Miami International Holdings Files for Second Exchange License to Launch MIAX PEARL; Closes $30 Million Debt Financing

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), the parent holding company of the MIAX Options Exchange (MIAX Options), today announced that it has filed a Form 1 Application with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its second fully electronic U.S. options exchange, MIAX PEARL. The new exchange will leverage the industry leading technology and infrastructure developed by MIAX Options to employ a price-time allocation model. Details regarding MIAX PEARL's launch date, fee schedule and products traded will be publicized at a later date.         

"The launch of MIAX PEARL and the anticipated 4th quarter 2016 release of our Complex Order functionality on MIAX Options (each subject to SEC approval) are expected to dramatically increase our market accessibility by nearly 200% from approximately 25% to approximately 75% of the current market," said Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIH. "We are confident that MIAX PEARL will serve as an excellent counterpart to MIAX Options and enable us to build upon the success of MIAX Options and significantly increase our market share and revenues over the next two years."

Continued Douglas M. Schafer, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of MIH, "MIAX PEARL will leverage our innovative technology platform to deliver exceptional operating efficiency, enhanced risk protections and quality customer service to participants in a segment of the options market not covered by MIAX Options. We see a great opportunity for MIAX PEARL to expand our customer base and for both MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL to provide innovative trading functionality across multiple market segments."

In other news, MIH today announced that it has recently closed on a $30 million debt financing from a New York City based hedge fund managed by Brevet Capital Management, LLC (Brevet). Under the terms of the agreement, MIH has the option to secure an additional $20 million in financing, provided certain conditions are met. MIH intends to use the proceeds from the financing for the operations of MIAX PEARL, including the regulation of MIAX PEARL, key equipment upgrades for MIAX Options, the migration of both the MIAX Options Disaster Recovery platform and the Primary and Secondary MIAX Options Trading System platforms, as well as for growth capital purposes. Sandler O'Neill + Partners, L.P. advised MIH in connection with this financing.

"This financing provides us with the funds necessary to support the growth of our business and pursue other opportunities that may arise in the future," said Mr. Gallagher. "Brevet's willingness to finance us is an immense vote of confidence in our future growth, and we look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with our new financing partner."

"Brevet is pleased to provide this financing to MIH at this important juncture in the company's growth," said Douglas Monticciolo, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Founder of Brevet. "We look forward to supporting MIH's continued success as MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL establish themselves as two of the preeminent derivatives exchanges in the world." 

For further information regarding MIAX Options, please visit www.MIAXOptions.com or contact MIAX Trading Operations at [email protected]. 

About Brevet

Brevet is a diversified alternative asset management firm that makes senior-secured, asset-based loans to private, middle-market and lower middle market companies. The firm specializes in direct lending, creating custom debt solutions that provide bridge financing or growth capital for borrowers across a wide range of industries. Established in 1998, Brevet is headquartered in NY and its senior management has worked together for more than 20 years as members of proprietary investment groups at Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and other firms. For more information, visit www.brevetcapital.com.

About MIH

MIH is the parent holding company of MIAX Options, MIAX PEARL, Miami International Technologies, LLC (MIAX Technologies) and MIAX Global, LLC (MIAX Global). MIAX PEARL will be MIH's second fully electronic options trading exchange and will leverage the industry leading technology and infrastructure developed by MIAX Options to employ a price-time allocation model. The launch of MIAX PEARL is subject to SEC approval. MIAX Technologies is MIH's technology subsidiary for the sale and/or license of the trading technology developed by MIAX Options. MIAX Global focuses on merger, acquisition and joint venture activities of MIH. MIAX Global also provides technology and other services outside of North America, with its initial concentration being on Europe and Latin America.

MIAX Options is MIH's fully electronic options trading exchange. MIAX Options has assembled a team with deep rooted experience in developing, operating and trading on options exchanges. Its trading platform was developed in-house and designed from the ground up for the unique functional and performance demands of derivatives trading. MIAX Options now lists and trades options on over 2,400 multi-listed classes. MIAX Options' unparalleled system throughput is approximately 38 million quotes per second. The average latency for a single quote on MIAX Options is approximately 16.21 microseconds for a full round trip. At the 99th percentile, the latency on MIAX Options is approximately 23.90 microseconds. At the 99.9th percentile, the latency on MIAX Options is approximately 53.71 microseconds. The executive offices and technology development center as well as the National Operations Center for the MIAX Options are located in Princeton, New Jersey.

Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of MIH, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer; solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical or current facts of MIH or its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company; the competitive position of the Company; potential growth opportunities available to the Company; the expectation with respect to securities, options and future markets and general economic conditions; the effects of competition on the Company's business; and the impact of future legislation and regulatory changes on the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE Miami International Holdings, Inc.