1. U.S. Code
  2. title 7
  3. chapter 1
  4. § 15

Collapse to view only § 15. Omitted

§ 1. Short title

This chapter may be cited as the “Commodity Exchange Act.”

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 1, 42 Stat. 998; June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 1, 49 Stat. 1491.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1

§ 1a. DefinitionsAs used in this chapter:
(1) Alternative trading systemThe term “alternative trading system” means an organization, association, or group of persons that—
(A) is registered as a broker or dealer pursuant to section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78o(b)] (except paragraph (11) thereof);
(B) performs the functions commonly performed by an exchange (as defined in section 3(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(1)]);
(C) does not—
(i) set rules governing the conduct of subscribers other than the conduct of such subscribers’ trading on the alternative trading system; or
(ii) discipline subscribers other than by exclusion from trading; and
(D) is exempt from the definition of the term “exchange” under such section 3(a)(1) [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(1)] by rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission on terms that require compliance with regulations of its trading functions.
(2) Appropriate Federal banking agencyThe term “appropriate Federal banking agency”—
(A) has the meaning given the term in section 1813 of title 12;
(B) means the Board in the case of a noninsured State bank; and
(C) is the Farm Credit Administration for farm credit system institutions.
(3) Associated person of a security-based swap dealer or major security-based swap participant
(4) Associated person of a swap dealer or major swap participant
(A) In generalThe term “associated person of a swap dealer or major swap participant” means a person who is associated with a swap dealer or major swap participant as a partner, officer, employee, or agent (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), in any capacity that involves—
(i) the solicitation or acceptance of swaps; or
(ii) the supervision of any person or persons so engaged.
(B) Exclusion
(5) Board
(6) Board of trade
(7) Cleared swap
(8) Commission
(9) Commodity
(10) Commodity pool
(A) In generalThe term “commodity pool” means any investment trust, syndicate, or similar form of enterprise operated for the purpose of trading in commodity interests, including any—
(i) commodity for future delivery, security futures product, or swap;
(ii) agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title;
(iii) commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or
(iv) leverage transaction authorized under section 23 of this title.
(B) Further definition
(11) Commodity pool operator
(A) In generalThe term “commodity pool operator” means any person—
(i) engaged in a business that is of the nature of a commodity pool, investment trust, syndicate, or similar form of enterprise, and who, in connection therewith, solicits, accepts, or receives from others, funds, securities, or property, either directly or through capital contributions, the sale of stock or other forms of securities, or otherwise, for the purpose of trading in commodity interests, including any—(I) commodity for future delivery, security futures product, or swap;(II) agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title;(III) commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or(IV) leverage transaction authorized under section 23 of this title; or
(ii) who is registered with the Commission as a commodity pool operator.
(B) Further definition
(12) Commodity trading advisor
(A) In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the term “commodity trading advisor” means any person who—
(i) for compensation or profit, engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications, writings, or electronic media, as to the value of or the advisability of trading in—(I) any contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery, security futures product, or swap;(II) any agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a semicolon.
(III) any commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or(IV) any leverage transaction authorized under section 23 of this title;
(ii) for compensation or profit, and as part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports concerning any of the activities referred to in clause (i);
(iii) is registered with the Commission as a commodity trading advisor; or
(iv) the Commission, by rule or regulation, may include if the Commission determines that the rule or regulation will effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(B) ExclusionsSubject to subparagraph (C), the term “commodity trading advisor” does not include—
(i) any bank or trust company or any person acting as an employee thereof;
(ii) any news reporter, news columnist, or news editor of the print or electronic media, or any lawyer, accountant, or teacher;
(iii) any floor broker or futures commission merchant;
(iv) the publisher or producer of any print or electronic data of general and regular dissemination, including its employees;
(v) the fiduciary of any defined benefit plan that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.);
(vi) any contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility; and
(vii) such other persons not within the intent of this paragraph as the Commission may specify by rule, regulation, or order.
(C) Incidental services
(D) Advisors
(13) Contract of sale
(14) Cooperative association of producers
(15) Derivatives clearing organization
(A) In generalThe term “derivatives clearing organization” means a clearinghouse, clearing association, clearing corporation, or similar entity, facility, system, or organization that, with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction—
(i) enables each party to the agreement, contract, or transaction to substitute, through novation or otherwise, the credit of the derivatives clearing organization for the credit of the parties;
(ii) arranges or provides, on a multilateral basis, for the settlement or netting of obligations resulting from such agreements, contracts, or transactions executed by participants in the derivatives clearing organization; or
(iii) otherwise provides clearing services or arrangements that mutualize or transfer among participants in the derivatives clearing organization the credit risk arising from such agreements, contracts, or transactions executed by the participants.
(B) ExclusionsThe term “derivatives clearing organization” does not include an entity, facility, system, or organization solely because it arranges or provides for—
(i) settlement, netting, or novation of obligations resulting from agreements, contracts, or transactions, on a bilateral basis and without a central counterparty;
(ii) settlement or netting of cash payments through an interbank payment system; or
(iii) settlement, netting, or novation of obligations resulting from a sale of a commodity in a transaction in the spot market for the commodity.
(16) Electronic trading facilityThe term “electronic trading facility” means a trading facility that—
(A) operates by means of an electronic or telecommunications network; and
(B) maintains an automated audit trail of bids, offers, and the matching of orders or the execution of transactions on the facility.
(17) Eligible commercial entityThe term “eligible commercial entity” means, with respect to an agreement, contract or transaction in a commodity—
(A) an eligible contract participant described in clause (i), (ii), (v), (vii), (viii), or (ix) of paragraph (18)(A) that, in connection with its business—
(i) has a demonstrable ability, directly or through separate contractual arrangements, to make or take delivery of the underlying commodity;
(ii) incurs risks, in addition to price risk, related to the commodity; or
(iii) is a dealer that regularly provides risk management or hedging services to, or engages in market-making activities with, the foregoing entities involving transactions to purchase or sell the commodity or derivative agreements, contracts, or transactions in the commodity;
(B) an eligible contract participant, other than a natural person or an instrumentality, department, or agency of a State or local governmental entity, that—
(i) regularly enters into transactions to purchase or sell the commodity or derivative agreements, contracts, or transactions in the commodity; and
(ii) either—(I) in the case of a collective investment vehicle whose participants include persons other than—(aa) qualified eligible persons, as defined in Commission rule 4.7(a) (17 CFR 4.7(a));(bb) accredited investors, as defined in Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.] (17 CFR 230.501(a)), with total assets of $2,000,000; or(cc) qualified purchasers, as defined in section 2(a)(51)(A) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80a–2(a)(51)(A)];(II) in the case of other persons, has, or is one of a group of persons under common control or management having in the aggregate, $100,000,000 in total assets; or
  in each case as in effect on December 21, 2000, has, or is one of a group of vehicles under common control or management having in the aggregate, $1,000,000,000 in total assets; or
(C) such other persons as the Commission shall determine appropriate and shall designate by rule, regulation, or order.
(18) Eligible contract participantThe term “eligible contract participant” means—
(A) acting for its own account—
(i) a financial institution;
(ii) an insurance company that is regulated by a State, or that is regulated by a foreign government and is subject to comparable regulation as determined by the Commission, including a regulated subsidiary or affiliate of such an insurance company;
(iii) an investment company subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.) or a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation (regardless of whether each investor in the investment company or the foreign person is itself an eligible contract participant);
(iv) a commodity pool that—(I) has total assets exceeding $5,000,000; and(II) is formed and operated by a person subject to regulation under this chapter or a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation (regardless of whether each investor in the commodity pool or the foreign person is itself an eligible contract participant) provided, however, that for purposes of section 2(c)(2)(B)(vi) of this title and section 2(c)(2)(C)(vii) of this title, the term “eligible contract participant” shall not include a commodity pool in which any participant is not otherwise an eligible contract participant;
(v) a corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust, or other entity—(I) that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000;(II) the obligations of which under an agreement, contract, or transaction are guaranteed or otherwise supported by a letter of credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement by an entity described in subclause (I), in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), or (vii), or in subparagraph (C); or(III) that—(aa) has a net worth exceeding $1,000,000; and(bb) enters into an agreement, contract, or transaction in connection with the conduct of the entity’s business or to manage the risk associated with an asset or liability owned or incurred or reasonably likely to be owned or incurred by the entity in the conduct of the entity’s business;
(vi) an employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), a governmental employee benefit plan, or a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation—(I) that has total assets exceeding $5,000,000; or(II) the investment decisions of which are made by—(aa) an investment adviser or commodity trading advisor subject to regulation under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b–1 et seq.) or this chapter;(bb) a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation;(cc) a financial institution; or(dd) an insurance company described in clause (ii), or a regulated subsidiary or affiliate of such an insurance company;
(vii)(I) a governmental entity (including the United States, a State, or a foreign government) or political subdivision of a governmental entity;(II) a multinational or supranational government entity; or(III) an instrumentality, agency, or department of an entity described in subclause (I) or (II);
 except that such term does not include an entity, instrumentality, agency, or department referred to in subclause (I) or (III) of this clause unless (aa) the entity, instrumentality, agency, or department is a person described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (17)(A); (bb) the entity, instrumentality, agency, or department owns and invests on a discretionary basis $50,000,000 or more in investments; or (cc) the agreement, contract, or transaction is offered by, and entered into with, an entity that is listed in any of subclauses (I) through (VI) of section 2(c)(2)(B)(ii) of this title;
(viii)(I) a broker or dealer subject to regulation under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) or a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation, except that, if the broker or dealer or foreign person is a natural person or proprietorship, the broker or dealer or foreign person shall not be considered to be an eligible contract participant unless the broker or dealer or foreign person also meets the requirements of clause (v) or (xi);(II) an associated person of a registered broker or dealer concerning the financial or securities activities of which the registered person makes and keeps records under section 15C(b) or 17(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o–5(b), 78q(h));(III) an investment bank holding company (as defined in section 17(i) 2
2 See References in Text note below.
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78q(i)); 3
3 So in original. The semicolon probably should be preceded by an additional closing parenthesis.
(ix) a futures commission merchant subject to regulation under this chapter or a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation, except that, if the futures commission merchant or foreign person is a natural person or proprietorship, the futures commission merchant or foreign person shall not be considered to be an eligible contract participant unless the futures commission merchant or foreign person also meets the requirements of clause (v) or (xi);
(x) a floor broker or floor trader subject to regulation under this chapter in connection with any transaction that takes place on or through the facilities of a registered entity (other than an electronic trading facility with respect to a significant price discovery contract) or an exempt board of trade, or any affiliate thereof, on which such person regularly trades; or
(xi) an individual who has amounts invested on a discretionary basis, the aggregate of which is in excess of—(I) $10,000,000; or(II) $5,000,000 and who enters into the agreement, contract, or transaction in order to manage the risk associated with an asset owned or liability incurred, or reasonably likely to be owned or incurred, by the individual;
(B)
(i) a person described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (viii), (ix), or (x) of subparagraph (A) or in subparagraph (C), acting as broker or performing an equivalent agency function on behalf of another person described in subparagraph (A) or (C); or
(ii) an investment adviser subject to regulation under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80b–1 et seq.], a commodity trading advisor subject to regulation under this chapter, a foreign person performing a similar role or function subject as such to foreign regulation, or a person described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (viii), (ix), or (x) of subparagraph (A) or in subparagraph (C), in any such case acting as investment manager or fiduciary (but excluding a person acting as broker or performing an equivalent agency function) for another person described in subparagraph (A) or (C) and who is authorized by such person to commit such person to the transaction; or
(C) any other person that the Commission determines to be eligible in light of the financial or other qualifications of the person.
(19) Excluded commodityThe term “excluded commodity” means—
(i) an interest rate, exchange rate, currency, security, security index, credit risk or measure, debt or equity instrument, index or measure of inflation, or other macroeconomic index or measure;
(ii) any other rate, differential, index, or measure of economic or commercial risk, return, or value that is—(I) not based in substantial part on the value of a narrow group of commodities not described in clause (i); or(II) based solely on one or more commodities that have no cash market;
(iii) any economic or commercial index based on prices, rates, values, or levels that are not within the control of any party to the relevant contract, agreement, or transaction; or
(iv) an occurrence, extent of an occurrence, or contingency (other than a change in the price, rate, value, or level of a commodity not described in clause (i)) that is—(I) beyond the control of the parties to the relevant contract, agreement, or transaction; and(II) associated with a financial, commercial, or economic consequence.
(20) Exempt commodity
(21) Financial institutionThe term “financial institution” means—
(A) a corporation operating under the fifth undesignated paragraph of section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 603), commonly known as “an agreement corporation”;
(B) a corporation organized under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 611 et seq.), commonly known as an “Edge Act corporation”;
(C) an institution that is regulated by the Farm Credit Administration;
(D) a Federal credit union or State credit union (as defined in section 1752 of title 12);
(E) a depository institution (as defined in section 1813 of title 12);
(F) a foreign bank or a branch or agency of a foreign bank (each as defined in section 3101 of title 12);
(G) any financial holding company (as defined in section 1841 of title 12);
(H) a trust company; or
(I) a similarly regulated subsidiary or affiliate of an entity described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (H).
(22) Floor broker
(A) In generalThe term “floor broker” means any person—
(i) who, in or surrounding any pit, ring, post, or other place provided by a contract market for the meeting of persons similarly engaged, shall purchase or sell for any other person—(I) any commodity for future delivery, security futures product, or swap; or(II) any commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or
(ii) who is registered with the Commission as a floor broker.
(B) Further definition
(23) Floor trader
(A) In generalThe term “floor trader” means any person—
(i) who, in or surrounding any pit, ring, post, or other place provided by a contract market for the meeting of persons similarly engaged, purchases, or sells solely for such person’s own account—(I) any commodity for future delivery, security futures product, or swap; or(II) any commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or
(ii) who is registered with the Commission as a floor trader.
(B) Further definition
(24) Foreign exchange forward
(25) Foreign exchange swapThe term “foreign exchange swap” means a transaction that solely involves—
(A) an exchange of 2 different currencies on a specific date at a fixed rate that is agreed upon on the inception of the contract covering the exchange; and
(B) a reverse exchange of the 2 currencies described in subparagraph (A) at a later date and at a fixed rate that is agreed upon on the inception of the contract covering the exchange.
(26) Foreign futures authority
(27) Future delivery
(28) Futures commission merchant
(A) In generalThe term “futures commission merchant” means an individual, association, partnership, corporation, or trust—
(i) that—(I) is—(aa) engaged in soliciting or in accepting orders for—(AA) the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery;(BB) a security futures product;(CC) a swap;(DD) any agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title;(EE) any commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or(FF) any leverage transaction authorized under section 23 of this title; or(bb) acting as a counterparty in any agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title; and(II) in or in connection with the activities described in items (aa) or (bb) of subclause (I), accepts any money, securities, or property (or extends credit in lieu thereof) to margin, guarantee, or secure any trades or contracts that result or may result therefrom; or
(ii) that is registered with the Commission as a futures commission merchant.
(B) Further definition
(29) Hybrid instrument
(30) Interstate commerceThe 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.
(31) Introducing broker
(A) In generalThe term “introducing broker” means any person (except an individual who elects to be and is registered as an associated person of a futures commission merchant)—
(i) who—(I) is engaged in soliciting or in accepting orders for—(aa) the purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery, security futures product, or swap;(bb) any agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title;(cc) any commodity option authorized under section 6c of this title; or(dd) any leverage transaction authorized under section 23 of this title; and(II) does not accept any money, securities, or property (or extend credit in lieu thereof) to margin, guarantee, or secure any trades or contracts that result or may result therefrom; or
(ii) who is registered with the Commission as an introducing broker.
(B) Further definition
(32) Major security-based swap participant
(33) Major swap participant
(A) In generalThe term “major swap participant” means any person who is not a swap dealer, and—
(i) maintains a substantial position in swaps for any of the major swap categories as determined by the Commission, excluding—(I) positions held for hedging or mitigating commercial risk; and(II) positions maintained by any employee benefit plan (or any contract held by such a plan) as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) of section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002) for the primary purpose of hedging or mitigating any risk directly associated with the operation of the plan;
(ii) whose outstanding swaps create substantial counterparty exposure that could have serious adverse effects on the financial stability of the United States banking system or financial markets; or
(iii)(I) is a financial entity that is highly leveraged relative to the amount of capital it holds and that is not subject to capital requirements established by an appropriate Federal banking agency; and(II) maintains a substantial position in outstanding swaps in any major swap category as determined by the Commission.
(B) Definition of substantial position
(C) Scope of designation
(D) Exclusions
(34) Member of a registered entity; member of a derivatives transaction execution facilityThe term “member” means, with respect to a registered entity or derivatives transaction execution facility, an individual, association, partnership, corporation, or trust—
(A) owning or holding membership in, or admitted to membership representation on, the registered entity or derivatives transaction execution facility; or
(B) having trading privileges on the registered entity or derivatives transaction execution facility.
A participant in an alternative trading system that is designated as a contract market pursuant to section 7b–1 of this title is deemed a member of the contract market for purposes of transactions in security futures products through the contract market.
(35) Narrow-based security index
(A) The term “narrow-based security index” means an index—
(i) that has 9 or fewer component securities;
(ii) in which a component security comprises more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting;
(iii) in which the five highest weighted component securities in the aggregate comprise more than 60 percent of the index’s weighting; or
(iv) in which the lowest weighted component securities comprising, in the aggregate, 25 percent of the index’s weighting have an aggregate dollar value of average daily trading volume of less than $50,000,000 (or in the case of an index with 15 or more component securities, $30,000,000), except that if there are two or more securities with equal weighting that could be included in the calculation of the lowest weighted component securities comprising, in the aggregate, 25 percent of the index’s weighting, such securities shall be ranked from lowest to highest dollar value of average daily trading volume and shall be included in the calculation based on their ranking starting with the lowest ranked security.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an index is not a narrow-based security index if—
(i)(I) it has at least 9 component securities;(II) no component security comprises more than 30 percent of the index’s weighting; and(III) each component security is—(aa) registered pursuant to section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78l];(bb) one of 750 securities with the largest market capitalization; and(cc) one of 675 securities with the largest dollar value of average daily trading volume;
(ii) a board of trade was designated as a contract market by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission with respect to a contract of sale for future delivery on the index, before December 21, 2000;
(iii)(I) a contract of sale for future delivery on the index traded on a designated contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility for at least 30 days as a contract of sale for future delivery on an index that was not a narrow-based security index; and(II) it has been a narrow-based security index for no more than 45 business days over 3 consecutive calendar months;
(iv) a contract of sale for future delivery on the index is traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade and meets such requirements as are jointly established by rule or regulation by the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(v) no more than 18 months have passed since December 21, 2000, and—(I) it is traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade;(II) the offer and sale in the United States of a contract of sale for future delivery on the index was authorized before December 21, 2000; and(III) the conditions of such authorization continue to be met; or
(vi) a contract of sale for future delivery on the index is traded on or subject to the rules of a board of trade and meets such requirements as are jointly established by rule, regulation, or order by the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(C) Within 1 year after December 21, 2000, the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission jointly shall adopt rules or regulations that set forth the requirements under subparagraph (B)(iv).
(D) An index that is a narrow-based security index solely because it was a narrow-based security index for more than 45 business days over 3 consecutive calendar months pursuant to clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) shall not be a narrow-based security index for the 3 following calendar months.
(E) For purposes of subparagraphs (A) and (B)—
(i) the dollar value of average daily trading volume and the market capitalization shall be calculated as of the preceding 6 full calendar months; and
(ii) the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission shall, by rule or regulation, jointly specify the method to be used to determine market capitalization and dollar value of average daily trading volume.
(36) Option
(37) Organized exchangeThe term “organized exchange” means a trading facility that—
(A) permits trading—
(i) by or on behalf of a person that is not an eligible contract participant; or
(ii) by persons other than on a principal-to-principal basis; or
(B) has adopted (directly or through another nongovernmental entity) rules that—
(i) govern the conduct of participants, other than rules that govern the submission of orders or execution of transactions on the trading facility; and
(ii) include disciplinary sanctions other than the exclusion of participants from trading.
(38) Person
(39) Prudential regulatorThe 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 Act 4
4 See References in Text note below.
;
(v) any bank holding company (as defined in section 2 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1965 4 (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).
(40) Registered entityThe term “registered entity” means—
(A) a board of trade designated as a contract market under section 7 of this title;
(B) a derivatives clearing organization registered under section 7a–1 of this title;
(C) a board of trade designated as a contract market under section 7b–1 of this title;
(D) a swap execution facility registered under section 7b–3 of this title;
(E) a swap data repository registered under section 24a of this title; and
(F) with respect to a contract that the Commission determines is a significant price discovery contract, any electronic trading facility on which the contract is executed or traded.
(41) Security
(42) Security-based swap
(43) Security-based swap dealer
(44) Security future
(45) Security futures product
(46) Significant price discovery contract
(47) Swap
(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the term “swap” means any agreement, contract, or transaction—
(i) that is a put, call, cap, floor, collar, or similar option of any kind that is for the purchase or sale, or based on the value, of 1 or more interest or other rates, currencies, commodities, securities, instruments of indebtedness, indices, quantitative measures, or other financial or economic interests or property of any kind;
(ii) that provides for any purchase, sale, payment, or delivery (other than a dividend on an equity security) that is dependent on the occurrence, nonoccurrence, or the extent of the occurrence of an event or contingency associated with a potential financial, economic, or commercial consequence;
(iii) that provides on an executory basis for the exchange, on a fixed or contingent basis, of 1 or more payments based on the value or level of 1 or more interest or other rates, currencies, commodities, securities, instruments of indebtedness, indices, quantitative measures, or other financial or economic interests or property of any kind, or any interest therein or based on the value thereof, and that transfers, as between the parties to the transaction, in whole or in part, the financial risk associated with a future change in any such value or level without also conveying a current or future direct or indirect ownership interest in an asset (including any enterprise or investment pool) or liability that incorporates the financial risk so transferred, including any agreement, contract, or transaction commonly known as—(I) an interest rate swap;(II) a rate floor;(III) a rate cap;(IV) a rate collar;(V) a cross-currency rate swap;(VI) a basis swap;(VII) a currency swap;(VIII) a foreign exchange swap;(IX) a total return swap;(X) an equity index swap;(XI) an equity swap;(XII) a debt index swap;(XIII) a debt swap;(XIV) a credit spread;(XV) a credit default swap;(XVI) a credit swap;(XVII) a weather swap;(XVIII) an energy swap;(XIX) a metal swap;(XX) an agricultural swap;(XXI) an emissions swap; and(XXII) a commodity swap;
(iv) that is an agreement, contract, or transaction that is, or in the future becomes, commonly known to the trade as a swap;
(v) including any security-based swap agreement which meets the definition of “swap agreement” as defined in section 206A of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. 78c note) of which a material term is based on the price, yield, value, or volatility of any security or any group or index of securities, or any interest therein; or
(vi) that is any combination or permutation of, or option on, any agreement, contract, or transaction described in any of clauses (i) through (v).
(B) ExclusionsThe term “swap” does not include—
(i) any contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract), leverage contract authorized under section 23 of this title, security futures product, or agreement, contract, or transaction described in section 2(c)(2)(C)(i) of this title or section 2(c)(2)(D)(i) of this title;
(ii) any sale of a nonfinancial commodity or security for deferred shipment or delivery, so long as the transaction is intended to be physically settled;
(iii) any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities, including any interest therein or based on the value thereof, that is subject to—(I) the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.); and(II) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.);
(iv) any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege relating to a foreign currency entered into on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f(a));
(v) any agreement, contract, or transaction providing for the purchase or sale of 1 or more securities on a fixed basis that is subject to—(I) the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.); and(II) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.);
(vi) any agreement, contract, or transaction providing for the purchase or sale of 1 or more securities on a contingent basis that is subject to the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.), unless the agreement, contract, or transaction predicates the purchase or sale on the occurrence of a bona fide contingency that might reasonably be expected to affect or be affected by the creditworthiness of a party other than a party to the agreement, contract, or transaction;
(vii) any note, bond, or evidence of indebtedness that is a security, as defined in section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(1));
(viii) any agreement, contract, or transaction that is—(I) based on a security; and(II) entered into directly or through an underwriter (as defined in section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(11)) 5
5 So in original. A third closing parenthesis probably should appear.
by the issuer of such security for the purposes of raising capital, unless the agreement, contract, or transaction is entered into to manage a risk associated with capital raising;
(ix) any agreement, contract, or transaction a counterparty of which is a Federal Reserve bank, the Federal Government, or a Federal agency that is expressly backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and
(x) any security-based swap, other than a security-based swap as described in subparagraph (D).
(C) Rule of construction regarding master agreements
(i) In general
(ii) Exception
(D) Mixed swap
(E) Treatment of foreign exchange swaps and forwards
(i) In generalForeign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards shall be considered swaps under this paragraph unless the Secretary makes a written determination under section 1b of this title that either foreign exchange swaps or foreign exchange forwards or both—(I) should be not be regulated as swaps under this chapter; and(II) are not structured to evade the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in violation of any rule promulgated by the Commission pursuant to section 721(c) of that Act [15 U.S.C. 8321(b)].
(ii) Congressional notice; effectiveness
(iii) Reporting
(iv) Business standards
(v) Secretary
(F) Exception for certain foreign exchange swaps and forwards
(i) Registered entities
(ii) Retail transactions
(48) Swap data repository
(49) Swap dealer
(A) In generalThe term “swap dealer” means any person who—
(i) holds itself out as a dealer in swaps;
(ii) makes a market in swaps;
(iii) regularly enters into swaps with counterparties as an ordinary course of business for its own account; or
(iv) engages in any activity causing the person to be commonly known in the trade as a dealer or market maker in swaps,
(B) Inclusion
(C) Exception
(D) De minimis exception
(50) Swap execution facilityThe 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.
(51) Trading facility
(A) In generalThe term “trading facility” means a person or group of persons that constitutes, maintains, or provides a physical or electronic facility or system in which multiple participants have the ability to execute or trade agreements, contracts, or transactions—
(i) by accepting bids or offers made by other participants that are open to multiple participants in the facility or system; or
(ii) through the interaction of multiple bids or multiple offers within a system with a pre-determined non-discretionary automated trade matching and execution algorithm.
(B) ExclusionsThe term “trading facility” does not include—
(i) a person or group of persons solely because the person or group of persons constitutes, maintains, or provides an electronic facility or system that enables participants to negotiate the terms of and enter into bilateral transactions as a result of communications exchanged by the parties and not from interaction of multiple bids and multiple offers within a predetermined, nondiscretionary automated trade matching and execution algorithm;
(ii) a government securities dealer or government securities broker, to the extent that the dealer or broker executes or trades agreements, contracts, or transactions in government securities, or assists persons in communicating about, negotiating, entering into, executing, or trading an agreement, contract, or transaction in government securities (as the terms “government securities dealer”, “government securities broker”, and “government securities” are defined in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))); or
(iii) facilities on which bids and offers, and acceptances of bids and offers effected on the facility, are not binding.
 Any person, group of persons, dealer, broker, or facility described in clause (i) or (ii) is excluded from the meaning of the term “trading facility” for the purposes of this chapter without any prior specific approval, certification, or other action by the Commission.
(C) Special rule
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 1a, as added Pub. L. 102–546, title IV, § 404(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3625; amended Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 101, 123(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–366, 2763A–405; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, §§ 13105(j), 13201(a), 13203(a), (b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1435, 1439; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, §§ 13105(j), 13201(a), 13203(a), (b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2197, 2201; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 721(a), 741(b)(10), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1658, 1732.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1a

§ 1b. Requirements of Secretary of the Treasury regarding exemption of foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards from definition of the term “swap”
(a) Required considerations
In determining whether to exempt foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards from the definition of the term “swap”, the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) shall consider—
(1) whether the required trading and clearing of foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards would create systemic risk, lower transparency, or threaten the financial stability of the United States;
(2) whether foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards are already subject to a regulatory scheme that is materially comparable to that established by this chapter for other classes of swaps;
(3) the extent to which bank regulators of participants in the foreign exchange market provide adequate supervision, including capital and margin requirements;
(4) the extent of adequate payment and settlement systems; and
(5) the use of a potential exemption of foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards to evade otherwise applicable regulatory requirements.
(b) Determination
If the Secretary makes a determination to exempt foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards from the definition of the term “swap”, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a determination that contains—
(1) an explanation regarding why foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards are qualitatively different from other classes of swaps in a way that would make the foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards ill-suited for regulation as swaps; and
(2) an identification of the objective differences of foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards with respect to standard swaps that warrant an exempted status.
(c) Effect of determination
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 1b, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 722(h), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1674.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1b

§ 2. Jurisdiction of Commission; liability of principal for act of agent; Commodity Futures Trading Commission; transaction in interstate commerce
(a) Jurisdiction of Commission; Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(1) Jurisdiction of Commission
(A) In general
(B) Liability of principal for act of agent
(C) Designation of boards of trade as contract markets; contracts for future delivery; security futures products; filing with Board of Governors of Federal Reserve System; judicial reviewNotwithstanding any other provision of law—
(i)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II), this chapter shall not apply to and the Commission shall have no jurisdiction to designate a board of trade as a contract market for any transaction whereby any party to such transaction acquires any put, call, or other option on one or more securities (as defined in section 77b(1) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of title 15 or section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)] on January 11, 1983), including any group or index of such securities, or any interest therein or based on the value thereof.(II) This chapter shall apply to and the Commission shall have jurisdiction with respect to accounts, agreements, and transactions involving, and may permit the listing for trading pursuant to section 7a–2(c) of this title of, a put, call, or other option on 1 or more securities (as defined in section 77b(a)(1) of title 15 or section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(10)] on January 11, 1983), including any group or index of such securities, or any interest therein or based on the value thereof, that is exempted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 36(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78mm(a)(1)] with the condition that the Commission exercise concurrent jurisdiction over such put, call, or other option; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the jurisdiction and authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission over such put, call, or other option.
(ii) This chapter shall apply to and the Commission shall have exclusive jurisdiction with respect to accounts, agreements (including any transaction which 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”) and transactions involving, and may designate a board of trade as a contract market in, or register a derivatives transaction execution facility that trades or executes, contracts of sale (or options on such contracts) for future delivery of a group or index of securities (or any interest therein or based upon the value thereof): Provided, however, That no board of trade shall be designated as a contract market with respect to any such contracts of sale (or options on such contracts) for future delivery, and no derivatives transaction execution facility shall trade or execute such contracts of sale (or options on such contracts) for future delivery, unless the board of trade or the derivatives transaction execution facility, and the applicable contract, meet the following minimum requirements:(I) Settlement of or delivery on such contract (or option on such contract) shall be effected in cash or by means other than the transfer or receipt of any security, except an exempted security under section 77c of title 15 or section 3(a)(12) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)] as in effect on January 11, 1983, (other than any municipal security, as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29)] on January 11, 1983);(II) Trading in such contract (or option on such contract) shall not be readily susceptible to manipulation of the price of such contract (or option on such contract), nor to causing or being used in the manipulation of the price of any underlying security, option on such security or option on a group or index including such securities; and(III) Such group or index of securities shall not constitute a narrow-based security index.
(iii) If, in its discretion, the Commission determines that a stock index futures contract, notwithstanding its conformance with the requirements in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, can reasonably be used as a surrogate for trading a security (including a security futures product), it may, by order, require such contract and any option thereon be traded and regulated as security futures products as defined in section 3(a)(56) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(56)] and section 1a of this title subject to all rules and regulations applicable to security futures products under this chapter and the securities laws as defined in section 3(a)(47) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(47)].
(iv) No person shall offer to enter into, enter into, or confirm the execution of any contract of sale (or option on such contract) for future delivery of any security, or interest therein or based on the value thereof, except an exempted security under or 2
2 So in original. The word “or” probably should not appear.
section 3(a)(12) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(12)] as in effect on January 11, 1983 (other than any municipal security as defined in section 3(a)(29) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(29)] on January 11, 1983), or except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph or subparagraph (D), any group or index of such securities or any interest therein or based on the value thereof.
(v)(I) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any contract market in a stock index futures contract (or option thereon) other than a security futures product, or any derivatives transaction execution facility on which such contract or option is traded, shall file with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System any rule establishing or changing the levels of margin (initial and maintenance) for such stock index futures contract (or option thereon) other than security futures products.(II) The Board may at any time request any contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility to set the margin for any stock index futures contract (or option thereon), other than for any security futures product, at such levels as the Board in its judgment determines are appropriate to preserve the financial integrity of the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility, or its clearing system, or to prevent systemic risk. If the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility fails to do so within the time specified by the Board in its request, the Board may direct the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility to alter or supplement the rules of the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility as specified in the request.(III) Subject to such conditions as the Board may determine, the Board may delegate any or all of its authority, relating to margin for any stock index futures contract (or option thereon), other than security futures products, under this clause to the Commission.(IV) It shall be unlawful for any futures commission merchant to, directly or indirectly, extend or maintain credit to or for, or collect margin from any customer on any security futures product unless such activities comply with the regulations prescribed pursuant to section 7(c)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78g(c)(2)(B)].(V) Nothing in this clause shall supersede or limit the authority granted to the Commission in section 12a(9) of this title to direct a contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility, on finding an emergency to exist, to raise temporary margin levels on any futures contract, or option on the contract covered by this clause, or on any security futures product.(VI) Any action taken by the Board, or by the Commission acting under the delegation of authority under subclause III,3
3 So in original. Probably should be subclause “(III)”.
under this clause directing a contract market to alter or supplement a contract market rule shall be subject to review only in the Court of Appeals where the party seeking review resides or has its principal place of business, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The review shall be based on the examination of all information before the Board or the Commission, as the case may be, at the time the determination was made. The court reviewing the action of the Board or the Commission shall not enter a stay or order of mandamus unless the court has determined, after notice and a hearing before a panel of the court, that the agency action complained of was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.
(D) Jurisdiction and authority of Securities and Exchange Commission over security futures; requirements for security futures trading; periodic or special examinations by Commission representatives
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Securities and Exchange Commission shall have jurisdiction and authority over security futures as defined in section 3(a)(55) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(55)], section 77b(a)(16) of title 15, section 80a–2(a)(52) of title 15, and section 80b–2(a)(27) of title 15, options on security futures, and persons effecting transactions in security futures and options thereon, and this chapter shall apply to and the Commission shall have jurisdiction with respect to accounts, agreements (including any transaction which 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”), contracts, and transactions involving, and may designate a board of trade as a contract market in, or register a derivatives transaction execution facility that trades or executes, a security futures product as defined in section 1a of this title: Provided, however, That, except as provided in clause (vi) of this subparagraph, no board of trade shall be designated as a contract market with respect to, or registered as a derivatives transaction execution facility for, any such contracts of sale for future delivery unless the board of trade and the applicable contract meet the following criteria:(I) Except as otherwise provided in a rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to clause (v) of this subparagraph, any security underlying the security future, including each component security of a narrow-based security index, is registered pursuant to section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78l].(II) If the security futures product is not cash settled, the board of trade on which the security futures product is traded has arrangements in place with a clearing agency registered pursuant to section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78q–1] for the payment and delivery of the securities underlying the security futures product.(III) Except as otherwise provided in a rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to clause (v) of this subparagraph, the security future is based upon common stock and such other equity securities as the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission jointly determine appropriate.(IV) The security futures product is cleared by a clearing agency that has in place provisions for linked and coordinated clearing with other clearing agencies that clear security futures products, which permits the security futures product to be purchased on a designated contract market, registered derivatives transaction execution facility, national securities exchange registered under section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78f(a)], or national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)] and offset on another designated contract market, registered derivatives transaction execution facility, national securities exchange registered under section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.(V) Only futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, commodity trading advisors, commodity pool operators or associated persons subject to suitability rules comparable to those of a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)] solicit, accept any order for, or otherwise deal in any transaction in or in connection with the security futures product.(VI) The security futures product is subject to a prohibition against dual trading in section 6j of this title and the rules and regulations thereunder or the provisions of section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78k(a)] and the rules and regulations thereunder, except to the extent otherwise permitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.] and the rules and regulations thereunder.(VII) Trading in the security futures product is not readily susceptible to manipulation of the price of such security futures product, nor to causing or being used in the manipulation of the price of any underlying security, option on such security, or option on a group or index including such securities;(VIII) The board of trade on which the security futures product is traded has procedures in place for coordinated surveillance among such board of trade, any market on which any security underlying the security futures product is traded, and other markets on which any related security is traded to detect manipulation and insider trading, except that, if the board of trade is an alternative trading system, a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)] or national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78f(a)] of which such alternative trading system is a member has in place such procedures.(IX) The board of trade on which the security futures product is traded has in place audit trails necessary or appropriate to facilitate the coordinated surveillance required in subclause (VIII), except that, if the board of trade is an alternative trading system, a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)] or national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78f(a)] of which such alternative trading system is a member has rules to require such audit trails.(X) The board of trade on which the security futures product is traded has in place procedures to coordinate trading halts between such board of trade and markets on which any security underlying the security futures product is traded and other markets on which any related security is traded, except that, if the board of trade is an alternative trading system, a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)] or national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78f(a)] of which such alternative trading system is a member has rules to require such coordinated trading halts.(XI) The margin requirements for a security futures product comply with the regulations prescribed pursuant to section 7(c)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78g(c)(2)(B)], except that nothing in this subclause shall be construed to prevent a board of trade from requiring higher margin levels for a security futures product when it deems such action to be necessary or appropriate.
(ii) It shall be unlawful for any person to offer, to enter into, to execute, to confirm the execution of, or to conduct any office or business anywhere in the United States, its territories or possessions, for the purpose of soliciting, or accepting any order for, or otherwise dealing in, any transaction in, or in connection with, a security futures product unless—(I) the transaction is conducted on or subject to the rules of a board of trade that—(aa) has been designated by the Commission as a contract market in such security futures product; or(bb) is a registered derivatives transaction execution facility for the security futures product that has provided a certification with respect to the security futures product pursuant to clause (vii);(II) the contract is executed or consummated by, through, or with a member of the contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility; and(III) the security futures product is evidenced by a record in writing which shows the date, the parties to such security futures product and their addresses, the property covered, and its price, and each contract market member or registered derivatives transaction execution facility member shall keep the record for a period of 3 years from the date of the transaction, or for a longer period if the Commission so directs, which record shall at all times be open to the inspection of any duly authorized representative of the Commission.
(iii)(I) Except as provided in subclause (II) but notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no person shall offer to enter into, enter into, or confirm the execution of any option on a security future.(II) After 3 years after December 21, 2000, the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order jointly determine to permit trading of options on any security future authorized to be traded under the provisions of this chapter and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.].
(iv)(I) All relevant records of a futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a)(2) of this title, floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to section 6f(a)(3) of this title, associated person exempt from registration pursuant to section 6k(6) of this title, or board of trade designated as a contract market in a security futures product pursuant to section 7b–1 of this title shall be subject to such reasonable periodic or special examinations by representatives of the Commission as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, and the Commission, before conducting any such examination, shall give notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission of the proposed examination and consult with the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the examination with examinations conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to avoid unnecessary regulatory duplication or undue regulatory burdens for the registrant or board of trade.(II) The Commission shall notify the Securities and Exchange Commission of any examination conducted of any futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a)(2) of this title, floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to (III) Before conducting an examination under subclause (I), the Commission shall use the reports of examinations, unless the information sought is unavailable in the reports, of any futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a)(2) of this title, floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to section 6f(a)(3) of this title, associated person exempt from registration pursuant to section 6k(6) of this title, or board of trade designated as a contract market in a security futures product pursuant to section 7b–1 of this title that is made by the Securities and Exchange Commission, a national securities association registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)), or a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f(a)).(IV) Any records required under this subsection for a futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a)(2) of this title, floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to section 6f(a)(3) of this title, associated person exempt from registration pursuant to section 6k(6) of this title, or board of trade designated as a contract market in a security futures product pursuant to section 7b–1 of this title, shall be limited to records with respect to accounts, agreements, contracts, and transactions involving security futures products.
(v)(I) The Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, by rule, regulation, or order, may jointly modify the criteria specified in subclause (I) or (III) of clause (i), including the trading of security futures based on securities other than equity securities, to the extent such modification fosters the development of fair and orderly markets in security futures products, is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors.(II) The Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, by order, may jointly exempt any person from compliance with the criterion specified in clause (i)(IV) to the extent such exemption fosters the development of fair and orderly markets in security futures products, is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, and is consistent with the protection of investors.
(vi)(I) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (vii), until the compliance date, a board of trade shall not be required to meet the criterion specified in clause (i)(IV).(II) The Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission shall jointly publish in the Federal Register a notice of the compliance date no later than 165 days before the compliance date.(III) For purposes of this clause, the term “compliance date” means the later of—(aa) 180 days after the end of the first full calendar month period in which the average aggregate comparable share volume for all security futures products based on single equity securities traded on all designated contract markets and registered derivatives transaction execution facilities equals or exceeds 10 percent of the average aggregate comparable share volume of options on single equity securities traded on all national securities exchanges registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78f(a)] and any national securities associations registered pursuant to section 15A(a) of such Act [15 U.S.C. 78o–3(a)]; or(bb) 2 years after the date on which trading in any security futures product commences under this chapter.
(vii) It shall be unlawful for a board of trade to trade or execute a security futures product unless the board of trade has provided the Commission with a certification that the specific security futures product and the board of trade, as applicable, meet the criteria specified in subclauses (I) through (XI) of clause (i), except as otherwise provided in clause (vi).
(E) Obligation to address security futures products traded on foreign exchanges
(i) To the extent necessary or appropriate in the public interest, to promote fair competition, and consistent with promotion of market efficiency, innovation, and expansion of investment opportunities, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission shall jointly issue such rules, regulations, or orders as are necessary and appropriate to permit the offer and sale of a security futures product traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade to United States persons.
(ii) The rules, regulations, or orders adopted under clause (i) shall take into account, as appropriate, the nature and size of the markets that the securities underlying the security futures product reflects.
(F) Security futures products traded on foreign boards of trade
(i) Nothing in this chapter is intended to prohibit a futures commission merchant from carrying security futures products traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade in the accounts of persons located outside of the United States.
(ii) Nothing in this chapter is intended to prohibit any eligible contract participant located in the United States from purchasing or carrying securities futures products traded on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market to the same extent such person may be authorized to purchase or carry other securities traded on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market so long as any underlying security for such security futures products is traded principally on, by, or through any exchange or market located outside the United States.
(G)
(i) Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the jurisdiction conferred on the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 with regard to security-based swap agreements as defined pursuant to section 3(a)(78) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(78)], and security-based swaps.
(ii) In addition to the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission described in clause (i), nothing in this subparagraph shall limit or affect any statutory authority of the Commission with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction described in clause (i).
(H) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 shall not apply to, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall have no jurisdiction under such Act (or any amendments to this chapter made by such Act) with respect to, any security other than a security-based swap.
(I)
(i) Nothing in this chapter shall limit or affect any statutory authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or a State regulatory authority (as defined in section 796(21) of title 16) with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction that is entered into pursuant to a tariff or rate schedule approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or a State regulatory authority and is—(I) not executed, traded, or cleared on a registered entity or trading facility; or(II) executed, traded, or cleared on a registered entity or trading facility owned or operated by a regional transmission organization or independent system operator.
(ii) In addition to the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or a State regulatory authority described in clause (i), nothing in this subparagraph shall limit or affect—(I) any statutory authority of the Commission with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction described in clause (i); or(II) the jurisdiction of the Commission under subparagraph (A) with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction that is executed, traded, or cleared on a registered entity or trading facility that is not owned or operated by a regional transmission organization or independent system operator (as defined by sections 4
4 So in original. Probably should be “section”.
796(27) and (28) of title 16).
(2) Establishment of Commodity Futures Trading Commission; composition; terms of Commissioners
(A) There is hereby established, as an independent agency of the United States Government, a Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The Commission shall be composed of five Commissioners who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. In nominating persons for appointment, the President shall—
(i) select persons who shall each have demonstrated knowledge in futures trading or its regulation, or the production, merchandising, processing or distribution of one or more of the commodities or other goods and articles, services, rights, and interests covered by this chapter; and
(ii) seek to ensure that the demonstrated knowledge of the Commissioners is balanced with respect to such areas.
Not more than three of the members of the Commission shall be members of the same political party. Each Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years and until his successor is appointed and has qualified, except that he shall not so continue to serve beyond the expiration of the next session of Congress subsequent to the expiration of said fixed term of office, and except (i) any Commissioner appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term, and (ii) the terms of office of the Commissioners first taking office after the enactment of this paragraph shall expire as designated by the President at the time of nomination, one at the end of one year, one at the end of two years, one at the end of three years, one at the end of four years, and one at the end of five years.
(B) The President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a member of the Commission as Chairman, who shall serve as Chairman at the pleasure of the President. An individual may be appointed as Chairman at the same time that person is appointed as a Commissioner. The Chairman shall be the chief administrative officer of the Commission and shall preside at hearings before the Commission. At any time, the President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a different Chairman, and the Commissioner previously appointed as Chairman may complete that Commissioner’s term as a Commissioner.
(3) Vacancies
(4) General Counsel
(5) Executive Director
(6) Powers and Functions of Chairman
(A) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph and in paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection, the executive and administrative functions of the Commission, including functions of the Commission with respect to the appointment and supervision of personnel employed under the Commission, the distribution of business among such personnel and among administrative units of the Commission, and the use and expenditure of funds, according to budget categories, plans, programs, and priorities established and approved by the Commission, shall be exercised solely by the Chairman.
(B) In carrying out any of his functions under the provisions of this paragraph, the Chairman shall be governed by general policies, plans, priorities, and budgets approved by the Commission and by such regulatory decisions, findings, and determination as the Commission may by law be authorized to make.
(C) The appointment by the Chairman of the heads of major administrative units under the Commission shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.
(D) Personnel employed regularly and full time in the immediate offices of Commissioners other than the Chairman shall not be affected by the provisions of this paragraph.
(E) There are hereby reserved to the Commission its functions with respect to revising budget estimates and with respect to determining the distribution of appropriated funds according to major programs and purposes.
(F) The Chairman may from time to time make such provisions as he shall deem appropriate authorizing the performance by any officer, employee, or administrative unit under his jurisdiction of any functions of the Chairman under this paragraph.
(7) Appointment and compensation
(A) In general
(B) Rates of pay
(C) Comparability
(i) In general
(ii) Consultation
(8) Conflict of interest
(9) Liaison with Department of Agriculture; communications with Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, and Securities and Exchange Commission; application by a board of trade for designation as a contract market for future delivery of securities
(A) The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, maintain a liaison between the Commission and the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to enable the Commission to obtain information and utilize such services and facilities of the Department of Agriculture as may be necessary in order to maintain effectively such liaison. In addition, the Secretary shall appoint a liaison officer, who shall be an employee of the Office of the Secretary, for the purpose of maintaining a liaison between the Department of Agriculture and the Commission. The Commission shall furnish such liaison officer appropriate office space within the offices of the Commission and shall allow such liaison officer to attend and observe all deliberations and proceedings of the Commission.
(B)
(i) The Commission shall maintain communications with the Department of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of keeping such agencies fully informed of Commission activities that relate to the responsibilities of those agencies, for the purpose of seeking the views of those agencies on such activities, and for considering the relationships between the volume and nature of investment and trading in contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery and in securities and financial instruments under the jurisdiction of such agencies.
(ii) When a board of trade applies for designation or registration as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility involving transactions for future delivery of any security issued or guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, the Commission shall promptly deliver a copy of such application to the Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The Commission may not designate or register a board of trade as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility based on such application until forty-five days after the date the Commission delivers the application to such agencies or until the Commission receives comments from each of such agencies on the application, whichever period is shorter. Any comments received by the Commission from such agencies shall be included as part of the public record of the Commission’s designation proceeding. In designating, registering, or refusing, suspending, or revoking the designation or registration of, a board of trade as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility involving transactions for future delivery referred to in this clause or in considering any possible action under this chapter (including without limitation emergency action under section 12a(9) of this title) with respect to such transactions, the Commission shall take into consideration all comments it receives from the Department of the Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and shall consider the effect that any such designation, registration, suspension, revocation, or action may have on the debt financing requirements of the United States Government and the continued efficiency and integrity of the underlying market for government securities.
(iii) The provisions of this subparagraph shall not create any rights, liabilities, or obligations upon which actions may be brought against the Commission.
(10) Transmittal of budget requests and legislative recommendations to congressional committees
(A) Whenever the Commission submits any budget estimate or request to the President or the Office of Management and Budget, it shall concurrently transmit copies of that estimate or request to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
(B) Whenever the Commission transmits any legislative recommendations, or testimony, or comments on legislation to the President or the Office of Management and Budget, it shall concurrently transmit copies thereof to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. No officer or agency of the United States shall have any authority to require the Commission to submit its legislative recommendations, or testimony, or comments on legislation to any officer or agency of the United States for approval, comments, or review, prior to the submission of such recommendations, testimony, or comments to the Congress. In instances in which the Commission voluntarily seeks to obtain the comments or review of any officer or agency of the United States, the Commission shall include a description of such actions in its legislative recommendations, testimony, or comments on legislation which it transmits to the Congress.
(C) Whenever the Commission issues for official publication any opinion, release, rule, order, interpretation, or other determination on a matter, the Commission shall provide that any dissenting, concurring, or separate opinion by any Commissioner on the matter be published in full along with the Commission opinion, release, rule, order, interpretation, or determination.
(11) Seal
(12) Rules and regulations
(13) Public availability of swap transaction data
(A) Definition of real-time public reporting
(B) Purpose
(C) General ruleThe Commission is authorized and required to provide by rule for the public availability of swap transaction and pricing data as follows:
(i) With respect to those swaps that are subject to the mandatory clearing requirement described in subsection (h)(1) (including those swaps that are excepted from the requirement pursuant to subsection (h)(7)), the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for such transactions.
(ii) With respect to those swaps that are not subject to the mandatory clearing requirement described in subsection (h)(1), but are cleared at a registered derivatives clearing organization, the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for such transactions.
(iii) With respect to swaps that are not cleared at a registered derivatives clearing organization and which are reported to a swap data repository or the Commission under subsection (h)(6), the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for such transactions, in a manner that does not disclose the business transactions and market positions of any person.
(iv) With respect to swaps that are determined to be required to be cleared under subsection (h)(2) but are not cleared, the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for such transactions.
(D) Registered entities and public reporting
(E) Rulemaking requiredWith respect to the rule providing for the public availability of transaction and pricing data for swaps described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (C), the rule promulgated by the Commission shall contain provisions—
(i) to ensure such information does not identify the participants;
(ii) to specify the criteria for determining what constitutes a large notional swap transaction (block trade) for particular markets and contracts;
(iii) to specify the appropriate time delay for reporting large notional swap transactions (block trades) to the public; and
(iv) that take into account whether the public disclosure will materially reduce market liquidity.
(F) Timeliness of reporting
(G) Reporting of swaps to registered swap data repositories
(14) Semiannual and annual public reporting of aggregate swap data
(A) In generalIn accordance with subparagraph (B), the Commission shall issue a written report on a semiannual and annual basis to make available to the public information relating to—
(i) the trading and clearing in the major swap categories; and
(ii) the market participants and developments in new products.
(B) Use; consultationIn preparing a report under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall—
(i) use information from swap data repositories and derivatives clearing organizations; and
(ii) consult with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Bank for International Settlements, and such other regulatory bodies as may be necessary.
(C) Authority of the Commission
(15) Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee
(A) Establishment
(i) In general
(ii) Membership
(iii) ActivitiesThe Committee’s objectives and scope of activities shall be—(I) to conduct public meetings;(II) to submit reports and recommendations to the Commission (including dissenting or minority views, if any); and(III) otherwise to serve as a vehicle for discussion and communication on matters of concern to exchanges, firms, end users, and regulators regarding energy and environmental markets and their regulation by the Commission.
(B) Requirements
(i) In general
(ii) Members
(C) Appointment
(D) Reimbursement
(E) Chapter 10 of title 5
(b) Transaction in interstate commerce
(c) Agreements, contracts, and transactions in foreign currency, government securities, and certain other commodities
(1) In generalExcept as provided in paragraph (2), nothing in this chapter (other than section,5
5 So in original.
7a–1,5 or 16(e)(2)(B) of this title) governs or applies to an agreement, contract, or transaction in—
(A) foreign currency;
(B) government securities;
(C) security warrants;
(D) security rights;
(E) resales of installment loan contracts;
(F) repurchase transactions in an excluded commodity; or
(G) mortgages or mortgage purchase commitments.
(2) Commission jurisdiction
(A) Agreements, contracts, and transactions traded on an organized exchangeThis chapter applies to, and the Commission shall have jurisdiction over, an agreement, contract, or transaction described in paragraph (1) that is—
(i) a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or an option on such a contract), or an option on a commodity (other than foreign currency or a security or a group or index of securities), that is executed or traded on an organized exchange;
(ii) a swap; or
(iii) an option on foreign currency executed or traded on an organized exchange that is not a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78f(a)].
(B) Agreements, contracts, and transactions in retail foreign currency
(i) This chapter applies to, and the Commission shall have jurisdiction over, an agreement, contract, or transaction in foreign currency that—(I) is a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or an option on such a contract) or an option (other than an option executed or traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f(a))); and(II) is offered to, or entered into with, a person that is not an eligible contract participant, unless the counterparty, or the person offering to be the counterparty, of the person is—(aa) a United States financial institution;(bb)(AA) a broker or dealer registered under section 15(b) (except paragraph (11) thereof) or 15C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o(b), 78o–5); or(BB) an associated person of a broker or dealer registered under section 15(b) (except paragraph (11) thereof) or 15C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o(b), 78o–5) concerning the financial or securities activities of which the broker or dealer makes and keeps records under section 15C(b) or 17(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o–5(b), 78q(h));(cc)(AA) a futures commission merchant that is primarily or substantially engaged in the business activities described in section 1a of this title, is registered under this chapter, is not a person described in item (bb) of this subclause, and maintains adjusted net capital equal to or in excess of the dollar amount that applies for purposes of clause (ii) of this subparagraph; or(BB) an affiliated person of a futures commission merchant that is primarily or substantially engaged in the business activities described in section 1a of this title, is registered under this chapter, and is not a person described in item (bb) of this subclause, if the affiliated person maintains adjusted net capital equal to or in excess of the dollar amount that applies for purposes of clause (ii) of this subparagraph and is not a person described in such item (bb), and the futures commission merchant makes and keeps records under section 6f(c)(2)(B) of this title concerning the futures and other financial activities of the affiliated person;(dd) a financial holding company (as defined in section 1841 of title 12); or(ff)6
6 So in original. No item (ee) has been enacted.
a retail foreign exchange dealer that maintains adjusted net capital equal to or in excess of the dollar amount that applies for purposes of clause (ii) of this subparagraph and is registered in such capacity with the Commission, subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission shall prescribe, and is a member of a futures association registered under section 21 of this title.
(ii) The dollar amount that applies for purposes of this clause is—(I) $10,000,000, beginning 120 days after the date of the enactment of this clause;(II) $15,000,000, beginning 240 days after such date of enactment; and(III) $20,000,000, beginning 360 days after such date of enactment.
(iii) Notwithstanding items (cc) and (gg) of clause (i)(II) of this subparagraph, agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) of this subparagraph, and accounts or pooled investment vehicles described in clause (vi), shall be subject to subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section and sections 6(b), 6b, 6c(b), 6o, 9, and 13b of this title (except to the extent that sections 9 and 13b of this title prohibit manipulation of the market price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any market), 13a–1, 13a–2, 12(a), 13c(a), and 13c(b) of this title if the agreements, contracts, or transactions are offered, or entered into, by a person that is registered as a futures commission merchant or retail foreign exchange dealer, or an affiliated person of a futures commission merchant registered under this chapter that is not also a person described in any of item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of clause (i)(II) of this subparagraph.
(iv)(I) Notwithstanding items (cc) and (gg) 1 of clause (i)(II), a person, unless registered in such capacity as the Commission by rule, regulation, or order shall determine and a member of a futures association registered under section 21 of this title, shall not—(aa) solicit or accept orders from any person that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) entered into with or to be entered into with a person who is not described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of clause (i)(II);(bb) exercise discretionary trading authority or obtain written authorization to exercise discretionary trading authority over any account for or on behalf of any person that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) entered into with or to be entered into with a person who is not described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of clause (i)(II); or(cc) operate or solicit funds, securities, or property for any pooled investment vehicle that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) entered into with or to be entered into with a person who is not described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of clause (i)(II).(II) Subclause (I) of this clause shall not apply to—(aa) any person described in any of item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of clause (i)(II);(bb) any such person’s associated persons; or(cc) any person who would be exempt from registration if engaging in the same activities in connection with transactions conducted on or subject to the rules of a contract market or a derivatives transaction execution facility.(III) Notwithstanding items (cc) and (gg) 1 of clause (i)(II), the Commission may make, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as, in the judgment of the Commission, are reasonably necessary to effectuate any of the provisions of, or to accomplish any of the purposes of, this chapter in connection with the activities of persons subject to subclause (I).(IV) Subclause (III) of this clause shall not apply to—(aa) any person described in any of item (aa) through (ff) of clause (i)(II);(bb) any such person’s associated persons; or(cc) any person who would be exempt from registration if engaging in the same activities in connection with transactions conducted on or subject to the rules of a contract market or a derivatives transaction execution facility.
(v) Notwithstanding items (cc) and (gg) 1 of clause (i)(II), the Commission may make, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as, in the judgment of the Commission, are reasonably necessary to effectuate any of the provisions of, or to accomplish any of the purposes of, this chapter in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) which are offered, or entered into, by a person described in item (cc) or (gg) 1 of clause (i)(II).
(vi) This chapter applies to, and the Commission shall have jurisdiction over, an account or pooled investment vehicle that is offered for the purpose of trading, or that trades, any agreement, contract, or transaction in foreign currency described in clause (i).
(C)
(i)(I) This subparagraph shall apply to any agreement, contract, or transaction in foreign currency that is—(aa) offered to, or entered into with, a person that is not an eligible contract participant (except that this subparagraph shall not apply if the counterparty, or the person offering to be the counterparty, of the person that is not an eligible contract participant is a person described in any of item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II)); and(bb) offered, or entered into, on a leveraged or margined basis, or financed by the offeror, the counterparty, or a person acting in concert with the offeror or counterparty on a similar basis.(II) Subclause (I) of this clause shall not apply to—(aa) a security that is not a security futures product; or(bb) a contract of sale that—(AA) results in actual delivery within 2 days; or(BB) creates an enforceable obligation to deliver between a seller and buyer that have the ability to deliver and accept delivery, respectively, in connection with their line of business.
(ii)(I) Agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) of this subparagraph, and accounts or pooled investment vehicles described in clause (vii), shall be subject to subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section and sections 6(b), 6b, 6c(b), 6o, 9, and 13b of this title (except to the extent that sections 9 and 13b of this title prohibit manipulation of the market price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any market), 13a–1, 13a–2, 12(a), 13c(a), and 13c(b) of this title.(II) Subclause (I) of this clause shall not apply to—(aa) any person described in any of item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II); or(bb) any such person’s associated persons.(III) The Commission may make, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as, in the judgment of the Commission, are reasonably necessary to effectuate any of the provisions of or to accomplish any of the purposes of this chapter in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) of this subparagraph if the agreements, contracts, or transactions are offered, or entered into, by a person that is not described in item (aa) through (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II).
(iii)(I) A person, unless registered in such capacity as the Commission by rule, regulation, or order shall determine and a member of a futures association registered under section 21 of this title, shall not—(aa) solicit or accept orders from any person that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) of this subparagraph entered into with or to be entered into with a person who is not described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II);(bb) exercise discretionary trading authority or obtain written authorization to exercise written trading authority over any account for or on behalf of any person that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) of this subparagraph entered into with or to be entered into with a person who is not described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II); or(cc) operate or solicit funds, securities, or property for any pooled investment vehicle that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with agreements, contracts, or transactions described in clause (i) of this subparagraph entered into with or to be entered into with a person who is not described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II).(II) Subclause (I) of this clause shall not apply to—(aa) any person described in item (aa), (bb), (ee),1 or (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II);(bb) any such person’s associated persons; or(cc) any person who would be exempt from registration if engaging in the same activities in connection with transactions conducted on or subject to the rules of a contract market or a derivatives transaction execution facility.(III) The Commission may make, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as, in the judgment of the Commission, are reasonably necessary to effectuate any of the provisions of, or to accomplish any of the purposes of, this chapter in connection with the activities of persons subject to subclause (I).(IV) Subclause (III) of this clause shall not apply to—(aa) any person described in item (aa) through (ff) of subparagraph (B)(i)(II);(bb) any such person’s associated persons; or(cc) any person who would be exempt from registration if engaging in the same activities in connection with transactions conducted on or subject to the rules of a contract market or a derivatives transaction execution facility.
(iv) Sections 6(b) and 6b of this title shall apply to any agreement, contract, or transaction described in clause (i) of this subparagraph as if the agreement, contract, or transaction were a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery.
(v) This subparagraph shall not be construed to limit any jurisdiction that the Commission may otherwise have under any other provision of this chapter over an agreement, contract, or transaction that is a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery.
(vi) This subparagraph shall not be construed to limit any jurisdiction that the Commission or the Securities and Exchange Commission may otherwise have under any other provision of this chapter with respect to security futures products and persons effecting transactions in security futures products.
(vii) This chapter applies to, and the Commission shall have jurisdiction over, an account or pooled investment vehicle that is offered for the purpose of trading, or that trades, any agreement, contract, or transaction in foreign currency described in clause (i).
(D) Retail commodity transactions
(i) ApplicabilityExcept as provided in clause (ii), this subparagraph shall apply to any agreement, contract, or transaction in any commodity that is—(I) entered into with, or offered to (even if not entered into with), a person that is not an eligible contract participant or eligible commercial entity; and(II) entered into, or offered (even if not entered into), on a leveraged or margined basis, or financed by the offeror, the counterparty, or a person acting in concert with the offeror or counterparty on a similar basis.
(ii) ExceptionsThis subparagraph shall not apply to—(I) an agreement, contract, or transaction described in paragraph (1) or subparagraphs 7
7 So in original. Probably should be “subparagraph”.
(A), (B), or (C), including any agreement, contract, or transaction specifically excluded from subparagraph (A), (B), or (C);(II) any security;(III) a contract of sale that—(aa) results in actual delivery within 28 days or such other longer period as the Commission may determine by rule or regulation based upon the typical commercial practice in cash or spot markets for the commodity involved; or(bb) creates an enforceable obligation to deliver between a seller and a buyer that have the ability to deliver and accept delivery, respectively, in connection with the line of business of the seller and buyer; or(IV) an agreement, contract, or transaction that is listed on a national securities exchange registered under section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78f(a)); or(V) an identified banking product, as defined in section 27(b) of this title.
(iii) Enforcement
(iv) Eligible commercial entity
(E) Prohibition
(i) Definition of Federal regulatory agencyIn this subparagraph, the term “Federal regulatory agency” means—(I) the Commission;(II) the Securities and Exchange Commission;(III) an appropriate Federal banking agency;(IV) the National Credit Union Association; and(V) the Farm Credit Administration.
(ii) Prohibition(I) In general(II) Effective date
(iii) Requirements of rules and regulations(I) In generalThe rules and regulations described in clause (ii) shall prescribe appropriate requirements with respect to—(aa) disclosure;(bb) recordkeeping;(cc) capital and margin;(dd) reporting;(ee) business conduct;(ff) documentation; and(gg) such other standards or requirements as the Federal regulatory agency shall determine to be necessary.(II) Treatment
(d) Swaps
(e) Limitation on participation
(f) Exclusion for qualifying hybrid instruments
(1) In general
(2) PredominanceA hybrid instrument shall be considered to be predominantly a security if—
(A) the issuer of the hybrid instrument receives payment in full of the purchase price of the hybrid instrument, substantially contemporaneously with delivery of the hybrid instrument;
(B) the purchaser or holder of the hybrid instrument is not required to make any payment to the issuer in addition to the purchase price paid under subparagraph (A), whether as margin, settlement payment, or otherwise, during the life of the hybrid instrument or at maturity;
(C) the issuer of the hybrid instrument is not subject by the terms of the instrument to mark-to-market margining requirements; and
(D) the hybrid instrument is not marketed as a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract) subject to this chapter.
(3) Mark-to-market margining requirements
(g) Application of commodity futures laws
(1) No provision of this chapter shall be construed as implying or creating any presumption that—
(A) any agreement, contract, or transaction that is excluded from this chapter under subsection (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this section or title IV of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 [
(B) any agreement, contract, or transaction, not otherwise subject to this chapter, that is not so excluded or exempted,
is or would otherwise be subject to this chapter.
(2) No provision of, or amendment made by, the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 shall be construed as conferring jurisdiction on the Commission with respect to any such agreement, contract, or transaction, except as expressly provided in section 7a–1 of this title.
(h) Clearing requirement
(1) In general
(A) Standard for clearing
(B) Open accessThe rules of a derivatives clearing organization described in subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) prescribe that all swaps (but not contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery or options on such contracts) submitted to the derivatives clearing organization with the same terms and conditions are economically equivalent within the derivatives clearing organization and may be offset with each other within the derivatives clearing organization; and
(ii) provide for non-discriminatory clearing of a swap (but not a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery or option on such contract) executed bilaterally or on or through the rules of an unaffiliated designated contract market or swap execution facility.
(2) Commission review
(A) Commission-initiated review
(i) The Commission on an ongoing basis shall review each swap, or any group, category, type, or class of swaps to make a determination as to whether the swap or group, category, type, or class of swaps should be required to be cleared.
(ii) The Commission shall provide at least a 30-day public comment period regarding any determination made under clause (i).
(B) Swap submissions
(i) A derivatives clearing organization shall submit to the Commission each swap, or any group, category, type, or class of swaps that it plans to accept for clearing, and provide notice to its members (in a manner to be determined by the Commission) of the submission.
(ii) Any swap or group, category, type, or class of swaps listed for clearing by a derivative clearing organization as of July 21, 2010, shall be considered submitted to the Commission.
(iii) The Commission shall—(I) make available to the public submissions received under clauses (i) and (ii);(II) review each submission made under clauses (i) and (ii), and determine whether the swap, or group, category, type, or class of swaps described in the submission is required to be cleared; and(III) provide at least a 30-day public comment period regarding its determination as to whether the clearing requirement under paragraph (1)(A) shall apply to the submission.
(C) Deadline
(D) Determination
(i) In reviewing a submission made under subparagraph (B), the Commission shall review whether the submission is consistent with section 7a–1(c)(2) of this title.
(ii) In reviewing a swap, group of swaps, or class of swaps pursuant to subparagraph (A) or a submission made under subparagraph (B), the Commission shall take into account the following factors:(I) The existence of significant outstanding notional exposures, trading liquidity, and adequate pricing data.(II) The availability of rule framework, capacity, operational expertise and resources, and credit support infrastructure to clear the contract on terms that are consistent with the material terms and trading conventions on which the contract is then traded.(III) The effect on the mitigation of systemic risk, taking into account the size of the market for such contract and the resources of the derivatives clearing organization available to clear the contract.(IV) The effect on competition, including appropriate fees and charges applied to clearing.(V) The existence of reasonable legal certainty in the event of the insolvency of the relevant derivatives clearing organization or 1 or more of its clearing members with regard to the treatment of customer and swap counterparty positions, funds, and property.
(iii) In making a determination under subparagraph (A) or (B)(iii) that the clearing requirement shall apply, the Commission may require such terms and conditions to the requirement as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
(E) Rules
(3) Stay of clearing requirement
(A) In general
(B) Deadline
(C) DeterminationUpon completion of the review undertaken pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Commission may—
(i) determine, unconditionally or subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission determines to be appropriate, that the swap, or group, category, type, or class of swaps must be cleared pursuant to this subsection if it finds that such clearing is consistent with paragraph (2)(D); or
(ii) determine that the clearing requirement of paragraph (1) shall not apply to the swap, or group, category, type, or class of swaps.
(D) Rules
(4) Prevention of evasion
(A) In general
(B) Duty of Commission to investigate and take certain actionsTo the extent the Commission finds that a particular swap, group, category, type, or class of swaps would otherwise be subject to mandatory clearing but no derivatives clearing organization has listed the swap, group, category, type, or class of swaps for clearing, the Commission shall—
(i) investigate the relevant facts and circumstances;
(ii) within 30 days issue a public report containing the results of the investigation; and
(iii) take such actions as the Commission determines to be necessary and in the public interest, which may include requiring the retaining of adequate margin or capital by parties to the swap, group, category, type, or class of swaps.
(C) Effect on authorityNothing in this paragraph—
(i) authorizes the Commission to adopt rules requiring a derivatives clearing organization to list for clearing a swap, group, category, type, or class of swaps if the clearing of the swap, group, category, type, or class of swaps would threaten the financial integrity of the derivatives clearing organization; and
(ii) affects the authority of the Commission to enforce the open access provisions of paragraph (1)(B) with respect to a swap, group, category, type, or class of swaps that is listed for clearing by a derivatives clearing organization.
(5) Reporting transition rulesRules adopted by the Commission under this section shall provide for the reporting of data, as follows:
(A) Swaps entered into before July 21, 2010, shall be reported to a registered swap data repository or the Commission no later than 180 days after the effective date of this subsection.
(B) Swaps entered into on or after July 21, 2010, shall be reported to a registered swap data repository or the Commission no later than the later of—
(i) 90 days after such effective date; or
(ii) such other time after entering into the swap as the Commission may prescribe by rule or regulation.
(6) Clearing transition rules
(A) Swaps entered into before July 21, 2010, are exempt from the clearing requirements of this subsection if reported pursuant to paragraph (5)(A).
(B) Swaps entered into before application of the clearing requirement pursuant to this subsection are exempt from the clearing requirements of this subsection if reported pursuant to paragraph (5)(B).
(7) Exceptions
(A) In generalThe requirements of paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to a swap if 1 of the counterparties to the swap—
(i) is not a financial entity;
(ii) is using swaps to hedge or mitigate commercial risk; and
(iii) notifies the Commission, in a manner set forth by the Commission, how it generally meets its financial obligations associated with entering into non-cleared swaps.
(B) Option to clear
(C) Financial entity definition
(i) In generalFor the purposes of this paragraph, the term “financial entity” means—(I) a swap dealer;(II) a security-based swap dealer;(III) a major swap participant;(IV) a major security-based swap participant;(V) a commodity pool;(VI) a private fund as defined in section 80b–2(a) of title 15;(VII) an employee benefit plan as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) of section 1002 of title 29;(VIII) a person predominantly engaged in activities that are in the business of banking, or in activities that are financial in nature, as defined in section 1843(k) of title 12.
(ii) ExclusionThe Commission shall consider whether to exempt small banks, savings associations, farm credit system institutions, and credit unions, including—(I) depository institutions with total assets of $10,000,000,000 or less;(II) farm credit system institutions with total assets of $10,000,000,000 or less; or(III) credit unions with total assets of $10,000,000,000 or less.
(iii) Limitation
(D) Treatment of affiliates
(i) In generalAn affiliate of a person that qualifies for an exception under subparagraph (A) (including affiliate entities predominantly engaged in providing financing for the purchase of the merchandise or manufactured goods of the person) may qualify for the exception only if the affiliate—(I) enters into the swap to hedge or mitigate the commercial risk of the person or other affiliate of the person that is not a financial entity, and the commercial risk that the affiliate is hedging or mitigating has been transferred to the affiliate;(II) is directly and wholly-owned by another affiliate qualified for the exception under this subparagraph or an entity that is not a financial entity;(III) is not indirectly majority-owned by a financial entity;(IV) is not ultimately owned by a parent company that is a financial entity; and(V) does not provide any services, financial or otherwise, to any affiliate that is a nonbank financial company supervised by the Board of Governors (as defined under section 5311 of title 12).
(ii) Limitation on qualifying affiliatesThe exception in clause (i) shall not apply if the affiliate is—(I) a swap dealer;(II) a security-based swap dealer;(III) a major swap participant;(IV) a major security-based swap participant;(V) a commodity pool;(VI) a bank holding company;(VII) a private fund, as defined in section 80b–2(a) of title 15;(VIII) an employee benefit plan or government 8
8 So in original. Probably should be “governmental”.
plan, as defined in paragraphs (3) and (32) of section 1002 of title 29;(IX) an insured depository institution;(X) a farm credit system institution;(XI) a credit union;(XII) a nonbank financial company supervised by the Board of Governors (as defined under section 5311 of title 12); or(XIII) an entity engaged in the business of insurance and subject to capital requirements established by an insurance governmental authority of a State, a territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, a country other than the United States, or a political subdivision of a country other than the United States that is engaged in the supervision of insurance companies under insurance law.
(iii) Limitation on affiliates’ affiliatesUnless the Commission determines, by order, rule, or regulation, that it is in the public interest, the exception in clause (i) shall not apply with respect to an affiliate if the affiliate is itself affiliated with—(I) a major security-based swap participant;(II) a security-based swap dealer;(III) a major swap participant; or(IV) a swap dealer.
(iv) Conditions on transactionsWith respect to an affiliate that qualifies for the exception in clause (i)—(I) the affiliate may not enter into any swap other than for the purpose of hedging or mitigating commercial risk; and(II) neither the affiliate nor any person affiliated with the affiliate that is not a financial entity may enter into a swap with or on behalf of any affiliate that is a financial entity or otherwise assume, net, combine, or consolidate the risk of swaps entered into by any such financial entity, except one that is an affiliate that qualifies for the exception under clause (i).
(v) Transition rule for affiliates
(vi) Risk management program
(E) Election of counterparty
(i) Swaps required to be cleared
(ii) Swaps not required to be clearedWith respect to any swap that is not subject to the mandatory clearing requirement under this subsection and entered into by a swap dealer or a major swap participant with a counterparty that is not a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant, the counterparty—(I) may elect to require clearing of the swap; and(II) shall have the sole right to select the derivatives clearing organization at which the swap will be cleared.
(F) Abuse of exception
(8) Trade execution
(A) In generalWith respect to transactions involving swaps subject to the clearing requirement of paragraph (1), counterparties shall—
(i) execute the transaction on a board of trade designated as a contract market under section 7 of this title; or
(ii) execute the transaction on a swap execution facility registered under 7b–3 9
9 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “section”.
of this title or a swap execution facility that is exempt from registration under section 7b–3(f) of this title.
(B) Exception
(i) ApplicabilityThe provisions of this chapter relating to swaps that were enacted by the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (including any rule prescribed or regulation promulgated under that Act), shall not apply to activities outside the United States unless those activities—
(1) have a direct and significant connection with activities in, or effect on, commerce of the United States; or
(2) contravene such rules or regulations as the Commission may prescribe or promulgate as are necessary or appropriate to prevent the evasion of any provision of this chapter that was enacted by the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010.
(j) Committee approval by Board
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 2, 42 Stat. 998; June 15, 1936, ch. 545, §§ 2, 3, 49 Stat. 1491; Apr. 7, 1938, ch. 108, 52 Stat. 205; Oct. 9, 1940, ch. 786, § 1, 54 Stat. 1059; Aug. 28, 1954, ch. 1041, title VII, § 710(a), 68 Stat. 913; July 26, 1955, ch. 382, § 1, 69 Stat. 375; Pub. L. 90–258, § 1, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 26; Pub. L. 90–418, July 23, 1968, 82 Stat. 413; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 101(a), title II, §§ 201, 202, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1389, 1395; Pub. L. 95–405, § 2, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 865; Pub. L. 97–444, title I, § 101, title II, §§ 201, 202, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2294, 2297, 2298; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 110(1), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3561; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 209(b)(1), 215, 226, title IV, § 404(b), title V, § 501, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3606, 3611, 3618, 3628; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 102—105(b), 106, 107, 123(a)(2), title II, § 251(a), (b), (i), (j)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–376 to 2763A–379, 2763A–382, 2763A–405, 2763A–436, 2763A–441, 2763A–445; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, § 10702(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 516; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, §§ 13101(a), 13201(b), 13203(c)–(f), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1427, 1436, 1439; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, §§ 13101(a), 13201(b), 13203(c)–(f), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2189, 2198, 2201; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 717(a), 721(e)(1), 722(a), (c)–(e), 723(a), (b), 727, 734(b)(1), 741(b)(8), (9), 742(a), (c), 751, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1651, 1671–1673, 1675, 1681, 1696, 1718, 1731–1733, 1749; Pub. L. 114–113, div. O, title VII, § 705(a), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 3025; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(19), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4307.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 2

§§ 2a to 4a. Transferred

CITE AS: 7 USC 2a to 4a

§ 5. Findings and purpose
(a) Findings
(b) Purpose
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 3, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 108], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–383.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 5

§ 6. Regulation of futures trading and foreign transactions
(a) Restriction on futures tradingUnless exempted by the Commission pursuant to subsection (c) or by subsection (e), it shall be unlawful for any person to offer to enter into, to enter into, to execute, to confirm the execution of, or to conduct any office or business anywhere in the United States, its territories or possessions, for the purpose of soliciting or accepting any order for, or otherwise dealing in, any transaction in, or in connection with, a contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery (other than a contract which is made on or subject to the rules of a board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, its territories or possessions) unless—
(1) such transaction is conducted on or subject to the rules of a board of trade which has been designated or registered by the Commission as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility for such commodity;
(2) such contract is executed or consummated by or through a contract market; and
(3) such contract is evidenced by a record in writing which shows the date, the parties to such contract and their addresses, the property covered and its price, and the terms of delivery: Provided, That each contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility member shall keep such record for a period of three years from the date thereof, or for a longer period if the Commission shall so direct, which record shall at all times be open to the inspection of any representative of the Commission or the Department of Justice.
(b) Regulation of foreign transactions by United States persons
(1) Foreign boards of trade
(A) RegistrationThe Commission may adopt rules and regulations requiring registration with the Commission for a foreign board of trade that provides the members of the foreign board of trade or other participants located in the United States with direct access to the electronic trading and order matching system of the foreign board of trade, including rules and regulations prescribing procedures and requirements applicable to the registration of such foreign boards of trade. For purposes of this paragraph, “direct access” refers to an explicit grant of authority by a foreign board of trade to an identified member or other participant located in the United States to enter trades directly into the trade matching system of the foreign board of trade. In adopting such rules and regulations, the commission 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “Commission”.
shall consider—
(i) whether any such foreign board of trade is subject to comparable, comprehensive supervision and regulation by the appropriate governmental authorities in the foreign board of trade’s home country; and
(ii) any previous commission 1 findings that the foreign board of trade is subject to comparable comprehensive supervision and regulation by the appropriate government authorities in the foreign board of trade’s home country.
(B) Linked contractsThe Commission may not permit a foreign board of trade to provide to the members of the foreign board of trade or other participants located in the United States direct access to the electronic trading and order-matching system of the foreign board of trade with respect to an agreement, contract, or transaction that settles against any price (including the daily or final settlement price) of 1 or more contracts listed for trading on a registered entity, unless the Commission determines that—
(i) the foreign board of trade makes public daily trading information regarding the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the daily trading information published by the registered entity for the 1 or more contracts against which the agreement, contract, or transaction traded on the foreign board of trade settles; and
(ii) the foreign board of trade (or the foreign futures authority that oversees the foreign board of trade)—(I) adopts position limits (including related hedge exemption provisions) for the agreement, contract, or transaction that are comparable to the position limits (including related hedge exemption provisions) adopted by the registered entity for the 1 or more contracts against which the agreement, contract, or transaction traded on the foreign board of trade settles;(II) has the authority to require or direct market participants to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position the foreign board of trade (or the foreign futures authority that oversees the foreign board of trade) determines to be necessary to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation as described in section 6a of this title, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process;(III) agrees to promptly notify the Commission, with regard to the agreement, contract, or transaction that settles against any price (including the daily or final settlement price) of 1 or more contracts listed for trading on a registered entity, of any change regarding—(aa) the information that the foreign board of trade will make publicly available;(bb) the position limits that the foreign board of trade or foreign futures authority will adopt and enforce;(cc) the position reductions required to prevent manipulation, excessive speculation as described in section 6a of this title, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and(dd) any other area of interest expressed by the Commission to the foreign board of trade or foreign futures authority;(IV) provides information to the Commission regarding large trader positions in the agreement, contract, or transaction that is comparable to the large trader position information collected by the Commission for the 1 or more contracts against which the agreement, contract, or transaction traded on the foreign board of trade settles; and(V) provides the Commission such information as is necessary to publish reports on aggregate trader positions for the agreement, contract, or transaction traded on the foreign board of trade that are comparable to such reports on aggregate trader positions for the 1 or more contracts against which the agreement, contract, or transaction traded on the foreign board of trade settles.
(C) Existing foreign boards of trade
(2) Persons located in the United States
(A) In general
(B) Different requirements
(C) ProhibitionExcept as provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), no rule or regulation may be adopted by the Commission under this subsection that—
(i) requires Commission approval of any contract, rule, regulation, or action of any foreign board of trade, exchange, or market, or clearinghouse for such board of trade, exchange, or market; or
(ii) governs in any way any rule or contract term or action of any foreign board of trade, exchange, or market, or clearinghouse for such board of trade, exchange, or market.
(c) Public interest exemptions
(1) In order to promote responsible economic or financial innovation and fair competition, the Commission by rule, regulation, or order, after notice and opportunity for hearing, may (on its own initiative or on application of any person, including any board of trade designated or registered as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility for transactions for future delivery in any commodity under section 7 of this title) exempt any agreement, contract, or transaction (or class thereof) that is otherwise subject to subsection (a) (including any person or class of persons offering, entering into, rendering advice or rendering other services with respect to, the agreement, contract, or transaction), either unconditionally or on stated terms or conditions or for stated periods and either retroactively or prospectively, or both, from any of the requirements of subsection (a), or from any other provision of this chapter (except subparagraphs (C)(ii) and (D) of section 2(a)(1) of this title, 2
2 So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should precede the comma.
except that—
(A) unless the Commission is expressly authorized by any provision described in this subparagraph to grant exemptions, with respect to amendments made by subtitle A of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010—
(i) with respect to—(I) paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), and (7), paragraph (18)(A)(vii)(III), paragraphs (23), (24), (31), (32), (38), (39), (41), (42), (46), (47), (48), and (49) of section 1a of this title, and sections 2(a)(13), 2(c)(1)(D), 6a(a), 6a(b), 6d(c), 6d(d), 6r, 6s, 7a–1(a), 7a–1(b), 7(d), 7(g), 7(h),3
3 So in original. Section 7 of this title does not contain subsecs. (g) and (h).
7a–1(c), 7a–1(i), 12(e),4
4 See References in Text note below.
and 24a of this title; and(II) section 206(e) 5
5 So in original. Section 206 of the Act does not contain a subsec. (e).
of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Public Law 106–102; 15 U.S.C. 78c note); and
(ii) in sections 721(c) and 742 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act; and
(B) the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission may by rule, regulation, or order jointly exclude any agreement, contract, or transaction from section 2(a)(1)(D) of this title) 6
6 So in original. The closing parenthesis probably should not appear.
if the Commissions determine that the exemption would be consistent with the public interest.
(2) The Commission shall not grant any exemption under paragraph (1) from any of the requirements of subsection (a) unless the Commission determines that—
(A) the requirement should not be applied to the agreement, contract, or transaction for which the exemption is sought and that the exemption would be consistent with the public interest and the purposes of this chapter; and
(B) the agreement, contract, or transaction—
(i) will be entered into solely between appropriate persons; and
(ii) will not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Commission or any contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility to discharge its regulatory or self-regulatory duties under this chapter.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term “appropriate person” shall be limited to the following persons or classes thereof:
(A) A bank or trust company (acting in an individual or fiduciary capacity).
(B) A savings association.
(C) An insurance company.
(D) An investment company subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.).
(E) A commodity pool formed or operated by a person subject to regulation under this chapter.
(F) A corporation, partnership, proprietorship, organization, trust, or other business entity with a net worth exceeding $1,000,000 or total assets exceeding $5,000,000, or the obligations of which under the agreement, contract or transaction are guaranteed or otherwise supported by a letter of credit or keepwell, support, or other agreement by any such entity or by an entity referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (H), (I), or (K) of this paragraph.
(G) An employee benefit plan with assets exceeding $1,000,000, or whose investment decisions are made by a bank, trust company, insurance company, investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80b–1 et seq.], or a commodity trading advisor subject to regulation under this chapter.
(H) Any governmental entity (including the United States, any state,7
7 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
or any foreign government) or political subdivision thereof, or any multinational or supranational entity or any instrumentality, agency, or department of any of the foregoing.
(I) A broker-dealer subject to regulation under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) acting on its own behalf or on behalf of another appropriate person.
(J) A futures commission merchant, floor broker, or floor trader subject to regulation under this chapter acting on its own behalf or on behalf of another appropriate person.
(K) Such other persons that the Commission determines to be appropriate in light of their financial or other qualifications, or the applicability of appropriate regulatory protections.
(4) During the pendency of an application for an order granting an exemption under paragraph (1), the Commission may limit the public availability of any information received from the applicant if the applicant submits a written request to limit disclosure contemporaneous with the application, and the Commission determines that—
(A) the information sought to be restricted constitutes a trade secret; or
(B) public disclosure of the information would result in material competitive harm to the applicant.
(5) The Commission may—
(A) promptly following October 28, 1992, or upon application by any person, exercise the exemptive authority granted under paragraph (1) with respect to classes of hybrid instruments that are predominantly securities or depository instruments, to the extent that such instruments may be regarded as subject to the provisions of this chapter; or
(B) promptly following October 28, 1992, or upon application by any person, exercise the exemptive authority granted under paragraph (1) effective as of October 23, 1974, with respect to classes of swap agreements (as defined in section 101 of title 11) that are not part of a fungible class of agreements that are standardized as to their material economic terms, to the extent that such agreements may be regarded as subject to the provisions of this chapter.
Any exemption pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Commission shall determine to be appropriate pursuant to paragraph (1).
(6) If the Commission determines that the exemption would be consistent with the public interest and the purposes of this chapter, the Commission shall, in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2), exempt from the requirements of this chapter an agreement, contract, or transaction that is entered into—
(A) pursuant to a tariff or rate schedule approved or permitted to take effect by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
(B) pursuant to a tariff or rate schedule establishing rates or charges for, or protocols governing, the sale of electric energy approved or permitted to take effect by the regulatory authority of the State or municipality having jurisdiction to regulate rates and charges for the sale of electric energy within the State or municipality; or
(C) between entities described in section 824(f) of title 16.
(d) Effect of exemption on investigative authority of Commission
(e) Liability of registered persons trading on a foreign board of trade
(1) In generalA person registered with the Commission, or exempt from registration by the Commission, under this chapter may not be found to have violated subsection (a) with respect to a transaction in, or in connection with, a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery if the person—
(A) has reason to believe that the transaction and the contract is made on or subject to the rules of a foreign board of trade that is—
(i) legally organized under the laws of a foreign country;
(ii) authorized to act as a board of trade by a foreign futures authority; and
(iii) subject to regulation by the foreign futures authority; and
(B) has not been determined by the Commission to be operating in violation of subsection (a).
(2) Rule of construction
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4, 42 Stat. 999; June 15, 1936, ch. 545, §§ 2, 4, 49 Stat. 1491, 1492; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (f), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 204, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2299; Pub. L. 102–546, title V, § 502(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3629; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(3)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–406; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 721(d), 722(f), 738(a), (b), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1671, 1674, 1726, 1728.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6

§ 6a. Excessive speculation
(a) Burden on interstate commerce; trading or position limits
(1) In general
(2) Establishment of limitations
(A) In general
(B) Timing
(i) Exempt commodities
(ii) Agricultural commodities
(C) Goal
(3) Specific limitationsIn establishing the limits required in paragraph (2), the Commission, as appropriate, shall set limits—
(A) on the number of positions that may be held by any person for the spot month, each other month, and the aggregate number of positions that may be held by any person for all months; and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, in its discretion—
(i) to diminish, eliminate, or prevent excessive speculation as described under this section;
(ii) to deter and prevent market manipulation, squeezes, and corners;
(iii) to ensure sufficient market liquidity for bona fide hedgers; and
(iv) to ensure that the price discovery function of the underlying market is not disrupted.
(4) Significant price discovery functionIn making a determination whether a swap performs or affects a significant price discovery function with respect to regulated markets, the Commission shall consider, as appropriate:
(A) Price linkage
(B) Arbitrage
(C) Material price reference
(D) Material liquidity
(E) Other material factors
(5) Economically equivalent contracts
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Commission shall establish limits on the amount of positions, including aggregate position limits, as appropriate, other than bona fide hedge positions, that may be held by any person with respect to swaps that are economically equivalent to contracts of sale for future delivery or to options on the contracts or commodities traded on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market subject to paragraph (2).
(B) In establishing limits pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Commission shall—
(i) develop the limits concurrently with limits established under paragraph (2), and the limits shall have similar requirements as under paragraph (3)(B); and
(ii) establish the limits simultaneously with limits established under paragraph (2).
(6) Aggregate position limitsThe Commission shall, by rule or regulation, establish limits (including related hedge exemption provisions) on the aggregate number or amount of positions in contracts based upon the same underlying commodity (as defined by the Commission) that may be held by any person, including any group or class of traders, for each month across—
(A) contracts listed by designated contract markets;
(B) with respect to an agreement contract, or transaction that settles against any price (including the daily or final settlement price) of 1 or more contracts listed for trading on a registered entity, contracts traded on a foreign board of trade that provides members or other participants located in the United States with direct access to its electronic trading and order matching system; and
(C) swap contracts that perform or affect a significant price discovery function with respect to regulated entities.
(7) Exemptions
(b) Prohibition on trading or positions in excess of limits fixed by CommissionThe Commission shall, in such rule, regulation, or order, fix a reasonable time (not to exceed ten days) after the promulgation of the rule, regulation, or order; after which, and until such rule, regulation, or order is suspended, modified, or revoked, it shall be unlawful for any person—
(1) directly or indirectly to buy or sell, or agree to buy or sell, under contracts of sale of such commodity for future delivery on or subject to the rules of the contract market or markets, or swap execution facility or facilities with respect to a significant price discovery contract, to which the rule, regulation, or order applies, any amount of such commodity during any one business day in excess of any trading limit fixed for one business day by the Commission in such rule, regulation, or order for or with respect to such commodity; or
(2) directly or indirectly to hold or control a net long or a net short position in any commodity for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any contract market or swap execution facility with respect to a significant price discovery contract in excess of any position limit fixed by the Commission for or with respect to such commodity: Provided, That such position limit shall not apply to a position acquired in good faith prior to the effective date of such rule, regulation, or order.
(c) Applicability to bona fide hedging transactions or positions
(1) No rule, regulation, or order issued under subsection (a) of this section shall apply to transactions or positions which are shown to be bona fide hedging transactions or positions as such terms shall be defined by the Commission by rule, regulation, or order consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Such terms may be defined to permit producers, purchasers, sellers, middlemen, and users of a commodity or a product derived therefrom to hedge their legitimate anticipated business needs for that period of time into the future for which an appropriate futures contract is open and available on an exchange. To determine the adequacy of this chapter and the powers of the Commission acting thereunder to prevent unwarranted price pressures by large hedgers, the Commission shall monitor and analyze the trading activities of the largest hedgers, as determined by the Commission, operating in the cattle, hog, or pork belly markets and shall report its findings and recommendations to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture in its annual reports for at least two years following January 11, 1983.
(2) For the purposes of implementation of subsection (a)(2) for contracts of sale for future delivery or options on the contracts or commodities, the Commission shall define what constitutes a bona fide hedging transaction or position as a transaction or position that—
(A)
(i) represents a substitute for transactions made or to be made or positions taken or to be taken at a later time in a physical marketing channel;
(ii) is economically appropriate to the reduction of risks in the conduct and management of a commercial enterprise; and
(iii) arises from the potential change in the value of—(I) assets that a person owns, produces, manufactures, processes, or merchandises or anticipates owning, producing, manufacturing, processing, or merchandising;(II) liabilities that a person owns or anticipates incurring; or(III) services that a person provides, purchases, or anticipates providing or purchasing; or
(B) reduces risks attendant to a position resulting from a swap that—
(i) was executed opposite a counterparty for which the transaction would qualify as a bona fide hedging transaction pursuant to subparagraph (A); or
(ii) meets the requirements of subparagraph (A).
(d) Persons subject to regulation; applicability to transactions made by or on behalf of United States
(e) Rulemaking power and penalties for violation
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4a, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1492; amended July 24, 1956, ch. 690, § 1, 70 Stat. 630; Pub. L. 90–258, §§ 2–4, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 26, 27; Pub. L. 93–463, title IV, §§ 403, 404, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1413; Pub. L. 94–16, § 4, Apr. 16, 1975, 89 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 205, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2299; Pub. L. 102–546, title IV, § 402(1)(A), (2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3624; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(4)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, §§ 13105(a), 13203(g), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434, 1439; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, §§ 13105(a), 13203(g), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196, 2201; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 737(a)–(c), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1722, 1725.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6a

§ 6b. Contracts designed to defraud or mislead
(a) Unlawful actionsIt shall be unlawful—
(1) for any person, in or in connection with any order to make, or the making of, any contract of sale of any commodity in interstate commerce or for future delivery that is made, or to be made, on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market, for or on behalf of any other person; or
(2) for any person, in or in connection with any order to make, or the making of, any contract of sale of any commodity for future delivery, or swap, that is made, or to be made, for or on behalf of, or with, any other person, other than on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market—
(A) to cheat or defraud or attempt to cheat or defraud the other person;
(B) willfully to make or cause to be made to the other person any false report or statement or willfully to enter or cause to be entered for the other person any false record;
(C) willfully to deceive or attempt to deceive the other person by any means whatsoever in regard to any order or contract or the disposition or execution of any order or contract, or in regard to any act of agency performed, with respect to any order or contract for or, in the case of paragraph (2), with the other person; or
(D)
(i) to bucket an order if the order is either represented by the person as an order to be executed, or is required to be executed, on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market; or
(ii) to fill an order by offset against the order or orders of any other person, or willfully and knowingly and without the prior consent of the other person to become the buyer in respect to any selling order of the other person, or become the seller in respect to any buying order of the other person, if the order is either represented by the person as an order to be executed, or is required to be executed, on or subject to the rules of a designated contract market unless the order is executed in accordance with the rules of the designated contract market.
(b) Clarification
(c) Buying and selling orders for commodity
(d) Inapplicability to transactions on foreign exchanges
(e) Contracts of sale on group or index of securitiesIt shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of the mails, or of any facility of any registered entity, in or in connection with any order to make, or the making of, any contract of sale of any commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract), or any swap, on a group or index of securities (or any interest therein or based on the value thereof)—
(1) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(2) to make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or
(3) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4b, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1493; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 5, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 27; Pub. L. 93–463, title IV, § 405, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1413; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 101, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3557; Pub. L. 102–546, title IV, § 402(3), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3624; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(5)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13102, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1432; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13102, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2194; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 741(b)(1),

CITE AS: 7 USC 6b

§ 6b–1. Enforcement authority
(a) Commodity Futures Trading Commission
(b) Prudential regulators
(c) Referrals
(1) Prudential regulators
If the prudential regulator for a swap dealer or major swap participant has cause to believe that the swap dealer or major swap participant, or any affiliate or division of the swap dealer or major swap participant, may have engaged in conduct that constitutes a violation of the nonprudential requirements of this chapter (including section 6s of this title or rules adopted by the Commission under that section), the prudential regulator may promptly notify the Commission in a written report that includes—
(A) a request that the Commission initiate an enforcement proceeding under this chapter; and
(B) an explanation of the facts and circumstances that led to the preparation of the written report.
(2) Commission
If the Commission has cause to believe that a swap dealer or major swap participant that has a prudential regulator may have engaged in conduct that constitutes a violation of any prudential requirement of section 6s of this title or rules adopted by the Commission under that section, the Commission may notify the prudential regulator of the conduct in a written report that includes—
(A) a request that the prudential regulator initiate an enforcement proceeding under this chapter or any other Federal law (including regulations); and
(B) an explanation of the concerns of the Commission, and a description of the facts and circumstances, that led to the preparation of the written report.
(d) Backstop enforcement authority
(1) Initiation of enforcement proceeding by prudential regulator
(2) Initiation of enforcement proceeding by Commission
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4b–1, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 741(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1729.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6b-1

§ 6c. Prohibited transactions
(a) In general
(1) ProhibitionIt shall be unlawful for any person to offer to enter into, enter into, or confirm the execution of a transaction described in paragraph (2) involving the purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery (or any option on such a transaction or option on a commodity) or swap if the transaction is used or may be used to—
(A) hedge any transaction in interstate commerce in the commodity or the product or byproduct of the commodity;
(B) determine the price basis of any such transaction in interstate commerce in the commodity; or
(C) deliver any such commodity sold, shipped, or received in interstate commerce for the execution of the transaction.
(2) TransactionA transaction referred to in paragraph (1) is a transaction that—
(A)
(i) is, of the character of, or is commonly known to the trade as, a “wash sale” or “accommodation trade”; or
(ii) is a fictitious sale; or
(B) is used to cause any price to be reported, registered, or recorded that is not a true and bona fide price.
(3) Contract of saleIt shall be unlawful for any employee or agent of any department or agency of the Federal Government or any Member of Congress or employee of Congress (as such terms are defined under section 2 of the STOCK Act) or any judicial officer or judicial employee (as such terms are defined, respectively, under section 2 of the STOCK Act) who, by virtue of the employment or position of the Member, officer, employee or agent, acquires information that may affect or tend to affect the price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery, or any swap, and which information has not been disseminated by the department or agency of the Federal Government holding or creating the information or by Congress or by the judiciary in a manner which makes it generally available to the trading public, or disclosed in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, or in a congressional, administrative, or Government Accountability Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, to use the information in his personal capacity and for personal gain to enter into, or offer to enter into—
(A) a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract);
(B) an option (other than an option executed or traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(a) of title 15); or
(C) a swap.
(4) Nonpublic information
(A) Imparting of nonpublic informationIt shall be unlawful for any employee or agent of any department or agency of the Federal Government or any Member of Congress or employee of Congress or any judicial officer or judicial employee who, by virtue of the employment or position of the Member, officer, employee or agent, acquires information that may affect or tend to affect the price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery, or any swap, and which information has not been disseminated by the department or agency of the Federal Government holding or creating the information or by Congress or by the judiciary in a manner which makes it generally available to the trading public, or disclosed in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, or in a congressional, administrative, or Government Accountability Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, to impart the information in his personal capacity and for personal gain with intent to assist another person, directly or indirectly, to use the information to enter into, or offer to enter into—
(i) a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract);
(ii) an option (other than an option executed or traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(a) of title 15); or
(iii) a swap.
(B) Knowing useIt shall be unlawful for any person who receives information imparted by any employee or agent of any department or agency of the Federal Government or any Member of Congress or employee of Congress or any judicial officer or judicial employee as described in subparagraph (A) to knowingly use such information to enter into, or offer to enter into—
(i) a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract);
(ii) an option (other than an option executed or traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(a) of title 15); or
(iii) a swap.
(C) Theft of nonpublic informationIt shall be unlawful for any person to steal, convert, or misappropriate, by any means whatsoever, information held or created by any department or agency of the Federal Government or by Congress or by the judiciary that may affect or tend to affect the price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery, or any swap, where such person knows, or acts in reckless disregard of the fact, that such information has not been disseminated by the department or agency of the Federal Government holding or creating the information or by Congress or by the judiciary in a manner which makes it generally available to the trading public, or disclosed in a criminal, civil, or administrative hearing, or in a congressional, administrative, or Government Accountability Office report, hearing, audit, or investigation, and to use such information, or to impart such information with the intent to assist another person, directly or indirectly, to use such information to enter into, or offer to enter into—
(i) a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract);
(ii) an option (other than an option executed or traded on a national securities exchange registered pursuant to section 78f(a) of title 15); or
(iii) a swap, provided, however, that nothing in this subparagraph shall preclude a person that has provided information concerning, or generated by, the person, its operations or activities, to any employee or agent of any department or agency of the Federal Government, to Congress, any Member of Congress, any employee of Congress, any judicial officer, or any judicial employee, voluntarily or as required by law, from using such information to enter into, or offer to enter into, a contract of sale, option, or swap described in clauses 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “clause”.
(i), (ii), or (iii).
(5) Disruptive practicesIt shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any trading, practice, or conduct on or subject to the rules of a registered entity that—
(A) violates bids or offers;
(B) demonstrates intentional or reckless disregard for the orderly execution of transactions during the closing period; or
(C) is, is of the character of, or is commonly known to the trade as, “spoofing” (bidding or offering with the intent to cancel the bid or offer before execution).
(6) Rulemaking authority
(7) Use of swaps to defraud
(b) Regulated option trading
(c) Regulations for elimination of pilot status of commodity option transactions; terms and conditions of options tradingNot later than 90 days after November 10, 1986, the Commission shall issue regulations—
(1) to eliminate the pilot status of its program for commodity option transactions involving the trading of options on contract markets, including any numerical restrictions on the number of commodities or option contracts for which a contract market may be designated; and
(2) otherwise to continue to permit the trading of such commodity options under such terms and conditions that the Commission from time to time may prescribe.
(d) Dealer options exempt from subsections (b) and (c) prohibitions; requirementsNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section—
(1) any person domiciled in the United States who on May 1, 1978, was in the business of granting an option on a physical commodity, other than a commodity specifically set forth in section 2(a) of this title prior to October 23, 1974, and was in the business of buying, selling, producing, or otherwise using that commodity, may continue to grant or issue options on that commodity in accordance with Commission regulations in effect on August 17, 1978, until thirty days after the effective date of regulations issued by the Commission under clause (2) of this subsection: Provided, That if such person files an application for registration under the regulations issued under clause (2) of this subsection within thirty days after the effective date of such regulations, that person may continue to grant or issue options pending a final determination by the Commission on the application; and
(2) the Commission shall issue regulations that permit grantors and futures commission merchants to offer to enter into, enter into, or confirm the execution of, any commodity option transaction on a physical commodity subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, other than a commodity specifically set forth in section 2(a) of this title prior to October 23, 1974, if—
(A) the grantor is a person domiciled in the United States who—
(i) is in the business of buying, selling, producing, or otherwise using the underlying commodity;
(ii) at all times has a net worth of at least $5,000,000 certified annually by an independent public accountant using generally accepted accounting principles;
(iii) notifies the Commission and every futures commission merchant offering the grantor’s option if the grantor knows or has reason to believe that the grantor’s net worth has fallen below $5,000,000;
(iv) segregates daily, exclusively for the benefit of purchasers, money, exempted securities (within the meaning of section 78c(a)(12) of title 15), commercial paper, bankers’ acceptances, commercial bills, or unencumbered warehouse receipts, equal to an amount by which the value of each transaction exceeds the amount received or to be received by the grantor for such transaction;
(v) provides an identification number for each transaction; and
(vi) provides confirmation of all orders for such transactions executed, including the execution price and a transaction identification number;
(B) the futures commission merchant is a person who—
(i) has evidence that the grantor meets the requirements specified in subclause (A) of this clause;
(ii) treats and deals with all money, securities, or property received from its customers as payment of the purchase price in connection with such transactions, as belonging to such customers until the expiration of the term of the option, or, if the customer exercises the option, until all rights of the customer under the commodity option transaction have been fulfilled;
(iii) records each transaction in its customer’s name by the transaction identification number provided by the grantor;
(iv) provides a disclosure statement to its customers, under regulations of the Commission, that discloses, among other things, all costs, including any markups or commissions involved in such transaction; and
(C) the grantor and futures commission merchant comply with any additional uniform and reasonable terms and conditions the Commission may prescribe, including registration with the Commission.
The Commission may permit persons not domiciled in the United States to grant options under this subsection, other than options on a commodity specifically set forth in section 2(a) of this title prior to October 23, 1974, under such additional rules, regulations, and orders as the Commission may adopt to provide protection to purchasers that are substantially the equivalent of those applicable to grantors domiciled in the United States. The Commission may terminate the right of any person to grant, offer, or sell options under this subsection only after a hearing, including a finding that the continuation of such right is contrary to the public interest: Provided, That pending the completion of such termination proceedings, the Commission may suspend the right to grant, offer, or sell options of any person whose activities in the Commission’s judgment present a substantial risk to the public interest.
(e) Rules and regulations
(f) Nonapplicability to foreign currency options
(g) Oral orders
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4c, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1494; amended Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), title IV, § 402, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392, 1412; Pub. L. 95–405, § 3, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 867; Pub. L. 97–444, title I, § 102, title II, § 206, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2296, 2301; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 102, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3557; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 203(a), title IV, § 402(4), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3600, 3624; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 109, 123(a)(6)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–383, 2763A–407; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 741(b)(2), 746, 747, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1731, 1737, 1739; Pub. L. 112–105, § 5, Apr. 4, 2012, 126 Stat. 293.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6c

§ 6d. Dealing by unregistered futures commission merchants or introducing brokers prohibited; duties in handling customer receipts; conflict-of-interest systems and procedures; Chief Compliance Officer; rules to avoid duplicative regulations; swap requirements; portfolio margining accounts
(a) Futures commission merchant registration requirements; duties of merchants in handling customer receipts
It shall be unlawful for any person to be a futures commission merchant unless—
(1) such person shall have registered, under this chapter, with the Commission as such futures commission merchant and such registration shall not have expired nor been suspended nor revoked; and
(2) such person shall, whether a member or nonmember of a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility, treat and deal with all money, securities, and property received by such person to margin, guarantee, or secure the trades or contracts of any customer of such person, or accruing to such customer as the result of such trades or contracts, as belonging to such customer. Such money, securities, and property shall be separately accounted for and shall not be commingled with the funds of such commission merchant or be used to margin or guarantee the trades or contracts, or to secure or extend the credit, of any customer or person other than the one for whom the same are held: Provided, however, That such money, securities, and property of the customers of such futures commission merchant may, for convenience, be commingled and deposited in the same account or accounts with any bank or trust company or with the clearing house organization of such contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility, and that such share thereof as in the normal course of business shall be necessary to margin, guarantee, secure, transfer, adjust, or settle the contracts or trades of such customers, or resulting market positions, with the clearinghouse organization of such contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility or with any member of such contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility, may be withdrawn and applied to such purposes, including the payment of commissions, brokerage, interest, taxes, storage, and other charges, lawfully accruing in connection with such contracts and trades: Provided further, That in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Commission may prescribe by rule, regulation, or order, such money, securities, and property of the customers of such futures commission merchant may be commingled and deposited as provided in this section with any other money, securities, and property received by such futures commission merchant and required by the Commission to be separately accounted for and treated and dealt with as belonging to the customers of such futures commission merchant: Provided further, That such money may be invested in obligations of the United States, in general obligations of any State or of any political subdivision thereof, and in obligations fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States, such investments to be made in accordance with such rules and regulations and subject to such conditions as the Commission may prescribe.
(b) Duties of clearing agencies, depositories, and others in handling customer receipts
(c) Conflicts of interest
The Commission shall require that futures commission merchants and introducing brokers implement conflict-of-interest systems and procedures that—
(1) establish structural and institutional safeguards to ensure that the activities of any person within the firm relating to research or analysis of the price or market for any commodity are separated by appropriate informational partitions within the firm from the review, pressure, or oversight of persons whose involvement in trading or clearing activities might potentially bias the judgment or supervision of the persons; and
(2) address such other issues as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
(d) Designation of Chief Compliance Officer
(e) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual registrants
Consistent with this chapter, the Commission, in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, shall issue such rules, regulations, or orders as are necessary to avoid duplicative or conflicting regulations applicable to any futures commission merchant registered with the Commission pursuant to section 6f(a) of this title (except paragraph (2) thereof), that is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 78o(b) of title 15 (except paragraph (11) thereof), involving the application of—
(1) section 78h, section 78o(c)(3), and section 78q of title 15 and the rules and regulations thereunder related to the treatment of customer funds, securities, or property, maintenance of books and records, financial reporting or other financial responsibility rules (as defined in section 78c(a)(40) of title 15), involving security futures products; and
(2) similar provisions of this chapter and the rules and regulations thereunder involving security futures products.
(f) Swaps
(1) Registration requirement
(2) Cleared swaps
(A) Segregation required
(B) Commingling prohibited
(3) Exceptions
(A) Use of funds
(i) In general
(ii) Withdrawal
(B) Commission action
(4) Permitted investments
(5) Commodity contract
(6) Prohibition
(g) Introducing broker registration requirements
(h) Contracts held in portfolio margining accounts
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4d, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1494; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 6, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 27; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 95–405, § 4, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 869; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 207, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(6), title II, § 251(f)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407, 2763A–443; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 713(b), 724(a), 732, 749(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1646, 1682, 1712, 1746.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6d

§ 6e. Dealings by unregistered floor trader or broker prohibited

It shall be unlawful for any person to act as floor trader in executing purchases and sales, or as floor broker in executing any orders for the purchase or sale, of any commodity for future delivery, or involving any contracts of sale of any commodity for future delivery, on or subject to the rules of any contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility unless such person shall have registered, under this chapter, with the Commission as such floor trader or floor broker and such registration shall not have expired nor been suspended nor revoked.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4e, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1495; amended Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 207(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3604; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(6)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6e

§ 6f. Registration and financial requirements; risk assessment
(a) Registration of futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, and floor brokers and traders
(1) Any person desiring to register as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, floor broker, or floor trader hereunder shall be registered upon application to the Commission. The application shall be made in such form and manner as prescribed by the Commission, giving such information and facts as the Commission may deem necessary concerning the business in which the applicant is or will be engaged, including in the case of an application of a futures commission merchant or an introducing broker, the names and addresses of the managers of all branch offices, and the names of such officers and partners, if a partnership, and of such officers, directors, and stockholders, if a corporation, as the Commission may direct. Such person, when registered hereunder, shall likewise continue to report and furnish to the Commission the above-mentioned information and such other information pertaining to such person’s business as the Commission may require. Each registration shall expire on December 31 of the year for which issued or at such other time, not less than one year from the date of issuance, as the Commission may by rule, regulation, or order prescribe, and shall be renewed upon application therefor unless the registration has been suspended (and the period of such suspension has not expired) or revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), and except as provided in paragraph (3), any broker or dealer that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission shall be registered as a futures commission merchant or introducing broker, as applicable, if—
(A) the broker or dealer limits its solicitation of orders, acceptance of orders, or execution of orders, or placing of orders on behalf of others involving any contracts of sale of any commodity for future delivery, on or subject to the rules of any contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility to security futures products;
(B) the broker or dealer files written notice with the Commission in such form as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe containing such information as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors;
(C) the registration of the broker or dealer is not suspended pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and
(D) the broker or dealer is a member of a national securities association registered pursuant to section 78o–3(a) of title 15.
The registration shall be effective contemporaneously with the submission of notice, in written or electronic form, to the Commission.
(3) A floor broker or floor trader shall be exempt from the registration requirements of section 6e of this title and paragraph (1) of this subsection if—
(A) the floor broker or floor trader is a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(B) the floor broker or floor trader limits its solicitation of orders, acceptance of orders, or execution of orders, or placing of orders on behalf of others involving any contracts of sale of any commodity for future delivery, on or subject to the rules of any contract market to security futures products; and
(C) the registration of the floor broker or floor trader is not suspended pursuant to an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(4)
(A) A broker or dealer that is registered as a futures commission merchant or introducing broker pursuant to paragraph (2), or that is a floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to paragraph (3), shall be exempt from the following provisions of this chapter and the rules thereunder:
(i) Subsections (b), (d), (e), and (g) of section 6c of this title.
(ii) Sections 6d, 6e, and 6h of this title.
(iii) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
(iv)Section 6j of this title.
(v)Section 6k(1) of this title.
(vi)Section 6p of this title.
(vii)Section 13a–2 of this title.
(viii) Subsections (d) and (g) of section 12 of this title.
(ix)Section 20 of this title.
(B)
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii) of this subparagraph, but notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Commission, by rule, regulation, or order, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any broker or dealer subject to the registration requirement of paragraph (2), or any broker or dealer exempt from registration pursuant to paragraph (3), from any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation thereunder, to the extent the exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and is consistent with the protection of investors.
(ii) The Commission shall, by rule or regulation, determine the procedures under which an exemptive order under this section shall be granted and may, in its sole discretion, decline to entertain any application for an order of exemption under this section.
(C)
(i) A broker or dealer that is registered as a futures commission merchant or introducing broker pursuant to paragraph (2) or an associated person thereof, or that is a floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to paragraph (3), shall not be required to become a member of any futures association registered under section 21 of this title.
(ii) No futures association registered under section 21 of this title shall limit its members from carrying an account, accepting an order, or transacting business with a broker or dealer that is registered as a futures commission merchant or introducing broker pursuant to paragraph (2) or an associated person thereof, or that is a floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to paragraph (3).
(b) Financial requirements for futures commission merchants and introducing brokers
(c) Risk assessment for holding company systems
(1) As used in this subsection:
(i) The term “affiliated person” means any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a futures commission merchant, as the Commission, by rule or regulation, may determine will effectuate the purposes of this subsection.
(ii) The term “Federal banking agency” shall have the same meaning as the term “appropriate Federal banking agency” in section 1813(q) of title 12.
(2)
(A) Each registered futures commission merchant shall obtain such information and make and keep such records as the Commission, by rule or regulation, prescribes concerning the registered futures commission merchant’s policies, procedures, or systems for monitoring and controlling financial and operational risks to it resulting from the activities of any of its affiliated persons, other than a natural person.
(B) The records required under subparagraph (A) shall describe, in the aggregate, each of the futures and other financial activities conducted by, and the customary sources of capital and funding of, those of its affiliated persons whose business activities are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the financial or operational condition of the futures commission merchant, including its adjusted net capital, its liquidity, or its ability to conduct or finance its operations.
(C) The Commission, by rule or regulation, may require summary reports of such information to be filed by the futures commission merchant with the Commission no more frequently than quarterly.
(3)
(A),1
1 So in original. The comma probably should not appear.
If, as a result of adverse market conditions or based on reports provided to the Commission pursuant to paragraph (2) or other available information, the Commission reasonably concludes that the Commission has concerns regarding the financial or operational condition of any registered futures commission merchant, the Commission may require the futures commission merchant to make reports concerning the futures and other financial activities of any of such person’s affiliated persons, other than a natural person, whose business activities are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the financial or operational condition of the futures commission merchant.
(B) The Commission, in requiring reports pursuant to this paragraph, shall specify the information required, the period for which it is required, the time and date on which the information must be furnished, and whether the information is to be furnished directly to the Commission or to a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility or other self-regulatory organization with primary responsibility for examining the registered futures commission merchant’s financial and operational condition.
(4)
(A) in 2
2 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
developing and implementing reporting requirements pursuant to paragraph (2) with respect to affiliated persons subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency, the Commission shall consult with and consider the views of each such Federal banking agency. If a Federal banking agency comments in writing on a proposed rule of the Commission under this subsection that has been published for comment, the Commission shall respond in writing to the written comment before adopting the proposed rule. The Commission shall, at the request of the Federal banking agency, publish the comment and response in the Federal Register at the time of publishing the adopted rule.
(B)
(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a registered futures commission merchant shall be considered to have complied with a recordkeeping or reporting requirement adopted pursuant to paragraph (2) concerning an affiliated person that is subject to examination by, or reporting requirements of, a Federal banking agency if the futures commission merchant utilizes for the recordkeeping or reporting requirement copies of reports filed by the affiliated person with the Federal banking agency pursuant to section 161 of title 12, section 9 of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), section 1817(a) of title 12, section 1467a(b) of title 12, or section 1844 of title 12.
(ii) The Commission may, by rule adopted pursuant to paragraph (2), require any futures commission merchant filing the reports with the Commission to obtain, maintain, or report supplemental information if the Commission makes an explicit finding that the supplemental information is necessary to inform the Commission regarding potential risks to the futures commission merchant. Prior to requiring any such supplemental information, the Commission shall first request the Federal banking agency to expand its reporting requirements to include the information.
(5) Prior to making a request pursuant to paragraph (3) for information with respect to an affiliated person that is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency, the Commission shall—
(A) notify the agency of the information required with respect to the affiliated person; and
(B) consult with the agency to determine whether the information required is available from the agency and for other purposes, unless the Commission determines that any delay resulting from the consultation would be inconsistent with ensuring the financial and operational condition of the futures commission merchant or the stability or integrity of the futures markets.
(6) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the Commission to require any futures commission merchant to obtain, maintain, or furnish any examination report of any Federal banking agency or any supervisory recommendations or analysis contained in the report.
(7) No information provided to or obtained by the Commission from any Federal banking agency pursuant to a request under paragraph (5) regarding any affiliated person that is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of a Federal banking agency may be disclosed to any other person (other than as provided in section 12 of this title or section 12a(6) of this title), without the prior written approval of the Federal banking agency.
(8) The Commission shall notify a Federal banking agency of any concerns of the Commission regarding significant financial or operational risks resulting from the activities of any futures commission merchant to any affiliated person thereof that is subject to examination by or reporting requirements of the Federal banking agency.
(9) The Commission, by rule, regulation, or order, may exempt any person or class of persons under such terms and conditions and for such periods as the Commission shall provide in the rule, regulation, or order, from this subsection and the rules and regulations issued under this subsection. In granting the exemption, the Commission shall consider, among other factors—
(A) whether information of the type required under this subsection is available from a supervisory agency (as defined in section 3401(7) of title 12), a State insurance commission or similar State agency, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a similar foreign regulator;
(B) the primary business of any affiliated person;
(C) the nature and extent of domestic or foreign regulation of the affiliated person’s activities;
(D) the nature and extent of the registered futures commission merchant’s commodity futures and options activities; and
(E) with respect to the registered futures commission merchant and its affiliated persons, on a consolidated basis, the amount and proportion of assets devoted to, and revenues derived from activities in the United States futures markets.
(10) Information required to be provided pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to section 12 of this title. Except as specifically provided in section 12 of this title and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission shall not be compelled to disclose any information required to be reported under this subsection, or any information supplied to the Commission by any domestic or foreign regulatory agency that relates to the financial or operational condition of any affiliated person of a registered futures commission merchant.
(11) Nothing in paragraphs (1) through (10) shall be construed to supersede or to limit in any way the authority or powers of the Commission pursuant to any other provision of this chapter or regulations issued under this chapter.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4f, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1495; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 7, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 28; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 95–405, § 5, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 869; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 208, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 207(b)(1), 229, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3604, 3619; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(6), title II, § 252(b), (c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407, 2763A–447; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13105(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13105(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6f

§ 6g. Reporting and recordkeeping
(a) In general
(b) Daily trading records: registered entities
(c) Daily trading records: floor brokers, introducing brokers, and futures commission merchants
(d) Daily trading records: form and reports
(e) Disclosure of information
(f) Authority of Commission to make separate determinations unimpaired
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4g, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1496; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 8, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 28; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (f), title IV, § 415, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392, 1415; Pub. L. 95–405, § 6, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 869; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 209, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 207(b)(1), title IV, § 402(5), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3604, 3624; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(7)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13202(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1438; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13202(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2200.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6g

§ 6h. False self-representation as registered entity member prohibited

It shall be unlawful for any person falsely to represent such person to be a member of a registered entity or the representative or agent of such member, or to be a registrant under this chapter or the representative or agent of any registrant, in soliciting or handling any order or contract for the purchase or sale of any commodity in interstate commerce or for future delivery, or falsely to represent in connection with the handling of any such order or contract that the same is to be or has been executed on, or by or through a member of, any registered entity.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4h, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1496; amended Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 210, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2302; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(8)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6h

§ 6i. Reports of deals equal to or in excess of trading limits; books and records; cash and controlled transactions
It shall be unlawful for any person to make any contract for the purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility, or any significant price discovery contract traded or executed on an electronic trading facility or any agreement, contract, or transaction that is treated by a derivatives clearing organization, whether registered or not registered, as fungible with a significant price discovery contract—
(1) if such person shall directly or indirectly make such contracts with respect to any commodity or any future of such commodity during any one day in an amount equal to or in excess of such amount as shall be fixed from time to time by the Commission, and
(2) if such person shall directly or indirectly have or obtain a long or short position in any commodity or any future of such commodity equal to or in excess of such amount as shall be fixed from time to time by the Commission,
unless such person files or causes to be filed with the properly designated officer of the Commission such reports regarding any transactions or positions described in clauses (1) and (2) hereof as the Commission may by rule or regulation require and unless, in accordance with rules and regulations of the Commission, such person shall keep books and records of all such transactions and positions and transactions and positions in any such commodity traded on or subject to the rules of any other board of trade or electronic trading facility, and of cash or spot transactions in, and inventories and purchase and sale commitments of such commodity. Such books and records shall show complete details concerning all such transactions, positions, inventories, and commitments, including the names and addresses of all persons having any interest therein, and shall be open at all times to inspection by any representative of the Commission or the Department of Justice. For the purposes of this section, the futures and cash or spot transactions and positions of any person shall include such transactions and positions of any persons directly or indirectly controlled by such person.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4i, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 5, 49 Stat. 1496; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 9, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 28; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (f), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 211, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2303; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(9)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–407; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13202(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1439; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13202(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2201.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6i

§ 6j. Restrictions on dual trading in security futures products on designated contract markets and registered derivatives transaction execution facilities
(a) Issuance of regulationsThe Commission shall issue regulations to prohibit the privilege of dual trading in security futures products on each contract market and registered derivatives transaction execution facility. The regulations issued by the Commission under this section—
(1) shall provide that the prohibition of dual trading thereunder shall take effect upon issuance of the regulations; and
(2) shall provide exceptions, as the Commission determines appropriate, to ensure fairness and orderly trading in security futures product markets, including—
(A) exceptions for spread transactions and the correction of trading errors;
(B) allowance for a customer to designate in writing not less than once annually a named floor broker to execute orders for such customer, notwithstanding the regulations to prohibit the privilege of dual trading required under this section; and
(C) other measures reasonably designed to accommodate unique or special characteristics of individual boards of trade or contract markets, to address emergency or unusual market conditions, or otherwise to further the public interest consistent with the promotion of market efficiency, innovation, and expansion of investment opportunities, the protection of investors, and with the purposes of this section.
(b) “Dual trading” definedAs used in this section, the term “dual trading” means the execution of customer orders by a floor broker during the same trading session in which the floor broker executes any trade in the same contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility for—
(1) the account of such floor broker;
(2) an account for which such floor broker has trading discretion; or
(3) an account controlled by a person with whom such floor broker has a relationship through membership in a broker association.
(c) “Broker association” definedAs used in this section, the term “broker association” shall include two or more contract market members or registered derivatives transaction execution facility members with floor trading privileges of whom at least one is acting as a floor broker, who—
(1) engage in floor brokerage activity on behalf of the same employer,
(2) have an employer and employee relationship which relates to floor brokerage activity,
(3) share profits and losses associated with their brokerage or trading activity, or
(4) regularly share a deck of orders.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4j, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 203, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1396; amended Pub. L. 94–16, § 2, Apr. 16, 1975, 89 Stat. 77; Pub. L. 102–546, title I, §§ 101, 102(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3591, 3594; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title II, § 251(c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–442.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6j

§ 6k. Registration of associates of futures commission merchants, commodity pool operators, and commodity trading advisors; required disclosure of disqualifications; exemptions for associated persons
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to be associated with a futures commission merchant as a partner, officer, or employee, or to be associated with an introducing broker as a partner, officer, employee, or agent (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), in any capacity that involves (i) the solicitation or acceptance of customers’ orders (other than in a clerical capacity) or (ii) the supervision of any person or persons so engaged, unless such person is registered with the Commission under this chapter as an associated person of such futures commission merchant or of such introducing broker and such registration shall not have expired, been suspended (and the period of suspension has not expired), or been revoked. It shall be unlawful for a futures commission merchant or introducing broker to permit such a person to become or remain associated with the futures commission merchant or introducing broker in any such capacity if such futures commission merchant or introducing broker knew or should have known that such person was not so registered or that such registration had expired, been suspended (and the period of suspension has not expired), or been revoked. Any individual who is registered as a floor broker, futures commission merchant, or introducing broker (and such registration is not suspended or revoked) need not also register under this paragraph.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to be associated with a commodity pool operator as a partner, officer, employee, consultant, or agent (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), in any capacity that involves (i) the solicitation of funds, securities, or property for a participation in a commodity pool or (ii) the supervision of any person or persons so engaged, unless such person is registered with the Commission under this chapter as an associated person of such commodity pool operator and such registration shall not have expired, been suspended (and the period of suspension has not expired), or been revoked. It shall be unlawful for a commodity pool operator to permit such a person to become or remain associated with the commodity pool operator in any such capacity if the commodity pool operator knew or should have known that such person was not so registered or that such registration had expired, been suspended (and the period of suspension has not expired), or been revoked. Any individual who is registered as a floor broker, futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity pool operator, or as an associated person of another category of registrant under this section (and such registration is not suspended or revoked) need not also register under this paragraph. The Commission may exempt any person or class of persons from having to register under this paragraph by rule, regulation, or order.
(3) It shall be unlawful for any person to be associated with a commodity trading advisor as a partner, officer, employee, consultant, or agent (or any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), in any capacity which involves (i) the solicitation of a client’s or prospective client’s discretionary account or (ii) the supervision of any person or persons so engaged, unless such person is registered with the Commission under this chapter as an associated person of such commodity trading advisor and such registration shall not have expired, been suspended (and the period of suspension has not expired), or been revoked. It shall be unlawful for a commodity trading advisor to permit such a person to become or remain associated with the commodity trading advisor in any such capacity if the commodity trading advisor knew or should have known that such person was not so registered or that such registration had expired, been suspended (and the period of suspension has not expired), or been revoked. Any individual who is registered as a floor broker, futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, or as an associated person of another category of registrant under this section (and such registration is not suspended or revoked) need not also register under this paragraph. The Commission may exempt any person or class of persons from having to register under this paragraph by rule, regulation, or order.
(4) Any person desiring to be registered as an associated person of a futures commission merchant, of an introducing broker, of a commodity pool operator, or of a commodity trading advisor shall make application to the Commission in the form and manner prescribed by the Commission, giving such information and facts as the Commission may deem necessary concerning the applicant. Such person, when registered hereunder, shall likewise continue to report and furnish to the Commission such information as the Commission may require. Such registration shall expire at such time as the Commission may by rule, regulation, or order prescribe.
(5) It shall be unlawful for any registrant to permit a person to become or remain an associated person of such registrant, if the registrant knew or should have known of facts regarding such associated person that are set forth as statutory disqualifications in section 12a(2) of this title, unless such registrant has notified the Commission of such facts and the Commission has determined that such person should be registered or temporarily licensed.
(6) Any associated person of a broker or dealer that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and who limits its solicitation of orders, acceptance of orders, or execution of orders, or placing of orders on behalf of others involving any contracts of sale of any commodity for future delivery or any option on such a contract, on or subject to the rules of any contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility to security futures products, shall be exempt from the following provisions of this chapter and the rules thereunder:
(A) Subsections (b), (d), (e), and (g) of section 6c of this title.
(B) Sections 6d, 6e, and 6h of this title.
(C) Subsections (b) and (c) of section 6f of this title.
(D)Section 6j of this title.
(E) Paragraph (1) of this section.
(F)Section 6p of this title.
(G)Section 13a–2 of this title.
(H) Subsections (d) and (g) of section 12 of this title.
(I)Section 20 of this title.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4k, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 204(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1396; amended Pub. L. 95–405, § 7, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 869; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 212, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2303; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title II, § 252(d)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–448; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13105(c), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13105(c), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6k

§ 6l. Commodity trading advisors and commodity pool operators; Congressional finding
It is hereby found that the activities of commodity trading advisors and commodity pool operators are affected with a national public interest in that, among other things—
(1) their advice, counsel, publications, writings, analyses, and reports are furnished and distributed, and their contracts, solicitations, subscriptions, agreements, and other arrangements with clients take place and are negotiated and performed by the use of the mails and other means and instrumentalities of interstate commerce;
(2) their advice, counsel, publications, writings, analyses, and reports customarily relate to and their operations are directed toward and cause the purchase and sale of commodities for future delivery on or subject to the rules of contract markets or derivatives transaction execution facilities; and
(3) the foregoing transactions occur in such volume as to affect substantially transactions on contract markets or derivatives transaction execution facilities.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4l, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 205(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1397; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(10)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–408.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6l

§ 6m. Use of mails or other means or instrumentalities of interstate commerce by commodity trading advisors and commodity pool operators; relation to other law
(1) It shall be unlawful for any commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator, unless registered under this chapter, to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in connection with his business as such commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to any commodity trading advisor who, during the course of the preceding twelve months, has not furnished commodity trading advice to more than fifteen persons and who does not hold himself out generally to the public as a commodity trading advisor. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any commodity trading advisor who is a (1) dealer, processor, broker, or seller in cash market transactions of any commodity specifically set forth in section 2(a) of this title prior to October 23, 1974, (or products thereof) or (2) nonprofit, voluntary membership, general farm organization, who provides advice on the sale or purchase of any commodity specifically set forth in section 2(a) of this title prior to October 23, 1974; if the advice by the person described in clause (1) or (2) of this sentence as a commodity trading advisor is solely incidental to the conduct of that person’s business: Provided, That such person shall be subject to proceedings under section 18 of this title.
(2) Nothing in this chapter shall relieve any person of any obligation or duty, or affect the availability of any right or remedy available to the Securities and Exchange Commission or any private party arising under the Securities Act of 1933 [
(3)Exception.—
(A)In general.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any commodity trading advisor that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser whose business does not consist primarily of acting as a commodity trading advisor, as defined in section 1a of this title, and that does not act as a commodity trading advisor to any commodity pool that is engaged primarily in trading commodity interests.
(B)Engaged primarily.—For purposes of subparagraph (A), a commodity trading advisor or a commodity pool shall be considered to be “engaged primarily” in the business of being a commodity trading advisor or commodity pool if it is or holds itself out to the public as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of advising on commodity interests or investing, reinvesting, owning, holding, or trading in commodity interests, respectively.
(C)Commodity interests.—For purposes of this paragraph, commodity interests shall include contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery, options on such contracts, security futures, swaps, leverage contracts, foreign exchange, spot and forward contracts on physical commodities, and any monies held in an account used for trading commodity interests.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4m, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 205(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1398; amended Pub. L. 95–405, § 8, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 870; Pub. L. 97–444, title I, § 103, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2296; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title II, § 251(d)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–443; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 721(e)(2), 749(b), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1671, 1747.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6m

§ 6n. Registration of commodity trading advisors and commodity pool operators; application; expiration and renewal; record keeping and reports; disclosure; statements of account
(1) Any commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator, or any person who contemplates becoming a commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator, may register under this chapter by filing an application with the Commission. Such application shall contain such information, in such form and detail, as the Commission may, by rules and regulations, prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest, including the following:
(A) the name and form of organization, including capital structure, under which the applicant engages or intends to engage in business; the name of the State under the laws of which he is organized; the location of his principal business office and branch offices, if any; the names and addresses of all partners, officers, directors, and persons performing similar functions or, if the applicant be an individual, of such individual; and the number of employees;
(B) the education, the business affiliations for the past ten years, and the present business affiliations of the applicant and of his partners, officers, directors, and persons performing similar functions and of any controlling person thereof;
(C) the nature of the business of the applicant, including the manner of giving advice and rendering of analyses or reports;
(D) the nature and scope of the authority of the applicant with respect to clients’ funds and accounts;
(E) the basis upon which the applicant is or will be compensated; and
(F) such other information as the Commission may require to determine whether the applicant is qualified for registration.
(2) Each registration under this section shall expire on the 30th day of June of each year, or at such other time, not less than one year from the effective date thereof, as the Commission may by rule, regulation, or order prescribe, and shall be renewed upon application therefor subject to the same requirements as in the case of an original application.
(3)
(A) Every commodity trading advisor and commodity pool operator registered under this chapter shall maintain books and records and file such reports in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Commission. All such books and records shall be kept for a period of at least three years, or longer if the Commission so directs, and shall be open to inspection by any representative of the Commission or the Department of Justice. Upon the request of the Commission, a registered commodity trading advisor or commodity pool operator shall furnish the name and address of each client, subscriber, or participant, and submit samples or copies of all reports, letters, circulars, memorandums, publications, writings, or other literature or advice distributed to clients, subscribers, or participants, or prospective clients, subscribers, or participants.
(B) Unless otherwise authorized by the Commission by rule or regulation, all commodity trading advisors and commodity pool operators shall make a full and complete disclosure to their subscribers, clients, or participants of all futures market positions taken or held by the individual principals of their organization.
(4) Every commodity pool operator shall regularly furnish statements of account to each participant in his operations. Such statements shall be in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Commission and shall include complete information as to the current status of all trading accounts in which such participant has an interest.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4n, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 205(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1398; amended Pub. L. 95–405, § 9, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 870; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 213, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2305.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6n

§ 6o. Fraud and misrepresentation by commodity trading advisors, commodity pool operators, and associated persons
(1) It shall be unlawful for a commodity trading advisor, associated person of a commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, or associated person of a commodity pool operator, by use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, directly or indirectly—
(A) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any client or participant or prospective client or participant; or
(B) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which operates as a fraud or deceit upon any client or participant or prospective client or participant.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any commodity trading advisor, associated person of a commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, or associated person of a commodity pool operator registered under this chapter to represent or imply in any manner whatsoever that such person has been sponsored, recommended, or approved, or that such person’s abilities or qualifications have in any respect been passed upon, by the United States or any agency or officer thereof. This section shall not be construed to prohibit a statement that a person is registered under this chapter as a commodity trading advisor, associated person of a commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, or associated person of a commodity pool operator, if such statement is true in fact and if the effect of such registration is not misrepresented.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4o, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 205(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1399; amended Pub. L. 95–405, § 10, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 870; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 214, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2305.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6o

§ 6o–1. Transferred

CITE AS: 7 USC 6o-1

§ 6p. Standards and examinations
(a) The Commission may specify by rules and regulations appropriate standards with respect to training, experience, and such other qualifications as the Commission finds necessary or desirable to insure the fitness of persons required to be registered with the Commission. In connection therewith, the Commission may prescribe by rules and regulations the adoption of written proficiency examinations to be given to applicants for registration and the establishment of reasonable fees to be charged to such applicants to cover the administration of such examinations. The Commission may further prescribe by rules and regulations that, in lieu of examinations administered by the Commission, futures associations registered under section 21 of this title, contract markets, or derivatives transaction execution facilities may adopt written proficiency examinations to be given to applicants for registration and charge reasonable fees to such applicants to cover the administration of such examinations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Commission may specify by rules and regulations such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to protect the public interest wherein exception to any written proficiency examination shall be made with respect to individuals who have demonstrated, through training and experience, the degree of proficiency and skill necessary to protect the interests of customers, clients, pool participants, or other members of the public with whom such individuals deal.
(b) The Commission shall issue regulations to require new registrants, within six months after receiving such registration, to attend a training session, and all other registrants to attend periodic training sessions, to ensure that registrants understand their responsibilities to the public under this chapter, including responsibilities to observe just and equitable principles of trade, any rule or regulation of the Commission, any rule of any appropriate contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, registered futures association, or other self-regulatory organization, or any other applicable Federal or state 1
1 So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
law, rule or regulation.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4p, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 206, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1400; amended Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 215, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2305; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 210(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3607; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(11)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–408.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6p

§ 6q. Special procedures to encourage and facilitate bona fide hedging by agricultural producers
(a) Authority
The Commission shall consider issuing rules or orders which—
(1) prescribe procedures under which each contract market is to provide for orderly delivery, including temporary storage costs, of any agricultural commodity enumerated in section 1a(9) of this title which is the subject of a contract for purchase or sale for future delivery;
(2) increase the ease with which domestic agricultural producers may participate in contract markets, including by addressing cost and margin requirements, so as to better enable the producers to hedge price risk associated with their production;
(3) provide flexibility in the minimum quantities of such agricultural commodities that may be the subject of a contract for purchase or sale for future delivery that is traded on a contract market, to better allow domestic agricultural producers to hedge such price risk; and
(4) encourage contract markets to provide information and otherwise facilitate the participation of domestic agricultural producers in contract markets.
(b) Report
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4q, formerly § 4p, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 121], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–404; renumbered § 4q, Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13105(d), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434, and Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13105(d), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 721(e)(3), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1671.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6q

§ 6r. Reporting and recordkeeping for uncleared swaps
(a) Required reporting of swaps not accepted by any derivatives clearing organization
(1) In generalEach swap that is not accepted for clearing by any derivatives clearing organization shall be reported to—
(A) a swap data repository described in section 24a of this title; or
(B) in the case in which there is no swap data repository that would accept the swap, to the Commission pursuant to this section within such time period as the Commission may by rule or regulation prescribe.
(2) Transition rule for preenactment swaps
(A) Swaps entered into before July 21, 2010Each swap entered into before July 21, 2010, the terms of which have not expired as of July 21, 2010, shall be reported to a registered swap data repository or the Commission by a date that is not later than—
(i) 30 days after issuance of the interim final rule; or
(ii) such other period as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
(B) Commission rulemaking
(C) Effective date
(3) Reporting obligations
(A) Swaps in which only 1 counterparty is a swap dealer or major swap participant
(B) Swaps in which 1 counterparty is a swap dealer and the other a major swap participant
(C) Other swaps
(b) Duties of certain individualsAny individual or entity that enters into a swap shall meet each requirement described in subsection (c) if the individual or entity did not—
(1) clear the swap in accordance with section 2(h)(1) of this title; or
(2) have the data regarding the swap accepted by a swap data repository in accordance with rules (including timeframes) adopted by the Commission under section 24a of this title.
(c) RequirementsAn individual or entity described in subsection (b) shall—
(1) upon written request from the Commission, provide reports regarding the swaps held by the individual or entity to the Commission in such form and in such manner as the Commission may request; and
(2) maintain books and records pertaining to the swaps held by the individual or entity in such form, in such manner, and for such period as the Commission may require, which shall be open to inspection by—
(A) any representative of the Commission;
(B) an appropriate prudential regulator;
(C) the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(D) the Financial Stability Oversight Council; and
(E) the Department of Justice.
(d) Identical data
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4r, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 729, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1701.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6r

§ 6s. Registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants
(a) Registration
(1) Swap dealers
(2) Major swap participants
(b) Requirements
(1) In general
(2) Contents
(A) In general
(B) Continual reporting
(3) Expiration
(4) Rules
(5) Transition
(6) Statutory disqualification
(c) Dual registration
(1) Swap dealer
(2) Major swap participant
(d) Rulemakings
(1) In general
(2) Exception for prudential requirements
(A) In general
(B) Applicability
(e) Capital and margin requirements
(1) In general
(A) Swap dealers and major swap participants that are banks
(B) Swap dealers and major swap participants that are not banks
(2) Rules
(A) Swap dealers and major swap participants that are banksThe prudential regulators, in consultation with the Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, shall jointly adopt rules for swap dealers and major swap participants, with respect to their activities as a swap dealer or major swap participant, for which there is a prudential regulator imposing—
(i) capital requirements; and
(ii) both initial and variation margin requirements on all swaps that are not cleared by a registered derivatives clearing organization.
(B) Swap dealers and major swap participants that are not banksThe Commission shall adopt rules for swap dealers and major swap participants, with respect to their activities as a swap dealer or major swap participant, for which there is not a prudential regulator imposing—
(i) capital requirements; and
(ii) both initial and variation margin requirements on all swaps that are not cleared by a registered derivatives clearing organization.
(C) Capital
(3) Standards for capital and margin
(A) In generalTo offset the greater risk to the swap dealer or major swap participant and the financial system arising from the use of swaps that are not cleared, the requirements imposed under paragraph (2) shall—
(i) help ensure the safety and soundness of the swap dealer or major swap participant; and
(ii) be appropriate for the risk associated with the non-cleared swaps held as a swap dealer or major swap participant.
(B) Rule of construction
(i) In generalNothing in this section shall limit, or be construed to limit, the authority—(I) of the Commission to set financial responsibility rules for a futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a) of this title (except for section 6f(a)(3) of this title) in accordance with section 6f(b) of this title; or(II) of the Securities and Exchange Commission to set financial responsibility rules for a broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)) (except for section 15(b)(11) of that Act (15 U.S.C. 78o(b)(11)) 1
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a third closing parenthesis.
in accordance with section 15(c)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o(c)(3)).
(ii) Futures commission merchants and other dealers
(C) Margin requirementsIn prescribing margin requirements under this subsection, the prudential regulator with respect to swap dealers and major swap participants for which it is the prudential regulator and the Commission with respect to swap dealers and major swap participants for which there is no prudential regulator shall permit the use of noncash collateral, as the regulator or the Commission determines to be consistent with—
(i) preserving the financial integrity of markets trading swaps; and
(ii) preserving the stability of the United States financial system.
(D) Comparability of capital and margin requirements
(i) In general
(ii) ComparabilityThe entities described in clause (i) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, establish and maintain comparable minimum capital requirements and minimum initial and variation margin requirements, including the use of non cash collateral, for—(I) swap dealers; and(II) major swap participants.
(4) Applicability with respect to counterparties
(f) Reporting and recordkeeping
(1) In generalEach registered swap dealer and major swap participant—
(A) shall make such reports as are required by the Commission by rule or regulation regarding the transactions and positions and financial condition of the registered swap dealer or major swap participant;
(B)
(i) for which there is a prudential regulator, shall keep books and records of all activities related to the business as a swap dealer or major swap participant in such form and manner and for such period as may be prescribed by the Commission by rule or regulation; and
(ii) for which there is no prudential regulator, shall keep books and records in such form and manner and for such period as may be prescribed by the Commission by rule or regulation;
(C) shall keep books and records described in subparagraph (B) open to inspection and examination by any representative of the Commission; and
(D) shall keep any such books and records relating to swaps defined in section 1a(47)(A)(v) of this title open to inspection and examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2) Rules
(g) Daily trading records
(1) In general
(2) Information requirements
(3) Counterparty records
(4) Audit trail
(5) Rules
(h) Business conduct standards
(1) In generalEach registered swap dealer and major swap participant shall conform with such business conduct standards as prescribed in paragraph (3) and as may be prescribed by the Commission by rule or regulation that relate to—
(A) fraud, manipulation, and other abusive practices involving swaps (including swaps that are offered but not entered into);
(B) diligent supervision of the business of the registered swap dealer and major swap participant;
(C) adherence to all applicable position limits; and
(D) such other matters as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
(2) Responsibilities with respect to special entities
(A) Advising special entities
(B) Entering of swaps with respect to special entities
(C) Special entity definedFor purposes of this subsection, the term “special entity” means—
(i) a Federal agency;
(ii) a State, State agency, city, county, municipality, or other political subdivision of a State;
(iii) any employee benefit plan, as defined in section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002);
(iv) any governmental plan, as defined in section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002); or
(v) any endowment, including an endowment that is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of title 26.
(3) Business conduct requirementsBusiness conduct requirements adopted by the Commission shall—
(A) establish a duty for a swap dealer or major swap participant to verify that any counterparty meets the eligibility standards for an eligible contract participant;
(B) require disclosure by the swap dealer or major swap participant to any counterparty to the transaction (other than a swap dealer, major swap participant, security-based swap dealer, or major security-based swap participant) of—
(i) information about the material risks and characteristics of the swap;
(ii) any material incentives or conflicts of interest that the swap dealer or major swap participant may have in connection with the swap; and
(iii)(I) for cleared swaps, upon the request of the counterparty, receipt of the daily mark of the transaction from the appropriate derivatives clearing organization; and(II) for uncleared swaps, receipt of the daily mark of the transaction from the swap dealer or the major swap participant;
(C) establish a duty for a swap dealer or major swap participant to communicate in a fair and balanced manner based on principles of fair dealing and good faith; and
(D) establish such other standards and requirements as the Commission may determine are appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
(4) Special requirements for swap dealers acting as advisors
(A) In generalIt shall be unlawful for a swap dealer or major swap participant—
(i) to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any Special Entity or prospective customer who is a Special Entity;
(ii) to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business that operates as a fraud or deceit on any Special Entity or prospective customer who is a Special Entity; or
(iii) to engage in any act, practice, or course of business that is fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative.
(B) Duty
(C) Reasonable effortsAny swap dealer that acts as an advisor to a Special Entity shall make reasonable efforts to obtain such information as is necessary to make a reasonable determination that any swap recommended by the swap dealer is in the best interests of the Special Entity, including information relating to—
(i) the financial status of the Special Entity;
(ii) the tax status of the Special Entity;
(iii) the investment or financing objectives of the Special Entity; and
(iv) any other information that the Commission may prescribe by rule or regulation.
(5) Special requirements for swap dealers as counterparties to special entities
(A) Any swap dealer or major swap participant that offers to enter or enters into a swap with a Special Entity shall—
(i) comply with any duty established by the Commission for a swap dealer or major swap participant, with respect to a counterparty that is an eligible contract participant within the meaning of subclause (I) or (II) of clause (vii) of section 1a(18) 3
3 So in original. Probably should be “section 1a(18)(A)”.
of this title, that requires the swap dealer or major swap participant to have a reasonable basis to believe that the counterparty that is a Special Entity has an independent representative that—(I) has sufficient knowledge to evaluate the transaction and risks;(II) is not subject to a statutory disqualification;(III) is independent of the swap dealer or major swap participant;(IV) undertakes a duty to act in the best interests of the counterparty it represents;(V) makes appropriate disclosures;(VI) will provide written representations to the Special Entity regarding fair pricing and the appropriateness of the transaction; and(VII) in the case of employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security act 4
4 So in original. Probably should be “Act”.
of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.], is a fiduciary as defined in section 3 of that Act (29 U.S.C. 1002); and
(ii) before the initiation of the transaction, disclose to the Special Entity in writing the capacity in which the swap dealer is acting; and
(B) the Commission may establish such other standards and requirements as the Commission may determine are appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.
(6) Rules
(7) ApplicabilityThis section shall not apply with respect to a transaction that is—
(A) initiated by a Special Entity on an exchange or swap execution facility; and
(B) one in which the swap dealer or major swap participant does not know the identity of the counterparty to the transaction.
(i) Documentation standards
(1) In general
(2) Rules
(j) DutiesEach registered swap dealer and major swap participant at all times shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Monitoring of trading
(2) Risk management procedures
(3) Disclosure of general informationThe swap dealer or major swap participant shall disclose to the Commission and to the prudential regulator for the swap dealer or major swap participant, as applicable, information concerning—
(A) terms and conditions of its swaps;
(B) swap trading operations, mechanisms, and practices;
(C) financial integrity protections relating to swaps; and
(D) other information relevant to its trading in swaps.
(4) Ability to obtain informationThe swap dealer or major swap participant shall—
(A) establish and enforce internal systems and procedures to obtain any necessary information to perform any of the functions described in this section; and
(B) provide the information to the Commission and to the prudential regulator for the swap dealer or major swap participant, as applicable, on request.
(5) Conflicts of interestThe swap dealer and major swap participant shall implement conflict-of-interest systems and procedures that—
(A) establish structural and institutional safeguards to ensure that the activities of any person within the firm relating to research or analysis of the price or market for any commodity or swap or acting in a role of providing clearing activities or making determinations as to accepting clearing customers are separated by appropriate informational partitions within the firm from the review, pressure, or oversight of persons whose involvement in pricing, trading, or clearing activities might potentially bias their judgment or supervision and contravene the core principles of open access and the business conduct standards described in this chapter; and
(B) address such other issues as the Commission determines to be appropriate.
(6) Antitrust considerationsUnless necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter, a swap dealer or major swap participant shall not—
(A) adopt any process or take any action that results in any unreasonable restraint of trade; or
(B) impose any material anticompetitive burden on trading or clearing.
(7) Rules
(k) Designation of chief compliance officer
(1) In general
(2) DutiesThe chief compliance officer shall—
(A) report directly to the board or to the senior officer of the swap dealer or major swap participant;
(B) review the compliance of the swap dealer or major swap participant with respect to the swap dealer and major swap participant requirements described in this section;
(C) in consultation with the board of directors, a body performing a function similar to the board, or the senior officer of the organization, resolve any conflicts of interest that may arise;
(D) be responsible for administering each policy and procedure that is required to be established pursuant to this section;
(E) ensure compliance with this chapter (including regulations) relating to swaps, including each rule prescribed by the Commission under this section;
(F) establish procedures for the remediation of noncompliance issues identified by the chief compliance officer through any—
(i) compliance office review;
(ii) look-back;
(iii) internal or external audit finding;
(iv) self-reported error; or
(v) validated complaint; and
(G) establish and follow appropriate procedures for the handling, management response, remediation, retesting, and closing of noncompliance issues.
(3) Annual reports
(A) In generalIn accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission, the chief compliance officer shall annually prepare and sign a report that contains a description of—
(i) the compliance of the swap dealer or major swap participant with respect to this chapter (including regulations); and
(ii) each policy and procedure of the swap dealer or major swap participant of the chief compliance officer (including the code of ethics and conflict of interest policies).
(B) RequirementsA compliance report under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) accompany each appropriate financial report of the swap dealer or major swap participant that is required to be furnished to the Commission pursuant to this section; and
(ii) include a certification that, under penalty of law, the compliance report is accurate and complete.
(l) Segregation requirements
(1) Segregation of assets held as collateral in uncleared swap transactions
(A) Notification
(B) Segregation and maintenance of fundsAt the request of a counterparty to a swap that provides funds or other property to a swap dealer or major swap participant to margin, guarantee, or secure the obligations of the counterparty, the swap dealer or major swap participant shall—
(i) segregate the funds or other property for the benefit of the counterparty; and
(ii) in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commission may promulgate, maintain the funds or other property in a segregated account separate from the assets and other interests of the swap dealer or major swap participant.
(2) ApplicabilityThe requirements described in paragraph (1) shall—
(A) apply only to a swap between a counterparty and a swap dealer or major swap participant that is not submitted for clearing to a derivatives clearing organization; and
(B)
(i) not apply to variation margin payments; or
(ii) not preclude any commercial arrangement regarding—(I) the investment of segregated funds or other property that may only be invested in such investments as the Commission may permit by rule or regulation; and(II) the related allocation of gains and losses resulting from any investment of the segregated funds or other property.
(3) Use of independent third-party custodiansThe segregated account described in paragraph (1) shall be—
(A) carried by an independent third-party custodian; and
(B) designated as a segregated account for and on behalf of the counterparty.
(4) Reporting requirement
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4s, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 724(c), 731, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1684, 1703; Pub. L. 114–1, title III, § 302(a), Jan. 12, 2015, 129 Stat. 28.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6s

§ 6t. Large swap trader reporting
(a) Prohibition
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to enter into any swap that the Commission determines to perform a significant price discovery function with respect to registered entities if—
(A) the person directly or indirectly enters into the swap during any 1 day in an amount equal to or in excess of such amount as shall be established periodically by the Commission; and
(B) the person directly or indirectly has or obtains a position in the swap equal to or in excess of such amount as shall be established periodically by the Commission.
(2) Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply if—
(A) the person files or causes to be filed with the properly designated officer of the Commission such reports regarding any transactions or positions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) as the Commission may require by rule or regulation; and
(B) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, the person keeps books and records of all such swaps and any transactions and positions in any related commodity traded on or subject to the rules of any designated contract market or swap execution facility, and of cash or spot transactions in, inventories of, and purchase and sale commitments of, such a commodity.
(b) Requirements
(1) In general
Books and records described in subsection (a)(2)(B) shall—
(A) show such complete details concerning all transactions and positions as the Commission may prescribe by rule or regulation;
(B) be open at all times to inspection and examination by any representative of the Commission; and
(C) be open at all times to inspection and examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission, to the extent such books and records relate to transactions in swaps (as that term is defined in section 1a(47)(A)(v) of this title), and consistent with the confidentiality and disclosure requirements of section 12 of this title.
(2) Jurisdiction
(c) Applicability
(d) Significant price discovery function
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 4t, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 730, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1702.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 6t

§ 7. Designation of boards of trade as contract markets
(a) Applications
(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 735(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1718
(c) Existing contract markets
(d) Core principles for contract markets
(1) Designation as contract market
(A) In generalTo be designated, and maintain a designation, as a contract market, a board of trade shall comply with—
(i) any core principle described in this subsection; and
(ii) any requirement that the Commission may impose by rule or regulation pursuant to section 12a(5) of this title.
(B) Reasonable discretion of contract market
(2) Compliance with rules
(A) In generalThe board of trade shall establish, monitor, and enforce compliance with the rules of the contract market, including—
(i) access requirements;
(ii) the terms and conditions of any contracts to be traded on the contract market; and
(iii) rules prohibiting abusive trade practices on the contract market.
(B) Capacity of contract market
(C) Requirement of rules
(3) Contracts not readily subject to manipulation
(4) Prevention of market disruptionThe board of trade shall have the capacity and responsibility to prevent manipulation, price distortion, and disruptions of the delivery or cash-settlement process through market surveillance, compliance, and enforcement practices and procedures, including—
(A) methods for conducting real-time monitoring of trading; and
(B) comprehensive and accurate trade reconstructions.
(5) Position limitations or accountability
(A) In general
(B) Maximum allowable position limitation
(6) Emergency authorityThe board of trade, in consultation or cooperation with the Commission, shall adopt rules to provide for the exercise of emergency authority, as is necessary and appropriate, including the authority—
(A) to liquidate or transfer open positions in any contract;
(B) to suspend or curtail trading in any contract; and
(C) to require market participants in any contract to meet special margin requirements.
(7) Availability of general informationThe board of trade shall make available to market authorities, market participants, and the public accurate information concerning—
(A) the terms and conditions of the contracts of the contract market; and
(B)
(i) the rules, regulations, and mechanisms for executing transactions on or through the facilities of the contract market; and
(ii) the rules and specifications describing the operation of the contract market’s—(I) electronic matching platform; or(II) trade execution facility.
(8) Daily publication of trading information
(9) Execution of transactions
(A) In general
(B) RulesThe rules of the board of trade may authorize, for bona fide business purposes—
(i) transfer trades or office trades;
(ii) an exchange of—(I) futures in connection with a cash commodity transaction;(II) futures for cash commodities; or(III) futures for swaps; or
(iii) a futures commission merchant, acting as principal or agent, to enter into or confirm the execution of a contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity for future delivery if the contract is reported, recorded, or cleared in accordance with the rules of the contract market or a derivatives clearing organization.
(10) Trade informationThe board of trade shall maintain rules and procedures to provide for the recording and safe storage of all identifying trade information in a manner that enables the contract market to use the information—
(A) to assist in the prevention of customer and market abuses; and
(B) to provide evidence of any violations of the rules of the contract market.
(11) Financial integrity of transactionsThe board of trade shall establish and enforce—
(A) rules and procedures for ensuring the financial integrity of transactions entered into on or through the facilities of the contract market (including the clearance and settlement of the transactions with a derivatives clearing organization); and
(B) rules to ensure—
(i) the financial integrity of any—(I) futures commission merchant; and(II) introducing broker; and
(ii) the protection of customer funds.
(12) Protection of markets and market participantsThe board of trade shall establish and enforce rules—
(A) to protect markets and market participants from abusive practices committed by any party, including abusive practices committed by a party acting as an agent for a participant; and
(B) to promote fair and equitable trading on the contract market.
(13) Disciplinary procedures
(14) Dispute resolution
(15) Governance fitness standards
(16) Conflicts of interestThe board of trade shall establish and enforce rules—
(A) to minimize conflicts of interest in the decision-making process of the contract market; and
(B) to establish a process for resolving conflicts of interest described in subparagraph (A).
(17) Composition of governing boards of contract markets
(18) RecordkeepingThe board of trade shall maintain records of all activities relating to the business of the contract market—
(A) in a form and manner that is acceptable to the Commission; and
(B) for a period of at least 5 years.
(19) Antitrust considerationsUnless necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the board of trade shall not—
(A) adopt any rule or taking 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “take”.
any action that results in any unreasonable restraint of trade; or
(B) impose any material anticompetitive burden on trading on the contract market.
(20) System safeguardsThe board of trade shall—
(A) establish and maintain a program of risk analysis and oversight to identify and minimize sources of operational risk, through the development of appropriate controls and procedures, and the development of automated systems, that are reliable, secure, and have adequate scalable capacity;
(B) establish and maintain emergency procedures, backup facilities, and a plan for disaster recovery that allow for the timely recovery and resumption of operations and the fulfillment of the responsibilities and obligations of the board of trade; and
(C) periodically conduct tests to verify that backup resources are sufficient to ensure continued order processing and trade matching, price reporting, market surveillance, and maintenance of a comprehensive and accurate audit trail.
(21) Financial resources
(A) In general
(B) Determination of adequacy
(22) Diversity of board of directors
(23) Securities and Exchange Commission
(e) Current agricultural commodities
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a contract for purchase or sale for future delivery of an agricultural commodity enumerated in section 1a(9) of this title that is available for trade on a contract market, as of December 21, 2000, may be traded only on a contract market designated under this section.
(2) In order to promote responsible economic or financial innovation and fair competition, the Commission, on application by any person, after notice and public comment and opportunity for hearing, may prescribe rules and regulations to provide for the offer and sale of contracts for future delivery or options on such contracts to be conducted on a derivatives transaction execution facility.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 110(2)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–384; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 721(e)(4), 735, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1671, 1718.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7

§ 7a. Repealed. Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 734(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1718

CITE AS: 7 USC 7a

§ 7a–1. Derivatives clearing organizations
(a) Registration requirement
(1) In generalExcept 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—
(A) a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or an option on the contract of sale) or option on a commodity, in each case, unless the contract or option is—
(i) excluded from this chapter by subsection (a)(1)(C)(i), (c), or (f) of section 2 of this title; or
(ii) a security futures product cleared by a clearing agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.); or
(B) a swap.
(2) Exception
(b) Voluntary registration
(c) Registration of derivatives clearing organizations
(1) Application
(2) Core principles for derivatives clearing organizations
(A) Compliance
(i) In general
(ii) Discretion of derivatives clearing organization
(B) Financial resources
(i) In general
(ii) Minimum amount of financial resourcesEach derivatives clearing organization shall possess financial resources that, at a minimum, exceed the total amount that would—(I) enable the organization to meet its financial obligations to its members and participants notwithstanding a default by the member or participant creating the largest financial exposure for that organization in extreme but plausible market conditions; and(II) enable the derivatives clearing organization to cover the operating costs of the derivatives clearing organization for a period of 1 year (as calculated on a rolling basis).
(C) Participant and product eligibility
(i) In generalEach derivatives clearing organization shall establish—(I) appropriate admission and continuing eligibility standards (including sufficient financial resources and operational capacity to meet obligations arising from participation in the derivatives clearing organization) for members of, and participants in, the derivatives clearing organization; and(II) appropriate standards for determining the eligibility of agreements, contracts, or transactions submitted to the derivatives clearing organization for clearing.
(ii) Required procedures
(iii) RequirementsThe participation and membership requirements of each derivatives clearing organization shall—(I) be objective;(II) be publicly disclosed; and(III) permit fair and open access.
(D) Risk management
(i) In general
(ii) Measurement of credit exposureEach derivatives clearing organization shall—(I) not less than once during each business day of the derivatives clearing organization, measure the credit exposures of the derivatives clearing organization to each member and participant of the derivatives clearing organization; and(II) monitor each exposure described in subclause (I) periodically during the business day of the derivatives clearing organization.
(iii) Limitation of exposure to potential losses from defaultsEach 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—(I) the operations of the derivatives clearing organization would not be disrupted; and(II) nondefaulting members or participants would not be exposed to losses that nondefaulting members or participants cannot anticipate or control.
(iv) Margin requirements
(v) Requirements regarding models and parametersEach model and parameter used in setting margin requirements under clause (iv) shall be—(I) risk-based; and(II) reviewed on a regular basis.
(E) Settlement proceduresEach derivatives clearing organization shall—
(i) complete money settlements on a timely basis (but not less frequently than once each business day);
(ii) employ money settlement arrangements to eliminate or strictly limit the exposure of the derivatives clearing organization to settlement bank risks (including credit and liquidity risks from the use of banks to effect money settlements);
(iii) ensure that money settlements are final when effected;
(iv) maintain an accurate record of the flow of funds associated with each money settlement;
(v) possess the ability to comply with each term and condition of any permitted netting or offset arrangement with any other clearing organization;
(vi) regarding physical settlements, establish rules that clearly state each obligation of the derivatives clearing organization with respect to physical deliveries; and
(vii) ensure that each risk arising from an obligation described in clause (vi) is identified and managed.
(F) Treatment of funds
(i) Required standards and procedures
(ii) Holding of funds and assets
(iii) Permissible investments
(G) Default rules and procedures
(i) In generalEach 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—(I) become insolvent; or(II) otherwise default on the obligations of the members or participants to the derivatives clearing organization.
(ii) Default proceduresEach derivatives clearing organization shall—(I) clearly state the default procedures of the derivatives clearing organization;(II) make publicly available the default rules of the derivatives clearing organization; and(III) ensure that the derivatives clearing organization may take timely action—(aa) to contain losses and liquidity pressures; and(bb) to continue meeting each obligation of the derivatives clearing organization.
(H) Rule enforcementEach derivatives clearing organization shall—
(i) maintain adequate arrangements and resources for—(I) the effective monitoring and enforcement of compliance with the rules of the derivatives clearing organization; and(II) the resolution of disputes;
(ii) have the authority and ability to discipline, limit, suspend, or terminate the activities of a member or participant due to a violation by the member or participant of any rule of the derivatives clearing organization; and
(iii) report to the Commission regarding rule enforcement activities and sanctions imposed against members and participants as provided in clause (ii).
(I) System safeguardsEach derivatives clearing organization shall—
(i) establish and maintain a program of risk analysis and oversight to identify and minimize sources of operational risk through the development of appropriate controls and procedures, and automated systems, that are reliable, secure, and have adequate scalable capacity;
(ii) establish and maintain emergency procedures, backup facilities, and a plan for disaster recovery that allows for—(I) the timely recovery and resumption of operations of the derivatives clearing organization; and(II) the fulfillment of each obligation and responsibility of the derivatives clearing organization; and
(iii) periodically conduct tests to verify that the backup resources of the derivatives clearing organization are sufficient to ensure daily processing, clearing, and settlement.
(J) Reporting
(K) RecordkeepingEach derivatives clearing organization shall maintain records of all activities related to the business of the derivatives clearing organization as a derivatives clearing organization—
(i) in a form and manner that is acceptable to the Commission; and
(ii) for a period of not less than 5 years.
(L) Public information
(i) In general
(ii) Availability of information
(iii) Public disclosureEach derivatives clearing organization shall disclose publicly and to the Commission information concerning—(I) the terms and conditions of each contract, agreement, and transaction cleared and settled by the derivatives clearing organization;(II) each clearing and other fee that the derivatives clearing organization charges the members and participants of the derivatives clearing organization;(III) the margin-setting methodology, and the size and composition, of the financial resource package of the derivatives clearing organization;(IV) daily settlement prices, volume, and open interest for each contract settled or cleared by the derivatives clearing organization; and(V) any other matter relevant to participation in the settlement and clearing activities of the derivatives clearing organization.
(M) Information-sharingEach derivatives clearing organization shall—
(i) enter into, and abide by the terms of, each appropriate and applicable domestic and international information-sharing agreement; and
(ii) use relevant information obtained from each agreement described in clause (i) in carrying out the risk management program of the derivatives clearing organization.
(N) Antitrust considerationsUnless necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter, a derivatives clearing organization shall not—
(i) adopt any rule or take any action that results in any unreasonable restraint of trade; or
(ii) impose any material anticompetitive burden.
(O) Governance fitness standards
(i) Governance arrangementsEach derivatives clearing organization shall establish governance arrangements that are transparent—(I) to fulfill public interest requirements; and(II) to permit the consideration of the views of owners and participants.
(ii) Fitness standardsEach derivatives clearing organization shall establish and enforce appropriate fitness standards for—(I) directors;(II) members of any disciplinary committee;(III) members of the derivatives clearing organization;(IV) any other individual or entity with direct access to the settlement or clearing activities of the derivatives clearing organization; and(V) any party affiliated with any individual or entity described in this clause.
(P) Conflicts of interestEach derivatives clearing organization shall—
(i) establish and enforce rules to minimize conflicts of interest in the decision-making process of the derivatives clearing organization; and
(ii) establish a process for resolving conflicts of interest described in clause (i).
(Q) Composition of governing boards
(R) Legal risk
(3) Orders concerning competition
(d) Existing derivatives clearing organizations
(e) Appointment of trustee
(1) In general
(2) Assumption of jurisdictionIf the Commission applies for appointment of a trustee under paragraph (1)—
(A) the court may take exclusive jurisdiction over the derivatives clearing organization and the records and assets of the derivatives clearing organization, wherever located; and
(B) if the court takes jurisdiction under subparagraph (A), the court shall appoint the Commission, or a person designated by the Commission, as trustee with power to take possession and continue to operate or terminate the operations of the derivatives clearing organization in an orderly manner for the protection of participants, subject to such terms and conditions as the court may prescribe.
(f) Linking of regulated clearing facilities
(1) In general
(2) Coordination
(g) Existing depository institutions and clearing agencies
(1) In generalA 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) the depository institution cleared swaps as a multilateral clearing organization; or
(B) the clearing agency cleared swaps.
(2) Conversion of depository institutions
(3) Sharing of information
(h) Exemptions
(i) Designation of chief compliance officer
(1) In general
(2) DutiesThe chief compliance officer shall—
(A) report directly to the board or to the senior officer of the derivatives clearing organization;
(B) review the compliance of the derivatives clearing organization with respect to the core principles described in subsection (c)(2);
(C) in consultation with the board of the derivatives clearing organization, a body performing a function similar to the board of the derivatives clearing organization, or the senior officer of the derivatives clearing organization, resolve any conflicts of interest that may arise;
(D) be responsible for administering each policy and procedure that is required to be established pursuant to this section;
(E) ensure compliance with this chapter (including regulations) relating to agreements, contracts, or transactions, including each rule prescribed by the Commission under this section;
(F) establish procedures for the remediation of noncompliance issues identified by the compliance officer through any—
(i) compliance office review;
(ii) look-back;
(iii) internal or external audit finding;
(iv) self-reported error; or
(v) validated complaint; and
(G) establish and follow appropriate procedures for the handling, management response, remediation, retesting, and closing of noncompliance issues.
(3) Annual reports
(A) In generalIn accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission, the chief compliance officer shall annually prepare and sign a report that contains a description of—
(i) the compliance of the derivatives clearing organization of the compliance officer with respect to this chapter (including regulations); and
(ii) each policy and procedure of the derivatives clearing organization of the compliance officer (including the code of ethics and conflict of interest policies of the derivatives clearing organization).
(B) RequirementsA compliance report under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) accompany each appropriate financial report of the derivatives clearing organization that is required to be furnished to the Commission pursuant to this section; and
(ii) include a certification that, under penalty of law, the compliance report is accurate and complete.
(k)1
1 So in original. No subsec. (j) has been enacted.
Reporting requirements
(1) Duty of derivatives clearing organizations
(2) Data collection and maintenance requirementsThe Commission shall adopt data collection and maintenance requirements for swaps cleared by derivatives clearing organizations that are comparable to the corresponding requirements for—
(A) swaps data reported to swap data repositories; and
(B) swaps traded on swap execution facilities.
(3) Reports on security-based swap agreements to be shared with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(A) In general
(B) Jurisdiction
(4) Information sharingSubject to section 12 of this title, and upon request, the Commission shall share information collected under paragraph (2) with—
(A) the Board;
(B) the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(C) each appropriate prudential regulator;
(D) the Financial Stability Oversight Council;
(E) the Department of Justice; and
(F) any other person that the Commission determines to be appropriate, including—
(i) foreign financial supervisors (including foreign futures authorities);
(ii) foreign central banks; and
(iii) foreign ministries.
(5) Confidentiality agreement
(6) Public information
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5b, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 112(f)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–396; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 721(e)(6), 725(a)–(c), (e), (h), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1671, 1685–1687, 1693, 1695; Pub. L. 114–94, div. G, title LXXXVI, § 86001(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1797.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7a-1

§ 7a–2. Common provisions applicable to registered entities
(a) Acceptable business practices under core principles
(1) In general
(2) Effect of interpretation
(b) Delegation of functions under core principles
(1) In general
(2) Responsibility
(3) Noncompliance
(c) New contracts, new rules, and rule amendments
(1) In general
(2) Rule review
(3) Stay of certification for rules
(A) A notification by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (2) shall stay the certification of the new rule or rule amendment for up to an additional 90 days from the date of the notification.
(B) A rule or rule amendment subject to a stay pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall become effective, pursuant to the certification of the registered entity, at the expiration of the period described in subparagraph (A) unless the Commission—
(i) withdraws the stay prior to that time; or
(ii) notifies the registered entity during such period that it objects to the proposed certification on the grounds that it is inconsistent with this chapter (including regulations under this chapter).
(C) The Commission shall provide a not less than 30-day public comment period, within the 90-day period in which the stay is in effect as described in subparagraph (A), whenever the Commission reviews a rule or rule amendment pursuant to a notification by the Commission under this paragraph.
(4) Prior approval
(A) In general
(B) Prior approval required
(C) Deadline
(5) Approval
(A) Rules
(B) Contracts and instruments
(C) Special rule for review and approval of event contracts and swaps contracts
(i) Event contractsIn connection with the listing of agreements, contracts, transactions, or swaps in excluded commodities that are based upon the occurrence, extent of an occurrence, or contingency (other than a change in the price, rate, value, or levels of a commodity described in section 1a(2)(i) 2
2 So in original. There is no section “1a(2)(i)” in this title.
of this title), by a designated contract market or swap execution facility, the Commission may determine that such agreements, contracts, or transactions are contrary to the public interest if the agreements, contracts, or transactions involve—(I) activity that is unlawful under any Federal or State law;(II) terrorism;(III) assassination;(IV) war;(V) gaming; or(VI) other similar activity determined by the Commission, by rule or regulation, to be contrary to the public interest.
(ii) Prohibition
(iii) Swaps contracts(I) In general(II) RequirementsAny such criteria, conditions, or rules shall consider—(aa) the financial integrity of the derivatives clearing organization; and(bb) any other factors which the Commission determines may be appropriate.
(iv) Deadline
(d) Repealed. Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 745(c), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1737
(e) Reservation of emergency authority
(f) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual registrantsConsistent with this chapter, each designated contract market and registered derivatives transaction execution facility shall issue such rules as are necessary to avoid duplicative or conflicting rules applicable to any futures commission merchant registered with the Commission pursuant to section 6f(a) of this title (except paragraph (2) thereof), that is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 78o(b) of title 15 (except paragraph (11) thereof) with respect to the application of—
(1) rules of such designated contract market or registered derivatives transaction execution facility of the type specified in section 6d(e) of this title involving security futures products; and
(2) similar rules of national securities associations registered pursuant to section 78o–3(a) of title 15 and national securities exchanges registered pursuant to section 78f(g) of title 15 involving security futures products.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5c, as added and amended Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 113, title II, § 251(h)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–399, 2763A–444; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, §§ 13105(e), (f), 13203(i)–(k), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434, 1440, 1441; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, §§ 13105(e), (f), 13203(i)–(k), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196, 2202, 2203; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 717(d), 721(e)(7), 745, 749(c), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1652, 1671, 1735, 1747.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7a-2

§ 7a–3. Repealed. Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 734(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1718

CITE AS: 7 USC 7a-3

§ 7b. Suspension or revocation of designation as registered entity

The failure of a registered entity to comply with any provision of this chapter, or any regulation or order of the Commission under this chapter, shall be cause for the suspension of the registered entity for a period not to exceed 180 days, or revocation of designation as a registered entity, in accordance with the procedures and subject to the judicial review provided in section 8(b) of this title.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5e, formerly § 5b, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 7, 49 Stat. 1498; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 13, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (b), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 209(b)(3), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3607; renumbered § 5e and amended Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 110(1), 115], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–384, 2763A–402; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13203(l), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1441; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13203(l), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2203; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 749(d), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1747.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7b

§ 7b–1. Designation of securities exchanges and associations as contract markets
(a) Any board of trade that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a national securities exchange, is a national securities association registered pursuant to section 78o–3(a) of title 15, or is an alternative trading system shall be a designated contract market in security futures products if—
(1) such national securities exchange, national securities association, or alternative trading system lists or trades no other contracts of sale for future delivery, except for security futures products;
(2) such national securities exchange, national securities association, or alternative trading system files written notice with the Commission in such form as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe containing such information as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of customers; and
(3) the registration of such national securities exchange, national securities association, or alternative trading system is not suspended pursuant to an order by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Such designation shall be effective contemporaneously with the submission of notice, in written or electronic form, to the Commission.
(b)
(1) A national securities exchange, national securities association, or alternative trading system that is designated as a contract market pursuant to this section shall be exempt from the following provisions of this chapter and the rules thereunder:
(A) Subsections (c), (e), and (g) of section 6c of this title.
(B)Section 6j of this title.
(C)Section 7 of this title.
(D)Section 7a–2 of this title.
(E)Section 10a of this title.
(F)Section 12(d) of this title.
(G) Section 13(f) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title.
(H)Section 20 of this title.
(2) An alternative trading system that is a designated contract market under this section shall be required to be a member of a futures association registered under section 21 of this title and shall be exempt from any provision of this chapter that would require such alternative trading system to—
(A) set rules governing the conduct of subscribers other than the conduct of such subscribers’ trading on such alternative trading system; or
(B) discipline subscribers other than by exclusion from trading.
(3) To the extent that an alternative trading system is exempt from any provision of this chapter pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the futures association registered under section 21 of this title of which the alternative trading system is a member shall set rules governing the conduct of subscribers to the alternative trading system and discipline the subscribers.
(4)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), but notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Commission, by rule, regulation, or order, may conditionally or unconditionally exempt any designated contract market in security futures subject to the designation requirement of this section from any provision of this chapter or of any rule or regulation thereunder, to the extent such exemption is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and is consistent with the protection of investors.
(B) The Commission shall, by rule or regulation, determine the procedures under which an exemptive order under this section is granted and may, in its sole discretion, decline to entertain any application for an order of exemption under this section.
(C) An alternative trading system shall not be deemed to be an exchange for any purpose as a result of the designation of such alternative trading system as a contract market under this section.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5f, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title II, § 252(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–445.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7b-1

§ 7b–2. Privacy
(a) Treatment as financial institutions
(b) Treatment of CFTC as Federal functional regulator
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5g, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 124], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–411.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7b-2

§ 7b–3. Swap execution facilities
(a) Registration
(1) In general
(2) Dual registration
(b) Trading and trade processing
(1) In generalExcept as specified in paragraph (2), a swap execution facility that is registered under subsection (a) may—
(A) make available for trading any swap; and
(B) facilitate trade processing of any swap.
(2) Agricultural swaps
(c) Identification of facility used to trade swaps by contract markets
(d) Rule-writing
(1) The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission may promulgate rules defining the universe of swaps that can be executed on a swap execution facility. These rules shall take into account the price and nonprice requirements of the counterparties to a swap and the goal of this section as set forth in subsection (e).
(2) For all swaps that are not required to be executed through a swap execution facility as defined in paragraph (1), such trades may be executed through any other available means of interstate commerce.
(3) The Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall update these rules as necessary to account for technological and other innovation.
(e) Rule of construction
(f) Core principles for swap execution facilities
(1) Compliance with core principles
(A) In generalTo be registered, and maintain registration, as a swap execution facility, the swap execution facility shall comply with—
(i) the core principles described in this subsection; and
(ii) any requirement that the Commission may impose by rule or regulation pursuant to section 12a(5) of this title.
(B) Reasonable discretion of swap execution facility
(2) Compliance with rulesA swap execution facility shall—
(A) establish and enforce compliance with any rule of the swap execution facility, including—
(i) the terms and conditions of the swaps traded or processed on or through the swap execution facility; and
(ii) any limitation on access to the swap execution facility;
(B) establish and enforce trading, trade processing, and participation rules that will deter abuses and have the capacity to detect, investigate, and enforce those rules, including means—
(i) to provide market participants with impartial access to the market; and
(ii) to capture information that may be used in establishing whether rule violations have occurred;
(C) establish rules governing the operation of the facility, including rules specifying trading procedures to be used in entering and executing orders traded or posted on the facility, including block trades; and
(D) provide by its rules that when a swap dealer or major swap participant enters into or facilitates a swap that is subject to the mandatory clearing requirement of section 2(h) of this title, the swap dealer or major swap participant shall be responsible for compliance with the mandatory trading requirement under section 2(h)(8) of this title.
(3) Swaps not readily susceptible to manipulation
(4) Monitoring of trading and trade processingThe swap execution facility shall—
(A) establish and enforce rules or terms and conditions defining, or specifications detailing—
(i) trading procedures to be used in entering and executing orders traded on or through the facilities of the swap execution facility; and
(ii) procedures for trade processing of swaps on or through the facilities of the swap execution facility; and
(B) monitor trading in swaps to prevent manipulation, price distortion, and disruptions of the delivery or cash settlement process through surveillance, compliance, and disciplinary practices and procedures, including methods for conducting real-time monitoring of trading and comprehensive and accurate trade reconstructions.
(5) Ability to obtain informationThe swap execution facility shall—
(A) establish and enforce rules that will allow the facility to obtain any necessary information to perform any of the functions described in this section;
(B) provide the information to the Commission on request; and
(C) have the capacity to carry out such international information-sharing agreements as the Commission may require.
(6) Position limits or accountability
(A) In general
(B) Position limitsFor any contract that is subject to a position limitation established by the Commission pursuant to section 6a(a) of this title, the swap execution facility shall—
(i) set its position limitation at a level no higher than the Commission limitation; and
(ii) monitor positions established on or through the swap execution facility for compliance with the limit set by the Commission and the limit, if any, set by the swap execution facility.
(7) Financial integrity of transactions
(8) Emergency authority
(9) Timely publication of trading information
(A) In general
(B) Capacity of swap execution facility
(10) Recordkeeping and reporting
(A) In generalA swap execution facility shall—
(i) maintain records of all activities relating to the business of the facility, including a complete audit trail, in a form and manner acceptable to the Commission for a period of 5 years;
(ii) report to the Commission, in a form and manner acceptable to the Commission, such information as the Commission determines to be necessary or appropriate for the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission under this chapter; and
(iii) shall keep any such records relating to swaps defined in section 1a(47)(A)(v) of this title open to inspection and examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission.” 1
1 So in original. The closing quotation marks probably should not appear.
(B) Requirements
(11) Antitrust considerationsUnless necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter, the swap execution facility shall not—
(A) adopt any rules or taking 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “take”.
any actions that result in any unreasonable restraint of trade; or
(B) impose any material anticompetitive burden on trading or clearing.
(12) Conflicts of interestThe swap execution facility shall—
(A) establish and enforce rules to minimize conflicts of interest in its decision-making process; and
(B) establish a process for resolving the conflicts of interest.
(13) Financial resources
(A) In general
(B) Determination of resource adequacy
(14) System safeguardsThe swap execution facility shall—
(A) establish and maintain a program of risk analysis and oversight to identify and minimize sources of operational risk, through the development of appropriate controls and procedures, and automated systems, that—
(i) are reliable and secure; and
(ii) have adequate scalable capacity;
(B) establish and maintain emergency procedures, backup facilities, and a plan for disaster recovery that allow for—
(i) the timely recovery and resumption of operations; and
(ii) the fulfillment of the responsibilities and obligations of the swap execution facility; and
(C) periodically conduct tests to verify that the backup resources of the swap execution facility are sufficient to ensure continued—
(i) order processing and trade matching;
(ii) price reporting;
(iii) market surveillance and
(iv) maintenance of a comprehensive and accurate audit trail.
(15) Designation of chief compliance officer
(A) In general
(B) DutiesThe chief compliance officer shall—
(i) report directly to the board or to the senior officer of the facility;
(ii) review compliance with the core principles in this subsection;
(iii) in consultation with the board of the facility, a body performing a function similar to that of a board, or the senior officer of the facility, resolve any conflicts of interest that may arise;
(iv) be responsible for establishing and administering the policies and procedures required to be established pursuant to this section;
(v) ensure compliance with this chapter and the rules and regulations issued under this chapter, including rules prescribed by the Commission pursuant to this section; and
(vi) establish procedures for the remediation of noncompliance issues found during compliance office reviews, look backs, internal or external audit findings, self-reported errors, or through validated complaints.
(C) Requirements for procedures
(D) Annual reports
(i) In generalIn accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission, the chief compliance officer shall annually prepare and sign a report that contains a description of—(I) the compliance of the swap execution facility with this chapter; and(II) the policies and procedures, including the code of ethics and conflict of interest policies, of the swap execution facility.
(ii) RequirementsThe chief compliance officer shall—(I) submit each report described in clause (i) with the appropriate financial report of the swap execution facility that is required to be submitted to the Commission pursuant to this section; and(II) include in the report a certification that, under penalty of law, the report is accurate and complete.
(g) Exemptions
(h) Rules
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 5h, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 733, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1712.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 7b-3

§ 8. Application for designation as contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility; time; suspension or revocation of designation; hearing; review by court of appeals
(a) Any person desiring to be designated or registered as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility shall make application to the Commission for the designation or registration and accompany the same with a showing that it complies with the conditions set forth in this chapter, and with a sufficient assurance that it will continue to comply with the the 1
1 So in original.
requirements of this chapter. The Commission shall approve or deny an application for designation or registration as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility within 180 days of the filing of the application. If the Commission notifies the person that its application is materially incomplete and specifies the deficiencies in the application, the running of the 180-day period shall be stayed from the time of such notification until the application is resubmitted in completed form: Provided, That the Commission shall have not less than sixty days to approve or deny the application from the time the application is resubmitted in completed form. If the Commission denies an application, it shall specify the grounds for the denial. In the event of a refusal to designate or register as a contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility any person that has made application therefor, the person shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing on the record before the Commission, with the right to appeal an adverse decision after such hearing to the court of appeals as provided for in other cases in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The Commission is authorized to suspend for a period not to exceed 6 months or to revoke the designation or registration of any contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility on a showing that the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility is not enforcing or has not enforced its rules of government, made a condition of its designation or registration as set forth in sections 7 through 7a–1 of this title or section 7b–1 of this title, or that the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility or electronic trading facility, or any director, officer, agent, or employee thereof, otherwise is violating or has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the rules, regulations, or orders of the Commission thereunder. Such suspension or revocation shall only be made after a notice to the officers of the contract market or derivatives transaction execution facility or electronic trading facility affected and upon a hearing on the record: Provided, That such suspension or revocation shall be final and conclusive, unless within fifteen days after such suspension or revocation by the Commission such person appeals to the court of appeals for the circuit in which it has its principal place of business, by filing with the clerk of such court a written petition praying that the order of the Commission be set aside or modified in the manner stated in the petition, together with a bond in such sum as the court may determine, conditioned that such person will pay the costs of the proceedings if the court so directs. The clerk of the court in which such a petition is filed shall immediately cause a copy thereof to be delivered to the Commission and file in the court the record in such proceedings, as provided in section 2112 of title 28. The testimony and evidence taken or submitted before the Commission, duly filed as aforesaid as a part of the record, shall be considered by the court of appeals as the evidence in the case. Such a court may affirm or set aside the order of the Commission or may direct it to modify its order. No such order of the Commission shall be modified or set aside by the court of appeals unless it is shown by the person that the order is unsupported by the weight of the evidence or was issued without due notice and a reasonable opportunity having been afforded to such person for a hearing, or infringes the Constitution of the United States, or is beyond the jurisdiction of the Commission.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6(a), (b), formerly § 6(a), 42 Stat. 1001; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 32(a), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 127, 63 Stat. 107; Pub. L. 85–791, § 7(a), Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 944; Pub. L. 90–258, §§ 14, 15, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a)–(c), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 95–405, § 13(1), (2), Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 871; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 218, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 98–620, title IV, § 402(3), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3357; renumbered § 6(a), (b) and amended Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 209(a)(1)–(3), title IV, § 402(1)(B), (9)(A), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3606, 3624, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(12)(A), (B)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–408; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13203(m), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1441; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13203(m), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2203; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 749(e), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1747.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 8

§ 9. Prohibition regarding manipulation and false information
(1) Prohibition against manipulationIt shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to use or employ, or attempt to use or employ, in connection with any swap, or a contract of sale of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any registered entity, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission shall promulgate by not later than 1 year after July 21, 2010, provided no rule or regulation promulgated by the Commission shall require any person to disclose to another person nonpublic information that may be material to the market price, rate, or level of the commodity transaction, except as necessary to make any statement made to the other person in or in connection with the transaction not misleading in any material respect.
(A) Special provision for manipulation by false reporting
(B) Effect on other law
(C) Good faith mistakes
(2) Prohibition regarding false information
(3) Other manipulation
(4) Enforcement
(A) Authority of Commission
(B) Contents of complaintA complaint under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) contain a description of the charges against the person that is the subject of the complaint; and
(ii) have attached or contain a notice of hearing that specifies the date and location of the hearing regarding the complaint.
(C) HearingA hearing described in subparagraph (B)(ii)—
(i) shall be held not later than 3 days after service of the complaint described in subparagraph (A);
(ii) shall require the person to show cause regarding why—(I) an order should not be made—(aa) to prohibit the person from trading on, or subject to the rules of, any registered entity; and(bb) to direct all registered entities to refuse all privileges to the person until further notice of the Commission; and(II) the registration of the person, if registered with the Commission in any capacity, should not be suspended or revoked; and
(iii) may be held before—(I) the Commission; or(II) an administrative law judge designated by the Commission, under which the administrative law judge shall ensure that all evidence is recorded in written form and submitted to the Commission.
(5) Subpoena
(6) Witnesses
(7) Service
(8) Refusal to obey
(9) Failure to obey
(10) EvidenceOn the receipt of evidence under paragraph (4)(C)(iii), the Commission may—
(A) prohibit the person that is the subject of the hearing from trading on, or subject to the rules of, any registered entity and require all registered entities to refuse the person all privileges on the registered entities for such period as the Commission may require in the order;
(B) if the person is registered with the Commission in any capacity, suspend, for a period not to exceed 180 days, or revoke, the registration of the person;
(C) assess such person—
(i) a civil penalty of not more than an amount equal to the greater of—(I) $140,000; or(II) triple the monetary gain to such person for each such violation; or
(ii) in any case of manipulation or attempted manipulation in violation of this section or section 13(a)(2) of this title, a civil penalty of not more than an amount equal to the greater of—(I) $1,000,000; or(II) triple the monetary gain to the person for each such violation; and
(D) require restitution to customers of damages proximately caused by violations of the person.
(11) Orders
(A) NoticeThe Commission shall provide to a person described in paragraph (10) and the appropriate governing board of the registered entity notice of the order described in paragraph (10) by—
(i) registered mail;
(ii) certified mail; or
(iii) personal delivery.
(B) Review
(i) In general
(ii) PetitionTo obtain a review or other relief under clause (i), a person may, not later than 15 days after notice is given to the person under clause (i), file a written petition to set aside the order with the United States Court of Appeals—(I) for the circuit in which the petitioner carries out the business of the petitioner; or(II) in the case of an order denying registration, the circuit in which the principal place of business of the petitioner is located, as listed on the application for registration of the petitioner.
(C) Procedure
(i) Duty of clerk of appropriate court
(ii) Duty of Commission
(iii) Jurisdiction of appropriate court
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6(c), formerly § 6(b), 42 Stat. 1002; June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 8, 49 Stat. 1498; June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 32(a), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 127, 63 Stat. 107; June 16, 1955, ch. 151, 69 Stat. 160; Pub. L. 85–791, § 7(b), Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 944; Pub. L. 86–507, § 1(2), June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 200; Pub. L. 90–258, § 16, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 30; Pub. L. 91–452, title II, § 202, Oct. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (b), (d), (e), title II, §§ 204(b), 205(b), 212(a)(1), (2), title IV, § 408, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392, 1397, 1400, 1403, 1414; Pub. L. 95–405, § 13(3), Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 871; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 219, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 103, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3557; renumbered § 6(c) and amended Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 209(a)(1), 212(b), 223, title III, § 301, title IV, § 402(1)(C), (6), (7), (9)(B), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3606, 3609, 3617, 3622, 3624, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(12)(C)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13103(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13103(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2195; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 741(b)(3), 753(a), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1731, 1750.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 9

§ 9a. Assessment of money penalties
(1) In determining the amount of the money penalty assessed under section 9 of this title, the Commission shall consider the appropriateness of such penalty to the gravity of the violation.
(2) Unless the person against whom a money penalty is assessed under section 9 of this title shows to the satisfaction of the Commission within fifteen days from the expiration of the period allowed for payment of such penalty that either an appeal as authorized by section 9 of this title has been taken or payment of the full amount of the penalty then due has been made, at the end of such fifteen-day period and until such person shows to the satisfaction of the Commission that payment of such amount with interest thereon to date of payment has been made—
(A) such person shall be prohibited automatically from the privileges of all registered entities; and
(B) if such person is registered with the Commission, such registration shall be suspended automatically.
(3) If a person against whom a money penalty is assessed under section 9 of this title takes an appeal and if the Commission prevails or the appeal is dismissed, unless such person shows to the satisfaction of the Commission that payment of the full amount of the penalty then due has been made by the end of thirty days from the date of entry of judgment on the appeal—
(A) such person shall be prohibited automatically from the privileges of all registered entities; and
(B) if such person is registered with the Commission, such registration shall be suspended automatically.
If the person against whom the money penalty is assessed fails to pay such penalty after the lapse of the period allowed for appeal or after the affirmance of such penalty, the Commission may refer the matter to the Attorney General who shall recover such penalty by action in the appropriate United States district court.
(4) Any designated clearing organization that knowingly or recklessly evades or participates in or facilitates an evasion of the requirements of section 2(h) of this title shall be liable for a civil money penalty in twice the amount otherwise available for a violation of section 2(h) of this title.
(5) Any swap dealer or major swap participant that knowingly or recklessly evades or participates in or facilitates an evasion of the requirements of section 2(h) of this title shall be liable for a civil money penalty in twice the amount otherwise available for a violation of section 2(h) of this title.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6(e), formerly § 6(d), as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 212(a)(3), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1403; renumbered § 6(e) and amended Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 209(a)(1), (5), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3606; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(12)(E)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 741(b)(11), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1732.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 9a

§ 9b. Rules prohibiting deceptive and other abusive telemarketing acts or practices
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than six months after the effective date of rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission under section 6102(a) of title 15, the Commission shall promulgate, or require each registered futures association to promulgate, rules substantially similar to such rules to prohibit deceptive and other abusive telemarketing acts or practices by any person registered or exempt from registration under this chapter in connection with such person’s business as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, leverage transaction merchant, floor broker, or floor trader, or a person associated with any such person.
(2) The Commission is not required to promulgate rules under paragraph (1) if it determines that—
(A) rules adopted by the Commission under this chapter provide protection from deceptive and abusive telemarketing by persons described under paragraph (1) substantially similar to that provided by rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission under section 6102(a) of title 15; or
(B) such a rule promulgated by the Commission is not necessary or appropriate in the public interest, or for the protection of customers in the futures and options markets, or would be inconsistent with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets.
If the Commission determines that an exception described in subparagraph (A) or (B) applies, the Commission shall publish in the Federal Register its determination with the reasons for it.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6(f), as added Pub. L. 103–297, § 3(e)(2), Aug. 16, 1994, 108 Stat. 1547.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 9b

§ 9c. Notice of investigations and enforcement actions

The Commission shall provide the Securities and Exchange Commission with notice of the commencement of any proceeding and a copy of any order entered by the Commission pursuant to section 9 and 13b of this title against any futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a)(2) of this title, any floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to section 6f(a)(3) of this title, any associated person exempt from registration pursuant to section 6k(6) of this title, or any board of trade designated as a contract market pursuant to section 7b–1 of this title.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6(g), as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title II, § 253(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–449.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 9c

§ 10. Repealed. June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 39, 62 Stat. 992, eff. Sept. 1, 1948

CITE AS: 7 USC 10

§ 10a. Cooperative associations and corporations, exclusion from board of trade; rules of board inapplicable to payment of compensation by association
(a) No board of trade which has been designated or registered as a contract market or a derivatives transaction execution facility exclude 1
1 So in original. Probably should read “shall exclude”.
from membership in, and all privileges on, such board of trade, any association or corporation engaged in cash commodity business having adequate financial responsibility which is organized under the cooperative laws of any State, or which has been recognized as a cooperative association of producers by the United States Government or by any agency thereof, if such association or corporation complies and agrees to comply with such terms and conditions as are or may be imposed lawfully upon other members of such board, and as are or may be imposed lawfully upon a cooperative association of producers engaged in cash commodity business, unless such board of trade is authorized by the commission to exclude such association or corporation from membership and privileges after hearing held upon at least three days’ notice subsequent to the filing of complaint by the board of trade: Provided, however, That if any such association or corporation shall fail to meet its obligations with any established clearing house or clearing agency of any contract market, such association or corporation shall be ipso facto debarred from further trading on such contract market, except such trading as may be necessary to close open trades and to discharge existing contracts in accordance with the rules of such contract market applicable in such cases. Such commission may prescribe that such association or corporation shall have and retain membership and privileges, with or without imposing conditions, or it may permit such board of trade immediately to bar such association or corporation from membership and privileges. Any order of said commission entered hereunder shall be reviewable by the court of appeals for the circuit in which such association or corporation, or such board of trade, has its principal place of business, on written petition either of such association or corporation, or of such board of trade, under the procedure provided in section 8(b) of this title, but such order shall not be stayed by the court pending review.
(b) No rule of any board of trade designated or registered as a contract market or a derivatives transaction execution facility shall forbid or be construed to forbid the payment of compensation on a commodity-unit basis, or otherwise, by any federated cooperative association to its regional member-associations for services rendered or to be rendered in connection with any organization work, educational activity, or procurement of patronage, provided no part of any such compensation is returned to patrons (whether members or nonmembers) of such cooperative association, or of its regional or local member-associations, otherwise than as a dividend on capital stock or as a patronage dividend out of the net earnings or surplus of such federated cooperative association.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6a, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 9, 49 Stat. 1499; amended June 25, 1948, ch. 646, § 32(a), 62 Stat. 991; May 24, 1949, ch. 139, § 127, 63 Stat. 107; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 209(b)(4), title IV, § 402(8), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3607, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(13)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 10a

§ 11. Vacation on request of designation or registration as “registered entity”; redesignation or reregistration

Any person that has been designated or registered a registered entity in the manner provided in this chapter may have such designation or registration vacated and set aside by giving notice in writing to the Commission requesting that its designation or registration as a registered entity be vacated, which notice shall be served at least ninety days prior to the date named therein as the date when the vacation of designation or registration shall take effect. Upon receipt of such notice the Commission shall forthwith order the vacation of the designation or registration of the registered entity, effective upon the day named in the notice, and shall forthwith send a copy of the notice and its order to all other registered entities. From and after the date upon which the vacation became effective the said person can thereafter be designated or registered again a registered entity by making application to the Commission in the manner in this chapter provided for an original application.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 7, 42 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (e), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(17)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 11

§ 12. Public disclosure
(a) Investigations respecting operations of boards of trade and others subject to this chapter; publication of results; restrictions; information received from foreign futures authorities; undercover operations; notice of investigations and enforcement actions
(1) For the efficient execution of the provisions of this chapter, and in order to provide information for the use of Congress, the Commission may make such investigations as it deems necessary to ascertain the facts regarding the operations of boards of trade and other persons subject to the provisions of this chapter. The Commission may publish from time to time the results of any such investigation and such general statistical information gathered therefrom as it deems of interest to the public: Provided, That except as otherwise specifically authorized in this chapter, the Commission may not publish data and information that would separately disclose the business transactions or market positions of any person and trade secrets or names of customers: Provided further, That the Commission may withhold from public disclosure any data or information concerning or obtained in connection with any pending investigation of any person. The Commission shall not be compelled to disclose any information or data obtained from a foreign futures authority if—
(A) the foreign futures authority has in good faith determined and represented to the Commission that disclosure of such information or data by that foreign futures authority would violate the laws applicable to that foreign futures authority; and
(B) the Commission obtains such information pursuant to—
(i) such procedure as the Commission may authorize for use in connection with the administration or enforcement of this chapter; or
(ii) a memorandum of understanding with that foreign futures authority;
except that nothing in this subsection shall prevent the Commission from disclosing publicly any information or data obtained by the Commission from a foreign futures authority when such disclosure is made in connection with a congressional proceeding, an administrative or judicial proceeding commenced by the United States or the Commission, in any receivership proceeding involving a receiver appointed in a judicial proceeding commenced by the United States or the Commission, or in any proceeding under title 11 in which the Commission has intervened or in which the Commission has the right to appear and be heard. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Commission to withhold information or data from Congress. For purposes of section 552 of title 5, this subsection shall be considered a statute described in subsection (b)(3)(B) of section 552.
(2) In conducting investigations authorized under this subsection or any other provision of this chapter, the Commission shall continue, as the Commission determines necessary, to request the assistance of and cooperate with the appropriate Federal agencies in the conduct of such investigations, including undercover operations by such agencies. The Commission and the Department of Justice shall assess the effectiveness of such undercover operations and, within two years of
(3) The Commission shall provide the Securities and Exchange Commission with notice of the commencement of any proceeding and a copy of any order entered by the Commission against any futures commission merchant or introducing broker registered pursuant to section 6f(a)(2) of this title, any floor broker or floor trader exempt from registration pursuant to section 6f(a)(3) of this title, any associated person exempt from registration pursuant to section 6k(6) of this title, or any board of trade designated as a contract market pursuant to section 7b–1 of this title.
(b) Business matters; congressional, administrative, judicial, and bankruptcy proceedings
(c) Reports respecting conduct of registered entities or transactions of violators; contents
(d) Investigations respecting marketing conditions of commodities and commodity products and byproducts; reports
(e) Names and addresses of traders of boards of trade previously disclosed; disclosure to Congress and agencies or departments of States or foreign governments or foreign futures authority
(f) Compliance with subpoena after notice to informant; congressional subpoenas and requests for information exceptedThe Commission shall disclose information in its possession pursuant to a subpoena or summons only if—
(1) a copy of the subpoena or summons has been mailed to the last known home or business address of the person who submitted the information that is the subject of the subpoena or summons, if the address is known to the Commission, or, if such mailing would be unduly burdensome, the Commission provides other appropriate notice of the subpoena or summons to such person, and
(2) at least fourteen days have expired from the date of such mailing of the subpoena or summons, or such other notice.
This subsection shall not apply to congressional subpoenas or congressional requests for information.
(g) Requests for information by State agencies or subdivisions; volunteering of information by Commission
(h) Omitted
(i) Review and audits by Comptroller General
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 8, 42 Stat. 1003; June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 2, 49 Stat. 1491; Pub. L. 90–258, § 19(a), Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 32; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (e), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 95–405, § 16, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 873; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 222, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2309; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 205, title III, §§ 304, 305, title IV, § 402(7), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3600, 3623, 3624; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(18), title II, § 253(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410, 2763A–449; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13105(g), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13105(g), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 725(f), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1694.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 12

§§ 12–1 to 12–3. Omitted

CITE AS: 7 USC 12-1 to 12-3

§ 12a. Registration of commodity dealers and associated persons; regulation of registered entitiesThe Commission is authorized—
(1) to register futures commission merchants, associated persons of futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, associated persons of introducing brokers, commodity trading advisors, associated persons of commodity trading advisors, commodity pool operators, associated persons of commodity pool operators, floor brokers, and floor traders upon application in accordance with rules and regulations and in the form and manner to be prescribed by the Commission, which may require the applicant, and such persons associated with the applicant as the Commission may specify, to be fingerprinted and to submit, or cause to be submitted, such fingerprints to the Attorney General for identification and appropriate processing, and in connection therewith to fix and establish from time to time reasonable fees and charges for registrations and renewals thereof: Provided, That notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commission may grant a temporary license to any applicant for registration with the Commission pursuant to such rules, regulations, or orders as the Commission may adopt, except that the term of any such temporary license shall not exceed six months from the date of its issuance;
(2) upon notice, but without a hearing and pursuant to such rules, regulations, or orders as the Commission may adopt, to refuse to register, to register conditionally, or to suspend or place restrictions upon the registration of, any person and with such a hearing as may be appropriate to revoke the registration of any person—
(A) if a prior registration of such person in any capacity has been suspended (and the period of such suspension has not expired) or has been revoked;
(B) if registration of such person in any capacity has been refused under the provisions of paragraph (3) of this section within five years preceding the filing of the application for registration or at any time thereafter;
(C) if such person is permanently or temporarily enjoined by order, judgment, or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction (except that registration may not be revoked solely on the basis of such temporary order, judgment, or decree), including an order entered pursuant to an agreement of settlement to which the Commission or any Federal or State agency or other governmental body is a party, from (i) acting as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, floor broker, floor trader, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, associated person of any registrant under this chapter, securities broker, securities dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, transfer agent, clearing agency, securities information processor, investment adviser, investment company, or affiliated person or employee of any of the foregoing or (ii) engaging in or continuing any activity where such activity involves embezzlement, theft, extortion, fraud, fraudulent conversion, misappropriation of funds, securities or property, forgery, counterfeiting, false pretenses, bribery, gambling, or any transaction in or advice concerning contracts of sale of a commodity for future delivery, concerning matters subject to Commission regulation under section 6c or 23 of this title, or concerning securities;
(D) if such person has been convicted within ten years preceding the filing of the application for registration or at any time thereafter of any felony that (i) involves any transactions or advice concerning any contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery, or any activity subject to Commission regulation under section 6c or 23 of this title, or concerning a security, (ii) arises out of the conduct of the business of a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, floor broker, floor trader, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, associated person of any registrant under this chapter, securities broker, securities dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, transfer agent, clearing agency, securities information processor, investment adviser, investment company, or an affiliated person or employee of any of the foregoing, (iii) involves embezzlement, theft, extortion, fraud, fraudulent conversion, misappropriation of funds, securities or property, forgery, counterfeiting, false pretenses, bribery, or gambling, or (iv) involves the violation of section 152, 1001, 1341, 1342, 1343, 1503, 1623, 1961, 1962, 1963, or 2314, or chapter 25, 47, 95, or 96 of title 18, or section 7201 or 7206 of title 26;
(E) if such person, within ten years preceding the filing of the application or at any time thereafter, has been found in a proceeding brought by the Commission or any Federal or State agency or other governmental body, or by agreement of settlement to which the Commission or any Federal or State agency or other governmental body is a party, (i) to have violated any provision of this chapter, the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.], the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.], the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,1
1 See References in Text note below.
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 [15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq.], the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80b–1 et seq.], the Investment Company Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.], the Securities Investors 2
2 So in original. Probably should be “Investor”.
Protection Act of 1970 [15 U.S.C. 78aaa et seq.], the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, chapter 96 of title 18, or any similar statute of a State or foreign jurisdiction, or any rule, regulation, or order under any such statutes, or the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board where such violation involves embezzlement, theft, extortion, fraud, fraudulent conversion, misappropriation of funds, securities or property, forgery, counterfeiting, false pretenses, bribery, or gambling, or (ii) to have willfully aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, or procured such violation by any other person;
(F) if such person is subject to an outstanding order of the Commission denying privileges on any registered entity to such person, denying, suspending, or revoking such person’s membership in any registered entity or registered futures association, or barring or suspending such person from being associated with a registrant under this chapter or with a member of a registered entity or with a member of a registered futures association;
(G) if, as to any of the matters set forth in this paragraph and paragraph (3), such person willfully made any materially false or misleading statement or omitted to state any material fact in such person’s application or any update thereto; or
(H) if refusal, suspension, or revocation of the registration of any principal of such person would be warranted because of a statutory disqualification listed in this paragraph:
(3) to refuse to register or to register conditionally any person, if it is found, after opportunity for hearing, that—
(A) such person has been found by the Commission or by any court of competent jurisdiction to have violated, or has consented to findings of a violation of, any provision of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder (other than a violation set forth in paragraph (2) of this section), or to have willfully aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, or procured the violation by any other person of any such provision;
(B) such person has been found by any court of competent jurisdiction or by any Federal or State agency or other governmental body, or by agreement of settlement to which any Federal or State agency or other governmental body is a party, (i) to have violated any provision of the Securities Act of 1933 [15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.], the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.], the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,1 the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 [15 U.S.C. 77aaa et seq.], the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80b–1 et seq.], the Investment Company Act of 1940 [15 U.S.C. 80a–1 et seq.], the Securities Investors 3
3 So in original. Probably should be “Investor”.
Protection Act of 1970 [15 U.S.C. 78aaa et seq.], the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or any similar statute of a State or foreign jurisdiction, or any rule, regulation, or order under any such statutes, or the rules of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board or (ii) to have willfully aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, or procured such violation by any other person;
(C) such person failed reasonably to supervise another person, who is subject to such person’s supervision, with a view to preventing violations of this chapter, or of any of the statutes set forth in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, or of any of the rules, regulations, or orders thereunder, and the person subject to supervision committed such a violation: Provided, That no person shall be deemed to have failed reasonably to supervise another person, within the meaning of this subparagraph if (i) there have been established procedures, and a system for applying such procedures, which would reasonably be expected to prevent and detect, insofar as practicable, any such violation by such other person and (ii) such person has reasonably discharged the duties and obligations incumbent upon that person, as supervisor, by reason of such procedures and system, without reasonable cause to believe that such procedures and system were not being complied with;
(D) such person pleaded guilty to or was convicted of a felony other than a felony of the type specified in paragraph (2)(D) of this section, or was convicted of a felony of the type specified in paragraph (2)(D) of this section more than ten years preceding the filing of the application;
(E) such person pleaded guilty to or was convicted of any misdemeanor which (i) involves any transaction or advice concerning any contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery or any activity subject to Commission regulation under section 6c or 23 of this title or concerning a security, (ii) arises out of the conduct of the business of a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, floor broker, floor trader, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, associated person of any registrant under this chapter, securities broker, securities dealer, municipal securities broker, municipal securities dealer, transfer agent, clearing agency, securities information processor, investment adviser, investment company, or an affiliated person or employee of any of the foregoing, (iii) involves embezzlement, theft, extortion, fraud, fraudulent conversion, misappropriation of funds, securities or property, forgery, counterfeiting, false pretenses, bribery, or gambling, (iv) involves the violation of section 152, 1341, 1342, or 1343 or chapter 25, 47, 95, or 96 of title 18, or section 7203, 7204, 7205, or 7207 of title 26;
(F) such person was debarred by any agency of the United States from contracting with the United States;
(G) such person willfully made any materially false or misleading statement or willfully omitted to state any material fact in such person’s application or any update thereto, in any report required to be filed with the Commission by this chapter or the regulations thereunder, in any proceeding before the Commission or in any registration disqualification proceeding;
(H) such person has pleaded nolo contendere to criminal charges of felonious conduct, or has been convicted in a State court, in a United States military court, or in a foreign court of conduct which would constitute a felony under Federal law if the offense had been committed under Federal jurisdiction;
(I) in the case of an applicant for registration in any capacity for which there are minimum financial requirements prescribed under this chapter or under the rules or regulations of the Commission, such person has not established that such person meets such minimum financial requirements;
(J) such person is subject to an outstanding order denying, suspending, or expelling such person from membership in a registered entity, a registered futures association, any other self-regulatory organization, or any foreign regulatory body that the Commission recognizes as having a comparable regulatory program or barring or suspending such person from being associated with any member or members of such registered entity, association, self-regulatory organization, or foreign regulatory body;
(K) such person has been found by any court of competent jurisdiction or by any Federal or State agency or other governmental body, or by agreement of settlement to which any Federal or State agency or other governmental body is a party, (i) to have violated any statute or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder which involves embezzlement, theft, extortion, fraud, fraudulent conversion, misappropriation of funds, securities or property, forgery, counterfeiting, false pretenses, bribery, or gambling or (ii) to have willfully aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced or procured such violation by any other person;
(L) such person has associated with such person any other person and knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, of facts regarding such other person that are set forth as statutory disqualifications in paragraph (2) of this section, unless such person has notified the Commission of such facts and the Commission has determined that such other person should be registered or temporarily licensed;
(M) there is other good cause; or
(N) any principal, as defined in paragraph (2) of this section, of such person has been or could be refused registration:
(4) in accordance with the procedure provided for in section 9 of this title, to suspend, revoke, or place restrictions upon the registration of any person registered under this chapter if cause exists under paragraph (3) of this section which would warrant a refusal of registration of such person, and to suspend or revoke the registration of any futures commission merchant or introducing broker who shall knowingly accept any order for the purchase or sale of any commodity for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any registered entity from any person if such person has been denied trading privileges on any registered entity by order of the Commission under section 9 of this title and the period of denial specified in such order shall not have expired: Provided, That such person may appeal from a decision to suspend, revoke, or place restrictions upon registration made pursuant to this paragraph in the manner provided in section 9 of this title;
(5) to make and promulgate such rules and regulations as, in the judgment of the Commission, are reasonably necessary to effectuate any of the provisions or to accomplish any of the purposes of this chapter;
(6) to communicate to the proper committee or officer of any registered entity, registered futures association, or self-regulatory organization as defined in section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26)], notwithstanding the provisions of section 12 of this title, the full facts concerning any transaction or market operation, including the names of parties thereto, which in the judgment of the Commission disrupts or tends to disrupt any market or is otherwise harmful or against the best interests of producers, consumers, or investors, or which is necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this chapter: Provided, That any information furnished by the Commission under this paragraph shall not be disclosed by such registered entity, registered futures association, or self-regulatory organization except in any self-regulatory action or proceeding;
(7) to alter or supplement the rules of a registered entity insofar as necessary or appropriate by rule or regulation or by order, if after making the appropriate request in writing to a registered entity that such registered entity effect on its own behalf specified changes in its rules and practices, and after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, the Commission determines that such registered entity has not made the changes so required, and that such changes are necessary or appropriate for the protection of persons producing, handling, processing, or consuming any commodity traded for future delivery on such registered entity, or the product or byproduct thereof, or for the protection of traders or to insure fair dealing in commodities traded for future delivery on such registered entity. Such rules, regulations, or orders may specify changes with respect to such matters as—
(A) terms or conditions in contracts of sale to be executed on or subject to the rules of such registered entity;
(B) the form or manner of execution of purchases and sales for future delivery;
(C) other trading requirements;
(D) margin requirements, provided that the rules, regulations, or orders shall—
(i) be limited to protecting the financial integrity of the derivatives clearing organization;
(ii) be designed for risk management purposes to protect the financial integrity of transactions; and
(iii) not set specific margin amounts;
(E) safeguards with respect to the financial responsibility of members;
(F) the manner, method, and place of soliciting business, including the span of such solicitations; and
(G) the form and manner of handling, recording, and accounting for customers’ orders, transactions, and accounts;
(8) to make and promulgate such rules and regulations with respect to those persons registered under this chapter, who are not members of a registered entity, as in the judgment of the Commission are reasonably necessary to protect the public interest and promote just and equitable principles of trade, including but not limited to the manner, method, and place of soliciting business, including the span of such solicitation;
(9) to direct the registered entity, whenever it has reason to believe that an emergency exists, to take such action as in the Commission’s judgment is necessary to maintain or restore orderly trading in or liquidation of any futures contract, including, but not limited to, the setting of temporary emergency margin levels on any futures contract, and the fixing of limits that may apply to a market position acquired in good faith prior to the effective date of the Commission’s action. The term “emergency” as used herein shall mean, in addition to threatened or actual market manipulations and corners, any act of the United States or a foreign government affecting a commodity or any other major market disturbance which prevents the market from accurately reflecting the forces of supply and demand for such commodity. Any action taken by the Commission under this paragraph shall be subject to review only in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the party seeking review resides or has its principal place of business, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Such review shall be based upon an examination of all the information before the Commission at the time the determination was made. The court reviewing the Commission’s action shall not enter a stay or order of mandamus unless it has determined, after notice and hearing before a panel of the court, that the agency action complained of was arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the meaning or interpretation given by a registered entity to the terms “market emergency”, “emergency”, or equivalent language in its own bylaws, rules, regulations, or resolutions;
(10) to authorize any person to perform any portion of the registration functions under this chapter, in accordance with rules, notwithstanding any other provision of law, adopted by such person and submitted to the Commission for approval or, if applicable, for review pursuant to section 21(j) of this title, and subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to registrations granted by the Commission; and
(11)
(A) by written notice served on the person and pursuant to such rules, regulations, and orders as the Commission may adopt, to suspend or modify the registration of any person registered under this chapter who is charged (in any information, indictment, or complaint authorized by a United States attorney or an appropriate official of any State) with the commission of or participation in a crime involving a violation of this chapter, or a violation of any other provision of Federal or State law that would reflect on the honesty or the fitness of the person to act as a fiduciary (including an offense specified in subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (2)) that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, if the Commission determines that continued registration of the person may pose a threat to the public interest or may threaten to impair public confidence in any market regulated by the Commission.
(B) Prior to the suspension or modification of the registration of a person under this paragraph, the person shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing at which the Commission shall have the burden of showing that the continued registration of the person does, or is likely to, pose a threat to the public interest or threaten to impair public confidence in any market regulated by the Commission.
(C) Any notice of suspension or modification issued under this paragraph shall remain in effect until such information, indictment, or complaint is disposed of or until terminated by the Commission.
(D) On disposition of such information, indictment, or complaint, the Commission may issue and serve on such person an order pursuant to paragraph (2) or (4) to suspend, restrict, or revoke the registration of such person.
(E) A finding of not guilty or other disposition of the charge shall not preclude the Commission from thereafter instituting any other proceedings under this chapter.
(F) A person aggrieved by an order issued under this paragraph may obtain review of such order in the same manner and on the same terms and conditions as are provided in section 8(b) of this title.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 8a, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 10, 49 Stat. 1500; amended Aug. 5, 1955, ch. 574, 69 Stat. 535; Pub. L. 90–258, §§ 20–23, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 32, 33; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), title II, §§ 204(c), 205(c), 213–215, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392, 1397, 1400, 1404; Pub. L. 95–405, § 17, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 874; Pub. L. 97–444, title I, § 104, title II, §§ 223–225, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2297, 2310–2315; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 207(b)(3), (4), 208, 209(b)(6), 227, title IV, § 402(10), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3604, 3607, 3618, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(19)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 736, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1722.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 12a

§ 12b. Trading ban violations; prohibition

It shall be unlawful for any person, against whom there is outstanding any order of the Commission prohibiting him from trading on or subject to the rules of any registered entity, to make or cause to be made in contravention of such order, any contract for future delivery of any commodity, on or subject to the rules of any registered entity.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 8b, as added Pub. L. 90–258, § 24, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 33; amended Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(20)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 12b

§ 12c. Disciplinary actions
(a) Action taken; written notice of reasons for action
(1) Any exchange or the Commission if the exchange fails to act, may suspend, expel, or otherwise discipline any person who is a member of that exchange, or deny any person access to the exchange. Any such action shall be taken solely in accordance with the rules of that exchange.
(2) Any suspension, expulsion, disciplinary, or access denial procedure established by an exchange rule shall provide for written notice to the Commission and to the person who is suspended, expelled, or disciplined, or denied access, within thirty days, which includes the reasons for the exchange action in the form and manner the Commission prescribes. An exchange shall make public its findings and the reasons for the exchange action in any such proceeding, including the action taken or the penalty imposed, but shall not disclose the evidence therefor, except to the person who is suspended, expelled, or disciplined, or denied access, and to the Commission.
(b) Review by Commission
(c) Affirmance, modification, set aside, or remand of action
(d) Stay of action
(e) Major disciplinary rule violations
(1) The Commission shall issue regulations requiring each registered entity to establish and make available to the public a schedule of major violations of any rule within the disciplinary jurisdiction of such registered entity.
(2) The regulations issued by the Commission pursuant to this subsection shall prohibit, for a period of time to be determined by the Commission, any individual who is found to have committed any major violation from service on the governing board of any registered entity or registered futures association, or on any disciplinary committee thereof.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 8c, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 216, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1405; amended Pub. L. 95–405, § 18, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 874; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 206(a)(2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3602; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(20)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 12c

§ 12d. Commission action for noncompliance with export sales reporting requirements

The Commission may, in accordance with the procedures provided for in this chapter, refuse to register, register conditionally, or suspend, place restrictions upon, or revoke the registration of, any person, and may bar for any period as it deems appropriate any person from using or participating in any manner in any market regulated by the Commission, if such person is subject to a final decision or order of any court of competent jurisdiction or agency of the United States finding such person to have knowingly violated any provision of the export sales reporting requirements of section 612c–3 1

1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, or of any regulation issued thereunder.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 8d, as added Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 226, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2316.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 12d

§ 12e. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(21)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410

CITE AS: 7 USC 12e

§ 13. Violations generally; punishment; costs of prosecution
(a) Felonies generally
It shall be a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution, for:
(1) Any person registered or required to be registered under this chapter, or any employee or agent thereof, to embezzle, steal, purloin, or with criminal intent convert to such person’s use or to the use of another, any money, securities, or property having a value in excess of $100, which was received by such person or any employee or agent thereof to margin, guarantee, or secure the trades or contracts of any customer or accruing to such customer as a result of such trades or contracts or which otherwise was received from any customer, client, or pool participant in connection with the business of such person. The word “value” as used in this paragraph means face, par, or market value, or cost price, either wholesale or retail, whichever is greater.
(2) Any person to manipulate or attempt to manipulate the price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any registered entity, or of any swap, or to corner or attempt to corner any such commodity or knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered for transmission through the mails or interstate commerce by telegraph, telephone, wireless, or other means of communication false or misleading or knowingly inaccurate reports concerning crop or market information or conditions that affect or tend to affect the price of any commodity in interstate commerce, or knowingly to violate the provisions of section 6, section 6b, subsections (a) through (e) of subsection 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “section”.
6c, section 6h, section 6o(1), or section 23 of this title.
(3) Any person knowingly to make, or cause to be made, any statement in any application, report, or document required to be filed under this chapter or any rule or regulation thereunder or any undertaking contained in a registration statement required under this chapter, or by any registered entity or registered futures association in connection with an application for membership or participation therein or to become associated with a member thereof, which statement was false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or knowingly to omit any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(4) Any person willfully to falsify, conceal, or cover up by any trick, scheme, or artifice a material fact, make any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or make or use any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry to a registered entity, board of trade, swap data repository, or futures association designated or registered under this chapter acting in furtherance of its official duties under this chapter.
(5) Any person willfully to violate any other provision of this chapter, or any rule or regulation thereunder, the violation of which is made unlawful or the observance of which is required under the terms of this chapter, but no person shall be subject to imprisonment under this paragraph for the violation of any rule or regulation if such person proves that he had no knowledge of such rule or regulation.
(6) Any person to abuse the end user clearing exemption under section 2(h)(4) of this title, as determined by the Commission.
(b) Suspension of convicted felons
(c) Transactions by Commissioners and Commission employees prohibited
(d) Use of information by Commissioners and Commission employees prohibited
(e) Insider trading prohibited
It shall be a felony for any person—
(1) who is an employee, member of the governing board, or member of any committee of a board of trade, registered entity, swap data repository, or registered futures association, in violation of a regulation issued by the Commission, willfully and knowingly to trade for such person’s own account, or for or on behalf of any other account, in contracts for future delivery or options thereon, or swaps, on the basis of, or willfully and knowingly to disclose for any purpose inconsistent with the performance of such person’s official duties as an employee or member, any material nonpublic information obtained through special access related to the performance of such duties; or
(2) willfully and knowingly to trade for such person’s own account, or for or on behalf of any other account, in contracts for future delivery or options thereon on the basis of any material nonpublic information that such person knows was obtained in violation of paragraph (1) from an employee, member of the governing board, or member of any committee of a board of trade, registered entity, or registered futures association.
Such felony shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500,000, plus the amount of any profits realized from such trading or disclosure made in violation of this subsection, or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 9, 42 Stat. 1003; June 15, 1936, ch. 545, §§ 2, 11, 49 Stat. 1491, 1501; Pub. L. 90–258, § 25, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 33; Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 212(d), title IV, §§ 401, 409, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1404, 1412, 1414; Pub. L. 95–405, § 19, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 875; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 227, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2316; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, §§ 105, 110(3), (4), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3558, 3561; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 212(a), 214(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3608, 3610; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(22)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, §§ 13103(d), 13105(h), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434, 1435; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, §§ 13103(d), 13105(h), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196, 2197; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 741(b)(6), (7), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1731.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13

§ 13–1. Violations, prohibition against dealings in motion picture box office receipts or onion futures; punishment
(a) No contract for the sale of motion picture box office receipts (or any index, measure, value, or data related to such receipts) or onions for future delivery shall be made on or subject to the rules of any board of trade in the United States. The terms used in this section shall have the same meaning as when used in the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.].
(b) Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof be fined not more than $5,000.
(Pub. L. 85–839, § 1, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 1013; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 721(e)(10), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1672.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13-1

§ 13a. Nonenforcement of rules of government or other violations; cease and desist orders; fines and penalties; imprisonment; misdemeanor; separate offenses

If any registered entity is not enforcing or has not enforced its rules of government made a condition of its designation or registration as set forth in sections 7 through 7a–2 of this title, or if any registered entity, or any director, officer, agent, or employee of any registered entity otherwise is violating or has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the rules, regulations, or orders of the Commission thereunder, the Commission may, upon notice and hearing on the record and subject to appeal as in other cases provided for in section 8(b) of this title, make and enter an order directing that such registered entity, director, officer, agent, or employee shall cease and desist from such violation, and assess a civil penalty of not more than $500,000 for each such violation, or, in any case of manipulation or attempted manipulation in violation of section 9, 15, 13b, or 13(a)(2) of this title, a civil penalty of not more than $1,000,000 for each such violation. If such registered entity, director, officer, agent, or employee, after the entry of such a cease and desist order and the lapse of the period allowed for appeal of such order or after the affirmance of such order, shall fail or refuse to obey or comply with such order, such registered entity, director, officer, agent, or employee shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500,000 or imprisoned for not less than six months nor more than one year, or both, except that if the failure or refusal to obey or comply with the order involved any offense under section 13(a)(2) of this title, the registered entity, director, officer, agent, or employee shall be guilty of a felony and, on conviction, shall be subject to penalties under section 13(a)(2) of this title. Each day during which such failure or refusal to obey such cease and desist order continues shall be deemed a separate offense. If the offending registered entity or other person upon whom such penalty is imposed, after the lapse of the period allowed for appeal or after the affirmance of such penalty, shall fail to pay such penalty, the Commission shall refer the matter to the Attorney General who shall recover such penalty by action in the appropriate United States district court. In determining the amount of the money penalty assessed under this section, the Commission shall consider the gravity of the offense, and in the case of a registered entity shall further consider whether the amount of the penalty will materially impair the ability of the registered entity to carry on its operations and duties.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6b, as added June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 9, 49 Stat. 1500; amended Pub. L. 90–258, § 18, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 31; Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 212(b), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1403; Pub. L. 95–405, § 14, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 872; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 209(b)(5), 212(c), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3607, 3609; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(14)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13103(b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13103(b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2195.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13a

§ 13a–1. Enjoining or restraining violations
(a) Action to enjoin or restrain violations
(b) Injunction or restraining order
(c) Writs or other orders
(d) Civil penalties
(1)In general.—In any action brought under this section, the Commission may seek and the court shall have jurisdiction to impose, on a proper showing, on any person found in the action to have committed any violation—
(A) a civil penalty in the amount of not more than the greater of $100,000 or triple the monetary gain to the person for each violation; or
(B) in any case of manipulation or attempted manipulation in violation of section 9, 15, 13b, or 13(a)(2) of this title, a civil penalty in the amount of not more than the greater of $1,000,000 or triple the monetary gain to the person for each violation.
(2) If a person on whom such a penalty is imposed fails to pay the penalty within the time prescribed in the court’s order, the Commission may refer the matter to the Attorney General who shall recover the penalty by action in the appropriate United States district court.
(3)Equitable remedies.—In any action brought under this section, the Commission may seek, and the court may impose, on a proper showing, on any person found in the action to have committed any violation, equitable remedies including—
(A) restitution to persons who have sustained losses proximately caused by such violation (in the amount of such losses); and
(B) disgorgement of gains received in connection with such violation.
(e) Venue and process
(f) Action by Attorney General
(g) Notice to Attorney General of action brought by Commission
(h) Notice of investigations and enforcement actions
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6c, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title II, § 211, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1402; amended Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 220, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 104, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3557; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 221, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3614; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(15), title II, § 253(c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409, 2763A–449; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13103(c), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13103(c), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 741(b)(5), 744, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1731, 1735.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13a-1

§ 13a–2. Jurisdiction of States
(1) Whenever it shall appear to the attorney general of any State, the administrator of the securities laws of any State, or such other official as a State may designate, that the interests of the residents of that State have been, are being, or may be threatened or adversely affected because any person (other than a contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, clearinghouse, floor broker, or floor trader) has engaged in, is engaging or is about to engage in, any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder, the State may bring a suit in equity or an action at law on behalf of its residents to enjoin such act or practice, to enforce compliance with this chapter, or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder, to obtain damages on behalf of their residents, or to obtain such further and other relief as the court may deem appropriate.
(2) The district courts of the United States, the United States courts of any territory, and the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia, shall have jurisdiction of all suits in equity and actions at law brought under this section to enforce any liability or duty created by this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder, or to obtain damages or other relief with respect thereto. Upon proper application, such courts shall also have jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, or orders affording like relief, commanding the defendant to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commission thereunder, including the requirement that the defendant take such action as is necessary to remove the danger of violation of this chapter or of any such rule, regulation, or order. Upon a proper showing, a permanent or temporary injunction or restraining order shall be granted without bond.
(3) Immediately upon instituting any such suit or action, the State shall serve written notice thereof upon the Commission and provide the Commission with a copy of its complaint, and the Commission shall have the right to (A) intervene in the suit or action and, upon doing so, shall be heard on all matters arising therein, and (B) file petitions for appeal.
(4) Any suit or action brought under this section in a district court of the United States may be brought in the district wherein the defendant is found or is an inhabitant or transacts business or wherein the act or practice occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur, and process in such cases may be served in any district in which the defendant is an inhabitant or wherever the defendant may be found.
(5) For purposes of bringing any suit or action under this section, nothing in this chapter shall prevent the attorney general, the administrator of the State securities laws, or other duly authorized State officials from exercising the powers conferred on them by the laws of such State to conduct investigations or to administer oaths or affirmations or to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documentary and other evidence.
(6) For purposes of this section, “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States.
(7) Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit an authorized State official from proceeding in State court on the basis of an alleged violation of any general civil or criminal antifraud statute of such State.
(8)
(A) Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an authorized State official from proceeding in a State court against any person registered under this chapter (other than a floor broker, floor trader, or registered futures association) for an alleged violation of any antifraud provision of this chapter or any antifraud rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to the chapter.
(B) The State shall give the Commission prior written notice of its intent to proceed before instituting a proceeding in State court as described in this subsection and shall furnish the Commission with a copy of its complaint immediately upon instituting any such proceeding. The Commission shall have the right to (i) intervene in the proceeding and, upon doing so, shall be heard on all matters arising therein, and (ii) file a petition for appeal. The Commission or the defendant may remove such proceeding to the district court of the United States for the proper district by following the procedure for removal otherwise provided by law, except that the petition for removal shall be filed within sixty days after service of the summons and complaint upon the defendant. The Commission shall have the right to appear as amicus curiae in any such proceeding.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6d, as added Pub. L. 95–405, § 15, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 872; amended Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 221, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, § 207(b)(1), (2), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3604; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(16)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13a-2

§ 13b. Manipulations or other violations; cease and desist orders against persons other than registered entities; punishment

If any person (other than a registered entity), is violating or has violated section 9 of this title or any other provisions of this chapter or of the rules, regulations, or orders of the Commission thereunder, the Commission may, upon notice and hearing, and subject to appeal as in other cases provided for in section 9 of this title, make and enter an order directing that such person shall cease and desist therefrom and, if such person thereafter and after the lapse of the period allowed for appeal of such order or after the affirmance of such order, shall knowingly fail or refuse to obey or comply with such order, such person, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than the higher of $140,000 or triple the monetary gain to such person, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both, except that if such knowing failure or refusal to obey or comply with such order involves any offense within subsection (a) or (b) of section 13 of this title, such person, upon conviction thereof, shall be subject to the penalties of said subsection (a) or (b): Provided, That any such cease and desist order under this section against any respondent in any case of manipulation shall be issued only in conjunction with an order issued against such respondent under section 9 of this title.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 6(d), formerly § 6(c), as added Pub. L. 90–258, § 17, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 31; amended Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (b), title II, § 212(c), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392, 1404; renumbered § 6(d) and amended Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 209(a)(1), (4), 212(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3606, 3609; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(12)(D)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–409; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 741(b)(4), 753(b), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1731, 1753.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13b

§ 13c. Responsibility as principal; minor violations
(a) Any person who commits, or who willfully aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces, or procures the commission of, a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or any of the rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant to this chapter, or who acts in combination or concert with any other person in any such violation, or who willfully causes an act to be done or omitted which if directly performed or omitted by him or another would be a violation of the provisions of this chapter or any of such rules, regulations, or orders may be held responsible for such violation as a principal.
(b) Any person who, directly or indirectly, controls any person who has violated any provision of this chapter or any of the rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant to this chapter may be held liable for such violation in any action brought by the Commission to the same extent as such controlled person. In such action, the Commission has the burden of proving that the controlling person did not act in good faith or knowingly induced, directly or indirectly, the act or acts constituting the violation.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the Commission or the Commission 1
1 So in original. The words “or the Commission” probably should not appear.
to report minor violations of this chapter for prosecution, whenever it appears that the public interest does not require such action.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 13, as added Pub. L. 90–258, § 26, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 34; amended Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 103(a), (b), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1392; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 230, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2319; Pub. L. 102–546, title IV, § 402(1)(D), (9)(C), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3624, 3625.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 13c

§ 14. Repealed. Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 110(5), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3561

CITE AS: 7 USC 14

§ 15. Omitted

CITE AS: 7 USC 15

§ 15a. Repealed. Pub. L. 95–405, § 24, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 877

CITE AS: 7 USC 15a

§ 15b. Cotton futures contracts
(a) Short title
(b) Omitted
(c) Definitions
For purposes of this section—
(1) Cotton futures contract
The term “cotton futures contract” means any contract of sale of cotton for future delivery made at, on, or in any exchange, board of trade, or similar institution or place of business which has been designated a “contract market” by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] and the term “contract of sale” as so used shall be held to include sales, agreements of sale, and agreements to sell, except that—
(A) any cotton futures contract that, by its terms, is settled in cash is excluded from the coverage of this paragraph and section; and
(B) any cotton futures contract that permits tender of cotton grown outside of the United States is excluded from the coverage of this paragraph and section to the extent that the cotton grown outside of the United States is tendered for delivery under the cotton futures contract.
(2) Future delivery
(3) Person
(4) Secretary
(5) Standards
(d) Bona fide spot markets and commercial differences
(1) Definition
(2) Determination
(3) Withholding information
(e) Form and validity of cotton futures contracts
(f) Basis grade contracts
(1) Conditions
Each basis grade cotton futures contract shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(A) Conformity with regulations
(B) Specification of grade, price, and dates of sale and settlement
(C) Provision for delivery of standard grades only
(D) Provision for settlement on basis of actual commercial differences
(E) Prohibition of delivery of inferior cotton
(F) Provisions for tender in full, notice of delivery date, and certificate of grade
(G) Provision for tender and settlement in accordance with Government classification
(2) Incorporation of conditions in contracts
(3) Delivery allowances
(g) Tendered grade contracts
(1) Conditions
Each tendered grade cotton future contract shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(A) Compliance with subsection (f)
(B) Provision for contingent specific performance
(2) Incorporation of conditions in contract
(3) Application of subsection
(h) Specific grade contracts
(1) Conditions
Each specific grade cotton futures contract shall comply with each of the following conditions:
(A) Conformity with rules and regulations
(B) Specification of grade, price, dates of sale and delivery
(C) Prohibition of delivery of other than specified grade
(D) Provision for specific performance
(2) Incorporation of conditions in contract
(3) Application of subsection
(i) Liability of principal for acts of agent
(j) Regulations
(k) Violations
(l) Applicability to contracts prior to effective date
(m) Authorization
(Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1952(a)–(m), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1841–1846; Pub. L. 97–35, title I, § 156(c), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 374; Pub. L. 102–237, title I, § 123, Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1844; Pub. L. 106–472, title III, § 311, Nov. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 114–36, § 1(a), July 20, 2015, 129 Stat. 435.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 15b

§ 16. Commission operations
(a) Cooperation with other agencies
(b) Employment of investigators, experts, Administrative Law Judges, consultants, clerks, and other personnel; contracts
(1) The Commission shall have the authority to employ such investigators, special experts, Administrative Law Judges, clerks, and other employees as it may from time to time find necessary for the proper performance of its duties and as may be from time to time appropriated for by Congress.
(2) The Commission may employ experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, and compensate such persons at rates not in excess of the maximum daily rate prescribed for GS–18 under section 5332 of title 5.
(3) The Commission shall also have authority to make and enter into contracts with respect to all matters which in the judgment of the Commission are necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the rental of necessary space at the seat of Government and elsewhere.
(4) The Commission may request (in accordance with the procedures set forth in subchapter II of chapter 31 of title 5) and the Office of Personnel Management shall authorize pursuant to the request, eight positions in the Senior Executive Service in addition to the number of such positions authorized for the Commission on October 28, 1992.
(c) Expenses
(d) Authorization of appropriations
(e) Relation to other law, departments, or agencies
(1) Nothing in this chapter shall supersede or preempt—
(A) criminal prosecution under any Federal criminal statute;
(B) the application of any Federal or State statute (except as provided in paragraph (2)), including any rule or regulation thereunder, to any transaction in or involving any commodity, product, right, service, or interest—
(i) that is not conducted on or subject to the rules of a registered entity or exempt board of trade;
(ii) (except as otherwise specified by the Commission by rule or regulation) that is not conducted on or subject to the rules of any board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, its territories or possessions; or
(iii) that is not subject to regulation by the Commission under section 6c or 23 of this title; or
(C) the application of any Federal or State statute, including any rule or regulation thereunder, to any person required to be registered or designated under this chapter who shall fail or refuse to obtain such registration or designation.
(2) This chapter shall supersede and preempt the application of any State or local law that prohibits or regulates gaming or the operation of bucket shops (other than antifraud provisions of general applicability) in the case of—
(A) an electronic trading facility excluded under section 2(e) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title; and
(B) an agreement, contract, or transaction that is excluded from this chapter under section 2(c) or 2(f) of this title or sections 27 to 27f of this title, or exempted under section 6(c) of this title (regardless of whether any such agreement, contract, or transaction is otherwise subject to this chapter).
(f) Investigative assistance to foreign futures authorities
(1) On request from a foreign futures authority, the Commission may, in its discretion, provide assistance in accordance with this section if the requesting authority states that the requesting authority is conducting an investigation which it deems necessary to determine whether any person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate any laws, rules or regulations relating to futures or options matters that the requesting authority administers or enforces. The Commission may conduct such investigation as the Commission deems necessary to collect information and evidence pertinent to the request for assistance. Such assistance may be provided without regard to whether the facts stated in the request would also constitute a violation of the laws of the United States.
(2) In deciding whether to provide assistance under this subsection, the Commission shall consider whether—
(A) the requesting authority has agreed to provide reciprocal assistance to the Commission in futures and options matters; and
(B) compliance with the request would prejudice the public interest of the United States.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission may accept payment and reimbursement, in cash or in kind, from a foreign futures authority, or made on behalf of such authority, for necessary expenses incurred by the Commission, its members, and employees in carrying out any investigation, or in providing any other assistance to a foreign futures authority, pursuant to this section. Any payment or reimbursement accepted shall be considered a reimbursement to the appropriated funds of the Commission.
(g) Computerized futures trading
(h) Regulation of swaps as insurance under State lawA swap—
(1) shall not be considered to be insurance; and
(2) may not be regulated as an insurance contract under the law of any State.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 12, 42 Stat. 1003; Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 101(b), Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1391; Pub. L. 95–405, § 20, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 875; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, §§ 228, 229, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2318; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 106, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3558; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 216, 220(a), title III, §§ 302, 303, title IV, § 401, title V, § 502(c), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3611, 3614, 3622, 3624, 3631; Pub. L. 104–9, § 2, Apr. 21, 1995, 109 Stat. 154; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 116, 117], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–402; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13104, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13104, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 722(b), 749(f), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1673, 1747.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 16

§ 16a. Service fees and National Futures Association study
(a) Development and implementation of plan for user fees; report to and approval by Congressional committees
(b) National Futures Association regulatory experience; report; contents
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of a study of the regulatory experience of the National Futures Association for the period beginning January 1, 1983 and ending September 30, 1985. The report shall be submitted not later than January 1, 1986. The report shall include (but not to be limited to) the following—
(1) the extent to which the National Futures Association has fully implemented the program provided in the rules approved by the Commission under section 17(p) and (q) of the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 21(p), (q)] and the effectiveness of the operation of such program;
(2) the actual and projected cost savings to the Federal Government, if any, resulting from operations of the National Futures Association;
(3) the actual and projected costs which the Commission and the public would have incurred if the Association had not undertaken self-regulatory responsibility for certain areas under the Commission’s jurisdiction;
(4) problem areas, if any, encountered by the Association;
(5) the nature of the working relationship between the Association and the Commission;
(6) an assessment of the actual and projected efficiencies the Commission has achieved or expects to be achieved as a result of the continuing regulatory activities of the Association; and
(7) the immediate and projected capabilities of the Commission at the time of submission of the study to turn its attention to more immediate problems of regulation, as a result of the activities of the Association.
(c) Schedule of fees for services, activities and functions; notice and hearing; actual cost standard
(Pub. L. 95–405, § 26, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 877; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 237, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2325.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 16a

§ 17. Separability

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the chapter and of the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 10, 42 Stat. 1003.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 17

§ 17a. Separability of 1936 amendment

If any provision of the act of June 15, 1936, ch. 545, 49 Stat. 1491, which amends this chapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the provisions of the section of this chapter which is amended by such provision of said act shall apply to such person or circumstances. No proceeding shall be abated by reason of any amendment to this chapter made by said act but shall be disposed of pursuant to said act.

(June 15, 1936, ch. 545, § 12, 49 Stat. 1501.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 17a

§ 17b. Separability of 1968 amendment

If any provision of this Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby, and the provisions of the section of this chapter which is amended by such provision of this Act shall apply to such person or circumstances. Pending proceedings shall not be abated by reason of any provision of this Act but shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, in effect prior to the effective date of this Act.

(Pub. L. 90–258, § 27, Feb. 19, 1968, 82 Stat. 34.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 17b

§ 18. Complaints against registered persons
(a) Petition for actual damages
(1) Any person complaining of any violation of any provision of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to this chapter, by any person who is registered under this chapter may, at any time within two years after the cause of action accrues, apply to the Commission for an order awarding—
(A) actual damages proximately caused by such violation. If an award of actual damages is made against a floor broker in connection with the execution of a customer order, and the futures commission merchant which selected the floor broker for the execution of the customer order is held to be responsible under section 2(a)(1) of this title for the floor broker’s violation, such futures commission merchant may be required to satisfy such award; and
(B) in the case of any action arising from a willful and intentional violation in the execution of an order on the floor of a registered entity, punitive or exemplary damages equal to no more than two times the amount of such actual damages. If an award of punitive or exemplary damages is made against a floor broker in connection with the execution of a customer order, and the futures commission merchant which selected the floor broker for the execution of the customer order is held to be responsible under section 2(a)(1) of this title for the floor broker’s violation, such futures commission merchant may be required to satisfy such award if the floor broker fails to do so, except that such requirement shall apply to the futures commission merchant only if it willfully and intentionally selected the floor broker with the intent to assist or facilitate the floor broker’s violation.
(2)
(A) An action may be brought under this subsection by any one or more persons described in this subsection for and in behalf of such person or persons and other persons similarly situated, if the Commission permits such actions pursuant to a final rule issued by the Commission.
(B) Not later than two hundred and seventy days after October 28, 1992, the Commission shall propose and publish for public comment such rules as are necessary to carry out subparagraph (A). In developing such rules, the Commission shall consider the potential impact of such actions on resources available to the reparations system established under this chapter and the relative merits of bringing such actions in Federal court.
(b) Rules and regulations; control over right of appeal
(c) Bond requirement when complainant is nonresident; waiver
(d) Enforcement of reparation award
(1) If any person against whom an award has been made does not pay the reparation award within the time specified in the Commission’s order, the complainant, or any person for whose benefit such order was made, within three years of the date of the order, may file a certified copy of the order of the Commission, in the district court of the United States for the district in which he resides or in which is located the principal place of business of the respondent, for enforcement of such reparation award by appropriate orders. The orders, writs, and processes of such district court may in such case run, be served, and be returnable anywhere in the United States. The petitioner shall not be liable for costs in the district court, nor for costs at any subsequent state of the proceedings, unless they accrue upon his appeal. If the petitioner finally prevails, he shall be allowed a reasonable attorney’s fee, to be taxed and collected as a part of the costs of the suit. Subject to the right of appeal under subsection (e) of this section, an order of the Commission awarding reparations shall be final and conclusive.
(2) A reparation award shall be directly enforceable in district court as if it were a judgment pursuant to section 1963 of title 28. This paragraph shall operate retroactively from the effective date of its enactment, and shall apply to all reparation awards for which a proceeding described in paragraph (1) is commenced within 3 years of the date of the Commission’s order.
(e) Review
(f) Automatic bar from trading and suspension for noncompliance; effect of appeal
(g)
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 14, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 106, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1393; amended Pub. L. 94–16, § 3, Apr. 16, 1975, 89 Stat. 77; Pub. L. 95–405, § 21, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 875; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 231, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2319; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 209(b)(7), 222(b), 224, title IV, § 402(11), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3607, 3615, 3617, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 118, 123(a)(23)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–403, 2763A–410; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13105(k), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1435; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13105(k), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2197.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 18

§ 19. Consideration of costs and benefits and antitrust laws
(a) Costs and benefits
(1) In general
(2) Considerations
The costs and benefits of the proposed Commission action shall be evaluated in light of—
(A) considerations of protection of market participants and the public;
(B) considerations of the efficiency, competitiveness, and financial integrity of futures markets;
(C) considerations of price discovery;
(D) considerations of sound risk management practices; and
(E) other public interest considerations.
(3) Applicability
This subsection does not apply to the following actions of the Commission:
(A) An order that initiates, is part of, or is the result of an adjudicatory or investigative process of the Commission.
(B) An emergency action.
(C) A finding of fact regarding compliance with a requirement of the Commission.
(b) Antitrust laws
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 15, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title I, § 107, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1395; amended Pub. L. 102–546, title V, § 502(b), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3631; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 119], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–403.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 19

§ 20. Market reports
(a) Information
(b) Avoidance of duplication
(c) Furnishing of information; confidentiality
(d) Disclosure of business transactions, market positions, trade secrets, or names of customers
(e) Application
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 16, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title IV, § 414, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1414; amended Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 232, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2320; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title II, § 251(e)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–443.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 20

§ 21. Registered futures associations
(a) Registration statementAny association of persons may be registered with the Commission as a registered futures association pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, under the terms and conditions hereinafter provided in this section, by filing with the Commission for review and approval a registration statement in such form as the Commission may prescribe, setting forth the information, and accompanied by the documents, below specified:
(1) Data as to its organization, membership, and rules of procedure, and such other information as the Commission may by rules and regulations require as necessary or appropriate in the public interest; and
(2) Copies of its constitution, charter, or articles of incorporation or association, with all amendments thereto, and of its bylaws, and of any rules or instruments corresponding to the foregoing, whatever the name, hereinafter in this section collectively referred to as the “rules of the association”.
(b) Standards for registration; Commission findingsAn applicant association shall not be registered as a futures association unless the Commission finds, under standards established by the Commission, that—
(1) such association is in the public interest and that it will be able to comply with the provisions of this section and the rules and regulations thereunder and to carry out the purposes of this section;
(2) the rules of the association provide that any person registered under this chapter, registered entity, or any other person designated pursuant to the rules of the Commission as eligible for membership may become a member of such association, except such as are excluded pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of this subsection, or a rule of the association permitted under this subparagraph. The rules of the association may restrict membership in such association on such specified basis relating to the type of business done by its members, or on such other specified and appropriate basis, as appears to the Commission to be necessary or appropriate in the public interest and to carryout the purpose of this section. Rules adopted by the association may provide that the association may, unless the Commission directs otherwise in cases in which the Commission finds it appropriate in the public interest so to direct, deny admission to, or refuse to continue in such association any person if (i) such person, whether prior or subsequent to becoming registered as such, or (ii) any person associated within the meaning of “associated person” as set forth in section 6k of this title, whether prior or subsequent to becoming so associated, has been and is suspended or expelled from a registered entity or has been and is barred or suspended from being associated with all members of such registered entity, for violation of any rule of such registered entity;
(3) the rules of the association provide that, except with the approval or at the direction of the Commission in cases in which the Commission finds it appropriate in the public interest so to approve or direct, no person shall be admitted to or continued in membership in such association, if such person—
(A) has been and is suspended or expelled from a registered futures association or from a registered entity or has been and is barred or suspended from being associated with all members of such association or from being associated with all members of such registered entity, for violation of any rule of such association or registered entity which prohibits any act or transaction constituting conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade, or requires any act the omission of which constitutes conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade;
(B) is subject to an order of the Commission denying, suspending, or revoking his registration pursuant to section 9 of this title, or expelling or suspending him from membership in a registered futures association or a registered entity, or barring or suspending him from being associated with a futures commission merchant;
(C) whether prior or subsequent to becoming a member, by his conduct while associated with a member, was a cause of any suspension, expulsion, or order of the character described in clause (A) or (B) which is in effect with respect to such member, and in entering such a suspension, expulsion, or order, the Commission or any such registered entity or association shall have jurisdiction to determine whether or not any person was a cause thereof; or
(D) has associated with him any person who is known, or in the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to him to be a person who would be ineligible for admission to or continuance in membership under clause (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph;
(4) the rules of the association provide that, except with the approval or at the direction of the Commission in cases in which the Commission finds it appropriate in the public interest so to approve or direct, no person shall become a member and no natural person shall become a person associated with a member, unless such person is qualified to become a member or a person associated with a member in conformity with specified and appropriate standards with respect to the training, experience, and such other qualifications of such person as the association finds necessary or desirable, and in the case of a member, the financial responsibility of such a member. For the purpose of defining such standards and the application thereof, such rules may—
(A) appropriately classify prospective members (taking into account relevant matters, including type or nature of business done) and persons proposed to be associated with members;
(B) specify that all or any portion of such standard shall be applicable to any such class;
(C) require persons in any such class to pass examinations prescribed in accordance with such rules;
(D) provide that persons in any such class other than prospective members and partners, officers and supervisory employees (which latter term may be defined by such rules and as so defined shall include branch managers of members) of members, may be qualified solely on the basis of compliance with specified standards of training and such other qualifications as the association finds appropriate;
(E) provide that applications to become a member or a person associated with a member shall set forth such facts as the association may prescribe as to the training, experience, and other qualifications (including, in the case of an applicant for membership, financial responsibility) of the applicant and that the association shall adopt procedures for verification of qualifications of the applicant, which may require the applicant to be fingerprinted and to submit, or cause to be submitted, such fingerprints to the Attorney General for identification and appropriate processing. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such an association may receive from the Attorney General all the results of such identification and processing; and
(F) require any class of persons associated with a member to be registered with the association in accordance with procedures specified by such rules (and any application or document supplemental thereto required by such rules of a person seeking to be registered with such association shall, for the purposes of section 9 of this title, be deemed an application required to be filed under this section);
(5) the rules of the association assure a fair representation of its members in the adoption of any rule of the association or amendment thereto, the selection of its officers and directors, and in all other phases of the administration of its affairs;
(6) the rules of the association provide for the equitable allocation of dues among its members, to defray reasonable expenses of administration;
(7) the rules of the association are designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, in general, to protect the public interest, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of free and open futures trading;
(8) the rules of the association provide that its members and persons associated with its members shall be appropriately disciplined, by expulsion, suspension, fine, censure, or being suspended or barred from being associated with all members, or any other fitting penalty, for any violation of its rules;
(9) the rules of the association provide a fair and orderly procedure with respect to the disciplining of members and persons associated with members and the denial of membership to any person seeking membership therein or the barring of any person from being associated with a member. In any proceeding to determine whether any member or other person shall be disciplined, such rules shall require that specific charges be brought; that such member or person shall be notified of, and be given an opportunity to defend against, such charges; that a record shall be kept; and that the determination shall include—
(A) a statement setting forth any act or practice in which such member or other person may be found to have engaged, or which such member or other person may be found to have omitted;
(B) a statement setting forth the specific rule or rules of the association of which any such act or practice, or omission to act, is deemed to be in violation;
(C) a statement whether the acts or practices prohibited by such rule or rules, or the omission of any act required thereby, are deemed to constitute conduct inconsistent with just and equitable principles of trade; and
(D) a statement setting forth the penalty imposed; 1
1 So in original. The semicolon probably should be a period.
In any proceeding to determine whether a person shall be denied membership or whether any person shall be barred from being associated with a member, such rules shall provide that the person shall be notified of, and be given an opportunity to be heard upon, the specific grounds for denial or bar which are under consideration; that a record shall be kept; and that the determination shall set forth the specific grounds upon which the denial or bar is based;
(10) the rules of the association provide a fair, equitable, and expeditious procedure through arbitration or otherwise for the settlement of customers’ claims and grievances against any member or employee thereof: Provided, That (A) the use of such procedure by a customer shall be voluntary, (B) the term “customer” as used in this paragraph shall not include another member of the association, and (C) in the case of a claim arising from a violation in the execution of an order on the floor of a registered entity, such procedure shall provide, to the extent appropriate—
(i) for payment of actual damages proximately caused by such violation. If an award of actual damages is made against a floor broker in connection with the execution of a customer order, and the futures commission merchant which selected the floor broker for the execution of the customer order is held to be responsible under section 2(a)(1) of this title for the floor broker’s violation, such futures commission merchant may be required to satisfy such award; and
(ii) where the violation is willful and intentional, for payment to the customer of punitive or exemplary damages, in addition to losses proximately caused by the violation, in an amount equal to no more than two times the amount of such losses. If punitive or exemplary damages are awarded against a floor broker in connection with the execution of a customer order, and the futures commission merchant which selected the floor broker for the execution of such order is held to be responsible under section 2(a)(1) of this title for the floor broker’s violation, such futures commission merchant may be required to satisfy the award of punitive or exemplary damages if the floor broker fails to do so, except that such requirement shall apply to the futures commission merchant only if it willfully and intentionally selected the floor broker with the intent to assist or facilitate the floor broker’s violation; and 2
2 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.
(11) such association provides for meaningful representation on the governing board of such association of a diversity of membership interests and provides that no less than 20 percent of the regular voting members of such board be comprised of qualified nonmembers of or persons who are not regulated by such association.3
3 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
(12)
(A)4
4 So in original. No subpar. (B) has been enacted.
such association provides on all major disciplinary committees for a diversity of membership sufficient to ensure fairness and to prevent special treatment or preference for any person in the conduct of disciplinary proceedings and the assessment of penalties.5
5 So in original. The period probably should be “; and”.
(13) A 6
6 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
major disciplinary committee hearing a disciplinary matter shall include—
(A) qualified persons representing segments of the association membership other than that of the subject of the proceeding; and
(B) where appropriate to carry out the purposes of this paragraph, qualified persons who are not members of the association.
(c) Suspension of registration
(d) Fees and charges
(e) Registered persons not members of registered associations
(f) Denial of registration
(g) Withdrawal from registration; notice of with­drawal
(h) Commission review of disciplinary actions taken by registered futures associations
(1) If any registered futures association takes any final disciplinary action against a member of the association or a person associated with a member, denies admission to any person seeking membership therein, or bars any person from being associated with a member, the association promptly shall give notice thereof to such member or person and file notice thereof with the Commission. The notice shall be in such form and contain such information as the Commission, by rule or regulation, may prescribe as necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
(2) Any action with respect to which a registered futures association is required by paragraph (1) to file notice shall be subject to review by the Commission on its motion, or on application by any person aggrieved by the action. Such application shall be filed within 30 days after the date such notice is filed with the Commission and received by the aggrieved person, or within such longer period as the Commission may determine.
(3)
(A) Application to the Commission for review, or the institution of review by the Commission on its own motion, shall not operate as a stay of such action unless the Commission otherwise orders, summarily or after notice and opportunity for hearing on the question of a stay (which hearing may consist solely of the submission of affidavits or presentation of oral arguments).
(B) The Commission shall establish procedures for expedited consideration and determination of the question of a stay.
(i) Notice; hearing; findings; cancellation, reduction, or remission of penalties; review by court of appeals
(1) In a proceeding to review a final disciplinary action taken by a registered futures association against a member thereof or a person associated with a member, after appropriate notice and opportunity for a hearing (which hearing may consist solely of consideration of the record before the association and opportunity for the presentation of supporting reasons to affirm, modify, or set aside the sanction imposed by the association)—
(A) if the Commission finds that—
(i) the member or person associated with a member has engaged in the acts or practices, or has omitted the acts, that the association has found the member or person to have engaged in or omitted;
(ii) the acts or practices, or omissions to act, are in violation of the rules of the association specified in the determination of the association; and
(iii) such rules are, and were applied in a manner, consistent with the purposes of this chapter,
the Commission, by order, shall so declare and, as appropriate, affirm the sanction imposed by the association, modify the sanction in accordance with paragraph (2), or remand the case to the association for further proceedings; or
(B) if the Commission does not make any such finding, the Commission, by order, shall set aside the sanction imposed by the association and, if appropriate, remand the case to the association for further proceedings.
(2) If, after a proceeding under paragraph (1), the Commission finds that any penalty imposed on a member or person associated with a member is excessive or oppressive, having due regard for the public interest, the Commission, by order, shall cancel, reduce, or require the remission of the penalty.
(3) In a proceeding to review the denial of membership in a registered futures association or the barring of any person from being associated with a member, after appropriate notice and opportunity for a hearing (which hearing may consist solely of consideration of the record before the association and opportunity for the presentation of supporting reasons to affirm, modify, or set aside the action of the association)—
(A) if the Commission finds that—
(i) the specific grounds on which the denial or bar is based exist in fact;
(ii) the denial or bar is in accordance with the rules of the association; and
(iii) such rules are, and were applied in a manner, consistent with the purposes of this chapter,
the Commission, by order, shall so declare and, as appropriate, affirm or modify the action of the association, or remand the case to the association for further proceedings; or
(B) if the Commission does not make any such finding, the Commission, by order, shall set aside the action of the association and require the association to admit the applicant to membership or permit the person to be associated with a member, or, as appropriate, remand the case to the association for further proceedings.
(4) Any person aggrieved by a final order of the Commission entered under this subsection may file a petition for review with a United States court of appeals in the same manner as provided in section 9 of this title.
(j) Changes or additions to association rules
(k) Abrogation of association rules; requests to associations by Commission to alter or supplement rules
(1) The Commission is authorized by order to abrogate any rule of a registered futures association, if after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, it appears to the Commission that such abrogation is necessary or appropriate to assure fair dealing by the members of such association, to assure a fair representation of its members in the administration of its affairs or effectuate the purposes of this section.
(2) The Commission may in writing request any registered futures association to adopt any specified alteration or supplement to its rules with respect to any of the matters hereinafter enumerated. If such association fails to adopt such alteration or supplement within a reasonable time, the Commission is authorized by order to alter or supplement the rules of such association in the manner theretofore requested, or with such modifications of such alteration or supplement as it deems necessary if, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, it appears to the Commission that such alteration or supplement is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or to effectuate the purposes of this section, with respect to—
(A) the basis for, and procedure in connection with, the denial of membership or the barring from being associated with a member or the disciplining of members or persons associated with members, or the qualifications required for members or natural persons associated with members or any class thereof;
(B) the method for adoption of any change in or addition to the rules of the association;
(C) the method of choosing officers and directors.
(l) Suspension and revocation of registration; expulsion of members; removal of association officers or directorsThe Commission is authorized, if such action appears to it to be necessary or appropriate in the public interest or to carry out the purposes of this section—
(1) after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, by order to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to revoke the registration of a registered futures association, if the Commission finds that such association has violated any provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation thereunder, or has failed to enforce compliance with its own rules, or has engaged in any other activity tending to defeat the purposes of this chapter;
(2) after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, by order to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to expel from a registered futures association any member thereof, or to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to bar any person from being associated with a member thereof, if the Commission finds that such member or person—
(A) has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation thereunder, or has effected any transaction for any other person who, he had reason to believe, was violating with respect to such transaction any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation thereunder; or
(B) has willfully violated any provision of this chapter, or of any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, or has effected any transaction for any other person who, he had reason to believe, was willfully violating with respect to such transaction any provision of this chapter or rule, regulation, or order; and
(3) after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, by order to remove from office any officer or director of a registered futures association who, the Commission finds, has willfully failed to enforce the rules of the association, or has willfully abused his authority.
(m) Rules requiring membership in associations
(n) Reports to Congress
(o) Delegation to futures associations of registrative functions; discretionary review by Commission; judicial appeal
(1) The Commission may require any futures association registered pursuant to this section to perform any portion of the registration functions under this chapter with respect to each member of the association other than a registered entity and with respect to each associated person of such member, in accordance with rules, notwithstanding any other provision of law, adopted by such futures association and submitted to the Commission pursuant to subsection (j), and subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to registrations granted by the Commission.
(2) In performing any Commission registration function authorized by the Commission under section 12a(10) of this title, this section, or any other applicable provisions of this chapter, a futures association may issue orders (A) to refuse to register any person, (B) to register conditionally any person, (C) to suspend the registration of any person, (D) to place restrictions on the registration of any person, or (E) to revoke the registration of any person. If such an order is the final decision of the futures association, any person against whom the order has been issued may petition the Commission to review the decision. The Commission may on its own initiative or upon petition decline review or grant review and affirm, set aside, or modify such an order of the futures association; and the findings of the futures association as to the facts, if supported by the weight of the evidence, shall be conclusive. Unless the Commission grants review under this section of an order concerning registration issued by a futures association, the order of the futures association shall be considered to be an order issued by the Commission.
(3) Nothing in this section shall affect the Commission’s authority to review the granting of a registration application by a registered futures association that is performing any Commission registration function authorized by the Commission under section 12a(10) of this title, this section, or any other applicable provision of this chapter.
(4) If a person against whom a futures association has issued a registration order under this subsection petitions the Commission to review that order and the Commission declines to take review, such person may file a petition for review with a United States court of appeals, in accordance with section 9 of this title.
(p) Establishment of rules for futures associations; approval by CommissionNotwithstanding any other provision of this section, each futures association registered under this section on January 11, 1983, shall adopt and submit for Commission approval not later than ninety days after such date, and each futures association that applies for registration after such date shall adopt and include with its application for registration, rules of the association that require the association to—
(1) establish training standards and proficiency testing for persons involved in the solicitation of transactions subject to the provisions of this chapter, supervisors of such persons, and all persons for which it has registration responsibilities, and a program to audit and enforce compliance with such standards;
(2) establish minimum capital, segregation, and other financial requirements applicable to its members for which such requirements are imposed by the Commission and implement a program to audit and enforce compliance with such requirements, except that such requirements may not be less stringent than those imposed on such firms by this chapter or by Commission regulation;
(3) establish minimum standards governing the sales practices of its members and persons associated therewith for transactions subject to the provisions of this chapter; and
(4) establish special supervisory guidelines to protect the public interest relating to the solicitation by telephone of new futures or options accounts and make such guidelines applicable to those members determined to require such guidelines in accordance with standards established by the Commission consistent with this chapter. Such guidelines may include a requirement that, with respect to a customer with no previous futures or commodity options trading experience, the member may not enter an order for the account of such customer for a period of three days following opening of the account and receipt of a signed acknowledgment by the customer of receipt of a risk disclosure statement.
(q)7
7 Two subsecs. (q) have been enacted.
Major disciplinary rule violations
(1) The Commission shall issue regulations requiring each registered futures association to establish and make available to the public a schedule of major violations of any rule within the disciplinary jurisdiction of such registered futures association.
(2) The regulations issued by the Commission pursuant to this subsection shall prohibit, for a period of time to be determined by the Commission, any member of a registered futures association who is found to have committed any major violation from service on the governing board of any registered futures association or registered entity, or on any disciplinary committee thereof.
(q)7 Program for implementation of rules
(r) Rules to avoid duplicative regulation of dual registrantsConsistent with this chapter, each futures association registered under this section shall issue such rules as are necessary to avoid duplicative or conflicting rules applicable to any futures commission merchant registered with the Commission pursuant to section 6f(a) of this title (except paragraph (2) thereof), that is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 78o(b) of title 15 (except paragraph (11) thereof), with respect to the application of—
(1) rules of such futures association of the type specified in section 6d(e) of this title involving security futures products; and
(2) similar rules of national securities associations registered pursuant to section 78o–3(a) of title 15 involving security futures products.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 17, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title III, § 301, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1406; amended Pub. L. 95–405, § 22, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 876; Pub. L. 97–444, title II, §§ 217(b), 233, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2307, 2320; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, §§ 107, 108, 110(6), (7), Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3558, 3559, 3561; Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 204(a), 206(b), 209(b)(8), 222(c), 228, title IV, § 402(12), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3600, 3602, 3607, 3616, 3619, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, § 123(a)(24), title II, § 251(g)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–410, 2763A–444; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, § 13105(f), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1434; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, § 13105(f), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2196; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 749(g), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1748.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 21

§ 22. Research and information programs; reports to Congress
(a) The Commission shall establish and maintain, as part of its ongoing operations, research and information programs to (1) determine the feasibility of trading by computer, and the expanded use of modern information system technology, electronic data processing, and modern communication systems by commodity exchanges, boards of trade, and by the Commission itself for purposes of improving, strengthening, facilitating, or regulating futures trading operations; (2) assist in the development of educational and other informational materials regarding futures trading for dissemination and use among producers, market users, and the general public; and (3) carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
(b) The Commission shall include in its annual reports to Congress plans and findings with respect to implementing this section.
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 18, as added Pub. L. 93–463, title IV, § 416, Oct. 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 1415.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 22

§ 23. Standardized contracts for certain commodities
(a) Margin accounts or contracts and leverage accounts or contracts prohibited except as authorized
(b) Permission to enter into contracts for delivery of silver or gold bullion, bulk silver or gold coins, or platinum; rules and regulations
(1) Subject to paragraph (2), no person shall offer to enter into, enter into, or confirm the execution of, any transaction for the delivery of silver bullion, gold bullion, bulk silver coins, bulk gold coins, or platinum under a standardized contract described in subsection (a), contrary to the terms of any rule, regulation, or order that the Commission shall prescribe, which may include terms designed to ensure the financial solvency of the transaction or prevent manipulation or fraud. Such rule, regulation, or order may be made only after notice and opportunity for hearing. The Commission may set different terms and conditions for transactions involving different commodities.
(2) No person may engage in any activity described in paragraph (1) who is not permitted to engage in such activity, by the rules, regulations, and orders of the Commission in effect on November 10, 1986, until the Commission permits such person to engage in such activity in accordance with regulations issued in accordance with subsection (c)(2).
(c) Survey of persons interested in engaging in transactions of silver and gold, etc.; assistance of futures association; regulations
(1)
(A) Not later than 2 years after November 10, 1986, the Commission shall—
(i) with the assistance of a futures association registered under this chapter, conduct a survey concerning the persons interested in engaging in the business of offering to enter into, entering into, or confirming the execution of, the transactions described in subsection (b)(1); and
(ii) transmit a report of the results of the survey to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for purposes of completing such report the Commission may direct, by rule, regulation, or order, a futures association registered under this chapter to render such assistance as the Commission shall specify.
(C) Such report shall include the findings and any recommendations of the Commission concerning—
(i) whether such transactions serve an economic purpose;
(ii) the most efficient manner, consistent with the public interest, to permit additional persons to engage in the business of offering to enter into, entering into, and confirming the execution of such transactions; and
(iii) the appropriate regulatory scheme to govern such transactions to ensure the financial solvency of such transactions and to prevent manipulation or fraud.
(2) The report shall also include Commission regulations governing such transactions. The regulations shall provide for permitting additional persons to engage in such transactions. The regulations shall become effective on the expiration of 90 calendar days on which either House of Congress is in session after the date of the transmittal of the report to Congress. The regulations—
(A) may authorize or require, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a futures association registered under this chapter to perform such responsibilities in connection with such transactions as the Commission may specify; and
(B) may require that permission for additional persons to engage in such business be given on a gradual basis, so as not to place an undue burden on the resources of the Commission.
(d) Savings provision
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 19, as added Pub. L. 95–405, § 23, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 876; amended Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 234, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2322; Pub. L. 99–641, title I, § 109, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3560.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 23

§ 24. Customer property with respect to commodity broker debtors; definitions
(a) Regulations respecting commodity broker debtors
Notwithstanding title 11, the Commission may provide, with respect to a commodity broker that is a debtor under chapter 7 of title 11, by rule or regulation—
(1) that certain cash, securities, other property, or commodity contracts are to be included in or excluded from customer property or member property;
(2) that certain cash, securities, other property, or commodity contracts are to be specifically identifiable to a particular customer in a specific capacity;
(3) the method by which the business of such commodity broker is to be conducted or liquidated after the date of the filing of the petition under such chapter, including the payment and allocation of margin with respect to commodity contracts not specifically identifiable to a particular customer pending their orderly liquidation;
(4) any persons to which customer property and commodity contracts may be transferred under section 766 of title 11; and
(5) how the net equity of a customer is to be determined.
(b) Definitions
(c) Portfolio margining accounts
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 20, formerly § 19, as added Pub. L. 95–598, title III, § 302, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2673; renumbered and amended Pub. L. 97–222, § 20, July 27, 1982, 96 Stat. 241; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 713(c), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1647.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 24

§ 24a. Swap data repositories
(a) Registration requirement
(1) Requirement; authority of derivatives clearing organization
(A) In general
(B) Registration of derivatives clearing organizations
(2) Inspection and examination
(3) Compliance with core principles
(A) In generalTo be registered, and maintain registration, as a swap data repository, the swap data repository shall comply with—
(i) the requirements and core principles described in this section; and
(ii) any requirement that the Commission may impose by rule or regulation pursuant to section 12a(5) of this title.
(B) Reasonable discretion of swap data repository
(b) Standard setting
(1) Data identification
(A) In general
(B) Requirement
(2) Data collection and maintenance
(3) Comparability
(c) DutiesA swap data repository shall—
(1) accept data prescribed by the Commission for each swap under subsection (b);
(2) confirm with both counterparties to the swap the accuracy of the data that was submitted;
(3) maintain the data described in paragraph (1) in such form, in such manner, and for such period as may be required by the Commission;
(4)
(A) provide direct electronic access to the Commission (or any designee of the Commission, including another registered entity); and
(B) provide the information described in paragraph (1) in such form and at such frequency as the Commission may require to comply with the public reporting requirements contained in section 2(a)(13) of this title;
(5) at the direction of the Commission, establish automated systems for monitoring, screening, and analyzing swap data, including compliance and frequency of end user clearing exemption claims by individual and affiliated entities;
(6) maintain the privacy of any and all swap transaction information that the swap data repository receives from a swap dealer, counterparty, or any other registered entity; and
(7) on a confidential basis pursuant to section 12 of this title, upon request, and after notifying the Commission of the request, make available swap data obtained by the swap data repository, including individual counterparty trade and position data, to—
(A) each appropriate prudential regulator;
(B) the Financial Stability Oversight Council;
(C) the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(D) the Department of Justice; and
(E) any other person that the Commission determines to be appropriate, including—
(i) foreign financial supervisors (including foreign futures authorities);
(ii) foreign central banks;
(iii) foreign ministries; and
(iv) other foreign authorities; and
(8) establish and maintain emergency procedures, backup facilities, and a plan for disaster recovery that allows for the timely recovery and resumption of operations and the fulfillment of the responsibilities and obligations of the organization.
(d) Confidentiality agreement
(e) Designation of chief compliance officer
(1) In general
(2) DutiesThe chief compliance officer shall—
(A) report directly to the board or to the senior officer of the swap data repository;
(B) review the compliance of the swap data repository with respect to the requirements and core principles described in this section;
(C) in consultation with the board of the swap data repository, a body performing a function similar to the board of the swap data repository, or the senior officer of the swap data repository, resolve any conflicts of interest that may arise;
(D) be responsible for administering each policy and procedure that is required to be established pursuant to this section;
(E) ensure compliance with this chapter (including regulations) relating to agreements, contracts, or transactions, including each rule prescribed by the Commission under this section;
(F) establish procedures for the remediation of noncompliance issues identified by the chief compliance officer through any—
(i) compliance office review;
(ii) look-back;
(iii) internal or external audit finding;
(iv) self-reported error; or
(v) validated complaint; and
(G) establish and follow appropriate procedures for the handling, management response, remediation, retesting, and closing of noncompliance issues.
(3) Annual reports
(A) In generalIn accordance with rules prescribed by the Commission, the chief compliance officer shall annually prepare and sign a report that contains a description of—
(i) the compliance of the swap data repository of the chief compliance officer with respect to this chapter (including regulations); and
(ii) each policy and procedure of the swap data repository of the chief compliance officer (including the code of ethics and conflict of interest policies of the swap data repository).
(B) RequirementsA compliance report under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) accompany each appropriate financial report of the swap data repository that is required to be furnished to the Commission pursuant to this section; and
(ii) include a certification that, under penalty of law, the compliance report is accurate and complete.
(f) Core principles applicable to swap data repositories
(1) Antitrust considerationsUnless necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter, a swap data repository shall not—
(A) adopt any rule or take any action that results in any unreasonable restraint of trade; or
(B) impose any material anticompetitive burden on the trading, clearing, or reporting of transactions.
(2) Governance arrangementsEach swap data repository shall establish governance arrangements that are transparent—
(A) to fulfill public interest requirements; and
(B) to support the objectives of the Federal Government, owners, and participants.
(3) Conflicts of interestEach swap data repository shall—
(A) establish and enforce rules to minimize conflicts of interest in the decision-making process of the swap data repository; and
(B) establish a process for resolving conflicts of interest described in subparagraph (A).
(4) Additional duties developed by Commission
(A) In general
(B) Consideration of evolving standards
(C) Additional duties for Commission designees
(g) Required registration for swap data repositories
(h) Rules
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 21, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 728, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1697; amended Pub. L. 114–94, div. G, title LXXXVI, § 86001(b), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1797.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 24a

§ 25. Private rights of action
(a) Actual damages; actionable transactions; exclusive remedy
(1) Any person (other than a registered entity or registered futures association) who violates this chapter or who willfully aids, abets, counsels, induces, or procures the commission of a violation of this chapter shall be liable for actual damages resulting from one or more of the transactions referred to in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of this paragraph and caused by such violation to any other person—
(A) who received trading advice from such person for a fee;
(B) who made through such person any contract of sale of any commodity for future delivery (or option on such contract or any commodity) or any swap; or who deposited with or paid to such person money, securities, or property (or incurred debt in lieu thereof) in connection with any order to make such contract or any swap;
(C) who purchased from or sold to such person or placed through such person an order for the purchase or sale of—
(i) an option subject to section 6c of this title (other than an option purchased or sold on a registered entity or other board of trade);
(ii) a contract subject to section 23 of this title; or 1
1 So in original. The word “or” probably should not appear.
(iii) an interest or participation in a commodity pool; or
(iv) a swap; or
(D) who purchased or sold a contract referred to in subparagraph (B) hereof or swap if the violation constitutes—
(i) the use or employment of, or an attempt to use or employ, in connection with a swap, or a contract of sale of a commodity, in interstate commerce, or for future delivery on or subject to the rules of any registered entity, any manipulative device or contrivance in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission shall promulgate by not later than 1 year after July 21, 2010; or
(ii) a manipulation of the price of any such contract or swap or the price of the commodity underlying such contract or swap.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (b), the rights of action authorized by this subsection and by sections 7(d)(13), 7a–1(c)(2)(H), and 21(b)(10) of this title shall be the exclusive remedies under this chapter available to any person who sustains loss as a result of any alleged violation of this chapter. Nothing in this subsection shall limit or abridge the rights of the parties to agree in advance of a dispute upon any forum for resolving claims under this section, including arbitration.
(3) In any action arising from a violation in the execution of an order on the floor of a registered entity, the person referred to in paragraph (1) shall be liable for—
(A) actual damages proximately caused by such violation. If an award of actual damages is made against a floor broker in connection with the execution of a customer order, and the futures commission merchant which selected the floor broker for the execution of the customer order is held to be responsible under section 2(a)(1) of this title for the floor broker’s violation, such futures commission merchant may be required to satisfy such award; and
(B) where the violation is willful and intentional, punitive or exemplary damages equal to no more than two times the amount of such actual damages. If an award of punitive or exemplary damages is made against a floor broker in connection with the execution of a customer order, and the futures commission merchant which selected the floor broker for the execution of the customer order is held to be responsible under section 2(a)(1) of this title for the floor broker’s violation, such futures commission merchant may be required to satisfy such award if the floor broker fails to do so, except that such requirement shall apply to the futures commission merchant only if it willfully and intentionally selected the floor broker with the intent to assist or facilitate the floor broker’s violation.
(4)Contract enforcement between eligible counterparties.—
(A)In general.—No hybrid instrument sold to any investor shall be void, voidable, or unenforceable, and no party to a hybrid instrument shall be entitled to rescind, or recover any payment made with respect to, the hybrid instrument under this section or any other provision of Federal or State law, based solely on the failure of the hybrid instrument to comply with the terms or conditions of section 2(f) of this title or regulations of the Commission.
(B)Swaps.—No agreement, contract, or transaction between eligible contract participants or persons reasonably believed to be eligible contract participants shall be void, voidable, or unenforceable, and no party to such agreement, contract, or transaction shall be entitled to rescind, or recover any payment made with respect to, the agreement, contract, or transaction under this section or any other provision of Federal or State law, based solely on the failure of the agreement, contract, or transaction—
(i) to meet the definition of a swap under section 1a of this title; or
(ii) to be cleared in accordance with section 2(h)(1) of this title.
(5)Legal certainty for long-term swaps entered into before July 21, 2010.—
(A)Effect on swaps.—Unless specifically reserved in the applicable swap, neither the enactment of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010, nor any requirement under that Act or an amendment made by that Act, shall constitute a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change, or similar event under a swap (including any related credit support arrangement) that would permit a party to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend, or supplement 1 or more transactions under the swap.
(B)Position limits.—Any position limit established under the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 shall not apply to a position acquired in good faith prior to the effective date of any rule, regulation, or order under the Act that establishes the position limit; provided, however, that such positions shall be attributed to the trader if the trader’s position is increased after the effective date of such position limit rule, regulation, or order.
(6)Contract enforcement for foreign futures contracts.—A contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery traded or executed on or through the facilities of a board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States for purposes of section 6(a) of this title shall not be void, voidable, or unenforceable, and a party to such a contract shall not be entitled to rescind or recover any payment made with respect to the contract, based on the failure of the foreign board of trade to comply with any provision of this chapter.
(b) Liabilities of organizations and individuals; bad faith requirement; exclusive remedy
(1)
(A) A registered entity that fails to enforce any bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution that it is required to enforce by section 7, 7a–1, 7a–2, 7b–3, or 24a of this title, (B) a licensed board of trade that fails to enforce any bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution that it is required to enforce by the Commission, or (C) any registered entity that in enforcing any such bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution violates this chapter or any Commission rule, regulation, or order, shall be liable for actual damages sustained by a person who engaged in any transaction on or subject to the rules of such registered entity to the extent of such person’s actual losses that resulted from such transaction and were caused by such failure to enforce or enforcement of such bylaws, rules, regulations, or resolutions.
(2) A registered futures association that fails to enforce any bylaw or rule that is required under section 21 of this title or in enforcing any such bylaw or rule violates this chapter or any Commission rule, regulation, or order shall be liable for actual damages sustained by a person that engaged in any transaction specified in subsection (a) of this section to the extent of such person’s actual losses that resulted from such transaction and were caused by such failure to enforce or enforcement of such bylaw or rule.
(3) Any individual who, in the capacity as an officer, director, governor, committee member, or employee of registered 2
2 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “a”.
entity or a registered futures association willfully aids, abets, counsels, induces, or procures any failure by any such entity to enforce (or any violation of the chapter in enforcing) any bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, shall be liable for actual damages sustained by a person who engaged in any transaction specified in subsection (a) of this section on, or subject to the rules of, such registered entity or, in the case of an officer, director, governor, committee member, or employee of a registered futures association, any transaction specified in subsection (a) of this section, in either case to the extent of such person’s actual losses that resulted from such transaction and were caused by such failure or violation.
(4) A person seeking to enforce liability under this section must establish that the registered entity 3
3 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
registered futures association, officer, director, governor, committee member, or employee acted in bad faith in failing to take action or in taking such action as was taken, and that such failure or action caused the loss.
(5) The rights of action authorized by this subsection shall be the exclusive remedy under this chapter available to any person who sustains a loss as a result of (A) the alleged failure by a registered entity or registered futures association or by any officer, director, governor, committee member, or employee to enforce any bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, or (B) the taking of action in enforcing any bylaw, rule, regulation, or resolution referred to in this subsection that is alleged to have violated this chapter, or any Commission rule, regulation, or order.
(c) Jurisdiction; statute of limitations; venue; process
(d) Dates of application to actions
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 22, as added Pub. L. 97–444, title II, § 235, Jan. 11, 1983, 96 Stat. 2322; amended Pub. L. 102–546, title II, §§ 211, 222(d), title IV, § 402(14), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3607, 3616, 3625; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title I, §§ 120, 123(a)(25)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–404, 2763A–410; Pub. L. 110–234, title XIII, §§ 13105(i), 13203(n), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1435, 1441; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title XIII, §§ 13105(i), 13203(n), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2197, 2203; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 738(c), 739, 749(h), 753(c), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1728, 1729, 1748, 1754.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 25

§ 26. Commodity whistleblower incentives and protection
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Covered judicial or administrative action
(2) Fund
(3) Monetary sanctionsThe term “monetary sanctions”, when used with respect to any judicial or administrative action means—
(A) any monies, including penalties, disgorgement, restitution, and interest ordered to be paid; and
(B) any monies deposited into a disgorgement fund or other fund pursuant to section 7246(b) of title 15, as a result of such action or any settlement of such action.
(4) Original informationThe term “original information” means information that—
(A) is derived from the independent knowledge or analysis of a whistleblower;
(B) is not known to the Commission from any other source, unless the whistleblower is the original source of the information; and
(C) is not exclusively derived from an allegation made in a judicial or administrative hearing, in a governmental report, hearing, audit, or investigation, or from the news media, unless the whistleblower is a source of the information.
(5) Related action
(6) Successful resolution
(7) Whistleblower
(b) Awards
(1) In generalIn any covered judicial or administrative action, or related action, the Commission, under regulations prescribed by the Commission and subject to subsection (c), shall pay an award or awards to 1 or more whistleblowers who voluntarily provided original information to the Commission that led to the successful enforcement of the covered judicial or administrative action, or related action, in an aggregate amount equal to—
(A) not less than 10 percent, in total, of what has been collected of the monetary sanctions imposed in the action or related actions; and
(B) not more than 30 percent, in total, of what has been collected of the monetary sanctions imposed in the action or related actions.
(2) Payment of awards
(c) Determination of amount of award; denial of award
(1) Determination of amount of award
(A) Discretion
(B) CriteriaIn determining the amount of an award made under subsection (b), the Commission—
(i) shall take into consideration—(I) the significance of the information provided by the whistleblower to the success of the covered judicial or administrative action;(II) the degree of assistance provided by the whistleblower and any legal representative of the whistleblower in a covered judicial or administrative action;(III) the programmatic interest of the Commission in deterring violations of the 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “this”.
chapter (including regulations under the 1 chapter) by making awards to whistleblowers who provide information that leads to the successful enforcement of such laws; and(IV) such additional relevant factors as the Commission may establish by rule or regulation; and
(ii) shall not take into consideration the balance of the Fund.
(2) Denial of awardNo award under subsection (b) shall be made—
(A) to any whistleblower who is, or was at the time the whistleblower acquired the original information submitted to the Commission, a member, officer, or employee of—
(i) a appropriate regulatory agency;
(ii) the Department of Justice;
(iii) a registered entity;
(iv) a registered futures association;
(v) a self-regulatory organization as defined in section 78c(a) of title 15; or
(vi) a law enforcement organization;
(B) to any whistleblower who is convicted of a criminal violation related to the judicial or administrative action for which the whistleblower otherwise could receive an award under this section;
(C) to any whistleblower who submits information to the Commission that is based on the facts underlying the covered action submitted previously by another whistleblower;
(D) to any whistleblower who fails to submit information to the Commission in such form as the Commission may, by rule or regulation, require.
(d) Representation
(1) Permitted representation
(2) Required representation
(A) In general
(B) Disclosure of identity
(e) No contract necessary
(f) Appeals
(1) In general
(2) Appeals
(3) Review
(g) Commodity Futures Trading Commission Customer Protection Fund
(1) Establishment
(2) Use of FundThe Fund shall be available to the Commission, without further appropriation or fiscal year limitation, for—
(A) the payment of awards to whistleblowers as provided in subsection (a); and
(B) the funding of customer education initiatives designed to help customers protect themselves against fraud or other violations of this chapter, or the rules and regulations thereunder.
(3) Deposits and creditsThere shall be deposited into or credited to the Fund:
(A) Monetary sanctions
(B) Additional amounts
(C) Investment income
(4) Investments
(A) Amounts in Fund may be invested
(B) Eligible investments
(C) Interest and proceeds credited
(5) Reports to CongressNot later than October 30 of each year, the Commission shall transmit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report on—
(A) the Commission’s whistleblower award program under this section, including a description of the number of awards granted and the types of cases in which awards were granted during the preceding fiscal year;
(B) customer education initiatives described in paragraph (2)(B) that were funded by the Fund during the preceding fiscal year;
(C) the balance of the Fund at the beginning of the preceding fiscal year;
(D) the amounts deposited into or credited to the Fund during the preceding fiscal year;
(E) the amount of earnings on investments of amounts in the Fund during the preceding fiscal year;
(F) the amount paid from the Fund during the preceding fiscal year to whistleblowers pursuant to subsection (b);
(G) the amount paid from the Fund during the preceding fiscal year for customer education initiatives described in paragraph (2)(B);
(H) the balance of the Fund at the end of the preceding fiscal year; and
(I) a complete set of audited financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow analysis.
(h) Protection of whistleblowers
(1) Prohibition against retaliation
(A) In generalNo employer may discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, directly or indirectly, or in any other manner discriminate against, a whistleblower in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act done by the whistleblower—
(i) in providing information to the Commission in accordance with subsection (b); or
(ii) in assisting in any investigation or judicial or administrative action of the Commission based upon or related to such information.
(B) Enforcement
(i) Cause of action
(ii) Subpoenas
(iii) Statute of limitations
(C) ReliefRelief for an individual prevailing in an action brought under subparagraph (B) shall include—
(i) reinstatement with the same seniority status that the individual would have had, but for the discrimination;
(ii) the amount of back pay otherwise owed to the individual, with interest; and
(iii) compensation for any special damages sustained as a result of the discharge or discrimination, including litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney’s fees.
(2) Confidentiality
(A) In general
(B) Effect
(C) Availability to government agencies
(i) In generalWithout the loss of its status as confidential in the hands of the Commission, all information referred to in subparagraph (A) may, in the discretion of the Commission, when determined by the Commission to be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this chapter and protect customers and in accordance with clause (ii), be made available to—(I) the Department of Justice;(II) an appropriate department or agency of the Federal Government, acting within the scope of its jurisdiction;(III) a registered entity, registered futures association, or self-regulatory organization as defined in section 78c(a) of title 15;(IV) a State attorney general in connection with any criminal investigation;(V) an appropriate department or agency of any State, acting within the scope of its jurisdiction; and(VI) a foreign futures authority.
(ii) Maintenance of information
(iii) Study on impact of FOIA exemption on Commodity Futures Trading Commission(I) StudyThe Inspector General of the Commission shall conduct a study—(aa) on whether the exemption under section 552(b)(3) of title 5 (known as the Freedom of Information Act) established in paragraph (2)(A) aids whistleblowers in disclosing information to the Commission;(bb) on what impact the exemption has had on the public’s ability to access information about the Commission’s regulation of commodity futures and option markets; and(cc) to make any recommendations on whether the Commission should continue to use the exemption.(II) ReportNot later than 30 months after July 21, 2010, the Inspector General shall—(aa) submit a report on the findings of the study required under this clause to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and(bb) make the report available to the public through publication of a report on the website of the Commission.
(3) Rights retained
(i) Rulemaking authority
(j) Implementing rules
(k) Original information
(l) Awards
(m) Provision of false information
(n) Nonenforceability of certain provisions waiving rights and remedies or requiring arbitration of disputes
(1) Waiver of rights and remedies
(2) Predispute arbitration agreements
(Sept. 21, 1922, ch. 369, § 23, as added Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 748, July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1739.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 26

§ 27. Definitions
(a) Bank
In sections 27 to 27f of this title, the term “bank” means—
(1) any depository institution (as defined in section 1813(c) of title 12);
(2) any foreign bank or branch or agency of a foreign bank (each as defined in section 3101 of title 12);
(3) any Federal or State credit union (as defined in section 1752 of title 12);
(4) any corporation organized under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C. 611 et seq.];
(5) any corporation operating under section 25 of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C. 601 et seq.];
(6) any trust company; or
(7) any subsidiary of any entity described in paragraph 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “paragraphs”.
(1) through (6) of this subsection, if the subsidiary is regulated as if the subsidiary were part of the entity and is not a broker or dealer (as such terms are defined in section 78c of title 15) or a futures commission merchant (as defined in section 1a of this title).
(b) Identified banking product
In sections 27 to 27f of this title, the term “identified banking product” shall have the same meaning as in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 206(a) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, except that in applying such section for purposes of sections 27 to 27f of this title—
(1) the term “bank” shall have the meaning given in subsection (a) of this section; and
(2) the term “qualified investor” means eligible contract participant (as defined in section 1a of this title, as in effect on December 21, 2000).
(c) Hybrid instrument
(Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title IV, § 402], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–457; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, §§ 721(e)(9), 725(g)(1)(B), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1672, 1694.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 27

§ 27a. Exclusion of identified banking product
(a) Exclusion
Except as provided in subsection (b) or (c)—
(1) the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) shall not apply to, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall not exercise regulatory authority under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) with respect to, an identified banking product; and
(2) the definitions of “security-based swap” in section 3(a)(68) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(68)] and “security-based swap agreement” in section 1a(47)(A)(v) of the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1a(47)(A)(v)] and section 3(a)(78) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(78)] do not include any identified bank product.
(b) Exception
An appropriate Federal banking agency may except an identified banking product of a bank under its regulatory jurisdiction from the exclusion in subsection (a) if the agency determines, in consultation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, that the product—
(1) would meet the definition of a “swap” under section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1a[47]) or a “security-based swap” under that 1
1 So in original.
section 3(a)(68) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) has become known to the trade as a swap or security-based swap, or otherwise has been structured as an identified banking product for the purpose of evading the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.).
(c) Exception
The exclusions in subsection (a) shall not apply to an identified bank product that—
(1) is a product of a bank that is not under the regulatory jurisdiction of an appropriate Federal banking agency;
(2) meets the definition of swap in section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or security-based swap in section 3(a)(68) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(3) has become known to the trade as a swap or security-based swap, or otherwise has been structured as an identified banking product for the purpose of evading the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.).
(Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title IV, § 403], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–458; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 725(g)(2), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1694.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 27a

§ 27b. Repealed. Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 725(g)(1)(A), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1694

CITE AS: 7 USC 27b

§ 27c. Exclusion of certain other identified banking products
(a) In general
(b) Predominance test
A hybrid instrument shall be considered to be predominantly a banking product for purposes of this section if—
(1) the issuer of the hybrid instrument receives payment in full of the purchase price of the hybrid instrument substantially contemporaneously with delivery of the hybrid instrument;
(2) the purchaser or holder of the hybrid instrument is not required to make under the terms of the instrument, or any arrangement referred to in the instrument, any payment to the issuer in addition to the purchase price referred to in paragraph (1), whether as margin, settlement payment, or otherwise during the life of the hybrid instrument or at maturity;
(3) the issuer of the hybrid instrument is not subject by the terms of the instrument to mark-to-market margining requirements; and
(4) the hybrid instrument is not marketed as a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery (or option on such a contract) subject to the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.].
(c) Mark-to-market margining requirement
(Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title IV, § 405], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–459.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 27c

§ 27d. Administration of the predominance test
(a) In general
No provision of the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] shall apply to, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall not regulate, a hybrid instrument, unless the Commission determines, by or under a rule issued in accordance with this section, that—
(1) the action is necessary and appropriate in the public interest;
(2) the action is consistent with the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] and the purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act; and
(3) the hybrid instrument is not predominantly a banking product under the predominance test set forth in section 27c(b) of this title.
(b) Consultation
Before commencing a rulemaking or making a determination pursuant to a rule issued under sections 27 to 27f of this title, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall consult with and seek the concurrence of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System concerning—
(1) the nature of the hybrid instrument; and
(2) the history, purpose, extent, and appropriateness of the regulation of the hybrid instrument under the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] and under appropriate banking laws.
(c) Objection to Commission regulation
(1) Filing of petition for review
(2) Transmittal of petition and record
(3) Exclusive jurisdiction
(4) Standard of review
The court shall determine to affirm and enforce or set aside a rule or determination of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under this section, based on the determination of the court as to whether—
(A) the subject product is predominantly a banking product; and
(B) making the provision or provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act [7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.] at issue applicable to the subject instrument is appropriate in light of the history, purpose, and extent of regulation under such Act, sections 27 to 27f of this title, and under the appropriate banking laws, giving deference neither to the views of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission nor the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
(5) Judicial stay
(6) Other authority to challenge
(Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title IV, § 406], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–459.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 27d

§ 27e. Repealed. Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 725(g)(1)(A), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1694

CITE AS: 7 USC 27e

§ 27f. Contract enforcement
(a) Hybrid instruments
(b) Preemption
(Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(5) [title IV, § 408], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–461; Pub. L. 111–203, title VII, § 725(g)(1)(C), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 1694.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 27f