CFTC Issues Exemption And Approval Of Rule Amendment Related To ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares And ETFS Physical Silver Shares

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) yesterday issued an exemption pursuant to authority granted under Section 4(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act, permitting options and futures on each of ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares and ETFS Physical Silver Shares to be traded and cleared as options on securities and security futures, respectively. This exemption follows similar exemptions granted with respect to gold and silver ETF products issued by SPDR® (exemptions issued on June 5, 2008) and iShares® (exemptions issued on December 30, 2008). After granting the exemption, the CFTC approved a rule amendment submitted for approval by the Options Clearing Corporation permitting such options and futures to be cleared as options on securities and security futures, respectively.