Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission

What Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission does

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is the statutory regulatory body for Bangladesh's capital market, established on 8 June 1993 under the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission Act 1993 and attached to the Ministry of Finance. The Commission consists of a Chairman and four Commissioners, with the Chairman serving as Chief Executive. BSEC holds exclusive authority over securities market regulation in Bangladesh, overseeing Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC, Chittagong Stock Exchange PLC, Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL), Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL), 360 listed companies, approximately 195 brokers at DSE and 124 at CSE, merchant bankers, asset management companies, custodians, and credit rating agencies.

BSEC's core products and services span securities regulatory framework, the InstantWatch Market Surveillance system for detecting illegal short selling, insider trading, and market manipulation, IPO and capital issuance processing, mutual fund and collective investment scheme oversight, and investor education programs. Technology infrastructure includes the existing InstantWatch automated alerting system with planned AI-based market surveillance enhancement, a CDBL-developed mobile application for real-time portfolio monitoring, mandatory certified non-editable back-office software for brokers with automated reconciliation, and a derivatives trading platform (index futures on DS30) planned for 2028.

BSEC operates as a non-commercial government statutory body. Its primary funding is through government budget allocations rather than commercial revenue. The Commission generates supplementary income from licensing and registration fees (stock brokers, merchant bankers, portfolio managers, asset management companies, custodians, credit rating agencies) and from regulatory fines and penalties (e.g., Tk 1,497 crore imposed for market manipulation). Distribution of regulatory services occurs directly through the two stock exchanges, CDBL, and direct engagement with market participants for IPO approvals, broker licensing, and investor complaints.

Name

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission

Legal name

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission

Website

https://sec.gov.bd

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

BSEC is the statutory regulator of Bangladesh's capital market, overseeing Dhaka Stock Exchange, Chittagong Stock Exchange, CDBL, 360 listed companies, brokers, merchant bankers, and asset managers through licensing, market surveillance, enforcement, and investor education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Securities Regulation

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Financial Services Regulators (Banking, Securities, Insurance) (BPAIAOAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Market Surveillance & Trade Monitoring Platforms (FSAFAKAA), KYC/Client Due Diligence & Participant Onboarding Controls (FSAFAKAF), Regulator/Authority-Operated Reporting Systems & Portals (FSAFAJAJ)

Keywords

• Securities regulation
• Capital market oversight
• Market surveillance
• Investor protection
• Stock exchange regulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Registration and Licensing Fees: BSEC collects fees for registration and licensing of stock brokers, merchant bankers, portfolio managers, asset management companies, custodians, credit rating agencies, and other market intermediaries.
2. Regulatory Fines and Penalties: BSEC imposes fines for non-compliance, reporting lapses, market manipulation, and regulatory violations. Examples include Tk5 lakh fines for reporting delays and Tk1,497 crore in fines for capital market irregularities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

BSEC is the statutory securities regulator of Bangladesh that registers, supervises and regulates market intermediaries (stock brokers, merchant bankers, portfolio managers, asset managers, custodians, credit rating agencies); approves IPOs and capital issuances; monitors trading on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges for market manipulation and insider trading; oversees mutual funds and collective investment schemes; enforces securities laws and investor protection; and drives investor education.

Product overview

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) is the statutory regulatory body for Bangladesh's capital market, operating as a single unified regulator rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. BSEC's regulatory ecosystem encompasses securities market regulation, market surveillance using the InstantWatch system, derivatives trading oversight (including planned index futures on the DS30), IPO and capital issuance processing, mutual fund oversight, investor protection mechanisms, and enforcement of securities laws. The commission also oversees compliance with corporate governance requirements and has been implementing various digital transformation initiatives including AI-based surveillance systems and T+1 settlement infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Securities Regulatory Framework
• InstantWatch Market Surveillance
• IPO and Capital Issuance Processing
• Mutual Fund and Collective Investment Scheme Oversight

Quantifiable outcome

• Tk 1,497 crore in fines imposed for capital market irregularities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)coreOthers · 22 December 2013BSEC is an 'A' category member of IOSCO since 22 December 2013, demonstrating commitment to international regulatory standards and cooperation in securities regulation.
• Dhaka Stock Exchange PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary stock exchange under BSEC regulation. BSEC monitors and regulates the DSE's operations, approves new listings, and delegates authority for market surveillance and trading rules.
• Chittagong Stock Exchange PLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary stock exchange under BSEC regulation. Subject to same regulatory framework as DSE for market oversight and investor protection.
• Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL)coreTechnology or IntegrationBSEC mandates CDBL services for securities settlement. CDBL develops mobile applications for investor portfolio monitoring under BSEC direction. Operates BO account system for all market participants.
• Central Counterparty Bangladesh Limited (CCBL)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSEC directed that CCBL be registered and made operational by December 2025 as part of market infrastructure development for clearing and settlement services.
• Bangladesh BankstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerBSEC is working with Bangladesh Bank to reduce securities settlement cycle from T+2 to T+1 and coordinate on bank merger investor protection matters.
• Investment Corporation of Bangladesh (ICB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICB submitted reports to BSEC on Beximco's Sukuk mortgage refusal, working with BSEC on monitoring bond compliance.
• Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustry body representing listed companies, engaging with BSEC on corporate governance compliance including women independent director requirements.
• Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh (ICSB)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional institute for company secretaries. BSEC Chairman addressed ICSB CPD programme on implementing Corporate Governance Rules.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI): India's national securities regulator overseeing listed companies, brokers, mutual funds, and market infrastructure. SEBI is the closest functional peer to BSEC given shared South Asian context, comparable mandate (securities regulation, market surveillance, investor protection), and similar institutional architecture (statutory body, IOSCO member).
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC, United States): The U.S. federal securities regulator with statutory authority over capital markets, broker-dealers, investment advisers, and listed companies. Closely comparable to BSEC in core function (capital market regulation, enforcement, surveillance) though operating at much larger scale and scope.
• Securities and Futures Commission (SFC, Hong Kong): Hong Kong's integrated securities and futures regulator overseeing market surveillance, intermediary licensing, and listed company compliance. Comparable to BSEC in statutory authority over capital markets and use of electronic surveillance systems, though serving a far more developed market.
• Securities Commission Malaysia (SC): Malaysia's single integrated securities regulator with authority over capital market intermediaries, fund management, and listed issuers. Comparable in emerging-market regulatory mandate, IOSCO membership, and focus on developing local capital markets — relevant peer for BSEC's market development agenda.
• Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS): Singapore's integrated financial regulator covering securities, banking, and insurance in a unified authority. Comparable to BSEC in its capital market surveillance, enforcement, and licensing functions, with MAS also operating AI-driven surveillance (similar to BSEC's planned AI initiative).
• Capital Market Authority (Saudi Arabia): Saudi Arabia's securities regulator overseeing the Tadawul exchange, listed companies, and intermediaries. Comparable to BSEC as a statutory regulator driving capital market development in an emerging market context, with active focus on derivatives, IPO reforms, and investor protection.
• Financial Services Commission (South Korea): South Korea's integrated financial regulator overseeing securities, futures, and capital markets. Comparable to BSEC in market surveillance, investor protection, and disclosure enforcement, though operating in a much larger and more sophisticated capital market.

Regional players

• Securities and Exchange Board of Nepal (SEBON): Nepal's securities regulator with a smaller market scope but highly comparable mandate (listed company oversight, broker licensing, mutual fund regulation). Relevant regional peer for BSEC given South Asian market context and similar developmental stage of capital markets.
• State Securities Commission of Vietnam: Vietnam's securities regulator overseeing two stock exchanges (HOSE, HNX) and emerging derivatives market. Comparable to BSEC in emerging-market regulator role, market development priorities, and ongoing transition toward derivatives and T+1 settlement.
• Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan: Pakistan's integrated securities and corporate regulator with authority over listed companies, brokers, insurance, and corporate sector. Comparable to BSEC in regional South Asian context, mixed regulator model, and similar challenges around market development and enforcement capacity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bsec-bd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission