The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched two new digital initiatives — Validated UPI Handles and SEBI Check — designed to boost payment security in the stock market and protect investors from fraudulent fund collections.

Under the new system, SEBI-registered intermediaries such as brokers and mutual funds will operate through an exclusive “@valid” UPI handle, issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Each handle will carry suffixes like “.brk” for brokers and “.mf” for mutual funds, making it easier for investors to identify genuine payment channels.

According to SEBI, more than 90 per cent of major brokers and all mutual funds have already adopted the facility. During transactions, investors will also see a thumbs-up icon inside a green triangle

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