Notice2026-05132

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Options 7, Sections 5 and 9B

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Published
March 17, 2026

Issuing agencies

Securities and Exchange Commission

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12862-12866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05132]


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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-104985; File No. SR-Phlx-2026-08]


Self-Regulatory Organizations; Nasdaq PHLX LLC; Notice of Filing 
and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Options 7, 
Sections 5 and 9B

March 12, 2026.
    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 February 27, 2026, Nasdaq PHLX LLC (``Phlx'' or ``Exchange'') filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' or ``Commission'') 
the proposed rule change as described in Items I, II, and III, 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 Options 7, Sections 5 and 9B.
    While the changes proposed herein are effective upon filing, the 
Exchange has designated the amendments become operative on March 2, 
2026.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on the Exchange's 
website at <a href="https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/phlx/rulefilings">https://listingcenter.nasdaq.com/rulebook/phlx/rulefilings</a>, 
and at the principal office of the Exchange.

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
    Phlx proposes to modify its Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 
4 to add:

[[Page 12863]]

(1) a surcharge on certain Lead Market Maker \3\ and Market Maker \4\ 
floor transactions \5\ in multiply-listed Penny and non-Penny Symbols; 
and (2) establish a rebate payable to Floor Brokers \6\ for such trades 
with a Lead Market Maker or Market Maker order on floor transactions. 
Additionally, Phlx proposes to amend Options 7, Section 9B to delete 
text related to a migration. Each change will be described below.
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    \3\ The term ``Floor Lead Market Maker'' is a member who is 
registered as an options Lead Market Maker pursuant to Options 2, 
Section 12(a) and has a physical presence on the Exchange's Trading 
Floor. See Phlx's Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c).
    \4\ The term ``Floor Market Maker'' is a Market Maker who is 
neither an SQT or an RSQT. A Floor Market Maker may provide a quote 
in open outcry. See Phlx's Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 
1(c). The term ``Streaming Quote Trader'' or ``SQT'' is defined in 
Options 1, Section 1(b)(54) as a Market Maker who has received 
permission from the Exchange to generate and submit option 
quotations electronically in options to which such SQT is assigned. 
See Phlx's Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c). The term 
``Remote Streaming Quote Trader'' or ``RSQT'' is defined in Options 
1, Section 1(b)(49) as a Market Maker that is a member affiliated 
with an RSQTO with no physical trading floor presence who has 
received permission from the Exchange to generate and submit option 
quotations electronically in options to which such RSQT has been 
assigned. A Remote Streaming Quote Trader Organization or ``RSQTO,'' 
which may also be referred to as a Remote Market Making Organization 
(``RMO''), is a member organization in good standing that satisfies 
the RSQTO readiness requirements in Options 2, Section 1(a). See 
Phlx's Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c).
    \5\ The term ``floor transaction'' is a transaction that is 
effected in open outcry on the Exchange's Trading Floor. See Phlx's 
Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c).
    \6\ The term ``Floor Broker'' means an individual who is 
registered with the Exchange for the purpose, while on the Options 
Floor, of accepting and handling options orders. See Phlx's Pricing 
Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c).
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Options 7, Section 4
    The Exchange proposes to amend Options 7, Section 4, Multiply 
Listed Options Fees (Includes options overlying equities, ETFs, ETNs 
and indexes which are Multiply Listed) (Excludes SPY). Today, the 
Exchange assesses Options Transaction Charges in Multiply Listed 
options, including options overlying equities, ETFs, ETNs and indexes 
and excluding options in SPY.\7\ The Exchange currently assesses the 
following Floor Options Transaction Charges in multiply-listed Penny 
and non-Penny Symbols: $0.50 per contract for a Lead Market Maker and 
Market Maker, and $0.25 per contract for a Broker-Dealer \8\ and 
Firm.\9\ Customers \10\ and Professionals \11\ are not assessed an 
Options Transaction Charge in multiply-listed Penny or non-Penny 
Symbols.
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    \7\ Transactions in SPY originating on the Exchange floor will 
be subject to the Multiply Listed Options Fees (see Multiply Listed 
Options Fees in Options 7, Section 4). However, if one side of the 
transaction originates on the Exchange floor and any other side of 
the trade was the result of an electronically submitted order or a 
quote, then these fees will apply to the transactions which 
originated on the Exchange floor and contracts that are executed 
electronically on all sides of the transaction. The one side of the 
transaction which originates on the Exchange floor will count toward 
the volume which qualifies a participant for the Simple Order Rebate 
for Adding Liquidity for Lead Market Makers and Market Makers in 
SPY. See Options 7, Section 3, Part C.
    \8\ The term ``Broker-Dealer'' applies to any transaction which 
is not subject to any of the other transaction fees applicable 
within a particular category. See Phlx's Pricing Schedule at Options 
7, Section 1(c).
    \9\ The term ``Firm'' applies to any transaction that is 
identified by a member or member organization for clearing in the 
Firm range at The Options Clearing Corporation (``OCC''). See Phlx's 
Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c).
    \10\ The term ``Customer'' applies to any transaction that is 
identified by a member or member organization for clearing in the 
Customer range at OCC which is not for the account of a broker or 
dealer or for the account of a ``Professional'' (as that term is 
defined in Options 1, Section 1(b)(45)). See Phlx's Pricing Schedule 
at Options 7, Section 1(c).
    \11\ The term ``Professional'' applies to transactions for the 
accounts of Professionals, as defined in Options 1, Section 1(b)(45) 
means any person or entity that (i) is not a broker or dealer in 
securities, and (ii) places more than 390 orders in listed options 
per day on average during a calendar month for its own beneficial 
account(s). See Phlx's Pricing Schedule at Options 7, Section 1(c).
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    The Exchange proposes a new note 9 which would assess a surcharge 
to Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers of $0.20 per 
contract on Options Transaction Charges in Penny and non-Penny Symbols 
when the Floor Lead Market Maker or Floor Market Maker is the 
counterparty to a Customer complex floor transaction executed by a 
Floor Broker.\12\ For such a trade, the Exchange proposes to pay the 
Floor Broker side of the trade a $0.20 per contract rebate. The 
aforementioned pricing will not apply to index options \13\ and singly 
listed options \14\ in Options 7, Section 5, strategy transactions 
(dividend, merger, short stock interest, reversal and conversion, jelly 
roll and box spread strategies),\15\ Floor Qualified Contingent Cross 
Orders \16\ or Customer Cross Orders.\17\
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    \12\ Today, NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'') assesses a $0.12 per 
contract surcharge to any Market Maker order on the trading floor 
that is a counterparty to a complex Manual trade executed by a Floor 
Broker, and the Floor Broker side of the such trade is eligible of a 
rebate of $0.20. See NYSE Arca Options Fees and Charges. 
Additionally, NYSE American LLC (``NYSE American'') assesses a $0.12 
surcharge to any Floor Market Maker order that is a counterparty to 
a Manual trade executed by a Floor Broker that is not a Simple 
Order, and the Floor Broker side of such trade will be eligible for 
a rebate of ($0.20). See NYSE American Options Fee Schedule.
    \13\ Index Options are subject to pricing within Options 7, 
Section 5A, and B. Today, Options Transaction Charges in non-Penny 
Options exclude NDX, NDXP and XND.
    \14\ Singly Listed Options are subject to pricing within Options 
7, Section 5C.
    \15\ Strategy transactions include dividend, merger, short stock 
interest, reversal and conversion, jelly roll and box spread 
strategies as described within Options 7, Section 4.
    \16\ Floor Qualified Contingent Cross (``QCC'') Orders, as 
described within Options 8, Section 30(e), are subject to pricing 
noted within Options 7, Section 4. Floor QCC Orders do not qualify 
as floor transactions as they are not executed in open outcry.
    \17\ Customer Cross Orders, as described within Options 8, 
Section 30(f) are subject to pricing noted within Options 7, Section 
4. Customer Cross Orders do not qualify as floor transactions as 
they are not executed in open outcry.
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    Although the proposed surcharge would increase certain complex fees 
for Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers for open outcry 
transactions, the Exchange believes these participants will continue to 
quote actively to participate in floor transactions as they do today, 
thereby promoting trading opportunities and competition on the trading 
floor to the benefit of all market participants. The Exchange also 
believes that the proposed rebate would continue to incentivize Floor 
Brokers to participate on the trading floor, including when the 
counterparty to such trading is a Floor Lead Market Maker or Floor 
Market Maker.
Options 7, Section 9
    In 2025, Phlx underwent a technology migration \18\ wherein member 
organizations maintained both legacy FIX Ports that were connected to 
the legacy Phlx platform and new FIX Ports that were connected to the 
new Phlx platform that was introduced as part of the migration. The 
migration was completed in December 2025 and legacy FIX Ports were 
sunset on February 27, 2026. The Exchange proposes to remove the 
obsolete rule text that states, ``Phlx will sunset legacy FIX Ports on 
February 27, 2026. The below FIX Port Fees apply to new and legacy FIX 
Ports.''
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    \18\ See <a href="https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/MicroNews.aspx?id=OTU2025-6">https://www.nasdaqtrader.com/MicroNews.aspx?id=OTU2025-6</a>.
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2. Statutory Basis
    The Exchange believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 
6(b) of the Act,\19\ in general, and furthers the objectives of 
Sections 6(b)(4) and 6(b)(5) of the Act,\20\ in particular, in that it 
provides for the equitable allocation of reasonable dues, fees and 
other charges among members and issuers and other persons using any 
facility, and is not designed to permit unfair discrimination between 
customers, issuers, brokers, or dealers.
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    \19\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b).
    \20\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(4) and (5).
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    The Commission and the courts have repeatedly expressed their 
preference for competition over regulatory

[[Page 12864]]

intervention in determining prices, products, and services in the 
securities markets. In Regulation NMS, while adopting a series of steps 
to improve the current market model, the Commission highlighted the 
importance of market forces in determining prices and SRO revenues and, 
also, recognized that current regulation of the market system ``has 
been remarkably successful in promoting market competition in its 
broader forms that are most important to investors and listed 
companies.'' \21\
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    \21\ Securities Exchange Act Release No. 51808 (June 9, 2005), 
70 FR 37496, 37499 (June 29, 2005) (``Regulation NMS Adopting 
Release'').
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    Likewise, in NetCoalition v. Securities and Exchange Commission 
\22\ (``NetCoalition'') the D.C. Circuit upheld the Commission's use of 
a market-based approach in evaluating the fairness of market data fees 
against a challenge claiming that Congress mandated a cost-based 
approach.\23\ As the court emphasized, the Commission ``intended in 
Regulation NMS that `market forces, rather than regulatory 
requirements' play a role in determining the market data . . . to be 
made available to investors and at what cost.'' \24\
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    \22\ NetCoalition v. SEC, 615 F.3d 525 (D.C. Cir. 2010).
    \23\ See NetCoalition, at 534-535.
    \24\ Id. at 537.
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    Further, ``[n]o one disputes that competition for order flow is 
`fierce.' . . . As the SEC explained, `[i]n the U.S. national market 
system, buyers and sellers of securities, and the broker-dealers that 
act as their order-routing agents, have a wide range of choices of 
where to route orders for execution'; [and] `no exchange can afford to 
take its market share percentages for granted' because `no exchange 
possesses a monopoly, regulatory or otherwise, in the execution of 
order flow from broker dealers'. . . . '' \25\ Although the court and 
the SEC were discussing the cash equities markets, the Exchange 
believes that these views apply with equal force to the options 
markets.
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    \25\ Id. at 539 (quoting Securities Exchange Act Release No. 
59039 (December 2, 2008), 73 FR 74770, 74782-83 (December 9, 2008) 
(SR-NYSEArca-2006-21)).
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Options 7, Section 4
The Proposal is Reasonable
    The Exchange's proposal to assess a surcharge to Floor Lead Market 
Makers and Floor Market Makers of $0.20 per contract on Options 
Transaction Charges in multiply-listed Penny or non-Penny Symbols when 
the Floor Lead Market Maker or Floor Market Maker is the counterparty 
to a Customer complex floor transaction executed by a Floor Broker in 
open outcry is reasonable. The Exchange believes that the proposed 
rebate of $0.20 per contract to be paid to Floor Brokers would 
incentivize Floor Brokers to direct additional Customer complex floor 
transactions to the Exchange, thereby creating more trading 
opportunities on the trading floor for all market participants, 
including Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers. The 
Exchange thus believes that, despite the proposed surcharge on Floor 
Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers, Customer floor transactions 
that are counterparty to such Floor Broker orders, would not be 
discouraged from continuing to quote and trade actively on the 
Exchange.
    The Exchange believes that the proposed changes are reasonably 
designed to incent Floor Brokers (and other participants on the trading 
floor) to increase the number of open outcry complex orders sent to the 
Exchange. Any increase in trading volume would create more trading 
opportunities for all market participants and would in turn attract 
additional order flow to the Exchange, further contributing to a 
deeper, more liquid market to the benefit of all market participants. 
The Exchange also notes that the proposed rebate is similar in 
structure to incentive programs for Floor Brokers offered by competing 
options exchanges.\26\
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    \26\ See, e.g., BOX Exchange Fee Schedule, Section V. Manual 
Transaction Fees, available at <a href="https://boxexchange.com/assets/BOX-Fee-Schedule-as-of-January-22-2026.pdf">https://boxexchange.com/assets/BOX-Fee-Schedule-as-of-January-22-2026.pdf</a> (offering Floor Brokers that 
submit QOO and FOO Orders a $0.20 per contract enhanced rebate for 
executions that trade with a Floor Market Maker, in lieu of lesser 
per contract rebates also available to Floor Brokers); MIAX Sapphire 
Options Exchange, Section 1) c) Trading Floor Transactions, 
available at <a href="https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/fee_schedule-files/MIAX_Sapphire_Fee_Schedule_01212026_b.pdf">https://www.miaxglobal.com/sites/default/files/fee_schedule-files/MIAX_Sapphire_Fee_Schedule_01212026_b.pdf</a> 
(providing for the ``Floor Broker Breakup Credit,'' a $0.20 credit 
applicable to Floor Brokers that submit a QFO or cQFO for executions 
that trade with a Floor Market Maker, instead of the $0.10 Floor 
Broker rebate otherwise available).
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    The Exchange further believes the surcharge is reasonable because 
it is designed to offset costs associated with the proposed rebate 
payable to Floor Brokers when they interact with Floor Lead Market 
Makers and Floor Market Makers on the trading floor. To the extent this 
purpose is achieved, the Exchange believes that the proposed surcharge 
would not disincentivize market making activity on the trading floor 
because increased order flow from Floor Brokers seeking to earn the 
proposed rebate would result in more opportunities to trade for all 
market participants.
    To the extent the proposed rule change continues to attract greater 
volume and liquidity by encouraging Floor Brokers to increase their 
options volume on the Exchange in an effort to earn the proposed 
rebate, the Exchange believes the proposed changes would improve the 
Exchange's overall competitiveness and strengthen its market quality 
for all market participants. Against the backdrop of the competitive 
environment in which the Exchange operates, the proposed rule change is 
a reasonable attempt by the Exchange to increase the depth of its 
market and improve its market share relative to its competitors.
The Proposal is Equitable
    The Exchange believes it is equitable to apply the rebate only to 
Floor Brokers and not to Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor Market 
Makers. Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor Market Makers only represent 
their own interest on the trading floor and therefore do not need a 
similar incentive. Unlike Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor Market 
Makers, Floor Brokers act as agents in representing orders on the 
Exchange's trading floor. Participants who desire to have a Customer 
order executed on Phlx's trading floor would provide that order to a 
Floor Broker to be represented. Floor Lead Market Makers and Floor 
Market Makers may interact with orders represented by the Floor Broker 
in open outcry on the trading floor. Finally, Floor Lead Market Makers 
and Floor Market Makers may choose to conduct their business on a 
trading floor or in an electronic market, unlike Floor Brokers, who 
have a business model that is naturally tied to the physical trading 
space.
    The Exchange believes the proposed rule change is equitable because 
the proposed rebate is based on the amount and type of business 
transacted on the Exchange, and Floor Brokers may elect to earn the 
proposed rebate if they choose. The Exchange also believes that the 
proposed surcharge is equitable because it is designed to balance costs 
associated with encouraging increased execution opportunities on the 
trading floor, and an increase in such orders would in turn enhance 
trading opportunities for all market participants. The Exchange also 
believes that the proposed rebate to Floor Brokers is equitable because 
it is intended to support Floor Brokers' role in facilitating the 
execution of open outcry orders, which function benefits all market 
participants on the trading floor.
    Moreover, the proposal is designed to incent participation on the 
trading floor in an effort to make the Exchange a primary execution 
venue and to attract more open outcry transactions to the

[[Page 12865]]

Exchange. To the extent that the proposed change attracts more Floor 
Broker orders to the Exchange, this increased order flow would continue 
to make the Exchange a more competitive venue for, among other things, 
order execution. Thus, the Exchange believes the proposed rule change 
would improve market quality for all market participants on the 
Exchange and, as a consequence, attract more order flow to the Exchange 
thereby improving market-wide quality and price discovery. The Exchange 
also notes that the proposed rebate is similar in structure to an 
incentive program for Floor Brokers offered by NYSE Arca and NYSE 
American.\27\
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    \27\ See supra note 12.
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The Proposal Is Not Unfairly Discriminatory
    The Exchange believes it is not unfairly discriminatory to impose a 
surcharge on Floor Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Maker orders on 
the trading floor that are a counterparty to a Customer complex floor 
transaction executed by a Floor Broker because the proposed change 
would apply to all Floor Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Maker 
orders equally, and as discussed above, the Exchange believes it is not 
unfairly discriminatory to incent order flow to the Exchange, which 
would enhance liquidity on the Exchange to the benefit of all market 
participants. The Exchange also believes that the proposed rebate 
payable to Floor Brokers for a Customer complex floor transactions that 
trade with a Floor Lead Market Maker or Floor Market Maker is not 
unfairly discriminatory because it would be available to all similarly-
situated market participants on an equal and non-discriminatory basis. 
The Exchange further believes that the proposed rebate available to 
Floor Brokers is not unfairly discriminatory to other market 
participants because it is intended to encourage the role performed by 
Floor Brokers in facilitating the execution of orders via open outcry, 
a function which the Exchange wishes to support for the benefit of all 
market participants. In addition, although the proposed change would 
apply a surcharge to Floor Lead Market Maker or Floor Market Maker 
orders that trade with Floor Broker Customer complex floor 
transactions, the Exchange believes that Floor Lead Market Makers and 
Floor Market Makers would not be discouraged from continuing to 
participate actively on the trading floor and would benefit from 
increased Floor Broker order flow as a result of the proposed change. 
To the extent that this increased order flow attracts order flow from 
other market participants to the trading floor, the proposed rule 
change would improve market quality and promote additional trading 
opportunities for all market participants on the Exchange.
    Finally, the Exchange believes that it is subject to significant 
competitive forces, as described below in the Exchange's statement 
regarding the burden on competition.
    The Exchange's proposal to exclude index options, singly listed 
options, strategy transactions, Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Orders 
and Customer Cross Orders is reasonable, equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory. The Exchange notes that index options and singly listed 
options have their own separate pricing in Options 7, Section 5. These 
types of options are not multi-list options. The Exchange notes that 
strategy transactions are not assessed Options Transactions Charges in 
Options 7, Section 4 for Penny and Non-Penny Symbols and have their own 
pricing model. Floor Qualified Contingent Cross Orders and Customer 
Cross Orders are not transacted in open outcry. The Exchange would 
apply the exclusions to note 9 in a uniform manner to all Phlx member 
organizations.
Options 7, Section 9B
    The Exchange's proposal to remove rule text in Options 7, Section 
9B related to a prior migration is reasonable because the migration is 
complete and the Exchange has sunset all FIX legacy ports as of 
February 27, 2026. Further, the proposal is equitable and not unfairly 
discriminatory because no Phlx member organization has access to a FIX 
legacy port.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will 
impose any burden on competition not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.
Inter-market Competition
    The proposal does not impose an undue burden on inter-market 
competition. The Exchange believes its proposal remains competitive 
with other options markets and will offer market participants with 
another choice of where to transact options. The Exchange notes that it 
operates in a highly competitive market in which market participants 
can readily favor competing venues if they deem fee levels at a 
particular venue to be excessive, or rebate opportunities available at 
other venues to be more favorable. In such an environment, the Exchange 
must continually adjust its fees to remain competitive with other 
exchanges. Because competitors are free to modify their own fees in 
response, and because market participants may readily adjust their 
order routing practices, the Exchange believes that the degree to which 
fee changes in this market may impose any burden on competition is 
extremely limited.
Options 7, Section 4
    The Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this 
competitive environment because it modifies the Exchange's fees in a 
manner designed to continue to incent participants on the trading floor 
to direct trading interest to the Exchange, to provide liquidity and to 
attract additional order flow. To the extent that Floor Brokers are 
encouraged to utilize the Exchange as a primary trading venue for all 
transactions, all Exchange market participants stand to benefit from 
the improved market quality and increased opportunities for price 
improvement. The Exchange notes that it operates in a highly 
competitive market in which market participants can readily favor 
competing venues. In such an environment, the Exchange must continually 
review, and consider adjusting, its fees and credits to remain 
competitive with other exchanges. For the reasons described above, the 
Exchange believes that the proposed rule change reflects this 
competitive environment.
Intra-market Competition
    In accordance with Section 6(b)(8) of the Act, the Exchange does 
not believe that the proposed rule change would impose any burden on 
competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the 
purposes of the Act. Instead, as discussed above, the Exchange believes 
that the proposed changes would encourage the submission of additional 
liquidity to a public exchange, thereby promoting market depth, price 
discovery and transparency and enhancing order execution opportunities 
for all market participants. As a result, the Exchange believes that 
the proposed change furthers the Commission's goal in adopting 
Regulation NMS of fostering integrated competition among orders, which 
promotes ``more efficient pricing

[[Page 12866]]

of individual stocks for all types of orders, large and small.'' \28\
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    \28\ See Reg NMS Adopting Release, supra note 8, at 37499.
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    The proposed change is designed to attract additional order flow to 
the Exchange. The Exchange believes that the proposed surcharge on 
Floor Lead Market Maker and Floor Market Maker orders on the trading 
floor that are a counterparty to open outcry Customer complex floor 
transactions executed by a Floor Broker, and the proposed rebate 
payable to the Floor Broker side of such trades would encourage Floor 
Broker open outcry order flow and would not disincentivize Floor Lead 
Market Maker and Floor Market Maker activity on the trading floor. 
Greater liquidity benefits all market participants on the Exchange and 
increased order flow would increase opportunities for execution of 
other trading interest. The proposed modifications would apply and be 
available to all similarly-situated market participants that execute 
open outcry on the trading floor, and, accordingly, the proposed 
changes would not impose a disparate burden on competition among market 
participants on the Exchange.
    Finally, the Exchange would apply the exclusions to note 9 in a 
uniform manner to all Phlx member organizations.
Options 7, Section 9B
    The Exchange's proposal to remove rule text in Options 7, Section 
9B related to a prior migration does not impose an undue burden on 
competition because no Phlx member organization has access to a FIX 
legacy port.

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

    No written comments were either solicited or received.

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

    The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 
19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act.\29\
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    \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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: (i) 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest; (ii) for the 
protection of investors; or (iii) 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.

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#86f4f3eae3abe5e9ebebe3e8f2f5c6f5e3e5a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4b6b1a8a1e9a7aba9a9a1aab0b784b7a1a7eaa3abb2">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please include 
file number SR-Phlx-2026-08 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-Phlx-2026-08. 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 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-Phlx-2026-08 and 
should be submitted on or before April 7, 2026.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\30\
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    \30\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-05132 Filed 3-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on March 17, 2026.

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