The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it has approved special exemptions to allow ICE Clear Europe Limited and Eurex Clearing AG to operate as clearinghouses for credit-default swaps.

"Today's actions represent an additional piece in the Commission's ongoing efforts, in coordination with other regulators, to promote central clearing as part of a regulatory framework for credit-default swaps," said SEC Chairman Mary L. Schapiro.

ICE Clear Europe, owned by IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (ICE) and Eurex are now the fourth and fifth clearing platforms to receive a green light from the SEC for credit-default swap clearing, respectively.

The SEC has also approved clearing platforms for ICE Trust, CME Group (CME) and LCH.Clearnet. ICE Trust is currently the only operable clearinghouse for credit-default swaps in the U.S.

-By Sarah N. Lynch, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-6634; sarah.lynch@dowjones.com