19 files changed, 323 insertions, 195 deletions

diff --git a/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp b/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp
index 041759593..754c3c2da 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp
+++ b/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.cpp
@@ -121,8 +121,10 @@ void BlockchainDB::pop_block()
   pop_block(blk, txs);
 }
 
-void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transaction& tx, const crypto::hash* tx_hash_ptr, const crypto::hash* tx_prunable_hash_ptr)
+void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const std::pair<transaction, blobdata>& txp, const crypto::hash* tx_hash_ptr, const crypto::hash* tx_prunable_hash_ptr)
 {
+  const transaction &tx = txp.first;
+
   bool miner_tx = false;
   crypto::hash tx_hash, tx_prunable_hash;
   if (!tx_hash_ptr)
@@ -138,7 +140,7 @@ void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transacti
   if (tx.version >= 2)
   {
     if (!tx_prunable_hash_ptr)
-      tx_prunable_hash = get_transaction_prunable_hash(tx);
+      tx_prunable_hash = get_transaction_prunable_hash(tx, &txp.second);
     else
       tx_prunable_hash = *tx_prunable_hash_ptr;
   }
@@ -168,7 +170,7 @@ void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transacti
     }
   }
 
-  uint64_t tx_id = add_transaction_data(blk_hash, tx, tx_hash, tx_prunable_hash);
+  uint64_t tx_id = add_transaction_data(blk_hash, txp, tx_hash, tx_prunable_hash);
 
   std::vector<uint64_t> amount_output_indices(tx.vout.size());
 
@@ -195,14 +197,16 @@ void BlockchainDB::add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transacti
   add_tx_amount_output_indices(tx_id, amount_output_indices);
 }
 
-uint64_t BlockchainDB::add_block( const block& blk
+uint64_t BlockchainDB::add_block( const std::pair<block, blobdata>& blck
                                 , size_t block_weight
                                 , uint64_t long_term_block_weight
                                 , const difficulty_type& cumulative_difficulty
                                 , const uint64_t& coins_generated
-                                , const std::vector<transaction>& txs
+                                , const std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>>& txs
                                 )
 {
+  const block &blk = blck.first;
+
   // sanity
   if (blk.tx_hashes.size() != txs.size())
     throw std::runtime_error("Inconsistent tx/hashes sizes");
@@ -221,16 +225,16 @@ uint64_t BlockchainDB::add_block( const block& blk
   time1 = epee::misc_utils::get_tick_count();
 
   uint64_t num_rct_outs = 0;
-  add_transaction(blk_hash, blk.miner_tx);
+  add_transaction(blk_hash, std::make_pair(blk.miner_tx, tx_to_blob(blk.miner_tx)));
   if (blk.miner_tx.version == 2)
     num_rct_outs += blk.miner_tx.vout.size();
   int tx_i = 0;
   crypto::hash tx_hash = crypto::null_hash;
-  for (const transaction& tx : txs)
+  for (const std::pair<transaction, blobdata>& tx : txs)
   {
     tx_hash = blk.tx_hashes[tx_i];
     add_transaction(blk_hash, tx, &tx_hash);
-    for (const auto &vout: tx.vout)
+    for (const auto &vout: tx.first.vout)
     {
       if (vout.amount == 0)
         ++num_rct_outs;
diff --git a/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.h b/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.h
index c3f11ba28..ed13de5b5 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.h
+++ b/src/blockchain_db/blockchain_db.h
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ private:
    * @param tx_prunable_hash the hash of the prunable part of the transaction
    * @return the transaction ID
    */
-  virtual uint64_t add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash) = 0;
+  virtual uint64_t add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const std::pair<transaction, blobdata>& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash) = 0;
 
   /**
    * @brief remove data about a transaction
@@ -532,7 +532,7 @@ protected:
    * @param tx_hash_ptr the hash of the transaction, if already calculated
    * @param tx_prunable_hash_ptr the hash of the prunable part of the transaction, if already calculated
    */
-  void add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transaction& tx, const crypto::hash* tx_hash_ptr = NULL, const crypto::hash* tx_prunable_hash_ptr = NULL);
+  void add_transaction(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const std::pair<transaction, blobdata>& tx, const crypto::hash* tx_hash_ptr = NULL, const crypto::hash* tx_prunable_hash_ptr = NULL);
 
   mutable uint64_t time_tx_exists = 0;  //!< a performance metric
   uint64_t time_commit1 = 0;  //!< a performance metric
@@ -798,12 +798,12 @@ public:
    *
    * @return the height of the chain post-addition
    */
-  virtual uint64_t add_block( const block& blk
+  virtual uint64_t add_block( const std::pair<block, blobdata>& blk
                             , size_t block_weight
                             , uint64_t long_term_block_weight
                             , const difficulty_type& cumulative_difficulty
                             , const uint64_t& coins_generated
-                            , const std::vector<transaction>& txs
+                            , const std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>>& txs
                             );
 
   /**
@@ -1052,9 +1052,11 @@ public:
    *
    * The subclass should return the hash of the most recent block
    *
+   * @param block_height if non NULL, returns the height of that block (ie, the blockchain height minus 1)
+   *
    * @return the top block's hash
    */
-  virtual crypto::hash top_block_hash() const = 0;
+  virtual crypto::hash top_block_hash(uint64_t *block_height = NULL) const = 0;
 
   /**
    * @brief fetch the top block
diff --git a/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.cpp b/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.cpp
index 9d2f7821e..e2db5e04e 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.cpp
+++ b/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.cpp
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ inline void lmdb_db_open(MDB_txn* txn, const char* name, int flags, MDB_dbi& dbi
 namespace cryptonote
 {
 
-typedef struct mdb_block_info_old
+typedef struct mdb_block_info_1
 {
   uint64_t bi_height;
   uint64_t bi_timestamp;
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ typedef struct mdb_block_info_old
   uint64_t bi_weight; // a size_t really but we need 32-bit compat
   difficulty_type bi_diff;
   crypto::hash bi_hash;
-} mdb_block_info_old;
+} mdb_block_info_1;
 
 typedef struct mdb_block_info_2
 {
@@ -823,7 +823,7 @@ void BlockchainLMDB::remove_block()
       throw1(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error("Failed to add removal of block info to db transaction: ", result).c_str()));
 }
 
-uint64_t BlockchainLMDB::add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash)
+uint64_t BlockchainLMDB::add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const std::pair<transaction, blobdata>& txp, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash)
 {
   LOG_PRINT_L3("BlockchainLMDB::" << __func__);
   check_open();
@@ -849,6 +849,7 @@ uint64_t BlockchainLMDB::add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, cons
     throw1(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error(std::string("Error checking if tx index exists for tx hash ") + epee::string_tools::pod_to_hex(tx_hash) + ": ", result).c_str()));
   }
 
+  const cryptonote::transaction &tx = txp.first;
   txindex ti;
   ti.key = tx_hash;
   ti.data.tx_id = tx_id;
@@ -862,24 +863,29 @@ uint64_t BlockchainLMDB::add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, cons
   if (result)
     throw0(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error("Failed to add tx data to db transaction: ", result).c_str()));
 
-  cryptonote::blobdata blob = tx_to_blob(tx);
+  const cryptonote::blobdata &blob = txp.second;
   MDB_val_sized(blobval, blob);
 
-  std::stringstream ss;
-  binary_archive<true> ba(ss);
-  bool r = const_cast<cryptonote::transaction&>(tx).serialize_base(ba);
-  if (!r)
-    throw0(DB_ERROR("Failed to serialize pruned tx"));
-  std::string pruned = ss.str();
-  MDB_val_sized(pruned_blob, pruned);
+  unsigned int unprunable_size = tx.unprunable_size;
+  if (unprunable_size == 0)
+  {
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    binary_archive<true> ba(ss);
+    bool r = const_cast<cryptonote::transaction&>(tx).serialize_base(ba);
+    if (!r)
+      throw0(DB_ERROR("Failed to serialize pruned tx"));
+    unprunable_size = ss.str().size();
+  }
+
+  if (unprunable_size > blob.size())
+    throw0(DB_ERROR("pruned tx size is larger than tx size"));
+
+  MDB_val pruned_blob = {unprunable_size, (void*)blob.data()};
   result = mdb_cursor_put(m_cur_txs_pruned, &val_tx_id, &pruned_blob, MDB_APPEND);
   if (result)
     throw0(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error("Failed to add pruned tx blob to db transaction: ", result).c_str()));
 
-  if (pruned.size() > blob.size())
-    throw0(DB_ERROR("pruned tx size is larger than tx size"));
-  cryptonote::blobdata prunable(blob.data() + pruned.size(), blob.size() - pruned.size());
-  MDB_val_sized(prunable_blob, prunable);
+  MDB_val prunable_blob = {blob.size() - unprunable_size, (void*)(blob.data() + unprunable_size)};
   result = mdb_cursor_put(m_cur_txs_prunable, &val_tx_id, &prunable_blob, MDB_APPEND);
   if (result)
     throw0(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error("Failed to add prunable tx blob to db transaction: ", result).c_str()));
@@ -2576,11 +2582,13 @@ std::vector<crypto::hash> BlockchainLMDB::get_hashes_range(const uint64_t& h1, c
   return v;
 }
 
-crypto::hash BlockchainLMDB::top_block_hash() const
+crypto::hash BlockchainLMDB::top_block_hash(uint64_t *block_height) const
 {
   LOG_PRINT_L3("BlockchainLMDB::" << __func__);
   check_open();
   uint64_t m_height = height();
+  if (block_height)
+    *block_height = m_height - 1;
   if (m_height != 0)
   {
     return get_block_hash_from_height(m_height - 1);
@@ -3563,8 +3571,8 @@ void BlockchainLMDB::block_txn_abort()
   }
 }
 
-uint64_t BlockchainLMDB::add_block(const block& blk, size_t block_weight, uint64_t long_term_block_weight, const difficulty_type& cumulative_difficulty, const uint64_t& coins_generated,
-    const std::vector<transaction>& txs)
+uint64_t BlockchainLMDB::add_block(const std::pair<block, blobdata>& blk, size_t block_weight, uint64_t long_term_block_weight, const difficulty_type& cumulative_difficulty, const uint64_t& coins_generated,
+    const std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>>& txs)
 {
   LOG_PRINT_L3("BlockchainLMDB::" << __func__);
   check_open();
@@ -4126,7 +4134,7 @@ void BlockchainLMDB::migrate_0_1()
       break;
     }
     MDB_dbi diffs, hashes, sizes, timestamps;
-    mdb_block_info_old bi;
+    mdb_block_info_1 bi;
     MDB_val_set(nv, bi);
 
     lmdb_db_open(txn, "block_diffs", 0, diffs, "Failed to open db handle for block_diffs");
@@ -4483,7 +4491,7 @@ void BlockchainLMDB::migrate_0_1()
       if (!parse_and_validate_block_from_blob(bd, b))
         throw0(DB_ERROR("Failed to parse block from blob retrieved from the db"));
 
-      add_transaction(null_hash, b.miner_tx);
+      add_transaction(null_hash, std::make_pair(b.miner_tx, tx_to_blob(b.miner_tx)));
       for (unsigned int j = 0; j<b.tx_hashes.size(); j++) {
         transaction tx;
         hk.mv_data = &b.tx_hashes[j];
@@ -4493,7 +4501,7 @@ void BlockchainLMDB::migrate_0_1()
         bd.assign(reinterpret_cast<char*>(v.mv_data), v.mv_size);
         if (!parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(bd, tx))
           throw0(DB_ERROR("Failed to parse tx from blob retrieved from the db"));
-        add_transaction(null_hash, tx, &b.tx_hashes[j]);
+        add_transaction(null_hash, std::make_pair(std::move(tx), bd), &b.tx_hashes[j]);
         result = mdb_cursor_del(c_txs, 0);
         if (result)
           throw0(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error("Failed to get record from txs: ", result).c_str()));
@@ -4753,8 +4761,8 @@ void BlockchainLMDB::migrate_2_3()
       }
       else if (result)
         throw0(DB_ERROR(lmdb_error("Failed to get a record from block_info: ", result).c_str()));
-      const mdb_block_info_old *bi_old = (const mdb_block_info_old*)v.mv_data;
-      mdb_block_info bi;
+      const mdb_block_info_1 *bi_old = (const mdb_block_info_1*)v.mv_data;
+      mdb_block_info_2 bi;
       bi.bi_height = bi_old->bi_height;
       bi.bi_timestamp = bi_old->bi_timestamp;
       bi.bi_coins = bi_old->bi_coins;
diff --git a/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.h b/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.h
index 5764f9ae4..82016c17a 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.h
+++ b/src/blockchain_db/lmdb/db_lmdb.h
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ public:
 
   virtual std::vector<crypto::hash> get_hashes_range(const uint64_t& h1, const uint64_t& h2) const;
 
-  virtual crypto::hash top_block_hash() const;
+  virtual crypto::hash top_block_hash(uint64_t *block_height = NULL) const;
 
   virtual block get_top_block() const;
 
@@ -292,12 +292,12 @@ public:
   virtual bool for_all_outputs(std::function<bool(uint64_t amount, const crypto::hash &tx_hash, uint64_t height, size_t tx_idx)> f) const;
   virtual bool for_all_outputs(uint64_t amount, const std::function<bool(uint64_t height)> &f) const;
 
-  virtual uint64_t add_block( const block& blk
+  virtual uint64_t add_block( const std::pair<block, blobdata>& blk
                             , size_t block_weight
                             , uint64_t long_term_block_weight
                             , const difficulty_type& cumulative_difficulty
                             , const uint64_t& coins_generated
-                            , const std::vector<transaction>& txs
+                            , const std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>>& txs
                             );
 
   virtual void set_batch_transactions(bool batch_transactions);
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ private:
 
   virtual void remove_block();
 
-  virtual uint64_t add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash);
+  virtual uint64_t add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const std::pair<transaction, blobdata>& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash);
 
   virtual void remove_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const transaction& tx);
 
diff --git a/src/blockchain_db/testdb.h b/src/blockchain_db/testdb.h
index 35dfbe673..ac1849b5f 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_db/testdb.h
+++ b/src/blockchain_db/testdb.h
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public:
   virtual crypto::hash get_block_hash_from_height(const uint64_t& height) const { return crypto::hash(); }
   virtual std::vector<cryptonote::block> get_blocks_range(const uint64_t& h1, const uint64_t& h2) const { return std::vector<cryptonote::block>(); }
   virtual std::vector<crypto::hash> get_hashes_range(const uint64_t& h1, const uint64_t& h2) const { return std::vector<crypto::hash>(); }
-  virtual crypto::hash top_block_hash() const { return crypto::hash(); }
+  virtual crypto::hash top_block_hash(uint64_t *block_height = NULL) const { if (block_height) *block_height = 0; return crypto::hash(); }
   virtual cryptonote::block get_top_block() const { return cryptonote::block(); }
   virtual uint64_t height() const { return 1; }
   virtual bool tx_exists(const crypto::hash& h) const { return false; }
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ public:
   virtual std::vector<std::vector<uint64_t>> get_tx_amount_output_indices(const uint64_t tx_index, size_t n_txes) const { return std::vector<std::vector<uint64_t>>(); }
   virtual bool has_key_image(const crypto::key_image& img) const { return false; }
   virtual void remove_block() { }
-  virtual uint64_t add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const cryptonote::transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash) {return 0;}
+  virtual uint64_t add_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& blk_hash, const std::pair<cryptonote::transaction, cryptonote::blobdata>& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const crypto::hash& tx_prunable_hash) {return 0;}
   virtual void remove_transaction_data(const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const cryptonote::transaction& tx) {}
   virtual uint64_t add_output(const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const cryptonote::tx_out& tx_output, const uint64_t& local_index, const uint64_t unlock_time, const rct::key *commitment) {return 0;}
   virtual void add_tx_amount_output_indices(const uint64_t tx_index, const std::vector<uint64_t>& amount_output_indices) {}
diff --git a/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_import.cpp b/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_import.cpp
index e6ec20c3b..d7a88f935 100644
--- a/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_import.cpp
+++ b/src/blockchain_utilities/blockchain_import.cpp
@@ -193,8 +193,16 @@ int check_flush(cryptonote::core &core, std::vector<block_complete_entry> &block
   }
   core.prevalidate_block_hashes(core.get_blockchain_storage().get_db().height(), hashes);
 
-  core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks);
+  std::vector<block> pblocks;
+  core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks, pblocks);
+  if (!pblocks.empty() && pblocks.size() != blocks.size())
+  {
+    MERROR("Unexpected parsed blocks size");
+    core.cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks();
+    return 1;
+  }
 
+  size_t blockidx = 0;
   for(const block_complete_entry& block_entry: blocks)
   {
     // process transactions
@@ -215,7 +223,7 @@ int check_flush(cryptonote::core &core, std::vector<block_complete_entry> &block
 
     block_verification_context bvc = boost::value_initialized<block_verification_context>();
 
-    core.handle_incoming_block(block_entry.block, bvc, false); // <--- process block
+    core.handle_incoming_block(block_entry.block, pblocks.empty() ? NULL : &pblocks[blockidx++], bvc, false); // <--- process block
 
     if(bvc.m_verifivation_failed)
     {
@@ -455,7 +463,7 @@ int import_from_file(cryptonote::core& core, const std::string& import_file_path
         }
         else
         {
-          std::vector<transaction> txs;
+          std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>> txs;
           std::vector<transaction> archived_txs;
 
           archived_txs = bp.txs;
@@ -472,7 +480,7 @@ int import_from_file(cryptonote::core& core, const std::string& import_file_path
             // because add_block() calls
             // add_transaction(blk_hash, blk.miner_tx) first, and
             // then a for loop for the transactions in txs.
-            txs.push_back(tx);
+            txs.push_back(std::make_pair(tx, tx_to_blob(tx)));
           }
 
           size_t block_weight;
@@ -486,7 +494,7 @@ int import_from_file(cryptonote::core& core, const std::string& import_file_path
           try
           {
             uint64_t long_term_block_weight = core.get_blockchain_storage().get_next_long_term_block_weight(block_weight);
-            core.get_blockchain_storage().get_db().add_block(b, block_weight, long_term_block_weight, cumulative_difficulty, coins_generated, txs);
+            core.get_blockchain_storage().get_db().add_block(std::make_pair(b, block_to_blob(b)), block_weight, long_term_block_weight, cumulative_difficulty, coins_generated, txs);
           }
           catch (const std::exception& e)
           {
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
index c9c783a56..172a99e84 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
@@ -152,6 +152,10 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
   };
 
+  template<typename T> static inline unsigned int getpos(T &ar) { return 0; }
+  template<> inline unsigned int getpos(binary_archive<true> &ar) { return ar.stream().tellp(); }
+  template<> inline unsigned int getpos(binary_archive<false> &ar) { return ar.stream().tellg(); }
+
   class transaction_prefix
   {
 
@@ -203,9 +207,12 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
     bool pruned;
 
+    std::atomic<unsigned int> unprunable_size;
+    std::atomic<unsigned int> prefix_size;
+
     transaction();
-    transaction(const transaction &t): transaction_prefix(t), hash_valid(false), blob_size_valid(false), signatures(t.signatures), rct_signatures(t.rct_signatures), pruned(t.pruned) { if (t.is_hash_valid()) { hash = t.hash; set_hash_valid(true); } if (t.is_blob_size_valid()) { blob_size = t.blob_size; set_blob_size_valid(true); } }
-    transaction &operator=(const transaction &t) { transaction_prefix::operator=(t); set_hash_valid(false); set_blob_size_valid(false); signatures = t.signatures; rct_signatures = t.rct_signatures; if (t.is_hash_valid()) { hash = t.hash; set_hash_valid(true); } if (t.is_blob_size_valid()) { blob_size = t.blob_size; set_blob_size_valid(true); } pruned = t.pruned; return *this; }
+    transaction(const transaction &t): transaction_prefix(t), hash_valid(false), blob_size_valid(false), signatures(t.signatures), rct_signatures(t.rct_signatures), pruned(t.pruned), unprunable_size(t.unprunable_size.load()), prefix_size(t.prefix_size.load()) { if (t.is_hash_valid()) { hash = t.hash; set_hash_valid(true); } if (t.is_blob_size_valid()) { blob_size = t.blob_size; set_blob_size_valid(true); } }
+    transaction &operator=(const transaction &t) { transaction_prefix::operator=(t); set_hash_valid(false); set_blob_size_valid(false); signatures = t.signatures; rct_signatures = t.rct_signatures; if (t.is_hash_valid()) { hash = t.hash; set_hash_valid(true); } if (t.is_blob_size_valid()) { blob_size = t.blob_size; set_blob_size_valid(true); } pruned = t.pruned; unprunable_size = t.unprunable_size.load(); prefix_size = t.prefix_size.load(); return *this; }
     virtual ~transaction();
     void set_null();
     void invalidate_hashes();
@@ -223,10 +230,18 @@ namespace cryptonote
         set_blob_size_valid(false);
       }
 
+      const unsigned int start_pos = getpos(ar);
+
       FIELDS(*static_cast<transaction_prefix *>(this))
 
+      if (std::is_same<Archive<W>, binary_archive<W>>())
+        prefix_size = getpos(ar) - start_pos;
+
       if (version == 1)
       {
+        if (std::is_same<Archive<W>, binary_archive<W>>())
+          unprunable_size = getpos(ar) - start_pos;
+
         ar.tag("signatures");
         ar.begin_array();
         PREPARE_CUSTOM_VECTOR_SERIALIZATION(vin.size(), signatures);
@@ -265,6 +280,10 @@ namespace cryptonote
           bool r = rct_signatures.serialize_rctsig_base(ar, vin.size(), vout.size());
           if (!r || !ar.stream().good()) return false;
           ar.end_object();
+
+          if (std::is_same<Archive<W>, binary_archive<W>>())
+            unprunable_size = getpos(ar) - start_pos;
+
           if (!pruned && rct_signatures.type != rct::RCTTypeNull)
           {
             ar.tag("rctsig_prunable");
@@ -329,6 +348,8 @@ namespace cryptonote
     set_hash_valid(false);
     set_blob_size_valid(false);
     pruned = false;
+    unprunable_size = 0;
+    prefix_size = 0;
   }
 
   inline
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
index 10fb5444c..f4e7c9d36 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return true;
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash)
+  bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash)
   {
     std::stringstream ss;
     ss << tx_blob;
@@ -222,6 +222,13 @@ namespace cryptonote
     //TODO: validate tx
 
     get_transaction_hash(tx, tx_hash);
+    return true;
+  }
+  //---------------------------------------------------------------
+  bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash)
+  {
+    if (!parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_blob, tx, tx_hash))
+      return false;
     get_transaction_prefix_hash(tx, tx_prefix_hash);
     return true;
   }
@@ -878,6 +885,11 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return true;
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
+  void get_blob_hash(const epee::span<const char>& blob, crypto::hash& res)
+  {
+    cn_fast_hash(blob.data(), blob.size(), res);
+  }
+  //---------------------------------------------------------------
   void get_blob_hash(const blobdata& blob, crypto::hash& res)
   {
     cn_fast_hash(blob.data(), blob.size(), res);
@@ -946,6 +958,13 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return h;
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
+  crypto::hash get_blob_hash(const epee::span<const char>& blob)
+  {
+    crypto::hash h = null_hash;
+    get_blob_hash(blob, h);
+    return h;
+  }
+  //---------------------------------------------------------------
   crypto::hash get_transaction_hash(const transaction& t)
   {
     crypto::hash h = null_hash;
@@ -958,26 +977,42 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return get_transaction_hash(t, res, NULL);
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t, crypto::hash& res)
+  bool calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t, const cryptonote::blobdata *blob, crypto::hash& res)
   {
     if (t.version == 1)
       return false;
-    transaction &tt = const_cast<transaction&>(t);
-    std::stringstream ss;
-    binary_archive<true> ba(ss);
-    const size_t inputs = t.vin.size();
-    const size_t outputs = t.vout.size();
-    const size_t mixin = t.vin.empty() ? 0 : t.vin[0].type() == typeid(txin_to_key) ? boost::get<txin_to_key>(t.vin[0]).key_offsets.size() - 1 : 0;
-    bool r = tt.rct_signatures.p.serialize_rctsig_prunable(ba, t.rct_signatures.type, inputs, outputs, mixin);
-    CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to serialize rct signatures prunable");
-    cryptonote::get_blob_hash(ss.str(), res);
+    static const crypto::hash empty_hash = { (char)0x70, (char)0xa4, (char)0x85, (char)0x5d, (char)0x04, (char)0xd8, (char)0xfa, (char)0x7b, (char)0x3b, (char)0x27, (char)0x82, (char)0xca, (char)0x53, (char)0xb6, (char)0x00, (char)0xe5, (char)0xc0, (char)0x03, (char)0xc7, (char)0xdc, (char)0xb2, (char)0x7d, (char)0x7e, (char)0x92, (char)0x3c, (char)0x23, (char)0xf7, (char)0x86, (char)0x01, (char)0x46, (char)0xd2, (char)0xc5 };
+    const unsigned int unprunable_size = t.unprunable_size;
+    if (blob && unprunable_size)
+    {
+      CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(unprunable_size <= blob->size(), false, "Inconsistent transaction unprunable and blob sizes");
+      if (blob->size() - unprunable_size == 0)
+        res = empty_hash;
+      else
+        cryptonote::get_blob_hash(epee::span<const char>(blob->data() + unprunable_size, blob->size() - unprunable_size), res);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+      transaction &tt = const_cast<transaction&>(t);
+      std::stringstream ss;
+      binary_archive<true> ba(ss);
+      const size_t inputs = t.vin.size();
+      const size_t outputs = t.vout.size();
+      const size_t mixin = t.vin.empty() ? 0 : t.vin[0].type() == typeid(txin_to_key) ? boost::get<txin_to_key>(t.vin[0]).key_offsets.size() - 1 : 0;
+      bool r = tt.rct_signatures.p.serialize_rctsig_prunable(ba, t.rct_signatures.type, inputs, outputs, mixin);
+      CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to serialize rct signatures prunable");
+      if (ss.str().empty())
+        res = empty_hash;
+      else
+        cryptonote::get_blob_hash(ss.str(), res);
+    }
     return true;
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
-  crypto::hash get_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t)
+  crypto::hash get_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t, const cryptonote::blobdata *blobdata)
   {
     crypto::hash res;
-    CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(t, res), "Failed to calculate tx prunable hash");
+    CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(t, blobdata, res), "Failed to calculate tx prunable hash");
     return res;
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1030,16 +1065,13 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
     transaction &tt = const_cast<transaction&>(t);
 
+    const blobdata blob = tx_to_blob(t);
+    const unsigned int unprunable_size = t.unprunable_size;
+    const unsigned int prefix_size = t.prefix_size;
+
     // base rct
-    {
-      std::stringstream ss;
-      binary_archive<true> ba(ss);
-      const size_t inputs = t.vin.size();
-      const size_t outputs = t.vout.size();
-      bool r = tt.rct_signatures.serialize_rctsig_base(ba, inputs, outputs);
-      CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(r, false, "Failed to serialize rct signatures base");
-      cryptonote::get_blob_hash(ss.str(), hashes[1]);
-    }
+    CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(prefix_size <= unprunable_size && unprunable_size <= blob.size(), false, "Inconsistent transaction prefix, unprunable and blob sizes");
+    cryptonote::get_blob_hash(epee::span<const char>(blob.data() + prefix_size, unprunable_size - prefix_size), hashes[1]);
 
     // prunable rct
     if (t.rct_signatures.type == rct::RCTTypeNull)
@@ -1048,7 +1080,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     }
     else
     {
-      CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(t, hashes[2]), false, "Failed to get tx prunable hash");
+      CHECK_AND_ASSERT_MES(calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(t, &blob, hashes[2]), false, "Failed to get tx prunable hash");
     }
 
     // the tx hash is the hash of the 3 hashes
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h
index 994978c10..92dbdbff0 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   crypto::hash get_transaction_prefix_hash(const transaction_prefix& tx);
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_prefix_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction_prefix& tx);
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash);
+  bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash);
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx);
   bool parse_and_validate_tx_base_from_blob(const blobdata& tx_blob, transaction& tx);
   bool is_v1_tx(const blobdata_ref& tx_blob);
@@ -98,15 +99,17 @@ namespace cryptonote
   bool generate_key_image_helper(const account_keys& ack, const std::unordered_map<crypto::public_key, subaddress_index>& subaddresses, const crypto::public_key& out_key, const crypto::public_key& tx_public_key, const std::vector<crypto::public_key>& additional_tx_public_keys, size_t real_output_index, keypair& in_ephemeral, crypto::key_image& ki, hw::device &hwdev);
   bool generate_key_image_helper_precomp(const account_keys& ack, const crypto::public_key& out_key, const crypto::key_derivation& recv_derivation, size_t real_output_index, const subaddress_index& received_index, keypair& in_ephemeral, crypto::key_image& ki, hw::device &hwdev);
   void get_blob_hash(const blobdata& blob, crypto::hash& res);
+  void get_blob_hash(const epee::span<const char>& blob, crypto::hash& res);
   crypto::hash get_blob_hash(const blobdata& blob);
+  crypto::hash get_blob_hash(const epee::span<const char>& blob);
   std::string short_hash_str(const crypto::hash& h);
 
   crypto::hash get_transaction_hash(const transaction& t);
   bool get_transaction_hash(const transaction& t, crypto::hash& res);
   bool get_transaction_hash(const transaction& t, crypto::hash& res, size_t& blob_size);
   bool get_transaction_hash(const transaction& t, crypto::hash& res, size_t* blob_size);
-  bool calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t, crypto::hash& res);
-  crypto::hash get_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t);
+  bool calculate_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t, const cryptonote::blobdata *blob, crypto::hash& res);
+  crypto::hash get_transaction_prunable_hash(const transaction& t, const cryptonote::blobdata *blob = NULL);
   bool calculate_transaction_hash(const transaction& t, crypto::hash& res, size_t* blob_size);
   crypto::hash get_pruned_transaction_hash(const transaction& t, const crypto::hash &pruned_data_hash);
 
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp
index 9f1f376f3..2c1b9d447 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.cpp
@@ -468,8 +468,8 @@ bool Blockchain::init(BlockchainDB* db, const network_type nettype, bool offline
   uint64_t num_popped_blocks = 0;
   while (!m_db->is_read_only())
   {
-    const uint64_t top_height = m_db->height() - 1;
-    const crypto::hash top_id = m_db->top_block_hash();
+    uint64_t top_height;
+    const crypto::hash top_id = m_db->top_block_hash(&top_height);
     const block top_block = m_db->get_top_block();
     const uint8_t ideal_hf_version = get_ideal_hard_fork_version(top_height);
     if (ideal_hf_version <= 1 || ideal_hf_version == top_block.major_version)
@@ -509,7 +509,9 @@ bool Blockchain::init(BlockchainDB* db, const network_type nettype, bool offline
   {
     m_timestamps_and_difficulties_height = 0;
     m_hardfork->reorganize_from_chain_height(get_current_blockchain_height());
-    m_tx_pool.on_blockchain_dec(m_db->height()-1, get_tail_id());
+    uint64_t top_block_height;
+    crypto::hash top_block_hash = get_tail_id(top_block_height);
+    m_tx_pool.on_blockchain_dec(top_block_height, top_block_hash);
   }
 
   if (test_options && test_options->long_term_block_weight_window)
@@ -702,7 +704,9 @@ block Blockchain::pop_block_from_blockchain()
   m_check_txin_table.clear();
 
   CHECK_AND_ASSERT_THROW_MES(update_next_cumulative_weight_limit(), "Error updating next cumulative weight limit");
-  m_tx_pool.on_blockchain_dec(m_db->height()-1, get_tail_id());
+  uint64_t top_block_height;
+  crypto::hash top_block_hash = get_tail_id(top_block_height);
+  m_tx_pool.on_blockchain_dec(top_block_height, top_block_hash);
   invalidate_block_template_cache();
 
   return popped_block;
@@ -729,8 +733,7 @@ crypto::hash Blockchain::get_tail_id(uint64_t& height) const
 {
   LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain::" << __func__);
   CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_blockchain_lock);
-  height = m_db->height() - 1;
-  return get_tail_id();
+  return m_db->top_block_hash(&height);
 }
 //------------------------------------------------------------------
 crypto::hash Blockchain::get_tail_id() const
@@ -891,8 +894,9 @@ difficulty_type Blockchain::get_difficulty_for_next_block()
   CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_blockchain_lock);
   std::vector<uint64_t> timestamps;
   std::vector<difficulty_type> difficulties;
-  auto height = m_db->height();
-  top_hash = get_tail_id(); // get it again now that we have the lock
+  uint64_t height;
+  top_hash = get_tail_id(height); // get it again now that we have the lock
+  ++height; // top block height to blockchain height
   // ND: Speedup
   // 1. Keep a list of the last 735 (or less) blocks that is used to compute difficulty,
   //    then when the next block difficulty is queried, push the latest height data and
@@ -1806,11 +1810,12 @@ uint64_t Blockchain::get_num_mature_outputs(uint64_t amount) const
   uint64_t num_outs = m_db->get_num_outputs(amount);
   // ensure we don't include outputs that aren't yet eligible to be used
   // outpouts are sorted by height
+  const uint64_t blockchain_height = m_db->height();
   while (num_outs > 0)
   {
     const tx_out_index toi = m_db->get_output_tx_and_index(amount, num_outs - 1);
     const uint64_t height = m_db->get_tx_block_height(toi.first);
-    if (height + CRYPTONOTE_DEFAULT_TX_SPENDABLE_AGE <= m_db->height())
+    if (height + CRYPTONOTE_DEFAULT_TX_SPENDABLE_AGE <= blockchain_height)
       break;
     --num_outs;
   }
@@ -3325,14 +3330,15 @@ bool Blockchain::check_block_timestamp(const block& b, uint64_t& median_ts) cons
     return false;
   }
 
+  const auto h = m_db->height();
+
   // if not enough blocks, no proper median yet, return true
-  if(m_db->height() < BLOCKCHAIN_TIMESTAMP_CHECK_WINDOW)
+  if(h < BLOCKCHAIN_TIMESTAMP_CHECK_WINDOW)
   {
     return true;
   }
 
   std::vector<uint64_t> timestamps;
-  auto h = m_db->height();
 
   // need most recent 60 blocks, get index of first of those
   size_t offset = h - BLOCKCHAIN_TIMESTAMP_CHECK_WINDOW;
@@ -3345,7 +3351,7 @@ bool Blockchain::check_block_timestamp(const block& b, uint64_t& median_ts) cons
   return check_block_timestamp(timestamps, b, median_ts);
 }
 //------------------------------------------------------------------
-void Blockchain::return_tx_to_pool(std::vector<transaction> &txs)
+void Blockchain::return_tx_to_pool(std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>> &txs)
 {
   uint8_t version = get_current_hard_fork_version();
   for (auto& tx : txs)
@@ -3356,9 +3362,11 @@ void Blockchain::return_tx_to_pool(std::vector<transaction> &txs)
     // that might not be always true. Unlikely though, and always relaying
     // these again might cause a spike of traffic as many nodes re-relay
     // all the transactions in a popped block when a reorg happens.
-    if (!m_tx_pool.add_tx(tx, tvc, true, true, false, version))
+    const size_t weight = get_transaction_weight(tx.first, tx.second.size());
+    const crypto::hash tx_hash = get_transaction_hash(tx.first);
+    if (!m_tx_pool.add_tx(tx.first, tx_hash, tx.second, weight, tvc, true, true, false, version))
     {
-      MERROR("Failed to return taken transaction with hash: " << get_transaction_hash(tx) << " to tx_pool");
+      MERROR("Failed to return taken transaction with hash: " << get_transaction_hash(tx.first) << " to tx_pool");
     }
   }
 }
@@ -3371,11 +3379,12 @@ bool Blockchain::flush_txes_from_pool(const std::vector<crypto::hash> &txids)
   for (const auto &txid: txids)
   {
     cryptonote::transaction tx;
+    cryptonote::blobdata txblob;
     size_t tx_weight;
     uint64_t fee;
     bool relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen;
     MINFO("Removing txid " << txid << " from the pool");
-    if(m_tx_pool.have_tx(txid) && !m_tx_pool.take_tx(txid, tx, tx_weight, fee, relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen))
+    if(m_tx_pool.have_tx(txid) && !m_tx_pool.take_tx(txid, tx, txblob, tx_weight, fee, relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen))
     {
       MERROR("Failed to remove txid " << txid << " from the pool");
       res = false;
@@ -3398,9 +3407,12 @@ bool Blockchain::handle_block_to_main_chain(const block& bl, const crypto::hash&
   static bool seen_future_version = false;
 
   m_db->block_txn_start(true);
-  if(bl.prev_id != get_tail_id())
+  uint64_t blockchain_height;
+  const crypto::hash top_hash = get_tail_id(blockchain_height);
+  ++blockchain_height; // block height to chain height
+  if(bl.prev_id != top_hash)
   {
-    MERROR_VER("Block with id: " << id << std::endl << "has wrong prev_id: " << bl.prev_id << std::endl << "expected: " << get_tail_id());
+    MERROR_VER("Block with id: " << id << std::endl << "has wrong prev_id: " << bl.prev_id << std::endl << "expected: " << top_hash);
     bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
 leave:
     m_db->block_txn_stop();
@@ -3469,13 +3481,12 @@ leave:
   bool precomputed = false;
   bool fast_check = false;
 #if defined(PER_BLOCK_CHECKPOINT)
-  if (m_db->height() < m_blocks_hash_check.size())
+  if (blockchain_height < m_blocks_hash_check.size())
   {
-    auto hash = get_block_hash(bl);
-    const auto &expected_hash = m_blocks_hash_check[m_db->height()];
+    const auto &expected_hash = m_blocks_hash_check[blockchain_height];
     if (expected_hash != crypto::null_hash)
     {
-      if (memcmp(&hash, &expected_hash, sizeof(hash)) != 0)
+      if (memcmp(&id, &expected_hash, sizeof(hash)) != 0)
       {
         MERROR_VER("Block with id is INVALID: " << id << ", expected " << expected_hash);
         bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
@@ -3485,7 +3496,7 @@ leave:
     }
     else
     {
-      MCINFO("verify", "No pre-validated hash at height " << m_db->height() << ", verifying fully");
+      MCINFO("verify", "No pre-validated hash at height " << blockchain_height << ", verifying fully");
     }
   }
   else
@@ -3498,7 +3509,7 @@ leave:
       proof_of_work = it->second;
     }
     else
-      proof_of_work = get_block_longhash(bl, m_db->height());
+      proof_of_work = get_block_longhash(bl, blockchain_height);
 
     // validate proof_of_work versus difficulty target
     if(!check_hash(proof_of_work, current_diffic))
@@ -3511,9 +3522,9 @@ leave:
 
   // If we're at a checkpoint, ensure that our hardcoded checkpoint hash
   // is correct.
-  if(m_checkpoints.is_in_checkpoint_zone(get_current_blockchain_height()))
+  if(m_checkpoints.is_in_checkpoint_zone(blockchain_height))
   {
-    if(!m_checkpoints.check_block(get_current_blockchain_height(), id))
+    if(!m_checkpoints.check_block(blockchain_height, id))
     {
       LOG_ERROR("CHECKPOINT VALIDATION FAILED");
       bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
@@ -3528,7 +3539,7 @@ leave:
   TIME_MEASURE_START(t3);
 
   // sanity check basic miner tx properties;
-  if(!prevalidate_miner_transaction(bl, m_db->height()))
+  if(!prevalidate_miner_transaction(bl, blockchain_height))
   {
     MERROR_VER("Block with id: " << id << " failed to pass prevalidation");
     bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
@@ -3538,7 +3549,7 @@ leave:
   size_t coinbase_weight = get_transaction_weight(bl.miner_tx);
   size_t cumulative_block_weight = coinbase_weight;
 
-  std::vector<transaction> txs;
+  std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>> txs;
   key_images_container keys;
 
   uint64_t fee_summary = 0;
@@ -3557,7 +3568,8 @@ leave:
   txs.reserve(bl.tx_hashes.size());
   for (const crypto::hash& tx_id : bl.tx_hashes)
   {
-    transaction tx;
+    transaction tx_tmp;
+    blobdata txblob;
     size_t tx_weight = 0;
     uint64_t fee = 0;
     bool relayed = false, do_not_relay = false, double_spend_seen = false;
@@ -3577,7 +3589,7 @@ leave:
     TIME_MEASURE_START(bb);
 
     // get transaction with hash <tx_id> from tx_pool
-    if(!m_tx_pool.take_tx(tx_id, tx, tx_weight, fee, relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen))
+    if(!m_tx_pool.take_tx(tx_id, tx_tmp, txblob, tx_weight, fee, relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen))
     {
       MERROR_VER("Block with id: " << id  << " has at least one unknown transaction with id: " << tx_id);
       bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
@@ -3590,7 +3602,8 @@ leave:
     // add the transaction to the temp list of transactions, so we can either
     // store the list of transactions all at once or return the ones we've
     // taken from the tx_pool back to it if the block fails verification.
-    txs.push_back(tx);
+    txs.push_back(std::make_pair(std::move(tx_tmp), std::move(txblob)));
+    transaction &tx = txs.back().first;
     TIME_MEASURE_START(dd);
 
     // FIXME: the storage should not be responsible for validation.
@@ -3655,7 +3668,7 @@ leave:
 
   TIME_MEASURE_START(vmt);
   uint64_t base_reward = 0;
-  uint64_t already_generated_coins = m_db->height() ? m_db->get_block_already_generated_coins(m_db->height() - 1) : 0;
+  uint64_t already_generated_coins = blockchain_height ? m_db->get_block_already_generated_coins(blockchain_height - 1) : 0;
   if(!validate_miner_transaction(bl, cumulative_block_weight, fee_summary, base_reward, already_generated_coins, bvc.m_partial_block_reward, m_hardfork->get_current_version()))
   {
     MERROR_VER("Block with id: " << id << " has incorrect miner transaction");
@@ -3676,8 +3689,8 @@ leave:
   // at MONEY_SUPPLY. already_generated_coins is only used to compute the block subsidy and MONEY_SUPPLY yields a
   // subsidy of 0 under the base formula and therefore the minimum subsidy >0 in the tail state.
   already_generated_coins = base_reward < (MONEY_SUPPLY-already_generated_coins) ? already_generated_coins + base_reward : MONEY_SUPPLY;
-  if(m_db->height())
-    cumulative_difficulty += m_db->get_block_cumulative_difficulty(m_db->height() - 1);
+  if(blockchain_height)
+    cumulative_difficulty += m_db->get_block_cumulative_difficulty(blockchain_height - 1);
 
   TIME_MEASURE_FINISH(block_processing_time);
   if(precomputed)
@@ -3691,7 +3704,8 @@ leave:
     try
     {
       uint64_t long_term_block_weight = get_next_long_term_block_weight(block_weight);
-      new_height = m_db->add_block(bl, block_weight, long_term_block_weight, cumulative_difficulty, already_generated_coins, txs);
+      cryptonote::blobdata bd = cryptonote::block_to_blob(bl);
+      new_height = m_db->add_block(std::make_pair(std::move(bl), std::move(bd)), block_weight, long_term_block_weight, cumulative_difficulty, already_generated_coins, txs);
     }
     catch (const KEY_IMAGE_EXISTS& e)
     {
@@ -3875,11 +3889,9 @@ bool Blockchain::update_next_cumulative_weight_limit(uint64_t *long_term_effecti
   return true;
 }
 //------------------------------------------------------------------
-bool Blockchain::add_new_block(const block& bl_, block_verification_context& bvc)
+bool Blockchain::add_new_block(const block& bl, block_verification_context& bvc)
 {
   LOG_PRINT_L3("Blockchain::" << __func__);
-  //copy block here to let modify block.target
-  block bl = bl_;
   crypto::hash id = get_block_hash(bl);
   CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_tx_pool);//to avoid deadlock lets lock tx_pool for whole add/reorganize process
   CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL1(m_blockchain_lock);
@@ -3918,10 +3930,11 @@ void Blockchain::check_against_checkpoints(const checkpoints& points, bool enfor
 
   CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_blockchain_lock);
   stop_batch = m_db->batch_start();
+  const uint64_t blockchain_height = m_db->height();
   for (const auto& pt : pts)
   {
     // if the checkpoint is for a block we don't have yet, move on
-    if (pt.first >= m_db->height())
+    if (pt.first >= blockchain_height)
     {
       continue;
     }
@@ -4196,13 +4209,14 @@ uint64_t Blockchain::prevalidate_block_hashes(uint64_t height, const std::vector
 //    vs [k_image, output_keys] (m_scan_table). This is faster because it takes advantage of bulk queries
 //    and is threaded if possible. The table (m_scan_table) will be used later when querying output
 //    keys.
-bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry> &blocks_entry)
+bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry> &blocks_entry, std::vector<block> &blocks)
 {
   MTRACE("Blockchain::" << __func__);
   TIME_MEASURE_START(prepare);
   bool stop_batch;
   uint64_t bytes = 0;
   size_t total_txs = 0;
+  blocks.clear();
 
   // Order of locking must be:
   //  m_incoming_tx_lock (optional)
@@ -4249,7 +4263,6 @@ bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete
   bool blocks_exist = false;
   tools::threadpool& tpool = tools::threadpool::getInstance();
   unsigned threads = tpool.get_max_concurrency();
-  std::vector<block> blocks;
   blocks.resize(blocks_entry.size());
 
   if (1)
@@ -4265,6 +4278,7 @@ bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete
     auto it = blocks_entry.begin();
     unsigned blockidx = 0;
 
+    const crypto::hash tophash = m_db->top_block_hash();
     for (unsigned i = 0; i < threads; i++)
     {
       for (unsigned int j = 0; j < batches; j++, ++blockidx)
@@ -4277,18 +4291,15 @@ bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete
         // check first block and skip all blocks if its not chained properly
         if (blockidx == 0)
         {
-          crypto::hash tophash = m_db->top_block_hash();
           if (block.prev_id != tophash)
           {
             MDEBUG("Skipping prepare blocks. New blocks don't belong to chain.");
+            blocks.clear();
             return true;
           }
         }
         if (have_block(get_block_hash(block)))
-        {
           blocks_exist = true;
-          break;
-        }
 
         std::advance(it, 1);
       }
@@ -4302,10 +4313,7 @@ bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete
         return false;
 
       if (have_block(get_block_hash(block)))
-      {
         blocks_exist = true;
-        break;
-      }
 
       std::advance(it, 1);
     }
@@ -4341,7 +4349,7 @@ bool Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete
 
   if (blocks_exist)
   {
-    MDEBUG("Skipping prepare blocks. Blocks exist.");
+    MDEBUG("Skipping remainder of prepare blocks. Blocks exist.");
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -4770,10 +4778,11 @@ void Blockchain::load_compiled_in_block_hashes(const GetCheckpointsCallback& get
         uint64_t fee;
         bool relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen;
         transaction pool_tx;
+        blobdata txblob;
         for(const transaction &tx : txs)
         {
           crypto::hash tx_hash = get_transaction_hash(tx);
-          m_tx_pool.take_tx(tx_hash, pool_tx, tx_weight, fee, relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen);
+          m_tx_pool.take_tx(tx_hash, pool_tx, txblob, tx_weight, fee, relayed, do_not_relay, double_spend_seen);
         }
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h
index 92aef1278..9d928e386 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/blockchain.h
@@ -230,11 +230,12 @@ namespace cryptonote
     /**
      * @brief performs some preprocessing on a group of incoming blocks to speed up verification
      *
-     * @param blocks a list of incoming blocks
+     * @param blocks_entry a list of incoming blocks
+     * @param blocks the parsed blocks
      *
      * @return false on erroneous blocks, else true
      */
-    bool prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry>  &blocks);
+    bool prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry>  &blocks_entry, std::vector<block> &blocks);
 
     /**
      * @brief incoming blocks post-processing, cleanup, and disk sync
@@ -1396,7 +1397,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
      * @return true
      */
     bool update_next_cumulative_weight_limit(uint64_t *long_term_effective_median_block_weight = NULL);
-    void return_tx_to_pool(std::vector<transaction> &txs);
+    void return_tx_to_pool(std::vector<std::pair<transaction, blobdata>> &txs);
 
     /**
      * @brief make sure a transaction isn't attempting a double-spend
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp
index 599f42774..6639db620 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.cpp
@@ -724,7 +724,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return false;
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool core::handle_incoming_tx_pre(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, crypto::hash &tx_prefixt_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
+  bool core::handle_incoming_tx_pre(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
   {
     tvc = boost::value_initialized<tx_verification_context>();
 
@@ -737,9 +737,8 @@ namespace cryptonote
     }
 
     tx_hash = crypto::null_hash;
-    tx_prefixt_hash = crypto::null_hash;
 
-    if(!parse_tx_from_blob(tx, tx_hash, tx_prefixt_hash, tx_blob))
+    if(!parse_tx_from_blob(tx, tx_hash, tx_blob))
     {
       LOG_PRINT_L1("WRONG TRANSACTION BLOB, Failed to parse, rejected");
       tvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
@@ -772,7 +771,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return true;
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool core::handle_incoming_tx_post(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, crypto::hash &tx_prefixt_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
+  bool core::handle_incoming_tx_post(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
   {
     if(!check_tx_syntax(tx))
     {
@@ -906,7 +905,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     TRY_ENTRY();
     CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_incoming_tx_lock);
 
-    struct result { bool res; cryptonote::transaction tx; crypto::hash hash; crypto::hash prefix_hash; };
+    struct result { bool res; cryptonote::transaction tx; crypto::hash hash; };
     std::vector<result> results(tx_blobs.size());
 
     tvc.resize(tx_blobs.size());
@@ -917,7 +916,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
       tpool.submit(&waiter, [&, i, it] {
         try
         {
-          results[i].res = handle_incoming_tx_pre(*it, tvc[i], results[i].tx, results[i].hash, results[i].prefix_hash, keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
+          results[i].res = handle_incoming_tx_pre(*it, tvc[i], results[i].tx, results[i].hash, keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
         }
         catch (const std::exception &e)
         {
@@ -947,7 +946,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
         tpool.submit(&waiter, [&, i, it] {
           try
           {
-            results[i].res = handle_incoming_tx_post(*it, tvc[i], results[i].tx, results[i].hash, results[i].prefix_hash, keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
+            results[i].res = handle_incoming_tx_post(*it, tvc[i], results[i].tx, results[i].hash, keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
           }
           catch (const std::exception &e)
           {
@@ -983,7 +982,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
         continue;
 
       const size_t weight = get_transaction_weight(results[i].tx, it->size());
-      ok &= add_new_tx(results[i].tx, results[i].hash, tx_blobs[i], results[i].prefix_hash, weight, tvc[i], keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
+      ok &= add_new_tx(results[i].tx, results[i].hash, tx_blobs[i], weight, tvc[i], keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
       if(tvc[i].m_verifivation_failed)
       {MERROR_VER("Transaction verification failed: " << results[i].hash);}
       else if(tvc[i].m_verifivation_impossible)
@@ -1197,11 +1196,10 @@ namespace cryptonote
   bool core::add_new_tx(transaction& tx, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
   {
     crypto::hash tx_hash = get_transaction_hash(tx);
-    crypto::hash tx_prefix_hash = get_transaction_prefix_hash(tx);
     blobdata bl;
     t_serializable_object_to_blob(tx, bl);
     size_t tx_weight = get_transaction_weight(tx, bl.size());
-    return add_new_tx(tx, tx_hash, bl, tx_prefix_hash, tx_weight, tvc, keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
+    return add_new_tx(tx, tx_hash, bl, tx_weight, tvc, keeped_by_block, relayed, do_not_relay);
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   size_t core::get_blockchain_total_transactions() const
@@ -1209,7 +1207,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return m_blockchain_storage.get_total_transactions();
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool core::add_new_tx(transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const cryptonote::blobdata &blob, const crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash, size_t tx_weight, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
+  bool core::add_new_tx(transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const cryptonote::blobdata &blob, size_t tx_weight, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay)
   {
     if(m_mempool.have_tx(tx_hash))
     {
@@ -1250,8 +1248,8 @@ namespace cryptonote
   {
     std::vector<std::pair<crypto::hash, cryptonote::blobdata>> txs;
     cryptonote::transaction tx;
-    crypto::hash tx_hash, tx_prefix_hash;
-    if (!parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_blob, tx, tx_hash, tx_prefix_hash))
+    crypto::hash tx_hash;
+    if (!parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_blob, tx, tx_hash))
     {
       LOG_ERROR("Failed to parse relayed transaction");
       return;
@@ -1332,7 +1330,13 @@ namespace cryptonote
       m_miner.resume();
       return false;
     }
-    prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks);
+    std::vector<block> pblocks;
+    if (!prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks, pblocks))
+    {
+      MERROR("Block found, but failed to prepare to add");
+      m_miner.resume();
+      return false;
+    }
     m_blockchain_storage.add_new_block(b, bvc);
     cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks(true);
     //anyway - update miner template
@@ -1383,10 +1387,14 @@ namespace cryptonote
   }
 
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool core::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry> &blocks)
+  bool core::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry> &blocks_entry, std::vector<block> &blocks)
   {
     m_incoming_tx_lock.lock();
-    m_blockchain_storage.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks);
+    if (!m_blockchain_storage.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks_entry, blocks))
+    {
+      cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks(false);
+      return false;
+    }
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -1403,7 +1411,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
   }
 
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool core::handle_incoming_block(const blobdata& block_blob, block_verification_context& bvc, bool update_miner_blocktemplate)
+  bool core::handle_incoming_block(const blobdata& block_blob, const block *b, block_verification_context& bvc, bool update_miner_blocktemplate)
   {
     TRY_ENTRY();
 
@@ -1419,14 +1427,18 @@ namespace cryptonote
       return false;
     }
 
-    block b = AUTO_VAL_INIT(b);
-    if(!parse_and_validate_block_from_blob(block_blob, b))
+    block lb;
+    if (!b)
     {
-      LOG_PRINT_L1("Failed to parse and validate new block");
-      bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
-      return false;
+      if(!parse_and_validate_block_from_blob(block_blob, lb))
+      {
+        LOG_PRINT_L1("Failed to parse and validate new block");
+        bvc.m_verifivation_failed = true;
+        return false;
+      }
+      b = &lb;
     }
-    add_new_block(b, bvc);
+    add_new_block(*b, bvc);
     if(update_miner_blocktemplate && bvc.m_added_to_main_chain)
        update_miner_block_template();
     return true;
@@ -1466,9 +1478,9 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return m_blockchain_storage.have_block(id);
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool core::parse_tx_from_blob(transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash, const blobdata& blob) const
+  bool core::parse_tx_from_blob(transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, const blobdata& blob) const
   {
-    return parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(blob, tx, tx_hash, tx_prefix_hash);
+    return parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(blob, tx, tx_hash);
   }
   //-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   bool core::check_tx_syntax(const transaction& tx) const
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h
index 79d06662e..6d0ff098d 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/cryptonote_core.h
@@ -146,20 +146,21 @@ namespace cryptonote
       * optionally updates the miner's block template.
       *
       * @param block_blob the block to be added
+      * @param block the block to be added, or NULL
       * @param bvc return-by-reference metadata context about the block's validity
       * @param update_miner_blocktemplate whether or not to update the miner's block template
       *
       * @return false if loading new checkpoints fails, or the block is not
       * added, otherwise true
       */
-     bool handle_incoming_block(const blobdata& block_blob, block_verification_context& bvc, bool update_miner_blocktemplate = true);
+     bool handle_incoming_block(const blobdata& block_blob, const block *b, block_verification_context& bvc, bool update_miner_blocktemplate = true);
 
      /**
       * @copydoc Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks
       *
       * @note see Blockchain::prepare_handle_incoming_blocks
       */
-     bool prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry>  &blocks);
+     bool prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(const std::vector<block_complete_entry> &blocks_entry, std::vector<block> &blocks);
 
      /**
       * @copydoc Blockchain::cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks
@@ -829,13 +830,12 @@ namespace cryptonote
       *
       * @param tx_hash the transaction's hash
       * @param blob the transaction as a blob
-      * @param tx_prefix_hash the transaction prefix' hash
       * @param tx_weight the weight of the transaction
       * @param relayed whether or not the transaction was relayed to us
       * @param do_not_relay whether to prevent the transaction from being relayed
       *
       */
-     bool add_new_tx(transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const cryptonote::blobdata &blob, const crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash, size_t tx_weight, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay);
+     bool add_new_tx(transaction& tx, const crypto::hash& tx_hash, const cryptonote::blobdata &blob, size_t tx_weight, tx_verification_context& tvc, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay);
 
      /**
       * @brief add a new transaction to the transaction pool
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
       *
       * @note see parse_tx_from_blob(transaction&, crypto::hash&, crypto::hash&, const blobdata&) const
       */
-     bool parse_tx_from_blob(transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, crypto::hash& tx_prefix_hash, const blobdata& blob) const;
+     bool parse_tx_from_blob(transaction& tx, crypto::hash& tx_hash, const blobdata& blob) const;
 
      /**
       * @brief check a transaction's syntax
@@ -908,8 +908,8 @@ namespace cryptonote
      bool check_tx_semantic(const transaction& tx, bool keeped_by_block) const;
      void set_semantics_failed(const crypto::hash &tx_hash);
 
-     bool handle_incoming_tx_pre(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, crypto::hash &tx_prefixt_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay);
-     bool handle_incoming_tx_post(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, crypto::hash &tx_prefixt_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay);
+     bool handle_incoming_tx_pre(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay);
+     bool handle_incoming_tx_post(const blobdata& tx_blob, tx_verification_context& tvc, cryptonote::transaction &tx, crypto::hash &tx_hash, bool keeped_by_block, bool relayed, bool do_not_relay);
      struct tx_verification_batch_info { const cryptonote::transaction *tx; crypto::hash tx_hash; tx_verification_context &tvc; bool &result; };
      bool handle_incoming_tx_accumulated_batch(std::vector<tx_verification_batch_info> &tx_info, bool keeped_by_block);
 
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.cpp b/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.cpp
index 1c8f1c62c..c2cc93530 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.cpp
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     return true;
   }
   //---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  bool tx_memory_pool::take_tx(const crypto::hash &id, transaction &tx, size_t& tx_weight, uint64_t& fee, bool &relayed, bool &do_not_relay, bool &double_spend_seen)
+  bool tx_memory_pool::take_tx(const crypto::hash &id, transaction &tx, cryptonote::blobdata &txblob, size_t& tx_weight, uint64_t& fee, bool &relayed, bool &do_not_relay, bool &double_spend_seen)
   {
     CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL(m_transactions_lock);
     CRITICAL_REGION_LOCAL1(m_blockchain);
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
         MERROR("Failed to find tx in txpool");
         return false;
       }
-      cryptonote::blobdata txblob = m_blockchain.get_txpool_tx_blob(id);
+      txblob = m_blockchain.get_txpool_tx_blob(id);
       auto ci = m_parsed_tx_cache.find(id);
       if (ci != m_parsed_tx_cache.end())
       {
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.h b/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.h
index 8dd0337f0..7a8af8799 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_core/tx_pool.h
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
      *
      * @param id the hash of the transaction
      * @param tx return-by-reference the transaction taken
+     * @param txblob return-by-reference the transaction as a blob
      * @param tx_weight return-by-reference the transaction's weight
      * @param fee the transaction fee
      * @param relayed return-by-reference was transaction relayed to us by the network?
@@ -141,7 +142,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
      *
      * @return true unless the transaction cannot be found in the pool
      */
-    bool take_tx(const crypto::hash &id, transaction &tx, size_t& tx_weight, uint64_t& fee, bool &relayed, bool &do_not_relay, bool &double_spend_seen);
+    bool take_tx(const crypto::hash &id, transaction &tx, cryptonote::blobdata &txblob, size_t& tx_weight, uint64_t& fee, bool &relayed, bool &do_not_relay, bool &double_spend_seen);
 
     /**
      * @brief checks if the pool has a transaction with the given hash
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_protocol/cryptonote_protocol_handler.inl b/src/cryptonote_protocol/cryptonote_protocol_handler.inl
index 8fada4e3c..c8b43fb91 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_protocol/cryptonote_protocol_handler.inl
+++ b/src/cryptonote_protocol/cryptonote_protocol_handler.inl
@@ -418,7 +418,14 @@ namespace cryptonote
     m_core.pause_mine();
     std::vector<block_complete_entry> blocks;
     blocks.push_back(arg.b);
-    m_core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks);
+    std::vector<block> pblocks;
+    if (!m_core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks, pblocks))
+    {
+      LOG_PRINT_CCONTEXT_L1("Block verification failed: prepare_handle_incoming_blocks failed, dropping connection");
+      drop_connection(context, false, false);
+      m_core.resume_mine();
+      return 1;
+    }
     for(auto tx_blob_it = arg.b.txs.begin(); tx_blob_it!=arg.b.txs.end();tx_blob_it++)
     {
       cryptonote::tx_verification_context tvc = AUTO_VAL_INIT(tvc);
@@ -434,7 +441,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
     }
 
     block_verification_context bvc = boost::value_initialized<block_verification_context>();
-    m_core.handle_incoming_block(arg.b.block, bvc); // got block from handle_notify_new_block
+    m_core.handle_incoming_block(arg.b.block, pblocks.empty() ? NULL : &pblocks[0], bvc); // got block from handle_notify_new_block
     if (!m_core.cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks(true))
     {
       LOG_PRINT_CCONTEXT_L0("Failure in cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks");
@@ -697,10 +704,16 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
         std::vector<block_complete_entry> blocks;
         blocks.push_back(b);
-        m_core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks);
+        std::vector<block> pblocks;
+        if (!m_core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks, pblocks))
+        {
+          LOG_PRINT_CCONTEXT_L0("Failure in prepare_handle_incoming_blocks");
+          m_core.resume_mine();
+          return 1;
+        }
           
         block_verification_context bvc = boost::value_initialized<block_verification_context>();
-        m_core.handle_incoming_block(arg.b.block, bvc); // got block from handle_notify_new_block
+        m_core.handle_incoming_block(arg.b.block, pblocks.empty() ? NULL : &pblocks[0], bvc); // got block from handle_notify_new_block
         if (!m_core.cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks(true))
         {
           LOG_PRINT_CCONTEXT_L0("Failure in cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks");
@@ -1174,10 +1187,21 @@ namespace cryptonote
             }
           }
 
-          m_core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks);
+          std::vector<block> pblocks;
+          if (!m_core.prepare_handle_incoming_blocks(blocks, pblocks))
+          {
+            LOG_ERROR_CCONTEXT("Failure in prepare_handle_incoming_blocks");
+            return 1;
+          }
+          if (!pblocks.empty() && pblocks.size() != blocks.size())
+          {
+            m_core.cleanup_handle_incoming_blocks();
+            LOG_ERROR_CCONTEXT("Internal error: blocks.size() != block_entry.txs.size()");
+            return 1;
+          }
 
           uint64_t block_process_time_full = 0, transactions_process_time_full = 0;
-          size_t num_txs = 0;
+          size_t num_txs = 0, blockidx = 0;
           for(const block_complete_entry& block_entry: blocks)
           {
             if (m_stopping)
@@ -1229,7 +1253,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
             TIME_MEASURE_START(block_process_time);
             block_verification_context bvc = boost::value_initialized<block_verification_context>();
 
-            m_core.handle_incoming_block(block_entry.block, bvc, false); // <--- process block
+            m_core.handle_incoming_block(block_entry.block, pblocks.empty() ? NULL : &pblocks[blockidx], bvc, false); // <--- process block
 
             if(bvc.m_verifivation_failed)
             {
@@ -1272,6 +1296,7 @@ namespace cryptonote
 
             TIME_MEASURE_FINISH(block_process_time);
             block_process_time_full += block_process_time;
+            ++blockidx;
 
           } // each download block
 
diff --git a/src/p2p/net_node.inl b/src/p2p/net_node.inl
index e3d804086..341598e80 100644
--- a/src/p2p/net_node.inl
+++ b/src/p2p/net_node.inl
@@ -1398,7 +1398,15 @@ namespace nodetool
         }
         if(zone.second.m_net_server.is_stop_signal_sent())
           return false;
-        conn_count = get_outgoing_connections_count(zone.second);
+        size_t new_conn_count = get_outgoing_connections_count(zone.second);
+        if (new_conn_count <= conn_count)
+        {
+          // we did not make any connection, sleep a bit to avoid a busy loop in case we don't have
+          // any peers to try, then break so we will try seeds to get more peers
+          boost::this_thread::sleep_for(boost::chrono::seconds(1));
+          break;
+        }
+        conn_count = new_conn_count;
       }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
index 99b07a2b0..085e6075f 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
@@ -10181,11 +10181,11 @@ void wallet2::check_tx_key_helper(const crypto::hash &txid, const crypto::key_de
   else
   {
     cryptonote::blobdata tx_data;
-    crypto::hash tx_prefix_hash;
     ok = string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(res.txs_as_hex.front(), tx_data);
     THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!ok, error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to parse transaction from daemon");
-    THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!cryptonote::parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_data, tx, tx_hash, tx_prefix_hash),
+    THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!cryptonote::parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_data, tx),
         error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to validate transaction from daemon");
+    tx_hash = cryptonote::get_transaction_hash(tx);
   }
 
   THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(tx_hash != txid, error::wallet_internal_error,
@@ -10327,11 +10327,11 @@ std::string wallet2::get_tx_proof(const crypto::hash &txid, const cryptonote::ac
     else
     {
       cryptonote::blobdata tx_data;
-      crypto::hash tx_prefix_hash;
       ok = string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(res.txs_as_hex.front(), tx_data);
       THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!ok, error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to parse transaction from daemon");
-      THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!cryptonote::parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_data, tx, tx_hash, tx_prefix_hash),
+      THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!cryptonote::parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_data, tx),
           error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to validate transaction from daemon");
+      tx_hash = cryptonote::get_transaction_hash(tx);
     }
 
     THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(tx_hash != txid, error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to get the right transaction from daemon");
@@ -10445,11 +10445,11 @@ bool wallet2::check_tx_proof(const crypto::hash &txid, const cryptonote::account
   else
   {
     cryptonote::blobdata tx_data;
-    crypto::hash tx_prefix_hash;
     ok = string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(res.txs_as_hex.front(), tx_data);
     THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!ok, error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to parse transaction from daemon");
-    THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!cryptonote::parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_data, tx, tx_hash, tx_prefix_hash),
+    THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(!cryptonote::parse_and_validate_tx_from_blob(tx_data, tx),
         error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to validate transaction from daemon");
+    tx_hash = cryptonote::get_transaction_hash(tx);
   }
 
   THROW_WALLET_EXCEPTION_IF(tx_hash != txid, error::wallet_internal_error, "Failed to get the right transaction from daemon");
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
index 43b074c69..90afa91fd 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet_rpc_server.cpp
@@ -1689,23 +1689,14 @@ namespace tools
       cryptonote::blobdata payment_id_blob;
 
       // TODO - should the whole thing fail because of one bad id?
-
-      if(!epee::string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(payment_id_str, payment_id_blob))
-      {
-        er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_WRONG_PAYMENT_ID;
-        er.message = "Payment ID has invalid format: " + payment_id_str;
-        return false;
-      }
-
-      if(sizeof(payment_id) == payment_id_blob.size())
+      bool r;
+      if (payment_id_str.size() == 2 * sizeof(payment_id))
       {
-        payment_id = *reinterpret_cast<const crypto::hash*>(payment_id_blob.data());
+        r = epee::string_tools::hex_to_pod(payment_id_str, payment_id);
       }
-      else if(sizeof(payment_id8) == payment_id_blob.size())
+      else if (payment_id_str.size() == 2 * sizeof(payment_id8))
       {
-        payment_id8 = *reinterpret_cast<const crypto::hash8*>(payment_id_blob.data());
-        memcpy(payment_id.data, payment_id8.data, 8);
-        memset(payment_id.data + 8, 0, 24);
+        r = epee::string_tools::hex_to_pod(payment_id_str, payment_id8);
       }
       else
       {
@@ -1714,6 +1705,13 @@ namespace tools
         return false;
       }
 
+      if(!r)
+      {
+        er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_WRONG_PAYMENT_ID;
+        er.message = "Payment ID has invalid format: " + payment_id_str;
+        return false;
+      }
+
       std::list<wallet2::payment_details> payment_list;
       m_wallet->get_payments(payment_id, payment_list, req.min_block_height);
 
@@ -2593,23 +2591,19 @@ namespace tools
       ski.resize(req.signed_key_images.size());
       for (size_t n = 0; n < ski.size(); ++n)
       {
-        cryptonote::blobdata bd;
-
-        if(!epee::string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(req.signed_key_images[n].key_image, bd) || bd.size() != sizeof(crypto::key_image))
+        if (!epee::string_tools::hex_to_pod(req.signed_key_images[n].key_image, ski[n].first))
         {
           er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_WRONG_KEY_IMAGE;
           er.message = "failed to parse key image";
           return false;
         }
-        ski[n].first = *reinterpret_cast<const crypto::key_image*>(bd.data());
 
-        if(!epee::string_tools::parse_hexstr_to_binbuff(req.signed_key_images[n].signature, bd) || bd.size() != sizeof(crypto::signature))
+        if (!epee::string_tools::hex_to_pod(req.signed_key_images[n].signature, ski[n].second))
         {
           er.code = WALLET_RPC_ERROR_CODE_WRONG_SIGNATURE;
           er.message = "failed to parse signature";
           return false;
         }
-        ski[n].second = *reinterpret_cast<const crypto::signature*>(bd.data());
       }
       uint64_t spent = 0, unspent = 0;
       uint64_t height = m_wallet->import_key_images(ski, req.offset, spent, unspent);