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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 104249-104252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30354]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-101930; File No. SR-BX-2024-057]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq BX, Inc.; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend the 
Exchange's Anti-Internalization Functionality in Equity 4, Rule 4757

December 16, 2024.
    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 December 4, 2024, Nasdaq BX, Inc. (``BX'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') 
the 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.
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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 amend the Exchange's anti-internalization 
functionality in Equity 4, Rule 4757.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/nasdaq/rules, at 
the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public 
Reference Room.

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

    In its filing with the Commission, the Exchange included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. The Exchange has prepared summaries, set forth in 
sections A, B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such 
statements.

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to amend Equity 4, Rule 4757(a)(A)(3) to 
offer increased functionality as it relates to anti-internalization. 
The Exchange's proposal is identical to the changes adopted in SR-
NASDAQ-2024-064 with the exception of technical differences in the 
numbering convention.\3\ Specifically, the Exchange proposes to (i) 
allow participants that directly submit orders to the System as Members 
on the Exchange and submit orders to the System through Sponsored 
Access \4\ as a Sponsored Participant, to direct that quotes/orders 
entered into the System directly as a Member not execute against 
quotes/orders submitted as a Sponsored Participant; (ii) specify when 
anti-internalization will activate; (iii) introduce an anti-
internalization strategy that uses the strategy of the removing order; 
and (v) make other clarifying changes.
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 101520 (November 6, 
2024), 89 FR 89677 (November 13, 2024) (Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of File No. SR-NASDAQ-2024-064).
    \4\ See General 2, Section 22(a). Sponsored Access shall mean an 
arrangement whereby a member permits its customers to enter orders 
into the System that bypass the member's trading system and are 
routed directly to the Exchange, including routing through a service 
bureau or other third party technology provider.
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Affiliate Anti-Internalization
    Currently, Equity 4, Rule 4757(a)(A)(3) provides that market 
participants may direct that quotes/orders entered into the System not 
execute against either quotes/orders entered under the same MPID 
(``MPID Level AIQ'') or quotes/orders entered across MPIDs under Common 
Ownership (``Organization Level AIQ'').\5\ In addition, market 
participants using the OUCH order entry protocol may assign to orders 
entered through a specific order entry port a unique group 
identification modifier that will prevent quotes/orders with such 
modifier from executing against each other. Anti-internalization or 
self-match prevention functionality assists participants in reducing 
trading costs from unwanted executions potentially resulting from the 
interaction of executable buy and sell trading interest from the same 
firm.
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    \5\ For purposes of Equity 4, Rule 4757, the term ``Common 
Ownership'' shall mean participants under 75% common ownership or 
control.
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    The Exchange proposes to enhance its current self-match prevention 
functionality to allow participants that demonstrate (i) membership on 
the Exchange through which they directly submit orders to the System 
and (ii) participation as a Sponsored Participant whereby they submit 
orders to the System through Sponsored Access, to direct that quotes/
orders entered into the System directly as a Member not execute against 
quotes/orders submitted as a Sponsored Participant (``Affiliate Level 
AIQ'').\6\ The proposed enhancement would be in addition to the other 
levels of self-match prevention offered today. Under the proposed rule 
change, the anti-internalization functionality would continue to be an 
optional feature. If a firm chooses to take advantage of self-match 
prevention, the firm would need to opt-in to the self-match prevention 
functionality, as is the case today.
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    \6\ The Exchange will require firms requesting to use Affiliate 
Level AIQ to complete an affidavit stating: (i) it is currently a 
Member of the Exchange that submits orders directly to the System, 
and (ii) it also submits orders to the System through a Sponsored 
Access arrangement.
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    The purpose of this proposed change is to extend self-match 
prevention functionality to prevent transactions between a firm's 
orders submitted directly to the System and through Sponsored Access. 
There are situations where an individual firm would choose to submit 
orders to the Exchange through different mechanisms. For instance, a 
firm may employ different trading strategies across different trading 
desks and choose to send orders for one strategy to the Exchange 
through a direct connection while the other strategy is sent through 
Sponsored Access. The proposed functionality would serve as an 
additional tool that participants may enable in order to assist with 
compliance with the various securities laws relating to potentially 
manipulative trading activity such as wash sales \7\ and self-
trades.\8\ Additionally, the proposed functionality would provide firms 
an additional solution to manage order flow by preventing undesirable 
executions where the firm submits orders in

[[Page 104250]]

multiple formats (i.e., direct connection or Sponsored Access). As is 
the case with the existing risk tools, participants, and not the 
Exchange, have full responsibility for ensuring that their orders 
comply with applicable securities rules, laws, and regulations. 
Furthermore, as is the case with the existing risk settings, the 
Exchange does not believe that the use of the proposed self-match 
prevention functionality can replace participant-managed risk 
management solutions.
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    \7\ A ``wash sale'' is generally defined as a trade involving no 
change in beneficial ownership that is intended to produce the false 
appearance of trading and is strictly prohibited under both the 
federal securities laws and FINRA rules. See, e.g., 15 U.S.C. 
78i(a)(1); FINRA Rule 6140(b) (``Other Trading Practices'').
    \8\ Self-trades are ``transactions in a security resulting from 
the unintentional interaction of orders originating from the same 
firm that involve no change in beneficial ownership of the 
security.'' FINRA requires members to have policies and procedures 
in place that are reasonably designed to review trading activity 
for, and prevent, a pattern or practice of self-trades resulting 
from orders originating from a single algorithm or trading desk, or 
related algorithms or trading desks. See FINRA Rule 5210, 
Supplementary Material .02.
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Anti-Internalization Activation
    The Exchange also proposes to provide that, unless participants 
designate otherwise, for anti-internalization to activate across 
orders, the orders must reflect the same anti-internalization level. 
For example, if an order has designated anti-internalization at an MPID 
level (i.e., quotes/orders entered into the System shall not execute 
against quotes/orders entered under the same MPID), anti-
internalization will only activate against another order designated 
with anti-internalization at an MPID level.
    This is a departure from how anti-internalization activates today. 
Currently, anti-internalization activates across orders with different 
anti-internalization levels. For example, a resting order with MPID 
Level AIQ can have anti-internalization activated against it if an 
incoming order with Organization Level AIQ has the same Organization ID 
as the resting order. With the introduction of Affiliate Level AIQ, the 
anti-internalization levels must match across both orders for anti-
internalization to be activated, in order to prevent erroneous 
activation of anti-internalization.\9\ However, the Exchange proposes 
to preserve current functionality by providing participants with the 
option to elect to have anti-internalization activated against any 
anti-internalization level.
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    \9\ For example, assume Firm 1 accesses the Exchange directly 
and as a Sponsored Participant via Firm 2. Assume Firm 1 sends an 
order as a Sponsored Participant through Firm 2 with Affiliate Level 
AIQ enabled. Assume Firm 2 then sends an order unrelated to Firm 1 
with Organization Level AIQ. If the current behavior prevailed, 
anti-internalization would activate and the orders would not 
execute, resulting in an undesirable outcome.
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``Use Remover'' Strategy
    The Exchange currently provides three versions of self-match 
prevention functionality to allow participants to choose how orders are 
handled in the event of a self-match situation: (1) decrement, (2) 
cancel oldest, and (3) cancel newest. Under the first version 
(``decrement''), if the self-match orders have the same share size, 
both orders will cancel back to the customer. If the orders are not 
equivalent in size, the smaller order will cancel back to the 
originating customer and the larger order will decrement by the size of 
the smaller order. The remaining shares of the larger order will remain 
on the book. Under the second version (``cancel oldest''), the full 
size of the order residing on the book will cancel back to the customer 
if the incoming order would execute against it. The incoming order will 
remain intact with no changes. Under the third version (``cancel 
newest''), the full size of the order coming into the book will cancel 
back to the customer. The resting order will remain intact with no 
changes.
    The Exchange proposes to add a new strategy (``use remover''), 
which would allow for a resting order to use the strategy of the 
removing order. If the use remover strategy is on an order, it will 
only have anti-internalization activated against it when it is the 
resting order and will never trigger anti-internalization against 
another order when it is the incoming order. The Exchange proposes to 
introduce the ``use remover'' strategy in order to maintain existing 
anti-internalization functionality that would otherwise become obsolete 
with the introduction of the default requirement for anti-
internalization activation (i.e., the orders must reflect the same 
anti-internalization level). As described above, currently, anti-
internalization activates across orders with different anti-
internalization levels. Currently, resting orders that have anti-
internalization disabled are still subject to anti-internalization 
functionality, based on the anti-internalization selection of the 
incoming orders. For example, currently, if Firm 1 sends an order with 
anti-internalization disabled and then Firm 2 sends an order with 
Organization Level AIQ with a decrement strategy, anti-internalization 
would activate between the two orders based on the incoming order's 
strategy because of the Organization Level AIQ. Assuming the Firm does 
not designate that anti-internalization activate across quotes/orders, 
the aforementioned example would no longer occur because Affiliate 
Level AIQ necessitates matching anti-internalization levels. The 
Exchange wishes to maintain such functionality as an option for 
participants and introduction of the use remover strategy would allow 
participants to choose to have a resting order use the anti-
internalization strategy of the removing order.
    Taken together, the Exchange believes that the proposed anti-
internalization enhancements would provide participants with more 
tailored self-trade functionality that allows them to manage their 
trading as appropriate based on the participant's business needs.
Clarifying Changes
    Lastly, the Exchange proposes to make several clarifying changes to 
Equity 4, Rule 4757(a)(A)(3) to promote clarity.
    First, the Exchange proposes to codify which strategy prevails when 
anti-internalization strategies differ between two orders. 
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to provide that, when anti-
internalization strategies differ between two orders, the strategy of 
the order removing liquidity will apply and the strategy of the resting 
order will be ignored. This is consistent with current Exchange and 
industry practice.
    In addition, the Exchange proposes to modify the text introducing 
the various anti-internalization strategies to state that, ``In each 
anti-internalization case, as described in this paragraph (3), a market 
participant may elect from the following strategies'', to make it clear 
that any strategy may be selected for each anti-internalization level. 
Relatedly, the Exchange proposes to delete language stating that, ``The 
foregoing options may be applied to all orders entered under the same 
MPID, across MPIDs under Common Ownership, or, in the case of market 
participants using the OUCH order entry protocol, may be applied to all 
orders entered through a specific order entry port.'' The Exchange 
believes that such language is redundant, as the modified introductory 
language makes it clear that the anti-internalization strategies may be 
applied to each anti-internalization level. Finally, the Exchange also 
proposes to add the names of the existing anti-internalization 
strategies (i.e., Decrement, Cancel Oldest, and Cancel Newest) before 
the description of such strategies for clarity.
Implementation
    The Exchange intends to introduce this new functionality by the 
first quarter of 2025. The Exchange will issue an Equities Trader Alert 
to provide notification of the change and relevant date prior to 
introducing the new functionality.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\10\ in general, and furthers the

[[Page 104251]]

objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ in particular, in that it 
is designed to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system, and, in general to protect 
investors and the public interest.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed Affiliate Level AIQ 
functionality promotes just and equitable principles of trade by 
allowing individual firms to better manage order flow and prevent 
undesirable trading activity such as wash sales \12\ or self-trades 
\13\ that may occur as a result of the velocity of trading in today's 
high-speed marketplace. The proposed Affiliate Level AIQ functionality 
does not introduce novel functionality, as the proposed amendment 
extends the current anti-internalization functionality to another 
trading relationship. For instance, a participant may operate trading 
desk 1 that accesses the Exchange via the Member's direct connection, 
as well as trading desk 2 that accesses the Exchange as a Sponsored 
Participant. While these desks may operate different trading 
strategies, a participant may desire to prevent these desks from 
trading versus each other in the marketplace because the orders are 
originating from the same entity. Here, participants may desire anti-
internalization functionality on an Affiliate Level AIQ that will help 
them achieve compliance \14\ with regulatory rules regarding wash sales 
and self-trades in a very similar manner to the way that the current 
anti-internalization functionality applies to existing anti-
internalization levels. The proposed Affiliate Level AIQ functionality 
will also assist participants in reducing trading costs from unwanted 
executions potentially resulting from the interaction of executable buy 
and sell trading interest from the same firm.
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    \12\ Supra note 7.
    \13\ Supra note 8.
    \14\ The Exchange reminds participants that while they may 
utilize anti-internalization to help prevent potential transactions 
such as wash sales or self-trades, participants, not the Exchange, 
are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their orders comply 
with applicable rules, laws, and regulations.
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    The Exchange believes that the other proposed changes, including 
modifying the default procedure for activating anti-internalization 
while preserving the current functionality as an option for 
participants, adding the use remover strategy, and making clarifying 
changes, also promote just and equitable principles of trade by 
providing participants with more tailored self-trade functionality that 
allows them to manage their trading as appropriate based on the 
participant's business needs and providing clarity and transparency to 
the rules.
    The Exchange also believes that the proposed rule change is fair 
and equitable and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination, in 
accordance with Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\15\ as use of the proposed 
Affiliate Level AIQ functionality and related features of the proposal 
are optional, and use is not a prerequisite for trading on the 
Exchange.
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is 
designed to enhance self-match prevention functionality provided to the 
Exchange's participants and will benefit participants that wish to 
protect their quotes and orders entered into the System directly as a 
Member against trading with quotes/orders submitted as a Sponsored 
Participant. The new functionality is also completely voluntary, and 
members that wish to use the current functionality (or opt out 
altogether) can also continue to do so. The Exchange does not believe 
that providing more flexibility to participants will have any 
significant impact on competition. In fact, the Exchange believes that 
the proposed rule change is evidence of the competitive environment 
where exchanges must continually improve their offerings to maintain 
competitive standing.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not: (i) 
significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest; (ii) impose any significant burden on competition; and (iii) 
become operative for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \16\ and 
subparagraph (f)(6) of Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\17\
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    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
file number SR-BX-2024-057 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to file number SR-BX-2024-057. 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 (https://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

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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 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. Do not include personal identifiable 
information in submissions; you should submit only information that you 
wish to make available publicly. We may redact in part or withhold 
entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject 
to copyright protection. All submissions should refer to file number 
SR-BX-2024-057 and should be submitted on or before January 10, 2025.
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-30354 Filed 12-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P
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