidity and avoid
taking liquidity from the order book promotes just and equitable
principles of trade on BX and protects investors and the public
interest, thereby enhancing market structure by allowing BX Market
Makers to add liquidity only. Greater liquidity benefits all market
participants by providing more trading opportunities and attracting
greater participation by BX Market Makers. Also, an increase in the
activity of BX Market Makers in turn facilitates tighter spreads.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\48\ See BX Options 2, Section 4(j) and Section 5(d).
\49\ See BX Options 2, Section 4.
\50\ Options 3, Section 15(c) describes the Anti-Internalization
and Quotation Adjustments Protections that are available today to BX
Market Makers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finally, with the proposed addition of Add Liquidity Orders, all
Participants may utilize similar functionality for orders and quotes.
B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Options 3, Section 1
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 1 concerning
the Days and Hours of Business does not impose an undue burden on
competition. The proposal to amend the title from ``Days and Hours of
Business'' to ``Hours of Business'' will bring greater clarity to the
rule. Amending Options 3, Section 1(c) to reference General 3, Section
1030 will provide Participants with a guidepost as to where to locate
the rule that applies to the days the Exchange is open for business.
The proposed updated citations to the Options 4 rules will provide
correct references for Participants and thereby bring greater clarity
to the rules.
Options 3, Section 7
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 7 to add a new
order type entitled ``Add Liquidity Order'' within Options 3, Section
7(a)(12) does not impose an undue burden on competition. Today, ISE,
GEMX and MRX have a similar order type within Options 3, Section 7(n).
The Add Liquidity Order will provide an additional order type that will
give market participants greater control over the circumstances in
which their orders are executed. All Participants may utilize the Add
Liquidity Order type.
The Exchange's proposal to amend Options 3, Section 7(a)(11) to
remove the title ``Block Order'' at the beginning of the sentence will
conform the style of the description to the remaining order types
within Options 3, Section 7.
Options 3, Section 13
Removing Options 3, Section 13(i)(F) does not impose an undue
burden on competition as the rule text is obsolete and the removal of
the rule text will bring greater transparency to and reducing potential
confusion about the Exchange's Rulebook.
Amending Options 3, Section 13(a)(ii)(D) to utilize the broader
term ``marketable interest'' does not impose an undue burden on
competition as it will more accurately describe the way a PRISM auction
would interact with interest in the order book on the opposite side of
the market from the PRISM Order.
Options 3, Section 15
Adopting a Post-Only Quote Configuration within Options 3, Section
15(c)(3) does not impose an undue burden on competition, rather the
proposal provides BX Market Makers with the opportunity to continue to
avail themselves of functionality that currently exists on BOX, NYSE
Arca, MIAX Emerald and NOM.\51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\51\ See notes 21-25 above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposal does not impose a burden on inter-market competition,
because Participants may choose to become market makers on a number of
other options exchanges, which may have similar but not identical
features. The Post-Only Quote Configuration functionality will continue
to benefit downstream counterparties, both within and away from the
Exchange, who may interact with non-displayed interest on BX's order
book and thereby interact with order flow that is priced better than
the NBBO.
The proposal does not impose a burden on intra-market competition.
BX proposes to adopt an Add Liquidity Order herein which will permit
all Participants to receive similar treatment for their orders.
Offering BX Market Makers the ability to configure their quotes as
Post-Only will allow all market participants on BX to add liquidity
only if desired.
The proposed risk protection allows BX Market Makers the ability to
avoid removing liquidity from the Exchange's order book if their quote
would otherwise lock or cross any resting order or quote on BX's order
book upon entry, thereby protecting investors and the general public as
BX Market Makers transact a large number of orders on the Exchange and
bring liquidity to the marketplace. BX Market Makers are required to
add liquidity on BX and, in turn, are rewarded with lower pricing \52\
and enhanced allocations.\53\ Specifically, the risk protection would
permit BX Market Makers to add liquidity only and avoid removing non-
displayed interest on the order book thereby maximizing the benefit of
their quoting to bring liquidity to BX by allowing BX Market Makers to
provide as much liquidity as possible. Unlike other market
participants, BX Market Makers have certain obligations on the market.
BX Market Makers are required to provide continuous two-sided quotes on
a daily basis \54\ and are subject to various obligations associated
with providing liquidity on the market.\55\ BX Market Makers are the
sole liquidity providers on the Exchange and, therefore, are offered
certain quote risk protections noted within Options 3, Section 15 to
allow them to manage their risk more effectively.\56\ The proposed
Post-Only Quote Configuration is another risk protection afforded to BX
Market Makers to assist them in managing their risk while continuing to
comply with their obligations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\52\ See Options 7, Section 2.
\53\ See Options 3, Section 10.
\54\ See BX Options 2, Section 4(j) and Section 5(d).
\55\ See BX Options 2, Section 4.
\56\ Options 3, Section 15(c) describes the Anti-Internalization
and Quotation Adjustments Protections that are available today to BX
Market Makers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
No written comments were either solicited or received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i)
Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii)
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \57\ and
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\57\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
\58\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may
[[Page 1238]]
temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission
that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest,
for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the
Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the
proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to [email protected]. Please include
File Number SR-BX-2021-054 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-BX-2021-054. 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-BX-2021-054 and
should be submitted on or before January 31, 2022.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\59\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\59\
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-00154 Filed 1-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P