India’s markets regulator SEBI has teamed up with Google to roll out verified badges for legitimate stock trading apps on the Google Play Store. Launched on March 25, 2026, the initiative targets apps from SEBI-registered stock brokers, marking the first such collaboration to help investors spot genuine platforms amid rising fraud.
The badges will initially appear on broker apps, with plans to extend to other regulated financial intermediaries. Nearly 600 financial services apps in India now carry the label as part of the rollout. SEBI Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced the measure to tackle bad actors exploiting the app ecosystem.
Fake trading apps frequently lure users with promises of high returns, gain trust, and then lock accounts after sizable deposits. One recent case in Faridabad resulted in ₹17 Cr in losses. SEBI has already removed over 1.3 lakh fraudulent web pages and 66 fake apps in its crackdown.
The partnership enhances user safety by distinguishing verified apps from imposters mimicking brokers. Google will warn users about unverified high-risk apps. SEBI enforces an API framework that blocks ads from unregistered entities on Google and Meta platforms. Regulated firms are also barred from partnering with unregistered influencers.
This move aligns with broader enforcement efforts, including Enforcement Directorate probes into ₹35,925 Cr in cybercrime proceeds across 257 cases. The verified label aims to bolster investor protection and foster a more secure digital marketplace for trading.
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