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Investor CautionPosted 17 Aug 2026

SEBI cautions on “live” trading strategies on social media — what RAs should know

SEBI has issued an investor caution about the display of live trading strategies on social media platforms. Here's what it means for investors — and the compliance takeaways for Research Analysts (RAs) and Investment Advisers (IAs) who post on YouTube, Telegram, Instagram, X or WhatsApp.

SEBI Press Release: “Caution to Investors regarding display of Live trading strategies on Social Media Platforms”
PR No.: 48/2026  ·  Date: 17 August 2026
Read the official press release on SEBI →

What SEBI is cautioning investors about

  • Be careful with “live” trading strategies and real-time tips shown on social media — screens of live trades, profit/loss and “buy now” calls can be misleading.
  • Live or past performance is no assurance of future returns. What looks like an easy win is selectively shown and rarely tells the full story.
  • A lot of such content comes from unregistered persons (“finfluencers”) with no verified track record and no accountability.
  • Deal only with SEBI-registered Research Analysts / Investment Advisers, use genuine authorised apps, and don't act on unsolicited tips or join unknown investment groups.

What it means for Research Analysts & IAs

If you're a registered RA/IA active on social media, this is a good moment to review your content against SEBI's framework:

  • Live trades / real-time calls are risky content. Showing live positions or “today's profit” can amount to unverified performance claims or misleading promotion under SEBI's Advertisement Code.
  • Don't dress tips as “education.” SEBI's broader framework restricts using live / very recent market data in educational content — keep genuine education clearly separate from real-time recommendations.
  • No association with unregistered finfluencers. Registered entities are expected not to partner with or promote unregistered persons giving advice or performance claims.
  • Performance must be verified. Any track record you show should follow SEBI's verification framework — see our PaRRVA explainer.
  • Carry the right disclaimers. Registration number, the market-risk warning and required disclosures — see our disclaimers guide.

Quick action points

InvestorsVerify the RA/IA on SEBI & the exchange; ignore “live profit” screens; no assured returns exist.
RAs/IAsAudit your social posts for live tips; follow the Ad Code; show only verified performance; add disclaimers.
AvoidReal-time “buy/sell now” calls dressed as education, and any tie-up with unregistered finfluencers.
This post summarises the topic of SEBI Press Release 48/2026 and SEBI's broader framework on social-media content and advertising. For the exact wording and scope, read the full press release on sebi.gov.in and confirm the applicable rules before acting.

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Disclaimer

This post is a plain-English awareness summary, compiled with the help of AI. It is for general information only and is not legal, compliance, tax, or investment advice. It paraphrases the subject of the press release and SEBI's broader framework, not its exact wording.

Always read the full official SEBI Press Release 48/2026 and confirm the applicable rules from the official sources (sebi.gov.in / bseindia.com), or consult a qualified professional, before acting. RA Sahayak is a free, non-commercial resource and is not affiliated with SEBI, BSE, or any regulator.