FVCI Regulations 2.0 Notified : DDPs Provided Regulatory Oversight on FVCIs including Clearing of Applications

Background

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”), vide the SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (“Amendment”), has introduced numerous amendments to the SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors) Regulations, 2000 (“FVCI Regulations”), which will be effective January 01, 2025 onwards.Continue Reading FVCI Regulations 2.0 Notified : DDPs Provided Regulatory Oversight on FVCIs including Clearing of Applications

New Delisting Regime: Key Highlights

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has amended the SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2021 (“Amendment”). The new regime introduces fixed price delisting as an option for take-private transactions. In addition to the reverse book building (“RBB”) route, existing promoters can now use this new route, depending on the viability based on case specific nuances to take their listed entity off the exchange. The key parameters are summarised below:Continue Reading New Delisting Regime: Key Highlights

SEBI’s Hammer and the RPT Nail: Navigating SEBI’s Principles-Based Oversight of Related Party Transactions

Related party transactions (“RPTs”)[1] potentially represent an inherent conflict of interest between the interests of listed entities on the one hand and ‘related parties’ on the other. Since Indian listed entities are significantly promoter driven or closely held, SEBI has been constantly reforming the regulatory framework governing RPTs to mitigate the possibility of abuse.Continue Reading SEBI’s Hammer and the RPT Nail: Navigating SEBI’s Principles-Based Oversight of Related Party Transactions

From Likes to Licenses: Regulating Finfluencers Amidst Stricter Norms

A distinct subset of social media influencers called “finfluencers” (short for “financial influencers”) has emerged in the recent past. According to the Advertising Standards Council of India (“ASCI”), “finfluencers” are individuals who disseminate information and advice on various financial topics, ranging from securities investment to personal finance and insurance, via social and digital media platforms.Continue Reading From Likes to Licenses: Regulating Finfluencers Amidst Stricter Norms

Regulatory framework governing employee benefits by equity listed companies

This post analyses the scope of the regulatory framework governing employee benefits by equity listed companies in India and the applicability of the SEBI (Share-Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021, to employee welfare trusts set up by promoters and share-linked but purely cash-based employee benefits.Continue Reading Regulatory framework governing employee benefits by equity listed companies

Revamping the Investment Advisers and Research Analysts Frameworks – the SEBI Way

Introduction

Pursuant to the recommendations of the Ministry of Finance, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) constituted several groups to recommend simplification of various regulations specified by it and invited suggestions from market participants[1]. Post deliberations on the suggestions received, the Working Group for review of compliance requirements for Investment Advisers (“IAs”) and Research Analysts (“RAs”) submitted its recommendations to SEBI’s Intermediaries Advisory Committee (“IAC”). SEBI has now released a consultation paper dated August 6, 2024, on ‘Review of Regulatory Framework for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts’ (“Consultation Paper”)[2] incorporating the recommendations proposed by IAC.Continue Reading Revamping the Investment Advisers and Research Analysts Frameworks – the SEBI Way

FIG Paper (No. 37 – Series 1) | SEBI Proposes to Introduce ‘New Asset Class’

Background and Key Features:

  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) regulates the asset management and wealth management sector through a graded approach in relation to prudential, governance and investment norms, with flexibility given progressively, basis minimum investment threshold. This sector has also seen a significant rise in assets under management (“AUM”) over the last decade:

Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 37 – Series 1) | SEBI Proposes to Introduce ‘New Asset Class’

SEBI Proposes to Replace ‘Size Criteria’ for FPIs with ‘Risk-Based Approach’ for Granular Disclosure Requirement for Underlying Investors

SEBI had, vide its Circular dated August 24, 2023 (“August Circular”), laid down norms for FPIs/investor groups with assets under management (“AUM”) exceeding INR 25,000 (twenty five thousand) crore (“Size-based Criteria”). These norms require furnishing granular details[1] of all their investors/stakeholders on a look-through basis to ascertain if the FPI is effectively domiciled in a Land Bordering Country (“LBC”) or not. Subsequently, SEBI in its consultation paper dated July 30, 2024, (“Consultation Paper”) has proposed to replace the Size based Criteria with a “risk-based criteria” depending upon the participation of investors from “land bordering countries”. In addition to providing an overview of the extant laws, this blog covers the roadblocks emerging from the August Circular, SEBI’s proposal in the Consultation Paper, and its implications.Continue Reading SEBI Proposes to Replace ‘Size Criteria’ for FPIs with ‘Risk-Based Approach’ for Granular Disclosure Requirement for Underlying Investors

SEBI Recognises Stock Exchanges as Supervisory and Administrative Body for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts

The Securities Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) has released updated Master Circulars for Investment Advisers (“IAs”) and Research Analysts (“RAs”) on May 21, 2024 (“Master Circulars”).Continue Reading SEBI Recognises Stock Exchanges as Supervisory and Administrative Body for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts