All market operators, fintech service providers, and persons operating online investment and trading platforms have until August 31, 2026, to complete their registration and licensing with the regulator or risk facing sanctions.
The directive, issued on June 23, 2026, by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), covers all entities operating investor-facing investment technology platforms, online trading applications, and digital intermediary platforms engaged in SEC-regulated activities.
It comes amid growing concerns about the proliferation of unregistered online investment applications providing access to securities trading in both local and foreign markets.
Under the directive, licensed market operators must obtain SEC approval for each platform used to conduct licensed activities.
Fintech service providers and individuals operating online investment platforms performing SEC-licensed activities must also secure the appropriate registration and licensing. Digital platforms serving as intermediaries within the securities market ecosystem are similarly required to register before continuing operations.
To meet the deadline, affected entities must submit a registration form, participate in a platform demonstration for the SEC, receive regulatory guidance, pay applicable fees, and obtain a registration or licensing certificate from the Commission.
The SEC warned that any person or entity operating an unregistered or unapproved online investment platform must immediately cease such activities, and that failure to comply could attract sanctions under Section 209(4) of the Securities Industry Act, 2016 (Act 929).
The regulator also urged the investing public to verify the authenticity of any investment products or platforms advertised online or through conventional media via the SEC’s official communication channels.
