Notice2025-15322

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the Exchange's Index Options Rules To Allow the Exchange To List and Trade Options on Micro Narrow-Based Indexes

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
August 13, 2025

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 154 (Wednesday, August 13, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39021-39025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15322]



[[Page 39021]]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-103641; File No. SR-MIAX-2025-27]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Miami International Securities 
Exchange, LLC; Order Approving a Proposed Rule Change To Amend the 
Exchange's Index Options Rules To Allow the Exchange To List and Trade 
Options on Micro Narrow-Based Indexes

August 8, 2025.

I. Introduction

    On June 25, 2025, Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC 
(``MIAX'' or ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'' or ``Exchange Act'') \1\ and 
Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ a proposal to amend the Exchange's index 
option rules to permit the listing and trading of options on micro 
narrow-based indexes. The proposed rule change was published for 
comment in the Federal Register on July 8, 2025.\3\ The Commission 
received no comments on the proposed rule change. This order grants 
approval of the proposed rule change.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 103376 (July 2, 
2025), 90 FR 30177 (SR-MIAX-2025-27) (``Notice'').
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II. Description of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange proposes to amend its listing rules for index options, 
as set forth in Chapter XVIII of its rules, to permit, as other 
exchanges do already, the listing and trading of micro narrow-based 
index options. Specifically, consistent with the rules of other 
exchanges, the Exchange proposes to (1) adopt a definition of a micro 
narrow-based index; (2) establish initial listing standards and 
maintenance standards for micro narrow-based indexes; and (3) adopt 
rules regarding position limits and exercise limits for options on 
micro narrow-based indexes. The specific changes are discussed below.

A. Definition of Micro-Narrow Based Index

    The Exchange proposes to add Rule 1801(m) defining micro narrow-
based index as an industry or narrow-based index that meets the 
specific criteria provided under Rule 1802(f), which sets forth the 
proposed initial listing criteria for micro narrow-based indexes.\4\ 
The Exchange states that the proposed definition is identical to the 
definition of micro narrow-based indexes in the rules of Cboe Exchange, 
Inc. (``Cboe'').\5\
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    \4\ Notice, supra note 3, at 30178. See infra Section II.B for 
discussion of the initial listing standards proposed in Rule 
1802(f).
    \5\ Id. at 30178 n.4 (citing the definition of a micro narrow-
based index at Cboe Rule 4.11). To reflect the addition of 
subparagraph (m), the Exchange also proposes to renumber current 
subparagraphs (m)-(t) of Rule 1801 as subparagraphs (n)-(u). Id.
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B. Proposed Initial Listing Criteria

    The Exchange proposes in Rule 1802(f) to set forth the initial 
listing standards for a micro narrow-based index. In addition, the 
Exchange proposes to permit trading of options on a micro narrow-based 
index pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) \6\ under the Act if several conditions 
are satisfied.\7\
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    \6\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(e).
    \7\ Id. at 30178-79. The Exchange states that its proposed 
initial listing standards are substantially similar to the initial 
listing standards set forth in Cboe and MEMX LLC (``MEMX'') rules. 
See id. at 30179 n.6 and accompanying text. See also Cboe Rule 
4.10(d) and MEMX Rule 29.6(d).
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    Specifically, proposed Rule 1802(f)(1) requires that the index is a 
security index (i) that has nine or fewer component securities; (ii) in 
which a component security comprises more than 30% of the index's 
weighting; (iii) in which the five highest weighted component 
securities in the aggregate comprise more than 60% of the index's 
weighting; or (iv) in which the lowest weighted component securities 
comprising, in the aggregate, 25% of the index's weighting have an 
aggregate dollar value of average daily trading volume of less than 
$50,000,000 (or in the case of an index with 15 or more component 
securities, $30,000,000) except that if there are two or more 
securities with equal weighting that could be included in the 
calculation of the lowest weighted component securities comprising, in 
the aggregate, 25% of the index's weighting, such securities shall be 
ranked from lowest to highest dollar value of average daily trading 
volume and shall be included in the calculation based on their ranking 
starting with the lowest ranked security.\8\
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    \8\ Id. at 30178.
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    Proposed Rule 1802(f)(2) requires the index to be capitalization-
weighted, modified capitalization-weighted, price-weighted, share 
weighted, equal dollar-weighted, approximate equal-dollar weighted, or 
modified equal-dollar weighted.\9\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(2)(i) defines 
an approximate equal-dollar weighted index, for the purposes of 
proposed Rule 1802(f), as composed of one or more securities in which 
each component security will be weighted equally based on its market 
price on the index's selection date, and the index must be 
reconstituted and rebalanced if the notional value of the largest 
component is at least twice the notional volume of the smallest 
component for 50% or more of the trading days in the three months prior 
to December 31 of each year.\10\ The proposed rule provides that 
reconstitution and rebalancing are also mandatory if the number of 
components in the index is greater than five at the time of 
rebalancing, and that the Exchange reserves the right to rebalance 
quarterly at its discretion.\11\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(2)(ii) defines a 
modified equal-dollar weighted index as an index in which each 
underlying component represents a pre-determined weighting percentage 
of the entire index.\12\ A modified equal-dollar weighted index will be 
balanced quarterly.\13\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(2)(iii) proposes that a 
share-weighted index is calculated by multiplying the price of the 
component security by an adjustment factor.\14\ The proposed rule 
states that the value of the index is calculated by adding the weight 
of each component security and dividing the total by an index divisor, 
calculated to yield a benchmark index level as of a particular 
date.\15\ The proposed rule further provides that a share-weighted 
index is not adjusted to reflect changes in the number of outstanding 
shares of its components and that a share-weighted micro narrow-based 
index will not be re-balanced.\16\ If a share-weighted micro narrow-
based index fails to meet the maintenance listing standards set forth 
in proposed Rule 1802(g), the Exchange will restrict trading in 
existing option series to closing transactions and will not issue 
additional series for that index.\17\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(2)(iv) 
permits the Exchange to rebalance any micro narrow-based index on an 
interim basis if warranted as a result of

[[Page 39022]]

extraordinary changes in the relative values of the component 
securities.\18\
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    \9\ Id.
    \10\ Id. For purposes of this provision, the ``notional value'' 
would mean the market price of the component times the number of 
shares of the underlying component in the index. Id.
    \11\ Id.
    \12\ Id. The Exchange explains that each component is assigned a 
weight that takes into account the relative market capitalization of 
the securities comprising the index. Id.
    \13\ Id.
    \14\ Id. Adjustment factors are chosen to reflect the investment 
objective deemed appropriate by the designer of the index and will 
be published by the Exchange as part of the contract specifications. 
Id.
    \15\ Id.
    \16\ Id.
    \17\ Id.
    \18\ Id. The proposed rule further states that to the extent 
investors with open positions must rely upon the continuity of the 
options contract on the index, outstanding contracts are unaffected 
by rebalancings. Id.
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    Proposed Rule 1802(f)(3) requires that each component security in 
the index has a minimum market capitalization of at least $75 million, 
except that each of the lowest weighted securities in the index that in 
the aggregate account for no more than 10% of the weight of the index 
may have a minimum market capitalization of only $50 million.\19\ 
Proposed Rule 1802(f)(4) requires that the average daily trading volume 
in each of the preceding six months for each component security in the 
index is at least 45,500 shares, except that each of the lowest 
weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate 
account for no more than 10% of the weight of the index may have an 
average daily trading volume of only 22,750 shares for each of the last 
six months.\20\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(5) requires that in a 
capitalization-weighted index, the lesser of: (i) the five highest 
weighted component securities in the index each have had an average 
daily trading volume of at least 90,000 shares over the past six 
months; or (ii) the highest weighted component securities in the index 
that in the aggregate represent at least 30% of the total number of 
component securities in the index each have had an average daily 
trading volume of at least 90,000 shares over the past six months.\21\ 
Proposed Rule 1802(f)(6) requires that subject to proposed Rules 
1802(f)(4) and (5), the component securities that account for at least 
90% of the total index weight and at least 80% of the total number of 
component securities in the index must meet the requirements of MIAX 
Rule 402, which sets forth generally the criteria applicable to 
individual underlying securities.\22\
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    \19\ Id.
    \20\ Id.
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ Id.
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    Proposed Rule 1802(f)(7)(i) requires that each component security 
in the index is an ``NMS Security'' as defined in Rule 600 of 
Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act; and proposed Rule 1802(f)(7)(ii) 
requires that foreign securities or ADRs that are not subject to 
comprehensive surveillance sharing agreements do not represent more 
than 20% of the weight of the index.\23\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(8) 
requires the current underlying index value to be reported at least 
once every 15 seconds during the time the index options are traded on 
the Exchange.\24\ Proposed Rule 1802(f)(9) requires an equal dollar-
weighted index to be rebalanced at least once every quarter.\25\ 
Proposed Rule 1802(f)(10) requires the underlying index, if it is 
maintained by a broker-dealer, to be calculated by a third party who is 
not a broker-dealer, and requires the broker-dealer to have in place an 
information barrier around its personnel who have access to information 
concerning changes in and adjustments to the index.\26\ Proposed Rule 
1802(f)(11) requires that each component security in the index is 
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act; and proposed 
Rule 1802(f)(12) requires that cash settled index options are 
designated as A.M.-settled options.\27\
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    \23\ Id.
    \24\ Id. at 30179.
    \25\ Id.
    \26\ Id.
    \27\ Id.
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    The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 1802(a) to permit the 
Exchange, if the initial listing standards set forth above are 
satisfied, to list and trade micro narrow-based indexes without filing 
a proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b) to be approved by the 
Commission.\28\
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    \28\ Id. at 30179. Rule 1802(a) currently permits the trading of 
narrow-based indexes and broad-based indexes that meet the initial 
listing criteria set forth in Rule 1802(b) and (d), respectively, 
without filing a proposed rule change to be approved by the 
Commission under Section 19(b) of the Act. Id.
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C. Proposed Maintenance Listing Criteria

    The Exchange further proposes maintenance listing standards that 
would apply to each class of options on micro narrow-based indexes that 
met the initial listing criteria. An index must satisfy the criteria 
set forth in proposed Rule 1802(g) to remain listed on the 
Exchange.\29\ Specifically, proposed Rule 1802(g)(1) requires the index 
to meet the initial listing standards in proposed Rule 1802(f)(1).\30\ 
Proposed Rule 1802(g)(2) states that subject to proposed Rules 
1802(g)(9) and (10), discussed below, the component securities that 
account for at least 90% of the total index weight and at least 80% of 
the total number of component securities in the index must meet the 
requirements of MIAX Rule 402.\31\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(3) provides 
that each component security in the index has a market capitalization 
of at least $75 million, except that each of the lowest weighted 
component securities that in the aggregate account for no more than 10% 
of the weight of the index may have a market capitalization of only $50 
million.\32\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(4) requires each component security 
in the index to be an ``NMS Security'' as defined in Rule 600 of 
Regulation NMS under the Exchange Act.\33\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(5) 
requires that foreign securities or ADRs not subject to comprehensive 
surveillance sharing agreements cannot represent more than 20% of the 
weight of the index.\34\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(6) requires the current 
underlying index value to be reported at least once every 15 seconds 
during the time the index options are traded on the Exchange.\35\ 
Proposed Rule 1802(g)(7) requires that if the underlying index is 
maintained by a broker-dealer, the index is calculated by a third party 
who is not a broker-dealer, and the broker-dealer has in place an 
information barrier around its personnel who have access to information 
concerning changes in and adjustments to the index.\36\ Proposed Rule 
1802(g)(8) states that the total number of component securities in the 
index may not increase or decrease by more than 33 \1/3\% from the 
number of component securities in the index at the time of its initial 
listing.\37\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(9) requires that trading volume of 
each component security in the index must be at least 500,000 shares 
for each of the last six months, except that for each of the lowest 
weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate 
account for no more than 10% of the weight of the index, trading volume 
must be at least 400,000 shares for each of the last six months.\38\ 
Proposed Rule 1802(g)(10) requires that in a capitalization-weighted 
index and a modified capitalization weighted index, the lesser of the 
five highest weighted component securities in the index or the highest 
weighted component securities in the index that in the aggregate 
represent at least 30% of the total number of stocks in the index each 
have had an average monthly trading volume of at least 1,000,000 shares 
over the past six months.\39\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(11)

[[Page 39023]]

requires each component security in the index to be registered pursuant 
to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Proposed Rule 1802(g)(12) requires 
that in an approximate equal-dollar weighted index, the index must be 
reconstituted and rebalanced if the notional value of the largest 
component is at least twice the notional volume of the smallest 
component for 50% or more of the trading days in the three months prior 
to December 31 of each year.\40\ The proposed rule would provide that 
reconstitution and rebalancing are also mandatory if the number of 
components in the index is greater than five at the time of rebalancing 
and that the Exchange reserves the right to rebalance quarterly at its 
discretion.\41\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(13) requires that in a modified 
equal-dollar weighted index the Exchange will re-balance the index 
quarterly.\42\ Proposed Rule 1802(g)(14) states that in a share-
weighted index, if a share-weighted micro narrow-based index fails to 
meet the maintenance listing standards under proposed Rule 1802(g), the 
Exchange will not re-balance the index, will restrict trading in 
existing option series to closing transactions, and will not issue 
additional series for that index.\43\ Finally, proposed Rule 
1802(g)(15) states that in the event a class of index options listed on 
the Exchange fails to satisfy the maintenance listing standards, the 
Exchange will not open for trading any additional series of options of 
that class unless such failure is determined by the Exchange not to be 
significant and the Commission concurs in that determination, or unless 
the continued listing of that class of index options has been approved 
by the Commission under Section 19(b)(2) of the Exchange Act.\44\
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    \29\ Id. at 30179-80. The Exchange states that its proposed 
maintenance listing standards are substantially similar to the 
maintenance standards set forth in the Cboe and MEMX rules. Id. at 
30180 n.7. See also Cboe Rule 4.10(e) and MEMX Rule 29.6(e).
    \30\ Id. at 30179. See supra section II.B for a description of 
proposed Rule 1802(f)(1).
    \31\ Id.
    \32\ Id.
    \33\ Id.
    \34\ Id.
    \35\ Id.
    \36\ Id.
    \37\ Id.
    \38\ Id.
    \39\ Id.
    \40\ Id. Proposed Rule 1802(g)(12) defines, for purposes of this 
provision, ``notional value'' as the market price of the component 
times the number of shares of the underlying component in the index. 
Id.
    \41\ Id.
    \42\ Id.
    \43\ Id.
    \44\ Id.
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D. Proposed Position and Exercise Limits

    The Exchange proposes to adopt Rule 1805B concerning position 
limits for micro narrow-based index options. Specifically, proposed 
Rule 1805B(a) would require Members \45\ to comply with applicable Cboe 
rules with respect to position limits for micro narrow-based index 
options traded on both the Exchange and Cboe, or with the applicable 
Exchange rules for industry index options traded on the Exchange but 
not on Cboe.\46\ Proposed Rule 1805B(b) would require that index option 
contracts not be aggregated with options contracts on any stocks whose 
prices are the basis for the calculation of the index.\47\ Proposed 
Rule 1805B(c) would require positions in reduced-value index options to 
be aggregated with positions in full-value index options. For such 
purposes, ten (10) reduced-value options would equal one (1) full-value 
contract.\48\
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    \45\ Id. at 30180. The term ``Member'' means an individual or 
organization approved to exercise the trading rights associated with 
a Trading Permit. Members are deemed ``members'' under the Exchange 
Act. See id. at 30180 n.8 (citing the definition of ``Member'' in 
Exchange Rule 100).
    \46\ Id. The Exchange proposes to incorporate by reference Cboe 
rules relating to position limits. See infra Section IV.
    \47\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 30180.
    \48\ Id. The Exchange cites as MEMX Rule 29.7 as setting forth 
substantially similar requirements. Id. at n.10. See also Nasdaq 
Stock Market LLC Options 4A, Section 7. Id.
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    The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 1807(a) to provide that 
exercise limits for micro narrow-based index options shall be 
equivalent to the position limits for micro narrow-based index options 
with the nearest expiration date in proposed Rule 1805B.\49\ The 
Exchange states that this approach is consistent with the Exchange's 
approach for determining exercise limits for broad-based index options, 
industry index options, and foreign currency index options.\50\ The 
Exchange further states that this approach would impose limits on the 
aggregate number of options contracts a Member could exercise, which 
would minimize the potential for mini-manipulations and corners or 
squeezes of the underlying market.\51\
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    \49\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 30180.
    \50\ Id. at 30180-81. The Exchange also cites MEMX Rule 29.9(a) 
and Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. Rule 29.9 as setting forth similar 
requirements. Id. at 30181 n.15.
    \51\ See id. at 30181.
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    The Exchange represents that it has in place adequate surveillance 
procedures to monitor trading in micro narrow-based index options to 
ensure the maintenance of fair and orderly markets and that it will 
apply these program procedures to trading in micro narrow-based index 
options.\52\ The surveillance program includes real-time patterns for 
price and volume movements and post-trade surveillance patterns (e.g., 
spoofing, marking the close, pinging, and phishing).\53\ The Exchange 
represents that it will review activity in the underlying components of 
the micro narrow-based indexes when conducting surveillances for market 
abuse or manipulation in options on micro narrow-based indexes.\54\ The 
Exchange additionally states that it is a member of the Intermarket 
Surveillance Group (``ISG'') under the Intermarket Surveillance Group 
Agreement, through which ISG members coordinate surveillance and 
investigative information sharing in the stock, options, and futures 
markets.\55\ Thus, in addition to obtaining surveillance data from the 
Exchange's affiliates, MIAX PEARL, LLC (``MIAX Pearl''), MIAX Emerald, 
LLC (``MIAX Emerald''), and MIAX Sapphire, LLC (``MIAX Sapphire''), the 
Exchange states it will be able to obtain information from Cboe, NYSE 
American LLC (``NYSE American''), and other markets through ISG.\56\ 
The Exchange states that it also has a Regulatory Services Agreement 
with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (``FINRA'') and that 
pursuant to a multi-party 17d-2 joint plan, all options exchanges 
allocate regulatory responsibilities to FINRA to conduct certain 
options-related market surveillance that are common to rules of all 
options exchanges.\57\
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    \52\ Id.
    \53\ Id.
    \54\ Id.
    \55\ Id.
    \56\ Id.
    \57\ Id.
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III. Discussion and Commission Findings

    After careful review, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
changes are consistent with the requirements of the Act and the rules 
and regulations thereunder applicable to a national securities 
exchange.\58\ Specifically, the Commission finds that the proposed rule 
change is consistent with Section 6(b)(1) of the Act,\59\ which 
requires, among other things, that the Exchange to be so organized and 
have the capacity to be able to carry out the purposes of the Act and 
to enforce compliance by its members and persons associated with its 
members with the provisions of the Act, Commission rules and 
regulations thereunder, and its own rules. The Commission also finds 
that the proposed rule change is consistent with Section 6(b)(5) of the 
Act,\60\ which requires that the rules of a national securities 
exchange be designed, among other things, to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, to remove impediments to and

[[Page 39024]]

perfect the mechanism of a free and open market and a national market 
system and, in general, to protect investors and the public interest, 
and not be designed to permit unfair discrimination between customers, 
issuers, brokers or dealers. The proposed rule change would permit the 
Exchange to list and trade, pursuant to Rule 19b-4(e) under the Act, 
options on micro narrow-based security indexes that meet the listing 
criteria in the proposed rules.
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    \58\ In approving this proposed rule change the Commission notes 
that it has considered the proposed rule's impact on efficiency, 
competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 78c(f).
    \59\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1).
    \60\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    Permitting the listing and trading of micro narrow-based index 
options on the Exchange provides investors with an additional vehicle 
through which they can gain and hedge exposure to micro narrow-based 
indexes. The availability of these products may encourage market makers 
to trade options on micro narrow-based indexes, potentially resulting 
in greater liquidity and more competitive quoting on the Exchange. In 
addition, the proposal will permit the Exchange to compete for order 
flow with Exchanges that already have rules in place to list and trade 
options on these indexes. Moreover, the Commission believes that the 
listing and trading of micro narrow-based index options does not raise 
unique regulatory concerns. Trading of options on such products is not 
novel and the proposed initial and continuing listing requirements, as 
well as the proposed rules regarding position and exercise limits for 
micro narrow-based index options, are consistent with the requirements 
currently in effect on Cboe and MEMX.\61\
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    \61\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 30180 n. 4, 6, 7, 10, and 15. 
As a result of adding paragraph (m) to Rule 1801, which defines 
micro narrow-based index options, the Exchange proposes to renumber 
current subparagraphs (m)-(t) or Rule 1801 to subparagraphs (n)-(u). 
The Exchange also proposes to amend Rule 1802(a) to allow trading on 
the Exchange of options on micro narrow-based indexes without filing 
a proposed rule change with the Commission pursuant to Section 19(b) 
of the Act. The Commission believes that these proposed changes will 
add clarity to the Exchange's definitions and rule filing 
requirements applicable to index options.
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    Further, as noted above, the Exchange represents that it has an 
adequate surveillance program in place for micro narrow-based options 
that includes monitoring real-time patterns for price and volume 
movements as well as post-trade surveillance patterns. The Exchange 
also represents that it will review activity in the component 
securities of the micro narrow-based indexes when conducting 
surveillance for market abuse or manipulation of options on micro 
narrow-based indexes. In addition, the Exchange represents that as a 
member of ISG the Exchange will be able to obtain surveillance data 
from other markets, as well as from its affiliate exchanges.
    In light of the foregoing, the Commission believes that the 
proposal is consistent with Sections 6(b)(1) and 6(b)(5) of the 
Act.\62\
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    \62\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(1); 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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IV. Exemption From Section 19(b) of the Act With Regard to Cboe Rules 
Incorporated by Reference

    The Exchange proposes to incorporate by reference as MIAX rules 
certain rules of Cboe. Specifically, MIAX Rule 1805B proposes to 
incorporate by reference the applicable rules of Cboe with respect to 
position limits for micro-narrow based index options traded on MIAX and 
also on Cboe.\63\ Thus, for certain MIAX rules, Exchange members will 
comply with a MIAX rule by complying with the Cboe rule referenced. In 
connection with its proposal to incorporate Cboe rules by reference, 
the Exchange requests, pursuant to Rule 240.0-12 under the Act,\64\ an 
exemption under Section 36 of the Act \65\ from the rule filing 
requirements of Section 19(b) of the Act for changes to those Exchange 
rules that are effected solely by virtue of a change to a Cboe rule 
with respect to position limits on micro narrow-based index 
options.\66\ The Exchange proposes to incorporate by reference 
categories of rules (rather than individual rules within a category) 
that are not trading rules. The Exchange agrees to provide written 
notice to Members of the specific Cboe rules that it is incorporating 
by reference.\67\ In addition, the Exchange represents that it will 
notify Members whenever Cboe proposes a change to a cross-referenced 
Cboe rule concerning position limits on micro narrow-based index 
options.\68\
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    \63\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 30180.
    \64\ 17 CFR 240.0-12.
    \65\ 15 U.S.C. 78mm.
    \66\ See Notice, supra note 3, at 30180.
    \67\ Id.
    \68\ The Exchange represents that it will provide such notice 
through a regulatory circular posted on the Exchange's website. See 
id. at 30180 n.13.
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    The Commission previously has exempted, pursuant to its authority 
under Section 36 of the Act, SROs from the requirement to file proposed 
rule changes under Section 19(b) of the Act in circumstances similar to 
those presented here.\69\ Each such exempted SRO is governed by the 
incorporated rules, as amended from time to time, but is not required 
to file a separate proposed rule change with the Commission each time 
the SRO whose rules are incorporated by reference seeks to modify its 
rules. In addition, each exempted SRO incorporated by reference only 
regulatory rules (e.g., margin, suitability, arbitration), not trading 
rules, and incorporated by reference whole categories of rules (i.e., 
did not ``cherry-pick'' certain individual rules within a category). 
Each exempted SRO had procedures in place to provide written notice to 
its members each time a change is proposed to the incorporated rules of 
another SRO in order to provide its members with notice of a proposed 
rule change that affects their interests, so that they would have an 
opportunity to comment.
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    \69\ See, e.g., Securities Exchange Act Release No. 49260 
(February 17, 2004), 69 FR 8500 (February 24, 2004) (granting 
application for exemptions pursuant to Section 36(a) under the Act 
by the American Stock Exchange LLC, the International Securities 
Exchange, Inc., the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the 
Pacific Exchange, Inc., the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, Inc., and 
the Boston Stock Exchange, Inc.). See also, e.g., Securities 
Exchange Act Release Nos. 75760 (August 7, 2015) 80 FR 48600 (August 
13, 2015) (SR-EDGX-2015-18) (approving the operations of EDGX 
Options Exchange, which included exemptive relief pursuant to 
Section 36(a) under the Act); 57478 (March 12, 2008), 73 FR 14521 
(March 18, 2008) (order approving SR-NASDAQ-2007-004 and SR-NASDAQ-
2007-080, which included exemptive relief pursuant to Section 36(a) 
under the Act) and 53128 (January 13, 2006); 95445 (August 8, 2022), 
87 FR 49894 (August 12, 2022) (SR-MEMX-2022-10) (approving MEMX to 
adopt rules to govern the trading of options on the Exchange for a 
new facility called MEMX Options).
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    The Commission is granting the Exchange's request for an exemption, 
pursuant to Section 36 of the Act, from the rule filing requirements of 
Section 19(b) of the Act with respect to the Cboe rules that the 
Exchange proposes to incorporate by reference into its rules. The 
Commission believes that this exemption is appropriate in the public 
interest and consistent with the protection of investors because it 
will promote more efficient use of Commission and SRO resources by 
avoiding duplicative rule filings based on simultaneous changes to 
identical rule text sought by more than one SRO. Consequently, the 
Commission grants the Exchange's exemption request. This exemption is 
conditioned upon the Exchange providing written notice to its Members 
whenever Cboe proposes to change a rule that the Exchange has 
incorporated by reference.

IV. Conclusion

    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the 
Act,\70\ that the proposed rule change (SR-MIAX-2025-27) be, and hereby 
is approved.
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    \70\ See id.
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    It is further ordered, pursuant to Section 36 of the Act,\71\ that 
the Exchange shall be exempted from the rule filing requirements of 
Section 19(b)

[[Page 39025]]

of the Act \72\ with respect to the Cboe rules that the Exchange 
proposes to incorporate by reference in MIAX Rule 1805B, subject to the 
conditions specified in this Order.
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    \71\ 15 U.S.C. 78mm.
    \72\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b).

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\73\
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    \73\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) and 17 CFR 200.30(a)(76).
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J. Matthew DeLesDernier,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-15322 Filed 8-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on August 13, 2025.

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