On November 3, the SEC adopted a rule requiring brokers and dealers to have risk controls in place before providing their customers with access to the market, in the form of direct access to the applicable exchange or alternative trading system, also known as “sponsored access”.  This rule will be effective 60 days from the date of publication of the rule in the Federal Register, and broker-dealers subject to the rule will have six months following the effective date to comply with the requirements. SEC Release.