The CFTC is requesting public comment on a certification from MarketAxess SEF Corporation to implement available-to-trade determinations for certain interest rate and credit default swaps. MarketAxess submitted its available-to-trade determinations to the CFTC on a self-certified basis, pursuant to CFTC Rule 37.10 ("Process for a swap execution facility to make a swap available to trade") and Rule 40.6 ("Self-certification of rules"). If MarketAxess' submission is deemed certified by operation of CFTC Rule 40.6, such swap contracts, whether listed or offered by MarketAxess or any other

The CFTC issued new final rules addressing the manner in which swap dealers hold collateral posted by their counterparties. The new rules will become effective (i) as to new counterparties, 180 days after the final rules are published in the Federal Register and (ii) as to existing counterparties, 360 days after such date. The rules require that a swap dealer (i) notify its counterparty before entry into any uncleared swap that the counterparty has the "right" to require that any initial margin posted by the counterparty be segregated, (ii) that the swap dealer identify at least one

The CFTC extended the public comment time period on a certification from Javelin SEF, LLC to implement available-to-trade determinations for certain interest rate swap contracts. On October 31, 2013, Javelin submitted amended available-to-trade determinations to the CFTC on a self-certified basis. The CFTC is extending the comment period to December 2, 2013. Lofchie Comment : It is good that the CFTC is extending the comment period, however, the bar for a "made available to trade" determination is set at such a low level that it is not clear what firms can comment on. The question is whether

The SEC announced that the fees paid under Exchange Act Section 31 ("Transaction Fees") will remain at their current rate until 60 days after the enactment of a regular appropriation for the SEC. The current appropriation for the SEC is due to expire on January 15, when the continuing resolution is also set to expire. The Section 31 Fee Rate will remain at the current rate of $17.40 per million for securities transactions and the assessment on round turn transactions in security futures will remain $.00042 per transaction. The SEC is required to publish a revised fee rate 30 days after the

The SEC has published a report, on administrative proceedings from the April 2013 to September 2013 period, which identifies a number of pending matters before administrative law judges. The report is published pursuant to SEC Rule 900, which requires the SEC to issue a six-month status report on its administrative proceedings. See: SEC Administrative Proceeding Report.