Low ImpactNotice/Securities and Exchange Commission

SEC Notices Nasdaq MRX's Plan to Launch Binary Options on Nasdaq-100

March 16, 2026

Nasdaq MRX filed a proposed rule change with the SEC to introduce a new type of binary options product called Outcome-Related Options (OROs) on the Nasdaq-100 Index. These cash-settled contracts pay a fixed $100 at expiration — no matter how far the index moves. This notice has no bearing on visa holders or immigration policy.

Not an Immigration Story

This Federal Register document is a securities regulation notice from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), not an immigration policy update. It has no impact on F-1 students, H-1B workers, or any other visa category.

Key Points

What: Nasdaq MRX, LLC filed a proposed rule change to list and trade a new binary options product called Outcome-Related Options (OROs) on the Nasdaq-100 Index.
Who: Options market participants, broker-dealers, and institutional traders on Nasdaq MRX.
When: Filed March 2, 2026; notice published March 16, 2026. Effective date not yet specified — pending SEC review.
Impact: No impact on visa holders, immigration applicants, or international students.

What Are OROs?

Outcome-Related Options (OROs) are cash-settled, European-style binary options. Unlike traditional options — where your payout depends on how far the index moves — OROs pay a fixed $100 per contract at expiration if the settlement condition is met, regardless of magnitude.

Call ORO: Pays $100 if the Nasdaq-100 closes at or above the strike price at expiration.
Put ORO: Pays $100 if the Nasdaq-100 closes below the strike price at expiration.
Premiums range from $0.01 to $1.00 per contract, in $0.01 increments.
Position limit: 25,000 contracts on the same side of the market.

OROs would trade on the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and the Nasdaq-100 Micro Index (XND, which equals 1/100th of NDX). Weekly, monthly, end-of-month, and LEAPS expirations would all be available — all P.M.-settled.

Why This Is Not Relevant to Visa Holders

This document covers securities exchange rulemaking under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It is entirely unrelated to:

USCIS visa processing or policy
DHS immigration regulations
F-1 OPT or STEM OPT programs
H-1B petition rules or employer compliance
Any other immigration benefit or status

What You Should Do

No action required for visa holders — this notice does not affect immigration status, work authorization, or any related benefit. If you arrived here looking for immigration news, check back for updates on USCIS, DHS, or State Department policy changes that directly affect F-1 and H-1B holders.

Federal Register Source Download PDF

Related Updates

Low ImpactMarch 13, 2026

White House Tweaks Defense Production Act Delegations — Not an Immigration Move

President Trump signed an executive order on March 13, 2026, adjusting which federal agencies hold authority under the Defense Production Act — adding the Secretary of Energy alongside the Secretary of Commerce. This is an internal government reorganization order with no direct impact on visa holders, F-1 students, or H-1B workers. We're covering it so you know what it is and what it isn't.

White House

Low ImpactMarch 13, 2026

White House Orders FTC to Crack Down on Fake 'Made in America' Claims

President Trump signed an executive order directing the FTC to prioritize enforcement against fraudulent 'Made in America' product claims, especially on digital marketplaces. The order also pushes for new regulations that could hold online platforms liable if they fail to verify country-of-origin claims. While this targets consumer protection broadly, it has limited direct impact on visa holders — though it signals a broader 'Buy American' policy environment.

White House

MediumMarch 13, 2026

White House Orders Rollback of Mortgage Rules — What It Means for Homebuyers

President Trump signed an executive order directing federal regulators to ease mortgage lending rules, especially for community banks. The order targets Dodd-Frank-era compliance burdens that the White House says have pushed banks out of the lending market and made it harder for rural and lower-income borrowers to get a home loan. While the order sets a direction, most changes will require agencies to propose new rules — meaning real-world effects are still months or years away.

White House