CFTC

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…

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…

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…

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…

Cybersecurity has recently become a high priority issue at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) – the agency overseeing designated contract markets, swap execution facilities, derivatives clearing organizations, swap data repositories (SDRs), swap dealers, futures commission merchants, commodity pool operators and other derivatives market participants.

CFTC Articulates Unique Cybersecurity Concerns

CFTC Chairman Timothy Massad…

On April 21, 2015, Kevin Piccoli, the deputy director of examinations for the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (“DSIO”) at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) spoke at SIFMA’s Compliance and Legal Division lunch. In his remarks, he provided insight on the DSIO’s examination priorities and process, and how the staff coordinates with…