The financial world in India has been rocked after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) conducted raids on the trading academy set up by finfluencer Avadhut Sathe. As the name suggests, Sathe conducts programs on market training and motivational sessions. He has been alleged to be at the center of controversy concerning “illegal gains” that amount to nearly ₹500 crore. Who Is Avadhut Sathe? SEBI Raids Finfluencer’s Academy Over ₹500 Crore Scam.
Avadhut Sathe is a well-known trader, educator, and motivational speaker. Who built up a large community of aspiring investors through his Avadhut Sathe Trading Academy (ASTA). Over the years, he built a persona for himself as if he would guide retail investors and conduct training sessions on stock market strategies and wealth creation. With a huge number of followership on YouTube and social media. He emerged as one of the loudest voices in India’s finfluencer space.
Reports say that the investigation conducted by SEBI revealed that the illegal trading practices were allegedly done by Sathe and other members of his group. His academy allegedly promised unrealistic returns and was involved in activities making unlawful profits of about ₹500 crores. SEBI has searched many locations associated with Sathe in order to prove the fact pollution. Pollution from the above-mentioned accusations-in-one of the largest crackdowns against a finfluencer.
The disclosures have brought apprehension among retail investors who trusted Sathe to guide them. Many have enrolled under his course with hopes of attaining financial independence. However, with these allegations, a question has been raised on the credibility of such finfluencer-led academies. Even SEBI action is interpreted as a warning against all those who operate without a license in the unregulated field of financial advice.
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Wider Implications
The case shows that social media finance influencers can pose a much bigger threat if one does not do proper research before blindly trusting someone. Much easier to give anyone a stage in the digital world to spread investment advise and is what makes regulatory oversight necessary. SEBI’s intervention is expected to lead to more strict guidelines for the protection of small investors. Falling prey to misinformation and exploitation in the near future.