SEBI Mandates “@valid” UPI Handles to Tackle Rising Market Fraud

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has rolled out new regulations mandating all registered intermediaries, including brokers, mutual funds, portfolio managers, and investment advisers, to adopt verified UPI handles suffixed with “@valid”, supported by a green thumbs‑up icon. Investors will only be able to transact through these validated IDs, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and impersonation. Banks will issue “@valid” IDs only after verifying intermediaries on SEBI’s Portal.

Launch of the "SEBI Check" Tool

To aid in verification, SEBI is launching a "SEBI Check" tool. This utility will enable investors to confirm the authenticity of UPI IDs, QR codes, bank account details, and IFSC codes of intermediaries before initiating payments. It ensures that funds are being transferred to genuine, SEBI‑registered entities.

Roll‑Out Timeline and Scope

The system will go live from 1 October 2025, covering around 8,000 to 9,000 intermediaries. A transition period will allow legacy UPI routes until December 2025, after which only verified handles will be permitted. The daily UPI limit of 5 Lakh remains for capital market transactions.

Strategic Implications and Broader Reach

This initiative strengthens trust in UPI-based securities transactions by ensuring full traceability and transparency. It aligns with broader regulatory efforts, such as NPCI's upcoming requirement from 30 June that beneficiaries' identities are to be displayed in UPI transactions, further protecting users from scams .

Disclaimer: This news is solely for educational purposes. The securities/investments quoted here are not recommendatory.

To read the RA disclaimer, please click here