Do you know what amended Rule 15c2-11 is?
The SEC amended Exchange Act Rule 15c2-11, which is a crucial element of the over-the-counter (OTC) market regulatory system. The changes are intended to improve the rule, which was last considerably changed about thirty years ago, and to take into account developments in communications technology.
Prior to
actually posting quotations in OTC securities, broker-dealers must analyze
current and information available to the public, according to the modified
rule. To improve investor protection, the amendments also restrict some of the
exemptions available under Rule 15c2-11 and add new exclusions for low-risk
securities.
Given the
current rule’s timeliness and modifications, its practical implementation
streamlines the process of small-cap companies going public. For firms
accessing the OTCQB and OTCQX markets, OTC Markets Group can now undertake
“Initial Reviews” under Rule 15c2-11, which is a replacement to the regular
FINRA Form 211 process.
The revisions to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules are
aimed at improving investor information, preventing fraud, and easing the
burden on broker-dealers who quote OTC securities. To be publicly quoted on OTC
Link ATS, companies will henceforth be required to post updated information.
The regulation, in these new conditions, will demand that current
information about an issuer be publicly present in order for a security to be
quoted initially and continue to be quoted, under the revised “piggyback
exemption”. Quotations that are “unsolicited” will still be allowed under the
revised Rule, but they will be susceptible to extra conditions.
All these
changes imply that OTC Markets Group will become more involved in attracting
companies to their markets. This trading
platform now will operate as a “certified interdealer quotation system” which
allows brokers to count on OTC’s current information designations instead of
completing a Form 211 to FINRA, under the revised Rule. According
to the new status, it will make it easier for companies that are up to date on
their disclosure responsibilities to enter the public market.
On the other hand, firms that don’t provide updated information
available to the public and don’t satisfy the conditions for continuous quoting
will be transferred to Expert Market. This type of market will only accept “unsolicited” quotes.
The fundamental feature of this type of market is that quotations in Expert
Market securities are not available to the general public. These quotes can
only be viewed by broker-dealers and professionals or sophisticated investors. All
these indicate that this market provides a controlled trading environment in
which broker-dealers can meet their greatest responsibilities. This means it
provides access to information that would otherwise remain concealed in the
Grey Market.
IFGX.COM
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