Global Fintech Fest 2025 (GFF) is a valuable platform to innovators, policy makers and industry leaders to exchange ideas, said Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey, emphasising on the quantum readiness of its regulated ecosystem.
Innovation and Resilience
Under its Innovation Sandbox, fintechs are testing the applications of blockchain technology in the securities market, and to address post-quantum cryptographic issues Sebi has prepared an action plan and capacity building initiatives, he said.
“Resilience cannot be built by the regulator alone. It’s a shared responsibility among market infrastructure institutions, intermediaries, fintech innovators; the collaboration between fintech innovations and regulatory foresight will determine not just how fast we grow, but how safely we grow,” Pandey said.
Indian securities market is being shaped by the powerful convergence of technology, reforms and investor trust, creating an ecosystem that is vibrant, resilient and inclusive. It underwent profound transformation from paper certificates and long settlement cycles to one of the most technologically advanced markets in the world, he said.
“This transformation has been driven by both innovation and intent. Such dialogues not only encourage innovations but also help us learn from diverse experiences around the world. By fostering collaboration between technology and regulation, forums like this help build a financial ecosystem that is more efficient, transparent and inclusive,” he said.
Investor participation has now grown to 134 million. Today, whether it is the way investors open an account, the speed at which trades are settled or the safeguards for mitigating risks are built, technology is at the core of every step, he said. Pandey launched the Validative UPI Handles and Sebi Check, to protect investors from payment-linked frauds.
“Cybersecurity threats have the potential to create systemic disruptions. A single data breach or operational glitch can have cascading effects across interconnected systems. New vectors of risks emerge, sometimes beyond traditional regulatory parameters. Resilience is not a one-time achievement. It’s a continuous process,” he said.
Technology at the Core
Sebi has enabled investors to voluntarily freeze their trading accounts, much like blocking an ATM card, if they detect suspicious activity. India one of the first major markets to achieve T plus 1 settlement cycle. This has improved liquidity, reduced counter-party risk and given investors faster access to funds.
“Technology has become the regulator’s most important ally. Sebi’s Data Analytics and Digital Forensics Laboratory uses advanced analytics AI models to detect complex market manipulation patterns and network-based frauds,” he said.