ICAP SEF (US) LLC

Swap Execution Facility

Rulebook

Version: 3.8

Revised 

June 2017

© Copyright ICAP SEF (US) LLC 2017

All Rights Reserved. 
SEF Rulebook

SEF Rulebook

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................................................................ i

CHAPTER 1 MARKET GOVERNANCE ....................................................................................................... 1

Rule 101. Board of Directors and Officers ...................................................................................... 1

Rule 102. Limitation of Liability ....................................................................................................... 1

Rule 103. Confidentiality ................................................................................................................. 2

Rule 104. Emergency Action .......................................................................................................... 3

Rule 105. Suspension of Trading.................................................................................................... 5

Rule 106. Risk Controls for Trading................................................................................................ 6

Rule 107. Market Data .................................................................................................................... 6

Rule 108. Intellectual Property........................................................................................................ 6

CHAPTER 2 TRADING PRIVILEGES .......................................................................................................... 9

Rule 201. Trading Privilege Holders ............................................................................................... 9

Rule 202. Authorized Traders and Authorized Trading Firms ...................................................... 11

Rule 203. Financial Integrity .......................................................................................................... 13

Rule 204. Clearing ......................................................................................................................... 13

Rule 205. Application for and Grant of Trading Privileges............................................................ 16

Rule 206. Participant and Customer Obligations; Suspension or Termination of Access............ 18

Rule 207. Customers ..................................................................................................................... 19

Rule 208. Recordkeeping ............................................................................................................. 19

Rule 209. Communications of the SEF with Participants ............................................................. 21

Rule 210. Required Disclosures to the SEF ................................................................................. 22

Rule 211. Dues, Fees and Expenses ........................................................................................... 23

Rule 212. Market Maker Programs ............................................................................................... 23

Rule 213. Independent Software Vendors.................................................................................... 23

Rule 214. Withdrawal of Participant............................................................................................... 24

CHAPTER 3 TRADING PROCEDURES .................................................................................................... 26
SEF Rulebook

Rule 301. Trading Sessions.......................................................................................................... 26

Rule 302. Access to SEF’s Order Book ........................................................................................ 26

Rule 303. Required Transactions ................................................................................................. 26

Rule 304. Permitted Transactions................................................................................................. 27

Rule 305. Execution Methods for Required Transactions ............................................................ 27

Rule 306. [Reserved] .................................................................................................................... 28

Rule 307. Acceptable Bids and Offers.......................................................................................... 28

Rule 308. Block Trades................................................................................................................. 28

Rule 309. Reporting and Data Collection...................................................................................... 30

Rule 310. Bid/Offer Cancellation................................................................................................... 31

Rule 311. [Reserved] .................................................................................................................... 32

Rule 312. Enforceability of Transactions ...................................................................................... 32

Rule 313. Intermediated Transactions ........................................................................................... 33

Rule 314. Bunched Orders ........................................................................................................... 33

Rule 315. SEF Authority over Transactions.................................................................................. 34

Rule 316. Reporting Counterparty ................................................................................................ 39

CHAPTER 4 TRADING STANDARDS ....................................................................................................... 40

Rule 401. Fraudulent Statements and Acts .................................................................................. 40

Rule 402. Abusive Trading Practices............................................................................................ 40

Rule 403. Good Faith Bids/Offers and RFQs ............................................................................... 40

Rule 404. Pre-Execution Discussions and Pre-Arranged Transactions ....................................... 40

Rule 405. Manipulation and Price Distortion................................................................................. 41

Rule 406. Disruptive Trading Practices......................................................................................... 41

Rule 407. General Offenses ......................................................................................................... 41

Rule 408. Position Limits and Position Accountability .................................................................. 42

CHAPTER 5 RULE ENFORCEMENT ........................................................................................................ 43

Rule 501. Jurisdiction.................................................................................................................... 43

Rule 502. SEF Market Regulation Staff Powers and Duties......................................................... 43
SEF Rulebook

Rule 503. The Review Panel ........................................................................................................ 44

Rule 504. Notice of Charges......................................................................................................... 45

Rule 505. Answer; Request for Hearing; Failure to Answer or Deny Charges............................. 45

Rule 506. Selection of Hearing Panel........................................................................................... 46

Rule 507. Challenge to Members of the Hearing Panel ............................................................... 46

Rule 508. Hearing on Sanctions in the Event of Failure to Deny Charges; Failure to 

Request Hearing Deemed Acceptance of Sanctions........................................................ 46

Rule 509. Settlement Prior to Commencement of Hearing........................................................... 47

Rule 510. Hearing Procedures...................................................................................................... 47

Rule 511. Written Decision of Hearing Panel ............................................................................... 49

Rule 512. Liability for Expenses.................................................................................................... 50

Rule 513. Effective Date of Sanctions .......................................................................................... 50

Rule 514. Summary Suspension .................................................................................................. 50

Rule 515. Extension of Time Limits .............................................................................................. 51

Rule 516. Summary Fines ............................................................................................................ 51

CHAPTER 6 CONTRACTS TO BE TRADED............................................................................................. 53

Rule 601. Listing Procedures........................................................................................................ 53

Rule 602. Swaps Not Readily Susceptible to Manipulation.......................................................... 53

CHAPTER 7 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION................................... 54

Rule 701. Choice of Law............................................................................................................... 54

Rule 702. Disputes Among Trading Privilege Holders, Authorized Traders, Authorized 

Trading Firms and Customers .......................................................................................... 54

Rule 703. Disputes with the SEF .................................................................................................. 54

CHAPTER 8 CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS............................................................................................ 55

Rule 801. Interest Rate Swaps Products Descriptions ................................................................. 55

Rule 802. Credit Derivatives Products Descriptions ..................................................................... 89

Rule 803. [Reserved] .................................................................................................................. 101

Rule 804. Equity Derivatives Products Descriptions................................................................... 102

Rule 805. Commodities Product Descriptions ............................................................................ 107
SEF Rulebook

Rule 806. NDF Product Descriptions .......................................................................................... 171

Rule 807. Variance Swaps Product Descriptions ....................................................................... 173
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DEFINITIONS

Except where the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings when 

used in the Rules. Use of the singular shall include the plural and vice versa, unless the context requires 

otherwise. 

Act means the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended from time to time. 

Affiliate means, with respect to any person, any other person who controls, is controlled by or is under 

common control with such person.

Affirm means the process by which the counterparties to a Cleared Contract verify that they agree on the 

details of the transaction after execution on the SEF but prior to submission to the relevant DCO, which 

may be done by any means acceptable to the counterparties, including the use of an Affirmation Hub, and 

“Affirmations” shall be construed accordingly.

Affirmation Hub means a third-party service designated by the SEF to route Cleared Contracts to DCOs 

and which may provide Participants with the opportunity to Affirm the Cleared Contracts.

Answer shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 505. 

Applicable Law means, with respect to any person, any statute, law, regulation, rule or ordinance of any 

Governmental Authority applicable to such person, including but not limited to the Act and Commission 

Regulations.

Appropriate Minimum Block Size shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 308. 

Associated Person shall have the same meaning as in the Act and Commission Regulations. 

Authorized Trader means an individual designated as such by, and acting on behalf of, a Trading 

Privilege Holder or an Authorized Trading Firm or a Customer to enter Bids/Offers, issue and respond to 

RFQs, submit Pre-Arranged Crosses, access a Trading Platform and execute transactions in Contracts. 

Authorized Trading Firm means an entity designated as such by a Trading Privilege Holder, including 

another Prime Broker, to enter Bids/Offers, issue and respond to RFQs, submit Pre-Arranged Crosses, 

access a Trading Platform and execute transactions in Contracts as an Intermediary for such Trading 

Privilege Holder, as a Customer with DMA granted by such Trading Privilege Holder, or as a Participant 

entering Bids/Offers on the EBS Order Book in the name of a Prime Broker.

BASIC shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 205(f).

Bid/Offer means a bid or offer entered into a Trading Platform operated by the SEF or submitted to the 

SEF in response to an RFQ. 

Block Trade means that a Swap transaction that is publicly reportable under Part 43 of the Commission 

Regulations that:

a) Involves a Swap that is listed on the SEF;

b) Occurs away from the SEF and is executed pursuant to Rule 308;

c) Has a notional or principal amount at or above the Appropriate Minimum Block Size; and

d) Is reported to the SEF as provided in Rule 308.

Board means the Board of Directors of the SEF. 
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Breakage Agreement means an agreement or any other arrangement between the parties that provides 

for the assessment of liability or payment of damages between the parties to a Cleared Contract in the 

event that the Cleared Contract is rejected from clearing.

Bulk Risk Mitigation Service means a service designated by the SEF that assists participating 

Participants and Customers in managing risk exposures by providing a netting mechanism that reduces the 

outstanding Swap count and outstanding gross notional value of Swaps in such Participants’ and 

Customers’ portfolios by terminating, modifying or replacing existing Swaps with offsetting transactions. 

Business Day means any day on which a Contract is available for trading on the SEF. 

Call Option means an Option whereby (i) the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to buy an 

Underlying Interest, at the strike price specified; and (ii) the grantor has the obligation, upon exercise, to 

enter into an Underlying Interest for delivery in such Delivery Month, at such strike price. 

Chairman of the Board means the chairman of the Board of the SEF.

Chief Compliance Officer means the chief compliance officer of the SEF, or one duly authorized to act 

with the authority of the Chief Compliance Officer. 

Chief Executive Officer means the Chief Executive Officer and President of the SEF, or one duly 

authorized to act with the authority of such officer. 

Class means, with respect to any Swap, a Contract covering the same Underlying Interest.

Cleared Contract means any Contract that is listed for clearing by the SEF. 

Clearing Firm means a clearing member of a DCO that is authorized pursuant to the rules of such DCO 

to clear transactions in any or all Contracts.

Clearing Firm Representation shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 204(f).

CME means Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. 

Commission means the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any successor regulatory 

body. 

Commission Regulations means any rule, regulation, order, directive and any interpretation thereof 

promulgated by the Commission, as amended.

Commodity shall have the same meaning as in the Act. 

Commodity Interest shall have the meaning set forth in Commission Regulation 1.3.

Confirmation shall have the same meaning as in Commission Regulation 45.1.

Confidential Information means all non-public information that is stated to be or that can reasonably 

expected to be of a confidential or trade secret nature in any form obtained by a Participant from the SEF 

in accessing or using the Systems, including, but not limited to, any processes, or proprietary data, 

information or documents regarding the Systems, save to the extent that such information: (i) is already in 

the public domain at the time of disclosure; (ii) enters the public domain other than by a breach of any 

obligation of confidentiality; (iii) is required to be disclosed by reason of Applicable Law, provided that, 

where permitted by Applicable Law, prior notice of such disclosure shall be provided to the SEF as soon as 

practicable in order to permit the SEF to seek a protective order or take other appropriate action to 

safeguard the Confidential Information; or (iv) is permitted to be disclosed pursuant to the Rules.

Contract means any Swap listed for trading on the SEF.
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Covered Package Transaction means a “MAT/Non-MAT Uncleared Package Transaction,” a “MAT/NonSwap Instruments Package Transaction,” and a “MAT/Non-CFTC Swap Package Transaction,” each as 

defined in NAL 16-76, expiring November 15, 2017. 

Customer means any person (including another Trading Privilege Holder), or such person’s agent with 

the legal ability to direct trading on behalf of such person, that transacts on the SEF through a Participant 

acting as an Intermediary.

Customer Type Indicator Codes shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 208.

DCO means, with respect to any Swap, a derivatives clearing organization authorized to clear such 

Swap. 

Delivery Month means, with respect to any Contract, the month in which delivery of an Underlying 

Interest is to be made pursuant to the terms of such Contract.

Director means a member of the Board of the SEF.

DMA means a Trading Privilege Holder (including an Intermediary) permitting a Customer to transmit 

orders electronically to the Trading Privilege Holder’s systems for onward transmission to a Trading 

Platform utilizing the Trading Privilege Holder’s trading identification. 

DTCC means DTCC Data Repository (U.S.) LLC.

EBS Order Book means the Order Book for the EBS Trading Platform.

Emergency shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 104. 

Erroneously Cleared Transactions shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 315(h).

Error shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 315(g).

Expiration Day means the day on which an Option expires.

Execution Specialist means a SEF employee responsible for assisting Participants with entering 

Bids/Offers in the Order Book, issuing and responding to RFQs, executing and receiving reports of Block 

Trades and executing Pre-Arranged Crosses.

Financial Entity has the meaning set forth in the Act.

Governmental Authority means any domestic or foreign government (or political subdivision), 

governmental or regulatory authority, agency, court, commission or other governmental or regulatory 

entity (including any self-regulatory association).

Hearing Date shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 506.

Hearing Panel shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

Hearing Panel Chairman shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 506.

Hearing Record shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 510.

Held Order means a firm executable Bid/Offer placed for entry onto the Order Book.

ICAP means ICAP Broking Holdings North America LLC, the sole limited liability member of the SEF.

ICE means ICE Trade Vault, LLC. 
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ID shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 302.

ICAP Indemnified Party shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 108(f). 

Indemnified Party shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 108(f). 

Indemnifying Party shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 108(f). 

Information shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 107.

Intellectual Property Rights means all right, title and interest in and to (i) trademarks, service marks, 

brand names and other indications of origin and the goodwill associated with the foregoing; (ii) inventions, 

patents, trade secrets, know-how, processes and systems; (iii) copyright and database rights; and (iv) any 

other intellectual property or similar proprietary rights in any jurisdiction, in each case whether registrable 

or not.

Intermediary means any futures commission merchant, introducing broker or commodity trading advisor 

registered with the Commission, or any other person that is exempt from such registration, or not required 

by Applicable Law to register, and acts in compliance with Applicable Law in performing similar functions, 

that enters Bids/Offers into a Trading Platform, issues and responds to RFQs, reports block trades or 

submits Pre-Arranged Crosses to the SEF on behalf of Customers or provides such Customers with 

DMA.

Intermediated Transaction means any transaction on the SEF conducted through an Intermediary. 

ISDA means the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.

ISDA Reporting Party Rules means the reporting party rules set forth in the document published by 

ISDA entitled “Dodd Frank Act – Swap Transaction Reporting Party Requirements” dated July 15, 2013, 

as set forth in Annex 1. 

JSCC means Japan Securities Clearing Corporation.

Last Trading Day means, with respect to any Swap, the last day on which trading is permitted for such 

Swap in accordance with the Rules. 

Legal Entity Identifier or LEI shall have the same meaning as in Commission Regulations.

Losses shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 102(a). 

Major Swap Participant shall have the same meaning as in the Act and Commission Regulations.

Market Regulation Staff means the employees of the SEF designated by the SEF as members of the 

Market Regulation Staff, any agents of the SEF that assist the SEF in the implementation, surveillance, 

and enforcement of its rules and related obligations, and the SEF’s Regulatory Services Provider. 

NAL means Commission No-Action Letter.

NDF Contract means a Contract that is a non-deliverable foreign exchange forward contract.

NFA means the National Futures Association.

Non-Cleared Contract means a Contract that is not a Cleared Contract. 

Non-Cleared Contract Agreement means an agreement that governs the performance and settlement 

of a Non-Cleared Contract including, without limitation, any ISDA master agreements, other master 
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agreements, terms supplements, master confirmation agreements, incorporated industry definitions and 

any applicable credit support and default provisions. 

Notice shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 504.

Operating Agreement means the limited liability company agreement of the SEF.

Option means a Swap whereby one party grants to another the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell 

a Commodity or other Underlying Interest. 

Order means an instruction by a Customer to a Participant to execute a transaction on behalf of such 

Customer. 

Order Book means a Trading Platform in which all Trading Privilege Holders have the ability to enter, 

observe and transact on multiple Bids/Offers. 

Package Transaction means a transaction executed on the SEF or subject to the Rules involving two or 

more instruments: (i) that is executed between two or more parties that are Participants or Customers; (ii) 

that is priced or quoted as one economic transaction with simultaneous or near simultaneous execution of 

all components; (iii) that has at least one component that is a Swap that has been made available to trade 

pursuant to section 2(h)(8) of the Act; and (iv) where the execution of each component is contingent upon 

the execution of all other components. 

Participant means any Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm.

Participant Indemnified Party shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 108(f).

Participation Committee shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

Permitted Transaction means any transaction involving a Swap that is not subject to the trade execution 

requirement in section 2(h)(8) of the Act. 

person means any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability 

partnership, partnership, association, estate, trust, governmental agency, unincorporated organization or 

any other legal entity.

Physical Emergency shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 104.

Position Limit means the maximum position, either net long or net short, in one Series or a combination 

of various Series of a particular Class that may be held or controlled by one person, or subject to 

aggregation with such person’s position, as prescribed by the SEF and/or Commission. 

Pre-Arranged Cross means a Permitted Transaction pre-arranged pursuant to Rule 304(b).

Prime Broker means a Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm that agrees to permit a 

Participant to enter Bids/Offers on the EBS Order Book in the name of, and for the risk of, the Trading 

Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm, where the Participant intends to enter into a back-to-back 

transaction with the Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm, as the case may be, pursuant to 

a side agreement between the Participant and such Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm, 

a copy of which the SEF may request from time to time.

Prime Broker Transaction means a transaction in a Non-Cleared Contract that is a Permitted

Transaction where one counterparty is a Prime Broker and the other is a Participant with which the Prime 

Broker has a Non-Cleared Contract Agreement.

Proceeding shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 108(f).
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Proprietary Data and Personal Information means data and information that separately discloses 

business transactions, market positions or trade secrets of a person with respect to that person, but 

excludes information in a Confirmation or Trade Communication that discloses the identity of another 

person.

Public Director means any person who qualifies as a “public director” within the meaning set forth in the 

Commission Regulations.

Put Option means an Option whereby (i) the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to sell an 

Underlying Interest at the strike price specified; and (ii) the grantor has the obligation, upon exercise, to 

buy an Underlying Interest at such strike price. 

Recipient means a Participant who is a recipient of an RFQ.

Regulatory Agency means any government body, including the Commission and the U.S. Securities and 

Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and any organization, whether domestic or foreign, granted authority 

under statutory or regulatory provisions to regulate its own activities and the activities of its members, the 

NFA and any other SRO, not including the SEF.

Regulatory Oversight Committee shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

Regulatory Services Provider means an outside organization which provides regulatory services to the 

SEF pursuant to an agreement.

Rejected Leg shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 315(h). 

Rejected Transactions shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 315(h).

Related Parties shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 107.

Request for Quote or RFQ means a request by one Participant to at least such minimum number of 

Participants as may be required by Commission Regulations from time to time for a market quote that 

shall constitute a Bid/Offer. The SEF does not currently offer RFQ functionality. 

Required Transaction means any transaction involving a Swap that is subject to the trade execution 

requirement in section 2(h)(8) of the Act.

Respondent shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 504(a). 

Review Panel shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

Risk-Based Limits means the risk-based limits established by a Clearing Firm in accordance with 

Commission Regulation 1.73.

Rule or Rules means the rules, resolutions, interpretations, statements of policy, decisions, directives 

and orders of the SEF. 

Secretary means the individual appointed by the Board from time to time to serve as secretary of the 

SEF.

SEF means swap execution facility, as defined in the Act, or ICAP SEF (US) LLC, as the context requires. 

SEF Subject Person means any person that has consented to the jurisdiction of the SEF and agreed to 

be bound by and comply with the Rules pursuant to Rule 201(e).

Series means all Contracts of the same Class having identical terms.

SRO means self-regulatory organization.
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Swap shall have the same meaning as in the Act and Commission Regulations.

Swap Data Repository or SDR shall have the same meaning as in the Act.

Swap Dealer shall have the same meaning as in the Act and Commission Regulations.

Systems means the Trading Platforms, including various proprietary and third party software, firmware, 

hardware, keypads and supporting documentation to which Participants are granted access by the SEF.

System Protocol means the terms from time to time in force upon which a Participant may access a 

specific Trading Platform, including any supplemental written guidelines provided by the SEF to the 

Participant, as amended from time to time. The System Protocols shall be posted on the SEF website. In 

the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any System Protocol and the Rules, the terms of 

the System Protocol shall prevail.

Terms Incorporated by Reference shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 312.

Trade Communication shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 312.

Trading Platform means any of the separate electronic central limit order books and other systems 

administered by or on behalf of the SEF for the trading of Contracts pursuant to specific System Protocols 

for each such system. 

Trading Privilege Holder means an individual or entity with Trading Privileges on the SEF granted 

pursuant to Rule 201 (including an Intermediary), but does not include an Authorized Trading Firm or 

Authorized Trader.

Trading Privileges means permission from the SEF given to any Trading Privilege Holder in accordance 

with Rule 201 to access the SEF, or to any Authorized Trading Firm or Authorized Trader in accordance 

with Rule 202 to access the SEF.

Trading Session means, with respect to any Contract, the period of hours on any Business Day during 

which such Contract is available for trading, as specified in the Rules governing such Contract.

Underlying Interest means the interest which is the subject of a Swap. 

Violation means a violation of any of the Rules. 
SEF Rulebook | 1

CHAPTER 1

MARKET GOVERNANCE

Rule 101. Board of Directors and Officers

(a) Management. ICAP, the sole limited liability member of the SEF, has vested the power to 

manage, operate and set policies for the SEF exclusively in the Board. The Board has the power to 

appoint such officers of the SEF as it may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time. 

(b) Operating Agreement. The provisions of Article 6 (Board of Directors) and Article 7 (Officers) of 

the Operating Agreement shall be deemed to be part of the Rules, and shall be deemed to be 

incorporated herein, to the same extent and with the same force and effect as if set forth herein in their 

entirety. 

Rule 102. Limitation of Liability

(a) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND EXCEPT FOR PRIVATE RIGHTS OF ACTION UNDER 

SECTION 22(b) OF THE ACT OR IN INSTANCES WHERE AN ICAP PARTY (AS DEFINED BELOW) HAS BEEN FINALLY 

ADJUDICATED TO HAVE ENGAGED IN GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT, THE SEF AND 

ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS,

DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS AND LICENSORS (EACH, AN “ICAP PARTY”), SHALL NOT BE 

LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR ANY LOSSES, DAMAGES, COSTS OR EXPENSES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS 

OF PROFITS, LOSS OF USE, AND DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES) IN 

CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, CONTRIBUTION OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER THE CLAIM IS 

BROUGHT DIRECTLY OR AS A THIRD PARTY CLAIM, ARISING FROM:

(1) ANY FAILURE, MALFUNCTION, FAULT IN DELIVERY, DELAY, OMISSION, SUSPENSION, INACCURACY,

INTERRUPTION, TERMINATION, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE,

OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ALL OR ANY PART OF ANY OF THE SYSTEMS AND 

SERVICES OF THE SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES), OR 

SERVICES, EQUIPMENT OR FACILITIES USED TO SUPPORT SUCH SYSTEMS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT 

LIMITATION ELECTRONIC ORDER ENTRY/DELIVERY, TRADING THROUGH ANY ELECTRONIC MEANS, ELECTRONIC 

COMMUNICATION OF MARKET DATA OR INFORMATION, WORKSTATIONS USED BY PARTICIPANTS, PRICE REPORTING 

SYSTEMS AND ANY AND ALL TERMINALS, COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS, CENTRAL COMPUTERS, SOFTWARE,

HARDWARE, FIRMWARE AND PRINTERS RELATING THERETO; OR

(2) ANY FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, FAULT IN DELIVERY, DELAY, OMISSION, SUSPENSION,

INACCURACY, INTERRUPTION OR TERMINATION, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE, OF ANY SYSTEM OR SERVICE OF THE SEF

OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES), OR SERVICES, EQUIPMENT OR 

FACILITIES USED TO SUPPORT SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICES, CAUSED BY ANY THIRD PARTIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT 

LIMITED TO, INDEPENDENT SOFTWARE VENDORS AND NETWORK PROVIDERS; OR

(3) ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES IN INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING 

EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) OR ANY SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR 

RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) SYSTEMS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES; EXCEPT FOR INCORRECT ORDER 

STATUS; OR

(4) ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR UNAUTHORIZED USE OF ANY SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING 

EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) SYSTEMS, SERVICES OR FACILITIES BY ANY PERSON.

(b) NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 

WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE) ARE PROVIDED BY THE

SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES), THEIR RESPECTIVE 

OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS, OR LICENSORS RELATING TO ANY SYSTEMS OR

SERVICES OF THE SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) OR 
SEF Rulebook | 2

SERVICES, EQUIPMENT OR FACILITIES USED TO SUPPORT SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICES, INCLUDING A TRADING 

PLATFORM, WHICH ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” TO PARTICIPANTS. NEITHER THE SEF NOR ICAP MAKE ANY 

REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED THAT ANY SYSTEMS OR SERVICES OF THE SEF OR 

ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) OR SERVICES, EQUIPMENT OR 

FACILITIES USED TO SUPPORT SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICES, INCLUDING A TRADING PLATFORM, WILL MEET A 

PARTICIPANT’S REQUIREMENTS , HAVE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE OPERATION, BE AVAILABLE DURING ANY 

SPECIFIED BUSINESS HOURS (WHETHER ADVERTISED OR NOT) OR OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER 

SOFTWARE.

(c) ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF SYSTEMS OR SERVICES OF THE SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING 

EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) OR SERVICES, EQUIPMENT OR FACILITIES USED TO 

SUPPORT SUCH SYSTEMS OR SERVICES IN WHICH THE SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE 

SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES), OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS,

CONSULTANTS OR LICENSORS IS A PARTY MUST BE BROUGHT WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE TIME THAT A CAUSE OF 

ACTION HAS ACCRUED. ANY SUCH DISPUTE MAY ONLY BE LITIGATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK IN THE STATE 

OF NEW YORK AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY 

PROVISIONS OF NEW YORK LAW THAT WOULD APPLY THE SUBSTANTIVE LAW OF A DIFFERENT JURISDICTION.

(d) EXCEPT IN INSTANCES WHERE AN ICAP PARTY HAS BEEN FINALLY ADJUDICATED TO HAVE ENGAGED IN 

GROSS NEGLIGENCE, OR WILLFUL OR WANTON MISCONDUCT, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ICAP PARTIES’ TOTAL 

COMBINED AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENCE, FAILURES, MALFUNCTIONS,

FAULTS IN DELIVERY, DELAYS, OMISSIONS, SUSPENSIONS, INACCURACIES, INTERRUPTIONS, TERMINATIONS, ORDER 

STATUS ERRORS OR ANY OTHER CAUSES, IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OPERATION,

MAINTENANCE, USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE ALL OR ANY PART OF ANY OF THE SEF’S OR ICAP’S (INCLUDING EACH 

OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) SYSTEMS OR SERVICES, OR SERVICES, EQUIPMENT OR 

FACILITIES USED TO SUPPORT SUCH SYSTEMS AND SERVICES, OR THE NEGLIGENCE OF SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING 

EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) STAFF, EXCEED $50,000 FOR ALL LOSSES FROM ALL 

CAUSES SUFFERED BY ALL PERSONS ON A SINGLE DAY; $200,000 FOR ALL LOSSES SUFFERED BY ALL PERSONS 

FROM ALL CAUSES IN A SINGLE CALENDAR MONTH; AND $500,000 FOR ALL LOSSES FROM ALL CAUSES SUFFERED

BY ALL PERSONS IN A SINGLE CALENDAR YEAR.

(e) A CLAIM AGAINST THE SEF OR ICAP (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES AND 

AFFILIATES), ARISING OUT OF ANY FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION SHALL ONLY BE ALLOWED IF SUCH CLAIM IS BROUGHT 

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS RULE.

(f) NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY PURSUANT TO THIS RULE 102 IS 

LIMITED TO CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THE SEF’S AND ICAP’S (INCLUDING EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE 

SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES) OPERATION OF THE SEF AND/OR PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE SEF. 

Rule 103. Confidentiality

(a) The SEF shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, use for business or marketing purposes 

any Proprietary Data or Personal Information it or any of its Affiliates collects or receives, from or on 

behalf of any person, for the purpose of fulfilling the SEF’s regulatory obligations, unless the person who 

provided such data or information provides prior written consent to the SEF’s use of such data or 

information for such purposes. In furtherance of Applicable Law, the SEF may share such data and 

information with its Affiliates, the Commission, one or more SEFs, SDRs, DCOs or Designated Contract 

Markets registered with the Commission, and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, other 

Governmental Authorities, including those in countries outside the U.S. The SEF may, upon request of a 

Trading Privilege Holder, provide a list of current Trading Privilege Holders of the SEF on a confidential 

basis. The receiving Trading Privilege Holder shall not disclose the contents of the list without the prior 

consent of the SEF. Proprietary Data and Personal Information shall not include aggregated price and 

volume information not identified with a specific Participant or Customer, and the SEF may use such 

aggregated information for business and marketing purposes.
SEF Rulebook | 3

(b) No SEF employee shall trade, directly or indirectly, in any: 

(1) Contract; 

(2) Commodity Interest related to a Contract; 

(3) Commodity Interest traded on designated contract markets or SEFs or cleared by DCOs if the 

employee has access to material, non-public information concerning such Commodity Interest; or

(4) Commodity Interest traded on or cleared by a linked exchange if the employee has access to 

material, non-public information concerning such Commodity Interest. 

(c) No SEF Affiliate, member of the Board or any committee established by the Board or by or 

pursuant to the Rules of the SEF, or any officer or other employee or consultant of the SEF, shall, either 

during or after service with the SEF: 

(1) trade for such person’s own account, or for or on behalf of any other account, in any 

Commodity Interest, on the basis of any material, non-public information obtained through special access 

related to the performance of such person’s official duties; or 

(2) absent prior written consent of the SEF, use, directly or indirectly, information that is deemed 

to be non-public information, or disclose non-public information to others, except (i) to others within the 

SEF, the SEF’s Affiliates or to outside advisors thereof or other service providers for the SEF, provided 

that such advisors and service providers are subject to confidentiality obligations, and that, in each case, 

such disclosure is necessary for the performance of SEF-related duties by the individual or entity, (ii) if 

required by regulatory authority, or (iii) if compelled to do so by valid legal process, provided that the 

individual or entity notifies the SEF in advance thereof to the extent permitted.

(d) Subject to Rule 103(a), the SEF shall not, except as reasonably necessary to operate any 

Trading Platform, to fulfill its obligations under this Rulebook or to comply with Applicable Law or any 

request of the Commission, without the prior written consent of a Trading Privilege Holder in each 

instance, (i) use in advertising, publicity, marketing or other promotional materials, the name, trade name, 

trademark, trade device, service mark or symbol of such Trading Privilege Holder or any of its Affiliates, 

or (ii) represent that any product or any service provided by the SEF has been approved or endorsed by 

such Trading Privilege Holder or any of its Affiliates. 

(e) For purposes of this Rule 103, the terms “employee,” “material information” and “non-public 

information” have the meanings ascribed to them in Commission Regulation § 1.59.

Rule 104. Emergency Action

(a) Definitions. As used in this section:

The term “Emergency” shall mean any occurrence or circumstance which, in the opinion of the 

SEF, requires immediate action and threatens or may threaten such things as the fair and orderly trading 

in, or the liquidation of, or delivery pursuant to, any Contracts on the SEF, including any manipulative or 

attempted manipulative activity; any actual, attempted, or threatened corner, squeeze, congestion, or 

undue concentration of positions; any circumstances which may materially affect the performance of 

Contracts traded on the SEF, including failure of the payment system or the bankruptcy or insolvency of 

any Participant; any action taken by any Governmental Authority, or any other board of trade, swap 

execution facility, market or facility which may have a direct impact on trading on the SEF and any other 

circumstance which may have a severe, adverse effect upon the functioning of the SEF. 
SEF Rulebook | 4

(b) Emergency action may be taken by the following:

(1) By the Board in the case of any Emergency;

(2) By any two members of the Board in the case of any Emergency where it is 

impracticable, in the opinion of the Chairman of the Board or in his or her absence, any two (2) members

of the Board, to call a meeting of the Board to deal with the Emergency; or

(3) By any committee of the SEF pursuant to powers conferred on said committee under the 

Rules or by the Board.

(c) Vote Required

The vote required of the Board or committee authorized to take any Emergency action hereunder 

shall be:

(1) In the case of action by the Board, the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of 

the Board present and voting at a meeting at which there is a quorum; or

(2) In the case of action by a committee, the affirmative vote of two (2) or more persons 

constituting not less than a majority of the members of said committee present and voting at a meeting at 

which there is a quorum; 

The consent in writing to any Emergency action of all members of the Board or of a committee, as 

applicable, shall be sufficient to take such Emergency action without a meeting. A member of the Board 

or of a committee shall be deemed present or in attendance at a meeting if such a person participates in 

the meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all 

persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time.

(d) Action which may be taken

(1) In the event of an Emergency, the SEF may, subject to Part 40 of the Commission 

Regulations under the Act, place into immediate effect a Rule which may provide for, or may authorize 

the SEF, or any committee, to undertake actions which, in the opinion of the SEF are necessary or 

appropriate to meet the Emergency, including, but not limited to, such actions as:

(i) Extending or shortening the expiration date for trading in Contracts;

(ii) Extending the time of delivery under or expiration of Contracts;

(iii) Extending, limiting or changing hours of trading;

(iv) Imposing or modifying price limits; 

(v) Imposing or modifying Position Limits; 

(vi) Imposing or modifying intraday market restrictions;

(vii) Ordering the liquidation or transfer of open positions in any Contract;

(viii) Ordering the fixing of a settlement price; 

(ix) Suspending trading pursuant to Rule 105 or curtailing trading in any Contract; 

(x) Altering any Contract’s settlement terms or conditions; and
SEF Rulebook | 5

(xi) Modifying or suspending any provision of the Rules.

(2) In the event of an Emergency when a quorum of the Board is not available, all trading on 

the SEF may be suspended by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present, or by action of 

one Director if only one Director is present, for such period of time as in their or his or her judgment is 

necessary. In the event of an Emergency which prevents normal attendance at a meeting of the Board, 

when no Director is present, any authorized officer of the SEF shall have authority to order suspension of 

trading on the SEF for such period of time as in his or her judgment is necessary. Any action taken under 

this paragraph (b) shall be subject to review and modification by the Board.

(3) Whenever any action is taken under this Rule pursuant to which trading is suspended or 

other changes in procedure are made, all matters relating to notices, deliveries and other obligations may 

be suspended or deferred in such manner as the Board or committee, as the case may be, may 

determine.

(4) The SEF may be required to take an Emergency action when directed by the 

Commission. If a Contract is traded both on the SEF and on one or more other swap execution facilities, 

any Emergency action to liquidate or transfer of open positions in any Contract will be made in 

consultation with the Commission or Commission staff. 

(e) Physical Emergencies

(1) In the event the physical functions of the SEF are, or are threatened to be, severely and 

adversely affected by a physical emergency, such as fire or other casualty, bomb threat, substantial 

inclement weather, power failure, communication or transportation breakdown, computer malfunction, 

screen-based Trading Platform break-down, malfunction of plumbing, heating, ventilation and air 

conditioning systems, backlog or delay in clearing or in the processing of data related to clearing Cleared 

Contracts (a “Physical Emergency”), the Chairman of the Board, or in his or her absence the Chief 

Executive Officer, or in both of their absences any other officer may take any action which, in the opinion 

of such officer is necessary or appropriate to deal with the Physical Emergency, including, but not limited 

to, suspending trading in any one or more Contracts, delaying the opening of trading in any one or more 

Contracts, extending the Last Trading Day and/or the time of trading.

(2) In the event a designated officer has ordered suspension of trading, the Chairman of the 

Board or the Chief Executive Officer, or in their absence any other officer may order restoration of trading 

on the SEF, or may remove other restrictions so imposed, if such officer determines that the Physical 

Emergency has sufficiently abated to permit the physical functions of the SEF to continue in an orderly 

manner.

(f) The SEF will promptly report any action taken hereunder to the Commission and explain the 

decision-making process, the reasons for the exercise of emergency authority and how any conflicts of 

interest were addressed. Any emergency Rule or Rule amendment shall be filed with the Commission in 

accordance with Part 40 of the Commission Regulations under the Act.

(g) In exercising its authority under this Rule 104, the SEF shall, in its reasonable discretion, and 

where appropriate, permitted by Applicable Law and not precluded by exigent circumstances, consult and 

coordinate with DCOs, other swap execution facilities, boards of trade, relevant Participants, and other 

parties in considering what actions to take hereunder.

Rule 105. Suspension of Trading

The Board may, in its discretion, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors present at a meeting 

at which there is a quorum (which, in an Emergency other than a Physical Emergency, may be held 

without previous notice), close the SEF or suspend trading in any one or more Contracts on such days or 

portions of days as will, in its judgment, serve to promote the best interest of the SEF. 
SEF Rulebook | 6

Rule 106. Risk Controls for Trading

The Regulatory Oversight Committee may impose controls to reduce the potential risk of market 

disruption, including but not limited to market restrictions that pause or halt trading in specified market 

conditions. 

Rule 107. Market Data

Subject to Rule 103, and each Participant’s and Customer’s rights in its own Proprietary Data and 

Personal Information, the SEF owns all rights, title and interest in and to all intellectual property and other 

proprietary rights (including all copyright, database rights, trademarks and trade secrets, or similar 

proprietary rights in any jurisdiction whether or not registrable) in and to any data, analytics, research or 

other information (including without limitation Bids/Offers, RFQs, Pre-Arranged Crosses, the contents of 

Confirmations and Trade Communications, such Confirmations and Trade Communications themselves, 

prices and volumes of transactions)contained in, displayed on, generated by or derived from the SEF and 

the Trading Platforms (collectively the “Information”). The SEF shall not decompile or reverse engineer 

any of a Participant’s or Customer’s Proprietary Data and Personal Information for the purpose of 

ascertaining such Participant’s or Customer’s trading strategies, except to the extent reasonably 

necessary for the SEF’s operations, to perform its surveillance and monitoring functions or to otherwise 

comply with Applicable Law. Subject to each Participant’s and Customer’s rights in its own Proprietary 

Data and Personal Information, each Participant and Customer (i) agrees to keep the Information 

confidential and cause each of its employees, Affiliates, Authorized Trading Firms, Customers, agents, 

consultants, independent software vendors and other persons affiliated with any of the foregoing, as 

applicable (collectively “Related Parties”), to keep the Information confidential, and (ii) agrees not to, and 

shall cause its applicable Related Parties not to, sell, lease, license, transfer, provide or otherwise make 

available to any third party any form of access to or use of any of the Information, or use the Information 

for any purpose other than such Participant’s or Customers’ own trading activity (and not, for the 

avoidance of doubt, for use by such Participant’s or Customer’s sales, risk management, research, wealth 

management or asset management departments/functions). Each Participant and Customer agrees that 

it shall not, and shall cause its Related Parties not to, alter, enhance, make derivative works of, download 

to computer or reverse engineer all or any part of the Information (other than such Participant’s or 

Customer’s Proprietary Data and Personal Information). 

Rule 108. Intellectual Property

(a) The Systems are the exclusive Intellectual Property of the SEF or its affiliates or licensors. 

Participants have no access to the Systems and no rights with respect to the Systems, except as 

expressly granted by the SEF. Subject to any required approvals from any applicable Regulatory 

Agency, the SEF shall have the right to modify at any time a System’s functionality, configuration, 

appearance, content and the Swaps made available for trading via a System.

(b) Upon granting Trading Privileges to a Participant, the SEF grants to that Participant a revocable, 

non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Systems in accordance with the Rules for 

the sole purpose of (i) entering into Swaps via the Systems, and (ii) receiving and transmitting information 

generated by or made available through the Systems from time to time. Such license shall terminate 

when the Participant’s Trading Privileges terminate.

(c) Intellectual Property Rights

(1) By becoming a Participant, each Participant acknowledges and agrees that the 

Intellectual Property Rights in the Systems are a valuable asset of the SEF or its affiliates or licensors or 

their respective successors. Each Participant shall protect and safeguard the Intellectual Property Rights 

in and to the Systems by using the same degree of care that the Participant generally uses to protect its 

own Intellectual Property Rights and business assets, but in any event with no less than a reasonable 

degree of care.
SEF Rulebook | 7

(2) Each Participant shall promptly notify the SEF upon becoming aware of any infringement 

or misappropriation of any Intellectual Property Rights of the SEF or its affiliates or licensors. Each 

Participant shall comply with all reasonable requests made by the SEF (at the SEF’s reasonable 

expense) to protect and enforce the Intellectual Property Rights of the SEF or its affiliates or licensors in 

the Systems.

(d) Restrictions

(1) Subject to Rule 202, a Participant shall not sell, lease, license, transfer, provide or 

otherwise make available to any third party (including an affiliate of Participant), any form of access to or 

use of the System.

(2) A Participant shall not alter, enhance, make derivative works of, download to computer, 

decompile, disassemble or reverse engineer all or any part of the Systems except solely to the extent (i) 

expressly required by Applicable Law or permitted by the Rules, or (ii) necessary in direct connection with 

support functions related to transactions on or subject to the Rules.

(e) Notwithstanding Rule 102, the SEF represents and warrants that it owns or is licensed all 

Intellectual Property Rights in or to the Systems.

(f) Indemnities

(1) The SEF shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless each Participant and its officers, 

directors, employees and agents (each a “Participant Indemnified Party”) from and against all Losses 

as a result of any third party claim or proceeding of any nature (“Proceeding”) against a Participant 

Indemnified Party determining that the Systems (other than the EBS NDF System, which includes but is 

not limited to the technology known as EBS Dealing Service and Brokernet), or the use thereof by the 

Participant Indemnified Party as authorized hereunder, violates any Intellectual Property Rights of any 

third party provided that such Losses do not result from (i) any Participant Indemnified Party’s fraud, gross 

negligence or willful misconduct; (ii) violation of Applicable Law by the Participant Indemnified Party; or 

(iii) the Participant’s breach of the Rules.

(2) Each Participant shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SEF and each ICAP 

Party (each an “ICAP Indemnified Party”) from and against any Losses to which any ICAP Indemnified 

Party may become subject, insofar as such Losses arise out of or in connection with, or are based upon 

any Proceeding against an ICAP Indemnified Party that arises out of or relates to any access, use or 

misuse of the Systems by the Participant or by any person accessing the Systems using the Participant’s 

ID provided that such Losses do not result from (i) an ICAP Indemnified Party’s fraud, gross negligence or 

willful misconduct; (ii) violation of Applicable Law by the ICAP Indemnified Party; or (iii) the ICAP 

Indemnified Party’s breach of the Rules.

(3) If a Proceeding is commenced against a party entitled to indemnification under this Rule 

108 (the “Indemnified Party”), notice shall be given to the party obligated to provide such indemnification 

(the “Indemnifying Party”) as soon as reasonably practicable. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled 

to take control of the Proceeding and any settlement of it, and the Indemnified Party shall give the 

Indemnifying Party, at the Indemnifying Party’s reasonable cost, all reasonable assistance in relation to 

the Proceeding.

(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Rule 102 or a System Protocol, no 

limitation or exclusion of liability shall apply with respect to any direct losses or claims based on 

confidentiality, or to the SEF’s intellectual property infringement indemnification obligations set forth in this 

Rule 108.
SEF Rulebook | 8

(g) Confidentiality 

Each Participant shall keep confidential all Confidential Information of the SEF or the SEF’s affiliates or 

licensors, both during the term and after termination of the license granted by this Rule 108. Each 

Participant may disclose Confidential Information to its professional advisers but otherwise may only 

disclose Confidential Information to those of its employees and representatives who need to know such 

Confidential Information for the purposes of exercising or performing the rights and obligations of 

Participant under the Rules and have been informed of the confidential nature of the Confidential 

Information divulged. No Participant will disclose Confidential Information to any third party except as 

follows: (i) with the consent of the SEF; (ii) as necessary to a DCO of which such Participant is a member 

or in connection with the clearing of a Swap; (iii) subject to appropriate confidentiality requirements no 

less stringent than the confidentiality provisions hereunder, to any person providing services to such party 

relating to transactions on or subject to the Rules; or (iv) to the SEF’s Regulatory Services Provider.

(h) Each Participant shall maintain commercially available virus checking software to protect itself 

and the Systems from viruses, notify the SEF immediately of any defect in the System or any 

unauthorized access or change to the System of which the Participant becomes aware and comply with 

any security measures and procedures for authentication required by the SEF from time to time. 
SEF Rulebook | 9

CHAPTER 2

TRADING PRIVILEGES

Rule 201. Trading Privilege Holders

(a) Trading Privileges

(1) Subject to the requirements and procedures set forth in this Chapter 2, Trading Privileges 

will be granted on an impartial basis to all applicants from time to time approved by the SEF as eligible to 

be Trading Privilege Holders, subject to any limitations or restrictions from time to time imposed by the 

SEF. Trading Privileges are nontransferable (except under certain limited circumstances which must be 

approved by the SEF), non-assignable and may not be sold or leased. Circumstances under which 

Trading Privileges may be transferred, subject to SEF approval, include, for example, transfers due to 

corporate reorganizations. Each Trading Privilege Holder will have the right to access a Trading Platform, 

subject to the applicable System Protocol, including the right to:

(i) place Bids/Offers, RFQs and Pre-Arranged Crosses for each of its proprietary 

accounts;

(ii) if otherwise registered in any required capacity (or exempt from registration) and 

authorized to act on behalf of Customers under the Act and Commission Regulations thereunder 

or any foreign equivalent law or regulations, place Bids/Offers, RFQs and Pre-Arranged Crosses 

for the accounts of such Customers as an Intermediary; and

(iii) appoint other persons to act on its behalf as an Authorized Trader or an 

Authorized Trading Firm pursuant to Rule 202.

(2) By virtue of obtaining Trading Privileges, a Trading Privilege Holder will not obtain any 

equity or other interest in the SEF, including voting rights or rights to receive any dividends or other 

distributions, whether arising from a dissolution, merger or consolidation involving the SEF or otherwise.

(3) In granting Trading Privileges, the SEF may impose such restrictions or limitations as it 

may deem necessary or appropriate. The SEF shall apply such restrictions or limitations to applicants in 

an impartial, non-discriminatory manner, consistent with the Act and Commission Regulations thereunder. 

The SEF will deny the grant of Trading Privileges where an applicant has failed to meet any requirements 

for such grant.

(b) Financial Requirements

(1) Any person that wishes to have Trading Privileges must be of good financial standing and 

must meet the financial and related reporting requirements set forth in this Rule 201. 

(2) Each Trading Privilege Holder must provide a signed written or electronic representation, 

prior to being granted access to the SEF, that it qualifies as an “eligible contract participant” as defined in 

the Act upon initial application for Trading Privileges. 

(3) Each Trading Privilege Holder shall, no less frequently than annually, provide the SEF 

either with (i) its annual financial report that it provides to the Commission or (ii) a written or electronic 

representation providing that such Trading Privilege Holder has been, and continues to be as of such 

date, an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Act.

(4) Each Trading Privilege Holder must notify the SEF’s Chief Compliance Officer 

immediately upon becoming aware that it fails to satisfy the minimum financial requirements applicable to 

it. 
SEF Rulebook | 10

(5) Unless and until a Trading Privilege Holder is able to demonstrate to the SEF that it is in 

compliance with the minimum financial requirements applicable to it, such Trading Privilege Holder may 

not engage in any transactions subject to the Rules of the SEF, except for the purpose of closing open 

positions that were opened on the SEF.

(c) Fitness Standards

(1) The SEF may deny the grant of Trading Privileges, or may prevent a person from 

becoming an Authorized Trader or an Authorized Trading Firm, if such person:

(i) is unable satisfactorily to demonstrate a capacity to adhere to all applicable 

Rules of the SEF, Rules of any DCO to which the Trading Privilege Holder submits Cleared 

Contracts for clearing, Commission Regulations and SRO regulations, including those concerning 

recordkeeping, reporting, financial requirements and trading procedures;

(ii) would bring the SEF into disrepute; or

(iii) for such other cause as the SEF reasonably may decide.

(2) The SEF may determine not to permit a Trading Privilege Holder or any Authorized 

Trader or Authorized Trading Firm to keep its, his or her Trading Privileges or maintain its, his or her 

association with a Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm, as the case may be, if such 

Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm:

(i) fails to meet any of the qualification requirements for Trading Privileges or 

Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm status after such Trading Privileges or Authorized 

Trader or Authorized Trading Firm status has been approved;

(ii) fails to comply with any limitation placed by the SEF on such Trading Privileges 

or Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm status; or

(iii) commits a material Violation.

(3) Any decision made by the SEF pursuant to this Rule 201 must be consistent with both 

the provisions of this Rule and the Act and Commission Regulations thereunder.

(d) The SEF may (i) deny the grant of Trading Privileges, (ii) prevent a person from becoming an 

Intermediary, Authorized Trader or an Authorized Trading Firm, and (iii) determine not to permit a Trading 

Privilege Holder or any Intermediary, Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm to keep its, his or her 

Trading Privileges or maintain its, his or her association with a Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized 

Trading Firm, as the case may be, if such Trading Privilege Holder, Intermediary, Authorized Trader or 

Authorized Trading Firm causes or would cause the SEF to be in violation of Applicable Law.

(e) Consent to SEF Jurisdiction

Prior to obtaining access to the SEF and each time a Participant or Customer initiates or executes a 

transaction on the SEF, directly or through an Intermediary, each Participant and each Customer shall be 

deemed to have expressly consented to the jurisdiction of the SEF and agreed to be bound by and 

comply with the Rules. At the time any Clearing Firm provides a Clearing Firm Representation, each 

such Clearing Firm shall expressly consent to the jurisdiction of the SEF and agree to be bound by and 

comply with the Rules. 
SEF Rulebook | 11

Rule 202. Authorized Traders and Authorized Trading Firms 

(a) Each Trading Privilege Holder may from time to time permit one or more persons to enter 

Bids/Offers, issue and respond to RFQs, submit Pre-Arranged Crosses, access a Trading Platform and 

effect transactions in Contracts on the SEF. Such authority may be granted to one or more Authorized 

Traders or to one or more Authorized Trading Firms. 

(1) Authorized Traders

(i) Each Trading Privilege Holder which is trading for its own account as a principal 

may permit one or more individuals as Authorized Traders to enter Bids/Offers and RFQs and 

Pre-Arranged Crosses on its behalf. In such case, the Trading Privilege Holder shall be principal 

to any resulting transactions made on its behalf by such Authorized Traders.

(ii) Each Trading Privilege Holder which is an Intermediary trading for the accounts 

of Customers may permit one or more individuals as Authorized Traders to enter Bids/Offers and 

RFQs and Pre-Arranged Crosses on its behalf as an Intermediary for such Customers. In such 

cases, the Trading Privilege Holder has responsibility for all actions and failures to act of such 

Authorized Traders, but the Customer on whose behalf each transaction is made shall be the 

principal to any transactions made on its behalf by such Authorized Traders. 

(iii) Each Trading Privilege Holder which is an Intermediary trading for the accounts 

of Customers that are natural persons may provide such a Customer with DMA to the SEF by 

permitting the Customer to become an Authorized Trader to enter Bids/Offers and RFQs on 

behalf of the Customer. In such case, the Customer shall be the principal to any transactions 

entered into as an Authorized Trader. As provided for in section (b)(3) below, the SEF may grant 

or deny DMA to a Customer in its sole discretion. 

(iv) The Trading Privilege Holder shall be responsible to the SEF for acting with 

reasonable care in granting Authorized Trader status. 

(2) Authorized Trading Firms

(i) Each Trading Privilege Holder which is an Intermediary trading for the accounts 

of Customers that are entities may provide such a Customer with DMA to the SEF by permitting 

the Customer to become an Authorized Trading Firm and by permitting one or more individuals 

associated with the Authorized Trading Firm to become Authorized Traders to enter Bids/Offers 

and RFQs on behalf of the Customer. In such case, the Customer on whose behalf each 

transaction is made shall be the principal to any transactions made on its behalf by such 

Authorized Trading Firm through the Authorized Traders. As provided for in section (b)(3) below, 

the SEF may grant or deny DMA to a Customer in its sole discretion. 

(ii) Each Trading Privilege Holder may provide an Intermediary trading for the 

account of the Trading Privilege Holder with access to the SEF by permitting such Intermediary to 

become an Authorized Trading Firm and by permitting one or more individuals associated with 

the Authorized Trading Firm to become Authorized Traders to enter Bids/Offers and RFQs and 

Pre-Arranged Crosses on behalf of the Trading Privilege Holder. In such case, the Trading 

Privilege Holder shall be the principal to any transactions made on its behalf by such Authorized 

Trading Firm through the Authorized Traders. 

(iii) Prime Brokers. Each Trading Privilege Holder that is a Prime Broker may 

provide a potential counterparty with access to the SEF by permitting such potential counterparty 

to become an Authorized Trading Firm of such Prime Broker, with one or more individuals 

associated with the Authorized Trading Firm to be designated by the Authorized Trading Firm as 

Authorized Traders to enter Bids/Offers and RFQs and Pre-Arranged Crosses on behalf of the 
SEF Rulebook | 12

Prime Broker. In such cases, the Authorized Trading Firm shall enter into a Swap with the Prime 

Broker on a back-to-back basis with the Swap being executed on the SEF on behalf of the Prime 

Broker. An Authorized Trading Firm of a Prime Broker which is itself a Prime Broker may 

designate one or more individuals associated with its potential counterparty as Authorized 

Traders who will enter Bids/Offers and RFQs and pre-Arranged Crosses on behalf of the Prime 

Broker that is a Trading Privilege Holder. In such case, there will be two back-to-back Swap 

transactions based on the Swap executed on the SEF on behalf of the Prime Broker that is a 

Trading Privilege Holder. One back-to-back Swap will be between the Prime Broker that is a 

Trading Privilege Holder and the Prime Broker that is an Authorized Trading Firm, and the second 

back-to-back Swap transaction will be between the Prime Broker that is an Authorized Trading 

Firm and the potential counterparty with which the Authorized Traders are associated.

(iv) The Trading Privilege Holder shall be responsible to the SEF for acting with 

reasonable care in granting Authorized Trading Firm status. 

(v) Each Trading Privilege Holder will obtain a signed written or electronic 

representation, prior to being granted access to the SEF, that each of its Authorized Trading 

Firms continues to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Act and provide 

such representation to the SEF and shall notify the SEF if any Authorized Trading Firm no longer 

qualifies as an “eligible contract participant”.

(b) SEF Approval

(1) No person may act as an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm before being 

approved to do so by the SEF, which the SEF will do on an impartial basis. 

(2) Each prospective Authorized Trader and Authorized Trading Firm will submit an 

application in the form required by the SEF and will satisfy such requirements as may be prescribed by 

the SEF from time to time. No Authorized Trading Firm or Authorized Trader shall satisfy such 

requirements unless the Authorized Trading Firm and related Authorized Traders expressly consent to 

the jurisdiction of the SEF and agree to be bound by and comply with the SEF Rules. Each prospective 

Authorized Trading Firm must provide a written or electronic representation, prior to being granted access 

to the SEF, that it qualifies as an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Act and that it has all 

registrations, licenses and consents required by its constituent documents and Applicable Law to transact 

in Contracts. 

(3) DMA to the SEF by an Authorized Trader or an Authorized Trading Firm shall be granted 

or denied in the sole discretion of the SEF. The SEF will notify a Trading Privilege Holder of its approval 

or disapproval of the designation of an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm for DMA. The SEF 

may, in its sole discretion, revoke or suspend the designation of an Authorized Trader or Authorized 

Trading Firm for DMA, and shall notify the Trading Privilege Holder of such action in accordance with 

procedures established by the SEF.

(c) Responsibilities to the SEF. 

(1) Each Trading Privilege Holder shall notify the SEF in writing if its relationship with an 

Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm has been terminated, and such Trading Privilege Holder 

may at any time revoke any authorization granted by it to any Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading 

Firm by providing written notice of such revocation to the SEF. 

(2) By permitting any of its Authorized Traders and/or Authorized Trading Firms to access 

and use a Trading Platform from any jurisdiction or to act as an Intermediary for trades on behalf of 

Customers located in any jurisdiction, each Trading Privilege Holder represents and warrants that each 

such access to or use of a Trading Platform, or action as an Intermediary, does not violate any law 
SEF Rulebook | 13

applicable to the Trading Privilege Holder, the Authorized Trader, the Authorized Trading Firm or, to such 

Trading Privilege Holder’s knowledge, the SEF.

(d) Intermediation

(1) A Participant may not act as an Intermediary for any other entity or person unless the 

Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm is registered with the Commission as a futures 

commission merchant, introducing broker or commodity trading advisor, or is exempt from such 

registration, or not required by Applicable Law to register, and the Authorized Trader of a futures 

commission merchant or introducing broker is registered as an Associated Person of such futures 

commission merchant or introducing broker, or is exempt from such registration. 

(2) A Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm may not 

transact as an Intermediary for any Customer unless the Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading 

Firm has submitted a signed representation to the SEF that each of its Customers is an “eligible contract 

participant” as defined in the Act.

Rule 203. Financial Integrity 

(a) Each Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm and Customer must be an “eligible 

contract participant” as defined in the Act (i) prior to obtaining access to the SEF, and (ii) at the time that 

such person enters into each transaction on the SEF or subject to the Rules.

(b) For Cleared Contracts: 

(1) each Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm transacting on the SEF as a 

principal is required to demonstrate to the SEF, with appropriate documentary evidence as required by 

the SEF from time to time, that such Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm is a Clearing 

Firm or that it has clearing arrangements in place with a Clearing Firm, including having the Clearing Firm 

Representation required by Rule 204(f); and

(2) each Trading Privilege Holder acting as an Intermediary shall confirm that each of its 

Customers has clearing arrangements in place with a Clearing Firm and obtain from its Customers any 

documentary evidence as required by the SEF from time to time to that effect, including any Clearing Firm 

Representation required by Rule 204(f). The Trading Privilege Holder shall provide such documentary 

evidence to the SEF.

(c) For Contracts listed on the SEF as bilateral Contracts, each Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized 

Trading Firm or Customer that enters into such Contracts as a principal must undergo such credit checks 

and provide such credit information as the SEF may require from time to time. 

Rule 204. Clearing 

(a) All Contracts executed on the SEF that are subject to mandatory clearing under Section 2(h) of 

the Act must be cleared through a DCO by a Clearing Firm. Any other Contracts executed on the SEF 

may be cleared at the discretion of the parties to such transaction; provided that such Contracts are able 

to be cleared through a DCO by a Clearing Firm. After being submitted to and accepted by the relevant 

DCO, each Cleared Contract will be subject to the rules, policies and procedures of such DCO.

(b) Pre-Execution Credit Check / Risk Screening. 

(1) In advance of submitting each Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross to the SEF for any 

Cleared Contract, each Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm shall identify the Clearing 

Firm to which any resulting transaction will be submitted for clearing at the relevant DCO and:
SEF Rulebook | 14

(i) if acting as principal, shall ensure that it has sufficient credit with such Clearing 

Firm for the resulting transaction and that the resulting transaction satisfies such Clearing Firm’s 

Risk-Based Limits; and

(ii) if acting as an Intermediary, other than with respect to DMA, shall confirm that its 

Customer has sufficient credit with the Customer’s Clearing Firm for the resulting transaction and 

that the resulting transaction satisfies such Clearing Firm’s Risk-Based Limits. 

In the event that there is insufficient credit or the transaction does not satisfy a Clearing Firm’s 

Risk-Based Limits, the Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm may not submit such Bid/Offer 

or Pre-Arranged Cross to the SEF.

(2) Each Clearing Firm that provides a Clearing Firm Representation for a Participant or 

Customer may notify the SEF of Risk-Based Limits it has established for such Participant or Customer, 

and such Risk-Based Limits shall become effective upon acknowledgment of receipt by the SEF. Any 

change to such Risk-Based Limits shall become effective only upon acknowledgment of receipt by the 

SEF. 

(c) A Clearing Firm that seeks to effect transactions on the SEF for its own account or the account of 

any Customer must be a Trading Privilege Holder. 

(d) The SEF may share information with any DCO that would assist such DCO in evaluating and 

monitoring a Clearing Firm’s compliance with these criteria. A Clearing Firm agrees to cooperate with the 

SEF and each relevant DCO in any such monitoring. 

(e) Clearing Firms shall clear Cleared Contracts in accordance with all applicable Rules and DCO 

rules.

(f) Clearing Firm Representation

(1) Each Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm that is not a Clearing Firm and 

is transacting in Cleared Contracts on the SEF as a principal shall obtain a representation from a Clearing 

Firm, in form and substance satisfactory to, and approved by, the SEF (a “Clearing Firm 

Representation”). Under such representation, the Clearing Firm must accept for clearing all Cleared 

Contracts of each Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm for which it clears Cleared 

Contracts, subject to any Risk-Based Limits that are in effect pursuant to Rule 204(b)(2). Where a 

Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm uses the services of multiple Clearing Firms, a 

Clearing Firm shall be responsible only to the extent that it has been designated by such Trading 

Privilege Holder or Authorized Trading Firm to clear a particular Cleared Contract.

(2) Each Trading Privilege Holder acting as Intermediary shall obtain from the Customer a 

Clearing Firm Representation from a Clearing Firm pursuant to which the Clearing Firm accepts for 

clearing all transactions in Cleared Contracts entered into by the Customer, subject to any Risk-Based 

Limits that are in effect pursuant to Rule 204(b)(2). Where a Customer uses the services of multiple 

Clearing Firms, a Clearing Firm shall be responsible only to the extent that it has been designated by 

such Customer to clear a particular Cleared Contract.

(3) Every Contract that is subject to a Clearing Firm Representation and results from a 

Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross that is within any Risk-Based Limits that are in effect pursuant to Rule 

204(b)(2) is deemed accepted for clearing by the Clearing Firm upon execution. 

(4) A Clearing Firm may at any time (but on prior written notice to the SEF) revoke any 

Clearing Firm Representation made by it to a Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm or 

Customer (as applicable) in accordance with paragraph (1) and/or (2) above, by providing prior written 

notice of such revocation to the SEF. The Clearing Firm Representation will remain in effect for all 
SEF Rulebook | 15

Contracts for which Bids/Offers or Pre-Arranged Cross were submitted to a Trading Platform prior to the 

SEF’s acknowledgement of the revocation, which the SEF shall undertake to effectuate as promptly as 

practicable.

(5) Each Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm or, if applicable, Customer must 

assist its Clearing Firm and the DCO in the clearing of its Cleared Contracts.

(6) Upon notice that a Clearing Firm has revoked any authorization granted and Clearing 

Firm Representation made by it to a Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm or Customer 

pursuant to this Rule 204(f), the right of such Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm or 

Customer (as applicable) to enter into Cleared Contracts will be automatically terminated, and such 

Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm or Customer must obtain another Clearing Firm 

Representation from a Clearing Firm before the Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trading Firm or 

Customer’s right to access to trade Cleared Contracts via the SEF will be reinstated. 

(g) A DCO may be given access to the SEF for the purpose of obtaining any information required by 

the DCO to clear contracts, including, without limitation, real-time data regarding Bids/Offers, PreArranged Crosses and the execution of transactions. The SEF may impose such restrictions on a DCO’s 

access that it determines, in its sole discretion, are necessary and appropriate. 

(h) Failure to Clear

(1) Subject to a Clearing Firm’s obligation to accept for clearing all Contracts resulting from 

Bids/Offers or Pre-Arranged Crosses that satisfy the Risk-Based Limits in effect for a Participant or 

Customer, any Cleared Contract, including one leg of a Package Transaction, that is rejected for clearing 

by a Clearing Firm or DCO for any reason, including an error by the SEF in permitting a Bid/Offer or PreArranged Cross to be made that did not satisfy the Risk-Based Limits in effect at the time the Bid/Offer or 

Pre-Arranged Cross was made, shall be void ab initio and will be canceled by the SEF. For the 

avoidance of doubt, any component leg of a Package Transaction that was accepted for clearing will not 

be affected by the rejection of another leg of the same Package Transaction. 

(2) Any Contract, including any component leg of a Package Transaction, that was executed 

on the SEF without the intent to be cleared, but later determined by the parties to the transaction to be 

cleared, will not be void if rejected for clearing by a DCO to which the Contract or component leg of the 

Package Transaction was submitted.

(3) In the event a Cleared Contract, including one leg of a Package Transaction, is canceled 

by the SEF pursuant to this Rule 204(h), the SEF will report such cancellation to the relevant SDR 

pursuant to Part 43 of the Commission Regulations. 

(4) Any transaction canceled under this Rule 204(h) (except for transactions rejected by a 

DCO for credit reasons) may be re-executed pursuant to the procedures set forth in Rule 315(h). 

(i) Submission of Cleared Contracts to DCOs

(1) The SEF shall route each Cleared Contract executed on the SEF and accepted for 

clearing by a Clearing Firm to the DCO identified pursuant to Rule 208(d) as soon as technologically 

practicable after execution, and in no event later than ten (10) minutes after execution. The SEF may do 

so either by submitting the Cleared Contract directly to the DCO or by routing the Cleared Contract 

through an Affirmation Hub.

(2) Cleared Contracts that are routed through an Affirmation Hub shall be routed in 

accordance with the following procedures:
SEF Rulebook | 16

(i) All Cleared Contracts executed as Pre-Arranged Crosses (other than those 

resulting from Bids/Offers generated by a Bulk Risk Mitigation Service) or on the Order Book with 

the assistance of an Execution Specialist, must be Affirmed by Participants or Customers, as 

applicable, as soon as technologically practicable after execution, and in no event later than ten 

(10) minutes after execution; and

(ii) All other Cleared Contracts, including Pre-Arranged Crosses resulting from 

Bids/Offers generated by a Bulk Risk Mitigation Service, shall be automatically submitted by the 

Affirmation Hub to the relevant DCO as soon as technologically practicable after receipt from the 

SEF, without Participants or Customers being provided the opportunity to Affirm.

(3) Failure by a Participant or Customer to Affirm a Cleared Contract routed through an 

Affirmation Hub within the ten (10) minute time frame required by this Rule 204(i) shall be a Violation; 

provided that:

(i) such failure shall be a Violation only by the Participant(s) or Customer(s), as 

applicable, that failed to Affirm the Cleared Contract in accordance with this Rule; and 

(ii) no such failure shall be a Violation where the failure was substantially the result 

of, as determined in the SEF’s discretion, any errors or delays caused by the SEF or any 

Execution Specialist.

(4) The Chief Compliance Officer or a designated member of the Market Regulation Staff 

shall, on a monthly basis, review the previous month’s Affirmations by Participants and Customers for 

compliance with this Rule 204(i). Notwithstanding such regular monthly reviews, the Chief Compliance 

Officer or any member of the Market Regulation Staff may investigate possible Violations of this Rule 

204(i) at any time upon becoming aware of such possible Violation. Investigations of possible Violations 

of this Rule 204(i) shall be conducted in accordance with Rule 502, including that the Chief Compliance 

Officer may determine to impose summary fines in accordance with Rule 516. The Chief Compliance 

Officer or a designated member of the Market Regulation Staff shall review each possible Violation of this 

Rule 204(i) in light of all the facts and circumstances, including whether any errors or delays were caused 

by the SEF or any Execution Specialist.

(j) Breakage Agreements Prohibited. Participants and Customers are prohibited from requiring a 

Breakage Agreement from any other Participant or Customer as a condition of trading with that other 

Participant or Customer. 

Rule 205. Application for and Grant of Trading Privileges

(a) Application Requirement. Each applicant for Trading Privileges will submit an application to the 

SEF in a form and manner prescribed by the SEF. Each applicant will promptly update the application 

materials if any of the information provided therein becomes inaccurate or incomplete after the date of 

submission and prior to any approval of the application. The SEF will act upon, and approve or 

disapprove, any such application without unreasonable delay.

(b) Upon submission of an application and satisfaction of the requirements and procedures set forth 

in this Chapter 2, and approval by the SEF, a person applying for Trading Privileges will be granted 

Trading Privileges. If the application process is not completed by the applicant within six months of 

submission of an application and payment of any applicable fee, the application will be deemed to be 

withdrawn.

(c) Any applicant who has been denied Trading Privileges or Authorized Trader or Authorized 

Trading Firm status with a Trading Privilege Holder, and any Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized 

Trader or Authorized Trading Firm of a Trading Privilege Holder who is not permitted to keep its, his or 

her Trading Privileges or maintain his or her status as an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm 
SEF Rulebook | 17

may request an appeal of the SEF’s decision pursuant to the procedures set forth in Rule 205(e). No 

determination of the SEF to discontinue a person’s Trading Privileges or Authorized Trader or Authorized 

Trading Firm status will take effect until the review procedures hereunder have been exhausted or the 

time for review has expired. 

(d) Any applicant to become a Trading Privilege Holder who has been denied Trading Privileges 

pursuant to this Rule 205 will not be eligible for re-application during the six months immediately following 

such denial.

(e) Appeal of Denial of Trading Privileges or Suspension or Termination of Access

(1) If the SEF, pursuant to this Rule, denies an application for Trading Privileges or 

association with a Trading Privilege Holder as an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm, or 

determines not to permit a person to keep its Trading Privileges or maintain its association as an 

Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm, or suspends or revokes a Participant’s or Customer’s 

access to the SEF pursuant to Rule 206(a) or (e), then, in any such case, the affected applicant, Trading 

Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader, Authorized Trading Firm, Participant or Customer, as the case may 

be, within seven days after receiving written notice of such decision, may request in writing that the SEF 

provide the reasons therefor in writing. Within 14 days of receiving any such written request, the SEF will 

provide the applicant, Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader, Authorized Trading Firm, Participant or 

Customer, as the case may be, with such reasons in writing. Within 14 days of receiving the SEF’s 

written response, the applicant, Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader, Authorized Trading Firm, 

Participant or Customer, as the case may be, may request, in writing, that the SEF’s Participation 

Committee reconsider the SEF’s initial decision and may provide any written representations or other 

information that the applicant, Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader, Authorized Trading Firm, 

Participant or Customer, as the case may be, believes is relevant to the reconsideration.

(2) Within 28 days of receiving either a written request for reconsideration or written 

representations or information from the applicant, Trading Privilege Holder, Authorized Trader, Authorized 

Trading Firm, Participant or Customer, as the case may be, or a statement from such person that no such 

representation or information is to be made or supplied, the Participation Committee will either confirm, 

reverse or modify the initial decision and will promptly notify the applicant, Trading Privilege Holder, 

Authorized Trader, Authorized Trading Firm, Participant or Customer, as the case may be, accordingly. 

The Participation Committee may in its discretion schedule a hearing or establish any other process that it 

believes is necessary and appropriate to consider the request for reconsideration. Any decision by the 

Participation Committee pursuant to this subparagraph (2) constitutes the final action of the SEF with 

respect to the matter in question and is not subject to appeal. Any action that may be taken by the 

Participation Committee under this Rule 205(e) or (f) may be taken by the Board if no Participation 

Committee has been established. 

(f) Effective Date of Denial of Trading Privileges or Suspension or Termination of Access

(1) If the SEF, pursuant to this Rule, makes a final determination to deny an application for 

Trading Privileges or association with a Trading Privilege Holder as an Authorized Trader or Authorized 

Trading Firm, or determines not to permit a person to keep its Trading Privileges or maintain its 

association as an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm, or suspends or revokes a Participant’s 

or Customer’s access to the SEF pursuant to Rule 206(a) or (e), then the Participation Committee shall 

provide written notice within thirty (30) days of its determination to the applicant, Participant or Customer, 

as applicable. The written notice must include:

(i) the name of the applicant, Participant or Customer;

(ii) a statement of the Participation Committee’s reasons for the denial of Trading 

Privileges, suspension or revocation of access to the SEF, including a listing of any Rules the 

Participation Committee determined were Violated and whether the Violation resulted in any 

financial harm to Customers;
SEF Rulebook | 18

(iii) a statement of the conclusions and findings of the Participation Committee with 

respect to each Violation, or, in the event of a settlement, a statement specifying the alleged 

Violations;

(iv) the terms of the denial of Trading Privileges, suspension or revocation of access to 

the SEF; 

(v) the date on which the determination was made and the effective date of the 

determination; and

(vi) a statement informing the applicant, Participant or Customer that the denial of 

Trading Privileges, suspension or revocation of access to the SEF may be appealed to the 

Commission pursuant to Part 9 of the Commission Regulations. 

(2) The SEF shall also provide the written notice to the NFA through the NFA’s Background 

Affiliation Status Information Center (“BASIC”), or deliver the written notice to NFA to be input into BASIC.

(3) Any decision by the SEF to deny Trading Privileges or to suspend or revoke access to 

the SEF pursuant to this Rule shall be the final decision of the SEF and shall become effective in 

accordance with the timeline set forth in Rule 513(b).

(4) If the SEF denies Trading Privileges or to suspends or revokes access to the SEF 

pursuant to this Rule, it must publicly publish the information contained in the written notice pursuant to 

Rule 206(f)(1). 

Rule 206. Participant and Customer Obligations; Suspension or Termination of Access

(a) Each Participant and Customer must comply with these Rules, applicable provisions of the Act, 

and relevant Commission Regulations. Each Participant and Customer must also cooperate promptly 

and fully with the SEF, its agents, its Regulatory Services Provider, and/or the Commission in any 

investigation, call for information, inquiry, audit, examination, or proceeding. Such cooperation shall 

include a duty to provide supplemental verbal or other information if the Participant or Customer learns 

that a previous response is incomplete or incorrect in any material respect. Additionally, each Trading 

Privilege Holder must update its email address promptly after any change and update all other material 

information provided in its application for Trading Privileges within five days after that information has 

changed. If any Participant or Customer fails to satisfy these obligations, the SEF may revoke or 

suspend the Participant’s or Customer’s access to the SEF in full or in part. 

(b) Each Participant and Customer consents to allow the SEF to provide all information the SEF has 

about the Participant or Customer, including the Participant’s or Customer’s trading activity, to the 

Regulatory Services Provider, the Commission or any other Regulatory Agency, law enforcement 

authority, or judicial tribunal, including (as may be required by information sharing agreements or other 

contractual, regulatory, or legal provisions) foreign regulatory or self-regulatory bodies, law enforcement 

authorities, judicial tribunals and any other service provider to the SEF solely in connection with the 

service provider’s performance of services to the SEF and subject to the service provider’s agreeing to 

maintain such information as confidential, including that such service provider shall not:

(1) use such information for any purpose other than in connection with providing services to the 

SEF (including that it may not otherwise use such information for its own business or 

marketing purposes), unless specifically required in order to fulfill such service provider’s 

regulatory obligations; or 

(2) disclose such information to any other person, except (i) to its employees or Affiliates, 

provided that the employees or Affiliates are subject to confidentiality obligations at least as 
SEF Rulebook | 19

stringent as those applicable to the service provider, and that, in each case, such disclosure 

is necessary for the performance of services to the SEF by the service provider, or (ii) if 

compelled to do so by valid legal or regulatory process, provided that the service provider 

notifies the SEF in advance thereof to the extent permitted. 

(c) Each Participant is required to review the “Notices” section of the SEF website to make itself 

aware of material changes to these Rules or other notices that may affect their rights and obligations as a 

Participant.

(d) Each Trading Privilege Holder must diligently supervise all activities of the Trading Privilege 

Holder’s employees and/or agents, including all Authorized Traders and Authorized Trading Firms, 

relating to transactions effected on the SEF. Any Violation by any employee of a Trading Privilege 

Holder, including an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm, shall constitute a Violation by such 

Trading Privilege Holder.

(e) The SEF may revoke or suspend a Participant’s access to the SEF in full or in part if the 

Participant acts as an Intermediary on behalf of a Customer and such Customer maintains a position in 

any Contract that, when considered in light of the other positions maintained by the Participant through 

which such Customer accesses the SEF, and any other factors that the SEF reasonably deems relevant, 

the SEF reasonably believes could jeopardize the financial safety of such Participant or any of such 

Participant’s other Customers. In making this determination, the SEF may consider any relevant factors, 

including, as applicable, (i) the positions maintained by such Participant, such Participant’s Authorized 

Traders, Authorized Trading Firms and other Customers, (ii) financial information provided by such 

Participant; and (iii) in consultation and coordination with the relevant DCOs, the level of margin 

maintained by such Participant at such Participant’s Clearing Firm.

(f) Each Trading Privilege Holder which is a Swap Dealer or Major Swap Participant and enters into 

or facilitates a Swap that is subject to mandatory clearing under Section 2(h) of the Act shall be 

responsible for compliance with the mandatory trading requirement under Section 2(h)(8) of the Act.

Rule 207. Customers 

(a) No Participant shall act as an Intermediary for the account of a Customer unless the Participant 

has entered into an agreement with the Customer that provides that the Customer agrees that all 

Contracts shall be governed by the Rules, the Act and the Commission Regulations, insofar as they are 

applicable to that Contract, although no such agreement shall be required by these Rules when the 

Customer of a Trading Privilege Holder is another Trading Privilege Holder. 

(b) Where a Customer and the Intermediary are both Trading Privilege Holders, the Customer shall 

provide the SEF with such notice of the relationship as the SEF may require from time to time.

(c) Each Customer shall be the principal to all executed transactions resulting from any Bids/Offers 

or Pre-Arranged Crosses entered on behalf of the Customer. Where a Participant is acting as an 

Intermediary on behalf of a Customer, the Participant shall have no liability, whether or not the identity of 

the Customer has been disclosed, in respect of any transactions executed on behalf of a Customer, to 

any other party, including any other Participant or the Customer of any other Participant. 

(d) Except to the extent that the SEF sends Confirmations of Contracts directly to the relevant 

Customer, each such Customer authorizes the SEF to send Confirmations of Contracts entered into 

through an Intermediary to the Intermediary and authorizes such Intermediary to accept such 

Confirmations on behalf of the Customer. 

Rule 208. Recordkeeping
SEF Rulebook | 20

(a) Each Participant and Customer must prepare and keep current all books, ledgers and other 

similar records required to be kept by it pursuant to Applicable Law and the Rules of the SEF.

(b) Each Participant and Customer shall keep records of the Swaps it trades on or subject to the 

Rules of the SEF, and of its trading in each index, instrument or commodity underlying such Swaps, as 

well as of its trading of other derivatives that are based on any such index, instrument or commodity. 

These records shall include records of purchases, sales, ownership, production, processing and use of 

such Swaps, indices, instruments, commodities and derivatives, and may be in the form customarily 

generated in accordance with sound commercial practices in the relevant markets.

(c) Each Participant and Customer must keep all books and records required to be kept by it 

pursuant to the Rules of the SEF for a period of five years from the date on which they are first prepared, 

unless otherwise provided in the Rules of the SEF or required by Applicable Law. Such books and 

records must be readily accessible during the first two years of such five-year period. During such fiveyear period, all such books and records must be made available for inspection by, and copies thereof 

must be delivered to, the SEF, the SEF’s Regulatory Services Provider, the Commission, the U.S. 

Department of Justice and their authorized representatives upon request.

(d) The following information must be provided to the SEF by each Participant prior to entering a 

Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross with respect to any Swap traded on the SEF:

• Authorized Trader ID;

• Trading Privilege Holder ID;

• Swap;

• Series, if applicable;

• DCO where Swap is to be cleared;

• Price;

• Quantity;

• Side of the Bid/Offer;

• Customer Type Indicator Code (defined below);

• Trading account and other relevant account information, 

including Clearing Firm;

• LEI of the Participant placing the Bid/Offer or initiating the 

RFQ;

• For Intermediated Transactions, the LEI of the Customer;

• Yes/no indication of whether the Participant or Customer is a 

Swap Dealer for that Swap;

• Yes/no indication of whether the Participant or Customer is a 

Major Swap Participant;

• Yes/no indication of whether the Participant or Customer is a 

Financial Entity;

• Yes/no indication of whether the Participant or Customer is a 

U.S. person as defined by the Commission; 

• Yes/no indication of whether the Contract is a Prime Broker 

Transaction;

• For Cleared Contracts, confirmation of the availability of credit

at the Clearing Firm to which any resulting transaction will be 

submitted for clearing at the relevant DCO; 

• Any information required by the applicable System Protocol; 

and

• If the Swap will be allocated:

o an indication that the Swap will be allocated;

o the LEI of the Account Manager;
SEF Rulebook | 21

o if the Swap is a pre-execution allocated Swap, the account 

and LEI for each Customer that will receive allocations;

o an indication of whether the Swap is a post-execution 

allocation Swap; and 

o if the Swap is a post-execution allocation Swap, the 

unique Swap identifier of the original transaction between 

the reporting counterparty and the agent.

For purposes of this Rule 208, the “Customer Type Indicator Codes” are as follows: 

CTI 1 – Bid/Offer for the proprietary account of a Trading Privilege Holder that is a natural person.

CTI 2 – Bid/Offer for the proprietary account of a Trading Privilege Holder that is not a natural 

person.

CTI 3 – Bid/Offer which an individual Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trader executes for 

the proprietary account of another Trading Privilege Holder or for an account which the other 

Trading Privilege Holder controls or has an ownership or financial interest in.

CTI 4 – Any Bid/Offer not meeting the definition of CTI 1, 2 or 3, including those entered on behalf 

of Customers.

(e) The Rules of the SEF regarding the recordkeeping obligations set forth in this Rule 208 shall be 

promulgated to achieve the purposes and requirements of Applicable Law. While the SEF will have sole 

discretion, subject to Applicable Law, to determine such Rules, the SEF will take into consideration in 

doing so comparable requirements applicable to Participants.

Rule 209. Communications of the SEF with Participants

(a) Written Notices 

The SEF will publish a notice with respect to each addition to, modification of, or clarification of 

the Rules of the SEF, or of any action taken to implement any Rule of the SEF, in a form and manner that 

is reasonably designed to enable each Trading Privilege Holder to become aware of and familiar with, 

and to implement any necessary preparatory measures to be taken by it with respect to, such addition or 

modification, prior to the effective date thereof; provided that any failure of the SEF to so publish a notice 

will not affect the effectiveness of the addition or modification in question. Each Trading Privilege Holder 

will provide its respective Authorized Traders, Authorized Trading Firms and Customers with copies of 

any such notice. For purposes of publication in accordance with the first sentence of this Rule 209(a), it 

will be sufficient (without limiting the discretion of the SEF as to any other reasonable means of 

communication) if a notice is (a) sent to each Trading Privilege Holder by mail, recognized courier service, 

facsimile or electronic mail (including by means of a hyperlink included in an electronic mail message), to 

the address, facsimile number or electronic mail address (as applicable) provided by such Trading 

Privilege Holder for such purpose or (b) published on the SEF’s website. Each Trading Privilege Holder, 

on its own behalf, and on behalf of its Authorized Trading Firms, Authorized Traders and Customers, as 

applicable, must monitor the SEF’s website for any notices published under this Rule 209(a). 

(b) Recording of Communications

The SEF and Trading Privilege Holders may record conversations and retain copies of electronic 

communications between officers, employees or agents of the SEF, on the one hand, and Trading 

Privilege Holders (including their Affiliates), Authorized Traders, Authorized Trading Firms or Customers, 

on the other hand. Any such recordings or other records may be retained by the SEF or such Trading 

Privilege Holder, as the case may be, in such manner and for such periods of time as the SEF, or such 

Trading Privilege Holder, as the case may be, may deem necessary or appropriate.
SEF Rulebook | 22

Rule 210. Required Disclosures to the SEF 

Each Trading Privilege Holder must promptly notify the SEF in writing upon becoming aware:

(a) that the Trading Privilege Holder, any of the Trading Privilege Holder’s officers or any of the 

Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders or any Authorized Trading Firms has been the subject of a 

material sanction, penalty or other adverse action by any Regulatory Agency which is related to 

transactions in Swaps, futures, options on futures, securities, commodities, or Swaps-related banking;

(b) that the Trading Privilege Holder, any of the Trading Privilege Holder’s officers or any of the 

Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders or any Authorized Trading Firms has been convicted of, 

pled guilty or no contest to, or entered in a plea agreement of a material nature in any domestic, foreign

or military court which involves:

(1) embezzlement, theft, extortion, fraud, fraudulent conversion, forgery, counterfeiting, false 

pretenses, bribery, gambling, racketeering, or misappropriation of funds, securities or properties; 

or 

(2) any transaction in or advice concerning Swaps, futures, options on futures, securities, 

commodities, or Swaps-related banking; 

(c) that the Trading Privilege Holder, any of the Trading Privilege Holder’s officers or any of the 

Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders or Authorized Trading Firms is subject to material 

regulatory proceedings before any Regulatory Agency which are related to transactions in Swaps, 

futures, options on futures, securities, commodities, or Swaps-related banking;

(d) that the Trading Privilege Holder, any of the Trading Privilege Holder’s officers or any of the 

Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders or Authorized Trading Firms have been denied or 

withdrawn any application for registration or license submitted to any Regulatory Agency, and of any 

material revocation, suspension or conditioning of any registration or license granted by any Regulatory 

Agency, which in each case is related to transactions in Swaps, futures, options on futures, securities, 

commodities, or Swaps-related banking;

(e) that any of the Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders or Authorized Trading Firms have:

(1) had their status as an Authorized Trader or Authorized Trading Firm permanently 

revoked by the Trading Privilege Holder, whether due to employment termination, termination of status as 

a Customer or otherwise; or

(2) had their access to the SEF temporarily revoked by the Trading Privilege Holder;

(f) of any material change:

(1) in any information contained in the Trading Privilege Holder’s membership application, or 

in an Authorized Trader’s or Authorized Trading Firm’s application pursuant to Rule 202, including a 

Trading Privilege Holder’s, Authorized Trading Firm’s or Customer’s status as an “eligible contract 

participant;” or

(2) to an Authorized Trader’s or Authorized Trading Firm’s signed representation to the SEF 

that each of its Customers is an “eligible contract participant” pursuant to Rule 202(d);

(g) of any withdrawal from membership by the Trading Privilege Holder, any of the Trading Privilege 

Holder’s officers or any of the Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders or Authorized Trading Firms, 

in any SRO, designated contract market, DCO or swap execution facility; 
SEF Rulebook | 23

(h) of any damage to, or failure or inadequacy of, the systems, facilities or equipment used to effect 

transactions or perform financial obligations under or in connection with Contracts of the Trading Privilege 

Holder or any of its Authorized Traders or Authorized Trading Firms; 

(i) of any change in the location of the principal office of the Trading Privilege Holder or any of the 

Trading Privilege Holder’s Authorized Traders and Authorized Trading Firms;

(j) of any failure to maintain segregated funds as required by the Commission when the Trading 

Privilege Holder is a futures commission merchant registered with the Commission;

(k) of becoming subject to early warning reporting under Commission Regulation 1.12; and

(l) of becoming the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding or being unable to meet any financial 

obligation as it becomes due.

Rule 211. Dues, Fees and Expenses

(a) The Board has the sole power to set the payment dates and amounts of any dues, assessments 

or fees to be levied on Trading Privilege Holders, which dues, assessments or fees will be paid to the 

SEF when due. Fees will be comparable for Trading Privilege Holders receiving comparable access to, 

or services from, the SEF. 

(b) If a Trading Privilege Holder fails to pay when due any SEF dues, assessments or fees levied on 

such Trading Privilege Holder, and such payment obligation remains unsatisfied thirty (30) days after its 

due date, the SEF may suspend, revoke, limit, condition, restrict or qualify the Trading Privileges of such 

Trading Privilege Holder as it deems necessary or appropriate.

Rule 212. Market Maker Programs

The SEF may from time to time adopt, pursuant to Part 40 of the Commission Regulations, one or more 

programs under which one or more Trading Privilege Holders or others may be approved and designated 

as market makers with respect to one or more Contracts in order to provide liquidity and orderliness in the 

market or markets for such Contract or Contracts. Any such program may provide for any or all of the 

following:

(a) qualifications, including any minimum net capital requirements, that any such market maker must 

satisfy;

(b) the procedure by which Trading Privilege Holders or others may seek and receive designation as 

market holders;

(c) the obligations of such market makers, including any applicable minimum bid and offer 

commitments;

(d) the benefits accruing to such market makers, including priority in the execution of transactions 

effected by Trading Privilege Holders or others as approved by the SEF in their capacity as market 

makers, reduced transaction fees or the receipt of compensatory payments from the SEF; and

(e) the requirement that such designated market makers agree to abide by the Rules of the SEF and 

are subject to the jurisdiction of the SEF.

Rule 213. Independent Software Vendors

The SEF shall provide impartial access to independent software vendors who enter into a development 

and maintenance agreement with the SEF (an “ISV Development and Maintenance Agreement”). Fees 
SEF Rulebook | 24

will be comparable for independent software vendors receiving comparable access to, or services from, 

the SEF. Each independent software vendor that enters into an ISV Development and Maintenance 

Agreement must satisfy the following criteria, which the SEF shall apply in a fair and nondiscriminatory 

manner: 

(a) If required to be registered in any capacity under Applicable Law, it has duly registered in such 

capacity and such registration is in effect and has not lapsed or been revoked, suspended or withdrawn;

(b) It complies with the applicable technical access standards, system compatibility requirements, 

security protocols and technical specifications for connection to the SEF’s electronic system as may be 

specified by the SEF from time to time;

(c) It must ensure that each person that uses the independent software vendors to access the SEF is 

either a Participant or a Customer of a Participant authorized as such in accordance with these Rules; 

(d) It may provide data obtained from the SEF solely to such Participants or Customers of 

Participants in connection with their actual and proposed trading activity in Contracts and similar 

contracts, and shall not provide such data to any other swap execution facility, security-based swap 

execution facility, designated contract market, national securities exchange or other trading facility or 

system without the prior written consent of the SEF;

(e) In the case of any RFQ or Bid/Offer submitted to the SEF through an independent software 

vendor, the independent software vendor will provide sufficient detail to identify the Participant (and, in 

the case of a Customer transaction, the Customer) as required by the SEF; and

(f) It satisfies such other impartial and transparent criteria as the SEF may specify from time to time, 

subject to Applicable Law. 

Rule 214. Withdrawal of Participant 

(a) To withdraw from the SEF, a Participant must notify the SEF in writing, following such procedures 

as may be established by the SEF. 

(b) The SEF may, in its reasonable discretion, refuse to accept a Participant’s withdrawal request or 

may postpone the effective date of withdrawal of a Participant if the SEF considers it necessary for the 

protection of the Participant’s Customers, other Participants or otherwise in the interests of the SEF. 

(c) Based on the information provided to, and other information gathered by, the SEF regarding a 

Participant’s withdrawal request, the SEF will determine whether to: (i) accept the withdrawal request; (ii) 

postpone the effective date of the withdrawal; or (iii) impose any terms or conditions before or after the 

effective date of withdrawal. 

(d) If the SEF refuses to accept a Participant’s withdrawal request or postpones the effective date of 

withdrawal of a Participant, the SEF may waive the obligation to pay some or all of the fees, costs and 

charges that the SEF would have imposed during the period after the date on which the requested 

withdrawal would have otherwise taken effect. 

(e) When the SEF accepts the withdrawal of a Participant, all rights and privileges of such Participant 

terminate (including the Trading Privileges and ability to access a Trading Platform). The accepted 

withdrawal of a Participant shall not affect the rights of the SEF under the Rules or relieve the former 

Participant of its obligations with respect to previously executed transactions (including any contractual 

obligations relating to any Contracts entered into by such Participant, or the payment of any fees, costs, 

or charges incurred prior to such withdrawal). Notwithstanding the accepted withdrawal of a Participant, 

the withdrawn Participant remains subject to the jurisdiction of the SEF for acts done and omissions made 
SEF Rulebook | 25

while a Participant, and must cooperate in any proceeding under Chapter 5 as if such withdrawal had not 

taken place.

(f) Upon delivery of a withdrawal notice:

(1) Participant shall promptly notify its Authorized Traders and any Authorized Trading Firms that 

they may no longer access the SEF on behalf of Participant, and Participant shall with reasonable 

diligence, to the extent practicable, terminate electronic access of its Authorized Traders to the 

SEF;

(2) the SEF shall suspend Participant’s access to the SEF, promptly notify its relevant personnel that 

Participant and its Authorized Trading Firms may no longer access the SEF on behalf of 

Participant, and with reasonable diligence, to the extent practicable, terminate electronic access 

of Participant’s Authorized Traders to the SEF.
SEF Rulebook | 26

CHAPTER 3

TRADING PROCEDURES

Rule 301. Trading Sessions

Except as otherwise provided in these Rules or determined by the Board, transactions in any Contract will 

only be executed during the Trading Session for such Contract. The SEF may from time to time modify 

its regular Trading Session and establish Trading Sessions, in addition to the regular Trading Sessions, 

as it deems appropriate.

Rule 302. Access to SEF’s Order Book

(a) Each Authorized Trader and each Trading Privilege Holder that is an individual will receive a user 

identification (“ID”) and password. As a Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trader, such person will 

be able to access the SEF’s Order Book, which functions as an electronic central limit order book and 

provides the highest priority to Bids/Offers with the best price, for trading in the Swap asset classes or 

sub-products approved for such Trading Privilege Holder or Authorized Trader, enter and accept 

Bids/Offers, and otherwise access information regarding, or perform functions for, such person’s account 

using its ID and password. 

(b) For account security and audit trail purposes, each Trading Privilege Holder and Authorized 

Trader agrees that the SEF may maintain logs of the IP address used to log on to the SEF. 

(c) Each Trading Privilege Holder will be responsible for protecting from improper disclosure its ID 

and password, and the IDs and passwords of its Authorized Traders. In addition, a Trading Privilege 

Holder may not knowingly or negligently permit any person not authorized by the SEF and by the Trading 

Privilege Holder to use the ID and password to access the SEF. Each Trading Privilege Holder is 

required to immediately notify the SEF if it knows, or has reason to believe, that its ID and/or password, or 

the ID and/or password of any Authorized Trader have been disclosed to any person not authorized by 

the SEF and the Trading Privilege Holder to use such ID and/or password. 

(d) Except as otherwise provided in Rule 102:

(1) each Trading Privilege Holder will be liable for all costs and any losses that it may incur from 

transactions executed on the SEF by any person, authorized or not, using its ID and password or the ID 

and/or password of any of its Authorized Traders; and

(2) the SEF will not be responsible in any way for unauthorized transactions for a Trading 

Privilege Holder’s account. 

(e) Each Trading Privilege Holder is responsible for contracting with a network provider through 

which it will access the SEF and for having a backup service provider if the Trading Privilege Holder 

deems it necessary. Each Trading Privilege Holder is also responsible for maintaining a network 

connection speed adequate for its needs. The SEF will not be responsible in any way for any Bids/Offers 

delayed or transactions missed or not executed in a timely fashion because of failure of the Trading 

Privilege Holder’s Internet service provider or slowness of its network connection speed. No 

communication from a Trading Privilege Holder will be deemed to have been received by the SEF until 

that communication is logged by the SEF server.

Rule 303. Required Transactions

(a) No Participant shall execute a Required Transaction on ICAP SEF other than via the SEF’s Order 

Book, unless such transaction is a Block Trade, in which case it shall be executed in accordance with 

Rule 308.
SEF Rulebook | 27

(b) Upon execution of a Required Transaction on the SEF, the SEF will report the transaction to the 

SDR as soon as technologically practicable after execution in accordance with Rule 309.

(c) Package Transactions. In accordance with NAL 16-76, expiring November 15, 2017, a 

Participant may execute a Swap component of a Covered Package Transaction through any method of 

execution offered by the SEF, notwithstanding that execution of such Swap component would otherwise 

be a Required Transaction.

Rule 304. Permitted Transactions

(a) Participants may enter Bids/Offers for Permitted Transactions directly into the SEF’s Order Book 

for that Contract.

(b) Participants may submit to an Execution Specialist for execution Permitted Transactions 

negotiated and agreed to outside the SEF’s Order Book, at prices mutually agreed, with regard to 

Contracts that have been designated by the SEF for such purpose (each such transaction a “PreArranged Cross”). Pre-Arranged Crosses that are submitted to an Execution Specialist for execution 

must be submitted by the seller, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties; however, in the case of an 

Intermediated Transaction, the Participant acting as the Intermediary shall have the obligation to submit 

the Pre-Arranged Cross to the Execution Specialist. The Participant submitting the Pre-Arranged Cross 

to the Execution Specialist must provide the information required by Rule 208(d). 

(c) An Execution Specialist may facilitate the negotiation and execution of a Pre-Arranged Cross by 

two Participants only as follows: upon request of a Participant, the Execution Specialist may, without 

using any Trading Platform, Order Book or RFQ procedure, contact one or more other Participants to 

determine interest in a Pre-Arranged Cross.

(d) Upon execution of the Permitted Transaction on the SEF, the SEF will report the transaction to 

the SDR as soon as technologically practicable after execution in accordance with Rule 309.

(e) Each Participant that is party to, or Intermediary in, a Pre-Arranged Cross executed pursuant to 

section (b) of this Rule 304 must record the following details of the transaction: the Contract (including the 

Delivery Month) to which such transaction relates; the number of Contracts traded; the price of execution 

or premium; the identity of the counterparty; and, if applicable, details regarding the Customer for which 

the transaction was executed, as well as, if applicable, the Underlying Interest and whether the 

transaction involved a put or a call and the strike price. Upon request by the SEF, such Participant must 

produce satisfactory evidence, including the transaction information referred to in the preceding sentence, 

that the transaction meets the requirements set forth in this Rule.

Rule 305. Execution Methods for Required Transactions

(a) Execution through the SEF’s Order Book 

(1) A Participant may enter Bids/Offers to transact in Contracts by electronic transmission 

over a network or through an Execution Specialist. If a Participant submits a Bid/Offer to the Order Book 

through an Execution Specialist, the Execution Specialist shall provide the Participant with a confirmation 

that the Bid/Offer was entered into the Order Book as soon as possible after such entry. 

(2) A Participant will enter a Bid/Offer to transact in one or more Contracts by indicating to 

the SEF in the manner required by a Trading Platform or the Execution Specialist the information required 

by Rule 208(d).

(3) The Participant will be responsible for any and all Bid/Offer entries it posts on the SEF. 

Posted Bids/Offers are subject to acceptance by other Participants.
SEF Rulebook | 28

(4) The Order Book will keep an electronic record of all Bids/Offers to transact in Contracts, 

and all executed transactions. 

(5) The records kept by the SEF will include all of the Bid/Offer terms identified in this Rule 

as well as the date and time that the transaction was executed.

(6) The Order Book will provide Participants with the ability to post firm Bids/Offers on a 

centralized electronic screen that is accessible to all Participants with access to the Order Book. Each 

Participant may then choose to transact on the basis of a firm Bid/Offer by entering a Bid/Offer which 

accepts the firm Bid/Offer.

(7) For a Participant who has the ability to accept a Bid/Offer it submits on behalf of a 

Customer or to execute Bids/Offers from two Customers against each other, or for two Participants who 

desire to execute offsetting Bids/Offers as a result of pre-execution discussions, the Participant or 

Participants must allow at least a 15 second delay between the entry of those two Bids/Offers, such that 

one side of the potential transaction is disclosed and made available to other Participants for at least 15 

seconds (or such other time as the SEF may publish for particular contracts) before the second side of 

the potential transaction, whether for the Participant’s own account or for Participant’s Customer, is 

submitted for execution. Participants and Customers may engage in pre-execution discussions with 

regard to such Bids/Offers in accordance with Rule 404(c). 

(b) [Reserved].

Rule 306. [Reserved]

Rule 307. Acceptable Bids and Offers

(a) A Bid/Offer may be for a single Swap or for a strategy or spread involving multiple Swaps.

(b) Subject to the System Protocols, a Bid/Offer may be designated as “all-or-none,” and if so 

designated, may be accepted only if accepted in its entirety. 

(c) A Participant submitting a Held Order for less than the Appropriate Minimum Block Size for 

execution on the SEF shall submit such a Held Order directly to the Order Book or, if submitted to the SEF 

through an Execution Specialist, such Execution Specialist shall submit such a Held Order directly to the 

Order Book.

Rule 308. Block Trades

Participants must enter into uncleared Block Trades away from the SEF, i.e., outside a Trading Platform, 

System, Order Book, RFQ procedure or Prearranged Cross procedure under Rule 304(b). Participants 

may enter into Block Trades in Cleared Contracts in accordance with Rule 308(f). All Block Trades must 

be executed at prices mutually agreed, with regard to Contracts that have been designated by the SEF 

for such purpose, subject to the following conditions:

(a) The Block Trade must be for at least such minimum number of Contracts as will from time to time 

be specified by the SEF (the “Appropriate Minimum Block Size”). Except as may otherwise be 

permitted by Commission Regulation 43.6(h)(6), Participants shall not aggregate Contracts of different 

Participants or Customers to achieve the Appropriate Minimum Block Size. Furthermore, each leg of a 

Package Transaction must achieve the Appropriate Minimum Block Size independently of each other leg 

of the Package Transaction. The current Appropriate Minimum Block Sizes are posted on the 

“Regulation” section of the SEF website. 

(b) When negotiating or executing a Block Trade, a Participant must ensure that the price quoted for 

a Block Trade represents a fair and reasonable price. The price at which a Block Trade is executed must 
SEF Rulebook | 29

be fair and reasonable in light of (i) the size of such Block Trade, (ii) the prices and sizes of other 

transactions in the same Contract at the relevant time, (iii) the prices and sizes of transactions in other 

relevant markets at the relevant time, and (iv) the circumstances of the parties to such Block Trade.

(c) Block Trades that are not Cleared Contracts must be reported to the SEF by the seller, unless 

otherwise agreed to by the parties, as soon as technologically practicable after execution, and in no event 

later than ten (10) minutes after execution, by contacting an Execution Specialist; however, in the case of 

an Intermediated Transaction, the Participant acting as the Intermediary shall have the obligation to report 

the Block Trade to the SEF as soon as technologically practicable after execution. The Participant 

reporting the Block Trade to the SEF must explicitly state to the Execution Specialist that the parties are 

electing to have the Block Trade treated as such, must state the time of execution to the nearest second 

and must provide the information required by Rule 208(d). 

(d) The SEF will review the information submitted by the Participants for a Block Trade that is not a 

Cleared Contract and will post the transaction to a Trading Platform if the details are complete and 

accurate in accordance with this Rule. The SEF will report the transaction to the SDR as soon as 

technologically practicable after execution in accordance with Rule 309 and will identify the Block Trade 

as such in the report. The SEF will not disclose any detail of a Block Trade that is not a Cleared Contract 

prior to the public dissemination of the Block Trade by the SDR.

(e) Each Participant that is party to, or Intermediary for, a Block Trade that is not a Cleared Contract 

must record the following details of the transaction: the Contract (including the Delivery Month) to which 

such transaction relates; the number of Contracts traded; the price of execution or premium; the time of 

execution; the identity of the counterparty; and, if applicable, details regarding the Customer for which the 

transaction was executed, as well as, if applicable, the Underlying Interest and whether the transaction 

involved a put or a call and the strike price. Upon request by the SEF, such Participant must produce 

satisfactory evidence, including the information referred to in the preceding sentence, that the transaction 

meets the requirements set forth in this Rule.

(f) In accordance with NAL 16-74, expiring November 15, 2017, a Participant may execute a Block 

Trade that is a Cleared Contract as a Pre-Arranged Cross in accordance with the procedures in Rule 304, 

notwithstanding that the execution of the Block Trade does not occur away from the SEF’s trading 

system. Each Block Trade executed pursuant to this Rule 308(f) must involve Contracts listed by the 

SEF, be executed pursuant to the Rules and meet the Appropriate Minimum Block Size. The SEF will 

report each Block Trade transaction to the SDR as soon as technologically practicable after execution in 

accordance with Rule 309. The SEF will not disclose any detail of such a Block Trade prior to the public 

dissemination of the Block Trade by the SDR.

(g) Each counterparty to a Block Trade must be an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the 

Act.

(h) Each Intermediary entering into a Block Trade on behalf of a Customer (or in the case of an 

Authorized Trader acting as an Intermediary, its Trading Privilege Holder’s Customer) must have received 

a written instruction or consent to do so from the Customer prior to the execution of the Block Trade. The

written instruction or consent must be specific as to Block Trades but may be included in a power of 

attorney or similar document in which the customer provides the Intermediary with a discretionary trading 

authority to direct the trading in the Customer’s account. 

(i) Any Block Trade in violation of these requirements will constitute conduct which is inconsistent 

with just and equitable principles of trade.

(j) Nothing in this Rule 308 shall prohibit a Participant from executing a transaction via the Order 

Book that exceeds the Appropriate Minimum Block Size. Such transactions will not receive treatment as 

Block Trades and will not be afforded a reporting time delay under Part 43 of the Commission 

Regulations.
SEF Rulebook | 30

Rule 309. Reporting and Data Collection

(a) In furtherance of Applicable Law, the SEF will capture and retain all transaction data, so as to be 

able to reconstruct all transactions within a reasonable period of time and to provide evidence of any 

Violations.

(b) In furtherance of Applicable Law, the SEF will retain records for all transactions executed on the 

SEF. This includes all Bids/Offers, RFQs and Pre-Arranged Crosses, whether accepted, unaccepted, 

canceled or modified, and all acceptances of such transactions. 

(c) In furtherance of Applicable Law, the SEF shall maintain an electronic transaction history 

database, which includes a history of all Bids/Offers and transactions, and also includes: (i) all data that 

are input into the trade entry system; (ii) the categories of Participant or Customer for which each 

transaction is executed, including whether the Participant or Customer executed the transaction for its 

own account; (iii) timing and sequencing data adequate to reconstruct trading; and (iv) subject to Rule 

309(h), identification of each Participant or Customer to which fills are allocated.

(d) The SEF will use the electronic transaction history database to reconstruct trading and identify 

possible Violations. In furtherance of Applicable Law, the SEF will conduct an annual review of 

compliance by all Participants and Customers that are responsible for, or in control of, the creation of 

audit trail records with its audit trail and recordkeeping requirements and will identify Participants and 

Customers that may have failed to comply with such requirements. Such Participants will be subject to 

investigation by the Market Regulation Staff for possible disciplinary action. The annual review must 

include, but is not limited to, reviews of randomly-selected samples of front end audit trail data for order 

routing systems; a review of the process by which user identifications are assigned and user identification 

records are maintained; a review of usage patterns associated with user identifications to monitor for 

violations of user identification Rules; and reviews of account numbers and Customer Type Indicator 

Codes in transaction records to test for accuracy and improper use.

(e) All such information will be maintained by the SEF in a manner that protects it from unauthorized 

alteration, as well as from accidental erasure or other loss. 

(f) The SEF will publish trading information as required by Core Principle 9, Commission Regulation 

§ 37.901 and Part 16 of the Commission Regulations. 

(g) Reporting to SDRs.

(1) The SEF will report all transactions in Contracts executed on the SEF pursuant to the Rules to an 

SDR of the SEF’s choice as soon as technologically practicable after the execution of such 

transaction. The SEF will report such transactions as set forth below:

(i) Cleared Contracts, including all legs of a Package Transaction, in all asset classes: the 

SEF reports to DTCC; 

(ii) Non-Cleared Contracts, including all legs of a Package Transaction, in all asset classes: 

the SEF reports to DTCC;

(iii) Cleared Contracts, including all legs of a Package Transaction, in commodity asset 

classes: the SEF reports to DTCC, ICE or CME;

(iv) Non-Cleared Contracts, including all legs of a Package Transaction, in commodity asset 

classes: the SEF reports to DTCC, ICE or CME.

With respect to Cleared Contracts, the SEF determines the SDR to which a transaction will be 

reported as follows: (a) all Cleared Contracts cleared by LCH.Clearnet, Ltd., ASX Clear (Futures) 
SEF Rulebook | 31

Pty Limited or JSCC will be reported to DTCC; (b) all Cleared Contracts cleared by CME shall be 

reported to CME; and (c) all Cleared Contracts cleared by ICE Clear Europe Limited shall be 

reported to ICE. With respect to Non-Cleared Contracts, the SEF reports all such transactions to 

DTCC; provided that the reporting counterparty determined in accordance with Rule 316 may, 

prior to the execution of the transaction, provide the SEF with written instructions directing the 

SEF to report the transaction to ICE or CME instead of DTCC. 

(2) As soon as technologically practicable after the execution of a Contract, the SEF will report to 

both counterparties, and to the DCO, if any, that will clear the Contract: (i) the identity of the SDR 

to which the Contract was reported; and (ii) the Contract’s unique Swap identifier. 

(3) All real-time data required by Part 43 of the Commission Regulations and all creation data, 

including primary economic terms and confirmation data, required by Part 45 of the Commission 

Regulations will be reported to the relevant SDR as provided for under Part 43 and Part 45 of the 

Commission Regulations.

(4) The SEF will disseminate swap transaction and pricing data relating to Contracts to Participants 

no earlier than the transmittal of such information to the relevant registered SDR.

(5) After becoming aware of or being notified of any errors or omissions in the transaction or pricing 

data set forth in a Confirmation by a Participant pursuant to Rule 312, the SEF shall then 

promptly submit corrected data to the relevant SDR.

(6) Neither the SEF nor any Participant may submit or agree to submit a cancelation or correction for 

the purposes of re-reporting Swap transaction and pricing data in order to gain or extend a delay 

in public dissemination of accurate Swap transaction or pricing data or to otherwise evade the 

reporting requirements of Part 43 of the CFTC Regulations. 

(h) Post Trade Allocations. 

(1) In reliance on NAL 15-68, expiring November 15, 2017, the SEF will not capture post-trade 

allocations in its audit trail data or conduct associated audit trail reviews of post-trade allocations.

(2) Each Participant and Customer shall provide the SEF post-trade allocation information to the SEF 

upon the request of the SEF.

(3) During the course of any trade practice surveillance or market surveillance investigation into any 

trading activity involving post-trade allocations, upon the request of the CFTC or otherwise, the 

SEF shall ascertain whether a post-trade allocation was made. Upon determining that such an 

allocation was made, the SEF shall request, obtain and review the post-trade allocation 

information as part of its investigation. 

Rule 310. Bid/Offer Cancellation

(a) A Participant can submit instructions to either cancel or modify a Bid/Offer which that Participant 

has placed on the SEF if that Bid/Offer has not yet been accepted. Upon receipt of instructions to cancel 

a Bid/Offer that has not been executed, a Trading Platform will withdraw the Bid/Offer and confirm the 

cancellation of the Bid/Offer. If a Participant modifies a Bid/Offer that has not been executed, the SEF will 

treat the modified Bid/Offer as a new Bid/Offer.

(b) The SEF will attempt to cancel or modify an existing Bid/Offer after a Participant enters a 

cancellation or modification instruction. However, the Bid/Offer may be executed before the SEF is able 

to cancel or modify it. If a Bid/Offer has been filled in whole or in part, a Participant may modify or cancel 

only that portion of the Bid/Offer (if any) that has not been executed. Once canceled by the SEF, a 

Bid/Offer will not be executed. 
SEF Rulebook | 32

(c) Upon suspension or revocation of a Participant’s trading privileges by the SEF, any unaccepted 

Bid/Offer on the SEF for such Participant shall be canceled by the SEF.

Rule 311. [Reserved]

Rule 312. Enforceability of Transactions

(a) Settlement 

(1) Each Participant or, where a transaction is on behalf of a Customer, the relevant 

Customer, is obligated to settle all transactions executed, pursuant to the Rules in this Chapter 3. 

(2) A transaction executed on the SEF or subject to the Rules shall not be void, voidable, 

subject to rescission, otherwise invalidated or rendered unenforceable as a result of:

(i) a violation by the SEF of Section 5h of the Act or Part 37 of the Commission 

Regulations;

(ii) any Commission proceeding to alter or supplement a rule, term or condition 

under Section 8a(7) of the Act or to declare an emergency under Section 8a(9) of the Act; or

(iii) any other proceeding the effect of which is to: (A) alter or supplement a specific 

term or condition or trading rule or procedures; or (B) require the SEF to adopt a specific term or 

condition, trading rule or procedure, or to take or refrain from taking a specific action. 

(b) Issuance of SEF Confirmations for Cleared Contracts. Participants and Customers are obligated 

to submit for clearing all Contracts so required by the Act, Commission Regulations and any other 

applicable law. For Cleared Contracts, the SEF will provide the Trading Privilege Holder a Confirmation 

of all the terms of each transaction executed on the SEF at the time of execution; provided that where a 

Trading Privilege Holder is a Customer in an Intermediated Transaction, the confirmation will be provided 

to the Intermediary in accordance with Rule 313(c). The Confirmation provided by the SEF for Cleared 

Contracts will be the final legally binding confirmation of the terms of any transaction executed on the 

SEF and will supersede any conflicting confirmation or agreement provided to, or between, as applicable, 

Participants and Customers, regardless of when such other confirmation is provided.

(c) Issuance of SEF Confirmations for Uncleared Transactions

(1) The economic terms specific to the transaction agreed by each Participant and/or 

Customer on the SEF with respect to an uncleared transaction shall be reflected by the SEF in a written 

communication (the “Trade Communication”) issued to each applicable Participant and/or Customer at 

the time of execution of the uncleared transaction. The Trade Communication, together with the 

documents and agreements (including, without limitation, ISDA master agreements, other master 

agreements, terms supplements, master confirmation agreements, and incorporated industry definitions) 

governing such transaction existing at the time of such commitment to which each Participant and/or 

Customer are party (the “Terms Incorporated by Reference”) shall, taken together, for purposes of 

Commission Regulation 37.6(b), comprise all of the terms of such transaction and serve as the 

Confirmation of such transaction. 

(2) In satisfaction of the obligations imposed on the SEF under Commission Regulation 

37.6(b), (i) each Trade Communication is deemed to incorporate the Terms Incorporated by Reference 

set forth in this Rule 312(c) upon issuance of the Trade Communication, (ii) each Participant and 

Customer hereby agrees that the provisions of Rule 312(c)(3) shall govern any conflicting terms, and (iii) 

the resulting Confirmation takes place at the time of execution of, and contains all the terms of, the 

transaction. 
SEF Rulebook | 33

(3) In the event of any conflict between (x) the Trade Communication and (y) the Terms 

Incorporated by Reference, the Trade Communication shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency and 

each Trade Communication shall state the same.

(4) In accordance with NAL 17-17, expiring on the effective date of revised Commission 

regulations governing SEF confirmation procedures, upon the request of the SEF, each Participant and 

Customer shall provide copies of the Terms Incorporated by Reference to the SEF.

(5) In accordance with NAL 17-17, expiring on the effective date of revised Commission 

regulations governing SEF confirmation procedures, the SEF shall request the Terms Incorporated by 

Reference from the relevant Participant or Customer and shall provide such Terms Incorporated by 

Reference to the Commission as soon as possible after receipt from the Participant or Customer. 

(d) Review of Confirmations. Each Participant shall review the contents of each Confirmation issued 

to it pursuant to this Rule 312 and shall promptly report any errors or omissions in the transaction or 

pricing data therein to the counterparty to the Contract. Each Participant that is the reporting counterparty 

for such Contract, as determined pursuant to Rule 316, shall report all such errors or omissions to the 

Facility as soon as technologically practicable after becoming aware of the errors or omissions. 

Rule 313. Intermediated Transactions

(a) Subject to Rule 305(a)(7), Participants who are Intermediaries shall immediately enter into a 

Trading Platform all executable Orders received by telephone from their Customers, and shall 

immediately submit all RFQs and Pre-Arranged Crosses to an Execution Specialist. If an Order, RFQ or 

Pre-Arranged Cross cannot be immediately entered into a Trading Platform or submitted to an Execution 

Specialist, as applicable, an electronic record which includes the account identifier that relates to the 

account owner, time of receipt, and terms of the Order, RFQ or Pre-Arranged Cross must immediately be 

created, and the Order, RFQ or Pre-Arranged Cross must be entered into a Trading Platform or submitted 

to an Execution Specialist as soon as practicable. 

(b) Priority of execution. Non-discretionary executable Customer Orders received by a Participant 

who is an Intermediary shall be entered into the SEF in the sequence received. Non-discretionary Orders 

that cannot be immediately entered must be entered when the Orders become executable, in the 

sequence in which the Orders were received.

(c) The SEF shall provide all Confirmations of Intermediated Transactions to the Intermediary upon 

execution of the transaction. Except to the extent that the SEF sends Confirmations of Contracts directly 

to the relevant Customer, any Participant that transacts as an Intermediary for any Customer shall be 

responsible for ensuring that such Customers receive all Confirmations of Contracts entered into on 

behalf of such Customers as soon as technologically practicable after receipt of the Confirmation from the 

SEF. 

Rule 314. Bunched Orders

Bunched Orders must be allocated and recorded in accordance with Commission Regulation 1.35(b)(5) 

and the NFA’s Interpretive Notice related to Compliance Rule 2-10. Bunched Orders may be entered 

using a designation for a group of accounts or suspense account number; provided, however that:

(1) the Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross is being placed by a Participant who is, or is acting 

on behalf of, an account manager for multiple accounts eligible for post execution allocation; or 

(2) a written, pre-determined allocation scheme that defines the group of accounts has been 

provided to the Clearing Firm accepting or clearing the Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross prior to the time 

that such Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross is entered. 
SEF Rulebook | 34

Rule 315. SEF Authority over Transactions 

(a) SEF Authority Regarding Cancellations, Price Adjustments and New or Offsetting Transactions

The SEF has authority to cancel any transaction or adjust the price of any transaction executed 

on the SEF, or to execute or require the execution of a new or offsetting transaction: (i) when the SEF 

determines in its sole discretion such action is necessary to mitigate market disrupting events caused by 

the improper or erroneous use of a Trading Platform or by system defects; (ii) at any time the SEF 

determines, in its sole discretion, that allowing a transaction to stand as executed may have a material 

adverse effect on the integrity of the market; or (iii) in accordance with Rules 204(h), 315(c), 315(d), 

315(g) or 315(h). All decisions of the SEF regarding the SEF’s cancellation of transactions or the 

adjustment of transaction prices and the execution of new or offsetting transactions shall be final, subject 

to Rule 315(d). 

(b) Determination to Review a Transaction’s Price

(1) The SEF may determine to review a transaction’s price based on its independent 

analysis of market activity or upon a Participant’s request. A Participant’s request for review must be 

made (i) for an uncleared Pre-Arranged Cross, within one (1) Business Day of the execution of such 

transaction and (ii) for any other transaction executed on the SEF, within 15 minutes of the execution of 

such transaction. In the absence of a timely request for review, the SEF may determine whether or not a 

transaction will be subject to review in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to 

Applicable Law, the SEF shall amend the terms of, or cancel, any transaction that the parties, together 

with the DCO, as applicable, mutually agree to amend or cancel, in the event that such amendment or 

cancellation is not submitted to the SEF within the applicable review period specified above. 

(2) If the SEF determines to review a transaction’s price, it will promptly issue an alert to all 

Participants via a Trading Platform or electronic mail indicating that the transaction is under review.

(c) Review of a Transaction’s Price

(1) In reviewing a transaction, the SEF will first determine whether the price of the 

transaction is so far above or below the fair market value for the relevant Contract that it indicates the 

transaction was executed in error. In doing so, the SEF shall determine the fair value price for the Swap 

at the time the transaction under review occurred. The SEF may consider any relevant information, 

including, but not limited to, the last transaction price of the Swap or a better Bid/Offer, a more recent 

price for a different maturity date, the price of the same or related Swap established in another venue or 

another market, the market conditions at the time of the transaction, the theoretical value of an Option 

based on the most recent implied volatility and responses to an RFQ. 

(3) If the SEF determines that the price of a transaction does not indicate that the transaction 

was executed in error, the SEF will issue an alert indicating that the transaction shall stand as executed. 

(4) If the SEF determines that the price of a transaction indicates that the transaction was 

executed in error, the SEF shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or adjust the price of such 

transaction. 

(d) Alternative Resolution by Agreement of Parties for Transactions Reviewed for Price

(1) With the approval of the SEF, parties to a transaction that is under review for price or that 

has had its price adjusted may instead, together with the DCO, as applicable, mutually agree to cancel or 

otherwise adjust the price of the transaction.
SEF Rulebook | 35

(2) With the approval of the SEF, parties to a transaction that is canceled may instead, 

together with the DCO, as applicable, mutually agree to adjust the price of such transaction to a fair value 

price.

(3) Subject to sections (d)(1) and (d)(2), parties to a transaction that is canceled or that has 

had its price adjusted may mutually agree to a cash adjustment. 

(4) Any cancellation or adjustment made pursuant to sections (d)(1), (d)(2) or (d)(3) must be 

reported to the SEF by the parties within one (1) Business Day and the parties must maintain a record of 

such adjustment. 

(e) Liability for Losses Resulting from Cancellations or Price Adjustments

(1) A party that through error or mistake enters a Bid/Offer, RFQ or Pre-Arranged Cross that 

results in a cancellation or price adjustment shall be responsible for demonstrated claims of realized 

losses incurred by persons whose transaction prices were canceled or adjusted; provided, however, that 

a claimant shall not be entitled to compensation for losses incurred as a result of the claimant’s failure to 

take reasonable actions to mitigate the loss. 

(2) A claim for a loss pursuant to this Rule 315 must be submitted to the SEF within one (1) 

Business Day of the event giving rise to the claim. The SEF will reject any claim that is not filed in a 

timely manner and such decision shall be final. Eligible claims shall be forwarded by the SEF to the party 

responsible for the Bid/Offer, RFQ or Pre-Arranged Cross that resulted in a cancellation or a price 

adjustment of a transaction and the Participant through which the transaction was submitted to the SEF. 

Such party, or Participant on behalf of such party, shall, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of the 

claim, admit or deny responsibility in whole or in part. Failure to respond to the claim within ten (10) 

Business Days shall be deemed a denial of liability. 

(3) To the extent that liability is admitted, payment shall be made within ten (10) Business 

Days. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the parties, failure to make the payment within ten (10) 

Business Days shall be deemed a denial of liability for the purposes of this Rule 315. A copy of any such 

written agreement must be provided to the SEF.

(4) To the extent that liability is denied, the party making the claim may submit the claim for 

arbitration pursuant to Rule 702. Such claims must be submitted to the SEF within ten (10) Business 

Days of the date the party was issued notification that liability was denied. 

(f) Records of Cancellations and Price Adjustments

(1) Canceled transactions and any prices that have been adjusted shall be canceled in the 

SEF’s official records. 

(2) Transactions that have had their price adjusted shall be reflected in the SEF’s official 

records at the adjusted price.

(g) Review of Transactions for Errors

(1) If a Participant, Customer or Clearing Firm believes that any transaction in one or more 

Contracts was executed, cleared or rejected for clearing as a result of an Error, as defined in Rule 

315(g)(3), such person may request review of the transaction.

(2) Upon receipt of a request for review of a transaction, or if the SEF determines on its own 

initiative to conduct such a review, the SEF will review its records to determine if an Error occurred.
SEF Rulebook | 36

(3) The SEF may cancel or adjust the transaction, or execute or require the execution of a 

new or offsetting Cleared Contract under the procedures of Rule 315(h), as appropriate, if the review 

described in this Rule reveals that:

(i) a Trading Platform or an Execution Specialist made a material mistake or that a 

mistake occurred as a result of a malfunction in a Trading Platform or by human error;

(ii) a Bid/Offer or RFQ or Pre-Arranged Cross was incorrectly displayed and/or 

executed and/or reported; 

(iii) a Trading Platform, an Execution Specialist, Participant or Customer made a 

clerical or operating error or omission that caused a transaction to be rejected from clearing and 

void ab initio; or

(iv) a Clearing Firm or DCO rejected a leg of a Package Transaction for clearing 

because of the sequencing of submission for clearing of the legs of the applicable Package 

Transaction (each of the foregoing, an “Error”).

(4) If the review described in this Rule reveals that no Error occurred, the SEF will inform any 

person who requested the review that the SEF has determined that the transaction was properly handled, 

the evidence supporting that determination, and that a cancelation, adjustment or a new or offsetting 

transaction under Rule 315(h) will not be made.

(5) The SEF will document in writing all requests for review of transactions received by the 

SEF, or any review on its own initiative, the time and manner in which the SEF reviewed its electronic 

audit trail in response to the request or review on its own initiative, the outcome of that review, and the 

action or actions taken by the SEF in response to that review.

(6) If a transaction is reviewable for price under Rule 315(b), the procedures of this Rule 

315(g) shall not apply. 

(h) Procedures for Correcting Errors. 

(1) The procedures of this Rule 315(h) are in accordance with NAL 17-27, expiring on the 

effective date of revised Commission regulations governing executed swaps with clerical and operational 

errors, and are limited to:

(i) A Cleared Contract that was rejected for clearing and void ab initio because of a 

clerical or operational error or omission by the SEF, a Participant or a Customer (each, a 

“Rejected Transaction”),

(ii) A leg of a Package Transaction that was rejected for clearing because of the 

sequencing of submission for clearing of the legs of the applicable Package Transaction and only 

for such rejected leg (each, a “Rejected Leg”), and

(iii) A Cleared Contract that is carried on a DCO’s books as a result of a clerical or 

operational error or omission by the SEF, a Participant or a Customer that was not identified until 

after the Cleared Contract had been cleared (each, an “Erroneously Cleared Transaction”), 

in each case where the SEF has affirmatively determined that the transaction or a term thereof 

resulted from an Error.

(2) For Rejected Transactions and Rejected Legs, if a Participant, Customer or Clearing Firm 

believes that a transaction qualifies as a Rejected Transaction or a Rejected Leg, such Participant, 

Customer or Clearing Firm shall request review of the transaction pursuant to Rule 315(g). 
SEF Rulebook | 37

(i) Upon completion of the review of the transaction pursuant to Rule 315(g), if the 

SEF determines that an Error resulted in a Rejected Transaction or a Rejected Leg and:

(A) If the SEF is able to determine how to correct the Error, the SEF shall execute a 

new Cleared Contract with the same terms as the Rejected Transaction or 

Rejected Leg, other than the Error, without obtaining consent of the Participant 

that submitted the Rejected Transaction or Rejected Leg or the Customer on 

whose behalf such transaction was submitted. The new Cleared Contract must 

be submitted by an Execution Specialist as a Pre-Arranged Cross, and such PreArranged Cross shall be subject to pre-execution credit check and risk screening 

pursuant to Rule 204(b).

(B) If the SEF is unable to determine how to correct the Error, the SEF shall consult 

with the Clearing Firms for the Rejected Transaction or Rejected Leg and the 

Participants and Customers involved in such transaction, as necessary, and the 

Clearing Firms for such transactions may, with the consent of each respective 

Customer or Participant, agree to a new Cleared Contract with the same terms 

as the rejected Cleared Contract, other than the Error. Such Customer or 

Participant consent may not be obtained in advance, and must be sought and 

obtained by each Clearing Firm on a case-by-case basis, after the Cleared 

Contract has been rejected. If there is such agreement and consent, the new 

Cleared Contract must be submitted by the Participant specified in Rule 304(b) 

as a Pre-Arranged Cross pursuant to the procedure in Rule 304(b), and such 

Pre-Arranged Cross shall be subject to pre-execution credit check and risk 

screening pursuant to Rule 204(b). 

(ii) Upon execution of such Pre-Arranged Cross by the SEF to replace a Rejected 

Transaction or Rejected Leg, the SEF shall submit the transaction to the DCO for clearing as 

quickly as technologically practicable, but in any case no later than 60 minutes from the issuance 

of the notice of rejection by the DCO to the Clearing Firms. 

(iv) If the new Cleared Contract resulting from such Pre-Arranged Cross is rejected 

from clearing, it is void ab initio and no additional new Cleared Contract will be permitted to be 

submitted under the procedure in this Rule 315(h)(2). 

(v) The SEF shall report Swap transaction data to the relevant SDR pursuant to Rule 

309(f) for a new Cleared Contract that clears with the same terms as the Rejected Transaction or 

Rejected Leg, as applicable, other than the Error, including: a Part 43 cancellation for the original 

transaction, a Part 45 termination indicating the original transaction is void ab initio, and swap 

transaction data pursuant to Parts 43 and 45 for the new Cleared Contract. Such data shall 

reference the original canceled trade, indicate that it has been reported pursuant to the 

procedures described in this Rule 315(h)(2) and link the original canceled trade to the new trade 

for reporting to the relevant SDR under Part 43 and Part 45 of the Commission Regulations.

(vi) The procedures in this Rule 315(h)(2) are not available for Rejected Legs of 

Package Transactions that are rejected for clearing by a Clearing Firm or DCO because the 

Package Transaction as a whole failed to satisfy the applicable Risk-Based Limits. 

(3) For Erroneously Cleared Transactions, if a Participant, Customer or Clearing Firm 

believes that a Cleared Contract is carried on the books of a DCO as a result of an Error, such 

Participant, Customer or Clearing Firm may request review of the transaction pursuant to Rule 315(g). 

(i) Upon completion of the review of the transaction pursuant to Rule 315(g), if the 

SEF determines that an Error resulted in an Erroneously Cleared Transaction and:
SEF Rulebook | 38

(A) If the SEF is able to determine how to correct the Error, the SEF shall execute a 

Cleared Contract that offsets the Erroneously Cleared Transaction carried on the 

books of the relevant DCO through the same Clearing Firms that cleared the 

Erroneously Cleared Transaction and the SEF shall execute a new Cleared 

Contract with the same terms as the Erroneously Cleared Transaction, other than 

the Error, in each case without obtaining consent of the Participant that submitted 

the Erroneously Cleared Transaction or the Customer on whose behalf such 

transaction was submitted; provided that, where an Erroneously Cleared 

Transaction did not satisfy the Risk-Based Limits of a Participant’s Clearing Firm, 

the SEF shall obtain the consent of the relevant Clearing Firm prior to executing 

such offsetting Cleared Contract. The new Cleared Contract must be submitted 

by an Execution Specialist as a Pre-Arranged Cross, and such Pre-Arranged 

Cross shall be subject to pre-execution credit check and risk screening pursuant 

to Rule 204(b).

(B) If the SEF is unable to determine how to correct the Error, the SEF shall consult 

with the Clearing Firms for Erroneously Cleared Transactions and the 

Participants and Customers involved in such transaction, as necessary, and the 

relevant Customer or Participant may agree to execute a Cleared Contract that 

offsets the Erroneously Cleared Transaction carried on the books of the relevant 

DCO through the same Clearing Firms that cleared the Erroneously Cleared 

Transaction and to execute to a new Cleared Contract with the same terms as 

the rejected Cleared Contract, other than the Error. The new Cleared Contracts 

must be submitted by the Participant specified in Rule 304(b) as Pre-Arranged 

Crosses pursuant to the procedure in Rule 304(b), and such Pre-Arranged 

Crosses shall be subject to pre-execution credit check and risk screening 

pursuant to Rule 204(b).

(ii) Upon execution of such Pre-Arranged Crosses by the SEF to offset an 

Erroneously Cleared Transaction and to enter into a new Cleared Contract, the SEF shall submit 

the transactions to the DCO for clearing as quickly as technologically practicable, but in any case 

no later than three days after the Erroneously Cleared Transaction was executed.

(4) For the avoidance of doubt, the procedures of this Rule 315(h) are not applicable to any 

transaction rejected by a DCO for credit reasons.

(i) Prime Broker Transaction

(1) A Prime Broker that is a Trading Privilege Holder, but not a Prime Broker acting in its 

capacity as an Authorized Trading Firm pursuant to Rule 202(a)(2)(iii), shall have the right to cancel any 

Prime Broker Transaction within 48 hours after the execution of such transaction if any of the following 

criteria are met: 

(i) such transaction was executed in excess of a limit established by the Prime 

Broker with respect to the Prime Broker Transaction; or 

(ii) such transaction was in a Contract that the Prime Broker did not authorize its 

Authorized Trading Firms and Authorized Traders to transact on its behalf.

(2) The Prime Broker shall communicate the cancellation directly to the SEF and the 

counterparty and indicate which of the two criteria the Prime Broker is relying on for the cancellation. 

(3) In the event a Prime Broker Transaction is canceled by the Prime Broker pursuant to this 

Rule 315(i), the SEF will cancel such transaction and will report such cancellation to the relevant SDR 

pursuant to Part 43 of the Commission Regulations. 
SEF Rulebook | 39

(4) In the event the counterparty to the canceled Prime Broker Transaction disputes the right 

of the Prime Broker to cancel such transaction, the dispute will be resolved in accordance with the 

procedures of Chapter 7.

Rule 316. Reporting Counterparty

(a) For each Contract executed on or subject to the Rules of the SEF, the SEF shall report all 

required data to an SDR in accordance with Rule 309, and shall include in such creation data the 

identification of the reporting counterparty. The reporting counterparty will be determined by the SEF, if 

possible, in accordance with Commission Regulation 45.8 (a) – (f) and, in the event the counterparties to 

the Contract are of the same hierarchy level, the ISDA Reporting Party Rules, the relevant portion of 

which is attached to this Rulebook as Annex 1, and identify to the counterparties which is the reporting 

counterparty. If the SEF is unable to determine the reporting counterparty in accordance with 

Commission Regulation 45.8 (a) – (f) and the ISDA Reporting Party Rules, the SEF will identify the buyer 

of the Contract as the reporting counterparty in the creation data. By executing the Contract on the SEF, 

the counterparties agree to the use of the ISDA Reporting Party Rules and, where necessary, the 

identification of the buyer as reporting counterparty, and waive the opportunity to agree separately upon a 

reporting counterparty and to receive notice from the SEF, as provided in Commission Regulation 45.8(d) 

and 45.8(f). 

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Rule 316, for Contracts in the commodity asset class (as 

set forth in the ISDA Reporting Party Rules) between counterparties of the same hierarchy level, as 

determined by Commission Regulation 45.8 (a) – (f), the counterparties to such a Contract may agree 

separately upon a reporting counterparty. In the event that such counterparties do not agree upon a 

reporting counterparty, the reporting counterparty will be determined under paragraph (a) of this Rule 

316.

(b) For each Contract executed on or subject to the Rules of the SEF, the reporting counterparty 

and/or the relevant DCO is responsible for reporting continuation data to the SDR to which the creation 

data for the Contract was first reported in accordance with Commission Regulations 45.4 and 45.10. 
SEF Rulebook | 40

CHAPTER 4

TRADING STANDARDS

Rule 401. Fraudulent Statements and Acts

(a) No Participant or Customer shall make or attempt to make any untrue or misleading statement of 

a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made not 

untrue or misleading, in connection with or related to any transaction on or other activity related to the 

SEF.

(b) No Participant or Customer may engage in or attempt to engage in any fraudulent act, or engage 

in or attempt to engage in any manipulative device, scheme or artifice to cheat, defraud or deceive, in 

connection with or related to any transaction on or other activity related to the SEF.

Rule 402. Abusive Trading Practices

(a) No Participant or Customer shall create fictitious or wash transactions on the SEF or execute any 

Bid/Offer for a fictitious or wash transaction with knowledge of its nature.

(b) No Participant or Customer shall engage in trading on or subject to the Rules of the SEF for the 

purpose of passing money or transferring equity from one account to another.

(c) No Participant trading as an Intermediary on behalf of a Customer shall engage in trading ahead 

of a Customer Order, trading against a Customer Order without the Customer’s consent, front running a 

Customer Order, accommodation trading or improper cross trading.

Rule 403. Good Faith Bids/Offers and RFQs

(a) A Participant or Customer shall not knowingly enter, or cause to be entered, a Bid/Offer or RFQ 

into the SEF other than in good faith for the purpose of executing bona fide transactions.

(b) A Participant or Customer shall not knowingly enter, or cause to be entered, a Bid/Offer or RFQ 

unless such Participant or Customer has sufficient funds to provide the required collateral for the related 

Contract should the Contract be executed. 

Rule 404. Pre-Execution Discussions and Pre-Arranged Transactions

No Participant or Customer shall prearrange or pre-negotiate or non-competitively execute any 

transaction on the SEF except as follows:

(a) Block Trades are not subject to this prohibition.

(b) Permitted Transactions executed pursuant to Rule 304 are not subject to this prohibition.

(c) Participants and Customers may engage in pre-execution discussions with regard to transactions 

executed on the SEF in accordance with Rule 305(a)(7); provided, however, that:

(1) A party may not engage in pre-execution communications with other market participants 

on behalf of another party unless the party for whose benefit the transaction is being made has previously 

consented to permit such communications.

(2) Parties to pre-execution communications shall not:

(i) disclose to a nonparty the details of such communications; or
SEF Rulebook | 41

(ii) enter a Bid/Offer to take advantage of information conveyed during such 

communications except in accordance with this Rule.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(2) of this Rule, a party may disclose or use such 

communications if such disclosure or use is authorized in writing by the counterparty, or is necessary:

(i) for the effective execution of any Swap for or with the counterparty;

(ii) to hedge or mitigate any exposure created by such Swap; or

(iii) to comply with a request of the Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, any 

self-regulatory organization, or an applicable prudential regulator, or as otherwise required by 

law.

(d) Where a transaction is executed pursuant to Rule 315(h), communications concerning such 

transaction shall not be considered pre-execution communications prohibited by this Rule 404.

Rule 405. Manipulation and Price Distortion

(a) Any manipulation or attempted manipulation of the price of any Contract is prohibited.

(b) Bids/Offers entered into a Trading Platform or Pre-Arranged Crosses submitted to an Execution 

Specialist for the purpose of upsetting the equilibrium of the market in any Contract or creating a condition 

in which prices do not or will not reflect fair market values are prohibited and it shall also be prohibited for 

any Participant or Customer to make or assist in entering any such Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross with 

knowledge of the purpose thereof or, with such knowledge, to assist in carrying out any plan or scheme 

for the entering of any such Bid/Offer or Pre-Arranged Cross. 

(c) Any other manipulative and disruptive behavior not otherwise prohibited by the Rules is prohibited 

to the extent prohibited by the Act or Commission Regulations, including but not limited to Sections 

6(c)(1) and (3), 9(a)(2), 4c(a)(5)(A) and (C) of the Act and Commission Regulations 180.1(a) and 180.2. 

Rule 406. Disruptive Trading Practices

(a) No Participant or Customer shall enter or cause to be entered any Bid/Offer or other message with 

the intent to:

(1) mislead other Participants;

(2) overload, delay, or disrupt the Order Book or any other systems of the SEF or other 

Participants; and

(3) disrupt the orderly conduct of trading or the fair execution of transactions.

(b) No Participant or Customer shall engage in any trading, practice or conduct on or subject to the 

Rules of the SEF that (1) violates Bids/Offers; (2) demonstrates intentional or reckless disregard for the 

orderly execution of transactions during the closing period; (3) is, is of the character of, or is commonly 

known to the trade as, “spoofing” (entering a Bid/Offer with the intent to cancel the Bid/Offer before 

execution); or (4) is any other manipulative or disruptive trading practice prohibited by the Act or

Commission Regulations.

Rule 407. General Offenses

It will be an offense for a Participant or Customer to:
SEF Rulebook | 42

(a) violate any Rule of the SEF regulating the conduct or business of a Participant or Customer or 

any agreement made with the SEF;

(b) engage in any act detrimental to the SEF’s operations or self-regulatory function or the SEF’s 

ability to enforce its Rules or is detrimental to the interest or welfare of the SEF;

(c) fail to observe the proper standards of conduct expected of market participants;

(d) engage in any conduct which tends to impair the dignity or good name of the SEF;

(e) engage in conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade;

(f) engage in dishonorable or uncommercial conduct; 

(g) aid or abet the commission of any Violation by another person;

(h) fail to supervise its employees or agents in the conduct of the Participant’s or Customer’s business 

related to the SEF; and

(i) engage in conduct in violation of Applicable Law or the rules of any DCO which clears a Cleared 

Contract in connection with or related to any transaction on or other activity related to the SEF

Rule 408. Position Limits and Position Accountability

(a) To reduce the potential threat of market manipulation or congestion, the SEF shall adopt for each 

Contract, as is necessary and appropriate, Position Limits or position accountability levels for speculators. 

(b) The SEF hereby adopts the Commission’s Position Limits for any Contract for which the 

Commission has adopted a Position Limit. In no event will the SEF set its Position Limits at a level higher 

than the Commission’s Position Limits.

(c) For Permitted Transactions, the SEF may set and enforce position accountability levels or send 

the Commission a list of the Permitted Transactions transacted on the SEF. 

(d) All Participants and Customers must comply with all SEF and Commission requirements 

regarding Position Limits or position accountability levels. 

(e) Each Participant required to file any report, statement, form or other information with the 

Commission pursuant to Commission Regulations concerning a Position Limit on any Contract or 

commodity underlying a Contract must simultaneously file a copy of such report, statement, form or other 

information with the SEF. Such information shall include, for Participants who are Intermediaries, 

information concerning the Customers for which transactions are made on the SEF.

(f) Any Participant or Customer who exceeds a SEF or Commission Position Limit by entering into a 

transaction on the SEF shall be deemed in violation of the Rules of the SEF. In addition, any Participant 

or Customer entering bids or offers, if accepted, which would cause that Participant or Customer to 

exceed the applicable SEF or Commission Position Limit, shall be in violation of the Rules of the SEF.

(g) Without limiting any provision of these Rules, the SEF shall have the authority to obtain from any 

Participant or Customer, on request, information with respect to all positions of such Participant or 

Customer in Contracts which are equivalent, for purposes of SEF or Commission Position Limits, to those 

transacted in by the Participant on the SEF.
SEF Rulebook | 43

CHAPTER 5

RULE ENFORCEMENT

Rule 501. Jurisdiction 

(a) The SEF shall have the authority to initiate and conduct investigations, and prosecute Violations 

of these Rules committed by SEF Subject Persons, and to impose sanctions for such Violations as 

provided in these Rules. 

(b) Each Participant and Clearing Firm, upon becoming a Participant or Clearing Firm and thereafter 

upon any change of address shall file with the SEF a written notice designating an address for receiving 

service of documents. If a Participant or Clearing Firm fails to designate such an address, service by U.S. 

mail to its address on file with the SEF shall be good service, and delivery thereof shall be deemed to 

have occurred as of the date of such mailing. 

Rule 502. SEF Market Regulation Staff Powers and Duties 

(a) It shall be the duty of the Chief Compliance Officer to enforce these Rules, and he or she shall 

have the authority to inspect the books and records of all SEF Subject Persons and the authority to 

require any SEF Subject Person to appear before him or her to answer questions regarding matters being 

investigated by the Market Regulation Staff. The Chief Compliance Officer may also delegate such

authority to Market Regulation Staff who shall consist of employees of the SEF, and such other 

Regulatory Services Providers as the SEF may hire on a contract basis. The Chief Compliance Officer 

shall ensure that surveillance systems are established to monitor trading to prevent manipulation and 

price distortion. Such monitoring may be done by the Market Regulation Staff or a third party provider, 

and shall include real time monitoring and the ability to conduct comprehensive and accurate transaction 

reconstructions.

(b) The Market Regulation Staff shall conduct investigations of possible Violations of these Rules, 

prepare written reports respecting such investigations, furnish such reports to the Review Panel and 

conduct the prosecution of such Violations. An investigation must be commenced upon receipt of a 

request from Commission staff or receipt of information (such as data produced by automated 

surveillance systems) by the SEF that in the judgment of the Market Regulation Staff indicates a 

reasonable basis for finding that a Violation may have occurred or will occur. Absent mitigating factors, 

each investigation will be completed no later than 12 months after the investigation is opened. Mitigating 

factors include the complexity of the investigation, the number of firms or individuals involved as potential 

wrongdoers, the number of potential Violations to be investigated and the volume of documents and data 

to be examined and analyzed by Market Regulation Staff.

(c) If, in any case, the Chief Compliance Officer or another member of the Market Regulation Staff, 

designated for this purpose by the Chief Compliance Officer, concludes that there is a reasonable basis 

for finding a Violation of these Rules, he or she shall (i) present an investigation report concerning the 

matter to the Review Panel or (ii), in the case of Violations subject to Rule 516, proceed in accordance 

with Rule 516. The investigation report must include the reason the investigation was initiated; a 

summary of the complaint, if any; the relevant facts; Market Regulation Staff’s analysis and conclusions; 

and a recommendation as to whether disciplinary action should be pursued. The report may also include 

the SEF Subject Person’s disciplinary history at the SEF, including copies of any warning letters. The 

Market Regulation Staff may issue a warning letter, including for minor transgressions. However, no 

more than one warning letter may be issued to the same person found to have committed the same 

Violation more than once in a rolling 12-month period. 

(d) If, in any case, the Chief Compliance Officer or another member of the Market Regulation Staff, 

designated for this purpose by the Chief Compliance Officer, concludes that no reasonable basis exists 

for finding a Violation of these Rules, he or she must prepare a written investigation report including the 

reason the investigation was initiated; a summary of the complaint, if any; the relevant facts; and Market 

Regulation Staff’s analysis and conclusions. The Chief Compliance Officer or another member of the 
SEF Rulebook | 44

Market Regulation Staff may issue a warning letter in any case where it is concluded that no reasonable 

basis exists for finding a Violation of these Rules, without limitation on the number of warning letters 

issued to a person. 

(e) Before presenting an investigation report to the Review Panel, the Market Regulation Staff may, 

in its sole discretion, inform the prospective Respondent that it intends to submit the matter to the Review

Panel, and at such time the proposed Respondent may submit an offer of settlement to the Hearing 

Panel, in accordance with the procedures of Rule 509, prior to presentation of the investigation report to 

the Review Panel.

(f) The SEF has contracted with NFA to act as Regulatory Services Provider to provide certain 

regulatory services to the SEF, including reviews of the SEF’s audit trail information for potential violations 

of SEF Rules. The SEF will retain ultimate decision-making authority with respect to any regulatory 

services to be provided by NFA.

(g) The SEF or its Regulatory Services Provider shall have the right, with such prior reasonable 

advance notice as is practicable under the circumstances (unless in furtherance of regulatory purposes, 

in which case without prior notice to SEF Subject Persons), in connection with determining whether all 

SEF Rules are being, will be, or have been complied with by the SEF Subject Person, to: (i) inspect 

systems, equipment and software of any kind operated by the SEF Subject Person in connection with 

accessing, and the SEF Subject Person’s transacting on, the SEF, wherever located; (ii) access, either 

physically or electronically, the systems, equipment, software, and the premises on which the systems, 

equipment, and software are located, any data stored in any of the systems or equipment, during the 

regular business hours; and/or (iii) copy or reproduce any data to which the SEF has access under this 

Rule. Each SEF Subject Person shall provide the Regulatory Services Provider with the same access to 

its books and records and offices as it is required to provide to the SEF under the SEF Rules and 

Applicable Law.

Rule 503. The Review Panel

(a) The Review Panel shall have the power to direct that an investigation of any suspected Violation 

be conducted by the Market Regulation Staff, and shall hear any matter referred to it by the Market 

Regulation Staff regarding a suspected Violation. 

(b) The Review Panel shall be appointed by the Board, and shall be comprised of five persons, 

including at least two Participants and at least two non-Participants. In the case where the subject of the 

investigation is a Clearing Firm, at least one member of the Review Panel shall be a Clearing Firm. The 

Board shall appoint a chairman (the “Review Panel Chairman”) of the Review Panel. At such time as 

may be required by the Commission Regulations, the Review Panel Chairman shall be a person who 

would not be disqualified from serving as a Public Director. Three panel members shall constitute a 

quorum for any action, so long as they are in attendance at the time of the relevant action. The Review 

Panel may not include any members of the Market Regulation Staff, any person involved in adjudicating 

any other stage of the same Proceeding, or any person with a history of disciplinary offenses that would 

be disqualifying under CFTC Regulation § 1.63(c). The Review Panel shall include at least one member 

that is not a member of the SEF whenever the Review Panel is: (i) acting with respect to a disciplinary 

action in which the Respondent is a member of the Board, the Review Panel or the Hearing Panel; or (ii) 

when the suspected Violation involves manipulation (or attempted manipulation) of the price of a Contract 

or conduct which directly results in financial harm to a non-member of the SEF. The Review Panel shall 

include sufficient different membership interests so as to ensure fairness and to prevent special treatment 

or preference for any person.

(c) All information, records, and documents provided to the Review Panel, and all related records 

and documents shall be treated as confidential and shall not be disclosed, except as necessary to further 

a SEF investigation or as required by Applicable Law. 
SEF Rulebook | 45

(d) Upon receipt of an investigation report, the Review Panel shall promptly review the report and, 

within thirty (30) days of receipt, take one of the following actions: 

(1) If the Review Panel determines that additional investigation or evidence is needed, it 

shall promptly direct the Market Regulation Staff to conduct further investigation; 

(2) If the Review Panel determines that no reasonable basis exists for finding a Violation or 

that prosecution is otherwise unwarranted, it may direct that no further action be taken. Such 

determination must be in writing and must include a written statement setting forth the facts and analysis 

supporting the decision; or

(3) If the Review Panel determines that a reasonable basis exists for finding a Violation and 

adjudication is warranted, it must direct that the SEF Subject Person alleged to have committed the 

Violation be served with a notice of charges as set forth in Rule 504.

(e) If the Review Panel determines that there may have been a Violation but that no adjudication is 

warranted, the Review Panel may issue a warning letter to the SEF Subject Person informing it that there 

may have been a Violation and that such continued activity may result in disciplinary sanctions. Where a 

Violation is determined to have occurred, no more than one warning letter for the same potential Violation 

may be issued to the same person during a rolling 12 month period.

Rule 504. Notice of Charges 

(a) If the Review Panel determines that a reasonable basis exists for finding a Violation and 

adjudication is warranted, the Chief Compliance Officer shall serve a notice of charges (a “Notice”) on the 

SEF Subject Person alleged to have been responsible for the Violation (such SEF Subject Person, the 

“Respondent”). Such Notice shall state: 

(1) the acts, practices or conduct with which the Respondent is charged; 

(2) the Rules allegedly violated and how such acts, practices or conduct constitute a 

Violation of such Rules; 

(3) that the Respondent is entitled, upon written request filed with the SEF, within twenty (20) 

days of service of the Notice, to a formal hearing on the charges; 

(4) that the failure of the Respondent to request a hearing within twenty (20) days of service 

of the Notice, except for good cause shown, shall be deemed a waiver of its right to a hearing; 

(5) that the failure of the Respondent to file an Answer (as defined in Rule 505) with the 

Market Regulation Staff within twenty (20) days of service of the Notice shall be deemed an admission of 

all of the acts, practices or conduct alleged in the Notice; and

(6) that the failure of the Respondent to expressly deny a particular charge contained in the 

Notice shall be deemed an admission of such acts, practices or conduct.

(b) A Respondent shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel or any other representative 

of its choosing in all succeeding stages of the disciplinary process, except by any member of the Board, 

Review Panel or Hearing Panel, any employee of the SEF or any person substantially related to the 

underlying investigation, such as a material witness or Respondent.

Rule 505. Answer; Request for Hearing; Failure to Answer or Deny Charges 

(a) The Respondent shall serve on the Chief Compliance Officer a written answer (an “Answer”) to 

the Notice and a written request for a hearing on the charges within thirty (30) days of the date of service 
SEF Rulebook | 46

of the Notice. The Answer must include a statement that the Respondent admits, denies, or does not 

have and is unable to obtain sufficient information to deny each allegation. A statement of lack of 

sufficient information shall have the effect of a denial of the allegation.

(b) The Respondent’s failure to file an Answer within such thirty (30) day period shall be deemed an 

admission of all allegations contained in the Notice. 

(c) The Respondent’s failure to expressly deny a particular charge contained in the Notice shall be 

deemed an admission of such acts, practices or conduct. 

(d) The Respondent’s failure to request a hearing within such thirty (30) day period, absent good 

cause shown, shall be deemed a waiver of Respondent’s right to a hearing. 

Rule 506. Selection of Hearing Panel 

(a) Formal hearings on any Notice shall be conducted by the Hearing Panel selected by the Board. 

The Hearing Panel shall include at least two Participants and at least two non-Participants. In the case 

where any Respondent is a Clearing Firm, at least one member of the Hearing Panel shall be a Clearing 

Firm. The Board shall also select a chairman of the Hearing Panel (“Hearing Panel Chairman”). At such 

time as may be required by the Commission Regulations, the Hearing Panel Chairman shall be a person 

who would not be disqualified from serving as a Public Director. The Hearing Panel Chairman, in his or 

her sole discretion, shall set a date for the hearing (the “Hearing Date”). The Hearing Panel may not 

include any members of the Market Regulation Staff, any person involved in adjudicating any other stage 

of the same Proceeding, or any person with a history of disciplinary offenses that would be disqualifying 

under CFTC Regulation § 1.63(c). The Hearing Panel shall include at least one member that is not a 

member of the SEF whenever the Hearing Panel is: (i) acting with respect to a disciplinary action in which 

the Respondent is a member of the Board, the Review Panel or the Hearing Panel; or (ii) when the 

suspected Violation involves manipulation (or attempted manipulation) of the price of a Contract or 

conduct which directly results in financial harm to a non-member of the SEF. The Hearing Panel shall 

include sufficient different membership interests so as to ensure fairness and to prevent special treatment 

or preference for any person.

(b) The Hearing Panel Chairman shall notify the Market Regulation Staff and the Respondent of the 

Hearing Date and the names of the members of the Hearing Panel at least fifteen (15) days prior to the 

Hearing Date. 

(c) No member of the Hearing Panel shall hear a case in which that member has a direct financial, 

personal or other interest in the matter under consideration. 

Rule 507. Challenge to Members of the Hearing Panel 

Within ten (10) days after service on the Respondent of notice of the Hearing Date and names of the 

members of the Hearing Panel, the Respondent may challenge, in writing, the inclusion of any member of 

the Hearing Panel for cause, including without limitation, if the member has a direct financial, personal or 

other interest in the matter under consideration. The merits of such challenge shall be finally decided by 

the Regulatory Oversight Committee. If said written challenge is not received within such ten (10) day 

period, absent good cause shown, any such right to challenge is deemed waived. 

Rule 508. Hearing on Sanctions in the Event of Failure to Deny Charges; Failure to Request 

Hearing Deemed Acceptance of Sanctions

In the event the Respondent fails to file an Answer or admits or fails to deny the charge of a Violation 

contained in the Notice, the Hearing Panel shall find the Respondent guilty of each such Violation and 

may impose a sanction for each such Violation subject to the limitations set forth in Rule 511(b)(7). The 

Hearing Panel shall promptly notify the Respondent of any such sanction and of the Respondent’s right to 
SEF Rulebook | 47

a hearing on the sanction within the period of time which shall be stated in the notice, after the imposition 

of such sanction. Failure to request a hearing on the sanction in a timely manner, absent good cause 

shown, shall be deemed to be acceptance of the sanction. 

Rule 509. Settlement Prior to Commencement of Hearing 

(a) Prior to the commencement of the hearing, the Hearing Panel may accept a written offer of 

settlement from the Respondent, whereby the Respondent, without either admitting or denying any 

Violations, may agree to: 

(1) a cease and desist order; 

(2) a fine for each Violation plus the monetary value of any benefit received as a result of the 

Violation (provided that in no case shall any fine exceed $100,000 per Violation); 

(3) restitution of any counterparty harm; and/or 

(4) revocation or suspension of Trading Privileges or Customer or Clearing Firm status of the 

Respondent.

(b) If the Hearing Panel accepts an offer of settlement, it must issue a written decision specifying 

each Rule Violation it has reason to believe was committed, including the basis for the Hearing Panel’s

conclusions. The sanctions must include full counterparty restitution where counterparty harm is 

demonstrated, except where the amount of restitution or to whom it should be provided cannot be 

reasonably determined. If an offer of settlement is accepted without the support of the Market Regulation

Staff, the decision must adequately support the Hearing Panel’s acceptance of the settlement. Where 

applicable, the decision must include a statement that the Respondent has accepted the sanctions 

imposed without either admitting or denying any Violations. Any sanctions imposed pursuant to an offer 

of settlement must take into account the Respondent’s disciplinary history. 

(c) The Respondent may withdraw an offer of settlement at any time before final acceptance by the 

Hearing Panel. If an offer is withdrawn after submission, or is rejected by the Hearing Panel, the 

Respondent may not be deemed to have made any admissions by reason of the offer of settlement and 

may not be otherwise prejudiced by having submitted the offer of settlement.

Rule 510. Hearing Procedures 

(a) In every instance where a Respondent has requested a hearing on a charge that is denied, or on 

a sanction set by the Hearing Panel pursuant to Rule 508, the Respondent will have the opportunity for a 

hearing in accordance with the procedures of this Rule.

(b) The Hearing Panel shall determine the procedures to be followed in any hearing before it, except 

that the following shall apply in every case: 

(1) The hearing must be fair and must be promptly convened after reasonable notice to the 

Respondent.

(2) The prosecution shall be conducted by the Market Regulation Staff. 

(3) The Respondent shall be allowed to appear personally at the hearing, and to be 

represented by legal counsel or any other representative of its choosing and, either personally or through 

such representative, to present witnesses and documentary evidence and to cross-examine witnesses. 

(4) The Market Regulation Staff and the Respondent shall deliver to each other a statement 

listing the witnesses expected to be called and the documents expected to be introduced into evidence, 
SEF Rulebook | 48

together with copies of such documents, by ten (10) days’ notice prior to the hearing or as the Hearing 

Panel may reasonably specify. Unless the Hearing Panel, in its discretion, waives compliance with this 

requirement, no witness may testify and no documentary evidence may be introduced into evidence 

unless listed in and, in the case of documents, furnished with such statement. On written request, the 

Market Regulation Staff shall provide the Respondent with access to all books, documents or other 

tangible evidence in the possession or under the control of the SEF which are to be relied upon by the 

Market Regulation Staff or which are relevant to the charges; provided, however, that protected attorney 

work product, attorney-client communications and investigative work product, including the investigation 

report, are neither discoverable by a Respondent nor subject to review by a Respondent as part of the 

investigation file. 

(5) The SEF shall require that persons within its jurisdiction who are called as witnesses 

participate in the hearing and produce evidence, and will make reasonable efforts to secure the presence 

of all other persons called as witnesses whose testimony would be relevant. Failure by a SEF Subject 

Person to so participate and produce evidence when requested by the SEF shall be a Violation of these 

Rules.

(6) No formal rules of evidence shall apply, and the Hearing Panel shall be free to accept or 

reject any and all evidence it considers proper, but the hearing may not be so informal as to deny a fair 

hearing.

(7) Neither the Market Regulation Staff, the Respondent, any witnesses testifying before the 

Hearing Panel nor any other person within the SEF’s jurisdiction shall engage in conduct that may impede 

the progress of a hearing or the fair and just resolution of the subject matter thereof, and any such 

conduct may itself constitute a Violation. 

(8) Ex parte contacts by any of the parties with members of the Hearing Panel shall not be 

permitted. 

(9) A substantially verbatim record capable of being accurately transcribed shall be made of 

the Proceeding, provided, however, that such record need not be transcribed, unless the transcript is 

requested by the Respondent or an applicable regulator, or unless the decision is appealed to the 

Commission or reviewed by the Commission on its own motion. In all other instances, a summary record 

of the hearing is permitted.

(10) The cost of transcribing the record of the hearing must be borne by a Respondent who 

requests the transcript, or whose application for Commission review of the disciplinary action has been 

granted. In all other instances, the cost of transcribing the record will be borne by the SEF.

(11) The Notice, the Answer, any stenographic transcript of the hearing, the documentary 

evidence and any other material presented to the Hearing Panel by either party with notice to the other 

shall constitute the record of the hearing (the “Hearing Record”). 

(12) The burden of proof shall be on the prosecution to prove a Violation by a preponderance 

of the evidence. A finding of a Violation shall be made by majority vote based on the Hearing Panel’s 

decision as to the weight of the evidence contained in the Hearing Record. 

(13) All sanctions imposed by the Hearing Panel must be commensurate with the Violations 

committed and must be clearly sufficient to deter additional similar Violations by the Respondent and 

similar Violations by other SEF Subject Persons. All sanctions must take into account the Respondent’s 

disciplinary history. In the event of demonstrated counterparty harm, any sanctions must include full 

counterparty restitution, except where the amount of restitution or to whom it should be provided cannot 

be reasonably determined.
SEF Rulebook | 49

Rule 511. Written Decision of Hearing Panel 

(a) Promptly following a hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Rules, the Hearing 

Panel shall render a written decision based upon the weight of evidence in the Hearing Record and must 

provide a copy to the Respondent within thirty (30) days of such decision. 

(b) The written decision shall include: 

(1) the name of the Respondent;

(2) a summary of the charges alleged in the Notice; 

(3) a summary of the Answer; 

(4) a summary of the evidence produced at the hearing or, where appropriate, incorporation 

by reference of the investigation report; 

(5) a statement of the findings and conclusions of the Hearing Panel with respect to each 

charge, and a complete explanation of the evidentiary and other basis for such findings and conclusions 

with respect to each charge, or, in the event of a settlement, a statement specifying the alleged 

Violations;

(6) an indication of each specific Rule that the Respondent was found to have violated and 

whether the Violation resulted in any financial harm to Customers; 

(7) an order stating any sanctions imposed, including the basis for the sanctions, any terms 

of the sanctions , the date the determination to impose sanctions was made and the effective date of such 

sanctions; the sanctions that may be imposed on the Respondent shall be one or more of the following: 

(i) a cease and desist order; 

(ii) a fine for each Violation plus the monetary value of any benefit received as a 

result of the Violation (provided that in no case shall any fine exceed $100,000 per Violation);

(iii) restitution of counterparty harm, except where the amount of restitution or to 

whom it should be provided cannot be reasonably determined; and/or 

(iv) the issuance of a suspension or revocation of Trading Privileges or Customer or 

Clearing Firm status of the Respondent; and 

(8) a statement informing the Respondent that the imposition of sanctions may be appealed 

to the Commission pursuant to Part 9 of the Commission Regulations. 

(c) The Hearing Panel shall take into consideration the Respondent’s disciplinary history prior to 

imposing any disciplinary sanctions.

(d) The SEF shall also provide the written decision to the NFA through BASIC, or deliver the written 

decision to the NFA to be input into BASIC.

(e) If the SEF suspends or revokes the Trading Privileges or Customer or Clearing Firm status of the 

Respondent, it must publicly publish the information contained in the written notice pursuant to Rule 

511(b). 
SEF Rulebook | 50

Rule 512. Liability for Expenses 

Any Respondent that, after notice and opportunity for hearing, has been found to have committed a 

Violation may, in the discretion of the Hearing Panel appointed in the matter, be required to pay to the 

SEF an amount equal to any and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the 

SEF in connection with the prosecution of such Violations, in addition to any fine or other monetary 

sanction which may be imposed upon such Respondent by virtue of the Violations found by the Hearing 

Panel. 

Rule 513. Effective Date of Sanctions

(a) If a Respondent submits an offer of a settlement to the Hearing Panel, any sanction included as a 

part of such settlement shall become final and effective on the date that the Hearing Panel approves such 

settlement, or on such other date as is specified in the decision.

(b) Subject to Rule 513(c) and (d), any decision (including any sanctions) by a Hearing Panel 

pursuant to this Chapter 5 or the Participation Committee pursuant to Rule 205 shall be the final decision 

of the SEF and shall become effective fifteen (15) days, or such longer time as the Hearing Panel or 

Participation Committee may specify, after a copy of the written decision of the Hearing Panel or 

Participation Committee has been served on the Respondent, applicant, Participant or Customer, as 

applicable. 

(c) In any case where a Respondent, applicant, Participant or Customer has consented to the action 

taken and to the timing of its effectiveness, the Hearing Panel or Participation Committee may cause the 

decision involving any disciplinary action (including any sanctions) to become effective prior to the fifteen 

(15) day period. 

(d) Any decision (including any sanctions) by a Hearing Panel or the Participation Committee may 

become effective prior to the time set forth in Rule 513(b) if:

(1) the SEF reasonably believes, and so states in its written decision, that immediate action is 

necessary pursuant to Rule 514;

(2) if the SEF determines, and so states in its written decision, that the actions of a SEF Subject 

Person have impeded the progress of a disciplinary hearing; or

(3) the SEF determines a SEF Subject Person has violated Rules relating to timely submission of 

accurate records required for clearing or verifying each day’s transactions or other similar activities. 

(e) If a decision is to become effective earlier than the time set forth in Rule 513(b) pursuant to Rule 

513(c) or (d), the SEF shall notify the Respondent, applicant, Participant or Customer in writing stating the 

reasons for the determination. 

(f) Any fine or other monetary sanction imposed by a Hearing Panel shall be due and payable on the 

effective date of the decision imposing such fine or sanction, or on such later date as the Hearing Panel 

may specify. 

Rule 514. Summary Suspension

(a) A SEF Subject Person (as identified by Market Regulation Staff in an investigation or by a 

Trading Privilege Holder acting as an Intermediary for such SEF Subject Person) may be summarily and 

immediately suspended from trading on the SEF, upon a written determination based on a reasonable 

belief, by the Chairman of the Regulatory Oversight Committee that such immediate action is necessary 

to protect the best interest of the market place.
SEF Rulebook | 51

(b) The SEF Subject Person against whom such summary action is taken shall be served with a 

notice of the action either before the action is taken or at the earliest possible opportunity thereafter. The 

notice shall state the action taken, the reasons for the action, the effective date and time, and the duration 

of the action.

(c) The SEF Subject Person may as soon as practicable, upon written request, have a hearing 

before the Hearing Panel pursuant to the procedures of Rule 510.

(d) Promptly following the hearing, the Hearing Panel shall render a written decision based upon the 

weight of the evidence in the record and shall provide a copy to the SEF Subject Person. The decision 

shall include a description of the summary action taken, the reasons for the summary action, a summary 

of the evidence produced at the hearing, a statement of findings and conclusions, a determination that the 

summary action should be affirmed, modified or reversed, a declaration of any action to be taken 

pursuant to the determination, and the effective date and duration of the action.

Rule 515. Extension of Time Limits 

Any time limit provided for in Rules 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, or 510 may be extended by mutual consent 

of the Respondent and the Market Regulation Staff, or by the Hearing Panel Chairman. 

Rule 516. Summary Fines 

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter 5, the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee 

shall have the authority to impose summary fines on Participants and Customers without the need for any 

formal disciplinary procedures with respect to Violations of any Rule listed in Rule 516(e). Pursuant to Rule 

202(a)(1)(ii), a Participant that is an Intermediary may be held responsible for a Violation by its Customer. 

Investigations of possible Violations of such a Rule shall be conducted in accordance with Rule 502, but 

otherwise actions taken pursuant to this Rule 516 shall be made in accordance with the procedures set 

forth herein rather than the procedures set forth in the remainder of this Chapter 5. The authority to impose 

a summary fine under this Rule 516 does not prevent the Chief Compliance Officer from submitting a 

Violation of any rule listed in Rule 516(e) to the Review Panel in accordance with the formal disciplinary 

procedures of this Chapter 5. 

(b) The Chief Compliance Officer or its designee shall give written notice to each Participant and 

Customer subject to any summary fine imposed pursuant to this Rule 516. The written notice (“Fine Notice”) 

shall set forth: (i) the provision of the Rules allegedly Violated; (ii) the act or omission constituting each such 

Violation; (iii) the fine imposed for each Violation; and (iv) the date by which such fine becomes final and 

must be paid or contested as provided below, which date shall be not less than 30 days after the date the 

Fine Notice was provided to the Participant or Customer. 

(c) Any Participant or Customer against whom a summary fine is imposed pursuant to this Rule 516 

may contest the imposition of such fine by serving on the Chief Compliance Officer a written answer to the 

Fine Notice. Such answer (“Notice of Contest”) must: (i) state that the Participant or Customer contests the 

imposition of the fine; (ii) acknowledges that the alleged Violation will be referred to the Review Panel; and 

(iii) be submitted to the Chief Compliance Officer on or before the date specified in the Fine Notice. Upon 

submission of a Notice of Contest the matter shall become subject to review by the Review Panel in 

accordance with the formal disciplinary procedures set forth in the remainder of this Chapter 5 and shall no 

longer be subject to this Rule 516.

(d) For purposes of imposing fines pursuant to this Rule 516, the Chief Compliance Officer shall review 

all the facts and circumstances prior to determining whether a Violation occurred and may aggregate 

individual Violations and treat such Violations as a single offense. 
SEF Rulebook | 52

(e) The Chief Compliance Officer shall set the amount of any fine imposed pursuant to this Rule 516, 

with the maximum aggregate fine for Violations of the same Rule, or subsection thereof, imposed by the 

Chief Compliance Officer not to exceed $7,000 on an annual basis. If, in any case, the Chief Compliance 

Officer or another member of the Market Regulation Staff, designated for this purpose by the Chief 

Compliance Officer, concludes that there is a reasonable basis for finding an additional Violation, he or she 

shall present an investigation report concerning the matter to the Review Panel in accordance with Rule 

502, which shall proceed in accordance with Rule 503. The following schedule lists the recommended 

actions that the Chief Compliance Officer may impose:

Rule 

Violation

Action Taken Per each Violation in a Rolling 12-month period

First 

Violation

Second 

Violation

Third 

Violation

Fourth Violation

Rule 204(i) Warning 

Letter

$2,000 $5,000 Referral to Review Panel for formal 

disciplinary procedures.
SEF Rulebook | 53

CHAPTER 6

CONTRACTS TO BE TRADED

Rule 601. Listing Procedures 

Any Trading Privilege Holder may propose to the SEF the listing of a Swap on the SEF by submitting a 

listing application to the SEF. The Chief Executive Officer of the SEF shall have authority, subject to 

complying with Rule 602, to submit the contract to the Commission, either with a request for prior 

approval, or with a self-certification. 

Rule 602. Swaps Not Readily Susceptible to Manipulation 

Before submitting a Swap to the Commission for prior approval or with a self-certification, the Chief 

Executive Officer of the SEF shall determine that the Swap is not readily susceptible to manipulation, and 

shall submit to the Commission the following information required by Appendix C to Part 38 of 

Commission Regulations to show that the Swap complies with Core Principle 3:

(a) For cash-settled Swaps, documentation demonstrating that the settlement price index is a reliable 

indicator of market values and conditions, is highly regarded by industry/market agents, and is publicly 

available on a timely basis.

(b) Where an independent, private-sector third party calculates the referenced price index, 

verification that the third party utilizes business practices that minimize the opportunity or incentive to 

manipulate the cash settlement prices included in the index.

(c) Where the SEF generates the cash settlement prices included in the index, information 

demonstrating that the calculation procedures safeguard against potential attempts to artificially influence 

the price, and a description of how the calculation procedures eliminate or reduce the impact of potentially 

unrepresentative data.

(d) Appropriate speculative limits to prevent manipulation.

(e) Procedures for intraday market restrictions that pause or halt trading in the event of extraordinary 

price moves that may result in distorted prices.
SEF Rulebook | 54

CHAPTER 7

GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Rule 701. Choice of Law

The laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws principles, will govern this 

Rulebook and all disputes arising out of or related to the SEF or any transaction on the SEF.

Rule 702. Disputes Among Trading Privilege Holders, Authorized Traders, Authorized Trading 

Firms and Customers

All disputes between and among SEF Subject Persons that arise out of or relate to the SEF or any 

transaction that was made or attempted to be made on the SEF shall be resolved exclusively in the state 

or federal courts located in New York, New York except as follows:

(a) If all parties to the dispute are members or associates of the NFA, the dispute will be resolved in 

NFA Member Arbitration.

(b) If all parties separately agree to another forum, the dispute will be resolved in the other forum.

Rule 703. Disputes with the SEF

(a) Subject to Rule 102, all disputes between and among the SEF on the one hand, and SEF Subject 

Persons on the other hand, that arise out of or relate to the SEF, or any transaction that was made or 

attempted to be made on the SEF, shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in 

New York, New York. Suit on any such dispute must be brought within one year from the time the cause 

of action has accrued.

(b) Any current or former SEF Subject Person who does not substantially prevail in a lawsuit or any 

other type of legal proceeding instituted in a court of law or otherwise against the SEF or any of its 

officers, directors, committee members, volunteers, employees or agents, shall pay to the SEF any and 

all reasonable expenses and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by the SEF to 

defend such lawsuit or proceeding.
SEF Rulebook | 55

CHAPTER 8

CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS

Rule 801. Interest Rate Swaps Products Descriptions

Trading Hours

Unless otherwise indicated in a Swap’s specifications, the trading hours for all Swaps governed by this 

Rule 801 are as follows:

o Order Book: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and ending at 5:30 

p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

o Voice RFQ: Not Available. 

o All Pre-Arranged Crosses: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and 

ending at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. 

Products — Rule 801:

(1) Fixed for Floating IRS

(a) Colombian IRS

(b) Colombian UVR (Inflation) IRS

(c) Colombian Cross Currency IRS

(d) Peruvian Cross Currency IRS

(e) Peruvian IRS

(f) Peruvian VAC (Inflation) IRS

(g) Argentine Cross Currency IRS

(h) Argentine CER (Inflation) IRS

(i) Mexican IRS

(j) General Collateral Index Swaps (GCIS)

(2) Basis Swaps

(a) Colombian Cross-Currency Basis Swaps

(b) Cross Currency Mexican Basis

(c) US Floating Libor Rate vs Camara Floating Rate Basis Swap

(3) Forward Rate Agreements (FRA)

(4) Overnight Index Swaps (OIS)

(a) CLP Fixed vs Camara Floating Rate OIS

(b) CLF Fixed vs Camara Floating Rate XCCY OIS

(5) Non Deliverables Swaps

(a) Non Deliverable Swap (NDS)

(b) Non Deliverable IRS (ND IRS)

(c) Non Deliverable OIS (ND OIS)

(d) Cross Currency Swap (CCS)

(6) Interest Rate Options

(a) Swap Options

(b) Inflation Swaps

(c) Inflation Rate Options

(d) Exotic Options and Swaps

(e) Interest Rate Options on the Mexican Peso

(f) TIPS Asset Swaps
SEF Rulebook | 56

Product Specifications

Rule 801(1) — Fixed for Floating IRS

A Fixed for Floating IRS is an Interest Rate Swap for which settlement is in the form of periodic fixed

interest payments and a stream of periodic floating interest payments based on an interest rate over a 

term to maturity. The interest rate payments are exchanged for a specified period based on a notional 

amount.

Currencies

USD AUD HUF

EUR CHF RON

JPY SEK NZD

GBP DKK SAR

CLP NOK SGD

COL ZAR HKD

ARS PLN THB

PEN TRY RUB

MXN CZK KRW

BRL ILS

CAD AED

Specifications

Trading Conventions

o Buyer (Payer) pays fixed interest rate and receives floating interest rate.

o Seller (Receiver) receives fixed interest rate and pays floating interest rate.

Swap Leg Conventions

o The terms of Fixed versus Floating Interest Rate Swaps are based on a number 

of combinations of the criteria below.

 Fixed Leg

• Payment Frequency

o Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

• Day Count Convention

o Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, 

Actual Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted 

for the instrument

• Business Day Convention

o Modified following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days for the countries denoted by the currency. If not, it 

will be the next day that is a business day on both 

calendars.

• Fixed Rate

o The traded interest rate yield or basis points on Trade 

Date

 Floating Leg

• Reset Frequency

o Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual

• Day Count Convention

o Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, 

Actual Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual
SEF Rulebook | 57

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted 

for the instrument

• Business Day Convention

o Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days for the countries denoted by the currency. If not, it 

will be the next day that is a business day on both 

calendars.

• Fixed Rate

o The traded interest rate yield or basis points on Trade 

Date

• Interest Rate Benchmark

o EBOR, BBSW, LIBOR, EURIBOR, CIDOR, PRIBOR, 

CIBOR2, BUBOR, TELBOR, NIBOR, BKBM, WIBOR, 

STIBOR, JIBAR, SAIBOR, TIBOR, CZEONIA, 

TRLIBOR, MOSPRIME

Effective Date

o The first date from which fixed and floating interest amounts accrue. It is also referred to as 

the Start Date or the Value Date. The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day 

subject to the appropriate Business Day Convention.

Trade Start Type

o Spot Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is 2 business days from the Trade Date 

(T+2).

o Forward Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is anything after the Effective Date for a 

Spot Starting swap.

o Same Day Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is the same as the Trade Date (T+0)

Maturity Date

o The final date until which Fixed and Floating amounts accrue

Tenor

o The duration of time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date. Tenors of any duration 

greater than 0 years to 50 years.

 Listed Tenors, also known as On-the-Run, are whole calendar year Spot 

Starting Contracts with a Tenor of 1 through 60 years.

 Other Tenors, also known as Off-the-Run, means any partial year Tenor 

(Months, Weeks, Days).

Roll Day Convention

o The date used for determining all fixed and floating Reset Dates. Roll Days define the 

beginning and end of Fixed and Floating interest accrual periods.

o For On-the-Run Contracts, the Roll Day is the same date of the month as the Effective Date. 

For Off-the-Run Contracts, it can be any date of the month, subject to the provisions of the 

Business Day Convention. Roll Day marks the start of a new interest accrual period, and is 

the date on which a Reset Rate takes effect.

Floating Reset Dates

o Dates utilized to determine the Floating Rate amounts for each interest accrual period during 

the Tenor of the contract. Except in the case of a Stub Period, the Reset Date is aligned with 

the floating rate frequency as determined.
SEF Rulebook | 58

First Period Fixing Date

o For Spot Starting swaps, the Interest Rate for the first interest period is fixed on the Trade 

Date, for both Floating and Fixed Rates.

o For Forward Starting swaps, the Fixed Rate for the first interest period is fixed on the Trade 

Date, and the Floating Rate for the first interest period is fixed 2 business days prior to the 

first floating payment date, taking into account agreed non-working days

Stub Period Rate

o For swaps with partial year Tenors, an interest period that is shorter than the standard 

underlying Floating index interest periods may occur between the Effective Date and the first 

or last Roll Date (knows as a Stub Period). In these cases, the Interest Rate for such Stub 

Period is determined using linear interpolation based on the two index rates that surround the 

Stub Period this can be applied either at the start or end of that period: Front or Back.

Trade Types

o The Platform may support the following trade types:

 Outrights

• An Outright swap is where one party is the payer of the fixed rate 

and receiver of the floating rate and the other party is the 

receiver of the fixed fate and payer of the floating rate.

 Switches or Spreads

• Is the simultaneous purchase and sale of two different Tenors of 

the yield curve (e.g. 2 year by 10 year).

 Butterflies

• Butterflies are a combination of two spreads/switches (e.g. 

2 year by 5 year by 10 year).

Contract Size

o Minimum notional size is dependent on currency and tenor

Minimum Price Fluctuation

o Outrights

 The interest rate yield is quoted in increments of a minimum of .000025 

(1/40th of a basis point).

o Spreads and Butterflies will be quoted in basis points dependent in multiples of the 

increments of the underlying Outrights

Final Settlement Price

o Multiple payments take place during the term of the swap. Settlement price used for the 

periodic exchange of fixed and floating payments is based on the following factors:

 Fixed Leg

• Payment amount on the fixed leg is based on the traded price 

and notional amounts of the swap on Trade Date. Payment 

timing on the fixed leg is based on the Payment Frequency, Day 

Count Convention, Business Day Convention, and Roll Day.

 Floating Leg

• Payment on the floating leg is based on the Interest Rate and 

notional amounts of the swap. Payments on the floating leg are 

based on the Payment Frequency, Day Count Convention, 

Business Day Convention, Roll Day Convention and Floating 

Reset Dates.
SEF Rulebook | 59

Clearing

o Additionally, please see clearable contract definitions at http://www.lchclearnet.com/ and 

http://www.cmegroup.com/ and http://www.asx.com.au/services/clearing/asx-clearfutures.htm and http://www.jscc.co.jp/en/. 

Colombian Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed Colombian versus IBR (which is a Colombian floating overnight lending rate) 

is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of bullet (or at maturity) for trades of 

1 month to 18 months, or quarterly, 2 year thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Bullet (1 month to 18 month), Quarterly (2 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Bogota business days. When a swap matures on a NY or 

Bogota holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we 

will roll back to the first good business day.

Colombian UVR (Inflation) Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed UVR (which is a Colombian floating inflation index) versus floating 6 Month 

US Dollar Libor, is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of semi-annually, 1 year 

thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Semi-Annually (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Bogota business days. When a swap matures on a NY or 

Bogota holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we 

will roll back to the first good business day.

Colombian Cross Currency Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed Colombian versus floating 6 Month US Dollar Libor, is quoted with both fixed 

and floating side payment frequencies of semi-annually, 1 year thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Semi-Annually (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Bogota business days. When a swap matures on a NY or 

Bogota holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we 

will roll back to the first good business day.

Peruvian Cross Currency Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed Peruvian versus floating 6 Month US Dollar Libor, is quoted with both fixed 

and floating side payment frequencies of semi-annually, 1 year thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Semi-Annually (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360
SEF Rulebook | 60

This market is subject to modified NY and Lima business days. When a swap matures on a NY or Lima 

holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we will roll 

back to the first good business day.

Peruvian Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed Peru versus TIS (which is a Peruvian floating overnight lending rate) is 

quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of bullet (or at maturity) for trades of 

1 month to 11 months, or quarterly, 1 year thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Bullet (1 month to 11 month), Quarterly (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Lima business days. When a swap matures on a NY or Lima 

holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we will roll 

back to the first good business day.

Peruvian VAC (Inflation) Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed VAC (which is a Peruvian floating inflation index) versus floating 6 Month US 

Dollar Libor, is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of semi-annually, 1 year thru 

30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Semi-Annually (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Lima business days. When a swap matures on a NY or Lima 

holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we will roll 

back to the first good business day.

Argentine Cross Currency Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed Argentine versus floating 6 Month US Dollar Libor, is quoted with both fixed 

and floating side payment frequencies of semi-annually, 1 year thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Semi-Annually (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: 30/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Buenos Aires business days. When a swap matures on a NY 

or Buenos Aires holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which 

case we will roll back to the first good business day.

Argentine CER (Inflation) Interest Rate Swaps

The plain vanilla swap, fixed CER (which is a Argentine floating inflation index) versus floating 6 Month 

US Dollar Libor, is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of semi-annually, 1 year 

thru 30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Semi-Annually (1 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: 30/360
SEF Rulebook | 61

This market is subject to modified NY and Buenos Aires business days. When a swap matures on a NY 

or Buenos Aires holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which 

case we will roll back to the first good business day.

Mexican Interest Rates Swaps

The plain vanilla swap is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of 28 days. Since 

the payment periods are 28 day “months”, a one year swap will have 13 payment periods and a maturity 

of 364 days, a two year swap will have 26 periods, and so on.

Value: T+1

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: 28 day rolls

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to Mexico following business day convention. When a 28 day period ends in a 

Mexican holiday, it is rolled forward to the next good business day in Mexico.

Prior to the 1998 inception of the Mexican TII IRS market, and in the absence of a viable repo market, 

forward foreign exchange provided the only opportunity to express bidirectional interest rate views. The 

interest rate swap market evolved at this time, as an alternative vehicle for both hedgers and speculators 

to go short or long, and at the same time reducing the credit profile of the trade along the term structure.

General Collateral Index Swaps (GCIS)

Currencies 

USD

Specifications

Trading Conventions

o Buyer – A buyer of GCIS will pay the Fixed Rate and receive the Floating Rate

o Seller – A seller of GCIS will pay the Floating Rate and receive the Fixed Rate

GCIS Terms

o Effective Date

 Trade Date + 2

o Termination Date

 End Date (Maturity of trade)

o Floating Rate

 DTCC GCF Repo Index

Day Count Convention

o Act/360

Holiday Calendar Conventions

o SIFMA/FICC

Business Day Conventions

o Modified Following

Effective Date

o The effective date will be a valid business day

Termination Date

o The maturity date will be a valid business day
SEF Rulebook | 62

Settlement

o Two business days after Termination date

Contract Size

o Minimum and Incremental Sizes

 50mm minimum

 25mm incremental

Quoting Convention

o GCIS are all quoted in percentage or fraction

Minimum and Incremental Price

o GCIS

 No minimum

 .00125

Reporting

o All GCIS trades are reported in accordance with NFA and SDR requirements

Clearing

o GCIS traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared
SEF Rulebook | 63

Rule 801(2) — Basis Swaps

A Basis Swap is an Interest Rate Swap for which settlement is in the form of periodic floating interest 

payments and periodic floating interest payments based on interest rate benchmarks over a term to 

maturity. The interest rate payments are exchanged for a specified period based on a notional amount.

Currencies

USD AUD HUF

EUR CHF RON

JPY SEK NZD

GBP DKK SAR

CLP NOK SGD

COL ZAR HKD

ARS PLN THB

PEN TRY

MXN CZK

ISK ILS

CAD RUB

Specifications

Trading Conventions

o Buyer (Payer) pays floating interest rate plus/minus a spread and receives floating interest 

rate.

o Seller (Receiver) receives floating interest rate plus/minus a spread and pays floating interest 

rate.

Swap Leg Conventions

o The terms of Floating vs. Floating Interest Rate Swaps are based on a number of 

combinations of the criteria below.

 Floating Leg 1

• Payment Frequency

o Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

• Day Count Convention

o Money Market Basis (actual/360), actual/365, 

actual/actual, actual/366, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360 or 

AFI/365

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted 

for the instrument

• Business Day Convention

o Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days on both the calendars. If not, it will be the next day 

that is a business day on both calendars.

• Floating Rate

o The floating interest rate yield or basis points on Trade 

Date

 Floating Leg 2

• Reset Frequency

o Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual or Annually

• Day Count Convention

o Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, 

Actual Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual

• Holiday Calendar.

o Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted 

for the instrument
SEF Rulebook | 64

• Business Day Convention

o Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates

 Business days in this convention must be valid 

business days on both calendars

 If not, it will be the next day that is a business 

day on calendars.

• Interest Rate Benchmark

o LIBOR, EURIBOR, WIBOR, NIBOR, CIBOR, BBSW, 

STIBOR, PRIBOR, BUBOR, TELBOR, BKBM, 

MOSPRIME, JIBAR, TIBOR

Effective Date

o The first date from which floating interest amounts accrue. It is also referred to as the Start 

Date or the Value Date. The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to 

the appropriate Business Day Convention.

Trade Start Type

o Spot Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is 2 business days from the Trade Date 

(T+2).

o Forward Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is anything after the Effective Date for a 

Spot Starting swap.

o Same Day Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is the same as the Trade Date (T+0)

Maturity Date

o The final date until which Floating amounts accrue. The Maturity Date may also be referred 

to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor

o The duration of time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date. The Exchange will support 

Tenors of any duration greater than 0 years to 50 years.

o Listed Tenors, also referred to as On-the-Run, means whole year Spot Starting or Same Day 

Starting Instruments with a Tenor of 1 through 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40,45 and 50 years.

o Other Tenors means any whole year Tenors other than the Listed Tenors and any partial 

year Tenor.

Roll Day Convention

o The date used for determining all fixed and floating Reset Dates. Roll Days define the 

beginning and end of Floating interest accrual periods.

o For On-the-Run Instruments, the Roll Day is the same date of the month as the Effective 

Date. For Off-the-Run Instruments, it can be any date of the month, subject to the provisions 

of the Business Day Convention. Roll Day marks the start of a new interest accrual period, 

and is the date on which a Reset Rate takes effect.

 Note: Subject to good business days – as with all instruments, will never 

roll forward to the following month.

Floating Reset Dates

o Dates utilized to determine the Floating Rate amounts for each interest accrual period during 

the Tenor of the Instrument. Except in the case of a Stub Period, the Reset Date is 2 

business days (USD, EUR) or zero business days (GBP) prior to the Roll Date for that 

interest accrual period.

First Period Fixing Date

o For Spot Starting and Same Day Starting swaps, the Interest Rate for the first interest period 

is fixed on the Trade Date, for both Floating Rates.

o For Forward Starting swaps, the Floating Rate for the first interest period is fixed on the 

Trade Date, and the Floating Rate for the first interest period is fixed 2 business days prior to 

the Effective Date.

Stub Period Rate

o For swaps with partial year Tenors, an interest period that is shorter than the standard 

underlying Floating index interest periods may occur between the Effective Date and the first 
SEF Rulebook | 65

or last Roll Date (knows as a Stub Period). In these cases, the Interest Rate for such Stub 

Period is determined using linear interpolation based on the two index rates that surround the 

Stub Period this can be applied either at the start or end of that period: Front or Back.

Trade Types

o The Platform may support the following trade types:

 Outrights

• An Outright swap is where one party is the payer of the floating 

rate 1 plus/minus a spread and receiver of the floating rate 2 and 

the other party is the receiver of the floating rate 1 plus/minus a 

spread and payer of the floating rate 2.

 Switches

• Switches are the simultaneous purchase and sale of two 

different Tenors of the yield curve (e.g. 2 year by 10 year).

 Butterflies

• Butterflies are the simultaneous purchase(s) and sale(s) of three 

different tenors of the yield curve (e.g. 2 year by 5 year by 

10 year).

Instrument minimum and incremental Size.

o Minimum notional size is dependent on currency and tenor

o Block Trades

 Minimum notional size as stated by the Commission and increments 

dependent on currency and tenor.

Quoting Convention

o Outrights are quoted in interest rate yield in a minimum 1/10th of a basis point increments.

o Spreads and Butterflies are quoted in interest rate yield differential in minimum 1/10th basis 

point increments.

 Spot Starting

• Close of business on Trade Date.

 Forward Starting

• Close of business three business days prior to the Effective Date 

of the swap.

 Block Trades must occur outside the Order Book and in a quantity that 

meets or exceeds Appropriate Minimum Block Sizes set by the 

Commission.

Clearing

o Additionally, please see clearable contract definitions at 

http://www.lchclearnet.com/ and http://www.cmegroup.com/ and 

http://www.asx.com.au/services/clearing/asx-clear-futures.htm and 

http://www.jscc.co.jp/en/.

Colombian Cross-Currency Basis Swaps

The plain vanilla basis swap, 3 month US Dollar Libor versus IBR (which is a Colombian floating overnight 

lending rate) is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequencies of quarterly, 2 year thru 

30 year.

Value: T+2

Fixed/ Floating Rate Frequency: Quarterly (2 year to 30 year)

Fixed/ Floating Rate Day count: ACT/360

This market is subject to modified NY and Bogota business days. When a swap matures on a NY or 

Bogota holiday, we will roll forward to the next good business day, unless month end, in which case we 

will roll back to the first good business day.
SEF Rulebook | 66

Mexican Cross-Currency Basis Swaps

Mexican TIIE/LIBOR basis swaps are quoted 28-day TIIE FLAT and 1 Month USD Libor as a spread over 

or under.

On the day of trading, market convention is to use that days USD LIBOR fix and the same days TIIE fix 

for 2 day value, thereafter the TIIE reverts to fixing 1 day prior.

The market is quoted as non mark-to-market cross currency swap with principal exchanged front and 

back.

Basis swaps trade more infrequently than the IRS market but the same type of Participants are involved. 

This is more of a customer based product historically than the IRS and is much less volatile.

US Floating Libor Rate vs Camara Floating Rate Basis Swap

This swap trades the 6 month Libor rate against the Camara Floating rate. Normal Price convention 

considers the basis spread over the Camara against a flat 6 month Libor.

Value Date t+2

Rate Day Count ACT/360

Rate Frequency Semi-annual from 6 months up to 30 years.

Day Convention Modified Following

Calendars New York & Santiago
SEF Rulebook | 67

Rule 801(3) — Forward Rate Agreement (FRA)

A Forward Rate Agreement is an Interest Rate Swap for which settlement is in the form of one fixed 

interest payment and one floating interest payment based on an interest rate benchmark to be paid or 

received on an obligation beginning at a future start date. The interest rate payments are exchanged 

based on a notional amount.

Currencies 

USD CZK

EUR ILS

JPY AED

GBP HUF

AUD RUB

CHF NZD

SEK SAR

DKK

NOK

ZAR

PLN

Specifications

Trading Conventions

o Buyer (Payer) pays fixed interest rate and receives floating interest rate.

o Seller (Receiver) receives fixed interest rate and pays floating interest rate.

Swap Leg Conventions

o The terms of FRAs are based on a number of combinations of the criteria below.

 Fixed Leg

• Payment Frequency

o Once

• Day Count Convention

o Money Market Basis (actual/360), or actual/365, 30/360, 

30E/360, AFI/360, 360/360

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance with the country relating to the 

currency of the instrument

• Business Day Convention

o Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days on both the holiday calendars of that country. If 

not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both 

calendars.

• Fixed Rate

o The traded interest rate yield or basis points on Trade 

Date

 Floating Leg

• Reset Frequency

o Once

• Day Count Convention

o Money Market Basis (actual/360), or actual/365, 30/360, 

30E/360, AFI/360, 360/360

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance with the country relating to the 

currency of the instrument
SEF Rulebook | 68

• Business Day Convention

o Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days on both the calendars for each country. If not, it 

will be the next day that is a business day on both 

respective country holiday calendars.

• Interest Rate Benchmark

o EBOR, BBSW, LIBOR, EURIBOR, CDOR, PRIBOR, 

CIBOR2, BUBOR, TELBOR, NIBOR, BKBM, WIBOR, 

STIBOR, JIBAR, SAIBOR, TIBOR, MOSPRIME

Effective Date

o The first date from which fixed and floating interest amounts accrue. It is also referred to as 

the Start Date or the Value Date. The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day 

subject to the appropriate Business Day Convention.

Trade Start Type

Maturity Date

o The final date until which Fixed and Floating amounts accrue. The Maturity Date may also be 

referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor

o The duration of time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date Tenors will be support for 

any duration greater than 0 month to 12 months.

o Listed Tenors, also referred to as On-the-Run, means whole year Spot Starting or Same Day 

Starting Instruments with a Tenor of an integer number of months.

o Other Tenors means any Tenors other than the Listed Tenors.

Floating Reset Dates

o Dates utilized to determine the Floating Rate amount for the interest accrual period during the 

Tenor of the Instrument. Except in the case of a Stub Period, the Reset Date is adjusted 

business days dependent on the currency prior to the Roll Date for that interest accrual 

period.

First Period Fixing Date

o The Fixed Rate for the first interest period is fixed on the Trade Date, and the Floating Rate 

for the first interest period is fixed 2 business days prior to the Effective Date

Trade Types

o The Platform may support the following trade types:

 Outrights

• An Outright swap is where one party is the payer of the fixed rate 

and receiver of the floating rate and the other party is the 

receiver of the fixed rate and payer of the floating rate.

 Switches also known as Spreads

• These are the simultaneous purchase and sale of two different 

Tenors of the yield curve (e.g.3x6 by 9x12).

Instrument minimum and incremental Size.

o Minimum notional size is dependent on currency and tenor

o Block Trades. Minimum notional size as stated by the Commission and increments 

Dependent on currency and tenor

Quoting Convention

o Outrights are quoted in interest rate yield in minimum of 1/40th of a basis point increments.

o Spreads/Switches will be quoted in basis points dependent in multiples of the increments of 

the underlying Outrights

Last Trading Day.

o Spot Starting

 Close of business on Trade Date.

o Forward Starting

 Close of business three business days prior to the Effective Date of the 

swap.
SEF Rulebook | 69

Clearing

o FRA traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

Block Trades must occur outside the Order Book and in a quantity that meets or exceeds Appropriate 

Minimum Block Sizes set by the Commission.
SEF Rulebook | 70

Rule 801(4) — Overnight Index Swaps (OIS)

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description An Overnight Index Swap is an interest rate swap for which settlement is in the 

form of periodic fixed interest payments and periodic floating interest payments 

based on an overnight rate being exchanged for a fixed interest rate over a term to 

maturity. The interest rate payments are exchanged for a specified period based 

on a notional amount. 

Currencies The interest rate cash flows are net settled in the following major currencies on 

fixing date:

USD AUD ILS

EUR CHF CZK

JPY SEK HUF

GBP DKK NZD

CAD PLN RUB

Trading 

Conventions

• Buyer (Payer) pays fixed interest rate and receives floating interest rate. 

• Seller (Receiver) receives fixed interest rate and pays floating interest rate. 

Swap Leg 

Conventions

The terms of Fixed vs. Floating Interest Rate Swaps are based on a number of 

combinations of the criteria below. 

• Fixed Leg

o Payment Frequency

 At Maturity Date, Annually, semi-annual, Quarterly, or monthly.

o Day Count Convention

 Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, Actual 

Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual

o Holiday Calendar

 Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted for the 

instrument

o Business Day Convention

 Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business days 

on both the calendars. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both calendars. 

o Fixed Rate

 The traded interest rate yield or basis points on Trade Date 

• Floating Leg 

o Reset Frequency

 Daily 

o Day Count Convention

 Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, Actual 

Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual

o Holiday Calendar

 Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted for the 

instrument

o Business Day Convention

 Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business days 

on both calendars. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both calendars. 
SEF Rulebook | 71

Contract 

Specification

Details

o Overnight Rate

 Federal Funds, EONIA, SONIA, AONIA, CANADA OIS, TIS, 

PRIBOR, CITA, BUBOR, TELBOR01, TONAR, RBNZ02, 

POLONIA, MOSC, STINA, BRIBOR 01, TIBOR, RONIA

Effective Date The first date from which fixed and floating interest amounts accrue. It is also 

referred to as the Start Date or the Value Date. The Effective Date of the Swap 

must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day Convention. 

Trade Start Type • Spot Starting

o A swap whose Effective Date is 2 business days from the Trade Date 

(T+2). 

• Forward Starting

o A swap whose Effective Date is anything after the Effective Date for a 

Spot Starting swap. 

• Same Day Starting

o A swap whose Effective Date is the Trade Date (T+0)

• Day +1 Starting

o A swap whose Effective Date is the Trade Date (T+1)

Maturity Date The final date until which Fixed and Floating amounts accrue. The Maturity Date 

may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date. 

Tenor The duration of time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date. The Exchange 

will support Tenors of any duration greater than 0 years to 50 years. 

• Listed Tenors, also referred to as On-the-Run, means whole year Spot Starting 

or Same Day Starting Instruments with a Tenor of 1 through 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 

40, 45 and 50 years. 

• Other Tenors means any whole year Tenors other than the Listed Tenors and 

any partial year Tenor. 

Roll Day 

Convention

The date used for determining all fixed and floating Reset Dates. Roll Days define 

the beginning and end of Fixed and Floating interest accrual periods. 

• For On-the-Run Instruments, the Roll Day is the same date of the month as the 

Effective Date. For Off-the-Run Instruments, it can be any date of the month, 

subject to the provisions of the Business Day Convention. Roll Day marks the 

start of a new interest accrual period, and is the date on which a Reset Rate 

takes effect. 

Floating Reset 

Dates

Dates utilized to determine the Floating Rate amounts for each interest accrual 

period during the Tenor of the Instrument. Except in the case of a Stub Period, the 

Reset Date is adjusted business days dependent on the currency prior to the Roll 

Date for that interest accrual period. 

First Period Fixing 

Date. 

• For Spot Starting and Same Day Starting swaps, the Interest Rate for the first 

interest period is fixed on the Trade Date, for both Floating and Fixed Rates. 

• For Forward Starting swaps, the Fixed Rate for the first interest period is fixed 

on the Trade Date, and the Floating Rate for the first interest period is fixed 2 

business days prior to the Effective Date 

Stub Period Rate For swaps with partial year Tenors, an interest period that is shorter than the 

standard underlying Floating index interest periods may occur between the 

Effective Date and the first or last Roll Date (knows as a Stub Period). In these 

cases, the Interest Rate for such Stub Period is determined using linear 
SEF Rulebook | 72

Contract 

Specification

Details

interpolation based on the two index rates that surround the Stub Period this can 

be applied either at the start or end of that period: Front or Back.

o

Trade Types The Platform may support the following trade types: 

• Outrights

o An Outright swap is where one party is the payer of the fixed rate and 

receiver of the floating rate and the other party is the receiver of the 

fixed rate and payer of the floating rate. 

• Switches also known as Spreads

o These are the simultaneous purchase and sale of two different Tenors 

of the yield curve (e.g. 2 year by 10 year). 

• Butterflies

o Butterflies are the simultaneous purchase(s) and sale(s) of three 

different tenors of the yield curve (e.g. 2 year by 5 year by 10 year). 

Instrument 

minimum and 

incremental Size. 

• Minimum notional size is dependent on currency and tenor 

• Block Trades

o Minimum notional size as stated by the Commission and increments 

dependent on currency and tenor.

Quoting Convention • Outrights are quoted in interest rate yield in minimum of 1/40th of a basis point 

increments. 

• Spreads and Butterflies will be quoted in basis points dependent in multiples of 

the increments of the underlying Outrights

Last Trading Day • Spot Starting

o Close of business on Trade Date. 

• Forward Starting

o Close of business three business days prior to the Effective Date of the 

swap. 

Clearing • OIS traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

Block Trades Block Trades must occur outside the Order Book and in a quantity that meets or 

exceeds Appropriate Minimum Block Sizes set by the Commission. 

CLP Fixed vs Camara Floating Rate OIS

“Camara” is an overnight index calculated on a daily basis by an official entity (ABIF) based on the 

overnight lending rate published by the Chilean Central Bank.

The swap is quoted with both fixed and floating side payment frequency of bullet (at maturity) for trades of 

1 month to 18 months or semi-annual from 2 years and longer (up to 30 years).

Value Date t+2

Rate Day Count: ACT/360

Rate Frequency Zero Coupon from 1 month to 18 months and s/a from 2 years and

longer.

Day Convention Modified Following

Calendars New York & Santiago
SEF Rulebook | 73

CLF Fixed vs Camara Floating Rate XCCY OIS

CLF is an Inflation currency derived from the Inflation Index called UF. This swap can be called UF vs 

Camara or CLF vs Camara. Both (UF & CLF) names are synonymous.

This swap can be considered as Cross Currency Swap because the floating rate is CLP TNA against the 

Inflation Index currency on the fixed side.

This swap trades from 1 month up to 18 months zero coupon (at maturity) with maturity on the day 9th of 

the correspondent month, So can be long stub at the beginning of the month and short stub at the end of 

the month. Example. Today is 2013 October 1st, the Value Date is Oct 3rd (t+2), 1 year tenor will be for 

Oct 9th 2014 (371 days for 1 year trade), Now if today is October 22nd, Value Date Oct 24th then the 

1 year trade will be for Oct 9th 2014 (350 days for 1 year trade).

From 2 years and longer, semi-annual frequency on regular swap dates conventions.

Value Date t+2

Rate Day Count ACT/360

Rate Frequency Zero Coupon from 1 month to 18 months and s/a from 2 years+

Day Convention Modified Following

Calendars New York & Santiago
SEF Rulebook | 74

Rule 801(5) — Non Deliverable Swaps

An NDIRS/NDS trade has many trade terms. For example, notional amount, fixed interest rate, floating 

rate, reference rate, holiday convention, etc. The deal is agreed on the basis that net settlement will be 

made in USD, or another fully convertible currency, to reflect any differential between the agreed fixed 

rate and the actual floating rate on the settlement dates. Both NDS and ND IRS are quoted as Offer/Bid. 

For ND IRS the fixed leg is quoted, hence it is Fixed Income Swap.

ND IRS

o An agreement between two parties (known as counterparties) where one stream of future 

interest payments is exchanged for another based on a specified principal amount. Interest 

rate swaps often exchange a fixed payment for a floating payment that is linked to an interest 

rate (most often the LIBOR). The interest rate cash flows are net settled in a major currency 

on fixing date. A company will typically use interest rate swaps to limit or manage exposure

to fluctuations in interest rates, or to obtain a marginally lower interest rate than it would have 

been able to get without the swap.

o Interest rate swaps are simply the exchange of one set of cash flows (based on interest rate 

specifications) for another. Because they trade OTC, they are really just contracts set up 

between two or more parties, and thus can be customized in any number of ways.

ND OIS:

o In Singapore, India IRS is traded as ND OIS.

NDS

o NDS typically refers to a non-deliverable cross currency Swap where the two legs are a major 

currency and a non-convertible currency: Periodic interest amount of the two legs are 

exchanged and converted into a Major currency for net settlement after fixing. NDS can also 

refer to a non-deliverable interest rate swap, with similar features to IRS, except that the 

interest rate cash flows are net settled in a major currency on fixing date.

Cross Currency Swap (CCS)

o On THB from time to time we see CCS being traded onshore. A CCS, also referred to as 

cross currency interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange principal 

and interest payments denominated in two different currencies. The exchange of interest 

rate can be in the form of fixed to fixed rate, or floating to fixed rate, or floating to floating rate.

Currencies

USD

INR

THB

MYR

Specifications

Trading Conventions

o Buyer (Payer) pays fixed interest rate and receives floating interest rate.

o Seller (Receiver) receives fixed interest rate and pays floating interest rate.

Swap Leg Conventions

o The terms of Fixed versus Floating Interest Rate Swaps are based on a number of 

combinations of the criteria below.

 Fixed Leg
SEF Rulebook | 75

• Payment Frequency

o Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

• Day Count Convention

o Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, 

Actual Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted 

for the instrument

• Business Day Convention

o Modified following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days for the countries denoted by the currency. If not, it 

will be the next day that is a business day on both 

calendars.

• Fixed Rate

o The traded interest rate yield or basis points on Trade 

Date

 Floating Leg

• Reset Frequency

o Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual

• Day Count Convention

o Actual/360, actual/365, 360/360, 30/360, 30E/360, 

Actual Fixed/365, actual /366, actual / actual

• Holiday Calendar

o Applied in accordance for the country currency denoted 

for the instrument

• Business Day Convention

o Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. 

Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days for the countries denoted by the currency. If not, it 

will be the next day that is a business day on both 

calendars.

• Fixed Rate

o The traded interest rate yield or basis points on Trade 

Date

• Interest Rate Benchmark

o EBOR, BBSW, LIBOR, EURIBOR, CIDOR, PRIBOR, 

CIBOR2, BUBOR, TELBOR, NIBOR, BKBM, WIBOR, 

STIBOR, JIBAR, SAIBOR, TIBOR, CZEONIA, 

TRLIBOR, MOSPRIME

Effective Date

o The first date from which fixed and floating interest amounts accrue. It is also referred to as 

the Start Date or the Value Date. The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day 

subject to the appropriate Business Day Convention.

Trade Start Type

o Spot Starting.

 A swap whose Effective Date is 2 business days from the Trade Date 

(T+2).

o Forward Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is anything after the Effective Date for a 

Spot Starting swap.

o Same Day Starting

 A swap whose Effective Date is the same as the Trade Date (T+0)
SEF Rulebook | 76

Maturity Date

o The final date until which Fixed and Floating amounts accrue

Tenor

o The duration of time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date. Tenors of any duration, 

greater than 0 years to 50 years.

Roll Day Convention

o The date used for determining all fixed and floating Reset Dates. Roll Days define the 

beginning and end of Fixed and Floating interest accrual periods.

 For On-the-Run Contracts, the Roll Day is the same date of the month as 

the Effective Date.

 For Off-the-Run Contracts, it can be any date of the month, subject to the 

provisions of the Business Day Convention

o Roll Day marks the start of a new interest accrual period, and is the date on which a Reset 

Rate takes effect.

Trade Types

o The Platform may support the following trade types:

 Outrights

• An Outright swap is where one party is the payer of the fixed rate 

and receiver of the floating rate and the other party is the 

receiver of the fixed fate and payer of the floating rate.

 Switches or Spreads

• Is the simultaneous purchase and sale of two different Tenors of 

the yield curve (e.g. 2 year by 10 year).

 Butterflies

• Butterflies are a combination of two spreads/switches (e.g. 

2 year by 5 year by 10 year).

Contract Size

o Minimum notional size is dependent on the associated Risk. It is represented in terms of 

DV01. For Emerging Markets ND IRS and NDOIS the minimum is 5K DVO1. For NDS the 

minimum size is considered USD 5 Mio.

Clearing

o Non Deliverable Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

Risks associated with interest rate swaps

o A party entering a swap takes on exposure to a given interest rate; the exposure can be long 

or short depending on whether a counterparty is paying or receiving the fixed rate. At the 

same time, each party take on the risk known as counterparty credit risk – of the other party 

defaulting at some time during the life of the contract.
SEF Rulebook | 77

Rule 801(6) — Interest Rate Options

Interest Rate Options contracts cover the following product areas:

• Interest Rate Options

• Swaptions

• Inflation Swaps

• Inflation Rate Options

• Exotic Options and Swaps

Currencies

Interest Rate Options

USD AUD

EUR NZD

JPY SAR

GBP SGD

CHF RUB

SEK ILS

DKK PLN

NOK TRY

ZAR

Swaptions

USD SEK

EUR ILS

JPY AUD

GBP HKD

DKK NZD

ZAR SGD

Currencies

RUB KRW non deliverable

CHF

Inflation Swaps

GBP ZAR

EUR ILS

AUD

Inflation Rate Options

CHF DKK

EUR GBP

RUB SEK

USD ZAR

ILS

Exotic Options and Swaps

USD GBP

EUR

Specifications

Option Type

o Interest Rate Swaption

 Type

• Payer – A buyer of a payer Swaption has the option to pay the 

underlying swap at the agreed price

• Receiver – A buyer of a receiver Swaption has the option to 

receive the underlying swap at the agreed price

 Term – The future length of the swap

 Exercise – The date at which the option can be exercised on
SEF Rulebook | 78

 Underlying Swap

• Fixed Leg

o Fixed Interest rate

• Floating Leg

o Underlying benchmark

• Optional knockout clause

o Interest Rate Options

 Type

• Cap – The buyer of a Cap option receives the payments at the 

end of each period in which the underlying interest rate exceeds 

an agreed strike price

• Floor – The buyer of a Floor option receives the payments at the 

end of each period in which the underlying interest rate is below 

an agreed strike price

 Underlying Interest Rate

• Single Underlying Rate – Single underlying interest rate as listed 

in the Interest Rate benchmarks

• Spread – Spread between 2 underlying interest rates as listed in 

the interest rate benchmarks

 Strike

 Expiry Date

 Convention

• Payment Frequency

o Monthly

o Quarterly

o Bi-Annually

o Annually

• Payment rate

o Digital

o Linear

 Payment currency

 Optional no call period – must be an agreed number of calendar days

 Option premium

 Optional reset period – must be an agreed number of calendar days

 Start Type

• Immediate

• Forward

o Exotic Options and Swaps

 Type

• Buyer – The buyer of the swap receives a series of payments in 

relation to one agreed swap leg (leg 1) and makes a series of 

payments based on another agreed swap leg (leg 2)

• Seller – The seller of the swap makes a series of payments in 

relation to one agreed swap leg (leg 1) and receives a series of 

payments based on another agreed swap leg (leg 2)

 Tenor

 Leg 1

• Rate type

o Fixed – agreed spread

o Floating

 Single Underlying Rate – Single underlying 

interest rate as listed in the Interest Rate 

benchmarks
SEF Rulebook | 79

 Spread – Spread between 2 underlying interest 

rates as listed in the interest rate benchmarks

• Currency

• Optional agreed spread

• Optional agreed rate range

• Optional cap

• Optional floor

 Leg 2

• Rate type

o Fixed – agreed spread

o Floating – Floating

 Single Underlying Rate – Single underlying 

interest rate as listed in the Interest Rate 

benchmarks

 Spread – Spread between 2 underlying interest 

rates as listed in the interest rate benchmarks

• Currency

• Optional agreed spread

• Optional agreed rate range

• Optional cap

• Optional floor

 Optional reset period – must be an agreed number of calendar days

 Optional break clause

 Optional correlation factor – This will be a mathematical formula on 

which the payout of the trade will be based. This formula will be agreed 

at the time of trade.

 Start Type

• Immediate

• Forward

 Optional coupon

 Optional lockout period

o Inflation Swap

 Inflation Swap – The buyer of an inflation swap pays a fixed interest rate 

and receives the agreed floating inflation rate

• Tenor

• Fixed Rate (Traded Price)

• Inflation Rate benchmark – this can be any inflation benchmark 

that settles in the listed currencies

• Optional forward start

o Inflation Option

 Types

• Cap – The buyer of a cap option receives the right to receive a 

payment should the rate of the agreed underlying index rise 

above a certain level

• Floor – The seller of a floor option receives the right to receive a 

payment should the rate of the agreed underlying index fall 

below a certain level

 Tenor

 Exercise Type

• American

• European

• Bermudan
SEF Rulebook | 80

 Premium (Traded Price x agreed notional)

 Premium Type

• Spot

• Annuity

• Forward

Payment Frequency

o Interest Rate Swaptions – the payment frequency will be an agreed, valid, calendar integer

o Interest Rate Options – the payment frequency will be an agreed, valid, calendar integer

o Exotic Options and Swaps – the payment frequency will be an agreed, valid, calendar integer

o Inflation Swaps – the payment frequency will be an agreed, valid, calendar integer

o Inflation Rate Options – the payment frequency will be an agreed, valid, calendar integer

Day Count Convention

o Interest Rate Swaptions

 30/360

 Act/360

 Act/365

 360/360

 30E/360

 AFI/365

 ACT/366

 ACT/ACT

o Interest Rate Options

 ACT/360

 ACT/365

 360/360

 30/360

 30E/360

 AFI/365

 ACT/366

 ACT/ACT

o Exotic Options and Swaps

 ACT/360

 ACT/365

 360/360

 30/360

 30E/360

 AFI/365

 ACT/366

 ACT/ACT

o Inflation Swaps

 ACT/360

 ACT/365

 360/360

 30/360

 30E/360

 AFI/365

 ACT/3613

 ACT/ACT
SEF Rulebook | 81

Holiday Calendar Conventions o Interest Rate Swaptions  ABU DHABI  SYDNEY  TORONTO  PRAGUE  COPENHAGEN  HONG KONG  BUDAPEST  LONDON  TEL AVIV  JAFFA  TOKYO  WELLINGTON  SEOUL  BANGKOK  TARGET  WARSAW  MOSCOW  RIYADH  SINGAPORE  ISTANBUL  NEW YORK  OSLO  STOCKHOLM  JOHNNESBURG  KUALA LUMPAR o Interest Rate Options  ABU DHABI  SYDNEY  TORONTO  PRAGUE  COPENHAGEN  HONG KONG  BUDAPEST  LONDON  TEL AVIV  JAFFA  TOKYO  WELLINGTON  SEOUL  BANGKOK  TARGET  WARSAW  MOSCOW  RIYADH  SINGAPORE  ISTANBUL  NEW YORK  OSLO  STOCKHOLM  JOHNNESBURG  KUALA LUMPAR o Exotic Options and Swaps
SEF Rulebook | 82

 ABU DHABI

 SYDNEY

 TORONTO

 PRAGUE

 COPENHAGEN

 HONG KONG

 BUDAPEST

 LONDON

 TEL AVIV

 JAFFA

 TOKYO

 WELLINGTON

 SEOUL

 BANGKOK

 TARGET

 WARSAW

 MOSCOW

 RIYADH

 SINGAOPRE

 ISTANBUL

 NEW YORK

 OSLO

 STOCKHOLM

 JOHNNESBURG

 KUALA LUMPAR

o Inflation Swaps

 NEW YORK

 LONDON

 EUROPE

 Australia

o Inflation Rate Options

 NEW YORK

 LONDON

 EUROPE

Business Day Conventions

o Interest Rate Swaptions

 Modified

 Modified Following

o Interest Rate Options

 Modified

 Modified Following

o Exotic Options and Swaps

 Modified

 Modified Following

o Inflation Swaps

 Modified

 Modified Following

o Inflation Rate Options

 Modified
SEF Rulebook | 83

 Modified Following

Effective Date

o Interest Rate Swaptions – The effective date will be a valid business day

o Interest Rate Options – The effective date will be a valid business day

o Exotic Options and Swap – The effective date will be a valid business day

o Inflation Swaps – The effective date will be a valid business day

o Inflation Rate Options – The effective date will be a valid business day

Maturity Date

o Interest Rate Swaptions – The maturity date will be a valid calendar day

o Interest Rate Options – The maturity date will be a valid calendar day

o Exotic Options and Swaps – The maturity date will be a valid calendar day

o Inflation Swaps – effective date + tenor of swap

o Inflation Rate Options – Not applicable

Tenors

o Interest Rate Swaptions 0 – 100 years inclusive

o Interest Rate Options – 0 – 100 years inclusive

o Exotic options and swaps – 0 – 100 years inclusive

o Inflation Swap – 0 – 100 years inclusive

o Inflation Rate Options 0 – 100 years inclusive

Roll Dates

o Interest Rate Swaptions

 Calendar dates

 End of month

 IMM Dates

o Interest Rate Options

 Calendar dates

 End of month

 IMM Dates

o Exotic Options and Swaps

 Calendar dates

 End of month

 IMM Dates

 None

o Inflation Swaps – 0 – 50 years inclusive

o Inflation Rate Options – 0 – 50 years inclusive

Fixing Dates

o Interest Rate Swaptions – The fixing date will be a valid business day

o Interest Rate Options – The fixing date will be a valid business day

o Exotic Options and Swaps – The fixing date will be a valid business day

o Inflation Swaps – The fixing date(s) will be a valid calendar day

o Inflation Options – The fixing date(s) will be a valid calendar day

Settlement

o Interest Rate Swaptions

 Swaptions will be settled by either

• Cash

• Delivery of the swap

• Part Cash; Part Delivery

 The settlement date(s) will be valid business days
SEF Rulebook | 84

o Interest Rate Options

• All options contracts are cash settled

• The settlement date(s) will be valid business days

o Exotic Options and Swaps

 Contracts will be settled by either

• Cash

• Delivery of the swap

• Part Cash; Part Delivery

 The settlement date(s) will be valid business days

o Inflation Swaps – Are cash settled in line with the payment frequency

o Inflation Rate Options – Are cash settled in line with the payment frequency

Contract Size

o Minimum and Incremental Sizes

 Interest Rate Swaptions

• The minimum size for a Swaption is 1,000 of the agreed 

currency of the trade

• There is no minimum incremental size for a Swaption

 Interest Rate Options

• The minimum size for an option is 1,000 of the currency of the 

underlying index of the trade

• There is no minimum incremental size for an option

 Exotic Options and Swaps

• The minimum size for an instrument in this category is 1,000 

units of the currency of the underlying index of the trade

• There is no minimum incremental size for instruments in this 

category

 Inflation Swaps

• The minimum size for an instrument in this category is 1,000 

units of the currency of the underlying index of the trade

• There is no minimum incremental size for instruments in this 

category

 Inflation Rate Options

• The minimum size for an instrument in this category is 1,000 

units of the currency of the underlying index of the trade

• There is no minimum incremental size for instruments in this 

category

o Accreting Size – Any product can be traded on

 An accreting basis

 A non-accreting basis

Quoting Convention

o Interest Rate Swaptions are all quoted in basis points

o Interest Rate Options are all quoted in basis points

o Exotic Options and Swaps are all quoted in basis points

o Inflation Swaps are all quoted in basis points

o Inflation Options are all quoted in basis points

Benchmark Interest Rates

o Contracts will be limited to all or a subset of the following underlying benchmark indices:

 EBOR

 BBR

 CDOR

 LIBOR
SEF Rulebook | 85

 PRIBOR

 CIBOR

 CIBOR2

 HIBOR

 BUBOR

 TELBOR01

 WIBOR

 MOSPRIME

 SAIBOR

 TRILIBOR

 NIBOR

 STIBOR JIBAR

 EURIBOR

 ISDAFIX

 ICAP Listed Interest Rates Swaps

Minimum and Incremental Price

o Interest Rate Swaptions

 There is no minimum price

 There is no minimum incremental price

o Interest Rate Options

 There is no minimum price

 There is no minimum incremental price

o Exotic Options and Swaps

 There is no minimum price

 There is no minimum incremental price

o Inflation Swaps

 There is no minimum price

 There is no minimum incremental price

o Inflation Options

 There is no minimum price

 There is no minimum incremental price

Reporting

o All Interest Rate Options trades are reported in accordance with NFA and SDR requirements

Clearing

o Interest Rate Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared

Interest Rate Options on the Mexican Peso

TIIE Swap Options

o The Mexican Swap option market allows counterparties to buy or sell

o European style options of various maturities on the MXN fixed/float TIIE interest rate swap 

market.

o These options enable option buyers the right but not the obligation to pay or receive a fixed 

interest rate at a given strike price on a given date in an agreed upon amount for a given 

swap maturity. Delta neutral strategies are for the most part quoted as Black and Scholes 

volatility expressed as a percentage of yield / underlying swap rate. Live premium prices for 

given structures are also quoted.
SEF Rulebook | 86

o Option Style: European style

o Expiration: 12:30pm New York time

o Premium Payment: Paid in MXN by buyer to option writer value one

o Mexican business day following trade date (T+2).

o Option Maturities:

 Option maturities are by default, calculated using the Mexican TIIE 28-

day calendar but can be date specific or conform to regular calendar 

maturities. Maturities are calculated from the trade date (T0) to the 

expiration date.

o Mexican TIIE calendar example:

 In the case of a six month option using the 28-day TIIE calendar, option 

expiration will occur 168-days (6 coupons of 28-day TIIE) (T+168) from 

the trade date (T0).

• T0 = September-23-2005

• Expiration = March-10-2006 12:30pm New York time.

 In the case of expiration falling on a holiday, the expiration date will be 

adjusted according to Mexican business day following convention.

o USD Swap Option example:

 In the case of plain vanilla calendar year calculations, a six-month option 

expiration will be calculated as the date exactly six calendar months after 

the trade date (T0).

• T0 = September-23-2005

• Expiration = March-23-2006 12:30pm New York time.

 In the case of a MXN option, using this calendar with expiration falling on 

a holiday, the expiration date will be adjusted according to Mexican 

business day modified following convention.

 Option Settlement:

• Currently, in the event of option exercise the physically delivered 

Interest Rate swap has an effective date one Mexican business 

day following option expiry.

 Cash Settlement:

• ICAP is currently taking the initiative in creating a daily Interest 

Rate Swap fixing mechanism to allow counterparties to cash 

settle swaptions: dramatically reducing the trade’s credit profile. 

ICAP is currently the calculation agent for USD swap fixings.

TIIE Caps & Floors

o MXN TIIE caps and floors share the exact same payment calendar as TIIE interest rate 

swaps except for the initial TIIE reference. Caps and floors initially reference TIIE on trade 
SEF Rulebook | 87

date + 28 days, providing for one less calculation period than the corresponding interest rate 

swap maturity. Intrinsic value, if any, for each caplet or floorlet, is paid by option writer to 

option buyer in arrears for each subsequent calculation period on an Actual/360 day count 

basis using a following Mexican business day payment convention.

o Premium Payment:

 Paid in MXN by buyer to option writer value one Mexican business day 

following trade date (T+2).

UDI/LIBOR Cross Currency Swap

o The UDI vs LIBOR cross currency swap is structured as MXN peso fixed vs USD LIBOR 

floating swap where the MXN rate is paid as a Real rate of interest calculated to a Mexican 

Peso notional that is adjusted periodically to inflation using the UDI Index. The UDI Index is 

published on Reuters Page MEX14, Bloomberg and can also be found on the Banxico 

website, and is adjusted on a daily basis according to published inflation rates. Although 

UDI/LIBOR swaps are quoted in USD the value of the UDI Index in tandem with the fair value 

of Spot USD/MXN at the trade’s inception, allows us to determine the structure’s UDI notional 

amount which in turn enables the counterparties to adjust the MXN notional to inflation for 

each relevant calculation period. The UDI notional is calculated as follows:

 USD Notional x Spot USD/MXN / UDI Index as published for value spot.

 The structure of this swap requires an initial and final exchange of 

currencies.

• Initial Exchange:

o The UDI rate payer sells USD notional to the USD rate 

payer

o The USD rate payer sells USD x Spot F/X in MXN to the 

UDI rate payer

• Final Exchange:

o The UDI Rate Payer sells UDI Notional to USD Rate 

Payer

o The USD Rate payer sells USD notional to the UDI rate 

payer.

o The vanilla structure is: Effective date value spot. Semi-annual coupons of UDI vs 6-month 

USD LIBOR paid in arrears on an Act/360 modified following day count basis. The most 

traded maturity is currently the 10-year.

o On occasion UDI swaps are traded with 28-day TIIE as the floating rate. Price is adjusted 

using the LIBOR/TIIE cross currency basis swap value for the equivalent maturity vs the 

UDI/LIBOR fair value.

TIPS Asset Swaps

Several variations of the inflation asset swap structure exist. In its simplest form it can be treated as

consisting of two separate trades. In return for an upfront payment of par (par inflation asset swap) or the 

dirty price (market asset swap), the asset swap buyer:

Receives an inflation-linked bond from the asset swap seller. Typically the bond is trading away from par. 

Depending on the passed life of the trade the bond can trade substantially away from par.
SEF Rulebook | 88

Enters into a series of inflation swaps (equivalent to the OTC inflation bond described in Section 7.1) to 

pay the asset swap seller inflation coupons equal to that of the asset. In return the asset swap buyer 

receives regular floating rate payments of Libor plus (or minus) an agreed fixed spread. The transaction 

is shown in Figure 7.6. The fixed spread to Libor paid by the asset swap seller is known as the asset 

swap spread and it is set at a breakeven value such that the net present value of the transaction is zero 

at inception.

Notional

o Typically 25mm and above

Tenors

o Published from the TIPS

Fixed Payment Dates

o Semi-Annually commencing 07/15/2013. In the event that a payment date discrepancy exists 

between the swap and the Reference Security, the payment date on Reference Security will 

govern.

Float Payment Dates

o Quarterly on an Act/360 basis, commencing 04/15/2013 (Modified following).

Final Principal Amount (FPA)

o The final principal value of the Reference Security at Maturity
SEF Rulebook | 89

Rule 802. Credit Derivatives Products Descriptions

Trading Hours

Unless otherwise indicated in a Swap’s specifications, the trading hours for all Swaps governed by this 

Rule 802 are as follows:

o Order Book: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and ending at 5:30 

p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

o Voice RFQ: Not Available. 

o All Pre-Arranged Crosses: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and 

ending at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. 

Products — Rule 802:

(1) Credit Derivatives Indices

(2) Credit Derivatives Tranches

(3) [Reserved]

(4) IOS Index Credit Default Swaps 

(5) iBoxx Total Return Swaps

(6) iBoxx Liquid Leveraged Loans Total Return Swaps
SEF Rulebook | 90

Product Specifications

Rule 802(1) — Credit Derivatives Indices

A credit default swap index is a credit derivative used to hedge credit risk or to take a position on a basket 

of credit entities (a CDS index is a portfolio of actively traded liquid names in a particular sector of the 

market). A credit default swap index is standardized, therefore highly liquid and trades on a very small 

bid-offer spread. This makes it is a primary market vehicle for gaining diversified credit exposure.

A new series of CDS indices are issued every six months and attributed a Series indicator by Markit 

Partners (previously issued series continue to be traded until their expiry date). Prior to the 

announcement of each series a group of investment banks is polled to determine the credit entities that 

will form the constituents of the new issue. On the day of issue a fixed coupon is decided for the each 

index based on the credit spread of the entities in the index. Once this has been decided the index 

constituents and the fixed coupon are published, and the indices can be actively traded. They are traded 

according to set rules, which cannot be altered. For example, each series has its own set of expiry dates.

The index is based on the below CDX indices. CDX indices contain North American and Emerging 

Market companies and are administered by CDS Index Company (CDSIndexCo) and marketed by Markit 

Group.

New series are determined on the basis of liquidity every 6 months.

Indices Tenors

CDX.NA.IG 3Y, 5Y, 7Y, 10Y

CDX.NA.HY 5Y

CDX.EM 5Y

CDX.LatAm.Corp 3Y, 5Y

Currencies

USD

EUR

JPY

CDX.NA.HY Index is composed of one hundred liquid constituents with high yield credit rating. The index 

is further divided into sub indices:

• CDX.NA.HY.BB

• CDX.NA.HY.B

Each HY Index and related sub-indices will begin on September 27 (or the Business Day immediately 

thereafter in the event that September 27 is not a Business Day) and March 27 (or the Business Day 

immediately thereafter in the event that March 27 is not a Business Day) of each calendar year (each 

such date, a “Roll Date”).

CDX.NA.IG Index is composed of one hundred and twenty five liquid constituents with investment grade 

credit rating. The index is further divided into sub indices:

• Consumer: CDX.NA.IG.CONS

• Energy: CDX.NA.IG.ENRG

• Financials: CDX.NA.IG.FIN

• Industrial: CDX.NA.IG.INDU
SEF Rulebook | 91

• Telecom, Media and Technology: CDX.NA.IG.TMT

• Hi Volatility CDX.NA.IG.HVOL

Each IG Index and related sub-indices will begin on September 20 (or the Business Day immediately 

thereafter in the event that September 20 is not a Business Day) and March 20 (or the Business Day 

immediately thereafter in the event that March 20 is not a Business Day) of each calendar year (each 

such date, a “Roll Date”).

CDX.EM Index is composed of fourteen sovereign issuers from the following regions: Latin America, 

Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. The EM Index rolls every six months on 

September 20th and March 20th.

Index Specifications

Trading conventions

o Buyer (Payer). This is the party to a CDS contract which pays a premium for protection in 

case a credit event occurs. The Protection Buyer can also speculate that the cost of 

protection will rise and profit from selling the CDS contract at a higher price than was paid

o Seller (Receiver). This is the party to a CDS contract receiving the premium payments, and 

who is exposed to the credit risk of the reference entity.

Swap Leg conventions

o Business Day count: Actual/360

o Business day convention: Following

o Business Day calendar: follow the currency calendar

 EUR: London and TARGET Settlement Day

 USD: London and New York

Credit Event: Failure to pay, Bankruptcy, (Modified) Restructuring

Term/Tenor: Refers to the duration of a Credit Default Swap Index contract. Indices are traded at 3, 5, 7 

and 10-year maturities and a new series is determined on the basis of liquidity every 6 months.

Maturity Date: Unadjusted date that falls on the 20th of Mar and Sep

Coupon Payments: Each coupon is equal to (actual/360), (# of days in accrual period). The accrual 

period always stretches from (previous coupon payment date) through (this coupon payment date-1), 

inclusive; except a contract’s last accrual period, which ends with (and includes) the unadjusted maturity 

date.

o Coupon Payment Dates: Business day adjusted date that falls on 20th of Mar, Jun, Sep, and 

Dec and accrue on a Actual/360. The date will be adjusted to the next business day if 

20th falls on a weekend.

o The first coupon payment date is determined by the trade date, for example:

Example (Table 1): Consider a 1y $36mm 100bp standard CDS traded in Feb09, maturing 20Mar10:

Coupon Accrual Start Accrual End # 

Days

Payment Payment Date

1st Mon 22Dec08 Thu 19Mar09 88 $88k Fri 20Mar09

2nd Fri 20Mar09 Sun 21Jun09 94 $94k Mon 22Jun09

3rd Mon 22Jun09 Sun 20Sep09 91 $91k Mon 21Sep09

4th Mon 21Sep09 Sun 20Dec09 91 $91k Mon 21Dec09

5th (final) Mon 21Dec09 Sat 20Mar10 90 $90k Mon 22Mar10
SEF Rulebook | 92

o Coupon Rates: 25bp, 100bp, 500bp, 1000bp

Rolling dates: CDS Index roll semi-annually in March and September.

Recovery rate — Estimate of percentage of par value bondholders will receive after a credit event. CDS 

for investment grade bonds generally assume a 40% recovery rate. However, CDS for lower rated bonds 

are more dynamic and often reflect lower estimated recovery rates.

Trade types. CDS Index instruments can be traded either on an outright basis, or as a switch.

o Outrights: An agreement between two parties whereby one party pays the other party 

periodic payments for the specified life of the agreement

o Rolls/Switches/Spreads: A switch is a single Transaction that results in a simultaneous buy 

and sell of two or more underlying outright contracts. CDS indices are traded either in spread 

or in price terms, a generic term describing the difference, generally in basis points, between 

the levels of two reference values.

Settlement: if a credit event occurs then CDS Index contracts are cash settled.

o Cash settlement: The protection seller pays the buyer the difference between par value and 

the market price of a debt obligation of the reference entity.

Upfront payments: upfront payments are made at initiation of the trade. It incorporates the difference 

between the traded level and the index coupon, as well as accrued interest.

Order size: A minimum order size can be defined at the time of order entry.

Clearing: 

o ICE, LCH and JSCC. The choice of clearing house is determined at the time of order entry 

and is based on qualification of each participant’s clearing firm.

o For more information on these instruments, including detailed specifications, please see 

http://www.markit.com/HYandIG and http://www.markit.com/EM.

o Additionally, please see clearable contract definitions at http://www.lchclearnet.com/ and 

http://www.cmegroup.com/ and http://www.jscc.co.jp/en/. 

.
SEF Rulebook | 93

Rule 802(2) — Credit Derivatives Tranches

Some of the credit indices are also available in a tranched format, which allows investors to gain 

exposure on a particular portion of the index loss distribution. Tranches are defined by attachment and 

detachment points. Defaults affect the tranches according to the seniority of the tranche in the capital 

structure.

Indices Tranches

CDX.NA.HY 0-10, 10-15, 15-25, 25-35, 35-100

CDX.NA.IG 0-3, 3-7, 7-15, 15-100

LCDX 0-5, 5-8, 8-12, 12-15, 15-100

Currencies

USD

EUR

Tranche Mechanics

The protection buyer of a tranche makes quarterly coupon payments to the protection seller and receives 

a payment in case there is a credit event in the underlying portfolio. Upfront payments are made at 

initiation and close of the trade to reflect the change in price. Coupon payments (500bps or 100bps per 

annum) are made until the notional amount of the tranche gets fully written down due to a series of credit 

events or until maturity whichever is earlier. Payments are made by the protection seller as long as the 

losses are greater than the attachment point and less than the detachment point for that tranche. Once 

the total loss reaches the detachment point, that tranche notional is fully written down. The premium 

payments are made on the reduced notional after each credit event.

For more information on these instruments, please see http://www.markit.com.
SEF Rulebook | 94

Rule 802(3) — [Reserved]
SEF Rulebook | 95

Rule 802(4) — IOS Index Credit Default Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description An agreement to buy or sell protection on a synthetic total return swap index of 30-

year, fixed-rate Fannie Mae mortgage pools.

Index Name Markit IOS Index

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per contract.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.

Settlement Contingent payment - Payments related to credit event settlement 

will be determined pursuant to the 2009 ISDA Credit Derivatives 

Determination Committees and Auction Settlement Supplement, 

(i.e., the Big Bang Protocol). 

Fixed Quarterly cash payments - reflected in basis points and paid 

by the protection buyer to the protection seller. 

Upfront fee payment - The upfront fee is a portion of the 

payments, expressed in percentage points of the notional, which is 

present valued and paid immediately to the seller.

Swap Conventions Fixed coupon payments are calculated at a spread of 100 bps and exchanged on a 

quarterly basis. 

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

As agreed to by the parties. 

Contract Size As agreed to by the parties

Effective Date As agreed to by the parties.

Maturity Date As agreed to by the parties. The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the 

Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

Trade Types IOS Index CDS can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Roll trades

c) Curve trades

Last Trading Day As agreed to by the parties.

Trading Months All months.
SEF Rulebook | 96

Contract 

Specification

Details

Trading Hours 00:01 – 24:00 (ET) Sunday to Friday

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buy = Buy protection. The buyer pays a premium to the seller in case of a 

credit event occurring. Credit events include bankruptcy and failure to pay.

b) Sell = Sell protection. The seller of protection receives the premium 

payments from the protection buyer. The seller owns the credit risk of the 

instrument. 

Investment grade indices are traded on spread.

Speculative Limits No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable Levels No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing IOS Index Credit Default Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 97

Rule 802(5) — iBoxx Total Return Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description The Contract is a total return swap where one party (the “Buyer”) is obliged to pay 

a predetermined set rate, fixed or variable, to the other party (the “Seller”) in 

exchange for the notional-based return performance of one of the following indices:

Markit iBoxx EUR Corporates

Markit iBoxx EUR Liquid HY

Markit iBoxx GBP Corporates

Markit iBoxx USD Domestic Corporates

Markit iBoxx USD Liquid HY

Quotation As agreed to between the parties.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.

Settlement Terms Cash settled.

a) Buyer (Payer): receives appreciation and income of the index; pays depreciation 

of, if any, the index; pays a fixed rate of interest of a rate of interest plus a 

differential on the underlying notional amount of the contract, as agreed to between 

the parties.

b) Seller (Receiver): pays appreciation and income of the index; receives 

depreciation of, if any, the index; receives a fixed rate of interest or a rate of 

interest plus a differential on the underlying notional amount of the contract, as 

agreed to between the parties.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

As agreed to between the parties. 

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the price agreed at the commencement of the contract, 

measured in increments of the applicable minimum price fluctuation.

Contract Size 1 contract, incremental size is 1 contract.

Effective Date As agreed to between the parties.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date; as 

agreed to between the parties.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date; as agreed to 

between the parties.

Trade Types Contracts can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread (calendar and/or between indices)
SEF Rulebook | 98

Contract 

Specification

Details

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month.

Trading Months All months.

Trading Hours 07:00 – 16:00 (ET) Monday to Friday

Swap Leg a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

Conventions b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following.

d) Business Days: If settlement is in GBP or EUR, London and TARGET2, and 

if USD, New York.

d) Set Rate: The agreed rate of the product traded.

Speculative Limits No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable Levels No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing iBoxx Total Return Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 99

Rule 802(6) — iBoxx Liquid Leveraged Loans Total Return Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description The Contract is a total return swap where one party (the “Buyer”) is obliged to pay 

a predetermined set rate, fixed or variable, to the other party (the “Seller”) in 

exchange for the notional-based return performance of the Markit iBoxx USD 

Liquid Leveraged Loans Index.

Quotation As agreed to between the parties.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.

Settlement Terms Cash settled.

a) Buyer (Payer): receives appreciation and income of the index; pays depreciation 

of, if any, the index; pays a fixed rate of interest of a rate of interest plus a 

differential on the underlying notional amount of the contract, as agreed to between 

the parties.

b) Seller (Receiver): pays appreciation and income of the index; receives 

depreciation of, if any, the index; receives a fixed rate of interest or a rate of 

interest plus a differential on the underlying notional amount of the contract, as 

agreed to between the parties.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

As agreed to between the parties. 

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the price agreed at the commencement of the contract, 

measured in increments of the applicable minimum price fluctuation.

Contract Size 1 contract, incremental size is 1 contract.

Effective Date As agreed to between the parties.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date; as 

agreed to between the parties.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date; as agreed to 

between the parties.

Trade Types Contracts can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread (calendar and/or between indices)

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month.

Trading Months All months.
SEF Rulebook | 100

Contract 

Specification

Details

Trading Hours 07:00 – 16:00 (ET) Monday to Friday

Swap Leg a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

Conventions b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following.

d) Business Days: If settlement is in GBP or EUR, London and TARGET2, and 

if USD, New York.

d) Set Rate: The agreed rate of the product traded.

Speculative Limits No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable Levels No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing iBoxx Liquid Leveraged Loans Total Return Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not 

cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 101

Rule 803. [Reserved]
SEF Rulebook | 102

Rule 804. Equity Derivatives Products Descriptions

Trading Hours

Unless otherwise indicated in a Swap’s specifications, the trading hours for all Swaps governed by this 

Rule 804 are as follows:

o Order Book: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and ending at 5:30 

p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

o Voice RFQ: Not Available. 

o All Pre-Arranged Crosses: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and 

ending at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. 

Products — Rule 804:

(1) Total Return Swaps & Price Return Swaps

(2) Total Return Index Swaps
SEF Rulebook | 103

Product Specifications

SEF Rule 804(1) — Total Return Swaps & Price Return Swaps

The Total Return and Price Return Swap contract is an agreement where cash flows are exchanged 

between parties where the first party makes payments based on returns on an equity product and the 

counterparty makes payments of a fixed amount and/or floating amount or payments based on the 

returns of the equity product.

Name Quoted Tenor

Total Return Swap Basis Points− (+35 / +39) SPTR (3M/3ML)

Currencies

USD 

GBP

EUR

JPY

AUD 

SEK

CHF

DKK 

CAD

NOK

PLN

CZK 

TRY

HKD

KRW

Instrument Specifications

• Trading Conventions

o Buyer - The buyer of a contract will pay the rate of interest on the underlying leg plus the 

swap premium, and in return receive the appreciation in value of the underlying equity.

o Seller - The seller of a contract will receive the rate of interest plus the swap premium and in 

return pay the value of the appreciation of the underlying equity. 

• TRS Leg Conventions

o Equity Leg

 Underlying Equity Index – This must be a broad-based security index, as defined 

by the Commission Regulation 41.1(c).

 Multiplier – This will be equal at all times to the exchange multiplier of the 

underlying equity index.

 Initial Price

 Immediate – This is when the initial price is agreed at the time of trade.

 Future – This is when the initial price is set at an agreed time in the future.

 Fixed Fee – A fixed fee may be agreed that will be added or subtracted to price 

of the Equity Leg.
SEF Rulebook | 104

o Interest Rate Leg

 Leg Type

• Fixed

o Rate – This will be an agreed rate.

• Floating

o Rate Type – This will be an agreed market interest rate

o Rate Validation Source – The agreed source from which the 

Interest Rate Leg Fixings prices shall be taken.

• Tenor

o ICAP SEF will support Tenors of any duration greater than 0 years and less than 50 years.

• Trade Date 

o The trade date of the contract refers to the date on which the swap contract was agreed.

• Initial Equity Valuation Date 

o The initial settlement date of the contract will be an agreed calendar date.

• Equity Effective Date 

o The initial settlement date of the contract will be an agreed calendar date.

• Equity Reset Frequency

o This is an agreed period of time in any valid time integer.

• Final Equity Valuation Date

o The final valuation date of the contract will be an agreed calendar date.

• Interest Rate Reset Frequency

o This is an agreed period of time in any valid time integer.

• Termination Date

o The maturity date of the contract will be an agreed calendar date. On this date obligations 

under the contract no longer accrue.

• Trade Types

o Total Return Swap (TRS) – The calculation of the value of which the equity leg is based will 

be the appreciation/depreciation of the underlying equity leg plus any returns due from the 

underlying index.

o Price Return Swap (PRS) – The calculation of the value of which the equity index leg is 

based will be the appreciation/depreciation of the underlying equity index leg.

• Business Day Convention

o The business day convention will be agreed to be one of the following standard convention:

 Actual

 Following

 Modified Following

 Previous

 Modified Previous

• Contract Size

o The minimum size available to trade on the SEF is 1 unit, and sizes are incremental in 

amounts of 1 unit. 

• Quoting Convention

o Contracts are quoted in basis points. 
SEF Rulebook | 105

• Minimum and Incremental Price

o There is no minimum price for a contract. 

o There is no minimum incremental price for a contract.

• Reporting

o All trades are reported in accordance with SDR requirements.

• Clearing

o Equity Derivative Swap Contracts traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

• Dividend

o If a return payment is due as part of the Contract, a formula used to calculate that return shall 

be agreed.
SEF Rulebook | 106

SEF Rule 804(2) — Total Return Index Swaps

The Markit TRX indices are total return swap indices referencing originally rated AAA CMBS securities 

issued since late 2005. TRX Indices are tradable tools allowing investors to gain exposure to cash CMBS 

via TRS contracts. The liquidity and standardization of TRX index contracts allow investors to accurately 

gauge market sentiment around the asset-class, and to take short or long positions accordingly.

Indices

TRX.NA.AAA 

TRX.II
SEF Rulebook | 107

Rule 805. Commodities Product Descriptions

Trading Hours

Unless otherwise indicated in a Swap’s specifications, the trading hours for all Swaps governed by this 

Rule 805 are as follows:

o Order Book: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and ending at 5:30 

p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

o Voice RFQ: Not Available. 

o All Pre-Arranged Crosses: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and 

ending at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. 

Products — Rule 805:

(1) Coal Options

(2) Coal Swaps

(3) European Natural Gas

(4) Iron Ore Options

(5) Iron Ore Swaps

(6) UK Natural Gas

(7) UK & European Natural Gas Options

(8) UK Power

(9) Agricultural Swaps & Options

(a) Swap Contract

(b) Option Contract

(10) Commodity Index Swaps & Options

(a) Swap Contract

(b) Option Contract

(11) Soft Swaps & Options

(a) Swap Contract

(b) Option Contract

(12) Electricity Swaps & Options

(a) Day Ahead Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps 

(b) Day Ahead Locational Marginal Pricing – Options

(c) Real Time Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps 

(d) Real Time Locational Marginal Pricing – Options 

(e) Day Ahead Settlement Price Point – Swaps 

(f) Real Time Settlement Price Point – Swaps 

(g) Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps

(h) Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing – Options

(i) Real Time Market Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps 

(j) ERCOT Ancillary Services

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Heat Rate Index Options

(13) Crude Oil

(14) Dry Freight Swaps

(15) Dry Freight Options

(16) Emissions Swaps

(17) Emissions Options

(18) Fuel Oil Swaps

(19) LNG Swaps

(20) Middle Distillates Swaps

(21) Precious Metals Forwards

(22) Precious Metals Options

(23) Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options
SEF Rulebook | 108

(a) Henry Hub NYMEX Last Day Settlement – Swaps 

(b) Henry Hub NYMEX Penultimate Settlement – Swaps 

(c) Henry Hub NYMEX Last Day Settlement – Options 

(d) Henry Hub NYMEX Penultimate Settlement – Options 

(e) Henry Hub Natural Gas Basis Swaps
SEF Rulebook | 109

Product Specifications

Rule 805(1) — Coal Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

The ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” Coal Options are listed with respect to 

an underlying ICAP SEF Coal Swap.

ICAP SEF offers options based on the following:

• API 2: coal delivered into Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp

• API 4: coal exported from Richard’s Bay, South Africa

• gC Newcastle: coal loaded at Newcastle, Australia

• Indo Sub-bit: coal loaded at Kalimantan, Indonesia

• API 5: coal exported from Australia

• API 8: coal delivered into South China

Trading Period/Tenor ICAP SEF offers options on the following swap tenors:

• Up to 60 consecutive months.

• Quarter, season, calendar, and any period of consecutive monthly 

contracts can be registered as a strip. For example, a Q1 option is an option 

on Jan, an option on Feb, and an option on Mar, with each option expiring 

thirty calendar days before the start of the relevant contract month.

Units of Trading Traded at 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1,000 MT of Thermal Coal

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot is equivalent to 1,000 MT

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

The contract price is quoted in US dollars and in US cents per metric tonne 

($0.01/MT)

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of one US dollar cent 

per metric tonne ($0.01/MT)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

ICAP SEF Coal options are exercised into the relevant ICAP SEF Coal Swap

Trade Types ICAP SEF offers the following option strategies:

• Call

• Put

Option Premium Equity Style option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of 

the transaction being executed.

Option Style ICAP SEF offers the following option styles:

• European Style

• American Style
SEF Rulebook | 110

Contract 

Specification

Details

• Asian Style

Strike Price 

Increments

Strike prices are in increments of US dollar and cents per metric tonne of 

underlying Coal Swap ($0.01/MT)

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Trading will cease on Natural Gas Options at 15:00 (LLT) on expiry date.

Coal Options expire as per market convention.

Trading Conventions • Buyer Option

• Seller Option

Clearing Coal Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 111

Rule 805(2) — Coal Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

A commodity swap is a contract where the buyer is obliged to buy/sell a Coal 

product at a predetermined fixed rate and sell/buy the same Coal product at an 

average rate determined by the price of the underlying Coal product over a 

single point in time or a series of predefined fixings.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Coal swaps based on the following:

• API 2: coal delivered into Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp

• API 4: coal exported from Richard’s Bay, South Africa

• gC Newcastle: coal loaded at Newcastle, Australia

• Indo Sub-bit: coal loaded at Kalimantan, Indonesia

• API 5: coal exported from Australia

• API 8: coal delivered into South China

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• 48 consecutive month contracts

• 12 consecutive quarters

• 8 consecutive seasons

• 4 consecutive years

Units of Trading Traded at 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1,000 metric tonnes (MT) of Thermal Coal

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot is equivalent to 1,000 MT

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

The contract price is in US dollars and US dollar cents per metric tonne 

($0.01/MT)

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of one US dollar cent 

per metric tonne ($0.01/MT)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

The API 2, API 4, API 5 and API 8 indexes are cash settled against the 

monthly average of the indexes published in the Argus/McCloskey Coal Price 

Index Report. The gC Newcastle index is cash settled against the monthly 

average of the globalCoal Weekly NEWC Index. The Indo Sub-bit is cash 

settled against the monthly average of the index published in the IHS 

McCloskey Coal Report.

Trade Types Outright; and/or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Month contracts cease trading at the close of business on the last Friday of the 

contract delivery period.

Quarters, seasons and calendar years cease trading as a 

quarter/season/calendar year at the close of business on the last Friday of the 

first month contract in that quarter/season/calendar year.
SEF Rulebook | 112

Contract 

Specification

Details

Trading Conventions • Buyer is the Fixed Payer party of the contract who is Long the commodity

• Seller is the Floating Payer party of the contract who is Short the 

commodity

Clearing Coal Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 113

Rule 805(3) — European Natural Gas

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

European Natural Gas contracts are for physical delivery through the transfer 

of rights in respect of Natural Gas at the relevant physical or virtual gas hub. 

Delivery is made equally each hour throughout the delivery period.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Natural Gas forwards.

Trading Period / 

Tenor Contract terms available for trading include:

• Within Day

• Daily contracts (including Day Ahead)

• Balance of Week

• Weekend

• Working Days Next Week

• Balance of Month

• Month

• Quarter

• Season

• Calendar Year

• Gas Year

Units of Trading Traded as 1 SEF lot equivalent to 1 MWh/Hr/Day/delivery period

Delivery Period:

• Feb (non Leap year): 672 MWh

• Feb (leap year): 696 MWh

• Jan, May, Jul, Aug, Dec: 744 MWh

• Oct: 745 MWh

• Apr, Jun, Sep, Nov: 720 MWh

• March: 743 MWh

Minimum Trading 

Size

35 SEF lots with increments of 35 SEF lots

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price are quoted in Euro €0.01/MWh

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Physical delivery in accordance with the rules of the relevant physical or virtual 

hub operator.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day • Trading of Within Day contracts will cease at the close of business on the 

contract day.

• Trading of Daily, Weekends and Working Days Next Week contracts will 

cease at the close of business on the business day prior to the start of the 

delivery period.
SEF Rulebook | 114

Contract 

Specification

Details

• Trading of Balance of Month contracts will cease at the close of business 

on two Business Days prior to the end of the month.

• Trading of Month, Quarter, Season and Year will cease at the close of 

business one Business Day prior to the first calendar day of the delivery 

month, quarter, season, calendar and gas years.

Trading Conventions • Buyer is the party of the contract who is Long the commodity

• Seller is the party of the contract who is Short the commodity

Clearing European Natural Gas contracts traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 115

Rule 805(4) — Iron Ore Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

Iron ore is a mineral with metallic iron (Fe) content. High grade iron ore 

contains at least 60% Fe content, and the industry has adopted the 62% Fe 

specification as a standard benchmark for derivative transactions. The Iron 

Ore Swap is based upon The Steel Index (TSI) Ore 62% Fe index.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers options based on the following:

• TSI Iron Ore 62% FE Daily Index

Trading Period / 

Tenor

ICAP SEF offers options on the following swap tenors:

• Monthly

• Quarterly

• Calendar Year

Units of Trading Traded at 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1 Kilo tonne (kt)

Minimum Trading 

Size

One half of a kilo tonne (0.05 kt)

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

The contract price is in US dollars and in US cents per kilo tonne ($0.01/kt)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

ICAP SEF Iron Ore options are exercised into the relevant ICAP SEF Iron Ore 

Swap

Trade Types ICAP SEF offers the following option strategies:

• Call

• Put

Option Premium Equity Style such that premiums are paid at the time the transaction is 

executed

Option Style ICAP SEF offers the following option styles:

• European Style

• American Style

• Asian Style

Strike Price 

Increments

The strike range is any price associated with the underlying Iron Ore Swap 

greater than $0.00 per metric tonne

Increments of $0.01 per metric tonne

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Trading will cease on Iron Ore Options at 15:00 (LLT) on expiry date.

Iron Ore Options expire as per market convention.

Trading Conventions • Buyer Option

• Seller Option

Clearing Iron Ore Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 116

Rule 805(5) — Iron Ore Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

A commodity swap is a contract where the buyer is obliged to buy /sell an iron 

ore product (any listed below) at a predetermined fixed rate and sell /buy the 

same iron ore product at an average rate determined by the price of the 

underlying product over a series of predefined fixings.

Iron ore is a mineral with metallic iron (Fe) content. High grade iron ore 

contains at least 60% Fe content, and the industry has adopted the 62% Fe 

specification as a standard benchmark for derivative transactions. The Iron 

Ore Swap is based upon The Steel Index (TSI) Ore 62% Fe index.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Iron Ore based on the following:

• TSI Iron Ore 62% FE Daily Index

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Up to 60 consecutive month contracts

• 25 to 28 consecutive quarters

• 6 consecutive years

Units of Trading Traded at 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1 Kilo tonne (kt)

Minimum Trading 

Size

One half of a kilo tonne (0.05 kt)

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

The contract price is in US dollars and in US cents per kilo tonne ($0.01/kt)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Iron Ore Swaps are cash settled using The Steel Index (TSI) iron ore 

reference prices

In respect of final settlement, the Floating Price will be a price in US dollar and 

US cents per metric tonne based on the average of the relevant quotations 

published in The Steel Index’s Iron Ore Daily Edition.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Trading will cease at the close of business on the last Business Day of the 

traded month, quarter, or calendar year as applicable.

Trading Conventions • Buyer is the party of the contract who is Long the commodity

• Seller is the party of the contract who is Short the commodity

Clearing Iron Ore Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 117

Rule 805(6) — UK Natural Gas

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

UK Natural Gas contracts are for physical delivery through the transfer of 

rights in respect of Natural Gas at the National Balancing Point (NBP) Virtual 

Trading Point, operated by National Grid, the transmissions system operator in 

the UK. Delivery is made equally each day throughout the delivery period.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers UK Natural Gas forwards.

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Within Day

• Daily contracts (from day ahead to six days ahead)

• Balance of Week

• Weekends

• Working Days Next Week

• Balance of Month

• Month

• Quarter

• Season

• Calendar Year

• Gas Year

Units of Trading Traded as 1 SEF lot equivalent to 1,000 Therms/day/delivery period

Contract size per month:

• Feb (non Leap year): 28,000 Therms

• Feb (leap year): 29,000 Therms

• Jan, May, Jul, Aug, Dec: 31,000 Therms

• Apr, Jun, Sep, Nov: 30,000 Therms

Minimum Trading 

Size

25 SEF lots with increments of 25 SEF lots

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price is quoted in UK pounds sterling £0.01/ Therm

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Physical delivery in accordance to the rules of delivery of the hub operator, the 

National Grid.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day • Trading of Within Day contracts will cease at the close of business on the 

contract day.

• Trading of Daily, Weekends and Working Days Next Week contracts will 

cease at the close of business on the business day prior to the start of the 

delivery period.

• Trading of Balance of Month contracts will cease at the close of business 

on two Business Days prior to the end of the month.

• Trading of Month, Quarter, Season and Year will cease at the close of 

business one Business Day prior to the first calendar day of the delivery 

month, quarter, season, calendar and gas years.

Trading Conventions • Buyer is the party of the contract who is Long the commodity

• Seller is the party of the contract who is Short the commodity

Clearing UK Natural Gas contracts traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 118

Rule 805(7) — UK & European Natural Gas Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

The ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Natural Gas Options based on the 

following:

• UK Natural Gas

• European Natural Gas

Trading Period / 

Tenor

ICAP SEF offers options on the following forward tenors:

• Months

• Quarters

• Seasons

• Calendar Years

• Gas Years

Units of Trading UK Natural Gas: 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1,000 Therms of natural gas/day

European Natural Gas: 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1 MWh of natural 

gas/hour/day

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot is equivalent to 1,000 Therms per day or 1 MWh/hour /day

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

UK Natural Gas: Contract price is in UK Sterling and is £0.01/ Therm 

European Natural Gas: Contract price is in Euro cent and is €0.01/MWh

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

ICAP SEF Natural Gas Options exercise into the relevant ICAP SEF Natural 

Gas forward

Trade Types ICAP SEF offers the following option strategies:

• Call

• Put

Option Premium Equity Style option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of 

the transaction being executed.

Option Style ICAP SEF offers the following option styles:

• European Style

• American Style

• Asian Style

Strike Price 

Increments

UK Natural Gas: Multiples of £0.01/Therm. (The strike range is any price 

associated with the underlying Natural Gas Swap greater than £0.00/Therm.)

European Natural Gas: Multiples of 0.01 Euro cent per MWh. (The strike 

range is any price associated with the underlying Natural Gas Swap greater 

than €0.00 per MWh.)

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Trading will cease on Natural Gas Options at 15:00 (LLT) on expiry date.

Trading Conventions Gas Options expire as per market convention.

• Buyer Option

• Seller Option

Clearing UK and European Natural Gas contracts traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 119

Rule 805(8) — UK Power

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

UK Electricity contracts are for physical delivery of Electricity through the 

National Grid, the transmissions system operator in the UK. Delivery is made 

equally each hour throughout the delivery period. Contracts are based on the 

Electricity Forwards Agreement (EFA) calendar (Power Trading Committee 

(PTC) of the Futures and Options Association (FOA)).

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers the following block shapes:

• Weekday (Monday to Friday) (WD)

• Weekend (WE)

• Blocks 1/2/3/4/5/6 (and combinations therof)

• Baseload consists of WD 1/2/3/4/5/6 and WE 1/2/3/4/5/6

• UK Peaks consist of WD 3/4/5*

• UK Off Peaks consist of WD1/2/6 and WE 1/2/3/4/5/6**

• Extended Peaks consist of WD and WE 3/4/5/6

• Overnights consist of WD and WE 1/2

* Except where Day-ahead denotes Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday in 

which case applies to blocks 3/4/5. (Note: a bank holiday is always 

categorised as WD not WE.)

** When trading a single day, the off peak is always blocks 1/2 and 6

irrespective of it being a working day or weekend.

Trading Period / 

Tenor

The Contract terms available to be traded include:

• Day-ahead* 1,2,3,4

• Weekend

• Weeks

• Months

• Quarters

• Seasons

• Annual

*Day-ahead when traded on a Friday, refers to the following Monday NOT 

Saturday.

When trading Day-ahead, and where that denotes a Saturday, Sunday or bank 

holiday, blocks 3/4/5 can be traded together and is often referred to as a 

‘Peak’ product although, by definition, this term applies only to a weekday. If 

in doubt please check.

Units of Trading Traded as 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1 MWH/ hour / day

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot is equivalent to 1 MWH / hour/ day

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price is in GBP and pence per MWH (£0.01 / MHW)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Physical delivery is fulfilled by the debit of electricity from the Energy Account 

of one party and the credit of electricity to the Energy Account of the other 

party for every half hour settlement period of the delivery period.

Trade Types Outright; Spreads; or Spark Spreads

*Spark Spreads is a spread between a Gas contract and an Electricity contract

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEE Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits.

Effective Date The Effective Date is the first date of the trading period also known as Trade 

Date
SEF Rulebook | 120

Contract 

Specification

Details

Last Trading Day Gate Closure

Trading Conventions • Buyer is the party of the contract who is Long the commodity

• Seller is the party of the contract who is Short the commodity

Clearing UK Power contracts traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 121

Rule 805(9) — Agricultural Swaps & Options

(a) Agricultural Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

A commodity swap is a contract where the buyer is obliged to buy (sell) an asset at 

a predetermined fixed rate and sell (buy) the same asset at an average rate 

determined by the price of the underlying asset over single point in time or a series 

(or a strip) of predefined fixings.

The following Agricultural products are traded at ICAP:

Corn (CBOT)

Soybeans (CBOT)

Wheat (CBOT)

Soybean Oil (CBOT)

Soybean Meal (CBOT)

KCBT Hard Red Winter Wheat (KCBT)

Lean Hogs (CME)

MGE Hard Red Spring Wheat (MGE)

Milling Wheat (Euronext Paris)

Live Cattle (CME)

London Cocoa (ICE London)

Cocoa (ICE US)

Coffee (ICE US)

Robusta Coffee (ICE London)

Sugar No. 11 (ICE US)

White Sugar (ICE London)

Cotton No. 2 (ICE US)

Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice (“FCOJ”) (ICE US)

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per contract

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period

Settlement Terms Cash settled, referencing the equivalent futures contract at the relevant exchange 

(CBOT, KCBT, CME, MGE, Euronext Paris, ICE London or ICE US) on the daily 

settlement price on the equivalent futures exchange listed above. Floating price 

settled based on the futures contract on specified settlement date.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 per contract.

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the price agreed at the commencement of the contract, 

measured in one cent ($0.01) per contract.

Contract Size 1 contract is defined as follows for each product:

Corn 5,000 Bushels

Soybeans 5,000 Bushels

Wheat 5,000 Bushels
SEF Rulebook | 122

Contract 

Specification

Details

Soybean Oil 60,000 Pounds

Soybean Meal 100 Short Tons

KCBT Hard Red Winter Wheat 5,000 Bushels

Lean Hogs 40,000 Pounds

MGE Hard Red Spring Wheat 5000 Bushels

Milling Wheat 50 Metric Tons

Live Cattle 40,000 Pounds

London Cocoa 10 Metric Tons

Cocoa 10 Metric Tons

Coffee 37,500 pounds

Robusta Coffee 10 Metric Tons

Sugar No. 11 112,000 Pounds

White Sugar 50 Metric Tons

Cotton No. 2 50,000 Pounds

FCOJ 50,000 Pounds

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate 

Business Day Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

Trade Types Agricultural Products can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread/Switch

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the 

commodity or known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold 

the commodity or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

b) Holiday Calendar. New York and London

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end 

dates. Business days in this convention must be valid business days on both 

the New York and London calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both the New York and London calendar.

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing Agricultural Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 123

( b) Agricultural Commodity Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

The ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” Agricultural Commodity Options are listed 

with respect to an underlying ICAP SEF Agricultural Swap.

ICAP SEF offers options based on the following:

Corn (CBOT)

Soybean (CBOT)

Wheat (CBOT)

Soybean Oil (CBOT)

Soybean Meal (CBOT)

KCBT Hard Red Winter Wheat (KCTB)

Lean Hogs (CME)

MGE Hard Red Spring Wheat (MGE)

Milling Wheat (Euronext Paris)

Live Cattle (CME)

London Cocoa (ICE London)

Cocoa (ICE US)

Coffee (ICE US)

Robusta Coffee (ICE London)

Sugar No. 11 (ICE US)

White Sugar (ICE London)

Cotton No. 2 (ICE US)

Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice (“FCOJ”) (ICE US)

Trading 

Period/Tenor

ICAP SEF offers options on the following swap tenors:

• Up to 60 consecutive months.

• Quarter, season, calendar, and any period of consecutive monthly contracts 

can be registered as a strip. For example, a Q1 option is an option on Jan, an 

option on Feb, and an option on Mar, with each option expiring thirty calendar 

days before the start of the relevant contract month.

Trading Hours 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday 

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per contract.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.

Settlement Terms Cash settled 5 business days after expiration based on the settlement price of the 

underlying Agricultural Swap, which references the equivalent futures contract at 

the relevant exchange. Floating price of the Agricultural Swap is settled based on 

the futures contract on specified settlement date.

For Asian style options, the payment is determined by the average underlying price 

over the pre-set period of time.

For European style option, the payment is determined by the underlying price on a 

specific date.

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 per contract.
SEF Rulebook | 124

Contract 

Specification

Details

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the price agreed at the commencement of the contract, 

measured in one cent ($0.01) per contract.

Contract Size 1 contract is defined as follows for each product:

Corn 5,000 Bushels

Soybean 5,000 Bushels

Wheat 5,000 Bushels

Soybean Oil 60,000 Pounds

Soybean Meal 100 Short Tons

KCBT Hard Red Winter Wheat 5,000 Bushels

Lean Hogs 40,000 Pounds

MGE Hard Red Spring Wheat 5000 Bushels

Milling Wheat 50 Metric Tons

Live Cattle 40,000 Pounds

London Cocoa 10 Metric Tons

Cocoa 10 Metric Tons

Coffee 37,500 pounds

Robusta Coffee 10 Metric Tons

Sugar No. 11 112,000 Pounds

White Sugar 50 Metric Tons

Cotton No. 2 50,000 Pounds

FCOJ 50,000 Pounds

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Option must be a business day subject to the appropriate 

Business Day Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

Trade Types Agricultural options can be traded as one of the following trade types:

a) Put (European and Asian)

b) Call (European and Asian)

Option Premium Option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of the transaction 

being executed. 

Option premium to be quoted and exchanged in US Dollars.

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month.

Trading 

Conventions

Buyer Option

Seller Option

Swap Leg a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

Conventions b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end 

dates. Business days in this convention must be valid business days on both 
SEF Rulebook | 125

Contract 

Specification

Details

the New York and London calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both the New York and London calendar.

Clearing Agricultural Commodity Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 126

Rule 805(10) — Commodity Index Swaps & Options

(a) Commodity Index Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Commodity Index Swap is a cash-settled contract where one party (the “buyer”) 

is obliged to pay a predetermined fixed price to the other party (the “seller”) at a 

specified date and the seller is obligated to pay a floating price to the buyer based 

on the Commodity Index at the specified date, or alternatively the average price of 

a series (or a strip) of predefined fixings over the life of the contract. 

Indices The following Commodity Index products are traded at ICAP:

Commodity Index – settled upon specified S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Bloomberg Commodity Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Roger Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity SubIndex

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Bloomberg Commodity Sub-Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Credit Suisse Commodity Benchmark 

Index

Quotation Basis Points 

Units of Trading Notional Value of the Swap

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the designated swap settlement period.

Settlement Terms Cash settled.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of .25 Basis Points. 

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the published price of the publically available index, 

measured in .001 index points.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 5 million USD. 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate 

Business Day Convention. 

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date. 

Tenor The duration of time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date. 

The contract terms available to be traded include from 1 day – 5 years. 

Roll Day 

Convention

The date used for determining all fixed and floating Reset Dates. 

Trade Types Outrights

o

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month. 

Trading 

Conventions

(a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought 

the commodity or known to be ‘long.’

(b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has 

sold the commodity or known to be ‘short.’
SEF Rulebook | 127

Contract 

Specification

Details

Swap Leg 

Conventions

(a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually.

(b) Holiday Calendar. New York and London.

(c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period 

and end dates. Business days in this convention must be valid business 

days on both the New York and London calendar. If not, it will be the next 

day that is a business day on both the New York and London calendar.

(d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded. 

Options Available Contracts for Options will be available for each of the Commodity Index Products, 

quoted in percentage of notional value. 

Clearing Commodity Index Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(b) Commodity Index Options 

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

The ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” Commodity Index Options are listed with 

respect to an underlying ICAP SEF Commodity Index Swap.

ICAP SEF offers options based on the following:

Commodity Index – settled upon specified S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Bloomberg Commodity Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Roger Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity SubIndex

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Bloomberg Commodity Sub-Index

Commodity Index – settled upon specified Credit Suisse Commodity Benchmark 

Index

Trading 

Period/Tenor

ICAP SEF offers options on the following swap tenors:

• Up to 60 consecutive months.

• Quarter, season, calendar, and any period of consecutive monthly contracts 

can be registered as a strip. For example, a Q1 option is an option on Jan, an 

option on Feb, and an option on Mar, with each option expiring thirty calendar 

days before the start of the relevant contract month.

Trading Hours 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday 

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per contract.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.
SEF Rulebook | 128

Contract 

Specification

Details

Settlement Terms Cash settled 5 business days after expiration based on the settlement price of the 

underlying Commodity Index Swap. 

For Asian style options, the payment is determined by the average underlying price 

over the pre-set period of time.

For European style option, the payment is determined by the underlying price on a 

specific date.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.0025 per contract.

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the published price of the publically available index, 

measured in .001 index points. 

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 5 million USD.

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Option must be a business day subject to the appropriate 

Business Day Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

Trade Types The options can be traded as one of the following trade types:

a) Put (European and Asian)

b) Call (European and Asian)

Option Premium Option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of the transaction 

being executed. 

Option premium to be quoted and exchanged in US Dollars.

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month.

Trading 

Conventions

Buyer Option

Seller Option

Swap Leg a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

Conventions b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end 

dates. Business days in this convention must be valid business days on both 

the New York and London calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both the New York and London calendar.

d) Fixed Rate: The agreed rate of the product traded.

Clearing Commodity Index Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 129

Rule 805(11) — Soft Swaps & Options

(a) Soft Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Soft Swap is a cash-settled contract where one party (the “buyer”) is obliged to 

pay a predetermined fixed price to the other party (the “seller”) at a specified date 

and the seller is obligated to pay a floating price to the buyer based on the price of 

a corresponding futures contract at the specified date, or alternatively the average 

price of a series (or a strip) of predefined fixings over the life of the contract.

The following soft commodity products are traded at ICAP:

Cocoa

Coffee

Cotton

Sugar

White Sugar (NYSE Liffe)

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per contract.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.

Settlement Terms Cash settled, referencing the equivalent futures contract at the ICE Futures U.S. or 

the equivalent exchange listed above. The floating price is settled based on the 

relevant futures contract on the specified settlement date.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in the same minimum increments as the 

corresponding futures contract, currently: 

Cocoa $1.00 per Metric Ton

Coffee $0.0005 per Pound

Cotton $0.0001 per Pound

Sugar $0.0001 per Pound

White Sugar $0.10 per Metric Ton

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the price agreed at the commencement of the contract, 

measured in increments of the applicable minimum price fluctuation.

Contract Size 1 contract is defined as follows for each product:

Cocoa 10 Metric Tons

Coffee 37,500 Pounds

Cotton 50,000 Pounds

Sugar 112,000 Pounds

White Sugar 50 Metric Tons

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate 

Business Day Convention.
SEF Rulebook | 130

Contract 

Specification

Details

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

Trade Types Soft Products can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread/Switch - calendar

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month.

Trading Months All months.

Trading Hours 07:00 – 16:00 (ET) Monday to Friday

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer): the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the 

commodity or known to be “long.”

b) Seller (Receiver): the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold 

the commodity or known to be “short.”

Swap Leg a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

Conventions b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end 

dates. Business days in this convention must be valid business days on both 

the New York and London calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both the New York and London calendar.

d) Fixed Rate: The agreed rate of the product traded.

Speculative Limits No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable Levels No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing Soft Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 131

(b) Soft Commodity Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product

Description

The ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” Soft Commodity Options are listed with 

respect to an underlying ICAP SEF Soft Swap.

ICAP SEF offers options based on the following:

Cocoa

Coffee

Cotton

Sugar

White Sugar (NYSE Liffe)

Trading 

Period/Tenor

ICAP SEF offers options on the following swap tenors:

• Up to 60 consecutive months.

• Quarter, season, calendar, and any period of consecutive monthly contracts 

can be registered as a strip. For example, a Q1 option is an option on Jan, an 

option on Feb, and an option on Mar, with each option expiring thirty calendar 

days before the start of the relevant contract month.

Trading Hours 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday 

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per contract.

Units of Trading Contract(s)

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last day of the contract designated settlement 

period.

Settlement Terms Cash settled 5 business days after expiration based on the settlement price of the 

underlying Soft Swap, which references the equivalent futures contract at the ICE 

Futures U.S. or the equivalent exchange listed above. Floating price of the Soft 

Swap is settled based on the futures contract on specified settlement date.

For Asian style options, the payment is determined by the average underlying price 

over the pre-set period of time.

For European style option, the payment is determined by the underlying price on a 

specific date.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per contract.

Settlement Price The settlement price will be the price agreed at the commencement of the contract, 

measured in one cent ($0.01) per contract.

Contract Size 1 contract is defined as follows for each product:

Cocoa 10 Metric Tons
SEF Rulebook | 132

Contract 

Specification

Details

Coffee 37,500 Pounds

Cotton 50,000 Pounds

Sugar 112,000 Pounds

White Sugar 50 Metric Tons

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Option must be a business day subject to the appropriate

Business Day Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

Trade Types Soft options can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Put (European and Asian)

b) Call (European and Asian)

Option Premium Option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of the transaction 

being executed. 

Option premium to be quoted and exchanged in US Dollars.

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each 

contract month.

Trading 

Conventions

Buyer Option

Seller Option

Swap Leg a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

Conventions b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end 

dates. Business days in this convention must be valid business days on both 

the New York and London calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a 

business day on both the New York and London calendar.

d) Fixed Rate: The agreed rate of the product traded.

Clearing Soft Commodity Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 133

Rule 805(12) — Electricity Swaps & Options

(a) Day Ahead Locational Marginal Pricing - Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on day ahead prices published by Independent System 

Operators ("ISO") for the specific electricity locations.

The following Electricity products based on day ahead Locational Marginal Pricing settlements are 

traded at ICAP:

CAISO South Path 15 EZ Gen Hub

Jersey Central Power & Light Zone

Midwest ISO - Arkansas Hub

Midwest ISO - Illinois Hub

Midwest ISO - Indiana Hub

Midwest ISO - Louisiana Hub 

Midwest ISO - Michigan Hub

Minnesota Hub

MISO.AMIL.BGS 6 Loadzone

MISO.AMIL.BGS 9

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland – AEP Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland – APS Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - ATSI Zone 

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - Baltimore Gas & Electric Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - DPL Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - East

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - MetEd Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - PECO Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - Pepco Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - PPL Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - PSEG Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - West

PJM AEP Dayton Hub

PJM Commonwealth Edison

PJM Northern Illinois Hub 

Southwest Power Pool - North Hub

Southwest Power Pool - South Hub

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price DAY AHEAD Locational Marginal Pricing - the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. Dollar 

specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published by the 
SEF Rulebook | 134

respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Daily Day-Ahead Locational Marginal Pricing 

(LMP)at the delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Balance Of Month

b) Months

c) Quarters

d) Seasons

e) Half Year

f) Calendar Year

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –calendar

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing These Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(b) Day Ahead Locational Marginal Pricing – Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Option contracts based on day ahead electricity prices published by Independent System Operators 

("ISO") for the specific locations.

The following Electricity products based on day ahead Locational Marginal Pricing settlements are 

traded at ICAP:

CAISO South Path 15 EZ Gen Hub

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland – West
SEF Rulebook | 135

Option Style European

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Exercise into underlying swap 

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price DAY AHEAD Locational Marginal Pricing - the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. Dollar 

specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published by the 

respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Daily Day-Ahead Locational Marginal Pricing 

(LMP)at the delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Strike Prices Strike prices are available in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Daily

b) Balance Of Month

c) Months

d) Quarters

e) Seasons

f) Half Year

g) Calendar Year

Exercise Daily Tenors: Automatic

All Other Tenors: (i.e. monthly): Manual

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –strike price and/ or Maturity Date

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 
SEF Rulebook | 136

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing These Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(c) Real Time Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps 

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on real time prices published by Independent System Operators 

("ISO") for the specific electricity locations.

The following Electricity products based on real time Locational Marginal Pricing settlements are 

traded at ICAP:

Midwest ISO - Indiana Hub

Midwest ISO – Arkansas Hub

Midwest ISO – Louisiana Hub

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland – ATSI Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - Baltimore Gas & Electric Zone

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - East

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - West

PJM AEP Dayton Hub

PJM Northern Illinois Hub 

Southwest Power Pool - North Hub

Southwest Power Pool - South Hub

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh l

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period .

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price REAL TIME Locational Marginal Pricing - the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. Dollar 

specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published by the 

respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Daily Real-Time Locational Marginal Pricing 

(LMP) at the delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Balance Of Month

b) Months
SEF Rulebook | 137

c) Quarters

d) Seasons

e) Half Year

f) Calendar Year

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –calendar

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Options 

Available

Contracts for Options will be available for the following Locations:

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland - West

Clearing These Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(d) Real Time Locational Marginal Pricing – Options 

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Option contracts based on real time electricity prices published by Independent System Operators 

("ISO") for the specific locations.

The following Electricity products based on real time Locational Marginal Pricing settlements are 

traded at ICAP:

Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Maryland – West

Option Style European

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Exercise into underlying swap 
SEF Rulebook | 138

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price REAL TIME Locational Marginal Pricing - the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. Dollar 

specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published by the 

respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Daily Real-Time Locational Marginal Pricing 

(LMP) at the delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Strike Prices Strike prices are available in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Daily

b) Balance Of Month

c) Months

d) Quarters

e) Seasons

f) Half Year

g) Calendar Year

Exercise Daily Tenors: Automatic

All Other Tenors: (i.e. monthly): Manual

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –strike price and/ or Maturity Date

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

o

Clearing These Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(e) Day Ahead Settlement Price Point – Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details
SEF Rulebook | 139

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on day ahead prices published by Independent System 

Operators ("ISO") for the specific electricity locations.

The following Electricity products based on Day Ahead Settlement Price Point settlements are traded 

at ICAP:

ERCOT-West 345KV Hub

ERCOT-North 345KV Hub

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat,

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price Day Ahead Settlement Price Point - the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. Dollar specified 

price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published by the 

respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Day Ahead Settlement Price Point (SPP)at the 

delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Balance Of Month

b) Months

c) Quarters

d) Seasons

e) Half Year

f) Calendar Year

o

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –calendar

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 
SEF Rulebook | 140

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded.

Clearing These Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(f) Real Time Settlement Price Point – Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on real time prices published by Independent System Operators 

("ISO") for the specific electricity locations.

The following Electricity products based on Real Time Settlement Price Point settlements are traded 

at ICAP:

ERCOT-West 345KV Hub

ERCOT-North 345KV Hub

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat,

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price Real Time Settlement Price Point -the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. Dollar specified 

price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published by the 

respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Real Time Settlement Price Point (SPP)at the 

delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Balance Of Month

b) Months

c) Quarters

d) Seasons

e) Half Year

f) Calendar Year

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright
SEF Rulebook | 141

(g) Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on day ahead prices published by Independent System 

Operators ("ISO") for the specific electricity locations.

The following Electricity products based on Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing 

settlements are traded at ICAP:

New England Power Pool - Connecticut

New England Power Pool - Massachusetts Hub

New England Power Pool - Northeast Massachusetts

New England Power Pool - Rhode Island

New England Power Pool - West Central Massachusetts Hub

New York Independent System Operator, Zone A

New York Independent System Operator, Zone C

New York Independent System Operator, Zone D

New York Independent System Operator, Zone E

New York Independent System Operator, Zone F

New York Independent System Operator, Zone G

New York Independent System Operator, Zone J

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

b) Spread —calendar

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing These Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 142

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period.

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing -the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. 

Dollar specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published 

by the respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal 

Pricing (LMP) prices for the average of each hour published as day-ahead at the delivery location 

specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Balance Of Month

b) Months

c) Quarters

d) Seasons

e) Half Year

f) Calendar Year

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –calendar 

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing These Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared. 
SEF Rulebook | 143

(h) Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing – Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Option contracts based on day ahead electricity prices published by Independent System Operators 

("ISO") for the specific locations.

The following Electricity products based on day ahead Locational Marginal Pricing settlements are 

traded at ICAP:

New England Power Pool - Massachusetts Hub

New York Independent System Operator, Zone A

Option Style European

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Exercise into underlying swap 

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal Pricing -the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. 

Dollar specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published 

by the respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for Day Ahead Market Locational Marginal 

Pricing (LMP) prices for the average of each hour published as day-ahead at the delivery location 

specified in the contract for the prices effective on agreed upon date.

Strike Prices Strike prices are available in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Daily

b) Balance Of Month

c) Months

d) Quarters

e) Seasons

f) Half Year

g) Calendar Year

Exercise Daily Tenors: Automatic
SEF Rulebook | 144

(i) Real Time Market Locational Marginal Pricing – Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on real time prices published by Independent System Operators 

("ISO") for the specific electricity locations.

The following Electricity products based on Real Time Market Locational Marginal Pricing 

settlements are traded at ICAP:

New England Power Pool - Massachusetts Hub

New York Independent System Operator, Zone G

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period.

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 cent per MWh

Settlement Price Real Time Market Locational Marginal Pricing -the price for a pricing date will be that day's U.S. 

Dollar specified price per MWh of electricity for delivery on the agreed upon delivery date, published 

by the respective Independent System Operator ("ISO") for LMP prices for the average of each hour 

published as Real-time at the delivery location specified in the contract for the prices effective on 

agreed upon date.

All Other Tenors: (i.e. monthly): Manual

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –strike price and/ or Maturity Date

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing These Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 145

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Balance Of Month

b) Months

c) Quarters

d) Seasons

e) Half Year

f) Calendar Year

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread –calendar

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing These Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(j) ERCOT Ancillary Services

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap contracts based on Market Clearing Price for Capacity (“MCPC”) for ancillary 

standby power services published by the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”).

The following Electricity products based on MPCP settlements are traded at ICAP:

ERCOT-Response Reserve (“RRS”)

ERCOT-Regulation Down Service (“Reg-Down”)

ERCOT Regulation Up (“Reg-Up”)

ERCOT Non-Spinning Reserve Service (“Non-Spin”)

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak, Off-Peak and Flat,

Quotation Contract prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh
SEF Rulebook | 146

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Heat Rate Index Options

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 per MWh

Settlement Price Day Ahead Market Clearing Price - the price for the specified ancillary service for a pricing date will 

be that day's U.S. Dollar specified price per MWh of the electricity service available on the agreed 

upon date, as published by ERCOT.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Daily

b) Balance Of Month

c) Months

d) Quarters

e) Seasons

f) Half Year

g) Calendar Year

o

Trade Types Electricity can be traded outright only.

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

o

Clearing ERCOT Ancillary Services Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

Contract 

Specification

Details
SEF Rulebook | 147

Product 

Description

Option contracts for power locations based on agreed Heat Rate prices derived from published 

indices of natural gas prices.

Such options are available for the following electricity pricing locations’ electricity products based on 

the agreed upon multiple of natural gas prices at the specified combination of electricity location and 

natural gas hub:

SoCal GD Daily Index vs. Day Ahead LMP at CAISO South Path 15 EZ Gen Hub

TETCO M3 GD Daily Index vs. Real-Time LMP at PJM-W

Algonquin city-gates GD Daily Index vs. Day Ahead Market at New England Power Pool -

Massachusetts Hub

Option Style European

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for the following types of flow periods: Peak

Quotation Contract premium prices are quoted in dollars and cents per MWh

Units of Trading Any multiple of 1 MWh

Expiration Date Trading shall cease at the end of the last business day of the contract period designated settlement 

period 

Settlement 

Terms

Exercise into the respective swap components for gas and power in the form customary for such 

swaps on the OTC market.

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation/Price 

Tick Size

The minimum price fluctuation is quoted in increments of $0.01 per MWh

Strike Price Strike prices are computed based upon the agreed multiple of the specified combination for the 

electricity location and gas index location. Gas indices locations as published by Platts.

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 1 MWh and can be defined at the time of agreement 

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Tenor The duration of the time from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date.

The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Daily

b) Balance Of Month

c) Months

d) Quarters

e) Seasons

f) Half Year

g) Calendar Year

Exercise Daily Tenors: Automatic

All Other Tenors: (i.e. monthly): Manual

Trade Types Electricity can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread (strike price or Maturity Date)

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the last business day of each contract month
SEF Rulebook | 148

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency. Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually 

b) Holiday Calendar. NERC 

c) Business Day Convention. Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar. 

d) Fixed Rate. The agreed rate of the product traded

Clearing Heat Rate Index Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 149

Rule 805(13) — Crude Oil

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Crude Oil swap is a contract where two parties agree to pay/receive a 

predetermined fixed price on a Crude Oil (any listed below), and receive/pay a 

floating price based on the same Crude Oil at predefined times.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Crude Oil swaps in the following:

• Brent 25 Day BFOE

• Brent CFD

• Front Line Brent

• Dated Brent

• Dated Front Line Brent

• Dubai Crude Oil

• WTI Crude Oil

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Daily

• Weeks

• Balance Of Month

• Months

• Quarters

• Calendar Years

Units of Trading 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1,000 Barrels (bbl)

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract prices are quoted US Dollar and US Dollar cents per Barrel 

($0.01/bb1).

Crude Oil swaps trade in increments of $0.01/bbl.

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Crude Oil contracts are cash settled against the corresponding Platts daily 

assessment price and/or futures contract.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day The last business day of the contract period.

Trading Conventions a) Buyer — pays fixed price / receives floating price on a Crude Oil

b) Seller — receives fixed price / pays floating price on a Crude Oil

Clearing Crude Oil Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 150

Rule 805(14) — Dry Freight Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Dry Forward Freight Agreement (FFA) swap is a contract where two parties 

agree to pay/receive a predetermined fixed price on a Dry Freight route or a 

time charter average (any listed below), and receive/pay a floating price based 

on the same Dry Freight route or a time charter average.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Dry Freight swaps based on the 

following routes and time charter averages:

• C3 AVG: Capesize, Tubarao — Qingdao, 160,000 mt

• C4 AVG: Capesize, Richards Bay — Rotterdam, 150,000 mt

• C5 AVG: Capesize, W Australia — Qingdao, 160,000 mt

• C7 AVG: Capesize, Bolivar - Rotterdam, 150,000 mt

• P1A: Panamax, T/C, Transatlantic RV

• P1A AVG, Panamax, T/C Transatlantic RV

• P2A: Panamax, T/C Skaw Gibraltar - Far East

• P2A AVG: Panamax, T/C Skaw Gibraltar - Far East

• P3A: Panamax, T/C S.Korea - Japan Pacific R/V

• P3A AVG: Panamax, T/C S.Korea - Japan Pacific R/V

• CS 4 TC, Capesize, T/C Average

• PM 4 TC, Panamax, T/C Average

• HS 6 TC, Handysize, T/C Average

• SM 6 TC, Supramax, T/C Average

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Months

• Quarters

• Calendar Years

Units of Trading 1 SEF lot equivalent to 1 day of time charter or 1,000 Metric Tonnes

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot, with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract prices are quoted in US Dollars per day or US Dollar or US Dollar 

cents per Metric Tonne ($1/day or $0.01/MT)

Dry FFA swaps trade in increments of $1/day or $0.01/MT

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Dry FFA swap contracts are cash settled against the corresponding average of 

the spot assessments as made public by the Baltic Exchange

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits 

Last Trading Day The last business day of the contract period

Trading Conventions a) Buyer — pays fixed price / receives floating price based on a Dry FFA route 

or time charter average

b) Seller — receives fixed price / pays floating price based on a Dry FFA route 

or time charter average

Clearing Dry FFA Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 151

Rule 805(15) — Dry Freight Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description The ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” Dry Freight Options are listed with 

respect to an underlying ICAP SEF Dry Forward Freight Agreement 

(FFA) Swap.

ICAP SEF offers Dry Freight Options based on the following routes and time 

charter averages:

• C3 AVG: Capesize, Tubarao — Qingdao, 160,000 mt

• C4 AVG: Capesize, Richards Bay — Rotterdam, 150,000 mt

• C5 AVG: Capesize, W Australia — Qingdao, 160,000 mt

• C7 AVG: Capesize, Bolivar - Rotterdam, 150,000 mt

• P1A: Panamax, T/C, Transatlantic RV

• P1A AVG, Panamax, T/C Transatlantic RV

• P2A: Panamax, T/C Skaw Gibraltar - Far East

• P2A AVG: Panamax, T/C Skaw Gibraltar - Far East

• P3A: Panamax, T/C S.Korea - Japan Pacific R/V

• P3A AVG: Panamax, T/C S.Korea - Japan Pacific R/V

• CS 4 TC, Capesize, T/C Average

• PM 4 TC, Panamax, T/C Average

• HS 6 TC, Handysize, T/C Average

• SM 6 TC, Supramax, T/C Average

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Months

• Quarters

• Calendar Years

Units of Trading 1 SEF lot equivalent to 1 day of time charter or 1,000 Metric Tonnes (MT)

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot, with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract prices are quoted in US Dollars per day or US Dollar or US Dollar 

cents per Metric Tonne ($1/day or $0.01/MT)

Dry FFA Options trade in increments of $1.00/day or $0.01/MT

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

ICAP SEF Dry Freight Options are exercised into the relevant ICAP SEF 

Dry Forward Freight Agreement (FFA) Swap

Trade Types ICAP SEF offers the following option strategies:

• Call

• Put

Option Premium Equity Style option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of 

the transaction being executed

Option Style ICAP SEF offers the following option styles:

• Asian Style

Strike Price 

Increments

Strike prices are in increments of $1.00/day or $0.01/MT of the underlying Dry 

Forward Freight Agreement (FFA) Swap

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits
SEF Rulebook | 152

Contract 

Specification

Details

Last Trading Day Trading will cease on Dry Freight Options at 13:15 (LLT) on expiry date

Dry Freight Options expire as per market convention

Trading Conventions • Buyer Option

• Seller Option

Clearing Dry Freight Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 153

Rule 805(16) — Emissions Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description Carbon (CO2) Emission forward contracts are for physical delivery to an 

official Registry.

Market participants can efficiently manage their carbon price risk with carbon 

(CO2) emission forward contracts.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers CO2 emissions forward contracts in 

the following:

• EU Allowances (EUAs)

• EU Aviation Allowances (EUAAs)

• Certified Emission Reductions (CERs)

• Emissions Reductions Units (ERUs).

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Daily

• Quarterly

• Calendar

Contracts terms are available up to December 2020

Units of Trading Traded as 1 SEF lot equivalent to:

• EUA: 1,000 CO2 EU Allowances. Each EU Allowance being an 

entitlement to emit one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent gas.

• EUAAs: 1,000 European Union Aviation Allowances (EUAA) only to the 

extent such EUAAs are valid, as of the time of their delivery, for the 

purposes of meeting the requirements of the Directive. ICAP SEF does not 

make any representation or warranty whatsoever as to whether any EUAAs 

delivered pursuant to a EUAA Contract are or are not valid in this regard.

• CERs: 1,000 Certified Emission Reduction units (“CERs”), being units 

issued pursuant to Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol (as amended from time 

to time) provided that, as of the time of delivery, such CERs may be used 

for determining compliance with emissions limitation commitments pursuant 

to and in accordance with the Scheme, by the issuance of an EUA by the 

competent authority, valid in the third compliance period of the Scheme, in 

exchange for a CER.

• ERUs: 1,000 Emission Reduction Units (ERU) (i.e. units issued pursuant to 

Article 6 of the Kyoto Protocol and the decisions adopted pursuant to the 

UNFCCC to the Kyoto Protocol with the exception of allowances generated 

by hydroelectric projects with a generating capacity exceeding 20MW, 

LULUCF activities and nuclear facilities). Each ERU being an entitlement to 

emit one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent gas.

Minimum Trading 

Size

25 SEF lots, with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price is quoted in Euro and Euro cent per Metric Tonne (€0.01/MT)

Minimum price fluctuation is €0.01 per Metric Tonne (i.e. €10 per SEF lot)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

The contracts are physically settled and delivered by the transfer of the 

specified CO2 emission allowances from the seller’s account to the buyer’s 

account in an official Registry.

Trade Types Outright or Spread
SEF Rulebook | 154

Contract 

Specification

Details

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Daily contracts cease trading at 16:00(LLT) on the contract day.

Trading Conventions • Buyer is the party of the contract who is Long the CO2 Emission 

Allowances

• Seller is the party of the contract who is Short the CO2 Emission 

Allowances

Clearing Emissions Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 155

Rule 805(17) — Emissions Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description Carbon (CO2) Emission option contracts, provide the buyer the right, but not 

the obligation, to buy or to sell a defined CO2 emission allowances at a 

specified future time at a price (the strike price) agreed upon at time of trade.

Market participants can efficiently manage their carbon price risk with carbon 

(CO2) emission option contracts.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers CO2 emission option contracts in the 

following:

• EU Allowances (EUAs)

• EU Aviation Allowances (EUAAs)

• Certified Emission Reductions (CERs)

• Emissions Reductions Units (ERUs).

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Quarterly

Units of Trading Traded as 1 SEF lot equivalent to 1 SEF lot of underlying ICAP SEF Carbon 

Emission forward contract.

Minimum Trading 

Size

50 SEF lots, with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price is quoted in Euro and Euro cent per Metric Tonne (€0.01/MT)

Minimum price fluctuation is €0.01 per metric tonne (i.e. €10 per SEF lot)

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

ICAP SEF CO2 Emission Options exercise into the relevant ICAP SEF Carbon 

Emission forward.

ICAP SEF CO2 Emission Options auto-exercise if in the money.

Trade Types ICAP SEF offers the following option strategies:

• Call

• Put

Option Premium Equity Style option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of 

the transaction being executed.

Option Premium to be quoted and exchanged in Euro (€) and Euro cent (c) per 

metric tonne (€0.01/MT)

Option style ICAP SEF offers the following option styles:

• European Style

Strike Price 

Increments

Strike prices are in increments of Euro cents (€0.01)

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Trading will cease on CO2 Emission Options at the close of business on two 

Business Days prior to the option expiry.

Trading Conventions • Buyer Option

• Seller Option

Clearing Emissions Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 156

Rule 805(18) — Fuel Oil Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Fuel Oil swap is a contract where two parties agree to pay/receive a 

predetermined fixed price on a Fuel Oil (any listed below), and receive/pay a 

floating price based on the same Fuel Oil at predefined times.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC "ICAP SEF" offers Fuel Oil swaps for the following:

• European Fuel Oil

• Singapore Fuel Oil

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Balance Of Month

• Months

• Quarters

• Calendar Years

Units of Trading 1 SEF lot equivalent to 1,000 Metric Tonnes (MT)

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract prices are quoted US Dollar and US Dollar cents per Metric Tonne 

($0.01/MT)

Fuel Oil trades in increments of $0.01/MT, $0.05/MT, and/or $0.025/MT

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Fuel Oil contracts are cash settled against the corresponding Platts daily 

assessment price and/or futures contract

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day The last business day of the contract period

Trading Conventions a) Buyer — pays fixed price / receives floating price on a Fuel Oil

b) Seller — receives fixed price / pays floating price on a Fuel Oil

Clearing Fuel Oil Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 157

Rule 805(19) — LNG Swap

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) swap is a contract where two parties agree to 

pay/receive a predetermined fixed price on LNG, and receive/pay a floating 

price based on LNG at predefined times.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers LNG swaps in the following:

• JKM

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Months

• Quarters

• Seasons

• Calendar Years

Units of Trading 1 SEF Lot is equivalent to 10,000 Million British Thermal Units (MMBtu)

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot, with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

The contract price is in US Dollar and US Dollar cents per Million British

Thermal Units (£0.01/MMBtu)

LNG trades in increments of $0.01/MMBtu

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

LNG contracts are cash settled against the corresponding Platts daily 

assessment price.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day Trading will cease The Last Trading Day is the 15th day or, if a non business 

day, the business day preceding the 15th day of the month prior to the first 

contract month. LNG trading follows the Singapore business day calendar.

Trading Conventions a) Buyer — pays fixed price / receives floating price based on LNG

b) Seller — receives fixed price / pays floating price based on LNG

Clearing LNG Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 158

Rule 805(20) — Middle Distillate Oil Swaps

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description A Middle Distillate Oil swap is a contract where two parties agree to 

pay/receive a predetermined fixed price on a Middle Distillates Oil (any listed 

below), and receive/pay a floating price based on the same Middle Distillates 

Oil at predefined times.

Middle Distillate Oils are defined as Hydrocarbons that fall within the “middle 

boiling range” of refinery distillation.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Middle Distillate Oil swaps in the 

following:

• Diesel

• Gasoil

• Heating Oil

• Jet Fuel

Trading Period / 

Tenor

Contract terms available for trading include:

• Balance Of Month

• Months

• Quarters

• Calendar Years

Units of Trading 1 SEF lot is equivalent to:

• Diesel: 1,000 Metric Tonnes (MT)

• Gasoil: 1,000 Metric Tonnes

• Heating Oil: 42,000 Gallons

• Jet Fuel: 1,000 Metric Tonnes

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot with increments of 1 SEF lot

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract prices are quoted US Dollar and US Dollar cents per Metric Tonne 

($0.01/MT).

Middle Distillate Oil swaps trade in increments of $0.01/MT and/or $0.25/MT.

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Middle Distillate contracts are cash settled against the corresponding Platts 

daily assessment price and/or futures contract.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Last Trading Day The last business day of the contract period.

Trading Conventions a) Buyer — pays fixed price / receives floating price on a Middle Distillate Oil

b) Seller — receives fixed price / pays floating price on a Middle Distillate Oil

Clearing Middle Distillate Oil Swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 159

Rule 805(21) — Precious Metals Forwards

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description Physical Precious Metal forwards are contracts between two parties to buy or 

to sell a defined precious metal at a specified future time at a price agreed 

upon at time of trade.

Precious Metals are hedging tools for commercial producers and users of the 

relevant precious metals referred to in the contract. They also provide global 

price discovery and opportunities for portfolio diversification.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers Physical Precious Metal forwards 

based on the following:

• Gold: minimum 99.5% purity

• Silver: minimum 99.9% purity

• Platinum: minimum 99.95% purity

• Palladium: minimum 99.95% purity

Trading Period / 

Tenor

ICAP SEF offers precious metal forwards from spot (T+2) to 10 years.

Units of Trading Traded at 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1 Troy Ounce (oz t)

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot, with increments of 1 SEF lot.

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price for Gold, Platinum and Palladium is quoted in US Dollar and 

tenths of US Dollar cents per Troy Ounce ($0.001/oz t). Minimum. price 

fluctuation is $0.001/oz t.

Contract price for Silver is quoted in US Dollar and thousandths of US Dollar 

cents per Troy Ounce ($0.00001/oz t). Minimum price fluctuation is 

$0.00001/oz t.

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

Physically delivered

• Delivery for gold and silver to occur in London

• Delivery for platinum and palladium to occur in London or Zurich

Settlement occurs in US Dollars, with modified following business day 

convention.

Trade Types Outright or Spread

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits.

Trading Conventions a) Buyer is the party of the contract who is Long the commodity

b) Seller is the party of the contract who is Short the commodity

Clearing Precious Metals Forwards traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 160

Rule 805(22) — Precious Metals Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product Description Precious metal options contracts provide the buyer the right, but not the 

obligation, to buy or to sell a defined precious metal at a specified future time 

at a price (the strike price) agreed upon at time of trade

They give hedgers and investors a more flexible alternative to futures. When 

buying an option the purchaser is not entering into a firm obligation they are 

simply buying a choice of action.

ICAP SEF (US) LLC “ICAP SEF” offers options based on the following 

Precious Metals:

• Gold: minimum 99.5% purity

• Silver: minimum 99.9% purity

• Platinum: minimum 99.95% purity

• Palladium: minimum 99.95% purity

Trading Period / 

Tenor

ICAP SEF offers options on tenors from one week to 10 years.

Units of Trading Traded at 1 SEF Lot equivalent to 1 Troy Ounce (oz t)

Minimum Trading 

Size

1 SEF lot, with increments of 1 SEF lot.

Trading Price/Price 

Tick Size

Contract price for Gold, Platinum and Palladium is quoted in US Dollar and 

tenths of US Dollar cents per Troy Ounce ($0.001/oz t). Minimum price 

fluctuation is $0.001/oz t.

Contract price for Silver is quoted in US Dollar and thousandths of US Dollar 

cents per Troy Ounce ($0.00001/oz t). Minimum price fluctuation is 

$0.00001/oz t.

Delivery/Settlement 

Terms

ICAP SEF Precious Metal Options exercise into the relevant ICAP SEF 

Physical Precious Metal forwards.

Trade Types ICAP SEF offers the following option strategies:

• Call

• Put

Option Premium Currency style option premiums must be exchanged within 2 business days of 

the transaction being executed.

Option Premium to be quoted and exchanged in US Dollars.

Option Style ICAP SEF offers the following option styles:

• European Style

• American Style

Option expiry For ICAP SEF Precious metal options, the expiry date is agreed as part of the 

contract at point of execution.

Value date is T+2, based on the modified following business day convention.

Strike Price 

Increments

Strike prices for Gold, Platinum and Palladium are in increments of US Dollar 

and tenths of US Dollar cents per Troy Ounce ($0.001/oz t) of underlying 

precious metal.

Strike prices for Silver are in increments of US Dollar and thousandths of US 

Dollar cents per Troy Ounce ($0.00001/oz t).
SEF Rulebook | 161

Contract 

Specification

Details

Position Limits Refer to ICAP SEF Rule Book, Rule 408 for position limits

Trading Conventions • Buyer Option

• Seller Option

Clearing Precious Metals Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 162

Rule 805(23) — Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options

(a) Henry Hub NYMEX Last Day Settlement - Swaps

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap where the parties exchange an agreed upon fixed price for natural gas at the Henry 

Hub and a floating price based on the price of the Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code 

NG) as published by the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”)on the last day of trading for the 

contract month.

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Price Quotation Prices shall be quoted in dollars and tenths of cents per British thermal units (MMBtu).

Units of Trading Any multiple of 2,500 MMBtus

Expiration Date Trading shall cease on the last business day trading for the corresponding contract month of the 

NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG).

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation

$0.001 per MMBtu

Floating Price The Floating Price for each contract month will be equal to the NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas 

Futures Contract (code NG) settlement price for the corresponding contract month on the last trading 

day for that contract month.

Final settlement, following termination of trading for a contract month, will be based on the Floating 

Price.

Contract Size 2,500 million MMBtus.

Tenor The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Months

b) Quarters

c) Seasons

d) Half Year

e) Calendar Year

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Trade Types Natural Gas can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread – calendar 

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity or 

known to be ‘short’
SEF Rulebook | 163

Swap Leg 

Conventions

c) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

a) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

b) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar.

c) Fixed Price: The agreed price of the product traded.

Speculative 

Limits

No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable 

Levels

No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(b) Henry Hub NYMEX Penultimate Settlement - Swaps

Product 

Description

Cash settled swap where the parties exchange an agreed upon fixed price for natural gas at the Henry 

Hub and a floating price based on the price of the Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code 

NG) as published by the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) on the last day of trading for the 

contract month.

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Price Quotation Prices shall be quoted in dollars and hundredths of cents per British thermal units (MMBtu).

Units of Trading Any multiple of 2,500 MMBtus

Expiration Date Trading shall cease on the business day preceding the termination of trading for the corresponding 

contract month of the NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG).

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation

$0.0001 per MMBtu

Floating Price The Floating Price for each contract month will be equal to the NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas 

Futures Contract (code NG) settlement price for the corresponding contract month on the business 

day proceeding the last trading day for that contract month.

Final, settlement, following termination of trading for a contract month, will be based on the Floating 

Price.

Contract Size 2,500 million MMBtus.

Tenor The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Months

b) Quarters
SEF Rulebook | 164

c) Seasons

d) Half Year

e) Calendar Year

Effective Date The Effective Date of the Swap must be a business day subject to the appropriate Business Day 

Convention.

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Trade Types Natural Gas can be traded as one of the following trade type:

a) Outright

b) Spread – calendar 

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity or 

known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar.

d) Fixed price: The agreed price of the product traded.

Speculative 

Limits

No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable 

Levels

No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(c) Henry Hub NYMEX Last Day Settlement - Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Descriptions

Option contract based on the price of the Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG) as

published by the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”)on the day prior to the last day of trading 

for the contract month. 

Option Style European

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for monthly settlements
SEF Rulebook | 165

Quotation Prices shall be quoted in dollars and tenths of cents per British thermal units (MMBtu). 

Unit of Trading Any multiple of 10,000 MMBtu

Expiration Date The option contract shall expire on the last trading day for the underlying NYMEX Henry Hub Natural 

Gas Futures Contract (code NG).

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation

$0.001 per MMBtu

Settlement Price

Upon the expiration of a call option, the value will be the difference between the settlement price of 

the underlying NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG) and the strike price 

multiplied by 10,000 MMBtu, or zero, whichever is greater.

Upon the exercise of a put option, the value will be the difference between the strike price and the 

settlement price of the underlying NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG) 

multiplied by 10,000 MMBtu, or zero, whichever is greater.

Strike Prices Strike prices are available in increments of $0.01 cent per MMBtu

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 10,000 MMBtu

Tenor The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Months

b) Quarters

c) Seasons

d) Half Year

e) Calendar Year

Exercise Manual between the counterparties 

Trade Types The option can be traded as one of the following trade types:

a) Outright

b) Spread – strike price and/ or Maturity Date

Last Trading 

Day

Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the last business day of each contract month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar.

d) Fixed price: The agreed price of the product traded.
SEF Rulebook | 166

Speculative 

Limits

No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable 

Levels

No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(d) Henry Hub NYMEX Penultimate Settlement - Options

Contract 

Specification

Details

Product 

Descriptions

Option contract based on the price of the Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG) as 

published by the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) on the day prior to the last day of 

trading for the contract month. 

Option Style European

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Flow Periods Contracts may be agreed upon for monthly settlements

Quotation Prices shall be quoted in dollars and hundredths of cents per British thermal units (MMBtu). 

Unit of Trading Any multiple of 10,000 MMBtu

Expiration Date The option contract shall expire on the last trading day for the underlying NYMEX Henry Hub 

Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG).

Settlement 

Terms

Cash

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation

$0.001 per MMBtu

Settlement Price

Upon the expiration of a call option, the value will be the difference between the settlement price of 

the underlying NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG) and the strike price 

multiplied by 10,000 MMBtu, or zero, whichever is greater.

Upon the exercise of a put option, the value will be the difference between the strike price and the 

settlement price of the underlying Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract (code NG) multiplied 

by 10,000 MMBtu, or zero, whichever is greater.

Strike Prices Strike prices are available in increments of $0.01 cent per MMBtu

Contract Size The minimum contract size is 10,000 MMBtu

Tenor The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Months
SEF Rulebook | 167

b) Quarters

c) Seasons

d) Half Year

e) Calendar Year

Exercise Manual between the counterparties 

Trade Types The option can be traded as one of the following trade types:

a) Outright

b) Spread – strike price and/ or Maturity Date

Last Trading Day Trading terminates at the close of business on the on the penultimate business day of each contract 

month

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer) , the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity 

or known to be ‘short’

o

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar.

d) Fixed price: The agreed price of the product traded.

Speculative 

Limits

No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable 

Levels

No reportable levels are currently applicable.

Clearing Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

(e) Henry Hub Natural Gas Basis Swaps

Product 

Description

Cash-settled basis swap contracts. One party to the swap (the “Seller”) receives a fixed price based 

on the last day of trading of the NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures contract (code NG), plus or 

minus a negotiated differential, and pays the other party (the “Buyer”) a floating price based on the 

Platts Inside FERC's Gas Market Report (“Platts IFERC”) index price published under the heading 

“Market Center Spot Gas Prices ($MMBTU)” for one of the specific locations listed below at the 

specified Maturity Date, or alternatively the average price of a series (or a strip) of predefined “pricing 

dates” over the life of the swap. The price for a pricing date will be that day’s Platts IFERC published 

index price per MMBtu of natural gas for delivery on the delivery date, stated in US dollars.

The following Natural Gas products based on monthly Inside FERC Pricing settlements are traded at 

ICAP:

Algonquin City-Gates
SEF Rulebook | 168

Colorado Interstate Gas Co. - Rocky Mountains

Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. - Appalachia

Columbia Gulf Transmission Co. - Louisiana

Columbia Gulf Transmission Company - Mainline Pool

Dominion Transmission Inc. - Appalachia

El Paso Natural Gas Co. - Permian Basin

El Paso Natural Gas Co. - San Juan Basin

Enable Gas Transmission, LLC - East

Florida Gas Transmission Co. - Zone 3

Henry Hub Natural Gas

Houston Ship Channel

Mich Con city-gate

Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America - Texok zone

Northern Natural Gas Co. - Demarcation

Northern Natural Gas Co. - Ventura, Iowa

Northwest Pipeline Corp. - Canadian border

Northwest Pipeline Corp. - Rocky Mountains

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co. - Texas, Oklahoma (mainline)

Southern Natural Gas Co. - Louisiana

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. Louisiana, 500 Leg

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. Texas, zone 0

Texas Eastern, zone M-3

Texas Gas Transmission Corp. - Zone 1

Transco, zone 6 N.Y.

Transco, zone 6 non-N.Y.

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. - Zone 3

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corp. - Zone 4

Waha Natural Gas

Trading Hours 08:00 – 17:00, Local Eastern Time (LET), Monday – Friday.

Price Quotation Prices shall be quoted in dollars and hundredths of cents per British thermal units (MMBtu).

Units of Trading Any multiple of 2,500 MMBtus

Expiration Date Trading shall cease on the last business day of the corresponding contract month of the NYMEX Henry 

Hub Natural Gas Futures contract (code NG).

Settlement 

Terms

Cash
SEF Rulebook | 169

Minimum Price 

Fluctuation

$.0001 per MMBtu

Fixed Price The Fixed Price for each contract month will be equal to the NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures 

contract (code NG) final settlement price for the corresponding contract month, plus or minus an 

agreed upon differential.

Floating Price The Floating Price for each contract month will be equal to the Platts IFERC index price for the 

specified location published in the table titled “Market Center Spot-Gas Prices ($MMBTU)” in the issue 

that reports prices effective on a pricing date.

Contract Size 2,500 million MMBtus.

Tenor The contract terms available to be traded include:

a) Months

b) Quarters

c) Seasons

d) Half Year

e) Calendar Year

Maturity Date The Maturity Date may also be referred to as the Termination Date or End Date.

Trade Types Natural Gas Basis Swaps can be traded as one of the following trade types:

a) Outright

b) Spread – calendar 

Trading 

Conventions

a) Buyer (Payer), the fixed payer is the party of the contract who has bought the commodity or 

known to be ‘long’.

b) Seller (Receiver), the floating payer is the party of the contract who has sold the commodity or 

known to be ‘short’

Swap Leg 

Conventions

a) Payment Frequency: Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annually, or Annually

b) Holiday Calendar: New York and London

c) Business Day Convention: Modified Following with adjustment to period end dates. Business 

days in this convention must be valid business days on both the New York and London 

calendar. If not, it will be the next day that is a business day on both the New York and 

London calendar.

d) Fixed Price: The agreed price of the product traded.

Speculative 

Limits

No speculative limits are currently required.

Reportable 

Levels

No reportable levels are currently applicable.
SEF Rulebook | 170

Clearing Henry Hub Natural Gas Swaps & Options traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 171

Rule 806. NDF Product Descriptions

Trading Hours

The trading hours for all Swaps governed by this Rule 806 are as follows:

o Order Book: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and ending at 5:30 

p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

o Voice RFQ: Not Available. 

o All Pre-Arranged Crosses: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and 

ending at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. 

Products — Rule 806:

(1) Non Deliverable Forwards (NDFs)

Product Specifications

NDF’s are synthetic foreign currency forward contracts on non-convertible currencies or are traded on 

currencies with very little liquidity in the market place. These derivatives allow corporates and other 

investors to hedge or take positions to local currency movements without actually dealing in the 

underlying.

A (notional) principle amount, forward exchange rate and forward date are all agreed at the deal’s 

inception. The difference is that there will be no physical transfer of the principle amount in the 

transaction. The deal is agreed on the basis that net settlement will be made in USD, or another fully 

convertible currency, to reflect any differential between the agreed forward rate and the actual exchange 

rate on the agreed forward date. It is a cash-settled outright forward.

The demand for NDF’s arises principally out of regulatory and liquidity issues in the underlying currency, 

where overseas players are essentially barred from access to the domestic market.

When an NDF deal is contracted, a fixing methodology is agreed, which includes the following three 

methodologies:

1. Outright. Under the standard outright NDF contract a fixing spot rate is determined on the fixing 

date, which is normally two working days before settlement, to reflect the spot value. 

2. Today’s Fixing (TOD). The TOD methodology permits a currency position to be rolled forward one 

month on the same day as the contract is entered into. The contract specifies a number of basis 

points that will be added to the fixing spot rate, which is determined at the close of business on 

the trade date. 

3. Tomorrow’s Fixing (TOM). The TOM methodology permits a currency position to be rolled forward 

one month on the day before the fixing used to price the contract. The contract is a back-to-back 

trade with a near leg closing out the original currency position (the “Original NDF”) and a far leg 

reestablishing the position the next trading day. The fixing rate applicable to the far leg is the 

current market rate for the relevant outright NDF contract at the time the contract is entered into. 

The fixing rate for the near leg is the far leg fixing rate minus a number of basis points agreed 

upon by the parties (the “Near Leg Rate”). The close out of the Original NDF is then calculated 

as the difference between the fixing rate applicable to the Original NDF and the Near Leg Rate. 

In all cases, the fixing spot rate is based on the reference page on either Reuters or Bloomberg. 

Settlement is made in the major currency, paid to or by the client, and reflects the differential between the 

agreed upon non-deliverable forward rate and the fixing spot rate.
SEF Rulebook | 172

The NDF is quoted using foreign exchange forward market convention, with two way prices quoted as 

bid/offer pips, at a premium or discount to the prevailing spot market. As with a normal forward 

transaction, the market user either buys or sells the NDF, depending on the position to be hedged or 

according to the view of the underlying currency of interest rates.

NDF’s are a risk management tool used to hedge the risk of forward currency convertibility, which can 

result from a number of factors, including credit risk, sovereign risk, regulatory restrictions, or lack of 

settlement procedures. NDF’s are typically utilized by banks, multinational corporations, investment 

managers, and proprietary traders to hedge currency risk. NDF’s are also used as a tool to facilitate 

locking in the enhance yields of emerging market currencies.

Currencies

USD THB PHP

EUR RUB CNY

CLP KRW NGN

PEN INR KZT

COL IDR UAH

ARS MYR CNH

BRL TWD

Holiday Calendar

o USD, KRW, MYR, TWD, IDR, PHP, CNY, INR, CLP, PEN, COP, ARS, BRL, UYU

o Value date must be a good USD day

o Fixing date must be a good local day

Components

o Notional

• This is the “face value” of the NDF, which is agreed between the two 

counterparties*

o Fixing date

• This is the day and time whereby the comparison between the NDF rate 

and the prevailing spot rate is made*

o Settlement date (or delivery date)

• This is the day when the difference is paid or received. It is usually one 

or two business days after the fixing date*

o Publish Date

• For CLP only, the mkt refers to the publish date as one day after the 

fixing date

o Contracted NDF rate

• The rate agreed on the transaction date, and is essentially the outright 

forward rate of the currencies dealt

o Effective date

• The date which the NDF contract takes effect, usually the trade date

Clearing

o NDFs traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.
SEF Rulebook | 173

Rule 807. Variance Swaps Product Descriptions

Trading Hours

The trading hours for all Swaps governed by this Rule 807 are as follows:

o Order Book: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and ending at 5:30 

p.m. Eastern Time on Friday.

o Voice RFQ: Not Available. 

o All Pre-Arranged Crosses: 24 Hours, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday and 

ending at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. 

Variance Swaps

The variance swap is a product that is used to take a direct view on the volatility of a broad-based security 

index. 

Name Quoted Tenor

Variance Swaps BPS - Vega SPX dec13 Var

Currencies

USD

GBP

EUR

CHF

Instrument Specifications

• Trading Conventions

o Buyer – The buyer of a variance swap pays a fixed rate (the Variance Strike) in exchange for 

a payout based on the daily realized variance.

o Seller - The seller of a variance swap receives a fixed rate (the Variance Strike) in exchange 

for a payout based on the daily realized variance.

• Variance Leg Conventions

o Floating Leg

 Rate – This is the realized variance rate that is calculated on the expiration date.

 Underlying Index - This must be a broad-based security index, as defined by the 

Commission Regulation 41.1(c).

o Fixed Leg

 Rate – This is the agreed fixed rate of Variance (Traded Price).

• Trade Types

o Capped – This is when the maximum payout of the contract is capped at an agreed price.

o Uncapped – This is where there is no maximum payout on the contract.

• Trade Start Types

o Immediate – The observation period of the swap begins immediately.

o Forward – The observation period of the swap begins on an agreed date in the future.

• Expiration Date

o This is the date on which the swap expires, and the date upon which the final rate of volatility 

shall be calculated on using the detailed formula.
SEF Rulebook | 174

• Tenor

o ICAP SEF will support tenors of any duration greater than 0 years and less than 50 years.

• Observation Start Date

o This is an agreed trading day of the underlying either on or an agreed number of days after 

the date on which the contract is agreed.

• Number of Observations (N)

o The number of observations will be the number of trading days of the underlying index 

between the observation start date and the expiration date.

• Business Day Convention

o The “Target Following” business day convention will apply (If any date is a non-business day, 

the date is moved forward to the next business day).

• Contract Size

o Variance Swap contracts are quoted in “Vega” amounts.

o The minimum contract size is 1,000 of the currency of which the underlying index settles in.

• Quoting Convention

o Variance Swap contracts are quoted in volatility percentage points.

• Minimum and Incremental Price

o There is no minimum price for a Variance Swap contract.

o There is no minimum incremental price for a variance swap contract.

o Variance Calculation Formula

o The final realized rate of variance shall be calculated using the following formula:

i = 0 on the trade date, i = number of observations of the expiration date

E(i) = closing level of the index on date (i), expect for E0 which is the level of the index on 

the date of the first observation and E(N) which is the final settlement level

• Settlement

o Variance swaps are cash settled. 

o If the difference between the realized Variance and the Variance Strike is positive the seller 

pays the difference to the buyer. If the difference between the realized Variance and the 

Variance Strike is negative the buyer pays the difference to the seller. 

o Settlement of a Variance Swap occurs after the expiration date and in line with the settlement 

convention of the underlying equity index.

• Market Disruption

o As per the 2002 Equity Definitions, a Market Disruption event is triggered if member shares of 

the index which account for 20% of more of the capitalization of the index are not trading at 

any time in the last 30 minutes of the normal scheduled trading day. If market disruption 

occurs on a business day, then the close of this day will be omitted. Consequently, the 

Number of Observations will be reduced.

• Reporting
SEF Rulebook | 175

o All Variance Swap trades are reported in accordance with NFA and SDR requirements.

• Clearing

o Variance swaps traded on ICAP SEF are not cleared.

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