Description

SEBI mandates all regulated entities and their agents to prominently display their registered name and registration number on social media platforms (SMPs) to help investors identify legitimate market participants.

Summary

SEBI has issued a circular under its Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) initiative requiring all SEBI-regulated entities and their agents to prominently disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number on their social media platform (SMP) handles. This aims to help investors distinguish legitimate SEBI-regulated market participants from unregistered persons operating on social media.

Key Points

  • All SEBI-regulated intermediaries and their agents must display their registered name and registration number on the home page of their social media handles.
  • Disclosure must also appear at the beginning of each video or content related to the securities market uploaded on any SMP.
  • Covered platforms include YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, LinkedIn, Threads, Telegram, Reddit, and others.
  • Applies to both public and closed/private groups on SMPs.
  • Entities with a single SEBI registration must display the name and number directly on their social media handle’s home page.
  • Entities with multiple SEBI registrations must provide a weblink on their home page directing to their website listing all registrations; each individual video/content must disclose the registration relevant to the capacity in which that content is posted.
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., mutual fund distributors, PMS distributors) are also covered under this requirement.

Regulatory Changes

  • New disclosure obligations introduced under the Ease of Doing Investment (EoDI) framework.
  • Builds upon existing code of conduct requirements under respective SEBI regulations and Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992.
  • Circular reference: HO/(79)2026-MIRSD-PODMMC dated 26-02-2026.

Compliance Requirements

  • All regulated entities (Stock Brokers, DPs, RTAs, Investment Advisers, Research Analysts, InvITs, REITs, SMREITs, AIFs, Portfolio Managers, CIS, Mutual Funds/AMCs/AMFI, and all other SEBI-registered persons) must:
    • Display SEBI registered name and registration number on the home page of all social media handles used for securities market content.
    • Include SEBI registered name and registration number at the beginning of every video/content related to the securities market.
  • Agents of regulated entities (e.g., MF distributors, PMS distributors) must comply with the same disclosure requirements.
  • Entities with multiple registrations must maintain a dedicated webpage listing all registrations and link to it from their SMP home pages.

Important Dates

  • Circular dated: 26-02-2026
  • No explicit effective date or deadline stated in the extracted content; entities are expected to ensure prompt compliance per the circular’s issuance.

Impact Assessment

  • Operational Impact: Moderate — all SEBI-regulated intermediaries and their agents will need to update their social media profiles and content workflows to include mandatory disclosures.
  • Investor Protection: Positive — reduces the risk of investors being misled by unregistered entities posing as regulated market participants on social media.
  • Market Impact: Neutral — no direct effect on trading, pricing, or market operations.
  • Scope: Wide — covers a large number of entity types and a broad range of popular social media platforms, making this a significant compliance undertaking across the industry.

Impact Justification

Broad compliance mandate affecting all SEBI regulated intermediaries regarding social media conduct; operationally significant but no direct market or trading impact.