Sebi Rejects Avadhut Sathe's Defense, Flags Live Trading Room Misuse; Rs 546 Cr Impounded

• Sebi dismissed finfluencer Avadhut Sathe’s “regulatory vacuum” defense, stating rules against stock-tip advice are clear.
• Sebi barred Avadhut Sathe and his company (ASTA) for running an unregistered investment advisory and impounded Rs 546.16 crore in “unlawful gains.”
• Investigation revealed ASTA operated “live trading rooms” where participants received actionable intraday cues and traded based on Sathe’s prompts.
• Many ASTA trainees (186 out of 311) collectively lost Rs 1.93 crore after completing the Rs 6.75 lakh mentorship course.
• Sebi chairperson warned against misusing real-time market data for educational purposes.

Why It Matters: It clarifies rules for financial advice and protects investors from unregistered 'finfluencers'.