Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fees Schedule Regarding Dedicated Cores, 83727-83731 [2024-23901]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 201 / Thursday, October 17, 2024 / Notices the 1940 Act are designed to protect CEF investors and the public interest, the Exchange does not discuss how its specific proposal to exempt CEFs from the longstanding annual shareholder meeting requirement—and any resulting loss of benefits to CEF investors of annual shareholder meetings—would be designed to protect CEF investors and the public interest. As a result, the Commission believes there are questions as to whether the proposal is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act 54 and its requirement, among other things, that the rules of a national securities exchange be designed to protect investors and the public interest. For this reason, it is appropriate to institute proceedings pursuant to Section 19(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act 55 to determine whether the proposal should be approved or disapproved. IV. Procedure: Request for Written Comments The Commission requests that interested persons provide written submissions of their data, views, and arguments with respect to the issues identified above, as well as any other concerns they may have with the proposal. In particular, the Commission invites the written views of interested persons concerning whether the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the Exchange Act 56 or any other provision of the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder. Although there do not appear to be any issues relevant to approval or disapproval that would be facilitated by an oral presentation of data, views, and arguments, the Commission will consider, pursuant to Rule 19b–4 under the Exchange Act,57 any request for an opportunity to make an oral presentation.58 Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments regarding whether the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, should be approved or disapproved by November 7, 2024. 54 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B). 56 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). 57 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 58 Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act, as amended by the Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Public Law 94–29 (June 4, 1975), grants to the Commission flexibility to determine what type of proceeding—either oral or notice and opportunity for written comments—is appropriate for consideration of a particular proposal by a selfregulatory organization. See Securities Acts Amendments of 1975, Senate Comm. on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs, S. Rep. No. 75, 94th Cong., 1st Sess. 30 (1975). ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 55 15 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Oct 16, 2024 Jkt 265001 83727 Any person who wishes to file a rebuttal to any other person’s submission must file that rebuttal by November 21, 2024. The Commission asks that commenters address the sufficiency of the Exchange’s statements in support of the proposal, in addition to any other comments they may wish to submit about the proposed rule change. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.59 Sherry R. Haywood, Assistant Secretary. Electronic Comments [Release No. 34–101302; File No. SR– CboeBZX–2024–094] • 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– CboeBZX–2024–055 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–CboeBZX–2024–055. 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–CboeBZX–2024–055 and should be submitted on or before November 7, 2024. Rebuttal comments should be submitted by November 21, 2024. PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2024–23979 Filed 10–16–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Fees Schedule Regarding Dedicated Cores October 10, 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 September 30, 2024, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX’’) 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 Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ‘‘Exchange’’ or ‘‘BZX Equities’’) proposes to amend its Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule change is provided in Exhibit 5. The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the Exchange’s website (https://markets.cboe.com/us/ equities/regulation/rule_filings/BZX/), at the Exchange’s Office of the Secretary, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at the 59 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(57). U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). 2 17 CFR 240.19b–4. 1 15 E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1 83728 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 201 / Thursday, October 17, 2024 / Notices 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 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 1. Purpose The Exchange proposes to amend its fee schedule to adopt fees for Dedicated Cores.3 By way of background, the Exchange recently began to allow Users 4 to assign a Single Binary Order Entry (‘‘BOE’’) logical order entry port 5 to a single dedicated Central Processing Unit (CPU Core) (‘‘Dedicated Core’’). Historically, CPU Cores had been shared by logical order entry ports (i.e., multiple logical ports from multiple firms may connect to a single CPU Core). Use of Dedicated Cores however, can provide reduced latency, enhanced throughput, and improved performance since a firm using a Dedicated Core is utilizing the full processing power of a CPU Core instead of sharing that power with other firms. This offering is completely voluntary and is available to all Users that wish to purchase Dedicated Cores. Users may utilize BOE logical order entry ports on shared CPU Cores, either in lieu of, or in addition to, their use of Dedicated Core(s). As such, Users are able to operate across a mix of shared and dedicated CPU Cores which the Exchange believes provides additional risk and capacity management. Further, Dedicated Cores are not required nor necessary to participate on the Exchange and as such Users may opt not to use Dedicated Cores at all. The Exchange proposes to assess the following monthly fees for Users that wish to use Dedicated Cores and adopt 3 The Exchange initially introduced pricing for Dedicated Cores on June 10, 2024 (SR–CboeBZX– 2024–054). On August 1, 2024, the Exchange withdrew that filing and submitted SR–CboeBZX– 2024–075. On business date September 30, 2024, the Exchange withdrew that filing and submitted this filing. 4 A User may be either a Member or Sponsored Participant. The term ‘‘Member’’ shall mean any registered broker or dealer that has been admitted to membership in the Exchange, limited liability company or other organization which is a registered broker or dealer pursuant to Section 15 of the Act, and which has been approved by the Exchange. A Sponsored Participant may be a Member or nonMember of the Exchange whose direct electronic access to the Exchange is authorized by a Sponsoring Member subject to certain conditions. See Exchange Rule 11.3. 5 Users may currently connect to the Exchange using a logical port available through an application programming interface (‘‘API’’), such as the Binary Order Entry (‘‘BOE’’) protocol. A BOE logical order entry port is used for order entry. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Oct 16, 2024 Jkt 265001 a maximum limit. First, the Exchange proposes to provide up to two Dedicated Cores to all Users who wish to use Dedicated Cores, at no additional cost. For the use of more than two Dedicated Cores, the Exchange proposes to assess the following fees: $650 per Dedicated Core for 3–15 Dedicated Cores; $850 per Dedicated Core for 16–30 Dedicated Cores; and $1,050 per Dedicated Core for 31 or more Dedicated Cores. The proposed fees are progressive and the Exchange proposes to include the following example in the Fees Schedule to provide clarity as to how the fees will be applied. Particularly, the Exchange will provide the following example: if a User were to purchase 16 Dedicated Cores, it will be charged a total of $9,300 per month ($0 * 2 + $650 * 13 + $850 * 1). The Exchange also proposes to make clear in the Fees Schedule that the monthly fees are assessed and applied in their entirety and are not prorated. The Exchange notes the current standard fees assessed for BOE Logical Ports, whether used with Dedicated or shared CPU cores, will remain applicable and unchanged.6 Since the Exchange currently has a finite amount of physical space in its data centers in which its servers (and therefore corresponding CPU Cores) are located, the Exchange also proposes to prescribe a maximum limit on the number of Dedicated Cores that Users may purchase each month. The purpose of establishing these limits is to manage the allotment of Dedicated Cores in a fair manner and to prevent the Exchange from being required to expend large amounts of resources in order to provide an unlimited number of Dedicated Cores. The Exchange previously established a limit for Members of a maximum number of 60 Dedicated Cores and Sponsoring Members a limit of maximum number of 25 Dedicated Cores for each of their Sponsored Access relationship.7 The Exchange has since been able to procure additional physical space in its third-party data century as well as additional servers with CPU Cores. The Exchange also has a better understanding of User demand relative to its available space and available Dedicated Cores since the initial maximum was adopted. As such, the Exchange proposes to increase the cap and provide that Members will be limited to a maximum number of 80 6 The Exchange currently assesses $550 per port per month. Port fees will also continue to be assessed on the first two Dedicated Cores that Users receive at no additional cost. See Cboe BZX Equities Fee Schedule. 7 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 100395 (June 21, 2024), 89 FR 53687 (June 27, 2024) (SR– CboeBZX–2024–054). PO 00000 Frm 00095 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dedicated Cores 8 and Sponsoring Members will be limited to a maximum number of 35 Dedicated Cores for each of their Sponsored Access relationships.9 The Exchange notes that it will continue monitoring Dedicated Core interest by all Users and allotment availability with the goal of increasing these limits to meet Users’ needs if and when the demand is there and the Exchange is able to accommodate additional Dedicated Cores. 2. Statutory Basis The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ‘‘Act’’) and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.10 Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) 11 requirements that the rules of an exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 8 The prescribed maximum quantity of Dedicated Cores for Members applies regardless of whether that Member purchases the Dedicated Cores directly from the Exchange and/or through a Service Bureau. In a Service Bureau relationship, a customer allows its MPID to be used on the ports of a technology provider, or Service Bureau. One MPID may be allowed on several different Service Bureaus. 9 The fee tier(s) applicable to Sponsoring Members are determined on a per Sponsored Access relationship basis and not on the combined total of Dedicated Cores across Sponsored Users. For example, under the proposed changes, a Sponsoring Member that has three Sponsored Access relationships is entitled to a total of 105 Dedicated Cores for those 3 Sponsored Access relationships but would be assessed fees separately based on the 35 Dedicated Cores for each Sponsored User (instead of combined total of 105 Dedicated Cores). For example, a Sponsoring Member with 3 Sponsored Access relationships would pay $25,450 per month if each Sponsored Access relationship purchased the maximum 25 Dedicated Cores. More specifically, the Sponsoring Member would be provided 2 Dedicated Cores at no additional cost for each Sponsored User under Tier 1 (total of 6 Dedicated Cores at no additional cost) and provided an additional 13 Dedicated Cores at $650 each for each Sponsored User, 20 Dedicated Cores at $850 each for each Sponsored User (combined total of 99 additional Dedicated Cores). 10 15 U.S.C. 78f(b). 11 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5). E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 201 / Thursday, October 17, 2024 / Notices the Section 6(b)(5) 12 requirement that the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers. The Exchange also believes the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) 13 of the Act, which requires that Exchange rules provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its Members and other persons using its facilities. The Exchange believes the proposal is reasonable because the Exchange is offering any User who wishes to utilize Dedicated Cores up to two Dedicated Cores at no additional cost. For example, of the Users that currently maintain Dedicated Cores, 32% maintain only 1 or 2 Dedicated Cores and therefore pay no additional fees. The Exchange believes the proposed fees are reasonable because Dedicated Cores provide a valuable service in that it can provide reduced latency, enhanced throughput, and improved performance compared to use of a shared CPU Core since a firm using a Dedicated Core is utilizing the full processing power of a CPU Core. The Exchange also emphasizes however, that the use of Dedicated Cores is not necessary for trading and as noted above, is entirely optional. Users can also continue to access the Exchange through shared CPU Cores at no additional cost. Indeed, only 16% of the Exchange’s Members currently use Dedicated Cores and as noted above, of that 16%, 32% take 1 or 2 Dedicated Cores at no additional cost. Depending on a firm’s specific business needs, the proposal enables Users to choose to use Dedicated Cores in lieu of, or in addition to, shared CPU Cores (or as emphasized, not use Dedicated Cores at all). If a User finds little benefit in having Dedicated Cores based on its business model and trading strategies, or determines Dedicated Cores are not cost-efficient for its needs or does not provide sufficient value to the firm, such User may continue its use of the shared CPU Cores, unchanged. The Exchange also has no plans to eliminate shared CPU Cores nor to require Users to purchase Dedicated Cores. The Exchange has seen general interest in Dedicated Cores from a variety of market participants, with varying size and business models. Such market participants include proprietary trading firms (who tend to be more latency sensitive), as well as sell-side market participants and buy-side market participants (who tend to be less latency 12 Id. 13 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Oct 16, 2024 Jkt 265001 sensitive). Further, Members have various reasons for obtaining Dedicated Cores. Some Members for example, may be seeking to further reduce latency, whereas others may use Dedicated Cores as a general risk mitigation by siloing their respective activity. Of further note, only 50% of Members that are propriety trading firms (who again, generally tend to be more latency sensitive) utilize Dedicated Cores, and of that 50%, 36% are utilizing the 1 to 2 free Dedicated Cores available to all Users. The lack of universal, or even widespread, adoption by all such users therefore demonstrates that purchasing Dedicated Cores is not effectively a requirement to compete for any one type of market participant, including latency sensitive market participants. Instead, Dedicated Cores are an optional and voluntary connectivity offering, which market participants are free to choose whether or not to utilize based on whether they meet their unique business needs. The Exchange also believes that the proposed Dedicated Core fees are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because they continue to be assessed uniformly to similarly situated users in that all Users who choose to purchase Dedicated Cores will be subject to the same proposed tiered fee schedule. Moreover, all Users are entitled to up to 2 Dedicated Cores at no additional cost and, as previously discussed, 32% of all Users that take Dedicated Cores (including both latency sensitive and non-latency sensitive Users) take only 1 or 2 Dedicated Cores at no additional cost. The Exchange believes the proposed ascending fee structure is also reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory as it is designed so that firms that use a higher allotment of the Exchange’s finite number of Dedicated Cores pay higher rates, rather than placing that burden on market participants that have more modest needs who will have the flexibility of obtaining Dedicated Cores at lower price points in the lower tiers. As such, the proposed fees do not favor certain categories of market participants in a manner that would impose a burden on competition; rather, the ascending fee structure reflects the (finite) resources consumed by the various needs of market participants— that is, the lowest Dedicated Core consuming Users pay the least, and highest Dedicated Core consuming Users pay the most. Other exchanges similarly assess higher fees to those that consume more Exchange resources, including the Exchange on its options PO 00000 Frm 00096 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 83729 platform.14 Moreover, those consuming more Dedicated Cores do so if they find a benefit in having higher quantities of Dedicated Cores based on their respective business needs. The proposed tier structure is also designed to encourage firms to manage their needs in a fair manner and to prevent the Exchange from being required to expend large amounts of resources in order to provide an additional number of Dedicated Cores. Moreover, as discussed above and in more detail below, the Exchange cannot currently offer an unlimited number of Dedicated Cores due in part to physical space constraints in the third-party data center. The Exchange believes the proposed ascending fee structure is therefore another appropriate means, in conjunction with an established cap, to manage this finite resource and ensure the resource is apportioned more fairly. The Exchange believes it is reasonable to limit the number of Dedicated Cores Users can purchase because the Exchange has a finite amount of space in its third-party data centers to accommodate CPU cores, including Dedicated Cores. The Exchange must also take into account timing and cost considerations in procuring additional Dedicated Cores and related hardware such as servers, switches, optics and cables, as well as the readiness of the Exchange’s data center to accommodate additional Dedicated Cores in the Exchange’s respective Order Handler Cabinets.15 Moreover, procuring data center space has grown to be more challenging than it was five years ago with the increased demand for data center space. For example, the U.S. colocation data center market has doubled in size in just four years. In addition to the Exchange’s rollout of Dedicated Cores, the Exchange is mindful of its other business areas and the need to continue to be mindful of its existing, external restraints in this area. The Exchange has, and will continue to, monitor market participant demand and space availability and endeavor to adjust the limit if and when the Exchange is able to acquire additional space and power within the third-party data centers and/or additional CPU Cores to accommodate additional Dedicated Cores.16 The Exchange 14 See e.g., Cboe U.S. Options Fee Schedule, BZX Options, Options Logical Port Fees, Ports with Bulk Quoting Capabilities. 15 The Exchange notes that it cannot currently convert shared CPU cores into Dedicated Cores. 16 The Exchange notes that approximately 11% of Users that have Dedicated Cores currently are at or near the maximum limits. The average number of Dedicated Cores used for the Exchange is 17. E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1 83730 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 201 / Thursday, October 17, 2024 / Notices monitors its capacity and data center space and thus is in the best place to determine these limits and modify them as appropriate in response to changes to this capacity and space, as well as market demand. For example, the Exchange’s affiliate Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc. has increased the prescribed maximum limit three times since the launch of Dedicated Cores on its exchange on February 26, 2024 as a result of evaluating the demand relative to Dedicated Cores availability.17 The proposed limits continue to apply uniformly to similarly situated market participants (i.e., all Members are subject to the same limit and all Sponsored Participants are subject to the same limit, respectively). The Exchange believes it’s not unfairly discriminatory to provide for different limits for different types of Users. For example, the Exchange believes it’s not unfairly discriminatory to provide for an initial lower limit to be allocated for Sponsored Participants because unlike Members, Sponsored Participants are able to access the Exchange without paying a Membership Fee. Members also have more regulatory obligations and risk that Sponsored Participants do not. For example, while Sponsored Participants must agree to comply with the Rules of the Exchange, it is the Sponsoring Member of that Sponsored Participant that remains ultimately responsible for all orders entered on or through the Exchange by that Sponsored Participant. The industry also has a history of applying fees differently to Members as compared to Sponsored Participants.18 Lastly, the Exchange believes its proposed maximum limits, and distinction between Members and Sponsored Users, is another appropriate means to help the Exchange manage its allotment of Dedicated Cores and better ensure this finite resource is apportioned fairly. 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 intramarket competition that is not necessary in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 17 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 99983 (April 17, 2024), 89 FR 30418 (April 23, 2024) (SR– CboeEDGA–2024–014) Securities Exchange Act Release No. 100300 (June 10, 2024), 89 FR 50653 (June 14, 2024) (SR–CboeEDGA–2024–020); and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 100736 (August 21, 2024), 89 FR 67696 (August 15, 2024) (SR–CboeEDGA–2024–032). 18 See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68342 (December 3, 2012), 77 FR 73096 (December 7, 2012) (SR–CBOE–2012–114), and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66082 (January 3, 2012), 77 FR 1101 (January 9, 2012) (SR–C2–2011–041). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Oct 16, 2024 Jkt 265001 proposed tiered fee structure will apply equally to all similarly situated Users that choose to use Dedicated Cores. As discussed above, Dedicated Cores are optional and Users may choose to utilize Dedicated Cores, or not, based on their views of the additional benefits and added value provided by utilizing a Dedicated Core. The Exchange believes the proposed fees will be assessed proportionately to the potential value or benefit received by Users with a greater number of Dedicated Cores and notes that Users may determine at any time to cease using Dedicated Cores. As discussed, Users can also continue to access the Exchange through shared CPU Cores at no additional cost. Finally, all Users will be entitled to two Dedicated Cores at no additional cost. Next, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change does not impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As previously discussed, the Exchange operates in a highly competitive market, including competition for exchange memberships. Market Participants have numerous alternative venues that they may participate on, including 15 other equities exchanges, as well as offexchange venues, where competitive products are available for trading. Indeed, participants can readily choose to submit their order flow to other exchange and off-exchange venues if they deem fee levels at those other venues to be more favorable. Moreover, the Commission has repeatedly expressed its preference for competition over regulatory intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the securities markets. Specifically, in Regulation NMS, the Commission highlighted the importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, also, recognized that current regulation of the market system ‘‘has been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its broader forms that are most important to investors and listed companies.’’ 19 The fact that this market is competitive has also long been recognized by the courts. In NetCoalition v. Securities and Exchange Commission, the D.C. Circuit stated as follows: ‘‘[n]o one disputes that competition for order flow is ‘fierce.’ . . . As the SEC explained, ‘[i]n the U.S. national market system, buyers and sellers of securities, and the brokerdealers that act as their order-routing agents, have a wide range of choices of where to route orders for execution’; [and] ‘no exchange can afford to take its 19 See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005). PO 00000 Frm 00097 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 market share percentages for granted’ because ‘no exchange possesses a monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of order flow from broker dealers’. . . .’’.20 Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe its proposed change imposes any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act 21 and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b–4 22 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: 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– CboeBZX–2024–094 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. 20 NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525, 539 (D.C. Cir. 2010) (quoting Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782– 83 (December 9, 2008) (SR–NYSEArca–2006–21)). 21 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A). 22 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f). E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 201 / Thursday, October 17, 2024 / Notices All submissions should refer to file number SR–CboeBZX–2024–094. 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–CboeBZX–2024–094 and should be submitted on or before November 7, 2024. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.23 Sherry R. Haywood, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2024–23901 Filed 10–16–24; 8:45 am] I. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement of the Terms of Substance of the Proposed Rule Change The Exchange is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) a proposed rule change to amend the LTSE Fee Schedule (the ‘‘Fee Schedule’’) to adopt certain connectivity fees effective October 1, 2024. The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange’s website at https:// longtermstockexchange.com/, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. II. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on 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 self-regulatory organization 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 BILLING CODE 8011–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–101320; File No. SR–LTSE– 2024–07] ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 ‘‘Act’’),1 and Rule 19b–4 thereunder,2 notice is hereby given that on October 1, 2024, Long-Term Stock Exchange, Inc. (‘‘LTSE’’ or the ‘‘Exchange’’) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘Commission’’) the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by the selfregulatory organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons. Self-Regulatory Organizations; LongTerm Stock Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Fee Schedule To Adopt Certain Connectivity Fees 1. Purpose The Exchange is proposing to establish a new section (C. Connectivity) in the Long-Term Stock Exchange Fee Schedule and adopt fees for CrossConnect (Primary), Cross-Connect (Disaster Recovery), Cross-Connect (Test Environment) and Logical Connectivity (all Environments) that will apply to all market participants connecting to the Exchange.3 October 11, 2024. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 23 17 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:31 Oct 16, 2024 Jkt 265001 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1). CFR 240.19b–4. 3 As proposed, fees for connectivity services would be assessed based on each active connectivity service product at the close of business 83731 Cross-Connect Fees The Exchange proposes to offer to both Members and non-Members the choice of a 10 Gigabit (‘‘Gb’’) ultra-low latency (‘‘ULL’’) fiber cross-connection to the Exchange’s Primary and Disaster Recovery facilities, as well as a 10Gb cross-connection to the Test Environment facility. The Exchange proposes to establish a Cross-Connect fee of $5,500 per 10Gb physical interface per month that will be assessed to Members and non-Members for connecting to the Primary facility. The Exchange proposes to establish a Cross-Connect fee of $2,750 per 10Gb physical interface per month that will be assessed to Members and nonMembers for connecting to both the Disaster Recovery facility or the Test Environment. Monthly network connectivity fees for Members and non-Members for connectivity will be assessed in any month the Member or non-Member is credentialed to use any of the LTSE Application Programming Interfaces (‘‘APIs’’) in either the Primary, Disaster Recovery or test environments. Port Fees The Exchange proposes to establish a $450 fee for all Logical Connectivity sessions. These application sessions, commonly known as ports, are utilized to perform a particular function on the Exchange, such as order entry or order cancellation, receipt of drop copies, proprietary market data dissemination, or requesting data to be backfilled (i.e., ‘‘gap ports’’). All market participants (members and non-members) will be charged per session per month. The Exchange will waive the fees for three sessions per month per market participant. In proposing to charge fees for connectivity to LTSE, the Exchange has sought to be especially diligent in assessing those fees in a transparent way against its own aggregate costs of providing the related services, and also carefully and transparently assessing the impact on Members—both generally and in relation to other Members, i.e., to assure the fee will not create a financial burden on any participant and will not have an undue impact in particular on smaller Members and competition among Members in general. The Exchange believes that this level diligence and transparency is called for by the requirements of Section 19(b)(1) 1 15 2 17 PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 on the first day of each month. If a product is canceled prior to such fee being assessed, then the Member will not be obligated to pay the applicable product fee. E:\FR\FM\17OCN1.SGM 17OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 201 (Thursday, October 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83727-83731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-23901]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-101302; File No. SR-CboeBZX-2024-094]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Its Fees Schedule Regarding Dedicated Cores

October 10, 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 September 30, 2024, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``BZX'') 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

    Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``BZX Equities'') 
proposes to amend its Fees Schedule. The text of the proposed rule 
change is provided in Exhibit 5.
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's website (https://markets.cboe.com/us/equities/regulation/rule_filings/BZX/), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at 
the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the

[[Page 83728]]

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 its fee schedule to adopt fees for 
Dedicated Cores.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Exchange initially introduced pricing for Dedicated 
Cores on June 10, 2024 (SR-CboeBZX-2024-054). On August 1, 2024, the 
Exchange withdrew that filing and submitted SR-CboeBZX-2024-075. On 
business date September 30, 2024, the Exchange withdrew that filing 
and submitted this filing.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    By way of background, the Exchange recently began to allow Users 
\4\ to assign a Single Binary Order Entry (``BOE'') logical order entry 
port \5\ to a single dedicated Central Processing Unit (CPU Core) 
(``Dedicated Core''). Historically, CPU Cores had been shared by 
logical order entry ports (i.e., multiple logical ports from multiple 
firms may connect to a single CPU Core). Use of Dedicated Cores 
however, can provide reduced latency, enhanced throughput, and improved 
performance since a firm using a Dedicated Core is utilizing the full 
processing power of a CPU Core instead of sharing that power with other 
firms. This offering is completely voluntary and is available to all 
Users that wish to purchase Dedicated Cores. Users may utilize BOE 
logical order entry ports on shared CPU Cores, either in lieu of, or in 
addition to, their use of Dedicated Core(s). As such, Users are able to 
operate across a mix of shared and dedicated CPU Cores which the 
Exchange believes provides additional risk and capacity management. 
Further, Dedicated Cores are not required nor necessary to participate 
on the Exchange and as such Users may opt not to use Dedicated Cores at 
all.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ A User may be either a Member or Sponsored Participant. The 
term ``Member'' shall mean any registered broker or dealer that has 
been admitted to membership in the Exchange, limited liability 
company or other organization which is a registered broker or dealer 
pursuant to Section 15 of the Act, and which has been approved by 
the Exchange. A Sponsored Participant may be a Member or non-Member 
of the Exchange whose direct electronic access to the Exchange is 
authorized by a Sponsoring Member subject to certain conditions. See 
Exchange Rule 11.3.
    \5\ Users may currently connect to the Exchange using a logical 
port available through an application programming interface 
(``API''), such as the Binary Order Entry (``BOE'') protocol. A BOE 
logical order entry port is used for order entry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange proposes to assess the following monthly fees for 
Users that wish to use Dedicated Cores and adopt a maximum limit. 
First, the Exchange proposes to provide up to two Dedicated Cores to 
all Users who wish to use Dedicated Cores, at no additional cost. For 
the use of more than two Dedicated Cores, the Exchange proposes to 
assess the following fees: $650 per Dedicated Core for 3-15 Dedicated 
Cores; $850 per Dedicated Core for 16-30 Dedicated Cores; and $1,050 
per Dedicated Core for 31 or more Dedicated Cores. The proposed fees 
are progressive and the Exchange proposes to include the following 
example in the Fees Schedule to provide clarity as to how the fees will 
be applied. Particularly, the Exchange will provide the following 
example: if a User were to purchase 16 Dedicated Cores, it will be 
charged a total of $9,300 per month ($0 * 2 + $650 * 13 + $850 * 1). 
The Exchange also proposes to make clear in the Fees Schedule that the 
monthly fees are assessed and applied in their entirety and are not 
prorated. The Exchange notes the current standard fees assessed for BOE 
Logical Ports, whether used with Dedicated or shared CPU cores, will 
remain applicable and unchanged.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ The Exchange currently assesses $550 per port per month. 
Port fees will also continue to be assessed on the first two 
Dedicated Cores that Users receive at no additional cost. See Cboe 
BZX Equities Fee Schedule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the Exchange currently has a finite amount of physical space 
in its data centers in which its servers (and therefore corresponding 
CPU Cores) are located, the Exchange also proposes to prescribe a 
maximum limit on the number of Dedicated Cores that Users may purchase 
each month. The purpose of establishing these limits is to manage the 
allotment of Dedicated Cores in a fair manner and to prevent the 
Exchange from being required to expend large amounts of resources in 
order to provide an unlimited number of Dedicated Cores. The Exchange 
previously established a limit for Members of a maximum number of 60 
Dedicated Cores and Sponsoring Members a limit of maximum number of 25 
Dedicated Cores for each of their Sponsored Access relationship.\7\ The 
Exchange has since been able to procure additional physical space in 
its third-party data century as well as additional servers with CPU 
Cores. The Exchange also has a better understanding of User demand 
relative to its available space and available Dedicated Cores since the 
initial maximum was adopted. As such, the Exchange proposes to increase 
the cap and provide that Members will be limited to a maximum number of 
80 Dedicated Cores \8\ and Sponsoring Members will be limited to a 
maximum number of 35 Dedicated Cores for each of their Sponsored Access 
relationships.\9\ The Exchange notes that it will continue monitoring 
Dedicated Core interest by all Users and allotment availability with 
the goal of increasing these limits to meet Users' needs if and when 
the demand is there and the Exchange is able to accommodate additional 
Dedicated Cores.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 100395 (June 21, 
2024), 89 FR 53687 (June 27, 2024) (SR-CboeBZX-2024-054).
    \8\ The prescribed maximum quantity of Dedicated Cores for 
Members applies regardless of whether that Member purchases the 
Dedicated Cores directly from the Exchange and/or through a Service 
Bureau. In a Service Bureau relationship, a customer allows its MPID 
to be used on the ports of a technology provider, or Service Bureau. 
One MPID may be allowed on several different Service Bureaus.
    \9\ The fee tier(s) applicable to Sponsoring Members are 
determined on a per Sponsored Access relationship basis and not on 
the combined total of Dedicated Cores across Sponsored Users. For 
example, under the proposed changes, a Sponsoring Member that has 
three Sponsored Access relationships is entitled to a total of 105 
Dedicated Cores for those 3 Sponsored Access relationships but would 
be assessed fees separately based on the 35 Dedicated Cores for each 
Sponsored User (instead of combined total of 105 Dedicated Cores). 
For example, a Sponsoring Member with 3 Sponsored Access 
relationships would pay $25,450 per month if each Sponsored Access 
relationship purchased the maximum 25 Dedicated Cores. More 
specifically, the Sponsoring Member would be provided 2 Dedicated 
Cores at no additional cost for each Sponsored User under Tier 1 
(total of 6 Dedicated Cores at no additional cost) and provided an 
additional 13 Dedicated Cores at $650 each for each Sponsored User, 
20 Dedicated Cores at $850 each for each Sponsored User (combined 
total of 99 additional Dedicated Cores).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\10\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \11\ requirements that the rules of an exchange be 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to 
promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation 
and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, clearing, 
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, 
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with

[[Page 83729]]

the Section 6(b)(5) \12\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not 
be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers. The Exchange also believes the proposed rule 
change is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) \13\ of the Act, which 
requires that Exchange rules provide for the equitable allocation of 
reasonable dues, fees, and other charges among its Members and other 
persons using its facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \12\ Id.
    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes the proposal is reasonable because the 
Exchange is offering any User who wishes to utilize Dedicated Cores up 
to two Dedicated Cores at no additional cost. For example, of the Users 
that currently maintain Dedicated Cores, 32% maintain only 1 or 2 
Dedicated Cores and therefore pay no additional fees. The Exchange 
believes the proposed fees are reasonable because Dedicated Cores 
provide a valuable service in that it can provide reduced latency, 
enhanced throughput, and improved performance compared to use of a 
shared CPU Core since a firm using a Dedicated Core is utilizing the 
full processing power of a CPU Core. The Exchange also emphasizes 
however, that the use of Dedicated Cores is not necessary for trading 
and as noted above, is entirely optional. Users can also continue to 
access the Exchange through shared CPU Cores at no additional cost. 
Indeed, only 16% of the Exchange's Members currently use Dedicated 
Cores and as noted above, of that 16%, 32% take 1 or 2 Dedicated Cores 
at no additional cost. Depending on a firm's specific business needs, 
the proposal enables Users to choose to use Dedicated Cores in lieu of, 
or in addition to, shared CPU Cores (or as emphasized, not use 
Dedicated Cores at all). If a User finds little benefit in having 
Dedicated Cores based on its business model and trading strategies, or 
determines Dedicated Cores are not cost-efficient for its needs or does 
not provide sufficient value to the firm, such User may continue its 
use of the shared CPU Cores, unchanged. The Exchange also has no plans 
to eliminate shared CPU Cores nor to require Users to purchase 
Dedicated Cores.
    The Exchange has seen general interest in Dedicated Cores from a 
variety of market participants, with varying size and business models. 
Such market participants include proprietary trading firms (who tend to 
be more latency sensitive), as well as sell-side market participants 
and buy-side market participants (who tend to be less latency 
sensitive). Further, Members have various reasons for obtaining 
Dedicated Cores. Some Members for example, may be seeking to further 
reduce latency, whereas others may use Dedicated Cores as a general 
risk mitigation by siloing their respective activity. Of further note, 
only 50% of Members that are propriety trading firms (who again, 
generally tend to be more latency sensitive) utilize Dedicated Cores, 
and of that 50%, 36% are utilizing the 1 to 2 free Dedicated Cores 
available to all Users. The lack of universal, or even widespread, 
adoption by all such users therefore demonstrates that purchasing 
Dedicated Cores is not effectively a requirement to compete for any one 
type of market participant, including latency sensitive market 
participants. Instead, Dedicated Cores are an optional and voluntary 
connectivity offering, which market participants are free to choose 
whether or not to utilize based on whether they meet their unique 
business needs.
    The Exchange also believes that the proposed Dedicated Core fees 
are equitable and not unfairly discriminatory because they continue to 
be assessed uniformly to similarly situated users in that all Users who 
choose to purchase Dedicated Cores will be subject to the same proposed 
tiered fee schedule. Moreover, all Users are entitled to up to 2 
Dedicated Cores at no additional cost and, as previously discussed, 32% 
of all Users that take Dedicated Cores (including both latency 
sensitive and non-latency sensitive Users) take only 1 or 2 Dedicated 
Cores at no additional cost. The Exchange believes the proposed 
ascending fee structure is also reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory as it is designed so that firms that use a higher 
allotment of the Exchange's finite number of Dedicated Cores pay higher 
rates, rather than placing that burden on market participants that have 
more modest needs who will have the flexibility of obtaining Dedicated 
Cores at lower price points in the lower tiers. As such, the proposed 
fees do not favor certain categories of market participants in a manner 
that would impose a burden on competition; rather, the ascending fee 
structure reflects the (finite) resources consumed by the various needs 
of market participants--that is, the lowest Dedicated Core consuming 
Users pay the least, and highest Dedicated Core consuming Users pay the 
most. Other exchanges similarly assess higher fees to those that 
consume more Exchange resources, including the Exchange on its options 
platform.\14\ Moreover, those consuming more Dedicated Cores do so if 
they find a benefit in having higher quantities of Dedicated Cores 
based on their respective business needs. The proposed tier structure 
is also designed to encourage firms to manage their needs in a fair 
manner and to prevent the Exchange from being required to expend large 
amounts of resources in order to provide an additional number of 
Dedicated Cores. Moreover, as discussed above and in more detail below, 
the Exchange cannot currently offer an unlimited number of Dedicated 
Cores due in part to physical space constraints in the third-party data 
center. The Exchange believes the proposed ascending fee structure is 
therefore another appropriate means, in conjunction with an established 
cap, to manage this finite resource and ensure the resource is 
apportioned more fairly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ See e.g., Cboe U.S. Options Fee Schedule, BZX Options, 
Options Logical Port Fees, Ports with Bulk Quoting Capabilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes it is reasonable to limit the number of 
Dedicated Cores Users can purchase because the Exchange has a finite 
amount of space in its third-party data centers to accommodate CPU 
cores, including Dedicated Cores. The Exchange must also take into 
account timing and cost considerations in procuring additional 
Dedicated Cores and related hardware such as servers, switches, optics 
and cables, as well as the readiness of the Exchange's data center to 
accommodate additional Dedicated Cores in the Exchange's respective 
Order Handler Cabinets.\15\ Moreover, procuring data center space has 
grown to be more challenging than it was five years ago with the 
increased demand for data center space. For example, the U.S. 
colocation data center market has doubled in size in just four years. 
In addition to the Exchange's rollout of Dedicated Cores, the Exchange 
is mindful of its other business areas and the need to continue to be 
mindful of its existing, external restraints in this area. The Exchange 
has, and will continue to, monitor market participant demand and space 
availability and endeavor to adjust the limit if and when the Exchange 
is able to acquire additional space and power within the third-party 
data centers and/or additional CPU Cores to accommodate additional 
Dedicated Cores.\16\ The Exchange

[[Page 83730]]

monitors its capacity and data center space and thus is in the best 
place to determine these limits and modify them as appropriate in 
response to changes to this capacity and space, as well as market 
demand. For example, the Exchange's affiliate Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc. 
has increased the prescribed maximum limit three times since the launch 
of Dedicated Cores on its exchange on February 26, 2024 as a result of 
evaluating the demand relative to Dedicated Cores availability.\17\ The 
proposed limits continue to apply uniformly to similarly situated 
market participants (i.e., all Members are subject to the same limit 
and all Sponsored Participants are subject to the same limit, 
respectively). The Exchange believes it's not unfairly discriminatory 
to provide for different limits for different types of Users. For 
example, the Exchange believes it's not unfairly discriminatory to 
provide for an initial lower limit to be allocated for Sponsored 
Participants because unlike Members, Sponsored Participants are able to 
access the Exchange without paying a Membership Fee. Members also have 
more regulatory obligations and risk that Sponsored Participants do 
not. For example, while Sponsored Participants must agree to comply 
with the Rules of the Exchange, it is the Sponsoring Member of that 
Sponsored Participant that remains ultimately responsible for all 
orders entered on or through the Exchange by that Sponsored 
Participant. The industry also has a history of applying fees 
differently to Members as compared to Sponsored Participants.\18\ 
Lastly, the Exchange believes its proposed maximum limits, and 
distinction between Members and Sponsored Users, is another appropriate 
means to help the Exchange manage its allotment of Dedicated Cores and 
better ensure this finite resource is apportioned fairly.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ The Exchange notes that it cannot currently convert shared 
CPU cores into Dedicated Cores.
    \16\ The Exchange notes that approximately 11% of Users that 
have Dedicated Cores currently are at or near the maximum limits. 
The average number of Dedicated Cores used for the Exchange is 17.
    \17\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 99983 (April 17, 
2024), 89 FR 30418 (April 23, 2024) (SR-CboeEDGA-2024-014) 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 100300 (June 10, 2024), 89 FR 
50653 (June 14, 2024) (SR-CboeEDGA-2024-020); and Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 100736 (August 21, 2024), 89 FR 67696 
(August 15, 2024) (SR-CboeEDGA-2024-032).
    \18\ See e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 68342 
(December 3, 2012), 77 FR 73096 (December 7, 2012) (SR-CBOE-2012-
114), and Securities Exchange Act Release No. 66082 (January 3, 
2012), 77 FR 1101 (January 9, 2012) (SR-C2-2011-041).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 intramarket competition that is not necessary in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the proposed tiered fee 
structure will apply equally to all similarly situated Users that 
choose to use Dedicated Cores. As discussed above, Dedicated Cores are 
optional and Users may choose to utilize Dedicated Cores, or not, based 
on their views of the additional benefits and added value provided by 
utilizing a Dedicated Core. The Exchange believes the proposed fees 
will be assessed proportionately to the potential value or benefit 
received by Users with a greater number of Dedicated Cores and notes 
that Users may determine at any time to cease using Dedicated Cores. As 
discussed, Users can also continue to access the Exchange through 
shared CPU Cores at no additional cost. Finally, all Users will be 
entitled to two Dedicated Cores at no additional cost.
    Next, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change does not 
impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. As previously 
discussed, the Exchange operates in a highly competitive market, 
including competition for exchange memberships. Market Participants 
have numerous alternative venues that they may participate on, 
including 15 other equities exchanges, as well as off-exchange venues, 
where competitive products are available for trading. Indeed, 
participants can readily choose to submit their order flow to other 
exchange and off-exchange venues if they deem fee levels at those other 
venues to be more favorable. Moreover, the Commission has repeatedly 
expressed its preference for competition over regulatory intervention 
in determining prices, products, and services in the securities 
markets. Specifically, in Regulation NMS, the Commission highlighted 
the importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues 
and, also, recognized that current regulation of the market system 
``has been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its 
broader forms that are most important to investors and listed 
companies.'' \19\ The fact that this market is competitive has also 
long been recognized by the courts. In NetCoalition v. Securities and 
Exchange Commission, the D.C. Circuit stated as follows: ``[n]o one 
disputes that competition for order flow is `fierce.' . . . As the SEC 
explained, `[i]n the U.S. national market system, buyers and sellers of 
securities, and the broker-dealers that act as their order-routing 
agents, have a wide range of choices of where to route orders for 
execution'; [and] `no exchange can afford to take its market share 
percentages for granted' because `no exchange possesses a monopoly, 
regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of order flow from broker 
dealers'. . . .''.\20\ Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe its 
proposed change imposes any burden on competition that is not necessary 
or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 
2005), 70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005).
    \20\ NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525, 539 (D.C. Cir. 2010) 
(quoting Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59039 (December 2, 
2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782-83 (December 9, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2006-
21)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the 
proposed rule change.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \21\ and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 \22\ 
thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed 
rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission will institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
disapproved.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \22\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-CboeBZX-2024-094 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.


[[Page 83731]]


All submissions should refer to file number SR-CboeBZX-2024-094. 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-CboeBZX-2024-094 and should 
be submitted on or before November 7, 2024.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\23\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-23901 Filed 10-16-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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