[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 60 (Monday, March 31, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14304-14311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05452]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-102727; File No. SR-CboeBYX-2025-008]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rule 11.25(e) To 
Allow Users To Utilize the Exchange's Match Trade Prevention 
Functionality When Entering Periodic Auction Orders Onto the Exchange 
for Execution

March 25, 2025.
    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, 2025, Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc. (``Exchange'' or ``BYX'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') the 
proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III below, which 
Items have been prepared by the Exchange. The 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

    Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``BYX'') Cboe BYX 
Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``BYX'') proposes to amend Exchange 
Rule 11.25(e) (``Priority and Execution of Orders'') to allow (1) Users 
to utilize the Exchange's Match Trade Prevention (``MTP'') 
functionality when entering Periodic Auction Orders onto the Exchange 
for execution; (2) add new rule text describing how the System will 
handle Periodic Auction Orders entered with MTP instructions when a 
Periodic Auction is not in progress; (3) add new rule text describing 
how the System will handle Periodic Auction Orders entered with MTP 
instructions when a Periodic Auction is in progress; and (4) add new 
rule text describing how System will handle Periodic Auction Orders 
entered with both an MTP instruction and Minimum Quantity instruction, 
when a Periodic Auction is in progress. 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/equities/regulation/rule_filings/byx/), 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
    The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 11.25(e) (``Priority 
and Execution of Orders'') to allow (1) Users to utilize the Exchange's 
Match Trade Prevention (``MTP'') \3\ functionality when entering 
Periodic Auction

[[Page 14305]]

Orders \4\ onto the Exchange for execution; (2) add new rule text 
describing how the System \5\ will handle Periodic Auction Orders 
entered with MTP instructions when a Periodic Auction is not in 
progress; (3) add new rule text describing how the System will handle 
Periodic Auction Orders entered with MTP instructions when a Periodic 
Auction is in progress; and (4) add new rule text describing how System 
will handle Periodic Auction Orders entered with both an MTP 
instruction and Minimum Quantity \6\ instruction, when a Periodic 
Auction is in progress.
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    \3\ See Rule 11.9(f).
    \4\ The term ``Periodic Auction Order'' shall mean a ``Periodic 
Auction Only Order'' or ``Periodic Auction Eligible Order'' as those 
terms are defined in Rules 11.25(b)(1)-(2), and the term ``Periodic 
Auction Book'' shall mean the System's electronic file of such 
Periodic Auction Orders. See Rule 11.25(a)(6).
    \5\ The term ``System'' shall mean the electronic communications 
and trading facility designated by the Board through which 
securities orders of Users are consolidated for ranking, execution 
and, when applicable, routing away. See Rule 1.5(aa).
    \6\ Minimum Quantity Order. A limit order to buy or sell that 
will only execute if a specified minimum quantity of shares can be 
obtained. See Rule 11.9(c)(5).
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    By way of background, MTP is an existing process \7\ through which 
Users can prevent their incoming orders designated with a MTP modifier 
from executing against a resting opposite side order also designated 
with an MTP modifier and originating from the same market participant 
identifier (``MPID''), Exchange Member identifier, trading group 
identifier, Exchange Sponsored Participant identifier, affiliate 
identifier, or Multiple Access identifier (any such identifier, a 
``Unique Identifier'').\8\ Both the buy and the sell order must include 
the same Unique Identifier in order to prevent an execution from 
occurring and to effect a cancel instruction. MTP is a valuable tool 
for Exchange Users because it allows them to better manage order their 
flow to prevent undesirable trading activity such as wash sales \9\ or 
self-trades \10\ that may occur because of the high-speed nature of 
trading in today's marketplace. MTP is an optional order instruction, 
and Users are not required to utilize this functionality. Rather, the 
Exchange offers this optional functionality for Users as a 
supplementary tool which they may choose to utilize in helping them 
comply with relevant securities, rules, laws, or regulations.
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    \7\ The Exchange notes that previous proposals extending the 
functionality of MTP to other trading scenarios were effective upon 
filing with the Commission. See generally Securities and Exchange 
Act Release No. 53429 (December 3, 2010), 75 FR 76763 (December 9, 
2010) (SR-EDGX-2010-18); Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 34-
96292 (November 10, 20220), 87 FR 68766 (November 16, 2022) (SR-
CboeEDGX-2022-048).
    \8\ See Rule 11.9(f)--Match Trade Prevention (``MTP'') 
Modifiers.
    \9\ A ``wash sale'' is generally defined as a trade involving no 
change in beneficial ownership that is intended to produce the false 
appearance of trading and is strictly prohibited under both the 
federal securities laws and FINRA rules. See, e.g., 15 U.S.C 
78i(a)(1); FINRA Rule 6140(b) (``Other Trading Practices'').
    \10\ Self-trades are ``transactions in a security resulting from 
the unintentional interaction of orders originating from the same 
firm that involve no change in beneficial ownership of the 
security.'' FINRA requires members to have policies and procedures 
in place that are reasonably designed to review trading activity 
for, and prevent, a pattern or practice of self-trades resulting 
from orders originating from a single algorithm or trading desk, or 
related algorithms or trading desks. See FINRA Rule 5210, 
Supplementary Material .02, available at: https://www.finra.org/rules-guidance/rulebooks/finra-rules/5210.
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Proposed Rule Change
    Currently, Rule 11.25(e) states that all MTP modifiers (as defined 
in Rule 11.9(f)(1)-(5)) for Periodic Auction Orders will be ignored for 
executions occurring during a Periodic Auction. As part of the 
Exchange's prior Periodic Auction Rule filings,\11\ the Exchange 
reasoned that MTP is mainly designed for use on the Continuous 
Book,\12\ and use of MTP for Periodic Eligible Orders (``PAE'') \13\ 
and Periodic Auction Only Orders (``PAO'') \14\ (collectively, Periodic 
Auction Orders) may complicate the execution of an auction that 
requires the pooling and matching of multiple orders against other 
orders at the Periodic Auction Book Price.\15\ Based on User feedback, 
however, Users of Periodic Auctions desire the ability to utilize MTP 
for their Periodic Auction Orders (when the Periodic Auction is not in 
progress) to help them manage their order flow and prevent undesirable 
executions against themselves. Users are not asking to utilize MTP for 
their Periodic Auction Orders when a Periodic Auction is occurring.
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    \11\ See Securities and Exchange Act Release No 34-91423 (March 
26, 2021), 86 FR 17230 (April 1, 2021) (SR-CboeBYX-2020-021).
    \12\ The term ``Continuous Book'' shall mean an order on the BYX 
Book that is not a Periodic Auction Order, and the term ``Continuous 
Book'' shall mean the System's electronic file of such Continuous 
Book Orders. See Rule 11.25(a)(2), definition of ``Continuous Book 
Order''.
    \13\ ``A `Periodic Auction Eligible Order' is a non-displayed 
limit order eligible to trade on the Continuous Book that is entered 
with an instruction to also initiate a Periodic Auction, if possible 
. . . Periodic Auction Eligible Orders will be ranked as Non-
Displayed Limit Orders consistent with the priority of order 
outlined in Rule 11.12(a). An incoming Periodic Auction Eligible 
Order that is eligible both to trade on the Continuous Book and 
initiate a Periodic Auction against a Periodic Auction Only Order at 
the same price will trade immediately with the Continuous Book. 
Incoming Periodic Auction Eligible Orders will upon entry interact 
with Continuous Book Orders and other Periodic Auction Eligible 
Orders according to their rank under Rule 11.12(a). Periodic Auction 
Eligible Orders will not trade on the Continuous Book during a 
Periodic Auction Period in the security.'' See 11.25(b)(2).
    \14\ ``A `Periodic Auction Only Order' is a non-displayed limit 
order entered with an instruction to participate solely in Periodic 
Auctions pursuant to this Rule 11.25. Periodic Auction Only Orders 
are not eligible for executions on the Continuous Book.'' See Rule 
11.25(b)(1). Hereinafter, Periodic Auction Only Orders as, ``PAO 
Orders.''
    \15\ ``The term `Periodic Auction Book Price' shall mean the 
price within the Collar Price Range at which the most shares from 
the Periodic Auction Book would match. In the event of a volume-
based tied at multiple price-levels, the Periodic Auction Book Price 
will be the price that results in the minimum total imbalance. In 
the event of a volume-based tie and a tie in minimum total imbalance 
at multiple price levels, the Periodic Auction Book Price will be 
the price closest to the Volume Based Tie Breaker. The Periodic 
Auction Book Price will be expressed in the minimum increment for 
the security unless the midpoint of the NBBO establishes the 
Periodic Auction Book Price.'' See 11.25(a)(5), definition of 
``Periodic Auction Book Price''.
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    Accordingly, the Exchange now seeks to allow Users to enter onto 
the Exchange Periodic Auction Orders with MTP instructions (``MTP 
Order'').\16\ Importantly, allowing Users to enter MTP Orders will not 
impact how the Periodic Auction itself is conducted, and the proposed 
MTP functionality will not prevent the completion of a Periodic Auction 
once it has been initiated.
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    \16\ The Exchange notes that previous proposals extending the 
functionality of MTP to other trading scenarios were effective upon 
filing with the Commission. See Securities and Exchange Act Release 
No. 53429 (December 3, 2010), 75 FR 76763 (December 9, 2010) (SR-
EDGX-2010-18); see also Securities and Exchange Act Release No. 34-
96292 (November 10, 20220), 87 FR 68766 (November 16, 2022) (SR-
CboeEDGX-2022-048).
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    The Exchange also wishes to add rule text describing how the System 
will handle MTP Orders when a Periodic Auction is in progress. As 
proposed, when a Periodic Auction is in progress, there will be 
instances where the Exchange has elected to temporarily bypass the MTP 
instruction that a User has included on MTP Order or apply MTP and 
cancel an inbound MTP Order despite the fact that such order would 
trade with a MTP Order participating in the Periodic Auction 
originating from the same Unique Identifier. As described below, when a 
Periodic Auction is in progress, how the System \17\ applies MTP will 
depend on whether the inbound MTP Order is a Continuous Book Order \18\ 
or a Periodic Auction Order.
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    \17\ The term ``System'' shall mean the electronic 
communications and trading facility designated by the Board through 
which securities orders of Users are consolidated for ranking, 
execution and, when applicable, routing away. See Rule 1.5(aa).
    \18\ The term ``Continuous Book Order'' shall mean an order on 
the BYX Book that is not a Periodic Auction Order, and the term 
``Continuous Book'' shall mean System's electronic file of such 
Continuous Book Orders. See Rule 11.25(a)(2).

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[[Page 14306]]

    First, proposed Rule 11.25(g)(1)(A) would state that if a Periodic 
Auction is in progress, and the inbound order is an MTP Continuous Book 
Order that would, but for application of MTP, execute against a contra-
side resting MTP Periodic Auction Order participating in the Periodic 
Auction, then the System will not apply MTP upon entry of the MTP 
Continuous Book, or at the end of the Periodic Auction Period. Instead, 
the inbound MTP Continuous Book Order would be processed as set forth 
in Rule 11.25(a)-(e). The temporary bypassing of MTP in this scenario 
is due to the fact that while the inbound MTP Continuous Book orders 
may trade with the MTP Periodic Auction Order, it is just as likely 
that the MTP Continuous Book Order may not trade with the MTP Periodic 
Auction Order. As such, based on User feedback, the Exchange has 
elected to temporarily bypass MTP to prevent the cancelation of the 
inbound MTP Continuous Book Order and denying such order the chance 
from executing on the Continuous Book.
    Second, proposed Rule 11.25(g)(1)(B) would state if a Periodic 
Auction is in progress, and the inbound order is an MTP Periodic 
Auction Order that would, but for the application of MTP, join the 
Periodic Auction, and there is a resting contra-side MTP Continuous 
Book Order on the BYX Book, then the System will not apply MTP at the 
of the Periodic Auction Period. Rather, the inbound MTP Periodic 
Auction Order would be processed as set forth in Rule 11.25(a)-(e). 
Here, the Exchange believes that the temporarily bypassing MTP is 
warranted because the inbound MTP Periodic Auction Only Order may or 
may not end up trading with the MTP Continuous Book order at the end of 
the Periodic Auction Period. Specifically, based on feedback from its 
Users, the Exchange believes that canceling the resting MTP Continuous 
Book Order in this scenario would be overly restrictive, and based only 
on a mere possibility that the MTP Periodic Auction Only Order might 
trade with the resting MTP Continuous Book order. Moreover, while the 
Periodic Auction is in progress, the resting MTP Continuous Book order 
could receive an execution on the Continuous Book, and it would be more 
costly to deny an order an execution at its desired terms, than to 
cancel the order based on the possibility that it may trade with 
another MTP Order.
    Third, proposed Rule 11.25(g)(1)(C) would state that if a Periodic 
Auction is in progress, and the inbound order is an MTP Periodic 
Auction Order that upon entry would, but for the application of MTP, 
execute against a contra-side resting MTP Periodic Auction Order 
participating in the Periodic Auction, then the inbound MTP Periodic 
Auction Order will be canceled. In this scenario, the canceling the 
inbound MTP Periodic Auction Order is necessary in order to prevent 
disrupting the Periodic Auction. While this action may result in a User 
executing an undesirable wash sale, the Exchange does not wish to 
interrupt a Periodic Auction once it is initiated, as doing so may 
impact multiple Users, not just the User utilizing MTP.
    Finally, proposed Rule 11.25(g)(2) would state that when a Periodic 
Auction is in progress, the System will ignore a Minimum Quantity 
instruction appended to an MTP Periodic Auction Order or an MTP 
Continuous Book Order. However, at the end of the Periodic Auction 
Period, Minimum Quantity Orders will execute in accordance with Rule 
11.25(b)(2)(C). The Exchange notes it has designed the proposed MTP and 
Minimum Quantity Order functionality in this manner because the design 
of Exchange's Systems would require multiple scans of resting orders to 
determine whether an incoming MTP Periodic Auction Order's Minimum 
Quantity requirement could be satisfied. This additional System scan 
would add unnecessary complexity to the Periodic Auction process, 
potentially resulting in unwarranted order processing delays, and 
impacting the initiation and completion of a Periodic Auction based on 
optional risk checks that a single User has chosen to utilize, thereby 
unintentionally impacting other Users participating in the Periodic 
Auction.
    Importantly, BYX notes that the bypassing of an inbound order's MTP 
modifier--whether a MTP Continuous Book Order or MTP Periodic Auction 
Order--is temporary and occurs only upon entry of the inbound order. At 
the conclusion of the Periodic Auction Period (i.e., the Periodic 
Auction has completed and there is no Periodic Auction in progress), 
the System would again enforce the MTP modifier consistent with Rule 
11.9(f) and proposed Rule 11.25(g)(2). While the scenarios described in 
proposed Rule 11.25(g)(1)(A)-(C) may result in certain executions 
occurring despite the User's inclusion of an MTP instruction, or the 
cancelation of their inbound Periodic Auction Order when the Periodic 
Auction is in progress, the Exchange believes this behavior is 
necessary and appropriate to help strike a responsible balance between 
providing Users with an optional risk tool and ensuring that Periodic 
Auctions will complete once initiated. Importantly, in designing this 
functionality, the Exchange consulted with its Periodic Auction Users, 
as well as potential new Users, and explained the limitations of MTP 
for Periodic Auction Orders, including that in some instances, MTP 
modifiers may be temporarily bypassed, or that a User's inbound MTP 
Periodic Auction Order may be canceled because it is marketable versus 
their MTP Order participating in the Periodic Auction. Despite these 
noted limitations, Users still believe the proposed MTP functionality 
to be valuable and a reasonable compromise that is likely to foster 
their increased use of Periodic Auctions. Should Users find the 
proposed functionality to be too complex, or not sufficiently 
restrictive in how it applies MTP, Users are free to decline usage of 
MTP and instead rely on their own internal risk checks.
Periodic Auctions Background
    Periodic Auctions are available on BYX during the Regular Trading 
Session (9:30 a.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET). Periodic Auction Orders (i.e., 
PAOs or PAEs) are non-displayed, and Members may send PAOs or PAEs. 
PAOs will only execute in a Periodic Auction and are eligible to 
initiate a Periodic Auction when matched with a contra-side Periodic 
Auction Order. PAEs are eligible to trade with Continuous Book orders 
and may also participate in Periodic Auctions. PAEs are eligible to 
initiate a Periodic Auction when matched with a contra-side Periodic 
Auction Order. PAEs may also trade immediately upon entry with a 
resting Continuous Book order instead of initiating a Periodic Auction. 
PAEs will be locked from trading in the Continuous Book upon initiation 
of a Periodic Auction. In addition, Continuous Book orders, both 
displayed and non-displayed (e.g., Midpoint Peg Orders) are not 
eligible to initiate a Periodic Auction but may be swept into the 
Periodic Auction at the end of the Periodic Auction Period.\19\ A 
Periodic Auction is initiated when a buy (sell) Periodic Auction Order 
is eligible to trade with a sell (buy) Periodic Auction Order within 
the Collar Price Range.\20\
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    \19\ The term ``Periodic Auction Period'' shall mean the fixed 
time period of 100 milliseconds for conducting a Periodic Auction. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Periodic Auction initiated pursuant 
to Rule 11.25(c) will be performed at the end of the Regular Trading 
Session if the Periodic Auction Period would otherwise end after the 
Regular Trading Session. See Rule 11.25(a)(8).
    \20\ The term ``Collar Price Range'' shall mean the more 
restrictive of the Midpoint Collar Price Range, as defined in Rule 
11.25(a)(1), and the Protected NBBO. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 
if the Collar Price Range calculated by the Exchange would be 
outside of the applicable Price Bands established pursuant to the 
Limit Up-Limit Down Plan, the Collar Price Range will be capped at 
such Price Bands. See Rule 11.25(a)(1).

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[[Page 14307]]

    Once a Periodic Auction is initiated, a Periodic Auction message 
will be generated and disseminated via the Exchange's proprietary depth 
of book market data feed at a randomized time prior to the end of the 
auction. All Periodic Auctions will run for a fixed time period of 100 
milliseconds. The Periodic Auction Book Price \21\ will be the price 
where most shares will trade within the Collar Price Range. Orders are 
executed according to the following three priority levels: (1) 
Displayed Continuous Book orders will be executed first using price/
time Priority; (2) Periodic Auction Orders will be executed second 
using Size/Time Priority; and (3) hidden Continuous Book orders will be 
executed third using standard BYX Priority.\22\
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    \21\ The term ``Periodic Auction Book Price'' shall mean the 
price within the Collar Price Range at which the most shares from 
the Periodic Auction Book would match. In the event of a volume-
based tie at multiple price levels, the Periodic Auction Book Price 
will be the price that results in the minimum total imbalance. In 
the event of a volume-based tie and a tie in minimum total imbalance 
at multiple price levels, the Periodic Auction Book Price will be 
the price closest to the Volume Based Tie Breaker. The Periodic 
Auction Book Price will be expressed in the minimum increment for 
the security unless the midpoint of the NBBO establishes the 
Periodic Auction Book Price. See Rule 11.25(a)(5).
    \22\ See Rule 11.12, Priority of Orders.
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Example 1: Non-MTP Scenario, Periodic Auction Only or Periodic Auction 
Eligible Orders Initiate an Auction
 NBBO: 10.00 x 10.05
 Order 1: Buy 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Periodic Auction Only/
Eligible
 Order 2: Sell 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Periodic Auction Only/
Eligible
 Result: A Periodic Auction is initiated when Order 2 matches 
with Order 1
Example 2: Non-MTP Scenario, Periodic Auction Eligible Order Can Trade 
Immediately With Continuous Book
 NBBO: 10.00 x 10.10
 Order 1: Buy 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Continuous Book order
 Order 2: Buy 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Periodic Auction Only
 Order 3: Sell 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Periodic Auction 
Eligible
 Result: Periodic Auction is not started; Order 1 and Order 3 
trade immediately for 100 @10.05
Example 3: Non-MTP Scenario, Periodic Auction Only Order and Periodic 
Auction Eligible Order Start an Auction
 NBBO: 10.00 x 10.10
 Order 1: Buy 150 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Periodic Auction Only
 Order 2: Sell 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg; does not trade with 
Order 1 immediately or initiate a Periodic Auction
 Order 3: Sell 100 @10.05 Midpoint Peg--Periodic Auction 
Eligible
 Result:
[cir] Periodic Auction begins when Order 3 is entered;
[ssquf] Matched size and price message is sent for 100 @10.05 after X 
(random time period between 0-99 milliseconds) milliseconds.
[ssquf] Order 3 is locked from trading in the Continuous Book for 
entire duration of the Periodic Auction Period
[ssquf] Order 2 is still available for trading in the Continuous Book 
during the Periodic Auction Period
[cir] Periodic Auction ends after 100 milliseconds
[ssquf] Order 1 trades @10.05 with Order 3 (Periodic Auction Only/
Periodic Auction Eligible orders have priority over hidden continuous 
book orders).
[ssquf] Order 1 trades 50 @10.05 with Order 2.
Periodic Auctions--When MTP Is Appended to a User's Periodic Auction 
Orders
    As discussed further above, Users have expressed a desire to 
utilize BYX's MTP functionality for their Periodic Auction Orders. 
Users have stated that use of MTP will assist them in better managing 
their regulatory risk by helping to prevent the execution of wash sales 
when a User's buy (sell) Periodic Auction Order or Continuous Book 
order inadvertently executes with its sell (buy) Periodic Auction Order 
or Continuous Book Order. By reducing their risk, Users may, in turn, 
increase their usage of Periodic Auctions, thereby providing more 
liquidity, including but not limited to block size transactions, 
thereby providing the marketplace with alternative to off-exchange 
venues where a growing percentage of such transactions are executed 
today. To illustrate how MTP will behave when applied to Periodic 
Auction Orders, consider the following examples:
Example 1: Periodic Auction Is Not in Progress--Two PAE Orders 
Matching--MTP Action Occurs
    Example 1 illustrates how MTP will operate when Firm A's resting 
PAE Order with an MTP modifier of MTP Cancel Oldest (``MCO''),\23\ 
interacts with a subsequent inbound PAE Order submitted by Firm A with 
an MTP modifier of MCO and a Periodic Auction is not in progress. Here, 
MTP operates in the same manner \24\ as it would for Continuous Book 
Orders, in accordance with Rule 11.9(f) and proposed Rule 11.25(g)(2); 
i.e., because Firm A's inbound PAE Order was entered with an MTP 
modifier of MCO, the System will cancel Firm A's Order 1,\25\ which is 
the ``oldest'' contra-side Firm A order that is marketable versus Firm 
A's inbound PAE Order to sell. This MTP action prevents Firm A from 
potentially trading with itself either on the Continuous Book or during 
a Periodic Auction.\26\
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    \23\ MTP Cancel Oldest (``MCO'') is defined as ``[a]n incoming 
order marked with the ``MCO'' modifier will not execute against 
opposite side resting interest marked with any MTP modifier 
originating from the same Unique Identifier. The resting order 
marked with the MCO modifier will be cancelled back to the 
originating User(s). The incoming order marked with the MCO modifier 
will remain on the BYX Book. See Rule 11.9(f)(2).
    \24\ See Rule 11.9(f)--Match Trade Prevention (``MTP'') 
Modifiers. Any incoming order designated with an MTP modifier will 
be prevented from executing against a resting opposite side order 
also designated with an MTP modifier and originating from the same 
market participant identifier (``MPID''), Exchange Member 
identifiers, trading group identifier, Exchange Sponsored 
Participant identifier, affiliate identifier, or Multiple Access 
identifier (any such identifier, a ``Unique Identifier''). The order 
canceled by the System will depend on the incoming order's MTP 
modifier, as described in 11.9(f)(1)-(5).
    \25\ See Rule 11.9(f)(2).
    \26\ As MTP action is controlled by the incoming order (``. . . 
the MTP modifier on the incoming order controls the interaction 
between two orders marked with MTP modifiers.'' See Rule 11.21(g)), 
Firm A's Order 1 was correctly cancelled in this situation. Note, 
however, that if Firm A's Order 2 had included an MTP modifier of 
MTP Cancel Newest (``MCN''), the result would simply be that Order 2 
is instead canceled. MTP Cancel Newest (``MCN'') is defined as 
``[a]n incoming order marked with the ``MCN'' modifier will not 
execute against opposite side resting interest marked with any MTP 
modifier originating from the same Unique Identifier. The incoming 
order marked with the MCN modifier will be cancelled back to the 
originating User(s). The resting order marked with an MTP modifier 
will remain on the BYX Book.'' See Rule 11.9(f)(1). Similarly, if we 
changed Order 1's MTP Modifier to Cancel Newest and Order 2 remained 
as MTP Cancel Oldest, Order 1 would be canceled as Order 2's 
instruction controls MTP action.

 Order 1--Resting (Firm A): PAE Order (MTP = Cancel Oldest), 
Buy 100 @1.00
 Order 2--Inbound order (Firm A): PAE Order (MTP = Cancel 
Oldest), Sell 200 @1.00
 Result: Order 1 is canceled
Example 2: Two PAO Orders Matching--MTP Action Occurs
    Example 2 illustrates how MTP will operate when Firm A's resting 
PAO Order with an MTP Modifier of MCN, interacts with Firm A's inbound 
PAO Order with an MCN modifier, and a Periodic Auction is not in 
progress. Here, MTP operates in the same manner as it would for 
Continuous Book Orders and as provided for in Rule 11.9(f) and

[[Page 14308]]

proposed Rule 11.25(g)(2); i.e. because Firm A has designated its 
inbound Order 2 with MCN, the System will cancel Firm A's Order 2, 
which is Firm's A's newest contra-side order that is marketable versus 
Firm A's resting Order 1. This MTP action prevents Firm A from 
potentially trading with itself during a Periodic Auction.

 Order 1--Resting (Firm A): PAO Order (MTP = Cancel Newest), 
Buy 100 @1.00
 Order 2--Inbound order (Firm A): PAO Order (MTP = Cancel 
Newest), Sell 200 @1.00
 Result: Order 2 is canceled

    For the sake of clarity, the Exchange also wishes to explain what 
would happen to Order 2 if a Periodic Auction was in progress when 
Order 2 arrived. To address this scenario, assume an inbound Periodic 
Auction Order from Firm B--Order X--arrived between Order 1 and Order 
2, and initiated a Periodic Auction with Order 1. Here, when Order 2 
arrives, and the Periodic Auction is in progress, Order 2 would still 
be canceled. When a Periodic Auction is in progress, and an inbound 
Periodic Auction Order is designated with an MTP modifier, and such 
order matches against a resting contra-side Periodic Auction Order 
originating from the same Unique Identifier that is also designated 
with a MTP modifier, the inbound Periodic Auction Order will be 
canceled. This behavior will enable Users to better manage their order 
flow and prevent undesirable executions in Periodic Auctions, just as 
they do today for their Continuous Book orders.
Example 3: Incoming PAE Order Matching Against a PAO Order--MTP Action 
Occurs
    Example 3 illustrates how MTP will operate when Firm A's resting 
PAO Order with a MTP modifier of MTP Cancel Smallest (``MCS''),\27\ 
interacts with Firm A's inbound PAE Order with an MCS modifier, and an 
auction is not in progress. Here, MTP operates in the same manner as it 
would for Continuous Book Orders; i.e., because Firm A has designated 
its orders with the MTP modifier, MCS, the System will cancel Firm A's 
Order 1, which is Firm A's small quantity order.\28\ This MTP action 
prevents Firm A from potentially trading with itself during a Periodic 
Auction.
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    \27\ MTP Cancel Smallest (``MCS'') is defined as ``[a]n incoming 
order marked with the ``MCS'' modifier will not execute against 
opposite side resting interest marked with any MTP modifier 
originating from the same Unique Identifier. If both orders are 
equivalent in size, both orders will be cancelled back to the 
originating User(s). If the orders are not equivalent in size, the 
smaller of the two orders will be cancelled back to the originating 
User and the larger order will remain on the book. See Rule 
11.9(f)(5).
    \28\ See Rule 11.9(f)(5).

 Order 1--Resting (Firm A): PAO Order (MTP = Cancel Smallest), 
Buy 100 @1.00
 Order 2--Inbound order (Firm A): PAE Order (MTP = Cancel 
Smallest), Sell 200 @1.00
 Result: Order 1 is canceled
Example 4: Incoming PAE Order Matching Against a Continuous Book 
Order--MTP Action Occurs
    Example 4 illustrates how MTP will operate when Firm A's incoming 
PAE Order with a MCS modifier, matches against Firm A's resting 
Continuous Book Order, and a Periodic Auction is not in progress. Here, 
MTP operates in the same manner as it would for Continuous Book Orders, 
i.e., Firm's A's Order 1 is canceled based on Firm A's Order 2 MCS 
modifier because Order 1 is smaller than Order 2. Because a PAE Order 
is eligible to receive an execution on the Continuous Book, and both 
Order 1 and Order 2 are designated with MTP modifiers, the System 
correctly cancels Order 1, thereby preventing Firm A from potentially 
trading with itself on the Continuous Book.

 Order 1--Resting (Firm A): Continuous Book order (MTP = Cancel 
Smallest), Buy 100 @1.00
 Order 2--Inbound order (Firm A): PAE Order (MTP = Cancel 
Smallest), Sell 200 @1.00
 Result: Order 1 is canceled
Example 5--Incoming PAE Order Matching Against a Continuous Book Order 
When a Periodic Auction Is in Progress--No MTP Action Occurs
    For the sake of clarity, the Exchange wishes to describe what would 
happen to Order 1 if a Periodic Auction is in progress and an inbound 
Periodic Auction Order arrives (e.g., Order 4). First, note that a 
Continuous Book Order cannot initiate a Periodic Auction.\29\ 
Therefore, to initiate a Periodic Auction in this example, assume that 
two Periodic Auction Orders arrived, from Firm B and Firm C, prior to 
Order 1 and Order 4--e.g., Order X (Firm B) and Order Y (Firm C). 
Further assume that Order X and Order Y are marketable versus each 
other and initiated a Periodic Auction. Additionally, assume that Order 
1, a Continuous Book Order is entered prior to Order 4, and that Order 
1 and Order 4 are designated with MTP modifiers originating from the 
same Unique Identifiers. Upon the arrival of Order 4, a Periodic 
Auction Order, the System will temporarily bypass \30\ Order 1's and 
Order 4's MTP instruction, and Order 4 will join the Periodic Auction. 
Order 1 will remain on the Book. If Order 1 did not execute in the 
Continuous Book while the Periodic Auction was in progress, then Order 
1 could potentially execute with Order 4, provided that Order 1 has 
priority as determined by Rule 11.25(f). The bypassing of the MTP 
modifiers in this scenario occurs only upon entry of Order 4 to prevent 
the cancelation of orders in situations where an immediate execution 
would not occur.
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    \29\ See Rule 11.25(c), Initiation and Publication of Periodic 
Auction Information, ``A Periodic Auction will be initiated in a 
security during Regular Trading Hours when one or more Periodic 
Auction Orders to buy become executable against one or more Periodic 
Auction Orders to sell pursuant to this Rule 11.25.''
    \30\ The Exchange notes that the bypassing of the MTP modifiers 
in this scenario is temporary. Should the Periodic Auction complete 
and Order 1 does not have the opportunity to trade with Order 4 in 
the Periodic Auction, then Order 1 would remain posted on the 
Continuous Book with its MTP modifier and be afforded the 
protections of MTP.

 NBBO: 10.00 x 10.05
 Order X (Firm B): Buy 100 @10.03--Midpoint Peg PAO
 Order Y (Firm C): Sell 100 @10.02--Midpoint Peg PAO
 Auction is initiated between Order X and Order Y
 Order 1 (Firm A): Buy 100 @10.03--Midpoint Peg Continuous Book 
Order--MTP=Cancel Oldest
 Order 4 (Firm A): Sell 100 @10.02--Midpoint Peg PAE--
MTP=Cancel Oldest
 MTP would be bypassed when Order 4 is entered and Order 4 
would join the Periodic Auction in progress.
 Result: Order X and Order Y trade 100 @10.025 in Periodic 
Auction. Order 1 and Order 2 trade 100 @10.025 in Periodic Auction

    Here, even though Order 1 and Order 4 both originated from Firm A, 
and are designated with an MTP modifier, Order 1 is not canceled upon 
Order 4's arrival because Order 1 is a Continuous Book Order that may 
or may not end up trading with Order 4 once the Periodic Auction is 
complete. Because Order 1 could receive an execution on the Continuous 
Book while the Periodic Auction is in progress, the Exchange 
temporarily bypasses Order 1's MTP instruction upon Order 4's arrival 
to prevent Order 1 from forfeiting a Continuous Book execution based on 
a possibility that Order 1 would be executable versus Order 4 at the 
completion of the Periodic Auction.

[[Page 14309]]

Example 6: Incoming Continuous Book Order Matching Against a PAO 
Order--No MTP Action Occurs
    Example 6 illustrates how MTP will operate when Firm A's incoming 
Continuous Book Order with an MCS modifier matches with Firm A's 
resting PAO Order with an MCS modifier, and a Periodic Auction is not 
in progress. Here, MTP will not be applied because PAO Orders and 
Continuous Book Orders are not permitted to trade with one another.\31\ 
As such, MTP is not needed to prevent Firm A's Order 1 from trading 
with Firm A's Order 2 and as such, Order 2 is permitted to post to the 
BYX Book.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ Supra note 12 (``Periodic Auction Only Orders are not 
eligible for execution on the Continuous Book.'').

 Order 1--Resting (Firm A): PAO Order (MTP = Cancel Smallest), 
Buy 100 @1.00
 Order 2--Inbound order (Firm A): Continuous Book order (MTP = 
Cancel Smallest), Sell 200 @1.00
 Result: Order 2 will rest in the Continuous Book, and there is 
no MTP action
Example 7: Incoming Order Is Canceled Due to ``Periodic Auction in 
Progress'' Involving a PAO Order
    Example 7 illustrates how an incoming order with a MTP modifier is 
canceled because a Periodic Auction is in progress. Here, Firm A's 
inbound Order 2, a PAE Order to sell 200 @1.00, with a MTP modifier of 
MTP Cancel Both (``MCB''),\32\ immediately starts an auction with Firm 
B's Order 1, a resting PAO Order to Buy 100 @1.00, that is 
participating in the Periodic Auction. While the Periodic Auction is in 
progress, Firm A enters Order 3, a PAE Order to Buy 200 @1.00 with an 
MCB instruction.
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    \32\ MTP Cancel Both (``MCB'') is defined as ``[a]n incoming 
order marketed with the ``MCB'' modifier will not execute against 
opposite side resting interest marked with any MTP modifier 
originating from the same Unique Identifier. The entire size of both 
orders will be cancelled back to the originating User(s). See Rule 
11.9(f)(4). demonstrates the proposed functionality described in 
proposed Rule 11.25(e
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The entry of Order 3 presents a scenario in which the Exchange 
seeks to implement MTP functionality that behaves differently than 
demonstrated in each of the preceding five examples. Specifically, if a 
Periodic Auction is in progress, and an inbound Periodic Auction Order 
is designated with an MTP modifier, and such order matches against a 
resting contra-side Periodic Auction Order that is participating in the 
Periodic Auction originating from the same Unique Identifier that is 
also designated with an MTP modifier, then the inbound Periodic Auction 
Order will be cancelled. Importantly, this behavior is necessary to 
help ensure that once a Periodic Auction is initiated it will be 
completed.
    Applying this proposed behavior to Example 7's fact pattern, when 
Firm A's Order 3, a PAE Order with an MCB modifier is entered after 
Periodic Auction has been initiated and Order 3 subsequently matches 
with Firm A's Order 2 (a PAE Order with a MCB modifier), Order 3 will 
be cancelled. Without this proposed behavior, Order 3 would otherwise 
be included in the Periodic Auction, and its MTP Cancel Both \33\ 
instruction would result in the cancelation of Order 2, preventing the 
Periodic Auction from completing, and denying Firm A an execution it 
would otherwise have expected to receive. The Exchange believes that 
this proposed behavior appropriately balances the dual goals of 
ensuring that Periodic Auctions complete once initiated and providing 
Members the ability to utilize MTP for their Periodic Auction Orders in 
each of the scenarios described in the preceding five examples.\34\
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    \33\ See Rule 11.9(f)(4).
    \34\ The Exchange notes that the proposed MTP functionality is 
intended as a supplementary risk tool that Members may voluntarily 
use to help them manage their risk and compliance with applicable 
securities rules. As registered broker-dealers, Members are 
ultimately responsible for compliance with applicable securities 
rules and should not rely on the proposed functionality as a sole 
means of compliance. As such, while the proposed MTP functionality 
will, in some instances, operate differently than it does outside of 
the context of Periodic Auctions, its design as a supplementary risk 
tool will still serve to benefit Members that choose to utilize this 
tool.

 Order 1--Resting (Firm B): PAO Order, Buy 100 @1.00
 Order 2--Inbound Order (Firm A): PAE Order (MTP = Cancel 
Both), Sell 200 @1.00
 Action: Order 2 initiates a Periodic Auction with Order 1
 Order 3--Inbound order (Firm A): PAE Order (MTP = Cancel 
Both), Buy 200 @1.00
 Result: Order 3 is canceled in order to prevent Order 3 from 
participating in the Periodic Auction, canceling Order 2, and 
disrupting the completion of the Periodic Auction
Example 8: Incoming Order Has MTP Temporarily Bypassed in a Periodic 
Auction
    Example 8 is another example of MTP being temporarily bypassed when 
a Periodic Auction is in progress, despite the Member adding MTP 
instructions to their Periodic Auction Order(s) and Continuous Book 
Order(s). Here, Firm B's Order 2, a PAE Order with an MCO modifier, 
initiates a Periodic Auction upon entry with Firm A's Order 1, a 
resting PAE Order with an MCO modifier. Firm A subsequently enters a 
Continuous Book Order (Hidden) with an MCO modifier. Here, the Exchange 
will temporarily bypass \35\ an inbound Continuous Book Order's MTP 
modifier when a Periodic Auction is in progress, and such Continuous 
Book Order would post to the Continuous Book, and be eligible to 
participate in the Periodic Auction, or alternatively receive an 
execution from the Continuous Book. In such instance, applying the 
Continuous Book Order's MTP modifier and canceling such order based on 
the potential that the order could trade in the Periodic Auction, would 
be unnecessarily prohibitive. By posting to the Continuous Book, such 
order could still execute without violating its MTP instructions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ The Exchange notes that the bypassing of the Continuous 
Book Order's MTP modifier in this scenario is temporary. Should the 
Periodic Auction complete and Order 3 does not have the opportunity 
to trade with Order 1 in the Periodic Auction, then Order 3 would 
remain posted on the Continuous Book with its MTP modifier and be 
afforded the protections of MTP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on the proposed MTP functionality, Order 3 will post to the 
BYX Book prior to the end of the Periodic Auction as the MTP modifier 
is temporarily bypassed.\36\ Order 1 and Order 2 will trade in the 
Periodic Auction for 500 shares @10.02. After trading with Order 2, 
Order 1 still has 500 shares remaining. Prior to the end of the 
Periodic Auction, Order 3 will be matched in the Periodic Auction and 
trade 200 shares with Order 1 @10.02, bypassing the MCO modifier 
assigned by Firm A to its Order 1 and Order 3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ The Exchange notes that the bypassing of the Continuous 
Book Order's MTP modifier in this scenario is temporary. Should the 
Periodic Auction complete and Order 3 does not have the opportunity 
to trade with Order 1 in the Periodic Auction, then Order 3 would 
remain posted on the Continuous Book with its MTP modifier and be 
afforded the protections of MTP.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange believes that temporarily bypassing an MTP modifier in 
this scenario is necessary to ensure that a Periodic Auction completes 
once it is initiated. Additionally, bypassing Order 3's MTP instruction 
is also necessary to avoid disrupting trading in the Continuous Book, 
because Order 3 could perhaps post and trade while the Periodic Auction 
is in progress. The Exchange therefore believes cancelling Order 3 
based on its potential to trade in the Periodic Auction would 
unnecessarily prevent a Member from potentially receiving a Continuous 
Book execution. While the proposed MTP functionality will explicitly 
and

[[Page 14310]]

automatically temporarily bypass a Member's MTP modifier when the 
scenario described in Example 8 is present, the Exchange believes that 
such behavior appropriately balances the dual goals of ensuring that 
Periodic Auctions operate as designed (i.e., once initiated they will 
complete, executing the maximum number of shares), and still provides 
Members the ability to utilize MTP for their Periodic Auction Orders in 
majority of instances described in each of the preceding six 
examples.\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ The Exchange notes that the proposed MTP functionality is 
intended as a supplementary risk tool that Members may voluntarily 
use to help them manage their risk and compliance with applicable 
securities rules. As registered broker-dealers, Members are 
ultimately responsible for compliance with applicable securities 
rules and should not rely on the proposed functionality as a sole 
means of compliance. As such, while the proposed MTP functionality 
will, in some instances, operate differently than it does outside of 
the context of Periodic Auctions, its design as a supplementary risk 
tool will still serve to benefit Members that choose to utilize this 
tool.

 Order 1--Firm A: PAE Order (MTP = Cancel Oldest), Buy 1000 
@10.02
 Order 2--Firm B: PAE Order (MTP = Cancel Oldest), Sell 500, 
@10.02
 Action: Order 2 initiates an auction with Order 1, because 
Firm A and Firm B are different entities.
 Order 3--Inbound order (Firm A): Continuous Book Order (MTP = 
Cancel Oldest), Sell 200 @10.02
 Action: MTP modifier on Order 3 is temporarily bypassed
 Result: Order 3 posts to the BYX Book prior to the end of the 
auction; Order 1 and Order 2 trade in the Periodic Auction for 500 
@10.02; Order 3 then trades 200 @10.02 with Order 1 (bypassing MTP).
Example 9: Minimum Quantity Order Unable To Be Filled (PAE vs. PAE)
    Example 9 illustrates how the System will ignore the Minimum 
Quantity instruction on a Periodic Auction Order that is also 
designated with an MTP modifier when the Minimum Quantity cannot be 
satisfied. Specifically, in the event a Periodic Auction Order is 
entered as a Minimum Quantity Order in addition to an MTP modifier 
(e.g., Order 1), and such Periodic Auction Order could initiate a 
Periodic Auction with a contra-side Periodic Auction Order or trade 
with a Continuous Book Order (e.g., Order 2), designated with an MTP 
modifier from the same Unique Identifier as Order 1, the System will 
ignore Order 1's Minimum Quantity instruction, and apply MTP, 
regardless of whether the Minimum Quantity is satisfied. Here, upon 
entry of Order 2, the System will ignore Order 1's Minimum Quantity 
instruction, and instead apply MTP, resulting in the cancelation of 
Order 1.

 Order 1 (Firm A): Buy 1000 @10.02--PAE--Min Quantity = 500 
(MTP=any)
 Order 2 (Firm A): Sell 400 @10.02--PAE order (MTP=Cancel 
Oldest)
 Result: Order 2 cannot initiate an auction with Order 1 due to 
the MIN quantity on Order 1. `MIN' on Order 1 is ignored and Order 2 
cancels Order 1. Order 2 posts to the book.
Example 10: Minimum Quantity Order Able To Be Filled (PAE vs. PAE)
    Example 10 illustrates how the System will ignore the Minimum 
Quantity instruction on a Periodic Auction Order that is also 
designated with a an MTP modifier, when the Minimum Quantity is 
satisfied. Here, even though the Minium Quantity for Order 1 can be 
satisfied by Order 2, the System will apply MTP resulting in the 
cancelation of Order 1.

 Order 1 (Firm A): Buy 1000 @10.02--PAE--Min Quantity = 500 
(MTP = any)
 Order 2 (Firm 2): Sell 1000 @10.02--PAE (MTP = Cancel Oldest)
 Result: The System applies MTP, and cancels Order 1
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.\38\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \39\ 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) \40\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \39\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \40\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Exchange believes that its proposed MTP 
functionality is designed to promote the just and equitable principles 
of trade, and to protect investors and the public interest, by enabling 
Users to better prevent undesirable trading activity such as wash sales 
or self-trades for not only their Continuous Book Orders, but their 
Periodic Auction Orders as well. Additionally, by providing Users with 
a supplemental risk tool that will better enable them to achieve 
compliance with applicable securities rules and regulations, the 
proposed rule change will help to further ensure that orders eligible 
for execution in the Periodic Auction indeed represent genuine trading 
interest from separate and distinct firms. While the proposed MTP 
functionality would not operate identically to MTP as it is used in 
non-Periodic Auction scenarios, the Exchange believes that its proposal 
strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring Users receive 
executions in the Periodic Auction and providing Users' the ability to 
utilize MTP in most trading situations involving Periodic Auctions.
    By making clear to Users the differences in MTP functionality for 
Periodic Auction Orders as compared to non-Periodic Auction Orders, 
Users will be able to anticipate how MTP modifiers will interact with 
their Periodic Auction Orders and mitigate any confusion that Users may 
have in using the proposed functionality. Moreover, the Exchange notes 
that the use of MTP on Periodic Auction Orders is entirely optional, 
and Users may choose whether they want to utilize MTP. The Exchange 
conferred with its Periodic Auction Users and despite the limitations 
described in Rule 11.25(g)(1)(A)-(C), Users still requested that the 
Exchange implement the proposed functionality. Moreover, the Exchange 
will issue an Exchange Notice that notifies all Users of the planned 
implementation date for the proposed MTP functionality and describes 
the functionality. Accordingly, Users will be fully aware of how MTP 
will impact their Periodic Auction Orders.
    Similarly, by making clear how the Exchange will ignore Minimum 
Quantity instructions appended to MTP Orders when a Periodic Auction is 
in progress, Users will be better informed as to how MTP operates in 
conjunction with Minimum Quantity restrictions and will be better able 
to manage their Periodic Auction Orders. The Exchange notes that while 
ignoring a User's Minimum Quantity instruction for their MTP Periodic 
Auction Orders is not ideal, this functionality is necessary in order 
to avoid adding unnecessary complexity to the Exchange's System. As 
discussed further above, by

[[Page 14311]]

incorporating Minimum Quantity into the Periodic Auction process is 
likely to add latency to this process, leading to longer Periodic 
Auction times. Rather than impacting Users' Periodic Auction 
experience, the Exchange has elected to incorporate User feedback and 
instead choose, in the limited circumstance of when a Periodic Auction 
is in progress, ignored Minimum Quantity instructions appended to MTP 
Periodic Auction Orders.
    Additionally, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule changes 
are designed to facilitate transactions in securities, and to remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system. Based on User feedback, the lack of MTP 
functionality for Periodic Auction Orders may discourage Users from 
entering Periodic Auction Orders because they do not have an automated 
way to systematically prevent undesirable executions resulting from 
orders originating from a User's algorithm or trading desk, or their 
related algorithms or trading desks. In this regard, the proposed rule 
changes may encourage Users to increase their Periodic Auction 
participation, thereby further enhancing the Periodic Auction liquidity 
pool and the ability of investors to execute larger orders that may 
otherwise be difficult to execute without market impact in the 
continuous market. Additionally, because Periodic Auctions are price-
forming, the enhanced liquidity pools would indeed augment Periodic 
Auction's valuable price discovery function, which may be particularly 
helpful for investors when trading securities that typically trade with 
wider spreads.
    Finally, the Exchange further believes that the proposed rule 
change does not unfairly discriminate amongst Users because the 
proposal will allow all Periodic Auction Users to utilize MTP just as 
all Users entering Continuous Book Orders may utilize MTP today. In 
this regard, the proposed amendment will avoid disparate treatment of 
Users. Furthermore, the bypassing or amending of MTP modifiers, as 
described in the Examples above, will apply equally to all Periodic 
Auction Users, regardless of the User's size.

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. MTP is an optional risk tool 
offered by the Exchange and Periodic Auction Users are free to decide 
whether to use MTP when submitting Periodic Auction Orders to the 
Exchange. Similarly, the Exchange does not believe that the proposed 
amendment poses a burden on intermarket competition that is not 
necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the Act. Indeed, the 
proposed rule change is designed to increase competition by offering 
Periodic Auction Users the ability to better manage their order flow 
and prevent undesirable executions. In turn, Users may be further 
incentivized to send additional orders to BYX's Periodic Auction 
mechanism, thereby fostering competition amongst exchanges, as well as 
with off-exchange venues (e.g., alternative trading systems) where 
Users that may otherwise utilized Periodic Auctions, typically seek to 
source block-sized liquidity.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ See ``Trade Big with Cboe U.S. Periodic Auctions,'' 
available at: https://www.cboe.com/us/equities/trading/offerings/periodic_auctions/. (``Cboe created its patented Periodic Auctions 
to establish an on-exchange alternative to the growth of off-
exchange liquidity. Most recently, the use of conditional order 
types on Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) has reached new highs as 
a percentage of ATS volumes. Periodic Auctions would offer a new 
price forming auction for investors seeking liquidity, including but 
not limited to block size transactions, during the course of the 
trading day. These intraday auctions may be a useful tool to attract 
buyers and sellers in less liquid or wider spread names, and would 
create an equal and fair market for market participants and 
investors that wish to either initiate or respond to such auctions. 
Periodic Auctions will be available on Cboe's BYXTM 
market center.'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 (https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include 
file number SR-CboeBYX-2025-008 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-CboeBYX-2025-008. 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 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-CboeBYX-2025-008 and should 
be submitted on or before April 21, 2025.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\42\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-05452 Filed 3-28-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P