SEC Eyes End to Decades-Old Stock Trade Rules
Published Date: 6/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Rescind Trade-Through Protection (Rule 611)
The SEC is proposing to rescind Rule 611, which currently requires trading centers to prevent executing orders at prices that are worse than another venue's protected quotation. The proposal says rescinding Rule 611 would reduce compliance costs and allow competition and innovation to shape the U.S. equity markets.
Rescind Locked/Crossed Quote Prohibition (Rule 610(e))
The SEC is proposing to rescind Rule 610(e), which currently requires exchanges and national securities associations to avoid displaying quotations that lock or cross protected quotations. The proposal says removing this restriction could reduce complexity and compliance costs and could improve price discovery and competition.
Commenters: Large Traders Harmed by Rule 611
Some commenters told the SEC that Rule 611 has harmed institutional investors that try to trade large sizes by forcing them to access many small quotes, which can reveal their trading intentions to short-term proprietary traders.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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