[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 95 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22178-22189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10125]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-85831; File No. SR-CboeEDGX-2019-028]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc.; Notice 
of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Rule 21.22 (Complex 
Automated Improvement Mechanism)

May 10, 2019.
    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 April 26, 2019, Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or 
``EDGX'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, 
and III below, which Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of the 
Substance of the Proposed Rule Change

    Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``EDGX'') proposes to 
adopt Rule 21.22. The text of the proposed rule change is provided in 
Exhibit 5.
    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's website (http://markets.cboe.com/us/options/regulation/rule_filings/edgx/), at the Exchange's Office of the Secretary, and at 
the Commission's Public Reference Room.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    In 2016, the Exchange's parent company, Cboe Global Markets, Inc. 
(``Cboe Global''), which is the parent company of Cboe Exchange, Inc. 
(``Cboe Options'') and Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc. (``C2''), acquired the 
Exchange, Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc. (``EDGA''), Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. 
(``BZX or BZX Options''), and Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc. (``BYX'' and, 
together with C2, Cboe Options, the Exchange, EDGA, and BZX, the ``Cboe 
Affiliated Exchanges''). The Cboe Affiliated Exchanges are working to 
align certain system functionality, retaining only intended differences 
between the Cboe Affiliated Exchanges, in the context of a technology 
migration. Cboe Options intends to migrate its technology to the same 
trading platform used by the Exchange, C2, and BZX Options in the 
fourth quarter of 2019. The proposal set forth below is intended to add 
certain functionality to the Exchange's System that is available on 
Cboe Options in order to ultimately provide a consistent technology 
offering for market participants who interact with the Cboe Affiliated 
Exchanges. Although the Exchange intentionally offers certain features 
that differ from those offered by its affiliates and will continue to 
do so, the Exchange believes that offering similar functionality to the 
extent practicable will reduce potential confusion for Users.
    The proposed rule change permits use of its Automated Improvement 
Mechanism (``AIM'') for complex orders. Specifically, the proposed rule 
change adopts Rule 21.22, which describes how complex orders may be 
submitted to and will be processed in an AIM Auction (``C-AIM'' or ``C-
AIM Auction'').\3\ Complex orders will be processed and executed in a 
C-AIM Auction pursuant to proposed Rule 21.22 in a similar manner as 
simple orders are processed and executed in an AIM Auction pursuant to 
Rule 21.19. C-AIM will provide market participants with an opportunity 
to receive price improvement for their complex orders. The proposed 
rule change is similar to the complex order price improvement mechanism 
of Cboe Options and other

[[Page 22179]]

options exchanges. The Exchange believes the similarity of C-AIM to AIM 
and the mechanisms of other exchanges will allow the Exchange's 
proposed price improvement functionality to fit seamlessly into the 
options market and benefit market participants who are already familiar 
with this similar functionality. The Exchange also believes this will 
encourage Options Members to compete vigorously to provide the 
opportunity for price improvement for complex orders in a competitive 
auction process.
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    \3\ While the proposed rule change defines an AIM Auction for 
complex orders as a C-AIM Auction, the same mechanism is used to 
process both simple orders and complex orders. For clarity and ease 
of reference, the Exchange proposes a separate name and rule for C-
AIM to help Users distinguish how the mechanism applies to simple 
and complex orders.
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    An Options Member (the ``Initiating Member'') may electronically 
submit for execution a complex order it represents as agent (``Agency 
Order'') against principal interest or a solicited complex order(s) \4\ 
(an ``Initiating Order'') provided it submits the Agency Order for 
electronic execution into a C-AIM Auction pursuant to proposed Rule 
21.22. For purposes of proposed Rule 21.22, the term ``SBBO'' means the 
synthetic best bid or offer \5\ at the particular point in time 
applicable to the reference, and the term ``Initial SBBO'' means the 
synthetic best bid or offer at the time the C-AIM Auction is 
initiated.\6\
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    \4\ Unlike simple AIM, there is no restriction on the solicited 
order being for the account of any Options Market Maker registered 
in the applicable series on the Exchange, as there are no Market 
Maker appointments to complex strategies. Additionally, bulk 
messages (the equivalent of quoting functionality) are not available 
for complex orders. See Rule 21.20(b).
    \5\ The SBBO is calculated using the best displayed price for 
each component of a complex strategy from the Simple Book. See Rule 
21.20(a)(11).
    \6\ See proposed introductory paragraph to Rule 21.22. This 
proposed paragraph is the same as the corresponding paragraph for 
simple AIM (introductory paragraph to Rule 21.19), except it refers 
to SBBO rather than the national best bid or offer (``NBBO''). There 
is no NBBO for complex orders, as complex orders may be executed 
without consideration of any prices for the complex strategy that 
might be available on other exchanges trading the same complex 
strategy. See Rule 21.20(c)(2)(E). Additionally, executions of legs 
of complex orders are exceptions to the prohibition of trade-
throughs. See Rule 27.2(b)(8).
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    As defined, the Initiating Order may be comprised of multiple 
orders, in which case they must total the same size as the Agency 
Order. This will accommodate multiple contra-parties and increase the 
opportunities for customer orders to be submitted into a C-AIM Auction 
with the potential for price improvement, since the Initiating Order 
must stop the full size of the Agency Order. This will have no impact 
on the execution of the Agency Order, which may trade against multiple 
contra-parties depending on the final execution price(s), as set forth 
in proposed paragraph (e). The Exchange notes that with regard to order 
entry, the first order submitted into the system is marked as the 
agency side and the second order is marked as the initiating/contra-
side. Additionally, the Initiating Order will always be entered as a 
single order, even if that order consists of multiple contra-parties, 
which are allocated their portion of the trade in a post-trade 
allocation.
    The Initiating Member may initiate a C-AIM Auction if all of the 
following conditions are met:
     The Agency Order may be in any class of options traded on 
the Exchange.
     The Initiating Member must mark an Agency Order for C-AIM 
Auction processing.
     There is no minimum size for Agency Orders. The Initiating 
Order must be for the same size as the Agency Order.
     The price of the Agency Order and Initiating Order must be 
in an increment of $0.01.
     The Initiating Member may not designate an Agency Order or 
Initiating Order as Post Only.
     An Initiating Member may only submit an Agency Order to a 
C-AIM Auction after the complex order book (``COB'') opens.
    The System rejects or cancels both an Agency Order and Initiating 
Order submitted to a C-AIM Auction that do not meet these 
conditions.\7\
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    \7\ See proposed Rule 21.22(a). Proposed paragraph (a) is the 
same as the corresponding paragraph for simple AIM (see Rule 
21.19(a)), except the proposed rule change does not provide that an 
Initiating Member may not submit an Agency Order if the NBBO is 
crossed (unless the Agency Order is an AIM ISO or Sweep and AIM). As 
noted above, there is no NBBO for complex orders, and the legs of 
complex orders are not subject to the restriction on NBBO trade-
throughs. Additionally, the proposed rule change references the 
opening of the COB rather than the market open, as the opening of 
the COB is when complex orders may begin trading.
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    The Initiating Order must stop the entire Agency Order at a price 
that satisfies the following:
     If the Agency Order is to buy (sell) and (a) the 
applicable side of the Exchange's best bid or offer (``BBO'') on any 
component of the complex strategy represents a Priority Customer order 
on the Simple Book, the stop price must be at least $0.01 better than 
the SBB (SBO); or (b) the applicable side of the BBO on each component 
of the complex strategy represents a non-Priority Customer order or 
quote on the Simple Book, the stop price must be at or better than the 
SBB (SBO). This ensures the execution price of the Agency Order will 
improve the price of any Priority Customer orders resting on the Simple 
Book.\8\
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    \8\ This is consistent with complex order priority, which 
ensures the execution price of complex orders will not be executed 
at prices inferior to the SBBO or at a price equal to the SBBO when 
there is a Priority Customer at the BBO for any component. See Rule 
21.20(c)(2)(E). As noted above, there is no NBBO for complex orders, 
so the proposed rule change does not have a price requirement for 
the stop price related to the NBBO, unlike simple AIM. See Rule 
21.19(b)(1).
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     If the Agency Order is to buy (sell) and (a) a Priority 
Customer buy (sell) complex order rests on the COB, the stop price must 
be at least $0.01 better than the bid (offer) of the resting complex 
order; or (b) a non-Priority Customer buy (sell) complex order rests on 
the COB, the stop price must be at least $0.01 better than the bid 
(offer) of the resting complex order, unless the Agency Order is a 
Priority Customer order, in which case the stop price must be at or 
better than the bid (offer) of the resting complex order. This ensures 
the execution price of the Agency Order will improve the price of any 
resting Priority Customer complex orders on the COB, and that the 
execution price of a Priority Customer Agency Order will not be 
inferior to the price of any resting non-Priority Customer complex 
orders on the COB.\9\
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    \9\ This corresponds to the same-side simple order check for 
AIM, which requires the Agency Order to improve the price of a 
resting Priority Customer order on the Simple Book, or a non-
Priority Customer order or quote on the Simple Book unless the 
Agency Order is for a Priority Customer. See Rule 21.19(b)(2).
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     If the Agency Order is to buy (sell) and (a) the BBO of 
any component of the complex strategy represents a Priority Customer 
order on the Simple Book, the stop price must be at least $0.01 better 
than the SBO (SBB), or (b) the BBO of each component of the complex 
strategy represents a non-Priority Customer order on the Simple Book, 
the stop price must be at or better than the SBO (SBB). This ensures 
the execution price of the Agency Order will improve the price of any 
Priority Customer orders resting in the Simple Book at the opposite 
side of the SBBO, and not be through the opposite side of the SBBO. 
While the stop price may cross the opposite side best-priced complex 
order resting on the opposite side of the COB, as noted below, any 
complex interest at a better price than the stop price will trade ahead 
of the Initiating Order. Pursuant to proposed paragraph (e), any 
contra-side interest available at better prices than the stop price at 
the conclusion of a C-AIM Auction will execute against the Agency Order 
ahead of the Initiating Order. Therefore, the Agency Order will execute 
at the best prices available at the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction, 
even if the stop price was inferior to those prices. Simple AIM 
Auctions may similarly start at prices inferior to the

[[Page 22180]]

NBBO for the series in certain instances.\10\
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    \10\ Simple AIM has no price checks for orders on the opposite 
side of the Agency Order. The proposed rule change adopts price 
checks for simple orders that constitute the SBBO on the opposite 
side of the Agency Order to ensure that the Agency Order does not 
execute at a price through the opposite side SBBO to protect orders 
(including Priority Customer orders) resting in the Simple Book. 
While there is no complex AIM sweep or complex sweep and AIM order 
for C-AIM, because complex orders do not route (and there is no 
applicable NBBO), permitting the stop price to cross the opposite 
side of the COB is consistent with those order types in simple AIM, 
which permit the stop price to be inferior to the Initial NBBO. See 
Rule 21.19(b)(3). The execution at the conclusion of a C-AIM Auction 
will essentially ``sweep'' better-priced contra-side complex 
interest that is available on the Exchange.
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     The Initiating Member must specify (a) a single price at 
which it seeks to execute the Agency Order against the Initiating Order 
(a ``single-price submission''), including whether it elects to have 
last priority in allocation (as described below), or (b) an initial 
stop price and instruction to automatically match the price and size of 
all C-AIM responses and other trading interest (``auto-match'') up to a 
designated limit price or at all prices that improve the stop price. 
These options provide the Initiating Member with flexibility regarding 
the prices at which it desires to trade against the Initiating Order, 
and the same flexibility that is currently available to Options Members 
with respect to simple orders.\11\
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    \11\ These are the same options available for Initiating Members 
in simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(b)(4).
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    The System rejects or cancels both an Agency Order and Initiating 
Order submitted to a C-AIM Auction that do not meet these 
conditions.\12\
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    \12\ See proposed Rule 21.22(b). Proposed paragraph (a) is the 
same as the corresponding paragraph for simple AIM (see Rule 
21.19(a)), except as described above, including using the SBBO and 
COB prices rather than the NBBO as reference prices for the stop 
price.
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    Upon receipt of an Agency Order that meets the above conditions, 
the C-AIM Auction process commences. With respect to Agency Orders for 
which the smallest leg is less than 50 standard option contracts (or 
500 mini-option contracts), only one C-AIM Auction may be ongoing at 
any given time in a complex strategy, and C-AIM Auctions in the same 
complex strategy may not queue or overlap in any manner. One or more C-
AIM Auctions in the same complex strategy for Agency Orders for which 
the smallest leg is 50 standard option contracts (or 500 mini-option 
contracts) or more may occur at the same time. C-AIM Auctions in 
different complex strategies may be ongoing at any given time, even if 
the complex strategies have overlapping components. A C-AIM Auction may 
be ongoing at the same time as an AIM Auction in any component of the 
complex strategy.
    To the extent there is more than one C-AIM Auction in a complex 
strategy underway at a time, the C-AIM Auctions conclude sequentially 
based on the exact time each C-AIM Auction commenced, unless terminated 
early pursuant to proposed paragraph (d). In the event there are 
multiple C-AIM Auctions underway that are each terminated early 
pursuant to proposed paragraph (d), the System processes the C-AIM 
Auctions sequentially based on the exact time each C-AIM Auction 
commenced. If the System receives a simple order that causes an AIM and 
C-AIM (or multiple AIM and/or C-AIM) Auctions to conclude pursuant to 
proposed paragraph (d) and Rule 21.19(d), the System first processes 
AIM Auctions (in price-time priority) and then processes C-AIM Auctions 
(in price-time priority). At the time each C-AIM Auction concludes, the 
System allocates the Agency Order pursuant to proposed paragraph (e) 
and takes into account all C-AIM Auction responses and unrelated orders 
and quotes in place at the exact time of conclusion.\13\
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    \13\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(1). Proposed paragraph (c)(1) is 
the same as the corresponding paragraph for simple AIM (see Rule 
21.19(c)(1)), except the proposed change adds how the System will 
handle ongoing auctions that include an overlapping component 
(whether that component is the subject of an ongoing simple AIM 
Auction or part of a complex strategy for which a different C-AIM 
Auction is ongoing) and adds that whether concurrent C-AIM Auctions 
(subject to the same minimum size restriction as simple orders) in 
the same complex strategy may occur is based on the size of the 
smallest leg of the Agency Order.
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    The Exchange currently permits concurrent AIM Auctions in the same 
series (for Agency Orders of 50 or more contracts) and thus believes it 
is appropriate to similarly permit concurrent C-AIM Auctions in the 
same complex strategy (for Agency Orders for which the smallest leg is 
for 50 or more contracts). Different complex strategies are essentially 
different products, as orders in those strategies cannot interact, just 
as orders in different series or classes cannot interact. Therefore, 
the Exchange believes concurrent C-AIM Auctions in different complex 
strategies is appropriate given that concurrent simple AIM Auctions in 
different series or different classes may occur. Similarly, while it is 
possible for a complex order to leg into the Simple Book, a complex 
order may only execute against simple orders if there is interest in 
each component in the appropriate ratio for the complex strategy. A 
simple order in one component of a complex strategy cannot on its own 
interact with a complex order in that complex strategy. Therefore, the 
Exchange believes it is appropriate to permit concurrent AIM and C-AIM 
Auctions that share a component. As proposed, C-AIM Auctions will 
ensure that Agency Orders execute at prices that protect Priority 
Customer orders in the Simple Book and that are not inferior to the 
SBBO at the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction, even when there are 
concurrent simple and complex auctions occurring. The proposed rule 
change sets forth how any auctions with overlapping components will 
conclude if terminated due to the same event.
    The Exchange notes it is currently possible for auctions in a 
component leg and a complex strategy containing that component (such as 
a simple AIM Auction in the component and a complex order auction 
(``COA'') in the complex strategy that contains that component) to 
occur concurrently, and at the end of each auction, it is possible for 
interest resting in the Simple Book to trade against the complex order 
subject to the COA. While these auctions may be occurring at the same 
time, they will be processed in the order in which they are terminated 
(similar to how the System will process auctions as proposed above). In 
other words, suppose there is an AIM Auction in a series and a COA in a 
complex strategy for which one of the components is the same series 
both occurring, which began and will terminate in that order, and each 
of which last 100 milliseconds. While it is possible for both auctions 
to terminate nearly simultaneously, the System will still process them 
in the order in which they terminate. When the AIM Auction terminates, 
the System will process it in accordance with Rule 21.19, and the 
auctioned order may trade against any resting interest (in addition to 
the contra-side order and responses submitted to that AIM Auction, 
which may only trade against the order auctioned in that AIM pursuant 
to Rule 21.19). The System will then process the COA Auction when it 
terminates, and the auctioned order may trade against any resting 
interest, including any simple interest that did not execute against 
the AIM order (in addition to the contra-side order and responses 
submitted to that COA Auction, which may only trade against the order 
auctioned in that COA), pursuant to Rule 21.20.
    The System initiates the C-AIM Auction process by sending a C-AIM 
Auction notification message detailing the side, size, price, Capacity, 
Auction ID, and complex strategy of the Agency Order to all Options 
Members that elect

[[Page 22181]]

to receive C-AIM Auction notification messages. C-AIM Auction 
notification messages are not included in OPRA.\14\ A C-AIM Auction 
will last for a period of time determined by the Exchange, which may be 
no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than one second, and which 
the Exchange will announce to Options Members via Exchange Notice and/
or technical specifications.\15\ An Initiating Member may not modify or 
cancel an Agency Order or Initiating Order after submission to a C-AIM 
Auction.\16\
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    \14\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(2). The proposed C-AIM Auction 
notification message is the same as the corresponding message for 
simple AIM (see Rule 21.19(c)(2)), except the proposed rule change 
indicates the notification message for a C-AIM Auction will include 
the complex strategy rather than the series. The proposed rule 
change also states the C-AIM notification message will include the 
Capacity of the Agency Order. The notification message for simple 
AIM includes Capacity, but that detail is not currently included in 
Rule 21.19.
    \15\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(3). The proposed C-AIM Auction 
period is the same as the auction period for simple AIM (see Rule 
21.19(c)(3)).
    \16\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(4). The proposed C-AIM Auction 
notification message [sic] is the same as the corresponding 
provision for simple AIM (see Rule 21.19(c)(4)).
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    Any User other than the Initiating Member (determined by EFID) may 
submit responses to a C-AIM Auction that are properly marked specifying 
size, side of the market, and the Auction ID for the C-AIM Auction to 
which the User is submitting the response. A C-AIM Auction response may 
only participate in the C-AIM Auction with the Auction ID specified in 
the response.\17\
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    \17\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5). The proposed provisions 
regarding C-AIM responses are the same as the provisions regarding 
AIM responses, except as set forth below. See Rule 21.19(c)(5).
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     The minimum price increment for C-AIM responses is $0.01. 
The System rejects a C-AIM response that is not in a $0.01 
increment.\18\
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    \18\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(A). The proposed minimum 
increment for C-AIM responses is the same as the minimum increment 
for AIM responses. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(A).
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     C-AIM responses that cross the Initial SBBO or the price 
of a complex order resting at the top of the COB on the same side as 
the Agency Order are capped at (a) the better of the Initial SBBO or 
the price of the resting complex order, or (b) $0.01 better than the 
better of the Initial SBBO or the resting complex order if the BBO of 
any component of the complex strategy or the resting complex order, 
respectively, is a Priority Customer order. The System executes these 
C-AIM responses, if possible, at the most aggressive permissible price 
not outside the Initial SBBO or price of the resting complex order. 
This will ensure the execution price does not cross the Initial SBBO or 
prices of resting complex orders, which the stop price must be at or 
better than (and must be better than if represented by a Priority 
Customer order) as discussed above.\19\
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    \19\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(B); see also proposed Rule 
21.22(b)(2). This proposed provision is similar to the corresponding 
provision for AIM responses, except it refers to the SBBO and prices 
of complex order rather than the NBBO. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(B).
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     A User may submit multiple C-AIM responses at the same or 
multiple prices to a C-AIM Auction. The System aggregates all of a 
User's complex orders on the COB and C-AIM responses for the same EFID 
at the same price.\20\ The Exchange believes this is appropriate since 
all interest at a single price is considered for execution against the 
Agency Order at that price, and can then together be subject to the 
size cap, as discussed below. This (combined with the proposed size cap 
described below) will prevent an Options Member from submitting 
multiple orders or responses at the same price to obtain a larger pro-
rata share of the Agency Order.
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    \20\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(C). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM, except it proposes to 
aggregate responses with complex order interest rather than simple 
order interest. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(C).
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     The System caps the size of a C-AIM response, or the 
aggregate size of a User's complex orders on the COB and C-AIM 
responses for the same EFID at the same price, at the size of the 
Agency Order (i.e., the System ignores size in excess of the size of 
the Agency Order when processing the C-AIM Auction). The Exchange 
believes this will prevent an Options Member from submitting an order 
or response with an extremely large size in order to obtain a larger 
pro-rata share of the Agency Order.\21\
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    \21\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(D). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM, except it proposes to 
aggregate responses with complex order interest, and cap aggregate 
complex size, rather than simple order interest. See Rule 
21.19(c)(5)(D).
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     C-AIM responses must be on the opposite side of the market 
as the Agency Order. The System rejects a C-AIM response on the same 
side of the market as the Agency Order.\22\
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    \22\ See proposed Rule 21.21(c)(5)(E). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(E).
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     C-AIM responses may be designated with the MTP modifier of 
MTP Cancel Newest, but no other MTP modifiers. The System rejects a C-
AIM response with any other MTP modifier.\23\
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    \23\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(F). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(F).
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     C-AIM responses may not be designated as immediate-or-
cancel (``IOC''). The System rejects a C-AIM response designated as 
IOC.\24\
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    \24\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(G). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM, except the proposed rule 
change does not reference fill-or-kill (``FOK'') as a prohibited 
designated for C-AIM response. FOK is never available for complex 
orders, and thus will not be available for C-AIM responses (and does 
not need to be specifically prohibited for C-AIM responses). See 
Rules 21.19(c)(5)(G) and 21.20(b).
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     C-AIM responses are not visible to C-AIM Auction 
participants or disseminated to OPRA.\25\
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    \25\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(H). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(H).
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     A User may modify or cancel its C-AIM responses during the 
C-AIM Auction.\26\
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    \26\ See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(5)(I). This is the same as the 
corresponding provision for simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(c)(5)(I).
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    A C-AIM Auction concludes at the earliest to occur of the following 
times:
     The end of the C-AIM Auction period;
     upon receipt by the System of an unrelated non-Priority 
Customer complex order on the same side as the Agency Order that would 
post to the COB at a price better than the stop price;
     upon receipt by the System of an unrelated Priority 
Customer complex order on the same side as the Agency Order that would 
post to the COB at a price equal to or better than the stop price;
     upon receipt by the System of an unrelated non-Priority 
Customer order or quote that would post to the Simple Book and cause 
the SBBO on the same side as the Agency Order to be better than the 
stop price;
     upon receipt by the System of a Priority Customer order in 
any component of the complex strategy that would post to the Simple 
Book and cause the SBBO on the same side as the Agency Order to be 
equal to or better than the stop price;
     upon receipt by the System of a simple non-Priority 
Customer order that would cause the SBBO on the opposite side of the 
Agency Order to be better than the stop price, or a Priority Customer 
order that would cause the SBBO on the opposite side of the Agency 
Order to be equal to or better than the stop price;
     the market close; and
     any time the Exchange halts trading in the complex 
strategy or any component of the complex strategy, provided, however, 
that in such instance, the C-AIM Auction concludes without 
execution.\27\
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    \27\ See proposed Rule 21.22(d). The proposed events that cause 
a C-AIM Auction to conclude are similar as those that cause a simple 
AIM Auction to conclude, except are based on the entry of simple or 
complex orders that impact the SBBO or the best available prices on 
the same side of the COB rather than the BBO. See Rule 21.19(d).

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[[Page 22182]]

    The Exchange proposes to conclude the C-AIM Auction in response to 
the incoming orders described above, as they would cause the SBBO or 
the best-priced complex order on the same side of the market as the 
Agency Order to be better priced than the stop price, or cause the stop 
price to be the same price as the SBBO with a Priority Customer order 
on the BBO for a component or a Priority Customer complex order on the 
COB. Similarly, the incoming orders described above would cause the 
opposite side SBBO to be at or better than the stop price. These events 
would create circumstances under which a C-AIM Auction would not have 
been initiated, and therefore, the Exchange believes it is appropriate 
to conclude a C-AIM Auction when they exist.
    If the System receives an unrelated market or marketable limit 
complex order (against the SBBO or the best price of a complex order 
resting in the COB), including a Post Only complex order, on the 
opposite side of the market during a C-AIM Auction, the C-AIM Auction 
does not end early, and the System executes the order against interest 
outside the C-AIM Auction or posts the complex order to the COB. If 
contracts remain from the unrelated complex order at the time the C-AIM 
Auction ends, they may be allocated for execution against the Agency 
Order pursuant to proposed paragraph (e).\28\ Because these orders may 
have the opportunity to trade against the Agency Order following the 
conclusion of the C-AIM Auction, which execution must still be at or 
better than the SBBO and the best-priced complex orders on the COB, the 
Exchange does not believe it is necessary to cause a C-AIM Auction to 
conclude early in the event the Exchange receives such orders. This 
will provide more time for potential price improvement, and the 
unrelated complex order will have the opportunity to trade against the 
Agency Order in the same manner as all other contra-side interest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ See proposed Rule 21.22(d). Similarly, market or marketable 
limit simple orders on the opposite side of the Agency Order will 
not cause an AIM Auction to end. See Rule 21.19(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction, the System executes the 
Agency Order against the Initiating Order or contra-side complex 
interest (which includes complex orders on the COB and C-AIM responses) 
at the best price(s) as follows, which price(s) must be at or between 
the SBBO and the best prices of any complex orders resting on each side 
of the COB at the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction:
     If the C-AIM Auction results in no price improvement, the 
System executes the Agency Order at the stop price against contra-side 
interest in the following order:
    [cir] Priority Customer complex orders on the COB (in time 
priority);
    [cir] the Initiating Order for the greater of (a) one contract or 
(b) up to 50% of the Agency Order if there is contra-side complex 
interest from one other User at the stop price or 40% of the Agency 
Order if there is contra-side complex interest from two or more other 
Users at the stop price (which percentages are based on the number of 
contracts remaining after execution against Priority Customer complex 
orders). Under no circumstances does the Initiating Member receive an 
allocation percentage, at the final price point, of more than 50% of 
the initial Agency Order in the event there is interest from one other 
User or 40% of the initial Agency Order in the event there is interest 
from two or more other Users;
    [cir] remaining contra-side complex interest in a pro-rata manner; 
and
    [cir] the Initiating Order to the extent there are any remaining 
contracts.\29\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(2). This is the same as the 
allocation of contra-side simple interest in simple AIM if there is 
price improvement for a single-price submission, except the Exchange 
does not propose to make Priority Orders available in C-AIM, and the 
Exchange does not offer complex reserve orders so there would be no 
nondisplayed Reserve Quantity available on the COB for execution. 
See Rule 21.19(e)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If the C-AIM Auction results in price improvement for the 
Agency Order and the Initiating Member selected a single-price 
submission, the System executes the Agency Order at each price level 
better than the stop price against contra-side complex interest in the 
following order:
    [cir] Priority Customer complex orders on the COB (in time 
priority); and
    [cir] all other contra-side complex interest in a pro-rata manner.
    If the price at which the balance of the Agency Order can be fully 
executed equals the stop price, then the System executes any remaining 
contracts from the Agency Order at that price in the order described in 
the preceding bulleted paragraph.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \30\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(1). This is the same as the 
allocation of contra-side simple interest in simple AIM if there is 
no price improvement, except the Exchange does not propose to make 
Priority Orders available in C-AIM. See Rule 21.19(e)(1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If the C-AIM Auction results in price improvement for the 
Agency Order and the Initiating Member selected auto-match, at each 
price level better than the stop price (or at each price level better 
than the stop price up to the limit price if the Initiating Member 
specified one), the System executes the Agency Order against the 
Initiating Order for the number of contracts equal to the aggregate 
size of all other contra-side complex interest and then executes the 
Agency Order against that contra-side complex interest in the order set 
forth in the preceding bulleted paragraph. If the price at which the 
balance of the Agency Order can be fully executed equals the stop 
price, the System executes those contracts at that price in the order 
set forth in first bulleted paragraph above.\31\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(3). The proposed auto-match 
functionality for C-AIM is the same as the corresponding auto-match 
functionality for simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(e)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     If the Initiating Member selects a single-price 
submission, it may elect for the Initiating Order to have last priority 
to trade against the Agency Order. If the Initiating Member elects last 
priority, then notwithstanding proposed subparagraphs (e)(1) and (2) 
(as described above), the System only executes the Initiating Order 
against any remaining Agency Order contracts at the stop price after 
the Agency Order is allocated to all contra-side complex interest (in 
the order set forth in proposed subparagraph (e)(2) above) at all 
prices equal to or better than the stop price. Last priority 
information is not available to other market participants and may not 
be modified after it is submitted.\32\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \32\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(4). The proposed last priority 
option for C-AIM is the same as the corresponding last priority 
option for simple AIM. See Rule 21.19(e)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The System cancels or rejects any unexecuted C-Aim responses (or 
unexecuted portions) at the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction.\33\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Because, as proposed, the execution prices for an Agency Order will 
always be better than the SBBO existing at the conclusion of the C-AIM 
Auction if it includes a Priority Customer order on any leg, the Agency 
Order will only execute against the Initiating Order, C-AIM responses, 
and complex orders resting in the COB, and will not leg into the Simple 
Book, at the conclusion of a C-AIM Auction. This is consistent with 
current complex order priority principles, pursuant to which complex 
orders may only trade against complex interest at prices that improve 
the BBO of any component that is represented by a Priority Customer 
order.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(5) and current Rule 21.20(c)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, the Exchange makes one auction available to complex 
orders, the

[[Page 22183]]

complex order auction (``COA'').\35\ Pursuant to current EDGX Rules for 
execution following a COA, a complex order will be allocated first in 
price priority and then at the same price to Priority Customer orders 
resting on the Simple Book, COA responses and unrelated complex orders 
on the COB in time priority, and remaining individual orders in the 
Simple Book (i.e., non-Priority Customer), which will be allocated 
pursuant to Rule 21.8.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ See Rule 21.20(d).
    \36\ See Rule 21.20(d)(7).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Simple Book and the COB are separate, and orders on each do not 
interact unless a complex order legs into the Simple Book. As a result, 
the System is not able to calculate the aggregate size of complex 
auction responses and complex orders on the COB and the size of simple 
orders in the legs that comprise the complex strategy at each potential 
execution price (as executions may occur at multiple prices) prior to 
execution of an order following the complex auction. Following a COA, 
the System first looks to determine whether there are Priority Customer 
orders resting in the Simple Book at the final auction price (and in 
the applicable ratio). If there are, the System executes the complex 
order against those simple orders. Following that execution, the System 
then looks back at the COA responses and complex orders resting in the 
COB to determine whether there is interest against which the order can 
execute. If there is, the System executes the remaining portion of the 
complex order against that complex contra-side interest. Finally, if 
there is any size left, the System looks back at the Simple Book to 
determine whether any orders in the legs are able to trade against any 
remaining contracts in the complex order. If there is, the System 
executes the remaining portion of the complex order again against 
orders in the Simple Book. Because of this process, prior to execution 
against any Priority Customer simple orders at a single price level, 
the System would not know the aggregate interest available on both the 
Simple Book and COB to execute against the auctioned order at that 
price level.
    If the Exchange permitted Agency Orders to leg into the Simple Book 
following a C-AIM Auction, it similarly would not know how much 
aggregate simple and complex interest is available at a price level 
once it began executing the Agency Order at that price level. Unlike a 
COA, however, the amount of aggregate interest available to execute 
against the Agency Order will be relevant in a C-AIM Auction with 
respect to the allocation of contracts against the Agency Order and 
other interest at each price level, and with respect to determining the 
final price level at which the Agency Order will execute. For example, 
when auto-match is selected, because the System will not be able to 
determine the aggregate size of contra-side interest (including simple 
and complex) at that price level, it would not be able to determine how 
many contracts of the Agency Order should execute against the 
Initiating Order (which should equal the aggregate size of that contra-
side interest). Additionally, because the System will not be able to 
determine the aggregate size of contra-side interest (including simple 
and complex) at the stop price, it would not be able to determine the 
applicable percentage of the Agency Order that should execute against 
the Initiating Order.
    The Exchange notes there would be significant technical 
complexities associated with reprogramming priority within the System 
to permit Agency Orders to leg into the Simple Book following a C-AIM 
Auction \37\ and allocate the Agency Order in a manner consistent with 
standard priority principles and crossing auctions, while making the 
most crossing functionality available to Options Members. The proposed 
rule change will ensure the Agency Order executes in accordance with 
the C-AIM allocation principles (which are consistent with AIM 
allocation principles), which provide Priority Customers with priority 
over the Initiating Order (and other contra-side interest) but also 
provide for the Initiating Order to execute against a certain portion 
of the Agency Order, as well as provide Initiating Members with 
flexibility to submit single-price submissions or auto-match at 
multiple price levels. The Exchange believes providing this 
functionality will encourage Options Members to submit complex orders 
into C-AIM Auctions and provide customer orders with opportunities for 
price improvement. It will also ensure orders (including Priority 
Customer orders) on the Simple Book are protected in accordance with 
current complex order priority principles,\38\ as an Agency Order will 
only be permitted to execute at prices that do not trade at the SBBO 
existing at the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction if it includes a 
Priority Customer order on any leg, and that do not trade through the 
SBBO existing at the conclusion of the C-AIM Auction.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ The Exchange notes it currently does not permit all-or-none 
(``AON'') orders to leg into the Simple Book following a COA due to 
the same technical complexities.\37\ [sic] While an Agency Order is 
not submitted as an AON order, an Agency Order, like an AON order, 
must execute in its entirety or not at all. See Rule 21.1(d)(4). 
Because an Agency Order must fully execute at the conclusion of a C-
AIM Auction (and will never rest in the COB), it effectively 
functions like an AON Order, and the Exchange believes it is 
similarly appropriate to not leg Agency Orders into the Simple Book.
    \38\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(5) and current Rule 21.20(c)(3).
    \39\ See Rule 21.20(c)(2)(E) and (d)(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In lieu of the procedures set forth above, an Initiating Member may 
enter an Agency Order for the account of a Priority Customer paired 
with a solicited order(s) for the account of a Priority Customer, which 
paired orders the System automatically executes without a C-AIM Auction 
(``Customer-to-Customer C-AIM Immediate Cross''), subject to the 
following:
     The transaction price must be at or between the SBBO and 
may not equal either side of the SBBO if the BBO of any component of 
the complex strategy represents a Priority Customer order on the Simple 
Book;
     the transaction price must be at or between the best-
priced complex orders in the complex strategy resting on the COB and 
may not equal the price of a Priority Customer complex order resting on 
either side of the COB; and
     the System does not initiate a Customer-to-Customer 
Complex C-AIM Immediate Cross if the transaction price equals (A) 
either side of the SBBO and the BBO of any component of the complex 
strategy represents a Priority Customer order on the Simple Book, or 
(B) the price of a Priority Customer complex order resting on either 
side of the COB. Instead, the System cancels the Agency Order and 
Initiating Order.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ See proposed Rule 21.22(f). The proposed Customer-to-
Customer C-AIM Immediate Cross is similar to the Customer-to-
Customer AIM Immediate Cross, except it compares the price of the 
Priority Customer orders to the SBBO and best-priced complex orders 
in the COB rather than the NBBO, as the simple AIM version does. See 
Rule 21.19(f).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    An Options Member may only use a C-AIM Auction where there is a 
genuine intention to execute a bona fide transaction.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See proposed Rule 21.22, Interpretation and Policy .01. 
This provision is the same as the corresponding provision for simple 
AIM. See Rule 21.19, Interpretation and Policy .01.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A pattern or practice of submitting orders or quotes for the 
purpose of disrupting or manipulating C-AIM Auctions, including to 
cause a C-AIM Auction to conclude before the end of the C-AIM Auction 
period, will be deemed conduct inconsistent with just and equitable 
principles of trade and a violation of Rule 3.1. It will also be

[[Page 22184]]

deemed conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade 
and a violation of Rule 3.1 to engage in a pattern of conduct where the 
Initiating Member breaks up an Agency Order into separate orders for 
the purpose of gaining a higher allocation percentage than the 
Initiating Member would have otherwise received in accordance with the 
allocation procedures contained in proposed paragraph (e) above.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ See proposed Rule 21.22, Interpretation and Policy .02. 
This provision is the same as the corresponding provision for simple 
AIM. See Rule 21.19, Interpretation and Policy .02.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 22.12 prevents an Options Member from executing agency orders 
to increase its economic gain from trading against the order without 
first giving other trading interests on the Exchange an opportunity to 
either trade with the agency order or to trade at the execution price 
when the Options Member was already bidding or offering on the book. 
However, the Exchange recognizes that it may be possible for an Options 
Member to establish a relationship with a Priority Customer or other 
person to deny agency orders the opportunity to interact on the 
Exchange and to realize similar economic benefits as it would achieve 
by executing agency orders as principal. It would be a violation of 
Rule 22.12 for an Options Member to circumvent such rule by providing 
an opportunity for (a) a Priority Customer affiliated with the Options 
Member, or (b) a Priority Customer with whom the Options Member has an 
arrangement that allows the Options Member to realize similar economic 
benefits from the transaction as the Options Member would achieve by 
executing agency orders as principal, to regularly execute against 
agency orders handled by the firm immediately upon their entry as 
Customer-to-Customer C-AIM Immediate Crosses pursuant to proposed 
paragraph (f) of this Rule.\43\ In addition to proposed Interpretation 
and Policy .03, the Exchange proposes to amend Rule 22.12(c) to add 
reference to C-AIM as an exception to the general restriction on the 
execution of orders as principal against orders they represent as 
agent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See proposed Rule 21.22, Interpretation and Policy .031 
[sic]. This provision is the same as the corresponding provision for 
simple AIM. See Rule 21.19, Interpretation and Policy .03.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ``Act'') and the rules and 
regulations thereunder applicable to the Exchange and, in particular, 
the requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act.\44\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \45\ requirements that the rules of an 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 regulating, clearing, 
settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating 
transactions in securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system, and, 
in general, to protect investors and the public interest. Additionally, 
the Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \46\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \45\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \46\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed rule change is generally intended to add certain 
system functionality currently offered by Cboe Options to the 
Exchange's System in order to provide a consistent technology offering 
for the Cboe Affiliated Exchanges. A consistent technology offering, in 
turn, will simplify the technology implementation, changes, and 
maintenance by Users of the Exchange that are also participants on Cboe 
Affiliated Exchanges. This will provide Users with greater 
harmonization of price improvement auction mechanisms available among 
the Cboe Affiliated Exchanges.
    The proposed rule change will provide market participants with 
access to an auction mechanism for execution of complex orders, which 
will provide them with greater flexibility in pricing complex orders 
and may provide more opportunities for price improvement. C-AIM as 
proposed will function in a substantially similar manner as AIM for 
simple orders, the Exchange's current price improvement mechanism--the 
proposed differences relate primarily to basing the price and execution 
of the Agency Order on the SBBO and the COB, rather than on the NBBO, 
and to ensure execution prices are consistent with complex order 
priority principles. C-AIM provides equal access to the exposed Agency 
Orders for all market participants, as all Options Members that 
subscribe to the Exchange's data feeds will have the opportunity to 
interact with orders submitted into C-AIM Auctions.\47\ C-AIM will 
benefit investors, because it is designed to provide investors seeking 
to execute complex orders with opportunities to access additional 
liquidity and receive price improvement. It will provide Options 
Members with a facility in which to execute customers' complex orders, 
potentially at improved prices. The proposed rule change may result in 
increased liquidity available at improved prices for complex orders, 
with competitive final pricing out of the Initiating Member's control. 
The Exchange believes C-AIM will promote and foster competition and 
provide more options contracts with the opportunity for price 
improvement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ Any Options Member can subscribe to the options data 
disseminated through the Exchange's data feeds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system, because other options exchanges similarly 
permit complex orders to be submitted into their price improvement 
auctions.\48\ The general framework of the proposed C-AIM Auction 
process (such as the eligibility requirements, the auction response 
period, the same-side stop price requirements, response requirements, 
and auction notification process),\49\ is substantively the same as the 
framework of the AIM Auction for simple orders, except to account for 
the differences between simple and complex orders, as described above. 
The Exchange believes using the same general framework for the simple 
and complex auctions will benefit investors, as it will minimize 
confusion regarding how the auction mechanisms work.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \48\ See, e.g., Cboe Options Rule 6.74A, Interpretation and 
Policy .08; Nasdaq ISE LLC (``ISE'') Rule 723(e); Nasdaq PHLX LLC 
(``PHLX'') Rule 1087; BOX Exchange LLC (``BOX'') Rule 7245; and 
Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (``MIAX'') Rule 515A, 
Interpretation and Policy .12.
    \49\ See Rule 21.19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, the new functionality may lead to an increase in Exchange 
volume and should allow the Exchange to better compete against other 
markets that already offer an electronic complex order price 
improvement mechanism, while providing an opportunity for price 
improvement for Agency Orders and ensuring that Priority Customers on 
the Simple Book and the COB are protected. C-AIM Auction functionality 
should promote and foster competition and provide more options 
contracts with the opportunity for price improvement, which should 
benefit market participants.

[[Page 22185]]

    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change will result in 
efficient trading and reduce the risk for investors that seek access to 
additional liquidity and price improvement for complex orders by 
providing additional opportunities to do so. The proposed priority and 
allocation rules in the C-AIM Auction are consistent with the 
Exchange's current complex order priority principles, pursuant to which 
complex orders may only trade against complex interest at prices that 
improve the BBO of any component that is represented by a Priority 
Customer order.\50\ This will ensure a fair and orderly market by 
protecting Priority Customer orders on the Simple Book while still 
affording the opportunity for price improvement for complex orders 
during each C-AIM Auction commenced on the Exchange. The proposed 
allocation is also consistent with the allocation principles for the 
simple AIM Auction, which ensures protection of Priority Customer 
orders resting on the COB.\51\ In a simple AIM Auction, Priority 
Customer orders receive priority, including over the Initiating Order's 
guaranteed participation. Similarly, in a C-AIM Auction, Priority 
Customer complex orders receive priority, including over the Initiating 
Order's guaranteed participation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(5) and current Rule 21.20(c)(3).
    \51\ See Rule 21.19(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The purpose of C-AIM is to provide a facility for Options Members 
that locate liquidity for their customer orders to execute these orders 
(and potentially obtain better prices). An Initiating Member that 
provides or locates interest to execute against its customer orders at 
the best then-available price (or better) will receive in exchange for 
that effort execution priority over non-Priority Customers (who do not 
expend similar efforts to trade against the Agency Order and do not 
provide price improvement) to trade against a specified percentage of 
the Agency Order at the stop price. The Exchange believes the proposed 
rule change promotes just and equitable principles of trade, because it 
will protect Priority Customer complex orders resting on the COB while 
encouraging Options Members to continue to provide or locate liquidity 
against which their customers may execute their complex orders. The 
Exchange believes this may also encourage non-Priority Customers to 
submit interest at improved prices if they seek to execute against 
Agency Orders.
    By keeping the priority and allocation rules for a C-AIM Auction 
similar to the allocation used for a simple AIM Auction on the 
Exchange, consistent with current complex order priority, and 
consistent across possible outcomes of a C-AIM Auction, the proposed 
rule change reduces the ability of market participants to misuse the C-
AIM Auction to circumvent standard priority rules in a manner that is 
designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, and 
to promote just and equitable principles of trade on the Exchange. The 
proposed execution and priority rules will allow orders to interact 
with interest in the COB, and will allow interest on the COB to 
interact with option orders in the price improvement mechanisms in an 
efficient and orderly manner. The Exchange believes this interaction of 
orders will benefit investors by increasing the opportunity for complex 
orders to receive executions, while also enhancing the execution 
quality for orders resting on the COB.
    The proposed C-AIM Auction eligibility requirements are reasonable 
and promote a fair and orderly market and national market system, 
because they are the same as the eligibility requirements for a simple 
AIM Auction, except the proposed rule change excludes the requirement 
related to the NBBO, because there is no NBBO for complex orders, and 
the legs of complex orders are not subject to the restriction on NBBO 
trade-throughs. Additionally, the proposed rule change references the 
opening of the COB rather than the market open, as the opening of the 
COB is when complex orders may begin trading. These are minor 
differences that relate solely to underlying differences between simple 
and complex orders.
    The proposed rule that an Initiating Member may not designate an 
Agency Order or Initiating Order as Post Only protects investors, 
because it provides transparency regarding functionality that will not 
be available for C-AIM. The Exchange believes this is appropriate, as 
the purpose of a Post Only complex order is to not execute upon entry 
and instead rest in the COB, while the purpose of submitting orders to 
a C-AIM Auction is to receive an execution following the auction and 
not enter the COB. Pursuant to proposed Rule 21.22, an Agency Order 
will fully execute against contra-side interest (the Initiating Order, 
other contra-side complex interest, or a combination of both), and thus 
there cannot be remaining contracts in an Agency Order to enter the 
COB. Similarly, the Initiating Order may only execute against the 
Agency Order at the conclusion of a C-AIM Auction, and thus will not 
enter the COB.
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change to permit the 
Initiating Order to be comprised of multiple orders that total the size 
of the Agency Order may increase liquidity and opportunity for Agency 
Orders to participate in C-AIM Auctions, and therefore provide Agency 
Orders with additional opportunities for price improvement, which is 
consistent with the principles behind the C-AIM Auction. The Exchange 
believes this will be beneficial to participants because allowing 
multiple contra-parties should foster competition for filling the 
contra-side order and thereby result in potentially better prices, as 
opposed to only allowing one contra-party, which would require that 
contra-party to guarantee the entire Agency Order, which could result 
in a worse price for the trade. The Initiating Order for simple AIM 
Auctions may be comprised of multiple contra-parties.\52\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \52\ See Rule 21.19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The proposed C-AIM Auction requirements for the stop price are 
reasonable and promote a fair and orderly market and national market 
system, because they are consistent with the corresponding requirements 
for a simple AIM Auction (including the options for a single-price 
submission and auto-match), except the proposed requirements are based 
on the SBBO and complex order prices in the COB rather than the NBBO. 
As noted above, there is no NBBO for complex orders. The proposed stop 
price requirements promote just and equitable principles of trade, 
because they protect Priority Customer orders in the Simple Book and 
Priority Customer complex orders in the COB, and prevent trading 
through the SBBO and the best-priced orders on the COB.
    As discussed above, the Exchange has proposed to allow C-AIM 
Auctions to occur concurrently with other C-AIM Auctions for the same 
complex strategies. Although C-AIM Auctions for Agency Orders will be 
allowed to overlap, the Exchange does not believe this raises any 
issues that are not addressed through the proposed rule change 
described above. For example, although overlapping, each C-AIM Auction 
will be started in a sequence and with a time that will determine its 
processing. Thus, even if there are two C-AIM Auctions in the same 
complex strategy that commence and conclude, at nearly the same time, 
each C-AIM Auction will have a distinct conclusion at which time the C-
AIM Auction will be allocated. In turn, when the first C-

[[Page 22186]]

AIM Auction concludes, unrelated orders that then exist will be 
considered for participation in the C-AIM Auction. If unrelated orders 
are fully executed in such C-AIM Auction, then there will be no 
unrelated orders for consideration when the subsequent C-AIM Auction is 
processed (unless new unrelated order interest has arrived). If instead 
there is remaining unrelated order interest after the first C-AIM 
Auction has been allocated, then such unrelated order interest will be 
considered for allocation when the subsequent C-AIM Auction is 
processed. As another example, each C-AIM response is required to 
specifically identify the Auction for which it is targeted and if not 
fully executed will be cancelled back at the conclusion of the Auction. 
Thus, C-AIM responses will be specifically considered only in the 
specified C-AIM Auction.
    The Exchange does not believe that allowing multiple auctions to 
overlap for Agency Orders presents any unique issues that differ from 
functionality already in place on the Exchange. Pursuant to Rule 
21.19(c)(1), multiple AIM Auctions for Agency Orders for 50 or more 
contracts may overlap. Different complex strategies are essentially 
different products, as orders in those strategies cannot interact, just 
as orders in different series or classes cannot interact. Therefore, 
the Exchange believes concurrent C-AIM Auctions in different complex 
strategies is appropriate given that concurrent simple AIM Auctions in 
different series or different classes may occur. Similarly, while it is 
possible for a complex order to leg into the Simple Book, a complex 
order may only execute against simple orders if there is interest in 
each component in the ratio of the complex strategy. A simple order in 
one component of a complex strategy cannot on its own interact with a 
complex order in that complex strategy. Therefore, the Exchange 
believes it is appropriate to permit concurrent AIM and C-AIM Auctions 
in the same component. As proposed, C-AIM Auctions will ensure that 
Agency Orders execute at prices that protect Priority Customer orders 
in the Simple Book and that are not inferior to the SBBO, even when 
there are concurrent simple and complex auctions occurring. The 
proposed rule change sets forth how any auctions with overlapping 
components will conclude if terminated due to the same event. The Rules 
do not currently prevent a COA in a complex strategy from occurring at 
the same time as an AIM in one of the components of the complex 
strategy. Therefore, the Exchange believes it is similarly reasonable 
to permit a C-AIM in a complex strategy to occur at the same time as an 
AIM in one of the components of the complex strategy.
    The proposed auction process will promote a free and open market, 
because it ensures equal access to information regarding C-AIM Auctions 
and the exposed Agency Orders for all market participants, as all 
Options Members that subscribe to the Exchange's data feeds with the 
opportunity to interact with orders submitted into C-AIM Auctions.\53\ 
The proposed auction notification message includes the same information 
as the auction notification message for simple AIM Auctions, and will 
be available in the same data feed. The Exchange has proposed a range 
between no less than 100 milliseconds and no more than one second for 
the duration of a C-AIM Auction, which is the same duration of a simple 
AIM Auction. This will provide investors with more timely execution of 
their complex orders, while ensuring there is an adequate exposure of 
complex orders. This proposed auction response time should provide 
investors with the opportunity to receive price improvement for complex 
orders through C-AIM while reducing market risk. The Exchange believes 
a briefer time period reduces the market risk for the Initiating 
Member, versus an auction with a longer period, as well as for any 
Options Member providing responses to a broadcast. As such, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change would help perfect the 
mechanism for a free and open national market system, and generally 
help protect investors and the public interest. All Options Members 
will have an equal opportunity to respond with their best prices during 
the C-AIM Auction. Since the Exchange considers all complex interest 
present in the System, and not solely C-AIM responses, for execution 
against the Agency Order, those participants who are not explicit 
responders to a C-AIM Auction may receive executions via C-AIM as well.
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    \53\ Any Options Member can subscribe to the options data 
disseminated through the Exchange's data feeds.
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    The proposed C-AIM Auction response requirements are reasonable and 
promote a fair and orderly market and national market system, because 
they are virtually identical to the corresponding requirements for a 
simple AIM Auction and benefit investors by providing clarity regarding 
how they may respond to a C-AIM Auction. The only differences are the 
proposed rule change does not explicitly prohibit FOK, because it is 
never available for complex orders (and thus would not be available for 
C-AIM responses), C-AIM responses will be aggregated with other complex 
size rather than other simple interest, and C-AIM responses will be 
capped at the SBBO or prices of complex orders rather than the NBBO 
(because, as discussed above, there is no NBBO for complex orders and 
restricting prices based on the SBBO and complex orders will ensure 
protection of Priority Customer orders). This will further benefit 
investors by providing consistency across the Exchange's price 
improvement mechanisms.
    The proposed rule change will also perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system, because it is consistent 
with linkage rules. Rule 27.2(b)(8) provides that a transaction that is 
effected as a portion of a complex trade is exception to the 
prohibition on effecting trade-throughs. As discussed above, any 
executions following a C-AIM Auction will not trade-through the SBBO or 
prices of complex orders resting on the COB (and will always improve 
the SBBO or COB prices if they consist of a Priority Customer order).
    The proposed events that will conclude a C-AIM Auction are 
reasonable and promote a fair and orderly market and national market 
system, because they are consistent with the corresponding events that 
will conclude a simple AIM Auction, and benefit investors by providing 
clarity regarding what will cause a C-AIM Auction to conclude. These 
events would create circumstances under which a C-AIM would not have 
been permitted to start, and thus the Exchange believes it is 
appropriate to conclude a C-AIM Auction if those circumstances occur. 
As is the case with a simple AIM Auction (which will not conclude early 
due to the receipt of an opposite side simple order), the Exchange will 
not conclude a C-AIM Auction early due to the receipt of an opposite 
side complex order. The Exchange believes this promotes just and 
equitable principles of trade, because these orders may have the 
opportunity to trade against the Agency Order following the conclusion 
of the C-AIM Auction, which execution must still be at or better than 
the SBBO and prices of complex orders in the COB. The Exchange believes 
this will protect investors, because it will provide more time for 
price improvement, and the unrelated order will have the opportunity to 
trade against the Agency Order in the same manner as all other contra-
side complex interest.

[[Page 22187]]

    With respect to trading halts, as described above, in the case of a 
trading halt on the Exchange in the affected complex strategy or any 
component series, the C-AIM Auction will be cancelled without 
execution. This is consistent with simple AIM, which will be cancelled 
without execution if there is a trading halt on the Exchange in the 
affected series. Cancelling C-AIM Auctions without execution in this 
circumstance is consistent with Exchange handling of trading halts in 
the context of continuous trading on EDGX Options and promotes just and 
equitable principles of trade and, in general, protects investors and 
the public interest.\54\
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    \54\ The Exchange notes that trading on the Exchange in any 
option contract will be halted whenever trading in the underlying 
security has been paused or halted by the primary listing market and 
other circumstances. See Rule 20.3.
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    The Exchange believes the proposed execution of Agency Orders at 
the conclusion of a C-AIM Auction are reasonable and promote a fair and 
orderly market and national market system, because they are consistent 
with the execution of Agency Orders at the conclusion of a simple AIM 
Auction. Similar to the allocation that occurs following a simple AIM 
Auction (which allocates contra-side simple interest in the same 
manner), best-priced contra-side interest executes against the Agency 
Order first, and Priority Customer complex orders will have first 
priority at each price level, followed by other contra-side complex 
interest. The proposed rule change provides for the Initiating Order to 
receive the same percentage entitlement at the stop price, and also 
allows the Initiating Member to receive last priority, or auto-match at 
prices better than the stop price. The proposed rule change does not 
adopt Priority Order status for C-AIM, which is only available in 
simple AIM for classes the Exchange designates.
    As noted above, there would be significant technical complexities 
associated with reprogramming priority within the System to permit 
Agency Orders to leg into the Simple Book following a C-AIM Auction 
\55\ and allocate the Agency Order in a manner consistent with standard 
priority principles and crossing auctions, while making the most 
crossing functionality available to Options Members. The proposed rule 
change will ensure the Agency Order executes in accordance with the C-
AIM allocation principles (which are consistent with AIM allocation 
principles), which provide Priority Customers with priority but also 
provide for the Initiating Order to execute against a certain portion 
of the Agency Order, as well as provide Initiating Members with 
flexibility to auto-match executions at multiple price levels. The 
Exchange believes providing this functionality will encourage Options 
Members to submit complex orders into C-AIM Auctions and provide 
customer orders with opportunities for price improvement. It will also 
ensure orders (including Priority Customer orders) on the Simple Book 
are protected in accordance with current complex order priority 
principles,\56\ as an Agency Order will only be permitted to execute at 
prices that do not trade at the SBBO existing at the conclusion of the 
C-AIM Auction if it includes a Priority Customer order at the BBO on 
any leg, and that do not trade through the SBBO existing at the 
conclusion of the C-AIM Auction.\57\ The proposed allocation will also 
ensure the Agency Order does not trade at the same price as a Priority 
Customer complex order resting on the COB or through the best-priced 
complex orders on the COB, and will protect investors by providing 
Priority Customer complex orders with priority at each price level.
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    \55\ The Exchange notes it currently does not permit all-or-none 
(``AON'') orders to leg into the Simple Book following a COA due to 
the same technical complexities.\55\ [sic] While an Agency Order is 
not submitted as an AON order, an Agency Order, like an AON order, 
must execute in its entirety or not at all and thus effectively 
functions like an AON Order. See Rule 21.1(d)(4). Therefore, the 
Exchange believes it is similarly appropriate to not leg Agency 
Orders into the Simple Book at the conclusion of a C-AIM Auction.
    \56\ See proposed Rule 21.22(e)(5) and current Rule 21.20(c)(3).
    \57\ See Rule 21.20(c)(2)(E) and (d)(6).
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    The proposed Customer-to-Customer C-AIM Immediate Cross 
functionality is reasonable and will promote a fair and orderly market 
and national market system, because it is consistent with the 
corresponding Customer-to-Customer AIM Immediate Cross functionality. 
Similar to above, the pricing restrictions for Customer-to-Customer C-
AIM Immediate Cross are based on the SBBO and complex orders in the COB 
rather than the NBBO (as is the case for Customer-to-Customer AIM 
Immediate Cross). The proposed pricing restrictions will ensure that 
the transaction price for Customer-to-Customer C-AIM Immediate Crosses 
may not be at the same price as any Priority Customer complex orders 
resting on the COB or at the SBBO if the BBO of any component of the 
complex strategy represents a Priority Customer order on the Simple 
Book, and thus at a price at least as good as the price at which the 
orders would have executed had they been submitted separately to the 
COB. The proposed functionality will benefit investors, because it will 
enhance and automate order entry firms' ability to submit two contra-
side side [sic] customer complex orders. The proposed rule change will 
provide Options Member [sic] with a more efficient means of executing 
their customer complex orders (in the same efficient manner in which 
they may currently execute their customer simple orders) subject to the 
Exchange's existing requirements limiting principal transactions.
    As is the case with AIM, an Options Member may not use C-AIM to 
create a misleading impression of market activity (i.e., C-AIM may only 
be used where there is a genuine intention to execute a bona fide 
transaction). The proposed regulatory provisions are substantially the 
same as those applicable to simple AIM, and the Exchange believes they 
will protect customers and the public interest, prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, and promote just and equitable 
principles of trade.
    The proposed rule change is also consistent with Section 11(a)(1) 
of the Act \58\ and the rules promulgated thereunder. Generally, 
Section 11(a)(1) of the Act restricts any member of a national 
securities exchange from effecting any transaction on such exchange for 
(a) the member's own account, (b) the account of a person associated 
with the member, or (c) an account over which the member or a person 
associated with the member exercises discretion (collectively referred 
to as ``covered accounts''), unless a specific exemption is available. 
Examples of common exemptions include the exemption for transactions by 
broker dealers acting in the capacity of a market maker under Section 
11(a)(1)(A),\59\ the ``G'' exemption for yielding priority to non-
members under Section 11(a)(1)(G) of the Act and Rule 11a1-1(T) 
thereunder,\60\ and ``Effect vs. Execute'' exemption under Rule 11a2-
2(T) under the Act.\61\ The ``Effect vs. Execute'' exemption 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

[[Page 22188]]

conditions, a member: (a) Must transmit the order from off the exchange 
floor; (b) may not participate in the execution of the transaction once 
it has been transmitted to the member performing the execution;\62\ (c) 
may not be affiliated with the executing member; and (d) with respect 
to an account over which the member has investment discretion, neither 
the member nor its 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 Exchange believes that 
Exchange Members entering orders into a C-AIM Auction would satisfy the 
requirements of Rule 11a2-2(T).
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    \58\15 U.S.C. 78k(a). Section 11(a)(1) 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 
discretion unless an exception applies.
    \59\ 15 U.S.C. 78k(a)(1)(A).
    \60\ 15 U.S.C. 78k(a)(1)(G) and 17 CFR 240.11a1-1(T).
    \61\ 17 CFR 240.11a2-2(T).
    \62\ The member may, however, participate in clearing and 
settling the transaction.
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    The Exchange does not operate a physical trading floor. In the 
context of 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.\63\ The Exchange represents that the System and the 
proposed C-AIM Auction receive all orders electronically through remote 
terminals or computer-to-computer interfaces. The Exchange represents 
that orders for covered accounts from Options Members will be 
transmitted from a remote location directly to the proposed C-AIM 
mechanism by electronic means.
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    \63\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 61419 
(January 26, 2010), 75 FR 5157 (February 1, 2010) (SR-BATS-2009-031) 
(approving BATS options trading); 59154 (December 23, 2008), 73 FR 
80468 (December 31, 2008) (SRBSE-2008-48) (approving equity 
securities listing and trading on BSE); 57478 (March 12, 2008), 73 
FR 14521 (March 18, 2008) (SR-NASDAQ-2007-004 and SR-NASDAQ-2007-
080) (approving NOM options trading); 53128 (January 13, 2006), 71 
FR 3550 (January 23, 2006) (File No. 10-131) (approving The Nasdaq 
Stock Market LLC); 44983 (October 25, 2001), 66 FR 55225 (November 
1, 2001) (SR-PCX-00-25) (approving Archipelago Exchange); 29237 (May 
24, 1991), 56 FR 24853 (May 31, 1991) (SR-NYSE-90-52 and SR-NYSE-90-
53) (approving NYSE's Off-Hours Trading Facility); and 15533 
(January 29, 1979), 44 FR 6084 (January 31, 1979) (``1979 
Release'').
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    The second condition of Rule 11a2-2(T) requires that neither a 
member nor an associated person participate in the execution of its 
order once the order is transmitted to the floor for execution. The 
Exchange represents that, upon submission to the C-AIM Auction, an 
order or C-AIM response will be executed automatically pursuant to the 
rules set forth for C-AIM. In particular, execution of an order 
(including the Agency Order and the Initiating Order) or a C-AIM 
response sent to the mechanism depends not on the Options Member 
entering the order or response, but rather on what other orders and 
responses are present and the priority of those orders and responses. 
Thus, at no time following the submission of an order or response is an 
Options Member able to acquire control or influence over the result or 
timing of order or response execution.\64\ Once the Agency Order and 
Initiating Order have been transmitted, the Initiating Member that 
transmitted the orders will not participate in the execution of the 
Agency Order or Initiating Order. Initiating Members submitting Agency 
Orders and Initiating Orders will relinquish control to modify or 
cancel their Agency Orders and Initiating Orders upon transmission to 
the System. Further, no Options Member, including the Initiating 
Member, will see a C-AIM response submitted into C-AIM, and therefore 
and will not be able to influence or guide the execution of their 
Agency Orders, Initiating Orders, or C-AIM responses, as applicable. 
Finally, the last priority feature will not permit an Options Member to 
have any control over an order. The election to apply last priority to 
an Initiating Order is available prior to the submission of the order 
and therefore could not be utilized to gain influence or guide the 
execution of the Agency Order. The information provided with respect to 
the last priority feature by the Initiating Member will not be 
broadcast and further, the information may not be modified by the 
Initiating Member during the Auction [sic].
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    \64\ An Initiating Member may not cancel or modify an Agency 
Order or Initiating Order after it has been submitted into C-AIM. 
See proposed Rule 21.22(c)(4). Options Members may modify or cancel 
their responses after being submitted to into a C-AIM. See proposed 
Rule 21.22(d)(5)(H). The Exchange notes that the Commission has 
stated that the non-participation requirement does not preclude 
members from cancelling or modifying orders, or from modifying 
instructions for executing orders, after they have been transmitted 
so long as such modifications or cancellations are also transmitted 
from off the floor. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 14563 
(March 14, 1978), 43 FR 11542, 11547 (the ``1978 Release'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 11a2-2(T)'s third condition requires that the order be 
executed by an exchange member who is unaffiliated with the member 
initiating the order. The Commission has stated that the requirement is 
satisfied when automated exchange facilities, such as the C-AIM 
Auction, 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.\65\ The 
Exchange represents that the C-AIM Auction is designed so that no 
Options Member has any special or unique trading advantage in the 
handling of its orders after transmitting its orders to the mechanism.
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    \65\ 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 1979 
Release.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rule 11a2-2(T)'s fourth condition requires that, 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 
thereof 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.\66\ The 
Exchange recognizes that Options Members relying on Rule 11a2-2(T) for 
transactions effected through the C-AIM Auction must comply with this 
condition of the Rule and the Exchange will enforce this requirement 
pursuant to its obligations under Section 6(b)(1) of the Act to enforce 
compliance with federal securities laws.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \66\ See 17 CFR 240.11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv). In addition, Rule 11a2-
2(T)(d) requires a member or associated person authorized by written 
contract to retain compensation, in connection with effecting 
transactions for covered accounts over which such member or 
associated persons thereof exercises investment discretion, to 
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 in connection with effecting 
transactions for the account during the period covered by the 
statement which amount must be exclusive of all amounts paid to 
others during that period for services rendered to effect such 
transactions. See also 1978 Release (stating ``[t]he 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'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the instant proposal is consistent with 
Rule 11a2-2(T), and that therefore the exception should apply in this 
case.
    The proposed rule change will also perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system, because it is consistent 
with linkage rules. Rule 27.2(b)(8) provides that a transaction that is 
effected as a portion of a complex trade is exception to the 
prohibition on effecting trade-throughs. As discussed above, any 
executions following a C-AIM Auction

[[Page 22189]]

will not trade-through the SBBO or prices of complex orders resting on 
the COB (and will always improve the SBBO or COB prices if they consist 
of a Priority Customer order).

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange does not 
believe the proposed rule change will impose any burden on intramarket 
competition, as the proposed rule change will apply in the same manner 
to all orders submitted to a C-AIM Auction. The proposed C-AIM Auction 
is voluntary for Options Members to use and will be available to all 
Options Members. As discussed above, the Exchange believes the proposed 
rule change should encourage Options Members to compete amongst each 
other by responding with their best price and size for a particular 
auction. By offering all Options Members the ability to participate in 
the proposed allocation during the C-AIM Auction, an Options Member 
will be encouraged to submit complex orders outside of the C-AIM 
Auction at the best and most aggressive prices. Within the C-AIM 
Auction, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change will encourage 
Options Member [sic] to compete vigorously to provide the opportunity 
for price improvement in a competitive auction process. The proposed 
execution and allocation rules are consistent with those applicable to 
simple AIM, as well as complex order priority, and therefore will 
ensure protection of Priority Customer orders in both the Simple Book 
and the COB.
    The Exchange does not believe the proposed rule change will impose 
any burden on intermarket competition, because other options exchanges 
offer similar complex order price improvement auctions.\67\ The general 
framework and primary features of the proposed C-AIM Auction process 
(such as the eligibility requirements, auction response period, 
response requirements, and auction notification process),\68\ are 
substantively the same as the framework for simple AIM. The auction 
process is also similar, and is modified to address the underlying 
differences between simple and complex orders. For example, C-AIM will 
base pricing and execution requirements on the SBBO and complex orders 
in the COB, rather than the NBBO (which does not apply to complex 
orders), to ensure consistency with Priority Customer priority and 
complex order priority principles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \67\ See, e.g., Cboe Options Rule 6.74A, Interpretation and 
Policy .08; ISE Rule 723(e); PHLX Rule 1087; BOX Rule 7245; and MIAX 
Rule 515A, Interpretation and Policy .12.
    \68\ See Rule 21.19.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will relieve 
any burden on, or otherwise promote, competition. The Exchange believes 
this proposed rule change is necessary to permit fair competition among 
the options exchanges and to establish more uniform price improvement 
auction rules on the various options exchanges. The Exchange 
anticipates that this proposal will create new opportunities for the 
Exchange to attract new business and compete on equal footing with 
those options exchanges with complex order price improvement auctions 
and for this reason the proposal does not create an undue burden on 
intermarket competition. Rather, the Exchange believes that the 
proposed rule would bolster intermarket competition by promoting fair 
competition among individual markets.

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

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the 
proposed rule change.

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

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

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning 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-CboeEDGX-2019-028 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-CboeEDGX-2019-028. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's internet website (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 website viewing and printing in 
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, 
DC 20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 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. Persons submitting comments are 
cautioned that we do not redact or edit personal identifying 
information from comment submissions. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make available publicly. All submissions 
should refer to File Number SR-CboeEDGX-2019-028, and should be 
submitted on or before June 6, 2019.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\69\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \69\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eduardo A. Aleman,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-10125 Filed 5-15-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


