SEC to Convene April Forum on Options Market Structure and Competition

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has announced it will host a significant public forum on April 16, 2026, at its Washington headquarters to discuss fundamental aspects of the options market structure. This regulatory gathering will bring together industry stakeholders, market participants, and SEC officials to evaluate how the current framework supports market participants and retail traders seeking exposure to options trading.

Examining Market Structure Amid Retail Investor Growth

The roundtable discussion will focus on reviewing the existing market structure that governs U.S.-listed options trading. Officials will assess how trading venues compete within a quote-driven environment and evaluate the impact of this competitive landscape on order execution and price discovery mechanisms.

SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce highlighted the significance of this review, noting the substantial expansion in options market participation among retail investors in recent years. According to Peirce, the forum provides an opportunity for regulators and market professionals to collectively evaluate the market’s evolution and identify potential avenues for enhancement that could support sustainable growth.

The agency plans to gather comprehensive feedback from trading platforms, market makers, investors, and other industry representatives. This input will help inform regulatory perspectives on whether the current market structure adequately serves the needs of all participant categories, from institutional traders to individual investors expanding into derivatives markets.

Open Forum Format and Public Engagement Details

The SEC will conduct the forum at 100 F Street, N.E., in Washington, D.C., with provisions for both in-person and remote participation. While seating for direct attendees may be limited, the agency will stream the entire event live via its official website, ensuring broad accessibility for market observers and industry participants nationwide.

The SEC is accepting public submissions regarding options market structure and related regulatory topics. Comments can be submitted electronically or by mail and will be incorporated into the official public record without alteration. All submissions will be made publicly available on the SEC website following the forum.

The regulatory agency will release the complete agenda and speaker roster in the coming weeks, providing stakeholders advance notice of the discussion topics and participating industry experts. This advance transparency allows market participants to prepare substantive commentary and positions them to engage meaningfully in what promises to be a significant regulatory dialogue on options market structure and its future direction.