To make digital payments safer in India, the market regulator SEBI has introduced two new initiatives.
This system started on October 1 and is designed to protect investors from fraud while making UPI transactions more secure.
From now on, only UPI handles ending with @valid will be considered genuine. These will be available only to SEBI-registered brokers and mutual funds.
Special UPI Handles for Brokers and Mutual Funds
SEBI, in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has created special UPI handles that carry category-specific tags.
“.brk” will be used for brokers
“.mf” will be used for mutual funds
For example:
A broker’s UPI might look like abc.brk@validhdfc
A mutual fund’s UPI might look like xyz.mf@validicici
This system will help investors quickly recognize trusted entities.
Safety Indicators and Verification Tools
During payment, a “thumb-up inside a green triangle” will appear as a sign of safety.
If this symbol does not appear, the investor will receive a warning that the transaction may be invalid or risky.
To provide extra security, SEBI has also launched a digital verification tool called “SEBI Check.”
It allows investors to verify the bank account or UPI ID of intermediaries.
It can be accessed on SEBI’s official website or the Sarathi mobile app.
Wider Impact and Future Plans
SEBI says this system will make transactions easier, faster, and more secure. Along with UPI, it will also work with NEFT, RTGS, and IMPS payment methods.
In the coming months, about 8,000 to 9,000 SEBI-registered institutions will shift to the new @valid UPI handle. After December 2025, only these valid forms will be accepted.
This initiative is expected to reduce fraud and increase trust in digital payments across India’s financial markets, giving investors more confidence and peace of mind.
