Program for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Pursuant to Rule 17d-2; Notice of Filing and Order Approving and Declaring Effective an Amended Plan for the Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Between the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, and Nasdaq BX, Inc.

Notice is hereby given that the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) has issued an Order, pursuant to Section 17(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”), approving and declaring effective an amendment to the plan for allocating regulatory responsibility (“Plan”) filed on July 1, 2024, pursuant to Rule 17d-2 of the Act, by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), and Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX”) (collectively, “Participating Organizations” or “parties”). This Agreement amends and restates the agreement entered into between FINRA, Nasdaq, and BX approved by the SEC on September 23, 2021, entitled “Agreement Among Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and Nasdaq BX, Inc. pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,” and any subsequent amendments thereafter.

I. Introduction

Section 19(g)(1) of the Act, among other things, requires every self-regulatory organization (“SRO”) registered as either a national securities exchange or national securities association to examine for, and enforce compliance by, its members and persons associated with its members with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the SRO's own rules, unless the SRO is relieved of this responsibility pursuant to Section 17(d) or Section 19(g)(2) of the Act. Without this relief, the statutory obligation of each individual SRO could result in a pattern of multiple examinations of broker-dealers that maintain memberships in more than one SRO (“common members”). Such regulatory duplication would add unnecessary expenses for common members and their SROs.

Section 17(d)(1) of the Act was intended, in part, to eliminate unnecessary multiple examinations and regulatory duplication. With respect to a common member, Section 17(d)(1) authorizes the Commission, by rule or order, to relieve an SRO of the responsibility to receive regulatory reports, to examine for and enforce compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations, or to perform other specified regulatory functions.

To implement Section 17(d)(1), the Commission adopted two rules: Rule 17d-1 and Rule 17d-2 under the Act. Rule 17d-1 authorizes the Commission to name a single SRO as the designated examining authority (“DEA”) to examine common members for compliance with the financial responsibility requirements imposed by the Act, or by Commission or SRO rules. When an SRO has been named as a common member's DEA, all other SROs to which the common member belongs are relieved of the responsibility to examine the firm for compliance with the applicable financial responsibility rules. On its face, Rule 17d-1 deals only with an SRO's obligations to enforce member compliance with financial responsibility requirements. Rule 17d-1 does not relieve an SRO from its obligation to examine a common member for compliance with its own rules and provisions of the federal securities laws governing matters other than financial responsibility, including sales practices and trading activities and practices.

To address regulatory duplication in these and other areas, the Commission adopted Rule 17d-2 under the Act. Rule 17d-2 permits SROs to propose joint plans for the allocation of regulatory responsibilities with respect to their common members. Under paragraph (c) of Rule 17d-2, the Commission may declare such a plan effective if, after providing for appropriate notice and opportunity for comment, it determines that the plan is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, to foster cooperation and coordination among the SROs, to remove impediments to, and foster the development of, a national market system and a national clearance and settlement system, and is in conformity with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act. Commission approval of a plan filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2 relieves an SRO of those regulatory responsibilities allocated by the plan to another SRO.

II. The Plan

On January 8, 2009, the Commission declared effective the Plan entered into between FINRA and the Boston Stock Exchange, Incorporated (n/k/a Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX”)) for allocating regulatory responsibility pursuant to Rule 17d-2. The Plan is intended to reduce regulatory duplication for firms that are common members of FINRA and BX by allocating regulatory responsibility with respect to certain applicable laws, rules, and regulations that are common among them. Included in the Plan is an exhibit that lists every BX rule for which FINRA bears responsibility under the Plan for overseeing and enforcing with respect to BX members that are also members of FINRA and the associated persons therewith (“Certification”). On September 23, 2021, the Commission declared effective an amendment to the Plan to allocate surveillance, investigation, and enforcement responsibilities for Rule 14e-4 under the Act, to reflect the name change of Boston Stock Exchange, Incorporated to Nasdaq BX, Inc., and to add Nasdaq as a Participant to the Plan.

III. Proposed Amendment to the Plan

On July 1, 2024, the parties submitted a proposed amendment to the Plan (“Amended Plan”). The primary purpose of the Amended Plan is to: (i) update the list of Common Rules; (ii) add surveillance and investigation coverage for certain Common Rules specified in Exhibit 1 to the Amended Plan; (iii) to reflect that, for Router Members, FINRA will retain regulatory responsibility for Nasdaq and BX rules that are not Common Rules; and (iv) to reflect that FINRA will not make referrals to Nasdaq and BX for apparent violations of any Nasdaq or BX Rules by any Router Member. The text of the proposed Amended Plan is as follows (additions are in italics; deletions are [bracketed]):

AGREEMENT AMONG FINANCIAL INDUSTRY REGULATORY AUTHORITY, INC., THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET LLC AND NASDAQ BX, INC. PURSUANT TO RULE 17d-2 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

This Agreement, by and among the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX”), is made this [30th] 1st day of [August, 2021] July, 2024 (the “Agreement”), pursuant to Section 17(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 17d-2 thereunder, which permits agreements between self-regulatory organizations to allocate regulatory responsibility to eliminate regulatory duplication. FINRA, Nasdaq and BX may be referred to individually as a “party” and together as the “parties.”

This Agreement amends and restates the agreement entered into between FINRA, Nasdaq and BX approved by the SEC on September 23, 2021 [on December 5, 2008], entitled “Agreement [between] among Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and [Boston Stock Exchange, Incorporated] Nasdaq BX, Inc. pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,” and any subsequent amendments thereafter [and the agreement entered into between FINRA and Nasdaq approved by the SEC on July 12, 2006, entitled “Agreement between the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC Pursuant to Section 17(d) and Rule 17d-2,” and any subsequent amendments thereafter].

Whereas, FINRA, Nasdaq and BX desire to reduce duplication in the examination, surveillance and investigation of their Common Members (as defined herein) and in the filing and processing of certain registration and membership records; and

Whereas, FINRA, Nasdaq and BX desire to execute an agreement covering such subjects pursuant to the provisions of Rule 17d-2 under the Exchange Act and to file such agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or “Commission”) for its approval.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained hereinafter, FINRA, Nasdaq and BX hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement or the context otherwise requires, the terms used in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as they have under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) “ Nasdaq Rules ”, “ BX Rules ” or “ FINRA Rules ” shall mean: (i) the rules of Nasdaq, (ii) the rules of BX, or (iii) the rules of FINRA, respectively, as the rules of an exchange or association are defined in Exchange Act Section 3(a)(27).

(b) “ Common Rules ” shall mean Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules that are substantially similar to the applicable FINRA Rules and certain provisions of the Exchange Act and SEC rules set forth on Exhibit 1 in that examination, surveillance or investigation for compliance with such provisions and rules would not require FINRA to develop one or more new examination, surveillance or investigation standards, modules, procedures, or criteria in order to analyze the application of the provision or rule, or a Common Member's activity, conduct, or output in relation to such provision or rule; provided, however, Common Rules shall not include the application of the SEC, Nasdaq, BX or FINRA rules as they pertain to violations of insider trading activities, which is covered by a separate 17d-2 Agreement by and among Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., Cboe BYX Exchange, Inc., Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., Cboe EDGA Exchange, Inc., Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc., Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., MEMX, LLC, MIAX PEARL, LLC, Nasdaq BX, Inc., Nasdaq PHLX LLC, The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, NYSE National, Inc., New York Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE American LLC, NYSE Arca, Inc., Investors Exchange LLC and Long-Term Stock Exchange, Inc. approved by the Commission on September 23, 2020, as may be amended from time to time. Common Rules shall not include any provisions regarding: (i) notice, reporting or any other filings made directly to or from Nasdaq or BX; (ii) incorporation by reference of other Nasdaq or BX Rules that are not Common Rules; (iii) exercise of discretion in a manner that differs from FINRA's exercise of discretion including, but not limited to exercise of exemptive authority by Nasdaq or BX; (iv) prior written approval of Nasdaq or BX; and (v) payment of fees or fines to Nasdaq or BX.

(c) “ Common Members ” shall mean those members of FINRA and a member of at least one of Nasdaq or BX and the associated persons therewith.

(d) “ Effective Date ” shall [have the meaning set forth in paragraph 13] be the date this Agreement is approved by the Commission.

(e) “ Enforcement Responsibilities ” shall mean the conduct of appropriate proceedings, in accordance with FINRA's Code of Procedure (the Rule 9000 Series) and other applicable FINRA procedural rules, to determine whether violations of Common Rules have occurred, and if such violations are deemed to have occurred, the imposition of appropriate sanctions as specified under FINRA's Code of Procedure and sanctions guidelines.

(f) “ Regulatory Responsibilities ” shall mean the examination, surveillance and investigation responsibilities and Enforcement Responsibilities relating to compliance by the Common Members with the Common Rules and the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, each as set forth on Exhibit 1 attached hereto. [The term “Regulatory Responsibilities” shall also include the surveillance, investigation and Enforcement Responsibilities relating to compliance by Common Members with Rule 14e-4 of the Securities Exchange Act (“Rule 14e-4”), with a focus on the standardized call option provision of Rule 14e-4(a)(1)(ii)(D).]

2. Regulatory Responsibilities. FINRA shall assume Regulatory Responsibilities for Common Members. Attached as Exhibit 1 to this Agreement and made part hereof, Nasdaq and BX furnished FINRA with a current list of Common Rules and certified to FINRA that such rules that are Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules are substantially similar to the corresponding FINRA Rules (the “Certification”). FINRA hereby agrees that the rules listed in the Certification are Common Rules as defined in this Agreement. Each year following the Effective Date of this Agreement, or more frequently if required by changes in either the rules of Nasdaq, BX or FINRA, Nasdaq and BX shall submit an updated list of Common Rules to FINRA for review which shall add Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules not included in the current list of Common Rules that qualify as Common Rules as defined in this Agreement; delete Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules included in the current list of Common Rules that no longer qualify as Common Rules as defined in this Agreement; and confirm that the remaining rules on the current list of Common Rules continue to be Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules that qualify as Common Rules as defined in this Agreement. Within 30 days of receipt of such updated list, FINRA shall confirm in writing whether the rules listed in any updated list are Common Rules, as defined in this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, it is explicitly understood that the term “Regulatory Responsibilities” does not include, and Nasdaq and BX shall retain full responsibility for (unless otherwise addressed by separate agreement or rule) (collectively, the “Retained Responsibilities”) the following:

(a) surveillance, examination, investigation and enforcement with respect to trading activities or practices involving Nasdaq's or BX's own marketplaces;

(b) registration pursuant to Nasdaq's or BX's applicable rules of associated persons ( i.e., registration rules that are not Common Rules);

(c) discharge of Nasdaq's or BX's duties and obligations as a Designated Examining Authority pursuant to Rule 17d-1 under the Exchange Act; and

(d) any Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules that are not Common Rules, except for Nasdaq Rules and BX Rules for any Nasdaq member or BX member that operates as a facility (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Exchange Act), acts as an outbound router for Nasdaq or BX, and is a member of FINRA (“Router Member”) as provided in paragraph 5. As of the date of this Agreement, the only Router Member is Nasdaq Execution Services, LLC.

3. No Charge. There shall be no charge to Nasdaq and BX by FINRA for performing the Regulatory Responsibilities under this Agreement except as hereinafter provided. FINRA shall provide Nasdaq and BX with ninety (90) days advance written notice in the event FINRA decides to impose any charges to Nasdaq and BX for performing the Regulatory Responsibilities under this Agreement. If FINRA determines to impose a charge, Nasdaq and BX shall have the right at the time of the imposition of such charge to terminate this Agreement; provided, however, that FINRA's Regulatory Responsibilities under this Agreement shall continue until the Commission approves the termination of this Agreement.

4. [Reassignment of Regulatory Responsibilities] Applicability of Certain Laws, Rules, Regulations or Orders. Notwithstanding any provision hereof, this Agreement shall be subject to any statute, or any rule or order of the Commission [reassigning Regulatory Responsibilities between self-regulatory organizations]. To the extent such [action] statute, rule or order is inconsistent with this Agreement, the statue, rule or order [such action] shall supersede the provision ( s ) hereof to the extent necessary for them to be properly effectuated and the provision ( s ) hereof in that respect shall be null and void.

5. Notification of Violations.

(a) In the event that FINRA becomes aware of apparent violations of any Nasdaq Rules or BX Rules, which are not listed as Common Rules, discovered pursuant to the performance of the Regulatory Responsibilities assumed hereunder, FINRA shall notify Nasdaq and BX of those apparent violations for such response as Nasdaq and BX deem[s] appropriate. With respect to apparent violations of any Nasdaq Rules or BX Rules by any Router Member, FINRA shall not make referrals to Nasdaq and BX pursuant to this paragraph 5. Such apparent violations shall be processed by, and enforcement proceedings in respect thereto will be conducted by, FINRA as provided in this Agreement.

(b) In the event that Nasdaq or BX becomes aware of apparent violations of any Common Rules, discovered pursuant to the performance of the Retained Responsibilities, Nasdaq and BX shall notify FINRA of those apparent violations and such matters shall be handled by FINRA [as provided] consistent with the provisions in this Agreement. [Each party agrees to make available promptly all files, records and witnesses necessary to assist the other in its investigation or proceedings.]

(c) Apparent violations of Common Rules[, FINRA Rules, federal securities laws, and rules and regulations thereunder,] shall be processed by, and enforcement proceedings in respect thereto shall be conducted by FINRA as provided hereinbefore; provided, however, that in the event a Common Member is the subject of an investigation relating to a transaction on Nasdaq or BX, Nasdaq and BX, at each party's discretion, may assume concurrent jurisdiction and responsibility.

(d) Each party agrees to make available promptly all files, records and witnesses necessary to assist the other in its investigation or proceedings.

6. Continued Assistance.

(a) FINRA shall make available to Nasdaq and BX all information obtained by FINRA in the performance by it of the Regulatory Responsibilities hereunder with respect to the Common Members subject to this Agreement. In particular, and not in limitation of the foregoing, FINRA shall furnish Nasdaq and BX any information it obtains about Common Members which reflects adversely on their financial condition. Nasdaq and BX shall make available to FINRA any information coming to their attention that reflects adversely on the financial condition of Common Members or indicates possible violations of applicable laws, rules or regulations by such firms.

(b) The parties agree that documents or information shared shall be held in confidence, and used only for the purposes of carrying out their respective regulatory obligations. Neither party shall assert regulatory or other privileges as against the other with respect to documents or information that is required to be shared pursuant to this Agreement.

(c) The sharing of documents or information between the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver as against third parties of regulatory or other privileges relating to the discovery of documents or information.

7. Common Member Applications.

(a) Common Members subject to this Agreement shall be required to submit, and FINRA shall be responsible for processing and acting upon all applications submitted on behalf of allied persons, partners, officers, registered personnel and any other person required to be approved by the rules of Nasdaq, BX and FINRA or associated with Common Members thereof. Upon request, FINRA shall advise Nasdaq and BX of any changes of allied members, partners, officers, registered personnel and other persons required to be approved by the rules of Nasdaq, BX and FINRA.

(b) Common Members shall be required to send to FINRA all letters, termination notices or other material respecting the individuals listed in paragraph 7(a).

(c) When as a result of processing such submissions FINRA becomes aware of a statutory disqualification as defined in the Exchange Act with respect to a Common Member, FINRA shall determine pursuant to Sections 15A(g) and/or Section 6(c) of the Exchange Act the acceptability or continued applicability of the person to whom such disqualification applies and keep Nasdaq and BX advised of its actions in this regard for such subsequent proceedings as Nasdaq and BX may initiate.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, FINRA shall not review the membership application, reports, filings, fingerprint cards, notices, or other writings filed to determine if such documentation submitted by a broker or dealer, or a person associated therewith or other persons required to register or qualify by examination meets the Nasdaq or BX requirements for general membership or for specified categories of membership or participation in Nasdaq or BX, such as Equities Market Maker, Equities ECN, Order Entry Firm, or any similar type of Nasdaq or BX membership or participation that is created after this Agreement is executed. FINRA shall not review applications or other documentation filed to request a change in the rights or status described in this paragraph 7(d), including termination or limitation on activities, of a member or a participant of Nasdaq or BX, or a person associated with, or requesting association with, a member or participant of Nasdaq or BX.

8. Branch Office Information. FINRA shall also be responsible for processing and, if required, acting upon all requests for the opening, address changes, and terminations of branch offices by Common Members and any other applications required of Common Members with respect to the Common Rules as they may be amended from time to time. Upon request, FINRA shall advise Nasdaq and BX of the opening, address change and termination of branch and main offices of Common Members and the names of such branch office managers.

9. Customer Complaints. Nasdaq and BX shall forward to FINRA copies of all customer complaints involving Common Members received by Nasdaq and BX relating to FINRA's Regulatory Responsibilities under this Agreement. It shall be FINRA's responsibility to review and take appropriate action in respect to such complaints.

10. Advertising. FINRA shall assume responsibility to review the advertising of Common Members subject to the Agreement, provided that such material is filed with FINRA in accordance with FINRA's filing procedures and is accompanied with any applicable filing fees set forth in FINRA Rules.

11. No Restrictions on Regulatory Action. Notwithstanding anything else herein and to the contrary, except for paragraph 5(a), [N] n othing contained in this Agreement shall restrict or in any way encumber the right of either FINRA, or Nasdaq or BX, [party] to conduct its own independent or concurrent investigation, examination or enforcement proceeding of or against Common Members of the Common Rules, as either [party] FINRA, or Nasdaq or BX , in its sole discretion, shall deem appropriate or necessary.

12. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by Nasdaq, BX or FINRA at any time upon the approval of the Commission after one (1) year's written notice to the other party, except as provided in paragraph 3.

[13. Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective upon approval of the Commission.]

1 3 [4]. Arbitration. In the event of a dispute between the parties as to the operation of this Agreement, Nasdaq, BX and FINRA hereby agree that any such dispute shall be settled by arbitration in Washington, DC in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect, or such other procedures as the parties may mutually agree upon. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Each party acknowledges that the timely and complete performance of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement is critical to the business and operations of the other party. In the event of a dispute between the parties, the parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement in good faith during the resolution of such dispute unless and until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its provisions. Nothing in this Section 1[4] 3 shall interfere with a party's right to terminate this Agreement as set forth herein.

1 4 [5]. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended in writing duly approved by each party. All such amendments must be filed with and approved by the Commission before they become effective.

1 5 [6]. Limitation of Liability. None of the parties nor any of their respective directors, governors, officers or employees shall be liable to any other party to this Agreement for any liability, loss or damage resulting from or claimed to have resulted from any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions with respect to the provision of Regulatory Responsibilities as provided hereby or for the failure to provide any such responsibility, except with respect to such liability, loss or damages as shall have been suffered by any party and caused by the willful misconduct of another party or their respective directors, governors, officers or employees. No warranties, express or implied, are made by any party hereto with respect to any of the responsibilities to be performed by them hereunder.

1 6 [7]. Relief from Responsibility. Pursuant to Sections 17(d)(1)(A) and 19(g) of the Exchange Act and Rule 17d-2 thereunder, FINRA, Nasdaq and BX join in requesting the Commission, upon its approval of this Agreement or any part thereof, to relieve Nasdaq and BX of any and all responsibilities with respect to matters allocated to FINRA pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be effective until the Effective Date.

1 7 [8]. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

1 8 [9]. Separate Agreement. This Agreement is wholly separate from any other 17d-2 agreement where FINRA, NASDAQ and BX are parties, including but not limited to, (1) the multiparty Agreement made pursuant to Rule 17d-2 of the Exchange Act among [NYSE American LLC,] Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., BOX Exchange, LLC, [the Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc., Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc.,] Cboe Exchange, Inc., Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc., Nasdaq ISE, LLC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., [NYSE Arca, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, BOX Exchange LLC, Nasdaq BX, Inc., Nasdaq PHLX LLC,] Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC, NYSE American LLC, NYSE Arca, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, Nasdaq BX, Inc., Nasdaq PHLX LLC, Nasdaq GEMX, LLC, Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc., Nasdaq MRX, LLC, MIAX PEARL, LLC, [and] MIAX Emerald, LLC and MEMX LLC approved by the Commission on [February 12, 2019] October 18, 2022 concerning options related sales-practice matters [involving the allocation of regulatory responsibilities with respect to common members for compliance with common rules relating to the conduct by broker-dealers of accounts for listed options, index warrants, currency index warrants and currency warrants or] and (2) the multiparty Agreement made pursuant to Rule 17d-2 of the Exchange Act among NYSE American LLC, Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., the Cboe EDGX Exchange, Inc., Cboe C2 Exchange, Inc., Cboe Exchange, Inc., Nasdaq ISE, LLC, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., NYSE Arca, Inc., The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, BOX Exchange LLC, Nasdaq BX, Inc., Nasdaq PHLX LLC, Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC, Nasdaq GEMX, LLC, Nasdaq MRX, LLC, MIAX PEARL, LLC, [and] MIAX Emerald, LLC, and MEMX LLC approved by the Commission on [February 11, 2019] November 23, 2022 involving options-related market surveillance matters and such agreements as may be amended from time to time.

19 [20]. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

Exhibit 1

NASDAQ and BX Rules Certification for 17d-2 Agreement With FINRA

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) and Nasdaq BX, Inc. (“BX”) hereby certify that the requirements contained in the Nasdaq and BX rules listed below are identical to, or substantially similar to, the FINRA [r] R ules, Exchange Act provisions or SEA rules identified (“Common Rules”). [noted below:]

# Common Rules shall not include provisions regarding (i) notice, reporting or any other filings made directly to or from Nasdaq or BX, (ii) incorporation by reference to other Nasdaq or BX Rules that are not Common Rules, (iii) exercise of discretion in a manner that differs from FINRA's exercise of discretion, including but not limited to exercise of exemptive authority, by Nasdaq or BX, (iv) prior written approval of Nasdaq or BX, and (v) payment of fees or fines to Nasdaq or BX.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and arguments concerning the foregoing. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:

Electronic Comments

• Use the Commission's internet comment form ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
• Send an email torule-comments@sec.gov. Please include File Number 4-575 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

• 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 4-575. 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 ( http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed plan that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed plan between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Copies of the plan also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal offices of FINRA, Nasdaq, and BX. 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 No. 4-575 and should be submitted on or before August 9, 2024.

V. Discussion

The Commission finds that the proposed Amended Plan is consistent with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act and Rule 17d-2(c) thereunder in that the proposed Amended Plan is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, fosters cooperation and coordination among SROs, and removes impediments to and fosters the development of the national market system. In particular, the Commission believes that the proposed Amended Plan should reduce unnecessary regulatory duplication by allocating to FINRA certain examination and enforcement responsibilities for Common Members that would otherwise be performed by both FINRA and Nasdaq, and FINRA and BX. Accordingly, the proposed Amended Plan promotes efficiency by reducing costs to Common Members. Furthermore, because FINRA, Nasdaq, and BX will coordinate their regulatory functions in accordance with the Amended Plan, the Amended Plan should promote investor protection.

The Commission notes that, under the Amended Plan, FINRA, Nasdaq, and BX have allocated regulatory responsibility for those Nasdaq and BX rules, set forth in the Certification, that are substantially similar to the applicable FINRA rules in that examination for compliance with such provisions and rules would not require FINRA to develop one or more new examination standards, modules, procedures, or criteria in order to analyze the application of the rule, or a Common Member's activity, conduct, or output in relation to such rule. In addition, under the Amended Plan, FINRA would assume regulatory responsibility for certain provisions of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder that are set forth in the Certification. The Common Rules covered by the Amended Plan are specifically listed in the Certification, as may be amended by the Parties from time to time.

According to the Amended Plan, Nasdaq and BX will review the Certification at least annually, or more frequently if required by changes in either the rules of Nasdaq, BX or FINRA, and, if necessary, submit to FINRA an updated list of Common Rules to add Nasdaq or BX rules not included on the then-current list of Common Rules that are substantially similar to FINRA rules; delete Nasdaq or BX rules included in the then-current list of Common Rules that no longer qualify as common rules; and confirm that the remaining rules on the list of Common Rules continue to be Nasdaq and BX rules that qualify as common rules. FINRA will then confirm in writing whether the rules listed in any updated list are Common Rules as defined in the Amended Plan. The Commission believes that these provisions are designed to provide for continuing communication between the Parties to ensure the continued accuracy of the scope of the proposed allocation of regulatory responsibility.

The Commission is hereby declaring effective an Amended Plan that, among other things, allocates regulatory responsibility to FINRA for the oversight and enforcement of all Nasdaq and BX rules that are substantially similar to the rules of FINRA for Common Members of BX and FINRA, and Nasdaq and FINRA. Therefore, modifications to the Certification need not be filed with the Commission as an amendment to the Amended Plan, provided that the Parties are only adding to, deleting from, or confirming changes to Nasdaq or BX rules in the Certification in conformance with the definition of Common Rules provided in the Amended Plan. However, should the Parties decide to add a Nasdaq or BX rule to the Certification that is not substantially similar to a FINRA rule; delete a Nasdaq or BX rule from the Certification that is substantially similar to a FINRA rule; or leave in the Certification a Nasdaq or BX rule that is no longer substantially similar to a FINRA rule, then such a change would constitute an amendment to the Amended Plan, which must be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act.

Under paragraph (c) of Rule 17d-2, the Commission may, after appropriate notice and comment, declare a plan, or any part of a plan, effective. In this instance, the Commission believes that appropriate notice and comment can take place after the proposed amendment is effective. The primary purpose of the Amended Plan is to: (i) update the list of Common Rules; (ii) add surveillance and investigation coverage for certain Common Rules specified in Exhibit 1 to the Amended Plan; (iii) reflect that, for Router Members, FINRA will retain regulatory responsibility for Nasdaq and BX rules that are not Common Rules; and (iv) reflect that FINRA will not make referrals to Nasdaq and BX for apparent violations of any Nasdaq or BX Rules by any Router Member. By declaring it effective today, the Amended Plan can become effective and be implemented without undue delay. The Commission notes that the prior version of this plan immediately prior to this proposed amendment was published for comment and the Commission did not receive any comments thereon. Furthermore, the Commission does not believe that the amendment to the plan raises any new regulatory issues that the Commission has not previously considered.

VI. Conclusion

This order gives effect to the Amended Plan filed with the Commission in File No. 4-575. The Parties shall notify all members affected by the Amended Plan of their rights and obligations under the Amended Plan.

It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Section 17(d) of the Act, that the Amended Plan in File No. 4-575, between the FINRA, BX, and Nasdaq, filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act, hereby is approved and declared effective.

It is further ordered that BX and Nasdaq are relieved of those responsibilities allocated to FINRA under the Amended Plan in File No. 4-575.