Self-Regulatory Organizations; MEMX LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of a Proposal To Amend the Short Term Option Series Program in Rule 19.5, Interpretation and Policy .05
Published Date: 2/2/2026
Notice
Summary
MEMX is updating its rules to let traders buy and sell options that expire on Mondays and Wednesdays for certain stocks and ETFs. This change means more chances to trade short-term options, giving investors extra flexibility and faster opportunities. The new rule kicks in right away, so traders can start using these new expiration days without delay.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Two Monday & Wednesday Expirations Allowed
The Exchange may now permit up to two Monday expirations and up to two Wednesday expirations (in addition to Friday weekly expirations) for options on certain individual stocks and Fund Shares called "Qualifying Securities." This change is operative upon filing (January 28, 2026), so eligible options series with these new Monday and Wednesday expirations can begin trading immediately.
Immediate Operative Effect Upon Filing
The Commission waived the normal 30-day operative delay and designated the proposed rule change operative upon filing, so the change became effective on January 28, 2026 and may be used immediately by the Exchange and market participants.
Very High Eligibility Thresholds
To be a "Qualifying Security" for Monday and Wednesday expirations, an individual stock must have market capitalization greater than $700,000,000,000 (based on the closing price on the last day of the prior calendar quarter) or a Fund Share must have Assets Under Management (AUM) greater than $50,000,000,000 by NAV; additionally, monthly options volume (measured in sides) in the last month preceding the quarter end must exceed 10,000,000, the series must have a position limit of at least 250,000 contracts, and the class must participate in the Penny Interval Program. The Exchange will apply these criteria quarterly and publish the list of Qualifying Securities by close of business on the first trading day of the quarter.
No Expirations on Post-Close Earnings Days
The Exchange will not list a Monday or Wednesday expiry for a Qualifying Security on any day when there is an Earnings Announcement that takes place after market close; for this rule an Earnings Announcement is an official public quarterly or yearly earnings filing with the Commission (pre-announcements or guidance are not counted).
30-Series Cap Applies to New Expirations
For each option class, the Exchange remains limited to opening thirty (30) series for each expiration date; that thirty-series restriction will also apply to the new Monday and Wednesday Qualifying Securities expirations. The thirty-series cap does not include series that other exchanges have opened under their weekly rules.
Quarterly Removal If No Longer Eligible
If a Qualifying Security no longer meets the stated criteria, it will no longer be permitted to list Monday and Wednesday expiries beginning on the second trading day of the following quarter; however, any strikes already listed for the remaining two weeks may continue to trade until they expire.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19260, Rescission of Rule 14a-8's Federal Regulation of Shareholder Proposals and Amendments to Rule 14a-4
The SEC wants to stop its federal rule that controls how shareholders can make proposals at company meetings, letting state laws and company rules take over instead. They’re also changing rules so companies can sometimes vote on proposals not in their official materials—but shareholders can opt out if they want. This affects investors and companies, with comments open until November 20, 2026, and could shake up how shareholder voices are heard and counted.
2026-18424, Political Contributions by Certain Investment Advisers
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission" or the "SEC") is proposing to rescind the political contribution rule under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), which prohibits investment advisers from providing investment advisory services for compensation to a government client for two years after an adviser or any covered associate of the adviser makes a contribution to certain categories of elected officials or candidates, among other prohibitions. In the more than fifteen years since the rule was adopted, implementation challenges associated with the political contribution rule have resulted in a range of significant unintended consequences, including compliance practices among some investment advisers that may have had the effect of restricting all political contributions by the investment advisers and their employees. Market participants also have stated that the political contribution rule is burdensome, complex, and both lacks clarity and creates a de facto strict liability standard. The Commission is of the view that other existing requirements of the Advisers Act and its associated rules, including prohibitions on fraud, fiduciary duty requirements, the compliance rule, and the code of ethics rule (defined below), are likely sufficient to address pay-to-play practices while allowing an adviser the flexibility to implement an approach that is more appropriately tailored to its particular risks, rendering the political contribution rule unnecessary. The Commission also is proposing to amend the rule under the Advisers Act pertaining to books and records consistent with the proposed rescission.
2026-18190, Transfer Agent Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC" or "Commission") is proposing to adopt new rules, amend existing rules, amend the existing form for registration with the Commission as a transfer agent (Form TA-1) and the existing form for reporting activities of transfer agents (Form TA-2), and rescind an existing rule governing registered transfer agents. The proposals are designed to modernize the rules governing registered transfer agents.
2026-17183, Regulation Crypto Assets
The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") is proposing new rules to create a tailored offering regime for certain investment contracts involving crypto assets. The proposed offering regime is intended to facilitate capital formation and accommodate innovation within the crypto asset markets while, at the same time, ensuring that investors are adequately protected and provided with the information they need to make informed investment decisions. The proposed rules would be set forth in a new regulation titled "Regulation Crypto Assets" and would include two exemptions from the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. The first exemption would permit offerings of up to $5 million during a four-year period. The second exemption would permit offerings of up to $75 million during each 12-month period. Under both exemptions, issuers would be required to make certain principles-based narrative disclosures available to their investors. In addition, issuers under the second exemption would be required to provide financial statements and would be subject to ongoing reporting requirements. Issuers that rely on these exemptions would remain subject to the antifraud and antimanipulation provisions of the Federal securities laws. The proposed rules also would include a conditional safe harbor from the term "investment contract" in the definitions of "security" in the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If the conditions of that proposed safe harbor are satisfied, then a crypto asset would be deemed not to be subject to an investment contract for purposes of those definitions of "security."
2026-12163, The Trade-Through Rule and Locked and Crossed Markets Provisions of Regulation NMS
The SEC wants to scrap some old rules that stop stocks from being traded at worse prices and prevent confusing market quotes. This change affects stock traders and exchanges, aiming to simplify trading and possibly speed things up. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until August 17, 2026, so don’t miss out!
2026-10373, Registered Offering Reform
The SEC wants to make it easier and cheaper for more companies to sell their stocks and bonds to the public. They’re opening up special forms and benefits to more businesses, updating rules to be more modern, and cutting red tape by overriding some state rules. If you’re a company planning to raise money, these changes could speed things up and save you money, with feedback due by July 27, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01969, Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Amendment No. 1 and Order Granting Accelerated Approval of a Proposed Rule Change, as Modified by Amendment No. 1, To List and Trade Units of the Sprott Physical Copper Trust
NYSE Arca got the green light to list and trade units of the Sprott Physical Copper Trust, letting investors buy shares backed by real copper. This change means folks can now invest in physical copper through the stock market starting soon, making it easier and more flexible to add copper to their portfolios. The approval came quickly after some tweaks, signaling a smooth and speedy launch ahead.
Next: 2026-01971, Self-Regulatory Organizations; Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Designation of a Longer Period for Commission Action on Proceedings To Determine Whether To Approve or Disapprove a Proposed Rule Change To List and Trade Shares of the BondBloxx Private Credit Trust
The SEC is taking extra time to decide if the Cboe BZX Exchange can list and trade shares of the BondBloxx Private Credit Trust. This affects investors and the exchange, as the decision could open up new trading options or delay them. The SEC extended the review period to make sure they get it right, pushing the deadline to April 9, 2026.