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“Exorbitant Privilege: Responsibilities And Challenges”: Prepared Remarks Before The Council On Foreign Relations, SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Washington D.C., Dec. 4, 2023

Date 04/12/2023

Good morning. I’m honored that Mike and you invited me to speak today. Mike has a long history of public service, including having participated in hiring me twice, first into the Clinton Treasury Department and later the Obama Administration. As is customary, I’d like to note that my views are my own as Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and I am not speaking on behalf of my fellow Commissioners or the staff.

BIS Quarterly Review, December 2023

Date 04/12/2023

Financial market fluctuations reflected investors' adjustment to the higher-for-longer monetary policy stance.

OCC Reports November 2023 Monthly Volume Data

Date 04/12/2023

OCC, the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization, announced today that year-to-date average daily volume through November 2023 was 44.3 million contracts. Total monthly volume for November 2023 was 908 million contracts.

Statement Of CFTC Commissioner Christy Goldsmith Romero On Exchange Listing Standards For Voluntary Carbon Credit Derivative Contracts

Date 04/12/2023

I am pleased to support today’s proposed guidance regarding the listing of voluntary carbon credit derivatives.  I want to recognize Chairman Behnam’s leadership in the voluntary carbon credit space.  The proposed guidance follows efforts by the Commission to develop capacity in understanding and regulating voluntary carbon credits.

Statement Of CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam On The Proposed Commission Guidance Regarding The Listing Of Voluntary Carbon Credit Derivative Contracts

Date 04/12/2023

The CFTC as a market regulator has a significant role to play in the voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). As we have seen the listing of listed futures on voluntary carbon credits (VCCs), the Agency’s relationship and responsibility is real. These markets present an opportunity for the agricultural economy that historically underpins the need for derivatives markets for risk management and price discovery, but they also provide a useful tool throughout the financial markets and the real economy.  And today, the Agency takes the most significant step of a financial regulator to promote fundamental standards for high integrity VCCs. 

Statement By US Secretary Of The Treasury Janet L. Yellen On Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) Proposed Guidance On Voluntary Carbon Markets

Date 04/12/2023

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Janet L. Yellen released the following statement U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Janet L. Yellen released the following statement on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) proposed guidance on voluntary carbon markets:

“I commend the efforts of Chair Behnam and the CFTC to support high-integrity voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). The proposed guidance issued for public comment today represents an important step by the CFTC toward promoting the integrity of carbon credits and enabling greater liquidity, price discovery, and responsible product innovation for credits that underlie derivatives products listed on CFTC-registered exchanges."

ICE Mortgage Monitor: Equity Withdrawals Rose Slightly in Q3 2023, but High Interest Rates Are Compressing Usage by 55%

Date 04/12/2023

• Despite clear signs of slowing, home prices hit yet another seasonally adjusted high in October, with unadjusted annual growth rising to +4.6%, up from +4.2% in September
• Recent home price gains have returned tappable equity to within 3% its 2022 peak, contributing to a modest increase in equity withdrawals in Q3
• Just 0.41% of tappable equity available at the beginning of the quarter was withdrawn in Q3, some 55% below the average withdrawal rate seen from 2010-2021
• An estimated $54B in equity withdrawals were forgone in Q3 as rising interest rates increased the cost of equity utilization, with an aggregate $250B missing over the last 18 months
• Despite compressed volumes, cash-outs continue to fuel what is left of the refinance market accounting for 92% of Q3 activity, with borrowers withdrawing a record $104K on average
• Purchase lending continues to dominate the market overall, driving 86% of all first lien lending in Q3, with roughly 75% of 2024 originations expected to come from purchase loans
• Rising rates continue to put pressure on homebuyers, with debt-to-income (DTI) ratios on purchase loans hitting multiyear highs in October, according to ICE Market Trends data
• Data also suggests tightening lending criteria, as credit scores for conventional, FHA and VA purchase loans all hit series highs, with FHA credit scores up 14 points year over year
• While foreclosure starts rose in October, near-term risks remain muted due to a combination of historically low serious delinquency rates and strong equity positions among such loans

Nasdaq Recognized As Leader In LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion By The Human Rights Campaign Foundation - Earns Perfect Score In The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Annual Assessment Of LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality For Fifth Consecutive Year

Date 04/12/2023

Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) today announced its inclusion in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), receiving a perfect score in the fifth consecutive edition of the survey for recognition of its inclusive workplace. The CEI is the nation’s leading benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

Enterprise And ONEOK Extend Terminal Transfer Fee Waiver For ICE Midland WTI (HOU) Crude Deliveries To The End Of 2025

Date 04/12/2023

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology, and market infrastructure, today announced that Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) and ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) have extended their fee waiver arrangement between the Enterprise Crude Houston (“ECHO”) and Magellan East Houston (“MEH”) terminals to transfer crude oil delivered through ICE’s Midland WTI futures contract (ICE: HOU) until December 31, 2025.

Miami International Holdings Announces New MIAX Sapphire Options Trading Floor To Be Located In Wynwood District Of Miami; 38,400 Square Foot Facility Will Include Office Space For MIAX Employees And Market Participants

Date 04/12/2023

Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), owner of Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX®), MIAX PEARL, LLC (MIAX Pearl®), MIAX Emerald, LLC (MIAX Emerald®), MIAX Sapphire, LLC (MIAX SapphireTM), Minneapolis Grain Exchange, LLC (MGEXTM), LedgerX LLC (LedgerX), The Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX), and Dorman Trading, LLC (Dorman Trading) today announced that the new MIAX Sapphire options physical trading floor will be located in the 545 Wyn building in Miami's Wynwood district.