Document ID: SEC-2017-0750-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: NYSE MKT LLC
Posted Date: 2017-05-10T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21843-21850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09419]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-80590; File No. SR-NYSEMKT-2017-01]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE MKT LLC; Order Granting 
Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment 
No. 1, To Adopt New Equity Trading Rules To Transition Trading on the 
Exchange From a Floor-Based Market With a Parity Allocation Model to a 
Fully Automated Market With a Price-Time Priority Model on the 
Exchange's New Trading Technology Platform, Pillar

May 4, 2017.

I. Introduction

    On January 25, 2017, NYSE MKT LLC (``Exchange'' or ``NYSE MKT'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``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 
adopt new equity trading rules to transition trading on the Exchange 
from a floor-based market with a parity-allocation model to a fully 
automated market with price-time-priority allocation model on the 
Exchange's new trading technology platform, Pillar. The proposed rule 
change was published for comment in the Federal Register on February 
15, 2017.\3\ On March 29, 2017, the Commission designated a longer 
period for action on the proposed rule change.\4\ On April 24, 2017, 
the Exchange filed Amendment No. 1 to the proposed rule change.\5\ The 
Commission received no comments on the proposal. The Commission is 
approving the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, on 
an accelerated basis and soliciting comments on Amendment No. 1.
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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. 79993 (Feb. 9, 
2017), 82 FR 10814 (Feb. 15, 2017) (``Notice'').
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 80337 (Mar. 29, 
2017), 82 FR 16459 (Apr. 4, 2017).
    \5\ In Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to: (1) Amend 
proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E(a)(10)(A) to specify the ``Auction 
Collar'' as the greater of $0.50 or 10% away from the Auction 
Reference Price and delete the specified percentages to conform to 
rule filing SR-NYSEArca-2016-130; (2) amend proposed Exchange Rule 
7.35E(d)(2) to note that the Closing Auction Imbalance Freeze will 
begin ten minutes (rather than one minute) before the schedule time 
for the Closing Auction; (3) amend proposed Exchange Rule 
7.35E(f)(2) to reject certain orders until after the Auction 
Processing Period for the IPO Auction has concluded; (4) amend 
proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E(h)(3)(A) and (B) to define 
``previously-live orders'' for Core Open Auction, Trading Halt 
Auction, Closing Auction, and IPO Auction, and how unexecuted orders 
would be processed, when the Exchange transitions from continuous 
trading from a prior trading session; (5) amend proposed Exchange 
rule 7.31E(h)(3)(A) to specify that Discretionary Pegged Orders do 
not participate in any auctions; (6) amend proposed Exchange Rule 
7.34E(c)(1)(A) to add that Discretionary Pegged Orders may not be 
entered before or during the Early Trading Session; (7) amend 
proposed Exchange Rule 7.46E to reflect recent changes to 
publication dates with respect to the Tick Size Pilot Plan; and (8) 
state that the Pillar transition is anticipated to occur in the 
third quarter of 2017. The Exchange represents that most of the 
amendments relate to a recent proposed rule change (SR-NYSEArca-
2017-47) by NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'').
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II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment 
No. 1

    The Exchange proposes to adopt new equities trading rules to 
facilitate the transition to Pillar, a new trading-technology platform, 
in order to operate as a fully-automated cash equities market. As part 
of this transition, the Exchange would move from the current floor-
based market with a parity-allocation model to a fully automated market 
with a price-time-priority allocation model. Consequently,

[[Page 21844]]

Exchange floor-based designated market makers (``DMMs'') would be 
replaced by Electronic DMMs, and the Exchange would no longer support 
Supplemental Liquidity Providers or floor brokers as a separate class 
of participant on the Exchange.\6\
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    \6\ The Exchange would also expand unlisted trading privileges 
to all NMS Securities, including securities listed on the New York 
Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE Arca, the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC 
(``Nasdaq''), and Bats BZX Exchange, Inc. See Securities Exchange 
Act Release Nos. 79400 (Nov. 25, 2016), 81 FR 86750 (Dec. 1, 2016); 
79738 (Jan. 4, 2017), 82 FR 3068 (Jan. 10, 2017); and 80097 (Feb. 
24, 2017), 82 FR 12251 (Mar. 1, 2017).
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    The Exchange represents that the proposal is based on the trading 
rules of the NYSE Arca Equities exchange (``NYSE Arca Equities'') and 
current Exchange equities rules. NYSE Arca Equities already uses 
Pillar, the same trading technology platform that the Exchange proposes 
to adopt.\7\ The Exchange proposes to adopt Exchange Rules 1E, 2E, 3E, 
6E, 7E, 12E, and 13E to cover cash equities trading on the Pillar 
platform.\8\ Exchange Rule 1E would cover definitions. Exchange Rule 2E 
would cover equity trading permits. Exchange Rule 3E would cover 
organization and administration of the Exchange. Exchange Rule 6E would 
cover business conduct. Exchange Rule 7E would cover equities trading. 
Exchange Rule 12E would cover arbitration. Exchange Rule 13E would 
cover liability of directors and the Exchange.
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    \7\ NYSE Arca filed four proposals to implement Pillar in 
stages: (1) Adopting rules for trading sessions, order ranking and 
display, and order execution; (2) adopting rules for orders and 
modifiers and the retail liquidity program; (3) adopting rules for 
trading halts, short sales, limit up-limit down, and odd lots and 
mixed lots; and (4) adopting rules for auctions. See Securities 
Exchange Act Release Nos. 74951 (May 13, 2015), 80 FR 28721 (May 19, 
2015) and 75494 (July 20, 2015), 80 FR 44170 (July 24, 2015) (SR-
NYSEArca-2015-38) (first Pillar filing and approval); 75497 (July 
21, 2015), 80 FR 45022 (July 28, 2015) and 76267 (Oct. 26, 2015), 80 
FR 66951 (Oct. 30, 2015) (SR-NYSEArca-2015-56) (second Pillar filing 
and approval); 75467 (July 16, 2015), 80 FR 43515 (July 22, 2015) 
and 76198 (Oct. 20, 2015), 80 FR 65274 (Oct. 26, 2015) (third Pillar 
filing and approval); and 76085 (Oct. 6, 2015), 80 FR 61513 (Oct. 
13, 2015) and 76869 (Jan. 11, 2016), 81 FR 2276 (Jan. 15, 2016) 
(fourth Pillar filing and approval).
    \8\ The Exchange previously adopted these rules, generally with 
rule text reserved for future use, in anticipation of the current 
proposal. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 79242 (Nov. 4, 
2016), 81 FR 79081 (Nov. 10, 2016) (SR-NYSEMKT-2016-97). The rule 
numbers for the rules being adopted by NYSE MKT correspond with the 
rule numbers of NYSE Arca Equities rules.
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    The Exchange would announce the transition of its cash equities 
trading to Pillar, if approved by the Commission, by a Trader Update. 
The Exchange anticipates that the transition would occur in the third 
quarter of 2017. If the Exchange transitions to Pillar trading 
platform, the Exchange would no longer trade on its current floor-based 
platform, and current Exchange equities rules governing the floor-based 
platform would no longer be applicable. The Exchange proposes to mark 
the affected Exchange rules with a preamble to state that these rules 
would no longer be in effect and represents that it will subsequently 
file a separate proposed rule change to delete rules no longer 
applicable.
    A detailed description of the proposal appears in the Notice. The 
proposal is summarized and discussed below.

A. Exchange Rule 1E--Definitions

    The Exchange proposes 12 new definitions to be used with the Pillar 
trading platform. The Exchange represents that most of the proposed 
definitions are based on the rules of NYSE Arca Equities. First, the 
Exchange proposes to define the term ``Exchange Book'' as the 
Exchange's electronic file of orders.\9\ Second, the Exchange proposes 
to define ``Authorized Trader'' as a person who may submit orders to 
the Exchange's cash equity Trading Facilities on behalf of his or her 
ETP Holder.\10\ Third, the Exchange proposes to define ``Core Trading 
Hours'' as the hours of 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time through 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time, or such other hours as may be determined by the Exchange 
from time to time.\11\ Fourth, the Exchange proposes to define the term 
``Exchange'' as NYSE MKT LLC.\12\ Fifth, the Exchange proposes to 
define the term ``ETP'' as an Equity Trading Permit issued by the 
Exchange to a registered broker or dealer approved by the Exchange as a 
member organization.\13\
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    \9\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (a) and NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 1.1(a). The proposed rule does not contain the phrase ``which 
contains all orders entered on the NYSE Arca Marketplace'' from the 
NYSE Arca rule.
    \10\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (g).
    \11\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (j).
    \12\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (k).
    \13\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (m).
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    The Exchange proposes to define the term ``ETP Holder'' as a member 
organization that has been issued an ETP.\14\ The Exchange proposes to 
define the term ``General Authorized Trader'' as an Authorized Trader 
who performs only non-market making activities on behalf an ETP 
Holder.\15\ The Exchange proposes to define the term ``Marketable'' to 
mean, for a limit order, that the order that can be immediately 
executed or routed.\16\
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    \14\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (n).
    \15\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (p).
    \16\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (u). The Exchange proposes 
that it will always consider a market order as Marketable.
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    The Exchange proposes to define the term ``Official Closing Price'' 
as the reference price to determine the closing price in a 
security.\17\ The Exchange proposes to define the term ``Security'' to 
mean any security defined in Rule 3(a)(10) under the Act and, for 
purposes of proposed Rule 7E, to mean any NMS stock.\18\ The Exchange 
proposes to define the term ``Self-Regulatory Organization (`SRO')'' as 
defined in the provisions of the Act relating to national securities 
exchanges.\19\ Finally, the Exchange proposes to define the term 
``Trading Facilities'' as any and all electronic or automatic trading 
systems provided by the Exchange to ETP Holders.\20\
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    \17\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (gg). The proposed rule 
provides detailed procedures for the determination of the official 
closing price. According to the Exchange, proposed Rule 1.1E (gg), 
together with proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E, would obviate the need 
for current Exchange Rule 123C--Equities (The Closing Procedures), 
which is how the Exchange currently determines the Official Closing 
Price for an Exchange listed security.
    \18\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (rr).
    \19\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (ss).
    \20\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 1.1E (xx). The Exchange also 
proposes to amend a cross reference in Exchange Rule 1.1 (hhh).
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B. Exchange Rule 2E--Equity Trading Permits

    The Exchange proposes to adopt rules related to equity trading 
permits on the Exchange, including procedures, qualifications, fees, 
and employees of ETP Holders. Exchange member organizations who want to 
trade on Pillar would need to obtain an ETP.\21\
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    \21\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.2E. The Exchange is not 
adopting the rule text in NYSE Arca Equities Rule 2.2 relating to 
registered broker dealers, because the Exchange believes it is not 
necessary.
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    The Exchange proposes that it may, under certain conditions, deny 
an ETP or condition trading privileges under an ETP.\22\ The Exchange 
represents that these conditions are identical to NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 2.4(a) and (b). Additionally, the Exchange proposes that traders 
of ETP Holders for which the Exchange is the Designated Examining 
Authority must successfully complete the Series 7 examination.\23\ The 
Exchange represents that these requirements are identical to those in 
the NYSE Arca Equities rules.
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    \22\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.4E.
    \23\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.4E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 2.6E would specify that the issuance of an 
ETP constitutes a revocable privilege and confers on its holder no 
right or interest of any nature to continue as an ETP Holder.\24\ The 
Exchange represents that this rule is identical to NYSE Arca

[[Page 21845]]

Equities Rule 2.6. Proposed Exchange Rule 2.17E would set forth 
``Activity Assessment Fees'' for securities transactions effected on 
the Exchange, as required by Section 31 of the Act, and would specify 
that the Exchange may retain payment to help fund its regulatory 
expenses.\25\ The Exchange represents that proposed Exchange Rule 2.17E 
is based on current Exchange Rule 440H--Equities.
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    \24\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.6E.
    \25\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.17E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 2.21E would specify registration 
requirements for employees of ETP Holders, including examination 
requirements, continuing education requirements, and procedures for 
registering employees. The proposed rule would prohibit an ETP Holder 
from employing an Exchange employee during regular Exchange business 
hours.\26\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 2.21.\27\
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    \26\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.21E.
    \27\ The Exchange represents that proposed Exchange Rule 2.21E, 
together with proposed Exchange Rule 2.4E, would render the 
following current Exchange rules obsolete: Rule 345--Equities 
(Employees--Registration, Approval, Records); Rule 345A--Equities 
(Continuing Education for Registered Persons); and Rule 342--
Equities (Compliance Supervisors) related to DMM Series 14A 
requirement. However, an Exchange member organization engaged in a 
public business in addition to a DMM business must have a qualified 
compliance supervisor that has passed the Series 14A examination, 
but would no longer need the Series 14A examination.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 2.22E would set forth the Exchange back-up 
systems and mandatory testing requirements of the Exchange. The 
Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on current Exchange 
Rule 49(b)--Equities.\28\ Proposed Exchange Rule 2.24E would set forth 
the retention requirements for ETP books and records.\29\ The Exchange 
represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
2.24.\30\
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    \28\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.22E. The Exchange would 
designate current Exchange Rule 49--Equities (Exchange Business 
Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plans and Mandatory Testing) as not 
applicable to Pillar trading.
    \29\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 2.24E.
    \30\ The Exchange represents that proposed Exchange Rule 2.24E 
would set forth the same requirements as current Exchange Rule 440--
Equities (Books and Records), therefore current Exchange Rule 440--
Equities would not be applicable on Pillar.
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C. Exchange Rule 3E--Organization and Administration of the Exchange

    The next section of proposed Exchange rules would govern the 
internal administration of the Exchange. Proposed Exchange Rule 3.6E 
would allow the Exchange to enter into agreements with domestic and 
foreign self-regulatory organizations to provide for the exchange of 
information and other forms of mutual assistance for market 
surveillance, investigative, enforcement, and other regulatory 
purposes.\31\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based 
on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 3.6.\32\ Proposed Exchange Rule 3.11E would 
set forth fingerprint-based background checks of Exchange employees and 
other personnel related to the Exchange.\33\ The Exchange represents 
that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 3.11 and 
current Exchange Rule 28--Equities.
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    \31\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 3.6E.
    \32\ The Exchange proposes that current Rule 27--Equities would 
not be applicable on Pillar because proposed Exchange Rule 3.6E 
would cover the same matter. See id.
    \33\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 3.11E.
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D. Exchange Rule 6E--Business Conduct

    The next section of proposed Exchange rules would govern the 
business conduct of ETP Holders and their associated persons. Proposed 
Exchange Rule 6.3E would establish the Exchange's requirement that 
every ETP Holder establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and 
procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-
public information by the ETP Holder or persons associated with the ETP 
Holder.\34\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.3.
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    \34\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 6.3E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 6.10E would specify an ETP Holder's 
obligations with respect to trading on the Exchange when holding any 
options that are not issued by the Options Clearing Corporation.\35\ 
The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 6.10.
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    \35\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 6.10E. The Exchange proposes 
that current Exchange Rule 96--Equities would not be applicable for 
trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 6.12E would govern requirements for joint 
accounts between an ETP Holder and another person, including reporting 
obligations to the Exchange.\36\ The Exchange represents that the 
proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.12.
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    \36\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 6.12E. The Exchange proposes 
that current Exchange Rule 93--Equities (Trading for Joint Account) 
and Rule 94--Equities (Designated Market Maker's or Odd-Lot Dealers 
Interest in Joint Accounts) would not be applicable for trading on 
Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 6.15E would prohibit ETP Holders from 
participating in a prearranged trade.\37\ The Exchange represents that 
the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 6.15(b).
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    \37\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 6.15E. The Exchange proposes 
that current Exchange Rule 78--Equities would not be applicable on 
Pillar. See Notice, 82 FR at 10819.
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E. Exchange Rule 7E--Equities Trading

    The proposed rules under Exchange Rule 7E would set forth how 
trading would be conducted on the Exchange. Section 1 of proposed 
Exchange Rule 7E would set forth general provisions relating to cash 
equities trading on the Pillar trading platform, such as hours of 
business, clearly erroneous executions, limit up-limit down plan, and 
clearance and settlement. Section 3 of proposed Exchange Rule 7E would 
set forth the trading rules for Pillar. Other proposed Exchange rules 
would provide that the Exchange would not offer a retail liquidity 
program, set forth rules related to the Exchange routing broker, and 
adopt rules to comply with the Tick Size Pilot Plan. The Exchange 
represents that the trading system and rules are based on the rules of 
NYSE Arca Equities.
1. General Provisions
    The general provisions of the proposed trading rules would set out 
the necessary rules for trading on the Exchange, including rules 
governing when the Exchange would be open for business, how clearly 
erroneous executions would be handled by the Exchange, how the Exchange 
would clear and settle securities transactions conducted on the 
Exchange, requirements for short sales, and the limit up-limit down 
plan.
    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.1E would set forth the hours of operation 
for the Exchange.\38\ The proposed rule also sets forth when the 
Exchange Chief Executive Officer may take specified actions, such as 
halting or suspending trading in some or all securities on the 
Exchange. The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.1 and current Exchange Rule 51--Equities.\39\
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    \38\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.1E.
    \39\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 12--
Equities and Rule 51--Equities would not be applicable for trading 
on Pillar. See id.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.2E would set forth the holiday schedules 
for the Exchange.\40\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is 
based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.2 and current Exchange Rule 51.10--
Equities.
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    \40\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.2E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.3E would specify that ETP Holders may not 
charge fixed commissions and that they must indicate whether they are 
acting as a broker or as a principal.\41\ The Exchange

[[Page 21846]]

represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 
7.3.\42\
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    \41\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.3E.
    \42\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 388--
Equities (Prohibition Against Fixed Rates of Commission) would not 
be applicable for trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.4E would set the ex-dividend or ex-right 
dates for stocks traded ``regular'' way.\43\ The Exchange represents 
that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.4.\44\
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    \43\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.4E.
    \44\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 235--
Equities would not be applicable for trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.7E would establish that all bids and 
offers on the Exchange would be anonymous unless otherwise specified by 
the ETP Holder.\45\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is 
based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.7.
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    \45\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.7E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.8E would specify that all bids and offers 
will be considered ``regular way,'' and the Exchange would not accept 
orders that are not entered for regular way settlement.\46\ The 
Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.8E.\47\
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    \46\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.8E.
    \47\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rules 12--
Equities, 14--Equities, and 73--Equities would not be applicable for 
trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.9E would state that the execution price of 
an order is binding, notwithstanding the Exchange's clearly erroneous 
executions and limit up-limit down rules.\48\ The Exchange represents 
that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.9.\49\
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    \48\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.9E.
    \49\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rules 71--
Equities (Precedence of Highest Bid and Lowest Offer) and 411--
Equities (Erroneous Reports) would not be applicable for trading on 
Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.10E would set forth the Exchange's rules 
governing clearly erroneous executions.\50\ The Exchange represents 
that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities 7.10.\51\
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    \50\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.10E.
    \51\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 128--
Equities (Clearly Erroneous Executions) would not be applicable for 
trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.11E would specify how the Exchange would 
comply with the Regulation NMS Plan to Address Extraordinary Market 
Volatility (``LULD Plan'') \52\ The Exchange represents that the 
proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.11(a), (b)(2), and 
(b)(5).\53\
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    \52\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.11E.
    \53\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 80C--
Equities would not be applicable for trading on Pillar.
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    The Exchange proposes to amend paragraph (c)(i) of Exchange Rule 
7.12E to change the rule cross reference from Rule 123D--Equities to 
Rule 7.35(e).\54\
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    \54\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.12E. The Exchange proposes 
Rule 7.35E to govern auctions. Accordingly, the Exchange proposes 
that the procedures set out in current Exchange Rule 123D--Equities 
would not be applicable on the Pillar trading platform.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.13E would govern trading suspensions.\55\ 
The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.13.
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    \55\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.13E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.14E would govern clearance and settlement 
procedures.\56\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based 
on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.14.\57\
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    \56\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.14E.
    \57\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rules 130--
Equities and 132--Equities would not be applicable for trading on 
Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.15E would state that Market Makers may not 
have an interest in an option that is not issued by the Options 
Clearing Corporation and prohibit pool dealing in registered 
securities.\58\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based 
on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.15.\59\
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    \58\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.15E.
    \59\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 105--
Equities would not be applicable for trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.16E would set forth the short sales 
rule.\60\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.16.\61\
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    \60\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.16E.
    \61\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 440B--
Equities (Short Sales) would not be applicable for trading on 
Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.17E would establish requirements that all 
orders and quotes comply with Rule 602 of Regulation NMS (firm quote 
rule).\62\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on 
NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.17.\63\
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    \62\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.17E.
    \63\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 60--
Equities (Dissemination of Quotations) would not be applicable for 
trading on Pillar.
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2. Trading Rules for Pillar
    The trading rules for Pillar would set forth definition of orders, 
how auctions would operate, how orders are displayed and ranked, and 
how orders are executed. The Exchange represents that the proposed 
trading rules are based on NYSE Arca Equities rules, with the exception 
of rules governing orders and modifiers and rules governing trading 
sessions.
    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.29E would specify that, to obtain 
authorized access to the Exchange, each ETP Holder would be required to 
enter into a User Agreement.\64\ The Exchange represents that the 
proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.29(a).
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    \64\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.29E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.30E would establish requirements for ETP 
Holders relating to authorized traders who can obtain access to the 
Exchange on behalf of an ETP Holder.\65\ The Exchange represents that 
the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.30.
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    \65\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.30E.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.31E would set forth the primary order 
types, time in force modifiers for the order types, orders with 
conditional or undisplayed price and/or size, non-routable and routable 
order instructions, operations of pegged orders, and other order types 
that would be available on the Pillar trading platform.\66\ The 
Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.31 with the following differences: (1) The self-trade 
prevention (``STP'') modifiers would not include references relating to 
ETPIDs; \67\ (2) Arca Only Orders would be renamed ``MKT Only Orders'' 
on the Exchange; \68\ (3) ETP Holders would be permitted to specify 
that Primary Only Day/IOC Orders in NYSE Arca-listed securities may 
include an instruction to be routed to NYSE Arca as a routable order, 
as set forth in proposed Rule 7.31E(f)(1)(B); \69\ and (4) NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.31.02 would not be adopted.\70\
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    \66\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.31E.
    \67\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.31E(i)(2). Because the 
Exchange would be operating on Pillar phase II protocols only, STPs 
would be based on the MPID of an ETP Holder and not on an ETP ID. 
Consequently, proposed Exchange Rule 7.32E(i)(2) would not include 
references from NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.31(i)(2) relating to 
ETPIDs (ETP identifications).
    \68\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.31E(e)(1).
    \69\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.31E(f)(1)(B).
    \70\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rules 13--
Equities (Orders and Modifiers) and 1000(c)--Equities would not be 
applicable to trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange rule 7.32E would set forth the maximum order 
entry size at 5 million shares.\71\ The Exchange represents that the 
proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.32.\72\
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    \71\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.32E.
    \72\ The Exchange proposes that the current maximum order size 
references before subparagraph (a) in Exchange Rule 1000--Equities 
would not be applicable to trading on Pillar.
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    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.33E would require ETP Holders to include, 
with each order entered into the Exchange, their capacity code 
information, whether as principal, agent, or riskless principal.\73\ 
The Exchange represents

[[Page 21847]]

that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.33.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \73\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.33E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.34E would specify that the Exchange would 
operate three trading sessions each day: Early, Core, and Late.\74\ The 
Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.34, except that the early trading session would start 
at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time rather than 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time for NYSE 
Arca Equities.\75\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \74\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.34E. The Exchange proposes 
that NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.34(b)(2) and (b)(3) would not be 
adopted.
    \75\ See, e.g., Proposed Exchange Rule 7.34E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E would set forth the auction rules.\76\ 
The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 7.35, with some substantive differences.\77\ First, the 
Exchange states that, because it lists the securities of operating 
companies, instead of the exchange traded products listed on NYSE Arca, 
the auction-collar thresholds should be wider than those on NYSE Arca, 
and the Exchange proposes auction collars based on the collars for the 
Nasdaq opening and closing crosses. Second, the Exchange, based on the 
rules of Nasdaq, proposes to provide that the Closing Auction Imbalance 
Freeze would begin ten minutes (instead of one minute) before the 
scheduled time for the closing auction.
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    \76\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E.
    \77\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rules 15--
Equities, 115A--Equities, 116.40--Equities, 123C--Equities, and 
123D--Equities would not be applicable on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.36E would set forth how orders are ranked 
and displayed, and the priority of orders.\78\ The Exchange represents 
that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.36.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \78\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.36E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.37E would set forth how orders would 
execute and route, the data feeds the Exchange would use, the 
prohibition on quotations that lock or cross the best protected bid or 
offer, and exceptions to the Commission's Order Protection Rule.\79\ 
The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities 7.37, except that the Exchange would not be using data feeds 
from broker-dealers or routing to away markets that do not display 
protected quotations.\80\
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    \79\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.37E.
    \80\ The Exchange proposes that the following rules would not be 
applicable to trading on the Pillar trading platform: Exchange Rules 
15A--Equities (Order Protection Rule), 19--Equities (Locking or 
Crossing Protected Quotations in NMS Stocks), 60--Equities 
(Dissemination of Quotations), 61--Equities (Recognized Quotations), 
72--Equities (Priority of Bids and Offers and Allocation of 
Executions), 79A.15--Equities, 100(a) and (b)--Equities (Automatic 
Executions), 1001--Equities (Execution of Automatically Executing 
Orders), 1002--Equities (Availability of Automatic Execution 
Feature), and 1004--Equities (Election of Buy Minus and Sell Plus).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.38E sets forth how odd-lot and mixed-lot 
orders are treated on the Exchange.\81\ The Exchange represents that 
the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.38.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \81\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.38E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.39E sets forth how trading would occur on 
the Exchange through its off-hours trading facility.\82\ The Exchange 
proposes to permit only aggregate-price coupled orders--an order to buy 
or sell a group of securities (no fewer than 15) having a total market 
value of $1 million or more--through the off-hours trading facility. 
The Exchange represents that NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.39 would not be 
adopted, but rather, current Exchange Rule 900 series would form the 
basis for the proposed rules.\83\
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    \82\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.39E.
    \83\ NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.39 addresses the adjustment of 
open orders. Because the Exchange does not propose to have any open 
orders when trading on the Pillar trading platform, the Exchange 
would not adopt rule text based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.39.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.40E would set forth the Exchange's 
obligation to report trades to an appropriate consolidated transaction 
reporting system.\84\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is 
based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.40.\85\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \84\ See Proposed Exchange rule 7.40E.
    \85\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 128A--
Equities would not be applicable on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.41E would specify that each executed 
transaction on the Exchange will be automatically processed for 
clearance and settlement on a locked-in and anonymous basis.\86\ With 
the exception of proposed Exchange Rule 7.41E(c), the Exchange 
represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities 7.41. 
The Exchange represents that proposed Exchange Rule 7.41E(c) is based 
on NYSE Rule 130(b), which specifies the circumstances under which the 
Exchange may reveal the contra-party identity.\87\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \86\ See Proposed Exchange rule 7.41E.
    \87\ The Exchange represents that proposed Exchange Rule 
7.41E.10 is based on current Exchange Rule 132.10--Equities. The 
Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rules 130--Equities 
(Overnight Comparison of Exchange Transaction), 132--Equities 
(Comparison and Settlement of Transactions Through a Fully-
Interfaced or Qualified Clearing Agency), 133--Equities 
(Comparison--Non-cleared Transactions), 134--Equities (Differences 
and Omissions--Non-cleared Transactions (``DKs'')), and 136--
Equities (Comparison--Transactions Excluded from a Clearance) would 
not apply to trading on Pillar. See Notice, 82 FR at 10821.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Retail Liquidity Program Would Not Be Available
    The Exchange currently operates a retail liquidity program on a 
pilot basis.\88\ The Exchange proposes that it would not establish a 
retail liquidity program on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \88\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 67347 (Jul. 3, 
2012), 77 FR 40673 (Jul. 10 2012) (approving the retail liquidity 
program on a pilot basis); 79587 (Dec. 16, 2016), 81 FR 93975 (Dec. 
22, 2016) (extending the pilot until June 30, 2017) (SR-NYSE-2011-
55; SR-NYSEAmex-2011-84).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Rules Related to Exchange Routing Broker
    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.45E would establish the rules for the 
Exchange's routing broker.\89\ The Exchange represents that the 
proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.45.\90\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \89\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.45E.
    \90\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 17--
Equities (Use of Exchange Facilities and Vendor Services) would not 
be applicable on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Rules Related to Tick Size Pilot Plan
    Proposed Exchange Rule 7.46E sets forth the rules for the Tick Size 
Pilot Plan.\91\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based 
on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 7.46, with the exception of references to 
the retail liquidity program.\92\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \91\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 7.46E.
    \92\ The Exchange proposes that current Exchange Rule 67--
Equities (Tick Size Pilot Plan) would not be applicable on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

F. Exchange Rule 12E--Arbitration

    Proposed Exchange Rule 12E would provide that disputes between or 
among ETP Holders and their associated persons would be resolved via 
arbitration.\93\ The Exchange represents that the proposed rule is 
based on current Exchange Rule 600--Equities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \93\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 12E.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

G. Exchange Rule 13E--Liability of Directors and the Exchange

    Proposed Exchange Rule 13.2E would set forth requirements governing 
liability of the Exchange, including the limits on liability under 
specified circumstances.\94\ The Exchange represents that the proposed 
rule is based on current Exchange Rule 905NY and NYSE Arca Equities 
Rule 13.2. Proposed Exchange Rule 13.3E would set forth when ETP 
Holders and their associated persons may sue Exchange

[[Page 21848]]

subsidiaries and personnel.\95\ The Exchange represents that the 
proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca Equities Rule 13.3. Proposed 
Exchange Rule 13.4E would determine the responsible party for legal 
costs when the Exchange is defending a legal proceeding.\96\ The 
Exchange represents that the proposed rule is based on NYSE Arca 
Equities Rule 13.4.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \94\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 13.2E. The Exchange proposes 
that current Exchange Rule 18--Equities would not be applicable on 
Pillar. See Notice, 82 FR at 10822.
    \95\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 13.3E.
    \96\ See Proposed Exchange Rule 13.4E. The Exchange proposes 
that current Exchange Rule 25--Equities (Exchange Liability for 
Legal Costs) would not be applicable on Pillar. See Notice, 82 FR at 
10822.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

H. Current Exchange Rules Not Applicable on Pillar

    As noted earlier, the Exchange would no longer operate a trading 
floor once the Exchange transitions to Pillar. As a result, the 
Exchange proposes that certain current rules that relate to floor-based 
trading would not be applicable on Pillar.\97\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \97\ See Notice, 82 FR at 10823-10824, for a list of current 
Exchange rules related to floor-based trading that would not be 
applicable on Pillar.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Discussion and Findings

    After careful review of the proposal, the Commission finds, for the 
reasons discussed below, that the proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder 
applicable to the Exchange.\98\ In particular, the Commission finds 
that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act,\99\ which requires, among other things, that the rules of a 
national securities exchange be designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market systems and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest and that the rules are not designed to permit unfair 
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \98\ In approving this proposed rule change, the Commission has 
considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, competition, 
and capital formation. 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \99\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

A. Pillar Trading System

    The proposal would replace the Exchange's current floor based 
trading, which has a parity-allocation model, with a fully automated, 
electronic trading system with a price-time-priority model. The 
Commission notes that the proposed rules closely parallel, and are 
substantially similar to, current NYSE Arca Equities rules and current 
Exchange rules, which were filed and approved by the Commission (or 
which became immediately effective) pursuant to Section 19(b) of the 
Act. NYSE Arca Equities currently operates using the Pillar trading 
platform, and most other national securities exchanges operate fully 
electronic markets that use a price-time-priority model. Accordingly, 
the Commission believes that the proposal raises no novel regulatory 
issues, that it is reasonably designed to protect investors and the 
public interest, and that it is consistent with the requirements of the 
Act.

B. Section 11(a) of the Act

    Section 11(a)(1) of the Act \100\ prohibits a member of a national 
securities exchange from effecting transactions on that exchange for 
its own account, the account of an associated person, or an account 
over which it or its associated person exercises investment discretion 
(collectively, ``covered accounts'') unless an exception applies. Rule 
11a2-2(T) under the Act,\101\ known as the ``effect versus execute'' 
rule, provides exchange members with an exemption from the Section 
11(a)(1) prohibition. Rule 11a2-2(T) permits an exchange member, 
subject to certain conditions, to effect transactions for covered 
accounts by arranging for an unaffiliated member to execute 
transactions on the exchange. To comply with Rule 11a2-2(T)'s 
conditions, a member: (i) Must transmit the order from off the exchange 
floor; (ii) may not participate in the execution of the transaction 
once the order has been transmitted to the member performing the 
execution; \102\ (iii) may not be affiliated with the executing member; 
and (iv) with respect to an account over which the member or an 
associated person has investment discretion, neither the member nor an 
associated person may retain any compensation in connection with 
effecting the transaction except as provided in the Rule. For the 
reasons set forth below, the Commission believes that ETP Holders 
entering orders into the Exchange's Pillar trading system would satisfy 
the requirements of Rule 11a2-2(T).\103\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \100\ 15 U.S.C. 78k(a)(1).
    \101\ 17 CFR 240.11a2-2(T).
    \102\ This prohibition also applies to associated persons of the 
initiating member. The member may, however, participate in clearing 
and settling the transaction.
    \103\ The Exchange has clarified that its analysis relating to 
Section 11(a) of the Act in the Notice applies to the Exchange's 
proposed Pillar trading platform and does not apply to trading in 
the Exchange's off-hours trading facility, which is to be governed 
by proposed Rule 7.39E (``Off-Hours Trading Facility''). See Email 
from Clare Saperstein, Associate General Counsel, NYSE Group, Inc. 
to Yue Ding, Jennifer Dodd, and Steve Kuan, Division of Trading and 
Markets, Commission (May 2, 2017). The Exchange has also clarified 
that its Off-Hours Trading Facility would continue to operate on its 
existing technology and would not operate on the proposed Pillar 
trading platform. See id. Additionally, the Exchange represents that 
it is not proposing any new or different functionality for its Off-
Hours Trading Facility and that member organizations using the Off-
Hours Trading Facility pursuant to proposed Rule 7.39E would 
continue to be required to comply with Section 11(a)(1) of the Act, 
and any applicable exceptions thereto as are currently applicable to 
the Exchange's off-hours trading facility under the Exchange's Rule 
900 Series, which is based on the rules of the New York Stock 
Exchange LLC (``NYSE''). See id.; see also Securities Exchange Act 
Release Nos. 33992 (May 2, 1994), 59 FR 23907 (May 9, 1994) (SR-
NYSE-93-50) (approving the NYSE's off-hours trading facility on a 
permanent basis); 29237 (May 24, 1991), 56 FR 24853 (May 31, 1991) 
(SR-NYSE-90-52 and SR-NYSE-90-53) (approving the NYSE's off-hours 
trading facility on a temporary basis); and 58705 (Oct. 1, 2008), 73 
FR 58995 (Oct. 8, 2008) (SR-Amex-2008-63) (approving the adoption of 
new equity trading rules by the Exchange that are substantially 
identical to the equity trading rules of NYSE).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 11a2-2(T)'s first requirement is that orders for covered 
accounts be transmitted from off the exchange floor. The Exchange 
represents that it will not have a physical trading floor once it 
transitions to the Pillar trading platform, and the Exchange's Pillar 
trading system will receive orders from members electronically through 
remote terminals or computer-to-computer interfaces.\104\ In the 
context of other automated trading systems, the Commission has found 
that the off-floor transmission requirement is met if a covered account 
order is transmitted from a remote location directly to an exchange's 
floor by electronic means.\105\ Because the Pillar trading system 
receives orders electronically through remote terminals or computer-to-
computer interfaces, the Commission believes that the Pillar

[[Page 21849]]

trading system would satisfy this off-floor transmission requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \104\ See Notice, supra note 3, 82 FR at 10825.
    \105\ In the context of other all-electronic systems, the 
Commission has similarly found that the off-floor transmission 
requirement is met if the system receives orders electronically 
through remote terminals or computer-to-computer interfaces. See, 
e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61419 (Jan. 26, 2010), 75 
FR 5157 (Feb. 1, 2010) (SR-BATS-2009-031) (approving BATS options 
trading); 59154 (Dec. 23, 2008), 73 FR 80468 (Dec. 31, 2008) (SR-
BSE-2008-48) (approving equity securities listing and trading on 
BSE); 57478 (Mar. 12, 2008), 73 FR 14521 (Mar. 18, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-
2007-004 and SR-NASDAQ-2007-080) (approving NOM options trading); 
53128 (Jan. 13, 2006), 71 FR 3550 (Jan. 23, 2006) (File No. 10-131) 
(granting the application of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC for 
registration as a national securities exchange); and 44983 (Oct. 25, 
2001), 66 FR 55225 (Nov. 1, 2001) (SR-PCX-00-25) (approving the 
establishment of the Archipelago Exchange as the equities trading 
facility of PCX Equities, Inc., a subsidiary of the Pacific 
Exchange, Inc.).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Second, Rule 11a2-2(T) requires that neither the initiating member 
nor an associated person of the initiating member participate in the 
execution of the transaction at any time after the order for the 
transaction has been transmitted. The Exchange represents that the 
Pillar trading system would at no time following the submission of an 
order allow an ETP Holder or an associated person of the ETP Holder to 
acquire control or influence over the result or timing of the order's 
execution.\106\ According to the Exchange, the execution of an ETP 
Holder's order would be determined solely by the quotes and orders that 
are present in the system at the time the member submits the order and 
by the order priority under the Exchange rules.\107\ Accordingly, the 
Commission believes that an Exchange member and its associated persons 
would not participate in the execution of an order submitted to the 
Pillar trading system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \106\ See Notice, supra note 3, 82 FR at 10825.
    \107\ See id. The Exchange notes that Rule 11a2-2(T) does not 
preclude a member from cancelling or modifying orders, or from 
modifying the instructions for executing orders, after they have 
been transmitted, provided that such cancellations or modifications 
are transmitted from off an exchange floor. See id. The Commission 
has stated that the non-participation requirement is satisfied under 
such circumstances so long as the modifications or cancellations are 
also transmitted from off the floor. See Securities Exchange Act 
Release No. 14563 (Mar. 14, 1978), 43 FR 11542 (Mar. 17, 1978) 
(``1978 Release'') (stating that the ``non-participation requirement 
does not prevent initiating members from canceling or modifying 
orders (or the instructions pursuant to which the initiating member 
wishes orders to be executed) after the orders have been transmitted 
to the executing member, provided that any such instructions are 
also transmitted from off the floor'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Third, Rule 11a2-2(T) requires that the order be executed by an 
exchange member that is not associated with the member initiating the 
order. The Commission has stated that this requirement is satisfied 
when automated exchange facilities are used, as long as the design of 
these systems ensures that members do not possess any special or unique 
trading advantages in handling their orders after transmitting them to 
the exchange.\108\ The Exchange represents that the design of the 
Pillar trading system ensures that no ETP Holder has any special or 
unique trading advantage in the handling of its orders after 
transmitting its orders to the Exchange.\109\ Based on the Exchange's 
representation, the Commission believes that the Pillar trading system 
would satisfy this requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \108\ In considering the operation of automated execution 
systems operated by an exchange, the Commission noted that, while 
there is not an independent executing exchange member, the execution 
of an order is automatic once it has been transmitted into the 
system. Because the design of these systems ensures that members do 
not possess any special or unique trading advantages in handling 
their orders after transmitting them to the exchange, the Commission 
has stated that executions obtained through these systems satisfy 
the independent execution requirement of Rule 11a2-2(T). See 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 15533 (Jan. 29, 1979), 44 FR 
6084 (Jan. 31, 1979).
    \109\ See Notice, supra note 3, 82 FR at 10825.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Fourth, in the case of a transaction effected for an account with 
respect to which the initiating member or an associated person thereof 
exercises investment discretion, neither the initiating member nor any 
associated person may retain any compensation in connection with 
effecting the transaction, unless the person authorized to transact 
business for the account has expressly provided otherwise by written 
contract referring to Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 11a2-2(T) 
thereunder.\110\ ETP Holders trading for covered accounts over which 
they exercise investment discretion must comply with this condition in 
order to rely on the rule's exemption.\111\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \110\ In addition, Rule 11a2-2(T)(d) requires that, if a member 
or associated person is authorized by written contract to retain 
compensation in connection with effecting transactions for covered 
accounts over which the member or associated person thereof 
exercises investment discretion, the member or associated person 
must furnish at least annually to the person authorized to transact 
business for the account a statement setting forth the total amount 
of compensation retained by the member or any associated person 
thereof in connection with effecting transactions for the account 
during the period covered by the statement. See 17 CFR 240.11a2-
2(T)(d). See also 1978 Release, supra note 107 (``The contractual 
and disclosure requirements are designed to assure that accounts 
electing to permit transaction-related compensation do so only after 
deciding that such arrangements are suitable to their interests'').
    \111\ The Exchange has represented that it will advise its 
membership through the issuance of a Regulatory Bulletin that those 
ETP Holders trading for covered accounts over which they exercise 
investment discretion must comply with this condition in order to 
rely on the exemption in Rule 11a2-2(T). See Notice, supra note 3, 
82 FR at 10825.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

IV. Solicitation of Comments on Amendment No. 1

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether Amendment No. 1 
to 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-NYSEMKT-2017-01 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-NYSEMKT-2017-01. 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 the filing also will be available 
for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. All 
comments received will be posted without change; the Commission does 
not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should 
submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-NYSEMKT-2017-01 and should 
be submitted on or before May 31, 2017.

V. Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 1

    As noted above, in Amendment No. 1, the Exchange proposes to: (1) 
Amend proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E(a)(10)(A) to specify the ``Auction 
Collar'' as the greater of $0.50 or 10% away from the Auction Reference 
Price and delete the specified percentages to conform to SR-NYSEArca-
2016-130; (2) amend proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E(d)(2) to note that the 
Closing Auction Imbalance Freeze will begin ten minutes (rather than 
one minute) before the scheduled time for the Closing Auction; (3) 
amend proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E(f)(2) to reject certain orders until 
after the Auction Processing Period for the IPO Auction has concluded; 
(4) amend

[[Page 21850]]

proposed Exchange Rule 7.35E(h)(3)(A) and (B) to define ``previously-
live orders'' for Core Open Auction, Trading Halt Auction, Closing 
Auction, and IPO Auction and to define how unexecuted orders would be 
processed when the Exchange transitions from continuous trading from a 
prior trading session; (5) amend proposed Exchange rule 7.31E(h)(3)(A) 
to specify that Discretionary Pegged Orders do not participate in any 
auctions; (6) amend proposed Exchange Rule 7.34E(c)(1)(A) to add a 
provision that Discretionary Pegged Orders may not be entered before or 
during the Early Trading Session; (7) amend proposed Exchange Rule 
7.46E to reflect recent changes to publication dates with respect to 
the Tick Size Pilot Plan; and (8) state that the Pillar transition is 
anticipated to occur in the third quarter of 2017.
    The Commission believes that Amendment No. 1 does not raise novel 
regulatory issues and is based on, and substantively identical to, the 
existing rules of other self-regulatory organizations. Accordingly, the 
Commission finds good cause, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\112\ to approve the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment 
No. 1, on an accelerated basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \112\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

VI. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, that pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act, that the proposed rule change, as modified by Amendment No. 1, 
(SR-NYSEMKT-2017-01), be, and it hereby is, approved on an accelerated 
basis.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\113\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \113\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-09419 Filed 5-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P