New SC Rules Take Effect in November 2025: What’s Next for Finfluencers?

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) has taken steps to address the growing influence of financial content creators on social media. In March 2025, the SC updated its Guidelines on Advertising for Capital Market Products and Related Services to include financial influencers, often known as “finfluencers”, under new advertising rules.

The decision reflects how investment discussions have shifted online, where social media now plays a major role in shaping public opinion and investor behaviour. The SC explained that the revised guidelines aim to follow both global and local trends in advertising and promotion, especially with the rise of finfluencers who regularly share investment advice and product information online.

Under the new framework, finfluencers who promote capital market products or services on their own will be treated as advertisers. This means they must follow the same rules as licensed companies when promoting investment products. The change is designed to ensure that financial promotions are accurate and responsible, and to close gaps that previously allowed unlicensed individuals to share financial content without oversight.

The guidelines also place stronger responsibilities on advertisers who work with marketing agents. Companies must now make sure that their agents follow the SCs rules when advertising on their behalf. If agents break the rules, the companies that hire them may also be held responsible.

The SC has also strengthened the rules for financial promotions on social media. These updates are meant to protect investors from false or misleading claims and to make sure that online promotions about capital market products meet proper standards.

The revised guidelines will take effect on 1 November 2025. The SC said the delay is to give advertisers and content creators enough time to understand the new requirements and adjust their activities before enforcement begins.

This move follows an earlier reminder from the SC in 2024 that promoting unlicensed financial products or services in Malaysia is a serious offence under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA). Anyone found guilty can face a fine of up to RM10 million, a prison term of up to ten years, or both.

The updated guidelines and a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be downloaded from the SCs official website at www.sc.com.my.