SEBON Says Only 17 Lakh of 80 Lakh Demat Accounts Are Active

Executive Director of the Securities Board of Nepal (SEBON), Rupesh KC, has revealed that only around 17 lakh of the 80 lakh Demat accounts registered in Nepal are currently active.

Speaking at the second session of the Nepal Capital Market Discourse 2026, titled “Informed Investors, Strong Capital Market: Role of Awareness and Literacy,” KC said approximately 33 lakh Demat accounts have zero balances, indicating a significant level of inactivity among registered investors.

KC noted that the number of active investors may vary depending on their financial conditions and level of financial literacy. He emphasized that investor protection is one of the three major pillars of the securities market and stressed the need for measures to encourage inactive investors to participate more actively.

He said SEBON is preparing to conduct surveys and research through questionnaires to assess investors’ financial conditions and levels of financial literacy. KC also highlighted the need for a national financial literacy strategy, adding that the board has already prepared a framework to strengthen financial literacy among investors.

KC further disclosed that Rs. 1.23 arba has been accumulated in the Investor Protection Fund. He said the existing provision requires funds belonging to investors who have not claimed their dividends for five years to be deposited into the fund. KC suggested that operating the fund through SEBON could make it more effective.