Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule, 57445-57451 [2024-15399]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–100468; File No. SR–MIAX–
2024–26]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami
International Securities Exchange,
LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule
July 9, 2024.
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 June 28,
2024, Miami International Securities
Exchange, LLC (‘‘MIAX’’ or ‘‘Exchange’’)
filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (‘‘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 is filing a proposal to
amend the MIAX Fee Schedule (‘‘Fee
Schedule’’) to extend until September
30, 2024 the: (i) SPIKES Options Market
Maker Incentive Program (the
‘‘Incentive Program’’); and (ii) waiver
period for certain non-transaction fees
applicable to Market Makers 3 that trade
solely in Proprietary Products.4
The text of the proposed rule change
is available on the Exchange’s website at
https://www.miaxglobal.com/markets/
us-options/all-options-exchanges/rulefilings, at MIAX’s principal office, 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
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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
1 15
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
3 The term ‘‘Market Makers’’ refers to ‘‘Lead
Market Makers’’, ‘‘Primary Lead Market Makers’’
and ‘‘Registered Market Makers’’ collectively. See
Exchange Rule 100.
4 The term ‘‘Proprietary Product’’ means a class
of options that is listed exclusively on the
Exchange. See Exchange Rule 100.
2 17
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
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
Fee Schedule to extend until September
30, 2024 the: (i) Incentive Program; and
(ii) waiver period for certain nontransaction fees applicable to Market
Makers that trade solely in Proprietary
Products.
Background
On October 12, 2018, the Exchange
received approval from the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) to list and trade on the
Exchange options on the SPIKES®
Index, a new index that measures
expected 30-day volatility of the SPDR
S&P 500 ETF Trust (commonly known
and referred to by its ticker symbol,
‘‘SPY’’).5 The Exchange adopted its
initial SPIKES options transaction fees
on February 15, 2019 and adopted a
new section of the Fee Schedule—
Section 1)a)xi), SPIKES—for those fees.6
Options on the SPIKES Index began
trading on the Exchange on February 19,
2019.
On May 31, 2019, the Exchange filed
its first proposal in a series of proposals
with the Commission to amend the Fee
Schedule to waive certain nontransaction fees applicable to Market
Makers that trade solely in Proprietary
Products (including options on the
SPIKES Index) beginning June 1, 2019,
through June 30, 2024.7 In particular,
5 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 84417
(October 12, 2018), 83 FR 52865 (October 18, 2018)
(SR–MIAX–2018–14) (Order Granting Approval of a
Proposed Rule Change by Miami International
Securities Exchange, LLC to List and Trade on the
Exchange Options on the SPIKES® Index).
6 See Securities Exchange Release No. 85283
(March 11, 2019), 84 FR 9567 (March 15, 2019) (SR–
MIAX–2019–11). The Exchange initially filed the
proposal on February 15, 2019 (SR–MIAX–2019–
04). That filing was withdrawn and replaced with
SR–MIAX–2019–11. On September 30, 2020, the
Exchange filed its proposal to, among other things,
reorganize the Fee Schedule to adopt new Section
1)b), Proprietary Products Exchange Fees, and
moved the fees and rebates for SPIKES options into
new Section 1)b)i). See Securities Exchange Act
Release Nos. 90146 (October 9, 2020), 85 FR 65443
(October 15, 2020) (SR–MIAX–2020–32); 90814
(December 29, 2020), 86 FR 327 (January 5, 2021)
(SR–MIAX–2020–39).
7 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 86109
(June 14, 2019), 84 FR 28860 (June 20, 2019) (SR–
MIAX–2019–28); 87282 (October 10, 2019), 84 FR
55658 (October 17, 2019) (SR–MIAX–2019–43);
87897 (January 6, 2020), 85 FR 1346 (January 10,
2020) (SR–MIAX–2019–53); 89289 (July 10, 2020),
PO 00000
Frm 00062
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
57445
the Exchange adopted fee waivers for
Membership Application fees, monthly
Market Maker Trading Permit fees,
Application Programming Interface
(‘‘API’’) Testing and Certification fees
for Members,8 and monthly MIAX
Express Interface (‘‘MEI’’) Port 9 fees
assessed to Market Makers that trade
solely in Proprietary Products
(including options on SPIKES)
throughout the entire period of June 1,
2019 through June 30, 2024.
On September 30, 2021, the Exchange
filed its initial proposal to implement
the Incentive Program for SPIKES
options to incentivize Market Makers to
improve liquidity, available volume,
and the quote spread width of SPIKES
options beginning October 1, 2021, and
ending December 31, 2021.10 Technical
details regarding the Incentive Program
were published in a Regulatory Circular
on September 30, 2021.11 On October
12, 2021, the Exchange withdrew SR–
MIAX–2021–45 and refiled its proposal
to implement the Incentive Program to
provide additional details.12 In that
filing, the Exchange specifically noted
that the Incentive Program would expire
at the end of the period (December 31,
2021) unless the Exchange filed another
19b–4 Filing to amend the fees (or
extend the Incentive Program).13
Between December 23, 2021, and
April 3, 2024, the Exchange filed several
proposals to extend the Incentive
Program, with the last extension period
85 FR 43279 (July 16, 2020) (SR–MIAX–2020–22);
90146 (October 9, 2020), 85 FR 65443 (October 15,
2020) (SR–MIAX–2020–32); 90814 (December 29,
2020), 86 FR 327 (January 5, 2021) (SR–MIAX–
2020–39); 91498 (April 7, 2021), 86 FR 19293 (April
13, 2021) (SR–MIAX–2021–06); 93881 (December
30, 2021), 87 FR 517 (January 5, 2022) (SR–MIAX–
2021–63); 95259 (July 12, 2022), 87 FR 42754 (July
17, 2022) (SR–MIAX–2022–24); 96007 (October 7,
2022), 87 FR 62151 (October 13, 2022) (SR–MIAX–
2022–32); 96588 (December 28, 2022), 88 FR 381
(January 4, 2023) (SR–MIAX–2022–47); 97887 (July
12, 2023), 88 FR 45936 (July 18, 2023) (SR–MIAX–
2023–28); and 99047 (November 30, 2023), 88 FR
84861 (December 6, 2023) (SR–MIAX–2023–46).
8 The term ‘‘Member’’ means an individual or
organization approved to exercise the trading rights
associated with a Trading Permit. Members are
deemed ‘‘members’’ under the Exchange Act. See
Exchange Rule 100.
9 Full Service MEI Ports provide Market Makers
with the ability to send Market Maker simple and
complex quotes, eQuotes, and quote purge messages
to the MIAX System. Full Service MEI Ports are also
capable of receiving administrative information.
Market Makers are limited to two Full Service MEI
Ports per matching engine. See Fee Schedule,
Section 5)d)ii), footnote 28.
10 See SR–MIAX–2021–45.
11 See MIAX Options Regulatory Circular 2021–
56, SPIKES Options Market Maker Incentive
Program (September 30, 2021) available at https://
www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/circularfiles/MIAX_Options_RC_2021_56.pdf.
12 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93424
(October 26, 2021), 86 FR 60322 (November 1, 2021)
(SR–MIAX–2021–49).
13 See id.
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
57446
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
ending June 30, 2024.14 In each of those
filings, the Exchange specifically noted
that the Incentive Program would expire
at the end of the then-current period
unless the Exchange filed another 19b–
4 Filing to amend the fees (or extend the
Incentive Program).15
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Proposal To Extend the Incentive
Program
The Exchange proposes to extend the
Incentive Program for SPIKES options to
continue to incentivize Market Makers
to improve liquidity, available volume,
and the quote spread width of SPIKES
options. Currently, to be eligible to
participate in the Incentive Program, a
Market Maker must meet certain
minimum requirements related to quote
spread width in certain in-the-money
(ITM) and out-of-the-money (OTM)
options as determined by the Exchange
and communicated to Members via
Regulatory Circular.16 Market Makers
must also satisfy a minimum time in the
market in the front 2 expiry months of
70%, and have an average quote size of
25 contracts. The Exchange established
two separate incentive compensation
pools that are used to compensate
Market Makers that satisfy the criteria
pursuant to the Incentive Program.
The first pool (Incentive 1) has a total
amount of $40,000 per month, which is
allocated to Market Makers that meet
the minimum requirements of the
Incentive Program. Market Makers are
required to meet minimum spread
width requirements in a select number
of ITM and OTM SPIKES option
contracts as determined by the
Exchange and communicated to
Members via Regulatory Circular.17 A
complete description of how the
Exchange calculates the minimum
spread width requirements in ITM and
OTM SPIKES options can be found in
the published Regulatory Circular.18
Market Makers are also required to
maintain the minimum spread width,
described above, for at least 70% of the
time in the front two (2) SPIKES options
14 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos.
93881 (December 30, 2021), 87 FR 517 (January 5,
2022) (SR–MIAX–2021–63); 94574 (April 1, 2022),
87 FR 20492 (April 7, 2022) (SR–MIAX–2022–12);
95259 (July 12, 2022), 87 FR 42754 (July 17, 2022)
(SR–MIAX–2022–24); 96007 (October 7, 2022), 87
FR 62151 (October 13, 2022) (SR–MIAX–2022–32);
96588 (December 28, 2022), 88 FR 381 (January 4,
2023) (SR–MIAX–2022–47); 97239 (April 3, 2023),
88 FR 20930 (April 7, 2023) (SR–MIAX–2023–13);
97883 (July 12, 2023), 88 FR 45941 (July 18, 2023)
(SR–MIAX–2023–26); 99040 (November 29, 2023),
88 FR 84374 (December 5, 2023) (SR–MIAX–2023–
47); and 99902 (April 3, 2024), 89 FR 24883 (April
9, 2024) (SR–MIAX–2024–17).
15 See id.
16 See supra note 11.
17 See id.
18 See id.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
contract expiry months and maintain an
average quote size of at least 25 SPIKES
options contracts. The amount available
to each individual Market Maker is
capped at $10,000 per month for
satisfying the minimum requirements of
the Incentive Program. In the event that
more than four Market Makers meet the
requirements of the Incentive Program,
each qualifying Market Maker is entitled
to receive a pro-rated share of the
$40,000 monthly compensation pool
dependent upon the number of
qualifying Market Makers in that
particular month.
The second pool (Incentive 2 Pool) is
capped at a total amount of $100,000
per month which is used during the
Incentive Program to further incentivize
Market Makers who meet or exceed the
requirements of Incentive 1 (‘‘qualifying
Market Makers’’) to provide tighter
quote width spreads. The Exchange
ranks each qualifying Market Maker’s
quote width spread relative to each
other qualifying Market Maker’s quote
width spread. Market Makers with
tighter spreads in certain strikes, as
determined by the Exchange and
communicated to Members via
Regulatory Circular,19 are eligible to
receive a pro-rated share of the
compensation pool as calculated by the
Exchange and communicated to
Members via Regulatory Circular,20 not
to exceed $25,000 per Member per
month. Qualifying Market Makers are
ranked relative to each other based on
the quality of their spread width (i.e.,
tighter spreads are ranked higher than
wider spreads) and the Market Maker
with the best quality spread width
receives the highest rebate, while other
eligible qualifying Market Makers
receive a rebate relative to their quality
spread width.
The Exchange proposes to extend the
Incentive Program until September 30,
2024. The Exchange does not propose to
make any amendments to how it
calculates any of the incentives
provided for in Incentive Pools 1 or 2.
The details of the Incentive Program can
continue to be found in the Regulatory
Circular that was published on
September 30, 2021, to all Exchange
Members.21 The purpose of this
extension is to continue to incentivize
Market Makers to improve liquidity,
available volume, and the quote spread
width of SPIKES options. The Exchange
will announce the extension of the
PO 00000
19 See
id.
id.
21 See id.
20 See
Frm 00063
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Incentive Program to all Members via a
Regulatory Circular.22
Proposal To Extend the Fee Waivers for
Market Markets That Trade Solely in
Proprietary Products (Including Spikes
Options)
The Exchange also proposes to extend
the fee waiver for Membership
Application fees, monthly Market Maker
Trading Permit fees, Member API
Testing and Certification fees, and
monthly MEI Port fees assessed to
Market Makers that trade solely in
Proprietary Products (including options
on SPIKES) until September 30, 2024.
Membership Application Fees
The Exchange currently assesses a
one-time Membership Application fee
for applications of potential Members.
The Exchange assesses a one-time
Membership Application fee on the
earlier of (i) the date the applicant is
certified in the membership system, or
(ii) once an application for MIAX
membership is finally denied. The onetime application fee is based upon the
applicant’s status as either a Market
Maker or an Electronic Exchange
Member (‘‘EEM’’).23 A Market Maker is
assessed a one-time Membership
Application fee of $3,000.
The Exchange proposes that the
waiver for the one-time Membership
Application fee of $3,000 for Market
Makers that trade solely in Proprietary
Products (including options on SPIKES)
will be extended from June 30, 2024
until September 30, 2024, which the
Exchange proposes to state in the Fee
Schedule. The purpose of this proposed
change is to continue to provide an
incentive for potential Market Makers to
submit membership applications, which
should result in an increase of potential
liquidity in Proprietary Products,
including options on SPIKES. Even
though the Exchange proposes to extend
the waiver of this particular fee, the
overall structure of the fee is outlined in
the Fee Schedule so that there is general
awareness that the Exchange intends to
assess such a fee after September 30,
2024.
Trading Permit Fees
The Exchange issues Trading Permits
that confer the ability to transact on the
Exchange. MIAX Trading Permits are
issued to Market Makers and EEMs.
22 The Exchange notes that at the end of the
extension period, the Incentive Program will expire
unless the Exchange files another 19b–4 Filing to
amend the terms or extend the Incentive Program.
23 The term ‘‘Electronic Exchange Member’’ or
‘‘EEM’’ means the holder of a Trading Permit who
is not a Market Maker. Electronic Exchange
Members are deemed ‘‘members’’ under the
Exchange Act. See Exchange Rule 100.
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
Members receiving Trading Permits
during a particular calendar month are
assessed monthly Trading Permit fees as
set forth in the Fee Schedule. As it
relates to Market Makers, MIAX
currently assesses a monthly Trading
Permit fee in any month the Market
Maker is certified in the membership
Type of Trading
Permit
system, is credentialed to use one or
more MIAX MEI Ports in the production
environment and is assigned to quote in
one or more classes. MIAX assesses the
monthly Market Maker Trading Permit
fee for its Market Makers based on the
greatest number of classes listed on
MIAX that the MIAX Market Maker was
$7,000.00
$12,000.00
* 17,000.00
* 22,000.00
assigned to quote in on any given day
within a calendar month and the
applicable fee rate is the lesser of either
the per class basis or percentage of total
national average daily volume
measurements. A MIAX Market Maker
is assessed a monthly Trading Permit
fee according to the following table: 24
Market Maker assignments
(the lesser of the applicable measurements below) W
Monthly MIAX
Trading Permit
fee
Market Maker (includes RMM,
LMM, PLMM).
57447
Per Class
% of National average daily volume
Up to 10 Classes ...........................
Up to 40 Classes ...........................
Up to 100 Classes .........................
Over 100 Classes ..........................
Up to 20% of Classes by volume.
Up to 35% of Classes by volume.
Up to 50% of Classes by volume.
Over 50% of Classes by volume up to all Classes
listed on MIAX.
W Excludes Proprietary Products.
* For these Monthly MIAX Trading Permit Fee levels, if the Market Maker’s total monthly executed volume during the relevant month is less
than 0.060% of the total monthly executed volume reported by OCC in the market maker account type for MIAX-listed option classes for that
month, then the fee will be $15,500 instead of the fee otherwise applicable to such level.
MIAX proposes that the waiver for the
monthly Trading Permit fee for Market
Makers that trade solely in Proprietary
Products (including options on SPIKES)
will be extended from June 30, 2024 to
September 30, 2024, which the
Exchange proposes to state in the Fee
Schedule. The purpose of this proposed
change is to continue to provide an
incentive for Market Makers to provide
liquidity in Proprietary Products on the
Exchange, which should result in
increasing potential order flow and
volume in Proprietary Products,
including options on SPIKES. Even
though the Exchange proposes to extend
the waiver of this particular fee, the
overall structure of the fee is outlined in
the Fee Schedule so that there is general
awareness to potential Members seeking
a Trading Permit that the Exchange
intends to assess such a fee after
September 30, 2024.
The Exchange also proposes that
Market Makers who trade Proprietary
Products (including options on SPIKES)
along with multi-listed classes will
continue to not have Proprietary
Products (including SPIKES) counted
toward those Market Makers’ class
assignment count or percentage of total
national average daily volume. This
exclusion is noted with the symbol ‘‘W’’
following the table that shows the
24 See
Fee Schedule, Section (3)(b).
FIX Port is an interface with MIAX systems
that enables the Port user (typically an Electronic
Exchange Member or a Market Maker) to submit
simple and complex orders electronically to MIAX.
See Fee Schedule, Section (5)(d)(i).
26 Clearing Trade Drop (‘‘CTD’’) provides
Exchange members with real-time clearing trade
updates. The updates include the Member’s
clearing trade messages on a low latency, real-time
basis. The trade messages are routed to a Member’s
connection containing certain information. The
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
25 A
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
monthly Trading Permit fees currently
assessed to Market Makers in Section
(3)(b) of the Fee Schedule.
API Testing and Certification Fee
The Exchange assesses an API Testing
and Certification fee to all Members
depending upon Membership type. An
API makes it possible for Members’
software to communicate with MIAX
software applications, and is subject to
Members testing with, and certification
by, MIAX. The Exchange offers four
types of interfaces: (i) the Financial
Information Exchange Port (‘‘FIX
Port’’),25 which enables the FIX Port
user (typically an EEM or a Market
Maker) to submit simple and complex
orders electronically to MIAX; (ii) the
MEI Port, which enables Market Makers
to submit simple and complex
electronic quotes to MIAX; (iii) the
Clearing Trade Drop Port (‘‘CTD
Port’’),26 which provides real-time trade
clearing information to the participants
to a trade on MIAX and to the
participants’ respective clearing firms;
and (iv) the FIX Drop Copy Port (‘‘FXD
Port’’),27 which provides a copy of realtime trade execution, correction and
cancellation information through a FIX
Port to any number of FIX Ports
information includes, among other things, the
following: (i) trade date and time; (ii) symbol
information; (iii) trade price/size information; (iv)
Member type (for example, and without limitation,
Market Maker, Electronic Exchange Member,
Broker-Dealer); (v) Exchange Member Participant
Identifier (‘‘MPID’’) for each side of the transaction,
including Clearing Member MPID; and (vi) strategy
specific information for complex transactions. CTD
Port Fees will be assessed in any month the
Member is credentialed to use the CTD Port in the
production environment. See Fee Schedule, Section
5)d)iii.
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
designated by an EEM to receive such
messages.
API Testing and Certification fees for
Market Makers are assessed (i) initially
per API for CTD and MEI ports in the
month the Market Maker has been
credentialed to use one or more ports in
the production environment for the
tested API and the Market Maker has
been assigned to quote in one or more
classes, and (ii) each time a Market
Maker initiates a change to its system
that requires testing and certification.
API Testing and Certification fees will
not be assessed in situations where the
Exchange initiates a mandatory change
to the Exchange’s system that requires
testing and certification. The Exchange
currently assesses a Market Maker an
API Testing and Certification fee of
$2,500. The API Testing and
Certification fees represent costs
incurred by the Exchange as it works
with each Member for testing and
certifying that the Member’s software
systems communicate properly with
MIAX’s interfaces.
MIAX proposes to extend the waiver
of the API Testing and Certification fee
for Market Makers that trade solely in
Proprietary Products (including options
on SPIKES) from June 30, 2024 until
September 30, 2024, which the
Exchange proposes to state in the Fee
27 The FIX Drop Copy Port (‘‘FXD’’) is a
messaging interface that will provide a copy of realtime trade execution, trade correction and trade
cancellation information for simple and complex
orders to FIX Drop Copy Port users who subscribe
to the service. FIX Drop Copy Port users are those
users who are designated by an EEM to receive the
information and the information is restricted for use
by the EEM only. FXD Port Fees will be assessed
in any month the Member is credentialed to use the
FXD Port in the production environment. See Fee
Schedule, Section (5)(d)(iv).
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
57448
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
Schedule. The purpose of this proposed
change is to continue to provide an
incentive for potential Market Makers to
develop software applications to trade
in Proprietary Products, including
options on SPIKES. Even though the
Exchange proposes to extend the waiver
of this particular fee, the overall
structure of the fee is outlined in the Fee
Schedule so that there is general
awareness that the Exchange intends to
assess such a fee after September 30,
2024.
MEI Port Fees
MIAX assesses monthly MEI Port fees
to Market Makers in each month the
Member has been credentialed to use
the MEI Port in the production
environment and has been assigned to
quote in at least one class. The amount
of the monthly MEI Port fee is based
upon the number of classes in which the
Market Maker was assigned to quote on
any given day within the calendar
month, and upon the class volume
percentages set forth in the Fee
Schedule. The class volume percentage
is based on the total national average
daily volume in classes listed on MIAX
in the prior calendar quarter. Newly
listed option classes are excluded from
the calculation of the monthly MEI Port
fee until the calendar quarter following
their listing, at which time the newly
listed option classes will be included in
both the per class count and the
percentage of total national average
daily volume. The Exchange assesses
MIAX Market Makers the monthly MEI
Port fee based on the greatest number of
classes listed on MIAX that the MIAX
Market Maker was assigned to quote in
on any given day within a calendar
month and the applicable fee rate that
is the lesser of either the per class basis
or percentage of total national average
daily volume measurement. MIAX
assesses MEI Port fees on Market Makers
according to the following table: 28
Market Maker assignments
(the lesser of the applicable measurements below) W
Monthly MIAX MEI fees
$5,000.00 ...........................................
$10,000.00 .........................................
$14,000.00 .........................................
$17,500.00 * .......................................
$20,500.00 * .......................................
Per class
% of National average daily volume
Up to 5 Classes ................................
Up to 10 Classes ..............................
Up to 40 Classes ..............................
Up to 100 Classes ............................
Over 100 Classes .............................
Up to 10% of Classes by volume.
Up to 20% of Classes by volume.
Up to 35% of Classes by volume.
Up to 50% of Classes by volume.
Over 50% of Classes by volume up to all Classes listed on MIAX.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
W Excludes Proprietary Products.
* For these Monthly MIAX MEI Fees levels, if the Market Maker’s total monthly executed volume during the relevant month is less than 0.060%
of the total monthly executed volume reported by OCC in the market maker account type for MIAX-listed option classes for that month, then the
fee will be $14,500 instead of the fee otherwise applicable to such level.
MIAX proposes to extend the waiver
of the monthly MEI Port fee for Market
Makers that trade solely in Proprietary
Products (including options on SPIKES)
from June 30, 2024 until September 30,
2024, which the Exchange proposes to
state in the Fee Schedule. The purpose
of this proposal is to continue to
provide an incentive to Market Makers
to connect to MIAX through the MEI
Port such that they will be able to trade
in MIAX Proprietary Products. Even
though the Exchange proposes to extend
the waiver of this particular fee, the
overall structure of the fee is outlined in
the Fee Schedule so that there is general
awareness that the Exchange intends to
assess such a fee after September 30,
2024.
The Exchange notes that for the
purposes of this proposed change, other
Market Makers who trade MIAX
Proprietary Products (including options
on SPIKES) along with multi-listed
classes will continue to not have
Proprietary Products (including SPIKES)
counted toward those Market Makers’
class assignment count or percentage of
total national average daily volume.
This exclusion is noted by the symbol
‘‘W’’ following the table that shows the
monthly MEI Port Fees currently
assessed for Market Makers in Section
(5)(d)(ii) of the Fee Schedule.
28 See
The proposed extension of the fee
waivers are targeted at market
participants, particularly market
makers, who are not currently members
of MIAX, who may be interested in
being a Market Maker in Proprietary
Products on the Exchange. The
Exchange estimates that there are fewer
than ten (10) such market participants
that could benefit from the extension of
these fee waivers. The proposed
extension of the fee waivers does not
apply differently to different sizes of
market participants, however the fee
waivers do only apply to Market Makers
(and not EEMs).
Market Makers, unlike other market
participants, take on a number of
obligations, including quoting
obligations that other market
participants do not have. Further,
Market Makers have added market
making and regulatory requirements,
which normally do not apply to other
market participants. For example,
Market Makers have obligations to
maintain continuous markets, engage in
a course of dealings reasonably
calculated to contribute to the
maintenance of a fair and orderly
market, and to not make bids or offers
or enter into transactions that are
inconsistent with a course of dealing.
Accordingly, the Exchange believes it is
Fee Schedule (5)(d)(ii).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
29 15
Jkt 262001
PO 00000
U.S.C. 78f(b).
Frm 00065
Fmt 4703
reasonable and not unfairly
discriminatory to continue to offer the
fee waivers to Market Makers because
the Exchange is seeking additional
liquidity providers for Proprietary
Products, in order to enhance liquidity
and spreads in Proprietary Products,
which is traditionally provided by
Market Makers, as opposed to EEMs.
Implementation
The proposed fee changes are
effective beginning July 1, 2024.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its
proposal to amend its Fee Schedule is
consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act 29
in general, and furthers the objectives of
Section 6(b)(4) of the Act 30 in
particular, in that it is an equitable
allocation of reasonable fees and other
charges among its Members and issuers
and other persons using its facilities.
The Exchange also believes the proposal
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act 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 and is
not designed to permit unfair
30 15
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
15JYN1
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
discrimination between customers,
issuers, brokers and dealers.
The Exchange believes that it is
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly
discriminatory to extend the Incentive
Program for Market Makers in SPIKES
options until September 30, 2024. The
Incentive Program is reasonably
designed because it will continue to
incentivize Market Makers to provide
quotes and increased liquidity in select
SPIKES options contracts. The Incentive
Program is reasonable, equitably
allocated and not unfairly
discriminatory because all Market
Makers in SPIKES options may continue
to qualify for Incentive 1 and Incentive
2, dependent upon each Market Maker’s
quoting in SPIKES options in a
particular month. Additionally, if a
SPIKES Market Maker does not satisfy
the requirements of Incentive Pool 1 or
2, then it simply will not receive the
rebate offered by the Incentive Program
for that month.
The Exchange believes that it is
reasonable, equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory to continue to offer this
financial incentive to SPIKES Market
Makers because it will continue to
benefit all market participants trading in
SPIKES options. SPIKES options is a
Proprietary Product on the Exchange
and the continuation of the Incentive
Program encourages SPIKES Market
Makers to satisfy a heightened quoting
standard, average quote size, and time
in market. A continued increase in
quoting activity and tighter quotes may
yield a corresponding increase in order
flow from other market participants,
which benefits all investors by
deepening the Exchange’s liquidity
pool, potentially providing greater
execution incentives and opportunities,
while promoting market transparency
and improving investor protection.
The Exchange believes that the
Incentive Program is equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory because it will
continue to promote an increase in
SPIKES options liquidity, which may
facilitate tighter spreads and an increase
in trading opportunities to the benefit of
all market participants. The Exchange
believes it is reasonable to operate the
Incentive Program for a continued
limited period of time to strengthen
market quality for all market
participants. The resulting increased
volume and liquidity will benefit those
Members who are eligible to participate
in the Incentive Program and will also
continue to benefit those Members who
are not eligible to participate in the
Incentive Program by providing more
trading opportunities and tighter
spreads.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
Additionally, the Exchange believes
that the proposal to extend the fee
waiver period for certain nontransaction fees for Market Makers that
trade solely in Proprietary Products is
an equitable allocation of reasonable
fees because the proposal continues to
waive non-transaction fees for a limited
period of time in order to enable the
Exchange to improve its overall
competitiveness and strengthen its
market quality for all market
participants in MIAX’s Proprietary
Products, including options on SPIKES.
The Exchange believe the proposed
extension of the fee waivers is fair and
equitable and not unreasonably
discriminatory because it applies to all
market participants not currently
registered as Market Makers at the
Exchange. Any market participant may
choose to satisfy the additional
requirements and obligations of being a
Market Maker and trade solely in
Proprietary Products in order to qualify
for the fee waivers.
The Exchange believes that the
proposed extension of the fee waivers is
equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory for Market Makers as
compared to EEMs because Market
Makers, unlike other market
participants, take on a number of
obligations, including quoting
obligations that other market
participants do not have.31 Further,
Market Makers have added market
making and regulatory requirements,
which normally do not apply to other
market participants. For example,
Market Makers have obligations to
maintain continuous markets, engage in
a course of dealings reasonably
calculated to contribute to the
maintenance of a fair and orderly
market, and to not make bids or offers
or enter into transactions that are
inconsistent with a course of dealing.
The Exchange believes it is reasonable
and equitable to continue to waive the
one-time Membership Application fee,
monthly Trading Permit Fee, API
Testing and Certification fee, and
monthly MEI Port fee for Market Makers
that trade solely in Proprietary Products
(including options on SPIKES) until
September 30, 2024, since the waiver of
such fees provides incentives to
interested market participants to trade
in Proprietary Products. This should
result in increasing potential order flow
and liquidity in MIAX Proprietary
Products, including options on SPIKES.
The Exchange believes it is reasonable
and equitable to continue to waive the
API Testing and Certification fee
assessable to Market Makers that trade
PO 00000
31 See,
generally, Exchange Rule 603.
Frm 00066
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
57449
solely in Proprietary Products
(including options on SPIKES) until
September 30, 2024, since the waiver of
such fees provides incentives to
interested Members to develop and test
their APIs sooner. Determining system
operability with the Exchange’s system
will in turn provide MIAX with
potential order flow and liquidity
providers in Proprietary Products.
The Exchange believes it is
reasonable, equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory that Market Makers who
trade in Proprietary Products along with
multi-listed classes will continue to not
have Proprietary Products counted
toward those Market Makers’ class
assignment count or percentage of total
national average daily volume for
monthly Trading Permit fees and
monthly MEI Port fees in order to
incentivize existing Market Makers who
currently trade in multi-listed classes to
also trade in Proprietary Products,
without incurring certain additional
fees.
The Exchange believes that the
proposed extension of the fee waivers
constitutes an equitable allocation of
reasonable fees and other charges among
its Members and issuers and other
persons using its facilities. The
proposed extension of the fee waivers
means that all prospective market
makers that wish to become Market
Maker Members of the Exchange and
quote solely in Proprietary Products
may do so and have the abovementioned fees waived until September
30, 2024. The proposed extension of the
fee waivers will continue to not apply
to potential EEMs because the Exchange
is seeking to enhance the quality of its
markets in Proprietary Products through
introducing more competition among
Market Makers in Proprietary Products.
In order to increase the competition, the
Exchange believes that it must continue
to waive entry type fees for such Market
Makers. EEMs do not provide the
benefit of enhanced liquidity which is
provided by Market Makers, therefore
the Exchange believes it is reasonable
and not unfairly discriminatory to
continue to only offer the proposed fee
waivers to Market Makers (and not
EEMs). Further, the Exchange believes it
is reasonable and not unfairly
discriminatory to continue to exclude
Proprietary Products from an existing
Market Maker’s permit fees and port
fees, in order to incentive such Market
Makers to quote in Proprietary Products.
The amount of a Market Maker’s permit
and port fee is determined by the
number of classes quoted and volume of
the Market Maker. By excluding
Proprietary Products from such fees, the
Exchange is able to incentivize Market
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
57450
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
Makers to quote in Proprietary Products.
EEMs do not pay permit and port fees
based on the classes traded or volume,
so the Exchange believes it is
reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly
discriminatory to only offer the
exclusion to Market Makers (and not
EEMs).
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.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Intra-Market Competition
The Exchange believes that the
proposed extension of the Incentive
Program to September 30, 2024, would
continue to increase intra-market
competition by incentivizing Market
Makers to quote SPIKES options, which
will continue to enhance the quality of
quoting and increase the volume of
contracts available to trade in SPIKES
options. To the extent that this purpose
is achieved, all the Exchange’s market
participants should benefit from the
improved market liquidity for SPIKES
options. Enhanced market quality and
increased transaction volume in SPIKES
options that results from the anticipated
increase in Market Maker activity on the
Exchange will benefit all market
participants and improve competition
on the Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange believes
that the proposal to extend certain of the
non-transaction fee waivers until
September 30, 2024 for Market Makers
that trade solely in Proprietary Products
would increase intra-market
competition by incentivizing new
potential Market Makers to quote in
Proprietary Products, which will
enhance the quality of quoting and
increase the volume of contracts in
Proprietary Products traded on MIAX,
including options on SPIKES. To the
extent that this purpose is achieved, all
the Exchange’s market participants
should benefit from the improved
market liquidity for the Exchange’s
Proprietary Products. Enhanced market
quality and increased transaction
volume in Proprietary Products that
results from the anticipated increase in
Market Maker activity on the Exchange
will benefit all market participants and
improve competition on the Exchange.
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule change will impose
any burden on intra-market competition
that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act
because the proposed changes for each
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
Jkt 262001
separate type of market participant (new
Market Makers and existing Market
Makers) will be assessed equally to all
such market participants. While
different fees are assessed to different
market participants in some
circumstances, these different market
participants have different obligations
and different circumstances as
discussed above. For example, Market
Makers have quoting obligations that
other market participants (such as
EEMs) do not have.
Inter-Market Competition
The Exchange does not believe that
the proposed rule changes will impose
any burden on inter-market competition
that is not necessary or appropriate in
furtherance of the purposes of the Act
because the proposed extension of the
Incentive Program applies only to the
Market Makers in SPIKES options,
which are traded exclusively on the
Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange does not
believe that the proposed rule changes
will impose any burden on inter-market
competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the
purposes of the Act because the
proposed extension of the fee waivers
applies only to the Exchange’s
Proprietary Products (including options
on SPIKES), which are traded
exclusively on the Exchange.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s
Statement on Comments on the
Proposed Rule Change Received From
Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither
solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the
Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become
effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,32 and Rule
19b–4(f)(2) 33 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.
PO 00000
32 15
33 17
U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2).
Frm 00067
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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–
MIAX–2024–26 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–MIAX–2024–26. 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
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also
will be available for inspection and
copying at the principal office of the
Exchange. Do not include personal
identifiable information in submissions;
you should submit only information
that you wish to make available
publicly. We may redact in part or
withhold entirely from publication
submitted material that is obscene or
subject to copyright protection. All
submissions should refer to file number
SR–MIAX–2024–26 and should be
submitted on or before August 5, 2024.
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
15JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 135 / Monday, July 15, 2024 / Notices
For the Commission, by the Division of
Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated
authority.34
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–15399 Filed 7–12–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[SEC File No. 270–666, OMB Control No.
3235–0725]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Proposed Collection; Comment
Request; Extension: Contract Standard
for Contractor Workforce Inclusion
Upon Written Request Copies Available
From: U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, Office of FOIA Services,
100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
20549–2736
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant
to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments
on the collection of information
summarized below. The Commission
plans to submit this existing collection
of information to the Office of
Management and Budget (‘‘OMB’’) for
extension and approval.
Section 342 of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection
Act of 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act)
provided that certain agencies,
including the Commission, establish an
Office of Minority and Women
Inclusion (OMWI).1 Section 342(c)(2) of
the Dodd-Frank Act requires the OMWI
Director to include in the Commission’s
procedures for evaluating contract
proposals and hiring service providers a
written statement that the contractor
shall ensure, to the maximum extent
possible, the fair inclusion of women
and minorities in the workforce of the
contractor and, as applicable,
subcontractors. To implement the
acquisition-specific requirements of
Section 342(c)(2) of the Dodd-Frank Act,
the Commission adopted a Contract
Standard for Contractor Workforce
Inclusion (Contract Standard).
The Contract Standard, which is
included in the Commission’s
solicitations and resulting contracts for
services with a dollar value of $100,000
or more, contains a ‘‘collection of
information’’ within the meaning of the
Paperwork Reduction Act. The Contract
Standard requires that a Commission
contractor with 50 or more employees
provide documentation, upon request
from the OMWI Director, to demonstrate
that it has made good faith efforts to
ensure the fair inclusion of minorities
and women in its workforce and, as
applicable, to demonstrate its covered
subcontractors have made such good
faith efforts. The documentation
requested may include, but is not
limited to: (1) the total number of
employees in the contractor’s workforce,
and the number of employees by race,
ethnicity, gender, and job title or EEO–
1 job category (e.g., EEO–1 Report(s));
(2) a list of covered subcontract awards
under the contract that includes the
dollar amount of each subcontract, date
of award, and the subcontractor’s race,
ethnicity, and/or gender ownership
status; (3) the contractor’s plan to ensure
the fair inclusion of minorities and
women in its workforce, including
outreach efforts; and (4) for each
covered subcontractor, the information
requested in items 1 and 3 above. The
OMWI Director will consider the
information submitted in evaluating
whether the contractor or subcontractor
has complied with its obligations under
the Contract Standard.
The information collection is
mandatory.
Title of Collection: Contract Standard
for Contractor Workforce Inclusion.
Type of Review: Extension of an
Existing Approved Information
Collection.
Frequency of Response: Annually.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
50.
Estimated Burden Hours per
Respondent: 1 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 50. The change in the estimated
annual burden hours from 925 to 50 is
due to a change in eligibility criteria for
requesting documentation to only those
contractors with 50 or more employees.
This change in eligibility criteria
eliminated any new recordkeeping
burden since contractors with 50 or
more employees are generally subject to
the recordkeeping and reporting
requirements under the regulations
implementing Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act 2 and Executive Order 11246.
Request for Comments: The comments
submitted in response to this notice will
be summarized and included in the
request for OMB approval. All
comments will become a matter of
public record. Written comments are
invited on: (a) whether this collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
34 17
1 12
CFR 200.30–3(a)(12).
U.S.C. 5452.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
18:25 Jul 12, 2024
of the burden imposed by the collection
of information; (c) ways to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the
information collected; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information
technology. Consideration will be given
to comments and suggestions submitted
in writing 60 days after the date of this
publication.
An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
under the PRA unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Please direct your written comments
to Austin Gerig, Director/Chief Data
Officer, Securities and Exchange
Commission, c/o Oluwaseun Ajayi, 100
F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549 or
send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@
sec.gov.
Dated: July 9, 2024.
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–15417 Filed 7–12–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
[Release No. 34–100472; File No. SR–MIAX–
2024–27]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami
International Securities Exchange LLC;
Notice of Filing and Immediate
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule
Change To Amend Its Rules Relating
to the Continuing Education for
Registered Persons as Provided Under
Exchange Rule 1903
July 9, 2024.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section
19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (‘‘Act’’) 1 and Rule 19b–4
thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that
on June 28, 2024, Miami International
Securities Exchange LLC (‘‘MIAX’’ or
‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission
(‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change
as described in Items I and II below,
which Items have been prepared by the
Exchange. The Commission is
publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change
from interested persons.
1 15
2 42
Jkt 262001
PO 00000
U.S.C. 2000e, et seq.
Frm 00068
Fmt 4703
2 17
Sfmt 4703
57451
E:\FR\FM\15JYN1.SGM
U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
CFR 240.19b–4.
15JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57445-57451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15399]
[[Page 57445]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
[Release No. 34-100468; File No. SR-MIAX-2024-26]
Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities
Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a
Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fee Schedule
July 9, 2024.
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 June 28, 2024, Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC
(``MIAX'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (``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 is filing a proposal to amend the MIAX Fee Schedule
(``Fee Schedule'') to extend until September 30, 2024 the: (i) SPIKES
Options Market Maker Incentive Program (the ``Incentive Program''); and
(ii) waiver period for certain non-transaction fees applicable to
Market Makers \3\ that trade solely in Proprietary Products.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The term ``Market Makers'' refers to ``Lead Market Makers'',
``Primary Lead Market Makers'' and ``Registered Market Makers''
collectively. See Exchange Rule 100.
\4\ The term ``Proprietary Product'' means a class of options
that is listed exclusively on the Exchange. See Exchange Rule 100.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's
website at https://www.miaxglobal.com/markets/us-options/all-options-exchanges/rule-filings, at MIAX's principal office, 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 Fee Schedule to extend until
September 30, 2024 the: (i) Incentive Program; and (ii) waiver period
for certain non-transaction fees applicable to Market Makers that trade
solely in Proprietary Products.
Background
On October 12, 2018, the Exchange received approval from the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') to list and trade
on the Exchange options on the SPIKES[supreg] Index, a new index that
measures expected 30-day volatility of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
(commonly known and referred to by its ticker symbol, ``SPY'').\5\ The
Exchange adopted its initial SPIKES options transaction fees on
February 15, 2019 and adopted a new section of the Fee Schedule--
Section 1)a)xi), SPIKES--for those fees.\6\ Options on the SPIKES Index
began trading on the Exchange on February 19, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 84417 (October 12,
2018), 83 FR 52865 (October 18, 2018) (SR-MIAX-2018-14) (Order
Granting Approval of a Proposed Rule Change by Miami International
Securities Exchange, LLC to List and Trade on the Exchange Options
on the SPIKES[supreg] Index).
\6\ See Securities Exchange Release No. 85283 (March 11, 2019),
84 FR 9567 (March 15, 2019) (SR-MIAX-2019-11). The Exchange
initially filed the proposal on February 15, 2019 (SR-MIAX-2019-04).
That filing was withdrawn and replaced with SR-MIAX-2019-11. On
September 30, 2020, the Exchange filed its proposal to, among other
things, reorganize the Fee Schedule to adopt new Section 1)b),
Proprietary Products Exchange Fees, and moved the fees and rebates
for SPIKES options into new Section 1)b)i). See Securities Exchange
Act Release Nos. 90146 (October 9, 2020), 85 FR 65443 (October 15,
2020) (SR-MIAX-2020-32); 90814 (December 29, 2020), 86 FR 327
(January 5, 2021) (SR-MIAX-2020-39).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On May 31, 2019, the Exchange filed its first proposal in a series
of proposals with the Commission to amend the Fee Schedule to waive
certain non-transaction fees applicable to Market Makers that trade
solely in Proprietary Products (including options on the SPIKES Index)
beginning June 1, 2019, through June 30, 2024.\7\ In particular, the
Exchange adopted fee waivers for Membership Application fees, monthly
Market Maker Trading Permit fees, Application Programming Interface
(``API'') Testing and Certification fees for Members,\8\ and monthly
MIAX Express Interface (``MEI'') Port \9\ fees assessed to Market
Makers that trade solely in Proprietary Products (including options on
SPIKES) throughout the entire period of June 1, 2019 through June 30,
2024.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 86109 (June 14,
2019), 84 FR 28860 (June 20, 2019) (SR-MIAX-2019-28); 87282 (October
10, 2019), 84 FR 55658 (October 17, 2019) (SR-MIAX-2019-43); 87897
(January 6, 2020), 85 FR 1346 (January 10, 2020) (SR-MIAX-2019-53);
89289 (July 10, 2020), 85 FR 43279 (July 16, 2020) (SR-MIAX-2020-
22); 90146 (October 9, 2020), 85 FR 65443 (October 15, 2020) (SR-
MIAX-2020-32); 90814 (December 29, 2020), 86 FR 327 (January 5,
2021) (SR-MIAX-2020-39); 91498 (April 7, 2021), 86 FR 19293 (April
13, 2021) (SR-MIAX-2021-06); 93881 (December 30, 2021), 87 FR 517
(January 5, 2022) (SR-MIAX-2021-63); 95259 (July 12, 2022), 87 FR
42754 (July 17, 2022) (SR-MIAX-2022-24); 96007 (October 7, 2022), 87
FR 62151 (October 13, 2022) (SR-MIAX-2022-32); 96588 (December 28,
2022), 88 FR 381 (January 4, 2023) (SR-MIAX-2022-47); 97887 (July
12, 2023), 88 FR 45936 (July 18, 2023) (SR-MIAX-2023-28); and 99047
(November 30, 2023), 88 FR 84861 (December 6, 2023) (SR-MIAX-2023-
46).
\8\ The term ``Member'' means an individual or organization
approved to exercise the trading rights associated with a Trading
Permit. Members are deemed ``members'' under the Exchange Act. See
Exchange Rule 100.
\9\ Full Service MEI Ports provide Market Makers with the
ability to send Market Maker simple and complex quotes, eQuotes, and
quote purge messages to the MIAX System. Full Service MEI Ports are
also capable of receiving administrative information. Market Makers
are limited to two Full Service MEI Ports per matching engine. See
Fee Schedule, Section 5)d)ii), footnote 28.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On September 30, 2021, the Exchange filed its initial proposal to
implement the Incentive Program for SPIKES options to incentivize
Market Makers to improve liquidity, available volume, and the quote
spread width of SPIKES options beginning October 1, 2021, and ending
December 31, 2021.\10\ Technical details regarding the Incentive
Program were published in a Regulatory Circular on September 30,
2021.\11\ On October 12, 2021, the Exchange withdrew SR-MIAX-2021-45
and refiled its proposal to implement the Incentive Program to provide
additional details.\12\ In that filing, the Exchange specifically noted
that the Incentive Program would expire at the end of the period
(December 31, 2021) unless the Exchange filed another 19b-4 Filing to
amend the fees (or extend the Incentive Program).\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ See SR-MIAX-2021-45.
\11\ See MIAX Options Regulatory Circular 2021-56, SPIKES
Options Market Maker Incentive Program (September 30, 2021)
available at https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/circular-files/MIAX_Options_RC_2021_56.pdf.
\12\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 93424 (October 26,
2021), 86 FR 60322 (November 1, 2021) (SR-MIAX-2021-49).
\13\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Between December 23, 2021, and April 3, 2024, the Exchange filed
several proposals to extend the Incentive Program, with the last
extension period
[[Page 57446]]
ending June 30, 2024.\14\ In each of those filings, the Exchange
specifically noted that the Incentive Program would expire at the end
of the then-current period unless the Exchange filed another 19b-4
Filing to amend the fees (or extend the Incentive Program).\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 93881 (December
30, 2021), 87 FR 517 (January 5, 2022) (SR-MIAX-2021-63); 94574
(April 1, 2022), 87 FR 20492 (April 7, 2022) (SR-MIAX-2022-12);
95259 (July 12, 2022), 87 FR 42754 (July 17, 2022) (SR-MIAX-2022-
24); 96007 (October 7, 2022), 87 FR 62151 (October 13, 2022) (SR-
MIAX-2022-32); 96588 (December 28, 2022), 88 FR 381 (January 4,
2023) (SR-MIAX-2022-47); 97239 (April 3, 2023), 88 FR 20930 (April
7, 2023) (SR-MIAX-2023-13); 97883 (July 12, 2023), 88 FR 45941 (July
18, 2023) (SR-MIAX-2023-26); 99040 (November 29, 2023), 88 FR 84374
(December 5, 2023) (SR-MIAX-2023-47); and 99902 (April 3, 2024), 89
FR 24883 (April 9, 2024) (SR-MIAX-2024-17).
\15\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal To Extend the Incentive Program
The Exchange proposes to extend the Incentive Program for SPIKES
options to continue to incentivize Market Makers to improve liquidity,
available volume, and the quote spread width of SPIKES options.
Currently, to be eligible to participate in the Incentive Program, a
Market Maker must meet certain minimum requirements related to quote
spread width in certain in-the-money (ITM) and out-of-the-money (OTM)
options as determined by the Exchange and communicated to Members via
Regulatory Circular.\16\ Market Makers must also satisfy a minimum time
in the market in the front 2 expiry months of 70%, and have an average
quote size of 25 contracts. The Exchange established two separate
incentive compensation pools that are used to compensate Market Makers
that satisfy the criteria pursuant to the Incentive Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\ See supra note 11.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first pool (Incentive 1) has a total amount of $40,000 per
month, which is allocated to Market Makers that meet the minimum
requirements of the Incentive Program. Market Makers are required to
meet minimum spread width requirements in a select number of ITM and
OTM SPIKES option contracts as determined by the Exchange and
communicated to Members via Regulatory Circular.\17\ A complete
description of how the Exchange calculates the minimum spread width
requirements in ITM and OTM SPIKES options can be found in the
published Regulatory Circular.\18\ Market Makers are also required to
maintain the minimum spread width, described above, for at least 70% of
the time in the front two (2) SPIKES options contract expiry months and
maintain an average quote size of at least 25 SPIKES options contracts.
The amount available to each individual Market Maker is capped at
$10,000 per month for satisfying the minimum requirements of the
Incentive Program. In the event that more than four Market Makers meet
the requirements of the Incentive Program, each qualifying Market Maker
is entitled to receive a pro-rated share of the $40,000 monthly
compensation pool dependent upon the number of qualifying Market Makers
in that particular month.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\17\ See id.
\18\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second pool (Incentive 2 Pool) is capped at a total amount of
$100,000 per month which is used during the Incentive Program to
further incentivize Market Makers who meet or exceed the requirements
of Incentive 1 (``qualifying Market Makers'') to provide tighter quote
width spreads. The Exchange ranks each qualifying Market Maker's quote
width spread relative to each other qualifying Market Maker's quote
width spread. Market Makers with tighter spreads in certain strikes, as
determined by the Exchange and communicated to Members via Regulatory
Circular,\19\ are eligible to receive a pro-rated share of the
compensation pool as calculated by the Exchange and communicated to
Members via Regulatory Circular,\20\ not to exceed $25,000 per Member
per month. Qualifying Market Makers are ranked relative to each other
based on the quality of their spread width (i.e., tighter spreads are
ranked higher than wider spreads) and the Market Maker with the best
quality spread width receives the highest rebate, while other eligible
qualifying Market Makers receive a rebate relative to their quality
spread width.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\19\ See id.
\20\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes to extend the Incentive Program until
September 30, 2024. The Exchange does not propose to make any
amendments to how it calculates any of the incentives provided for in
Incentive Pools 1 or 2. The details of the Incentive Program can
continue to be found in the Regulatory Circular that was published on
September 30, 2021, to all Exchange Members.\21\ The purpose of this
extension is to continue to incentivize Market Makers to improve
liquidity, available volume, and the quote spread width of SPIKES
options. The Exchange will announce the extension of the Incentive
Program to all Members via a Regulatory Circular.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\ See id.
\22\ The Exchange notes that at the end of the extension period,
the Incentive Program will expire unless the Exchange files another
19b-4 Filing to amend the terms or extend the Incentive Program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal To Extend the Fee Waivers for Market Markets That Trade Solely
in Proprietary Products (Including Spikes Options)
The Exchange also proposes to extend the fee waiver for Membership
Application fees, monthly Market Maker Trading Permit fees, Member API
Testing and Certification fees, and monthly MEI Port fees assessed to
Market Makers that trade solely in Proprietary Products (including
options on SPIKES) until September 30, 2024.
Membership Application Fees
The Exchange currently assesses a one-time Membership Application
fee for applications of potential Members. The Exchange assesses a one-
time Membership Application fee on the earlier of (i) the date the
applicant is certified in the membership system, or (ii) once an
application for MIAX membership is finally denied. The one-time
application fee is based upon the applicant's status as either a Market
Maker or an Electronic Exchange Member (``EEM'').\23\ A Market Maker is
assessed a one-time Membership Application fee of $3,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\23\ The term ``Electronic Exchange Member'' or ``EEM'' means
the holder of a Trading Permit who is not a Market Maker. Electronic
Exchange Members are deemed ``members'' under the Exchange Act. See
Exchange Rule 100.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange proposes that the waiver for the one-time Membership
Application fee of $3,000 for Market Makers that trade solely in
Proprietary Products (including options on SPIKES) will be extended
from June 30, 2024 until September 30, 2024, which the Exchange
proposes to state in the Fee Schedule. The purpose of this proposed
change is to continue to provide an incentive for potential Market
Makers to submit membership applications, which should result in an
increase of potential liquidity in Proprietary Products, including
options on SPIKES. Even though the Exchange proposes to extend the
waiver of this particular fee, the overall structure of the fee is
outlined in the Fee Schedule so that there is general awareness that
the Exchange intends to assess such a fee after September 30, 2024.
Trading Permit Fees
The Exchange issues Trading Permits that confer the ability to
transact on the Exchange. MIAX Trading Permits are issued to Market
Makers and EEMs.
[[Page 57447]]
Members receiving Trading Permits during a particular calendar month
are assessed monthly Trading Permit fees as set forth in the Fee
Schedule. As it relates to Market Makers, MIAX currently assesses a
monthly Trading Permit fee in any month the Market Maker is certified
in the membership system, is credentialed to use one or more MIAX MEI
Ports in the production environment and is assigned to quote in one or
more classes. MIAX assesses the monthly Market Maker Trading Permit fee
for its Market Makers based on the greatest number of classes listed on
MIAX that the MIAX Market Maker was assigned to quote in on any given
day within a calendar month and the applicable fee rate is the lesser
of either the per class basis or percentage of total national average
daily volume measurements. A MIAX Market Maker is assessed a monthly
Trading Permit fee according to the following table: \24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\24\ See Fee Schedule, Section (3)(b).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Maker assignments (the lesser of the
Monthly MIAX applicable measurements below) V
Type of Trading Permit Trading Permit -------------------------------------------------------
fee % of National average
Per Class daily volume
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Maker (includes RMM, LMM, PLMM).. $7,000.00 Up to 10 Classes.......... Up to 20% of Classes by
$12,000.00 Up to 40 Classes.......... volume.
Up to 35% of Classes by
volume.
* 17,000.00 Up to 100 Classes......... Up to 50% of Classes by
volume.
* 22,000.00 Over 100 Classes.......... Over 50% of Classes by
volume up to all Classes
listed on MIAX.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
V Excludes Proprietary Products.
* For these Monthly MIAX Trading Permit Fee levels, if the Market Maker's total monthly executed volume during
the relevant month is less than 0.060% of the total monthly executed volume reported by OCC in the market
maker account type for MIAX-listed option classes for that month, then the fee will be $15,500 instead of the
fee otherwise applicable to such level.
MIAX proposes that the waiver for the monthly Trading Permit fee
for Market Makers that trade solely in Proprietary Products (including
options on SPIKES) will be extended from June 30, 2024 to September 30,
2024, which the Exchange proposes to state in the Fee Schedule. The
purpose of this proposed change is to continue to provide an incentive
for Market Makers to provide liquidity in Proprietary Products on the
Exchange, which should result in increasing potential order flow and
volume in Proprietary Products, including options on SPIKES. Even
though the Exchange proposes to extend the waiver of this particular
fee, the overall structure of the fee is outlined in the Fee Schedule
so that there is general awareness to potential Members seeking a
Trading Permit that the Exchange intends to assess such a fee after
September 30, 2024.
The Exchange also proposes that Market Makers who trade Proprietary
Products (including options on SPIKES) along with multi-listed classes
will continue to not have Proprietary Products (including SPIKES)
counted toward those Market Makers' class assignment count or
percentage of total national average daily volume. This exclusion is
noted with the symbol ``[Omega]'' following the table that shows the
monthly Trading Permit fees currently assessed to Market Makers in
Section (3)(b) of the Fee Schedule.
API Testing and Certification Fee
The Exchange assesses an API Testing and Certification fee to all
Members depending upon Membership type. An API makes it possible for
Members' software to communicate with MIAX software applications, and
is subject to Members testing with, and certification by, MIAX. The
Exchange offers four types of interfaces: (i) the Financial Information
Exchange Port (``FIX Port''),\25\ which enables the FIX Port user
(typically an EEM or a Market Maker) to submit simple and complex
orders electronically to MIAX; (ii) the MEI Port, which enables Market
Makers to submit simple and complex electronic quotes to MIAX; (iii)
the Clearing Trade Drop Port (``CTD Port''),\26\ which provides real-
time trade clearing information to the participants to a trade on MIAX
and to the participants' respective clearing firms; and (iv) the FIX
Drop Copy Port (``FXD Port''),\27\ which provides a copy of real-time
trade execution, correction and cancellation information through a FIX
Port to any number of FIX Ports designated by an EEM to receive such
messages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\ A FIX Port is an interface with MIAX systems that enables
the Port user (typically an Electronic Exchange Member or a Market
Maker) to submit simple and complex orders electronically to MIAX.
See Fee Schedule, Section (5)(d)(i).
\26\ Clearing Trade Drop (``CTD'') provides Exchange members
with real-time clearing trade updates. The updates include the
Member's clearing trade messages on a low latency, real-time basis.
The trade messages are routed to a Member's connection containing
certain information. The information includes, among other things,
the following: (i) trade date and time; (ii) symbol information;
(iii) trade price/size information; (iv) Member type (for example,
and without limitation, Market Maker, Electronic Exchange Member,
Broker-Dealer); (v) Exchange Member Participant Identifier
(``MPID'') for each side of the transaction, including Clearing
Member MPID; and (vi) strategy specific information for complex
transactions. CTD Port Fees will be assessed in any month the Member
is credentialed to use the CTD Port in the production environment.
See Fee Schedule, Section 5)d)iii.
\27\ The FIX Drop Copy Port (``FXD'') is a messaging interface
that will provide a copy of real-time trade execution, trade
correction and trade cancellation information for simple and complex
orders to FIX Drop Copy Port users who subscribe to the service. FIX
Drop Copy Port users are those users who are designated by an EEM to
receive the information and the information is restricted for use by
the EEM only. FXD Port Fees will be assessed in any month the Member
is credentialed to use the FXD Port in the production environment.
See Fee Schedule, Section (5)(d)(iv).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
API Testing and Certification fees for Market Makers are assessed
(i) initially per API for CTD and MEI ports in the month the Market
Maker has been credentialed to use one or more ports in the production
environment for the tested API and the Market Maker has been assigned
to quote in one or more classes, and (ii) each time a Market Maker
initiates a change to its system that requires testing and
certification. API Testing and Certification fees will not be assessed
in situations where the Exchange initiates a mandatory change to the
Exchange's system that requires testing and certification. The Exchange
currently assesses a Market Maker an API Testing and Certification fee
of $2,500. The API Testing and Certification fees represent costs
incurred by the Exchange as it works with each Member for testing and
certifying that the Member's software systems communicate properly with
MIAX's interfaces.
MIAX proposes to extend the waiver of the API Testing and
Certification fee for Market Makers that trade solely in Proprietary
Products (including options on SPIKES) from June 30, 2024 until
September 30, 2024, which the Exchange proposes to state in the Fee
[[Page 57448]]
Schedule. The purpose of this proposed change is to continue to provide
an incentive for potential Market Makers to develop software
applications to trade in Proprietary Products, including options on
SPIKES. Even though the Exchange proposes to extend the waiver of this
particular fee, the overall structure of the fee is outlined in the Fee
Schedule so that there is general awareness that the Exchange intends
to assess such a fee after September 30, 2024.
MEI Port Fees
MIAX assesses monthly MEI Port fees to Market Makers in each month
the Member has been credentialed to use the MEI Port in the production
environment and has been assigned to quote in at least one class. The
amount of the monthly MEI Port fee is based upon the number of classes
in which the Market Maker was assigned to quote on any given day within
the calendar month, and upon the class volume percentages set forth in
the Fee Schedule. The class volume percentage is based on the total
national average daily volume in classes listed on MIAX in the prior
calendar quarter. Newly listed option classes are excluded from the
calculation of the monthly MEI Port fee until the calendar quarter
following their listing, at which time the newly listed option classes
will be included in both the per class count and the percentage of
total national average daily volume. The Exchange assesses MIAX Market
Makers the monthly MEI Port fee based on the greatest number of classes
listed on MIAX that the MIAX Market Maker was assigned to quote in on
any given day within a calendar month and the applicable fee rate that
is the lesser of either the per class basis or percentage of total
national average daily volume measurement. MIAX assesses MEI Port fees
on Market Makers according to the following table: \28\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\28\ See Fee Schedule (5)(d)(ii).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Maker assignments (the lesser of
the applicable measurements below) V
Monthly MIAX MEI fees ----------------------------------------
% of National
Per class average daily volume
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$5,000.00...................... Up to 5 Classes.. Up to 10% of Classes
by volume.
$10,000.00..................... Up to 10 Classes. Up to 20% of Classes
by volume.
$14,000.00..................... Up to 40 Classes. Up to 35% of Classes
by volume.
$17,500.00 *................... Up to 100 Classes Up to 50% of Classes
by volume.
$20,500.00 *................... Over 100 Classes. Over 50% of Classes
by volume up to all
Classes listed on
MIAX.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
V Excludes Proprietary Products.
* For these Monthly MIAX MEI Fees levels, if the Market Maker's total
monthly executed volume during the relevant month is less than 0.060%
of the total monthly executed volume reported by OCC in the market
maker account type for MIAX-listed option classes for that month, then
the fee will be $14,500 instead of the fee otherwise applicable to
such level.
MIAX proposes to extend the waiver of the monthly MEI Port fee for
Market Makers that trade solely in Proprietary Products (including
options on SPIKES) from June 30, 2024 until September 30, 2024, which
the Exchange proposes to state in the Fee Schedule. The purpose of this
proposal is to continue to provide an incentive to Market Makers to
connect to MIAX through the MEI Port such that they will be able to
trade in MIAX Proprietary Products. Even though the Exchange proposes
to extend the waiver of this particular fee, the overall structure of
the fee is outlined in the Fee Schedule so that there is general
awareness that the Exchange intends to assess such a fee after
September 30, 2024.
The Exchange notes that for the purposes of this proposed change,
other Market Makers who trade MIAX Proprietary Products (including
options on SPIKES) along with multi-listed classes will continue to not
have Proprietary Products (including SPIKES) counted toward those
Market Makers' class assignment count or percentage of total national
average daily volume. This exclusion is noted by the symbol ``[Omega]''
following the table that shows the monthly MEI Port Fees currently
assessed for Market Makers in Section (5)(d)(ii) of the Fee Schedule.
The proposed extension of the fee waivers are targeted at market
participants, particularly market makers, who are not currently members
of MIAX, who may be interested in being a Market Maker in Proprietary
Products on the Exchange. The Exchange estimates that there are fewer
than ten (10) such market participants that could benefit from the
extension of these fee waivers. The proposed extension of the fee
waivers does not apply differently to different sizes of market
participants, however the fee waivers do only apply to Market Makers
(and not EEMs).
Market Makers, unlike other market participants, take on a number
of obligations, including quoting obligations that other market
participants do not have. Further, Market Makers have added market
making and regulatory requirements, which normally do not apply to
other market participants. For example, Market Makers have obligations
to maintain continuous markets, engage in a course of dealings
reasonably calculated to contribute to the maintenance of a fair and
orderly market, and to not make bids or offers or enter into
transactions that are inconsistent with a course of dealing.
Accordingly, the Exchange believes it is reasonable and not unfairly
discriminatory to continue to offer the fee waivers to Market Makers
because the Exchange is seeking additional liquidity providers for
Proprietary Products, in order to enhance liquidity and spreads in
Proprietary Products, which is traditionally provided by Market Makers,
as opposed to EEMs.
Implementation
The proposed fee changes are effective beginning July 1, 2024.
2. Statutory Basis
The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its Fee Schedule
is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act \29\ in general, and
furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act \30\ in
particular, in that it is an equitable allocation of reasonable fees
and other charges among its Members and issuers and other persons using
its facilities. The Exchange also believes the proposal furthers the
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act 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 and is not designed to permit unfair
[[Page 57449]]
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers and dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\29\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
\30\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes that it is reasonable, equitable, and not
unfairly discriminatory to extend the Incentive Program for Market
Makers in SPIKES options until September 30, 2024. The Incentive
Program is reasonably designed because it will continue to incentivize
Market Makers to provide quotes and increased liquidity in select
SPIKES options contracts. The Incentive Program is reasonable,
equitably allocated and not unfairly discriminatory because all Market
Makers in SPIKES options may continue to qualify for Incentive 1 and
Incentive 2, dependent upon each Market Maker's quoting in SPIKES
options in a particular month. Additionally, if a SPIKES Market Maker
does not satisfy the requirements of Incentive Pool 1 or 2, then it
simply will not receive the rebate offered by the Incentive Program for
that month.
The Exchange believes that it is reasonable, equitable and not
unfairly discriminatory to continue to offer this financial incentive
to SPIKES Market Makers because it will continue to benefit all market
participants trading in SPIKES options. SPIKES options is a Proprietary
Product on the Exchange and the continuation of the Incentive Program
encourages SPIKES Market Makers to satisfy a heightened quoting
standard, average quote size, and time in market. A continued increase
in quoting activity and tighter quotes may yield a corresponding
increase in order flow from other market participants, which benefits
all investors by deepening the Exchange's liquidity pool, potentially
providing greater execution incentives and opportunities, while
promoting market transparency and improving investor protection.
The Exchange believes that the Incentive Program is equitable and
not unfairly discriminatory because it will continue to promote an
increase in SPIKES options liquidity, which may facilitate tighter
spreads and an increase in trading opportunities to the benefit of all
market participants. The Exchange believes it is reasonable to operate
the Incentive Program for a continued limited period of time to
strengthen market quality for all market participants. The resulting
increased volume and liquidity will benefit those Members who are
eligible to participate in the Incentive Program and will also continue
to benefit those Members who are not eligible to participate in the
Incentive Program by providing more trading opportunities and tighter
spreads.
Additionally, the Exchange believes that the proposal to extend the
fee waiver period for certain non-transaction fees for Market Makers
that trade solely in Proprietary Products is an equitable allocation of
reasonable fees because the proposal continues to waive non-transaction
fees for a limited period of time in order to enable the Exchange to
improve its overall competitiveness and strengthen its market quality
for all market participants in MIAX's Proprietary Products, including
options on SPIKES. The Exchange believe the proposed extension of the
fee waivers is fair and equitable and not unreasonably discriminatory
because it applies to all market participants not currently registered
as Market Makers at the Exchange. Any market participant may choose to
satisfy the additional requirements and obligations of being a Market
Maker and trade solely in Proprietary Products in order to qualify for
the fee waivers.
The Exchange believes that the proposed extension of the fee
waivers is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory for Market Makers
as compared to EEMs because Market Makers, unlike other market
participants, take on a number of obligations, including quoting
obligations that other market participants do not have.\31\ Further,
Market Makers have added market making and regulatory requirements,
which normally do not apply to other market participants. For example,
Market Makers have obligations to maintain continuous markets, engage
in a course of dealings reasonably calculated to contribute to the
maintenance of a fair and orderly market, and to not make bids or
offers or enter into transactions that are inconsistent with a course
of dealing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\31\ See, generally, Exchange Rule 603.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exchange believes it is reasonable and equitable to continue to
waive the one-time Membership Application fee, monthly Trading Permit
Fee, API Testing and Certification fee, and monthly MEI Port fee for
Market Makers that trade solely in Proprietary Products (including
options on SPIKES) until September 30, 2024, since the waiver of such
fees provides incentives to interested market participants to trade in
Proprietary Products. This should result in increasing potential order
flow and liquidity in MIAX Proprietary Products, including options on
SPIKES.
The Exchange believes it is reasonable and equitable to continue to
waive the API Testing and Certification fee assessable to Market Makers
that trade solely in Proprietary Products (including options on SPIKES)
until September 30, 2024, since the waiver of such fees provides
incentives to interested Members to develop and test their APIs sooner.
Determining system operability with the Exchange's system will in turn
provide MIAX with potential order flow and liquidity providers in
Proprietary Products.
The Exchange believes it is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly
discriminatory that Market Makers who trade in Proprietary Products
along with multi-listed classes will continue to not have Proprietary
Products counted toward those Market Makers' class assignment count or
percentage of total national average daily volume for monthly Trading
Permit fees and monthly MEI Port fees in order to incentivize existing
Market Makers who currently trade in multi-listed classes to also trade
in Proprietary Products, without incurring certain additional fees.
The Exchange believes that the proposed extension of the fee
waivers constitutes an equitable allocation of reasonable fees and
other charges among its Members and issuers and other persons using its
facilities. The proposed extension of the fee waivers means that all
prospective market makers that wish to become Market Maker Members of
the Exchange and quote solely in Proprietary Products may do so and
have the above-mentioned fees waived until September 30, 2024. The
proposed extension of the fee waivers will continue to not apply to
potential EEMs because the Exchange is seeking to enhance the quality
of its markets in Proprietary Products through introducing more
competition among Market Makers in Proprietary Products. In order to
increase the competition, the Exchange believes that it must continue
to waive entry type fees for such Market Makers. EEMs do not provide
the benefit of enhanced liquidity which is provided by Market Makers,
therefore the Exchange believes it is reasonable and not unfairly
discriminatory to continue to only offer the proposed fee waivers to
Market Makers (and not EEMs). Further, the Exchange believes it is
reasonable and not unfairly discriminatory to continue to exclude
Proprietary Products from an existing Market Maker's permit fees and
port fees, in order to incentive such Market Makers to quote in
Proprietary Products. The amount of a Market Maker's permit and port
fee is determined by the number of classes quoted and volume of the
Market Maker. By excluding Proprietary Products from such fees, the
Exchange is able to incentivize Market
[[Page 57450]]
Makers to quote in Proprietary Products. EEMs do not pay permit and
port fees based on the classes traded or volume, so the Exchange
believes it is reasonable, equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory
to only offer the exclusion to Market Makers (and not EEMs).
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.
Intra-Market Competition
The Exchange believes that the proposed extension of the Incentive
Program to September 30, 2024, would continue to increase intra-market
competition by incentivizing Market Makers to quote SPIKES options,
which will continue to enhance the quality of quoting and increase the
volume of contracts available to trade in SPIKES options. To the extent
that this purpose is achieved, all the Exchange's market participants
should benefit from the improved market liquidity for SPIKES options.
Enhanced market quality and increased transaction volume in SPIKES
options that results from the anticipated increase in Market Maker
activity on the Exchange will benefit all market participants and
improve competition on the Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange believes that the proposal to extend
certain of the non-transaction fee waivers until September 30, 2024 for
Market Makers that trade solely in Proprietary Products would increase
intra-market competition by incentivizing new potential Market Makers
to quote in Proprietary Products, which will enhance the quality of
quoting and increase the volume of contracts in Proprietary Products
traded on MIAX, including options on SPIKES. To the extent that this
purpose is achieved, all the Exchange's market participants should
benefit from the improved market liquidity for the Exchange's
Proprietary Products. Enhanced market quality and increased transaction
volume in Proprietary Products that results from the anticipated
increase in Market Maker activity on the Exchange will benefit all
market participants and improve competition on the Exchange.
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on intra-market competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the
proposed changes for each separate type of market participant (new
Market Makers and existing Market Makers) will be assessed equally to
all such market participants. While different fees are assessed to
different market participants in some circumstances, these different
market participants have different obligations and different
circumstances as discussed above. For example, Market Makers have
quoting obligations that other market participants (such as EEMs) do
not have.
Inter-Market Competition
The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule changes will
impose any burden on inter-market competition that is not necessary or
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the
proposed extension of the Incentive Program applies only to the Market
Makers in SPIKES options, which are traded exclusively on the Exchange.
Additionally, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule
changes will impose any burden on inter-market competition that is not
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act
because the proposed extension of the fee waivers applies only to the
Exchange's Proprietary Products (including options on SPIKES), which
are traded exclusively on the Exchange.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others
Written comments were neither solicited nor received.
III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action
The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,\32\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) \33\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\32\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
\33\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
IV. Solicitation of Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:
Electronic Comments
Use the Commission's internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
Send an email to [email protected]. Please include
file number SR-MIAX-2024-26 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-MIAX-2024-26. 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
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. Do not
include personal identifiable information in submissions; you should
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. We
may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted
material that is obscene or subject to copyright protection. All
submissions should refer to file number SR-MIAX-2024-26 and should be
submitted on or before August 5, 2024.
[[Page 57451]]
For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\34\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-15399 Filed 7-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
