Document ID: SEC-2015-1483-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.
Posted Date: 2015-09-09T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 174 (Wednesday, September 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54331-54349]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22607]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-75816; File No. SR-CHX-2015-03]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.; 
Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 to a Proposed Rule Change To 
Implement CHX SNAP\SM\, an Intra-Day and On-Demand Auction Service

September 2, 2015.
    On June 23, 2015, the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc. (``CHX'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``SEC'' or ``Commission''), pursuant to section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder,\2\ a proposed rule change to implement CHX 
SNAPSM, an intra-day and on-demand auction service. The 
proposed rule change was published in the Federal Register for comment 
on July 8, 2015.\3\ No comments have been received. On August 6, 2015, 
the Commission designated a longer period within which to take action 
on the proposed rule change.\4\ On August 24, 2015, the Exchange filed 
Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.\5\ The Commission is 
publishing this notice to solicit comments from interested persons on 
Amendment No. 1. Items I, II, and III below have been prepared by the 
Exchange.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75346 (Jul. 1, 
2015), 80 FR 39172 (``Notice'').
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 75630, 80 FR 48375 
(Aug. 12, 2015). The Commission designated October 6, 2015 as the 
date by which it should either approve, disapprove, or institute 
proceedings to determine whether to disapprove the proposed rule 
change. See id.
    \5\ Amendment No. 1 is publicly available on the Commission's 
Web site at: https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-chx-2015-03/chx201503-1.pdf. In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to amend the 
minimum size requirements for the following: (1) Limit orders marked 
Start SNAP for securities that do not have a special minimum size 
requirement; and (2) SNAP AOO Orders for securities that do not have 
a special minimum size requirement. In the Exchange's initial 
filing, it proposed tier-based minimum size requirements for Start 
SNAP and SNAP AOO Orders. See Notice, supra note 3, 80 FR 39174-75. 
In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange represents that it received 
feedback from certain Participants indicating that those tier-based 
minimum size requirements are counter-intuitive and would 
unnecessarily complicate the programming of those Participants' 
respective systems to automatically initiate and participate in SNAP 
Cycles. See Amendment No. 1, supra, at pg. 3. In response to that 
feedback, the Exchange states that it is proposing to simplify the 
minimum size requirements for Start SNAP and SNAP AOO Orders for 
securities without special minimum size requirements, as described 
below. See infra, Section 3.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    CHX proposes to adopt and amend rules to implement CHX 
SNAPSM, an intra-day and on-demand auction service. The text 
of this proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's Web site at 
http://www.chx.com/rules/proposed_rules.htm, at the principal office of 
the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

[[Page 54332]]

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to adopt and amend rules to implement CHX 
SNAPSM (Sub-second Non-displayed Auction Process), an 
innovative intra-day and on-demand auction service that could occur 
numerous times throughout a regular trading session \6\ at the request 
of Participants seeking to trade securities in bulk. SNAP Cycles are 
designed to transition seamlessly from, and back to, automated trading 
in the subject security, and to occur simultaneously with automated 
trading in the subject security elsewhere in the national market 
system. SNAP is designed to address a specific market need for bulk 
trading of securities on an exchange, which will operate efficiently 
within the national market system.
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    \6\ CHX Article 20, Rule 1(b) provides that the ``regular 
trading session--shall begin at 8:30 a.m. and shall end at 3:00 p.m. 
each day for all securities.'' All times are in central time, unless 
noted otherwise.
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    On June 5, 2014, Chair White noted, among other things, that a key 
question concerning trading venues is whether they have sufficient 
opportunity and flexibility to innovate successfully with initiatives 
that seek to deemphasize speed as a key to trading success in order to 
further serve the interests of investors.\7\ Chair White specifically 
noted possible solutions to include frequent batch auctions designed to 
minimize speed advantages.\8\
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    \7\ See Mary Jo White, Chair, Securities and Exchange 
Commission, Speech at Sandler O'Neil & Partners L.P. Global Exchange 
and Brokerage Conference (June 5, 2014).
    \8\ See id.
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    Consistent with Chair White's statement, the Exchange proposes 
SNAP, an innovative solution that deemphasizes speed as a hallmark of 
its functionality, which will operate consistently with Regulation NMS 
\9\ and Rule 201 of Regulation SHO or applicable exemptive relief.\10\ 
As discussed in detail below, the SNAP Cycle has several 
characteristics specifically designed to minimize speed advantages, 
which include, among other things, the following:
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    \9\ 17 CFR 242.611.
    \10\ 17 CFR 242.201. As discussed in detail below, SNAP 
executions may be delayed up to 200 milliseconds from the market 
snapshot utilized for determining the single auction price (i.e., 
SNAP Price), if the SNAP Price would require, among other things, 
the routing of one or more orders to away markets for Rule 611 of 
Regulation NMS compliance purposes. See infra section 5. The purpose 
of the routing delay is to give away markets sufficient to time to 
respond to the routed orders, so that any unexecuted routed orders 
would be included in the SNAP execution within the Matching System. 
However, the SNAP execution delay may render the national best bid 
ascertained from the aforementioned market snapshot no longer 
``current,'' as required during a short sale price test restriction 
in a covered security, pursuant to Rule 201(b)(1)(i) of Regulation 
SHO. Accordingly, the Exchange will be submitting separately a 
request for no-action relief or exemptive relief from certain 
requirements of Rule 201 of Regulation SHO to address this issue.
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     SNAP Cycles will never be scheduled and will always be 
driven by market demand for bulk trading in a security.
     The order acceptance period for SNAP Eligible Orders will 
always be randomized.
     Order cancellations during a SNAP Cycle will be 
prohibited.
     New order modifiers, such as SNAP Auction Only Order--
Pegged, will permit market participants to take advantage of the most 
recent market data in competitively pricing their SNAP Eligible Orders, 
regardless of their respective speed capabilities.
    As such, the Exchange proposes to adopt Article 18, Rule 1 (SNAP) 
to outline the proposed SNAP Cycle; amend Article 1, Rule 2 (Order 
Types, Modifiers and Related Terms) to adopt several new order 
modifiers related to SNAP; and amend Article 20, Rule 8 (Operation of 
the Matching System) to support a new order ranking plan for SNAP 
executions. The Exchange also proposes to amend various other rules to 
harmonize with SNAP.
SECTION 1: SNAP Cycle--Generally
    Proposed Article 18, Rule 1(a) provides a general overview of the 
scope of SNAP. Specifically, SNAP is a fully-hidden on-demand auction 
that may be initiated in a security (``subject security'') within the 
Matching System, pursuant to the provisions of proposed Article 18, 
Rule 1. Participants that submit valid limit orders marked Start SNAP 
will initiate a SNAP Cycle and, thus, SNAP Cycles are always on-demand 
and never scheduled or initiated by the Exchange.\11\ Also, the entire 
SNAP Cycle is designed to be completed in less than one second. Except 
for specified time frames noted in the proposed rules, all other 
processes in the SNAP Cycle are virtually instantaneous.\12\
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    \11\ See infra Sections 3 and 5.
    \12\ See infra Section 5.
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    In addition, SNAP Cycles may only occur during the regular trading 
session, but may occur more than once during a regular trading session 
and may occur in different securities concurrently.\13\ However, during 
a SNAP Cycle, automated trading in the subject security shall be 
suspended. It is important to note that the Exchange operates only one 
book and, thus, automated execution of orders in a subject security 
will never occur simultaneously with a SNAP Cycle in the same security. 
However, given the fundamental differences between automated execution 
of orders and auctions, as discussed in detail below, the Exchange 
proposes a distinction between the CHX book during the Open Trading 
State \14\ and the CHX book during a SNAP Cycle (``SNAP CHX book'').
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    \13\ See supra note 6.
    \14\ See infra Section 2.
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    The Exchange also reserves the right to enable or disable SNAPs, 
per security, pursuant to notice to its Participants. On initial 
operation, the Exchange anticipates making the SNAP functionality 
available for all securities that are traded within the Matching 
System.\15\
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    \15\ Any changes to the list of SNAP eligible securities shall 
be announced via Information Memorandum and shall be effective no 
sooner than the trading day after the Information Memorandum has 
been issued.
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    In sum, the SNAP Cycle is comprised of the following five stages 
detailed under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b), all of which are 
discussed comprehensively under Section 5 and illustrated through 
numerous examples under Section 6:
     Stage One: Initiating the SNAP Cycle.
     Stage Two: SNAP Order Acceptance Period.
     Stage Three: Pricing and Satisfaction Period.
     Stage Four: Order Matching Period.
     Stage Five: Transition to the Open Trading State.
SECTION 2: Proposed Defined Terms
    The Exchange proposes new defined terms related to SNAPs. Proposed 
Article 1, Rule 1(qq) defines ``Open Trading State,'' as the period of 
time during the regular trading session when orders are eligible for 
automatic execution.\16\ As discussed in detail below, the SNAP Cycle 
and the Open Trading State are mutually exclusive in a subject security 
as the automated trading of securities in a subject security is always 
suspended during the SNAP Cycle in the same security.
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    \16\ See supra note 6; see also supra note 10.
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    Proposed Article 1, Rule 1(rr) defines ``SNAP Price'' as a single 
price at which the greatest number of shares may be executed during a 
SNAP Cycle, as described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b), without 
trading-through any more aggressively priced orders on either side of 
the market, in compliance with all CHX Rules and relevant

[[Page 54333]]

securities laws and regulations, including Regulation NMS \17\ and Rule 
201 of Regulation SHO, and any applicable exemptive relief therefrom; 
\18\ provided the following:
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    \17\ 17 CFR 242.611.
    \18\ 17 CFR 242.201; see supra note 10.
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    (1) Where two or more price points are identified above, the SNAP 
Price shall be the price closest to the last reported sale in the 
security from the same trading day that was not permitted to trade-
through the National Best Bid and Offer (``NBBO'') at the time the last 
sale was executed (``eligible same day last sale''). Where two or more 
price points are equally close to the eligible same day last sale 
price, the SNAP Price shall be the eligible same day last sale price.
    (2) If an eligible same day last sale cannot be ascertained, 
pursuant to proposed paragraph (rr)(1) above, the SNAP Price shall be 
the price closest to the NBBO midpoint. Where two or more price points 
are equally close to the NBBO midpoint, the SNAP Price shall be the 
NBBO midpoint.

As discussed in detail below, the SNAP Price will only be determined 
after the SNAP CHX book has been established during the stage three 
Pricing and Satisfaction Period and the SNAP Price will always be based 
on a single market snapshot in the subject security at the time the 
SNAP Price is determined.\19\ Example 6 below illustrates the process 
for determining the SNAP Price.\20\
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    \19\ See infra Section 4.
    \20\ See infra Section 6.
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    Proposed Article 1, Rule 1(ss) defines ``SNAP Eligible Order'' as a 
limit order, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(a)(1), not marked by, 
or handled as, any one of the following modifiers:
    (1) Cancel On SNAP, as defined under proposed Article 1, Rule 
2(h)(4).
    (2) Fill Or Kill, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(d)(2).
    (3) Immediate Or Cancel (``IOC''), as defined under Article 1, Rule 
2(d)(4).
    (4) Start SNAP, as defined under proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1), 
except where the limit order marked Start SNAP is eligible for SNAP 
AOO--One And Done handling, pursuant to proposed Article 1, Rule 
2(h)(1)(B).\21\
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    \21\ See infra Section 3.

In sum, aside from modifiers that require the immediate execution or 
cancellation of the order (i.e., Fill Or Kill and IOC) or explicitly 
prohibit the order from participating in SNAPs (i.e., Cancel On SNAP or 
Start SNAP), all other limit orders shall be considered SNAP Eligible 
Orders.\22\ Moreover, to ensure that modifiers attached to SNAP 
Eligible Orders do not conflict with the SNAP Cycle, the Exchange 
proposes to deactivate certain modifiers for the subject security 
during the SNAP Cycle, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(D).\23\
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    \22\ Cross and market orders are never SNAP Eligible Orders as 
cross orders are always handled IOC and market orders are required 
to be marked IOC. See CHX Article 1, Rule 2(a)(2) and (3).
    \23\ See infra Section 4.
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SECTION 3: Proposed Orders Modifiers Related to SNAP
    The Exchange proposes to adopt the following new limit order 
modifiers related to SNAP, which are listed and defined under proposed 
Article 1, Rule 2(h):
     Start SNAP, under proposed paragraph (h)(1);
     Cancel On SNAP, under proposed paragraph (h)(2);
     SNAP Auction Only Order (``SNAP AOO'')--Day, under 
paragraph (h)(3)(A);
     SNAP AOO--One And Done, under paragraph (h)(3)(B); and
     SNAP AOO--Pegged, under paragraph (h)(3)(C).

Proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h) provides that the valid use of a modifier 
is subject to the modifier being compatible with other applicable order 
modifiers or terms related to the order. The compatibility of the order 
modifier with other modifiers is either explicitly noted in the 
definition of the proposed modifier or implied by the definition 
itself.
    Proposed paragraph (h)(1) defines ``Start SNAP'' as a limit order 
modifier that -1- initiates a SNAP Cycle in a specified security, as 
described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b), if the limit order 
marked Start SNAP meets the requirements of proposed subparagraph (A) 
or, -2- joins a SNAP Cycle in progress, if it does not meet the 
requirements of proposed subparagraph (A), but meets the requirements 
of proposed subparagraph (C). Also, a limit order marked Start SNAP is 
not executable during the Open Trading State, as defined under proposed 
Article 1, Rule 1(qq). Consequently, a limit order marked Start SNAP 
will never be permitted to post to the CHX book or be executed 
otherwise than during a SNAP Cycle. A limit order marked Start SNAP 
that does not meet the requirements of either proposed subparagraph (A) 
or (C) shall be cancelled.
    Thereunder, proposed subparagraph (A) details the requirements for 
a limit order marked Start SNAP to initiate a SNAP Cycle. If the limit 
order marked Start SNAP does not meet all of the conditions under 
proposed subparagraph (A), the limit order marked Start SNAP will be 
cancelled, unless it meets the requirements for special handling 
pursuant to proposed subparagraph (C).
    Proposed subparagraph (A)(i) provides that a limit order marked 
Start SNAP must be for (a) at least 2,500 shares and have a minimum 
aggregate notional value of $250,000 or (b) at least 20,000 shares with 
no minimum aggregate notional value requirement; provided, however, 
that certain issues specified below have special minimum size 
requirements:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Minimum
                        Special issue                            size
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Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (BRK-A) \24\.......................        100
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    \24\ The Exchange believes it necessary and appropriate to 
establish a special minimum size requirement for BRK-A, due to its 
exceptionally high market value and special round lot size.
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    Proposed subparagraph (A)(ii) details the pricing requirement of 
the limit order marked Start SNAP. Specifically, the limit price of the 
buy (sell) order marked Start SNAP must be priced at or through the 
National Best Offer (National Best Bid) at the time the order was 
received by the Matching System. That is, the limit order marked Start 
SNAP must be priced at the market or more aggressively. The Exchange 
believes that this pricing requirement will maximize the size of the 
SNAP execution by encouraging aggressive pricing. In light of this 
aggressive pricing requirement, a SNAP Cycle will not be initiated if 
the National Best Bid and Offer (``NBBO'') in the subject security is 
crossed or a two-sided NBBO does not exist at the time the limit order 
marked Start SNAP is received by the Matching System.
    Proposed subparagraph (A)(iii) details the timing requirement of 
the limit order marked Start SNAP. Specifically, a limit order marked 
Start SNAP will only initiate a SNAP Cycle if it is received during the 
regular trading session; provided, however, that it will not initiate a 
SNAP if it is received (a) within five minutes of the first two-sided 
quote in the subject security having been received by the Exchange from 
the primary market disseminated after either the beginning of the 
regular trading session or after a halt or pause that required the 
Exchange to suspend trading in the subject security; (b) within five 
minutes of the end of the regular trading session; (c) during a SNAP 
Cycle; or (d) within one minute after the completion of the previous 
SNAP Cycle. With respect to proposed

[[Page 54334]]

subparagraph (A)(iii)(a), the Exchange believes that requiring five 
minutes to have passed after the dissemination of the first two-sided 
quote from the primary market in the subject security before permitting 
a SNAP Cycle to be initiated is necessary to ensure that sufficient 
time has passed for the market in the subject security to have been 
established.
    Proposed subparagraph (A)(iv) provides a general condition that a 
SNAP Cycle shall not be initiated if the CHX Routing Services, the 
Exchange's outbound routing service, is not operational.\25\ Given the 
aggressive pricing requirement for limit orders marked Start SNAP, it 
is possible that one or more orders would have to be routed away to 
execute against contra-side Protected Quotations of external markets 
for purposes of Regulation NMS compliance. Thus, the Exchange proposes 
to prohibit a SNAP Cycle from initiating when outbound routing is not 
available at time of receipt of a limit order marked Start SNAP.\26\
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    \25\ See CHX Article 19, Rule 1.
    \26\ Moreover, a SNAP Cycle that was initiated may be aborted 
prior to order matching at the SNAP Price, if the CHX Routing 
Services are unavailable at the time the SNAP Price is to be 
determined. See infra Section 5.
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    Proposed subparagraph (B) provides an optional minimum SNAP 
execution size condition that may be selected by the Participant that 
submitted the limit order marked Start SNAP. Specifically, an order 
sender may instruct that the SNAP Cycle be cancelled, without any 
executions, if the sum -1- of the minimum number of shares that may be 
executed within the Matching System at the SNAP Price, as defined under 
proposed Article 1, Rule 1(rr), and -2- the number of shares that would 
be routed away, pursuant to proposed Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) and (5), 
is less than the minimum number of shares required for the Start SNAP 
order to have initiated the current SNAP Cycle, pursuant to proposed 
subparagraph (A)(i). The optional minimum size condition provides the 
Start SNAP order sender with a tool to minimize information leakage 
concerning orders that participated in the SNAP. That is, without a 
minimum size condition, the Participant that submitted the limit order 
marked Start SNAP may give up crucial information concerning its order, 
without receiving the benefit of a substantial execution. Thus, the 
minimum size condition is intended to minimize the probability and 
magnitude of such information leakage.
    Proposed subparagraph (C) provides a default handling for a limit 
order marked Start SNAP that does not meet the requirements to initiate 
a SNAP Cycle. Specifically, by default, a limit order marked Start SNAP 
that does not meet the requirements of proposed subparagraph (A) and is 
received by the Matching System during a SNAP Order Acceptance Period, 
as described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2), shall be handled 
as SNAP AOO--One And Done, as defined under proposed paragraph 
(h)(3)(B), and join the SNAP Cycle in progress. This default handling 
addresses the scenario, among others, where two or more limit orders 
marked Start SNAP are received by the Matching System at nearly the 
same time. Additionally, an order sender may instruct that the limit 
order marked Start SNAP not be subject to this special handling even if 
eligible.
    Proposed paragraph (h)(2) defines ``Cancel On SNAP,'' which is a 
limit order modifier that requires the order to be cancelled upon 
initiation of a SNAP Cycle or cancelled upon receipt if received during 
a SNAP Cycle. Thus, resting orders marked Cancel On SNAP will be 
cancelled immediately after acceptance of a valid limit order marked 
Start SNAP and incoming orders marked Cancel On SNAP will be cancelled 
by the Matching System if received during a SNAP Cycle.\27\ Thus, 
Cancel On SNAP is similar to the current Cancel On Halt modifier, 
defined under Article 1, Rule 2(b)(1)(B), which requires the order to 
be cancelled if a trading halt or suspension is declared in the 
security.
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    \27\ An order marked Cancel On SNAP that is cancelled upon 
initiation of a SNAP Cycle or upon receipt during a SNAP Cycle is 
not a voluntary cancellation for the purposes of the Order 
Cancellation Fee and are excluded from the Order Cancellation Fee 
computation. See CHX Fee Schedule Section E.8.
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    Proposed paragraph (h)(3) details the three proposed SNAP AOO 
modifiers. SNAP AOOs are limit orders marked by, or handled as, SNAP 
AOO--One And Done; SNAP AOO--Day; or SNAP AOO--Pegged.\28\ As the name 
suggests, SNAP AOOs shall not be active during the Open Trading State. 
Also, SNAP AOOs shall only be accepted from the beginning of the early 
session to five minutes prior to the end of the regular trading 
session.\29\ Upon receipt by the Exchange, all valid SNAP AOOs are 
either queued or immediately ranked, as described under proposed 
Article 20, Rule 8(b)(2)(A), as discussed in detail below.\30\
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    \28\ As currently proposed, the only orders that would be 
handled as a SNAP AOO, even if it not marked with an SNAP AOO 
modifier, would be limit orders marked Start SNAP, pursuant to 
Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(C), as described above. A limit order marked 
by any of the SNAP AOO modifiers will always be handled as a SNAP 
AOO.
    \29\ CHX Article 20, Rule 1(b) provides that the ``early 
session--shall begin at 6:00 a.m. and shall end at 8:30 a.m.'' All 
times are in central time, unless noted otherwise. See supra note 6.
    \30\ Invalid SNAP AOOs (e.g., received after the end of the 
regular trading session) would be rejected. See infra Sections 4 and 
5.
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    Moreover, all SNAP AOOs must be for (a) at least 250 shares and 
have a minimum aggregate notional value of $25,000 based on its 
corresponding SNAP AOO Reference Price or (b) at least 2,000 shares 
with no minimum aggregate notional value requirement, provided, 
however, that certain issues specified below have special minimum size 
requirements.\31\ If there is no special minimum size requirement noted 
for a security, the SNAP AOO Reference Price shall be the last sale in 
the subject security that was not permitted to trade-through the NBBO 
at the time the last sale was executed.\32\ If a SNAP AOO Reference 
Price cannot be determined (i.e., there is no last sale in the 
security), the SNAP AOO shall be cancelled.
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    \31\ SNAP AOOs that are queued upon receipt may also be re-
queued, as discussed below. Thus, re-queued SNAP AOOs may be smaller 
than the minimum size, due to partial executions. See infra Sections 
4 and 5.
    \32\ Compare proposed Article 1, Rule 1(rr), which has an 
additional requirement that the last sale be from the same trading 
day.

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                                                                Minimum
                       Special issues                            size
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Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (BRK-A) \33\.......................         10
------------------------------------------------------------------------

In contrast to the minimum size requirement for limit orders marked 
Start SNAP, the Exchange proposes to peg the SNAP AOO Reference Price 
to the last reported sale in the subject security, as opposed to the 
limit price of the SNAP AOO, because a SNAP AOO--Pegged order may not 
have a stated limit price, as described below. Moreover, the 
requirement that the last reported sale in the subject security not 
have been permitted to trade-through the NBBO at the time it was 
executed, such as Benchmark,\34\ would better reflect the actual market 
price of the subject security. For example, a SNAP AOO to buy 250 
shares of security XYZ for $100.00/share, which has a SNAP AOO 
Reference Price of $99.50/share, would be rejected upon receipt because 
it only has an aggregate notional value of $24,875.
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    \33\ See supra note 24.
    \34\ See CHX Article 1, Rule 2(b)(2)(A).
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    Thereunder, proposed subparagraph (A) defines ``SNAP AOO--Day'' as 
a limit order modifier that requires the order to only participate in 
the next SNAP Cycle for which it is eligible and

[[Page 54335]]

every SNAP Cycle thereafter for the remainder of the trading session 
until fully-executed or cancelled. Mechanically, the unexecuted balance 
of a limit order marked SNAP AOO--Day will be re-queued based on its 
original time of receipt and would be re-ranked in the SNAP CHX book 
during the next SNAP Cycle, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 
8(b)(2)(A).\35\
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    \35\ See infra Sections 4 and 5.
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    Proposed subparagraph (B) defines ``SNAP AOO--One And Done'' as a 
limit order modifier that requires the order to only participate in the 
next SNAP Cycle for which it is eligible with any unexecuted remainder 
to be cancelled; provided, however, that if the SNAP Cycle in which the 
limit order marked SNAP AOO--One And Done was participating was aborted 
prior to the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction Period, the order 
shall be re-queued pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(2)(A), 
and not cancelled. Thus, unlike limit orders marked SNAP AOO--Day, 
which may be re-queued for any reason if an unexecuted balance exists, 
limit orders marked SNAP AOO--One And Done are only eligible to 
participate in one SNAP Cycle and may only be re-queued if the SNAP 
Cycle in which it was participating was aborted prior to the stage 
three Pricing and Satisfaction Period.
    Proposed subparagraph (C) defines ``SNAP AOO--Pegged'' as a limit 
order modifier only available for orders marked SNAP AOO--Day or SNAP 
AOO--One And Done, that requires the order to be priced at the less 
aggressive of an optional limit price or mandatory offset price from 
the NBBO ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E). An order sender that submits a 
limit order marked SNAP AOO--Pegged must specify one of the following 
proposed pricing options.
    (i) Midpoint. Priced at the midpoint of the NBBO or the locking 
price if the NBBO is locked. If the NBBO is crossed, the order shall 
not participate in the instant SNAP Cycle, even if there is an optional 
limit price indicated.
    (ii) Market. A buy (sell) order shall be priced at, or a specified 
offset below or above, the NBO (NBB).
    (iii) Primary. A buy (sell) order shall be priced at, or a 
specified offset below or above, the NBB (NBO).

Unlike non-auction pegged orders, which the Exchange does not currently 
offer, limit orders marked SNAP AOO--Pegged do not continuously track 
changes to the NBBO, but rather, are priced once per SNAP Cycle based 
on an single market snapshot taken immediately prior to the stage three 
Pricing and Satisfaction Period, as discussed in detail below.\36\
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    \36\ See infra Section 5.
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SECTION 4: Proposed SNAP CHX Book and SNAP AOO Queue
    The SNAP CHX book will be used to establish the SNAP Price and 
execution priority for participating SNAP Eligible Orders with Working 
Prices \37\ at and more aggressive than the SNAP Price.\38\ Thus, the 
Exchange proposes to amend Article 20, Rule 8(b) (Ranking and display 
of orders) to adopt a distinction between the current ranking of orders 
on the CHX book, the proposed ranking of orders on the SNAP CHX book 
and the proposed queuing of certain SNAP AOO orders on the SNAP AOO 
Queue that would not be ranked on receipt.
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    \37\ Incidentally, the Exchange proposes to amend current 
Article 1, Rule 1(pp)) to expand and clarify the definition of 
``Working Price.'' Specifically, amended Article 1, Rule 1(pp) 
provides that Working Price means the most aggressive price at which 
a limit order, as opposed to the current ``resting'' limit orders, 
can execute within the Matching System, in compliance with CHX Rules 
and relevant securities laws and regulations, including Rule 611 of 
Regulation NMS and Rule 201 of Regulation SHO, and any applicable 
exemptive relief therefrom. See supra note 10.
    \38\ As noted above, the Exchange only operates one book. The 
SNAP CHX book merely reflects the reprioritizing of orders for the 
purposes of the SNAP Cycle and is not an independent book of orders 
maintained in addition to the regular CHX book. See supra Section 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Current Article 20, Rule 8(b) provides that all orders accepted by 
the Matching System that will post to the CHX book shall be ranked at 
each price point up or down to its limit price by display status then 
sequence number. Thereunder, current Rule 8(b)(1)-(3) outline the three 
display status pools according to priority on the CHX book as follows:
     Fully-displayable orders and displayed portions of Reserve 
Size orders, under paragraph (b)(1); \39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \39\ See CHX Article 1, Rule 2(c)(3) defining ``Reserve Size.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Undisplayed portion of Reserve Size orders, under 
paragraph (b)(2); and
     Orders marked Do Not Display, under paragraph (b)(3).\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See CHX Article 1, Rule 2(c)(2) defining ``Do Not 
Display.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange now proposes to amend Article 20, Rule 8(b) to expand 
the scope of the rules thereunder and to clarify the execution priority 
of resting orders on the CHX book. Specifically, amended Article 20, 
Rule 8(b) provides that orders shall be ranked and displayed as 
follows. Thereunder, proposed Rule 8(b)(1) provides that otherwise than 
during a SNAP Cycle, as described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b), 
orders that may post to the CHX book shall be executable in Working 
Price/display status/sequence number priority \41\ and shall be ranked 
on the CHX book as described under proposed subparagraphs (A)-(C), 
which mirrors current Article 20, Rule 8(b)(1)-(3), respectively, but 
for amendments to certain cross-references affected by the proposed 
rule change.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Orders are currently executable in Working Price/display 
status/sequence number priority. See Exchange Act Release No. 73150 
(September 19, 2014), 79 FR 57603 (September 25, 2014) (SR-CHX-2014-
15) (``Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed 
Rule Change to Adopt the CHX Routing Services'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 8(b)(2) provides that the following orders shall not 
be ranked on the CHX book upon receipt, but shall be queued until 
ranked as follows. Thereunder, proposed subparagraph (A) describes the 
SNAP AOO Queue, which provides that valid SNAP AOOs, as defined under 
proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3), shall be queued in the order in which 
they were originally received; provided, however, that SNAP AOOs not 
marked SNAP AOO--Pegged received during a SNAP Order Acceptance Period 
shall be immediately ranked on the SNAP CHX book upon receipt and not 
queued.\42\ All SNAP AOOs shall be ranked on the SNAP CHX book, 
pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(3)(E). Also, SNAP AOOs that are re-
queued shall be re-queued based on time of original receipt.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ As discussed below, SNAP AOOs marked SNAP AOO--Pegged can 
only be priced based on the market snapshot taken immediately after 
the end of the SNAP Order Acceptance Period, pursuant to proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E), and thus, cannot be ranked upon 
original receipt. See infra Section 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Rule 8(b)(3) provides that during a SNAP Cycle, as 
described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b), orders shall receive 
execution priority as described under proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(4)(A) \43\ and be ranked on the SNAP CHX book, as provided under 
proposed subparagraphs (A)-(E). In sum, all SNAP Eligible Orders ranked 
on the CHX book at the time a SNAP Cycle is initiated (``precedent 
orders'') shall maintain their priority in the SNAP CHX book, pursuant 
proposed subparagraphs (A)-(C). Following such precedent orders, the 
limit order marked Start SNAP that initiated the instant SNAP Cycle 
would be ranked, pursuant to proposed subparagraph (D). Finally, after 
the precedent orders and the limit order marked Start SNAP, SNAP AOOs 
and other SNAP Eligible Orders received during the SNAP Order 
Acceptance Period would be ranked by sequence number.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See infra Section 5.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 54336]]

    Examples 2-5 illustrate the process of creating the SNAP CHX 
book.\44\ A discussion concerning SNAP Cycle order execution priority 
may be found below.\45\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ See infra Section 6.
    \45\ See infra Section 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECTION 5: Proposed SNAP Cycle
Stage One: Initiating the SNAP Cycle
    Upon the acceptance of a valid limit order marked Start SNAP, the 
Matching System shall begin the SNAP Cycle in the subject security, 
pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(1), and take the following 
actions:
     Suspend automatic execution of orders in the subject 
security.
     Remove the Exchange's Protected Quotation(s) in the 
subject security, if any.
     Notify the market that a SNAP Cycle in the subject 
security has begun.
     Disseminate messages through the CHX Book Feed indicating 
that precedent orders on the CHX book in the subject security are no 
longer automatically executable.\46\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \46\ The CHX Book Feed is the Exchange's proprietary data feed, 
which allows subscribers to view all displayable orders in the 
Matching System, including the size and price associated with such 
orders and trade data for executions that occur within the Matching 
System. See CHX Article 4, Rule 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Suspend dissemination of any other order information 
concerning the subject security through the CHX Book Feed.
    Proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(1) describes how a SNAP Cycle is 
initiated. Specifically, a SNAP Cycle may be initiated upon acceptance 
by the Matching System of a valid limit order marked Start SNAP, as 
defined under proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1), discussed in detail 
above. That is, a SNAP will only be initiated if all of the 
requirements of proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1) are met. If a valid 
Start SNAP order is accepted by the Matching System, the Exchange shall 
only then immediately suspend automated matching of orders in the 
subject security and initiate the SNAP Cycle.
    Thereunder, proposed subparagraph (A) provides that the Exchange 
will remove its Protected Quotation(s) in the subject security, if any, 
and will notify the market that a SNAP is taking place in the subject 
security.\47\ Aside from the identity of the security subject to the 
SNAP, the Exchange will not disseminate any other information 
concerning the SNAP, including, but not limited to, the size, price or 
side of the Start SNAP order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ As of the time of this filing, the Exchange anticipates 
that the SNAP Cycle notice will be achieved by a unique identifier 
that will be disseminated to the market through the relevant 
securities information processor at the time the Exchange removes 
its Protected Quotation(s) in the subject security and a message 
through the CHX Book Feed indicating that a SNAP Cycle is occurring 
in the subject security.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Incidentally, the Exchange proposes to amend Article 20, Rule 
8(b)(6) to provide that the displayed CHX best bid and offer protocol 
shall be suspended during a SNAP Cycle, pursuant to proposed Article 
18, Rule 1(b), and amend a citation to current ``paragraph (b)(1)'' to 
``paragraph (b)(1)(A),'' as the citation has changed pursuant to this 
rule filing.\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ See supra Section 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (B) provides that the Exchange shall submit 
messages through the CHX Book Feed to reflect that precedent orders 
previously disseminated through the CHX Book Feed are no longer 
automatically executable and that the Exchange will suspend 
dissemination of any other order information concerning the subject 
security. Any executions and cancellations that occur during the SNAP 
Cycle will continue to be reported immediately to the relevant 
Participant order sender(s). Similarly, any executions that occur 
during the SNAP Cycle will continue to be reported immediately to the 
relevant securities information processor and to clearing. However, 
information concerning displayable orders received, and cancellations 
and executions effected, during the SNAP Cycle shall not disseminated 
through the CHX Book Feed for the remainder of the SNAP Cycle. Upon the 
restarting of the CHX Book Feed, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(5)(C), the Exchange shall only disseminate information concerning 
the displayable orders posted to the CHX book at the conclusion of the 
SNAP Cycle. Incidentally, the Exchange propose to amend current Article 
4, Rule 1(a) to provide that the availability of the CHX Book Feed is 
subject to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b).\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ See supra note 46.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 2 below illustrates how the SNAP Cycle could be 
initiated.\50\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See infra Section 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stage Two: SNAP Order Acceptance Period
    Upon the initiation of the SNAP Cycle, the Matching System shall 
take the following actions, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2):
     Begin the SNAP Order Acceptance Period.
     Begin establishing the SNAP CHX book.
     Begin the First In-First Out (``FIFO'') Queue for certain 
messages and orders received during the SNAP Cycle.
    Proposed paragraph (b)(2) starts by providing that the SNAP Order 
Acceptance Period shall begin upon initiation of a SNAP Cycle and last 
approximately 475 to 525 milliseconds, the actual length of which will 
be randomized by the Matching System. By randomizing the exact length 
of the SNAP Order Acceptance Period, market participants would not be 
able to pinpoint exactly when the SNAP Order Acceptance Period would 
end, thereby minimizing speed advantages, which is one of the goals of 
the SNAP functionality.\51\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ See infra Statutory Basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (A) details how precedent resting orders 
would be handled upon the initiation of a SNAP Cycle. Specifically, 
subparagraph (A)(i) provides that SNAP Eligible Orders, as defined 
under proposed Article 1, Rule 1(ss), not marked SNAP AOO--Pegged, as 
defined under proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3)(C), resting on the CHX 
book or SNAP AOO Queue, as described under proposed Article 20, Rule 
8(b)(2)(A), prior to the initiation of the current SNAP Cycle, shall be 
ranked on the SNAP CHX book, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 
8(b)(3)(A)--(C) and (E), as applicable.\52\ In turn, precedent SNAP 
AOOs marked SNAP AOO--Pegged shall remain on the SNAP AOO Queue until 
ranked on the SNAP CHX book, pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(3)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See infra Section 4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    SNAP AOO--Pegged orders are not ranked on the SNAP CHX book during 
the SNAP Order Acceptance Period because the limit price of SNAP AOO--
Pegged orders can only be confirmed by the market snapshot immediately 
after the end of the SNAP Order Acceptance Period, pursuant to proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E).\53\ In contrast, all other SNAP Eligible 
Orders, including SNAP AOOs not marked SNAP AOO--Pegged, have confirmed 
limit prices known at the time of original receipt, which enables such 
orders to be immediately ranked on the SNAP CHX book upon initiation of 
the SNAP Cycle or upon receipt if received during a SNAP Order 
Acceptance Period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \53\ See supra note 42.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (A)(ii) provides that the limit order marked 
Start SNAP that initiated the current SNAP Cycle shall be ranked on the 
SNAP CHX book, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(D). 
Proposed subparagraph (A)(iii) provides that

[[Page 54337]]

precedent non-SNAP Eligible Orders resting on the CHX book (i.e., limit 
orders marked Cancel On SNAP) shall be cancelled.
    Proposed subparagraph (B) details how incoming orders received 
during the SNAP Cycle would be handled. Specifically, subparagraph 
(B)(i) provides that incoming SNAP Eligible Orders received during the 
SNAP Order Acceptance Period shall be immediately ranked on the SNAP 
CHX book, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(E); provided, 
however, that SNAP AOOs marked SNAP AOO--Pegged shall be placed in the 
SNAP AOO Queue upon receipt and shall only be ranked on the SNAP CHX 
book, pursuant to paragraph (b)(3)(A).\54\ Incoming SNAP Eligible 
Orders received after the SNAP Order Acceptance Period has expired, but 
during a SNAP Cycle, shall not be eligible to participate in the 
current SNAP Cycle and shall be queued in the FIFO Queue, pursuant to 
proposed subparagraph (C). To the extent an order on the FIFO Queue is 
a SNAP AOO, upon processing of the SNAP AOO during the stage five 
Transition to the Open Trading State, the SNAP AOO will be placed in 
the SNAP AOO Queue, for activation in the next SNAP Cycle for which it 
is eligible to participate. Also, proposed subparagraph (B)(ii) 
provides that incoming non-SNAP Eligible Orders received during the 
SNAP Cycle shall be cancelled upon receipt, except for cross orders, 
which shall be placed in the FIFO Queue.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \54\ See id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, cross orders are always handled Immediate Or Cancel, 
pursuant to Article 1, Rule 2(a)(2). In light of SNAP, the Exchange now 
proposes to amend the definition of cross orders, under Article 1, Rule 
2(a)(2), to provide that cross orders received during a SNAP Cycle 
shall be placed in the FIFO Queue for later processing and not 
immediately cancelled. This special handling of cross orders is 
necessary because, for example, the Exchange receives a significant 
number of cross orders marked Qualified Contingent Trade (``QCT''),\55\ 
the execution of which is required, among other things, to be 
contingent upon the execution of all other components at or near the 
same time. Thus, the Exchange believes it preferable to momentarily 
delay processing of QCTs to give such orders the opportunity to clear 
the CHX book, whereas an immediate cancellation could result in the QCT 
being out-of-hedge with the other component trades. Moreover, in light 
of the manual nature of QCT order packaging process, the Exchange 
submits that the approximate one second delay in processing a QCT on 
the FIFO Queue is immaterial with respect to the execution ``at or near 
the same time'' requirement for QCTs.\56\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ See CHX Article 1, Rule 2(b)(2)(E).
    \56\ See infra Statutory Basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (C) lists the following messages received 
during a SNAP Cycle that would be placed in the FIFO Queue for later 
processing, pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(5)(B):
    (i) Cancel and cancel/replace messages for resting or queued 
orders.
    (ii) Cancel messages from away markets for routed orders received 
after the SNAP Order Acceptance Period.\57\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \57\ Cancel messages from away markets for routed orders 
received during the SNAP Order Acceptance Period would result in the 
corresponding order being immediately released as unexecuted. The 
released order will then either join the SNAP Cycle in progress or 
be cancelled, if marked Cancel On SNAP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) SNAP Eligible Orders received after the SNAP Order Acceptance 
Period.
    (iv) Cross orders.

The FIFO Queue is necessary because the immediate processing of most 
messages are suspended during the SNAP Cycle. The Exchange submits that 
the momentary delay of processing such messages is reasonable because 
the delay will be no longer than the approximate one second that it 
would take for the SNAP Cycle to be completed. In addition, market 
liquidity in the subject security would be enhanced by preserving such 
orders and reducing unnecessary order cancellations.
    Proposed subparagraph (D) provides that prior to being ranked on 
the SNAP CHX book, the following modifiers shall be deactivated for the 
subject security only:
    (i) CHX Only, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(b)(1)(C).
    (ii) Post Only, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(b)(1)(D).
    (iii) Do Not Route, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(b)(3)(A).
    (iv) Match Trade Prevention, as defined under Article 1, Rule 
2(b)(3)(F).
    (v) Always Quote, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(c)(1).
    (vi) Reserve Size, as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(c)(3).

Deactivating each of these modifiers is necessary so that SNAP Eligible 
Orders subject to a SNAP Cycle are handled in a manner which do not 
violate the terms of the specified order modifiers, as the SNAP Cycle 
requires all participating orders to be routable, undisplayed in whole 
and executable, without restriction.
    Specifically, the CHX Only, Post Only and Do Not Route modifiers 
\58\ must be deactivated because each of these modifiers, among other 
things, requires the order to be unroutable and, as discussed in detail 
below, the SNAP Price may require the routing of one or more orders to 
prevent improper trade-through(s) of Protected Quotations of external 
markets. In addition, the Always Quote and Reserve Size modifiers must 
be deactivated because each of these modifiers requires all or a 
portion of the order to be displayed, whereas all SNAP Eligible Orders 
must be fully-hidden during a SNAP Cycle.\59\ Also, the Match Trade 
Prevention (``MTP'') modifier must be deactivated because the MTP 
modifier will prevent the execution of certain orders that originate 
from the same MTP Trading Group or subgroup, whereas all participating 
SNAP Eligible Orders must be executable without condition.\60\ 
Incidentally, the Exchange proposes to amend Article 1, Rule 2 to 
provide that order modifiers listed under proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(D) shall not be active for a security that is subject to a SNAP 
Cycle, as described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \58\ CHX Only and Post Only orders are always handled ``Do Not 
Route,'' even if not marked Do Not Route. See CHX Article 1, Rule 
2(b)(1)(C) and (D).
    \59\ While precedent Reserve Size orders will not have a 
displayed portion during the SNAP Cycle, as all orders participating 
in a SNAP Cycle are fully-hidden, the Matching System will maintain 
the distinction between the displayed and reserved portions of 
Reserve Size orders for the purposes of ranking on the SNAP CHX 
book. See supra Section 4.
    \60\ The Exchange notes that the deactivation of the MTP 
modifier during the SNAP Cycle does not extinguish Participants' 
obligations regarding self-trades, pursuant to CHX Rules and 
securities laws and regulations. See e.g., CHX Article 9, Rule 9 
(Fictitious Transactions).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (E) provides that upon conclusion of the SNAP 
Order Acceptance Period, the Matching System shall take a snapshot of 
the Protected Quotation(s) of external market(s) in the subject 
security and determine whether or not the CHX Routing Services are 
available. If the snapshot of the Protected Quotation(s) of external 
market(s) in the subject security shows that a two-sided NBBO exists 
and the CHX Routing Services are available, the SNAP Cycle shall 
continue to the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction Period. This 
proposed subparagraph (E) market snapshot will serve as the basis for 
the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction Period, as described below.
    Alternatively, proposed subparagraph (F) provides that if the 
market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed subparagraph (E) above shows 
that a

[[Page 54338]]

two-sided NBBO does not exist or the CHX Routing Services are 
unavailable, the SNAP Cycle shall be aborted without any executions and 
the Matching System shall take another market snapshot of the Protected 
Quotation(s) of external market(s) in the subject security and 
immediately begin the stage five Transition to the Open Trading State, 
as described below.
    In sum, one or two market snapshots may be taken during the stage 
two Order Acceptance Period, depending on whether or not the SNAP Cycle 
was aborted during the stage two Order Acceptance Period. Specifically, 
if the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed subparagraph (E) 
shows that a two-sided NBBO exists and the CHX Routing Services are 
available, the Matching System would not take any additional market 
snapshots during the stage two Order Acceptance Period, as the SNAP 
Cycle would immediately continue to the stage three Pricing and 
Satisfaction Period. In such a case, a third market snapshot would be 
taken during either the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction Period or 
the stage four Order Matching Period, as applicable, as discussed 
below. However, if the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed 
subparagraph (E) shows that a two-sided NBBO does not exist or the CHX 
Routing Services are unavailable, the Matching System would immediately 
take a final market snapshot, pursuant to proposed subparagraph (F), 
abort the SNAP Cycle, skip stages three and four and enter the stage 
five Transition to the Open Trading State. Thus, there would always be 
a total of three market snapshots taken during the course of any given 
SNAP Cycle.\61\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \61\ See infra note 82.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Examples 3-4 below illustrate the various processes of the stage 
two SNAP Order Acceptance Period.\62\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \62\ See supra Section 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stage Three: Pricing and Satisfaction Period
    Upon the conclusion of the stage two SNAP Order Acceptance Period, 
the Matching System shall take the following actions, pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3):
     Process the remaining orders on the SNAP AOO Queue and 
finalize the SNAP CHX book.
     Determine the SNAP Price.
     Route orders away to satisfy Protected Quotations of 
external markets, if necessary.
    Proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3) provides that, if permitted, 
pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(2)(E), the Matching System will 
utilize the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed paragraph 
(b)(2)(E) to initiate the Pricing and Satisfaction Period by taking the 
actions described under proposed subparagraphs (A)-(C).
    Thereunder, proposed subparagraph (A) provides that the Matching 
System shall price all SNAP AOOs marked SNAP AOO--Pegged remaining on 
the SNAP AOO Queue, then rank such orders on the SNAP CHX book, 
pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(E). SNAP AOO--Pegged 
orders will be priced based on the market snapshot taken pursuant to 
proposed paragraph (b)(2)(E). Upon the completion of processing the 
remaining orders on the SNAP AOO Queue, the SNAP CHX book will be 
complete.
    Proposed subparagraph (B) provides that once the process described 
under proposed subparagraph (A) has been completed, the Matching System 
shall determine the SNAP Price, as defined under Article 1, Rule 
1(rr).\63\ If the SNAP Price cannot be determined, the Matching System 
shall take a snapshot of the Protected Quotation(s) of external 
market(s) in the subject security and the SNAP Cycle shall continue to 
the stage five Transition to the Open Trading State, as described 
below. The most obvious reason that a SNAP Price could not be 
determined is that there are no orders that could matched. Another 
reason why the SNAP Price could not be determined is if the limit order 
marked Start SNAP noted a SNAP minimum size condition, pursuant to 
proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(B), and the minimum size condition was 
not met. In such a case, the SNAP Price would not be in compliance with 
``CHX Rules,'' per the proposed definition. However, if the SNAP Price 
could be determined and one or more orders must be routed away, 
pursuant to proposed Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) and/or (5), the SNAP 
Cycle would continue to the Satisfaction Period, pursuant to proposed 
subparagraph (C). If no order routing is necessary, the SNAP Cycle 
shall continue to the stage four Order Matching Period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \63\ See supra Section 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    By definition, the SNAP Price will always be at a price that is in 
compliance with Rule 611 of Regulation NMS, LULD price bands and Rule 
201 of Regulation SHO or applicable exemptive relief.\64\ Specifically, 
the SNAP Price will be in compliance with Rule 611 of Regulation NMS 
through the routing of one or more Intermarket Sweep Orders (``ISOs'') 
to satisfy Protected Quotations of external markets, as necessary, 
pursuant to proposed subparagraph (C). Moreover, the SNAP Price will 
never be outside the LULD Price Bands.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \64\ See supra note 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The SNAP Price would also be in compliance with Rule 201 of 
Regulation SHO or applicable exemptive relief by ensuring that SNAP 
Eligible Orders marked Sell Short, as defined under Article 1, Rule 
2(b)(3)(D), in a covered security subject to the short sale price test 
restriction, would never participate in a SNAP execution if the SNAP 
Price were determined to be at or below the NBB ascertained from the 
market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(E).\65\ Specifically, such SNAP Eligible Orders marked Sell 
Short ranked on the SNAP CHX book will never have an executable price 
lower than one minimum price increment above the NBB ascertained from 
the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(E) because such SNAP Eligible Orders marked Sell Short with 
limit prices at or below that NBB would be repriced to one minimum 
price increment above that NBB, whereas such SNAP Eligible Orders 
marked Sell Short with limit prices at one minimum price increment 
above that NBB or higher would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book at their 
limit prices without being repriced.\66\ Thus, if the SNAP Price were 
ultimately determined to be at or below the NBB ascertained from the 
market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E),

[[Page 54339]]

such participating SNAP Eligible Orders marked Sell Short would not be 
able to execute at the SNAP Price. However, if the SNAP Price were 
determined to be at one price increment above the NBB ascertained from 
the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(E) or higher, such SNAP Eligible Orders marked Sell Short may 
execute at the SNAP Price, depending on their respective executable 
prices and rank on the SNAP CHX book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \65\ Id. Rule 201(b)(1) of Regulation SHO provides as follows: 
``A trading center shall establish, maintain, and enforce written 
policies and procedures reasonably designed to: (i) Prevent the 
execution or display of a short sale order of a covered security at 
a price that is less than or equal to the current national best bid 
if the price of that covered security decreases by 10% or more from 
the covered security's closing price as determined by the listing 
market for the covered security as of the end of regular trading 
hours on the prior day; and (ii) Impose the requirements of 
paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section for the remainder of the day and 
the following day when a national best bid for the covered security 
is calculated and disseminated on a current and continuing basis by 
a plan processor pursuant to an effective national market system 
plan. (iii) Provided, however, that the policies and procedures must 
be reasonably designed to permit: (A) The execution of a displayed 
short sale order of a covered security by a trading center if, at 
the time of initial display of the short sale order, the order was 
at a price above the current national best bid; and (B) The 
execution or display of a short sale order of a covered security 
marked `short exempt' without regard to whether the order is at a 
price that is less than or equal to the current national best bid.'' 
See ``Division of Trading and Markets: Responses to Frequency Asked 
Questions Concerning Rule 201 of Regulation SHO.'' U.S. Securities 
and Exchange Commission, 20 Jan. 2011. Web. 16 June 2014. <http://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/rule201faq.htm>; see also Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 50103 (July 28, 2004), 69 FR 48008 (August 
6, 2004) (``Short Sales'').
    \66\ See infra Section 6, Examples referring to ``Sell Order 
E.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In order to clarify how SNAP is designed to comply with Rule 201 of 
Regulation SHO or applicable exemptive relief, the Exchange proposes to 
amend Article 20, Rule 8(d)(4) (Rule 201 of Regulation SHO).\67\ 
Initially, the Exchange proposes to reorganize current Rule 8(d)(4) by 
creating subparagraphs (A) and (B). Proposed subparagraph (A) would 
contain the current rules concerning Rule 201 of Regulation SHO 
compliance during the Open Trading State, as well as the stage five 
Transition to the Open Trading State, as described under proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(5), whereas proposed subparagraph (B) would apply 
to Rule 201 of Regulation SHO compliance (or compliance with applicable 
exemptive relief) during the stage four Order Matching Period, as 
described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(4).\68\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ See supra note 10.
    \68\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, proposed subparagraph (A) provides that during the 
Open Trading State, as defined under proposed Article 1, Rule 1(qq), 
and the stage five Transition to the Open Trading State, as described 
under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(5), orders marked Sell Short in a 
covered security subject to the short sale price test restriction shall 
be handled as described thereunder. The contents of proposed 
subparagraphs (A)(i)-(iv) mirror current Article 20, Rule 8(d)(4).
    Proposed subparagraph (B) provides that during the stage four Order 
Matching Period of a SNAP Cycle, as described under proposed Article 
18, Rule 1(b)(4), in a covered security subject to the short sale price 
test restriction, participating SNAP Eligible Orders, as defined under 
Article 1, Rule 1(ss), marked Sell Short shall not be permitted to 
execute at prices at or below the NBB ascertained from the market 
snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E) and 
shall be handled as described thereunder.
    Proposed subparagraph (B)(i) provides that a SNAP Eligible Order 
marked Sell Short in a covered security subject to the short sale price 
test restriction, with a limit price at or below the NBB ascertained 
from the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(E), shall be repriced to one minimum price increment above that 
NBB for ranking purposes on the SNAP CHX book. A SNAP Eligible Order 
marked Sell Short in a covered security subject to the short sale price 
test restriction, with a limit price at one minimum price increment 
above the NBB ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E) or higher, shall be ranked on the 
SNAP CHX book at its limit price, without repricing. A SNAP Eligible 
Order marked Short Exempt, as defined under current Article 1, Rule 
2(b)(3)(E), in a covered security subject to the short sale price test 
restriction, shall be handled like a SNAP Eligible Order not marked 
Sell Short, as described under proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b). Also, a 
SNAP Eligible Orders marked Sell Short in a covered security subject to 
the short sale price test restriction will never be permitted to 
execute at prices at or below the NBB ascertained from the market 
snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E).
    Proposed subparagraph (B)(ii) provides that the Rule 
201(b)(1)(iii)(A) of Regulation SHO exception shall not apply to a SNAP 
Eligible Order marked Sell Short that is being transitioned to the SNAP 
CHX book and such an order shall be repriced, if necessary, pursuant to 
subparagraph (B)(i) above. This language clarifies that the Rule 
201(b)(1)(iii)(A) of Regulation SHO exception would not apply to a 
resting Sell Short order that had been transitioned to the SNAP CHX 
book because the order would no longer be displayed.
    Proposed subparagraph (B)(iii) provides that a limit order marked 
Start SNAP and Sell Short for a covered security subject to the short 
sale price test restriction shall not initiate a SNAP Cycle and shall 
be cancelled. This language mirrors the last sentence of proposed 
Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(A)(ii), which sets forth the pricing 
requirements for a limit order marked Start SNAP.\69\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ See supra Section 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(C) provides that if the SNAP 
Price requires the routing of one or more orders, pursuant to proposed 
Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) and/or (5), the Exchange's routing systems 
shall route away the necessary SNAP Eligible Orders, or portions 
thereof, based on their execution priority, pursuant to proposed 
paragraph (b)(4)(A). The Matching System shall then delay proceeding to 
the stage four Order Matching Period for 200 milliseconds or until all 
the confirmations for routed orders have been received from away 
market(s), whichever occurs first. Moreover, the unexecuted remainders 
of orders routed away pursuant to proposed Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) 
and/or (5) returned to the Matching System prior to the expiration of 
the Satisfaction Period during which the orders were routed away shall 
maintain their respective original execution priority within the SNAP 
CHX book,\70\ whereas such unexecuted remainders returned to the 
Matching System after the expiration of the Satisfaction Period during 
which the orders were routed away shall be handled pursuant to amended 
Article 20, Rule 8(b)(7), as discussed below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \70\ See infra Section 6, Examples 7 and 9 regarding ``Buy Order 
F.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The purpose of the Satisfaction Period, which includes the period 
of time during which orders are routed away pursuant to proposed 
Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) and/or (5) (``SNAP routed orders'') and the 
subsequent delay of up to 200 milliseconds, is to give away markets 
sufficient time to respond to the SNAP routed orders, so that any 
unexecuted SNAP routed orders would be included in the SNAP execution 
within the Matching System. If the Exchange receives confirmations 
concerning all SNAP routed orders prior to the expiration of the 200-
millisecond period, the SNAP Cycle will immediately move on to the 
stage four Order Matching Period. At the expiration of the 200-
millisecond time period, the SNAP Cycle will continue to the stage four 
Order Matching Period, even if the Exchange had not received 
confirmations for all SNAP routed orders. To the extent that the 
Exchange does not receive confirmation(s) for routed order(s) prior to 
the expiration of the 200 millisecond time period, the corresponding 
SNAP Eligible Order(s) would not participate in the instant SNAP Cycle. 
In such a case, upon the eventual receipt of the away execution or 
cancellation confirmation by the Matching System, the corresponding 
order(s) would be handled pursuant to amended Article 20, Rule 8(b)(7).
    While current Article 20, Rule 8(b)(7) addresses the priority of 
unexecuted remainders of routed orders returned to the Matching System, 
it does not address such priority in the context of the SNAP Cycle. 
Thus, the Exchange proposes to expand Article 20, Rule 8(b)(7) to 
provide that an unexecuted remainder of a routed order returned to the 
Matching System in one or more

[[Page 54340]]

parts shall be added to the existing balance of the related Routable 
Order already posted to the CHX book, the SNAP CHX book or the SNAP AOO 
Queue,\71\  as applicable. Moreover, if no balance exists at the time a 
part of an unexecuted remainder of a routed order is returned to the 
Matching System, it shall be treated as a new incoming order, subject 
to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(C). As discussed above, proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(C) provides, in pertinent part, that the 
unexecuted remainders of orders routed away pursuant to proposed 
Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) and/or (5) returned to the Matching System 
prior to the expiration of the Satisfaction Period during which the 
orders were routed away would maintain their respective original 
execution priority within the SNAP CHX book and, thus, would not be 
treated as new incoming orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \71\ For example, an unexecuted remainder of a partially routed 
SNAP AOO--Day returned to the Matching System after the conclusion 
of the SNAP Cycle during which the order was partially routed would 
be added to any existing unrouted and unexecuted balance of the same 
SNAP AOO--Day that was re-queued during the stage five transition 
the Open Trading State.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also proposes to adopt two new Routing Events, as 
proposed Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4) and (5). In sum, proposed Article 19, 
Rule 3(a)(4) is designed to prevent improper trade-through(s) in 
compliance with Regulation NMS, whereas proposed Article 19, Rule 
3(a)(5) is designed to increase the execution of participating SNAP 
Eligible Orders at the SNAP Price if they cannot be executed within the 
Matching System due to an order imbalance at the SNAP Price.\72\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \72\ Currently, Routable Orders may be routed away from the 
Exchange if a Routing Event, listed under Article 19, Rule 3(a) is 
triggered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, proposed paragraph (a)(4) provides that Routable 
Orders, or portions thereof, shall be routed away to permit SNAP 
Eligible Orders to be executed within the Matching System at the SNAP 
Price (``Routing Event #4'') in compliance with Regulation NMS.\73\ 
Orders routed away pursuant to this Routing Event #4 shall be priced at 
the SNAP Price, as opposed to the contra-side Protected Quotation 
price, so that the routed order would maximize the chance of executions 
at multiple price points. Moreover, where the SNAP Price is priced at a 
price increment smaller than the relevant minimum price increment 
(e.g., $10.005), the routed order shall be priced at the minimum price 
increment less aggressive than the SNAP Price.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ Incidentally, the Exchange proposes to amend Article 1, 
Rule 1(oo) defining ``Routable Order'' to add that during a SNAP 
Cycle, participating SNAP Eligible Orders are always Routable 
Orders.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed paragraph (a)(5) provides that Routable Orders, or 
portions thereof, shall be routed away so as to execute SNAP Eligible 
Orders at the SNAP Price against Protected Quotations of external 
markets priced at the SNAP Price that could not be matched within the 
Matching System during a SNAP Cycle (``Routing Events #5). Routing 
Event #5 addresses order imbalances on the SNAP CHX book at the SNAP 
Price by routing away orders, or portions thereof, that could not be 
executed within the Matching System, only if the contra-side Protected 
Quotation(s) of external market(s) are priced at the SNAP Price.
    Mechanically, similar to how routed orders are currently handled 
during the Open Trading State, SNAP Eligible Orders or portions thereof 
that have been routed away are placed in a pending state by the 
Exchange's routing systems. Away execution confirmations will result in 
the corresponding SNAP Eligible Order being released from the pending 
state as executed. Away cancellation confirmations, however, will be 
handled differently depending on when the confirmation was received. If 
the away cancellation confirmation is received during the Satisfaction 
Period, the corresponding SNAP Eligible Order would be released as 
cancelled and placed back in the SNAP CHX book at its original rank. If 
the away cancellation confirmation is received after the Satisfaction 
Period, but during the SNAP Cycle, or during a subsequent SNAP Cycle, 
the cancellation confirmation would be placed in the FIFO Queue for 
processing during the stage five Transition to the Open Trading State. 
If the away cancellation confirmation is received otherwise than during 
a SNAP Cycle, it shall be processed immediately upon receipt, as they 
are currently.
    Examples 5-8 illustrate the various processes of the stage three 
Pricing and Satisfaction Period.\74\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ See infra Section 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stage Four: Order Matching Period
    Upon the conclusion of the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction 
Period, proposed paragraph (b)(4) provides that orders remaining on the 
SNAP CHX book, if any, shall be matched at the SNAP Price.
    Proposed subparagraph (A) provides the execution priority of orders 
at the SNAP Price. Specifically, SNAP Eligible Orders with a Working 
Price at or more aggressive than the SNAP Price shall be executed in 
Working Price priority and if more than one such order shares the same 
Working Price, then as described under proposed Article 20, Rule 
8(b)(3).\75\ That is, orders will be executed according to their rank 
at the SNAP Price, except that orders with a more aggressive Working 
Price shall be executed first.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \75\ Compare e.g., BATS Exchange Rule 11.23(b)(2)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange utilizes the term ``Working Price,'' as opposed to 
``limit price'' or ``price,'' in discussing execution priority, so as 
to be clear that orders with a limit price through the LULD Price Bands 
or marked Sell Short with a limit price at or below the NBB during a 
short sale price test restriction, shall only receive execution 
priority based on the most aggressive price at which such orders could 
execute (i.e., Working Price) and not based on a limit price that could 
not be executable. For example, a SNAP Eligible buy order priced 
through the Upper Price Band would receive priority based on its 
Working Price, which is at the Upper Price Band, and a SNAP Eligible 
Order marked Sell Short with a limit price at or below the NBB 
ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 
18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E), during a short sale price test restriction of Rule 
201 of Regulation SHO, would be repriced, pursuant to proposed Article 
20, Rule 8(d)(4)(B)(i), and would receive priority based on its new 
price.\76\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \76\ See supra note 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It is important to note that during the Open Trading State, orders 
always execute at the Working Price of the resting order, pursuant to 
current Article 20, Rule 8(d)(1). However, as noted above, during a 
SNAP Cycle, participating SNAP Eligible Orders may execute at prices 
less aggressive than its Working Price. Thus, as an exception to 
current Article 20, Rule 8(d)(1), the Exchange proposes to amend 
Article 20, Rule 8(e)(2) to provide that during a SNAP Cycle, 
participating SNAP Eligible Orders shall be executed within the 
Matching System at the SNAP Price, pursuant to proposed Article 18, 
Rule 1(b)(4)(A). Incidentally, the Exchange proposes to amend the 
header to current Article 20, Rule 8(e) to provide that the amended 
rule addresses execution of certain orders, order types and auctions.
    Proposed subparagraph (B) provides that upon conclusion of the 
matching of orders at the SNAP Price, the Matching System shall then 
take a snapshot of the Protected Quotation(s) of external market(s) in 
the subject security. Similar to the market snapshot taken pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E),

[[Page 54341]]

this snapshot will be utilized for regulatory compliance purposes in 
transitioning to the Open Trading State.
    Example 9 illustrates the execution priority of the stage four 
Order Matching Period.\77\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \77\ See infra Section 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stage Five: Transition to the Open Trading State
    Upon conclusion of the stage two SNAP Order Acceptance Period or 
stage four Order Matching Period, as applicable, the Exchange shall 
take the following actions, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(5):
     Route away or cancel resting orders on the SNAP CHX book 
or transfer such resting orders to the CHX book or SNAP AOO Queue, as 
applicable, in preparation for the Open Trading State.
     Process the FIFO Queue.
     Notify the market that the SNAP has concluded and begin 
the normal dissemination of relevant market data in the subject 
security.
    Proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(5) provides that upon conclusion of 
stages two, three or four of the SNAP Cycle, the Matching System shall 
utilize the relevant market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed 
paragraph (b)(2)(E) or (F), (b)(3)(B) or (b)(4)(B), as applicable, to 
transition trading in the subject security to the Open Trading State by 
taking the actions described under proposed subparagraphs (A)-(C).
    Proposed subparagraph (A) provides that orders resting on the SNAP 
CHX book shall be transitioned to the CHX book and shall be ranked, 
pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(1); routed away, pursuant to 
Article 19, Rule 3(a); placed in the proposed SNAP AOO Queue, pursuant 
to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(2)(A), if the order is a SNAP AOO 
that may participate in a subsequent SNAP Cycle; or otherwise 
cancelled. All order modifiers attached to the SNAP Eligible Orders 
being transitioned to the CHX book that were deactivated shall be 
reactivated prior to transition to the CHX book.
    Proposed subparagraph (B) provides that once the process under 
subparagraph (A) has been completed, all messages queued under the FIFO 
Queue, as described under proposed paragraph (b)(2)(C), shall be 
processed as incoming messages in the order in which they were 
received.\78\ Thus, new orders that have been queued in the FIFO Queue 
may be ranked, cancelled, deactivated or routed, depending on the 
attached order modifiers and the relevant market snapshot.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ Messages queued in the FIFO Queue are not considered to 
have been received by the Matching System.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (C) provides that once the processes under 
proposed subparagraphs (A) and (B) have been completed, the Exchange 
will notify the market that the SNAP Cycle has concluded; publish CHX's 
Protected Quotation(s) in the subject security, if any; and begin the 
dissemination of relevant order information concerning orders resting 
on the CHX book, pursuant to current Article 4, Rule 1.\79\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \79\ See supra note 46.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 10 illustrates the various processes of the stage five 
Transition to the Open Trading State.\80\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \80\ See infra Section 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halt and Pause during a SNAP Cycle
    Proposed Article 18, Rule 1(c) outlines the interplay between the 
SNAP Cycle and trading halts or pauses that require the Exchange to 
suspend trading in the subject security (``material halt or 
pause'').\81\ Currently, the Exchange suspends trading in a subject 
security upon receipt of a material halt or pause messages from the 
securities information processor (``SIP''). Since the SNAP Cycle is a 
sub-second process and the Matching System only draws upon the SIP data 
at three different points in the SNAP Cycle,\82\ the Exchange proposes 
to require the SNAP Cycle to be aborted at those points if a material 
halt or pause is declared in the subject security and to unwind the 
SNAP Cycle in a manner consistent with current CHX Rules.\83\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ Certain trading halts initiated by away markets would be 
considered immaterial for the purposes of proposed CHX Article 18, 
Rule 1(c), because such a halt would not require the Exchange to 
cease trading in the subject security (e.g., technical problems at 
an away exchange which causes other exchanges to declare self-help).
    \82\ As discussed above, the Matching System will take three 
market snapshots during the SNAP Cycle based on SIP data of away 
markets. The first snapshot will be taken in validating the pricing 
requirement of a limit order marked Start SNAP, pursuant to proposed 
CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(A)(ii). The second snapshot will be 
taken to establish the SNAP Price and route orders, pursuant to 
proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E). The third snapshot will be 
taken to transition orders to the Open Trading State at one of three 
points during a SNAP Cycle, as applicable: -1- during the stage two 
Order Acceptance Period, pursuant to proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(2)(F), if a two-sided NBBO does not exist or the CHX Routing 
Services are unavailable; -2- during the stage three Pricing and 
Satisfaction Period, pursuant to proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(3)(B), if a SNAP Price could not be determined; or during the 
stage four Order Matching Period, pursuant to proposed CHX Article 
18, Rule 1(b)(4)(B), after the matching of orders at the SNAP Price.
    \83\ The Exchange has two different processes for addressing 
material halts or pauses. LULD trading pauses are addressed pursuant 
to CHX Article 20, Rule 2A(c), whereas all other material halts or 
pauses are addressed pursuant to paragraph .02 of CHX Article 20, 
Rule 1. The Exchange also has the authority to cancel orders within 
the Matching System, pursuant to CHX Article 20, Rule 12(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed paragraph (c) provides that if a material halt or pause is 
in effect for a subject security at the time a limit order marked Start 
SNAP is received, a SNAP Cycle shall not be initiated. In the event a 
material halt or pause has been declared for the subject security 
during a SNAP Cycle, the Exchange shall take the actions as described 
thereunder, as applicable.
    Proposed paragraph (c)(1) provides that during either -1- a LULD 
Trading Pause or -2- a material halt or pause other than a LULD Trading 
Pause, the Exchange shall take the steps as described under 
subparagraphs (A)-(C), as applicable.
    Subparagraph (A) (During stages one or two) provides that if the 
market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(2)(E) or (F) 
indicates that a material halt or pause is in effect, the SNAP Cycle 
shall be aborted and not proceed to stage three or stage five, as 
applicable. The Exchange shall then either:
    (i) cancel all orders resting on the SNAP CHX book, subject to 
proposed paragraph (c)(2) below, for a LULD Trading Pause; or
    (ii) cancel all resting orders received during the SNAP Order 
Acceptance Period that have been ranked on the SNAP CHX book, but 
otherwise maintain all other resting orders not marked Cancel On Halt, 
as defined under Article 1, Rule 2(b)(1)(B), subject to proposed 
paragraph (c)(2) below and Article 20, Rule 12(a),\84\ for a material 
halt or pause other than an LULD Trading Pause.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ CHX Article 20, Rule 12(a) permits the Exchange to cancel 
orders as it deems to be necessary to maintain fair and orderly 
markets if, among other places, a technical or systems issue occurs 
at the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (A)(i) is consistent with the current LULD 
Trading Pause rules, which requires the Exchange to cancel all orders 
resting on the CHX book during a LULD Trading Pause.\85\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \85\ See CHX Article 20, Rule 2A(c)(3)(A).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (A)(ii) is consistent with the current rules 
for a material halt or pause other than an LULD Trading Pause, which 
permits the Exchange to maintain all orders within the Matching System 
during a material halt or pause other than a LULD Trading Pause.\86\ 
Since the SNAP CHX book could be locked and/or crossed after the 
conclusion of the stage two SNAP Order Acceptance Period, the Exchange 
proposes to unlock or uncross the SNAP

[[Page 54342]]

CHX book by cancelling all orders received during the SNAP Order 
Acceptance Period, subject to proposed paragraph (c)(2) and Article 20, 
Rule 12(a). Thus, an uncrossed book would be achieved by essentially 
reverting to the state of the CHX book at the time the SNAP Cycle was 
initiated because the CHX book is never locked or crossed during the 
Open Trading State.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \86\ See paragraph .02 of CHX Article 20, Rule 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Subparagraph (B) (During stages three or four) provides that if the 
market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(3)(B) or 
paragraph (b)(4)(B) indicates that a material halt or pause is in 
effect for the subject security, the SNAP Cycle shall be aborted and 
will not proceed to stage five. The Exchange shall then either:
    (i) Cancel the unexecuted remainders of all orders resting on the 
SNAP CHX book, subject to paragraph (c)(2) below, for a LULD Trading 
Pause; or
    (ii) maintain all unexecuted resting orders not marked Cancel On 
Halt, subject to paragraph (c)(2) below and Article 20, Rule 12(a),\87\ 
for a material halt or pause other than an LULD Trading Pause; 
provided, however, that if the SNAP Price could not be determined, 
pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(3)(B) above, resting orders will be 
handled pursuant to proposed subparagraph (A)(ii) above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \87\ See supra note 84.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (B)(i) is consistent with the current LULD 
Trading Pause rules, which requires the Exchange to cancel all orders 
resting on the CHX book during a LULD Trading Pause.\88\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \88\ See supra note 83.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (B)(ii) is consistent with the current rules 
for a material halt or pause other than an LULD Trading Pause, which 
permits the Exchange to maintain all orders within the Matching System 
during a material halt or pause other than a LULD Trading Pause.\89\ 
While a SNAP Cycle that was completed through the stage four Order 
Matching Period would always result in an unlocked and uncrossed SNAP 
CHX book, a SNAP Cycle that was aborted due to an inability to 
determine a SNAP Price, pursuant to proposed paragraph (b)(3)(B), could 
result in a locked or crossed SNAP CHX book (e.g., the SNAP Price did 
not meet the SNAP minimum execution size condition). Thus, in such a 
case, the Exchange proposes to handle order cancellations pursuant to 
proposed subparagraph (A)(ii), as discussed above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ See paragraph .02 of CHX Article 20, Rule 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed subparagraph (C) provides that any subsequent material 
halt or pause shall be handled pursuant to the relevant CHX Rules.\90\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \90\ See supra note 83.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed paragraph (c)(2) (SNAP AOOs) provides an exception for 
SNAP AOOs from the order cancellation requirements of proposed 
paragraph (c)(1). It provides that upon initiation of a material halt 
or pause, all SNAP AOOs not marked Cancel On Halt or otherwise 
cancelled by the order sender that are -1- on the SNAP AOO Queue or -2- 
resting on the SNAP CHX book and may be re-queued on the SNAP AOO 
Queue,\91\ shall remain or be re-queued on the SNAP AOO Queue, as 
applicable, and not cancelled.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3)(A) and (B).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed paragraph (c)(3) (FIFO Queue) provides that upon the 
initiation of a material halt or pause, the FIFO Queue shall be 
processed until exhausted. The FIFO Queue must be processed because 
messages on the FIFO Queue are not considered to have been received by 
the Matching System until they are sent to the Matching System. Thus, 
the FIFO Queue messages will be handled as incoming messages and 
processed pursuant to proposed paragraphs (c)(4) and (c)(5).
    Proposed paragraph (c)(4) (Incoming orders) provides that upon 
initiation of a material halt or pause and for the remainder of the 
material halt or pause, all incoming orders shall be rejected; 
provided, however, that incoming SNAP AOOs shall be placed on the SNAP 
AOO Queue, if the material halt or pause is not the result of a systems 
issue at the Exchange. That is, if the material halt or pause is the 
result of a systems issue at the Exchange, all incoming orders shall be 
rejected, without exception.
    Proposed paragraph (c)(5) (Incoming cancel messages) provides that 
incoming cancel messages and the cancel component of cancel/replace 
messages shall be immediately processed during a material halt or 
pause. The replace component of a cancel/replace message, which is a 
new incoming order, would be ignored, pursuant to proposed paragraph 
(c)(4).
    In light of the proposed paragraph (c), the Exchange proposes to 
amend paragraph .02 of Article 20, Rule 1 and Article 20, Rule 2A(c)(3) 
to provide that the actions described thereunder are subject to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(c), as the current rules do not contemplate 
special treatment for SNAP AOOs or the SNAP AOO Queue. The Exchange 
also proposes to clarify that the provisions of paragraph .02 of 
Article 20, Rule 1 only apply to halts or pauses, ``which requires the 
Exchange to suspend trading in the issue, other than a LULD Trading 
Pause.'' \92\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \92\ See supra note 81.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 5 illustrates how a trading halt or pause may abort a SNAP 
Cycle in progress.
SECTION SIX: Examples
    The following Examples are illustrative of the SNAP Cycle, but do 
not exhaustively depict every possible scenario during a SNAP Cycle. 
Moreover, the charts used herein are illustrative and do not 
necessarily depict the actual technical processes involved in sorting 
orders.
    Example 1: Precedent Orders. Assume that the NBBO for security XYZ 
is $10.00 x $10.01 and the short sale price test restriction is in 
effect. Assume that the CHX book is empty. Assume also that the 
Protected Quotations of external markets in security XYZ is as follows:
     Protected Bid A at Exchange 1 displaying 500 shares at 
$10.00.
     Protected Offer A at Exchange 2 displaying 500 shares at 
$10.01.
     Protected Offer B at Exchange 3 displaying 500 shares at 
$10.02.

Assume then that the Exchange receives orders in security XYZ at 10:59 
a.m. during the Open Trading State in the following sequence:

     Buy Order A for 5000 shares priced at $10.00/share marked 
Reserve Size, with 1000 displayed and 4000 reserved.
     Buy Order B for 100 shares priced at $10.04/share marked 
CHX Only,\93\ price slid to a Working Price of $10.01 and displayed at 
$10.00.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \93\ See CHX Article 1, Rule 2(b)(3)(C).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Buy Order C for 100 shares priced at $9.99/share marked 
Cancel On SNAP.
     Sell Order A for 200 shares priced at $10.03/share.
     Sell Order B for 3,000 shares priced at $10.00/share 
marked SNAP AOO--Day and SNAP AOO--Pegged--Midpoint.

Under this Example 1, Buy Orders A through C and Sell Order A would be 
immediately posted to the CHX book and ranked in the CHX book pursuant 
to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(1)(A)-(C) (i.e., current Article 20, 
Rule 8(b)(1)-(3)). However, Sell Order B would be placed in the SNAP 
AOO Queue, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(2)(A), and not 
immediately ranked, as SNAP AOOs are never active during the Open 
Trading State.
    Example 2: Initiating the SNAP Cycle. Assume the same as Example 1. 
Assume that at 11:00 a.m., the Matching System receives the following 
order:
     Buy Order D for 25,000 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.02/share

[[Page 54343]]

marked Start SNAP with a minimum SNAP execution size condition noted.
    Assume also that the CHX Routing Services are available and 
operational.
    Under this Example 2, Buy Order D would initiate a SNAP Cycle in 
security XYZ because Buy Order D meets the size, price, time and 
routing availability requirements of proposed Article 1, Rule 
2(h)(1)(A). Thus, the Matching System would validate Buy Order D. The 
Exchange would then take the actions as described under proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(1).
    The Matching System would then begin the stage two SNAP Order 
Acceptance Period, pursuant to Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2), as follows:
     All order modifiers listed under proposed subparagraph (D) 
would be deactivated.
     Buy Order A would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book. The 1000 
displayed shares would be ranked at each price point up to its limit 
price of $10.00, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(A), 
while the remaining undisplayed 4000 reserved shares would be ranked at 
each price point up to its limit price of $10.00, pursuant to proposed 
Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(B).
     Buy Order B would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book at each 
price point up to its limit price of $10.04, pursuant to proposed 
Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(A). In doing so, Buy Order B would be unslid 
from its previous Working Price of $10.00 because the CHX Only modifier 
would be deactivated prior to the order being ranked on the SNAP CHX 
book.
     Buy Order C would be cancelled because it is ineligible 
for SNAP.
     Sell Order A would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book at each 
price point down to its limit price of $10.03, pursuant to proposed 
Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(A).
     Sell Order B would remain on the SNAP AOO Queue, as SNAP 
AOOs marked SNAP AOO--Pegged are only ranked on the SNAP CHX book 
during the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction Period, pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(A).
     Buy Order D would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book at each 
price point up to its limit price of $10.02, pursuant to proposed 
Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(D).
    Thus, the SNAP CHX book for security XYZ is now as follows:

                                                   SNAP CHX Book and Away Protected Quotes--Example 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Buy orders                                                                         Sell orders
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total buy    Total buy                 Total sell   Total sell   Total CHX    Total away
                                                   Total CHX   size better  size at and  Price point  size at and  size better   sell size    sell size
       Total away buy size at price point         buy size at   than price  better than               better than   than price    at price     at price
                                                  price point     point     price point               price point     point        point        point
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                                           0            0            0        10.05        1,200        1,200            0            0
0                                                         100            0          100        10.04        1,200        1,200            0            0
0                                                           0          100          100        10.03        1,200        1,000          200            0
0                                                      25,000          100       25,100        10.02        1,000          500            0          500
0                                                           0       25,100       25,100        10.01          500            0            0          500
500                                                     5,000       25,100       30,600        10.00            0            0            0            0
0                                                           0       30,600       30,600         9.99            0            0            0            0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 3: SNAP Order Acceptance Period. Assume the same as Example 
2 and the eligible same day last sale in security XYZ was priced at 
$10.01. Assume then that during the SNAP Order Acceptance Period, the 
Exchange receives the following orders in security XYZ:
     Buy Order E for 5,000 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.03/share marked SNAP AOO--Day.
     Sell Order C for 25,000 shares of security XYZ at $10.00/
share marked Start SNAP.
     Sell Order D for 100 shares of security XYZ at market.
     Sell Order E for 100 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.00/share marked Sell Short and Do Not Display.
     Buy Order F for 2,500 shares of security XYZ marked SNAP 
AOO--One And Done and SNAP AOO--Pegged--Market (+ three minimum price 
increments more aggressive).
    The Exchange would handle the orders as follows:
     Buy Order E would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book at each 
price point up to its limit price of $10.03, pursuant to Article 20, 
Rule 8(b)(3)(E).
     Sell Order C would not trigger a SNAP Cycle because it was 
received during an ongoing SNAP Cycle, pursuant to proposed Article 1, 
Rule 2(h)(1)(A)(iii). However, Sell Order C would nevertheless join the 
SNAP Cycle in progress, pursuant to proposed Article 1, Rule 
2(h)(1)(C), because it meets the minimum size requirement for SNAP 
AOOs, pursuant to proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3). Thus, Sell Order C 
would be handled as SNAP AOO--One And Done and would be ranked on the 
SNAP CHX book at each price point down to its limit price of $10.00.
     Sell Order D would be immediately cancelled by the 
Matching System because it is a market order and, thus, not a SNAP 
Eligible Order.
     Sell Order E would be ranked on the SNAP CHX book, 
pursuant to Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3)(E), at each price point down to 
its Working Price of $10.01 and not its limit price of $10.00, pursuant 
to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(d)(4)(B)(i), because it is a Sell Short 
order priced at the NBB during a short sale price test restriction in a 
covered security. This would be achieved by repricing Sell Order E from 
$10.00 to $10.01.
     Buy Order F would be placed on the SNAP AOO Queue, 
pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(2)(A), as SNAP AOOs marked 
SNAP AOO--Pegged are only ranked on the SNAP CHX book during the stage 
three Pricing and Satisfaction Period, pursuant to proposed Article 18, 
Rule 1(b)(3)(A).
    Thus, the SNAP AOO Queue for security XYZ is as follows:

                        SNAP AOO Queue--Example 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................................  Sell Order B.
2.........................................  Buy Order F.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 4: FIFO Queue. Assume the same as Example 3. Assume then 
that during the SNAP Order Acceptance Period, the Exchange receives the 
following messages in order:
     Cancel Buy Order B.
     Cross Order A for 100,000 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.01/share.
    Under this Example 4, the Exchange will place Cancel Buy Order B 
and Cross Order A in the FIFO Queue, pursuant to proposed Article 18, 
Rule

[[Page 54344]]

1(b)(2)(C), in the order in which they were received.
    Thus, the FIFO Queue for security XYZ is as follows:

                          FIFO Queue--Example 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................................  Cancel.
                                            Buy Order B.
2.........................................  Cross Order A.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Example 5: SNAP AOO Queue Processing. Assume the same as Example 4 
and that the SNAP Order Acceptance Period ends without any additional 
orders received. Assume also that the market snapshot taken of security 
XYZ, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E), remains 
unchanged from Example 1.
    Assuming that the market snapshot does not indicate that a material 
halt or pause has been issued in the security and that the CHX Routing 
Services are available, the SNAP Cycle would continue to the stage 
three Pricing and Satisfaction Period.
    Thus, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(A), the 
Matching System would utilize that single market snapshot and process 
the SNAP AOO Queue and rank such orders on the SNAP CHX book as 
follows:
     Sell Order B would be processed first and since Sell Order 
B is marked SNAP AOO--Midpoint, the Matching System will utilize the 
latest market snapshot to determine the NBBO midpoint price of $10.005. 
Since $10.005 is less aggressive than the stated limit price of Sell 
Order B of $10.00, pursuant to proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3)(C), the 
Matching System will rank all 3,000 shares of Sell Order B at each 
price point down to $10.005.
     Buy Order F would then be processed and since Buy Order F 
is marked SNAP AOO--Market (+ three minimum price increments more 
aggressive) and does not have an optional limit price noted, the 
Matching System will rank all 2,500 shares of Buy Order F at each price 
point up to three minimum price increments more aggressive than the 
NBO, which is $10.04.
    Thus, the SNAP CHX book for security XYZ is now as follows:

                                                   SNAP CHX Book and Away Protected Quotes--Example 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Buy orders                                                                         Sell orders
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total buy    Total buy                 Total sell   Total sell   Total CHX    Total away
                                                   Total CHX   size better  size at and  Price Point  size at and  size better   sell size    sell size
       Total away buy size at price point         buy size at   than price  better than               better than   than price    at price     at price
                                                  price point     point     price point               price point     point        point        point
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                                           0            0            0        10.05       29,300       29,300            0            0
0                                                       2,600            0        2,600        10.04       29,300       29,300            0            0
0                                                       5,000        2,600        7,600        10.03       29,300       29,100          200            0
0                                                      25,000        7,600       32,600        10.02       29,100       28,600            0          500
0                                                           0       32,600       32,600        10.01       28,600       28,000          100          500
0                                                           0       32,600       32,600       10.005       28,000       25,000        3,000            0
500                                                     5,000       32,600       38,100        10.00       25,000            0       25,000            0
0                                                           0       38,100       38,100         9.99            0            0            0            0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If, however, the market snapshot indicated that a relevant trading 
halt or pause was issued in the subject security, the SNAP Cycle would 
not continue to the stage three Pricing and Satisfaction Period and the 
SNAP would be unwound pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(c). 
Similarly, if the CHX Routing Services were not available at the 
conclusion of the stage two SNAP Order Acceptance Period, the SNAP 
Cycle would immediately proceed to the stage five Transition to the 
Open Trading State.
    Example 6: SNAP Price and Minimum Size Condition. Assume the same 
as Example 5.
    The Matching System will now attempt to establish the SNAP Price, 
pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(B). Pursuant to proposed 
Article 1, Rule 1(rr), the SNAP Price is a single price at which the 
greatest number of shares may be executed during a SNAP Cycle, which 
would not trade-through any more aggressively priced orders on either 
side of the market. The size requirement is inclusive of all executions 
that may result during the SNAP Cycle, which would include executions 
within and without the Matching System.
    Under this Example 6, the SNAP Price is determined by ascertaining 
the price point with the greatest number of shares that may be 
executed. Pursuant to the Example 5 chart, that price point would be 
$10.02, with 29,100 executable shares (i.e., 1,000 executable shares 
away and 28,100 executable shares within the Matching System).
    The next step would be to ensure that no orders priced more 
aggressively than $10.02 on the SNAP CHX book would be traded-through 
by verifying that -1- the total buy size at and better than $10.02, 
minus away size, is equal to or greater than the total sell size better 
than $10.02 (i.e., 32,600 >= 28,600) and -2- the total sell size at and 
better than $10.02, minus away size, is equal to or greater than the 
total buy size better than $10.02 (i.e., 28,100 >= 7,600). Thus, the 
total executable size within the Matching System on one side of the 
market will cover all orders that must be executed within the Matching 
System on the other side of the market to avoid an impermissible trade-
through of the CHX book and Protected Quotations of external markets. 
This requirement is satisfied at $10.02.
    Since Buy Order D noted a minimum SNAP execution size condition, 
the SNAP Price will only be $10.02, if the size requirement, as 
described under proposed Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(B), is met.
    Under this Example 6, the sum of the minimum number of shares that 
could be executed within the Matching System (i.e., 28,100), plus all 
shares that are to be routed away (i.e., 1,000 shares), equals 29,100 
shares, which is greater than the minimum size requirement that was 
necessary to trigger the instant SNAP Cycle (i.e., (a) at least 2,500 
shares and minimum aggregate notional value of $250,000 or (b) at least 
20,000 shares with no minimum aggregate notional value requirement). 
Thus, the minimum size condition is met and the SNAP Price will be 
$10.02.
    Example 7: Satisfaction Period. Assume the same as Example 6. Since 
execution at the SNAP Price of $10.02 would result in one or more 
orders, or portions thereof, to be routed away (i.e., to satisfy 
Protected Offers A and B), the SNAP Cycle will enter the Satisfaction

[[Page 54345]]

Period prior to matching orders within the Matching System at the SNAP 
Price.
    Pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(3)(C), orders to be 
routed away would be selected based on their execution priority, in a 
manner consistent with proposed Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4). After routing 
orders away, the Matching System will delay executing the 28,100 shares 
within the Matching System for 200 milliseconds or until all 
confirmations are received from away markets, whichever is sooner.
    Under this Example 7, execution priority on the buy side is as 
follows:
     Buy Order B for 100 shares, with a Working Price of 
$10.04.
     Buy Order F for 2,500 shares, with a Working Price of 
$10.04.
     Buy Order E for 5,000 shares with a Working Price of 
$10.03.
     Buy Order D for 25,000 shares, with a Working Price of 
$10.02.
    Whereas, execution priority on the sell side is as follows:
     Sell Order C for 25,000 shares, with a Working Price of 
$10.00.
     Sell Order B for 3,000 shares, with a Working Price of 
$10.005.
     Sell Order E for 100 shares, with a Working Price of 
$10.01.
    Pursuant to proposed Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4), the Exchange's 
routing systems would route away one corresponding routing buy order 
for 500 shares of security XYZ priced at $10.02/share to execute 
against the 500 displayed shares of Protected Offer A at $10.01, 
representing 100 shares of Buy Order B and 400 shares of Buy Order F 
(``Routed Order A''). In addition, pursuant to proposed Article 19, 
Rule 3(a)(5), the Exchange's routing systems would route away one 
corresponding routing buy order for 500 shares of security XYZ priced 
at $10.02/share to execute against the 500 displayed shares of 
Protected Offer B at $10.02, representing the next 500 shares of Buy 
Order F (``Routed Order B'').
    During the Satisfaction Period, the routed portions of Buy Orders B 
and F will enter a pending state on the Exchange's routing systems. The 
routed portions of Buy Orders B and F will be released as either 
executed or cancelled, depending on the confirmation returned from the 
away market.
    Assume then that within the Satisfaction Period, the Matching 
System receives an order execution confirmation for Routed Order A and 
a cancellation confirmation for Routed Order B. In this case, -1- all 
100 shares of Buy Order B and -2- 400 shares of Buy Order F represented 
by Routed Order A would be released as executed. However, the 500 
shares of Buy Order F represented by Routed Order B would be released 
as unexecuted and would join the existing balance of Buy Order F at its 
original rank on the SNAP CHX book.
    Example 8: SNAP Eligible Order received after SNAP Order Acceptance 
Period. Assume the same as Example 7 and that during the Satisfaction 
Period, the Exchange receives the following orders:
     Buy Order G for 100 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.03/share.
     Sell Order F for 100 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.02/share marked Post Only.
     Buy Order H for 5,000 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.02/share marked SNAP AOO--One And Done.
     Buy Order I for 100 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.03/share.
     Buy Order J for 100 shares of security XYZ priced at 
$10.02/share marked IOC.
    Pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(B)(i), incoming SNAP 
Eligible Orders that are received after the SNAP Order Acceptance 
Period, but during a SNAP Cycle, will be placed in the FIFO Queue, 
pursuant to proposed subparagraph (C). Pursuant to proposed Article 18, 
Rule 1(b)(2)(B)(ii), incoming non-SNAP Eligible Orders will be 
immediately cancelled.
    Since Buy Orders G-I and Sell Order F are SNAP Eligible Orders, 
they will all be placed in the FIFO Queue, which is now as follows:

                          FIFO Queue--Example 8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........................................  Cancel.
                                            Buy Order B.
2.........................................  Cross Order A.
3.........................................  Buy Order G.
4.........................................  Sell Order F.
5.........................................  Buy Order H.
6.........................................  Buy Order I.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Buy Order J will be immediately cancelled because it is non-SNAP 
Eligible Order by virtue of its IOC designation.
    Example 9: Order Matching. Assume the same as Example 8.
    Upon conclusion of the Satisfaction Period, the SNAP Cycle would 
continue to the stage four Order Matching Period and execute 28,100 
shares within the Matching System at the SNAP Price of $10.02, in the 
following priority, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(4)(A):
    Under this Example 9, execution priority on the buy side is as 
follows:
     Buy Order F for the remaining 2,100 shares.
     Buy Order E for all 5,000 shares.
     Buy Order D for 21,000 shares, with 4,000 shares remaining 
unexecuted.\94\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \94\ Note that while the minimum execution size condition of 
25,000 shares was met, Buy Order D received an execution size less 
than the minimum. This may result if there are orders on the SNAP 
CHX book, on the same side of the market as a Start SNAP order, that 
have more aggressive Working Prices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Whereas, execution priority on the sell side is as follows:
     Sell Order C for 25,000 shares.
     Sell Order B for 3,000 shares.
     Sell Order E for 100 shares.
    These orders are matched by the Matching System and each trade is 
reported first to the appropriate SIP and then to the parties of each 
side of the trade as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Number of
                   Buy order                               Sell order                 shares        Trade price
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F.............................................  C...............................           2,100           10.02
E.............................................  C...............................           5,000           10.02
D.............................................  C...............................          17,900           10.02
D.............................................  E...............................             100           10.02
D.............................................  B...............................           3,000           10.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Thus, the SNAP CHX book after execution at the SNAP Price would be 
as follows:

[[Page 54346]]

                                                   SNAP CHX Book and Away Protected Quotes--Example 9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Buy orders                                                                         Sell orders
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total buy    Total buy                 Total sell   Total sell   Total CHX    Total away
                                                   Total CHX   size better  size at and  Price point  size at and  size better   sell size    sell size
       Total away buy size at price point         buy size at   than price  better than               better than   than price    at price     at price
                                                  price point     point     price point               price point     point        point        point
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0                                                           0            0            0        10.05          200          200            0            0
0                                                           0            0            0        10.04          200          200            0            0
0                                                           0            0            0        10.03          200            0          200            0
                                                                                                                                        (A)
0                                                   4,000 (D)            0        4,000        10.02            0            0            0            0
0                                                           0        4,000        4,000        10.01            0            0            0            0
0                                                           0        4,000        4,000       10.005            0            0            0            0
0                                                   5,000 (A)        4,000        9,000        10.00            0            0            0            0
0                                                           0        9,000        9,000         9.99            0            0            0            0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The only remaining orders are the unexecuted balance of Buy Order 
D, Buy Order A and Sell Order A.
    Example 10: Transition to Open Trading State. Assume the same as 
Example 9. Assume also that after executing the orders within the 
Matching System at the SNAP Price, the Matching System takes another 
market snapshot of security XYZ, pursuant to proposed Article 18, Rule 
1(b)(4)(B), which shows that the NBBO for security XYZ is now $10.02 x. 
$10.03. Assume also that the Protected Quotations of away markets in 
security XYZ is as follows:
     Protected Bid B on Exchange 4 displaying 100 shares at 
$10.02.
     Protected Offer C on Exchange 5 displaying 100 shares at 
$10.03.
    Under this Example 10, the Matching System will utilize the above 
market snapshot in security XYZ to transition the remaining unexecuted 
resting orders on the SNAP CHX book to the CHX book, pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(5)(A), as follows:
     Buy Order A would post to the CHX book at $10.00, with the 
1,000 displayed shares ranked, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 
8(b)(1)(A), and the 4,000 undisplayed reserved shares ranked, pursuant 
to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(1)(B).
     Sell Order A would post to the CHX book at $10.03 and 
ranked, pursuant to proposed Article 20, Rule 8(b)(1)(A).
     Buy Order D would be cancelled as limit orders marked 
Start SNAP are never eligible for the Open Trading State.
    The Matching System will then process the FIFO Queue, pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(5)(B), as follows:
     Cancel Buy Order B message would have no effect because 
Buy Order B was fully executed during the stage three Satisfaction 
Period.\95\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \95\ See supra Example 7.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Cross Order A would be cancelled because execution at the 
crossing price of $10.01 would result in an impermissible trade-through 
of Protected Bid B at $10.02, in violation of Rule 611 of Regulation 
NMS.
     Buy Order G would execute against 100 shares of Sell Order 
A at $10.03, leaving Sell Order A with 100 shares at $10.03.
     Sell Order F would be cancelled pursuant to its Post Only 
designation because it would impermissible lock the NBO at $10.02 and 
it is not routable.
     Buy Order H would be placed in the SNAP AOO Queue, since 
it was received after the SNAP Order Acceptance Period and is, thus, 
eligible for the next SNAP Cycle that is initiated.
     Buy Order I would execute against the remaining 100 shares 
of Sell Order A at $10.03.
    Thus, the only remaining order on the CHX book is Buy Order A for 
5,000 shares (i.e., 1,000 displayed and 4,000 undisplayed) at $10.00.
    Immediately after the FIFO Queue has been processed, pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(5)(C), the Exchange will notify the 
market that the SNAP has concluded; publish its Protected Bid at $10.00 
for 1,000 shares; and begin dissemination of information through the 
CHX Book Feed, including information regarding the displayable portions 
of all orders posted to the CHX book (i.e., 1,000 displayed shares of 
Buy Order A).
SECTION SEVEN: Market Maker Requirements
    The Exchange does not propose to include any market making 
requirements with regards to SNAP. Pursuant to current Article 16, Rule 
8, Participant Market Makers in a security are required to maintain 
two-sided quotes in the security and to meet certain pricing 
obligations concerning such quotes, during the regular trading session. 
As such, the current requirements would only be applicable during the 
Open Trading State, which is the only time during the regular trading 
session when quotes would be displayed and automatically executable. 
Thus, the current requirements are inapplicable to SNAP Cycles because 
quotes are never displayed and never automatically executable during a 
SNAP Cycle. Moreover, in light of the substantial size and aggressive 
pricing requirements to initiate a SNAP Cycle, the Exchange does not 
believe it appropriate, at this time, to propose additional 
requirements for Participant Market Makers with regards to SNAP.
    Thus, the Exchange proposes to amend Article 16, Rule 8(a) to 
provide that the current two-sided quote and pricing obligations for 
Participant Market Makers only apply during the Open Trading State. 
Incidentally, the Exchange proposes to amend an obsolete reference to 
``member'' with the more accurate ``Participant,'' under paragraph 
(a)(1).
SECTION EIGHT: Operative Date
    In the event the proposed rule change is approved by the SEC, the 
Exchange proposes to make the proposed rule change operative pursuant 
to two weeks' notice by the Exchange to its Participants via Regulatory 
Notice. Prior to the operative date, the Exchange will ensure that 
policies and procedures are in place to allow Exchange operations 
personnel to effectively monitor the use of the SNAP functionality. The 
Exchange will also ensure that any special notices required pursuant to 
the proposed rule change will be made to Participants, including 
notices regarding securities that will not be eligible for SNAP.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with

[[Page 54347]]

Section 6(b) of the Act in general,\96\ and furthers the objectives of 
section 6(b)(5) in particular,\97\ in that it is designed to promote 
just and equitable principles of trade, to foster cooperation and 
coordination with persons engaged in facilitating transactions in 
securities, to remove impediments and perfect the mechanisms of a free 
and open market, and, in general, to protect investors and the public 
interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \96\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \97\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that SNAP will further the objectives of 
section 6(b)(5) of the Act precisely because it will address a market 
need, as noted by Chair White, for a trading service that deemphasizes 
speed as a key to trading success in order to further serve the 
interests of investors,\98\ which will operate in compliance with 
Regulation NMS and Rule 201 of Regulation SHO or applicable exemptive 
relief.\99\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \98\ See supra note 7.
    \99\ See supra note 10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In recent years, market participants seeking to trade securities in 
bulk have largely avoided exchanges due to a lack of trading services 
that sufficiently minimize the downside of exposing large orders to the 
market, which may include unfavorable market activity in response to 
the posting of a large displayed order and insufficient displayed 
liquidity, both of which result in inadequate price discovery for bulk 
orders. It is a vicious cycle: Market participants seeking to execute 
bulk orders in whole at marketable or even hypermarketable prices are 
frequently unable to find sufficient liquidity on exchanges, whereas 
market participants wishing to provide bulk liquidity to the market are 
unwilling to display such orders on an exchange due to the inevitable 
and unfavorable market activity to follow.
    The Exchange believes that the key to bulk trading success on an 
exchange is a functionality that momentarily consolidates trading 
interest in a security in one place, while automated trading in the 
security continues elsewhere in the national market system, and to 
permit such orders to interact on a fully-hidden book based on a set of 
carefully-designed rules that minimize the downside of exposing large 
orders to the market. The Exchange submits that SNAP is precisely such 
a functionality because it would enhance market liquidity and the price 
discovery process, while minimizing information leakage and speed 
advantages.
    The Exchange believes that incentivizing market participants to 
initiate and respond to SNAPs would remove impediments and perfect the 
mechanisms of a free and open market because it would enhance market 
liquidity. In order to incentivize market participants to initiate SNAP 
Cycles, upon initiation of a SNAP Cycle, the Exchange will notify the 
market that a SNAP Cycle has been initiated, which gives the Start SNAP 
order sender the benefit of notifying the market of its bulk trading 
interest, without giving away crucial details, such as exact price, 
size or side of the Start SNAP order, that could disadvantage the Start 
SNAP order sender.\100\ In turn, market participants will be 
incentivized to respond to SNAP Cycles knowing that a SNAP Cycle will 
only be initiated by a valid marketable or hypermarketable Start SNAP 
order that meets a substantial minimum size requirement.\101\ Also, 
market participants will also know that SNAP AOOs that could 
participate in a SNAP Cycle will also be ranked on the SNAP CHX book, 
all of which must meet a substantial minimum size requirement, thereby 
potentially increasing the size of interest on the SNAP CHX book.\102\ 
Moreover, SNAP will further incentivize market participants to 
participate in SNAP Cycles by prohibiting order cancellations during a 
SNAP Cycle, which will assure potential order senders that the Start 
SNAP order that initiated the SNAP Cycle, as well as any other orders 
participating in the instant SNAP Cycle, will not be cancelled, and has 
the additional effect of encouraging order senders to submit bona fide 
SNAP Eligible Orders.\103\ In light of all of these characteristics, 
the market will be on notice that aggressively priced interest of a 
substantial size is guaranteed to exist at CHX.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \100\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(1)(A).
    \101\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(A).
    \102\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3).
    \103\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(C)(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Similarly, the Exchange believes that incentivizing market 
participants to initiate and respond to SNAPs would remove impediments 
and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market because it would 
enhance the price discovery process. That is, SNAP would enhance the 
price discovery process through enhanced market liquidity. 
Specifically, the concentration of liquidity at CHX combined with the 
aggressive pricing requirement of the Start SNAP order will maximize 
the probability of overlap of orders at one or more price points. If 
overlap exists, a SNAP Price will be determined pursuant to a ruled-
based algorithm that balances maximum execution size with an execution 
price that accurately reflects market demand.\104\ As such, SNAP 
Eligible Order senders can submit aggressively priced orders knowing 
that the SNAP Price will be equitable, which enhances the price 
discovery process.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \104\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 1(rr); see also supra 
Section 6, Example 6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange further believes that certain aspects of SNAP designed 
to minimize information leakage concerning orders participating in a 
SNAP Cycle would promote just and equitable principles of trade and 
remove impediments and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market 
because such measures would minimize the probability of unfavorable 
market activity in response to a SNAP that could disadvantage orders 
participating in a SNAP Cycle and, in particular, the Start SNAP order. 
Specifically, this would be achieved by requiring the SNAP CHX book to 
be fully-hidden and market data dissemination to be suspended during 
the SNAP Cycle (except for SNAP execution reports to the relevant SIP 
and order senders).\105\ Also, since orders are only executed within 
the Matching System during the stage four Order Matching Period, market 
participants will be prevented from ``pinging'' the SNAP CHX book in an 
attempt to glean the contents of the book.\106\ Moreover, a Start SNAP 
order sender has the option to place a minimum SNAP execution size 
condition equal to the minimum size requirement to initiate a SNAP 
Cycle, which prevents the market from being able to deduce crucial 
information concerning the Start SNAP order without maximizing the 
probability of substantial executions.\107\
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    \105\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(a) and (b)(1).
    \106\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(4).
    \107\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(1)(B).
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    The Exchange also believes that the fact that SNAP would never be 
scheduled and that the length of the SNAP Order Acceptance Period would 
be randomized would promote just and equitable principles of trade and 
remove impediments and perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market 
because such aspects deemphasize speed as a key for trading success. 
For example, by randomizing key aspects of the SNAP Cycle, market 
participants will not be able to utilize speed advantages to ascertain 
precisely when a SNAP Cycle will be initiated and when certain events 
during a SNAP Cycle will begin or end. That is, since SNAP Cycles are 
never scheduled, market participants, other than the Start

[[Page 54348]]

SNAP order sender, will never know precisely when a SNAP Cycle will be 
initiated.\108\ Similarly, since the stage two SNAP Order Acceptance 
Period is randomized, within a time frame of 475 to 525 milliseconds, 
market participants will never be able to know exactly when the SNAP 
Order Acceptance Period will end.\109\ At the same time, the Exchange 
believes that 475 to 525 milliseconds is sufficient time for virtually 
all order senders to submit SNAP Eligible Orders in response to a SNAP 
Cycle notification.
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    \108\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(a).
    \109\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2).
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    The Exchange further believes that the special order ranking plan 
and new order modifiers for SNAP promote just and equitable principles 
of trade and remove impediments and perfect the mechanisms of a free 
and open market because such aspects also deemphasize speed as a key 
for trading success. Specifically, SNAP Eligible Orders received in 
response to a SNAP Cycle notification will be subordinated in rank on 
the SNAP CHX book to all precedent SNAP Eligible Orders.\110\ Thus, 
market participants submitting orders in response to a notice of a SNAP 
Cycle will never be able to utilize speed advantages to achieve 
priority over precedent resting SNAP Eligible Orders. Moreover, SNAP 
AOOs further minimize speed advantages by permitting order senders to 
submit SNAP AOOs from as early as the beginning of the early 
session,\111\ well before a SNAP Cycle could be initiated.\112\ Thus, 
an order sender could submit a SNAP AOO before a SNAP Cycle is 
initiated knowing that that order will never lose priority to orders 
received during a subsequent SNAP Order Acceptance Period. Similarly, 
SNAP AOO--Pegged further minimize speed advantages by obviating the 
need to directly consume and process market data at the crucial moment 
when the order is submitted because such orders will be priced at the 
last possible moment, after the end of the SNAP Order Acceptance 
Period, by the Exchange's systems, which will utilize the most recent 
market data.\113\
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    \110\ See proposed CHX Article 20, Rule 8(b)(3).
    \111\ See supra note 29.
    \112\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3).
    \113\ See proposed CHX Article 1, Rule 2(h)(3)(C).
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    In adopting Regulation NMS, the SEC highlighted the importance of 
maintaining an appropriate balance between competition among markets 
and competition among orders.\114\ Specifically, the SEC stated, 
``vigorous competition among markets promotes more efficient and 
innovative trading services, while integrated competition among orders 
promotes more efficient pricing of individual stocks for all types of 
orders, large and small.'' \115\ The SEC noted, however, the difficulty 
in striking that balance in that ``competition among multiple markets 
trading the same stock can detract from the most vigorous competition 
among orders in an individual stock, thereby impeding efficient price 
discovery for orders of all sizes.'' \116\ The Exchange believes that 
SNAP is consistent with these concepts because it is an innovative 
functionality that promotes competition among markets by enhancing the 
price discovery process for orders of all sizes, thereby also promoting 
competition among orders. As such, the Exchange believes that SNAP 
would further the objectives of section 6(b)(5) the Act precisely 
because it would operate consistently with Regulation NMS \117\ and 
Rule 201 of Regulation SHO or applicable exemptive relief.\118\
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    \114\ See Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 70 FR 
37496 (June 29, 2005) (``NMS Release'').
    \115\ Id.
    \116\ Id.
    \117\ 17 CFR 242.611.
    \118\ See supra note 10; 17 CFR 242.201.
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    Specifically, SNAP will be compliant with the Order Protection Rule 
of Rule 611 of Regulation NMS.\119\ SNAP executions during the stage 
four Order Matching Period will only occur after the routing of one or 
more ISOs to execute against the Protected Quotations of external 
markets priced better than the SNAP Price.\120\ In addition, where 
there are additional orders resting on the SNAP CHX book at the SNAP 
Price that could not be executed within the Matching System during the 
stage four Order Matching Period, but could be executed against 
Protected Quotations of external markets at the SNAP Price, the 
Exchange will route those orders to execute against such Protected 
Quotations, even though such routing is not required by Rule 611 of 
Regulation NMS.\121\ Thus, SNAP routing is compliant with Rule 611 of 
Regulation NMS because executions at the SNAP Price will never 
impermissibly trade-through better priced Protected Quotations of 
external markets.
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    \119\ Since the Exchange will remove its Protected Quotations in 
the subject security, if any, upon the initiation of a SNAP Cycle 
and will not disseminate Protected Quotations in the subject 
security until the end of the SNAP Cycle, SNAP does not implicate 
any Rule 610 of Regulation NMS issues.
    \120\ See proposed CHX Article 19, Rule 3(a)(4).
    \121\ See proposed CHX Article 19, Rule 3(a)(5).
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    With respect to the proposed queuing of cross orders on the FIFO 
Queue received during a SNAP Cycle for later processing during the 
stage five Transition to the Open Trading State,\122\ the Exchange 
believes that the queuing of cross orders marked Qualified Contingent 
Transaction (``QCT'') during a SNAP Cycle will have no material impact 
on its ability to meet all of the requirements for the QCT 
exemption.\123\
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    \122\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(C)(iv).
    \123\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 54389 (August 31, 
2006), 71 FR 52829 (September 7, 2006) (``Order Granting an 
Exemption for Qualified Contingent Trades From Rule 611(a) of 
Regulation NMS Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934''); see 
also Securities Exchange Act Release No. 57620 (April 4, 2008), 73 
FR 19271 (April 4, 2008) [sic] (``Order Modifying the Exemption for 
Qualified Contingent Trades From Rule 611(a) of Regulation NMS Under 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934''); see also Article 1, Rule 
2(b)(2)(E).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The SEC defines ``QCT'' as a transaction consisting of two or more 
component orders, executed as agent or principal, where:
    (1) At least one component order is in an NMS stock;
    (2) all components are effected with a product or price contingency 
that either has been agreed to by the respective counterparties or 
arranged for by a broker-dealer as principal or agent;
    (3) the execution of one component is contingent upon the execution 
of all other components at or near the same time;
    (4) the specific relationship between the component orders (e.g., 
the spread between the prices of the component orders) is determined at 
the time the contingent order is placed;
    (5) the component orders bear a derivative relationship to one 
another, represent different classes of shares of the same issuer, or 
involve the securities of participants in mergers or with intentions to 
merge that have been announced or since cancelled; and
    (6) the Exempted NMS Stock Transaction is fully hedged (without 
regard to any prior existing position) as a result of the other 
components of the contingent trade.\124\
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    \124\ See id.
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    The proposed queuing of QCTs on the FIFO Queue only implicates the 
QCT timing requirement because the proposed queuing would only impact 
the timing of the QCT execution. However, the Exchange believes that 
the momentary delay resulting from the proposed queuing would be 
immaterial because of the fact that the execution of the different 
components that comprise QCTs usually take many seconds, if not 
minutes, to accomplish. This is because the packaging of QCTs is 
inherently a manual process that frequently involves numerous broker-
dealers representing several counter-parties with two or more component 
orders to be executed on two

[[Page 54349]]

or more venues. In fact, this reality is recognized by the QCT 
exemption itself through the timing requirement of ``at or near the 
same time,'' which does not note a specific time requirement.\125\
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    \125\ See id (emphasis added).
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    SNAP is also consistent with Rule 201 of Regulation SHO or 
applicable exemptive relief.\126\ Specifically, SNAP Eligible Orders 
marked Sell Short in a covered security subject to the short sale price 
test restriction will never be permitted to execute at prices at or 
below the NBB ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E). For SNAP Eligible Orders marked 
Sell Short with a limit price at one minimum price increment above the 
NBB ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E) or higher, such orders would simply be 
ranked on the SNAP CHX book at its limit price. However, for SNAP 
Eligible Orders marked Sell Short with a limit price at or below the 
NBB ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed 
Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E), the Matching System would reprice such 
orders to one minimum price increment above that NBB and rank such 
orders on the SNAP CHX book at the new higher price.\127\ Thus, if the 
SNAP Price is ultimately determined to be at or below the NBB 
ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to proposed Article 
18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E), during a short sale price test restriction, this 
ranking methodology would ensure that SNAP Eligible Orders marked Sell 
Short would not participate in the SNAP execution, as such orders would 
never have an executable price lower than one minimum price increment 
above the NBB ascertained from the market snapshot taken pursuant to 
proposed Article 18, Rule 1(b)(2)(E).\128\
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    \126\ See supra note 10.
    \127\ See proposed CHX Article 20, Rule 8(d)(4)(B)(i).
    \128\ See proposed CHX Article 18, Rule 1(b)(4)(A).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. To the contrary, the 
Exchange believes that any burden on competition is necessary and 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act because SNAP is an initiative that seeks to deemphasize speed as a 
key to trading success in order to further serve the interests of 
investors, as recently noted by Chair White, and thereby removes 
impediments and perfects the mechanisms of a free and open market.\129\
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    \129\ See supra note 7; see also supra Statutory Basis.
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

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

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

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning Amendment No. 1, including whether the proposed 
rule change as modified by Amendment No. 1, is consistent with the Act. 
Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-CHX-2015-03 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CHX-2015-03. This file 
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help 
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 
10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal offices of the Exchange. 
All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission 
does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You 
should submit only information that you wish to make available 
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-CHX-2015-03, 
and should be submitted on or before September 24, 2015.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\130\
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    \130\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-22607 Filed 9-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P