Notice2025-06115

Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt Exchange Rule 2005, Error Accounts

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Published
April 10, 2025

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 68 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 68 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15376-15379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06115]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-102772; File No. SR-SAPPHIRE-2025-15]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Adopt 
Exchange Rule 2005, Error Accounts

April 4, 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 April 1, 2025, MIAX Sapphire, LLC (``MIAX Sapphire'' or 
``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I and 
II

[[Page 15377]]

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

    The Exchange proposes to amend proposes to (i) amend Exchange Rule 
100 to make a minor non-substantive correction to the rule to improve 
the clarity of the rule text; and (ii) adopt Exchange Rule 2005 to 
establish rules related to the use of Floor Broker \3\ error accounts.
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    \3\ A Floor Broker is an individual who is registered with the 
Exchange for the purpose, while on the Trading Floor, of accepting 
and handling options orders. See Exchange Rule 2015. The term 
``Trading Floor'' or ``Floor'' means the physical trading floor of 
the Exchange located in Miami, Florida. The Trading Floor shall 
consist of one ``Crowd Area'' or ``Pit'' where Floor Participants 
will be located and option contracts will be traded. The Crowd Area 
or Pit shall be marked with specific visible boundaries on the 
Trading Floor, as determined by the Exchange. A Floor Broker must 
represent all orders in an ``open outcry'' fashion in the Crowd 
Area. See Exchange Rule 100.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at <a href="https://www.miaxglobal.com/markets/us-options/miax-sapphire/rule-filings">https://www.miaxglobal.com/markets/us-options/miax-sapphire/rule-filings</a>, at the Exchange's principal office, 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 the definition of ``Participant'' in 
Exchange Rule 100 to replace the phrase, ``that includes a Floor 
Participant'' with the phrase, ``and includes a Floor Participant'' to 
provide clarity in the rule text. As amended, the rule will provide 
that, ``[t]he term `Participant' means a firm, or organization that is 
registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of [MIAX Sapphire] 
Rules for purposes of participating in trading on a facility of the 
Exchange and includes a Floor Participant.''
    The Exchange also proposes to adopt Exchange Rule 2005 to establish 
rules related to the use of Floor Broker error accounts. First, the 
Exchange proposes that each Participant \4\ who conducts a business as 
a Floor Broker on the Exchange and who is not self-clearing must 
establish and maintain an account with a Clearing Member \5\ of the 
Exchange, for the sole purpose of carrying positions resulting from 
bona fide errors made in the course of its floor brokerage business.\6\ 
Further, with respect to Floor Brokers only, such an account for option 
transactions must be maintained with an entity that is also a member of 
The Options Clearing Corporation.
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    \4\ The term ``Participant'' means a firm, or organization that 
is registered with the Exchange pursuant to Chapter II of MIAX 
Sapphire Rules for purposes of participating in trading on a 
facility of the Exchange that includes a Floor Participant. See 
Exchange Rule 100. (The Exchange notes that it is revising a portion 
of this definition with this filing.)
    \5\ The term ``Clearing Member'' means a Member that has been 
admitted to membership in the Clearing Corporation pursuant to the 
provisions of the Rules of the Clearing Corporation. See Exchange 
Rule 100.
    \6\ A ``Bona fide error'' is defined as (i) the inaccurate 
conveyance or execution of any term of an order including, but not 
limited to, price, number of shares or other unit of trading; 
identification of the security; identification of the account for 
which securities are purchased or sold; lost or otherwise misplaced 
order tickets; short sales that were instead sold long or vice 
versa; or the execution of an order on the wrong side of a market; 
(ii) the unauthorized or unintended purchase, sale, or allocation of 
securities, or the failure to follow specific client instructions; 
(iii) the incorrect entry of data into relevant systems, including 
reliance on incorrect cash positions, withdrawals, or securities 
positions reflected in an account; or (iv) a delay, outage, or 
failure of a communication system used to transmit market data 
prices or to facilitate the delivery of an order. See Securities 
Exchange Act Release No. 55884 (June 8, 2007), 72 FR 32926 (June 14, 
2007) (Order Exempting Certain Error Correction Transactions from 
Rule 611 of Regulation NMS under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934).
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    In practice, a Floor Broker will remedy a bona fide error by 
entering a subsequent trade on behalf of the customer on the correct 
terms of the original order.\7\ These types of transactions are 
transactions which broker-dealers place to remedy the execution of 
customer orders that have been placed in error or mishandled due to an 
error involving any term of an order, including but not limited to (for 
example), price, number of contracts, identification of security, or 
execution of a transaction on the wrong side of the market.
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    \7\ The erroneous trade is moved to the Floor Broker's error 
account for disposition.
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    Next, the Exchange proposes that each Participant which conducts 
business as a Floor Broker must make available to the Exchange, upon 
request, accurate and complete records of all trades cleared in such 
Participant's error account. These records must include the following 
audit trail elements: (1) name or identifying symbol of the security; 
(2) number of shares or quantity of security; (3) transaction price; 
(4) time of trade execution; (5) executing Floor Broker badge number, 
or alpha symbol as may be used from time to time, in regard to its side 
of the contract; (6) executing Floor Broker badge number, or alpha 
symbol as may be used from time to time, of the contra side to the 
contract; (7) clearing firm number, or alpha symbol as may be used from 
time to time, in regard to its side of the contract; (8) clearing firm 
number, or alpha symbol as may be used from time to time, in regard to 
the contra side of the contract; (9) designation of whether the account 
for which the order was executed was that of a Participant; (10) the 
nature and amount of the error; (11) the Participant that cleared the 
error trade on the Participant's behalf; (12) an explanation of the 
means by which the Participant resolved the error; (13) the aggregate 
amount of liability that the Participant incurred, and: (i) had 
outstanding as of the time each such error trade entry was recorded or 
(ii) had cleared by other Participant. The Exchange believes that it is 
important for the Participant to provide the above information because 
it will aid the Exchange in the surveillance of error account activity. 
The Exchange notes that the proposed rule is substantially similar to 
rules at other options exchanges with open outcry trading floors.\8\
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    \8\ See BOX Exchange Rule 3030 and NYSE Arca Exchange Rule 
11.17.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act \9\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 
6(b)(5) of the Act \10\ in particular, 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. Additionally, the

[[Page 15378]]

Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \11\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers, because the rule applies to all Participants 
equally.
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    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \11\ Id.
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    Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed amendment to the 
definition of Participant will remove impediments to and perfect the 
mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
because it would provide clarity in the Exchange's rule text. The 
proposed change provides additional clarity within the rule text, 
making the Exchange's rules easier to understand. The proposed rule 
change would, therefore, help prevent any potential investor confusion 
and thus protect investors and the public interest. The Exchange also 
believes that the proposed rule change is non-discriminatory as the 
rules of the Exchange apply equally to all Members.
    The Exchange believes the proposal allows Floor Brokers the 
flexibility to execute orders that correct bona fide errors out of the 
Floor Broker's error account, ensuring that customer orders (which were 
previously entered in error) are executed, thereby protecting investors 
and the public interest by ensuring that customer orders are executed 
properly. Further, the Exchange believes the proposed rule promotes 
just and equitable principles of trade by ensuring customer orders are 
not harmed for order entry errors. The Exchange does not believe the 
proposed rule is unfairly discriminatory toward customers, issuers, or 
brokers because the proposed rule simply sets forth the process for 
Floor Brokers to correct certain bona fide errors. As discussed above, 
the Exchange believes that the proposed change is appropriate as it is 
similar to rules in place at other options exchanges with open outcry 
trading floors.\12\ The Exchange also believes that this proposed rule 
change is non-discriminatory as it would apply equally to all Floor 
Brokers.
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    \12\ See supra note 8.
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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. Specifically, the Exchange does 
not believe that the proposed rule change will impose any burden on 
intra-market competition because the proposed change to Exchange Rule 
100 is non-substantive and only provides additional clarity to the 
Exchange's rule text. The Exchange does not believe that proposed rule 
2005 will impose any burden on intra-market competition because the 
proposed rule will be applicable to all Floor Brokers. In addition, the 
Exchange does not believe that the proposed change will impose any 
burden on inter-market competition because the proposed change to Rule 
100 is to provide clarity in the Exchange's rule and is not competitive 
in nature and proposed Rule 2005 simply provides a mechanism for 
correcting errors. Further, the Exchange believes that proposed Rule 
2005 does not impose a burden on competition because it simply sets 
forth the process for Floor Brokers to correct bona fide errors on the 
Trading Floor.

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

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

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

    Because the foregoing 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 for 30 days from the date on which it was filed, or 
such shorter time as the Commission may designate, it has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) thereunder.\14\
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6). In addition, Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) 
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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    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 to 
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or 
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

    <bullet> Use the Commission's internet comment form (<a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
    <bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98eaedf4fdb5fbf7f5f5fdf6ecebd8ebfdfbb6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fc8e899099d19f9391919992888fbc8f999fd29b938a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-SAPPHIRE-2025-15 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

    <bullet> 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-SAPPHIRE-2025-15. 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 (<a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">https://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>). 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-SAPPHIRE-2025-15 and should 
be submitted on or before May 1, 2025.


[[Page 15379]]


    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\15\
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    \15\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Vanessa A. Countryman,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-06115 Filed 4-9-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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