Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for a derivatives clearing organization, directly or indirectly, to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to perform the functions of a derivatives clearing organization with respect to-
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a derivatives clearing organization that is registered with the Commission.
A person that clears 1 or more agreements, contracts, or transactions that are not required to be cleared under this chapter may register with the Commission as a derivatives clearing organization.
A person desiring to register as a derivatives clearing organization shall submit to the Commission an application in such form and containing such information as the Commission may require for the purpose of making the determinations required for approval under paragraph (2).
To be registered and to maintain registration as a derivatives clearing organization, a derivatives clearing organization shall comply with each core principle described in this paragraph and any requirement that the Commission may impose by rule or regulation pursuant to section 12a(5) of this title.
Subject to any rule or regulation prescribed by the Commission, a derivatives clearing organization shall have reasonable discretion in establishing the manner by which the derivatives clearing organization complies with each core principle described in this paragraph.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall have adequate financial, operational, and managerial resources, as determined by the Commission, to discharge each responsibility of the derivatives clearing organization.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall possess financial resources that, at a minimum, exceed the total amount that would-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall establish-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall establish and implement procedures to verify, on an ongoing basis, the compliance of each participation and membership requirement of the derivatives clearing organization.
The participation and membership requirements of each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall ensure that the derivatives clearing organization possesses the ability to manage the risks associated with discharging the responsibilities of the derivatives clearing organization through the use of appropriate tools and procedures.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization, through margin requirements and other risk control mechanisms, shall limit the exposure of the derivatives clearing organization to potential losses from defaults by members and participants of the derivatives clearing organization to ensure that-
The margin required from each member and participant of a derivatives clearing organization shall be sufficient to cover potential exposures in normal market conditions.
Each model and parameter used in setting margin requirements under clause (iv) shall be-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall establish standards and procedures that are designed to protect and ensure the safety of member and participant funds and assets.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall hold member and participant funds and assets in a manner by which to minimize the risk of loss or of delay in the access by the derivatives clearing organization to the assets and funds.
Funds and assets invested by a derivatives clearing organization shall be held in instruments with minimal credit, market, and liquidity risks.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall have rules and procedures designed to allow for the efficient, fair, and safe management of events during which members or participants-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall provide to the Commission all information that the Commission determines to be necessary to conduct oversight of the derivatives clearing organization.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall maintain records of all activities related to the business of the derivatives clearing organization as a derivatives clearing organization-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall provide to market participants sufficient information to enable the market participants to identify and evaluate accurately the risks and costs associated with using the services of the derivatives clearing organization.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall make information concerning the rules and operating and default procedures governing the clearing and settlement systems of the derivatives clearing organization available to market participants.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall disclose publicly and to the Commission information concerning-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Unless necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter, a derivatives clearing organization shall not-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall establish governance arrangements that are transparent-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall establish and enforce appropriate fitness standards for-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization shall ensure that the composition of the governing board or committee of the derivatives clearing organization includes market participants.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall have a well-founded, transparent, and enforceable legal framework for each aspect of the activities of the derivatives clearing organization.
A derivatives clearing organization may request the Commission to issue an order concerning whether a rule or practice of the applicant is the least anticompetitive means of achieving the objectives, purposes, and policies of this chapter.
A derivatives clearing organization shall be deemed to be registered under this section to the extent that the derivatives clearing organization clears agreements, contracts, or transactions for a board of trade that has been designated by the Commission as a contract market for such agreements, contracts, or transactions before December 21, 2000.
If a proceeding under section 7b of this title results in the suspension or revocation of the registration of a derivatives clearing organization, or if a derivatives clearing organization withdraws from registration, the Commission, on notice to the derivatives clearing organization, may apply to the appropriate United States district court where the derivatives clearing organization is located for the appointment of a trustee.
If the Commission applies for appointment of a trustee under paragraph (1)-
The Commission shall facilitate the linking or coordination of derivatives clearing organizations registered under this chapter with other regulated clearance facilities for the coordinated settlement of cleared transactions. In order to minimize systemic risk, under no circumstances shall a derivatives clearing organization be compelled to accept the counterparty credit risk of another clearing organization.
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall coordinate with the Federal banking agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A depository institution or clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) that is required to be registered as a derivatives clearing organization under this section is deemed to be registered under this section to the extent that, before July 21, 2010-
A depository institution to which this subsection applies may, by the vote of the shareholders owning not less than 51 percent of the voting interests of the depository institution, be converted into a State corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or similar legal form pursuant to a plan of conversion, if the conversion is not in contravention of applicable State law.
The Securities and Exchange Commission shall make available to the Commission, upon request, all information determined to be relevant by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a clearing agency deemed to be registered with the Commission under paragraph (1).
The Commission may exempt, conditionally or unconditionally, a derivatives clearing organization from registration under this section for the clearing of swaps if the Commission determines that the derivatives clearing organization is subject to comparable, comprehensive supervision and regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the appropriate government authorities in the home country of the organization. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, requiring that the derivatives clearing organization be available for inspection by the Commission and make available all information requested by the Commission.
Each derivatives clearing organization shall designate an individual to serve as a chief compliance officer.
The chief compliance officer shall-
In accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission, the chief compliance officer shall annually prepare and sign a report that contains a description of-
A compliance report under subparagraph (A) shall-
Each derivatives clearing organization that clears swaps shall provide to the Commission all information that is determined by the Commission to be necessary to perform each responsibility of the Commission under this chapter.
The Commission shall adopt data collection and maintenance requirements for swaps cleared by derivatives clearing organizations that are comparable to the corresponding requirements for-
A derivatives clearing organization that clears security-based swap agreements (as defined in section 1a of this title) shall, upon request, open to inspection and examination to the Securities and Exchange Commission all books and records relating to such security-based swap agreements, consistent with the confidentiality and disclosure requirements of section 12 of this title.
Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commission to prescribe recordkeeping and reporting requirements for a derivatives clearing organization that is registered with the Commission.
Subject to section 12 of this title, and upon request, the Commission shall share information collected under paragraph (2) with-
Before the Commission may share information with any entity described in paragraph (4), the Commission shall receive a written agreement from each entity stating that the entity shall abide by the confidentiality requirements described in section 12 of this title relating to the information on swap transactions that is provided.
Each derivatives clearing organization that clears swaps shall provide to the Commission (including any designee of the Commission) information under paragraph (2) in such form and at such frequency as is required by the Commission to comply with the public reporting requirements contained in section 2(a)(13) of this title.
1So in original. No subsec. (j) has been enacted.
7 U.S.C. § 7a-1
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Securities Exchange Act of 1934, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1)(A)(ii) and (g)(1), is act June 6, 1934, ch. 404, 48 Stat. 881, which is classified principally to chapter 2B (§78a et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 78a of Title 15 and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 5b of act Sept. 21, 1922, was renumbered section 5e, and is classified to section 7b of this title.
AMENDMENTS2015-Subsec. (k)(5). Pub. L. 114-94 amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "Before the Commission may share information with any entity described in paragraph (4)-"(A) the Commission shall receive a written agreement from each entity stating that the entity shall abide by the confidentiality requirements described in section 12 of this title relating to the information on swap transactions that is provided; and "(B) each entity shall agree to indemnify the Commission for any expenses arising from litigation relating to the information provided under section 12 of this title."2010-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 111-203, §725(a), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which related to registration requirement of derivatives clearing organizations. Pub. L. 111-203, §721(e)(6), substituted "section 1a" for "section 1a(9)" in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111-203, §725(a), added subsec. (b) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "A derivatives clearing organization that clears agreements, contracts, or transactions excluded from this chapter by section 2(c), 2(d), 2(f), or 2(g) of this title or sections 27 to 27f of this title, or exempted under section 2(h) or 6(c) of this title, or other over-the-counter derivative instruments (as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991) may register with the Commission as a derivatives clearing organization."Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111-203, §725(c), added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2) which related to core principles for derivatives clearing organizations.Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 111-203, §725(h), inserted at end "In order to minimize systemic risk, under no circumstances shall a derivatives clearing organization be compelled to accept the counterparty credit risk of another clearing organization."Subsecs. (g) to (i). Pub. L. 111-203, §725(b), added subsecs. (g) to (i).Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 111-203, §725(e), added subsec. (k).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2015 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 114-94, div. G, title LXXXVI, §86001(d), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1798, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section, section 24a of this title, and section 78m of Title 15, Commerce and Trade] shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 111-203)."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111-203 effective on the later of 360 days after July 21, 2010, or, to the extent a provision of subtitle A (§§711-754) of title VII of Pub. L. 111-203 requires a rulemaking, not less than 60 days after publication of the final rule or regulation implementing such provision of subtitle A, see section 754 of Pub. L. 111-203 set out as a note under section 1a of this title.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Pub. L. 111-203, title VII, §725(d), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1692, provided that: "The Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall adopt rules mitigating conflicts of interest in connection with the conduct of business by a swap dealer or a major swap participant with a derivatives clearing organization, board of trade, or a swap execution facility that clears or trades swaps in which the swap dealer or major swap participant has a material debt or material equity investment."[For definitions of terms used in section 725(d) of Pub. L. 111-203 set out above, see section 5301 of Title 12, Banks and Banking.]
- Board
- The term "Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
- Commission
- The term "Commission" means the Commodity Futures Trading Commission established under section 2(a)(2) of this title.
- board of trade
- The term "board of trade" means any organized exchange or other trading facility.
- contract of sale
- The term "contract of sale" includes sales, agreements of sale, and agreements to sell.
- interstate commerce
- The term "interstate commerce" means commerce-(A) between any State, territory, or possession, or the District of Columbia, and any place outside thereof; or(B) between points within the same State, territory, or possession, or the District of Columbia, but through any place outside thereof, or within any territory or possession, or the District of Columbia.
- option
- The term "option" means an agreement, contract, or transaction that is of the character of, or is commonly known to the trade as, an "option", "privilege", "indemnity", "bid", "offer", "put", "call", "advance guaranty", or "decline guaranty".
- prudential regulator
- The term "prudential regulator" means-(A) the Board in the case of a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant that is-(i) a State-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System;(ii) a State-chartered branch or agency of a foreign bank;(iii) any foreign bank which does not operate an insured branch;(iv) any organization operating under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C. 611 et seq.] or having an agreement with the Board under section 225 of the Federal Reserve Act4;(v) any bank holding company (as defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 19654 (12 U.S.C. 1841)), any foreign bank (as defined in section 3101(7) of title 12) that is treated as a bank holding company under section 3106(a) of title 12, and any subsidiary of such a company or foreign bank (other than a subsidiary that is described in subparagraph (A) or (B) or that is required to be registered with the Commission as a swap dealer or major swap participant under this chapter or with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant);(vi) after the transfer date (as defined in section 311 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act [12 U.S.C. 5411] ), any savings and loan holding company (as defined in section 1467a of title 12) and any subsidiary of such company (other than a subsidiary that is described in subparagraph (A) or (B) or that is required to be registered as a swap dealer or major swap participant with the Commission under this chapter or with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant); or(vii) any organization operating under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 611 et seq.) or having an agreement with the Board under section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);(B) the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in the case of a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant that is-(i) a national bank;(ii) a federally chartered branch or agency of a foreign bank; or(iii) any Federal savings association;(C) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the case of a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant that is-(i) a State-chartered bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System; or(ii) any State savings association;(D) the Farm Credit Administration, in the case of a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant that is an institution chartered under the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.); and(E) the Federal Housing Finance Agency in the case of a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant that is a regulated entity (as such term is defined in section 4502 of title 12).
- security futures product
- The term "security futures product" means a security future or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security future.
- security
- The term "security" means a security as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1)) or section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)).
- swap execution facility
- The term "swap execution facility" means a trading system or platform in which multiple participants have the ability to execute or trade swaps by accepting bids and offers made by multiple participants in the facility or system, through any means of interstate commerce, including any trading facility, that-(A) facilitates the execution of swaps between persons; and(B) is not a designated contract market.