Effective February 23, 2016, ICE Futures U.S., Inc. (“ICE” or “Exchange”) issued a revised Wash Trade Frequently Asked Questions (“ICE FAQ”). This ICE FAQ replaces a 2009 ICE Wash Trade FAQ and provides additional guidance to market participants on trades that may constitute wash trades. The ICE FAQ also highlights intermediary and third party obligations not to accept orders for trades if it knows or should know that they are wash trades.
On March 16, 2016, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) unanimously approved amendments to the rules applicable to certain physically-settled options referred to as “trade options.” This final rule substantially reduces the regulatory burdens for end-users entering into trade options by eliminating reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The CFTC also confirmed that it does not intend to impose position limits on trade options. The final rule becomes effective upon publication in the Federal Register, which we expect to occur later this week or early next week. read more