FINRA filed with the SEC a proposed rule change amending FINRA Rule 7730(c)(1)(A)(i) to extend the pilot program and accompanying waiver for the Professional Real-Time Data Display Fee of $60 until November 7, 2014. The pilot program provides a limited waiver of the fee to access Real-Time Trade Reporting and Compliance Engine ("TRACE") transaction data in connection with certain free trials of data products. See: Text of the Proposed Rule Change. See also: FINRA Files Proposed Rule Change to Extend a TRACE Pilot Program (August 26, 2013).

The CFTC asked for public comment on the amendments requested by Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc., the Board of Trade of the City of Chicago, Inc., New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., Commodity Exchange, Inc., and the Board of Trade of Kansas City, Missouri, Inc. (the "Exchanges") to existing Rule 538 of the Exchanges' rulebooks and the CME Group Market Regulation Advisory. The Exchanges requested the elimination of the use of transitory Exchange for Related Positions ("EFRP") transactions wherein the execution of an EFRP is contingent upon the execution of another EFRP or related position

The CFTC issued a letter certifying the CES China 120 Index Futures contract and the HSI Volatility Index Futures contract submitted by Hong Kong Futures Exchange Limited ("HKFE"). In the letter, the CFTC confirmed that the two contracts meet the requirements set forth in Section 2(a)(1)(C)(ii) ("Designation of Boards of Trade as Contract Markets") of the Commodity Exchange Act, and may be offered to U.S. persons. The two contracts were submitted to the CFTC in August 2013. See: CFTC Certification Letter; CFTC Press Release.

The IntercontinentalExchange's ("ICE") Market Regulation Department issued an Exchange Notice to provide guidance on the use of electronic systems in connection with Exchange for Related Position ("EFRP") transactions under ICE Rule 4.06. Rule 4.06 permits the execution of privately negotiated EFRP transactions which meet all requirements set out in the Rule regarding the simultaneous exchange of a futures position for a corresponding related position. According to the notice, it is inconsistent with Rule 4.06 to facilitate the execution of EFRP transactions in exchange-traded products on a

The National Futures Association ("NFA") released a notice regarding new recordkeeping requirements under NFA Compliance Rule 2-10(a) ("Recordkeeping") and CFTC Rule 1.35(a) ("Records of Commodity, Interest and Related Cash or Forward Transactions"), as well as guidance for other CFTC registrants on complying with the new recordkeeping requirements. NFA Compliance Rule 2-10(a) provides that each member should maintain records which are necessary and appropriate to conduct its business, including the records required to be kept by CFTC Rule 1.35(a). CFTC Rule 1.35(a) was amended in December