Notice2025-23656

Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rule 516, Order Types, To Remove the Definition of a Route to Floor Order

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Published
December 23, 2025

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 244 (Tuesday, December 23, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 23, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60160-60162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23656]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-104457; File No. SR-SAPPHIRE-2025-40]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; MIAX Sapphire, LLC; Notice of 
Filing of a Proposed Rule Change To Amend Exchange Rule 516, Order 
Types, To Remove the Definition of a Route to Floor Order

December 18, 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 December 5, 2025, MIAX Sapphire, LLC (``MIAX Sapphire'' or 
``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 516 to remove the 
definition of Route to Floor Order.
    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>, and at the Exchange's principal office.

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

[[Page 60161]]

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
    On July 15, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
``Commission'') approved the Exchange's Form 1 application to register 
as a national securities exchange under Section 6 of the Exchange 
Act.\3\ At that time, the Exchange adopted its Rulebook which 
established rules for both the electronic market and the physical 
Trading Floor,\4\ even though the physical Trading Floor \5\ was slated 
to launch several months following the launch of the electronic 
market.\6\ Included in the Rulebook was Rule 516, Order Types, which 
established a ``Route to Floor Order'' order type, among other order 
types. At the time the Exchange adopted Rule 516 (July 15, 2024), the 
Exchange believed that such an order type might be desired by Members 
once the Trading Floor actually launched. However, to date, there has 
been no such Member interest to implement and support such order type. 
Accordingly, since this order type was never built in the Exchange's 
System \7\ or implemented on the Exchange, and since the Exchange does 
not propose to build and implement this order type in the future, the 
Exchange proposes to remove this order type from the Exchange's 
Rulebook. To the extent that the Exchange changes its opinion and 
desires to implement such an order type in the future, the Exchange 
will file a separate rule change with the Commission under Rule 19b-4.
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 100539 (July 15, 
2024), 89 FR 58848 (July 19, 2024) (File No. 10-240) (order 
approving application of MIAX Sapphire, LLC for registration as a 
national securities exchange). (Exhibit B) (establishing rules for 
the physical Trading Floor).
    \4\ The term ``Trading Floor'' or ``Floor'' means the physical 
trading floor of the Exchange located in Miami, Florida. The Trading 
Floor shall consist of one ``Crowd Area'' or ``Pit'' where Floor 
Participants will be located and option contracts will be traded. 
The Crowd Area or Pit shall be marked with specific visible 
boundaries on the Trading Floor, as determined by the Exchange. A 
Floor Broker must represent all orders in an ``open outcry'' fashion 
in the Crowd Area. See Exchange Rule 100.
    \5\ Physical trading began on the MIAX Sapphire Trading Floor on 
September 12, 2025. See MIAX Press Release, Miami International 
Holdings Launches Next-Generation Options Trading Floor in Miami, 
available online at <a href="https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/press_release-files/MIAX_Press_Release_09162025.pdf">https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/press_release-files/MIAX_Press_Release_09162025.pdf</a>.
    \6\ Electronic trading began on MIAX Sapphire on August 12, 
2024. See MIAX Press Release, Miami International Holdings Announces 
Successful Launch of MIAX Sapphire Options Exchange, available 
online at <a href="https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/press_release-files/MIAX_Press_Release_08132024.pdf">https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/press_release-files/MIAX_Press_Release_08132024.pdf</a>.
    \7\ The term ``System'' means the automated trading system used 
by the Exchange for the trading of securities. See Exchange Rule 
100.
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Proposal To Remove the Definition of Route to Floor Order
    The Exchange proposes to amend Exchange Rule 516 to remove the 
definition of Route to Floor Order. Currently, Exchange Rule 516(k) 
provides that, ``[a] Route to Floor order is an order that is routed to 
a designated Floor Broker \8\ on the Exchange's Trading Floor. An order 
routed to the Trading Floor is handled in accordance with Rule 2040.'' 
The Exchange notes that Route to Floor orders have never been 
implemented and are not currently in use. Additionally, the Exchange 
has no plans to implement this order type and now proposes to remove 
paragraph (k) of Rule 516 in its entirety. The purpose of the proposed 
change is to remove an unused order type from the Exchange's Rulebook 
to provide greater clarity to Members \9\ and the public regarding the 
Exchange's offerings and functionality.
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    \8\ A Floor Broker is an individual who is registered with the 
Exchange for the purpose, while on the Trading Floor, of accepting 
and handling options orders. A floor Broker must be registered as a 
Floor Participant prior to registering as a Floor Broker. A Floor 
Broker may take into his own account, and subsequently liquidate, 
any position that results from an error made while attempting to 
execute, as Floor Broker, an order. See Exchange Rule 2015.
    \9\ 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 
Exchange Rule 100.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change is consistent 
with Section 6(b) of the Act,\10\ in general, and furthers the 
objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act,\11\ in particular, in that it 
is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, 
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, to foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in 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. 
Specifically, the Exchange believes that the proposed rule change will 
provide greater clarity to Members and the public regarding the 
Exchange's Rulebook by removing the description of an order type that 
was not implemented for use on the Exchange, thereby providing accuracy 
and consistency within the Exchange's Rulebook.
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    \10\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \11\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change also furthers 
the objectives of Section 6(b)(5) of the Act.\12\ In particular, that 
it is designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and 
practices, promote just and equitable principles of trade, foster 
cooperation and coordination with persons engaged in regulating, 
clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and 
facilitating transactions in securities, remove impediments to and 
perfect the mechanisms of a free and open market and a national market 
system and, in general, protect investors and the public interest. The 
Exchange believes the proposed change promotes just and equitable 
principles of trade and remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism 
of a free and open market and a national market system because the 
proposed rule change will provide greater clarity to Members and the 
public regarding the Exchange's Rulebook by removing the description of 
an order type which was not implemented for use on the Exchange, 
thereby removing any inconsistency between the Exchange's Rulebook and 
its System. It is in the public interest for the Exchange's Rulebook to 
be accurate and concise so as to eliminate the potential for confusion.
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    \12\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
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B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Intramarket Competition
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change does not impose 
any burden on intramarket competition that is not necessary or 
appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of the Act as the order type 
was never implemented for use on the Exchange, therefore removal of the 
description of the order type from the Rulebook is benign. The proposed 
rule change is not

[[Page 60162]]

intended to address any competitive issue but rather is concerned 
solely with ensuring the Exchange's Rulebook accurately reflects 
functionality currently in place on the Exchange.
Intermarket Competition
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change does not impose any 
burden on intermarket competition that is not necessary or appropriate 
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The proposed rule change is 
not intended to address any competitive issue but rather is concerned 
solely with updating the Exchange's Rulebook to provide accuracy and 
consistency regarding functionality offered by the Exchange and 
eliminate the potential for confusion.

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) of the Act \13\ and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \14\ thereunder. 
Because the 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 prior to 
30 days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as 
the Commission may designate, if consistent with the protection of 
investors and the public interest, the proposed rule change has become 
effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the Act \15\ and Rule 19b-
4(f)(6) \16\ thereunder.
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    \13\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \14\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A).
    \16\ 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, along 
with a brief description and text of the proposed rule change, at 
least five business days prior to the date of filing of the proposed 
rule change, or such shorter time as designated by the Commission. 
The Exchange has satisfied this requirement.
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) \17\ normally 
does not become operative prior to 30 days after the date of the 
filing. However, pursuant to Rule 19b4(f)(6)(iii),\18\ the Commission 
may designate a shorter time if such action is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked 
the Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that the proposal 
may become operative immediately upon filing. The Commission believes 
that waiving the 30-day operative delay is consistent with the 
protection of investors and the public interest, because it will allow 
the Exchange to immediately remove the description of an order type 
that was never implemented for use on the Exchange from the Exchange's 
Rulebook, which will provide greater accuracy, clarity and consistency 
to Members and the public regarding the Exchange's Rulebook. 
Accordingly, the Commission designates the proposed rule change to be 
operative upon filing.\19\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
    \18\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
    \19\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay, 
the Commission also has considered the proposed rule's impact on 
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C. 
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of this 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.

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="http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml">http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml</a>); or
    <bullet> Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2153544d440c424e4c4c444f5552615244420f464e57"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f486819891d9979b9999919a8087b4879197da939b82">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-SAPPHIRE-2025-40 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-2025-40. 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 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-2025-40 and should be submitted 
on or before January 13, 2026.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\20\
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    \20\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12) and (59).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-23656 Filed 12-22-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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