Is Quotex Legal in India? Full Legality Check, Risks, Safety & User Guide (2026)

Engaging introduction

Quotex operates as an offshore binary-options platform that markets to retail users globally while claiming its own compliance statements. Indian residents must treat the platform as unregulated for Indian law and high risk for funds and legal protection.

Regulatory status — Securities and Exchange Board of India and Reserve Bank of India

The platform does not hold registration with India's market regulator and therefore does not qualify as a SEBI-authorised trading intermediary.

The central bank's public alert lists include offshore trading platforms not authorised to conduct foreign-exchange or derivatives business with Indian residents, and regulators explicitly warn against using unauthorised platforms for forex or derivative exposures.

What "not regulated in India" means for an individual

No SEBI oversight means no access to investor grievance redressal under Indian securities law.

Transactions may fall under foreign-exchange rules (FEMA) if the platform processes deposits or payouts in foreign currency, exposing users to regulatory risk.

Offshore registration does not equal consumer protection; many offshore registries lack effective supervision for retail binary options.

Quotex's operational profile and claims

Quotex presents itself through offshore corporate pages and publishes internal terms that reference KYC/AML and risk disclaimers, but those provisions do not substitute for formal, local regulatory authorization.

Main risks for Indian users

Loss of legal remedy: blocked accounts or frozen funds leave limited legal options in India.

Payment and compliance risk: banks or payment processors may flag transfers to unauthorised brokers, triggering reversals or compliance actions.

Fraud and platform-risk: unregulated brokers show higher incidence of disputed withdrawals, platform changes, and opaque dispute procedures.

Practical safety checklist before any engagement

Verify SEBI registration on the regulator's official list.
Confirm whether the platform appears on the RBI/RBI Alert List for unauthorised forex/electronic trading.
Use only payment routes authorised by Indian banks for cross-border transfers and retain all transaction records.
Read the platform's service agreement and non-trading regulations to understand dispute resolution, KYC/AML practices, and withdrawal conditions.
Limit exposure: treat any deposit as high-risk capital and avoid transferring amounts you cannot afford to lose.

Safer alternatives and recommended actions

Prefer platforms registered with SEBI or regulated by recognized international authorities with clear investor protection (choose brokers listed by credible comparators).

Use regulated Indian derivatives and currency venues when trading forex or derivatives exposure.

If money already moved to an unauthorised platform, document all communications and payments, notify the payment provider and local cybercrime or consumer protection authorities, and check whether the platform appears on RBI alert lists to support formal complaints.

Quick decision framework (3 steps)

Confirm whether the platform lists SEBI or RBI authorisation — if not, classify as unauthorised.
Assess payment route compliance with FEMA and bank policies — stop transfers if banks advise non-compliance.
If proceeding despite warnings, reduce deposit size, enable strict KYC safeguards, and keep withdrawal proof and platform communications archived.

Practical example: how to verify a platform fast

Open SEBI's list of registered exchanges/intermediaries and search the platform name.
Check the RBI Alert List page for the platform domain or name.
Cross-reference independent broker reviews and watchdog reports for complaints about withdrawals or licence claims.

Strong conclusion

Do not treat Quotex as a SEBI-regulated, India-law compliant trading venue. Confirm regulator listings first, avoid large deposits to offshore binary-options platforms, and move trading to regulated Indian or internationally regulated brokers that provide clear legal remedies.