SEC calls for better data for retail investors but fails to identify oracles like Chainlink are the solution

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has highlighted the need for retail investors to gain more timely access to fund portfolio data. However, the answer may be at odds with the SEC’s recent approach, as the data could be significantly enhanced through the use of blockchain oracles like Chainlink.

As Commissioner Jaime E. Lizárraga noted, the current regulatory framework mandates that registered investment companies, which encompass a $28 trillion industry of mutual and exchange-traded funds, provide periodic portfolio holdings data to the Commission and investors. However, this data is often delayed, impacting approximately 70 million US households and leaving investors with outdated information for decision-making purposes, particularly during market stresses such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events.

As the SEC continues its lawfare against crypto companies, Lizárraga fails to address that blockchain oracles, such as those provided by Chainlink, offer a potential solution by acting as intermediaries that connect blockchains with external data sources. These oracles enable smart contracts to execute based on real-world inputs and outputs, thus bridging the gap between on-chain and off-chain data environments. By leveraging decentralized oracle networks (DONs), these systems can securely fetch, verify, and transmit external data to blockchains, ensuring that the data remains tamper-proof and reliable.

Chainlink has already demonstrated its capability to provide real-time data feeds for various DeFi applications. Smart contracts access a wide range of data sources, including APIs and IoT devices, thereby facilitating the creation of innovative decentralized applications that rely on real-world data. Furthermore, Chainlink’s collaboration with financial institutions like Fidelity International and Sygnum showcases its ability to bring Net Asset Value (NAV) data on-chain, providing real-time transparency and accessibility for fund portfolio data.

The integration of blockchain oracles into the financial ecosystem could address the SEC’s concerns by providing retail investors with timely and standardized access to fund portfolio data. This would enhance investor protection and also improve the Commission’s ability to assess market trends and risks in real-time.

As Commissioner Lizárraga emphasized, while current reforms may represent an improvement, further amendments are necessary to ensure that investors, particularly retail investors, are not left at a disadvantage due to delayed access to critical financial information.