SEBI Reduces Approval Time For Stock Brokers' Internet Trading To Seven Days

SEBI Reduces Approval Time For Stock Brokers' Internet Trading To Seven Days

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced a significant reduction in the approval time for stock brokers seeking permission for internet-based trading on stock exchanges. The approval time has been shortened from the current 30 days to just seven days, a move aimed at promoting ease of doing business.

According to the new rule, brokers must apply to the respective stock exchange for formal permission to offer internet-based trading services. Previously, stock exchanges had 30 calendar days to communicate their decision to the member. However, under the revised guidelines, they are required to do so within 7 days, as outlined in Sebi's circular.

Internet trading facilitates the execution of client orders through order routing systems, directing these orders to exchange trading systems for processing. This allows clients from any location within the country to engage in trading activities using the internet via brokers' internet trading systems.

Moreover, the regulatory authority has eliminated the previous requirement for periodic confirmation of Internet-Based Trading (IBT) statistics by stock brokers before publication by stock exchanges. Instead, exchanges will now publish IBT statistics based on information regarding IBT terminals provided directly by stock brokers. Exchanges may also request information or declarations regarding IBT terminals from stock brokers as they deem necessary.

The decision follows requests received by SEBI regarding internet-based trading from the Industry Standard Forum (ISF) of stock brokers.

The new guidelines will come into effect immediately.