In a decisive move to safeguard investors from cyber fraud and unauthorized financial transactions, India’s capital market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has launched a new initiative called the “Validated UPI Handle.”
Security Check in Seconds
According to SEBI Chairman Tahin Kant Pandey, the new facility allows investors to instantly verify the authenticity of a bank account used in any transaction through the “SEBI Check” feature.
“Our goal is to ensure a safe and transparent marketplace for all investors,”
— Tahin Kant Pandey, SEBI Chairman
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Cybersecurity Expert’s View
A leading cybercrime expert praised the move, calling it a vital digital security upgrade for India’s fast-growing investment ecosystem.
“With the surge in digital transactions, cyber fraud incidents have risen sharply. SEBI’s ‘Validated UPI Handle’ acts as a security shield for investors. It helps prevent fake transactions and safeguards against cyber threats such as social engineering and phishing attacks. Investors must always verify the authenticity of their UPI handle and transactions.”
The expert further emphasized that awareness and education programs will play a critical role in ensuring the success of this initiative.
Key Features of the Initiative
1. Client Fund Upstreaming
All stockbrokers and clearing members will now route client funds directly to clearing corporations, minimizing the risk of misuse.
2. Unified Investor App
Investors can now view all their securities and transactions in a single, integrated dashboard.
3. Voluntary Account Freezing
In case of any suspicious activity, investors can proactively freeze or block their trading accounts.
4. @valid UPI Handles
SEBI-registered brokers and mutual fund intermediaries will have UPI IDs ending with the “@valid” suffix.
Example: abc.brk@validhdfc, xyz.mf@validicici
Capital Market Progress
- Over ₹93 trillion has been mobilized through equity and debt issuances.
- In the first five months of FY26, corporate bond issuances reached ₹4.3 trillion.
- The number of unique investors has surged from 42 million in March 2019 to 134 million today.
- The mutual fund industry’s AUM has risen from ₹24 trillion to ₹75 trillion.
SEBI’s Message on Investor Protection
Reiterating SEBI’s long-term commitment, Chairman Pandey said:
“Our mission is to make India’s capital markets stronger, more inclusive, and secure. Investor protection and market transparency remain our top priorities.”
