2017-26128. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt a Shell Structure for the BX Rulebook

November 29, 2017.

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 November 17, 2017, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX” or “Exchange”) 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 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 the Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

The Exchange proposes to adopt a shell structure for the BX rulebook (“Rulebook”) as part of its initiative to structure its Rulebook.

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at http://nasdaqbx.cchwallstreet.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 aspects of such statements.

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

1. Purpose

On March 9, 2016, Nasdaq, Inc. acquired the capital stock of U.S. Exchange Holdings, thereby indirectly acquiring all of the interests of the International Securities Exchange, LLC (now Nasdaq ISE, LLC), ISE Gemini, LLC (now Nasdaq GEMX, LLC) (“GEMX”) and ISE Mercury, LLC (now Nasdaq MRX, LLC) (“MRX”).^[3] The acquisition resulted in a total of six self-regulatory organization licenses for Nasdaq, Inc. which, in addition to the three aforementioned exchanges, also include The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), Nasdaq PHLX LLC (“Phlx”) and BX (collectively, “Nasdaq Entities”).

The Exchange is planning to conform the chapters of the various Nasdaq Entity rulebooks for efficiency, and conformity of certain Nasdaq Entity processes. The Exchange believes that aligning the rules of the Nasdaq Entities will assist market participants in navigating the various rulebooks. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to add a shell structure which would reside alongside the current rulebook. The proposed shell would outline the various chapters of the future rulebook and contains new chapter numbering. A similar shell would be filed to add the same structure to each of the other Nasdaq Entities. The proposed chapters would be similar for each shell filed for each of the Nasdaq Entities. In subsequent rule changes, each of the Nasdaq Entities would file rule changes to move their current rules into the various chapters of the proposed shells for all six markets and delete the migrated rule from the current location in the Rulebook.^[4] The proposed shell would contain a general rule section and product specific sections, in this case equities and options, which would encompass all the rules of the Exchange.

The Exchange believes this new structure would align the Nasdaq Entities' rulebooks for ease of use by Members, who are members of more than one Nasdaq Entity. This proposal would not amend the current Rulebook and is therefore not a substantive change. A Member would continue to be able to view the current Rulebook alongside the proposed reorganized Rulebook. Subsequent rule changes will be filed to move the rule text into the shell Rulebook.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act,^[5] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[6] in particular, in that it is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the public interest, by starting the process of organizing its rules in a manner which is clear and consistent across the Nasdaq Entities. The Exchange believes that coordinating the chapters of the rulebooks among the Nasdaq Entities will provide Members, who are members of more than one Nasdaq Entity, with consistency and ease of reference in locating rules.

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. The proposed changes do not impose a burden on competition because the proposed amendments are non-substantive, are intended to start the process to organize the rules of the Exchange in a manner that will be more user-friendly to Nasdaq Entity members.

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

No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) Significantly affect the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act ^[7] and subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.^[8]

A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does not become operative for 30 days after the date of its filing. However, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) ^[9] permits the Commission to designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposed rule change will become operative upon filing. The Exchange states that such waiver will enable the Exchange to start the process to reorganize the rulebooks of the Nasdaq Entities. The Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest because the proposal does not raise any novel issues and waiver will allow the Exchange to begin the reorganization of its Rulebook without delay. Therefore, the Commission hereby waives the operative delay and designates the proposed rule change operative upon filing.^[10]

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: (i) Necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the protection of investors; or (iii) otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

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

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/​rules/​sro.shtml); or
• Send an email to [e-mail]. Please include File Number SR-BX-2017-054 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2017-054. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission's Internet 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 the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying information from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-BX-2017-054, and should be submitted on or before December 26, 2017.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.¹¹

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Assistant Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78119 (June 21, 2016), 81 FR 41611 (June 27, 2016) (SR-ISE-2016-11; SR-ISE Gemini-2016-05; SR-ISE Mercury-2016-10) (Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Changes, Each as Modified by Amendment No. 1 Thereto, Relating to a Corporate Transaction in Which Nasdaq, Inc. Will Become the Indirect Parent of ISE, ISE Gemini, and ISE Mercury).

4.  When relocating the current rule text into the new shell, the Exchange shall not amend the rule text but simply move existing rule text.

5.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

6.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).

7.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).

8.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). As required under Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Exchange provided the Commission with written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along with a brief description and the text of the proposed rule change, at least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission.

9.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).

10.  For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, the Commission also has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).

11.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).