The staff letter confirms that, for purposes of applying the position limits set forth in CFTC Regulation 150.2, when an institutional investor qualifies for the Regulation 150.4(b)(1) exemption from position aggregation with respect to their investment in a fund, the institutional investor is not required to look through its investment in a fund to aggregate commodity interest positions of an underlying portfolio company in which the institutional investor may hold a 10 percent or greater indirect interest (via its investment in the fund).  

Interpretative relief from the definition of “commodity pool” for certain real estate holding companies.

A futures commission merchant (FCM), swap dealer (SD), or introducing broker (IB) that receives separate compensation for commodity trading advice is not required to register as a commodity trading advisor, provided that the offered advice is “solely incidental” to the conduct of the FCM’s or SD’s business, or “solely in connection with” the operation of the IB’s business.

Interpretation of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations regarding the characterization of variation margin payments and all other cash flows for cleared swaps.

DSIO’s interpretation of Regulation 23.451 clarifying staff’s view that a swap dealer’s contributions for transition or inaugural expenses incurred by a successful candidate are only covered by the rule to the extent that such expenses are incurred by a successful candidate for a position as an official of a governmental Special Entity.

Interpretation of CFTC regulations 39.11(e)(1); 39.13(g)(10); 39.15(c) and (e); and 39.36(f) in light of amendments to Securities and Exchange Commission rule 2a-7.

Interpretative relief granted that states that a pool that is only funded and traded by two brothers is not a commodity pool

DCR and DMO Interpretation regarding use by a derivatives clearing organization of a firm or forced trades process. Request for Interpretation Regarding the Applicability of Commission Regulation 37.3(a)(1) and Section 2(h)(8) of the Commodity Exchange Act to Derivatives Clearing Organizations and their Clearing Members.

The CFTC Division of Clearing and Risk (the Division) interprets Part 39 (subparts A, B and C) to incorporate all of the standards set forth in the PFMIs and, indeed, to be fully consistent with the PFMIs. This position is supported by CFTC Regulation 39.40, which states that [t]his subpart C is intended to establish standards which, together with subparts A and B of this part [Part 39 of CFTC regulations], are consistent with Section 5b(c) of the Act and the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures… and should be interpreted in that context.

The Division of Clearing and Risk published a letter interpreting Section 2(h)(7)(C)(iii) of the Commodity Exchange Act.