PRINCETON, New Jersey, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- MIAX Options Exchange (MIAX) announced today that it has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) for mutual cooperation and information sharing. The MOU signed by Sush-Der Lee, Chairman of TWSE, and Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIAX, marks the beginning of a collaborative relationship between the TWSE and MIAX. Cooperation on information sharing will facilitate the listing and trading of options on certain Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) as well as certain indexes linked to TWSE listed stocks. MIAX also announced that on September 4, 2013, MIAX will begin listing Options on the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (Symbol: EEM), a highly traded ETF offering customers exposure to both Taiwanese companies and those in other emerging markets.

"We are excited to have established collaboration with the Taiwan Stock Exchange on this initiative and to enable our MIAX customers broader exposure to emerging markets, especially the Taiwan capital market," said Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIAX. "The MOU will foster collaboration and information sharing between both exchanges, in addition to providing us with the opportunity to introduce MIAX to the international trading community as one of the premier options exchanges." Continued Gallagher, "We are looking forward to what we hope will be a mutually beneficial relationship with the Taiwan Stock Exchange for years to come."

In other news, Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), the parent company of MIAX, announced today that it had entered into a contract effective as of August 30, 2013 to commence construction of its office located at 1450 Brickell Avenue in Miami, Florida. 1450 Brickell Avenue is a LEED Gold-certified, Class A office building in the heart of downtown Miami that rises 35 stories and features unparalleled views of the Miami skyline. Construction is slated to begin immediately, with an anticipated occupancy in the first quarter of 2014. MIH entered into a ten year lease for its Miami office.

The Miami office will house certain executive offices related to MIAX Technologies and once operational the MIAX Equities Exchange, in addition to state-of-the-art multi-purpose training and meeting facilities and a conference center where issuers listed on the MIAX Equities Exchange will be provided with a unique setting dedicated to hosting their shareholder meetings. The Miami office will also contain state-of-the-art secure video and audio communications, which will enable issuers on the MIAX Equities Exchange to reach their shareholders and other constituent groups throughout the world during their annual or special shareholder meetings. The launch of the MIAX Equities Exchange and the listing of issuer securities on such exchange are subject to SEC approval.

MIAX also announced that it will host its first international exchange technology conference in Miami in 2014. Plans call for MIAX Technologies and MIAX to host various international technology conferences with foreign exchanges to assist and educate exchanges located in emerging markets in areas such as advanced information and cyber security, information technology development and management, and unique issues in connection with operating securities exchanges in the globalized exchange marketplace.

For further information regarding the MIAX Options Exchange, please visit www.MIAXOptions.com or contact MIAX Trading Operations at TradingOperations@MIAXOptions.com.

About MIAX and MIH

MIAX, which commenced operations on December 7, 2012, is a fully electronic options trading exchange approved by the SEC as a national securities exchange on December 3, 2012. MIAX has assembled a team with deep rooted experience in developing, operating and trading on options exchanges. Its trading platform has been developed in-house and designed from the ground up for the unique functional and performance demands of derivatives trading. The MIAX executive offices and technology development center as well as the National Operations Center for the MIAX Options Exchange are located in Princeton, New Jersey.

MIAX and Miami International Technologies, LLC (MIAX Technologies) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH). The initial focus of MIH has been to leverage management's expertise and relationships in the equity options space to launch the MIAX Options Exchange. MIAX Technologies is the Company's technology subsidiary for the sale and/or license of the MIAX trading technology. MIAX intends to launch the MIAX Equities Exchange and plans to pursue Latin American equity listings. The launch of the MIAX Equities Exchange is subject to SEC approval. The vision for the MIAX Equities Exchange is to become a marketplace that enables access to the Latin American markets, a place where global Hispanic entrepreneurs can seek capital and growth opportunities, and an exchange where Latin American companies will want to be listed. MIAX believes that Miami is the ideal location for taking advantage of the rapidly developing business opportunities emanating from the Americas and that Latin American companies will be interested in listing on the MIAX because of its presence in Miami. The MIAX Futures Exchange is also planned as a follow-on initiative. The launch of the MIAX Futures Exchange is subject to CFTC approval.

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, together with its subsidiaries, including MIAX (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.

SOURCE MIAX Options Exchange