Google to add verification tick for genuine broking apps: SEBI

The verification tick feature is expected to appear on the Play Store within two months
| Photo Credit:
Phimprapha Kitaiamphaisan

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has asked Google to add verification tick marks for authentic broking applications, to protect investors from fraudulent trading apps, whole-time member Kamlesh Chandra Varshney said on Saturday.

Speaking at the BSE Brokers’ Forum’s Capital Market Confluence, Varshney said Google has agreed to the regulator’s request, and the verified tick feature is expected to appear on the Play Store within two months.

“When you open the app store, the apps of the registered stock brokers will have a tick mark, which will help investors know which is the right app and which one is fake,” said Varshney. He also urged brokers to support the valid UPI initiative and ‘SEBI vs Scam’ campaign to prevent investors from getting scammed.

He also added that the immediate challenge is in implementing the algorithmic trading framework, which has been facing operational hurdles. “Algo trading is the future. We’ve set a timeline of December and hope to resolve all issues by then,” Varshney said.

The regulator is also working on reviving the commodity market and introducing measures to boost liquidity. “There are certain issues in commodities, where brokers can play an important role. Due to constitutional limits…we cannot do spot transactions in commodities, as that falls under state governments. But farmers want money immediately and cannot wait for future settlement,” Varshney said.

Brokers can play a role in bridging the gap between farmers’ needs and market mechanisms. The reach to tier-2 and 3 cities can also be increased with the help of brokers, he said.

Published on October 11, 2025