[Editor’s note: this article will be updated shortly.  Please note that 4.13(a)(4) is no longer available for managers.  05-121-17]

As I’ve detailed before, under the Commodities Exchange Act (CEA), hedge funds which invest in commodities/ futures or in other hedge funds which invest in commodities/ futures are deemed to be commodity pools.  The managers of these commodity pools will need to be registered as commodity pool operators (CPOs) unless the manager fits within an exemption from the registration provisions. For more information on registration with the National Futures Association (NFA), please see article on how to register as a CPO.

There are a few rules under the CEA exemptions from the registration provisions which I have detailed below.  Many will not be applicable to the average hedge fund manager.  Generally hedge fund managers are going to rely on 4.13(a)(3) below, or if the fund is a 3(c)(7) hedge fund, then they may rely on 4.13(a)(4).  The CPO exemptions are:

Rule 4.13(a)(1) – closely held pool

This rule provides relief from CPO registration if all of the following provisions are met:

1.    Manager operates only one pool at a time;

2.    Manager does not receive any form of compensation;

3.    Manager does not advertise; and

4.    Manager is not otherwise required to register with the NFA

Please see Rule 4.13(a)(1).

Rule 4.13(a)(2) – small pool

This rule provides relief from CPO registration if the following provisions are met:

1.     The manager does not operate any pools which have 15 or more investors (excluding the manager and certain related persons); and

2.    The total gross capital contributions in all pools operated or intended to be operated by the manager do not in the aggregate exceed $400,000 (certain capital contributions, including those of the manager, will not be counted for the purposes of this rule)

Please see Rule 4.13(a)(2).

Rule 4.13(a)(3) – deminimus rule

This rule provides relief from CPO registration if the following provisions are met:

1.    The commodity pool interests are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and such interests are offered and sold without marketing to the public in the United States;

2.    All of the investors in the pool must be an accredited investors (or similar qualification as specified in the rule); and

3.    One of the following tests is met:

a.    The aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, will not exceed 5 percent of the liquidation value of the pool’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions it has entered into; or

b.    The aggregate net notional value of such positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, does not exceed 100 percent of the liquidation value of the pool’s portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions it has entered into.

Please see Rule 4.13(a)(3).

Rule 4.13(a)(4) – all QEPs

NOTE: THIS EXEMPTION IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR MANAGERS

This rule provides relief from CPO registration if the following provisions are met:

1.    The commodity pool interests are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and such interests are offered and sold without marketing to the public in the United States; and

2.    Investors must generally be qualified purchasers.  (HFLB note: the definition makes reference to qualified eligible persons but in this case it will generally include only those investors who are qualified purchasers.)

Please see Rule 4.13(a)(4).

Rule 4.5 Exemption

Certain management entities which are already registered with other regulatory bodies do not need to also be registered as a CPO with the NFA.  Some of these entities include managers to registered mutual funds, insurance companies, banks and ERISA fiduciaries.  A CPO claiming rule 4.5 exemption must file of notice of the exemption with the NFA and make certain disclosures to the investors in the pool.

Please see Rule 4.5.

Rule 4.7 Exemption

Registered CPOs must adhere to certain disclosure and reporting requirements as specified in the rules under the CEA.  With regard to certain commodity pools which they manage, managers may want to consider running certain funds under the “lite-touch” rule 4.7 which allows CPOs to run their fund pursuant to lighter regulations.  Specifically, the CPO would be exempt from the specific requirements of Rule 4.21, Rule 4.22(a) and (b), Rule 4.24, Rule 4.25 and Rule 4.26 with respect to each exempt pool.  To claim this exemption all of the investors in the commodity pool must be qualified eligible persons which generally will mean that they are qualified purchasers.  CPOs claiming rule 4.5 exemption must still file of notice of the exemption with the NFA.

Please see Rule 4.7.

Rule 4.12 Exemption

Like the rule 4.7 exemption, the rule 4.12 exemption is for registered CPOs.  While under 4.7 there is no limitation to the amount of commodities held by the pool, rule 4.12 limits the amount of commodities held to 10% of the pools assets and requires that all commodity trading be solely incidental to securities trading activity.  Under this exemption the CPO will need to file a notice with the NFA and will need to adhere to certain disclosure regulations. Both the 4.7 and 4.12 exemptions are used less often than the 4.13 exemptions.

Please see Rule 4.12.