What Are the Regulatory Requirements for a Market Maker in the US Options Market?

US options market makers must register with the SEC and FINRA, adhere to strict capital requirements, and comply with rules like Reg NMS. They have 'affirmative' obligations to maintain continuous, competitive two-sided quotes and 'negative' obligations not to engage in manipulative practices like front-running or spoofing.

Their activities are subject to intense surveillance.

How Do ‘Firm Quotes’ Eliminate the Possibility of a ‘Last Look’ Rejection?
In Options Trading, What Concept Is Analogous to the Competitive Bidding for Block Space in the Mempool?
How Do Market Makers Address Low Liquidity?
How Does “Win Rate” on an RFQ Platform Relate to a Market Maker’s Pricing Strategy?
What Criteria Must a Transaction Meet to Be Accepted into a Node’s Mempool?
How Do Options Differ from Futures in Terms of Obligation?
How Does Competition among Market Makers Reduce the ‘Cost of Immediacy’?
What Criteria Must a Transaction Meet to Be Accepted into the Mempool?

Glossar