diff --git a/commands/call.js b/commands/call.js
index 52afc760..904bb346 100644
--- a/commands/call.js
+++ b/commands/call.js
@@ -17,8 +17,13 @@ module.exports = {
             type: 'string',
             default: '0'
         })
+        .option('base64',  {
+            desc: 'Treat arguments as base64-encoded BLOB.',
+            type: 'boolean',
+            default: false
+        })
         .option('args', {
-            desc: 'Arguments to the contract call, in JSON format (e.g. \'{"param_a": "value"}\')',
+            desc: 'Arguments to the contract call, in JSON format by default (e.g. \'{"param_a": "value"}\')',
             type: 'string',
             default: null
         })
@@ -35,10 +40,11 @@ async function scheduleFunctionCall(options) {
         (options.amount && options.amount != '0' ? ` with attached ${options.amount} NEAR` : ''));
     const near = await connect(options);
     const account = await near.account(options.accountId);
+    const parsedArgs = options.base64 ? Buffer.from(options.args, 'base64') : JSON.parse(options.args || '{}');
     const functionCallResponse = await account.functionCall(
         options.contractName,
         options.methodName,
-        JSON.parse(options.args || '{}'),
+        parsedArgs,
         options.gas,
         utils.format.parseNearAmount(options.amount));
     const result = providers.getTransactionLastResult(functionCallResponse);
diff --git a/middleware/base64-args.js b/middleware/base64-args.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/test/test_contract.sh b/test/test_contract.sh
index 924ed9db..9a5e3c90 100755
--- a/test/test_contract.sh
+++ b/test/test_contract.sh
@@ -28,9 +28,18 @@ RESULT=$(../bin/near view $testaccount getGreeting '{"accountId":"test.near"}' -
 TEXT=$RESULT
 EXPECTED='TEST'
 if [[ ! $TEXT =~ .*$EXPECTED.* ]]; then
-    cd ..
     echo FAILURE Unexpected output from near call: $RESULT
     exit 1
-else
-    cd ..
 fi
+
+# base64-encoded '{"message":"BASE64ROCKS"}'
+../bin/near call $testaccount setGreeting --base64 'eyJtZXNzYWdlIjoiQkFTRTY0Uk9DS1MifQ==' --accountId=test.near
+
+RESULT=$(../bin/near view $testaccount getGreeting '{"accountId":"test.near"}' --accountId=test.near -v)
+# TODO: Refactor asserts
+TEXT=$RESULT
+EXPECTED='BASE64ROCKS'
+if [[ ! $TEXT =~ .*$EXPECTED.* ]]; then
+    echo FAILURE Unexpected output from near call: $RESULT
+    exit 1
+fi
\ No newline at end of file