Blockworks Calls for SEC to Recognize Qualified Onchain Disclosure Agent

Blockworks Proposes New Role for Crypto Disclosures to SEC

Crypto media and data firm Blockworks has urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create a new job title for the digital asset industry: the Qualified Onchain Disclosure Agent (QODA). In a comment letter submitted on October 20, 2026, Blockworks requested that the agency formally recognize this role within its proposed Regulation Crypto Assets exemption framework. The initiative aims to transform the often cumbersome process of token disclosures into a more streamlined, automated system.

The QODA Concept and Automated Reporting

The core of Blockworks’ proposal centers on a new type of entity, which they have dubbed a QODA. According to the letter, QODAs would be independent and standardized by the SEC. Their primary function would be to assist token projects in automating the disclosure of onchain data. This would shift the burden from internal teams manually compiling and filing information to an approved agent managing the technical infrastructure.

A secondary component of the proposal involves an archive. Blockworks envisions QODAs establishing a public, versioned record of all disclosed information, ensuring a transparent and traceable history.

Integrating Existing Frameworks and Specific Disclosures

Blockworks is also advocating for the SEC to incorporate specific elements from its existing Token Transparency Framework (TTF) directly into the new regulations. Particular emphasis is placed on two key areas: token loans and market-maker agreements. These arrangements can significantly impact a token’s circulating supply and trading activity. By making them mandatory reporting requirements within federal disclosure rules, projects seeking an exemption would move from optional transparency to formal reporting obligations.

Industry Precedent and Regulatory Backbone

Blockworks’ proposal is not without precedent. The firm launched its Token Transparency Framework in June 2025, which has since recorded 213 filings. The broader industry has also been moving towards greater transparency. In May 2026, the Transparency Alliance was formed, counting major exchanges such as Coinbase, Binance.US, and Kraken among its members. Blockworks’ comment letter effectively calls on the SEC to formalize and legitimize these private sector initiatives with a regulatory foundation.

Potential Benefits for Projects and Investors

The immediate beneficiaries of the SEC adopting the QODA concept would be token projects relying on the proposed exemption framework. A standardized QODA system could provide a clear and efficient path for meeting disclosure requirements. Research accompanying the letter suggests that automation could reduce compliance costs, making it more accessible for smaller teams with limited legal budgets to engage an approved agent rather than developing an in-house disclosure process.

For investors, the QODA system promises enhanced consistency. Standardized disclosure items would allow for direct comparison of information across different projects, eliminating the need to decipher multiple bespoke formats.

Unanswered Questions and Future Outlook

Several key questions remain regarding the QODA proposal. The criteria for qualifying as a QODA and the SEC’s standards for independence are critical considerations, especially given the potential conflict of interest for agents paid by the projects they report on. The scope of the rule is also uncertain; while Blockworks highlighted token loans and market-maker agreements, the final regulations could include more, fewer, or none of these specific items.

Finally, the timeline for implementation is unclear. A comment letter is an input to the regulatory process, not a final decision. The SEC will review all submissions for Regulation Crypto Assets before finalizing any rules, and there is no guarantee that the QODA concept will be adopted in its entirety.