SEBI cautions investors against “live trading strategies” on social media; live market data cannot be shared, educators must use prices with a 30-day lag
SEBI has cautioned investors about persons offering “live trading strategies / real-time strategies” on social media platforms. It has advised investors not to trust such claims, not to base investment decisions on live trading sessions and to deal only with SEBI registered intermediaries. Live market data may not be shared except for orderly market functioning or regulatory requirements.
Key facts
- In force
- Caution issued on 17 August 2026
- Who it affects
- Retail investors and traders, persons running live trading sessions or market education on social media, investment advisers and research analysts
- Section
- SEBI
- Published
- 17 August 2026
In 30 seconds
- SEBI Press Release PR No. 48/2026 is dated 17 August 2026.
- SEBI’s circular of 8 May 2026 allows market price data to be shared for investor education and awareness only with a lag of thirty days, and without any monetary incentive to participants.
- A person engaged solely in education should not use market price data of the preceding thirty days, indicate a future price, or give advice or recommendations on securities.
- Live market data is not permitted to be shared by any entity except for orderly functioning of the securities market or for fulfilling regulatory requirements.
- SEBI has observed live sessions with a substantial number of viewers, with live chats where unregistered advisory services are being exchanged.
- Investors are advised to deal only with SEBI registered intermediaries.
हिंदी में सार
SEBI ने प्रेस रिलीज़ PR 48/2026 (17 अगस्त 2026) में निवेशकों को सोशल मीडिया पर चल रही “live trading strategies” से सावधान किया है। SEBI के अनुसार बाज़ार का लाइव डेटा साझा करने की अनुमति नहीं है, और सिर्फ़ शिक्षा देने वाले व्यक्ति 30 दिन पुराना प्राइस डेटा ही इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं, बिना कोई सलाह या भविष्य का भाव बताए। निवेशकों को सलाह है कि ऐसे दावों पर भरोसा न करें और केवल SEBI में पंजीकृत मध्यस्थों से ही लेन-देन करें।
What SEBI has said
By Press Release PR No. 48/2026 dated 17 August 2026, SEBI has cautioned investors about “live trading strategies / real-time strategies” being offered on social media platforms, and asked them to be vigilant while carrying out transactions in the securities market.
The rule SEBI refers to
The press release recalls SEBI’s circular HO/47/17/12(11)2025-MRD-POD3/I/11107/2026 dated 8 May 2026. As summarised in the press release, that circular states:
| Point | Position |
|---|---|
| Market price data for investor education and awareness | May be shared with a lag of thirty days, without offering any kind of monetary incentive to the participants |
| A person engaged solely in education | Should not use market price data of the preceding thirty days of any security, or indicate the future price, or provide advice or a recommendation related to a security or securities |
| Live data of the market | Not permitted to be shared by any entity, except for orderly functioning of the securities market or for fulfilling regulatory requirements |
What SEBI has noticed
It has come to SEBI’s notice that certain persons on social media platforms are offering live or real-time trading strategies to give real-time tips on taking positions in the stock market. SEBI records the following about these sessions:
- They are being viewed by a substantial number of viewers.
- Live chats are enabled beside the session, where unregistered advisory services are being exchanged.
- The persons portray themselves as experts in the securities market and provide detailed analysis of when to invest, when to exit, the strategies to be followed and the positions to be taken on market indices.
- Some of them claim that they trade in real time while showcasing the performance of their trades, the patterns the market is forming based on live data and the target expected to be reached.
The advice to investors
- Do not trust the claims of such persons.
- Do not take investment decisions on the basis of such live trading sessions.
- Deal only with SEBI registered intermediaries.
What educators and content creators should note
The press release restates the limits that apply to anyone engaged solely in education: no market price data of the preceding thirty days, no indication of a future price, and no advice or recommendation on securities. It also restates that live market data is not to be shared by any entity outside the two purposes mentioned. The press release itself is a caution to investors; it does not name any person or announce any action.
Questions and answers
What has SEBI cautioned investors about?
About persons on social media platforms offering “live trading strategies / real-time strategies” that give real-time tips on taking positions in the stock market. SEBI has advised investors not to trust such claims and not to take investment decisions on such live trading sessions.
Can live market data be shared in an online session?
As stated in the press release, live data of the market is not permitted to be shared by any entity except for orderly functioning of the securities market or for fulfilling regulatory requirements.
What price data can a market educator use?
Under SEBI’s circular dated 8 May 2026, market price data may be shared for investor education and awareness with a lag of thirty days, without any monetary incentive to participants. A person engaged solely in education should not use data of the preceding thirty days, indicate a future price or give advice or recommendations.
Whom should investors deal with?
SEBI advises investors to deal only with SEBI registered intermediaries.
Published 17 August 2026. Updated 9 October 2026. This report is for general information and is not professional advice. Read the source document before acting on it.