CFTC Registers Natural Gas Exchange, Inc. As A Derivatives Clearing Organization

On Friday, December 12, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (Commission) issued an Order granting Natural Gas Exchange, Inc. (NGX) registration as a derivatives clearing organization (DCO) pursuant to Section 5b(b) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA). NGX is a Canadian firm operating an electronic trading and clearing system for contracts in natural gas and other energy sources. NGX is recognized as an exchange and clearing agency by the Alberta Securities Commission and is owned by TMX Group, Inc. which also owns the Toronto Stock Exchange and Montreal Exchange. As a registered DCO, NGX is authorized to clear over-the-counter derivative instruments based on energy products that could qualify as exempt commodities as defined in Section 1(a)(14) of the CEA.