2016-11155. Self-Regulatory Organizations; Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change Related to Fees

May 6, 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 April 29, 2016, Bats EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “EDGX”) 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 EDGX Rules 15.1(a) and (c).

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 the Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose

The Exchange determines the liquidity adding rebate that it will provide to Members using the Exchange's tiered pricing structure. Currently, the Exchange provides a $0.0027 per share rebate under footnote 2 of the Fee Schedule for a Member that adds an ADV ^[6] of at least 0.02% of the TCV ^[7] in Tape B securities for orders that yield fee codes B and 4.^[8] The Exchange currently has only one Tape B Volume Tier.

The Exchange now proposes to amend the Tape B Volume Tier to add an additional Tape B Volume Tier to provide two Tape B Volume Tiers. The Exchange proposes that the current Tape B Volume Tier be renamed Tape B Volume Tier 1. The Exchange proposes that the rebate and the required criteria for Tape B Volume Tier 1 remain substantively the same as the current Tape B Volume Tier. The Exchange also proposes a second Tape B Volume Tier named “Tape B Volume Tier 2.” The Exchange proposes to provide a rebate per share of $0.0030 pursuant to the Tier and proposes the required criteria to be that a Member adds an ADV of at least 0.15% of the TCV in Tape B securities. To accommodate this proposed change in its Fee Schedule, the Exchange proposes adding an additional row to the Tape B Volume Tier table to list the Tape B Volume Tier 2. The Exchange also proposes adding an additional column to separate Tape B Volume Tier 1 and Tape B Volume Tier 2. Finally, the Exchange proposes stating as a precursor that both Tape B Volume Tiers are applicable to orders yielding fee codes B and 4 and removing the same statement from the current text describing Tape B Volume Tier 1.

Implementation Date

The Exchange proposes to implement this amendment to its Fee Schedule effective May 2, 2016.

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. The Exchange also notes that it operates in a highly-competitive market in which market participants can readily direct order flow to competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. The proposed rule changes reflect a competitive pricing structure designed to incent market participants to direct their order flow to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that the proposed amendments to the Tape B Volume Tier are equitable and non-discriminatory in they would apply uniformly to all Members. The Exchange believes the rate remains competitive with those charged by other venues and, therefore, reasonable and equitably allocated to Members.

Volume-based rebates such as that proposed herein have been widely adopted by exchanges, including the Exchange, 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: (i) The value to an exchange's market quality; (ii) associated higher levels of market activity, such as higher levels of liquidity provision and/or growth patterns; and (iii) introduction of higher volumes of orders into the price and volume discovery processes. The Exchange believes that the proposal is a reasonable, fair and equitable, and not unfairly discriminatory allocation of fees and rebates because it will provide Members with an additional incentive to reach certain thresholds on the Exchange.

In particular, the Exchange believes the addition of the proposed second, higher Tape B Volume Tier 2 is a reasonable means to encourage Members to increase the liquidity they provide on the Exchange. Further, Members will still be able to earn the currently offered rebate under Tape B Volume Tier 1. The addition of a second, higher tier merely incentivizes a Member to provide even greater liquidity. The Exchange further believes that the amendment to the Tape B Volume Tier represents an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other charges because the thresholds necessary to achieve the tier continue to encourage Members to add displayed liquidity to the EDGX Book ^[11] each month. The increased liquidity benefits all investors by deepening EDGX's liquidity pool, offering additional flexibility for all investors to enjoy cost savings, supporting the quality of price discovery, promoting market transparency and improving investor protection.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

The Exchange does not believe its proposed amendment to its Fee Schedule would impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed change represents a significant departure from previous pricing offered by the Exchange or pricing offered by the Exchange's competitors. Additionally, Members may opt to disfavor the Exchange's pricing if they believe that alternatives offer them better value. The Exchange does not believe that the proposed additional tier would burden competition, but instead, enhances competition, as it is intended to increase the competitiveness of and draw additional volume to the Exchange. The Exchange does not believe the amended tier would burden intramarket competition as it would apply to all Members uniformly. Accordingly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed change will impair the ability of Members or competing venues to maintain their competitive standing in the financial markets.

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 unsolicited 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

• 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-BatsEDGX-2016-13 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-BatsEDGX-2016-13. 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-BatsEDGX-2016-13, and should be submitted on or before June 2, 2016.

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

Robert W. Errett,

Deputy 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)(ii).

4.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

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).

6.  As defined on the Exchange's Fee Schedule.

7.  Id.

8.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 76816 (January 4, 2016, 81 FR 987 (January 8, 2016) (SR-EDGX-2015-67).

9.  15 U.S.C. 78f.

10.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

11.  The EDGX Book is the System's electronic file of orders. See Exchange Rule 1.5(d).

12.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).

13.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f).

14.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).