Document ID: SEC-2016-1298-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: BOX Options Exchange, LLC
Posted Date: 2016-07-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49336-49341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17676]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-78390; File No. SR-BOX-2016-33]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Options Exchange LLC; Notice 
of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To 
Amend the Fee Schedule on the BOX Market LLC (``BOX'') Options Facility

July 21, 2016.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given 
that on July 13, 2016, BOX Options Exchange LLC (the ``Exchange'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which 
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The Exchange filed the 
proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act,\3\ 
and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) thereunder,\4\ which renders the proposal 
effective upon filing with the Commission. The Commission is publishing 
this notice to solicit comments on the proposed rule change from 
interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \4\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') a proposed rule change to amend the Fee Schedule to 
make changes to Section I (Exchange Fees for Non-Auction Transactions) 
on the BOX Market LLC (``BOX'') options facility. The text of the 
proposed rule change is available from the principal office of the 
Exchange, at the Commission's Public Reference Room and also on the 
Exchange's Internet Web site at http://boxexchange.com.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The Exchange proposes to make changes to Section I (Exchange Fees 
for Non-Auction Transactions).

[[Page 49337]]

Exchange Fees for Non-Auction Transactions
    The Exchange proposes to adjust certain fees for Non-Auction 
Transactions. Currently, for all non-auction transactions, fees and 
credits are assessed depending upon three factors: (i) The account type 
of the Participant submitting the order; (ii) whether the Participant 
is a liquidity provider or liquidity taker; and (iii) the account type 
of the contra party. Non-Auction Transactions in Penny Pilot Classes 
are assessed different fees or credits than Non-Auction Transactions in 
Non-Penny Pilot Classes.
    The current fees for Non-Auction Transactions are:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Penny pilot classes           Non-penny pilot classes
                  Account type                                 Contra party              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Maker fee       Taker fee       Maker fee       Taker fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Customer................................  Public Customer........................           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00
                                                 Professional Customer/Broker Dealer....            0.00            0.00            0.00            0.00
                                                 Market Maker...........................            0.00            0.00            0.00            0.00
Professional Customer or Broker Dealer.........  Public Customer........................            0.60            0.50            0.95            1.07
                                                 Professional Customer/Broker Dealer....            0.25            0.40            0.35            0.40
                                                 Market Maker...........................            0.25            0.44            0.35            0.44
Market Maker...................................  Public Customer........................            0.51            0.50            0.85            1.03
                                                 Professional Customer/Broker Dealer....            0.00            0.05            0.00            0.10
                                                 Market Maker...........................            0.00            0.29            0.00            0.29
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    First, the Exchange proposes to raise the fees assessed for Public 
Customers that make or take liquidity against all account types in in 
both Penny and Non-Penny Classes to $0.05 from $0.00.
    Next, the Exchange proposes to adjust the fees assessed for 
Professional Customers and Broker Dealers. In Penny Pilot Classes, the 
Exchange proposes to adjust the fees assessed for Professional 
Customers and Broker Dealers that take liquidity from all other 
Participants. Specifically, the Exchange proposes to lower the fee 
assessed to Professional Customers and Broker Dealers that take 
liquidity from Public Customers to $0.45 from $0.50. Further, the 
Exchange proposes to increase the fees assessed to Professional 
Customers and Broker Dealers that take liquidity from Professional 
Customers/Broker Dealers and Market Makers to $0.45 from $0.40 and 
$0.44, respectively. Additionally, the Exchange proposes to lower the 
fees assessed for Professional Customers and Broker Dealers making 
liquidity against Professional Customers and Broker Dealers and Market 
Makers in Penny Pilot Classes to $0.05 from $0.25. For Non-Penny Pilot 
Classes, the Exchange proposes to reduce the fees assessed for 
Professional Customers and Broker Dealers making liquidity against Non-
Public Customers to $0.05 from $0.35. The Exchange also proposes to 
decrease the fees assessed for Professional Customers and Broker 
Dealers taking liquidity from Public Customers to $0.85 from $1.07. 
Lastly, with regard to Professional Customers/Broker Dealers taking 
liquidity from Professional Customers/Broker Dealers and Market Makers 
in Non-Penny Pilot Classes, the Exchange proposes to increase the fees 
assessed to $0.60 from $0.40 and $0.44, respectively.
    The Exchange then proposes to adjust the fees assessed for Market 
Makers in Non-Auction Transactions. First, the Exchange proposes to 
decrease the fees assessed on Market Makers making liquidity against a 
Public Customer to $0.27 from $0.51. With regard to Market Makers 
taking liquidity against Public Customers in Penny Pilot Classes, the 
Exchange proposes to decrease the fee to $0.43 from $0.50. Further, the 
Exchange proposes to increase the fee for Market Makers taking 
liquidity against Professional Customers and Broker Dealers in Penny 
Pilot Classes to $0.29 from $0.05. Lastly, the Exchange proposes to 
adjust the fees assessed to Market Makers in Non-Penny Pilot Classes. 
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to decrease the fee assessed to a 
Market Maker when making liquidity from a Public Customer in Non-Penny 
Pilot Classes to $0.65 from $0.85. In Non-Penny Pilot Classes, the 
Exchange proposes to decrease the fee assessed to Market Makers taking 
liquidity from a Public Customer to $0.80 from $1.03. Lastly, the 
Exchange proposes to increase the fees assessed to Market Makers taking 
liquidity from Professional Customers/Broker Dealers and Market Makers 
in Non-Penny Pilot Classes, to $0.40 from $0.10 and $0.29, 
respectively.
    The fees for Non-Auction Transactions will be as follows:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Penny pilot classes           Non-penny pilot classes
                  Account type                                 Contra party              ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Maker fee       Taker fee       Maker fee       Taker fee
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Customer................................  Public Customer........................           $0.05           $0.05           $0.05           $0.05
                                                 Professional Customer/Broker Dealer....            0.05            0.05            0.05            0.05
                                                 Market Maker...........................            0.05            0.05            0.05            0.05
Professional Customer or Broker Dealer.........  Public Customer........................            0.60            0.45            0.95            0.85
                                                 Professional Customer/Broker Dealer....            0.05            0.45            0.05            0.60
                                                 Market Maker...........................            0.05            0.45            0.05            0.60
Market Maker...................................  Public Customer........................            0.27            0.43            0.65            0.80
                                                 Professional Customer/Broker Dealer....            0.00            0.29            0.00            0.40
                                                 Market Maker...........................            0.00            0.29            0.00            0.40
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[[Page 49338]]

Tiered Volume Rebate for Non-Auction Transactions
    The Exchange proposes to amend Section I.A.1. of the BOX Fee 
Schedule, Tiered Volume Rebate for Non-Auction Transactions. 
Specifically, the Exchange proposes to specify that transactions in 
which a Public Customer is a contra party will be considered exempt 
from the Tiered Volume Rebate for Market Makers in Non-Auction 
Transactions.\5\ Additionally, the Exchange proposes to adjust certain 
rebates for Customers and Market Makers in Non-Auction Transactions. 
Specifically, for the Tiered Volume Rebate for Market Makers in Non-
Auction Transactions, the Exchange proposes to increase the maker 
rebate in Tier 3 to $0.07 from $0.05, and also increase the maker 
rebate in Tier 4 to $0.15 from $0.10.
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    \5\ As is the case today, Non-Auction Transactions that are not 
a result of a Market Maker quote will continue to be exempt from the 
Market Maker tiered volume rebate.
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    The Exchange also proposes to adjust the rebates in the Tiered 
Volume Rebate for Public Customers in Non Auction Transactions. The 
current Tiered Volume Rebate for Public Customers in Non-Auction 
Transactions is as follows:

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                Per contact rebate
                                                    Percentage thresholds of national    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                      Tier                          customer volume in multiply-listed          Penny pilot classes           Non-penny pilot classes
                                                        options classes (monthly)        ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Maker           Taker           Maker           Taker
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..............................................  0.000%-0.129%..........................           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00
2..............................................  0.130%-0.339%..........................          (0.15)          (0.15)          (0.40)          (0.40)
3..............................................  0.340%-0.549%..........................          (0.25)          (0.25)          (0.50)          (0.50)
4..............................................  0.550% and Above.......................          (0.40)          (0.40)          (0.90)          (0.70)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifically, the Exchange proposes to reduce each of the maker and 
taker rebates in Tiers 2 through 4 of the Tiered Volume Rebate 
structure for Public Customers in both Penny Pilot Classes and Non-
Penny Pilot Classes. The new per contract rebate for Public Customers 
in Non-Auction Transactions as set forth in Section I.A.1. of the BOX 
Fee Schedule will be as follows:

 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                Per contact rebate
                                                    Percentage thresholds of national    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                      Tier                          customer volume in multiply-listed          Penny pilot classes           Non-penny pilot classes
                                                        options classes (monthly)        ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Maker           Taker           Maker           Taker
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..............................................  0.000%-0.129%..........................           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00           $0.00
2..............................................  0.130%-0.339%..........................          (0.05)          (0.05)          (0.20)          (0.20)
3..............................................  0.340%-0.549%..........................          (0.15)          (0.15)          (0.30)          (0.30)
4..............................................  0.550% and Above.......................          (0.25)          (0.25)          (0.50)          (0.50)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act, in general, and Section 
6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5)of the Act,\6\ in particular, in that it provides 
for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees, and other 
charges among BOX Participants and other persons using its facilities 
and does not unfairly discriminate between customers, issuers, brokers 
or dealers. The proposed changes will allow the Exchange to be 
competitive with other exchanges and to apply fees and credits in a 
manner that is equitable among all BOX Participants. Further, the 
Exchange operates within a highly competitive market in which market 
participants can readily direct order flow to any other competing 
exchange if they determine fees at a particular exchange to be 
excessive.
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    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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Non-Auction Transactions
    The Exchange believes it is equitable, reasonable and not unfairly 
discriminatory to assess fees according to the account type of the 
Participant originating the order and the contra party. This fee 
structure has been in place on the Exchange since 2014 and the Exchange 
is simply adjusting certain fees within the structure.\7\ The result of 
this structure is that a Participant does not know the fee it will be 
charged when submitting certain orders. Therefore, the Participant must 
recognize that it could be charged the highest applicable fee on the 
Exchange's schedule, which may, instead, be lowered depending upon how 
the order interacts.
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    \7\ See Securities Exchange Release No. 73547 (November 6, 
2014), 79 FR 67520 (November 13, 2014)(Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness SR-BOX-2014-25).
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    The Exchange believes raising the non-auction transaction fees for 
Public Customers making or taking liquidity in Penny and Non-Penny 
Pilot Classes to $0.05 from $0.00 is reasonable, equitable and not 
unfairly discriminatory. While the Exchange proposes to slightly raise 
the fees assessed to Public Customers for Non-Auction Transactions, the 
Public Customers may still receive the benefit of a volume based 
rebate, which in turn could offset the proposed $0.05 fee.\8\ Further, 
the Exchange notes that a higher fee of $0.07 was assessed for Public 
Customers in Non-Auction transactions on BOX in the past.\9\
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    \8\ The Exchange notes that on a monthly basis, most Public 
Customers on the Exchange reach one of these volume based rebate 
tiers.
    \9\ See Securities Exchange Release No. 66979 (May 14, 2012), 77 
FR 29740 (May 18, 2012) (Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness SR-BOX-2012-002).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed fees for Professional

[[Page 49339]]

Customers and Broker Dealers in Non-Auction Transactions are 
reasonable. Under the proposed fee structure, a Professional Customer 
or Broker Dealer making liquidity and interacting with a Professional 
Customer, Broker Dealer or Market Marker will now be charged a fee of 
$0.05 in both Penny and Non-Penny Pilot Classes. If the Professional 
Customer or Broker Dealer is instead taking liquidity in the Penny 
Pilot, it will be charged $0.45 against any other Participant. If the 
Professional Customer or Broker Dealer is taking liquidity in the Non-
Penny Pilot, it will be charged $0.85 if it interacts with a Public 
Customer or $0.60 if it interacts with a Professional Customer, Broker 
Dealer or a Market Maker. The Exchange believes that reducing the fee 
for making liquidity will promote liquidity on the Exchange, ultimately 
benefitting all Participants trading on BOX. Further, the Exchange 
believes the proposed fees are reasonable as they are in line with the 
current fees assessed by another competing exchange.\10\
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    \10\ See International Securities Exchange (``ISE'') Schedule of 
Fees, Section I. On ISE, Professional Customer and Broker Dealers in 
Penny Pilot Classes are charged a fee of $0.10 when making liquidity 
and a $0.45 fee when taking liquidity. See also NYSE Arca Options 
(``Arca'') Fees and Charges page 4. On Arca a Firm or Broker Dealer 
is charged $0.50 when making liquidity and $1.08 when taking 
liquidity in Non-Penny Pilot Issues, and $0.50 for taking liquidity 
in Penny Pilot Issues.
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    The Exchange believes that charging Professional Customers and 
Broker Dealers higher fees than Public Customers for most of their Non-
Auction Transactions is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory. 
Professional Customers, while Public Customers by virtue of not being 
Broker Dealers, generally engage in trading activity more similar to 
Broker Dealer proprietary trading accounts. The Exchange believes that 
the higher level of trading activity from these Participants will draw 
a greater amount of BOX system resources, which the Exchange aims to 
recover its costs by assessing Professional Customers and Broker 
Dealers higher fees for transactions.
    The Exchange notes that Professional Customers or Broker Dealers 
will now be charged the same rate as Public Customers when making 
liquidity against Professional Customers, Broker Dealers, and Market 
Makers in both Penny and Non-Penny Pilot Classes. The Exchange believes 
it is equitable and not unfairly discriminatory to assess the same low 
rate for these transactions on both Public Customers and Professional 
Customers/Broker Dealers to promote liquidity on the Exchange, 
ultimately benefitting all Participants trading on BOX. Further, the 
Exchange notes that Public Customers have the ability to achieve a 
rebate for their Non-Auction transactions, and Professional Customer or 
Broker Dealers do not.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed fees for Market Makers in 
Non-Auction Transactions are reasonable. With the proposed fee changes, 
a Market Maker making liquidity will now be charged a lower fee of 
$0.27 (Penny Pilot) and $0.65 (Non-Penny Pilot) for interacting with a 
Public Customer. Further, a Market Maker taking liquidity against a 
Public Customer will now be charged a lower fee of $0.43 in Penny Pilot 
Classes and a lower fee of $0.80 in Non-Penny Pilot Classes. If a 
Market Maker is taking liquidity in Penny and Non-Penny Pilot Classes 
and interacts with a Professional Customer, Broker Dealer or a Market 
Maker, they will now be charged a fee of $0.29 in Penny Pilot Classes 
and $0.40 in Non-Penny Pilot Classes. The Exchange believes the fees 
listed above are reasonable and appropriate as they are in line with 
what is currently charged by the industry.\11\
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    \11\ Id. On ISE and Arca, the general range for Market Maker 
fees is between $0.10 and $1.08.
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    Further, the Exchange believes it is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory to charge the Market Maker less for making or taking 
liquidity than Professional Customers or Broker Dealers. Specifically, 
Market Makers have certain obligations that other Participants do not 
and can ultimately provide more value by directing liquidity to the 
Exchange, which the Exchange believes will benefit all Participants 
trading on BOX.
    Additionally, the Exchange believes that charging Market Makers who 
interact with Professional Customers/Broker Dealers and Market Makers 
in Penny and Non-Penny Pilot Classes less than Public Customers is 
reasonable. As discussed above, Market Makers have certain obligations 
that Public Customers do not and can provide value by directing more 
liquidity to the Exchange. The Exchange believes that charging Market 
Makers no fee for adding liquidity against Professional Customers, 
Broker Dealers and Market Makers will promote liquidity on the 
Exchange, ultimately benefitting all market participants. Further, the 
Exchange believes that charging Market Makers less than Public 
Customers when adding liquidity is reasonable, as other exchanges in 
the industry also treat Market Makers more favorably than a Public 
Customer for adding liquidity.\12\ Finally, the Exchange notes that 
Public Customers have the ability to obtain a higher per contract 
rebate than Market Makers under the Tiered Volume Rebates for Non-
Auction Transactions.\13\
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    \12\ See Arca Fees and Charges page 4. On Arca, a Market Maker 
making liquidity in Penny Pilot Classes receives a rebate of $0.28 
where a Public Customer making liquidity in Penny Pilot Classes 
receives a lower rebate of $0.25. See also C2 Options Exchange. 
Incorporated (``C2'') Fee Schedule Section 1. Similar to Arca, 
Market Makers on C2 who are making liquidity in Penny Pilot Classes 
receive a rebate of $0.40 where Public Customers making liquidity in 
Penny Pilot Classes receive a lower rebate of $0.37.
    \13\ Under the proposed Tiered Volume Rebates in Section I.A.1 
Public Customers can receive a maximum per contract rebate of up to 
$0.25 for Penny Pilot Classes and $0.50 in Non-Penny Pilot Classes. 
Market Makers can only receive a maximum rebate of $0.15, regardless 
of class.
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    The Exchange believes it is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory for Professional Customers, Broker Dealers and Market 
Makers to be charged higher fees when interacting with Public Customers 
than interacting with other Participants on BOX. The Exchange believes 
they are reasonable as they are in a similar range with the fees in the 
options industry.\14\ Further, as stated above, the Exchange believes 
charging a higher fee for interactions with a Public Customer when 
compared to interactions with other Participants is equitable and not 
unfairly discriminatory because it allows the Exchange to incentivize 
Public Customer order flow by offering low fees and rebate potential to 
Public Customers in Non-Auction Transactions. The Exchange believes 
that providing these incentives for Non-Auction Transactions by Public 
Customers will benefit all Participants trading on the Exchange by 
attracting this Public Customer order flow.
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    \14\ See supra note 6 [sic].
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes it is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory that Professional Customers, Broker Dealers and Market 
Makers be charged a higher fee for certain orders removing liquidity, 
when compared to the fee they receive for orders that add liquidity. 
Charging a lower fee for orders that add liquidity will promote 
liquidity on the Exchange and ultimately benefit all participants on 
BOX. Further, the concept of incentivizing orders that add liquidity 
over orders that remove liquidity is commonly accepted within the 
industry as part of the ``Make/Take'' liquidity model.
    Finally, the Exchange also believes it is reasonable to charge 
Professional Customers and Broker Dealers and Market Makers less for 
certain

[[Page 49340]]

executions in Penny Pilot issues compared to Non-Penny Pilot issues 
because these classes are typically more actively traded; assessing 
lower fees will further incentivize order flow in Penny Pilot issues on 
the Exchange, ultimately benefiting all Participants trading on BOX.
Tiered Volume Rebate for Non-Auction Transactions
    BOX believes it is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory to adjust certain rebates in the volume based thresholds 
for Market Makers and Public Customers in all Non-Auction Transactions. 
The volume thresholds and applicable rebates are meant to incentivize 
Public Customers and Market Makers to direct order flow to the Exchange 
to obtain the benefit of the rebate, which will in turn benefit all 
market participants by increasing liquidity on the Exchange. Other 
exchanges employ similar incentive programs; \15\ and the Exchange 
believes that the proposed changes to the volume thresholds and rebates 
are reasonable and competitive when compared to incentive structures at 
other exchanges.
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    \15\ See Section B of the PHLX Pricing Schedule entitled 
``Customer Rebate Program;'' ISE Gemini's Qualifying Tier Thresholds 
(page 6 of the ISE Gemini Fee Schedule); and CBOE's Volume Incentive 
Program (VIP). CBOE's Volume Incentive Program (``VIP'') pays 
certain tiered rebates to Trading Permit Holders for electronically 
executed multiply-listed option orders which include AIM orders.
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    With regard to the Public Customer Tiered Volume Rebate for Non-
Auction Transactions, the Exchange believes it is reasonable to offer a 
higher per contract rebate for transactions in Non-Penny Pilot Classes 
compared to Penny Pilot Classes because Non-Penny Pilot Classes are 
typically less actively traded and have wider spreads. The Exchange 
believes that offering a higher rebate will incentivize Public Customer 
order flow in Non-Penny Pilot issues on the Exchange, ultimately 
benefitting all Participants trading on BOX.
    The Exchange believes it is reasonable to increase the rebates in 
Tiers 3 and 4 of the Tiered Volume Rebate for Market Makers making 
liquidity in Non-Auction Transactions. The rebates are meant to 
incentivize Market Makers to direct order flow to the Exchange to 
obtain the benefit of the rebate, which will in turn benefit all market 
participants by increasing liquidity on the Exchange.
    The Exchange continues to believe it is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory to only have these rebate structures for Public 
Customers and Market Makers in Non-Auction transactions. The practice 
of incentivizing increased Public Customer and Market Maker order flow 
is common in the options markets. While the Exchange proposes to 
decrease the Public Customer rebates in Penny and Non-Penny Pilot 
Classes, the Exchange believes that Public Customers will still benefit 
from the opportunity to obtain a rebate. As discussed above, most 
Public Customers currently achieve a volume based rebate in their Non-
Auction transactions, which will offset any exchange fees they are 
assessed in Section I.A of the BOX Fee Schedule. Additionally, the 
Exchange believes that Market Makers can provide high volumes of 
liquidity and lowering certain Market Maker Non-Auction Transaction 
fees and raising certain maker rebates in the Tiered Volume Rebates for 
Market Makers in Non-Auction Transactions will potentially help attract 
a higher level of Market Maker order flow and create liquidity, which 
the Exchange believes will ultimately benefit all Participants trading 
on BOX.
    Lastly, the Exchange believes that exempting transactions where a 
Public Customer is a contra party from the Market Maker Tiered Volume 
Rebate is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly discriminatory. BOX 
provides these volume based rebates to incentivize Market Makers to 
direct order flow to the Exchange to obtain the benefit of the rebate, 
which will in turn benefit all market participants by increasing 
liquidity on the Exchange. The Exchange believes by providing a rebate 
to transactions that do not have a Public Customer as the contra party 
will further encourage Market Makers to quote. Further, the Exchange 
believes that Public Customer interaction does not need further 
encouragement within the BOX fee schedule.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed adjustments to fees in the 
Non-Auction Transactions fee structure will not impose a burden on 
competition among various Exchange Participants. Rather, BOX believes 
that the changes will result in the Participants being charged 
appropriately for these transactions and are designed to enhance 
competition in Non-Auction transactions on BOX. Submitting an order is 
entirely voluntary and Participants can determine which type of order 
they wish to submit, if any, to the Exchange. Further, the Exchange 
believes that this proposal will enhance competition between exchanges 
because it is designed to allow the Exchange to better compete with 
other exchanges for order flow.
    The Exchange believes that amending the proposed rebate structure 
for Customer and Market Maker Non-Auction Transactions will not impose 
a burden on competition among various Exchange Participants. The 
Exchange believes that the proposed changes will result in Customers 
and Market Makers being rebated appropriately for these transactions. 
Further, the Exchange believes that this proposal will enhance 
competition between exchanges because it is designed to allow the 
Exchange to better compete with other exchanges for order flow.
    Finally, the Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing exchanges. In such an environment, the Exchange must 
continually review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to 
remain competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described 
above, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects 
this competitive environment.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Exchange Act \16\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(2) 
thereunder,\17\ because it establishes or changes a due, or fee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend the rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that the action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
would otherwise further the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to 
determine whether the proposed rule should be approved or disapproved.

[[Page 49341]]

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-BOX-2016-33 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-BOX-2016-33. 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 office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-BOX-2016-33, and should be 
submitted on or before August 17, 2016.
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    \18\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\18\
Robert W. Errett,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-17676 Filed 7-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P