Digital Transfer Agent FAQ

A transfer agent maintains securities ownership records, registers transfers, monitors issuance and administers other securityholder services for issuers. A digital transfer agent performs those functions for tokenized securities using blockchain technology. OnchainTA is subject to the transfer-agent rules that apply to its regulated activities; tokenization does not remove those obligations.

Yes. Akemona TA Services, LLC, doing business as OnchainTA, is an SEC-registered transfer agent. It specializes in tokenized securities and provides the related registration, transfer, recordkeeping and securityholder services.

OnchainTA specializes in tokenized securities and generally does not provide conventional transfer-agent services such as paper certificate replacement, endorsements or medallion signature processing. However, our systems can operate in a traditional book-entry or walletless mode to facilitate the transition to digital securities. For ongoing conventional transfer-agent services, we can introduce issuers to our partner transfer agents.

OnchainTA also supports interoperability with DTC's FAST and Direct Registration System (DRS) infrastructure for tokenized securities. This enables conventional securities to be brought on-chain while maintaining the required connections to traditional securities infrastructure. Depending on the arrangement, underlying securities may be held by a qualified custodian, while OnchainTA administers the corresponding tokenized securities and coordinates ownership records and reconciliation with the participating transfer agent and DTC infrastructure.

This approach allows issuers to adopt tokenized securities without abandoning established securities registration, custody and settlement arrangements.

OnchainTA serves companies, fund managers, asset managers, financial institutions and transfer agents adopting tokenized securities. Investors and employees generally use Investor Portal in connection with securities issued by those organizations.

Tokenizing a security is only the beginning. Issuers still need reliable ownership records, transfer processing, securityholder services and administration of corporate actions. OnchainTA brings those transfer-agent functions together with the technology used to issue and manage tokenized securities.

Yes. Issuers can retain their existing transfer agents while using OnchainTA for tokenized securities. OnchainTA integrates with existing transfer agents through APIs to synchronize ownership records and transactions, allowing issuers to adopt digital securities without replacing their current transfer agents.

Yes. OnchainTA is blockchain-agnostic, with extensive experience and proven implementations on Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains. We can integrate with other blockchain networks based on customer requirements.

No. Tokenization can make securities transfers more efficient and enable new market connections, but it does not guarantee a buyer, a trading venue, DeFi access or liquidity. Securities laws, contractual restrictions and the rules of any trading platform still apply.

Yes. OnchainTA’s technology and smart contracts have undergone independent security audits by Highland Security, and all identified findings have been addressed.

Yes. OnchainTA is registered with DTC and supports DRS for tokenized securities in collaboration with DTC. DRS enables investors to hold securities in their own names on the issuer’s records and supports electronic movements between transfer agents and brokerage accounts. Public-company implementations must satisfy the DTC and issuer-specific operating arrangements for the securities involved.

Use Issuer Hub to create, distribute and manage tokenized securities offerings, including tracking investor subscriptions and securities ownership.

Choose Cap Table Tokenization within Issuer Hub to convert previously issued securities into tokenized form without requiring a new sale or additional investment.

Choose DigitalCapTable to verify and reconcile investment holdings across multiple layers of SPVs. It allows investors to verify their reported investments while maintaining the confidentiality of ownership records and investment relationships. DigitalCapTable does not issue securities or tokens.

CapMark is an AI-powered chat interface for Issuer Hub that helps issuers create tokenized securities offerings. Issuers can interact with CapMark using natural language to provide offering information, prepare documents and complete the steps required to launch an offering. CapMark simplifies the process by guiding issuers through Issuer Hub's capabilities, reducing manual work and making offering creation faster and easier.

Issuer Hub is for issuers to create and track securities and offerings. Investor Portal is for investors to subscribe, receive securities, view holdings and request securityholder services. The two applications support different users in the same investment process.

Yes. OnchainTA can work under an agreement with an existing transfer agent to handle tokenized-securities functions. APIs and reconciliation help keep their respective records consistent. Each firm’s regulatory responsibilities must be defined clearly.

No. Transfer-agent registration is not SEC approval of an issuer or its offering, and it does not guarantee an investment, protect against loss or insure a token’s market value.