[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 218 (Friday, November 12, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69494-69501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28514]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-63267; File No. SR-NYSEArca-2010-95]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
of Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the ETFS Asian Gold 
Trust

November 8, 2010.
    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 October 25, 2010, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'' 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 self-regulatory 
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to

[[Page 69495]]

solicit comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to list and trade shares of the ETFS Asian 
Gold Trust (the ``Trust'') pursuant to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201. 
The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange, the 
Commission's Public Reference Room, and http://www.nyse.com.

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 self-regulatory organization 
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 those 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 list and trade ETFS Physical Asian Gold 
Shares (``Shares'') of the Trust under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201. 
Under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201, the Exchange may propose to list 
and/or trade pursuant to unlisted trading privileges (``UTP'') 
``Commodity-Based Trust Shares.'' \3\ The Commission has previously 
approved listing on the Exchange under NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201 
shares of the ETFS Gold Trust,\4\ ETFS Platinum Trust \5\ and ETFS 
Palladium Trust (collectively, the ``ETFS Trusts'').\6\ In addition, 
the Commission has approved listing on the Exchange of streetTRACKS 
Gold Trust and iShares COMEX Gold Trust.\7\ Prior to their listing on 
the Exchange, the Commission approved listing of the streetTRACKS Gold 
Trust on the New York Stock Exchange (``NYSE'') and listing of iShares 
COMEX Gold Trust on the American Stock Exchange LLC.\8\ In addition, 
the Commission has approved trading of the streetTRACKS Gold Trust and 
iShares Silver Trust and on the Exchange pursuant to UTP.\9\ The 
Commission also has approved listing of the iShares Silver Trust on the 
Exchange \10\ and, previously, listing of the iShares Silver Trust on 
the American Stock Exchange LLC (now known as ``NYSE Amex LLC'').\11\
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    \3\ Commodity-Based Trust Shares are securities issued by a 
trust that represent investors' discrete identifiable and undivided 
beneficial ownership interest in the commodities deposited into the 
Trust.
    \4\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 59895 (May 8, 2009), 74 
FR 22993 (May 15, 2009) (SR-NYSEArca-2009-40).
    \5\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61219 (December 22, 
2009), 74 FR 68886 (December 29, 2009) (SR-NYSEArca-2009-95).
    \6\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 61220 (December 22, 
2009), 74 FR 68895 (December 29, 2009) (SR-NYSEArca-2009-94).
    \7\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56224 (August 8, 
2007), 72 FR 45850 (August 15, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-76) 
(approving listing on the Exchange of the streetTRACKS Gold Trust); 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 56041 (July 11, 2007), 72 FR 
39114 (July 17, 2007) (SR-NYSEArca-2007-43) (order approving listing 
on the Exchange of iShares COMEX Gold Trust).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 50603 (October 28, 
2004), 69 FR 64614 (November 5, 2004) (SR-NYSE-2004-22) (order 
approving listing of streetTRACKS Gold Trust on NYSE); 51058 
(January 19, 2005), 70 FR 3749 (January 26, 2005) (SR-Amex-2004-38) 
(order approving listing of iShares COMEX Gold Trust on the American 
Stock Exchange LLC).
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 53520 (March 20, 
2006), 71 FR 14977 (March 24, 2006) (SR-PCX-2005-117) (approving 
trading on the Exchange pursuant to UTP of the iShares Silver 
Trust); 51245 (February 23, 2005), 70 FR 10731 (March 4, 2005) (SR-
PCX-2004-117) (approving trading on the Exchange of the streetTRACKS 
Gold Trust pursuant to UTP).
    \10\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 58956 (November 14, 
2008), 73 FR 71074 (November 24, 2008) (SR-NYSEArca-2008-124) 
(approving listing on the Exchange of the iShares Silver Trust).
    \11\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 53521 (March 20, 
2006), 71 FR 14967 (March 24, 2006) (SR-Amex-2005-72) (approving 
listing on the American Stock Exchange LLC of the iShares Silver 
Trust).
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    The Trust will issue Shares which represent units of fractional 
undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust. The 
investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the 
performance of the price of gold bullion, less the expenses of the 
Trust's operations.\12\ ETFS Securities USA LLC is the sponsor of the 
Trust (``Sponsor''), The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee of the 
Trust (``Trustee''),\13\ and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the custodian 
of the Trust (``Custodian'').\14\
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    \12\ See the Registration Statement for the Trust on Form S-1, 
filed with the Commission on July 22, 2010 (No. 333-168277) 
(``Registration Statement''). The descriptions of the Trust, the 
Shares and the gold market contained herein are based on the 
Registration Statement.
    \13\ The Trustee is generally responsible for the day-to-day 
administration of the Trust. This includes (1) transferring the 
Trust's gold as needed to pay the Sponsor's fee in gold (gold 
transfers are expected to occur approximately monthly in the 
ordinary course); (2) calculating the net asset value (``NAV'') of 
the Trust and the NAV per Share; (3) receiving and processing orders 
from Authorized Participants to create and redeem Baskets and 
coordinating the processing of such orders with the Custodian and 
The Depository Trust Company (``DTC''); and (4) selling the Trust's 
gold as needed to pay any extraordinary Trust expenses that are not 
assumed by the Sponsor.
    \14\ The Custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the 
Trust's gold deposited with it by Authorized Participants in 
connection with the creation of Baskets. The Custodian also 
facilitates the transfer of gold in and out of the Trust through 
gold accounts it will maintain for Authorized Participants and the 
Trust. The Custodian is a market maker, clearer and approved weigher 
under the rules of the London Bullion Market Association (``LBMA''). 
The Custodian will hold the Trust's allocated gold at the 
Custodian's Singapore vaulting premises on a segregated basis.
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    The Exchange represents that the Shares satisfy the requirements of 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201 and thereby qualify for listing on the 
Exchange.\15\
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    \15\ With respect to application of Rule 10A-3 (17 CFR 240.10A-
3) under the Securities Exchange of 1934 (``Act'') (15 U.S.C. 78a), 
the Trust relies on the exemption contained in Rule 10A-3(c)(7).
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Operation of the Gold Bullion Market
    According to the Registration Statement, the global trade in gold 
consists of Over-the-Counter (``OTC'') transactions in spot, forwards, 
and options and other derivatives, together with exchange-traded 
futures and options. The OTC market trades on a 24-hour per day 
continuous basis and accounts for most global gold trading.
    Market makers, as well as others in the OTC market, trade with each 
other and with their clients on a principal-to-principal basis. All 
risks and issues of credit are between the parties directly involved in 
the transaction. Market makers include the market-making members of the 
LBMA, the trade association that acts as the coordinator for activities 
conducted on behalf of its members and other participants in the London 
bullion market. The nine market-making members of the LBMA are: 
Barclays Bank plc, Deutsche Bank AG, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (through its 
London branch), Goldman Sachs International, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 
ScotiaMocatta (a division of the Bank of Nova Scotia), 
Soci[eacute]t[eacute] G[eacute]n[eacute]rale, Mitsui & Co Precious 
Metals Inc, and UBS AG. The OTC market provides a relatively flexible 
market in terms of quotes, price, size, destinations for delivery and 
other factors. Bullion dealers customize transactions to meet clients' 
requirements. The OTC market has no formal structure and no open-outcry 
meeting place.
    The main centers of the OTC market are London and New York. Mining 
companies, central banks, manufacturers of jewelry and industrial 
products, together with investors and speculators, tend to transact 
their

[[Page 69496]]

business through one of these market centers. Centers such as Dubai and 
several cities in the Far East also transact substantial OTC market 
business, typically involving jewelry and small bars (1 kilogram or 
less) and will hedge their exposure by selling into one of these main 
OTC centers. Bullion dealers have offices around the world and most of 
the world's major bullion dealers are either members or associate 
members of the LBMA. Of the nine market-making members of the LBMA, six 
offer clearing services. There are a further 59 full members, plus a 
number of associate members around the world.
    In the OTC market, the standard size of gold trades between market 
makers ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 ounces. Bid-offer spreads are 
typically 50 U.S. cents per ounce. Certain dealers are willing to offer 
clients competitive prices for much larger volumes, including trades 
over 100,000 ounces, although this will vary according to the dealer, 
the client and market conditions, as transaction costs in the OTC 
market are negotiable between the parties and therefore vary widely. 
Cost indicators can be obtained from various information service 
providers as well as dealers.
    According to the Registration Statement, liquidity in the OTC 
market can vary from time to time during the course of the 24-hour 
trading day. Fluctuations in liquidity are reflected in adjustments to 
dealing spreads--the differential between a dealer's ``buy'' and 
``sell'' prices. The period of greatest liquidity in the gold market 
generally occurs at the time of day when trading in the European time 
zones overlaps with trading in the United States, which is when OTC 
market trading in London, New York and other centers coincides with 
futures and options trading on the COMEX. This period lasts for 
approximately four hours each New York business day morning.
The London Bullion Market
    According to the Registration Statement, although the market for 
physical gold is distributed globally, most OTC market trades are 
cleared through London. In addition to coordinating market activities, 
the LBMA acts as the principal point of contact between the market and 
its regulators. A primary function of the LBMA is its involvement in 
the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the ``London Good 
Delivery Lists,'' which are the lists of LBMA accredited melters and 
assayers of gold. The LBMA also coordinates market clearing and 
vaulting, promotes good trading practices and develops standard 
documentation.\16\
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    \16\ Terms relating to the Trust and the Shares referred to, but 
not defined, herein are defined in the Registration Statement.
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    The terms ``loco London'' gold and ``loco Singapore'' gold refer to 
gold physically held in London and Singapore, respectively, that meets 
the specifications for weight, dimensions, fineness (or purity), 
identifying marks (including the assay stamp of a LBMA acceptable 
refiner) and appearance set forth in ``The Good Delivery Rules for Gold 
and Silver Bars'' published by the LBMA. Gold bars meeting these 
requirements are described in the Trust's prospectus from time to time 
as ``London Good Delivery Bars.'' The unit of trade in London is the 
troy ounce, whose conversion between grams is: 1,000 grams = 32.1507465 
troy ounces and 1 troy ounce = 31.1034768 grams. A London Good Delivery 
Bar is acceptable for delivery in settlement of a transaction on the 
OTC market. Typically referred to as 400-ounce bars, a London Good 
Delivery Bar must contain between 350 and 430 fine troy ounces of gold, 
with a minimum fineness (or purity) of 995 parts per 1,000 (99.5%), be 
of good appearance and be easy to handle and stack. The fine gold 
content of a gold bar is calculated by multiplying the gross weight of 
the bar (expressed in units of 0.025 troy ounces) by the fineness of 
the bar. A London Good Delivery Bar must also bear the stamp of one of 
the melters and assayers who are on the LBMA approved list. Unless 
otherwise specified, the gold spot price always refers to that of a 
London Good Delivery Bar. Business is generally conducted over the 
phone and through electronic dealing systems.
    Twice daily during London trading hours there is a fix which 
provides reference gold prices for that day's trading. Many long-term 
contracts will be priced on the basis of either the morning (AM) or 
afternoon (PM) London fix, and market participants will usually refer 
to one or the other of these prices when looking for a basis for 
valuations. The London fix is the most widely used benchmark for daily 
gold prices and is quoted by various financial information sources.
    Formal participation in the London fix is traditionally limited to 
five members, each of which is a bullion dealer and a member of the 
LBMA. The chairmanship now rotates annually among the five member 
firms. The morning session of the fix starts at 10:30 a.m. London time 
and the afternoon session starts at 3 p.m. London time. The members of 
the gold fixing are currently The Bank of Nova Scotia--ScotiaMocatta, 
Deutsche Bank AG, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Soci[eacute]t[eacute] 
G[eacute]n[eacute]rale and Barclays Bank plc. Any other market 
participant wishing to participate in the trading on the fix is 
required to do so through one of the five gold fixing members.
    Orders are placed either with one of the five fixing members or 
with another bullion dealer who will then be in contact with a fixing 
member during the fixing. The fixing members net-off all orders when 
communicating their net interest at the fixing. The fix begins with the 
fixing chairman suggesting a ``trying price,'' reflecting the market 
price prevailing at the opening of the fix. This is relayed by the 
fixing members to their dealing rooms which have direct communication 
with all interested parties. Any market participant may enter the 
fixing process at any time, or adjust or withdraw his order. The gold 
price is adjusted up or down until all the buy and sell orders are 
matched, at which time the price is declared fixed. All fixing orders 
are transacted on the basis of this fixed price, which is instantly 
relayed to the market through various media. The London fix is widely 
viewed as a full and fair representation of all market interest at the 
time of the fix.
The Singapore Bullion Market
    After London and Zurich, Singapore is one of the key regional 
cities for physical gold trading and one of the largest gold trading 
centers in Asia. In 2010, the Singapore Mercantile Exchange launched 
the first locally settled gold futures contract, and Singapore opened 
its first free-trade zone for the custody and storage of precious 
metals.
Futures Exchanges
    According to the Registration Statement, the most significant gold 
futures exchanges are the COMEX and the Tokyo Commodity Exchange 
(``TOCOM''). The COMEX is the largest exchange in the world for trading 
precious metals futures and options and has been trading gold since 
1974. The TOCOM has been trading gold since 1982. Trading on these 
exchanges is based on fixed delivery dates and transaction sizes for 
the futures and options contracts traded. Trading costs are negotiable. 
As a matter of practice, only a small percentage of the futures market 
turnover ever comes to physical delivery of the gold represented by the 
contracts traded. Both exchanges permit trading on margin. Margin 
trading can add to the speculative risk involved

[[Page 69497]]

given the potential for margin calls if the price moves against the 
contract holder. The COMEX operates through a central clearance system. 
On June 6, 2003, TOCOM adopted a similar clearance system. In each 
case, the exchange acts as a counterparty for each member for clearing 
purposes.
Other Exchanges
    There are other gold exchange markets, such as the Istanbul Gold 
Exchange (trading gold since 1995), the Shanghai Gold Exchange (trading 
gold since October 2002), the Hong Kong Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange 
Society (trading gold since 1918) and the Singapore Mercantile Exchange 
(trading gold since 2010).
Market Regulation
    The global gold markets are overseen and regulated by both 
governmental and self-regulatory organizations. In addition, certain 
trade associations have established rules and protocols for market 
practices and participants. In the United Kingdom, responsibility for 
the regulation of the financial market participants, including the 
major participating members of the LBMA, falls under the authority of 
the Financial Services Authority (``FSA'') as provided by the Financial 
Services and Markets Act 2000 (``FSM Act''). Under this act, all UK-
based banks, together with other investment firms, are subject to a 
range of requirements, including fitness and properness, capital 
adequacy, liquidity, and systems and controls.
    The FSA is responsible for regulating investment products, 
including derivatives, and those who deal in investment products. 
Regulation of spot, commercial forwards, and deposits of gold and 
silver not covered by the FSM Act is provided for by The London Code of 
Conduct for Non-Investment Products, which was established by market 
participants in conjunction with the Bank of England.
    The TOCOM has authority to perform financial and operational 
surveillance on its members' trading activities, scrutinize positions 
held by members and large-scale customers, and monitor the price 
movements of futures markets by comparing them with cash and other 
derivative markets' prices. To act as a Futures Commission Merchant 
Broker, a broker must obtain a license from Japan's Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry, the regulatory authority that oversees the 
operations of the TOCOM.
    The Trust will not trade in gold futures contracts on the COMEX or 
on any other futures exchange. The Trust will take delivery of physical 
gold that complies with the LBMA gold delivery rules. Because the Trust 
will not trade in gold futures contracts on any futures exchange, the 
Trust will not be regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission 
(``CFTC'') under the Commodity Exchange Act (``CEA'') \17\ as a 
``commodity pool,'' and will not be operated by a CFTC-regulated 
commodity pool operator. Investors in the Trust will not receive the 
regulatory protections afforded to investors in regulated commodity 
pools, nor may the COMEX or any futures exchange enforce its rules with 
respect to the Trust's activities. In addition, investors in the Trust 
will not benefit from the protections afforded to investors in gold 
futures contracts on regulated futures exchanges.
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    \17\ 7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.
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    The activities of the Trust will be limited to (1) issuing baskets 
in exchange for the gold deposited (``Basket'') with the Custodian as 
consideration, (2) delivering gold as necessary to cover the Sponsor's 
Fee and selling gold as necessary to pay Trust expenses not assumed by 
the Sponsor and other liabilities and (3) delivering gold in exchange 
for Baskets surrendered for redemption. The Trust will not be actively 
managed. It will not engage in any activities designed to obtain a 
profit from, or to ameliorate losses caused by, changes in the price of 
gold.
    Custody of the gold bullion deposited with and held by the Trust 
will be provided by the Custodian at its Singapore vaults, and by other 
subcustodians on a temporary basis. The Custodian is a market maker, 
clearer and approved weigher under the rules of the LBMA.
    According to the Registration Statement, the investment objective 
of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price 
of gold bullion, less the Trust's expenses. The Shares are intended to 
constitute a simple and cost-effective means of making an investment 
similar to an investment in gold. An investment in physical gold 
requires expensive and sometimes complicated arrangements in connection 
with the assay, transportation, warehousing and insurance of the metal. 
Although the Shares will not be the exact equivalent of an investment 
in gold, they provide investors with an alternative that allows a level 
of participation in the gold market through the securities market.
    According to the Registration Statement, the Trust is not 
registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 
1940 \18\ and is not required to register under such act.
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    \18\ 15 U.S.C. 80a.
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Secondary Market Trading
    While the Trust's investment objective is for the Shares to reflect 
the performance of gold bullion, less the expenses of the Trust, the 
Shares may trade in the secondary market on NYSE Arca at prices that 
are lower or higher relative to their net asset value (``NAV'') per 
Share. The amount of the discount or premium in the trading price 
relative to the NAV per Share may be influenced by non-concurrent 
trading hours between the NYSE Arca and the COMEX, London, Zurich and 
Singapore. While the Shares will trade on NYSE Arca until 8 p.m., 
Eastern Time (``E.T.''), liquidity in the global gold market will be 
reduced after the close of the COMEX at 1:30 p.m., E.T. As a result, 
during this time, trading spreads, and the resulting premium or 
discount, on the Shares may widen.
Trust Expenses
    The Trust's only ordinary recurring charge is expected to be the 
remuneration due to the Sponsor (``Sponsor's Fee''). In exchange for 
the Sponsor's Fee, the Sponsor has agreed to assume the ordinary 
administrative and marketing expenses that the Trust is expected to 
incur. The Sponsor will also pay the costs of the Trust's organization 
and the initial sale of the Shares, including the applicable SEC 
registration fees.
    The Sponsor's Fee will accrue daily and will be payable monthly in 
arrears. The Sponsor, from time to time, may temporarily waive all or a 
portion of the Sponsor's Fee at its discretion for a stated period of 
time.
    The Sponsor's Fee shall be paid by delivery of gold to an account 
maintained by the Custodian for the Sponsor on an unallocated basis, 
monthly on the first business day of the month in respect of fees 
payable for the prior month. The delivery shall be of that number of 
ounces of gold which equals the daily accrual of the Sponsor's Fee for 
such prior month calculated at the London PM Fix.
    The Trustee will, when directed by the Sponsor, and, in the absence 
of such direction, may, in its discretion, sell gold in such quantity 
and at such times as may be necessary to permit payment in cash of 
Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. The Trustee is authorized to 
sell gold at such times and in the smallest amounts required to permit 
such payments as they become due, it being the intention to avoid or 
minimize the Trust's holdings of assets other than gold.

[[Page 69498]]

Creation and Redemption of Shares
    The Trust will create and redeem Shares daily, but only in one or 
more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 50,000 Shares). The creation 
and redemption of Baskets will only be made in exchange for the 
delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of 
gold and any cash represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, 
the amount of which will be based on the combined NAV of the number of 
Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on 
the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received.
    Authorized Participants are the only persons that may place orders 
to create and redeem Baskets. Authorized Participants must be (1) 
registered broker-dealers or other securities market participants, such 
as banks and other financial institutions, which are not required to 
register as broker-dealers to engage in securities transactions, and 
(2) participants in DTC. To become an Authorized Participant, a person 
must enter into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Sponsor 
and the Trustee. The Authorized Participant Agreement provides the 
procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the 
delivery of the gold and any cash required for such creations and 
redemptions.
    All gold will be delivered to the Trust and distributed by the 
Trust in unallocated form through credits and debits between authorized 
participant unallocated accounts (``Authorized Participant Unallocated 
Accounts'') and the trust unallocated account (``Trust Unallocated 
Account'') (as further described in the Registration Statement). Gold 
transferred from an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account to the 
Trust in unallocated form will first be credited to the Trust 
Unallocated Account. Thereafter, the Custodian will allocate specific 
bars of gold representing the amount of gold credited to the Trust 
Unallocated Account (to the extent such amount is representable by 
whole gold bars) to the Trust Allocated Account. The movement of gold 
is reversed for the distribution of gold to an Authorized Participant 
in connection with the redemption of Baskets.
    All gold bullion represented by a credit to any Authorized 
Participant Unallocated Account and to the Trust Unallocated Account 
and all gold bullion held in the Trust Allocated Account with the 
Custodian must be of at least a minimum fineness (or purity) of 995 
parts per 1,000 (99.5%) and otherwise conform to the rules, 
regulations, practices and customs of the LBMA, including the 
specifications for a London Good Delivery Bar.
    Authorized Participants can elect to deliver gold loco London or 
loco Singapore in connection with the creation of a Basket. Authorized 
Participants can elect to receive delivery gold loco London or loco 
Singapore in connection with the redemption of a Basket.
Creation Procedures
    On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order 
with the Trustee to create one or more Baskets. Creation and redemption 
orders will be accepted on ``business days'' the NYSE Arca is open for 
regular trading. Settlements of such orders requiring receipt or 
delivery, or confirmation of receipt or delivery, of gold in the United 
Kingdom, Singapore or another jurisdiction will occur on ``business 
days'' when (1) banks in the United Kingdom, Singapore or such other 
jurisdiction and (2) the London or Singapore gold markets are regularly 
open for business. If such banks or the London or Singapore gold 
markets are not open for regular business for a full day, such a day 
will only be a ``business day'' for settlement purposes if the 
settlement procedures can be completed by the end of such day. 
Redemption settlements involving gold deliveries loco London may be 
delayed longer than three business days following the redemption order 
date. Settlement of orders requiring receipt or delivery, or 
confirmation of receipt or delivery, of Shares will occur, after 
confirmation of the applicable gold delivery, on ``business days'' when 
the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. Purchase orders must be 
placed no later than 3:59:59 p.m. (E.T.) on each business day the NYSE 
Arca is open for regular trading. The day on which the Trustee receives 
a valid purchase order is the purchase order date.
    By placing a purchase order, an Authorized Participant agrees to 
deposit gold with the Trust, as described below. Prior to the delivery 
of Baskets for a purchase order, the Authorized Participant must also 
have wired to the Trustee the non-refundable transaction fee due for 
the purchase order.
    The amount of the required gold deposit is determined by dividing 
the number of ounces of gold held by the Trust by the number of Baskets 
outstanding, as adjusted for the amount of gold constituting estimated 
accrued but unpaid fees and expenses of the Trust. Fractions of a fine 
ounce of gold smaller than 0.001 of a fine ounce which are included in 
the gold deposit amount are disregarded in the foregoing calculation. 
All questions as to the composition of a Creation Basket Deposit will 
be finally determined by the Trustee. The Trustee's determination of 
the Creation Basket Deposit shall be final and binding on all persons 
interested in the Trust.
    An Authorized Participant who places a purchase order is 
responsible for crediting its Authorized Participant Unallocated 
Account with the required gold deposit amount by the third business day 
in London or Singapore following the purchase order date. Upon receipt 
of the gold deposit amount, the Custodian, after receiving appropriate 
instructions from the Authorized Participant and the Trustee, will 
transfer on the third business day following the purchase order date 
the gold deposit amount from the Authorized Participant Unallocated 
Account to the Trust Unallocated Account and the Trustee will direct 
DTC to credit the number of Baskets ordered to the Authorized 
Participant's DTC account. If gold is to be delivered other than as 
described above, the Sponsor is authorized to establish such procedures 
and to appoint such custodians and establish such custody accounts in 
addition to those described in the Registration Statement, as the 
Sponsor determines to be desirable.
Redemption Procedures
    The procedures by which an Authorized Participant can redeem one or 
more Baskets will mirror the procedures for the creation of Baskets. On 
any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the 
Trustee to redeem one or more Baskets. Redemption orders must be placed 
no later than 3:59:59 p.m. (E.T.) on each business day NYSE Arca is 
open for regular trading. A redemption order so received is effective 
on the date it is received in satisfactory form by the Trustee. The 
redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem Baskets 
and do not entitle an individual Shareholder to redeem any Shares in an 
amount less than a Basket, or to redeem Baskets other than through an 
Authorized Participant.
    By placing a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to 
deliver the Baskets to be redeemed through DTC's book-entry system to 
the Trust not later than the third business day following the effective 
date of the redemption order. Prior to the delivery of the redemption 
distribution for a redemption order, the Authorized Participant must 
also have wired to the Trustee the non-refundable transaction

[[Page 69499]]

fee due for the redemption order. The redemption distribution from the 
Trust will consist of a credit to the redeeming Authorized 
Participant's Authorized Participant Unallocated Account representing 
the amount of the gold held by the Trust evidenced by the Shares being 
redeemed.
    Authorized Participants can elect to deliver gold loco London or 
loco Singapore in connection with the creation of a Basket. Authorized 
Participants can also elect to receive delivery of gold loco London or 
loco Singapore in connection with the redemption of a Basket. A Basket 
creation order that elects a loco London delivery of gold will cause 
the Custodian to effect a transfer of gold to Singapore from the Trust 
Unallocated Account maintained by the Custodian in London to the Trust 
Unallocated Account maintained by the Custodian in Singapore. Likewise, 
a Basket redemption order that elects a loco London delivery of gold 
will cause the Custodian to effect a transfer of gold from the Trust 
Unallocated Account maintained by the Custodian in Singapore to the 
Authorized Participant Unallocated Account maintained in London.
Termination Events
    The Trustee will terminate and liquidate the Trust if the aggregate 
market capitalization of the Trust, based on the closing price for the 
Shares, was less than $350 million (as adjusted for inflation) at any 
time after the first anniversary after the Trust's formation and the 
Trustee receives, within six months after the last of those trading 
days, notice from the Sponsor of its decision to terminate the Trust. 
The Trustee will terminate the Trust if the CFTC determines that the 
Trust is a commodities pool under the CEA. The Trustee may also 
terminate the Trust upon the agreement of the owners of beneficial 
interests in the Shares owning at least 75% of the outstanding Shares.
    Additional information regarding the Shares and the operation of 
the Trust, including termination events, risks, and creation and 
redemption procedures, are described in the Registration Statement.
Valuation of Gold, Definition of Net Asset Value and Adjusted Net Asset 
Value (``ANAV'')
    On each day that NYSE Arca is open for regular trading, as promptly 
as practicable after 4 p.m. (E.T.), on such day (``Evaluation Time''), 
the Trustee will evaluate the gold held by the Trust and determine both 
the ANAV and the NAV of the Trust.
    At the Evaluation Time, the Trustee will value the Trust's gold on 
the basis of that day's London PM Fix or, if no London PM Fix is made 
on such day or has not been announced by the Evaluation Time, the next 
most recent London gold price fix (AM or PM) determined prior to the 
Evaluation Time will be used, unless the Sponsor determines that such 
price is inappropriate as a basis for evaluation. In the event the 
Sponsor determines that the London PM Fix or such other publicly 
available price as the Sponsor may deem fairly represents the 
commercial value of the Trust's gold is not an appropriate basis for 
evaluation of the Trust's gold, it shall identify an alternative basis 
for such evaluation to be employed by the Trustee. Neither the Trustee 
nor the Sponsor shall be liable to any person for the determination 
that the London PM Fix or such other publicly available price is not 
appropriate as a basis for evaluation of the Trust's gold or for any 
determination as to the alternative basis for such evaluation provided 
that such determination is made in good faith.
    Once the value of the gold has been determined, the Trustee will 
subtract all estimated accrued but unpaid fees (other than the fees 
accruing for such day on which the valuation takes place computed by 
reference to the value of the Trust or its assets), expenses and other 
liabilities of the Trust from the total value of the gold and all other 
assets of the Trust (other than any amounts credited to the Trust's 
reserve account, if established). The resulting figure is the ANAV of 
the Trust. The ANAV of the Trust is used to compute the Sponsor's Fee.
    All fees accruing for the day on which the valuation takes place 
computed by reference to the value of the Trust or its assets shall be 
calculated using the ANAV calculated for such day on which the 
valuation takes place. The Trustee shall subtract from the ANAV the 
amount of accrued fees so computed for such day and the resulting 
figure is the NAV of the Trust. The Trustee will also determine the NAV 
per Share by dividing the NAV of the Trust by the number of the Shares 
outstanding as of the close of trading on the NYSE Arca (which includes 
the net number of any Shares created or redeemed on such evaluation 
day).
    The Shares will be book-entry only and individual certificates will 
not be issued for the Shares.
Liquidity
    According to the Registration Statement, the Shares may trade at, 
above or below the NAV per Share. The NAV per Share will fluctuate with 
changes in the market value of the Trust's assets. The trading price of 
the Shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the NAV per 
Share as well as market supply and demand. The amount of the discount 
or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per Share may be 
influenced by non-concurrent trading hours between the NYSE Arca and 
the major gold markets. While the Shares will trade on the NYSE Arca 
until 8 p.m. (E.T.), liquidity in the market for gold will be reduced 
after the close of the major world gold markets, including London and 
the COMEX. As a result, during this time, trading spreads, and the 
resulting premium or discount, on the Shares may widen.
Availability of Information Regarding Gold Prices
    Currently, the Consolidated Tape Plan does not provide for 
dissemination of the spot price of a commodity, such as gold, over the 
Consolidated Tape. However, there will be disseminated over the 
Consolidated Tape the last sale price for the Shares, as is the case 
for all equity securities traded on the Exchange (including exchange-
traded funds). In addition, there is a considerable amount of gold 
price and gold market information available on public Web sites and 
through professional and subscription services.
    Investors may obtain on a 24-hour basis gold pricing information 
based on the spot price for an ounce of gold from various financial 
information service providers, such as Reuters and Bloomberg. Reuters 
and Bloomberg provide at no charge on their Web sites delayed 
information regarding the spot price of gold and last sale prices of 
gold futures, as well as information about news and developments in the 
gold market. Reuters and Bloomberg also offer a professional service to 
subscribers for a fee that provides information on gold prices directly 
from market participants. An organization named EBS provides an 
electronic trading platform to institutions such as bullion banks and 
dealers for the trading of spot gold, as well as a feed of live 
streaming prices to Reuters and Moneyline Telerate subscribers. 
Complete real-time data for gold futures and options prices traded on 
the COMEX are available by subscription from Reuters and Bloomberg. The 
NYMEX also provides delayed futures and options information on current 
and past trading sessions and market news free of charge on its Web 
site. There are a variety of other public Web sites providing 
information on gold, ranging

[[Page 69500]]

from those specializing in precious metals to sites maintained by major 
newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal. In addition, the London AM 
Fix and London PM Fix are publicly available at no charge at or http://www.thebulliondesk.com.
    The Trust Web site will provide an intraday indicative value 
(``IIV'') per share for the Shares updated every 15 seconds, as 
calculated by the Exchange or a third party financial data provider 
during the Exchange's Core Trading Session (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., 
(E.T.). The IIV will be calculated based on the amount of gold required 
for creations and redemptions and a price of gold derived from updated 
bids and offers indicative of the spot price of gold.\19\ The Trust Web 
site will also provide the Creation Basket Deposit and the NAV of the 
Trust as calculated each business day by the Sponsor. In addition, the 
Web site for the Trust will contain the following information, on a per 
Share basis, for the Trust: (a) The mid-point of the bid-ask price \20\ 
at the close of trading in relation to the NAV as of the time the NAV 
is calculated (``Bid/Ask Price''), and a calculation of the premium or 
discount of such price against such NAV; and (b) data in chart format 
displaying the frequency distribution of discounts and premiums of the 
Bid/Ask Price against the NAV, within appropriate ranges, for each of 
the four previous calendar quarters. The Web site for the Trust will 
also provide the Trust's prospectus, as well as the two most recent 
reports to stockholders. Finally, the Trust Web site will provide the 
last sale price of the Shares as traded in the US market. The Exchange 
will provide on its Web site (http://www.nyx.com) a link to the Trust's 
Web site. In addition, the Exchange will make available over the 
Consolidated Tape quotation information, trading volume, closing prices 
and NAV for the Shares from the previous day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \19\ The IIV on a per Share basis disseminated during the Core 
Trading Session should not be viewed as a real-time update of the 
NAV, which is calculated once a day.
    \20\ The bid-ask price of the Trust is determined using the 
highest bid and lowest offer on the Consolidated Tape as of the time 
of calculation of the closing day NAV.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Criteria for Initial and Continued Listing
    The Trust will be subject to the criteria in NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 8.201(e) for initial and continued listing of the Shares.
    It is anticipated that a minimum of 100,000 Shares will be required 
to be outstanding at the start of trading. The minimum number of shares 
required to be outstanding is comparable to requirements that have been 
applied to previously listed shares of the ETFS Trusts, streetTRACKS 
Gold Trust, the iShares COMEX Gold Trust, the iShares Silver Trust and 
exchange-traded funds. The Exchange believes that the anticipated 
minimum number of Shares outstanding at the start of trading is 
sufficient to provide adequate market liquidity.
Trading Rules
    The Exchange deems the Shares to be equity securities, thus 
rendering trading in the Fund subject to the Exchange's existing rules 
governing the trading of equity securities. Trading in the Shares on 
the Exchange will occur in accordance with NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
7.34(a). The Exchange has appropriate rules to facilitate transactions 
in the Shares during all trading sessions. As provided in NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.6, Commentary .03, the minimum price variation 
(``MPV'') for quoting and entry of orders in equity securities traded 
on the NYSE Arca Marketplace is $0.01, with the exception of securities 
that are priced less than $1.00 for which the MPV for order entry is 
$0.0001.
    Further, NYSE Arca Equities Rule 8.201 sets forth certain 
restrictions on ETP Holders acting as registered Market Makers in the 
Shares to facilitate surveillance. Pursuant to NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
8.201(g), an ETP Holder acting as a registered Market Maker in the 
Shares is required to provide the Exchange with information relating to 
its trading in the underlying gold, related futures or options on 
futures, or any other related derivatives. Commentary .04 of NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 6.3 requires an ETP Holder acting as a registered Market 
Maker, and its affiliates, in the Shares to establish, maintain and 
enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent 
the misuse of any material nonpublic information with respect to such 
products, any components of the related products, any physical asset or 
commodity underlying the product, applicable currencies, underlying 
indexes, related futures or options on futures, and any related 
derivative instruments (including the Shares).
    As a general matter, the Exchange has regulatory jurisdiction over 
its ETP Holders and their associated persons, which include any person 
or entity controlling an ETP Holder. A subsidiary or affiliate of an 
ETP Holder that does business only in commodities or futures contracts 
would not be subject to Exchange jurisdiction, but the Exchange could 
obtain information regarding the activities of such subsidiary or 
affiliate through surveillance sharing agreements with regulatory 
organizations of which such subsidiary or affiliate is a member.
    With respect to trading halts, the Exchange may consider all 
relevant factors in exercising its discretion to halt or suspend 
trading in the Shares. Trading on the Exchange in the Shares may be 
halted because of market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of 
the Exchange, make trading in the Shares inadvisable. These may 
include: (1) The extent to which conditions in the underlying gold 
market have caused disruptions and/or lack of trading, or (2) whether 
other unusual conditions or circumstances detrimental to the 
maintenance of a fair and orderly market are present. In addition, 
trading in Shares will be subject to trading halts caused by 
extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange's ``circuit 
breaker'' rule.\21\
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    \21\ See NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.12.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Surveillance
    The Exchange intends to utilize its existing surveillance 
procedures applicable to derivative products (including Commodity-Based 
Trust Shares) to monitor trading in the Shares. The Exchange represents 
that these procedures are adequate to properly monitor Exchange trading 
of the Shares in all trading sessions and to deter and detect 
violations of Exchange rules and applicable Federal securities laws.
    The Exchange's current trading surveillance focuses on detecting 
securities trading outside their normal patterns. When such situations 
are detected, surveillance analysis follows and investigations are 
opened, where appropriate, to review the behavior of all relevant 
parties for all relevant trading violations. Also, pursuant to NYSE 
Arca Equities Rule 8.201(g), the Exchange is able to obtain information 
regarding trading in the Shares and the underlying gold, gold futures 
contracts, options on gold futures, or any other gold derivative, 
through ETP Holders acting as registered Market Makers, in connection 
with such ETP Holders' proprietary or customer trades through ETP 
Holders which they effect on any relevant market. In addition, the 
Exchange may obtain trading information via the Intermarket 
Surveillance Group (``ISG'') from other exchanges who are members of 
the ISG.\22\ COMEX and Hong Kong

[[Page 69501]]

Exchanges and Clearing Limited are members of ISG.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ A list of ISG members is available at http://www.isgportal.org. The Exchange notes that the Hong Kong Chinese 
Gold & Silver Exchange Society, Shanghai Gold Exchange, Shanghai 
Futures Exchange, Singapore Mercantile Exchange, and TOCOM are not 
members of ISG and the Exchange does not have in place a 
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreement with such markets.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information Bulletin
    Prior to the commencement of trading, the Exchange will inform its 
ETP Holders in an Information Bulletin of the special characteristics 
and risks associated with trading the Shares. Specifically, the 
Information Bulletin will discuss the following: (1) The procedures for 
purchases and redemptions of Shares in Baskets (including noting that 
Shares are not individually redeemable); (2) NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
9.2(a), which imposes a duty of due diligence on its ETP Holders to 
learn the essential facts relating to every customer prior to trading 
the Shares; (3) how information regarding the ITV is disseminated; (4) 
the requirement that ETP Holders deliver a prospectus to investors 
purchasing newly issued Shares prior to or concurrently with the 
confirmation of a transaction; (5) the possibility that trading spreads 
and the resulting premium or discount on the Shares may widen as a 
result of reduced liquidity of gold trading during the Core and Late 
Trading Sessions after the close of the major world gold markets; and 
(6) trading information. For example, the Information Bulletin will 
advise ETP Holders, prior to the commencement of trading, of the 
prospectus delivery requirements applicable to the Trust. The Exchange 
notes that investors purchasing Shares directly from the Trust (by 
delivery of the Creation Basket Deposit) will receive a prospectus. ETP 
Holders purchasing Shares from the Trust for resale to investors will 
deliver a prospectus to such investors.
    In addition, the Information Bulletin will reference that the Trust 
is subject to various fees and expenses described in the Registration 
Statement. The Information Bulletin will also reference the fact that 
there is no regulated source of last sale information regarding 
physical gold, that the Commission has no jurisdiction over the trading 
of gold as a physical commodity, and that the CFTC has regulatory 
jurisdiction over the trading of gold futures contracts and options on 
gold futures contracts.
    The Information Bulletin will also discuss any relief, if granted, 
by the Commission or the staff from any rules under the Act.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) \23\ of the Act, in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5),\24\ in particular, because it is 
designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in facilitating 
transactions in securities, and to remove impediments and perfect the 
mechanisms of a free and open market and to protect investors and the 
public interest. The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change 
will facilitate the listing and trading of an additional type of 
commodity-based product that will enhance competition among market 
participants, to the benefit of investors and the marketplace.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

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

    No written comments were solicited or received with respect to the 
proposed rule change.

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

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period up to 90 days (i) as the 
Commission may designate if it finds such longer period to be 
appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove the proposed rule change, or
    (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

The Exchange has requested accelerated approval of the proposed rule 
change. The Commission is considering granting accelerated approval of 
the proposal at the end of a 15-day comment period.

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

    <bullet> Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
    <bullet> Send an e-mail to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e391968f86ce808c8e8e868d9790a3908680cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbc9ced7de96d8d4d6d6ded5cfc8fbc8ded895dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include 
File Number SR-NYSEArca-2010-95 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

    <bullet> Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEArca-2010-95. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if e-mail 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 a.m. and 3 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-
NYSEArca-2010-95 and should be submitted on or before November 29, 
2010.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\25\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-28514 Filed 11-10-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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