Notice2025-06552

Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rule 402, Criteria for Underlying Securities To List and Trade Options on the Grayscale Ethereum Trust, the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust, and the Bitwise Ethereum ETF

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
April 17, 2025

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 73 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 73 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16194-16201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06552]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-102848; File No. SR-SAPPHIRE-2025-21]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Exchange Rule 402, Criteria for Underlying Securities To List and Trade 
Options on the Grayscale Ethereum Trust, the Grayscale Ethereum Mini 
Trust, and the Bitwise Ethereum ETF

April 11, 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 11, 2025, MIAX Sapphire, LLC (``Exchange'') filed with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (``Commission'') a proposed rule 
change as described in Items I and II 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 Exchange Rule 402, Criteria for 
Underlying Securities to list and trade options on the Grayscale 
Ethereum Trust (the ``Grayscale Fund'' or ``ETHE''), the Grayscale 
Ethereum Mini Trust (the ``Grayscale Mini Fund'' or ``ETH''), and the 
Bitwise Ethereum ETF (the ``Bitwise Fund'' or ``ETHW'' and, 
collectively, the ``Ether Funds'' or ``Funds'').
    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

[[Page 16195]]

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 402, Criteria for 
Underlying Securities,\3\ to allow the Exchange to list and trade 
options on the Ether Funds, designating them as appropriate for options 
trading on the Exchange.\4\ This is a competitive filing based on a 
similar proposal submitted by NYSE American, LLC (``NYSE American''), 
which was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'').\5\
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    \3\ The Exchange notes that its affiliate options exchanges, 
Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (``MIAX'') and MIAX 
Sapphire, LLC (``MIAX Sapphire''), submitted (or will submit) 
substantively similar proposals. The Exchange notes that all the 
rules of Chapter III of MIAX, including MIAX Rules 307 and 309, are 
incorporated by reference into the MIAX Pearl and MIAX Sapphire 
rulebooks. The Exchange also notes that all of the rules of Chapter 
III of MIAX, including MIAX Rules 307 and 309, and the rules of 
Chapter IV of the MIAX, including MIAX Rule 402, are incorporated by 
reference into the MIAX Emerald, LLC (``MIAX Emerald'') rulebook.
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 100224 (May 23, 
2024), 89 FR 46937 (May 30, 2024) (SR-NYSEArca-2023-70; SR-NYSEArca-
2024-31; SR-NASDAQ-2023-045; SR-CboeBZX-2023-069; SR-CboeBZX-2023-
070; SR-CboeBZX-2023-087; SR-CboeBZX-2023-095; and SRCboeBZX-2024-
018) (Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed Rule Changes, 
as Modified by Amendments Thereto, to List and Trade Shares of 
Ether-Based Exchange-Traded Products) (``Ether ETP Approval 
Order''); and 100541 (July 17, 2024), 89 FR 59786 (July 23, 2024) 
(SR-NYSEArca-2024-44; and SR-NYSEArca-2024-53) (Order Granting 
Approval of Proposed Rule Changes To List and Trade Shares of the 
Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust and ProShares Ethereum ETF).
    \5\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 102799 (April 9, 
2025) (SR-NYSEAMER-2024-45)(Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE 
American LLC; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting 
Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 2, to Amend Exchange Rule 915 To Permit the Listing 
and Trading of Options on the Bitwise Ethereum ETF, the Grayscale 
Ethereum Trust, and the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust)(``NYSE 
American Ether Approval Order'').
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    Exchange Rule 402(i) provides that, subject to certain other 
criteria set forth in the Rule, securities deemed appropriate for 
options trading include Exchange-Traded Fund Shares (or ETFs) as 
defined in Subparagraphs (1)-(5), including Exchange-Traded Fund 
Shares, that represent certain types of interests,\6\ and exchange 
traded products (``ETPs''), structured as trusts that hold precious 
metals (which are deemed commodities).\7\ Last year, the Exchange 
received approval from the Commission to list and trade options on 
specific funds that hold bitcoin (also deemed a commodity).\8\ Like 
ETPs backed by precious metals and bitcoin (i.e., commodities), the 
Exchange proposes to allow options trading on the Ether Funds that hold 
ether--which is also deemed a commodity.
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    \6\ See Exchange Rule 402(i), which permits options trading on 
exchange-traded funds (``ETFs'') that: (1) represent interests in 
registered investment companies (or series thereof) organized as 
open-end management investment companies, unit investment trusts or 
similar entities that hold portfolios of securities and/or financial 
instruments (``Funds''), including, but not limited to, stock index 
futures contracts, options on futures, options on securities and 
indices, equity caps, collars and floors, swap agreements, forward 
contracts, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements 
(the ``Financial Instruments''), and money market instruments, 
including, but not limited to, U.S. government securities and 
repurchase agreements (the ``Money Market Instruments'') comprising 
or otherwise based on or representing investments in broad-based 
indexes or portfolios of securities and/or Financial Instruments and 
Money Market Instruments (or that hold securities in one or more 
other registered investment companies that themselves hold such 
portfolios of securities and/or Financial Instruments and Money 
Market Instruments); (2) represent interests in a trust or similar 
entity that holds a specified non-U.S. currency or currencies 
deposited with the trust which when aggregated in some specified 
minimum number may be surrendered to the trust or similar entity by 
the beneficial owner to receive the specified non-U.S. currency or 
currencies and pays the beneficial owner interest and other 
distributions on the deposited non-U.S. currency or currencies, if 
any, declared and paid by the trust (``Currency Trust Shares''); (3) 
represent commodity pool interests principally engaged, directly or 
indirectly, in holding and/or managing portfolios or baskets of 
securities, commodity futures contracts, options on commodity 
futures contracts, swaps, forward contracts and/or options on 
physical commodities and/or non-U.S. currency (``Commodity Pool 
ETFs''); (4) are issued by the SPDR[supreg] Gold Trust, the iShares 
COMEX Gold Trust, the iShares Silver Trust, the Aberdeen Standard 
Silver ETF Trust, the Aberdeen Standard Physical Gold Trust, the 
Aberdeen Standard Palladium ETF Trust, the Aberdeen Standard 
Platinum ETF Trust, the Goldman Sachs Physical Gold ETF, the Sprott 
Physical Gold Trust, the iShares Bitcoin Trust, the Grayscale 
Bitcoin Trust, the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust, the Bitwise Bitcoin 
ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, the ARK 21 Shares 
Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Ethereum Fund, or iShares Ethereum Trust; 
(5) represent an interest in a registered investment company 
(``Investment Company'') organized as an open-end management company 
or similar entity, that invests in a portfolio of securities 
selected by the Investment Company's investment adviser consistent 
with the Investment Company's investment objectives and policies, 
which is issued in a specified aggregate minimum number in return 
for a deposit of a specified portfolio of securities and/or a cash 
amount with a value equal to the next determined net asset value 
(``NAV''), and when aggregated in the same specified minimum number, 
may be redeemed at a holder's request, which holder will be paid a 
specified portfolio of securities and/or cash with a value equal to 
the next determined NAV (``Managed Fund Share''); provided that all 
of the conditions listed in (5)(i) and 5(ii) are met.
    \7\ On November 25, 2024, the Commission approved the Exchange's 
proposal to list and trade options on the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust 
(BTC), the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust BTC, the Bitwise Bitcoin 
ETF, Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund, and the ARK 21Shares Bitcoin 
ETF. See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 101745 (November 25, 
2024), 89 FR 95328 (December 2, 2024)(SR-SAPPHIRE-2024-37); and 
101730 (November 25, 2024), 89 FR 95301 (December 2, 2024)(SR-
SAPPHIRE-2024-38).
    \8\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 101699 (November 
21, 2024), 89 FR 93757 (November 27, 2024) (SR-SAPPHIRE-2024-36) 
(Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Exchange Rule 402, Criteria for Underlying Securities To List and 
Trade Options on the iShares Bitcoin Trust); 101745 (November 25, 
2024), 89 FR 94784 (December 2, 2024) (SR-SAPPHIRE-2024-37) (Self-
Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of Filing and 
Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange 
Rule 402, Criteria for Underlying Securities, To List and Trade 
Options on the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, the Grayscale Bitcoin Mini 
Trust, and the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF); 101730 (November 25, 2024), 89 
FR 95301 (December 2, 2024) (SR-SAPPHIRE-2024-38) (Self-Regulatory 
Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate 
Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rule 402, 
Criteria for Underlying Securities To List and Trade Options on the 
Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (the ``Fidelity Fund'') and the 
ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (the ``ARK 21 Fund'').
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    The Ether Funds are structured as trusts that hold ether. Like ETFs 
and ETPs currently deemed appropriate for options trading, the 
investment objective of each Ether Fund trust is for its shares to 
reflect the performance of ether (less the expenses of the trust's 
operations), offering investors an opportunity to gain exposure to 
ether without the complexities of ether delivery. Each Ether Fund's 
shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in 
the trust, the assets of which consist principally of ether and are 
designed to track ether or the performance of the price of ether and 
offer access to the ether market.\9\ The Ether Funds provide investors 
with cost-efficient alternatives that allow a level of participation in 
the ether market through the securities market.
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    \9\ The trust may include minimal cash.
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    The Exchange believes each Ether Fund satisfies the Exchange's 
initial listing standards set forth in Exchange Rule 402(b).\10\ The 
Exchange notes that the Ether Funds also satisfy the listing standard 
applied to ETFs traded on the Exchange that they be available for 
creation and redemption each business day as set forth in Exchange Rule 
402(i)(5)(i)(B).\11\
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    \10\ Subparagraphs a. and b. of Exchange Rule 402 provide for 
guidelines to be used by the Exchange when evaluating potential 
underlying securities for Exchange option transactions.
    \11\ Exchange Rule 402(i)(5)(i)(B) requires that ETFs be 
available for creation or redemption each business day from or 
through the issuer in cash or in kind at a price related to net 
asset value, and the issuer must be obligated to issue ETFs in a 
specified aggregate number even if some or all of the investment 
assets required to be deposited have not been received by the 
issuer, subject to the condition that the person obligated to 
deposit the investments has undertaken to deliver the investment 
assets as soon as possible and such undertaking is secured by the 
delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash or cash 
equivalents satisfactory to the issuer, as provided in the 
respective prospectus.

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[[Page 16196]]

    First, each of the Ether Funds satisfy the criteria and guidelines 
set forth in Exchange Rule 402(a). Pursuant to Exchange Rule 402(a), a 
security on which options may be listed and traded on the Exchange must 
be registered (with the Commission) and be an NMS stock (as defined in 
Rule 600 of Regulation NMS under the Act) and be characterized by a 
substantial number of outstanding shares that are widely held and 
actively traded.\12\ Each of the Ether Funds is an NMS Stock as defined 
in Rule 600 of Regulation NMS under the Act.\13\ The Exchange believes 
each Ether Fund is characterized by a substantial number of outstanding 
shares that are widely held and actively traded.
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    \12\ The criteria and guidelines for a security to be considered 
widely held and actively traded are set forth in Exchange Rule 
402(b), subject to exceptions.
    \13\ An ``NMS stock'' means any NMS security other than an 
option, and an ``NMS security'' means any security or class of 
securities for which transaction reports are collected, processed, 
and made available pursuant to an effective transaction reporting 
plan (or an effective national market system plan for reporting 
transaction in listed options). See 17 CFR 242.600(b)(64) 
(definition of ``NMS security'') and (65) (definition of ``NMS 
stock'').
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    Pursuant to the data presented in the NYSE American Ether Approval 
Order,\14\ as of November 29, 2024, the Ether Funds had the following 
number of shares outstanding (and corresponding market capitalization):
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    \14\ See supra note 5.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Market
            Ether Fund                    Shares         capitalization
                                       outstanding         (11/29/24)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETHE..............................        177,838,500     $5,425,852,635
ETH...............................         45,220,787      1,547,003,157
ETHW..............................         16,600,000        430,886,200
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As shown above, each of the Ether Funds had significantly more than 
7,000,000 shares outstanding, which is the minimum number of shares of 
a corporate stock that the Exchange generally requires to list options 
on that stock pursuant to Exchange Rule 402(b)(1).\15\ The Exchange 
believes this demonstrates that each Ether Fund is characterized by a 
substantial number of outstanding shares.
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    \15\ The Exchange notes that on November 19, 2024, ETH underwent 
a reverse stock split, reducing the number of shares outstanding--
and increasing the share price--tenfold.
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    Further, according to the NYSE American Ether Approval Order,\16\ 
the below table contains information regarding the number of beneficial 
holders of the Ether Funds as of December 31, 2024.
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    \16\ See supra note 5.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Beneficial
                                                             holders (as
                         Ether Fund                           of 12/31/
                                                                 24)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETHE.......................................................      112,320
ETH........................................................       17,396
ETHW.......................................................        5,992
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As this table shows, each Ether Fund has significantly more than 
2,000 beneficial holders (approximately 56, 9, and 3 times more, 
respectively), which is the minimum number of holders the Exchange 
generally requires for corporate stock in order to list options on that 
stock pursuant to pursuant to Exchange Rule 402(b)(2).\17\ Therefore, 
the Exchange believes the shares of each Ether Fund are widely held.
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    \17\ The number of beneficial holders of ETH may have been 
impacted by the 10:1 reverse stock split, as investors with fewer 
than 10 shares would have received a cash payout. See id.
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    The Exchange also believes that, based on trading volume since the 
Funds began trading on July 23, 2024, shares of the Ether Funds are 
actively traded. In particular, according to the NYSE American Ether 
Approval Order,\18\ the table below sets forth the total trading volume 
(by shares and notional) from the inception of trading through either 
November 29, 2024 (for ETHE and ETH) or December 31, 2024 (for ETHW). 
In addition, the below table illustrates the average daily volume 
(``ADV'') over the 30-day period of either October 29, 2024--through 
November 29, 2024 (for ETHE and ETH) or November 29, 2024--through 
December 31, 2024 (for ETHW).\19\
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    \18\ See supra note 5.
    \19\ See FactSet, 11/29/2024 and 12/31/24, <a href="https://www.factset.com/data-attribution">https://www.factset.com/data-attribution</a>.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Trading volume     Trading volume
                       Ether Fund                             (shares)         (notional $)       ADV (Shares)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETHE...................................................        427,312,540    $10,289,781,199          4,237,811
ETH....................................................        172,400,020      4,614,428,230          3,065,796
ETHW...................................................         44,477,060        959,491,343            291,627
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As demonstrated above, even though the Ether Funds have been 
trading for less than one year, the trading volume for each Ether Fund 
is substantially higher than 2,400,000 shares (roughly 178, 72, and 16 
times that amount), which is the minimum 12-month volume the Exchange 
generally requires for a security in order to list options on that 
security as set forth in Exchange Rule 402(b). The Exchange believes 
this data demonstrates that each Ether Fund is characterized by a 
substantial number of outstanding shares that are actively traded.
    In addition to satisfying the Exchange's initial listing standards, 
options on the Ether Funds will be subject to the Exchange's continued 
listing standards as set forth in Exchange Rule 403(g).\20\ Pursuant to 
Exchange Rule 403(g), the Exchange will not open for trading any 
additional series of option contracts covering a fund traded on the 
Exchange if such fund ceases to be an ``NMS stock'' as provided for 
Exchange Rule 402(b) or the fund is halted from trading on its primary 
market.\21\ Additionally, options on funds traded on the Exchange may 
be

[[Page 16197]]

subject to the suspension of opening transactions as follows: (1) the 
fund no longer meets the terms of Exchange Rule 403(b); (2) following 
the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of 
trading of the fund, there are fewer than 50 record and/or beneficial 
holders of the fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (3) the 
value of the underlying commodity is no longer calculated or available; 
or (4) such other event occurs or condition exists that in the opinion 
of the Exchange makes further dealing on the Exchange inadvisable.
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    \20\ The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 402(i)(4) to 
include the Bitcoin Funds in the list of ETPs deemed ``Exchange-
Traded Fund Shares''--of ETFs--for purposes of the continued listing 
standards set forth in Exchange Rule 403(g). See proposed Exchange 
Rule 402(i)(4).
    \21\ See Exchange Rule 403(g).
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    Options on each Ether Fund will be physically settled contracts 
with American-style exercise.\22\ Consistent with Exchange Rule 404, 
which governs the opening of options series on a specific underlying 
security (including ETFs and ETPs), the Exchange will open at least one 
expiration month for options on each Ether Fund \23\ at the 
commencement of trading on the Exchange and may also list series of 
options on Ether Funds for trading on a weekly,\24\ monthly,\25\ or 
quarterly \26\ basis. The Exchange may also list long-term equity 
option series (``LEAPS'') that expire from twelve to thirty-nine months 
from the time they are listed.\27\
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    \22\ See Exchange Rule 401 (Rights and Obligations of Holders 
and Writers), which provides that the rights and obligations of 
holders and writers of option contracts of any class of options 
dealt in on the Exchange shall be as set forth in the Rules of the 
Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC''). See also OCC Rules, Chapter 
VIII, which governs exercise and assignment, and Chapter IX, which 
governs the discharge of delivery and payment obligations arising 
out of the exercise of physically settled stock option contracts. 
OCC Rules can be located at: <a href="https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/9d3854cd-b782-450f-bcf7-33169b0576ce/occrules.pdf">https://www.theocc.com/getmedia/9d3854cd-b782-450f-bcf7-33169b0576ce/occrules.pdf</a>.
    \23\ See Exchange Rule 404. The monthly expirations are subject 
to certain listing criteria for underlying securities described 
within Exchange Rule 402. Monthly listings expire the third Friday 
of the month. The term ``expiration date'' (unless separately 
defined elsewhere in the OCC By-Laws), when used in respect of an 
option contract (subject to certain exceptions), means the third 
Friday of the expiration month of such option contract, or if such 
Friday is a day on which the exchange on which such option is listed 
is not open for business, the preceding day on which such exchange 
is open for business. See OCC By-Laws Article I, Section 1. Pursuant 
to Exchange Rule 404(c), additional series of options of the same 
class may be opened for trading on the Exchange when the Exchange 
deems it necessary to maintain an orderly market, to meet customer 
demand or when the market price of the underlying stock moves more 
than five strike prices from the initial exercise price or prices. 
Pursuant to Exchange Rule 404(e), new series of options on an 
individual stock may be added until the beginning of the month in 
which the options contract will expire. Due to unusual market 
conditions, the Exchange, in its discretion, may add a new series of 
options on an individual stock until the close of trading on the 
business day prior to expiration.
    \24\ See Exchange Rule 404, Interpretation and Policy .02.
    \25\ See Exchange Rule 404, Interpretation and Policy .13.
    \26\ See Exchange Rule 404, Interpretation and Policy .03.
    \27\ See Exchange Rule 406.
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    Pursuant to Exchange Rule 404(g), which governs strike prices of 
series of options on ETFs, the interval between strike prices of series 
of options on Ether Funds will be $1 or greater when the strike price 
is $200 or less and $5 or greater where the strike price is over 
$200.\28\ Additionally, the Exchange may list series of options 
pursuant to the $1 Strike Price Interval Program,\29\ the $0.50 Strike 
Program,\30\ and the $2.50 Strike Price Program.\31\ Pursuant to 
Exchange Rule 510, where the price of a series of an Ether Fund option 
is less than $3.00, the minimum increment will be $0.05, and where the 
price is $3.00 or higher, the minimum increment will be $0.10.\32\ Any 
and all new series of Ether Fund options that the Exchange lists will 
be consistent and comply with the expirations, strike prices, and 
minimum increments set forth in Exchange Rules 404 and 510, as 
applicable. Further, the Exchange notes that Exchange Rule 1502, which 
governs margin requirements applicable to the trading of all options on 
the Exchange, including options on ETFs and ETPs, will also apply to 
the trading of Ether Fund options.
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    \28\ The Exchange notes that for options listed pursuant to the 
Short Term Option Series Program, the Monthly Options Series 
Program, and the Quarterly Options Series Program, Exchange Rules 
404, Interpretation and Policies .02, .03, and .13, specifically set 
forth intervals between strike prices on Short Term Option Series, 
Quarterly Options Series, and Monthly Options Series, respectively.
    \29\ See Exchange Rule 404, Interpretation and Policy .01.
    \30\ See Exchange Rule 404, Interpretation and Policy .04.
    \31\ See Exchange Rule 404(f).
    \32\ See Exchange Rule 510(a). If options on an Ether Fund are 
eligible to participate in the Penny Interval Program, the minimum 
increment of $0.01 below $3.00 and $0.50 above $3.00 would apply. 
See Exchange Rule 510(a)(3). See also Exchange Rule 510(c) (which 
describes the requirements for the Penny Interval Program).
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    Position and exercise limits for options on ETFs, including options 
on Ether Funds, are determined pursuant to MIAX Rules 307 and 309, 
respectively, as incorporated by reference into the MIAX Sapphire 
Rulebook. Position and exercise limits for ETF options vary according 
to the number of outstanding shares and the trading volumes of the 
underlying ETF over the past six months, where the largest in 
capitalization and the most frequently traded ETFs have an option 
position and exercise limit of 250,000 contracts (with adjustments for 
splits, re-capitalizations, etc.) on the same side of the market; and 
smaller capitalization ETFs have position and exercise limits of 
200,000, 75,000, 50,000 or 25,000 contracts (with adjustments for 
splits, re-capitalizations, etc.) on the same side of the market. 
Notwithstanding the position limits in the Exchange's affiliate MIAX 
Rule 307(d) and exercise limits in the Exchange's affiliate MIAX Rule 
309, the Exchange proposes the position and exercise limits for the 
options on the Ether Funds to be 25,000 contracts on the same side 
pursuant to proposed Interpretation and Policy .01 to the Exchange's 
affiliate MIAX Rule 307 and Interpretation and Policy .01 to the 
Exchange's affiliate MIAX Rule 309.
    Options on the Ether Funds will trade in the same manner as any 
other ETF or ETP options on the Exchange. The Exchange Rules that 
currently apply to the listing and trading of options on the Exchange, 
including, for example, Rules that govern listing criteria, expiration 
and exercise prices, minimum increments, margin requirements, customer 
accounts and trading halt procedures will apply to the listing and 
trading of Ether Funds on the Exchange in the same manner as they apply 
to all other ETFs and ETPs that are listed and traded on the Exchange, 
including the precious metal-backed commodity ETPs already deemed 
appropriate for options trading on the Exchange pursuant to Exchange 
Rule 404.
    The Exchange notes that options on Ether Funds would not be 
available for trading until The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC'') 
represents to the Exchange that it is fully able to clear and settle 
such options. The Exchange has also analyzed its capacity and 
represents that it and The Options Price Reporting Authority (``OPRA'') 
have the necessary systems capacity to handle the additional traffic 
associated with the listing of options on Ether Funds. The Exchange 
believes any additional traffic that would be generated from the 
trading of options on Ether Funds would be manageable. The Exchange 
represents that Exchange members will not have a capacity issue as a 
result of this proposed rule change.
    The Exchange represents that the same surveillance procedures 
applicable to all other options currently listed and traded on the 
Exchange will apply to options on Ether Funds, and that it has the 
necessary systems capacity to support the new option series. The 
Exchange's existing surveillance and reporting safeguards are designed 
to deter and detect possible manipulative behavior which might arise 
from listing and trading options on ETFs and ETPs, such as (existing) 
precious metal-commodity backed ETP options as well as the proposed 
options on Ether Funds. The Exchange believes that its

[[Page 16198]]

surveillance procedures are adequate to properly monitor the trading of 
options on Ether Funds in all trading sessions and to deter and detect 
violations of Exchange rules. Specifically, the Exchange's market 
surveillance staff will have access to surveillances that it conducts, 
and that FINRA conducts on its behalf, with respect to the Ether Funds 
and, as appropriate, would review activity in the underlying Funds when 
conducting surveillances for market abuse or manipulation in the 
options on the Ether Funds. Additionally, the Exchange is a member of 
the Intermarket Surveillance Group (``ISG'') under the Intermarket 
Surveillance Group Agreement. ISG members work together to coordinate 
surveillance and investigative information sharing in the stock, 
options, and futures markets. In addition to the surveillance that is 
conducted by the Exchange's market surveillance staff, the Exchange 
would also be able to obtain information regarding trading in shares of 
the Ether Funds on other exchanges though ISG. Further, the Exchange 
has a Regulatory Services Agreement with the Financial Industry 
Regulatory Authority (``FINRA''). Pursuant to a multi-party 17d-2 joint 
plan, all options exchanges allocate regulatory responsibilities to 
FINRA to conduct certain options-related market surveillances.\33\ The 
Exchange notes that it will implement any new surveillance procedures 
it deems necessary to effectively monitor the trading of options on the 
Ether Funds.
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    \33\ Section 19(g)(1) of the Act, among other things, requires 
every SRO registered as a national securities exchange or national 
securities association to comply with the Act, the rules and 
regulations thereunder, and the SRO's own rules, and, absent 
reasonable justification or excuse, enforce compliance by its 
members and persons associated with its members. See 15 U.S.C. 
78q(d)(1) and 17 CFR 240.17d-2. Section 17(d)(1) of the Act allows 
the Commission to relieve an SRO of certain responsibilities with 
respect to members of the SRO who are also members of another SRO. 
Specifically, Section 17(d)(1) allows the Commission to relieve an 
SRO of its responsibilities to: (i) receive regulatory reports from 
such members; (ii) examine such members for compliance with the Act 
and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of the SRO; 
or (iii) carry out other specified regulatory responsibilities with 
respect to such members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The underlying shares of spot ether ETPs, including the Ether 
Funds, are also subject to safeguards related to addressing market 
abuse and manipulation. As the Commission stated in its order approving 
proposals of several exchanges to list and trade shares of spot ether-
based ETPs,

    [e]ach Exchange has a comprehensive surveillance sharing 
agreement with the [Chicago Mercantile Exchange (``CME'')] via their 
common membership in the Intermarket Surveillance Group. This 
facilitates the sharing of information that is available to the CME 
through its surveillance of its markets, including its surveillance 
of the CME ethereum futures market.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ See Ether ETP Approval Order, 89 FR at 46938.

    The Exchange states that, given the consistently high correlation 
between the CME ether futures market and the spot ether market, as 
confirmed by the Commission through robust correlation analysis, the 
Commission was able to conclude that such surveillance sharing 
agreements could reasonably be ``expected to assist in surveilling for 
fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices in the specific context 
of the [ether ETPs].'' \35\
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    \35\ See Ether ETP Approval Order, 89 FR at 46939.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of surveillance measures related to both options and 
futures as well as the Ether Funds,\36\ the Exchange believes that 
existing surveillance procedures are designed to deter and detect 
possible manipulative behavior which might potentially arise from 
listing and trading the proposed options on the Ether Funds. Further, 
the Exchange represents that it will implement any new surveillance 
procedures it deems necessary to effectively monitor the trading of 
options on Ether Funds.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ See Ether ETP Approval Order.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, quotation and last sale information for ETFs is available 
via the Consolidated Tape Association (``CTA'') high speed line. 
Quotation and last sale information for such securities is also 
available from the exchange on which such securities are listed. 
Quotation and last sale information for options on the Ether Funds will 
be available via Options Price Reporting Authority (``OPRA'') and major 
market data vendors.
    The Exchange believes that offering options on Ether Funds will 
benefit investors by providing them with an additional, relatively 
lower cost investing tool to gain exposure to the price of ether and 
hedging vehicle to meet their investment needs in connection with 
Ether-related products and positions. The Exchange expects investors 
will transact in options on Ether Funds in the unregulated over-the-
counter (``OTC'') options market,\37\ but may prefer to trade such 
options in a listed environment to receive the benefits of trading 
listed options, including (1) enhanced efficiency in initiating and 
closing out position; (2) increased market transparency; and (3) 
heightened contra-party creditworthiness due to the role of OCC as 
issuer and guarantor of all listed options. The Exchange believes that 
listing Ether Funds options may cause investors to bring this liquidity 
to the Exchange, would increase market transparency and enhance the 
process of price discovery conducted on the Exchange through increased 
order flow. The Exchange notes that the ETPs that hold precious metal 
commodities on which the Exchange may already list and trade options 
are trusts structured in substantially the same manner as Ether Funds 
and essentially offer the same objectives and benefits to investors, 
just with respect to different assets. The Exchange notes that it has 
not identified any issues with the continued listing and trading of 
options on any ETFs or ETPs that hold commodities (i.e., precious 
metals) that it currently lists and trades on the Exchange.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ The Exchange understands from customers that investors have 
historically transacted in options on ETFs in the OTC options market 
if such options were not available for trading in a listed 
environment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the Exchange notes that applicable Exchange rules will 
require that customers receive appropriate disclosure before trading 
options in Ether Funds.\38\ Further, brokers opening accounts and 
recommending options transactions must comply with relevant customer 
suitability standards.\39\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See Exchange's affiliate MIAX Rules 1307(b) and (e).
    \39\ See Exchange's affiliate MIAX Rule 1309.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with 
the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to the 
Exchange and, in particular, the requirements of Section 6(b) of the 
Act.\40\ Specifically, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
is consistent with the Section 6(b)(5) \41\ 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) \42\ requirement that

[[Page 16199]]

the rules of an exchange not be designed to permit unfair 
discrimination between customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \40\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \41\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \42\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In particular, the Exchange believes that the proposal to list and 
trade options on the Ether Funds will remove impediments to and perfect 
the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market system 
and, in general, protect investors because offering options on Ether 
Funds will provide investors with a greater opportunity to realize the 
benefits of utilizing options on Ether Funds, including cost 
efficiencies and increased hedging strategies.
    The Exchange believes that offering Ether Fund options will benefit 
investors by providing them with a relatively lower-cost risk 
management tool, which will allow them to manage their positions and 
associated risk in their portfolios more easily in connection with 
exposure to the price of ether and with ether-related products and 
positions. Additionally, the Exchange's offering of Ether Fund options 
will provide investors with the ability to transact in such options in 
a listed market environment as opposed to in the unregulated OTC 
options market, which would increase market transparency and enhance 
the process of price discovery conducted on the Exchange through 
increased order flow to the benefit of all investors. The Exchange also 
notes that it already lists options on other commodity-based ETPs,\43\ 
which, as described above, are trusts structured in substantially the 
same manner as Ether Funds and essentially offer the same objectives 
and benefits to investors, just with respect to a different commodity 
(i.e., Ether rather than precious metals) and for which the Exchange 
has not identified any issues with the continued listing and trading of 
commodity-backed ETP options it currently lists for trading.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \43\ See Exchange Rule 402(i)(4).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Exchange also believes the proposed rule change will remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market system, because it is consistent with current 
Exchange Rules, previously filed with the Commission. Options on the 
Ether Funds satisfy the initial listing standards and continued listing 
standards currently in the Exchange Rules applicable to options on all 
ETFs, including ETFs that hold other commodities already deemed 
appropriate for options trading on the Exchange. Additionally, as 
demonstrated above, each Ether Fund is characterized by a substantial 
number of shares that are widely held and actively traded. Ether Fund 
options will trade in the same manner as any other ETF options--the 
same Exchange Rules that currently govern the listing and trading of 
all options on ETFs, including permissible expirations, strike prices 
and minimum increments, and applicable position and exercise limits 
(including as proposed in the filing submitted by Exchange's affiliate, 
MIAX), and margin requirements, will govern the listing and trading of 
options on Ether Funds in the same manner.
    The Exchange represents that it has the necessary systems capacity 
to support the new Ether Fund options. The Exchange believes that its 
existing surveillance and reporting safeguards are designed to deter 
and detect possible manipulative behavior which might arise from 
listing and trading options, including Ether Fund options. The 
Exchange's existing surveillance and reporting safeguards are designed 
to deter and detect possible manipulative behavior which might arise 
from listing and trading options on ETFs and ETPs, such as (existing) 
precious metal-commodity backed ETP options as well as the proposed 
options on Ether Funds. The Exchange believes that its surveillance 
procedures are adequate to properly monitor the trading of options on 
Ether Funds in all trading sessions and to deter and detect violations 
of Exchange rules. Specifically, the Exchange's market surveillance 
staff will have access to surveillances that it conducts, and that 
FINRA conducts on its behalf, with respect to the Ether Funds and, as 
appropriate, would review activity in the underlying Funds when 
conducting surveillances for market abuse or manipulation in the 
options on the Ether Funds. Additionally, the Exchange is a member of 
the ISG under the Intermarket Surveillance Group Agreement. ISG members 
work together to coordinate surveillance and investigative information 
sharing in the stock, options, and futures markets. In addition to the 
surveillance that is conducted by the Exchange's market surveillance 
staff, the Exchange would also be able to obtain information regarding 
trading in shares of the Ether Funds on other exchanges though ISG. 
Further, the Exchange has a Regulatory Services Agreement with the 
FINRA and as noted herein, pursuant to a multi-party 17d-2 joint plan, 
all options exchanges allocate regulatory responsibilities to FINRA to 
conduct certain options-related market surveillances. Further, the 
Exchange will implement any new surveillance procedures it deems 
necessary to effectively monitor the trading of options on the Ether 
Funds.
    The underlying shares of spot ether ETPs, including the Ether 
Funds, are also subject to safeguards related to addressing market 
abuse and manipulation. As the Commission stated in its order approving 
proposals of several exchanges to list and trade shares of spot ether-
based ETPs, ``[e]ach Exchange has a comprehensive surveillance-sharing 
agreement with the CME via their common membership in the Intermarket 
Surveillance Group. This facilitates the sharing of information that is 
available to the CME through its surveillance of its markets, including 
its surveillance of the CME ether futures market.'' \44\ The Exchange 
states that, given the consistently high correlation between the CME 
ethereum futures market and the spot ethereum market, as confirmed by 
the Commission through robust correlation analysis, the Commission was 
able to conclude that such surveillance sharing agreements could 
reasonably be ``expected to assist in surveilling for fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices in the specific context of the [Ether 
ETPs].'' \45\ In light of surveillance measures related to both options 
and futures as well as the underlying Ether Funds,\46\ the Exchange 
believes that existing surveillance procedures are designed to deter 
and detect possible manipulative behavior which might potentially arise 
from listing and trading the proposed options on the Ether Funds. 
Further, the Exchange will implement any new surveillance procedures it 
deems necessary to effectively monitor the trading of options on ether 
ETPs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \44\ See Ether ETP Approval Order, 89 FR, at 46938.
    \45\ See Ether ETP Approval Order, 89 FR, at 46938.
    \46\ See Amendment No. 2 to Proposed Rule Change to List and 
Trade Shares of the Grayscale Ethereum ETF under NYSE Arca Rule 
8.201-E (Commodity-Based Trust Shares) (SR-NYSEARCA-2023-70), filed 
May 21, 2024, available at <a href="https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2023-70/srnysearca202370-475871-1363474.pdf">https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2023-70/srnysearca202370-475871-1363474.pdf</a>; Amendment No. 1 to 
Proposed Rule Change to List and Trade Shares of the Bitwise 
Ethereum ETF under NYSE Arca Rule 8.201-E (Commodity-Based Trust 
Shares) (SR-NYSEARCA-2024-31), filed May 21, 2024, available at 
<a href="https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2024-31/srnysearca202431-475891-1363514.pdf">https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2024-31/srnysearca202431-475891-1363514.pdf</a>; and Amendment No.2 to Proposed Rule Change to 
List and Trade Shares of the Grayscale Ethereum Mini ETF under NYSE 
Arca Rule 8.201-E (Commodity-Based Trust Shares) (SR-NYSEARCA-2024-
44), filed May 22, 2024, available at <a href="https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2024-44/srnysearca202444-476231-1364174.pdf">https://www.sec.gov/comments/sr-nysearca-2024-44/srnysearca202444-476231-1364174.pdf</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, the Exchange notes that this proposal will remove 
impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and 
a national market

[[Page 16200]]

system and, in general, protect investors because applicable Exchange 
rules will require that customers receive appropriate disclosure before 
trading options in Ether Funds \47\ and will require that brokers 
opening accounts and recommending options transactions must comply with 
relevant customer suitability standards.\48\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \47\ See Exchange's affiliate MIAX Rules 1307(b) and (e).
    \48\ See Exchange's affiliate MIAX Rule 1309.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. In this regard and as 
indicated above, the Exchange notes that the rule change is being 
proposed as a competitive response to the filing submitted by NYSE 
American.\49\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \49\ See supra note 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Intramarket Competition: The Exchange does not believe that the 
proposed rule change will impose any burden on intramarket competition 
that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Act as options on the Ether Funds would need to satisfy the initial 
listing standards set forth in the Exchange Rules in the same manner as 
any other ETF before the Exchange could list options on them. 
Additionally, Ether Fund options will be equally available to all 
market participants who wish to trade such options and will trade 
generally in the same manner as other options. Exchange Rules currently 
applicable to the listing and trading of options on ETFs on the 
Exchange will apply in the same manner to the listing and trading of 
all options on Ether Funds. Also, and as stated above, the Exchange 
already lists options on other commodity-based ETPs.\50\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \50\ See Exchange Rule 402(i).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Intermarket Competition: The Exchange does not believe that the 
proposal to list and trade options on Ether Funds will impose any 
burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. To the extent that the 
advent of the Ether Funds options trading on the Exchange may make the 
Exchange a more attractive marketplace to market participants at other 
exchanges, such market participants are free to elect to become market 
participants on the Exchange. Additionally, other options exchanges are 
free to amend their listing rules, as applicable, to permit them to 
list and trade options on the Ether Funds. The Exchange notes that 
listing and trading Ether Funds options on the Exchange will subject 
such options to transparent exchange-based rules as well as price 
discovery and liquidity, as opposed to alternatively trading such 
options in the OTC market.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change may relieve any 
burden on, or otherwise promote, competition as it is designed to 
increase competition for order flow on the Exchange in a manner that is 
beneficial to investors by providing them with a lower-cost option to 
hedge their investment portfolios. The Exchange notes that it operates 
in a highly competitive market in which market participants can readily 
direct order flow to competing venues that offer similar products. 
Ultimately, the Exchange believes that offering the Ether Funds options 
for trading on the Exchange will promote competition by providing 
investors with an additional, relatively low-cost means to hedge their 
portfolios and meet their investment needs in connection with ether 
prices and ether-related products and positions on a listed options 
exchange.

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

    The Exchange has filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Act \51\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\52\ 
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)(iii) of the Act \53\ and subparagraph (f)(6) of 
Rule 19b-4 thereunder.\54\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \51\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \52\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \53\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(iii).
    \54\ 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 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 the pre-filing requirement.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \55\ under the 
Act does not normally become operative prior to 30 days after the date 
of the filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii),\56\ the 
Commission may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent 
with the protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange 
has requested that the Commission waive the 30-day operative delay so 
that the proposal may become operative immediately upon filing. The 
Commission previously approved the listing and trading of options on 
the Ethereum Funds.\57\ The Exchange has provided information regarding 
the underlying Ethereum Funds, including, among other things, 
information regarding trading volume, the number of beneficial holders, 
and the market capitalization of the Ethereum Funds. The proposal also 
establishes position and exercise limits for options on the Ethereum 
Funds and provides information regarding the surveillance procedures 
that will apply to Ethereum Fund options. The Commission believes that 
waiver of the operative delay could benefit investors by providing an 
additional venue for trading Ethereum Fund options. Therefore, the 
Commission believes that waiver of the 30-day operative delay is 
consistent with the protection of investors and the public interest. 
Accordingly, the Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay 
and designates the proposed rule change as operative upon filing.\58\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \55\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \56\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \57\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 102799 (April 9, 
2025) (Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 2 and Order Granting 
Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by 
Amendment No. 2, to Amend Exchange Rule 915 To Permit the Listing 
and Trading of Options on the Bitwise Ethereum ETF, the Grayscale 
Ethereum Trust, and the Grayscale Ethereum Mini Trust) (SR-NYSEAMER-
2025-45).
    \58\ 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 should be approved or disapproved.

[[Page 16201]]

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#eb999e878ec6888486868e859f98ab988e88c58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c6e697079317f7371717972686f5c6f797f327b736a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-SAPPHIRE-2025-21 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-2025-21. 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-2025-21 and should 
be submitted on or before May 8, 2025.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\59\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \59\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12), (59).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-06552 Filed 4-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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