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Industry
Gopika Gopakumar 2 min read 20 Apr 2024, 02:11 PM IST
Summary
- RBI said it had noticed misleading ads offering forex trading facilities on over-the-top platforms and gaming apps
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das has recently raised concerns over unauthorized forex trading platforms that are often used by corporates and traders to hedge their foreign currency risks. These platforms promise high returns, using features similar to casino games. The central bank has asked banks to remain alert and come out with a list of 75 unauthorized entities involved in forex transactions. Mint explains the reason behind this warning.
Forex trading platforms
These are platforms where foreign exchange transactions can take place. They are used by corporates and traders to hedge their foreign currency risks. These transactions can be on over-the-counter (OTC) spot or derivatives platforms authorized by the RBI. The other avenue is through RBI-authorized exchange-traded currency derivate segments like the BSE, NSE and the Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India. The OTC or inter-bank transactions are undertaken over electronic trading platforms (ETP) such as CCIL’s FX CLEAR or Reuters or Bloomberg platforms. They can also be undertaken through authorized brokers.
Rules on forex trading
Forex trading in India has to be done through a registered Indian forex broker, on ETPs authorised by the RBI or on recognized stock exchanges. According to the central bank, forex trading in India is permissible only in four currency pairs—dollar-rupee, euro-rupee, British pound-rupee and Japanese yen-rupee. These pairs have the Indian rupee (INR) as the base currency. Trading in any other currency pair is illegal and can attract penalties under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Indian citizens are also not allowed to trade foreign currencies overseas, either directly or indirectly.
Unauthorized forex trading platforms
In November last year, RBI came out with an alert list of 75 entities, which are not authorized to deal in forex or operate ETP for forex transactions. They include OctaFX, Alpari, AnyFX, Ava Trade, Binomo, Exness, Expert , Option, FBS, FinFxPro, Forex.com, Forex4money, Foxorex, FTMO, FVP Trade, FXPrimus, FXStreet, FXCm, FxNice and HotFores.
The problem with these platforms
The problem started during the pandemic when many of these platforms started offering a derivative product called contracts for differences (CFD), which is an arrangement made in financial derivatives trading where the difference in the settlement between the open and closing trade prices is cash-settled. RBI said it had noticed misleading ads offering forex trading facilities on over-the-top platforms and gaming apps. These platforms promise high returns, using features similar to casino games.
What RBI has done so far
In the last two years, RBI has issued several advisories cautioning against unauthorized entities. Now it has come out with an alert list of 75 entities involved in forex transactions on unauthorized platforms. RBI, however, cannot shut them down as they are registered in countries where they are legal. It has been working with banks and the government for stricter measures to ensure banking channels are not misused. The Enforcement Directorate has attached the assets of some of these firms like OctaFX.
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