[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.(Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced SEC approval of the BX Venture Market. This new listing market will provide companies that would not otherwise qualify for an exchange listing the opportunity to list and trade their shares in a well regulated and transparent environment.

For companies already trading in the over-the-counter markets, contemplating an initial exchange listing or those delisted from a national securities exchange, the BX Venture Market will provide a new, better-regulated listing alternative. Listing standards for this market will require companies to comply with many of the same corporate governance requirements as are required for listing on other securities exchanges and maintain basic quantitative standards.

Companies and their shareholders will benefit from the high quality of real-time and post-trade market surveillance and a robust portfolio of products and services that will support BX Venture Market listed companies. Trading will be available on NASDAQ OMX‘s INET platform, the world’s most sophisticated trading technology.

“The BX Venture Market is a new listing alternative that supports capital formation for early stage and smaller companies in a transparent and well-regulated environment,” said Bob McCooey, Senior Vice President of NASDAQ OMX. “In addition, the BX Venture Market can provide a new exit opportunity for the long-term investments made by venture capitalists who support job creation and ongoing U.S. competitiveness.”