Commodity Pool Operators

CFTC Staff Announces Self-Executing Registration No-Action Relief for Delegating CPOs

On October 15, CFTC Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) announced that it is providing self-executing registration no-action relief for certain commodity pool operators (CPOs) who delegate certain activities (Delegating CPOs) to a registered CPO and meet the conditions specified.  The relief was made available in CFTC Staff Letter 14-126.  Release.  Staff Letter.

CFTC No-Action Letters

From December 14 through December 31, 2012, the CFTC released the following no-action letters:

CFTC No-Action Relief for Mortgage REIT Operators from Commodity Pool Operator Registration

On December 7, the CFTC issued a no-action letter to mortgage real estate investment trusts which provides that the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight will not recommend that the CFTC take enforcement action against the operators of mortgage REITs for failure to register as commodity pool operators under the Commodity Exchange Act and the CFTC’s regulations, provided that the mortgage REIT satisfies certain criteria including compliance with a de minimis threshold.  CFTC Release.  No-Action Letter.

CFTC No-Action Relief for CPO Registration of Family Offices

On November 30, the CFTC issued a no-action letter stating that the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight will not take enforcement action against the operators of family offices for failure to register as commodity pool operators. CFTC Release. CFTC No-Action Letter.

CFTC No-Action Relief for CPO Registration of Business Development Companies

On December 4, the CFTC issued a no-action letter stating that the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight will not take enforcement action against operators of business development companies for failure to register as commodity pool operators.  CFTC Release.  CFTC No-Action Letter.

CFTC Swap No-Action Relief for Registration and Compliance

On July 13, the CFTC announced time-limited no-action relief for commodity pool operators (CPOs) and commodity trading advisors (CTAs) who have been exempt or excluded from registration but, because of recent amendments to Commission Regulations 4.13 and 4.5, now need to register and satisfy compliance obligations. Under the relief, the CFTC will not take will not take enforcement actions against CPOs or CTAs for failure to register until December 31, subject to satisfaction of requirements including filing of a notice. CFTC Release.

CFTC Proposed Amendments to Investment Company Reporting Requirements

On February 9, the CFTC proposed to amend reporting requirements for investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the advisers of which would be required to register with the CFTC as commodity pool operators pursuant to amendments adopted by the CFTC to Section 4.5. Comments must be submitted within 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. CFTC Release. CFTC Proposed Rules.

CFTC Amendments to Registration and Compliance Obligations

On February 9, pursuant to Title IV and Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC adopted final amendments to Part 4 of the CFTC’s regulations that: (i) rescind the exemption from registration provided in Section 4.13(a)(4); (ii) rescind relief from the certification requirement for annual reports provided to operators of certain pools offered only to qualified eligible persons under Section 4.7(b)(3); (iii) modify the criteria for claiming relief under Section 4.5; and (iv) require annual filing of notices claiming exemptive relief under a number of sections of the CFTC’s regulations. In addition, the final rules includes new risk disclosure requirements for commodity pool operators and commodity trading advisors. The final rules will become effective 60 days from publication in the Federal Register, except for amendments to Section 4.27, which will become effective on July 2. CFTC Release. CFTC Final Rules.