[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 250 (Tuesday, December 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79940-79943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30860]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-59133]


Order Granting Application for a Temporary Conditional Exemption 
Pursuant to Section 36(a) of the Exchange Act by the International 
Securities Exchange, LLC Relating to the Acquisition by International 
Securities Exchange Holdings, Inc. of an Electronic Communications 
Network

December 22, 2008.

I. Introduction

    On December 3, 2008, the International Securities Exchange, LLC 
(``ISE'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Rule 0-12 \1\ under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Exchange Act''), an application for 
an exemption under Section 36(a)(1) of the Exchange Act \2\ from the 
rule filing requirements of Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act \3\ with 
respect to the acquisition by International Securities Exchange 
Holdings, Inc. (``ISE Holdings''), the parent of ISE, of an equity 
interest in Direct Edge Holdings, LLC (``DE Holdings'').\4\ DE Holdings 
is the sole owner of Direct Edge ECN LLC (``DECN''), a registered 
broker-dealer and electronic communications network (``ECN''). This 
order grants the request for temporary exemptive relief, subject to the 
satisfaction of certain conditions, which are outlined below.
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    \1\ 17 CFR 240.0-12.
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78mm(a)(1).
    \3\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).
    \4\ See letter from Michael J. Simon, General Counsel and 
Secretary, ISE, to Florence Harmon, Acting Secretary, Commission, 
dated December 3, 2008 (``Exemption Request'').
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II. Application for Temporary Conditional Exemption From Section 19(b) 
Rule Filing Requirements

    On December 3, 2008, the ISE requested that the Commission grant a 
temporary exemption, subject to certain conditions, under Section 36 of 
the Exchange Act from the rule filing procedures of Section 19(b) of 
the Exchange Act in connection with ISE Holdings' acquisition of an 
equity interest in DE Holdings and the operation of DECN as a facility 
of ISE.\5\
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    \5\ See Section 3(a)(2) of the Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. 
78c3(a)(2) (definition of ``facility'').
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    According to the Exemption Request, on August 22, 2008, ISE 
Holdings, DE Holdings, ISE Stock Exchange, LLC (``ISE Stock''), a 
Delaware limited liability company that operates a marketplace for the 
trading of U.S. cash equity securities by Equity Electronic Access 
Members (``Equity EAMs'') of ISE (the ``Facility''),\6\ and certain 
other parties entered into a Transaction Agreement whereby, among other 
things: (1) ISE Holdings will purchase a 31.54% equity interest in DE 
Holdings, the sole owner of DECN, a registered broker-dealer and ECN; 
and (2) ISE Stock will merge into Maple Merger Sub, a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of DE Holdings (``Merger Sub''), which will operate the 
Facility following the closing of the transaction (the ``Closing''). 
After the Closing, the Facility will continue to be a facility of ISE.
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    \6\ ISE Stock operates the Facility under the rules of the ISE 
as a facility, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Exchange Act, of 
ISE.
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    DECN's current relationship with ISE is limited to participating in 
ISE as an Equity EAM of ISE, and DECN displays its limit orders on the 
Facility in the same manner as other ECNs that display their limit 
orders on the Facility. Neither ISE Holdings nor ISE currently has an 
ownership interest in DECN. After the Closing, DECN will continue to 
operate as an ECN and to submit limit orders to the Facility for 
display and execution.
    Following the Closing, DECN also will become a facility, as defined 
in Section 3(a)(2) of the Exchange Act, of ISE

[[Page 79941]]

because it will be an affiliate of ISE used for the purpose of 
effecting and reporting securities transactions. Specifically, (1) DECN 
will continue to operate as an ECN and will continue to submit its 
limit orders to the Facility for display and execution; \7\ and (2) 
DECN will become an affiliate of ISE through ISE Holdings' equity 
interest in DE Holdings. Because DECN will be a facility of ISE, ISE 
would be obligated, under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act, to file 
with the Commission proposed rules governing the operation of DECN's 
systems and subscriber fees. In its Exemption Request, ISE states that 
if the Commission does not grant the exemption, ISE will be forced to 
terminate DECN's operations upon Closing because DECN may not operate 
as a facility of ISE without the ISE's filing with the Commission 
proposed rules governing the operation of DECN's systems and subscriber 
fees.\8\ ISE also stated that it would be unduly burdensome and 
inefficient to require DECN's operating rules to be separately 
subjected to the Section 19(b) rule filing and approval process because 
DECN would operate only temporarily as a facility of ISE while the 
Commission considers the Form 1 Applications, as discussed below.
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    \7\ In its Exemption Request, ISE stated that it would be 
impracticable for DECN to display its limit orders other than on the 
Facility. See Exemption Request at 3.
    \8\ See Exemption Request at 3.
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    In its Exemption Request, ISE noted that DECN's average daily 
``touched'' volume in U.S. listed equity securities accounts for 10% of 
the average daily U.S. traded volume in such securities.\9\ 
Accordingly, ISE believes that the termination of DECN's operations 
potentially could harm investors, disrupt the functioning of an orderly 
market, and eliminate a point of access to the markets.\10\
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    \9\ Average daily touched volume includes trades matched on DECN 
and orders routed to other market centers for execution. See 
Exemption Request at note 4 and accompanying text.
    \10\ See Exemption Request at 3.
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    ISE noted, further, that DE Holdings has been engaged with the 
Commission in the filing of two Form 1 applications (the ``Form 1 
Applications'') to register two of DE Holdings' wholly-owned 
subsidiaries (the ``Exchange Subsidiaries'') as national securities 
exchanges.\11\ According to ISE, DECN intends to file a ``Cessation of 
Operations Report'' with the Commission and to cease operations as an 
ECN shortly following any Commission approval of the Form 1 
Applications.\12\ Also, according to the ISE, approval of the Form 1 
Applications would allow the Exchange Subsidiaries to operate in place 
of DECN.\13\ Because DECN would cease to operate as an ECN if the 
Commission approves the Form 1 Applications, ISE expects that DECN 
would operate as a facility of ISE for a relatively brief period of 
time.\14\
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    \11\ See Exemption Request at 2.
    \12\ Id.
    \13\ Id. If the Commission approves the Form 1 Applications, 
each of the Exchange Subsidiaries would be registered as a national 
securities exchange under Section 6 of the Exchange Act. In 
addition, following any Commission approval of the Form 1 
Applications and the Exchange Subsidiaries' commencement of 
operations as national securities exchanges, DE Holdings would no 
longer operate DECN as an ECN and the Facility would cease 
operations.
    \14\ Id.
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    ISE has asked the Commission to exercise its authority under 
Section 36 of the Exchange Act and grant the ISE a temporary, 180-day 
exemption from the Section 19(b) rule filing requirements that would 
apply to DECN as a facility of ISE. The temporary exemption would 
commence immediately upon the Closing and would allow DECN to continue 
to operate following the Closing, subject to certain conditions, while 
DE Holdings prepares the Form 1 Applications. ISE believes that the 
temporary exemption will help to ensure an orderly transition from DECN 
to the proposed Exchange Subsidiaries.\15\
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    \15\ Id.
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    ISE stated, in addition, that the exemption will not diminish the 
Commission's ability to monitor ISE and DECN. In this regard, ISE noted 
that to the extent that ISE makes changes to its systems, including the 
Facility, during the exemption period, or thereafter, it remains 
subject to Section 19(b) and thus obligated to file proposed rule 
changes with the Commission.\16\ Further, in the Exemption Request, ISE 
committed to satisfying certain conditions, which are outlined below. 
For example, as a condition to the exemption, ISE will be required to 
submit proposed rule changes with respect to any material changes to 
DECN's functions during the exemption period.\17\ ISE noted, however, 
that neither ISE nor DECN anticipates any material changes to DECN's 
functionality during the exemption period.\18\
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    \16\ See Exemption Request at 3.
    \17\ Id.
    \18\ See Exemption Request at note 3.
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III. Order Granting Temporary Conditional Section 36 Exemption

    In 1996, Congress gave the Commission greater flexibility to 
regulate trading systems, such as DECN, by granting the Commission 
broad authority to exempt any person from any of the provisions of the 
Exchange Act and to impose appropriate conditions on their 
operation.\19\ Specifically, NSMIA added Section 36(a)(1) to the 
Exchange Act, which provides that ``the Commission, by rule, 
regulation, or order, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any 
person, security, or transaction, or any class or classes of persons, 
securities, or transactions, from any provision or provisions of [the 
Exchange Act] or of any rule or regulation thereunder, to the extent 
that such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, 
and is consistent with the protection of investors.'' \20\ In enacting 
Section 36, Congress indicated that it expected that ``the Commission 
will use this authority to promote efficiency, competition and capital 
formation.'' \21\ It particularly intended to give the Commission 
sufficient flexibility to respond to changing market and competitive 
conditions:
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78mm(a). Section 36 of the Exchange Act was 
enacted as part of the National Securities Markets Improvements Act 
1996, Public Law No. 104-290 (``NSMIA'').
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78mm(a)(1).
    \21\ H.R. Rep. No. 104-622, 104th Cong., 2d Sess. 38 (1996).

    The Committee recognizes that the rapidly changing marketplace 
dictates that effective regulation requires a certain amount of 
flexibility. Accordingly, the bill grants the SEC general exemptive 
authority under both the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange 
Act. This exemptive authority will allow the Commission the 
flexibility to explore and adopt new approaches to registration and 
disclosure. It will also enable the Commission to address issues 
relating to the securities markets more generally. For example, the 
SEC could deal with the regulatory concerns raised by the recent 
proliferation of electronic trading systems, which do not fit neatly 
into the existing regulatory framework.\22\
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    \22\ S. Rep. No. 104-293, 104th Cong., 2d Sess. 15 (1996).

    In 2004, the Commission exercised its Section 36 exemptive 
authority to grant a temporary exemption, subject to certain 
conditions, from the Section 19(b) rule filing requirements in 
connection with the acquisition by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. 
(``Nasdaq'') of Brut, LLC, the operator of the Brut

[[Page 79942]]

ECN.\23\ ISE's requested relief for a temporary exemption from the 
Section 19(b) rule filing requirements in connection with ISE Holdings' 
acquisition of an equity interest in DE Holdings is subject to certain 
conditions, as set forth below, that are substantially similar to the 
conditions included in the Nasdaq Order.
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    \23\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 50311 (September 3, 
2004), 69 FR 54818 (September 10, 2004) (``Nasdaq Order'').
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    Section 19(b)(1) of the Exchange Act requires a self-regulatory 
organization (``self-regulatory organization'' or ``SRO''), including 
ISE, to file with the Commission its proposed rule changes accompanied 
by a concise general statement of the basis and purpose of the proposed 
rule change. Once a proposed rule change has been filed with the 
Commission, the Commission is required to publish notice of it and 
provide an opportunity for public comment. The proposed rule change may 
not take effect unless approved by the Commission by order, unless the 
rule change is within the class of rule changes that are effective upon 
filing pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act.\24\
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    \24\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
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    Section 19(b)(1) of the Exchange Act defines the term ``proposed 
rule change'' to mean ``any proposed rule or rule change in, addition 
to, or deletion from the rules of [a] self-regulatory organization.'' 
Pursuant to Section 3(a)(27) and 3(a)(28) of the Exchange Act, the term 
``rules of a self-regulatory organization'' means (1) the constitution, 
articles of incorporation, bylaws and rules, or instruments 
corresponding to the foregoing, of an SRO, and (2) such stated 
policies, practices and interpretations of an SRO (other than the 
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board) as the Commission, by rule, may 
determine to be necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for 
the protection of investors to be deemed to be rules. Rule 19b-4(b) 
under the Exchange Act,\25\ defines the term ``stated policy, practice, 
or interpretation'' to mean generally ``any material aspect of the 
operation of the facilities of the self-regulatory organization or any 
statement made available to the membership, participants, or specified 
persons thereof that establishes or changes any standard, limit, or 
guideline with respect to rights and obligations of specified persons 
or the meaning, administration, or enforcement of an existing rule.''
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    \25\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(b).
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    The term ``facility'' is defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Exchange 
Act, with respect to an exchange, to include ``its premises, tangible 
or intangible property whether on the premises or not, any right to use 
such premises or property or any service thereof for the purpose of 
effecting or reporting a transaction on an exchange (including, among 
other things, any system of communication to or from the exchange, by 
ticker or otherwise, maintained by or with the consent of the 
exchange), and any right of the exchange to the use of any property or 
service.''
    In its Exemption Request, ISE acknowledged that following the 
Closing, DECN will become a facility of ISE because it will be an 
affiliate of ISE used for the purpose of effecting and reporting 
securities transactions.\26\ Specifically, (1) DECN will continue to 
operate as an ECN and will continue to submit limit orders to the 
Facility, a facility of ISE, for display and execution; and (2) DECN 
will become an affiliate of ISE through ISE Holdings' equity interest 
in DE Holdings.\27\ Absent an exemption, Section 19(b) of the Exchange 
Act and Rule 19b-4 thereunder would require ISE to file proposed rules 
with the Commission to allow ISE to operate DECN as a facility.
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    \26\ See Exemption Request at 1.
    \27\ See Exemption Request at 1-2.
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    ISE noted in its Exemption Request that DE Holdings is preparing 
Form 1 Applications for the Exchange Subsidiaries and that DECN would 
cease operations as an ECN shortly after any Commission approval of the 
Form 1 Applications and the Exchange Subsidiaries' commencement of 
operations as national securities exchanges.\28\ Accordingly, ISE 
expects that DECN would operate as a facility of ISE for a relatively 
brief period of time.\29\
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    \28\ See Exemption Request at 2.
    \29\ Id.
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    The Commission believes that it is appropriate to issue a temporary 
exemption, subject to the conditions described below, to allow DECN to 
operate as a facility of ISE without being subject to the rule filing 
requirements of Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act for a temporary 
period.\30\ Accordingly, the Commission has determined to grant ISE's 
request for a temporary exemption, subject to certain conditions, for a 
period not to exceed 180 days from the date of the Closing. The 
Commission finds that the temporary conditional exemption from the 
provisions of Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act is appropriate in the 
public interest and is consistent with the protection of investors. In 
particular, the Commission believes that the temporary exemption should 
help promote efficiency and competition in the market by allowing DECN 
to continue to operate as an ECN for a limited period of time while DE 
Holdings prepares the Form 1 Applications. In this regard, the 
Commission notes ISE's belief that it would be unduly burdensome and 
inefficient to require DECN's operating rules to be separately 
subjected to the Section 19(b) rule filing and approval process because 
DECN would operate only temporarily as a facility of ISE while the 
Commission considers the Form 1 Applications.\31\ To provide the 
Commission with the opportunity to review and act upon any proposal to 
change DECN's fees or to make material changes to DECN's operations as 
an ECN during the period covered by the temporary exemption, as well as 
to ensure that the Commission's ability to monitor ISE and DECN is not 
diminished by the temporary exemption, the Commission is imposing the 
following conditions while the temporary exemption is in effect.\32\ 
The Commission believes such conditions are necessary and appropriate 
in the public interest for the protection of investors. Therefore, the 
Commission is granting to ISE a temporary exemption, pursuant to 
Section 36 of the Exchange Act, from the rule filing requirements 
imposed by Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act as set forth above, 
provided that ISE and DECN comply with the following conditions:
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    \30\ In granting this relief, the Commission makes no finding 
regarding whether ISE's operation of DECN as a facility would be 
consistent with the Exchange Act.
    \31\ In addition, the Commission notes that the rules governing 
the operation of the Exchange Subsidiaries will be subjected to 
public comment and Commission review and approval as part of the 
exchange registration process.
    \32\ See Exemption Request at 3.
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    (1) DECN remains a registered broker-dealer under Section 15 of the 
Exchange Act \33\ and continues to operate as an ECN;
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    \33\ 15 U.S.C. 78o.
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    (2) DECN operates in compliance with the obligations set forth 
under Regulation ATS;
    (3) DECN and ISE continue to operate as separate legal entities;
    (4) ISE files a proposed rule change under Section 19 of the 
Exchange Act \34\ if any material changes are sought to be made to 
DECN's operations. A material change would include any changes to a 
stated policy, practice, or interpretation regarding the operation of 
DECN or any other event or action relating to DECN that would require 
the filing of a

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proposed rule change by an SRO or an SRO facility; \35\
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    \34\ 15 U.S.C. 78s.
    \35\ See Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 19b-4 
thereunder. The Commission notes that a material change would 
include, among other things, changes to DECN's operating platform; 
the types of securities traded on DECN; DECN's types of subscribers; 
or the reporting venue for trading that takes place on DECN. The 
Commission also notes that any rule filings must set forth the 
operation of the DECN facility sufficiently so that the Commission 
and the public are able to evaluate the proposed changes.
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    (5) ISE files a proposed rule change under Section 19 of the 
Exchange Act if DECN's fee schedule is sought to be modified; and
    (6) ISE treats DECN the same as other ECNs that participate in the 
Facility, and, in particular, ISE does not accord DECN preferential 
treatment in how DECN submits orders to the Facility or in the way its 
orders are displayed or executed.\36\
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    \36\ See Exemption Request at 3.
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    In addition, the Commission notes that the Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority is currently the Designated Examining Authority 
for DECN.
    For the reasons discussed above, the Commission finds that the 
temporary conditional exemptive relief requested by ISE is appropriate 
in the public interest and is consistent with the protection of 
investors.
    It is ordered, pursuant to Section 36 of the Exchange Act,\37\ that 
the application for a temporary conditional exemption is granted for a 
period of 180 days following the Closing, as defined above.
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    \37\ 15 U.S.C. 78mm.

    By the Commission.
Florence E. Harmon,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-30860 Filed 12-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P