- What’s new in August 2025
- The compliance stack to map to
- What you can / can’t do (quick table)
- Copy-paste disclosure templates
- Monetisation “safe zones” & the publish-day checklist
The short
- Performance sharing proposed. RAs/IAs may show verified past performance & enable “second opinions” once finalised.
- Social perimeter tightens. More scrutiny on ads, undisclosed promotions, and unregistered advisory-like content.
- Be disclosure-first. Harmonise your ad/disclosure blocks now to switch on the moment rules land.
Who this applies to
Registered IAs / RAs
Follow IA/RA Guidelines (Jan ’25), keep personal-trading logs, compliance officer oversight. Registered
Unregistered Creators
Stay educational; avoid stock-specific calls with live prices; disclose all paid promotions. Education-only
Platforms / Brands
Do not associate with unregistered finfluencers for advisory-like promotions; maintain an ad diligence trail. Audit trail
Audience
Expect clearer labels, fewer “signal” posts, and stricter separation of ads vs. advice. Transparency
What’s new in August 2025
- Proposal: Permit verified past performance sharing and client second-opinion access (rulemaking in progress).
- Fresh clarifications: Updated FAQs for Research Analysts on trading blackout windows, record-keeping, and supervision (late-July).
- Regs refreshed: RA (2014) / IA (2013) reflect latest amendments (early August) — incremental, housekeeping-plus.
Quick table — what you can / can’t do
| Entity | Good to do | High-risk / avoid |
|---|---|---|
| IA / RA | Standardised disclosures; methodology notes; adverts per guidelines; prep performance-pack (net-of-fees, TWR, benchmark). | Undisclosed conflicts; cherry-picked returns; implying guarantees; mixing ads with research. |
| Unregistered creator | Education, delayed case studies; labelled sponsorships; tools & templates; affiliate links (non-inducing). | Live “buy/sell/hold” calls; signal groups; brokerage-linked revenue shares; unregulated products. |
| Platform / brand | Creator KYC; archive of all creatives; clear ad labels; no co-mingling advisory with promos. | Implied association with registered entities via unregistered creators; performance-led ads. |
Copy-paste disclosure templates
Universal “education only” (for unregistered creators)
⚠️ Educational content only. This is NOT investment advice or a recommendation. No real-time trading signals. Markets are risky—do your own research.
Paid promotion disclosure (all creators)
Sponsored: I received compensation/benefit from <Brand/Platform> for this post/video. Views are my own. No assurance of profits. Terms apply.
IA/RA short disclosure (to accompany research/advice)
SEBI Registration: <RA/IA number> • Valid through: <dd-mm-yyyy> • Conflict status: <None / Describe> • Compensation: <Fees/Retainer> • Methodology: <Coverage / criteria / data sources> • Risks: Markets involve risk of loss; no guaranteed returns.
Performance-pack cover (when notified)
Performance shown is net of fees and expenses, time-weighted, and benchmarked to <Index>. Look-back: <start-mo-yr>–<end-mo-yr>. Verification: <internal / independent>. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Monetisation “safe zones”
- Good: Courses/webinars on fundamentals; 3-month-lag case studies; budgeting/goal tools; clearly labelled sponsorships; neutral affiliates.
- Avoid: Live stock tips; performance-linked payouts; trading inducements; undisclosed ads; unregulated products.
Publish-day checklist
- Disclosure block above the fold on every post/video.
- Archive scripts, drafts, and final screenshots with timestamps.
- For IAs/RAs: maintain research notes, data sources, and personal-trading logs.