(1) The Exchange may take one or more of the actions in Rule 234(2) if:
(a) in the Exchange's opinion, a sponsor or registered professional is unable to or evinces an intention or has failed to comply with the Rules;
(b) a sponsor or registered professional is in, or may get into, financial difficulty or a sponsor has insufficient capital;
(c) a sponsor or registered professional is in breach of any relevant rule or law in any place where it or he operates, including being the subject of any disciplinary proceedings, or any investigation which might lead to disciplinary action by any regulatory authority; or
(d) it is otherwise in the interests of the Exchange or markets established or operated by the Exchange.
(2) Subject to Rule 234(1), the Exchange may take one or more of the following actions against a sponsor or registered professional:
(a) reprimand the sponsor or registered professional privately or publicly;
(b) require an education program to be undertaken;
(c) require rectification measures to be taken by the sponsor or registered professional;
(d) require the sponsor to operate its business, or a registered professional to undertake sponsor activities, subject to such restrictions or conditions as the Exchange decides; or
(e) suspend the sponsor or registered professional from specified or all activities as a sponsor or registered professional, for a period that the Exchange decides. The suspension may be announced to the market.
(3) A suspension or restriction imposed pursuant to Rule 234(1)(c) ends if the sponsor or registered professional is acquitted or if the regulatory authority decides not to proceed with charges against the sponsor or registered professional.
(4) Nothing in this Rule prevents the Exchange from commencing disciplinary proceedings as it deems appropriate.