Avadhut Sathe refutes SEBI’s ‘finfluencer’ claim after Academy is searched
Avadhut Sathe refutes SEBI’s ‘finfluencer’ claim after Academy is searched
States that they only train traders and investors and do not provide stock tips or advice
Avadhut Sathe, founder of the Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy (ASTA), has issued his first official response after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) had recently carried out search operations at his premises.
While asserting that the academy functioned purely as a training platform, Sathe denied being a ‘finfluencer’ or offering stock recommendations.
In a statement, ASTA described itself as “a training institution and not an advisory service provider or a finfluencer.” The academy maintained it followed a Gurukul-style learning system to impart skills, discipline, and the right mindset to navigate financial markets. Adding, “We do not publish or circulate research reports or stock tips, provide personalised investment advice, or offer trade calls or assured returns.”
“We acknowledge SEBI’s pivotal role in shaping India’s capital markets,” but we focus on developing independent traders and investors through structured learning programs.
It claimed to have trained over 62,000 students across 51 countries.
SEBI has stepped up its crackdown on financial influencers and unregistered advisory activities. It acted against individuals and groups allegedly running stock-tip businesses through YouTube, Telegram channels, and subscription-based models, with several cases relating to pump-and-dump schemes.
Under the regulatory norms, only registered research analysts and investment advisers are permitted to provide stock recommendations or investment advice.
However, despite the ongoing probe, ASTA continued to conduct sessions.
Commenting on the recent coercive proceedings, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, Whole-Time Member, SEBI, said that such measures were critical to instill investor confidence. “The enforcement action must be directed at big people, where one can show impact.”
