2019-09867. Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX PEARL, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the MIAX PEARL Fee Schedule

May 8, 2019.

Pursuant to the provisions of 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 April 29, 2019, MIAX PEARL, LLC (“MIAX PEARL” or “Exchange”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) a 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

The Exchange is filing a proposal to amend the MIAX PEARL Fee Schedule (the “Fee Schedule”).

The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's website at http://www.miaxoptions.com/​rule-filings/​pearl at MIAX PEARL's principal office, 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

The Exchange proposes to amend the Add/Remove Tiered Rebates/Fees set forth in Section (1)(a) of the Fee Schedule to remove one of the conditions that must be met in order for Members ^[3] to qualify for an alternative lower Taker fee for Penny classes for their Firm Origin orders when trading contra to Origins other than Priority Customer ^[4] if certain thresholds are satisfied by the Member.

The Exchange currently assesses transaction rebates and fees to all market participants which are based upon the total monthly volume executed by the Member on MIAX PEARL in the relevant, respective origin type (not including Excluded Contracts) ^[5] expressed as a percentage of TCV.^[6] In addition, the per contract transaction rebates and fees are applied retroactively to all eligible volume for that origin type once the respective threshold tier (“Tier”) has been reached by the Member. The Exchange aggregates the volume of Members and their Affiliates.^[7] Members that place resting liquidity, i.e., orders resting on the book of the MIAX PEARL System,^[8] are paid the specified “maker” rebate (each a “Maker”), and Members that execute against resting liquidity are assessed the specified “taker” fee (each a “Taker”). For opening transactions and ABBO ^[9] uncrossing transactions, per contract transaction rebates and fees are waived for all market participants. Finally, Members are assessed lower transaction fees and receive lower rebates for order executions in standard option classes in the Penny Pilot Program ^[10] (“Penny classes”) than for order executions in standard option classes which are not in the Penny Pilot Program (“Non-Penny classes”), where Members are assessed higher transaction fees and receive higher rebates.

The Exchange established an alternative lower Taker fee that Members are able to qualify for in Penny classes for their Firm Origin orders when trading against Origins other than Priority Customer if certain thresholds are satisfied by the Member instead of the tier rate for the same segment that the Member would have otherwise achieved.^[11] This threshold is denoted under the footnote “⋄” on the Fee Schedule. Presently, Members may qualify for an alternative lower Taker fee of $0.48 for Penny classes for their Firm Origin when trading against Origins other than Priority Customer if the Member and their Affiliates: (1) Execute at least 2.00% of TCV in the relevant month in the Priority Customer Origin type, in all options classes, not including Excluded Contracts, as compared to TCV in all MIAX PEARL listed option classes; and (2) reach at least Tier 3 in the relevant month in Non-Priority Customers, Firms, Broker-Dealers and Non-MIAX PEARL Market Makers (collectively, “Professional Members”) Origin types.

The Exchange proposes to remove the second condition that must be met in order for Members to qualify for the alternative lower Taker fee for Penny classes for their Firm Origin orders when trading contra to Origins other than Priority Customer if certain thresholds are satisfied by the Member. Pursuant to this proposal, the only condition for Members to qualify for an alternative lower Taker fee of $0.48 for Penny classes for their Firm Origin when trading against Origins other than Priority Customer would be if the Member and their Affiliates execute at least 2.00% of TCV in the relevant month in the Priority Customer Origin type, in all options classes, not including Excluded Contracts, as compared to TCV in all MIAX PEARL listed option classes. Pursuant to this proposal, Members and their Affiliates would no longer also be required to reach at least Tier 3 in the relevant month in the Professional Members Origin types in order to receive the alternative lower Taker fee.

The alternative lower Taker fee is specific to the Firm Origin and volume aggregation is based on Professional Members for tier purposes. Other Origins within Professional Members still get the tier rate assigned in the Professional Members table as set forth in Section (1)(a) of the Fee Schedule. The alternative lower Taker fee applies to Taker fees for Firm Origin orders in Penny classes in Tier 1 through Tier 4 in the relevant month in the Professional Members Origin types, in which Professional Members, including Firm, in those tiers are currently assessed a Taker fee of $0.50 for Tier 1 and Tier 2 and $0.49 for Tier 3 and Tier 4 when trading against Origins other than Priority Customer. The alternative lower Taker fee has no effect on Taker fees for Firm Origin orders in Penny classes in Tier 5 and Tier 6 in the relevant month in the Professional Members Origin types as the Taker fee in those tiers is already set at $0.48 when trading against Origins other than Priority Customer.

The purpose for removing the second condition is to make it easier for Members to qualify for the lower Taker fee, to incentivize Members to increase Firm Origin order flow on the Exchange. With the proposed change, the transaction rebates and fees in Section (1)(a) of the Fee Schedule for Professional Members would be the following:

Origin	Tier	Volume criteria	Per contract rebates/fees for penny classes				Per contract rebates/fees for non-penny classes
			Maker ^ (contra origins ex priority customer)	Maker ^ (contra priority customer origin)	Taker ⋄ (contra origins ex priority customer)	Taker (contra priority customer origin)	Maker ** ^	Taker **
Non-Priority Customer, Firm, BD, and Non-MIAX PEARL Market Makers	1 2 3 4	0.00%-0.15% Above 0.15%-0.40% Above 0.40%-0.65% Above 0.65%-1.00%	($0.25) (0.40) (0.40) (0.47)	($0.23) (0.38) (0.38) (0.45)	$0.50 0.50 0.49 0.49	$0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50	($0.30) (0.30) (0.60) (0.65)	$1.10 1.10 1.09
	5	Above 1.00%-1.40%	(0.48)	(0.46)	0.48	0.50	(0.70)	1.08
	6	Above 1.40%	(0.48)	(0.46)	0.48	0.50	(0.85)	1.07
** Members may qualify for the Maker Rebate and the Taker Fee associated with the highest Tier for transactions in Non-Penny classes if the Member executes more than 0.30% volume in Non-Penny classes, not including Excluded Contracts, as compared to the TCV in all MIAX PEARL listed option classes. For purposes of qualifying for such rates, the Exchange will aggregate the volume transacted by Members and their Affiliates in the following Origin types in Non-Penny classes: MIAX PEARL Market Makers, and Non-Priority Customer, Firm, BD, and Non-MIAX PEARL Market Makers.
^ Members may qualify for Maker Rebates equal to the greater of: (A) ($0.40) for Penny Classes and ($0.65) for Non-Penny Classes, or (B) the amount set forth in the applicable Tier reached by the Member in the relevant Origin, if the Member and their Affiliates execute at least 2.00% volume in the relevant month, in Priority Customer Origin type, in all options classes, not including Excluded Contracts, as compared to the TCV in all MIAX PEARL listed option classes.
⋄ Members may qualify for Taker Fees of $0.48 for Penny classes for their Firm Origin when trading against Origins not Priority Customer if the Member and their Affiliates execute at least 2.00% of TCV in the relevant month in the Priority Customer Origin type, in all options classes, not including Excluded Contracts, as compared to TCV in all MIAX PEARL listed option classes.

The proposed rule change is to become operative May 1, 2019.

2. Statutory Basis

The Exchange believes that its proposal to amend its Fee Schedule is consistent with Section 6(b) of the Act ^[12] in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(4) of the Act,^[13] in that it is an equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and other charges among Exchange members and issuers and other persons using its facilities, and 6(b)(5) of the Act,^[14] in that it is 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 facilitating transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest.

The Exchange's proposal to remove the second condition that must be met in order for Members to qualify for the alternative lower Taker fee for Penny classes for their Firm Origin orders when trading contra to Origins other than Priority Customer if certain thresholds are satisfied by the Member, is consistent with Section 6(b)(4) of the Act ^[15] because it applies equally to all Members for their Firm Origin with similar affiliated order flow. The Exchange believes that its proposal is fair, equitable, and not unreasonably discriminatory because it will make it easier for Members to qualify for the lower Taker fee, and will encourage Members to submit both Firm and Priority Customer orders, which will increase liquidity and benefit all market participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads. The Exchange believes that the proposal is reasonable because it will incentivize providers of Priority Customer order flow to send that Priority Customer order flow to the Exchange in order to obtain the highest volume threshold and receive a Taker fee in a manner that enables the Exchange to improve its overall competitiveness and strengthen its market quality for all market participants.

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

MIAX PEARL 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 further believes that its proposal to remove the second condition that must be met in order for Members to qualify for the alternative lower Taker fee for Penny classes for their Firm Origin orders when trading contra to Origins other than Priority Customer if certain thresholds are satisfied by the Member, that will apply instead of the Taker fee otherwise applicable to such orders, will not have an impact on intra-market competition. Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposal for any Member to be able to qualify for a Taker fee of $0.48 per contract for their Firm Orders when trading against Origins other than Priority Customer, when Members and their Affiliates execute at least 2.00% of TCV in the relevant month in the Priority Customer Origin type, in all options classes, not including Excluded Contracts, as compared to TCV in all MIAX PEARL listed option classes, will increase volume of Firm and Priority Customer order flow. The Exchange believes that the increased order flow will result in increased liquidity which benefits all Exchange participants by providing more trading opportunities and tighter spreads. Because the proposal makes it easier for a Member to receive a lower Taker fee for their Firm Origin instead of the Taker fee otherwise applicable to such orders in Tier 1 through Tier 4 for Professional Members, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will not impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a particular venue to be excessive. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually adjust its rebates and fees to remain competitive with other exchanges and to attract order flow. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this competitive environment because it modifies the Exchange's fees in a manner that encourages market participants to continue to provide liquidity and to send order flow to the Exchange.

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.

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)(ii) of the Act,^[16] and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) ^[17] 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 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-PEARL-2019-15 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-PEARL-2019-15. 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 (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 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 10:00 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-PEARL-2019-15, and should be submitted on or before June 4, 2019.

For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.^[18]

Eduardo A. Aleman,

Deputy Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).

2.  17 CFR 240.19b-4.

3.  “Member” means an individual or organization that is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of the Exchange Rules for purposes of trading on the Exchange as an “Electronic Exchange Member” or “Market Maker.” Members are deemed “members” under the Exchange Act. See the Definitions Section of the Fee Schedule and Exchange Rule 100.

4.  “Priority Customer” means a person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in securities, and (ii) does not place more than 390 orders in listed options per day on average during a calendar month for its own beneficial account(s). See Exchange Rule 100, including Interpretations and Policies .01.

5.  “Excluded Contracts” means any contracts routed to an away market for execution. See the Definitions Section of the Fee Schedule.

6.  “TCV” means total consolidated volume calculated as the total national volume in those classes listed on MIAX PEARL for the month for which the fees apply, excluding consolidated volume executed during the period time in which the Exchange experiences an “Exchange System Disruption” (solely in the option classes of the affected Matching Engine (as defined below)). The term Exchange System Disruption, which is defined in the Definitions section of the Fee Schedule, means an outage of a Matching Engine or collective Matching Engines for a period of two consecutive hours or more, during trading hours. The term Matching Engine, which is also defined in the Definitions section of the Fee Schedule, is a part of the MIAX PEARL electronic system that processes options orders and trades on a symbol-by-symbol basis. Some Matching Engines will process option classes with multiple root symbols, and other Matching Engines may be dedicated to one single option root symbol (for example, options on SPY may be processed by one single Matching Engine that is dedicated only to SPY). A particular root symbol may only be assigned to a single designated Matching Engine. A particular root symbol may not be assigned to multiple Matching Engines. The Exchange believes that it is reasonable and appropriate to select two consecutive hours as the amount of time necessary to constitute an Exchange System Disruption, as two hours equates to approximately 1.4% of available trading time per month. The Exchange notes that the term “Exchange System Disruption” and its meaning have no applicability outside of the Fee Schedule, as it is used solely for purposes of calculating volume for the threshold tiers in the Fee Schedule. See the Definitions Section of the Fee Schedule.

7.  “Affiliate” means (i) an affiliate of a Member of at least 75% common ownership between the firms as reflected on each firm's Form BD, Schedule A, or (ii) the Appointed Market Maker of an Appointed EEM (or, conversely, the Appointed EEM of an Appointed Market Maker). An “Appointed Market Maker” is a MIAX PEARL Market Maker (who does not otherwise have a corporate affiliation based upon common ownership with an EEM) that has been appointed by an EEM and an “Appointed EEM” is an EEM (who does not otherwise have a corporate affiliation based upon common ownership with a MIAX PEARL Market Maker) that has been appointed by a MIAX PEARL Market Maker, pursuant to the process described in the Fee Schedule. See the Definitions Section of the Fee Schedule.

8.  The term “System” means the automated trading system used by the Exchange for the trading of securities. See Exchange Rule 100.

9.  “ABBO” means the best bid(s) or offer(s) disseminated by other Eligible Exchanges (defined in Exchange Rule 1400(f)) and calculated by the Exchange based on market information received by the Exchange from OPRA. See the Definitions Section of the Fee Schedule. See Exchange Rule 100.

10.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79778 (January 12, 2017), 82 FR 6662 (January 19, 2017) (SR-PEARL-2016-01).

11.  See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 85608 (April 11, 2019), 84 FR 16073 (April 17, 2019) (SR-PEARL-2019-13).

12.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b).

13.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

14.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1) and (b)(5).

15.  15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4).

16.  15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).

17.  17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).

18.  17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).