2017-02647. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats BYX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees for Use on Bats BYX Exchange, Inc.  

  • Start Preamble Start Printed Page 10101 February 3, 2017.

    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 February 2, 2017, Bats BYX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “BYX”) 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 Exchange has designated the proposed rule change as one establishing or changing a member due, fee, or other charge imposed by the Exchange under Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act [3] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,[4] which renders the proposed rule change 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 the fee schedule applicable to Members [5] and non-members of the Exchange pursuant to BYX Rules 15.1(a) and (c).

    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's Web site at www.bats.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

    The Exchange proposes to amend its fee schedule applicable to the Exchange's equities platform, effective immediately,[6] to add Add Volume Tier 3 under footnote 1. Currently, the Exchange charges a standard rate of $0.0018 per share for orders that add liquidity that are appended with fee codes B, V or Y. Under footnote 1, Tier 1 the Exchange offers a reduced rate of $0.0014 for orders adding liquidity where a Member has an ADAV [7] of at least 0.30% of the TCV.[8] Under footnote 1, Tier 2 the Exchange offers a reduced rate of $0.0013 for orders adding liquidity where a Member has an ADAV of at least 0.40% of the TCV. The Exchange proposes to add Tier 3 offering a reduced rate for orders adding liquidity of $0.0012 where a Member has an ADAV of at least 0.55% of the TCV. In connection with this change, the Exchange also proposes to re-number existing Tier 3 under footnote 1 as Tier 4.

    2. Statutory Basis

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the objectives of Section 6 of the Act,[9] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4),[10] in particular, as it is designed to provide for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among its Members and other persons using its facilities. Volume-based incentives such as those currently maintained on the Exchange have been widely adopted by equities and options exchanges and are equitable because they are open to all Members on an equal basis and provide additional benefits or discounts that are reasonably related to the value to an exchange's market quality associated with higher levels of market activity, such as higher levels of liquidity provision and/or growth patterns, and introduction of higher volumes of orders into the price and volume discovery processes.

    In particular, the Exchange believes the addition of Tier 3 under footnote 1 is a reasonable means to encourage Members to increase their liquidity on the Exchange. The Exchange further believes that the proposed tier represents an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges because the thresholds necessary to achieve the tiers encourages Members to add additional liquidity to the Exchange. Specifically, the Exchange notes that the criteria and reduced rate under proposed Tier 3 are equitable and reasonable as compared to other tiers offered by the Exchange, particularly Tiers 1 and 2, as described above. Therefore, the Exchange believes the proposed Tier 3 is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) [11] of the Act as the more stringent criteria correlates with the tier's reduced rate.

    (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 Exchange does not believe the proposed tier will impose an undue burden on competition because the Exchange will uniformly offer the reduced fee to all qualifying Members. In fact, the Exchange believes the proposed tier enhances competition, as it is intended to increase the competitiveness of and draw additional volume to the Exchange. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed change represents a significant departure from the Exchange's current pricing structure, but instead, is merely another incentive offered by the Exchange to encourage Members to contribute to the growth of the Exchange. Additionally, Members may opt to disfavor the Exchange's pricing if they believe that alternatives offer them better value or if they view the fees as excessive. Further, excessive fees would serve to impair an exchange's ability to compete for order flow and members rather than burdening competition.

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

    The Exchange has not solicited, and does not intend to solicit, comments on this proposed rule change. The Exchange has not received any Start Printed Page 10102unsolicited written comments from Members or other interested parties.

    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 [12] and paragraph (f) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.[13] 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.

    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

    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-BatsBYX-2017-04. 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; 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 Number SR-BatsBYX-2017-04 and should be submitted on or before March 2, 2017.

    Start Signature

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.[14]

    Eduardo A. Aleman,

    Assistant Secretary.

    End Signature End Preamble

    Footnotes

    5.  The term “Member” is defined as “any registered broker or dealer that has been admitted to membership in the Exchange.” See Exchange Rule 1.5(n).

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    6.  The Exchange initially submitted the proposed rule change on February 1, 2017. (SR-BatsBYX-2017-03). On February 2, 2017, the Exchange withdrew SR-BatsBYX-2017-03 and submitted SR-BatsBYX-2017-04.

    Back to Citation

    7.  As defined in the Exchange's fee schedule.

    Back to Citation

    8.  As defined in the Exchange's fee schedule.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2017-02647 Filed 2-8-17; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8011-01-P

Document Information

Published:
02/09/2017
Department:
Securities and Exchange Commission
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
2017-02647
Pages:
10101-10102 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Release No. 34-79966, File No. SR-BatsBYX-2017-04
EOCitation:
of 2017-02-03
PDF File:
2017-02647.Pdf