Tag: CFTC

CFTC announces proposed rule to streamline certain regulations for commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors

On October 9, 2018, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) proposed changes to the registration and compliance obligations for commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) and commodity trading advisors (“CTAs”) consistent with relief currently provided by various staff letters and advisories. Comments are due sixty (60) days after the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. … Continue Reading

CFTC registers LedgerX to trade, clear Bitcoin derivatives

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recently approved two applications from LedgerX – a platform for trading and clearing Bitcoin options – to become registered as a swap execution facility (SEF) and derivatives clearing organization (DCO). These approvals make LedgerX the first DCO and the second SEF approved to facilitate digital currency-related derivatives activity (another … Continue Reading

Incriminating IMs lead to Singapore precious metals trader settling, pleading guilty to charges of spoofing, manipulation and wire fraud

A former futures trader recently agreed to a settlement order from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) imposing a permanent trading ban for spoofing and manipulation, and pled guilty to criminal charges of manipulation and wire fraud, for trading done in the precious metals market. David Liew was a trader on a major financial … Continue Reading

CFTC amends regulations to prohibit restrictions on employee communication concerning potential Commodity Exchange Act violations

On May 22, 2017, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) amended Part 165 of its regulations, which govern whistleblower incentives and protections. In addition to strengthening existing anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers, the amendments also prohibit employers from restricting employees from reporting potential violations of the Commodity Exchange Act directly to the CFTC. This prohibition extends … Continue Reading

CFTC pushes position limits to new Administration, but finalizes aggregation rules

Today, in a move on its long-pending proposals, the CFTC: (1) re-proposed its new speculative position limits rules (the “Re-Proposal”), which would impose federal limits on 25 physical commodity futures contracts and their “economically equivalent” futures, options, and swaps; and (2) separately issued final rules relating to position aggregation requirements (the “Final Aggregation Rules”). We … Continue Reading

CFTC postpones drop of swap dealer registration de minimis threshold

On October 13, 2016, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC’”) unanimously issued an order establishing December 31, 2018 as the swap dealer de minimis threshold phase-in termination date (the “Order”). The Order is effective October 13, 2016. Summary of the Order Pursuant to CFTC Regulation 1.3(ggg), a person shall not be deemed to be a swap … Continue Reading

CFTC proposes regulations superseding in part its 2013 cross-border guidance

On October 11, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC’”) issued proposed rules and interpretations (the “Proposed Rule”) addressing the cross-border application of certain swap provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act. Generally speaking, the Proposed Rule aims to: (1) codify certain aspects of the CFTC’s earlier guidance on the cross-border aspects of its swaps regulations (the … Continue Reading

CFTC Chairman Massad supports one-year extension of current swap dealer de minimis threshold

CFTC Chairman Massad today announced that he will recommend a one-year extension of the date on which the swap dealer de minimis threshold will drop from $8 billion to $3 billion.  Chairman Massad will recommend the Commission take this action through Commission order.  If adopted, the Commission order would permit market participants to calculate their … Continue Reading

CFTC staff publishes final report on de minimis threshold for swap dealer registration requirement

CFTC Staff has published a Final Report on the Swap Dealer De Minimis Exception (Final Report) addressing the level of swap dealing activity that is considered “de minimis” and therefore does not require an entity to register as a swap dealer with the CFTC.  The Final Report provides updated data analysis, and summarizes public comments … Continue Reading

CFTC proposes enhanced Exchange authority over exemptions to proposed position limits

The CFTC has issued a supplemental proposed rulemaking (the “2016 Supplement”) that would give futures exchanges (“Exchanges”) greater authority over exemptions if the CFTC finalizes its long-pending proposed new speculative position limits that it published in December 2013 (the “Limits Proposal”).  In an effort to be responsive to severe criticism of the Limits Proposal, particularly … Continue Reading

CFTC proposes to clear way for private rights of action concerning exempted RTO/ISO transactions

On May 10, 2016, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) issued a notice of proposed amendment to its 2013 order exempting specified electric energy transactions in certain Regional Transmission Organizations (“RTOs”), Independent System Operators (“ISOs”) and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”) from regulation under certain provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) … Continue Reading

CFTC retires Form TO – and most other requirements for end-users regarding trade options

The CFTC recently issued Final Rules eliminating the requirement that commercial end-users of derivatives file an annual Form TO for reporting certain information about their use of commodity trade options. The agency confirmed that, in light of the Final Rules, the Form TO that was due by April 1, 2016, with respect to trade option … Continue Reading

ICE Futures US adopts new position limit disaggregation rule for owned entities

ICE Futures US (“ICE”) adopted a new rule, effective March 18, 2016, that provides relief from position limit aggregation requirements applicable to “owned entities.” Specifically, the rule amendment permits certain affiliated entities to disaggregate their positions for purposes of compliance with ICE’s position limits. Background ICE imposes spot-month position limits on all its futures contracts, … Continue Reading

CFTC and futures exchange enforcement actions: A year in review (2015)

Market participants must be mindful of the robust enforcement environment at the CFTC and U.S. futures exchanges.  In 2015, the CFTC brought numerous enforcement actions and continued to impose aggressive civil monetary penalties on market participants, including energy and agricultural companies.  Significantly, the CFTC also started to pivot from implementing to enforcing its regulations promulgated … Continue Reading

CFTC proposes rules on automated trading

The CFTC has proposed a set of rules, referred to collectively as proposed Regulation AT, that would, for the first time, impose risk control and other requirements governing algorithmic trading systems (ATSs) in futures contracts, options, and swaps traded on designated contract markets (DCMs) such as CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and ICE Futures US.  Regulation AT … Continue Reading

CFTC staff publishes report on de minimis threshold for swap dealer registration requirement

CFTC staff has published for public comment a Preliminary Report regarding the level of swap dealing activity that is considered “de minimis” and therefore does not require an entity to register as a swap dealer with the CFTC.  Comments must be filed on or before January 19, 2016. The de minimis threshold        CFTC rules adopted … Continue Reading

CFTC Brings First Action Against a SEF – For Facilitating Non-Competitive Bitcoin Swaps

On September 24, 2015 the CFTC issued an Order settling an enforcement action against TeraExchange, a provisionally registered swap execution facility (SEF). According to the Order, TeraExchange failed to enforce its rules prohibiting wash trading and pre-arranged trading. In fact, the Order found, TeraExchange affirmatively arranged for two market participants to enter into the SEF’s … Continue Reading

CFTC issues new position limits proposal to make it easier for majority-owned affiliates (greater than 50% to 100% ownership) to disaggregate futures and swaps positions

On September 22, 2015, the CFTC issued a “supplemental” proposed rulemaking (the “2015 Proposal”) to revise its long-pending proposal on aggregation for position limit purposes published in November 2013 (the “2013 Proposal”). The 2015 Proposal, if finalized, would provide companies with over 50% ownership or equity interest in affiliated entities with an easier mechanism to … Continue Reading

CFTC delays key cross-border swap Advisory for 5th time

Almost two years ago, in November 2013, CFTC staff issued a cryptic 2-page Advisory stating that swaps between a non-US swap dealer and a non-US person, even if they are booked outside the United States, are subject to certain “Transaction-Level Requirements” adopted by the CFTC in implementing the Dodd-Frank derivatives reforms, if the non-US swap … Continue Reading

CFTC proposes amendments to Part 45 swap data recordkeeping and reporting requirements for cleared swaps

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC” or “Commission”) today proposed amendments to its rules relating to swap data reporting in connection with cleared swaps (the “Proposal”). Comments on the proposal must be submitted to the CFTC 60 days after the Proposal is published in the Federal Register. As of the date of this post, such … Continue Reading

CFTC issues first-of-its-kind exemption from DCO registration to foreign clearing organization

On August 18, 2015 the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC’”) issued an order of exemption from registration as a derivatives clearing organization (“DCO”) to ASX Clear (Futures) Pty Limited (“ASX Clear”) of Sydney, Australia. This is the first exemption of this nature. It is based on the CFTC’s authority under section 5b(h) of the Commodity … Continue Reading

CFTC finalizes revised interpretation on forwards with embedded volumetric options

On May 18, 2015, the CFTC published in the Federal Register its final revised 7-part Interpretation regarding “forward contracts with embedded volumetric optionality.” The final guidance provides useful clarification in determining when a contract with an embedded volumetric option qualifies for the forward contract exclusion from the “swap” and “future delivery” definitions under the Commodity … Continue Reading

The demise of CFTC Form TO for commodity trade options

On May 7, 2015, the CFTC published in the Federal Register a proposal to eliminate the odd-yet-burdensome Form TO, which for the past two years has been required of derivatives end-users to report certain information to the CFTC regarding their trading in commodity trade options. If the proposal is adopted as final after the close … Continue Reading
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