2016-30389. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rule 11.21(b) Regarding the Data Collection Requirements of the Regulation NMS Plan To ...

December 13, 2016.

Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Act”),^[1] and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,^[2] notice is hereby given that on November 30, 2016, Bats EDGA Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “EDGA”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange has designated this proposal as a “non-controversial” proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act ^[3] and Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) thereunder,^[4] which renders it effective upon filing with the Commission. 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 filed a proposal to amend Exchange Rule 11.21(b) regarding the data collection requirements of the Regulation NMS Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot Program (“Plan”).

The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's Web site at www.batstrading.com,, at the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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 parts of such statements.

(A) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

On August 25, 2014, the Exchange, and several other self-regulatory organizations (the “Participants”) filed with the Commission, pursuant to Section 11A of the Act ^[5] and Rule 608 of Regulation NMS thereunder,^[6] the Plan to Implement a Tick Size Pilot Program.^[7] The Participants filed the Plan to comply with an order issued by the Commission on June 24, 2014.^[8] The Plan was published for comment in the Federal Register on November 7, 2014, and approved by the Commission, as modified, on May 6, 2015.^[9] The Commission approved the Pilot on a two-year basis, with implementation to begin no later than May 6, 2016.^[10] On November 6, 2015, the SEC exempted the Participants from implementing the Pilot until October 3, 2016.^[11] Under the revised Pilot implementation date, the Pre-Pilot data collection period commenced on April 4, 2016. On September 13, 2016, the SEC exempted the Participants from the requirement to fully implement the Pilot on October 3, 2016, to permit the Participants to implement the pilot on a phased-in basis, as described in the Participants' exemptive request.^[12]

The Plan is designed to allow the Commission, market participants, and the public to study and assess the impact of increment conventions on the liquidity and trading of the common stock of small-capitalization companies. Each Participant is required to comply, and to enforce compliance by its member organizations, as applicable, with the provisions of the Plan.

The Exchange adopted rule amendments to implement the requirements of the Plan, including relating to the Plan's data collection requirements and requirements relating to Web site data publication.^[13] Specifically, with respect to the Web site data publication requirements pursuant to Section VII and Appendices B and C to the Plan, Exchange Rule 11.21(b)(2) provides, among other things, that the Exchange shall make the data required by Items I and II of Appendix B to the Plan, and collected pursuant to paragraph (b)(2)(A) of Rule 11.21, publicly available on the Exchange's Web site on a monthly basis at no charge and shall not identify the Trading Center that generated the data. Exchange Rule 11.21(b)(3)(C), provides, among other things, that the Exchange shall make the data required by Item IV of Appendix B to the Plan, and collected pursuant to paragraph (b)(3) of Rule 11.21, publicly available on the Exchange's Web site on a monthly basis at no charge and shall not identify the Trading Center that generated the data. Exchange Rule 11.21(b)(5) provides, among other things, shall collect and transmit to the Commission data described in Item III of Appendix B of the Plan relating to daily Market Maker registration statistics, but does not currently include a provision requiring the Exchange to publish such data to its Web site.^[14] Interpretation and Policy .08 to Exchange Rule 11.21(b) provides, among other things, that the requirement that Exchange or Designated Examining Authority (“DEA”) make certain data publicly available on their Web site pursuant to Appendix B and C to the Plan shall commence at the beginning of the Pilot Period.^[15]

The Exchange is proposing amendments to Rule 11.21(b)(2) (regarding Appendix B.I and B.II data) and Rule 11.21(b)(3)(C) (regarding Appendix B.IV data), to provide that data required to be made available on Exchange's or DEA's Web site be published within 120 calendar days following month end. The Exchange also proposes to add a provision to Rule 11.21(b)(5) to state that the Exchange shall make data collected under Appendix B.III publicly available on the Exchange Web site within 120 calendar days following month end at no charge. In addition, the proposed amendments to Interpretation and Policy .08 to Exchange Rule 11.21(b) would provide that, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3)(C), and (b)(5), the Exchange and DEA shall make data for the Pre-Pilot period publicly available on their Web site pursuant to Appendix B and C to the Plan by February 28, 2017.^[16] The purpose of delaying the publication of the Web site data is to address confidentiality concerns by providing for the passage of additional time between the market information reflected in the data and the public availability of such information. The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness and has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay. If the Commission waives the 30-day operative delay, the operative date of the proposed rule change will be the date of filing.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act ^[17] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act ^[18] in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

The Exchange believes that this proposal is consistent with the Act because it is designed to assist the Participants in meeting their regulatory obligations pursuant to the Plan and is in furtherance of the objectives of the Plan, as identified by the SEC. The Exchange believes that the instant proposal is consistent with the Act in that it is designed to address confidentiality concerns by permitting the Exchange to delay Web site publication to provide for passage of additional time between the market information reflected in the data and the public availability of such information.

(B) Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange notes that the proposed rule change implements the provisions of the Plan, and is designed to assist the Participants in meeting their regulatory obligations pursuant to the Plan.

The proposal is intended to address confidentiality concerns that may adversely impact competition, especially for Pilot Securities that may have a relatively small number of designated Market Makers, by permitting the Exchange to delay Web site publication to provide for passage of additional time between the market information reflected in the data and the public availability of such information. The proposal does not alter the information required to be submitted to the SEC.

(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.^[19]

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) ^[20] of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.^[21]

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) ^[22] normally does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),^[23] the Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change for immediate effectiveness and has requested that the Commission waive the requirement that the proposed rule change not become operative for 30 days after the date of the filing so that it may become operative immediately.

The Exchange notes that the proposed rule change implements the provisions of the Plan, and is designed to assist the Participants in meeting their regulatory obligations pursuant to the Plan. The proposal is intended to address confidentiality concerns by permitting the Exchange to delay Web site publication to provide for passage of additional time between the market information reflected in the data and the public availability of such information. The proposal also does not alter the information required to be submitted to the SEC.

The Commission believes that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because it will allow the Exchange to implement proposed changes that are intended to address confidentiality concerns. The Commission notes that some Pilot data was scheduled to be published on November 30, 2016. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the proposed rule change to be operative as of November 30, 2016.^[24]

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.^[25] If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposal is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to [e-mail]. Please include File No. SR-BatsEDGA-2016-30 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 No. SR-BatsEDGA-2016-30. 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 Web site (http://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 Web site viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing will also be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File No. SR-BatsEDGA-2016-30 and should be submitted on or before January 9, 2017.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[26]

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

4.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

5.  15 U.S.C. 78k-1.

6.  17 CFR 242.608.

7.  See Letter from Brendon J. Weiss, Vice President, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., to Secretary, Commission, dated August 25, 2014.

8.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No 72460 (June 24, 2014), 79 FR 36840 (June 30, 2014).

9.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74892 (May 6, 2015), 80 FR 27513 (May 13, 2015) (“Approval Order”).

10.  See Approval Order at 27533 and 27545.

11.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76382 (November 6, 2015), 80 FR 70284 (November 13, 2015).

12.  See Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Eric Swanson, EVP, General Counsel and Secretary, Exchange, dated September 13, 2016; see also Letter from Eric Swanson, EVP, General Counsel and Secretary, Exchange, to Brent J. Fields, Secretary, Commission, dated September 9, 2016.

13.  See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 77417 (March 22, 2016), 81 FR 17219 (March 28, 2016); and 78799 (September 9, 2016), 81 FR 63549 (September 15, 2016). See also Letter from David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, to Marcia E. Asquith, Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary, FINRA, dated February 17, 2016.

14.  Section VII.A. 4 of the Plan.

15.  The Exchange understands that some Market Makers may utilize a DEA that is not a Participant to the Plan and that their DEA would not be subject to the Plan's data collection requirements. Exchange rules require members that are Market Makers whose DEA is not a Participant to the Plan to transmit transaction data for Market Maker participation and profitability calculations to FINRA. See paragraphs (3)(B) and (4)(B) of Exchange Rule 11.21(b).

16.  With respect to data for the Pilot Period, the requirement that the Exchange and DEA make data publicly available on their Web site pursuant to Appendix B and C to the Plan shall continue to commence at the beginning of the Pilot Period. Thus, the first Web site publication date for Pilot Period data (covering October 2016) would be published on the Exchange's or DEA's Web site by February 28, 2017, which is 120 days following the end of October 2016.

17.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

18.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

19.  See Letter from Mary Lou Von Kaenel, Managing Director, Financial Information Forum, to David S. Shillman, Associate Director, Division of Trading and Markets, Commission, dated August 16, 2016.

20.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

21.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

22.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).

23.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

24.  For purposes only of waiving the operative delay for this proposal, the Commission has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

25.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(C).

26.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).