The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has requested Google to implement verification tick marks for legitimate broking applications, aimed at safeguarding investors from fraudulent trading apps. This announcement was made by whole-time member Kamlesh Chandra Varshney on Saturday.
Speaking at the BSE Brokers’ Forum’s Capital Market Confluence, Varshney noted that Google has consented to the regulator’s proposal, with the verified tick feature set to launch on the Play Store within the next two months. “When you open the app store, the apps from registered stock brokers will display a tick mark, allowing investors to distinguish between legitimate applications and those that are counterfeit,” Varshney stated. He further encouraged brokers to support the valid UPI initiative and the ‘SEBI vs Scam’ campaign to help prevent investor fraud.
Varshney also highlighted the immediate challenge of implementing the algorithmic trading framework, which has encountered operational difficulties. “Algo trading is the future. We’ve set a timeline of December and are hopeful to address all existing issues by then,” he added.
Additionally, SEBI is focusing on revitalizing the commodity market and introducing measures to enhance liquidity. Varshney pointed out that while brokers have significant roles to play in commodities, existing constitutional limitations hinder spot transactions, which are managed by state governments. Farmers often require immediate funds and cannot afford to wait for future settlements. He emphasized that brokers could help bridge the gap between farmers’ needs and market mechanisms, and mentioned that outreach to tier-2 and tier-3 cities could also be improved with their assistance.
Published on October 11, 2025
