[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21026-21032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06329]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-99793; File No. SR-BOX-2024-08]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; BOX Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Provide 
Enhancements to Current Risk Protections

March 20, 2024.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on March 14, 2024, BOX Exchange LLC (the ``Exchange'') filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') the proposed 
rule change as described in Items I and II below, which Items have been 
prepared by the self-regulatory organization. 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 Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to provide enhancements to current risk 
protections. The text of the proposed rule change is available from the 
principal office of the Exchange, at the Commission's Public Reference 
Room and also on the Exchange's internet website at https://rules.boxexchange.com/rulefilings.

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

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

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

1. Purpose
    The purpose of the proposed rule change is to amend BOX Rules 7330 
(Activity-Based Protections), 7340 (Global Counter), and 8130 
(Automatic Quote Cancellation) to use a ``look back'' time interval for 
certain risk protections, to correct a non-substantive typographical 
error, and to make non-substantive clarifying changes. The Exchange 
notes that the proposed change to risk protections is similar to risk 
protection functionalities available at other exchanges.\3\
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    \3\ See NYSE Arca Inc. (``NYSE Arca'') Rule 6.40-O and NYSE 
American LLC (``NYSE American'') Rule 928NY and Miami International 
Securities Exchange, LLC (``MIAX Options'') Rules 519A and 612.
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Background
    Currently, BOX Rules 7330 and 7340 provide trade and trigger 
counters. The current counters are incremented so long as the time 
between the current trade and the previous trade does not exceed the 
``Time Interval,'' which is defined as the highest value between the 
Exchange default and Participant-provided value.\4\ BOX Rule 8130 
operates in a similar fashion but applies to Market Maker 
quotations.\5\
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    \4\ See BOX Rules 7330(a)(2) and (b)(2) (Time Interval) and 
7340(a) (Global Time Interval). The term ``Participant'' means a 
firm, or organization that is registered with the Exchange pursuant 
to the Rule 2000 Series for purposes of participating in trading on 
a facility of the Exchange. See BOX Rule 100(a)(41).
    \5\ The Exchange notes that Rules 7330 and 7340 apply to all 
Participants, while Rule 8130 applies only to Market Makers.
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    Under current Rule 7330(a), the Traded Order Protection feature

[[Page 21027]]

maintains a counting program for each Participant. The system maintains 
traded order counters for: (1) maximum number of trades from orders,\6\ 
(2) maximum traded order volume,\7\ (3) maximum traded order value,\8\ 
(4) delta maximum order traded volume,\9\ and (5) delta maximum order 
traded value.\10\ Participants can provide limits for these five 
counters and for the Time Interval.\11\ The Exchange notes that Traded 
Order Protection is enabled when Participants contact the BOX Market 
Operations Center (``MOC'') \12\ and provide values for the counters. 
The Exchange may also enable this feature and provide default values 
for the parameters.\13\
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    \6\ The maximum number of trades from orders counter will keep 
track of total trades in a class.
    \7\ The maximum traded order volume counter is designed to count 
the total volume traded in a class.
    \8\ The maximum traded order value counter is the absolute 
dollar value of contracts bought and sold in a class.
    \9\ The delta maximum order volume is the absolute value of the 
net position in a class between (i) calls purchased and puts sold, 
and (ii) calls sold and puts purchased.
    \10\ The delta maximum order value is the absolute value of the 
net position in a class between (i) calls purchased and sold, (ii) 
puts and calls purchased; (iii) puts purchased and sold; or (iv) 
puts and calls sold.
    \11\ The ``Time Interval'' is the highest value between the 
Exchange default and Participant-provided value.
    \12\ The term ``Market Operations Center'' or ``MOC'' means the 
BOX Market Operations Center, which provides market support for 
Options Participants during the trading day. See BOX Rule 
100(a)(32).
    \13\ The Exchange's trading system is designed with certain 
limits that are applicable to the activities covered under the 
Exchange's Activity-Based Protections and essentially act as 
defaults. Outside of the system design, the Exchange has generally 
elected to not provide more restrictive thresholds because the 
Exchange believes that Participants are best suited to understand 
appropriate activity levels based on their individual needs and 
behavior.
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    Under Rule 7330(b), the Trade Activity Protection feature maintains 
traded activity counters for: (1) maximum number of trades,\14\ (2) 
maximum traded volume,\15\ (3) maximum traded value,\16\ (4) delta 
maximum traded volume,\17\ and (5) delta maximum traded value.\18\ 
Participants can provide values for these five counters and for the 
Time Interval.\19\ The Exchange notes that Trade Activity Protection is 
enabled when Participants contact the MOC and provide values for the 
counters. The Exchange may also enable this feature and provide default 
values for the parameters.\20\
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    \14\ The maximum number of trades counter will keep track of 
total trades involving orders and/or quotes in all classes.
    \15\ The maximum traded volume counter is designed to count the 
total volume traded involving orders and/or quotes in all classes.
    \16\ The maximum traded value counter is the absolute dollar 
value of contracts bought and sold in all classes from trades 
involving orders and/or quotes.
    \17\ The delta maximum volume is the absolute value of the net 
position in all classes between (i) calls purchased and puts sold, 
and (ii) calls sold and puts purchased, for trades involving orders 
and/or quotes.
    \18\ The delta maximum value is the absolute value of the net 
position in all classes between (i) calls purchased and sold, (ii) 
puts and calls purchased; (iii) puts purchased and sold; or (iv) 
puts and calls sold, for trades involving orders and/or quotes.
    \19\ When both the Exchange and a Participant provide values 
(other than zero) for the parameters, the most restrictive (i.e., 
the smallest value for the five Traded Order Protection counters and 
the highest value for the Time Interval) will be used by the system 
when determining if a counter has been triggered.
    \20\ See supra note 13.
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    Additionally, BOX Rule 7340 details the Global Counter 
functionality which counts the number of triggering events i.e. when 
any of the above counters exceeds the maximum permissible value, across 
BOX's protection mechanisms per Participant ID. Specifically, the 
system will count the number of triggering events from the Traded Order 
Protection under Rule 7330(a), Trade Activity Protection under Rule 
7330(b) (collectively, Activity-Based Protections), and Automatic Quote 
Cancellation under Rule 8130.\21\ The Exchange notes that Global 
Counter is enabled when Participants contact the MOC and provide a 
value for the Global Counter. The Exchange may also enable this feature 
and provide default values for the parameters.\22\
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    \21\ The Exchange notes if multiple counters within the same 
category of protection are triggered by the same trade, the Global 
Counter will only be incremented by one. If, however, multiple 
counters from different categories of protection are triggered by 
the same trade, the Global Counter will be incremented by one for 
each category of protection, regardless of the number of counters 
within the same category of protection that were triggered. For 
example, if the maximum traded order volume counter for the Traded 
Order Protections and the maximum traded volume for the Trade 
Activity Protection are triggered by the same trade, then the Global 
Counter will only be incremented by one.
    \22\ See supra note 13.
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    Lastly, BOX Rule 8130 (Automatic Quote Cancellation) provides a 
trade counter applicable to trades against Market Maker quotations 
which resets if the time interval between a trade and its previous 
trade surpasses the specified time period \23\ The triggering 
parameters \24\ are for when a Market Maker, during a specified time 
period: (1) trades a specified number of contracts in the aggregate 
across all series of an options class; (2) trades a specified absolute 
dollar value of contracts bought and sold in a class; (3) trades a 
specified number of contracts in a class of the net between (i) calls 
purchased plus puts sold, and (ii) calls sold and puts purchased; (4) 
trades a specified absolute dollar value of the net position in a class 
between (i) calls purchased and sold, (ii) puts and calls purchased; 
(iii) puts purchased and sold; or (iv) puts and calls sold; or (5) 
trades a percentage of the Market Maker's quotes in a class.\25\ The 
Exchange notes that Market Makers shall enable Automatic Quote 
Cancellation by establishing values for at least one triggering 
parameter and sending an enabling message to the system. The Exchange 
may also provide default values for some or all of the parameters.\26\ 
The Exchange notes further that the Market Maker obligations in Rule 
8050 (Market Maker Quotations) remain applicable to Market Maker 
quotations.\27\
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    \23\ The Automatic Quote Cancellation trade counters will also 
reset when the Participant provides an update to the value of one of 
the parameters or the triggering of any of the time related 
counters. See BOX Rule 8130(c). The Exchange notes that similar 
functionality is not available for Activity-Based Protections and 
Global Counter. Specifically, Activity-Based Protections and Global 
Counter will be reset upon the triggering of any of the counters in 
Rule 7330 or if the Global Counter has reached or exceeded the 
limit, respectively.
    \24\ The Exchange notes that Rule 8130 also refers to the 
triggering parameters as time related counters and parameters. See 
BOX Rule 8130.
    \25\ See BOX Rule 8130(b). Market Makers are required to enable 
the Automatic Quote Cancellation feature for the Market Maker's 
appointed options classes and shall provide values for at least one 
of the triggering parameters. Id. The Exchange may also provide 
default values for some or all of the parameters; however, any 
Participant-provided value will override any Exchange defaults. See 
BOX Rule 8130(a).
    \26\ See supra note 13.
    \27\ See, e.g., BOX Rules 8050(c), (d) and (e).
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    The actions taken when the Activity-Based Protections, Global 
Counter, and Automatic Quote Cancellation are triggered vary. Beginning 
with Activity-Based Protections, when the Traded Order Protection 
counter (Rule 7330(a)) is triggered because it exceeds the maximum 
permissible value,\28\ all orders for that Participant ID in options on 
that class are cancelled unless such cancelation is not permitted under 
other rules.\29\ When the Trade Activity

[[Page 21028]]

Protection counter (Rule 7330(b)) is triggered because it exceeds the 
maximum permissible value, all orders and quotes for that Participant 
ID in all classes are cancelled unless such cancelation is not 
permitted under other rules. When the Global Counter (Rule 7340) is 
triggered because it has reached or exceeded the limit for the Global 
Counter, the system will cancel all orders and/or quotes belonging to 
that Participant.\30\ Lastly, when the Automatic Quote Cancellation 
(Rule 8130) is triggered because the parameters provided by the Market 
Maker or the Exchange are met, it will cause the Trading Host \31\ to 
cancel the Market Marker's quotes in the specified classes.\32\
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    \28\ When both the Exchange and a Participant provide values 
(other than zero) for the parameters, the most restrictive (i.e., 
the smallest value for the five Traded Order Protection counters and 
the highest value for the Time Interval) will be used by the system 
when determining if a counter has been triggered.
    \29\ For a counter triggered for the incoming order side, action 
is taken following the trade that breached the limit. For a counter 
triggered for the resting order side, action is taken following the 
complete processing of the incoming order. If a cancelation is not 
permitted under other BOX Rules, the orders for that Participant ID 
will remain. For example, under BOX Rule 8050(d), Market Maker bids 
and offers are firm for the number of contracts specified in the bid 
or offer.
    \30\ The Exchange notes that a Participant may also elect for 
the system to lock-out the Participant ID when the Global Counter is 
triggered or if the Exchange default requires a lock-out.
    \31\ The term ``Trading Host'' means the automated trading 
system used by BOX for the trading of options contracts. See BOX 
Rule 100(a)(69).
    \32\ See BOX Rule 8130(a). The Exchange notes that under BOX 
Rule 8050(d), Market Maker bids and offers are firm for the number 
of contracts specified in the bid or offer.
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    The Exchange notes the trading system will execute any marketable 
orders or quotes that are executable and received prior to the time any 
counting program or triggering parameter is triggered up to the size of 
the Participant's order or quote, even if such execution results in 
executions in excess of the Participant's applicable triggering value 
with respect to any parameter. Specifically, an order or quote on the 
BOX Book \33\ is firm and may be executed up to the Participant or 
Market Maker's full size, regardless of whether such an execution 
results in executions in excess of the Participant or Market Maker's 
limits. Immediately after an order or quote in excess of the 
Participant or Market Maker's limits is executed, Activity-Based 
Protections or Automatic Quote Cancellation will be triggered and the 
actions described above will be taken.
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    \33\ The term ``BOX Book'' means the electronic book of orders 
on each single option series maintained by the BOX Trading Host. See 
BOX Rule 100(a)(10).
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Time Interval
    The Exchange notes that the current operation of ``Time Interval'' 
in Rule 7330 (Activity-Based Protections), ``Global Time Interval'' in 
Rule 7340 (Global Counter), and the ``time period'' in Rule 8130 
(Automatic Quote Cancellation) is the same. The ``Time Interval,'' 
``Global Time Interval,'' and ``time period'' will hereinafter be 
collectively referred to as the ``Time Periods''.
    Under the system's current operation, when a Participant's order 
and/or quote is executed or incurs a triggering event, in the case of 
Global Counter, the system will compare the time of the most recent 
trade or triggering event to the time of the previous trade or 
triggering event. If the difference between the time of the current 
trade and the time of the previous trade from the same Participant 
identification number (``Participant ID'') in the same class is greater 
than the Time Periods, then the counters will be reset before adding 
the current trade to them. If, however, the difference between the time 
of the current trade and the time of the previous trade from the same 
Participant ID in the same class is less than or equal to the Time 
Periods, then the counters will be incremented for the current trade 
without resetting them first.
    Using the Trade Activity Protection (Rule 7330(a)) as an example, 
assume the Time Interval is 2 seconds and the maximum number of trades 
is 3. If an order in ABC executes at 10:31:02 and a second order in ABC 
executes at 10:31:03, then the maximum number of trades counter would 
be incremented by 1 for the first trade and 1 for the second trade. 
Now, if a third order in ABC executes at 10:31:04, the system would 
increment the maximum number of trades counter by 1 and maximum number 
of trades would be triggered. Conversely, if an order in ABC executes 
at 10:31:02 and a second order in ABC executes at 10:31:03 and a third 
order in ABC executes at 10:31:06, then the counter would be reset, 
incremented for the current trade, and would not trigger the maximum 
number of trades protection. The trade received at 10:31:06 is compared 
to the previous trade at 10:31:03. There is a 3 second difference which 
is greater than the 2 second Time Interval, thus the system takes no 
action and resets the trade counter.
Proposal
    In response to Participants' requests, the Exchange now proposes to 
change the application of the Time Periods. Specifically, the Exchange 
proposes BOX Rule 7330(a)(2) (Traded Order Protection) to provide:

    A counting program will be maintained for each Options 
Participant identification number (``Participant ID'') and each 
counter in paragraph (a)(1) above. When an order-based trade occurs, 
the counting program will look back over a specified Time Interval 
where the ``Time Interval'' is the highest value between the 
Exchange default and Participant-provided value. The counting 
program includes the most current trade involving an order along 
with all other order-based trades that occurred within the Time 
Interval.

    Proposed BOX Rule 7330(b)(2) (Trade Activity Protection) will 
provide:

    A counting program will be maintained for each Options 
Participant identification number (``Participant ID'') and each 
counter in paragraph (b)(1) above. When an order-based or quote-
based trade occurs, the counting program will look back over a 
specified Time Interval where the ``Time Interval'' is the highest 
value between the Exchange default and Participant-provided value. 
The counting program includes the most current trade along with all 
other order-based and quote-based trades that occurred within the 
Time Interval.

    Proposed BOX Rule 7340(a) (Global Counter) will provide:

    A counting program will be maintained and, when a triggering 
event occurs, the counting program will look back over a specified 
Global Time Interval where the ``Global Time Interval'' is the 
highest value between the Exchange default and Participant-provided 
value. The counting program includes the most current triggering 
event along with all other triggering events that occurred within 
the Global Time Interval.

    The Exchange also proposes to amend BOX Rule 8130(c) (Automatic 
Quote Cancellation) to remove language indicating that the counters 
will reset when the time interval between a trade and its previous 
trade surpasses the time period. The Exchange notes the other 
conditions that reset counters which will remain unchanged.\34\
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    \34\ The counters will be reset when the Participant provides an 
update to the value of one of the parameters or upon the triggering 
of any of the time related counters. See proposed Rule 8130(c).
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    Under this proposal, the duration of each look-back time period 
will be equal to the Time Periods such that when a trade occurs, that 
trade is counted along with all other trades that occurred within the 
look-back time period. Trades that occurred before the look-back time 
period will not be counted. Trades within each look-back time period, 
including the most current trade, will increment counters and if such 
counters equal or exceed configured limits, the counter will be 
triggered.\35\ Again, using Trade Activity Protection as an example, 
assume the Time Interval is 2 seconds and the maximum number of trades 
is 3. If an order in ABC executes at 10:31:02 and a second order in ABC 
executes at 10:31:03, then the maximum number of trades counter would 
equal 2 which is less than the limit of 3 and no action is

[[Page 21029]]

taken. When a third order in ABC executes at 10:31:05, the trade 
counter would be triggered under the current functionality, but no 
action would be taken under the proposed functionality. Under the 
current functionality, the difference between 10:31:05 and 10:31:03 is 
2 seconds and the Time Interval is 2 seconds, so trade counters would 
not be reset, the trade counter would be incremented from 2 to 3 which 
equals the limit of 3 and triggers the counter. Under the proposed 
functionality, the look-back time period is 2 seconds which would be 
between 10:31:03 and 10:31:05 and, because 2 trades have occurred 
during this look-back time period and the limit is 3, no action is 
taken. The Exchange notes that if a third order in ABC executed at 
10:31:04 instead of 10:31:05, then the trade counter would trigger 
under both the current and the proposed functionality.
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    \35\ The Exchange notes that when counters are triggered, the 
actions taken vary for each risk protection. See BOX Rules 
7330(a)(3), (b)(3), and 8130(a).
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    The Exchange notes that the use of look-back time periods for risk 
protections is not novel as other exchanges' rules provide for similar 
functionality. Specifically, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'') and NYSE 
American LLC (``NYSE American'') provide that their Risk Limitation 
Mechanism calculates for quotes and orders: the number of trades 
executed by the OTP Holder \36\ in a particular options class; the 
volume of contracts traded by the OTP Holder in a particular options 
class; or the aggregate percentage of the Market Maker's quoted size or 
OTP Holder's order size(s) executed in a particular options class. To 
determine whether the mechanism is triggered (i.e., the risk setting 
breached), NYSE Arca maintains separate counters that are incremented 
every time a trade is executed. A breach of the mechanism occurs if the 
number of increments to the counter, within a time period specified by 
NYSE Arca, exceeds the threshold set by the OTP Holder.\37\ The timer 
elapses at the conclusion of the time period specified by NYSE Arca, 
unless a breach occurs sooner than the timer expiration. Both NYSE Arca 
and NYSE American modified this functionality in April of 2020 such 
that the time period is rolling (as opposed to static) and is activated 
each time a trade counter is incremented such that they ``look back'' 
at other trades that occurred within the time period to see if a breach 
has occurred.\38\ The Exchange believes that while the application and 
specifics of these protections differ from those on the Exchange, the 
overarching concepts are similar.\39\
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    \36\ Market Makers are included in the definition of OTP Holders 
and therefore, unless NYSE Arca is discussing the quoting activity 
of Market Makers, NYSE Arca does not distinguish Market Makers from 
OTP Holders when discussing the risk limitation mechanisms. See NYSE 
Arca Rule 1.1 (defining OTP Holder as ``a natural person, in good 
standing, who has been issued an OTP, or has been named as a 
Nominee'' that is ``a registered broker or dealer pursuant to 
Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or a nominee or 
an associated person of a registered broker or dealer that has been 
approved by the Exchange to conduct business on the Exchange's 
Trading Facilities''). See also NYSE Arca Rule 6.32-O(a) (defining a 
Market Maker as an individual ``registered with the Exchange for the 
purpose of making transactions as a dealer-specialist on the Floor 
of the Exchange or for the purpose of submitting quotes 
electronically and making transactions as a dealer-specialist 
through the NYSE Arca OX electronic trading system'').
    \37\ See NYSE Arca Rule 6.40-O and NYSE American Rule 928NY.
    \38\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 88755 (April 27, 
2020), 85 FR 25493 (May 1, 2020) (SR-NYSEArca-2020-36) and 
Securities Exchange Act Release No. 88757 (April 27, 2020), 86 FR 
25482 (May 1, 2020) (SR-NYSEAMER-2020-33).
    \39\ BOX notes that its functionality differs slightly from NYSE 
Arca and NYSE American. For example: (1) NYSE Arca and NYSE American 
counters consist of a Transaction-Based Risk Limit, Volume-Based 
Risk Limit, and Percentage-Based Risk Limit; (2) NYSE Arca offers 
Notification Only, Block Only, and Cancel and Block Automated Breach 
Actions; and (3) a Transaction-Based Risk Limit, Volume-Based Risk 
Limit, and Percentage-Based Risk Limit breach actions on NYSE Arca 
and NYSE American will be applied to orders and quotes in the 
affected class of options. See NYSE Arca Rule 6.40-O and NYSE 
American Rule 928NY. The Exchange believes that while application of 
these concepts may differ, the concepts are the same. Specifically, 
the Exchange proposes to set a look-back time period and count 
triggering events within a specified time period similar to the 
current functionality at NYSE Arca and NYSE American.
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    The Exchange notes that Miami International Securities Exchange, 
LLC (``MIAX Options'') also maintains a counting program (``counting 
program'') for each Member \40\ that will count the number of orders 
entered and the number of contracts traded via an order entered by a 
Member on MIAX Options within a specified time period that has been 
established by the Member (the ``specified time period''). When a 
Member's order is entered or when an execution of a Member's order 
occurs, MIAX's system will look back over the specified time period to 
determine whether the order entered or the execution that occurred 
triggers the MIAX Options Risk Protection Monitor.\41\ As such, the 
Exchange believes that the trade counter on MIAX Options is similar to 
BOX's Activity-Based Protections.\42\
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    \40\ The term ``Member'' means an individual or organization 
approved to exercise the trading rights associated with a Trading 
Permit. Members are deemed ``members'' under the Exchange Act. See 
MIAX Options Rule 100.
    \41\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 74118 (January 22, 
2015), 80 FR 4605 (January 28, 2015) (SR-MIAX-2015-03).
    \42\ The Exchange notes that MIAX Options offers additional 
limits on Allowable Order Rate (the number of orders entered during 
the specific time period that has been established by the Member) 
and on Allowable Contract Execution Rate (the number of contracts 
executed during the specific time period that has been established 
by the Member). MIAX's members can also elect for MIAX Options to 
take different actions on a trigger: (1) stop accepting new orders 
but maintain existing orders; (2) stop accepting new orders and 
cancel existing orders; (3) send the Member a notification and take 
no further action. Further, MIAX Options' counting program counts 
the number of orders entered and the number of contracts traded. The 
Exchange believes that while MIAX Options offers additional 
functionality, the concepts are similar. Specifically, setting a 
look-back time period and counting contracts traded within that time 
period.
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    The Exchange notes further that MIAX Options maintains a counting 
program for each Market Maker that will count the number of contracts 
traded by a Market Maker in an appointed option class within a 
specified time period (``Aggregate Risk Monitor'').\43\ When the MIAX 
Options counting program has determined that a Market Maker has traded 
during the specified time period a number of contracts equal to or 
above an Allowable Engagement Percentage, for each options class, as 
established by the Market Maker,\44\ the Aggregate Risk Monitor will 
automatically remove such Market Maker's Standard quotes and Day 
eQuotes in all series of that particular option class.\45\ The Exchange 
believes that this counting program and Aggregate Risk Monitor is 
similar to BOX's Automatic Quote Cancellation.
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    \43\ See MIAX Options Rule 612. The Exchange notes that MIAX 
Options offers additional functionality such as Reset on Quote 
Functionality, Allowable Engagement Percentage, Net Offset, Market 
Maker Aggregate Class Protection, and Market Maker Single Side 
Protection.
    \44\ MIAX Options will establish a default specified time period 
and a default Allowable Engagement Percentage (``default settings'') 
on behalf of a Market Maker that has not established a specified 
time period and/or an Allowable Engagement Percentage. The default 
Allowable Engagement Percentage shall not be less than 100%. The 
default settings will be determined by the Exchange on an Exchange-
wide basis and announced to Members via Regulatory Circular. See 
MIAX Options Rule 612.
    \45\ Id. See also MIAX Options Rule 517 (Quote Types Defined).
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    In addition to the proposed risk protection changes, above, the 
Exchange proposes to change the word ``exceed'' to ``exceeded'' in Rule 
7330(a)(3). This is a non-substantive change that corrects a 
typographical error and is not intended to change the meaning or 
operation of the rule.
    Lastly, the Exchange proposes clarifying changes to Rule 7330 
(Activity-Based Protections) and Rule 8130 (Automatic Quote 
Cancellation). Specifically, Traded Order Protection and Trade Activity 
Protection counters

[[Page 21030]]

will be reset upon the triggering of any of the counters in Rule 
7330.\46\ Additionally, the trading system will execute any marketable 
orders or quotes that are executable and received prior to the time any 
counting program or triggering parameter in Rules 7330 and 8130 is 
triggered up to the size of the Participant's order or quote, even if 
such execution results in executions in excess of the Participant's 
applicable triggering value with respect to any parameter.\47\ The 
Exchange notes that these are non-substantive changes that seek to 
codify current system functionality.
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    \46\ See proposed Rule 7330(c). The Exchange notes that Rule 
7330 also refers to these counters as traded order counters, traded 
activity counters, and parameters. See BOX Rule 7330. The Exchange 
notes that Rule 8130 already provides that counters will be reset 
upon the triggering of any of the time related counters and Rule 
7340 provides that if the Global Counter is triggered because it has 
reached or exceeded the limit, the counter is reset.
    \47\ See proposed Rules 7330(d) and 8130(d).
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    The Exchange notes that it will announce an implementation date for 
the proposed changes to its Participants by Regulatory Notice.
2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposal is consistent with the 
requirements of Section 6(b) of the Act,\48\ in general, and Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act,\49\ in that it is designed to prevent fraudulent 
and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with 
persons engaged in facilitating transactions in securities, to remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system, and, in general to protect investors and the 
public interest, by enhancing the risk protections available to 
Participants. The proposed rule change promotes policy goals of the 
Commission which has encouraged execution venues, exchange and non-
exchange alike, to enhance risk protection tools and other mechanisms 
to decrease risk and increase stability.
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    \48\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \49\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will assist 
with the maintenance of a fair and orderly market, remove impediments 
to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market by modifying the 
Time Periods to be more predictable in terms of which trades or events 
will trigger Activity-Based Protections, the Global Counter, or 
Automatic Quote Cancellation on BOX. Specifically, trades that occurred 
during the look-back time period will be counted and trades that 
occurred prior to the look-back time period will not be counted. As a 
result, Participants will be better able to track and monitor when 
their activity is likely to trigger an Activity-Based protection, the 
Global Counter, or Automatic Quote Cancellation. Further, the proposed 
change, which allows for a count after each transaction on a rolling 
``look back'' basis, would provide a more finely tuned tracking method 
for Participants related to each transaction within a specified time 
period. The Exchange believes that providing a definite ``look back'' 
time period, in addition to the current risk protections available on 
BOX, will enable Participants to better control their trading activity 
and to better manage their trading risk.
    The Exchange notes that Market Makers are required to continuously 
quote in assigned options, and quoting across many series in an option 
or multiple options creates the possibility of executions that can 
create large, unintended principal positions that could expose Market 
Makers to unnecessary risk. The Exchange believes that providing Market 
Makers with more precise risk protections mitigates their exposure to 
excessive risk which may improve their ability to provide liquid 
markets to the benefit of all investors. Ultimately, the Exchange 
believes that the proposal serves to perfect the mechanism of a free 
and open market and a national market system, and, in general protects 
investors and the public interest by improving Market Makers' ability 
to manage their risk. The Exchange notes that similar functionality 
currently exists at other exchanges.\50\
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    \50\ See supra note 3.
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    The Exchange notes that the Market Maker obligations in Rule 8050 
(Market Maker Quotations) remain applicable to Market Maker 
quotations.\51\ Specifically, a Market Maker that enters a bid (offer) 
in a class in which such Market Maker is appointed on BOX must enter an 
offer (bid) within the spread allowable under Rule 8040; \52\ Market 
Maker bids and offers are firm for all orders under this Rule and Rule 
602 of Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act (``Rule 602'') for the 
number of contracts specified in the bid or offer provided that such 
bid or offer must have an initial size of at least one; \53\ and a 
Market Maker must enter quotations for the options classes to which it 
is appointed, on a daily basis, during regular market hours, make 
markets, and enter into any resulting transactions consistent with the 
applicable quoting requirements, such that on a daily basis a Market 
Maker must post valid quotes at least sixty percent (60%) of the time 
that the classes are open for trading.\54\
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    \51\ See, e.g., BOX Rules 8050(c), (d) and (e).
    \52\ See BOX Rule 8050(c)(1).
    \53\ See BOX Rules 8050(b) and (d)(1).
    \54\ See BOX Rule 8050(e). The Exchange notes that these 
obligations will apply to all of the Market Maker's appointed 
classes collectively, rather than on a class-by-class basis. 
Further, if a technical failure or limitation of the BOX Trading 
Host prevents a Market Maker from maintaining, or prevents a Market 
Maker from communicating to BOX, timely and accurate electronic 
quotes in an appointed class, the duration of such failure shall not 
be considered in determining whether the Market Maker has satisfied 
the 60% quoting obligation with respect to that particular options 
class. An Exchange Official may consider other exceptions to this 
continuous electronic quote obligation based on demonstrated legal 
or regulatory requirements or other mitigating circumstances.
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    In addition to the proposed risk protection changes, above, the 
Exchange proposes to change the word ``exceed'' to ``exceeded'' in Rule 
7330(a)(3). The Exchange believes that this change will remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market by 
correcting as typographical error that may inhibit a clear reading of 
the Rules. This change is non-substantive and is not intended to change 
the meaning of the Rule or its operation.
    Lastly, the Exchange believes that the clarifying change to Rule 
7330 (Activity-Based Protections) to specify that Traded Order 
Protection and Traded Activity Protection counters will be reset upon 
the triggering of any of the counters in Rule 7330 is consistent with 
the Act. The Exchange believes further that additional clarifying 
changes to Rules 7330 and 8130 providing that the trading system will 
execute any marketable orders or quotes that are executable and 
received prior to the time any counting program or triggering parameter 
in Rules 7330 or 8130 is triggered up to the size of the Participant's 
order or quote, even if such execution results in executions in excess 
of the Participant's applicable triggering value with respect to any 
parameter are consistent with the Act. Specifically, the proposed 
clarifying rule changes would provide Participants with transparency 
regarding the operation of Traded Order Protection, Trade Activity 
Protection, and Automatic Quote Cancellation, which removes impediments 
to and perfects the mechanism of a free and open market and a national 
market system by providing greater certainty with respect to how these 
risk protections function. The Exchange notes that these are non-
substantive changes that seek to codify

[[Page 21031]]

current system functionality and do not amend operation of the Rules.

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

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange is proposing an 
enhancement that may enable Participants to better control their 
trading activity and to better manage their trading risk while 
submitting orders and quotes to BOX. The Exchange does not believe that 
the proposed enhancements to the existing Activity-Based Protections, 
Global Counter, and Automatic Quote Cancellation would impose a burden 
on competing options exchanges. Specifically, the Exchange notes that 
it operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants 
can readily favor competing venues. Additionally, the proposed 
enhancements to Activity-Based Protections, Global Counter, and 
Automatic Quote Cancellation are similar to functionality currently 
available on competing exchanges.\55\ The Exchange believes that the 
proposal does not impose any burden on intramarket competition not 
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act 
because all Participants may avail themselves of the applicable risk 
controls on BOX. Further, the Exchange notes that the Time Periods are 
applied in the same manner for all Participants. Additionally, the 
Exchange does not believe that correcting a typographical error imposes 
any burden on competition because it is not intended to change the 
meaning or operation of the rule. Lastly, the Exchange does not believe 
that codifying the functionality that Traded Order Protection and Trade 
Activity Protection counters will be reset upon the triggering of any 
of the counters in Rule 7330 or the functionality that the trading 
system will execute any marketable orders or quotes that are executable 
and received prior to the time any counting program or triggering 
parameter in Rules 7330 or 8130 is triggered up to the size of the 
Participant's order or quote, even if such execution results in 
executions in excess of the Participant's applicable triggering value 
with respect to any parameter, imposes any burden on competition 
because these changes are intended to increase the transparency of 
current system functionality.
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    \55\ See supra note 3.
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C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

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

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

    Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) significantly affect 
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any 
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \56\ and Rule 
19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\57\
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    \56\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \57\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
requires a self-regulatory organization to give the Commission 
written notice of its intent to file the proposed rule change, along 
with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \58\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\59\ the Commission 
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked 
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal 
may become operative immediately upon filing.
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    \58\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \59\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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    The Commission finds that it is consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest to waive the 30-day operative delay. 
As the Exchange notes, similar functionality currently exists at other 
exchanges.\60\ Accordingly, the proposal raises no new or novel issues. 
Therefore, the Commission waives the 30-day operative delay and 
designates the proposal operative upon filing.\61\
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    \60\ See supra note 3.
    \61\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission has also considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule 
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule 
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or 
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission 
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings under 
Section 19(b)(2)(B) \62\ of the Act to determine whether the proposed 
rule change should be approved or disapproved.
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    \62\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(2)(B).
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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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
file number SR-BOX-2024-08 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

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

All submissions should refer to file number SR-BOX-2024-08. 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 (https://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 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. Do not 
include personal identifiable information in submissions; you should 
submit only information

[[Page 21032]]

that you wish to make available publicly. We may redact in part or 
withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene 
or subject to copyright protection. All submissions should refer to 
file number SR-BOX-2024-08 and should be submitted on or before April 
16, 2024.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\63\
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    \63\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-06329 Filed 3-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P