Notice2025-10643

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Its Opening Process for Simple Orders in Exclusively Listed Index Option Classes

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
June 12, 2025

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 112 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 112 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24830-24835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10643]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-103206; File No. SR-CboeBZX-2025-073]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of 
Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend 
Its Opening Process for Simple Orders in Exclusively Listed Index 
Option Classes

June 6, 2025.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(the

[[Page 24831]]

``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on May 27, 2025, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``BZX'') 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ``Commission'') 
the proposed rule change as described in Items I and II below, which 
Items have been prepared by the 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 BZX Exchange, Inc. (the ``Exchange'' or ``BZX Options'') 
proposes to amend its opening process for simple orders in exclusively 
listed index option classes.\3\ The text of the proposed rule change is 
provided in Exhibit 5.
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    \3\ An ``exclusively listed option'' is an option that may trade 
exclusively on an exchange (and its affiliated exchange) because the 
exchange has an exclusive license to list and trade the option or 
has the proprietary rights in the interest underlying the option. An 
exclusively listed option is different than a ``singly listed 
option,'' which is an option that is not an ``exclusively listed 
option'' but that is listed by one exchange and not by any other 
national securities exchange.
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    The text of the proposed rule change is also available on the 
Exchange's website (<a href="http://markets.cboe.com/us/equities/regulation/rule_filings/bzx/">http://markets.cboe.com/us/equities/regulation/rule_filings/bzx/</a>), 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 Rule 21.7 regarding its opening 
process for simple orders for products it may exclusively list on the 
Exchange.
Current Standard Opening Process
    Currently, following the occurrence of an opening rotation trigger 
pursuant to Rule 21.7(d), the System conducts an opening rotation for 
an option series. Following the opening rotation trigger, the System 
conducts the Maximum Composite Width Check pursuant to Rule 21.7(e)(1) 
to determine if a series is eligible to open. If the Composite Market 
\4\ of a series is not crossed, and the Composite Width \5\ of the 
series is less than or equal to the Maximum Composite Width (as defined 
in Rule 21.7(a)), the series is eligible to open. Additionally, if the 
Composite Market of a series is not crossed, and the Composite Width of 
the series is greater than the Maximum Composite Width, but there are 
(i) no non-M Capacity \6\ (a) market orders or (b) buy (sell) limit 
orders with prices higher (lower) than the Composite Market midpoint 
and (ii) no orders or quotes marketable against each other, the series 
is eligible to open. Once a series become eligible to open, the System 
conducts the opening auction for the series (i.e. determines the 
opening trade price pursuant to Rule 21.7(e)(2) and opens the series 
pursuant to Rule 21.7(e)(3)). The Exchange may also determine to compel 
a series to open in the interest of fair and orderly markets, including 
if the opening width is wider than the Maximum Composite Width, 
pursuant to Rule 21.7(h).
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    \4\ The term ``Composite Market'' means the market for a series 
comprised of (1) the higher of the then-current best appointed 
Market-Maker bulk message bid on the Exchange and the away best bid 
(``ABB'') (if there is an ABB) and (2) the lower of the then-current 
best appointed Market-Maker bulk message offer on the Exchange and 
the away best offer (``ABO'') (if there is an ABO). The term 
``Composite Bid (Offer)'' means the bid (offer) used to determine 
the Composite Market. See Rule 21.7(a).
    \5\ The term ``Composite Width'' means the width of the 
Composite Market (i.e., the width between the Composite Bid and the 
Composite Offer) of a series. See Rule 21.7(a).
    \6\ A non-M Capacity order is a non-Market Maker order. See Rule 
16.1, definition of Capacity for a list of other Capacities that may 
be attached to an order.
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    Currently, if a series cannot satisfy these conditions described 
above (and thus is not eligible to open), if there is no Composite 
Market, or if the Composite Market of a series is crossed, the series 
is ineligible to open.\7\ When that occurs, the Queuing Period \8\ for 
the series continues (including the dissemination of opening auction 
updates) until (i) the Maximum Composite Width Check is satisfied and 
the Composite Market is not crossed; (ii) there are (a) no non-M 
Capacity (x) market orders or (y) buy (sell) limit orders with prices 
higher (lower) than the Composite Market midpoint and (b) no orders or 
quotes marketable against each other if the Maximum Composite Width is 
not satisfied and the Composite Market is not crossed, or (iii) the 
Exchange determines to open the series pursuant to Rule 21.7(h). As 
described further herein, the Exchange may now manually increase the 
prescribed Maximum Composite Width during the Queuing Period in order 
to open up an exclusively listed option series.\9\
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    \7\ See Rule 21.7(e)(1)(C).
    \8\ The term ``Queuing Period'' means the time period prior to 
the initiation of an opening rotation during which the System 
accepts orders and quotes in the Queuing Book (the book into which 
Users may submit orders for participation in the opening rotation) 
for participation in the opening rotation for the applicable trading 
session. See Rule 21.7(a).
    \9\ See the definition of Maximum Composite Width, which permits 
the Exchange to modify the Maximum Composite Width during the 
opening auction process (which modifications the Exchange 
disseminates to all subscribers via the Exchange's data feeds that 
deliver opening auction updates) in Rule 21.7(a).
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Current Forced Opening Procedures for Equity and ETP Option Classes
    However, currently, if a series in an equity or ETP option class is 
unable to open because it does not satisfy the Maximum Composite Width 
Check within an Exchange-designated time period (and (i) the Composite 
Market is not crossed and (ii) no non-M Capacity order crosses the 
Composite Market midpoint),\10\ the System forces the series to open 
after that time period upon the System's observation of an ABBO \11\ 
(with a non-zero offer) for the series.\12\
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    \10\ The Exchange proposes to modify the existing forced open 
rule for equity and ETP option classes to clarify that it will not 
force the open if there are non-M Capacity orders that cross the 
Composite Market midpoint. While the Exchange currently follows this 
process, it proposes to make this clear in its rule as well.
    \11\ The term ``ABBO'' means the best bid(s) or offer(s) 
disseminated by other Eligible Exchanges (as defined in Rule 
27.1(a)(7)) and calculated by the Exchange based on market 
information the Exchange receives from OPRA. See Rule 16.1.
    \12\ See Rule 21.7(e)(4).
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Background on the Current Opening Procedures for Exclusively Listed 
Options
    As mentioned above, and as described further herein, the Exchange 
may now manually force open a series that does not satisfy the Maximum 
Composite Width by increasing the prescribed Maximum Composite Width 
during the Queuing Period in order to open up a series.\13\ The 
Exchange currently exercises more discretion through this manual 
process then it would through

[[Page 24832]]

the proposed automated process as it must manually review which series 
are not open and can determine whether it wants to force the series 
open. In neither the existing process nor in the proposed automated 
process through the proposed modified forced open rule is there are an 
ABBO looked to (as it does not exist).
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    \13\ See the definition of Maximum Composite Width, which 
permits the Exchange to modify the Maximum Composite Width during 
the opening auction process (which modifications the Exchange 
disseminates to all subscribers via the Exchange's data feeds that 
deliver opening auction updates) in Rule 21.7(a).
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    However, under the existing manual process to increase the Maximum 
Composite Width, if there are no Market Maker orders, and thus no 
Composite Width for the Exchange to manually increase, a series will 
not open, unless the Exchange deems it necessary for fair and orderly 
markets and opens a series pursuant to Rule 21.7(h). The new rule 
proposes that a forced open shall occur if there is no Composite Market 
so long as there are no non-M Capacity orders that are crossed. As 
described in further detail below, the Exchange believes this is in the 
best interest of market participants, as it is the case for some Market 
Makers that they may not provide on-screen liquidity until after they 
receive the opening trigger notification.\14\ For these reasons, the 
Exchange believes it is in the best interest to open up these series 
even if no Composite Market exists and no non-M Capacity orders are 
crossed.
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    \14\ Of further note, the Exchange's affiliated options 
exchange, Cboe Exchange, Inc. (``Cboe Options''), generally has a 
strong floor presence for exclusively listed options, and it may be 
the case while there is no Composite Market on screen, that there 
are Market Makers on the floor that can fill customer orders. The 
Exchange and its affiliated options exchanges are all proposing to 
modify its existing forced opening procedures to include exclusively 
listed options.
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    The Exchange also notes that it may use Rule 21.7(h) to deviate 
from the standard opening process, including: (i) adjusting the timing 
of the opening rotation in any option class, (ii) modifying any time 
periods described in Rule 21.7, and (iii) compelling a series open, 
even if the Maximum Composite Width check is not satisfied, but these 
events may only happen manually if the Exchange determines it is 
necessary in the interests of a fair and orderly market. The Exchange 
notes that it will retain this authority still under the new proposed 
forced opening rule.
Proposed Forced Opening Procedures for Exclusively Listed Options
    The proposed rule change expands the existing forced opening 
provision to now apply to exclusively listed option series, except that 
(i) the ABBO will not be used as a triggering factor to open a series 
as there is no ABBO for the exclusively listed option series and (ii) 
the series may open if there is no Composite Market so long as there 
are no non-M Capacity orders that are crossed. Similar to equity or ETP 
option classes, the series will not open if the Composite Market is 
crossed or if there are non-M Capacity orders that cross the Composite 
Market midpoint.
    Specifically, as proposed, if a series in an exclusively listed 
option class is unable to open because it does not satisfy the Maximum 
Composite Width Check described above within a time period (which the 
Exchange determines for exclusively listed options \15\) after the 
occurrence of the opening rotation trigger for the class pursuant to 
Rule 21.7(d), and (i) the Composite Market is not crossed and no non-M 
Capacity order crosses the Composite Market midpoint or (ii) there is 
no Composite Market and there are no non-M Capacity orders that are 
crossed, the System forces the series to open after that time period. 
For a series subject to a forced opening, the opening trade price 
determination and series open set forth in Rule 21.7(e)(2) and (3) 
(i.e., the opening auction) do not occur; instead, the System opens the 
series without a trade. This will permit a series to open for trading 
on the Exchange even though the market for the series on the Exchange 
may be wide (or if there are no quotes or orders on the book).\16\ As 
described above, the two primary distinctions between the existing 
manual process that is used to manually open exclusively listed 
options, where the Maximum Composite Width is manually widened, and the 
proposed forced opening process for exclusively listed options, are (i) 
the proposed automated process is more efficient and transparent 
process and (ii) an exclusively listed option series may still open 
even if there is no Composite Market so long as no non-M Capacity 
orders are crossed. However, as previously noted, the Exchange may also 
open up a series if it deems so necessary in the interest of a fair and 
orderly market pursuant to Rule 21.7 (h).
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    \15\ The proposed rule change permits the Exchange to determine 
a different time period for all exclusively listed options than the 
time period determined for equity and ETP classes.
    \16\ The Exchange notes that a wide market is not a reason 
enough for not opening as a wide market may occur at any point 
during the trading day. As described further herein, it is more of a 
risk for participants to keep the market closed, preventing 
participants from managing their position exposure as other markets 
are already open.
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    If a series satisfies the Maximum Composite Width Check prior to 
the end of the Exchange-determined time period, the series opens 
pursuant to Rule 21.7(d)(2) and (3) (i.e., the standard opening auction 
process occurs for the series). For example, suppose the Exchange 
determined the ``forced opening'' timer for exclusively listed option 
series to be three minutes. If the opening trigger for an exclusively 
listed option series occurs at 9:30:05 Eastern time but the series does 
not satisfy the Maximum Composite Width Check after the trigger, the 
System will force the series open after 9:33:05 Eastern time. However, 
if the series satisfies the Maximum Composite Width Check at 9:32:30, 
the series will open at that time in accordance with the normal opening 
auction process. The current rule still allows the market to open even 
if the market is wide by (i) manually increasing the Maximum Composite 
Width \17\ or (ii) allowing the series to open in accordance with Rule 
21.7(e)(1)(B), which allows the series to open if the Composite Market 
of a series is not crossed, and the Composite Width of the series is 
greater than the Maximum Composite Width, but there are (i) no non-M 
Capacity (a) market orders or (b) buy (sell) limit orders with prices 
higher (lower) than the Composite Market midpoint and (ii) no orders or 
quotes marketable against each other.
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    \17\ See supra note 13.
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No ABBO Requirement for Exclusively Listed Options
    Given the current method of manually increasing the Maximum 
Composite Width as a way to force a series open if it does not satisfy 
the Maximum Composite Width, the Exchange believes the proposed rule is 
a better alternative to open up a series for trading, as it allows for 
greater transparency and clearer expectations for market participants, 
as well as taking away the possibility of error from manual human 
intervention. As described further herein, the ABBO is not a 
requirement for the standard opening process for any option classes, 
including equity and ETP option classes. Specifically, if no away 
markets are open in a series, there would be no ABBO for that series 
and thus the Composite Market for the series (and thus whether the 
series would open) would be based solely on the Exchange's market for 
the series. Further, if the ABBO is wider than the Exchange's market 
for a series, the ABBO is also not a factor into whether the System 
opened the series. In those cases, whether an equity or ETF option 
series satisfied the Maximum Composite Width check would be based 
solely on the Exchange's market. With respect to the forced opening 
process for equity and ETP option classes, it may even be

[[Page 24833]]

the case that the ABBO is wider than the Exchange's market.
Differences Between the Forced Opening Process for Equity and ETP 
Option Classes and the Proposed Process for Exclusively Listed Options
    The Exchange notes that it previously adopted a similar process to 
force an open for series in an equity or exchange-traded product option 
classes.\18\ The only substantive differences within these two 
processes is that (i) the process for exclusively listed options will 
not rely on the additional requirement that the system observes an ABBO 
after the designated time period passes since exclusively listed 
options will not have an ABBO as the products are not listed on any 
other exchange and (ii) exclusively listed option series may open if 
there is no Composite Market so long as there are no non-M Capacity 
orders that are crossing.
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    \18\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 90968 (January 22, 
2021), 86 FR 7443 (January 28, 2021) (SR-CboeBZX-2021-009).).
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    With the exception that there is not an ABBO that may be looked at 
first and that a Composite Market is not required to exist (so long as 
there are no non-M Capacity orders that are crossed), all other 
protections that were put into place during the inception of the forced 
open for equity and ETP classes will also apply to the proposed forced 
open for exclusively listed options. Rule 21.7(f) provides that in the 
event of a forced opening of a series pursuant to proposed Rule 
21.7(e)(4) or a compelled opening of a series pursuant to paragraph 
(h), the System enters all of a User's orders in that series in the 
Queuing Book \19\ into the Book in the manner set forth in current Rule 
21.7(f), unless a User instructs the System to cancel its market orders 
or all of its orders, in which case the System enters only the non-
cancelled orders into the Book in this manner. Specifically, they will 
be processed in accordance with Rule 21.8 (as unexecuted orders and 
quotes are handled following the conclusion of the opening rotation), 
which describes how the System processes, handles, and executes orders. 
If any order or quote in the Queuing Book is marketable upon the forced 
opening (and the User does not instruct the System to cancel it as 
proposed), the System would execute marketable orders subject to the 
priority rules set forth in Rule 21.8. Any non-marketable order would 
enter the Book or cancel, subject to the User instructions. This 
proposed change provides Users with flexibility for automated handling 
of their orders in the event an exclusively listed option series opens 
with a wide market as opposed to the existing manual process where the 
Exchange manually increases the Maximum Composite Width to force an 
open.\20\
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    \19\ The term ``Queuing Book'' means the book into which Users 
may submit orders and quotes (and onto which GTC and GTD orders 
remaining on the Book from the previous trading session or trading 
day, as applicable, are entered) during the Queuing Period for 
participation in the applicable opening rotation. Orders and quotes 
on the Queuing Book may not execute until the opening rotation. The 
Queuing Book for the GTH opening auction process may be referred to 
as the ``GTH Queuing Book,'' and the Queuing Book for the RTH 
opening auction process may be referred to as the ``RTH Queuing 
Book. See Rule 21.7(a).
    \20\ See supra note 13.
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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.\21\ Specifically, the 
Exchange believes the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
Section 6(b)(5) \22\ 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) \23\ requirement that the rules of an exchange not be 
designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, issuers, 
brokers, or dealers.
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    \21\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \22\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \23\ Id.
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    In particular, the Exchange believes the proposed forced opening 
process for simple orders in its exclusively listed option series will 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system and protect investors. The proposed 
rule change will provide for a series to open for trading on the 
Exchange sooner than it may automatically open currently. The Exchange 
believes the proposed rule change will benefit investors, because it 
may permit these options to open sooner and increase the times during 
which investors may conduct trading in these options, allowing 
participants to trade, hedge exposure, and exit positions in a timely 
manner. While the width of Market-Maker quotes on the Exchange (and 
thus the Composite Width) for an exclusively listed option series may 
be wider than the Maximum Composite Width \24\ or, no Market-Maker 
quotes for an exclusively listed option series are present in the book 
(and thus there is no Composite Market for the series), the Exchange 
believes it is reasonable to open the series after a certain amount of 
time has passed. The Exchange further notes that it does not believe 
wide Market Maker quotes in and of itself is an adequate reason to 
delay the opening, as that may occur at any time during the trading 
day. The Exchange understands from customers they would prefer to be 
able to begin trading the Exchange's exclusively listed index options 
without undue delay, even in a wide market, in a timeframe more closely 
aligned with equities and ETP options \25\ (there have been delays as 
long as ten to fifteen minutes after markets open). A delayed opening 
may leave participants unable to efficiently hedge, exit, and otherwise 
manage positions as needed, particularly because the value of the index 
may be changing given that the stocks comprising the index are open for 
trading. As a result, a delayed opening may create more investment risk 
for market participants than opening with a market comprised of wide or 
no Market-Maker quotes (which as noted above, is a market condition 
that may occur at any time). Additionally, the proposed ability of 
Users to cancel orders in the event of a forced opening will provide 
Users with additional protection.
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    \24\ The Exchange notes pursuant to Rule 21.7(e)(1)(B), there 
are currently instances in which the Exchange will open for trading 
despite the Composite Market Width being larger than the Maximum 
Composite Width.
    \25\ See Rule 21.7(e)(4).
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    As discussed above, the Exchange currently has the authority, when 
it deems necessary, to deviate from the standard opening process, 
including: (i) adjusting the timing of the opening rotation in any 
option class, (ii) modifying any time periods described in Rule 21.7, 
and (iii) compelling a series open, even if the Maximum Composite Width 
check is not satisfied, but that may only happen manually if the 
Exchange determines it is necessary in the interests of a fair and 
orderly market.\26\ The proposed rule change is consistent with the 
authority granted under Rule 21.7(h). Furthermore, this proposed rule 
change creates an automated compelled opening in certain

[[Page 24834]]

circumstances by not needing to rely on the manual process of 
increasing the Maximum Composite Width that may currently be used under 
the definition of Maximum Composite Width under Rule 21.7(a), with the 
exception that a series may be forced open under this proposed rule 
even if no Composite Market exists, so long as there are no non-M 
Capacity orders crossed. This will benefit investors by providing 
additional transparency to the Rules regarding when a series may open 
despite not satisfying the Maximum Composite Width check as well as 
remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a free and open 
market and a national market system by automating an otherwise manual 
process. Furthermore, the Exchange believes it is in the best interest 
of investors to allow an exclusively listed option series to open even 
if there is no Composite Market, so long as no non-M Capacity orders 
are crossed. This continues to protect customer orders from executing 
at the open at a potentially erroneous price given that the requirement 
that there be no non-M Capacity orders crossed. By allowing these 
markets to open in a timely manner, market participants would be able 
to have their orders filled and manage their existing positions 
earlier, thus reducing potential investment risk associated with 
further delaying the open.
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    \26\ See Rule 21.7(h); see also definition of Maximum Composite 
Width and Opening Collar in Rule 21.7(a).
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    Further, as discussed above, the Exchange believes it is in the 
best interest of market participants to allow the Exchange discretion 
to determine a different time period for its exclusively listed options 
that may be different from the time period for its equity and ETP 
options. As noted, there are differences between these groups, notably, 
that exclusively listed options may also trade during the GTH trading 
session. Further, under Rule 21.7(h), the Exchange already has the 
authority to adjust any time periods under Rule 21.7, which include the 
forced open timers, when it deems necessary for a fair and orderly 
market. The Exchange proposes to make this discretion clear within the 
proposed rule, where the Exchange may have different timers for (i) 
equity and ETP options and (ii) exclusively listed options.
    Additionally, by establishing this process instead of manually 
increasing the Maximum Composite Width, the Exchange believes this 
provides greater transparency and clarity and better sets out 
expectations for participants. The Exchange notes that it still 
maintains its existing authority under Rule 21.7(h) to deviate from the 
standard manner of the opening auction process. The Exchange does not 
think that not having an ABBO (as none exists for exclusively listed 
options) is of note, as the Exchange manually forces an open now by 
increasing the Maximum Composite Width and an ABBO is not required 
under that procedure. Of further note, the ABBO is not a requirement 
for the standard opening process for any option classes, including 
equity and ETP option classes. Specifically, if no away markets are 
open inequity or ETP options, there would be no ABBO for that series 
and thus the Composite Market for the series (and thus whether the 
series would open) would be based solely on the Exchange's market for 
the series. Further, if the ABBO is wider than the Exchange's market 
for a series, the ABBO is also not a factor into whether the System 
opened the series. In those cases, whether an equity or ETF option 
series satisfied the Maximum Composite Width check would be based 
solely on the Exchange's market.
    Further, as previously discussed, the Exchange believes it furthers 
its goal of conducting fair and orderly markets by forcing its 
exclusively listed options to open if there is no Composite Market. In 
the event there is no Composite Market from there being no on-screen 
two-sided market from Market Maker bids and offers, and there are no 
non-M Capacity orders that are crossed, the Exchange believes it would 
benefit the market to move forward with opening, so customers may 
commence trading. As described above, the Exchange understands from 
market participants they would rather commence trading to manage their 
positions even if there are wide, or no, Market-Maker quotes on the 
book. Additionally, as previously noted the Exchange's affiliated 
options exchange, Cboe Exchange, Inc. generally has a strong floor 
presence for exclusively listed options, and it may be the case while 
there is no Composite Market on screen, that there are Market Makers on 
the floor that can fill customer orders. The Exchange and its 
affiliated options exchanges are all proposing to modify its existing 
forced opening procedures to include exclusively listed options.

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. 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 because all Users may trade in 
any exclusively listed option series that opens subject to the proposed 
forced opening process. The proposed forced opening process for 
exclusively listed option series is also substantially similar to the 
current forced opening process for equity and ETP option series, with 
the exception that, (i) there is no ABBO for exclusively listed option 
series, and thus, is not a step in the forced opening process for the 
exclusively listed option series as described above and (ii) a 
Composite Market is not required for exclusively listed options, as 
described above. Additionally, all Users will have the opportunity to 
instruct the System to cancel its market orders or all open orders in 
the event of a forced or otherwise manual opening. Cancellation of some 
or all of a User's orders in the event of such an opening would be 
voluntary and completely within the User's discretion.
    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act because the 
proposed rule change updates the opening process for exclusively listed 
options that may trade only on the Exchange. As discussed above, the 
proposed rule change will allow participants to begin trading, hedging 
exposure, and exiting positions in exclusively listed options in a 
timely manner, consistent with the timing and process the Exchange 
currently uses for equity and ETP options. The proposed flexibility for 
Users to instruct the System how to handle their orders in the event of 
a forced or manual opening applies only to how Users' orders on the 
Exchange will be handled in such a circumstance.

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

    Because the foregoing proposed rule change does not:
    A. significantly affect the protection of investors or the public 
interest;
    B. impose any significant burden on competition; and
    C. 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

[[Page 24835]]

pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \27\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) 
\28\ thereunder. 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 will institute 
proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be 
approved or disapproved.
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    \27\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \28\ 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 this requirement.
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IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

    <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#cab8bfa6afe7a9a5a7a7afa4beb98ab9afa9e4ada5bc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdcfc8d1d890ded2d0d0d8d3c9cefdced8de93dad2cb">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-CboeBZX-2025-073 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-CboeBZX-2025-073. 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-CboeBZX-2025-073 and should 
be submitted on or before July 3, 2025.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\29\
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    \29\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Vanessa A. Countryman,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-10643 Filed 6-11-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on June 12, 2025.

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