What Are the New Rules About?

On February 6, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted Rules 3a5-4 and 3a44-2 ("Final Rules") defining the phrase "as a part of a regular business" and identifying activities that would cause people within certain activities to be "dealers" or "government securities dealers." 1 These revised definitions implicate registration requirements in compliance with Sections 15 and 15C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act"). 2

Who do the Final Rules Apply to?

The activities that would involve identifying as a "dealer" or "government securities dealer" would include:

  1. "Regularly expressing trading interest that is at or near the best available prices on both sides of the market for the same security and that is communicated and represented in a way that makes it accessible to other market participants;" 3 or
  2. "Earning revenue primarily from capturing bid-ask spreads, by buying at the bid and selling at the offer, or from capturing any incentives offered by trading venues to liquidity supplying trading interest." 4

**If not engaged in these activities, cannot presume someone could not still identify as a "dealer" or "government securities dealer."** 5

What Are the Requirements Under the Final Rules?

Under the Final Rules, and without an applicable exemption, qualified participants must:

  1. Register with the SEC under Section 15(a) or 15(c);
  2. Become a member of a self-regulatory organization; and
  3. Comply with federal securities laws and requirements listed by specific self-regulatory organizations and the Treasury. 6

Is Anyone Excluded From the Final Rules?

Those exempt from the Final Rules include:

  1. A person who has or controls total assets of less than $50 million;
  2. An investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; or
  3. A central bank, sovereign entity, or international financial institution. 7

When Are The Final Rules Effective and Compliance Required?

The Final Rules are effective 60 days after the date of publication of the Final Rules, and the compliance date for the Final Rules is 1 year after the effective date of the Final Rules. 8

Footnotes

1. Further Definition of "As a Part of a Regular Business" in the Definition of Dealer and Government Securities Dealer in Connection with Certain Liquidity Providers, Exchange Act Release No. 99477 (Feb. 5, 2024) ("Adopting Release"), available at https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/final/2024/34-99477.pdf.

2. Id. at 4.

3. Id. at 28.

4. Id. at 29.

5. Id. at 6.

6. Id. at 12-13.

7. Id. at 22.

8. https://www.sec.gov/files/34-99477-fact-sheet.pdf.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.